4 Tips to Make Staging A Success

Essentially, staging is fashioning it to look as though it’s no longer your home so potential buyers can start to see it as their home. It can be challenging to step back and look at your home from someone else’s perspective, but if you stage your home effectively, it will go a long way towards selling your home. Your realtor can help with tips for reaching a broader market or covering staging costs. Here are a few tips to make sure your staging is a hit and helps potential buyers fall in love with your home:

Start Outside

When people think of staging, they often think of the living room, entryway, or maybe the kitchen and dining area. But the first thing potential buyers will see is your curb, so you want to work on curb appeal first.

Keep your siding and walkways clean and neat, power washing if you need to. If you have a flowerbed, make sure it’s neatly trimmed and cared for. If not, consider planting a few flowers to stand out. Mow the lawn and repaint if your paint is starting to fade a bit. Add friendly, welcoming elements like potted plants or a welcome mat to your porch. Perhaps most importantly, take a look at your house numbers. Are they easy to read from the street? If not, fix that right away. Buyers need to be able to find your home in order to consider it.

Clean House

Before you give the interior of your home a makeover, you want to clean. Wipe down all surfaces, pick up any toys, put any dishes in the sink or dry rack back where they belong, and make sure every bed is made. And keep the house clean throughout the selling process. This is also a good time to remove any personal items like family photos or make any cosmetic repairs that you might have let slide while you lived in the house.

Opt for Lighter Colors

When you’re designing the room for yourself, it’s only your personal taste that matters. If you like deep burgundy walls or darker curtains, suit yourself. When staging, however, you have to think of the wider audience. Lighter colors typically go over more successfully because they help the room to look lighter, airier, even larger. If you have dark curtains, you especially want to make sure to replace them with lighter curtains to let in as much sunlight as possible.

Keep It Uncluttered

Every room in your home should have clear walkways for potential buyers as they tour, and it should feel spacious enough for them to move through comfortably. Removing personal elements like family photos and toys will go a long way. So will removing any unnecessary furniture. Your realtor may pay for new furniture to be brought in for staging and for old furniture to be removed. You may not need to go with a fully minimalist look, but the more space, the better. It will not only make buyers more comfortable but make your home appear more spacious.

Your best resource when staging your home is your realtor. Contact a College Station Realtor today to get started on the process of making your home ready for its new owners and making you ready for a successful sale.

What’s Negotiable? The Basics Of Real Estate Negotiation For Buyers And Sellers

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When it comes to buying or selling a home, there’s more to negotiate than just the selling price. Buyers and sellers need to be aware of their options. An experienced realtor can provide guidance, but the decisions are up to you.

What you can negotiate

Here are four areas other than price that allow for negotiation:

·        Closing costs

Because this process is expensive for everyone, the buyer may ask the seller to pay some of the closing costs depending on what their lender allows. This may increase the selling price so the seller doesn’t actually pay anything out of pocket.

·        Needed repairs

Unless the seller specifies that the home is being sold as-is, this is another are that leaves room for negotiation.

·        Home warranties

Even a home that looks good after an inspection can have some issues with the A/C or plumbing later on. Many buyers want a home warranty as an extra layer of protection after they buy. Some sellers offer home warranties, but it’s not unusual for a buyer to ask for one.

·        Appliances and Furniture

While dishwashers and stoves are normally part of the package, things like refrigerators, washers, and dryers are not. In fact, the buyer may even want to keep some furniture items.  This could increase the sale price, but it could also be a way for the seller to make concessions without having to lower their price.

The process of negotiating

Who has the advantage in the negotiations often depends on the market. In a seller’s market, the seller doesn’t have to do a lot of negotiating to get their house sold. They can go with whatever buyer gives them the best offer. In a buyer’s market, if a seller doesn’t give a little to the buyer’s demands, the buyer could just move on to another home.

The buyer and seller can both benefit by being represented by realtors. Their realtors will understand the contracts and negotiations.  Also, your realtor can let you know how friendly the market is to negotiating from your side. In Brazos Valley, you need a realtor that can tell you what the market is like by area. A house in Bryan and a house in College Station may look the same on a website, but a realtor can give you the full picture based on local markets.

A U.S. News & World Report article that gives negotiating tips for homebuyers is an enlightening read for both sides. One thing that stands out is the recommendation to have a real estate agent help you through the process. The article points out that just because it’s easy to find home listings online, that doesn’t mean you should go it alone. A realtor is an asset.

There is always a little room for negotiation on both sides. A local realtor can help you make an offer or decide if an offer is acceptable based on the market. Whether you’re buying or selling you can get through this process with expert help from a local realtor.

Who You Hire Matters

To the untrained eye, it may be difficult to tell the difference between a qualified realtor and someone else. It’s like that financial planning commercial where they dressed up a DJ in a suit and taught him a few financial buzzwords and people were willing to let him handle their money. Someone that says a few of the right things at first and looks the part may seem like the right fit for you. A home is the biggest investment and source of wealth that most families will ever have. Why not have a qualified realtor help you buy it?

