Selling

An Expert Makes All the Difference When You Sell Your House

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If you’re thinking of selling your house, it’s important to work with someone who understands how the market is changing and what it means for you. Here are five reasons working with a professional can ensure you’ll get the most out of your sale.

With today’s housing market defined by change, it’s critical to work with someone who knows the latest informationand how it impacts your goals. An expert real estate advisor knows about national trends and your local area too. More importantly, they’ll give insight to what all of this means for you, so they’ll be able to help you make a decision based on trustworthy, data-bound information.

2. A Local Professional Knows How To Set the Right Price for Your Home

Home price appreciation has moderated this year. If you sell your house on your own, you may be more likely to overshoot your asking price because you’re not as aware of where prices are today. Pricing your house too high can deter buyers or cause your house to sit on the market for longer.

Real estate professionals look at a variety of factors, like the condition of your home and any upgrades you’ve made, with an unbiased eye. They compare your house to recently sold homes in your area to find the best price for today’s market so your house sells quickly.

3. A Real Estate Advisor Helps Maximize Your Pool of Buyers

Since buyer demand has cooled this year, you’ll want to do what you can to help bring in more buyers. Real estate professionals have a wide range of tools at their disposal, such as social media followers, agency resources, and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), to ensure your house gets in front of people looking to make a purchase. Investopedia explains why it’s risky to sell on your own without the network an agent provides:

“You don’t have relationships with clients, other agents, or a real estate agency to bring the largest pool of potential buyers to your home.”

Without access to your agent’s tools and marketing expertise, your buyer pool – and your home’s selling potential – is limited.

4. A Real Estate Expert Will Read – and Understand – the Fine Print

Today, more disclosures and regulations are mandatory when selling a house. That means the number of legal documents you’ll need to juggle is growing. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts it like this:

“There’s a lot of jargon involved in a real estate transaction; you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.”

5. A Local Professional Is a Skilled Negotiator

In today’s market, buyers are regaining some negotiation power. If you sell without an expert, you’ll be responsible for any back-and-forth. That means you’ll have to coordinate with:

  • The buyer, who wants the best deal possible
  • The buyer’s agent, who will use their expertise to advocate for the buyer
  • The inspection company, which works for the buyer and will almost always find concerns with the house
  • The appraiser, who assesses the property’s value to protect the lender

Instead of going toe-to-toe with these parties alone, lean on an expert. They’ll know what levers to pull, how to address everyone’s concerns, and when you may want to get a second opinion.

Bottom Line

Don’t go at it alone. If you’re planning to sell your house this spring, let’s connect so you have an expert by your side to guide you in today’s market.

Bottom Line

Don’t go at it alone. If you’re planning to sell your house this spring, let’s connect so you have an expert by your side to guide you in today’s market.

A Smaller Home Could Be Your Best Option

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Many people are reaching the point in their lives when they need to decide where they want to live when they retire. If you’re a homeowner approaching this stage, you have several options to explore. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

“As we see the transition of the large Baby Boomer generation age into retirement, it will be interesting to see if they move in with their Millennial and Gen Z children or if they stay put in their own homes.”

Lautz lists two options: move into a multigenerational home with loved ones, or stay in your current house. Multigenerational living is rising in popularity, but it isn’t an option for everyone. And staying put may fit fewer and fewer of your needs. There’s a third option though, and for some, it’s the best one: downsizing.

When you sell your house and purchase a smaller one, it’s known as downsizing. Sometimes smaller homes are more suited to your changing needs, and moving means you can also land in your ideal location.

In addition to the personal benefits, downsizing might be more cost effective, too. The New York Times (NYT) shares:

“Many downsizers expect to improve their retirement income stream if their new home costs less than what their old house sells for. Lower utility costs, insurance and property taxes — as well as investment returns on the proceeds — can also improve the bottom line.”

Being in a strong financial position is one of the most important parts of retirement, and downsizing can make a big difference.

A key part of why downsizing is still cost effective today, even when mortgage rates are higher than they were a year ago, is the record-high level of equity homeowners have. Leveraging your equity when you downsize can lower or maybe even eliminate the mortgage payment on your next home.

So, not only is the upkeep of a smaller home likely more affordable, but leveraging your home equity could make a big difference too. Your local real estate advisor is the best resource to help you understand how much equity you may have in your current home and what options it can provide for your next move.

