Author: Laura Cruger

t’s no secret … It is still a seller’s market, with supply and demand still being the driving force. That’s not to say, that sellers are not selling, because they most certainly are. It is just that in many cases, once the house goes on the market, if priced appropriately, (know your competition) – a flurry of buyer activity happens, and BAM – the house is under contract, with multiple offers/back-ups offers on the sidelines should the first offer not work out for one reason or another. But let’s be clear, the scenario I just stated does not hold true for every home that hits the market – as to achieve this, a home needs to be priced appropriately (the key) given its offerings and/or it’s objections whatever they may be. And then of course, the exposure the home receives once placed on the market. These two strategies work hand and hand, along with the experience and knowledge of the market the real estate advisor brings, is what will ultimately gain you the most value for your home. Having said that, supply and demand as I mentioned earlier, will certainly play a role to the benefit of the seller, no matter. The job of a real estate professional, when advising sellers, is to know their market, discuss pricing strategy with the seller, and then expose the property out to the world through all their marketing efforts. Having said that, it is important to note, that no amount of marketing will bring an over-priced home the buyer activity necessary, to gain the value the home deserves. In fact, over-pricing a home will work against the seller.

What I hear from some sellers is, “Let’s price the home a little higher, so we have some room to negotiate,” – if you price a home appropriately, there is little to no negotiations needed in most cases. Or, they think it will increase their profit somehow, but the reality is, it is not a good strategy.

Rule of thumb in real estate …. The value of a home is not determined by “what a seller wants for the property, it is not how much money they spent in upgrades for the property – although it will add value, just not dollar for dollar value. And lastly, it is not what the seller paid for the property – although right now that is not a problem for the seller. Most sellers have an enormous amount of equity in their home, that they may not even realize. And that is where I come in … should you want to know what your home’s value is in today’s market. I would be happy to prepare a more comprehensive market analysis for you, even if you are not looking to sell. We will just call it a “Real Estate Review” – complimentary of course.

The net result of over-pricing a home, Realtor.com says is that almost 20% of sellers — that’s one in five — find they need to reduce their price to get their house sold. You don’t want to be that “one.” Here’s why starting too high can lead to trouble, and how to avoid it …

Overpricing your home, pushes buyers away …

With where mortgage rates and home prices are right now, buyers are already stretching their budgets to make a move. So, when they see a house that’s priced too high, they’re not thinking, “I can negotiate.” They’re more likely going to think, “next” and skip over your house entirely.

The strategy when pricing a home is to get as many qualified buyers as possible in to see your home, to get them excited, to potentially make that offer. Chances are, your home doesn’t even make their list, which ultimately does not give them the opportunity to make an offer. Also, if you price the home too high, you are not getting the right buyers in there to consider making an offer, as the home does not match their expectations.

Understand, when a home sits on the market for any period of time, especially in this market – there is a certain amount of skepticism as to “why is the house been on the market so long?” An overpriced house tends to sit on the market longer. And the longer a house sits on the market, the more buyers start to wonder what’s wrong with it. Is there a problem with the house itself? Are the sellers difficult to work with? Even if the only issue is the price, that extra time does create wonder …

Setting an unrealistic high price for the home with the idea that you can come down on price later doesn’t work in the seller’s best interest. A home that is overpriced from the start tends to stay on the market longer, even after the price is cut, because buyers think there must be something wrong with it.” Not to mention, and most importantly – when we introduce your home to the market on “day one” – this is when your home gets the “most exposure” – which is why it is key to price it right from the beginning.

Fast forward … after sitting on the market for some time, if you are serious about selling your home, you will have no choice but to lower your price to capture some interest. But that price reduction comes at cost, literally … buyers may see it as some other issue with the home, which creates uncertainty, or perhaps they may look at it as an opportunity to purchase the home for a steal. OK, enough said! I think you’ve gotten my point, right … LOL

In conclusion …

What’s the secret to avoiding all these headaches? It’s simple … just give me a call! As a Real Estate Advisor, I do my best to give the best council, so sellers have the best advantages in the market that will help them to achieve the best price and terms to achieve their real estate goals. Knowing our local market well, I will give you honest and straightforward market information so you can see and feel it for yourself …which allows you to make your best decisions moving forward. The one thing I would advise you not to do, is partner with an agent who will list your home at whatever price you may throw out there, if it doesn’t match up with the “fair market value range” determined by their analysis. That is not a real estate professional who has your best interest in mind, or one who will net you the best results on your home sale. You want a local real estate advisor who recommends a price based on their own local knowledge and expertise, using real-time data to determine your range to value when pricing your home.

