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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13       Previous Page      Next Page  W hat Affects the Market Value of Your Home?   Your property has many values — one to the tax assessor, others to your lender and insurance company and yet another value to you, the owner. It also has distinct values to prospective buyers depending on their needs, desires and financial resources. Ultimately, buyer value or market value will determine the selling value of your property. At Arrows Real Estate, we help you determine the value of your home based on its own merits, not what the house down the street sold for or how much square footage it has. It is a skill where experience and judgment are of fundamental importance - a skill we have developed over many years serving sellers of fine homes in a variety of price ranges. Some of the factors that can determine the value of your home are: Location Location can be the single greatest factor affecting value. Urban or rural settings, quality of school districts, and local amenities are just some of the determining factors of location Competition Buyers compare your property against other properties offered in the market place Timing The current real estate market may reflect either a buyers' or sellers' market Market conditions cannot be manipulated; an individually tailored marketing plan must be developed accordingly Condition Property condition affects price and speed of the sale Optimizing physical appearance and preparing in advance for marketing maximizes perceived value   Preparing Your House--Exterior The first step in preparing the exterior of your house--a buyer's first introduction to it--is to take a clear-headed look at the house from the street. Stand at the curb and look at your house as a buyer might. What stands out and catches your eye? The beautiful landscaping and the new roof? Or does something else strike you? The faded exterior paint? The ruts in the driveway? The 2 missing shutters? Remember, this is how your home will "introduce" itself to a potential buyer. If the appeal isn't there, they will likely move on to the next available house, no matter how beautiful the interior of your house may be! If you need major improvements or renovations to your house, do them before you put it on the market. The average buyer simply does not have the "vision" necessary to see the job done (if you are planning to do the improvements prior to closing). If you are attempting to sell the house as a "fixer-upper" be aware that even though many buyers say that this is what they want, when confronted with the prospect of actually buying one, they often run for the hills! Overall appearance: Remove any junk or clutter from the yard. This includes tree limbs and leaves, but especially goes for junk cars or parts, lawn tractors, etc. Overall appearance: If the exterior of the house is dirty or moldy, power wash it. If it is in need of paint, get competitive bids if you can't do it yourself. Grass: If possible, reseed any bare areas of the lawn. Landscaping: Trim all shrubbery and plantings. Trim trees if necessary, especially dead limbs. Driveway: If the driveway is stone and looking lean, add a coat of gravel. If it is asphalt,  consider resealing. Decks and porches: Power wash and seal, stain or paint. Gutters and downspouts: Check gutters and downspouts to make sure they are clear and functioning properly. Lights: Make sure that all exterior lights are operational. Landscaping: If the season is right, plant colorful flowers where appropriate. Landscaping: Add mulch to planting beds and around trees. An inexpensive but very effective way of freshening the look of the yard. Windows: Make sure the exterior (and the interior) of windows is clean and operational.   Preparing Your House--The Interior Many home sellers make the mistake of ignoring certain repair or maintenance items in the hope that a potential buyer will either not notice, or if they do, telling them that they (the seller) will repair or replace the item. Most buyers do not have vision. They are not able to look at a room that needs paint and carpet and imagine it fresh and attractive. Telling them that something will be cleaned, or painted, or repaired may work with some, but the majority will not be able to envision the house after the changes have been made and will scratch your house from their list. General Interior Painting: When it comes to preparing a house, painting gives you the best return for money spent. Which rooms should you paint? Any that have dirty or marked walls or any rooms that are currently painted in dark colors. Keep it neutral--off white or antique white is the best. Carpeting: At the very least, all carpeting needs to be steam cleaned. Any worn, stained or foul smelling carpet should be replaced. You may be tempted to give a "carpet allowance" and that may work. Just remember, most buyers do not have vision. Operation: If you are not having a  house inspection   done, check all faucets, toilets, and electrical items for correct operation. Safety: Make sure that your house is safe. Not only can a wobbly railing stop a sale, it could also cause an injury to a potential buyer who is not familiar with your house (and is spending time looking instead of being careful). Clutter: If an item is not necessary for your day-to-day life, box it up and store it or throw it out! Fireplace: Have a professional fireplace or woodstove cleaning and inspection. The buyer will most likely request it anyhow. Getting it done in advance impresses the buyer and makes the home appear cleaner and fresher smelling. Closets: Make sure all closets are neat, clean, and organized. See above item on clutter. Doors and Windows: Check all for smooth operation. Replace any cracked window panes.  Cleaning: Even though you may consider your house clean and tidy, a thorough cleaning--including dusting, washing, and waxing everything--will always make a house more appealing. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13   Previous Page      Next Page

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