How To Show Your Home For Maximum Profit

11 Tips That Will Help You Show Your Home For Maximum Profit

There’s a right way to show a home…and a wrong way. Many homeowners lose money, or turn-off buyers because they simply didn’t know how to handle a home showing. Here are 11 tips that will help you show your home for maximum profit:

•  Tip #1: Save those utility bills. Buyers frequently have questions about utility costs of owning a home. If you have past utility bills, you will greatly increase your credibility and help provide precise answers to important questions. Save electric, gas, water, oil, sewage, and waste management bills.
•  Tip #2: Go away during organized showings. Three’s a crowd when your home is being shown. The only exception to this rule is if you have specific knowledge about features of the home a Realtor cannot answer. But in most cases, don’t stay.
•  Tip #3: Turn on ALL lights. Illumination is like a welcome sign.
•  Tip #4: Open all drapery and bring in as much natural light as possible. Buyers hate dark homes. Anything you can do to brighten your home will help.
•  Tip #5: Turn off any radios and TV’s. Turn off the football game. Tell the kids that the loud music will need a reprieve while the home is being shown. Occasionally very soft, background music can enhance a showing. But generally, no music at all is your best bet.
•  Tip #6: Plan a pleasant aroma. Cinnamon sticks or vanilla boiled in a pot of water on the stove emit pleasant aromas and make a home smell inviting. Apple and cherry wood smoldering in a fireplace do the same. And who can resist the smell of apple pie or fresh bread baking in the kitchen. Often, these pleasant smells can override other odors your home may have.
•  Tip #7: Keep pets out of the home during showings. It’s best to keep them out of the home for an entire day before an open house.
•  Tip #8: Do NOT volunteer conversation. Be courteous but don’t force conversation with a potential buyer. They want to inspect your home, not make a social call.
•  Tip #9: Stay positive: Never apologize for the appearance of your home. Let the showing Realtor answer any objections – they’re trained to know how.
•  Tip #10: DO NOT Tag Along. It makes buyers fearful and uncomfortable. The showing Realtor knows the buyer’s requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home. They will call you if needed.
•  Tip #11: Never negotiate during a showing. Let your Realtor discuss price, terms, possessions, and other items with any potential buyers. If any negotiations arise prior to an offer, politely

If you are not sure about selling your home and are scared of losing money or getting caught in a bad deal, empower yourself with information! 

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18 Interior Tips To Help You "Stage" Your Home

There's a little known secret about home buyers that you need to know. People buy homes based on the emotional FEELINGS they get from the home. 

They fall in love, for example, with the kitchen or the master bedroom. Or perhaps the roaring fire in the family room fireplace touched off an old memory. 

And while they’re viewing your home, they’re visualizing in their mind’s eye what it would be like to live there - the backyard barbecues they’ll host…Sunday dinners with family…college graduation celebrations of their children. Or simply relaxing in the backyard hammock.

It’s all about emotions. And if your home doesn’t feel right, you will quickly lose interest from buyers.

So remember this: Purchase decisions are EMOTIONAL. Once a decision to buy is made, we usually justify our purchase with logical reasons.

By staging the interior of your home right, you’ll encourage your buyers to stay. People buy with their eyes, ears and noses, and the longer they stay in your home, the greater the likelihood of an offer.

Here is a list of 18 interior tips to help you “stage” the interior of your house so it feels like home to your buyers.

