Brush Up the Look of Your Front Steps

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Curb appeal gets buyers in the door.  If you want to spruce up the front of your home without spending a lot of money, consider painting your front steps.  Typically choose darker colors to hide wear and tear.  Colors from nature and from the same family are a great choice for a craftsman-style home.  With other styles of architecture choose cool gray because it compliments every color and even when it gets dirty, it maintains its look.

Home Inspections; a Critical Piece of the Home Buying Puzzle

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Buying a home is undoubtedly the most expensive purchase of most people’s lives and it goes without saying that you should proceed carefully and in a way so as to make good decisions. One very important part of making a good decision on buying a home is getting a full-blown home inspection of the property.

We’ve all seen the nightmare stories on television where a homeowner that neglected to have a home inspection done, ends up with a huge money pit. The easiest way to combat that risk is to get a thorough check-through by a licensed home inspector.

Though inspectors are required by State licensing boards to maintain licenses and stay up-to-date on their education, there are bad inspectors out there that fail to properly check a home. It’s important that you select a good inspector. One great resource is your real estate agent because they have worked with countless other buyers and they usually have a list of preferred vendors they recommend.

Common Issues That Come Up in Home Inspections

As you can imagine, many things can come up as a professional goes through each aspect of your home’s function, structure and systems. Some of the more common issues that arise include problems with the home’s electrical panel, some circuits with blown fuses, a circuit breaker with problems that could cause a fire hazard.

Sometimes chimney problems come up too that might not be visible to the layperson. Anything from cracks in the chimney, gaps that could contribute to heat and cooling loss or issues with the roof – all come up with a thorough inspection.

Buyers Learn a Lot About Their Home During an Inspection

Probably the most overlooked benefit of a home inspection is the ability for buyers to get a walkthrough with the inspector and see how everything functions. While the inspector is looking over everything, the buyer will be able to learn how to operate things in the house plus get an overview on basic home systems.

The Housing Market Finds Its Strength

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The real estate market is certainly gaining strength. According to national year-end reports, we’re clearly seeing a turnaround. One sign is the days it takes for a home to sell is down by 29.6% nationally over the previous year. Top that off with a shift in the amount of inventory—from an overabundance to an actual shortfall of homes available for buyers—and you can see why the housing market has strengthened. The inventory shift from too many homes on the market to a shortfall was due to two main reasons: investors purchasing foreclosures and people taking advantage of interest rates that hovered at record lows during 2012. These factors, as well as a lack of new construction, are leading the country to a turnaround in real estate. We’re seeing these factors in many markets across the U.S.  

What’s happening locally in our region is all very positive. Our actual number of transactions was 113 sales—an 11.15 % increase over last year. That’s a big increase. In State College, home sales were up 17% which means the largest school district within our region is doing as well as or better than the rest of the region. The days a home is on the market is down a medium of 40% in our region compared to 29.6% nationally, so homes are selling much more rapidly in State College than last year. We’re also shifting from an absolute buyers’ market to a much more balanced market which is healthier for both buyers and sellers.

Keep in mind that interest rates are still low, but the rates won’t last forever. These rates have helped make home-buying more affordable. We’re also seeing “shovels turning” with new construction making a comeback so that gives buyers another option.  

There’s reason to be cheerful in 2013. We’re starting the year off right with an overall confidence in the real estate market that we haven’t seen in the last couple of years. The mood has changed—and it’s great!  

If you’re interested in buying or selling your home, contact me today at 814.234.4000 or christurleykbb@comcast.net. I would be happy to assist you.

Weed Out Bad Landscaping To Make a Great First Impression

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Think of the outside of your home as a cover of a book.  When you look at a book, it’s the cover that pulls you in and makes you want to turn the pages and read it.  The same is true of selling your property because great curb appeal makes a buyer want to see more.   Remember, you only have a few seconds to make that first impression and the last thing you want is unkempt trees, shrubs and flower beds to greet prospective buyers.  An attractive, well-maintained landscape will only increase the value of your home.
 
I met with the owner of a top landscape maintenance company to get some ideas to enhance the outside of your home and, ultimately, increase the salability of your property.  To make the best first impression, homeowners can take simple steps that make a big difference—clean up the lawn, trees and shrubs and garden beds.  Keep in mind that you can tackle these sure-fire tips and tricks on your own.
 
