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Home For The Holidays
Are you ready to make your dreams come true for the holidays? Let us help you get into a new home for the holidays.
The end of the year is quickly approaching!
Like many others, you are likely getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season, buying turkeys for Thanksgiving, prepping your Black Friday shopping list, and starting to think about a Christmas tree if you haven’t put it up already.
You might also be taking time to reflect on the past year to see if you have hit the mark on your goals and likely feeling a bit guilty for not quite reaching your 2022 New Years’ Resolutions.
We don’t blame you. Life gets busy. We understand that life has changed immensely for a lot of people in a short period of time. Many people are permanently working from home and are finding they need more space for organization to be successful. Maybe a new baby or puppy was added to the family and the rooms are feeling a bit cramped. Perhaps the cousin got married and now hosting holiday meals requires more space than you have. Don’t worry we can help.
If selling your home and getting into something bigger was part of your to-do list there is still time. In fact, now may be the best time.
Here’s why:
- When fewer homes hit the market the homes that do get the spotlight.
- While everyone else has Holidays on their mind, the serious buyers shop real estate and are significantly more motivated than any other time of year.
- This time of year offers the best staging opportunity to shine the best light on your listing.
- The equity you have gained in your present home can help you make the move into the home you’re dreaming of.
GET THE SPOTLIGHT
In residential real estate, it is quite normal to see fewer homes listed during the last couple of months of the year. Homeowners get busy around the holidays and put off selling their houses until the start of the new year when there is more time in their schedules and social calendars.
This creates an advantageous opportunity for those ready to sell now. While other homeowners are holding off until after the holidays, your home can soak up all the spotlight. If you are ready to start the process with a real estate professional today connect with us here.
SERIOUS BUYERS SHOP DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Your home might be exactly what that serious buyer has been waiting for, and sellers during this time will have less “looky loos” and more serious buyers.
When buyers’ demand is greater than the housing supply it is considered a Sellers’ Market which gives the seller the advantage.
If you work with an agent to list your house now, you’ll be able to get in front of enthusiastic buyers that are eager to make the move before the end of the year.
THE HOLIDAYS PRESENT A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
Have you ever looked in a magazine and wished you were living in its pictures? The same can happen with real estate photos. We know that listings that look more appealing online get people in their doors.
Warm fires in the fireplace and cookies baking in the oven can create that atmosphere that no other season seems to offer.
LEVERAGE THE EQUITY YOU HAVE FOR THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS
If you have owned your home for several years, you likely have a large amount of equity (Total value minus what you owe.) This value can help springboard you into your next home. CoreLogic explained that the average equity per mortgage holder has rocketed to almost $300,000. Never has it been this high in history. The equity you have in your house right now could cover some, if not all, of a down payment on the home you have been dreaming of, and we can help get you in it.
If you are thinking about selling your house so you can find a home that better suits your needs, don’t delay your plans. Let’s connect so you can accomplish your goals before the end of the year. CLICK HERE.
Staging a Home
Should You Stage Your Home?
Every home is changed by those who live in it even under the care of the most vigilant homeowners. Staging a home for sale is one tactic that may take the attention away from less than stellar paint, flooring, or kitchen cabinets and convince the buyer that they can make the property the home of their dreams.
If you are preparing to put your home on the market, staging provides the advantage of appealing to the buyer audience. It is no longer a nice idea, but one of the most important things you can do when selling your home.
What is a Staged Home?
Staging a home is one possible step in preparing a property for sale in the housing market. It is primarily focused on the appearance of the home and making the space feel a specific way. Depending on the type of pieces brought into the space the staging can make the home feel lighter, larger, or more modern.
Most staged homes include art, rugs, furniture, plants, and other decors.
Attract More Home Buyers
Properties headed to the market need to be presented in a way that is going to attract the most possible buyers. Staging a home allows buyers to picture themselves in that space. Inviting furnishings and decor, combined with subtle accessories distributed throughout the home pulls everything together to help produce higher-quality images of each space in the home.
It has also been proven that if the home is attractive in pictures buyers are much more likely to come and see it in person. The quality of online images directly affects a buyer’s interest in a home.
Buyers confirm that they were more willing to walk through a home they saw online (41 percent), and buyers’ agents identified that staging would positively impact the home value if the home was decorated to the buyer’s taste (39 percent).
Your first impression is your last impression, so make it count!
Tidbit:
A 2021 National Association of Realtors study on home staging reported that 82% of buyer’s agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.
Increase Home Sale Price
Ultimately the purpose of home staging is to set your listing apart from others on the market and yield higher offers.
According to the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Staging 2021 when staging a home, 23 percent of sellers’ agents reported an increase of one to five percent of the dollar value offered by buyers, in comparison to similar homes.
Notably, none of the respondents in the above study reported that staging a home had a negative impact on the home’s dollar value.
It’s advantageous to keep in mind that home staging does put costs on the sellers’ agent or the seller depending on the scenario. The median dollar value spent when using a staging service was $1,500, compared to $300 when the sellers’ agent personally staged the home.
