NextHome Edge Real Estate Blog

Common sense advice for getting the EDGE with your next real estate transaction

 

April 2, 2015

Four Easy Home Resale Projects that Will Provide Maximum Return

Preparing a property for sale can be a daunting task, but too often sellers spend way too much money that they will not get back.  Studies show that large remodeling projects have very poor returns on investment and therefore should not be completed merely for resale purposes.  The big question every home owner asks their REALTOR is “what do I need to do to sell?”

Too often, anxious real estate agents offer poor advice on this subject, often in an effort to get the property to market quicker.   The real answer is to tackle the large cosmetics; after all, that is what attracts buyers to your property.  

  1. Paint: Paint is one of the easiest, and most cost-effective projects for home sellers to take on.  Even if you think neutral is boring, neutral colors have the widest appeal and wide appeal leads to more interested buyers.  Hire a pro or take on the DIY project, either way a fresh, professional paint job will make a massive impact.  There are even paint contractors that specialize in 1 day turnarounds so that you can still get on the market quickly!
  2. Flooring: Old carpeting is a huge turn-off to buyers, the last thing they want to worry about when buying a new house is spending thousands of dollars on carpet before they even move in.  Also, remember that many home buyers are putting their life savings into the down payment and may not have the funds to sink into flooring right away.  Many sellers convince themselves that buying carpet for the next owner is a waste of money, but in fact the opposite is true!
  3. Landscaping: We aren’t talking about massive water features and complete landscaping remodels, but as we all know first impressions are important and the first thing buyers will see is a photo of the front of your house. Make sure that the exterior is in tip-top shape before letting your REALTOR take a picture; better yet, provide your own exterior photos to your agent after you have everything looking perfect.
  4. Staging: People spend years filling their homes with personal items and furniture, these things make us feel great but can be a real turn-off to potential purchases.  A professional stager can help you declutter and rearrange so that buyers fall in love with your property.  Statistics show that staged properties sell quicker at higher prices. Think of the bright side, you can get some packing done early!

These are just a few tips to maximize your return and believe me, they are much less expensive than large remodeling projects. Sellers that address these 4 items rarely, if ever, have problems attracting qualified buyers.

 

Posted in Real Estate, Selling
March 27, 2015

Spring Real Estate in Michigan

5 Tips for Spring Home Buyers in Michigan

The spring market is really heating up in Southeast Michigan and properties are starting to sell quickly.  Even the homes that have been sitting patiently all winter are finding new owners and new inventory is being snapped up in days. All this activity can leave even the most qualified home buyer in the dust if they are not well prepared.  Below are a few tips to make sure that you can lock down the home of your dreams this spring:

  1. Get Pre-Approved - This is the first and most crucial step for prospective home buyers.  With competition in the market you want to be able to establish legitimacy to your REALTOR and sellers.  Plus, there is nothing worse than finding the home of your dreams and watching another buyer put it under contract while you are in the middle of getting a mortgage pre-approval.  
  2. Choose a REALTOR - If you choose a REALTOR and work with them to help you in the process.  Rather than calling a new agents each time you see a house you like, interview REALTORS in advance and choose one to work with. The result will be a loyal REALTOR dedicated to helping you find your NextHome.
  3. Review new listings daily - If you have ever found the perfect home only to find out it just went under contract, you know how important this step is.  Even more important, is making sure that you are checking inventory at a source with up to date information.  Many Internet Listing Services have delays on updates and properties can be gone before you ever see them.  Ask your REALTOR what the best local source of inventory is.  Our Website, EdgeHomeSales.com always has the most updated inventory.
  4. Take all decision makers on showings - This can be difficult but it is extremely important to make sure that everyone attends the showing. In the time it takes to get other decision makers back in the property other buyers may swoop in and make the purchase. 
  5. Make the offer - When you know you have found the right house, make an offer!  

Follow these easy steps and you will have a leg-up on the competition.  Most importantly though, have fund and don't get stressed during the process.   You are going to have a great time finding your NextHome!