Where Does Your House Begin?

Curb appeal. Either you have it or you don’t.

If you don’t, you could be sending potential buyers to your competition before they even get out of the car.

You may think the house starts at the front door, but it starts at the front lawn. Some items that are often overlooked by sellers include the mailbox, house numbers, weeds, mulch, overgrown shrubs and an unkempt lawn.

It doesn’t stop there. Check the porch for peeling paint or loose stairs. And unless it is Halloween, knock down those cobwebs and sweep the porch.Don’t forget to clean any windows and check the front door for nicks, dings or worn paint. Last but not least, does the doorbell actually ring when you press the button?

Curb appeal. Either you have it or you get it. A quick trip to the home improvement store and a little sweat equity will give your house a shining start.

 

Kendra Wilson is a Broker, REALTOR®, and Certified Investor Agent Specialist with Century 21 All Seasons in Asheville NC.

A Golden Opportunity

Sellers need to put their best food forward, especially in today’s market.

So how do you prepare your property to stand out in the crowd? Cleaning, de-cluttering, painting and staging are standard seller activities. But some are taking a step further by having inspections and appraisals completed.

A home inspection should reveal minor repairs or (if you are not so lucky) major repairs. Sellers can then complete necessary repairs before listing, which can make the house more attractive to potential buyers. The seller might also save time and money by securing a contract faster and avoiding requests for a price reduction after buyers discover the unexpected in a home inspection.

An appraisal can help a seller determine an appropriate listing price, especially when comps are not readily available or the property is unique in construction or location. By pricing a property below a current appraisal, the seller can abate a buyer’s fear that the selling price is too high. Again, this approach saves time and money by securing a contract faster and avoiding price negotiations because the property doesn’t appraise.

While buyers typically complete the home inspection and appraisal, sellers can utilize both of these as tools to help position their property for sale. Our Certified Gold Label Property program incorporates both of these tools along with a home warranty to differentiate properties from the rest of the market. If you would like to know more about our Certified Gold Label Property program, please contact me.

 

Kendra Wilson is a Broker, REALTOR®, and Certified Investor Agent Specialist with Century 21 All Seasons in Asheville NC.

So You’ve Decided to Sell…

You have decided to sell your house – now what? Will you be a FSBO (For Sale By Owner), use a flat fee MLS listing service or hire a REALTOR®? 

As a FSBO, you would handle all aspects of marketing the property, fielding inquiries and negotiating the transaction. The only payment required is your time.

If you use a flat fee MLS listing service, there may be several plans to choose from or you might be offered services a la carte. Payment is typically required when services are rendered. Depending upon which services you choose, you might be responsible for marketing the property, fielding inquiries and negotiating the transaction.

If you hire a REALTOR®, basic services generally include marketing activities, fielding inquiries, assisting with paperwork, handling negotiations and representing you through closing. Payment is typically rendered at closing in the form of a commission.

No matter which path you choose, here’s to a successful sale!

 

Kendra Wilson is a Broker, REALTOR®, and Certified Investor Agent Specialist with Century 21 All Seasons in Asheville NC.