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How Do I Prepare My Home for Showings?


Learn how to prepare your home for buyers and the open market.


 

Are you looking to sell your home this summer? While we’re still in a strong seller’s market, there is a widening gap between homes that are ready for the market and those that aren’t. If you want your home to be a winner on the open market, you probably need to make your home as ready and attractive to buyers as possible. It’s proven that the more showings you have, the more likely you are to have a faster sale and net a higher price. That’s why today, I’m sharing three ways you can get your house ready for showings this summer: 1. Take care of minor repairs upfront. Right now, buyers’ number one concern is higher interest rates and affordability. As a result, they want to put as much money down as they can to lower their monthly payments. This means that if you take care of repairs upfront, buyers will be more interested in your house and might even be willing to pay a premium. Taking care of cosmetic repairs upfront is a good idea even in a normal market, but higher interest rates mean this step is more important than ever.


"Buyers will pay a premium for homes in good condition."

 

2. Do some staging. Think about a model home: It’s clean, standardized, and impersonal. Your goal should be to get as close to that image as possible. Your home likely has a lot of personalized touches, like odd furniture, family photos, or maybe even an off-colored wall. I recommend trying to depersonalize your home as much as possible so prospective buyers can picture themselves living in your property. Plus, by packing everything away, you’ll make moving easier once you sell your house. 3. Have a plan for children and pets. Your showings probably won’t go smoothly if your dog or young children are running around. Instead, work with your agent to create a showing schedule with blocks of time when your home is ready for buyers. This way, you and your buyers won’t be disrupted. I recommend putting dogs in kennels just for the short time when you’ll be having showings. While moving your pets around might be a little work, it’s worth it to keep your house in pristine condition when buyers are viewing it. If you want a detailed showing plan or list of repairs to make before you list your home, please call or email me. I’d love to help you navigate this housing market!


What’s Happening in the Real Estate Market This Summer?

 


There are hidden benefits to the community when you buy or sell your property.


 

As we head further into the summer real estate market, tons of people have been asking me, “What’s going on in the market right now?” I get it; if you’re looking to move in the near future, you want to be informed about what’s happening with real estate. The truth is that home prices are still high in most areas; however, they’re starting to come down in a few places that were most affected by the pandemic boom market. While we don’t know for sure what this means for the country at large, it might be safer to make a move sooner rather than later. With that in mind, I’m sharing three key points about our housing market you need to know if you’re planning on making a move this summer:


1. There is a severe lack of inventory. Right now, a lot of people who would otherwise sell their homes are staying put because they have a low interest rate locked in with their current mortgage. As a result, inventory is incredibly low, and you’ll have way less competition than normal. Because of this, you can still sell quickly and at a good price as long as you work with your agent to build a strong marketing strategy.


"Buyers are motivated, but they won’t put up with homes in poor condition"

 

2. Buyers are very motivated. Right now, buyers across the country are as serious about purchasing your home as any I’ve ever seen. Think about it: Interest rates are still high, and home prices haven’t come down to compensate. If someone is looking at purchasing a home right now, it’s because they really need to move. This means you won’t have to deal with window shoppers, and you won’t have to have as many showings before you find someone willing to offer you a great deal.


3. Pricing and condition are critical. Buyers are motivated right now, but that means they won’t put up with overpriced or poor-quality homes. On the other hand, they will be willing to pay a premium if your home is in good condition. Take the time to work with your agent and fix minor repairs before you put your home on the open market. Also, work together to find a price that fits your local market—one that isn’t too high or too low.


You can still get a good deal this summer, but the future of our market is uncertain. If you have questions about where things might be heading or are interested in selling your home, call or email me. I’d love to hear from you!

The Ripple Effect of Buying a Home in Your Community

 

There are hidden benefits to the community when you buy or sell your property.


 

There have been countless articles focusing on the benefits of buying and selling homes for home buyers and home sellers. Rarely do you find one talking about how it can benefit your community. I recently spoke with an older gentleman who lived in his house for 30 years. Back then, the price of the house was very low, and now he is considering selling or renting it out. Either way, his decision will impact the community in different ways.


According to a yearly survey by the National Association of Realtors, a new construction home can contribute around $124,000 to the community, while a resale generates roughly $54,000. Buying or selling a property involves a lot of people, not just Realtors, escrow companies, and title reps. When you need to fix up your home, you need to hire termite companies, moving companies, and plumbing companies. Moreover, for inspections and showings, you need to consult with electricians, pool cleaners, stagers, and photographers.


"Real estate activity impacts different industries, boosting the economy in different ways. "

 

Real estate activity impacts different industries, boosting the economy in different ways. The survey also found that a home sale creates about three jobs. This is also good for the local economy, as it brings in more money and tax revenue. In California, for example, selling a $1.1 million property generates roughly $12,000 in property taxes alone. This is compared to a house that sold 30 years ago for $50,000, which would only bring in about $5,000 in taxes.


There’s also the income tax benefit. All of the jobs created by the purchase of a home mean more people paying income taxes. On top of that, there are gas taxes paid by the service providers working on your property, corporate taxes from the companies involved, and employee taxes. There’s a ripple effect happening that affects the local economy in many ways. 


So, if you are considering buying or selling a home, know that it’s not just a personal endeavor; you are also contributing to the community. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or are thinking about making a move. I’ll help you achieve your goals while helping the community.