Tidbit:
The most common rooms that were staged included the living room (90 percent), kitchen (80 percent), master bedroom (78 percent), and dining room (69 percent).
In conclusion…
By creating space that buyers fall in love with, sellers can expect offers of higher quantity and quality. Get in touch with one of our agents today.
Preparing to List in the Whidbey Island Real Estate Market Right Now
Today’s housing market is full of exceptional opportunities for sellers. The large buyer demand combined with record-low housing inventory has created an optimal sellers’ market. This means that it can be a great time to sell your house if you are thinking about selling. However, one misconception is that sellers are guaranteed success no matter what. We are here to remind you, that is not always the case and to help set you up for the best possible success with some key points so you can avoid costly mistakes and win big when you make the move.
Price Your Property Right
It is a common misconception to think buyers will pay whatever we ask. This can be hard to imagine when the inventory is low like it is and we see homes sell well over listing price time and time again. However, even in a sellers’ market, it is of the utmost importance to list your house for the right price. Why? Because it will maximize the number of buyers that see your house. Listing above market value means that true target buyers may not ever see your property because it is listed out of their price range. Listing in the market value creates the best environment for bidding wars, which in turn is more likely to increase the final sale price meaning more money in your pocket. In fact, as of this writing, there are 10 homes just in North Whidbey that have been on the market for 11- 41 days which is a strong indication of being overpriced. This is only one of several examples of why it is important to price your property right the first time. To receive an in-depth look at the dangers of pricing above market value sign up here. A real estate professional is the best person to help you set the best price for your house so you can achieve your financial goals. Click here to get connected.
Keep Emotions in Check
Today, homeowners are living in their homes longer than they have in the past. Looking at the chart below you can see that the average time a homeowner owned their home has doubled from 5 years in 1985 to 10 years now.
It only makes sense that as time in a home increases the emotional attachment to the home also grows. If it is the first home you purchased or it is the house where your children grew up, it is possible that it is extra special to you. Every room has memories. It is difficult to separate rational decision-making from that sentimental value and can take time to process.
For some homeowners, that connection makes it harder to differentiate the emotional value of the house from the fair market price. It is important to have a non-bias real estate professional help you along with setting the listing price and through the negotiations. We are here to help you.
Stage Properly
When we walk into our friends’ homes, we are often greeted by their children’s trophies, their accomplishments, newest toys, and probably a pile of mail on the counter they did not quite get to before we arrived. For the most part, we are all quite proud of our home décor and the things we have done to customize our homes to be fitting for our lifestyles and want to show it off. However, not all buyers feel the same way about your design and personal touches as you do. It is in your best interest to present your home in a way that a buyer can imagine themselves living there. That is why it is so important to make sure you stage your home with the potential buyer in mind.
Buyers want to envision themselves in the space so it truly feels like it could be their own. They need to see themselves inside with their furniture and keepsakes – not your pictures and decorations. Stage, clean, and declutter so they can visualize their own dreams as they walk through each room. A real estate professional can help you to get your home ready, stage it, and sell for top dollar.
At the End of the Day
Today’s sellers’ market might be your best chance to make your move. If you are considering selling your home, let’s connect today so you have the expert guidance you need to navigate through the process and prioritize these key elements.
Searching to learn more about Whidbey Island? You can continue exploring our community blog here!
How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar
By now you’ve probably heard every REALTOR® you know yelling from the rooftops, We need more inventory!!! “Now is the time to sell!” While that is definitely true, buyers are more selective now than ever. You need a strategy to ensure you hit the market at your very best!
In order to sell your home for the highest price possible and in the least amount of time (meaning less showings, less cleaning, less inconvenience to you), you’re going to need to create the most demand possible when it goes up for sale (with the help of a great Real Estate Agent of course). I have a simple 3-part plan that will help your home get the maximum exposure and create the most demand right away!
PART ONE: Focus on Selling a Lifestyle
You’re not just selling a home, you’re selling a lifestyle. This means you’ll want to think beyond square footage and room sizes and determine how to best highlight the features of your home that will show the lifestyle someone can expect to have if they live there. Think about experiences like holidays around the big kitchen island or gatherings around the awesome firepit out back!
Ask yourself questions such as what feature did you love most about your home when you bought it and which room do you spend the most time in. Share these answers with your Real Estate Agent so they can market a lifestyle, not just the house.
Photo by Jimmy Dean on Unsplash
PART TWO: Stage to Sell
Staging your home for sale is crucial in attracting the most buyers and generating the most interest in your home when it’s for sale.
To get started, depersonalize and declutter first so potential buyers can more easily picture themselves living in the home rather than feeling like they’re in someone else’s home. Make sure to appeal to today’s buyers. Talk with your agent about what updates or small changes will make the biggest impact to attract what most buyers are looking for these days.
Photo by Ashley Byrd on Unsplash
PART THREE: Have a Pricing Strategy
If you want to attract the most buyers as soon as that for sale sign goes up, it’s important to have a pricing strategy in place. Many sellers believe they should list their home over value and lower it as needed, but the problem is that doing this will only hurt your chance at attracting the most amount of buyers possible (therefore driving up the sale price). The problem is that it will decrease the number of interested buyers right when you list, could increase the length of time your home sits on the market and ultimately decrease your final sale price (which means less money in your pocket).
