Selling real estate is a complicated process that Realtors work hard to master. You absolutely can sell your home on your own, but it is not the best choice for everyone.
Consider these questions before ruling out hiring a Realtor:
Do you know how to write a contract?
Do you have the budget for photography and marketing?
Do you know the market value of your home?
Do you have a third party to negotiate on your behalf or will you be doing it directly with the buyer?
Are you prepared to leave work for showings and arrange these on your own?
Do you know how to prepare your home to sell for top market value?
Do you know to qualify a potential buyer?
Should you have multiple parties interested, do you know how to handle a bidding war and how to sort through offers and decipher which is the best one to choose?
Are you prepared for the process after an agreement has been reached?
On the fence about what to do? Give me a shout for a free no obligation home selling consultation. Or click on this link to find an available appointment that fits your schedule.
Have your pre-approval letter or proof of funds in hand. You may have a great offer to submit, but if you can’t back it up with proof you are qualified to purchase the home the seller may just move on.
Make a cash offer if you are able. If not, make as large a down payment as possible, and use a lender that communicates effectively with all parties.
Offer more than the asking price. Your agent should do a comparative market analysis to give you a good idea on the home value as soon as you decide to make an offer. If it’s not too out of line with the CMA or your budget, offer more than the asking price.
Keep your offer clean and simple. Don’t ask for contingencies that aren’t necessary to closing the transaction.
Shorten the inspection period. Asking for a 5 to 7 day inspection period instead of the traditional 10 lets the seller know that you aren’t going to waste anyone’s time. Find a home inspector who has availability to schedule your inspection as soon as your offer is accepted.
Have your earnest deposit ready. Offer an escrow deposit that sends the message that you are serious about your offer and have the funds ready to turn in as soon as your offer is accepted. You may want to include a copy of your escrow check with your offer.
Offer flexibility with your closing date. Convey through your agent that you are willing adjust the closing date to suit the seller’s needs.
Consider an escalation clause. Let the seller know your offer isn’t the highest you will go by including a clause stating that you will increase your offer, up to a set price, if the seller shows you a higher offer from another buyer.
Offer an appraisal gap guarantee. If you have the funds available, this is a great way to lessen the risk of an appraisal falling short of the price that you have agreed to pay for the home. The seller will be more comfortable taking your offer knowing that you are willing to make up the difference if the appraisal comes in lower.
Be diplomatic with negotiations after your contract is signed. Remember that the seller has other interested parties to fall back on. If you turn ugly after the contract is signed, making additional demands or not following through with your promises, the seller may hand you back your deposit and work with someone else.
I’m happy to discuss these ways and others that I have used with my clients when winning in bidding wars. Message me today to schedule a consultation or click on this link to see what times I have available!
Ready for 10 moving hacks that’ll save you time, money, a little bit of sanity?
1. Assemble a first-day basket with disposable plates, cups, and forks so you can eat without your dishes.
2. Fill kitchen pots with spices and other small kitchen items.
3. Store the sharp end of knives inside potholders for safekeeping during transport.
4. Slide stemware and glasses inside of clean socks for padding.
5. Add plastic wrap around flatware in its organizer to keep everything together.6. Place hanging clothes directly into garbage bags (like they do at the dry cleaners).
7. Remove dresser drawers and cover each with plastic wrap. (Then you don’t have to empty the drawers’ contents).
8. Cover both sides of a mattress with a fitted sheet to keep it clean during the move.
9. Tuck cords into empty toilet paper rolls and label them for easy use after you move.
10. Pack books, photos, or other heavy items in wheeled suitcases for easy mobility.
Moving makes for a long day (or more), but with a few expert tips and tricks it can be easy and SO exciting. If you’re starting to think about a move of your own, I’d love to help! Send me a message today.
Comments Off on Choosing the Right Realtor to List Your Home
by liz
Choosing the person to trust with one of your biggest monetary assets, your home, is a big decision. Be prepared by asking a few important questions to make sure that the agent is right for you and has the experience and skill set to get you to the closing table!
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN HIRING AN AGENT
What is your experience?
See what their background is and what skill set they are bringing to the table. While real estate experience is important, having a professional background in other things can be a great way to round out their experience.
Do you have another full time job?
