Articles Tagged "selling your home"

There are almost as many ways to sell your home as there are Plymouth homes for sale. But if you want to get the job done quickly and effectively, with as little hassle as possible, your best bet is to do it through an agent. Here are six ways an agent makes it easier to sell your home.

1. More Buyers to Choose From. Agents know the area and how and where to find people looking to buy a home. What's more, they have a resource that independent sellers don't: the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a database of information on available properties, their locations, values, etc. Listing your home on the MLS allows agents to cast a wider net and find a suitable buyer more quickly.
   
   
2. More Money. You may think selling your home yourself (a For Sale By Owner or FSBO deal) will save you money since an agent takes a cut of what you make on the sale. However, without an agent's help, your home will likely have a lower sale price. Agents know how to negotiate and get you a better price than most people could get on their own. An agent's fee is typically 6% of your home's sale price. But without one, sale prices average 6% lower anyway. Better to hire an agent and make your job easier.
   
   
3. Save Time. How do you know how serious a potential buyer is? They could be someone looking to see what's out there or a neighbor curious about the resale value of other homes in the area. The longer you spend dealing with lookie-loos, the less time you have for serious buyers. An agent can help weed out the ones who aren't serious. They know what to ask to determine a person's genuine interest, so you can spend more time on the buyers and less time on the lookers.
   
   
4. Objectivity. When you live in a place day in and day out, there are many things you become accustomed to. Certain issues may be things you've dealt with for years and have adjusted to without thinking. Others may have come on so gradually that you never realized there was a problem in the first place. An agent lends your home an objective, expert eye. On a walkthrough, they can spot all the problems you can't and show you exactly what needs to be done to fix your home up and raise its resale value.
   
   
5. Paperwork. What contracts, disclosures, and other forms do you need to prepare and sign to make your home's sale legally binding? There's a lot of paperwork involved in selling your house, and if you neglect some of it or file it incorrectly, you risk exposing yourself to legal troubles. Your agent, however, does this for a living. They know exactly what paperwork you need and how to do it properly and can guide you through the entire process, beginning to end.
   
   
6. Experience. The bottom line is that an agent knows what they're doing. They're experienced in selling homes—finding the right buyer, getting the most money, and getting your home on and off the market as quickly as possible. They're someone in your corner, looking out for your best interest. When hiring an agent, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

If you're ready to sell your home or buy your dream home, contact us. Our real estate agents will guide you through the process, every step of the way, to help you get what you want.

Many sellers are being urged to list their homes without making upgrades based on the current housing market. But our real estate agents can tell you that wise sellers offering Plymouth homes for sale are maximizing their profits by focusing on two specific rooms: the kitchen and the bathroom. They'll be happy to discuss the return on investment potential from budget-mindful improvements to luxury remodels.

Popular Kitchen Features

1. Kitchen islands top the wish list of the typical home buyer. More people are cooking at home than in decades, and they demand adequate workspace. Doing double duty as home classrooms and even office space, an island is a very attractive feature. This is one of the most expensive improvements you can make, but the increased sales price may be worth it.
   
   
2. Cabinet space is critical to a well-organized kitchen, so if additional cabinets are possible, they deserve your consideration. If not, you may wish to consider installing pull-out shelves or a lazy Susan to maximize hard-to-reach spaces. 
   
   
3. Cabinet lighting does more than brighten the kitchen; it makes the work area much more efficient. The soft glow from under the cabinet makes the room feel cozier, while the family cooks will appreciate the ability to see what they're doing. 
   
   
4. Smart accessories bring the kitchen into the 21st century. Pizza ovens, butcher blocks, and quartz worktops perk up real estate listings, capturing the attention of serious buyers.
   
   
5. Simple facelifts are the least expensive way to make the kitchen more attractive. Freshly painted cabinets, new hardware, and crown molding are just cosmetic, but they impart a feeling of newness that buyers want.

Bathroom Upgrades

1. Converting a tub to a shower offers a stylish replacement for a bulky, aged tub that is convenient, low-maintenance, and safe. Grab bars and seating can provide additional safety and comfort. Multiple showerheads combine luxury with convenience with little additional cost.
   
   
2. Jacuzzi tubs elevate a comfortable soak to an indoor hot tub experience. Buyers will imagine tired, sore muscles relaxing in their own private spa.
   
   
3. Non-porous acrylic tubs and sinks are stain-resistant and easy to clean.
   
   
4. Upgraded toilets may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering where you spend your remodeling budget, but for a few hundred dollars, you can install a much more comfortable option. Higher models and elongated seats are often preferable for taller individuals. The bidet is also gaining popularity and can be attached to an existing toilet or can be a stand-alone feature.
   
   
5. Cosmetic treatments in a bathroom are all about cleanliness and light. New paint or wallpaper, bright new lighting, and upgraded floor treatments are all inexpensive methods of making an old bathroom feel like new. 

A full kitchen remodel can cost anywhere from about $10,000 to $25,000, but cosmetic treatments can cost just a few hundred. Many renovations recoup 60-80% of the investment when the house is sold. Before you invest unnecessarily in expensive upgrades when putting your house on the market, contact us to discuss the pros and cons of your remodeling efforts. We'll help you make the best choices to obtain the sales price you want. 

