Andover | North Andover Real Estate & Home Town News » selling your home

Home staging is key in today’s market

pzuena — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:20:42 +0000

Staging a home prepares it for the potential buyer's eye

The Andover and North Andover real estate market may be improving but that doesn’t mean that selling real estate still isn’t tough in today’s competive market. The key to successfully selling your home is to make it stand above the rest. That’s why many real estate companies and home owners have hired staging companies to help market their homes. Empty homes are often completely furnished by staging companies to allow the potential buyer to see the best features of the home. While having your home decorated by a professional designer is often well worth the investment of time and money, professional home staging may not be in your budget. So here are a few tips for getting your home ready to sell, staging it yourself:

Remove clutter. Clear off counters, clean out cabinets and closets. Too much stuff lying around gives rooms, closets and cabinets a smaller feel. You want the potential buyer to see space and room. You’re going to have to pack your belongings anyway, why not do it before you put your home on the market and improve the outcome of the sale at the same time?
Remove personal items. Photos, school items, political and religious material should all be removed. By presenting a neutral space the buyer will be better able to see himself , not you, living in the home.
Pay attention to the outside of your house. A little landscaping and a freshly painted front door can go a long way. You have only one chance to make a first impression. Buyers often preview homes by driving by before scheduling a showing. It’s critical to present a good first impression.
Clean, clean, clean. Clean your floors. If you have carpet get it cleaned professionally. Make sure your walls are clean and your appliances smudge-free. Clean everything….and don’t forget windows and light fixtures!
Arrange furniture in ways that make your rooms seem more spacious. Use furniture to define spaces, create conversation areas and focus attention on your favorite features such as a sunny window or cozy fireplace. Invite your buyer to linger comfortably.
Have a home inspection. Inspecting your home before you sell allows you to make repairs in advance and thus help the negotiations move more quickly and more favorably.

When you are selling your home you want it to appeal to the potential buyer. If you can help them fall in love with your home as you did you will likely see a quicker sale and more favorable terms. Did I mention CLEAN?

Read more tips on how to prepare your home for sale and see my Andover North Andover business directory for help with your projects.

Home staging is key in today’s market is a post from: Andover | North Andover Real Estate & Home Town News

You Have 30 Seconds to Make a Good Impression! Be Ready To Put Your Home On The Market With These Staging Tips

lheraty — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:47:03 +0000

The first impression really does count with potential home buyers. If your home is lacking basic curb appeal or is not sparkling inside, you could lose a potential buyer’s interest immediately - and never get it back! Here are some tips to avoid losing a potential buyer:

Flowers, flowers, flowers. Nothing welcomes a potential buyer more to a home than colorful flowers.
Keep walkways clear, trimmed and weeded.
Patios must be power-washed.
Windows should be sparkling.
Dust everywhere. Even the baseboards.
Since potential buyers look everywhere, make sure underneath your sinks and closets are clean, clutter-free and odor-free.
Remove all personal items such as framed photos, awards and collectibles. Buyers need to be able to imagine the space as theirs.
Paint any room that is a bright color, a neutral color.
Remove any worn or outdated furniture.
Repair any chipped or smudged paint, broken fixtures or squeaky doors.
Toss worn carpets.
Consider replacing dated hardware.

For more information about home staging go to Home Staging Information and for a recommendation for a local stager contact me at RE/MAX Partners in Andover. I feel so strongly about the value of home staging and making a great first impression that I include an initial consultation with my stager FREE as part of my home seller service package.

Improve The Air Quality In Your Home With These “Green” Ideas

lheraty — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:47:35 +0000

Many homeowners today are concerned about the quality of air in their homes, since we spend so much time indoors. Here are some ways that you can achieve superior air quality while improving your family’s respiratory health. This is what you can do, moving from room to room.

Basement: Since the furnace is in this space, you must have it inspected and cleaned yearly to avoid leakage of dangerous gases. Also, many basements can be damp and therefore may grow mold. You must make sure your gutters are doing their job of keeping water runoff away from your home. Installing a dehumidifier or air conditioner can keep even the most moist basement dry.
Garage: Install a weatherproof door between this room and the rest of your home. It will keep gasoline odors where they belong. Your lungs will thank you.
Kitchen: If you have a gas range, you must have a hood fan that exhausts outdoor air. Turning on that fan, or simply opening a window while cooking will remove gas fumes. All fuel burning appliances must be professionally inspected yearly to prevent possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
Family/Living Room: Dust accumulation can be simply eliminated with the reduction of clutter. Keeping toys, books and other items nicely stored away in closets is the way to go.
Bedrooms: Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Dust mites and allergens are also greatly reduced by washing bedding in hot water. Choose area rugs that are easy to wash.
Bathrooms: Ventilation is so important in this well-used room. Exhaust fans work to remove moisture and chemicals that you clean with. Change your cleaning products to ones that have no pesticides or toxic ingredients. See www.grist.org for a list of green bathroom cleaners.
Attic: Have your duct work inspected if it runs through an uninsulated attic. Why? Because humid air condenses and can cause mold and rust. Consider having your attic insulated.

Throughout your home always leave doors between rooms open for better air circulation Opening windows from time to time is a no-brain er, but some forget to do it. As we become more and more aware of the need to protect the world's environment, it's nice to know that there are simple things we can do right here in our own homes in Andover and North Andover to create a healthier and more comfortable environment for our families. As is so often the case, sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference. Remember, too, that if you're thinking about selling your home, these same small steps can help you sell your home for more money and in less time.

Tips for selling Your Home in Andover or North Andover During The Winter Months

lheraty — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:44:43 +0000

As everyone knows, spring is the most desirable time to put your house on the market as the weather seems to always cooperate and your landscaping’s appeal can be fully realized. But if you simply must list your home during the winter months, here are a few things that you can do to make the undertaking a little bit less challenging.