Laura

The Key To Your Real Estate Success

Helping buyers & sellers achieve their real estate goals.

In January 2025, the real estate markets served by William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty across Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts experienced an increase in sales compared to the same month in the previous year.the same month in the previous year. Growth was observed in both the number of closed transactions and total dollar volume across nearly all regions where the company operates.

The number of new listings entering the market also saw notable gains in January compared to a year ago, with only a few exceptions. However, overall active inventory remains lower than it was at this time last year in most areas.

These trends indicate the continuation of a recovery that began about a year ago, following several quarters of declining sales and inventory. Throughout 2024, closed dollar volume steadily improved each quarter compared to the corresponding periods in 2023. By the final quarter of the year, unit sales were also on the rise versus the fourth quarter of 2023. As of January, closed transactions are either outpacing or holding steady with last year’s levels across all markets.

These results align with the projections outlined in our 2024 year-end market report, which offers an in-depth analysis of market trends and forecasts. The full report is available to read online here.

Detailed charts accompany this report, offering a comprehensive comparison of January 2025 data to the same period in 2024, with insights drawn from multiple MLS sources.

I hope you find this information helpful. As we are enter into this new year, should you like to discuss your wants and needs or have any questions as it pertains to real estate, feel free to contact me. I am here and happy to help!

Laura

The Key To Your Real Estate Success

Helping buyers & sellers achieve their real estate goals.

Downsizing is a term many in the real estate industry typically reserve for those who find themselves moving into that “next chapter of life.” And this can look different for many … perhaps you are an empty nester, retired, or soon to be retired, perhaps those who are seeking to reduce living expenses, or those who are just looking to simplify their lives. I have found through my many years in real estate, people who are in their 50s and 60s often will choose to make this change at that time, or are considering making the change, as they contemplate their options. 

Many who are looking to downsize, are not just needing or wanting less space, they are also looking to simplify, as they look forward to an easier way of life … like not having to mow the lawn for example, or maintain the interior/exterior of their home, from the roof on down… imagine that? No, really imagine that – imagine not having to do those things! Don’t we all look forward to the days of making our lives easier, as we enter our next chapter of life. And so we should. We worked hard for these days to become our reality! 

Downsizing can be a wonderful opportunity to create a home that fits your needs and supports your best lifestyle as you enter your senior years. With careful planning and consideration, it can be a positive and empowering experience. So don’t let the thought of making the move overwhelm you, as it does for many when you are making big life changes … embrace it as you plan for the future. 

What is downsizing? 

Downsizing generally refers to selling your current home in favor of a smaller home, but that definition is a broad one. While downsizing traditionally means moving from a larger home to a smaller home, most often because the homeowner simply does not require that amount of space they are currently living in, nor do they care to maintain that larger home. It served its purpose for years, creating fond memories that will last a lifetime, but now, it is time to create your new memories as you move on to a more simple life.

Of course, downsizing doesn’t just have to mean just a lower square footage home. Some homeowners downsize to reduce the upkeep of the home. Why clean that forth bedroom when you are only using one, right? Others might simply want a home whose layout is more conducive to their current lifestyle. That might mean fewer bedrooms but a larger plot of land for gardening, or living closer to town, so they have the ability to walk to shops and restaurants, rather than having to drive to them for example. 

