Sellers » Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty

4 Things to NOT Pack When Moving

October 5, 2020 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

If you are planning on selling your home, you may be starting to plan your packing lists, however, you should always make sure to leave a few items in the home. Contrary to common belief, you shouldn’t pack absolutely everything, as there are a few things that should always be left for the new homeowners upon closing.

Owner’s Manuals/Warranties

This is the one thing that might be the most commonly thought of. All owner’s manuals for appliances throughout the home should be left for the new owners. This includes things such as kitchen appliances, portable AC units, central air, furnaces, washing machines, etc. If any of the appliances are currently under warranty of any kind, you will also want to be sure to leave the warranty information with the manuals.

Paint

Leaving touch up paint in the garage is a huge bonus for new homeowners. Should you freshly paint the home prior to selling, make sure to leave a can of paint in the same color so that the new owners can easily touch up any spots that may be needed. In addition, if you have an accent walls, as well as different colors in the bathrooms or bedrooms, leaving paint for those walls as well will be highly appreciated by the buyer.

In-Ground Items

Unfortunately, all in-ground items such as a mailbox, fire pits, light posts, etc. all need to be left. Anything that is attached to the ground is always considered part of the property and not your personal belongings. If there is something specific that you want to take with you that is attached to the ground, you should discuss that with your seller’s agent to make sure that it is listed within your selling contracts and agreements.

Related: Do I Need a Seller’s Agent?

Light Fixtures

Anything that is attached to the house, especially light fixtures are always expected to stay with the house. This does exclude floor lamps or table lamps, as they are not physically attached to or installed into the home. While light fixtures are expected to remain within the home, should there be a specific fixture you wish to take with you, be sure to express this to your real estate agent so that they can inform the sellers of the change.

As a general rule of thumb, you should never leave a mess for the buyers to walk into, however, by providing them with a few key things as mentioned above, you will make it easier for them to settle into their new home.

If you are currently searching for a new home, are in need of a qualified buyers agent or listing agent, or have any questions regarding today’s markets, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

Additional Tips for Sellers:

4 Benefits of Staging Your Home

September 16, 2020 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

When it comes time to sell your home there quite a few key factors that will play a role in both the success, profit and efficiency of the sale. While hiring a knowledgeable seller’s agent is of course a vital key component to any successful real estate sale, one tool that sellers can use to help excel their listing, and thus result in a faster and potentially more profitable sale, is by choosing to stage the home.

Related: Do I Need a Seller’s Agent?

Allows Buyers to Really See the Home

By staging your home, it removes any and all personal belongings and set’s the home up to look as if the buyer was about to move in. This allows the potential buyer to visually see themselves in the home without picturing the life someone else may have had. By showcasing the potential your home has and by staging each room you are essentially creating a beautiful blank canvas where buyers can mentally plan out a life prior to moving in. Instead of seeing a nursery, buyers could envision an at home office, or a guest room to fit their personal needs.

It Sells the Home Faster

If you are hoping for a fast sale, staging your home is another great tool to success. Homes that are staged generally sell 90% faster than those that aren’t. While this percentage does vary pending on the current market and homes available, generally a staged home will always sell exceptionally faster than those that are not. Not only are the seller’s personal belongings already out of the home, but the home staging provides a fresh appearance and buyers will generally place an offer sooner simply by the aesthetic of the space.

It Provides a Higher Offer

While there are costs involved when it comes to staging a home, by choosing to stage the property you can also receive a higher offer and thus sell your home for a higher profit. On average, staged homes sell for 6% more than homes that are not. Staging your home will allow the space to be amplified, features will be highlighted, and the functionality of the space will cause buyers to spend more thus boosting the value.

It Expands the Curb Appeal

You’ll often see articles about how important curb appeal is when it comes to selling your home, however, the wow factor shouldn’t stop when you walk through the front door. By staging your home your potential buyers will have a first impression that is sure to last and thus will set your home apart from the rest. In an industry where first impressions mean everything, there is no true downside to choosing to stage your home.

If you are searching for a seller’s agent, have questions regarding today’s markets, or have any other questions regarding the buying or selling process, today’s markets, or tips on buying and selling, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

Additional Tips for Sellers:

How to Sell a Beach Home FAST

July 26, 2020 by Karen Baker 1 Comment

With every home sale, the goal is generally to sell your home for top dollar as quickly as possible to make for a fairly painless sale. Long drug out sales can result in flaky buyers, lower than wanted offers, and put a kink in any potential moving plans.

First, and arguably most important, is to make sure your home is priced properly. Pricing your h How to Sell a Beach Home FAST ome too low can make potential buyers think there is something wrong with the house, that it is too dated, or that it needs more work and repairs than they are willing to invest. By pricing your home too high you could also drive away buyers who think the home is out of their budget, or risk losing the buyer to a different home that is similar and priced properly.

