If you're getting ready to put your home on the market, one of the best things you can do is adopt a "go with the flow" attitude!
Unless market conditions are ideal and all the stars are in perfect alignment, there will probably be a few ups and downs on the road to getting your house sold!
In all probability, there will be encouraging days and a setback or two, but with the help of a resourceful real estate agent and a little planning on your part, good luck is sure to come your way! What do we mean by the word "luck" in this case? The answer to that question can be found in a quote by the ancient Roman philosopher, Seneca: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity!"
While a proactive real estate agent will create opportunities to attract potential buyers and present your home to its best advantage, the "preparation" part of the formula will mostly be up to you. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of that "window of opportunity" that opens up as soon as your agent puts your house on the market and plants a for sale sign in your front yard!
Curb appeal: Making a great impression from a street point-of-view can be one of your most effective forms of advertising. When your property looks neat, well maintained, and nicely landscaped, you'll be sending a positive message to potential buyers. By showing people that you have pride in ownership, they'll realize and appreciate the fact that your home has been well taken care of. Some homes require more preparation than others to convey that image, but when you pay attention to details, the desired results often follow.
Home staging: Staging your home for maximum impact involves strategies like arranging furniture in conversational groupings. In other words, if the configuration of your furniture lends itself to socializing, relaxation, and comfort, you'll be sending a positive message to people about the desirability of your home. It's also to your benefit to convey a feeling of spaciousness, cleanliness, and good taste. Although everyone has different taste when it comes to decorating, your real estate agent can offer helpful tips, based on their experience, objectivity, and training.
Most upgrades, repairs, and improvements to your house can potentially increase the chances of selling your home within the shortest period of time. Your agent can help you prioritize tasks you need to do to make a favorable impression on house hunters. They will provide you with professional advice on factors like cost effectiveness, urgency, and putting your best foot forward. In many cases, there are simple and relatively inexpensive measures you can take to improve your home's marketability, eye appeal, and perceived value.
Finding a new home that will meet your family's current and future needs requires a clear mental picture of what you want and your desired lifestyle.
While you may not be able to get every item on your new-house wish list, knowing your priorities is the first step to realizing your goals.
For many growing families, having a spacious eat-in kitchen is a high-priority. Here are a few reasons a large kitchen can enhance the enjoyment of your new home.
Entertaining guests: If you like to host holiday gatherings, birthday parties, and other celebrations at your home, a spacious kitchen lends itself to everything from food preparation and buffet setup to mingling with your party guests. Kitchens are a focal point of social gatherings, and can play a major role in the success or failure of your parties, dinners, and other events.
Increased efficiency: Without enough counter space and room to comfortably move around, meal preparation can turn into more of a chore than a pleasure. Ideally, there should be unobstructed paths between key work stations, including the stove and kitchen sink (You'll want to have a clear path when you're ready to drain cooked pasta or carry pots of water to the stove.) Generally, the more people you're serving, the more crucial it is to have plenty of space for working, staying organized, and keeping track of cooking times. Since food preparation is both an art and a science, it requires planning, proper execution, and the freedom to express your creativity.
Family harmony: There are at least two ways that ample kitchen space can contribute to harmonious family relationships. First of all, gathering in the kitchen at mealtime, every day, helps foster good communication between members of your family. When you're facing each other and sharing stories, plans, and concerns at the kitchen table, it's easier to know what's going on in the lives of your spouse and children. A roomy kitchen also helps keep the peace in your family. For example, when more than one person is getting a snack, making a meal, or cleaning up, having a little extra space can help keep family members from bumping into each other and feeling cramped. Conflicts sometimes arise, especially among siblings, when there's a shortage of personal space. On busy days when everyone is rushing in opposite directions, often at a hectic pace, having enough counter and floor space in the kitchen can help minimize drama and keep family traffic flowing smoothly.
Whether you're entertaining dinner guests or baking cookies for a school bake sale, the process is sure to go more smoothly when you have sufficient counter space and a work flow area that helps gets things done in the shortest period of time.
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If your lender does not demand it, skipping the home inspection might be fairly tempting as you move toward closing on the house of your dreams. Although moving full steam ahead might provide what you need in the moment, that decision could end up causing problems in the future. So, even though it will take a little bit extra time, here’s why you should always have an inspection performed before you commit to buying a home.
Home inspectors go through the entire property with a fine tooth comb, looking for safety issues and other faults. As they go, they check off all the issues, so they can create a detailed report at the end of their visit.
Depending on what they find, they might note:
With that information, you will know just what needs to be fixed before you move in, helping keep everyone in your household safe from harm.
While inspecting the home, your inspector will verify all work is completed to code and under the right permits. They will compare the structure’s characteristics to the building blueprints and other documents to make sure all is well. Their efforts will help prevent problems in the future when you go to have the residence remodeled or even put it back on the market.
If the inspection reveals any problems that might be a dealbreaker for you, the report can be used to negotiate with the seller. Your real estate agent can help in negotiating a price break or even to have repairs performed before closing. Then, you can have another inspection performed to verify the safety hazards or other issues are rectified before completing the purchase.
Even if you do not find any major issues with the home, you can still use the inspection report to your advantage. As you review the notes, watch for any developing issues that might require maintenance or repairs in the near future. Then, use that information to save up money for the work and complete it before the problems escalate. With that approach, you are less likely to be caught by surprise by leaks, appliance failure, or any other issues that could come your way.
Even though it might push back your closing date by a bit, you are not likely to regret having a home inspection performed. The report will provide invaluable information that allows you to move forward with confidence you are making the right purchase decision.