Experts also point out that downsizing doesn’t always mean saving money, either. Depending on where you would like to live, buying a new home could be a lateral move in terms of finances. It’s all about the ease of lifestyle for some. The cost of the new property, location, and other factors can impact the overall expenses. However, downsizing most often will result in lower mortgage payments, utility bills, and property taxes, freeing up more cash flow. While downsizing can have financial benefits, be mindful of the costs you will incur when selling your home and the moving expenses that go along with it. Many of my clients I find, make the decision not to take much of their furnishings with them. They will decide to sell, donate, or pass along to family members and purchase new furniture when they arrive at their new home. It is not only a dramatic savings on their moving expenses, but it also allows them to purchase furniture that will fit nicely into their new space. It’s important to consider all expenses when considering making the move. Lots to ponder on for sure …

When is the right time to Downsize?

Unsure when to downsize? It’s a very personal choice no doubt, but one you might consider if you’ve experienced a major life change. The ideal time to downsize depends on personal circumstances, such as changes in family dynamics, a desire for a simpler lifestyle, retirement, or financial reasons. Factors such as divorce, the loss of a loved one, can also prompt the decision. However, before downsizing, it’s important to do your research to narrow down your desired location on where you would like to move to, the type of home and property that will suite your wants and needs, and your budget.

And for those who know me know I have said this many times, in many different ways … If you feel the time is right, don’t let the market dictate your plan otherwise. The time to make your move – is when the time is right for you based on your own personal wants needs and desires … your why. In this case, downsizing is very much a quality-of-life decision, so I will always advise clients to not let the market dictate their decision when such a decision may greatly improve their quality of life. If the plan makes sense, and you have the ability to do so, move on “your time” because as we all know too well, life is too short.

What to Look for in a Downsized Home 

Ready to make the move? Start by working with a trusted real estate professional … that would be me Assisting you on both sides in many different ways, to streamline the process, is what I do best.

When searching for a home to downsize into, I would advise buyers to think about what they may need during the start of their retirement and into the next phase in their later years. Make sure your wish list includes things to help make life easier to give you the ability to age in place if you will. One level living will always be at the top of the list. Accessibility to medical facilities, shopping, restaurants, parks, convenience to major highways, and any amenities that would be important to you.

Things you should consider when searching for your new home would be whether you will be living in the home full-time or seasonally, whether you plan to entertain friends or family frequently. While you are making the move to make life easier for you, having the ability accommodate family and friends when they come for a visit is something you may want to consider when making your plans. 

Define a budget, and look for homes in locations that fit that budget offering enough bedrooms and bathrooms, outdoor space, storage space, and proximity to necessary and desired amenities. Focus on what will improve your quality of life and make sure that your new home has the amenities that are important to you. 

If you are considering a community that has amenities for its residents, understand the costs associated with those amenities will be in the form of HOA dues (Homeowners Association). Consider taxes, and utility costs as well, as they could be significantly different (higher/lower) then what you are paying in your current home if you are moving out of state.

Preparing to Downsize 

First order of business, after speaking with a trusted real estate professional … gather your thoughts, make your “to do list” – First thing on the list – declutter. As you prepare to move, take a long hard look at your things, and see if you can donate or sell any of the items while considering your “new space” Consider disposing of items as they no longer serve a purpose and focus on what truly matters to you. When deciding what to keep, consider the sentimental value, the worth of the item, if it will fit in your new home, and if it will work with your new home’s decor and color palette.”

Start going through your things sooner rather than later, giving yourself the gift of time. This will avoid you feeling added pressure, making rash decisions or feeling rushed during a time that for some could be a difficult or emotional process. Hiring a professional/someone that can help you go through and organize your things if you need assistance could be helpful to some. 

It can be very difficult for some to get off the fence, the thought of making the move can be over-whelming when looking at the tasks at hand, and the many moving parts that come along with it. Do know, as a real estate professionals we are here to help you break it down, and guide you through the process every step of the way.

In case you missed It … Third Quarter Market Watch

Laura

The Key To Your Real Estate Success

Helping buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals.

Whether you are thinking about buying or selling in 2024 – I would ask you one question …are you ready? Below are some things you may want to think about if you are considering making the move in 2024.