• Tip #1: The entry way sets first impressions. So make sure it's in great condition with fresh paint and clean floors. If the entry tile floor has build-up, consider using commercial stripper and re-waxing.
• Tip #2: Clear out about one-third to one-half of your furniture. You want your home to look uncluttered, and the rooms to feel open and bright. The average home has too much furniture for showing, and you need to move anyhow. So you might as well pack away any furniture that clutters any rooms in your home.
• Tip #3: Put away knick-knacks and items that make the home look overly personal to YOU. You do not want your buyer feeling that they would never fit in the home because it has so many of your personal items in it. Put away cluttered photos and other objects that will detract away from the home.
• Tip #4: Do a thorough interior maintenance review. Oil squeaky doors, tighten doorknobs, clean and repair ALL windows, and repair leaking taps and toilets. Look for chipped paint and cracked plaster or drywall that needs repairing.
• Tip #5: It is a good idea to have all windows professionally washed. And clean all window shades and blinds.
• Tip #6:  Replace all burned-out light bulbs and clean lighting fixtures.
• Tip #7:  GIVE YOUR HOME A SPACIOUS LOOK. If you've ever toured a model home, you've noticed that the home is spacious and bright. Make your home look the same by: 1) Clear out stairs and halls of clutter and excess furniture, 2) Clear counters in the kitchen and bathrooms, and 3) Make closets and storage areas neat and tidy.
• Tip #8:  Make sure your home is clean by doing the following: 1) Shampoo carpets, 2) Clean washer, dryer, and laundry tubs, 3) Clean the furnace, 4) Clean the refrigerator and stove, 5) Clean and freshen the bathrooms. Hire a professional cleaning service if needed. The money you spend on these areas will come back to you in purchase price.
• Tip #9:  Wax or polish floors, and glue down any seems if you have vinyl flooring.
• Tip #10:  Make sure windows and doors operate properly and lubricate closet door tracks with a silicon spray.
• Tip #11:  Glue loose wallpaper seams and remove soiled wallpaper.
• Tip #12:  Clean around fireplaces and remove ashes.
• Tip #13:  Organize all closets, pack up unnecessary items for storage, and put all toys away.
• Tip #14:  Make sure all beds are made, bedrooms are neat and clean, and laundry is clean and folded.
• Tip #15:  Consider holding a yard sale BEFORE you place your home on the market to get rid of excess items that can make your home look cluttered or small.

Bathrooms and kitchens are some of the most influential areas of a home. Spending a small amount of money in these areas frequently nets owners many time their investment. Here are a few suggestions for each.

• Tip #16:  Your Bathrooms. Repair loose tiles. Remove loose grout using a grout file, and apply new grout. Faded tile colors can be improved using an epoxy spray. Remove old tub and tile caulking with a hooked scraper, install new white silicone tub and tile caulk. Concentrate on areas such as counter corners, shower corners, and base of toilet. Clean mildewed caulk by spraying Tilex, or use diluted chlorine bleach and let stand for at least 30 minutes before rinsing. Old tubs can often be sprayed with an epoxy coating. Remove all soap scum and dirt build-ups. Clean glass doors with vinegar, and replace badly soiled shower curtains. Don't forget to vacuum exhaust fans.
• Tip #17:  Your Kitchen. Clean ovens thoroughly. Clean cook tops and exhaust fans. Remember to clean behind your appliances. Double-check all burners to make sure they're working. Defrost freezers, and thoroughly clean the interior of your refrigerator. Remove mold from refrigerator gaskets. Empty the water collection tray under the refrigerator. Neatly arrange soaps and cleaning accessories. Thoroughly wash fronts of cabinets using Murphy's Oil Soap or Pine Sol. Cover counter burns with ceramic tile or heat resistant glass. Make sure all handles are securely in place. Install new shelf and drawer liners.
• Tip #18:  Save your receipts. If you need to make substantial repairs to your home, save the receipts in a manila envelope. This will show what has been updated in your home.

If you are not sure about selling your home and are scared of losing money or getting caught in a bad deal, empower yourself with information! 

Sign up for my free email list that will show you all of the tips, tricks, secrets and strategies to guarantee that you get the most money possible in your time frame. You can sign up by clicking here to get started now.

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13 First Impression Items To Examine That Turn Off Home Buyers

Overall, buyers are looking for a home that looks clean, neat, and well-maintained. By addressing exterior issues, you immediately give buyers a positive “first impression.”

Here are 13 first impression items to examine

Tip #1: Get into your car and drive away from your home. Drive towards your home the way a potential buyer would. Notice your first impressions of your home. Is the landscaping well groomed? How about the driveway and curb? Can you easily see the architecture of the home, or is it blocked by trees and bushes. Notice your roof. Is it in good condition? Make a list of items that need attention.

Tip #2: Paint your front and mailbox. Polish your door and entry hardware.

Tip #3: Make sure your doorbell is functional.

Tip #4: Wash or thoroughly clean wood, aluminum, and vinyl sided homes. You can hire a contractor to pressure wash and entire house for about $200. Pressure washing can remove dirt, grime, peeling paint, and mildew.