To spruce up your lawn, use a lawn-treatment application to green up the lawn and kill any weeds.  It may take time for the treatment to work, so start on this step right away, because even if you can only get one application complete, it will make a big difference.  Keep the lawn mowed—and mow it properly.  To do so, ensure the mower’s blade is sharp and don’t leave clippings on the ground, which will only turn brown and get dragged into your home.  These two steps will give your lawn a clean look.  For times when you just can’t get around to mowing the lawn, have a name of a lawn service provider on hand so they can take care of it at short notice.
   
When it comes to trees and shrubs, remember they are there to accent the design and architecture of your home, not to cover it up, so be sure the shrubs do not grow against the house or over walkways.  Elevate the trees and be sure there are no broken or hanging limbs.  Nothing screams neglect more than a bunch of dead branches.
 
Last, clear the garden beds out by getting rid of leaves and weeds then top them off with a fresh covering of mulch, which will provide an attractive contrast between the beds and the lawn, as well as make the plants pop.  Mulch is easy to apply and relatively inexpensive.  

From my experience landscaping matters to the client.  Order versus disarray wins every time, so don’t wait until the last minute to clean up your landscaping to help you get top dollar for your biggest investment.  
If you are interested in buying or selling your home, contact me today at 814.234.4000 or christurleykbb@comcast.net.  I would be happy to assist you.

Staging a Home Can Shave Off Weeks From the Time On Market and Generate More Offers

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Selling a home involves a lot of steps and it begins way in advance of when the home actually makes it to the MLS. You have to make sure the home is priced right, has an active marketing plan associated with it catered to your specific market and you need the backing and support of a strong real estate agent.

But one very important component of selling a home is presenting it to the buying public in a way that solicits offers. While you could argue that there is no reason to adjust the way you may live, to remove extra things from the home or even update the color schemes in the home – the truth is that buyers see things in an entirely different light.

I met with my top stager to get some ideas, tips and tricks to share with you on how you can effectively stage your home without breaking the bank. Keep in mind that the amount you spend toward staging your home usually comes back two-fold when the home sells.

What Exactly Is Staging?

In the words of one of the best stagers in our area, staging is making a house “sale ready” since a house for selling and a house for living is usually not the same thing. With the goal of making the home as attractive as possible for all buyers, the idea is that staging will quickly result in one or more offers and usually in as much as half the time of non-staged homes.

Is It Worth It To Spend Money When I’m Selling Anyway?

A lot of homeowners ask whether they should put any more money into the home when they are selling it. The truth is that staging does not cost a lot at all. Most of the changes are cosmetic and involve things like a simple coat of paint to bring in some neutral color – or rearranging furniture to show off more of the home’s features.

What Are Some Things I Can Do To Stage My Home?

The easiest way to prepare your home for sale is to spend a few days cleaning, de-cluttering and de-personalizing the space. Buyers need to see the home for what it is and be able to imagine living in the space. If distracted by personal items such as family photos, overflowing closets or furniture placement that hide major features of the home, their interest may fade.

Simple actions like putting away children’s artwork, leaving the fridge free of any personal items, removing 2/3 of the contents in closets and cleaning the home from top to bottom are sometimes all it takes to present a home attractively. Homeowners should also pay attention to curb appeal, particularly because it will be the first impression made upon prospective buyers. Taking action to clear up outdated and unkempt trees, bushes and shrubs – as well as making the entryway warm and inviting are sure-fire ways to pull buyers in and keep them interested.

The most important advice to keep in mind is that if you are considering selling your home – even if a while down the road – start thinking from the mindset of a seller. If making any updates, consider doing them in a neutral way so that when you do list, buyers are attracted to the “blank canvas” aspect of the home. Start making decisions about extra belongings and begin to de-clutter on a large scale.
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For a personalized walk-through of your home to determine what needs to be done before you list, contact me today – I’d be happy to assist you!

State College Real Estate Market Report End of Summer 2012

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Despite the recent tragic events that have impacted many lives, there is a lot of good happening in our area. One such thing is what is happening in our real estate market. Here is a quick rundown of how the numbers compare this year versus the same time last year – so you can gauge how well things are improving.

Average Sales Price Increasing

Though slight, we are seeing a positive change in the average sale price of homes this year as opposed to the same time frame in 2011. Last year at this time the average sales price was $215,000 whereas in 2012 we reported an average price of $220,000. This indicates a recovering market and stronger days ahead.

Number of Days On Market Going Down

Last year at this time we reported the average number of days of 116 that a property would remain on the market from the listing date until it went under contract. Looking at the same time frame this year, there is a significant difference with homes selling in just 88 days. Once again, this indicates a changing market with increased demand from buyers eager to lock in the record setting low interest rates that are still going strong.

List to Sale Ratio Rising

The amount they list their home for versus the amount the property is actually sold for is called the list to sale ratio. For sellers this year things have improved in that area as well, with an increase from 96.3% last year to 97.6% in the same time period of 2012.

If you are considering buying or selling, want to tap into these great interest rates or have been looking at selling – contact me today at 814.234.4000 or christurleykbb@comcast.net. I look forward to hearing from you!

How To Avoid Spending More Than You Need to Prep Your House For Sale

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When it comes time to put your property on the market you want to get the best value from the sale.  The first instinct that many buyers get is to fix up their home, bring it up to code and make it as enticing as possible to lure the best offers.  Here’s the thing though: it ends up costing way less money to do this when you work with a professional who sees this on a regular basis.  

We’ve outlined some mandatory items that must be kept up prior to the sale of a home, some optional items that would certainly improve the outlook of your home sale and a few things that would only end up being wasted dollars spent.  Remember, the end goal is to get the best price on your home – so you want to accomplish this in the most efficient way possible.  

It’s Not Entirely In Your Hands

One thing to keep in mind is that home values fluctuate with a changing real estate market. What this means is that in today’s market what may be valued at around $350,000 may be a property that was valued at $380,000 just a few years ago.  While some things are in your hands, how the market impacts housing prices is something that no one can alter no matter how many improvements or adjustments are made to the home.  
It may be a good idea to invest $300-$500 on a professional appraisal before preparing to sell your home, so that you know exactly what an independent appraiser would value your home.  The figure would be determined by a number of factors including the general condition of your property, the mean price of other similar homes sold in the area and also current market conditions.  An advance appraisal may give you an edge over other competitors to accurately price your property so you don’t end up wasting dollars on unnecessary upkeep.

Bringing Things Up To Code

What you do have control over, however, is whether you fully comply with housing code and regulations, required to be fully in order prior to listing a property on the market.  Depending on the region you live in, this can mean things like making sure a set number of smoke detectors, fire extinguishers or carbon monoxide detectors are installed.  Sometimes, there are plumbing requirements that must be fulfilled, such as ensuring that low flow toilets have been utilized.  Outdoor electrical wiring must meet certain fire safety regulations and also, major appliances may be required to be strapped down in some regions (like water heaters in California due to earthquake susceptibility).  

Making It All Nice and Neat

The single most important part of a home sale is generating the interest of a buyer, of course.  If your home is set up in a way that allows potential homeowners to visualize themselves living in the space, you have a better chance of success.  Things that are optional but have a huge impact on the success of your sale include presenting a clean home with little or no signs of personalization, tidied up living and storage spaces plus no clutter to distract potential buyers.  The home’s exterior is also a good opportunity to make the home inviting and yield a better offer.  

Stop Short of Overkill

There is no end to how much you can do to improve a home before selling it, but the key is to understand where to draw the line.  While a fresh coat of paint might be great, redoing the kitchen wallpaper is a waste of time since potential buyers may not like the new look either.  
Jumping the gun and getting things that may have come up on a building inspection may or may not backfire.  For example, if a termite inspection is called for and subsequent treatments are needed, it may serve you better to make sure where the potential buyers stand on the issue before spending any cash.  
The single best way to avoid wasting money on the preparation of a home for sale is to consult with your Realtor.  They deal with this on a daily basis and are in the best position to advise you before you end up spending too much.
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At the end of the day you want your home to sell.  By following these simple guidelines and through the expertise and knowledge of your trusted Realtor, you can and will save yourself a lot of wasted time, energy and resources.