WHAT BUYERS NEED TO KNOW
First step … get pre-approved … As part of the home buying process, the first step would be to get pre-approved by a reputable lender. As part of this process, the lender will look at your finances to determine what loan amount you would ultimately be approved for. The documents they would need from you for the pre-approval would include but not limited to things like your paystubs, W-2, tax returns, and bank statements. They would also need to run your credit – having all this information will assist the lender in determining what mortgage you would qualify for.

Once your file has been reviewed by the lender, and meets their criteria, they will give you a pre-approval letter based upon their review. This letter will let you know how much money you can borrow and what the terms of your loan would be. This gives you and your realtor a good understanding of your budget range that you will need to stay within. Having a reasonable expectation of what you qualify for is important. There is no sense looking at homes over your budget, getting excited about it, only to find out it’s not an option for you because it is not in your budget. Not to mention having a pre-approval letter in this market is a must and is an important first step. It helps the realtor keep a better eye on the market as he/she are in search of that perfect home for you, it also tells the seller that you are a qualified, ready, and able buyer. 

Something to keep in mind … most always, the loan amount in your pre-approval letter is the lender’s maximum offer to you based upon their review and their formula to lend. After meeting with your lender, you should have a pretty good understanding of what your budget can afford, and the approval letter will be reflective of that. You will also know in/about what your monthly payments will be based upon that approval. At the end of the day, regardless of what you are pre-approved for, it is up to you to decide if you are comfortable with that monthly loan payment, or perhaps you are more comfortable staying a little under-budget if you can, providing the homes in that range meet your expectations. 

While more homes are being listed for sale, the lack of inventory is still not meeting buyer demand, keeping home prices strong. This this a very competitive market, as we continue to see multiple offers on many properties, if priced well, and have no major objections.  My job as a realtor when representing buyers – is to put buyers in the best position possible in getting their offer accepted over all the others. 

With that in mind, let me take it a step further … There are some lending institutions that will take your file straight through to underwriting within a short period of time (few days) once you have provided them with all their required documents. What that means is that you are not just “pre-approved” – but you are “APPROVED” for the loan amount stated on the letter. This approval is just about as good as being a cash buyer – giving them that same competitive edge as what a cash buyer would have. In this market, that is worth its weight in gold. Submitting your offer with an “approval” letter attached to it is music to a seller’s ears! Having the right connections as I do in the business in key when representing my clients. If you want to buy a home this year, or any year for that matter, you want to be sure you’re working with a trusted lender. 

For buyers who are looking to purchase a home in 2024 and have a successful outcome – the key to that and my advice to you would be to “be ready.”

WHAT SELLERS NEED TO KNOW
First step – speak with a real estate professional … Getting the best guidance needed from a real estate professional who knows the market well is key.

Discussing your wants/needs and real estate goals prior to “making any moves” will only help you to achieve those goals and the outcome you desire. 

It is not new news, that it is still a “seller’s market.” And might I just add … experts predict this will continue through 2024. Again, the driving force to a great extent is the lack of inventory. Locally, we have the benefit of our location – proximity to New York, which helps keep our market strong. Many New Yorkers continue to move to Connecticut for many reasons, and these days – there are many more reasons to move our way. For those who know me, know I will always say when making decisions – “we only know what we know now.” So here we are, and so to that is what I can speak to now. Just to clarify – “lack of inventory” … it is not that sellers aren’t putting their homes on the market – they are … but certainly not in the numbers they have in years past. What I am seeing is just once a property goes on the market, it will get scooped up right away, if the property is priced well with no major objections. I quite often will “preview” homes when they first come on the market, because I know they won’t last. It is important for me as a realtor to know our local market, and to do that, you need to see and step inside the property as often as you can. 

If sellers want to get “TOP dollar” for their home, they still may want to take a few steps in getting their home “show ready” to appeal to the larger buyer pool. This can mean from the smallest of task to something more substantial and anything in between. It is important to note that any upgrades large or small are done to with the intent to net you more equity value then it would if you were not to do anything at all. In short and to be clear – it is not necessarily that you would get dollar for dollar on any upgrade, but at the end of the day, if you are going to go through the time and expense – you want to ensure as best you can that it be worth your while to increase your equity value. It needs to make dollar sense. Knowing what to do really matters – in order of importance and budget. You may be surprised at how the littlest of upgrades can make a BIG impact affecting your bottom-line net profit. From painting, to changing a faucet or a lighting fixture – can make all the difference to making your home “show ready”. Having these conversations with your realtor beforehand would be a benefit to you as a seller, so you have that understanding and to put forth a plan accordingly.

