National Open House Weekend !

This weekend is the National Open House Weekend on Saturday April 20th and Sunday April 21st we are going to see buyers out in mass ! If you only hold one open house this year whether your an agent or a For Sale By Owner this will be the weekend to take get your home out there ! Because there will be a large amount of homes holding these open houses it is very important that your home shows well, and you take the time to make sure it stands out from the crowd !

• Timing: You should consider letting your agent hold a longer open house, because there will more than likely be alot of homes on a buyers itinerary for the day you want to make sure they don't miss yours ! Simple adding an extra hour to the open house can make a difference or consider holding one later in the day during times that others are not like 3PM - 5PM ! 

• Be Inviting: Either your or your agent will want to find a way to get the buyers to slow down and really see your home, when there are so many open houses to get to buyers will sometimes go through a home quickly and miss some great features.  A simple way to do that is by setting out some refreshments.  Make an area where they can help themselves to some ice tea or water it will give them a reason to take a minute to relax and take in what your home offers.  

• Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal: Putting up some new numbers on your front door, putting out some brightly colored potted plans, add some additional solar lighting, or even a small lounge area on a porch can really change the look of a home from the curb ! 

• Set Up Outdoor Space: I always stress in the spring time for homeowners to play up their outdoor living area, but during this weekends open houses it is the perfect opportunity.  Buyers will be happy to be able  to spend sometime outside with their agent or yours discussing what your home offers them ! Other plus is anything you invest in outside will usually be things that will be going with you to your new home so it is not an investment you would be leaving behind ! 

• Make It Memorable !  Buyers will be receiving quite a few highlight sheets from all of the open houses. You want to take the time to set yourself apart and give them a reason to keep your homes information separate from all of those others that will more than likely be lost.  What I do is actually give them a packet with your homes information, community & school information, and other real estate related articles, and for some homes I include an Virtual Presentation DVD of your home ! 

I wish the best of luck to all homeowners who are hoping to find their buyer this weekend, and for all those buyers happy house hunting ! If your interested in seeing a full list of what homes will be holding open houses in the Babylon Village area please look under the Real Estate Round-Up which I publish every Friday on the Babylon Patch ! 

Staging For The Spring

It's Spring ! It may not feel like spring just yet, but mother nature will be getting with the program in the next few days bringing us some warmer weather! All those homeowners who have their homes on the market, and those who are getting ready to make their debut here are a few tips to get your home ready for the spring rush of buyers !

Update Your Pictures - If your home was listed in the winter you will want to update the pictures this way it showcases your homes spring look ! This is not only important to keep your listing from looking outdated, but if your anything like me I love my outdoor space and buyers should get the opportunity to see it too !

Create Your Outdoor Space - Having an inviting outdoor space whether it is a inviting front porch, or a great entertaining space in your backyard can really set you apart from your competition.  Here are a few quick tips for creating that space !

• Decks/Porches/Railings always look a bit nicer with a fresh coat of paint or a good power washing ! 
• Inexpensive solar lighting to help light walk-ways not only make things safer, but also gives you great curb appeal ! 
• Brightly colored potted plants add to your curb appeal, and the best part is even someone without a green thumb can maintain these with very little work ! 
• Update your outdoor furniture, if your moving into your new home and were going to upgrade this furniture this season take the time and do it now. Since it will be going with you to your new home it will help showoff what that space offer to your buyers ! 

Lighten Things Up - Many people enjoy switching out their winter attire when the spring arrives you should do the same for your home !  Many people overlook the fact that we tend to use darker heavier fabric on things like our bedding and curtains so giving your home a new "wardrobe" for the spring is a great idea ! 

• Sheer curtains will allow the extra day-light to stream into your home, which tends to also make your room look larger and more inviting.  Sheer curtains are also a great alternative for those who have large sliding doors, it allows you to keep your privacy but let the buyers see the outdoor space combined with indoor space ! 
• Removing your darker colored linens (ex:bedding, throw pillows, blankets) also work wonders for changing the feeling or the atmosphere of a room, and again these items are coming with you to your new home ! 

Give Your Home A Spring Cleaning - This is the perfect time of year to make any of those minor repairs or changes to your home, if your anything like me the last thing you want to do in the winter is pull out the paint, or spend hours cleaning when you can't open up the windows.  Any home can show a bit better with only a days worth of work ! 

