Deborah's Blog

Minor Repairs Can Yield Top Dollar

Deborah Laemmerhirt, Realtor, GRI, AHWD (Coldwell Banker ) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:21:56 -0500

Imagine you are the buyer looking at your home. What do you think needs repair? If there are items that need fixing, buyers may take the repair costs off the price they offer for the home. And they often inflate these costs.

If the lender requires the repairs to be made to the property as a condition of the loan, you, the seller, may pay for the repairs twice: first in a lower sale price and second in the out-of-pocket cost of the repairs themselves.

The most common areas of concern are the roof, gutters, and downspouts. Repair of missing or peeling exterior paint may also be a condition of the loan.

The following are simple repairs that make a huge difference in marketability and sale price:
* Replace washers in leaking faucets
* Fix handrails and repair steps
* Replace light bulbs and fixtures where necessary
* Make sure windows open and close
* Eliminate earth-to-wood contact around the house
* Replace loose or damaged tile or vinyl

Taking care of necessary repairs before putting your house on the market is important to yielding top dollar and ensuring a quick, hassle-free sale. I'd be happy to come by and make some recommendations on how to create an inviting atmosphere. Homes that convey pride of ownership frequently receive the best offers.

Maximum Exposure for Top Dollar

Deborah Laemmerhirt, Realtor, GRI, AHWD (Coldwell Banker ) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:11:53 -0600

When you are ready to sell your home, it is important to have a marketing plan developed to provide you with the maximum exposure. This is part of my responsibility as a Real Estate Professional. Once implemented, it will allow me to market a home to the widest segment of buyers. The more potential buyers you have viewing your home, the better the opportunity to obtain top dollar.

There are many methods to use when marketing your home:

"For Sale" signs
Posting 24/7 fliers with sign
Lead Router
Open Houses
Realtor Caravans
Mailings to the neighbors
Calls and mailings to prospective customers
Ads in the papers
Ads in real estate magazines

One of the most effective ways to market your home, however, is on the Internet, where you get exposure 24/7. According to the latest research, over 80% of all home buyers surf the Web in search of their new home. If your marketing plan includes an added advantage of regional, national and worldwide exposure, you home will get seen!

Effective Pricing Leads to Success!

Deborah Laemmerhirt, Realtor, GRI, AHWD (Coldwell Banker ) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:52:31 -0600

When it is time to sell your home, you want to price it to yield as much return as possible. Pricing strategy is one of the most important elements in selling your home.

A market analysis of your home will help you determine value. This involves analyzing the current competition--other like properties currently on the market. I'll look at properties that have already sold, to determine what people have been willing to pay for similar properties. I will also analyze properties that haven't sold, some of which are overpriced.

The goal is to price the property accurately for the marketplace. You don't want to leave money on the table, but you don't want to overprice your home either. If you overprice the property, you risk having your home sit on the market. Then you may have to drop the price below what you could have received if it had been priced correctly to begin with. Upon seeing a home that is fairly priced, most motivated buyers offer full or almost full price.

When you are ready to sell, I'll be happy to stop by for a quick view of your home. Together we will price it to sell for top dollar, in the shortest amount of time, with the least amount of inconvenience to you.

How Long Will It Take to Sell My House?

Deborah Laemmerhirt, Realtor, GRI, AHWD (Coldwell Banker ) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:31:30 -0600

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 me. I 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.

Letting Go Of Clutter!

Deborah Laemmerhirt, Realtor, GRI, AHWD (Coldwell Banker ) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:54:29 -0600

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. I hope this information will be of help to you. Please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions.

MAXIMIZE THE EMOTIONAL APPEAL OF YOUR HOME!

Deborah Laemmerhirt, Realtor, GRI, AHWD (Coldwell Banker ) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:29:26 -0600

When you are ready to sell, you'll want to maximize the emotional appeal of your home. People who are enchanted with your home upon walking in the door are more likely to buy, and at a fair price.

Here are some tips to 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 don't hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions, or would like some professional tips on preparing your home for sale.

RELOCATION

Deborah Laemmerhirt, Realtor, GRI, AHWD (Coldwell Banker ) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:26:04 -0600

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, I can provide excellent information about your destination city. And I can refer you to an agent who works in that area to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Please call or email me if I can help you or any of your friends and family.

RECEIVE A RETURN ON YOUR REMODELING INVESTMENT

Deborah Laemmerhirt, Realtor, GRI, AHWD (Coldwell Banker ) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 07:12:35 -0600

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 parts of the country.
Landscaping often adds appeal, but not necessarily value.

I'd be happy to discuss any improvement projects you might be considering. Please feel free to call or email me with any questions.

Factors that affect your home's value

Deborah Laemmerhirt, Realtor, GRI, AHWD (Coldwell Banker ) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:14:12 -0500

What influences the value of your home? Household incomes, mortgage rates, the job market, and affordability are all factors that help determine a home's value. 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.