Top Five Low Cost Landscaping Ideas for Sellers

You've probably heard how important curb appeal is when you're trying to sell your home. The first thing buyers look at when they pull up to your home is the big picture -- the house, the yard, the trees, the flowers.

It's the impression that counts, and all it takes is one thing to ruin the effect -- a cracked walkway, dead branches in the trees, leggy bushes.

As you look around at all the things you need to fix or update to sell your home, it can be overwhelming. Many sellers struggle with the costs, the decisions, and the time it takes to market their homes. Since most landscaping isn't permanent, you may think it's not as important as other projects that need to be done, but you should strongly consider putting it in the marketing budget.

You can do some of the work yourself or you can get help. But here are five jobs you can do that help you make the most of your home's drive-up appeal.

1. Get rid of anything dead. Dead leaves, flowers, and trees do nothing for your curb appeal. Snip it, rake it and bag it. As you finish, you'll see blank areas. Fill these in with fresh flowers, small bushes, potted plants or yard art. No Gnomes or flamingoes need apply.

2. Cut and weed the grass. If you mow your own lawn, make sure it's freshly mowed every week. Pull or spray weeds so the texture of the grass will be more pleasing.

3. Replace or hide leggy bushes. Nothing makes a front entry look more dated than bushes with longer legs than torsos. Pull them out and replace them, or if it's more expedient, plant boxwoods or other small bushes in front. You can also cover a lot of blank areas with mulch, wood chips or gravel.

4. Improve both hardscapes and softscapes. Decorative stone, tile, brick, concrete or wood can add a lot of appeal to the softer elements such as flowers, plants, grasses and ground cover. Landscaping doesn't have to end at the porch. Bring color and vitality to the entry with potted plants and flowers.

5. Light the way. Landscape lighting doesn't have to be expensive. Lanterns to line the walk, or the occasional uplight for the trees can have a glamorous effect on the exterior of your home. Lighting provides security as well as spotlights what you want to call attention to -- a beautiful tree, a flower bed or an architectural element of the house.
If you're not sure where to begin, go to your local supply with a sketch or photo of your home and ask for ideas. Explain that you're selling your home and you need help with curb appeal. You may get a lot of free advice that's really helpful.

Written by Blanche Evans

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

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, 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

Thinking about Selling? Make Sure You Know About (SBO) Strategic Buyer Optimization Techniques.

The manner in which we buy and sell homes is evolving, and one MUST embrace the technology and the more savvy buyers that come along with it.

This may be a little technical to you, but if you are selling your home, make sure you know about SBO.  (Strategic Buyer Optimization)

For starters, it includes professional photography and "buyer optimized descriptions", and it's all part of Strategic Staging. If you haven't heard of these terms, ask any one of my three seller clients who all benefited from these strategies, and closed on their home in the last 30 days from the power of SBO.

Call me or contact me to learn how these strategies can work for you

JUST IN THE LAST MONTH:

1)  Home went under deposit in just 22 days when two other nearby homes priced similarly have languished on the market for 155 days, and 267 days, respectively.
2) Condo went under deposit in  just eight days AND sold a the highest price in the complex in three years!
3) Home in need of cosmetic and structural work sold in a bidding war 2.5 percent above asking price.

 Ask me how I can help you.  Email me today

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

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, 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    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

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

Top Twelve Questions Answered For CT Home Sellers

If you have sold a home at one point in your lifetime, you already know that the process is a complex transaction that requires a number of individuals to work together to produce a favorable end result. If it's your first time selling a home, you are bound to have a number of questions about the process, just as you probably had when you were buying.

What is the difference between a CMA and an appraisal?

A REALTOR performs a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis),  which includes data  that compares a variety of active listings, pending listings  and sold listings within the past six months in order to arrive at a price range. An Appraiser performs much the same research as an agent, however he/she is also required to use a standardized form, which holds more information than most CMA's. See this article on CMA's and Appraisals.

Should I include negotiating room in the list price?

