Have You Heard of Digital Staging? It Might Be Right For You!

Many homeowners have heard of  various types of staging.  At its most basic level, it means sprucing up your home  with decor, new paint, and removal of excess items. 

The next level is a hybrid where the homeowner institutes a few of the  aforementioned basics, and  hires a stager for a room or two. 

 Yet another level is when a home stager is hired to show the home in its best light. That's wonderful, but it can get very costly.

The most cost efficient way  is to virtually stage a home, and that means having furniture photoshopped into the  home,  or items removed  from rooms where you have  excess furniture.

And no, it doesn't look fake if it's done right.  Here's a real world example:

85 Carol Road Stratford CT - New to the Market!

Leave your worries behind! Nothing to do but just move in to this delightful single level home with a refreshingly open floor plan that is cheerful and sunlit all the way through! Great spacious feeling- The remodeled kitchen has been opened up to the dining area, which in turn is open to the living room. Main bath has also been tastefully remodeled, too! The fourth bedroom can also double as a large den or office, or a more private main bedroom if so desired. Sit outside in front on the covered patio, or relax on your second patio and enjoy the peaceful and private views of your gorgeous backyard! Close to schools, shopping, bus and the train station is just 6 minutes away! BONUS: Roof and AC 1+ yr old, Boiler & HW tank replaced in 2015!

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 6/23/18 1-3:30 at 391 Riverside Ave, Westport $1,859,900

It's the ultimate smart home! Over 4,800 square feet with four to five bedrooms has frontage on the Saugatuck River and is only about a half mile from the train station.

Did we mention the movie theater with 110" screen? See more photos and a detailed description at http://391riverside.premierhomesinct.com , or better yet, visit us in person and make this home YOURS.

JudySzablak #TopAgent #FairfieldCounty #Connecticut #Realtor #ColdwellBanker #JudySells #Houses #Homes and #Condos  #ThePetitePowerhouse #TheRealtorWithDrive  203.257.5892

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County Connecticut?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County Connecticut, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com      www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

and www.BestWestportHomes.com

Maximizing Your Home's Price for The Spring Market

It’s almost spring and in many parts of the country the housing market is already starting to thaw. Some markets  are red hot. According to the S & P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Index, prices nationwide are up 5.6 percent as of November 2016. Pricing your house correctly and increasing appeal with low-cost, high-value upgrades can mean more offers.

The Price is Right

There’s generally two schools of thought in regard to listing price. One philosophy is to list at top price and lower the price progressively until it sells. Sellers who choose this strategy are usually in less of a hurry and more risk averse. A second strategy is to list slightly under expected sales price. These sellers are usually trying to sell faster and hope to bring multiple offers, boosting the final selling price. The latter is, counterintuitively, the better strategy for getting the most money for your home. Here’s how to do it:

Price Under a Typical Search Limit

If you home is worth $600,000, set your listing price at $600,000. This way, you capture everyone who might be setting their search ranges at $600,000 or less, and just as important? The $600,000 or more price range. Your home is NOT like a "big box" store. People understand that a home priced at $599,000 is really $600,000.  This way your home will be in two different common searches.

Create Demand

It might seem risky to underprice your home — what if your home is worth $800,000, you list for $875,000, and the offers all come in at only $775,000? First, that’s your home’s actual market worth. Two, if you receive offers you don’t like, you can counteroffer or decline them. Listing your home under value creates a psychological sense of urgency. You want buyers to visit your home and become attached enough to put in an offer. If enough people do this at once, you have created a buyer frenzy and increased your chance for multiple offers and escalated prices.

Use Comprehensive Comparables

Your agent should create a comparative market analysis of recently sold homes but also those currently active, expired and off-market. What is selling is as important as what is not. According to Zillow, ensure your home is priced within 10 percent of the average home price in your area. If there are few sold comparables nearby, price your home 10 percent under any currently active or expired listings.

Home Improvements Before Listing

There are many home improvements that might enhance your home’s value, such as putting in an expensive new kitchen or bath, but stick to the lowest cost for the highest possible value. Your goal is to make a positive first impression and sell your home quickly.