We all have an idea of what we want to sell our homes for, how they should look, how to market, etc. however, when it comes to having a successful and quick sale you should always listen to the advice of your listing agent. They know the market and have more experience in understanding what buyers are looking for and thus will be able to play to buyers wants and in turn, sell your home faster.

Home staging may seem pointless to some, however, homes that are staged nearly always sell faster than homes that are not. By staging a home you are showing buyers all of the potential the home has to look “perfect.” Play on the beachy feel and beach decor and tell your stager you want the home to feel airy, bright and beachy, this will help your home feel bigger and more appealing to many buyers who are looking for a beach home.

Cosmetic upgrades really do make a difference when it comes to selling a home. From old carpets to outdated hardware, by upgrading some of the cosmetics within a home you are likely to have a better first impression with potential buyers which could result in a faster and more profitable sale.

Schedule a home inspection prior to listing your home so that you can be made aware of any repairs that your home may need. If there are any large ticket items, be prepared to either price your home accordingly, or pay to have them fixed prior to listing. Your home inspection is a great way to make sure that your home is market-ready and turn key.

New construction homes are sweeping through America and drawing attention away from older homes. Make sure to highlight the character or any special features of your home that would otherwise not be found in new construction homes. Using these to your advantage will make your home more appealing than the cookie-cutter new homes down the block.

Selling your home doesn’t need to be a stressful experience, use this as a guide to prepare to sell your beach home not only for a great profit, but a fast turn around.

To connect with a listing agent, find more information on a successful home sale, browse homes for sale, or for any questions please feel free to contact my office at any time.

Accent Walls that Add Value

July 23, 2020 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

As a homeowner one of the things that brings the most pleasure is adding value to your home. This can be done in a million different ways, but the ways that seem to be the most enjoyable are when you can visually see the difference in the upgrade. 2020 has brought many challenges, however, it has given homeowners more time to be at home which has resulted in lots of DIY and home improvement projects. Accent walls seem to be a statement piece that aren’t going to be going anywhere anytime soon, and if done correctly, can add value and visual appeal to your home.

There are hundreds of different styles and ideas when it comes to adding an accent wall to your home, however there are three that are currently the most coveted, and most value boosting within today’s markets.

Reclaimed wood has been a highlight for the last decade, however, the lighter wood finishes have only become more popular within the last few years. Instead of a dark stained wood, try a light finish, or even white washed wood to create a full reclaimed wood accent wall. This statement piece is sure to be jaw dropping and command attention from everyone who sees it. In addition to its beauty, by using a lighter or white washed wood you are also brightening the room allowing it to feel airy and whimsical. This is the perfect addition to any beach home and you can even create driftwood shelving units to play on the wall and add to the wood/beach theme.

External: 4 Important Upgrades Sellers Should Make Before Listing

If reclaimed wood isn’t your cup of tea, exposed brick is becoming more and more popular. Much like with the wood, lighter is better. While some more metropolitan towns are in love with the classic red bricks, beachy and small towns have fallen in love with painted brick walls. Try light neutral tones to not only brighten up the space, but add a one of a kind brick accent wall. This will give your home a rustic chic look that will be coveted by all. Try getting a brick drill and add in some floating glass shelves to give the wall an extra pop.

As with any home improvement, you should always plan out your ideas prior to execution, so be sure to think through the project before starting to ensure you have all the material needed to complete the accent wall of your dreams.

For more information on boosting your home’s value, to browse current homes for sale, or for any real estate needs, please contact my office at any time.

External Related: Top Renovations for 2020

This One Thing Might Decrease Your Home’s Value

May 28, 2020 by Karen Baker 1 Comment

Whether you are purchasing or selling a home, the two main areas of a home to keep your eyes on are the kitchen and the bathroom(s). These two areas of a house are the most likely to either add or decrease the home’s value.

As time goes by trends naturally are going to change, make sure you don’t get stuck selling a home for less because you have outdated bathrooms, and likewise, don’t buy a home that won’t give you equity because it lacks modern touches. So what should you avoid when purchasing, or what should you upgrade when selling? We’ve accumulated a list of the top five things to avoid when it comes to your bathroom(s).

Hollywood Lighting –

I think we all had the round Hollywood dressing room style lighting in our bathrooms at some point in life, however, this popular trend has since expired. By switching to a more modern light fixture above the mirror you can instantly change the whole look of the room! Another good tip is to add a dimming switch, this allows for nice relaxing baths, or bright lighting when needed.

Granite Countertops –

Granite was the most coveted countertop for the last decade if you didn’t have granite, you wanted it! Recent buyers however see no value in granite countertops and would prefer to have Marble or Quartz.

Block Glass Windows –

This trend has been out for quite some time now, however it is still common among many homes. The block glass gives a gawdy look to a bathroom and often can become discolored easily, mostly throughout the grout and seals, which can make your bathroom go from “fab to drab.”