If you don’t have the wherewithal to do anything – that’s fine too – we would just price your home accordingly with that in mind. Having a conversation with a real estate professional – that would be me, would be helpful to determining how best to move forward. That being said, the first thing I would suggest you do is have your realtor prepare a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) for you to determine what equity you are holding in your home … you may be pleasantly surprised! Having this information gives you the perspective and understanding you will need to determine your what your next move should be.

And lastly, can I say – If you are a seller wondering where you are going to go once your house sells … let’s talk. Everyone’s circumstances are different. But knowing and understanding your particular situation, only helps me to help you get you where you want to be on time.

If you missed it …. Market Watch – 2023 year In Review

If you are thinking about making a move, but have some questions – I am happy to discuss all things real estate. Give me a call … I am here and happy to help!

Laura

The Key To Your Real Estate Success
Helping buyers and seller achieve their real estate goals

(Republished from May 5, 2024)

It’s more than just listing the property for sale on the MLS, and putting a sign in the ground, it’s so much more than that …

Pricing a home correctly is one of the biggest keys to getting the most value for your home once placed on the market, no doubt – but let’s rewind to the beginning to see where it all starts.

It’s all in the presentation … I am sure you have heard that term before, right? It’s preparing the home for the market so that the buyers can see the value of the home once they step inside. While you may have some homes that are being sold “as is” and other homes may be considered “turnkey” as they say in the real estate world, and either will sell for what the buyers are willing to pay. Some seller’s took steps in the process of “getting property ready for the market” knowing they would be selling at some point, or they were just very good at updating/maintaining their home for themselves. But perhaps, you have lived in the home for many years, maintained the home well, but the home needs some updating for the next generation of buyers that are stepping into the market. That’s where the role of the listing agent comes in – understanding the market values and the variables within, of the competing properties. While we are seeing homes sell in many cases well over asking, due to the lack of inventory – but I stick to my “story” of pricing a home right at Day 1 is the “biggest key” in netting the seller the most value, having an effective marketing and pricing strategy in place is where it all starts. 

Case in point … Seller client lived in their home for 45+ years – maintained it well, but updates to the home were mostly absent. I met with the family to strategize how to get the most value for their home and discussed what was needed to accomplish that goal. It was truly a “family affair” – mom & dad while older, moved out of state to live closer to their children – and the coordination of myself and the family, who was also out of state, was key to getting it all done!! Getting the right service providers in there to assist in the mission, and then once complete – my doing a re-evaluation of the market to see where their homes value would be in today’s market – as it is ever-changing. The key to pricing is not only what properties have “sold” over the last 180 days – it is knowing the current inventory (previewing those homes if not seen) so we are aware of what the property will be “competing against” today, as we place it on the market. And then putting that pricing strategy in place to get as many buyers as possible in to see the property – getting them excited enough to make an offer on the home, in hopes in making it their next place to call “home.” While the sellers thought they may have priced it too low – in the end .. .it doesn’t matter “where you start – it’s where you end up” right? 

It took a little time in the preparation, but our mission was accomplished! After only one week – with 35+ agent showings, 30+ families coming through the open house – netting my seller 14 offers! Discussed the value of each offer with the family, going over both price and terms – they accepted an offer WELL over asking, with terms acceptable to them as well. Inspections complete, closing in 30 days. 

I will just touch a little on story to the “contrary” to the above scenario – if a seller insists on pricing a home too high – they will not get the activity or excitement of the buyers that will warrant them the activity needed to extend the true value of their home. There will be no open house visitors, or agent showing requests on that home, because you are marketing to the wrong market, if that makes sense. If you place too high of value on a home that is unwarranted – the expectation naturally will be much higher. In the end they are only working against themselves and will only wind up where they should have been, had they listened to their agent, and in all likelihood – netting them less, and loosing precious market time. A lesson will be learned here – listen to the professional … we know (well most do) what we are doing!