While I respect the hustle, it’s important that your real estate agent’s focus is on you and your home! If they are only moonlighting as an agent, their focus is going to be limited and it can potentially effect their performance. In addition, there may be some times that they are unavailable to provide the service you hired them for since they will be working another job. You will want to find someone that is fully committed to being a professional and has the experience to serve you properly.
If I list with you, will you be the person I deal with?
Make sure the person you are speaking with will be the person you will work with. Some agents have additional staff that they pass their listings or buyers on once the contract gets signed. While having a support team is great, hiring one person but never being able to communicate with that person is another.
How will you market my home?
Make sure that your listing agent doesn’t plan to list your home & pray someone brings a buyer. That is almost never enough. Ask about their marketing plan & make sure that it makes sense to you! Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
How will you market my property online?
I hate to say it, but some agents are still sticking a sign in the yard, holding Open Houses and calling it a day. No thanks. Over 90% of buyers are looking online for homes at some point during their search. If your agent isn’t utilizing digital marketing along with social media then you are losing out on a very large pool of buyers.
Will you hire a photographer?
Do some online research. See that home with the agent in the mirror, taking a picture of the bathroom with the toilet seat up? It’s getting less views, which means less showings, which means it will be on the market longer, potentially resulting in it selling for a lower price. That’s a pretty big downward spiral don’t you think? Make sure your agent hires a professional photographer so that your home stands out & looks it’s best!
How often do you communicate?
Selling your home is stressful! You should never be left guessing what is happening with the sale of your home. Make sure that your agent has systems in place to keep you up to date on what they are doing to get your home sold. Once your home is under contract, there are lots of details that need to be done & deadlines that need met. Your agent should keep you on track & communicate with you often!
Do you have a process? If so, what does this process look like?
Real estate transactions are not all the same, but it is important that your real estate agent has a process and a plan to help you reach your goals. Some agents may “just wing” it, but the true professionals will be able to give you the steps of their plan and let you know how they will serve you.
What is your negotiation style?
Real Estate is a team sport – everyone has to work together to get to finish line. While your agent should always have your best interests in mind, it’s important they play well with others. Being bull headed and hard to deal with can often lead to lost deals & lose you lots of money! On the other side of that coin, your agent should be able to stand their ground when it matters.
How much should my home be listed at?
Are you ready for the most shocking answer of all? You should not just list with an agent who brings you the highest number & call it a day. Wait, what?!? While a higher number is tempting, remember that buyers will only pay what the market says your home should be valued at. And most of the time, buyers won’t pay anything higher than the appraised value of your home. What your home should be listed at should be based on multiple factors. Your agent should do research and be able to show you why & how they came up with the numbers for your home. Be wary of an agent who brings high numbers with no data backing it up – you’ll end up with your house on the market for too long, resulting in it actually selling lower than what it would have if it was priced correctly to being with!
Why should I hire you?
Bottom line is no two agents are the same. Make sure that you are able to connect & build rapport with the real estate agent you are interviewing. Ask what makes them different from all the other hundreds or thousands of agents in your town. If at the end of the interview you have doubts or don’t feel confident that they are the right agent for you, listen to your gut! It’s okay to “no thanks” and interview someone else!
Thoughts on hiring family or friends:
Chances are you may already know a real estate agent in your own social circle. The truth is, just because they are family or your friend, doesn’t mean you should hire them. Buying or selling a home is a huge financial and emotional event and it’s important that your agent is able to confidently help you navigate the transaction.
Need help finding a real estate professional in your area? I have a huge network of amazing agents all over the country and would love to help you find one that is perfect for your needs! Reach out to me & I can provide you with a list of agents you can interview in your area.
Comments Off on 7 Tips for Saying Goodbye to Sentimental Belongings
by liz
When I work with clients who are downsizing to a smaller home, one of the hardest chores they face is letting go of sentimental belongings they no longer have room for. Souvenirs collected during travels, family heirlooms, and your children’s keepsakes can be quite stressful to part with. It doesn’t matter whether the items have monetary value or not; in fact, often the most difficult items to let go of are worthless in terms of money, but priceless in sentimental value.
Here are some tips to help you part with belongings you are attached to but no longer want to keep.
1. Remember that our memories reside within us, not within our possessions. Psychologists say that letting go of sentimental items can be extremely therapeutic. When we keep things, the items occupy both physical and mental space in our lives. It’s healthier to focus on your memories and not the items that represent your memories.
2. Focus on the present. Letting go also helps to bring your focus to the present. Sometimes things are continual reminders of the past and hold us back from living in the present. Dwelling in the past can make one more prone to depression and can affect our ability to deal with stressful situations in our lives. Realize that while we can always cherish our memories, we don’t need the past to be happy in the present.
3. Let go of guilt. People often hold onto an item they don’t want or need because someone special gave it to them or it represents a special person. Learn to let go of the guilt associated with getting rid of gifts you can’t use. Appreciate the thoughtfulness of the giver or the special memory it represents but pass the item on to someone else who can use it or donate it to charity.
4. Don’t save it for your grown children. Times have changed and today more young adults are able to buy their own furnishings. And they aren’t as sentimental about family heirlooms as prior generations were. Talk to your kids now and find out if you are holding onto your china, crystal, and silver tea service for nothing.
5. Compromise with your spouse. It’s not uncommon for one spouse to resent the others’ favorite belongings while holding onto their own special stuff. It’s important to recognize that, while you may not understand your husband’s need to keep a ball cap for every MLB team he’s seen play, he may feel the same way about his hats that you do about keeping every book you have read. Decide together on a reasonable number to keep.
6. Start with the easy stuff. If you have a lot of belongings to sort through, start with the easier decisions and work from there. Often people find that once they get some momentum going it feels good to let go.
7. Write a family memoir. Hold onto your memories with words instead of things by writing your memoir or the story of your family. Writing your story can be very therapeutic and can help you release your hold on tangible items. If you need help, try a service like Storyworth.com.
Comments Off on Can a Real Estate Agent Represent the Buyer & the Seller?
by liz
Can a real estate agent represent both the buyer and the seller?
Short answer? Yes. But there are a few things you’ll want to think through before going this route:
When you hire an agent to work just one side of the transaction, you get a “fiduciary relationship.” What this means is your agent has the responsibility to uphold your best interests in good faith. Translation: Your agent is looking out for you and you alone.
When you work with an agent on both sides of the transaction, you forego this benefit. Called a “dual agency,” the agent represents both you and the other party (buyer and seller) and is supposed to remain neutral to both parties’ interests. Because of this, dual agents tend to leave the buyer and the seller hashing out the details of the sale without the benefit of an agent’s expertise and advice.
While it may work in special circumstances, the most common arrangement is for each party to have their own agent looking out for their best interest.
After all, at the end of the day, whether you’re buying or selling, you want to walk away knowing you received the FULL advantage of working with a professional and knowledgeable agent.
3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 stall garage, 1,880 total finished living area, built in 2001.
This is it!! The house that checks off all of your must haves! Recent updates include roof (2020), Lennox furnace and AC with a smart thermostat (2020), freshly painted, new vinyl plank flooring in kitchen and dining room, recently remodeled bathrooms, new carpet in lower level (2021). This home has an open floor plan, daylight basement, a spacious owner’s room with plenty of closet space and built in organizers, the kitchen has ample storage and features a center island, spacious living room with a large window that brings in lots of light, the rec room provides enough space for entertaining and to set up work/homework stations, sizeable storage/mechanical room. There is a lot to offer outdoors as well including a deck, fenced back yard, porous pave patio with firepit, play area, a shed, a 2 stall attached garage. The location is amazing as well! Less than a mile from Evergreen El, Oakwood Intermediate, Allendale Middle and Allendale High schools. A quick commute to Grand Valley University (4.2 miles).
Comments Off on 5 Secrets to a Successful Home Sale
by liz
Secret #1: It’s your kitchen that’ll sell your home. While buyers want the right bed and bath count to meet their needs, years of experience tell me it’s your KITCHEN that’ll sell your home. As you get your home ready for the market, every minute (and dollar!) you spend prepping your kitchen to look its best will give you a high ROI. At a minimum, clean, declutter, and clear off those countertops for every showing (save a vase of fresh flower). Wanna do a little more? Update cabinet hardware, replace the faucet and sink, install a backsplash, or splurge on new light fixtures.