What you feel your home is worth on paper might not necessarily match what the market is saying your home is worth. The current market and the buyers are going to determine the value of your home. Make sure you’re looking at market trends, other homes that have recently sold and be realistic. The best-case scenario is that you get several offers on your home, and you get to choose the price AND terms.
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash
With the right real estate professional guiding you and this simple 3-part plan, you’ll have buyers lined up outside your home in no time! If you have questions about how we can tailor this plan to your unique property, let’s talk!
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Making a Memorable Home
Making a Memorable Home
Fresh out of college she had little desire to decorate or apply much effort to her home. She figured, “if it’s not functional, it’s not needed.” That all changed when her best friend, a former beauty queen, moved in with her. “Everything was moved! Books were realigned to look nice, plants popped up everywhere, and anything that didn’t look pretty found a discrete new home.” Although the first shock of everything shifting around her was a bit startling, she started to notice a big difference. “All of a sudden the people entering her home would look around and almost immediately compliment her on her ‘Pinterest’ home. She would overhear conversations about how great visiting her house was and when people did visit, they wanted to stay.”
This was the story of one of our agents and her journey in learning the power and positive impact that decorating can have on a home. We’ve all been at the start of this journey at one point or another. Fearful of making mistakes, we settle for what we have or even convince ourselves we like it better without the fancy decorations (even though we drool at Pottery Barn). Decorating can play a key role in turning that house you bought into a real home. It can transform plain space into a memorable oasis for all who enter.
In everyday life this is important but when selling a home, it is invaluable.
To ease your fears we’ve gathered some key interior design tips we hope will help you with your first steps to a new interior design.
5 Rules for Interior Design
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Start with a Neutral Palette
Bright colors and bold accents go in and out of style rapidly. Neutrals are lasting and timeless. Start your room off with a neutral palette that will be consistent and lasting. Pops of color are easily achieved in replicable items such as books, floral arraignments, and accessories.
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The 10-30-60 Rule
An easy way to decide when and where color should be added is using the 10-30-60 color rule for dominant, secondary, and accent colors. As the name suggests; your dominant color (a neutral) should cover about 60% of the room. Your secondary color, a little bolder, should be used repetitively without overpowering. Your boldest color, the accent, should be included sparingly and with intentionality.
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Think Vertically
Artwork, wall décor, and tall plants help to bring the eye up off the ground or coffee table. Also, storing items vertically on shelves or other creative options keeps them off the ground or on low areas, preventing the home from feeling cluttered.
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The Rule of Threes
Styling surfaces can feel intimidating. Too few items can leave the space feeling sparse and awkward, but too many items can cause clutter. When in doubt, follow the rule of three. Odd number groupings are more appealing to the eye than even ones. Placing three cohesive items in a space can help to create this dynamic.
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Don’t Over-Theme
Everyone loves a good beach themed room but when everything is covered in is shells, sand, umbrellas, and flip flops it can start to look ridiculous. Keeps obvious references to a theme at a minimum with accent pieces and try to enhance the feel of the room over the theme.
Looking for some inspiration or a creative piece to get you started? Visit Seaside & Sylvan! They are a small furnishing boutique located at the historic Greenbank Farm. Their creative décor and helpful associates are sure to spark your style into action.
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Parks in Oak Harbor
Before & After – The Importance of Staging
Before & After - The Importance of Staging
It is normal for you to love your home and all of your belongings. However, when it comes time to move, and you are ready to sell, you want your home to be as appealing as possible to as many buyers as possible. To accomplish this you must prepare your home in a way that buyers can envision themselves living there.
The purpose of staging is to make the home speak to everyone else, in a captivating manor. The last thing you want is your personal belongings distracting your buyers from the features of your home that will make it sell.
For example when buyers see:
Piles of papers everywhere it tells them there is not enough storage. Solution: straighten up, get rid of the unnecessary, and create a cleaner more inviting space.
Filled kitchen counters make them think there are not enough cabinets. Solution: Clear off your countertops.
Packed closets lead them to believe the closet is too small. Solution: Do a bit of spring cleaning before photo day get rid of the unnecessary, fold clothes, straighten shoes, and organize your clothes by color on your hangers.
Rooms with a lot of furniture makes them feel cramped and left feeling like there is not enough room. Solution: move furniture into a way that is fitting for each room, perhaps rearranging furniture into other rooms or reducing the amount of furniture altogether.
When your home is clean, clutter-free, and/or staged you are telling potential buyers that you take good care of your home, while simultaneously providing them a clean slate to imagine themselves living there.
81% of Realtors said staging helps buyers visualize the property as a future home, while 46% said it makes prospective buyers more willing to walk through a home they saw online.
Ready to get started?
So, you can either be the "house with the beautiful granite counters and fantastic views" or the "house with the National Geographic collection where the dinning table is supposed to be."