• Touch up your paint - white moldings often change color a bit a fresh coat of white high gloss paint give the room a fresh/clean feel ! 
• Letting the air in is of course important so your home doesn't feel stuff, but don't forget cleaning those windows can really showcase a picture or bay window ! 
• The best part of spring is obviously the fresh air and flowers, but you want to be careful because of allergies during this time of year.  Burning a light scented candle before your home is shown is always a nice idea especially if you have pets ! 
• A fresh coat of paint on your front door, new house numbers, or replacing broken window screens is another great way to increase your curb appeal.  

If your unsure what you should be doing to stage your home for the (hopefully) nearing spring season, take the time to call your Realtor.  Many times we will see things that could be improved simply with a bit of re-arranging or much simpler fixes than you may think ! 

Preparing Your Home For The Fall Selling Season

Someone at some point started a myth that selling your home during the fall and winter months is a bad idea.  Now I have written a blog dedicated to this, so take a look at this blog for some reasons why you should keep your home on the market during the next few weeks HERE. 

This blog is dedicated to some of the things you should do in and around your home to really make it stand out for the upcoming fall season. 

Outdoor Tips 

• Keep Up Your Curb Appeal -  Keep making sure your lawn and shrubs are being well maintained, if your like me most of your summer flowers are no longer looking so perky.  Either replace them with some fall perenials or simply take out the dead flowers, and store away the planter.  
• Outside Living Area - The outdoor area is still a great place to make your home stand-out, because many people are still very interested in taking a good look at it you should play it up.  Of course, if you are like me your pool will be closed pretty soon so be sure you just try to keep the area around the pool clean and tidy. Leave the patio area still accessible and set up as if you would be entertaining because many people are visual if they don't see it they can't picture it! 
• Keep The Lights On - With our days becoming shorter you will want to make sure that all your outdoor lights are working properly.  If you have a patio area or gardens investing in some small solar powered lighting is a great idea.  You can generally find these in 4 packs for under $30 at your local Lowes or Home Depot, this is a great way of highlighting those areas you may not otherwise take notice of! 

 

Indoor Tips 

• Switch Out Your Accent Pieces - With the fall months try bringing in some darker tone accent pieces, if you have guilts considering hanging them or simply switch out those light summer prints for some others.  This is great because you will be able to take them with you to your new home and you can find it these at your local discount store.
• Add Candles & Bring In Fall Smells - This is a great idea because most people like the typical smells of the fall: Apple Pie and Pumpkin are my particular favorite.  It also adds to the lighting aspect and gives it a bit of ambiance ! 
• Prep Your Fireplace - If your fireplace works now is the time to have it cleaned and ready for use.  I don't recommend ever leaving a fire burning for buyers to see but it should be ready in case they ask you if it works.  I have a son so therefore even though my fireplace works I have a 4 year old so it is not the safest to use, try putting some candles or arrange come pumpkins by it to spruce it up a little bit! 
• Change The Linens - Change over some of those light colored throws and pillows to darker colors, or hang your heavier drapes.  You can also set up your dining room table with some dark, rich linens with a nice accent piece to warm up your table. 
• Bring Out The Welcome Mat - The fall brings us some rain and cold weather so you will want to have mats for the buyers to feel okay with wiping their feet on.  You can offer them a place to hang their jackets while they walk around your home, you don't want them distracted you want them to take it all in! 

Tips For Selling During The Summer

It is that time of the year again, with every change in season I write a blog for homeowners who are selling or thinking of listing.  Although the weather we have been having seems more like spring with all of the rain lately, summer is only a few days away.

Now some Realtors will tell you that summer isn't the best time to sell, this is another one of those myths that I don't know how it started but it is false.  If your selling during the summer months you can expect a few more "tire kickers" but you can also expect to see some very aggressive buyers.

Bring The Outdoors In 

• The simplest way to help your flow from the inside of your home to your outdoor entertaining is very simple.  If you have a patio door or sliders make sure that you remove the blinds if they are not inside the glass, and place a shear curtain up instead.  This allows the light to still shine through, while still giving you privacy.  

• Your patio is almost as important as your dining room to buyers during the summer time, if you have a patio set take the time to arrange it on the patio, spruce it up with new cushions or an umbrella.  Show buyers that they will have the space and area to entertain in your yard.  If your patio is smaller they do sell small bistro sets that you can purchase, these are great for condo's and townhouses ! 

• Outdoor lighting is becoming a very popular trend, it really does make the yard look very inviting and adds some ambiance.   You can pick up sets of 4 from your local home improvement store for under $40, and they are solar so they require no wiring and generally last 3 years before they need new batteries. 

Water Works

• Water your lawn regularly !!  I can't tell you how many homes during the summer months including mine, get those large patches of brown straw like grass.  A brown lawn is never appealing, this is a big part of curb appeal be sure you invest in good sprinklers if you do not have the luxury of in ground sprinklers.  