Realtors are trained

Did you know that in the state of Texas there are minimum requirements for the amount of education a realtor has to have before they get a license?  They also have to be tested. Real estate isn’t just about showing people houses, there are legal aspects that only a licensed professional should handle.

While realtors aren’t lawyers, they do understand the contracts their clients will be signing.  What are the chances you’re going to read all of those contracts?  Having a professional with you that knows what real estate contracts mean and what sort of contracts you should be asking for is a real advantage.

Realtors know the neighborhoods

If there’s one thing that realtors know about it’s the areas where they’ve been helping people buy and sell houses. They know the property values and they have a good idea why the property values are what they are.  They know where the good schools are and where the good HOAs are. To pass up that level of knowledge for something else is a mistake.

Realtors will help you through the whole process

While your realtor isn’t your lender, she knows about lenders. She knows what standards apply if you have an FHA loan. Your realtor knows people in the business that can help you. From start to finish she will know what you need and help you out where she can.

If you’re selling, your realtor knows what houses in your area are worth. When you include the legal documents, the real estate websites your realtor can list your home on, and everything else it’s not worth it to go on your own or with some other person. You need a licensed realtor.

Smart and Capable Isn’t Good Enough

Other people that know a bit about real estate might want to help you out, but unless they have their real estate license, they don’t have the training. Realtors know real estate. Choosing an experienced realtor that knows and loves the area where you’re moving is even better. She can help you find what you’re looking for because she wants you to be as happy in her city as she is.

The Brazos Valley is a great place to invest in real estate and your future home. Realtors are the right people to help you find that home. If you need help finding a home in Bryan-College Station or anywhere in the Brazos Valley, call Sarah the Realtor. 

Important Services Checklist For Your Next Move

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As you move into your new home in the College Station area, you'll have plenty of things to remember. You'll need to pack up all of your belongings, hire a reputable moving company and figure out how you are going to get all of your things into your new home. Along the way, you'll have to sort items carefully and mark them so that they don't get lost. Making detailed checklists is a great way to keep track of which items belong where.

While you're sorting things out and making your lists, you'll want to take careful notes about home services and utilities that you'll need to take care of when you move. If you forget some of these things,you could add a lot of stress and frustration to your move. Here are some of the services you should add to your checklist when you find a new home with the help of your realtor in College Station, TX.

Power and Electricity

This is one of the most important utilities to turn on in your new home but you might be surprised at how often people forget about this. If you're moving a short distance, you may be able to simply switch over your electricity service from your current provider to your new address. However, if you're moving to a different county or state, you might have to sign up with a brand new provider.

Talk to your College Station realtor to find out which companies provide power service in the area to which you are moving.

Internet and Wi-Fi

A reliable Internet connection is almost a necessity these days. Without a Wi-Fi hotspot, you won't be able to keep up with email and social media in your new home. If you don't get this service activation scheduled right away when you move, you could be without Internet for days or over a week. This can affect your social life as well as your work responsibilities.

There are usually only one or two Internet service providers in any given area but you can still do some comparison shopping. Check out ISPs in your area to get the best deal and schedule service activation on the day of your move.

Water and Utilities

If you're moving into a pre-owned home, it is probably already set up for water service. However, you may still have to call the local utility company to have a new account set up or to have the account transferred to your name.

This can take several days or over a week so it's best to add it to your checklist to get it scheduled ahead of time. If possible, talk to the previous owners about their water usage and the price of their monthly bills to avoid sticker shock when you move in.

No one can remember all of the things that are necessary to finish when you are moving into a new home. Make it easy on yourself and go over this checklist with the realtor in College Station, TX so that you don't forget these important items. 

The 5 Biggest Myths For New Home Buyers

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Buying your first home can be a very exciting experience. Maybe you are tired of the apartment life, perhaps you are looking for a place to start a family or maybe you are relocating for a job. Whatever the reason, there are some very common myths that many first-time home buyers are exposed to.

Sometimes these myths are shared by well-meaning family or friends. In other cases, they may be carried on by reality shows about home buying or they might be found in articles online. The truth is, these kinds of myths and misconceptions can be very misleading and it's best to avoid them.

Here are five of the biggest and most common myths that new home buyers encounter when they are looking to purchase their first house.

1. Your First Home Will Be Your Home For Life

This is one of the most common myths that new home buyers encounter. While this myth may have had some truth to it many years ago, the real estate market has changed a great deal in recent years. This misconception is usually shared with good intentions by people who want new home buyers to find the best deal possible.

The truth is, the first home you buy will probably not be the last home you buy. While it's still important to find a great deal, keep in mind that you may need to move to a new location if you change careers, if you have a child or if you need to relocate for personal reasons. It's perfectly fine to look for a “starter home” while still keeping an eye on the future.

2. Buy More Home Than You Can Afford

Similar to the first myth, this common misconception is based on the idea that you will stay in your first home for a very long time. You may be tempted to purchase a large home with extra rooms, especially if you plan to start a family.

