Story of The Week - Things I Thought Every Realtor Did!

Yeah, yeah...you've seen the long list of things a Realtor does. And, trust me, my list is very long. Some times I feel like I'm on auto-pilot since I've been doing it for 19+ years. But, the bumps & hurdles in the road to close escrow help to keep my on my toes.

My hubby and I have been looking at retirement property recently. Hard to have my Realtor hat off while someone else 'plays' Realtor for us. REALLY hard. And, as our agent will tell you, it's hard on him as well. LOL

But, things we've discussed make me wonder if every agent does a few things that I always do. Or, they just take the listing, get the sign posted, put it in the MLS, and wing it?!?!?

1) I, 99.9% of the time, meet my photographer at the my listings for a shoot. Only times I haven't met him was when he had to go back for twilight shots. I want to make sure he's getting the image I have in my head for the best presentation on one of my listings. I'm the one that works with buyers, so I'm the one that needs to show him what those buyers will want to see at one of my listings.

    I have come to find out that not all agents do that. Really?

2) I, 99.9% of the time,  meet the Appraiser at the property. I think once I couldn't be there....but I made sure he had the full contract (if he needed it) AND, that the list of upgrades I always hand over were waiting in an envelope just for him.

    I have come to find out that not all agents do that either. Really?

3) 100% of the time I am at the buyers home inspection when I'm working with buyers. I want to see what the inspector is finding, I do my own agent inspection, and if buyers want to be there...well, damn, I definitely think their agent should be there as well.

    I have come to find out that not all agents do that too. Sheesh. Really?

Part of this came from my conversations with the retirement house Realtor. But, a lot came from the appraiser I just met today...and, yes, I totally had my list of upgrades ready for him!

AnyWhoHow, I was pretty surprised. And, thought it'd make for a good blog post!

Questions about Real Estate? Just Holler!

Lauren@KeepYourWitz.com / (661) 313-5470

Renovation Thoughts Before You List Your Home For Sale

 The Best Use of Time (and Money) When It Comes to Renovations

In the current sellers’ market, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be remodeled before they list their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help you think through today’s market conditions and how they impact what you should – and shouldn’t – renovate before selling.

Here are some considerations a professional will guide you through:

1. With current supply challenges, buyers may be willing to take on projects of their own.

A more balanced market typically sees a 6-month supply of homes for sale. Above that, and we’re in a buyers’ market. Below that, and we’re in a sellers’ market. According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), our current supply of homes for sale, while rising, still remains solidly in sellers’ market territory:

“Unsold inventory sits at a 2.6-month supply at the current sales pace, modestly up from May's 2.5-month supply but down from 3.9 months in June 2020.”

So, what’s that mean for you? If you’re a seller trying to decide whether or not to renovate, this is especially important because it’s indicative of buyer behavior. When there aren’t enough homes for sale, buyers may be more willing to purchase a home that doesn’t meet all their needs and renovate it themselves later.

2. Not all renovation projects are equal.

You don’t want to spend time and money on a project that isn’t worth the cost or is too niche design-wise for some homebuyers. According to an article by Renofi.com, basing home updates on what’s trendy right now can be a costly mistake:

“The last thing you as a homeowner want to do is center your home design around a passing fad - even worse, one thats design quality won’t last a good while.”

Before making any decisions, talk to your real estate advisor. They have insight into what other sellers are doing before listing their homes and how buyers are reacting to those upgrades. Don’t spend the time and money to be trendy – if your buyer wants to upgrade to the newest fad later, they can.

3. If you’ve already made upgrades this past year, your agent can help spotlight them.

If you have already completed some renovations on your house, you’re not alone. The pandemic kept people at home last year, and during that time, many homeowners completed some home improvement projects. HomeAdvisor’s 2021 State of Home Spending Report found:

“35% of households that completed an improvement project undertook some type of interior painting, while 31% completed a bathroom remodel and 26% installed new flooring.”

Let your real estate professional know if you fall in this category. They can highlight any recent upgrades you’ve made in your house’s listing.

Bottom Line

When it comes to renovations, your return-on-investment should be top of mind. Let’s connect today to talk through any upgrades you’ve already made and to find out what you should prioritize before you sell to maximize your house’s potential.

4 Tips To Prep for Your Home Sale This Fall

Even in a hot sellers' market like today's in which homes are selling so quickly, it's still important to make a good first impression on potential buyers. Taking the time upfront to prep your house appropriately can bring in the greatest return on your investment.

Here are four simple tips to make sure you maximize the sale of your house this fall.

1. Price It Right

One of the first things buyers will notice is the price of your house. That's why it's important to price it right. Your goal in pricing your house is to draw attention from competing buyers and let bidding wars push the final sales price up. Pricing your house too high to begin with could put you at a disadvantage by discouraging buyers from making an offer.

Your trusted real estate advisor can help you find the price for your home that reflects the current market value. Lean on your agent to help you with this crucial first step.

2. Keep It Clean

It may sound simple, but keeping your house clean is key to making sure it gets the attention it deserves. As realtor.com says in the Home Selling Checklist:

When selling your home, it's important to keep everything tidy for buyers. . . . Remember to take special care with the bathroom, making sure the tile, counters, shower, and floors shine.

Before each buyer visits, assess your space and determine what needs your attention. Wash the dishes, make the beds, and put away any toys. Doing these simple things can reduce any potential distractions for buyers.

3. Make It Easy To Visit

Giving buyers the opportunity to see your house on their schedule can be a true game-changer. Buyers are less likely to make an offer if it's difficult to plan a tour or they can't easily fit it into their schedule. Making your house available as often as possible helps create opportunities for more buyers to fall in love with your house.

Rest assured your trusted real estate advisor will keep your health and safety top of mind when buyers tour your home. Agents use the latest guidance to stay up to date on any protocols and sanitization recommendations.

4. Help Buyers Feel at Home

Finally, it's important for buyers to see all the possible ways they can make your house their next home. As the realtor.com article puts it:

The goal is to create a blank canvas on which buyers can project their own visions of living there, and loving it.

An easy first step to create this blank canvas is removing personal items – pictures, awards, and sentimental belongings – from your space. If you're unsure what should be packed away and what can stay, consult your trusted real estate advisor. Spending the time on this step can pay off in the long run, as the 2021 Profile of Home Staging from the National Association of Realtors notes:

Eighteen percent of sellers' agents said home staging increased the dollar value of a residence between 6% and 10%.

Bottom Line

To make the most of today's sellers' market, avoid the temptation to skip over the essential preparation steps. Let's connect today to discuss all the ways you can maximize your home sale.