Bottom Line

If you’re a homeowner getting ready for retirement, part of that transition likely includes deciding where you’ll live. Let’s connect so you can understand your options and explore your downsizing opportunities.

Bottom Line

If you’re a homeowner getting ready for retirement, part of that transition likely includes deciding where you’ll live. Let’s connect so you can understand your options and explore your downsizing opportunities.

Spring into Action: Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Expert Guidance

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To sell your home this spring, it may need more preparation than it would have a year or two ago. Today’s housing market has a different feel. There are more homes for sale than there were at this time last year, but inventory is still historically low. So, if a house has been sitting on the market for a while, that’s a sign it may not be hitting the mark for potential buyers. But here’s the thing. Right now, homes that are updated and priced at market value are still selling fast.

Today, homes with curb appeal that are presented well are still selling quickly, and sometimes over asking price. According to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com:

“In a market where costs are still high and buyers can be a little choosier, it makes sense they’re going to really zero in on the homes that are the most appealing.”

With the spring buying season just around the corner, now’s the time to start getting your house ready to sell. And the best way to determine where to spend your time and money is to work with a trusted real estate agent who can help you understand which improvements are most valuable in your local market.

Curb Appeal Wins

One way to prioritize updates that could bring a good return on your investment is to find smaller projects you can do yourself. Little updates that boost your curb appeal usually work well. Investopedia puts it this way:

“Curb-appeal projects make the property look good as soon as prospective buyers arrive. While these projects may not add a considerable amount of monetary value, they will help your home sell faster—and you can do a lot of the work yourself to save money and time.”

Small cosmetic updates, like refreshing some paint and power washing the exterior of your home, create a great first impression for buyers and help it stand out. Work with a real estate professional to find the low-cost projects you can tackle around your house that will appeal to buyers in your area.

Not All Updates Are Created Equal

When deciding what you need to do to your house before selling it, remember you’re making these repairs and updates for someone else. Prioritize projects that will help you sell faster or for more money over things that appeal to you as a homeowner.

The 2022 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) highlights popular home improvements and what sort of return they bring for the investment (see graph below):

Remember to lean on your trusted real estate advisor for the best advice on the updates you should invest in. They’ll know what local buyers are looking for and have the latest insights of what your house needs to sell quickly this spring.

Bottom Line

As we approach the spring season, now’s the time to get your house ready to sell. Let’s connect today so you can find out which updates make the most sense.

Bottom Line

As we approach the spring season, now’s the time to get your house ready to sell. Let’s connect today so you can find out which updates make the most sense.

3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This Year

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A new year brings with it the opportunity for new experiences. If that resonates with you because you’re considering making a move, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement over your next home and a sense of attachment to your current one.

A great way to ease some of those emotions and ensure you’re feeling confident in your decision is to keep these three best practices in mind.

1. Price Your Home Right

The housing market shifted in 2022 as mortgage rates rose, buyer demand eased, and the number of homes for sale grew. As a seller, you’ll want to recognize things are different now and price your house appropriately based on where the market is today. Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, explains:

“Price your home realistically. This isn’t the housing market of April or May, so buyer traffic will be substantially slower, but appropriately priced homes are still selling quickly.”

If you price your house too high, you run the risk of deterring buyers. And if you go too low, you’re leaving money on the table. An experienced real estate agent can help determine what your ideal asking price should be.

2. Keep Your Emotions in Check

Today, homeowners are living in their houses longer. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), since 1985, the average time a homeowner has owned their home has increased from 5 to 10 years (see graph below):

3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This Year | MyKCM

This is several years longer than what used to be the historical norm. The side effect, however, is when you stay in one place for so long, you may get even more emotionally attached to your space. If it’s the first home you bought or the house where your loved ones grew up, it very likely means something extra special to you. Every room has memories, and it’s hard to detach from the sentimental value.

For some homeowners, that makes it even harder to negotiate and separate the emotional value of the house from fair market price. That’s why you need a real estate professional to help you with the negotiations along the way.

3. Stage Your Home Properly

While you may love your decor and how you’ve customized your home over the years, not all buyers will feel the same way about your design. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you focus on your home’s first impression so it appeals to as many buyers as possible. As NAR says:

“Staging is the art of preparing a home to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers in your market. The right arrangements can move you into a higher price-point and help buyers fall in love the moment they walk through the door.”

Buyers want to envision themselves in the space so it truly feels like it could be their own. They need to see themselves inside with their furniture and keepsakes – not your pictures and decorations. A real estate professional can help you with tips to get your house ready to sell.

