The Secret To Selling? Using an Agent To Get Your House Noticed

In a recent survey, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) asked sellers what they want most from a real estate agent. The number one answer was to help market their house.
It makes sense. The way your agent markets your house can be the difference between whether or not it stands out and gets attention from buyers. That’s why it’s so important to work with an expert local agent that knows what they're doing.
According to that same report from NAR, here are some of the most common methods real estate agents use to market homes, and how you benefit when your agent uses them effectively (see graph below):


Listing on the MLS – Real estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. And that’s great for you because having your house on the MLS helps it get more visibility from other agents and buyers. And the more people w; ...

3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring

Let’s face it — buying a home can feel like a challenge with today’s mortgage rates. You might even be thinking, “Should I just wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?”

But here’s the thing, no one knows for sure where mortgage rates will go from here, and waiting could mean facing more competition, higher prices, and a lot more stress.

What if buying now — before the spring rush — might actually give you the upper hand? Here are three reasons why that just might be the case.

1. Less Competition from Other Buyers

The winter months tend to be quieter in the real estate market. Fewer people are actively looking for homes, which means you’ll likely face less competition when you make an offer. This makes the process feel less rushed and less stressful.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes sit on . ...

Smaller Homes, Bigger Opportunities: The Homebuilder Trend Buyers Love

It’s no secret that affordability is tough with where mortgage rates and home prices are right now. And that may have you worried about how you’ll be able to buy a home. But, if you don’t need a ton of space, you may find you have more cost-effective options in an unexpected place: new home communities.

Builders Are Building Smaller Homes 

Since smaller homes typically come with smaller price tags, buyers have turned their attention to homes with less square footage — and builders have shifted their focus to capitalize on that demand. As U.S. News notes:

“The combination of higher home prices and mortgage rates has strained a lot of people's budgets. And that's something builders recognize. To this end, they may be leaning toward smaller spaces . . .That, in turn, can lead to savings for buyers.”

Data from the Census . ...

The Ultimate Guide to Home Staging for a Successful Sale
Intro
When preparing to sell your home, one of the key steps is to ensure that your property is presented in the best possible light. This process, known as home staging, can make a significant difference in attracting potential buyers and ultimately securing a successful sale. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively fix up your home for sale and maximize its appeal to prospective buyers.
Declutter Your Space for a Fresh Perspective

Embarking on the journey of decluttering your home is the inaugural step towards staging your space for a successful sale. This isn't merely about tidying up; it's a strategic move to enhance the spaciousness and appeal of your property. Begin by methodically sorting through your belongings, deciding what to keep, donate, or discard. This process not only clears physical space but also sets the stage for potential buyers to envision their own lives unfolding within the. ...

The home in the picture went on the market for $225,000 in January 2013.  Three Realtors, 16 months, and 5 price reductions later it was listed at $199,900 and remained unsold.  

The single mother who owned the home had recently divorced and moved to Florida to be near family.  She was struggling to make mortgage payments on an empty house and keep her children fed.  Her mother called me and asked me to take over the listing and get the house sold.

We listed in the home in June 2014 at an INCREASED price of $219,900 in June 2014 and had in under contract for $213,500 in 23 days!

Based on our recommendations, the homeowner spent $325 to remove overgrown shrubs, haul off 2 trailers full of junk from the back yard, mow, water, fertilize and mulch.  The inside of the home was fine but buyers weren’t even going inside when drove up and saw the home.

The home was shown 12 times in 23 days and went under contract in 23 days!

Real Estate is ; ...