Your market analysis should be very clear as to what the sales price to list price averages are for your home, your neighborhood and your area. When an agent arrives at a price range, whatever negotiating room there is or isn't is included in that number. Adding " a little play" only makes your home appear to be overpriced as it will be in a different price range of homes that offer more value for the money than yours. As a result, your home cannot compete with a higher range properties, will appear overpriced, and make it that much harder to attract an offer.

When is the best time to sell my house?

The best time to sell is when you are ready, or when you must sell for one reason or another. Property sells throughout the year, and market time and saleability is mostly a function of supply and demand. The time of year you choose to sell can make a difference in the amount of time it takes and the final selling price.  The spring market begins in late January and continues through May. There is another surge in activity in September and October.  Timing is strategic and you may just be better off listing your home when the competition is not so fierce as it is in the spring market. Just something to consider.

Should I sell my home first or wait until I find another home?

The answer truly depends on your personal situation, as well as the condition of the local housing market, as there are advantages and disadvantages to each. If you  sell first, you maximize your negotiating position, and eliminate any need or possibilty of carrying two mortgages at once. A good safeguard to minimizing stress is to include a delayed closing contingency clause in your contract so that you can find another home with little or no pressure.

If you make an offer to buy a home without having your home under deposit first, you may be tempted to sell your existing home quickly, even at a lower price. If you are currently in a "buyers market", the odds of selling your home in time  to purchase the new one are not that favorable, and you may end up being disappointed. The only advantage of buying first is you can shop carefully for the right home and feel comfortable with your decision before putting your current home on the market.

How do I get my home to sell faster?

There are number of reasons why your home  will sell faster than others.  The most important factors are condition and price. Your home will sell most quickly when it has been well maintained and priced competitively to other houses selling in the area,  and is in a healthy real estate market.

Does my home need to be staged, and if so, how much does it cost?

Staging your home for sale is in effect, presenting an enhanced image of your home to attract more buyers. Most experts agree that the main living areas sell a home, so it is important to focus on your  living room, dining room, and family room, as well as any room that the future homeowner may find difficult to furnish or decorate.

Each home is different but basic staging principles are the same for all. Very few homes need to be staged to any extreme whereas a professional (and paid) stager is necessary. A good agent will tell you what needs to be done in order to effect a sale. The quick advice on staging?  De-clutter, de-personalize, distract any negatives, and neutralize your home with your agent's guidance. Also, see my article for Hearst CT Media on different types of staging.

What if I get a better offer after I’ve already accepted one? –

If you have signed a purchase contract accepting an offer, you are bound by its terms.  If the buyer defaults on one contingency, doesn’t follow through properly, or tries to renegotiate, you may have your way out. You can always ask the buyer if they would agree to walk away, or pay them to step away. Speak with your attorney as to the ways in which the contract can be legally cancelled so that you may accept another offer. See this helpful article on changing your mind after an offer has been accepted.

What are the most common contingencies in a purchase agreement?

A contingency is a stipulation to an agreement. Sales contracts typically contain several "contingency" clauses, or stipulations that the sale is subject to. The two most common contingencies are for financing- that is where the home purchase is contingent upon whether or not the buyer can secure a loan from a lender, and an Inspection Contingency, where the buyer has the right to have the property inspected for any problems that are unknown, or may have not been disclosed. If significant issues arise, the purchase offer could be rescinded or renegotiated.

Do I need to make repairs in order to sell my home? 

Sometimes a buyer might request a repair in their initial offer. More often than not, buyers may request repairs based upon the outcome of the building inspection.  Remember, this is all part of negotiating. just like the purchase price  Sometimes the lender will require some repairs in order for the buyer to obtain loan approval, but you can still negotiate who pays for them.    

Do I need to hire an agent?  