Keep dead tree limbs picked up.
Keep driveway, steps and walkways plowed, shoveled and salted at all times.
Keep gutters clean - so no icicles can form.
Replace weather-stripping as needed to keep drafts away.
Keep all valves to outdoor spigots turned off to avoid burst pipes.
Holiday decorations should be put away as soon as possible.
Keeping a roaring fireplace during an open house this time of year is always a good thing.
Keep lists handy for all potential buyers of all of your home’s energy efficiencies, i.e. wrapped pipes, extra insulation, new windows, etc.
Keep all windows clean to let in as much light as possible. Remove all screens to storage and take down any heavy drapes. This will let in that extra light that so many potential buyers will be demanding this time of year.
Keep as many lights on as possible during showings. If you cannot be there, set lights on timers and add motion sensors to walkways. You may even consider installing motion detectors for walk-in closets.
Keep photos around your home showing the house in all seasons. A nice shot of your blooming flowers and lush green shrubs will help potential buyers understand what is under all of that snow!
Keep the indoor temperature at a comfortable setting. You want potential buyers to linger and to see themselves relaxing at home. A shivering buyer will be thinking more about getting back into a warm car than arranging their furniture in their new home.

Remember that home sales continue throughout the winter months...especially in Andover, North Andover and the rest of New England where winters are long and cold. Buyers who are planning a move in the spring or summer months often begin their home search during the winter months so be prepared, follow these tips, and look for opportunities for selling your home during our New England winter.

Real Estate Websites Are Reporting High Traffic And Record Revenues

lheraty — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:39:53 +0000

Despite this current economic downturn, there are some real estate websites that are faring quite positively during this time. At the top of the pile is Trulia. Trulia, Inc. is a national residential real estate search site that was started in San Francisco in 2005. It was a venture capital-backed startup. According to Comscore, Trulia had 2.58 million visitors in the month of October, which unbelievably was one hundred percent higher than October of last year. Trulia’s officials report that their website receives five million hits per month.

Trulia’s revenue comes mostly from advertising and Realtor membership payments. Its co-founder and C.O.O. Sami Inkinen claims that their revenue is growing by double digits each month, and that they expect the company to become profitable by the first half of 2009. Two other Real Estate websites that are doing remarkably well are a real estate brokerage site named ZipRealty, and the national commercial Real Estate search site named LoopNet Inc.

It's because of trends like these that I'm optimistic about the future of the real estate market here in Andover and North Andover. It's also the reason why, when I list your home for sale, I'll make sure your home reaches the widest possible market across the world. I'll be sure to showcase your home with multiple high quality photographs, virtual tours and videos. With my online listing enhancements your home will stand out above the crowd. I'll combine my personal service and local market expertise with the powerful REMAX brand, technology and marketing to help you sell your home at the highest price, in the shortest amount of time and with the most favorable terms.

Contact me to learn how I can market your home and help you get your home sold.

Tips for selling your home in Andover

pzuena — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:41:11 +0000

Clean out, organize closets. Get sorting—organize your piles into “don’t need,” “haven’t worn,” and “keep.” Closets must be only half-full so buyers can visualize fitting their belongings.

Update window treatments. Buyers want light and views, not dated drapes that darken. To diffuse light and add privacy, consider energy-efficient shades and blinds.

Hire a home inspector. Do a preemptive strike, since busy home owners seek maintenance-free living. Fix problems before you list the home and then display receipts and wait for buyers to offer kudos to sellers for being so responsible.

Tips for selling your home in Andover is a post from: Andover | North Andover Real Estate & Home Town News

More tips to help sell your home

pzuena — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:15:36 +0000

Install crown molding. Install molding proportional to the room’s size, and architecturally compatible. For ceilings nine feet high or higher, add dentil detailing, small tooth-shaped blocks used as a repeating ornament. It’s all in the details, after all.

Screen hardwood floors. Buyers favor wood over carpet, but refinishing is costly and time-consuming. Screening cuts dust, time, and expense. What it entails: a light sanding, not a full stripping of color or polyurethane, then a coat of finish.

More tips to help sell your home is a post from: Andover | North Andover Real Estate & Home Town News

Add value to your home –more quick fixes!

pzuena — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:27:49 +0000

Enrich with color! Paint is cheap but forget the adage that it must be white or neutral. Just don’t get too avant-garde with jarring pinks, oranges or purples. Soft colors say "welcome" and lead the eye from room to room. Think soft yellows and pale greens. Tint the ceilings a lighter shade.

Upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms. These are make-or-break rooms. Make each room squeaky clean and clutter free. Update the pulls, sinks, and faucets. In the kitchen add on cool appliance such as an expresso maker. In the bathroom mimic a hotel or spa. Fresh towels are a must!

Add value to your home –more quick fixes! is a post from: Andover | North Andover Real Estate & Home Town News

Quick Fixes to Increase the Value of Your Home

pzuena — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:05:07 +0000

With buyers more scarce, it’s important for sellers to offer what many want most–top value for their money! Let’s consider some simple ideas to help you get the most for your home.

Buff up curb appeal. You’ve heard it before, but it’s critical to get buyers to want to look on the inside. Be objective. View your home from the street. Check the condition of the landscaping, paing, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, house number and even how window treatments look from the outside. Add something special–such as big flower pots or an antique bench. Help viewers remember your home! Many buyers drive by homes before scheduling a tour. Make sure your home is one buyers will want to visit.

For a free report "21 Tips to Sell Your Home Faster" contact Paulette Zuena.

Quick Fixes to Increase the Value of Your Home is a post from: Andover | North Andover Real Estate & Home Town News