ARTICLES | Michel Daley Realty

Sellers stun market by selling homes within 24hours. Here’s how…

While researching the Metropolitan Regional Information System (MRIS), a sales tool used by real estate professionals, I discovered multiple homes under contract the first day they were listed. I was curious to find similarities. What I discovered was noteworthy.

Location, location, location. All the homes were in sought-after locations where homes have a strong appreciation potential.
The homes were priced fairly.All sold for their full list price, but were not overpriced for their neighborhoods.
Settlements occurred within 30 days of contract signing, a strong indicator that buyers had financing already in place, or had the cash on hand to purchase.
The homes were fully renovated or upgraded, and showed well to buyers.
Some homes had amenities sought-after in urban locations, such as garages, off-street parking or large back yards and patios.
A real estate professional marketed the homes, including sharing commissions with other agents who brought buyers.

If you are considering selling your home, especially in a competitive market, give some thought to my discovery. The ability to capitalize on one or more of these factors may help you sell your property faster than your neighbors. Michel Daley, Realtor©

NEVER do this when selling a home…

Ever wonder why some homes sell in days, and others seem to stay on the market forever? While there are certainly market conditions beyond your control that affect how quickly your home will sell, here are a few things you should never do if you want your home to sell quickly for its market value:

Accumulate lots of clutter. Sell or give away extra furnishings, books and memorabilia. If you haven’t admired or used it in years, it’s time to let it go.
Have pets or their gear near. Make sure pets and anything related to them are hidden. Buyers might start looking for hair balls, stains or scratches.
Have foul odors permeating throughout. Remove anything that’s causing bad odors. Add neutral scents from air fresheners. Hint: people love the smell of baking cakes or cookies.
Show evidence of creepy crawlers. If present, get rid of any ants, roaches, rodents, etc. Inspect for termite damage, and have it corrected if needed.
Display your personal history. When people view your home, they want to envision it as theirs…not yours. This is harder to do when you show lots of family photos or display your beliefs, religious affiliation or political ideology. Remember, everything should be neutral. Don’t take the chance a potential buyer might not like what they see.

Often, sellers are so focused on the condition of their property they forget these common sense details. Yet, by avoiding these mishaps potential buyers will leave your home with a more favorable impression. Michel Daley, Realtor©

Three simple steps to boost your home’s value without remodeling…

Many things affecting the value of your home are beyond your control, such as its location, interest rates and the state of our economy. However, there are simple steps you can take to increase its value, sometimes by thousands of dollars.

1. Keep up with repairs. Homes require maintenance as they age. This may be as simple as a good coat of paint, or more complex as replacing roof shingles or HVAC systems. Don’t let little repair jobs become big ones because of neglect. Stay on top of repairs as they occur.

2. Consider landscaping. First impressions are important, so it is important to boost your home’s curb appeal. If your home looks good and well-kept from the outside, you create the impression that it will look good and well-kept on the inside too. Potential buyers should like what they see, which creates added value from an emotional point of view.

3. Consider upgrades especially those that save money. When it’s time to replace a hot water heater, furnace or air conditioner, consider ones that have high efficiency ratings, or consider installing solar panels. These types of upgrades pay for themselves over time.

While major remodeling, such as adding rooms or upgrading a kitchen or bathroom is the obvious way to increase a home’s value, keeping your home looking “new” can do the trick as well. Michel Daley, Realtor©