Wow! What a weekend,Bears vs. Colts in the Super Bowl! I don't think I could be more happy at this time. Can't wait until next Sunday!
Well this week I would like to talk to sellers and give you some helpful advice to get your home ready for the market. The selling season really kicks into high gear after the Super Bowl, so it's time to get ready.
Today I would like to cover the presentation of your home. After you have chosen a Realtor (or decide to go By Owner) it is time to take a good long look at your home, you should do this before actually listing your house, and start to clean and finish all those projects you started.
Working with a Realtor can help give you some great ideas on what to do, at the very least have a neighbor or family member com over and take a look around. It always helps to get a fresh perspective from a different set of eyes.
1. Start outside! Most buyers will decide as soon as they drive by your home if they like it or not. Clean up all the clutter, keep the grass cut, add fresh mulch to flower beds, clean your gutters, trim your bushes and remove all dying plants. This time of year make sure your drive way and sidewalks are shoveled and salted.
First impressions are everything! Make it so people WANT to come in the home.
2. Inside clean like you've never cleaned before. Get all the hard to reach out of focus spots you can find and clean them. Believe me, buyers are going to look through everything, leave no stone unturned when cleaning.
3. Remove all the clutter. Make the house flow! If you are packing, keep all the boxes in one area, preferably a garage. Make it easy for the buyers to move through the house and look at everything.
4. Remove personal belongings. Less is more. You want to give the home a lived in, warm feeling without letting buyers get personally attached to you. Remove family photos and all the kids art work from the fridge.
5. Finally, keep all valuables locked up or hidden. This includes any prescription meds or personal information you may have out. Unfortunately not everyone has the best intentions.
These are just a few ideas to help get you started. If you would like more information, please email me at steve@stevjamrok.com or visit my website JamrokHomes.com to request a seller checklist.
Here's hoping for a great Super Bowl!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Wow! What a weekend,Bears vs. Colts in the Super Bowl! I don't think I could be more happy at this time. Can't wait until next Sunday!
Well this week I would like to talk to sellers and give you some helpful advice to get your home ready for the market. The selling season really kicks into high gear after the Super Bowl, so it's time to get ready.
Today I would like to cover the presentation of your home. After you have chosen a Realtor (or decide to go By Owner) it is time to take a good long look at your home, you should do this before actually listing your house, and start to clean and finish all those projects you started.
Working with a Realtor can help give you some great ideas on what to do, at the very least have a neighbor or family member com over and take a look around. It always helps to get a fresh perspective from a different set of eyes.
1. Start outside! Most buyers will decide as soon as they drive by your home if they like it or not. Clean up all the clutter, keep the grass cut, add fresh mulch to flower beds, clean your gutters, trim your bushes and remove all dying plants. This time of year make sure your drive way and sidewalks are shoveled and salted.
First impressions are everything! Make it so people WANT to come in the home.
2. Inside clean like you've never cleaned before. Get all the hard to reach out of focus spots you can find and clean them. Believe me, buyers are going to look through everything, leave no stone unturned when cleaning.
3. Remove all the clutter. Make the house flow! If you are packing, keep all the boxes in one area, preferably a garage. Make it easy for the buyers to move through the house and look at everything.
4. Remove personal belongings. Less is more. You want to give the home a lived in, warm feeling without letting buyers get personally attached to you. Remove family photos and all the kids art work from the fridge.
5. Finally, keep all valuables locked up or hidden. This includes any prescription meds or personal information you may have out. Unfortunately not everyone has the best intentions.
These are just a few ideas to help get you started. If you would like more information, please email me at steve@stevjamrok.com or visit my website JamrokHomes.com to request a seller checklist.
Here's hoping for a great Super Bowl!
Well this week I would like to talk to sellers and give you some helpful advice to get your home ready for the market. The selling season really kicks into high gear after the Super Bowl, so it's time to get ready.
Today I would like to cover the presentation of your home. After you have chosen a Realtor (or decide to go By Owner) it is time to take a good long look at your home, you should do this before actually listing your house, and start to clean and finish all those projects you started.
