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Selling Off Season |
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A
Good Impression |
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Whip
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I am pleased to present
you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers,
sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is
designed to give you the real estate information that is important
to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles
related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest
news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of
Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to
contact me. |
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Visit Century21.com and
view more than 250,000 property listings!
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Selling Off Season
 Real estate has
long been considered a seasonal business. That's because many
sellers choose to put their homes up for sale in the spring
and summer. But selling in the winter can have advantages. For
instance, there is likely to be less competition for buyer
attention. And a smaller inventory may give you the upper hand
when it comes to negotiating.
Here are
some tips for selling your home in the winter months.
- Start
by setting a realistic asking price. In many cases, homes
sell for a little less during the winter months because
there is less competition to help drive up the price.
Instead, ask your real estate professional to conduct a
Competitive Market Analysis of comparable homes sold in your
area during the winter months of the previous year.
- Provide
visiting Realtors® and prospective buyers with photos of
what your property looks like during the warmer months. It
will help them visualize what the home will look like with
green grass, trees in bloom and flowering shrubs and bushes.
- When
marketing your home, be sure to highlight activities for all
times of year. Even though it may be off season, buyers will
still want to know if the home is close to t! he beach , an
area lake, or if the community has a great pool or summer
recreation program.
- Be sure
your home is warm and cozy for those who visit. It's a good
idea to caulk drafts and block gaps under doorways. A fire
in a fireplace will also help add warmth and a cozy glow.
- Make
sure walkways, driveways and steps are shoveled and ice
free. It is also a good idea to get a sturdy welcome mat for
muddy or wet shoes. Protect carpets with a paper or plastic
walkway that is securely fastened to the floor.
- If your
home has features that lend themselves to wintertime use, be
sure to highlight those too. For instance, a mudroom,
fireplace, and newer heating system will all be extra
appealing at this time of year.
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A Good Impression
When you put a home
up for sale, there is always a question of how much you should
do to help the home look its best. Here are five projects (low
in cost or effort) that will make a good impression on
potential buyers. 
Be a clutter
buster. Rid your closets, cabinets, drawers and rooms of
clutter. If you don't use it or want it anymore, sell it or
give it way. Rooms with less clutter seem larger.
1). Start
cleaning. A clean home is always more appealing. Pay
special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. This is the
time to attack tough stains, mildew and the like.
2). Break out the
paint. If possible, you may want to hire a professional to
paint the entire interior of the home. A clean canvas can be
very appealing to buyers, so opt for warm, neutral shades. If
you do not have the time or resources to paint every room, be
sure to touch up all scuffs and marks on the walls and trim.
3). Look do! wn. Have
the carpets professionally cleaned to give them their best
appearance. If you have hardwood floors hidden beneath an
outdated shag rug, you may want to invest in having those
floors refinished. Hard wood floors are very popular with
today's home buyer. Ask your real estate professional if he or
she thinks it is a good idea. Turn your attention
outside. Be sure dead trees and bushes are removed and bushes
are free of leaves and underbrush. Keep bushes neat and
trimmed. And seasonal flowers are always a nice touch.
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Whip It Up
 Nothing says it's holiday
time like homemade whipped cream on a pie, cake or hot
cocoa. Try this tasty recipe: Whip a ˝ pint of heavy
cream with an electric mixer. As it thickens, add 3
Tbsp. sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla. Refrigerate, or if it is
cold enough outside, place in a covered bowl on your
doorstep.
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