• Time your sprinklers for times when buyers will not be walking around your yard. I know that the best time to water the lawn for most people is the middle of the day, but take the time to perhaps either run them in the early morning hours or later in the evening.  I am a big fan of strappy sandals and I can't help but not want to walk on a wet lawn, many women will understand this and you want the buyers to spend time in your home taking it in, not avoiding parts of it.  

• If you have a pool be sure to open it up, make sure your water is clear most buyers will assume if your pool is closed that something is not working properly.  You want to showcase this kind of amenity, if you have decking or fencing around it be sure you make sure that it is in the best shape possible a simple power washing, or fresh coat of stain can go a long way.  

Comfortable & Cool 

• Don't skimp out on the air conditioning this time of year, if you have air conditioners turn them on ! Now you don't want to freeze your buyers out but keeping it at a school 68 degrees allows buyers to be comfortable walking around your home.  I can't tell you how quickly a showing will end if a home is hot and stuffy on a summer day, no matter how great the home is no one wants to be in a sauna. 

• Now I do tell most of my homeowners to leave during showings of their home, many buyers no matter how nice the homeowner, still feel as if they are intruding.  What you can do is in a small bowl put some ice and a few bottles of water, it is a nice gesture that will often allow buyers to relax, cool off and really take in your home rather than rush through it.   

Clean Up & Organize 

• This is the simplest thing to do, and surprisingly very important to buyers. Outdoor areas are very important to buyers but where they are going to store all the things they don't want to leave out in the weather is also important.  If you have a shed or a garage with an entrance/exit into the backyard take the time to clean them out and organize. 

• Make sure any chemicals you have (Ex: Pool chemicals, pesticides, gas containers)  are locked up, many buyers will have their children with them since there is no more school, and camps usually let out early.  

These are just a few of the tips for the summer selling season, and there are additional tips that were covered in the Spring Season blog. If you are looking for suggestions on what you could do to spruce up your yard I am always more happy to help.  You can email me pictures of your "problem areas" and I will make some simple/inexpensive suggestions that may help.  

Spring Has Arrived !

Now I know what your saying, spring is not quite here yet but all you homeowners who decided to go ahead and wait for the spring market to put your house on the market ...... it is here NOW! 


We have seen a ton of buyer activity, I personally think it is because we had such a mild winter everyone is more than ready to go outside into the great weather and start their search.  I can't blame them, but these are smarter buyers than last year many have been looking for quite some time, and have seen countless homes.  They know what they are looking for and chances are they have a pretty accurate idea of what your home is worth!

So here goes another blog with some helpful tips on ....................

Spring Staging Tips

Get Ready For Entertaining ! 
Now you might be wondering why who are you entertaining ? BUYERS ! 
Outside spaces are a great area to "play up" during the spring.  Plant some colorful flowers, put out some comfortable chairs, perhaps some solar lighting to give it character! 

Spring Cleaning 

Take down those heavy winter curtains put up some light colored sheer curtains and let the air and the sunshine come in! Take a good look around your home could your doors or trim use a quick coat of crisp white paint, sometimes that fresh white trim can really make a house look a little more appealing.  Box up your winter wardrobe. Bulky winter clothes take up lots of space, so move them out as you de-clutter your closets. You'll impress buyers with all that space.


Curb Appeal
I would say that you only get one chance at a first impression but the truth is when your home is listed you actually get two chances.  The first is when they find your home online, and the second is when they finally come to your front door.  Make sure that your entryway is inviting ! Make sure that your pathways are clear, your grass is green and well kept, and a few potted plants to add color! If your home has vinyl siding please take a good look at it  if you can see the dirt and pollen than spend a weekend and give it a good power-washing not everyone can see passed those things.  


Lighten The Mood 
Tuck away the heavy, winter flannel comforter and pull out crisp linens with coverlets for color. Bring in the spring with floral-designed spreads or colorful solids. Don't forget accent pillows for added style and comfort.


Open House
What do buyers spending their weekends doing in the spring? I will tell you what, they are out with their open house "schedule" in hand, checking out houses that they spent all week long searching for on MLS! Even if you don't like having alot of open houses, at least allow your agent to occasionally hold one, and take that time and go and snoop on your competition.  Attending others open houses will allow you to look at your home from a buyers point of view when you get back home.  


IF YOUR HOME WAS LISTED IN THE WINTER

Update Your Photo's ! 
I can't tell you how many homeowners list their homes in the winter but than come spring they don't change the photo's of the home or add additional photos of their outside space! Change your pictures with the season, this is something you should ask your agent to do for you if they don't suggest doing it on their own! 


