Tips to Make Your Home Show Well

Everyone dreams of living in a model home – a beautiful modern room with the perfect vase of flowers sitting decoratively on a glass side table. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always work this way. Our homes tend to look more “lived in” with a pile of shoes by the front door, school books on the kitchen table, and cat hair on the sofa.

If you have your home listed for sale, then you also know the stress of looking around your home after a phone call requesting a showing with a few minutes’ notice.

You want your home to show well so the buyers can see the beauty of the home you love, but with such short notice, how can you convert the lived-in look to a show-ready property?

Fortunately, there are a few tricks for helping you keep your home show-ready at any time.

•Planning –Before you even list your house, consider the adjustment you’ll need to make in your lifestyle. Move non-essential items to a storage unit, to not only create visual appeal but make it easier to clean quickly.

•Organization – A simple way to quickly eliminate toys, clothes, shoes, sports equipment, and other items is storage bins. Keep some handy to throw excess items into before a buyer shows up, and move them to the garage or basement, or even the back of a vehicle.

•Routine – Get everyone in the family involved in establishing a daily routine. The less clutter that accumulates, the easier it is to move out of sight quickly.

All family members should have morning and evening duties to keep the home tidy. If things are kept up on a daily basis, it will make the clutter and mess less overwhelming.Unfortunately, your life doesn’t stop just because you’ve listed your home for sale.

Keep it show-ready by preparing in advance, so those last-minute buyers can see your home’s charm and not the day’s clutter.

To Do List for First Time Home Buyers

 If you’re buying a home for the first time, it can be a little difficult trying to figure out where to start. Here’s a handy to-do list to help you out, and be sure to call me if you have any questions!

1) Save: Save for a down payment, closing costs, and escrow for insurance and taxes. It is always safe to have 20% of the amount of the home you are trying to buy. So, if you are looking at a $300,000 home, try to have $60,000 saved. TIP: You can always get a loan if you do not have this.

2) Improve Credit Score: Make sure to stay current on your bills, make no major purchases, don’t cancel any credit cards. A higher credit score means a lower interest rate!

3) Calculate what you can afford: Look for a mortgage calculator online, or give me a call and I can let you know what you can afford!

4) Get Mortgage Preapproval: Shop for the best deal, choose primary and backup lenders, and look for mortgage advice. I have some great lenders you can choose from, and I am here if you need any advice.

5) Decide: Decide what you want in a home. Are you looking for a home with a pool, or do you need something with a big backyard for your dog to run-around in? How many bedrooms do you need? What kind of kitchen do you want? Do you want a new build? Write down all of the things you want in a home, and give it to your realtor and they will help you find a home with everything you need.

6) Choose a Realtor- Looking for a realtor? You have come to the right place! I have the experience, patience, and knowledge you have been searching for.

7) Visit Homes- Your realtor will take you to the homes you’d like, but there are a few things that you should do to ensure that your favorite home will end up working out for you. Take photos and make notes about each home that you visit and compare it to the list you made in step five.

8) Narrow choices- Choose your favorite homes and visit the neighborhood during the day and at night to gauge traffic, noise, etc. Also, test the commute from work and consider the resale value.

9) Make an Offer- Make an offer on the home! I am here to make sure your offer is considered, and will work hard and collaborate with the other realtor to make sure I highlight how much you are interested.

10) Schedule Home Inspection: I have a great inspector that will do a walk-through of the home and let you know things that may need to be fixed.

11) Make Final Walk-Through: Test the light switches and sockets, check and make sure that the doors and windows work, and test the faucets, drains, toilets, etc.

12) Close and Move In- Start your life and enjoy the happiness!

Consider Upgrading before You List

Most people have wandered through new home developments and wished their own home looked as modern and chic. Model homes showcase the latest upgrades and decorating trends; for home sellers these homes are their competition, and it can feel daunting to offer an older floorplan and design.  

While it might seem like a smart idea to simply offer a buyer credit and list, there are downsides to this plan, and taking the time to update a bit on your own first could mean thousands of dollars in your pocket. Here are a few reasons why offering a credit might not be the best strategy: 

•Buyer Impression –A dated home looks old and not all buyers can see the potential.  

•Lower Offers –Offering a credit could be viewed as high seller motivation, resulting in lower offers.  

•Value Differences – You and your buyer might disagree on the value of needed upgrades. For example, you might feel $7,500 is a fair cost for a new countertop whereas your buyers might expect considerably more; this can lead to more negotiations and lower sales price.  

•Home Condition – A property that shows its age can prompt the buyer to worry about the overall condition.  

•Loan Approval – Lenders are wary of buyer credits; in fact, upgrade credits are no longer possible. You might have a buyer unable to take advantage of the credit at all and you could lose the buyer. Home design trends change quickly. If you’re ready to sell, it could be tempting just to list your home in its current condition. 

Before you just add a credit to the listing, consider some simple updating so your buyers can see the value of your home.

2116 HARBOR CT, ROCKPORT, TX 78382 - Neli Spurrell- Realtor

A HOME comes to mind at this beautiful 4 bed. home in Harbor Oaks quiet cul-the-sac! As soon as you step into the open living-dining you will feel absolutely connected with the outdoors as natural light pours in through the abundant windows. A cozy fireplace and build in book shelves that are featured in the living room.Engineered wood & terracotta tile flooring create a natural and durable feel. Enjoy your morning coffee while the birds Chirp on your private, covered deck or BBQ in the afternoons while entertaining. Prepare meals indoors in your farm house inspired kitchen with island for easy prep and convenient pot & pan drawers. Tastefully w/ pendant lighting, butcher block counters & picturesque window over the designer sink. There’s a guest powder room here for convenience. The master suite is on the main floor overlooking the fenced backyard and m-bathroom w/ a separate shower, tub & beautiful light through. Head on upstairs to 3 bedrooms, full bath & Deck to relax. Go to https://prspcts.co/jLaUXgpZspXkML7f8

3 Tips to Quickly Make Your Home Show-Ready

Everyone dreams of living in a model home – a beautiful modern room with the perfect vase of flowers sitting decoratively on a glass side table.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t always work this way. Our homes tend to look more “lived in” with a pile of shoes by the front door, school books on the kitchen table, and cat hair on the sofa. If you have your home listed for sale, then you also know the stress of looking around your home after a phone call requesting a showing with a few minutes’ notice. You want your home to show well so the buyers can see the beauty of the home you love, but with such short notice, how can you convert the lived-in look to a show-ready property? 

Fortunately, there are a few tricks for helping you keep your home show-ready at any time.

•Plan in Advance –Before you even list your house, consider the adjustment you’ll need to make in your lifestyle. Move non-essential items to a storage unit, to not only create visual appeal but make it easier to clean quickly.

•Containers – A simple way to quickly eliminate toys, clothes, shoes, sports equipment, and other items is storage bins. Keep some handy to throw excess items into before a buyer shows up, and move them to the garage or basement, or even the back of a vehicle.

•Establish a Routine – Get everyone in the family involved in establishing a daily routine. The less clutter that accumulates, the easier it is to move out of sight quickly. All family members should have morning and evening duties to keep the home tidy. If things are kept up on a daily basis, it will make the clutter and mess less overwhelming.Unfortunately, your life doesn’t stop just because you’ve listed your home for sale. Keep it show-ready by preparing in advance, so those last-minute buyers can see your home’s charm and not the day’s clutter.

if you are planning to sell your home and need tips to get it sold fast, contact me today.