Working with a Realtor can help give you some great ideas on what to do, at the very least have a neighbor or family member com over and take a look around. It always helps to get a fresh perspective from a different set of eyes.
1. Start outside! Most buyers will decide as soon as they drive by your home if they like it or not. Clean up all the clutter, keep the grass cut, add fresh mulch to flower beds, clean your gutters, trim your bushes and remove all dying plants. This time of year make sure your drive way and sidewalks are shoveled and salted.
First impressions are everything! Make it so people WANT to come in the home.
2. Inside clean like you've never cleaned before. Get all the hard to reach out of focus spots you can find and clean them. Believe me, buyers are going to look through everything, leave no stone unturned when cleaning.
3. Remove all the clutter. Make the house flow! If you are packing, keep all the boxes in one area, preferably a garage. Make it easy for the buyers to move through the house and look at everything.
4. Remove personal belongings. Less is more. You want to give the home a lived in, warm feeling without letting buyers get personally attached to you. Remove family photos and all the kids art work from the fridge.
5. Finally, keep all valuables locked up or hidden. This includes any prescription meds or personal information you may have out. Unfortunately not everyone has the best intentions.
These are just a few ideas to help get you started. If you would like more information, please email me at steve@stevjamrok.com or visit my website JamrokHomes.com to request a seller checklist.
Here's hoping for a great Super Bowl!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
It's That Time of Year!
Well I am a little late with this entry, between the Holidays and the Bears in the playoffs, I did get a little sidetracked. With the new year comes the fresh home buying and selling season, and whether your buying or selling, it is time to start getting ready. Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting advice on getting your home ready for sale, keeping it "show ready", advice for first time buyers, buyers looking for a new home and more.
Today I will focus on something that does get overlooked quite a bit- choosing a Realtor. Since most buyers and sellers will end up using a Real Estate Agent, how do you choose who to go for?
I am always shocked at how many calls I get from customers who want to look at a house and will see it with the first person who answers the phone. Whether you are buying or selling here are some tips when choosing a Realtor to work with.
1. Meet the Realtor before hand. This is an interview for the Realtor. What are they going to bring to the table for you.
2. Make sure you like the Realtor. This is a huge financial deal you are going to make and it could get stressful at times. Believe me, it will go a whole lot smoother if you feel comfortable with your agent.
3.Be aware what you are getting with Realtor "Teams". These are groups of agents that work together. The concept is good, but be advised you are most likely going to be talking with different people throughout the transaction. The person who handles your paperwork most likely will not be the same person who showed you the house or was at the listing appointment.
4. Try and deal with a full time agent. When you need your agent the most are they going to be there for you or do they have another job or priority that comes first?
Remember, the average transaction takes 30-45 days to close and the average time on market in Northwest Indiana is 60-90 days, so not only are you working with this agent you are going to develop a relationship with them. Meet them before hand and make sure you "click".
Today I will focus on something that does get overlooked quite a bit- choosing a Realtor. Since most buyers and sellers will end up using a Real Estate Agent, how do you choose who to go for?
I am always shocked at how many calls I get from customers who want to look at a house and will see it with the first person who answers the phone. Whether you are buying or selling here are some tips when choosing a Realtor to work with.
1. Meet the Realtor before hand. This is an interview for the Realtor. What are they going to bring to the table for you.
2. Make sure you like the Realtor. This is a huge financial deal you are going to make and it could get stressful at times. Believe me, it will go a whole lot smoother if you feel comfortable with your agent.
3.Be aware what you are getting with Realtor "Teams". These are groups of agents that work together. The concept is good, but be advised you are most likely going to be talking with different people throughout the transaction. The person who handles your paperwork most likely will not be the same person who showed you the house or was at the listing appointment.
4. Try and deal with a full time agent. When you need your agent the most are they going to be there for you or do they have another job or priority that comes first?
Remember, the average transaction takes 30-45 days to close and the average time on market in Northwest Indiana is 60-90 days, so not only are you working with this agent you are going to develop a relationship with them. Meet them before hand and make sure you "click".
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