In reality, buying a property that is too large and too expensive is not a good strategy. Instead, be honest with your College Station realtor about your budget and your needs to find a home that you can afford so that you don't get in over your head.

3. You Don't Need A Real Estate Agent

Many first-time home buyers are working with a limited budget. They may be tempted to try to purchase a home without a real estate agent to save money. Unfortunately, searching for a home without a real estate agent might end up costing you in the long run.

Your realtor in College Station, TX can help you find a house that meets all of your needs without breaking your budget. Hiring a great real estate agent costs money but think of this cost as an investment in your future.

4. Buy A Fixer-Upper To Save Money

Buying a house that needs renovations or that will require a lot of repairs might get you a lower price upfront but remember that you'll be responsible for these repairs in the future. Any money that you save initially will likely be used up when you pay for contractors, home inspectors or materials to make these costly repairs and renovations.

5. The First Deal You Find Is The Best Deal

It's natural to get excited when you are looking for your first home and you discover a great deal. However, don't be too quick to jump at the first deal that comes along. In many cases, a better deal is waiting just around the corner. Remember, patience is key when you are shopping for your first home so be prepared to consider many different properties before you make your decision.

By avoiding these common home buying myths and by consulting with your College Station realtor, you'll be able to find a great deal on your first home purchase. 

How to Know When You've Found the Perfect Home

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People move into new homes for many different reasons. They may be looking for a change of scenery, or they may be moving to be closer to family and friends. No matter why someone wants to move into a new home, there is one thing that they all have in common.

They want to find a home that is right for their needs, their lifestyle and their future. A home is more than just a place to live. A new house represents a big change and a new start. You can think of your new home as the centre of your life in a new area or a new neighbourhood.

How do you know when you've found the perfect home? Consider this list of points to help you reach this decision with the help of your realtor in College Station, TX.

A Home That You Can Afford

Money may not be everything, but it is certainly a very important factor when you're looking for the perfect home. When you are house shopping, your budget will help you determine the best place for you to live. Don't think of your budget as a limit. Instead, look at it to find out all the options that are available to you.

Before you start shopping for a home, come up with a detailed budget. This will be the plan that helps you narrow down your options. A home that you can afford is not just a property that you have enough money to purchase. To be affordable, a home needs to be close to your place of work. It also needs to be energy efficient enough to have reasonable utility bills. Large homes in well-developed neighbourhoods are very appealing, but you need to make sure that you aren't overspending yourself into a financial bind.

A Home That Meets Your Needs

Once you have determined your budget, you can start making a list of all the things that you need in your new home. Make a list of “must haves,” a series of qualities that you absolutely need in your new home. For example, if you have children or are planning to have children, you will need extra space for your growing family. If you're passionate about gardening, you'll want to find a home that has room for planting and exercising your green thumb.

If you love to dine out or see live entertainment, you'll want to find a property that is reasonably close to venues and restaurants that provide these options. These may sound like luxuries, but if you can pursue your favourite activities, that new home may not be so perfect after all.

A Home That Has Room for Your Future

Are you planning to stay in your new home for many years or are you looking for a starter home? Will you be moving to an area for a new job or looking for a career change several years down the line?

Try to anticipate any big changes that you might have in store for the next several years. If you have some major changes coming up soon, you don't want to tie yourself down to an area or living situation. Of course, it's impossible to predict everything that will happen shortly but taking the time to plan out your future carefully is always a good strategy.

Once you have considered these factors, talk to your College Station realtor to come up with a list of items that are essential for your new home. Once you find a house that matches up with your needs and your goals, you'll know that you have finally found the perfect home.

Tips for Your New Home Investment

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Buying a new house is an important investment in your future. Along with looking for a house comes excitement, decorating ideas, and sometimes stress. You can cut back on home buying stress by knowing what you are looking for. Many times a realtor will ask you a few questions about what type of home you want, and knowing early on can really help speed up the process.

Ask yourself how many rooms you need. If you have or plan to have a large family you are going to want a house with more than one or two bedrooms. You may also want a second or third bathroom.

Think about what type of location you would want to live. If you want to live in the country then you may not want to look at houses in subdivisions. You should also consider how close the house is to places you frequent. Ask yourself how far of a commute would it be to get to work or school.

How much time and money can you put into repairs or renovations? A lot of people love the idea of a nice fixer upper, but don’t consider how much work it takes. Also consider how much maintenance the new house will take. A Victorian style home needs more routine maintenance than a simple ranch style brick home.

Perhaps one of the biggest things to consider is price. You should sit down and tally up an idea of a budget. Developing a price range and sticking with it is very important. If will narrow down the market and give your realtor an idea of what you can afford.

Featured Home for Sale in Bryan College Station

  

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Your local professional RE/MAX realtor agent, Sarah Miller , can help you narrow down the search for a new house. Sarah can also help guide you through the home buying process.

Your Bryan College Station RE/MAX realtor, Sarah Miller, can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell on your house.  She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest homes for sale in  Bryan College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904.