Update Your Listing ! 
You are going find yourself with a whole lot more competition than you did in those winter months! I don't know who started the rumor that homes don't sell in the winter, or why for that matter but all of that no longer matters.  


You must take a good look at your home from the buyers point of view and adjust your price accordingly, if you don't update your price to the new market conditions in 6 months you will still be on the market, and all of those homes priced aggressively will have sold!  

Fall In Love With The American Dream & Open House Tips

Let's take a moment and talk about open houses, over the passed few weeks that seems to be a very common question that sellers have been asking me about.  Perhaps it is brought about my the event Coldwell Banker is holding, called "Fall In Love With The American Dream".  Everyone wants to know what it is, and why is it something only we are doing.


This is our effort as a company to stimulate buyers for the fall season, those people who just couldn't find the right house over the summer will now want to make a deal and be in their new home for the holiday!   While most realtors and companies simply sit back and wait for the buyers to come back for the spring market, we are actively pushing the fall market! This open house event is promoted via email, print mail, television, and social media (ex-You Tube, Facebook).  For our event in October which is this weekend, the numbers are in and we have twice as many open houses as any other company!


People buy houses all year round, there is no cut-off date to when your home will sell!  I personally have found for my buyers shopping during the fall season is almost always more pleasant.   The most obvious reason is because who really wants to walk into a home that is vacant with no AC on, when the temperature outside is 90 degrees, I know that isn't my favorite house to go into, and I know that it isn't for my buyers either.


Here are some tips for what to do for your open house!

1. Pick the right date. When planning your open house, be sure to check the calendar for major holidaysand local events. Last thing you want is to have your open house scheduled on Mothers Day, City Festival date or the date of other important event. If you do, you will be disappointed.  If your company holds large campaigns (Like the Fall In Love With The American Dream Event), make sure your listing agent has an open house.   Also please do not call your agent on Thursday, for an open house that Saturday, you need to promote your open house for atleast a week to be able to take full advantage of advertising it! 

2. Create a welcoming feeling before they get to your front door. That front door that you never use... there are spiderwebs there (I'm not gonna tell anyone, don't worry. Just get rid of them!) Tidy up, get rid of those tired looking plants and replace them with freshly planted ones. With the fall and winters holiday's approaching most home-owners will be decorating, for more tips on how to sell your home in the fall and winter, there is another blog dedicated to just that. O

3. Take a look at your walls. Not everyone will love your dusty rose and hunter green. Even the yummy chocolate brown has to go. Light and airy is the way to go, you need it to be a blank canvas for buyers 1 not to be distracted, and 2 to picture their belongings in your house.  This doesn't mean your home needs to become sterile and bland, we don't want that either.  Neutral colors, on the walls and splashes of color in accent pieces will still give your home style and personality! 

4. Create a specious feel in your home. Move furniture around to create space and direct traffic and attention of your potential buyers to where you want it.  You want them to see the space not stuff!  This does NOT mean to get rid of your dresser and put your mattress on the floor, you want them to see the space being used efficiently.  

5. Get rid of stuff! Now your probably saying what are you talked about you just told me not to, I told you not to put your mattress on the floor, and live out of a laundry basket for the sake of space, if you did that you would have space, but it would have clutter.  You want key pieces of furniture to stay so they can see what can fit.  

Here are some examples.  In the bedroom you would want them to see it fits a bed, dresser, and even some nightstands.  You do not want them to see clutter on top of the nights stands, and un-made bed, the collection of your every picture of your 18 year old son from the time he was born on your wall!  The dining room is another always interesting space, you want them to see the dinging room table ONLY if it is in the dining room, do not advertise a formal dining room if your using it as a den!  Books, pictures, clothes on the floor, don't just store these in a closet because trust me they will be opening those doors too!

n house tips

10.Remove yourself, your family and your pets from the house and your cars from the driveway prior to the Open House.  Open houses are much different from when a realtor calls to show your home.  Sometimes you will need to be home, or the dog will just have to go into the yard because that is the only place for him/her.  But open houses are a different ballgame all together, and I will say it for you, moving a pet out of the house for 2 hours isn't always easy!  Trust me I know I have pets.  My suggestion take your dog to get groomed, schedule their appointment as the same time as the open house!  Take the kids to grandma and grandpas, tell them the open house is longer than it is and get some good alone time in while they are there, I won't tell! Or better yet pack up the kids, dogs, family and go and see other properties in your area that are having an open house!