Real Estate Information Archive

If your kitchen counters need some updating but replacing them is not in your budget you may want to consider countertop resurfacing. This is a much more economical and easier option for homeowners who are wanting a change or are trying to sell their home.

This is a much simpler process than completely replacing the counter tops because you will avoid the mess and time involved with removing and replacing them, not to mention you can save up to 70% off the cost of replacing your kitchen countertops. A refinished countertop is durable and can extend the useful life of your counters for 10-15 years or more with basic care and maintenance. 

The changing of the counter top surface can help to give your kitchen a fresh new, updated appearance that can help your home to sell. Homeowners have many options for materials, from simple laminates to granite and even 'faux' stone.

Kitchen countertops are an important part of a kitchen not only because of their functionality but it also sets the style. Kitchens are an important when selling your home as buyers look for updated and functional kitchens that are move in ready.  

In a buyers market you want to do everything you can to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar.  The good news is that you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on renovations and improvements to get your home noticed. There are several things you can do on a budget to help your home sell faster.

The first step is to clear out excess clutter. If you have already planned to sell your home, start making some necessary preparations. Start by removing all knick knacks and large decorative fixtures. You want the potential home buyer to see the potential in your home not your decorative collections. Excess clutter can make your home feel smaller as well as make buyers feel uncomfortable and you want them to picture themselves living in your home.

Eliminate odors! The smell of animals, musty smells or even strong cleaning agents will leave a bad impression on buyers. You want the home to be clean but not smell like cleaning chemicals or even strong air fresheners. Do a throughout cleaning and burn a simple candle like vanilla to give the home a comfy and clean aromatic environment.

Some studies have shown that most of the buyers look for homes that are ready to move in. Make sure to fix all the damaged areas of the house from both small and large problems. Even a broken door handle can leave buyers wondering if there are more issues that may be lurking. Touch up all old and peeling paint, fix all leaky faucets and have the carpets cleaned. Small touches can make a big difference.

While selling your home, it is important that every room must be able to display what is expected of it. For example, your dining room should be shown as a dining room, so it should contain some dining tables and a few chairs. If you have been using it for a make shift office or storage it can turn off buyers. 

Sellers are sometimes reluctant to put their home on the market during the holiday season, many may feel that it is not a good time to sell their home and think that buyers are not interested until the New Year.  In reality, the holiday season may be a busy and exciting one but it is a great time to sell your home! Selling your home during the holiday season affords you many advantages such as the amazing staging options you have at this time of the year. During the holidays you have a chance to show your home at its very best.  You can use all the holiday decorations to stage your home with all that the season has to offer. Below are some tips to help you sell your home during the holidays!

• The visual aspects of a home during the holiday season can make a buyer feel that your home is cozy and welcoming. Twinkling lights and greenery bring out the charm in a home. Keep in mind that aside from decorations it is important to remember the basics, if you live in a snowy area, make sure walkways are cleared and any trace of ice is cleared. Remember to trim all trees and keep landscaping in order and a perhaps hang a festive wreath on your door.
• Brighten and warm it up. When showing your home be sure to turn on all lights so your home will look bright, cheery and welcoming. If the weather is cold, turn up the temp a couple of degrees. Don't overdo it, you want it warm and cozy not hot.
• Market to motivated buyers. The holidays are a hectic time so anyone house hunting during the holidays must have a good reason for doing so. By targeting buyers who are perhaps are in need of housing quickly due to relocation, buyers wanting to purchase before the new year or even military personnel, if you live near a military base.
• Make your home welcoming. Make your home feel cozy and inviting during showings by lighting a fire, playing soft holiday music and offering homemade holiday treats. If buyers feel welcome they are more likely to spend more time admiring the home.

A good rule of thumb is to keep decorations on the conservative side. Not all home shoppers may celebrate the holidays in same way you do and you don't want to overwhelm. You want potential buyers to notice your home not necessarily your decorations.

In today's real estate market every homeowner is asking the same question - What is the value of my home?  Maureen Cool of RE/MAX Plus in Highlands County, Florida says that this is probably the number 1 question a homeowner will ask.  Most homeowners are not sure how to determine the value is this unsettling real estate market.

Being informed and know what your home will sell for today will should be the first step in preparing to sell your home.  A home is worth what someone will pay for it. Everything else is an estimate of value. To determine a property's value, most people turn to either an appraisal or a comparative market analysis.

An appraisal is a certified appraiser's estimate amenities, energy efficiency, the quality of the of the value of a home at a given point in time. To make their determination, appraisers consider square footage, construction quality, design, floor plan, neighborhood and availability of transportation, shopping and schools. Appraisers also take lot size, topography, view and landscaping into account.

The list price is the price tag put on a house in a real estate listing; it usually is only an estimate of what the seller would like to get for the property. The sales price is the amount a property actually sells for. It may be the same as the listing price, or higher or lower, depending on how accurately the property was originally priced and on market conditions.

A seller may need to adjust the listing price if there have been no offers within the first few months of the property's listing period.

The appraisal value is a certified appraiser's estimate of the worth of a property, and is based on comparable sales, the condition of the property and numerous other factors. Lenders require appraisals as part of the loan application process; fees range from $200 to $300. Appraisers use several factors when estimating value including historical records, property performance, condition of the home and indices that forecast future value.

Market value is what price the house will bring at a given point in time. A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate of market value, based on sales of comparable properties, performed by a real estate agent or broker. Because brokers and agents are not state-certified appraisers, they may not perform appraisals in most states. Instead, they estimate the value of a property using a CMA.

You can do your own cost comparison by looking up recent sales of comparable properties in public records. These records are available at local recorder's or assessor's offices, through private companies or on the Internet. Neither of these services produce official appraisals. They also don't factor in market nuances or other issues a certified appraiser or real estate professional might in assessing the value of your home.