Bottom Line

If you’re considering selling your house, let’s connect so you have the help you need to navigate through the process while prioritizing these best practices.

* This post first appeared here.

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5 Strategies to Help Sell Your Home in 2023: Tips From A Local Real Estate Professional

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Picture of a house for sale

Are you thinking about selling your home? It’s a big decision, and it’s natural to want all the help you can get. That’s why I’m sharing my best advice and I’ve compiled it into a few key tips. Whether your goal is to attract high offers, sell quickly, or just make the process go smoothly, these strategies will help you get the best possible results.

One of the most effective ways to sell your home fast and get the returns you want is to work with a professional real estate agent. Not only do they have the expertise to help you with tasks like pricing, marketing, and negotiations, but they also often have a network of connections to help you prepare your home for sale. It’s no surprise, then, that only 10% of homes are sold by owner (FSBO), according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). In fact, a NAR report found that the median FSBO home sells for $105,000 less than homes sold with the help of an agent.

As the housing market continues to adjust in 2023, it’s important to remember that buyers are no longer as eager to make offers above the listing price, waive contingencies, or get into bidding wars. Instead, top agents are advising motivated sellers to focus on tried-and-true strategies. Here are some tips to help you sell your home successfully:

Work With A High Quality Agent

Did you know that a top agent can help clients sell their homes for up to 10% more than the average real estate agent? When you work with me you’ll get the same hard work, attention to detail, and marketing that my team and I provide to everyone.

Enhance the interior of your home

If you want to show off your home’s value to potential buyers, start by making some improvements to the interior. These are some of the most impactful changes you can make:

Tackle repairs and upgrades: One of the quickest ways to set your home up for a fast sale is to tackle any deferred maintenance and necessary repairs. However, it’s important to do your research and focus on the upgrades that will give you the highest return on investment (ROI) and that are in high demand in your area. To get a sense of current preferences, you can visit open houses in the neighborhood, or you can hire a professional to conduct a pre-listing inspection. This will help you identify any essential repairs that could hold up the sale of your home later on. I also help my clients in their decision making by advising them about what people are looking for and touring their home before they start renovations or improvements.

Deep clean the interior: A thorough cleaning can help you sell your home in several ways. It prevents potential buyers from getting distracted by dirt or clutter, enhances the features of your home that might otherwise go unnoticed, and reassures buyers that there aren’t any other neglected amenities hiding in your home. For older homes in particular, it might be worth hiring a professional cleaning service to make sure every corner is sparkling.

Depersonalize and stage the space: It’s important to remove personal items and clutter from your home to make it easier for buyers to envision themselves living there. You should also consider staging the space to highlight the best features of your home and make it feel more inviting. This might involve rearranging furniture, adding some pops of color with decorative accessories, or bringing in some greenery to add life to the space.

Improve your home’s curb appeal

The first thing buyers see when they pull up to your home is the exterior, so it’s important to make a good impression. Here are some ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal:

Spruce up the landscaping: A well-manicured lawn and nicely trimmed bushes can go a long way in creating a positive first impression. If your landscaping is looking a bit overgrown, consider hiring a professional to tidy it up. You might also want to add some colorful flowers or potted plants to add a splash of color.

Touch up the paint: If your home’s exterior is looking a bit shabby, a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference. Choose a neutral color that will appeal to a wide range of buyers, and be sure to pay attention to details like trim and shutters.

Add some exterior lighting: Exterior lighting can create a warm and welcoming ambiance, and it’s also a practical feature that can help with safety and security. Consider adding some lanterns, sconces, or floodlights to highlight your home’s best features.

Be flexible and open to negotiation

While it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want to get out of the sale of your home, it’s also crucial to be open to negotiation. Buyers may come to the table with requests or counteroffers, and it’s up to you to decide whether or not you’re willing to compromise. It can be helpful to have a real estate agent by your side to advise you on what’s reasonable and what’s not.

Price your home correctly

Pricing your home correctly is essential to attracting buyers and getting the best possible return on your investment. If you price your home too high, it may sit on the market for too long and turn off potential buyers. On the other hand, if you price it too low, you’ll leave money on the table. A real estate agent can help you determine the right price based on market conditions and local demand, as well as the features and condition of your home.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and profitable home sale. With the right strategy and a little bit of effort, you can achieve your home selling goals.

Contact me today to start a conversation about selling your home and how I can help you all throughout the process.

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