The overwhelming majority of home sellers hire REALTOR’s to list and sell their homes. Those who do not are known as For Sale By Owners, or FSBOs (pronounced FizzBo's). They market, negotiate, and sell their homes without agent assistance. Although there are a small number of  successful FSBO's, most of those sales are to family members or friends. Especially in a buyers market,  it is not the right route to go, considering all of the access agents have to whatever buyers are out there, and have knowledge of the legal ramifications for non-disclosure, misrepresentation, and the like. Ultimately, most FSBOs eventually hire an agent because the agent will handle all the details and minutia that a successful home sale requires – including the contract, forms, and disclosure statements – and expose the home to the widest range of prospective buyers through the local Multiple Listing Service  and the most visited national home search sites. If you are thinking of selling, please contact me. I would love to help you.

Is the commission negotiable?

Yes. Commissions are negotiable by law, and can vary depending on service, customer needs, and company policy. In general, agents charge between 4 percent and 8 percent for full service.

What costs are incurred when selling my home, and when are they due?

Paid at closing from proceeds are the real estate commission, (if you hire an agency to sell). Transfer  tax for the sale to the town and state, and prorated costs for your share of annual expenses, such as property taxes, homeowner association fees, utilties

Payable  prior to your home's sale and durring the process are advertising costs, marketing materials, and other fees if you sell the home yourself, repairs- if any are needed in order to effect a sale, and initial attorney's fees  and/or other professionals as needed.

One thing for sure, the more experienced the agent, the smoother the transaction is going to be.  With 27 years  of experience, I have assisted home sellers in the most difficult of markets, and with  the most difficult of buyers on the other side. No one likes to think about any of the negativity that can occur during such an emotional transaction. Be prepared for the bizarre to happen, because  it does more frequently than you can imagine. When you are ready to sell your home, you deserve the best representation available to you, so just contact me when you're ready. I'm up for all kinds of challenges, so bring it on if you have it!

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

If you have a question about selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, 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    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

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

This Week's Edition of National Real Estate News 4/7/2013 (Video)

This week's national real estate news update -vacation home sales soar,  trending: put some color into your home!, pros and cons of using a 401k for a downpayment, sellers advice for choosing an agent. Click here for more- about moving, home buying strategies and interest rates.

Click here for this months newsletter and our video news channel.

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

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, 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    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

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

Pricing Your Home For Sale in a Changing Market

Pricing a home is NOT guesswork, period.  A number of detailed and thorough analyses are necessary to place a proper number on your home, which is most often your most valuable asset....

By "proper number", I mean the highest reasonable number that is possible to obtain for your home in the current market.

A Comparable Market Analysis ( CMA)  is an analysis of homes that are similar to yours in one respect or another, where an agent analyzes their pricing and the current real estate market trend(s) in order to arrive at an appropriate price for your home.

I have seen many analyses given to sellers  (who ultimately became clients of mine) - and quite frankly, I am surprised with the lack of statistical substance that the other agents provided to these homeowners.

Comparing your home to five  homes  that are on the market, five  that are under deposit, and  five  recent sales can NEVER give you an accurate price for your home. Rather, the price would indicate an average of those fifteen houses.  Some agents use less than 10 comparables in total to price your home. That just can't be effective, can it?

Let me put it to you one way, and this is the only way. In order to price your home properly, a lot of research must be done by your real estate agent so that you don't overprice it or underprice it, especially right now, when the market is changing. In this market, you can push the pricing envelope, but you need to know exactly how much. Statistics will show you that.

The best market analysis that you could possibly get from a Realtor is one that is so thorough, that the Realtor  does not even have to tell you a price  for your home. It will be as clear as day to you. A number of cross-referenced analyses that point to a specific number  in  the same range are the most accurate. That's the right way, with no shortcuts.  Don't settle for anything less. 

BOTTOM LINE: If you want to price your home correctly, and get top dollar, contact me. (203) 257-5892

"When You Deserve the Best, You Deserve Judy"

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The Featured Home of the Week is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport for just $549,900. See the virtual tour HERE

.....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

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

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County, 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 and www.CTfeaturedHomes.com

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