Secret #2: Declutter, depersonalize, and stage your home. Buyers must be able to picture themselves living in YOUR home. Give them a chance to do just that by decluttering, depersonalizing, and staging your home: • Declutter: Picture your home as a vacation rental. If you wouldn’t see it out in a rental, you shouldn’t see it out during a showing. • Depersonalize: A few modest photos here and there is fine, but pack away the excess, take down oversized monograms, and remove wall letters from the kids’ rooms. • Stage: If you’re using the dining room as a craft area or home office, reset it as a space to dine. Also, get rid of unnecessary furniture to make your living room feel airy and spacious. Staging doesn’t have to be costly or complicated — it simply helps buyers make sense of your home and see its potential.
Secret #3: DON’T go overboard on upgrades. In an effort to get top dollar for their home, well-intentioned sellers take on major renovations without consulting a realtor first. Misinformed and assuming they’ll get every dollar back (and then some!), they go overboard on upgrades only to be disappointed at the closing table. And while there are upgrades worth doing prior to selling, they’re often quick fixes, not major renovations. If you’re thinking about selling soon, reach out to a realtor who knows your neighborhood and can give you data on the upgrades that matter most to buyers in your area.
Got the kitchen looking great? Got your home decluttered, depersonalized, and staged? Chatted with a realtor about worthwhile upgrades? Fist-bump! You’re SO ready for Secret #4 in our 5 Secrets to a Successful Sale! While this one won’t require any elbow grease, it will take a tiny leap of faith. Secret #4 is all about pricing your home to sell — fast. Secret #4: Find out what your home is worth, then price it attractively. • Pricing your home just below market value instantly gets buyers’ attention and motivates them to schedule a showing ASAP. • Once buyers see your home (and LOVE it), they’re more likely to put in an offer if they feel like they’re getting a deal. • When they realize there are other offers on the table, buyers tend to get competitive and are willing to increase their bid to land the home they want.
I’m rounding out this month of luck with the last secret in our 5 Secrets of a Successful Sale — secrets that together will help you sell your home without a hint of luck or wishful thinking. Secret #5: Work with the right agent. The easiest way to hire the RIGHT agent? Knowing when they’re the WRONG agent. Here are few warning signs: • They have few references. • They aren’t familiar with your neighborhood. • They are new to town. • They are hard to reach by phone, email, or text. • They pressure you to make decisions before you feel ready. There are a ton of AMAZING agents out there. So don’t settle! Keep looking and asking around until you find an agent you “click” with — getting a successful sale (and maybe that pot o’ gold!) depends on it.
Comments Off on Transform Your Kitchen Island Without a Complete Remodel
by liz
Renovating an entire kitchen can feel like a monumental project — and it is! So if you’re not quite ready for the whole enchilada, transform your space quickly and for little cost with a kitchen island makeover. Not only is your island the focal point of your kitchen, but it’s also a multifunctional space that can be fully customized to your liking! Then, when the time comes for the full kitchen renovation, you can use it to inspire the rest of your design. Here are a few ways to rework your island space:
Paint the island cabinets an accent color to bring in a fresh feel and add some dimension.
Go for an entirely new look and add a waterfall counter that makes your island a showpiece.
Redesign and give your island an asymmetrical shape that adds a unique look while providing plenty of storage and seating.
Floating, built-in, corner, freestanding, hanging, open — so many types of shelves each beautiful in their own way! They pose just one head-scratching problem: What in the world to put on all of them that’ll look pulled-together while keeping them functional? Two everyday items that’ll never lead you astray? Woven baskets and plants. Baskets are a simple solution when you need more storage. Place identical ones on any shelf to house books, remotes, charging cords, and other small items. Large baskets on lower shelves are perfect for stowing away extra throw blankets and pillows.
Houseplants also solve almost any shelving conundrum. A few ideas: • A potted succulent on top of a stack of books • A snake plant on a fireplace mantel pop resting alongside treasured books, objects, and artwork • A trailing ivy on a top shelf to soften hard lines and produce a cascading effect
A few of my favorite places to find fun items to decorate with: Home Goods, Target, Hobby Lobby, and the At Home Store. Don’t forget to look around the house and storage for family heirlooms, souvenirs, and other items that bring you joy. Piece together the things that bring you joy and make you feel at home. And here’s the good news — when decorating shelves, nothing is set in stone! Play around with different arrangements until you step back and think, “Yes! That’s it!”