This is just a tiny snapshot of the day in the life – which I hope highlights the value of hiring a listing agent. Part of my job as a realtor is to always be evaluating the market, which gives me the ability to translate that information to potential sellers who are looking to place their home on the market, and also for the buyers, who are looking to enter into the market. Knowing the strategies to be successful at getting my buyer clients offer accepted due to current climate of “multiple offers” can be challenging as many know may very well know. For real estate to work – you need to have representation on both sides buyer/seller which is first and foremost … to bring the transaction together full circle and to the closing table!

I will close by saying hiring the right real estate professional is the very first key to getting your home sold for the most value in the shortest amount of time. If you are considering buying or selling your home – please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am here and happy to help!

Laura

The Key To Your Real Estate Success

Helping buyers & sellers achieve their real estate goals.

If you’re thinking about buying a home soon, with higher mortgage rates, rising home prices and ongoing affordability concerns, may make you wonder if it still makes sense to buy a home right now. While those factors certainly are important, there’s more to consider as you ponder… think about the long-term benefits of homeownership. If you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, ask them if they have any regrets. My guess is you are probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that you ask? The answer … home values grow with time – and over that time is where your wealth (equity value) grows. That may be why, in a recent Fannie Mae survey 76% of respondents say they believe buying a home is a safe investment. Let’s take a look at how home price appreciation can really add up over time – highlighted in the map below emphasizing home price growth over time ….. The map below uses data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to show just how noteworthy price gains have been over the last five years. And, since home prices vary by area, the map below is broken out regionally to help convey larger market trends: Source: FHFA If you look at the percent change in home prices, you can see home prices grew on average of just over 57% nationwide over a five-year period.Some regions are slightly above or below that average, but overall, home prices gained solid ground in a short time. And if you expand that time frame even more, the benefit of homeownership show drastic gains homeowners made over the years become even clearer (see map below): Source FHFA The second map shows, nationwide, home prices appreciated by an average of over 297% over a roughly 30-year span.  Yes, that’s right 297% appreciation! Did I get your attention?  This nationwide average tells you the typical homeowner who bought a house 30 years ago saw their home almost triple in value over that time. Now that’s a lot of equity value you can take to the bank! 🙂 This is the key factor as to why so many homeowners who bought their homes years ago, are still happy with their decision. And while there was “talk” throughout the year that home prices would crash, this hasn’t happened. In fact, experts project, as time has shown – home prices will continue to rise for years to come.  So if you are wondering if it still makes sense to buy a home today, let’s talk! I would be happy to answer any and all of your real estate questions, as it pertains to your particular situation, to help you determine if purchasing a home today makes sense for you. Keep in mind, while you can’t deny the market environment we are currently living in, understand that just as important as that, is to not loose sight of the long-term advantages that come along with homeownership.  Laura The Key To Your Real Estate Success Helping buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals.

I know the market has been a bit challenging for both buyers and sellers no doubt, the uncertainty of so much these days lends many to “take a pause”. Perhaps you are a buyer wanting to purchase a home, but with home prices not coming down, and interest rates still on the rise – you may be thinking … I’m going to put my home purchase plans on hold for a while and wait it out. If you have that crystal ball to know when that might be … please do share! 🙂

If you are seller, you couldn’t be in a better position right now to sell your home if that is your desire, since the equity gained in your home right now is probably more then you even thought possible. That’s what happens when supply doesn’t meet buyer demand it becomes a seller’s market. But wait … I need to purchase a home, after my home sells – how is this going to work for me right now you might ask? Let’s think about that for a moment … you must know, as I do – you can’t have it both ways, right? If you sell high … which in today’s market you most certainly will, and now, might I just say … may be one of the best times. Today many home sellers are receiving multiple offers, well over asking (if priced correctly) and in turn will put that equity gained into their new home purchase.

So, let’s look at the BIG picture, to shed a little perspective. When it’s a seller’s market, that is where you gain the most value from your home sale – you will then turn around and put the equity you just received on your home sale, on your home purchase – right. IF we were in a different market and you were to buy low, you are also going to find yourself selling low, thereby you would not have as much equity to put down on your new home purchase – because you sold lower than you would have had in a seller’s market. Get the picture … it’s all relative!

If you are a renter, you may want to think about the money you are wasting, helping your landlord pay off his/her mortgage, building their equity rather than building your own equity in your first home. And with rental prices as high as they are, it just doesn’t make sense to rent, when you can own.

It all needs to make financial sense no doubt, but all in all the real question you want to ask yourself is … why you are wanting to “make the move” – it always should come down to your why that will give you clarity on how best to move forward or not. But we all can agree that we cannot predict the future (no crystal ball here) – so how long will you decide to wait on the market? Are you a first-time home buyer, move-up buyer, or someone who is looking to downsize/upsize, or perhaps you would like to move closer to friends and family. All are very good reasons to “make the move” – so place more emphasis on your why rather than gamble with a market we have NO control over.

If you’ve missed it … here is the First Half 2023 Market Watch

Any questions don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to help!

Laura

The Key To Your Real Estate Success

Helping buyers and seller achieve their real estate goals

It certainly is a challenging market for both buyers and sellers. Perhaps you are a seller who is locked into a low interest rate and may find it difficult to justify “a move” – even though life circumstances tell you that you really would like to “make the move.” Perhaps with the low inventory market we are experiencing, there is a fear that you won’t be able to find a home that meets your wants/needs to move into, after your home sells. And yes, your home will sell quickly and in some cases over asking, if strategically priced with no major objections. Let me just say this, and I know I don’t have to but … “You should never let fear dictate how you make decisions”. Don’t get me wrong – it is something to take under consideration no doubt – but in the end don’t let the fear ultimately keep you stuck in a place you don’t want to be. If this all sounds familiar to you, might I suggest you look at the BIG picture, and through your decision-making process, weigh in on the importance of your “why.” Everyone has a “why” – that’s what makes life happen right? As a real estate professional, and in all my 22 years of practicing real estate, I have never left any of my seller clients homeless 🙂 Together we will formulate a plan on how to move forward, put contingencies in place to protect you, so you never have to worry about that. 

Perhaps you are a buyer looking for your first home or maybe looking to upsize your current home. In either case – there is a “why” involved here. Maybe newly married, looking to set down some roots in a community, or perhaps your family is bursting at the seams, and you are looking for more space. There is a want and a need to your why – and consulting with a real estate professional and a mortgage professional would be a good place to start. Both will listen to what goals you are looking to achieve, and as the professionals will give you the information you need, along with the best guidance on how best to make your why a reality. 

So, understand your why first, and think about what that looks like to you – then take the steps necessary to prepare to “be ready” is key to making anything happen! Timing does play a role in anything you do, no doubt. My message I’d like to bring across is this … Don’t let fear dictate how you live your life and where you live it. But do “get informed”. For some it may be a few easy steps that you may not have even thought of. For others, there may a few more steps involved. But in either case if your goal is to make a move, consult with the professionals to see how they can assist you in making your why a reality. Everything has its time … focusing on your why, will help get you where you want to be on your time. 

As a professional real estate agent, it is important for me to keep up with the market. And learn all I can learn to better assist you. It arms my clients with the information they need to help them move forward in a way that makes sense to them. 

If you are thinking about making a move, but have some questions – I am happy to discuss all things real estate. Give me a call … I am here to help!

Laura

The Key To Your Real Estate Success

Helping buyers and seller achieve their real estate goals

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, assisting clients with their real estate needs, and completing some CE courses along the way. As a licensed real estate professional, it is my job to keep a pulse on the market and know what’s trending so I can best assist my clients in achieving their real estate goals. In this challenging market for both buyers and sellers, it is important to arm my clients with the best information possible so they can navigate their way through to a successful end/beginning of their new chapter. 

While the market has its challenges, what market doesn’t right? Given the right information and guidance, you will be better equipped to succeed. As mentioned, I took a CE elective course last week, as I thought this information could be beneficial to my seller clients. The title of the course was “50 Staging Tips By The Book”. Let me share a little of what I’ve learned.

