Scariest Things for Home Buyers

When getting ready to sell your home, you should assess its condition and fix items BEFORE you list it. My experience has been that buyers find four issues the scariest to deal with: water intrusion, radon, mold, and the roof. Even if these problems aren't apparent in your home, they may be there.

When a buyer makes an offer on your home, it's usually contingent on them doing a home inspection. A home inspector examines the current condition of a house. He/she identifies current problems and what components or systems may need major repair or replacement.

If a buyer's buyer's home inspector find one of these "scary" issues, three things can happen:  1) they can buy the home as is; (2) they can ask you to fix it or adjust the selling price; and most frightening of all, (3) they can walk away and get their earnest money back. With big issues lurking, you really run the risk of killing the deal.

Smart sellers these days are even hiring home inspectors themselves, before they list, so all problem areas can be identified and corrected, before their home hits the market.  If you're getting ready to sell, ask me if a pre-listing home inspection may be right for you!

SOLD!

So happy to report that 17505 transferred title yesterday! It was a pleasure to market this luxury home (priced at $1,445,000) and I'm thrilled for my seller clients (who are moving on to a new chapter in their lives) and the new family moving in. It's such a special home!  If you want to know the selling price and/or how it affects your home value, just give me a buzz!

Seek Greater Enlightenment...In Your Home!

A recent article in Realtor Magazine talked about the importance of proper illumination when selling a home. It cited a recent survey that found that “lightening and brightening” a home can offer the second-biggest return to sellers (behind #1 “cleaning and de-cluttering.” A $224 investment in upgrading light fixtures and window cleaning can potentially offer a three-fold return at the time of resale!

But even if you’re not planning on selling soon, these lighting tips might make your home a more warm and inviting place to live!
1. Use clear light bulbs. Choose clear light bulbs over opaque for a cleaner look. I’ve been noticing that a lot of retail home stores use this tactic. 
2. Make all bulbs match: This is a huge pet peeve of mine! Mismatched bulb types in a chandelier, for example, are uncomfortable to the eye and make a room feel chaotic.
3. Use the highest possible wattage bulbs: Except in bathroom sconces where they can create a harsh glare.
4. Clean light fixtures. Brush off dusty light shades, remove dead bugs from light fixtures, and get rid of cob webs in chandeliers. 5. Replace dated light fixtures: Don’t wait until you’re selling to upgrade your fixtures. Brass is definitely out and unappealing to buyers, and you’re probably tired of it too! I’m amazed at how affordable great lighting fixtures have become at places like Home Depot, Lowes, Ikea and more. Another option if you don’t want to buy a new fixture…try spray paint! Use metallic iron-colored spray paint on light fixtures, switch plates, etc. It gives a room an instant new look for just a few dollars!