More: Home Stagers Offer 5 Tips to Getting a Home Sold

Glossy Finishes –

The shinier the better seemed to be the way to go, however, in recent years bathroom finishes seem to have shifted to a more matte finish. Regardless of the color, black, grey taupe, or otherwise, try to make sure that you have matte finishes throughout the bathroom, primarily the floors and cabinets.

More: Should you replace the carpet before selling?

Multiple Shower Heads –

While having multiple shower heads might still be a dream for some, a lot of buyers are currently looking for more environmentally friendly options and unfortunately, with multiple shower heads, you aren’t exactly saving any water. Try purchasing an eco-friendly showerhead and market that the bathroom is already outfitted to save water, you’d be surprised how many people want this!

While these looks range from a quick fix of a showerhead, to completely replacing the countertops, bathrooms should always be up to date for the current market before they are ever listed for sale. Ensuring that you have up to date features, flooring, cabinets, and lights can substantially increase the value of your home. Don’t get stuck in the past, look to the future, and enjoy all the features and fixings that come with it.

Related: 5 Steps to Selling a House

Concerned you might have other things bringing down the value of the home? Let us help! We know what buyers are looking for and if you’re thinking about upgrading a room or two in your home before selling, let us help you put your remodeling dollars to the best use.

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How to Improve Your Real Estate Listing Photos

May 6, 2020 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

Selling a home successfully has many different components that all work together like a well-oiled machine. From the location, school district, proximity to shopping, recreation or parks, and much more, there are dozens of things that a buyer looks for before choosing to view, tour and even buy a home.

One of the best ways to make sure your listing stands out and thus attracts more potential buyers is to ensure you have the best photos possible in your listing. Real estate listing photos should showcase your home’s best features and allow buyers to get a glimpse into the way the home feels and give them the ability to picture themselves living there. A good home can be ruined by poor photos and you may miss out on selling your home for top dollar simply by the quality of photos in your listing. Luckily there are many different ways to ensure your home has high-quality photos that enhance features and attract buyers.

When hiring a photographer, be sure they are seasoned in real estate photos, you can even ask to see a portfolio of their previous work. There is a huge difference in hiring a family photographer and a real estate photographer. While both require specific attention to details and a special set of skills, you want to ensure that you are getting the best quality photos as these are what will ideally sell your home.

There are a few different tips and tricks to taking real estate photos, and some homeowners have opted to try their hand at taking the photos themselves. Whether you are hiring a professional or taking the photos be sure to follow these few tips and tricks for awesome real estate listing photos.

Angles-a beautiful room can be ruined simply by taking a photo from the wrong angle, always try to use a wide-angle lens and get a little height to your photo. Taking a photo from too low can result in the room looking smaller whereas taking a photo from a higher angle can showcase the full room.

Light-natural light is going to be your best friend. Make sure photos are only being taken on a sunny day if possible and open up all the blinds, drapes and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible.

Neutral Tones-while you may like a pop of color or a bold look, most buyers want to see neutral tones. Prior to photographing, paint accent walls back to a neutral tone, remove brightly colored objects from the room and replace them with lightly colored accessories, try sticking to tan, grey, and pastels to have the best looking photos. The exception to this rule is to have a vase with colorful flowers if you want a pop of color or to have a few yellow items, the color yellow appeals to buyers as a “happy” color and thus can draw attention.

Clutter-you want your home to be free of any and all clutter. Prior to taking photos or even showing your home, go through the house room by room to remove any clutter or family photos so potential buyers can visualize themselves living in the home. They want crisp clean photos and clutter will distract them from seeing the features and rooms you are trying to highlight.

Reflections-a beautiful photo can be ruined by a small reflection. Whether it be a window, sliding glass door, mirror, or shower, be sure that all surfaces have been recently cleaned of all smudges or watermarks and position the camera in a way that will allow no reflections to be seen. Having reflections is one of the easiest ways to distinguish an amateurs photo from a professional photo.

Once you have your Real Estate Listing Photos taken, whether by a professional or yourself, go through the photos to find the ones that showcase your home successfully. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when taking listing photos is to “over edit” or overexposed photos. Buyers want photos to look as raw and real as possible and often when they see a photo that has been highly altered it gives off the idea that the room needs work and thus that is why the photo was edited. Lastly, be sure to have a minimum of 10 photos on your listing. Listings with less than 10 photos tend to get less views, the more photos the better! Happy photographing!

4 Things to NOT Pack When Moving

Owner’s Manuals/Warranties

Paint

In-Ground Items

Light Fixtures

Additional Tips for Sellers:

4 Benefits of Staging Your Home

Allows Buyers to Really See the Home

It Sells the Home Faster

It Provides a Higher Offer

It Expands the Curb Appeal

Additional Tips for Sellers:

How to Sell a Beach Home FAST

Accent Walls that Add Value