How Long Will It Take to Sell My House?

Many sellers want to know how long their home will take to sell.

As agents, we can pull from several sources to determine average time on the market from time of listing to accepted offer. These statistics vary depending on interest rates, price range, local economics, and other factors.

Once an offer is received and accepted, the sale may take from 30 to 60 days to close, depending on the financing.

Therefore, to determine when to put your home on the market, decide the date you'd like to move and work backward from there. I'll look at the average time on the market for properties in your price range and the type of financing available. This will help me determine the time frame you will need.

If you're interested in getting an estimate on how much time to plan for your next move, please call or email us.We would be happy to provide you with an updated market evaluation for your home and discuss a timeline that will work for you, so you can accomplish your moving goals.

Foreclosure Activity Increases 4 Percent in August

Foreclosure Activity Increases 4 Percent in August

Letting Go of Clutter

Many people strive to become more organized but find it difficult to get rid of clutter. People may hang on to things because they are afraid to throw them out for fear they may want to use them later. Most professional organizers, however, advise that if you haven't used something in a year, it’s time to get rid of it.

An important reason to get organized and uncluttered is to sell your home. To obtain top dollar when you decide to sell, your home needs to be clean, well-maintained, and free of clutter.

Some tips to help you eliminate some of the clutter and get organized are:

* Donate items to charitable organizations, and use your receipts for tax deductions.
* Schedule a garage sale to sell your gently used items, but know that shoppers expect a hefty discount on price.
* Consider offering electronic gear, sporting equipment, or designer clothing to a consignment store.
* Throw out old papers and useless items.

You don't want to spend time and money moving the clutter to a new home. We hope this information will be of help to you. Please feel free to call or email us if you have any questions.

Maximizing Emotional Appeal

When you are ready to sell, you'll want to maximize the emotional appeal of your home. People who are enchanted with your home the moment they walk in are most likely to buy the home, and at a fair price.

Here are some tips to help enhance the emotional appeal of your home:

* Turn on the lights to create a warm glow and remove the shadows.
* Make sure the windows are clean and open the curtains or blinds.
* Keep the kitchen and baths clean and sparkling. Don’t leave dishes in the sink.
* Remove all clutter, make the beds, and pick up toys.
* Pack away items that may detract from a buyer’s ability to mentally move into your home such as family pictures or teen posters.
* Make the closets look bigger by packing up the clothes you are not using.
* Create a relaxing atmosphere with soft music.
* Make people feel at home with homey scents such as freshly baked cookies or bread or good potpourri.
* Check for pet odors and keep pets safely out of the way when your house is being shown.
* Clean out your basement and garage and neatly stack boxes you have stored there.
* Add charm and appeal with fresh flowers and plants.

Set the stage to show your home to its best advantage. Please call or email us if you have any questions or would like us to provide you with tips on how to prepare your home for sale

Relocation

Moving to a new city or town can be a wonderful adventure. People who have made many job transfers and moves recommend researching your destination city before the move. Visit the city on a workday and a weekend so you can see what kind of place it is in which to live and work. Use the Internet to research the area’s amenities and subscribe to your destination city’s local newspaper.

Find out from your employer what kind of relocation package will be provided. Will the cost of the move be paid for? If you have a home to sell in your current city, will your employer help with the closing costs or guarantee a buy-out if the house doesn't sell right away? Get such offers of assistance in writing. Will you be able to afford the cost of living in your new city? It is essential to figure out what you will need in order for the move to work for you.

Here are some practical tips to help you with a relocation transition:

* Move quickly. Extended good-byes are painful and upsetting.
* Conserve cash. Have an emergency fund for surprises that may occur before, during, and right after the move.
* Be open to your new environment. The new area may be just as good as or better than the place you are leaving.
* Understand that your children may experience loss and confusion. They may act out if they can't express their frustration or sadness.

If you find yourself needing help with relocation or if you know someone else who is relocating, we can provide excellent information about your destination city. And we can refer you to an agent who works in that area to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Please call or email us if we can help you or any of your friends and family.

Receive a Return on Your Remodeling Investment

When you purchase a new home, you want to personalize or imprint it with your own style. This usually takes the form of decorating, such as painting, wallpapering, and installing new window treatments.

You may want to remodel your new home as well as decorate it. Many home improvements may enhance your lifestyle, but they may not necessarily add resale value.

Although this may not seem important right now, it will certainly make a difference when the time comes to sell. You won't get your money back with some improvements, yet others can help make you money.

The return on investment differs from region to region, but here are some general rules:

* Enhancing a home's “curb appeal” will help sell it for top dollar. Painting the exterior is a relatively inexpensive way to add curb appeal.
* Remodeling the kitchen and/or baths is one of the best ways to add value.
* Adding a room or garage is an expensive improvement, but it can pay off if it is carefully designed.
* Decks and patios can add value in some areas.
* Landscaping often adds appeal, but not necessarily value.

Please feel free to call or email us with any questions.

Factors That Drive Value

Household incomes, mortgage rates, the job market, and affordability are all factors that help determine a home’s value. Yet another factor is a home’s amenities.

Of course buyers look at the number of bedrooms and baths and whether they have been updated or remodeled. They also look for an updated or remodeled kitchen, a family room or “great room,” two- or three-car garages, and an outdoor living area, such as a patio or deck.

With many people working longer hours, another factor that affects value is the condition of the property. Most people want a home that they can move into easily. Keeping your home in good repair is important to obtaining top dollar when it is time to sell, as well as for your own enjoyment in the meantime.

Maintaining your home consistently is the most efficient way to keep it in good repair. Seasonal chores such as checking the gutters and downspouts in the fall and checking the roof for weather damage in the spring can maximize their effectiveness and minimize the time it takes to keep them maintained.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email us if we can provide you with information or resources on home maintenance.