Replace Tired Flooring

If your carpet is more than five years old, has unsightly stains or is starting to buckle, it’s time to replace it. You can replace carpet with carpet but today’s buyers see more value in hard floors. Buyers with kids or pets tend to prefer engineered floors, bamboo, or cork for their sustainability. One continuous floor of the same material also creates the appearance that the home is bigger, creating an impression your home is worth more.

Paint, Paint, Paint

A coat of paint can cover scuff marks and dirt and brighten a room. Did you love flamingo pink for your hallway and forest green in your kitchen? That’s great! But chances are buyers won’t have your tastes so instead opt for neutral colors such as grays and earth tones when readying your home to sell.

Revitalize Your Kitchen

Fully remodeled kitchens are a great return on investment but don’t spend the money if you are looking to sell. Instead, paint them with Annie Sloan chalk paint. Chalk paint looks so good the buyers will barely be able to tell it’s not the original finish. For about $500 you can transform your kitchen in a weekend.


Written by Realty Times Staff

JudySzablak #TopAgent #FairfieldCounty #Connecticut #Realtor #ColdwellBanker #JudySells #Houses #Homes and #Condos  #ThePetitePowerhouse #TheRealtorWithDrive  203.257.5892

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County Connecticut?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County Connecticut, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com      www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

and www.BestWestportHomes.com

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Selling Your Home This Year? Five Reasons To Renovate Now

Face it. Your home's not perfect. You may keep up with general maintenance, and perhaps you're meticulously clean. But how old is your kitchen? Do your paint colors reflect current trends? Could your living room use some updating?

When it comes to selling your home in today's market, it's got to be perfect, or buyers will simply move on to the next option. Doing some renovations, whether that means overhauling areas that are long overdue for a facelift or making some simple changes that freshen up the place, is typical. But if you're thinking they can wait until you're ready to list your home, these five reasons may make you rethink that plan.

1. You get to enjoy the new look

"A worthy update can either serve to reduce your cost of living while you remain in the home or add significant value to the home's sale price when you decide to put it on the market," said Scott McGillivray, a real estate investor and host of the HGTV show Income Property to US News.

But if you're going to spend some cash on updating and renovating your place, you should at least be able to get some enjoyment out of the updates before turning the house over to someone else, right? If you've been waiting for 10 years for new appliances, it would be a shame to not have the opportunity to at least cook a few meals and throw a dinner party or two.

2. They always take longer than expected

It's a fact of renovation. If your timeline is six weeks, it'll probably take 12. At least. Giving yourself plenty of time before you're ready to list your home will help you avoid a stressful scramble at the end when you're trying to get it on the market.

3. There may be issues you're unaware of

Your Realtor will point out areas that need to be addressed and recommend changes to make your home more saleable. But, getting your home ready to sell might be harder than you expect if problems like mold or termites are uncovered. Getting a jump on any big issues or anything that goes beyond the cosmetic will give you the time you need to fix the problems and hold onto your sanity.

4. You're going to need them

You may not love the idea of having to do anything to - or spend any money on - your home, especially if you already have your eyes on a new one. But, most every home needs a little upgrading, updating, or, at least staging. You don't want to have the one place in the neighborhood that won't sell because potential homebuyers see a project house, without the project price.

5. You'll get a return on your investment...if you renovate smart

Speaking of price…updated homes typically sell faster and for more money, if the updates have been done well and they're the ones buyers are looking for. If you're not sure which renovations to consider, take your cues from the Cost vs. Value Report, which tracks the "average cost for 29 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 99 U.S. markets." It's a great way to look at national trends but also break down what's trending in individual areas. "How much work you'll need depends on your home's value, your market, and the comps in your neighborhood," said Realtor.com.

US News also has a great list of "popular updates that are worth the money," including adding a backsplash in the kitchen and updating bathroom vanities.


Written by Jaymi Naciri / Realty Times

JudySzablak #TopAgent #FairfieldCounty #Connecticut #Realtor #ColdwellBanker #JudySells #Houses #Homes and #Condos  #ThePetitePowerhouse #TheRealtorWithDrive  203.257.5892

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County Connecticut?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County Connecticut, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com      www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

and www.BestWestportHomes.com

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY