Category: Selling

Selling Your Home

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It’s always a good idea to have a thorough list of what you can do to get your home ready to sell. Get prepared so you’re organized and can make the most of your free time now.

Find An Agent Right For You

Meet with a few different Mel Foster Co. agents to start. Grab a cup of coffee and do short interviews until you find an agent you click with. The agent will help ensure your home is priced right for sale and can promote your home through a variety of online marketing tools. They will guide you through the necessary paperwork and represent you during the negotiations for finalizing an accepted offer.

Plan To Do The Work

Before you list your house, make sure it’s in the condition buyers expect. Investing some time and money before listing is a wise investment. Spend your energy on completing tasks like these to get the home ready:

  • Consider a pre-listing inspection to focus your to-do list
  • Have professional photos taken to use online
  • Do a deep clean, especially in the garage and main living areas
  • Hire someone to fix the leaky sink or uneven door if you can’t do it yourself
  • Apply a fresh coat of paint on walls in high-traffic areas

It’s All In The Presentation

First impressions matter when selling a home. The first few seconds of viewing a home set the tone for buyers. And since you get only one chance to make a first impression, make the most of your time boosting curb appeal. Tidy up your landscaping by trimming shrubbery and adding another layer of fresh mulch. Ensure your front walkway is clear of debris and peppered with seasonal accents or flowers so it’s welcoming. Take the time to clean the windows and replace the lightbulbs on your outdoor lighting so things sparkle and look fresh.

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Set The Stage For Top Dollar Returns

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Set up your home for sales success. Staging your home can help buyers visualize how space can be used with furniture and make the house more attractive to potential buyers. Try these five staging tips when preparing to sell.

Eliminate Clutter

No one likes clutter, especially when looking at a home. The disorder could turn potential buyers away as they see the home as messy and in need of more storage. Instead, get rid of unnecessary items in storage areas, cabinets, on shelving, and table decorations. Depersonalize the area so buyers can visualize their belongings in the home.

Rethink Furniture Placement

When staging your home, the furniture placement makes a difference. Enable space for potential buyers to easily move throughout the home’s rooms and configure the furniture to make the area seem bigger and the most functional. Removing unnecessary furniture that makes the space seem more cluttered (as mentioned above) can allow for different furniture reconfigurations.

Add Funcational Office Space

Dedicated office space has become a necessity for many home buyers. Having an office space set up can help buyers visualize the use of the office space and check off a box on their must-have list. Or create an area in a guest bedroom or a corner of a room to stage an office.

Show Off Storage

Having ample storage is one thing that many home buyers search for when looking at a house for sale. People want space to store all their items, so showing how various areas can be utilized for maximum storage potential throughout the home is key. However, ensure these storage spaces are organized to appeal more to the buyers.

More Lighting

Great lighting is vital to making a home look warm and welcoming. When staging a house, ensure that the natural light from the outside can flow into the inside spaces. In every room of the home, a variety of lighting options should be turned on, such as lamps and overhead lights, to make the rooms as bright and inviting for buyers.

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What Buyers Want In A Home

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Most buyers looking for a home seek specific features. The following summary is what buyers want, and this may help prioritize your home improvements to attract those buyers.

Structural Features

  • Separate laundry room on the first floor
  • Open floor plan between the kitchen and dining room 
  • Patio space for outdoor entertaining
  • Walk in kitchen pantry
  • A front porch or covered outdoor space

Accent Preferences

  • Exterior lighting
  • Ceiling fans
  • Hardwood or tile in main living areas
  • Stainless steel appliances
  • Smart home technology

Energy Elements

  • Energy-efficient windows
  • Programmable thermostats
  • Proper insulation

Contact a Mel Foster Co. agent if you’re ready to sell.

How To Prepare A Home To Sell

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Get organized to make the most of your time preparing your home for sale. Prioritize tasks that establish a straightforward method to the madness and will get buyers’ attention.

Contact a Mel Foster Co. Agent

Rely on a Mel Foster Co. agent to help identify projects that will ready your home to impress and get it on the market. Take advantage of your agent’s market experience to help ensure the asking price is right from the start. Then let Mel Foster Co.’s network promote your property and find you prospective buyers.

Identify Repairs

Nearly every home requires some repairs before going on the market. Tackle repair projects that impact daily life, like replacing the sump pump, or present a danger to the house, like correcting the issue with the electrical box. Fix the wobbly front door handle and replace the sliding door to the patio that no longer closes smoothly. 

Declutter And Clean

Purge your excess items by donating to your local charity so your home is clutter-free during showings. Make your home feel spacious, even if it means renting a storage unit until you move. And deep clean the house both inside and out. First impressions of your yard and the path leading to the front door should offer a welcoming vibe. 

Take An Inventory For Insurance

As you sift through your belongings, inventory the valuable items. Now is the time to revisit your insurance coverage and consider updating your home insurance policy to keep your property value current. Mel Foster Insurance can provide you with a no obligations quote so you know you’re covered.

Set The Stage

Make your house feel like a home and think about keeping it staged for showings. Staged homes see a 5-15% return on investment when professionally staged as opposed to homes not staged, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

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What Does A Real Estate Agent Do For You?

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Real estate agents play an important role in the home selling process. For example, in 2021, 92% of homes sold in the U.S. used an agent to get the job done. But what exactly is an agent’s role, and what do they do for you?

What is a Real Estate Agent?

Real estate agents are professionals certified to oversee real estate transactions between sellers and buyers. Agents who represent sellers are called listing agents. Sometimes real estate agents are referred to as REALTORS®. Real estate agents and REALTORS® perform the same general functions, but REALTORS® are agents who are also members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). As of October 2021, there were 1.56 million members of NAR.

How will a Mel Foster Co. agent help me sell my home?

Mel Foster Co. agents are liaisons between sellers and potential buyers. Some key benefits of working with an agent are:

  • Assists with and manages all the required paperwork, saving you time
  • Prepares a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) to determine the listing price
  • Provides expert recommendations regarding local real estate availability 
  • Negotiates on your behalf during offers and counteroffers
  • Supports the seller through the closing process

How does my Mel Foster Co. agent market my home for sale?

Your agent will develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to get the word out about your property. They also suggest inspections that enhance the home’s marketability. Over 93% of people looking for houses begin their search on the internet, and Mel Foster Co.’s website receives over one million page views each month. In addition, your listing will be shared on multiple social media platforms to attract the most potential buyers.

Find a Mel Foster Co. agent to help begin the selling process.

REALTOR® means member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Preparing Your Home To Sell

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Sellers want their home in top condition when it goes on the market. We know those first impressions and curb appeal matter. What can homeowners do to get their house in top condition to sell?

All In The Presentation

You only get one chance to make a first impression. Some say the first impression is the only impression that matters. You’ll often get the best return on your investment when spending money on improvements to the outside of the house. Make time to power wash your home and clear out the spiderwebs on the front porch. Keep the landscape tidy and free of debris and ensure the walkway to your home is clear. Buy the new garage door or update the front entrance door and add a fresh doormat.

Showcase Properly

Clear the entrance and kitchen of dirt and grime. Touch up any nicks in the drywall and paint walls in high-traffic areas inside, like the main hallways and bathrooms. Address any areas where stale odors or stains are noticeable in your carpets or rugs. It may be time to hire a carpet cleaner to do a deep clean. It’s important to depersonalize the home. The buyers have to envision themselves in your space, so remove personal photos where possible.

Do’s And Don’ts

  • DO – Almost all buyers claim they search for a home with good light. Always maximize the lighting at home, both inside and out. Be sure all the window coverings are open to let the sunshine in. Purchase higher wattage bulbs for lamps and light fixtures.
  • DON’T – Even if you think your pet is the most adorable one that exists, not all buyers will agree. It’s best to send your pet to a friend or neighbors’ home during a showing. Some buyers get the impression the house is not clean if animals live there, so it’s best not to have the food bowl or litter box out as a reminder.
  • DO – Buyers want storage. Organize and purge items in your closets so that the closets are only half full. A tidy closet only half full will give the impression that there is plenty of space.

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Sell Now

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It’s a seller’s market right now. There are fewer homes for sale which means more competition for buyers. Let’s look at a few of the reasons not to wait to place your house on the market.

Before School’s Out For Summer

Sell now at the start of the spring real estate season before people prepare to move in the summer when their kids are off school. Be sure to include both indoor and outdoor spring-cleaning projects to get your house ready to show. Moving families will want to settle into a new neighborhood, so school registration for fall is finalized, and new routines are established.

Homes Are Selling Quickly

According to Realtor.com, the median U.S. home listing price is up 15.6%, and homes are spending less time on the market than last year at this time. On average, homes stay on the market for about 54 days, which is nearly a week shorter than a year ago. And the Quad City market is seeing home sales finalized in less than seven days. Fewer homes for purchase allow those available to turn over quickly, which means you’ll have fewer open houses. If you’ve been debating on selling at a time when profit looks promising, now’s the time.

Multiple Offers Mean More Options

Fewer homes available for sale means that, as the seller, you could experience bidding wars and multiple offers. And receiving multiple offers may give you more flexibility on closing dates and fewer inspections to pass. Bidding wars produce more offers to consider and even possible cash offers from buyers.

Money In Your Pocket

Interest rates remain low, and the possibility that they will begin to rise again has incented some buyers to take the leap and act quickly now. As demand for available homes increases, so does the money in your pocket if you’re ready to sell.

Find more selling tips for homeowners at melfostercoblog.com

Handling Multiple Home Offers

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Your home is on the market and you are suddenly handling multiple offers from interested buyers. While this may feel like an ideal scenario, you may not be sure where to begin. To keep it simple, consider selecting from one of three courses of action for best results.

Accept The Best Offer And Reject The Others

Determine what best offer means to you first. Typically best offer means getting the most money for your home. But some sellers need to move quickly due to personal circumstances, so their best offer may be the cash deal today without waiting on pending loan approvals or contingency sales. Once you know what you need most from your sale, narrow it down to the best offer for a quick and easy sale.

The Secret In Multiple Offers

You can ask your buyers to present their final offer upfront, also called highest and best offer. This method of cutting to the chase is an assertive way to weed out buyers who may be on the fence or not quite serious about their offer. Buyers would have to present a purchase agreement with a highest offer addendum, which allows for an increase in purchase price not to exceed a certain dollar amount of the next competing offer. The other buyers would not know any details of the other offers being put forth.

Counter The Best Offer And Reject The Rest

If one offer is the clear favorite, you might simply want to counter that offer to see if you can get the terms you want. While other potential buyers are waiting, you may choose to negotiate with your top candidate and then decide to reintroduce other buyers back into the equation if your first option falls through.

Talk with your Mel Foster Co. REALTOR®, they can help you navigate this decision.

Moving Tips When You Have A Pet

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Preparing to move into a new home is exciting yet overwhelming. If you have a pet, he or she is likely a bit unsettled too. Consider a few useful steps you can take ahead of your move to ensure a smooth transition for the beloved animal members of your family.

Planning Ahead

Your four-legged friend can sense change is coming. Try introducing the pet carrier she will travel in weeks in advance. Place her favorite toy or blanket inside and leave it open at home so she feels comfortable in it. Take her on a short car ride in the carrier so she’s used to being inside of it.

Prepare a bag with necessities to care for your pet and be sure it’s handy and ready for moving day. Include items like food or kitty litter, grooming tools, leash, medications and favorite treats.

Making Changes

Seek out a new veterinarian before your move and have your current vet transfer the files. Set up an appointment to visit with the new vet soon after your move to establish a relationship prior to any need for urgent care. Be sure you update tags or microchip information to your new address and phone number.

Getting Them Settled

If at all possible, take your pet with you in your vehicle when you move. Avoid having your pet loose in your new home while movers are coming in and out and doors are left open for an easy escape. The first visits to the yard should include a leash, even if the yard is fenced. There is so much to sniff and explore in a new yard and you should use this time exploring with your pet to check for small holes in a fence or other hazards.

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Should You Raise the Asking Price of Your Home?

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Pricing strategies

There are several strategies homeowners can follow when setting their initial asking price. Often sellers try to undercut their competition, but there are times when it actually makes sense to list your home for a higher price.

You should feel comfortable listing your home for a higher price when your residence offers more than other listings in your area. Maybe your kitchen was recently renovated or you have more storage that sets your home apart from all the others. These features may justify an asking price that’s a bit higher than other homes in your area.

Finally, frequently check market conditions to see if they have changed since you initially listed your home. If you notice more buyers are entering the market and homes are selling quickly, raising your own asking price might be a good move.

Setting the right asking price is a challenge you’ll face when listing your home. That’s why it’s so important to work with a real estate agent who knows your market. Find a Mel Foster Co. agent who specializes in listings in your area.


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