Tip #5: Rake leaves, trim shrubbery and trees, cut the lawn, and plant a few new, fresh flowers. Put down fresh mulch or peat moss around scrubs and flower beds.

Tip #6: Sweep and hose off the walkways and driveways. Pressure wash if necessary.

Tip #7: Clean the gutters and extend downspouts to prevent flooding or basement water seepage.

Tip #8: Organize the garage. Get rid of clutter by either putting it in boxes, or pack ahead of time and rent a storage locker for your garage belongings. Make sure you wash your car.

Tip #9: Check the locks of your home at both the entry, back entry, and garage. Locks can give a first impression of a home that needs maintenance. And they’re the first thing a buyer sees. A small dab of grease or WD40 will make them work like new.

Tip #10: Clean oil stains from your driveway and garage, This is best achieved by using poultice with Portland cement. Kitty litter is also effective. Scrub with a detergent and rinse. Clean rust stains beneath rails with the commercial product, Zud.

Tip #11: Clean up any litter in the yard or walkways. Remove any leaves or debris in the yard or walkways.

Tip #12: Touch-up the paint on the exterior of the home if necessary. In some cases, it pays to repaint the entire exterior if it hasn’t received a coat of paint in years. Hardwood trim on the exterior of the home can make or break its appearance. Make sure it looks clean.

Tip #13: Look for any cracks in exterior plaster, and make sure they’re fixed and repainted to match exterior paint.

If you are not sure about selling your home and are scared of losing money or getting caught in a bad deal, empower yourself with information!

Sign up for my free email list that will show you all of the tips, tricks, secrets and strategies to guarantee that you get the most money possible in your time frame. You can sign up by clicking here to get started now.

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How Renters Lose Thousands In Interest and Taxes Every Year!

Are you wasting thousands of dollars on rent and dreaming of becoming a homeowner?

You can already make a monthly house payment (you're paying rent), but did you know that you are losing money because you cant take advantage of the tax benefits of owning?

Let me explain...

Below is a case study that will show you exactly how you can take advantage of becoming a homeowner, and how much extra money a home can put in your pocket.

TAX SAVINGS INFORMATION

How do we save taxes when buying a home?  Our government wants us to own homes and encourages us to do so through tax incentives.  They allow home mortgage interest and property tax deductions on your income tax each year.  With a 30 year loan, most of your payment is applied toward interest in the early years, so in effect, most people get “back” from the government roughly 1/3 of their payment and property taxes if they are in the 28% tax bracket.

 Let’s compare Renting vs. Owning

If you are not sure about buying a home and are scared of losing money or getting caught in a bad deal, empower yourself with information!

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Six Problems Your Home May Have That Can Instantly Turn Buyers Off

Potential buyers are much more likely to return to a home that impresses them at first glance, while homes that appear disorderly or poorly maintained seldom sustain buyer interest.

Below are 6 Problems Your Home May Have That Can Instantly Turn Buyers Off

1. Home Odors.  Because homeowners become desensitized to the odors in their homes, they rarely realize how obvious odors can be to visitors. This is particularly true of pet owners and smokers.
2. Carpet and Flooring.  One of the most visible areas of your home is your flooring. If your carpet is worn or dirty, get it replaced or cleaned. If you have vinyl flooring with worn corners coming up, get it glued down. Special note: Replacing flooring in smaller areas, such as kitchens, with high quality flooring can bring in premiums in price.
3. Paint and Walls.  Paint is one of the least expensive ways to “spruce-up” your home. Consider painting outside trim and interior walls and doors. 
4. Clutter.  Excess clutter is a big buyer turn-off. You have to move anyway, so you might as well pack away items that make your home feel good to you, but turn off buyers. This includes knickknacks, furniture, pictures, wall hangings, plants etc.
5. Signs of Pests.  If you have any sign of mice, rats, roaches, spiders, or bees, you should immediately contact a local pest control company and have them eliminated. There’s no better way to show your home is filthy than by infestations. Remove all spider webs with a broom.
6. Landscaping.  If your landscaping is messy, overgrown, or looks cluttered in any way, you need to fix it. Buyers make positive or negative conclusions about your home within the first five minutes. Don’t lose the battle before you’ve even begun.

There’s no doubt about it: first impressions count with buyers. What is the first thing that buyers will notice when they visit your home?

If you are not sure about selling your home and are scared of losing money or getting caught in a bad deal, empower yourself with information!

Sign up for my free email list that will show you all of the tips, tricks, secrets and strategies to guarantee that you get the most money possible in your time frame. You can sign up by clicking here to get started now.

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4 Important "Market Telltale Signs" To Look For On A Home Market Analysis

So let's say you have a REALTOR® representing you (make sure it's a Buyers agent, or you could lose a bundle!), and you're ready to write an offer.

What’s the single best piece of information you can have?

It’s the comparable sales and market data for the entire market and the area.  Ask your REALTOR® to print out both for you to use.  Now, here’s what you want to do…

      You want to take a look at FOUR important “market telltale signs:”

1.   Take a look at the currently active (for sale) listings in the area.  Was the home you’re considering priced within reason to other homes?   If so, you know you’re at a reasonable starting point.

2.   Now, take a look at what the average selling price is compared to the listing price.  You may notice that most homes are selling for about 3% or 4% less than their offer price.  If that’s the case, you know the original offers were LESS than this amount.  Take this into consideration when making your offer. And leave plenty of room for negotiating.

3.   Now, make sure you visit several of the other listings in the area.  How does your home compare to the other homes?  Is the home you’re considering in similar shape?  Is it better sited?  Is it bigger, smaller, better style, better landscaping, etc.?  These factors will help you determine how much you should pay for your home vs. how much others paid for similar homes in the neighborhood.

4.   Now, take a look at the average market times for homes in the area.  If they’re long (evaluated on a market by market basis), the market may be soft, and you might have more negotiating room with your offer.

 You’re now ready to make your offer.  At this point, I highly recommend you work closely with a BUYER’S AGENT to structure your offer.  They will talk about strategies such as:  1) should you offer a high price and ask the owner to throw in all kinds of extras, or 2) offer a low price and skim your way into the neighborhood? 

The correct answer depends on your personal situation.  And you need to work closely with your REALTOR® to strategize your offer.

If you are not sure about buying a home and are scared of losing money or getting caught in a bad deal, empower yourself with information!

Sign up for my free email list that will show you all of the tips, tricks, secrets and strategies to guarantee that you get the best deal possible. You can sign up by clicking here to get started now.

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Do These 5 Things When Touring Homes For Sale

Sometimes it can be hard to stay focused when touring homes. The excitement of thinking about the potential for you and your family living in this different place, the dinners, the gatherings you name it.

With that said, it is critical  to stay focused on your goal here, which is getting the most house you can while paying the least.

So, as you approach the home you'll be touring, think through these 5 as you visit each home...

1. What is your initial reaction of the home as you approach it from the street?  This is called "curb appeal," and it has a great impact on the value of the home. Is the home look good on the lot? Is it well maintained? Is the landscaping groomed?
2. Take a look at the structure of the home?  As you go through the home, windows and doors should be square, and they should close correctly.  Look around windows and doors for cracks. Check corners of rooms for sloping or tile/wood cracks. These may reveal foundation or water problems.
3. Now think about the floor plan of the home.  Is it functional?  Do the common areas flow the way you want them to?  Are the halls narrow and long, or are they open?  How far will you have to carry the groceries from the garage?  Are the rooms the right size and height for your desires?  If there have been any additions, were they done professionally?  Do they fit with the flow and style of the home?
4. Now, check the roof and ceilings.  Is the roof the type you prefer?  Is it in good condition?  When was the last time the home was roofed?
5. Now make a basic check of the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems.  Do drains and toilets work correctly?  Is the property connected to sewer, or will you have to deal with a septic system?  Is the electrical wiring up to code?  And are the mechanical systems working properly?  Make sure you get these systems inspected by a licensed contractor or inspector BEFORE you close any deals.

If you are not sure about buying a home and are scared of losing money or getting caught in a bad deal, empower yourself with information!

Sign up for my free email list that will show you all of the tips, tricks, secrets and strategies to guarantee that you get the best deal possible. You can sign up by clicking here to get started now.

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