Here it goes …

While it is still being considered a “seller’s market,” that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be best prepared to showcase your home in the best light. As a real estate professional, I will tell you inventory is still low which is allowing homes to sustain/increase their value. But you know and I know this won’t last forever. Whether you are considering selling today or perhaps in the near future, as the market is ever-changing, it is my job to keep my clients “in the know.”

In the class I learn about the tips and tricks of the trade when it comes to “staging your home for sale”. It was a great class! I learned a lot about doing the small things that can make a BIG impact on your net profit, to doing some of the bigger things that could make even a BIGGER impact when it comes to your net profit. What I learned is that you don’t have to break the bank to make your best profit but know what to do and what do not is key.

Let’s start by “setting the stage”

PRE- HOME STAGING TIPS

❑ The interior of home is to be CLEAN. This includes every room of the home, including kitchens, baths, living areas and bedrooms.

❑ Keep laundry out of sight and off the floor in baskets or hampers.

❑ Dishes should be cleaned and put away at all times.

❑ Keep trash cans hidden and emptied, but still within easy access.

❑ Home should smell clean and fresh. Keep pets and related items out of sight.

❑ Vacuum carpets and mop floors.

❑ Move toiletries and personal items from bathroom counters, toilet areas, and shower areas to cabinets.

❑ Make all beds.

❑ Children’s toys/ games/ movies should be put in their proper place.

❑ “Spring Clean” blinds, lights, baseboards, doors, vents, appliances and windows. Clean all surfaces and mirrors.

❑ Organize needed items in pantry, closets and inside of cabinets for viewing.

❑ Pack away personal photos to allow buyers to visualize their family living in the home.

❑ Make sure each room only has main furniture pieces. Place all extra items that are not décor out of sight and in organized areas.

❑ Please note anything that you would like to remain in its current place (not to be removed).

❑ Please note where you would like large and small items to be placed that will not be used during the staging process.

Once your home has the necessary updates, continuous lawn care and interior cleaning, these are key steps to ensure incredible showings, top offers and a FAST home selling process!

❑ Make sure beds are made and rooms are picked up.

❑ Keep personal items (bills and other paperwork) out of sight for your protection.

❑ Remove personal items (toothbrushes, get-ready items, etc.) from bathroom counters and keep out of sight in cabinets for easy access.

❑ Ensure items in cabinets, pantry, laundry room and garage are tidy and organized (resembling a store).

❑ Closets should be kept at 70% capacity and keep the floor space as empty as possible to help make spaces look larger.

❑ Ensure landscaping is well-manicured, keeping lawn, bushes and trees trimmed around the property weekly. First Impressions matter!

❑ Front and back porches are to be cleaned, free of personal items, and ready for guests. 

❑ Interior of home is to be kept very clean on a daily basis.

❑ Place laundry out of sight in baskets and keep clean on a regular basis.

❑ Consistently keep dishes cleaned. Dirty dishes in the sink will send a negative message to potential buyers.

❑ Place trash cans out of sight.

❑ Home should always smell clean and fresh (discreetly use lightly scented plug ins, diffusers or sprays on a regular basis).

❑ Most buyers want a pet-free home, so keep pets and related items out of sight during showings.

❑ If the home has a media room, begin a kids themed or PG movie, turn on accent lighting, and set the stage for a movie night.

❑ Open blinds and turn on key and accent lighting as such lamps set the ambiance.

There were so many more tips & tricks I could share with you as I am a good “note-taker” …If your interested in learning more about what you can do to make your home shine its brightest while working within your own budget – give me a call …. I’d be happy to share!

If you are interested speaking with a professional home stager and interior designer, I would not hesitate recommending ba Staging & Interiors. If you are interested in learning a little more about what you can do to make your home shine its brightest while working within your own budget – give me a call …. I’d be happy to share!

Still on the fence, or perhaps you would just like to learn your home’s value … Feel free to click on the link to learn what the current market value of your home is in today’s market – Knowledge is power!

Laura

The Key To Your Real Estate Success

Helping buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals.