During the month of September, Forgotten Harvest has teamed up with the Real Estate One Charitable Foundation, which is associated with Michigan’s largest number one brokerage, the Real Estate One Family of Companies to support those in need. When you buy or sell a home through Real Estate One a portion of the sale will benefit Forgotten Harvest!
Along with this generous donation, Real Estate One wants to share some of the best real estate secrets for homebuyers and sellers, check them out below.
Selling Tips
Make the right upgrades.
· Quick fixes before selling always pay off. Extreme makeovers do not. Make updates that are worth it, such as:
o Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls
o Clean the curtains or buy inexpensive new ones
o Replace the door handles and cabinet hardware
o Make sure closet doors are on track
o Fix leaky faucets
o Clean the grout
It is no longer your home; it is a house.
An important mission to do when selling your house is de-personalize it. If the home is filled with your personal stuff, there is less space for a buyer to visualize it as theirs. Try to put at least a third of your belongings in storage.
This includes:
· Family photos
· Memorabilia collections
· Personal keepsakes
· Safety Tip: Please remember to lock away your change bowls, jewelry, and prescription medications.
Think kitchen!
The kitchen is the most saleable point of the house. If you are going to remodel any room, make sure it’s your kitchen because the benefits are endless. The best part of all? You’ll probably get 85% of your money back!
The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include:
· Painting
· New cabinet hardware
· Getting stainless steel appliances
(If you have a tight budget, buy one quality stainless steel appliance. When people see one high-end appliance they may think all the rest are expensive, too.)
It is show time, all the time!
Your house needs to be ready for show at all times because you never know when a buyer is going to stop by. Do these simple tasks to keep it in show-shape:
· Don’t leave dishes in the sink
· Keep the dishwasher cleaned out
· Make the bathrooms sparkle
· Get dust bunnies out of the corners
· Do not have piles of anything, anywhere!
Lights, Camera… SOLD!
Do all that you can to maximize the light in your home. After location, good lighting is the one characteristic that buyers cite on their dream home wish list.
Here are a few strategies to increase lighting:
· Take down the drapes
· Clean the windows
· Change the lampshades
· Increase the wattage of your light bulbs
· Cut the shrubs outside to let in sunshine
Buyer Secrets
Get your credit in line.
Most buyers will need to get a mortgage to get a house. In order to do so, you have to get your credit history is as clear as possible. Around three months before you start the house hunt, get copies of your credit report. Double check that the facts are correct, and fix any issues you may find.
Seek a professional.
The Internet is a great tool for buyers to get access to home listings, but a professional sales associate is an even better resource when it comes to the buying process as a whole. Look for a sales associate who will have your interests at heart and is prepared with negotiation strategies for bidding. A sales associate will offer you many perks that the Internet cannot.
Choose cautiously between points and rate.
When selecting a mortgage, you typically have the choice to pay extra points. Basically, the more points you pay, the lower your mortgage rate. The best way to make a decision between points and rate is to consider how long you want to own this house. If you stay in the house for around three to five years (or more) it's usually a better deal to pay the points. The lower interest rate will save you more down the road.
Get pre-qualified before you start the hunt.
The last thing you want as a buyer is to find your dream house and then be told you can’t afford it. Going to a lender and getting pre-qualified will save you from that grief. You’ll also be in a better position to make a serious offer when you find the right house. Pre-qualification is based on your actual income, credit history and debt.
Recruit your own home inspector.
On your own, hire a home inspector of your choosing. His or her purpose will be to point out any potential problems that could require mega-repairs (and mega-dollars) in the future. It’s better to calculate your costs before the transaction than be stuck with ones you never wanted in the first place.