A home inspection is a little like a first date. You might have butterflies in your stomach, frightful thoughts racing through your head, and you'll think of a million things that you forgot to do, or that can go wrong before you open the door. But, as with dating, there are some things you can do to sway the odds of a positive home inspection in your favor. By rolling up your sleeves and following these tips from our real estate agents, you'll pass your home inspection with flying colors.

• Go Through Your Home With Your Real Estate Agent
  Your agent has gone through this process many times. They know what the inspector will look for, and they can help you create a strategy to efficiently tackle any deficiencies with home maintenance, plumbing, wiring, pests, and more. Specifically, they will help you identify damage to your roof, plumbing problems, electrical issues, and other problems that could diminish the home's structural integrity.
  
  
• Take Fido to the Park
  Whether you have the friendliest pug or the sweetest lab, take your pets out of the home for the day. Take them to the park or a friend's house. This is especially important if you have a protective pet that could impede the inspector's ability to inspect the home.
  
  
• Declutter
  Clear out the closets, toss trash from the garage, and dig through the piles of trophies and other accumulation within basements and attics. You should clear the clutter to show the home, and you won't want to move it with you to your new home, so getting rid of it now means it is one less thing to do later. Plus, it will make it easier for the home inspector to gain access to every area of the home.
  
  
• Roll Up Your Sleeves (and pick up the phone!)
  You can fix many minor problems such as leaky faucets and other general maintenance tasks. However, you should hire a professional to repair any issues with HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical, roofing, etc. Even in a seller's market with many fabulous Plymouth homes for sale that need a little work, buyers want "move-in ready" homes that they don't have to put a lot of initial effort into.
  
  
• Ensure the House is Fully Operational
  Ensure that gas, water, and electric systems are connected and operational. You should also make sure that all remote controls or smart home systems are available for the inspector to use when they arrive.
  
  
• Know the Home's History
  Has the home been remodeled by you or a previous owner? If so, was the work performed to code, and were the proper permits secured? Anytime a home is remodeled, it falls upon the current owner to address any deficiencies with remodeling work. The more you know about the status of the work performed on your home, the better.
  
  
• Give Them Time To Work
  Most home inspections take between 2-4 hours to finish. While it is natural to want it to be over with quickly, you should give your inspector time to thoroughly and properly examine the structure.   

Home inspections can be nerve-wracking, whether it's your first time or your tenth. Contact us to learn more about the steps we take to help ensure our clients are ready when the date of their home inspections rolls around. 

Congratulations! What a relief that the house had sold, right? But our real estate agents know that as the excitement wears off, you're probably going to look around and suddenly realize that the hardest work lies ahead of you. The longer you've been in your home, the more daunting the task of cleaning before you go. But don't feel too stressed out. We've compiled a few tips to keep the process as simple as possible. 

• Start With an Empty House
  Packing and cleaning simultaneously can be a nightmare. Before you lift a single rag, make sure you have packed and removed everything but cleaning supplies and equipment. Inspect every inch of the house to ensure no dishes are left in the dishwasher, towels in the linen closet, or goods in any closet. Check basements, attics, garages, and storage sheds for any rarely used items. Don't forget personal items in the bathroom cabinets. 
  
  
• Make a Plan and Follow It
  Work from the top-down, cleaning upstairs before tackling the ground floor. In each room, begin by removing cobwebs and dust from the ceiling, lights, and fans. Dust first, followed by wiping down stains. Move next to blinds, windows, and doors. Always dust before attempting to clean with damp cloths. Wash windows and wipe down the frames. Clean fingerprints and grime from wallplates and light switch covers.
  
  
• Deep Clean Appliances
  Stoves often require a lot of elbow grease, so it may be helpful to apply oven cleaner and let it sit while you attack the refrigerator and the microwave. Use plenty of hot, soapy water to cut through any spills. Rinse well with clean water to remove soap residue. Sanitize with a solution of an ounce of bleach in a gallon of water in a spray bottle. Unplug the refrigerator and open the door slightly. Prop it open if necessary to ensure that unpleasant odors and mildew can't form.
  
  Move to the stove, starting with the exhaust fan. Wash the stovetop and burners. Clean the oven to remove burned-on grease and debris. Remove racks and wash them in the sink. After rinsing the cleaning solution from the walls and floor of the oven, spray it down with white vinegar. Replace the racks. To clean the microwave, place a bowl of warm water and dishwashing liquid in the unit and run it at high heat for 5 minutes. Let it stand for another few minutes to allow the steam to loosen any debris and wipe it down. Remove the turntable and wash it as necessary. Wipe the floor of the microwave before replacing the turntable.
  
  
• Wash It Down
  Using plenty of hot soapy water, wash and rinse cabinets and countertops. Wipe them dry to eliminate streaks. Sweep and mop the floor. Make sure the baseboards are free of dust and dirt. Sweep, mop, vacuum, and clean carpets as necessary. Change dirty water frequently to ensure thorough cleansing.
  
  
• Tackle the Bathrooms Last
  Once again, start at the top and work down, cleaning the insides of medicine cabinets and washing mirrors. Use vinegar on shower doors to remove soap scum buildup. Scrub toilet and sink, finishing up by moping the floor. While we normally recommend taking everything as you vacate, it might be nice to leave a roll of toilet paper, soap, and paper towels for the next resident. 

We hope you've found this clean-up plan helpful. If you're in the market for one of the lovely Plymouth homes for sale, be sure to contact us. We'd be happy to help you find the perfect new place. 

If you're planning to sell this year, you're probably thinking about what you'll need to do to get your house ready to appeal to the most buyers. It's crucial to work with a trusted real estate professional who knows your local market to get your home ready to sell. But there are a few things you should consider when deciding what to renovate and update before listing this season. Here are three things to keep top of mind as you're making your list of projects to tackle this year.

1. The Number of Homes for Sale Is Very Low

Housing inventory sits far below what is normally considered a balanced market. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the latest data indicates inventory is hitting an all-time low. Because there's such a limited supply of homes available for sale, you're in a unique position when you sell your house to benefit from multiple offers and a quick process.

But you want to do so while buyers are still scooping homes up as fast as they're being listed. Spending time and money on renovations before you sell could mean you'll miss your key window of opportunity. Of course, certain repairs may be important or even necessary. The best way to determine where to spend your time – and your money – is to work with a real estate advisor to confirm which improvements are truly needed and which ones aren't likely to be deal-breakers for buyers.

2. Buyers May Be Willing To Take on Projects When They Purchase Your House

Today, many buyers are more willing to take on home improvement projects themselves to get the house they're after, even if it means putting in a little extra work. A recent survey from Freddie Mac finds that:

". . . nearly two-in-five potential homebuyers would consider purchasing a home requiring renovations."

If more buyers are willing to tackle repairs on their own, it may be wise to let the future homeowners remodel the bathroom or the kitchen to make design decisions that are best for their specific taste and lifestyle. Depending on the structural condition of your house, your efforts may be better spent working on small cosmetic updates, like refreshing some paint and power washing the exterior to make sure the home stands out. Instead of over-investing in upgrades, the buyer may change anyway, work with a real estate professional to determine the key projects to tackle that will give you the greatest return on your investment.

3. Your Agent Will Help You Spotlight the Upgrades You've Made

Over the past year, many people made a significant number of updates to their homes. The most recent State of Home Spending report finds:

"Home improvement spending rose 25% year-over-year to $10,341. Homeowners who invested in home improvement did an average of 3.7 projects, up from 2.7 in 2020, . . ."

With more homeowners taking on more projects in the past 12 months, there's a good chance you've already made updates to your home that could appeal to buyers. If that's the case, your real estate advisor will find ways to highlight those upgrades in your listing.

The same is true for any projects you invest in moving forward. No matter what, before you renovate, contact a local real estate professional for expert advice on what work needs to be done and how to make it as appealing as possible to future buyers. Every home is different, so a conversation with your agent is mission-critical to make sure you make the right moves when selling this season.

Bottom Line

In a sellers' market like today's, it's important to spend your time and money wisely when you're getting ready to move. Let's connect today so you can find out where to target your efforts before you list

Luxury Portfolio International recently released their newest study, "State of Luxury Real Estate", focused on consumers in the top 1%-5% income bracket of 17 countries, representing more than 30 million households. It was conducted by the Affluent Consumer Research Company, a full-service market research and voice-of-the-customer organization, specializing in high-income and high-asset consumers around the world.

Peabody & Smith Realty, as members of Luxury Portfolio, are proud to help share this study with you now - click here for your copy to read online or download and print.
  Here are some key findings as reported by the study and Luxury Portfolio International:

• More than 15.5 Million Affluent Households across the Globe are in the Market for Residential Real Estate over Next 3 Years, According to a Study by Luxury Portfolio International.
• Conversely, the report also revealed that demand for purchasing residential real estate by this sector far exceeds the number of sellers, with slightly more than 10 million looking to list their home for sale.  

The more than five-million-home gap between those interested in purchasing and those interested in selling creates a seller's market within the overall high-end residential real estate market.  The implication of this lopsided market is near-term price increases and greater demand for new development. 

 Other highlights from State of Luxury Real Estate include: 

• While real estate prices vary dramatically from country to country, a viable luxury threshold is homes in excess of US $1 million.  Of the 15.5 million consumers who indicated interest in purchasing residential real estate, 66% of that segment (10.3 million consumers) noted a desire to purchase a residence valued at US $1 million or more over the next three years. 
• Real estate is the leading investment category of the day, with luxury buyer sentiment a strong 'buy,' and a low inclination to 'sell.' 
• One-quarter of global luxury buyers have an investment or a rental property in mind for their next purchase. 
• The pandemic has impacted homes at all price levels, including the luxury sector, with trends borne from quarantining including adjusting to all members of the household working from home; a heightened need for self-reliance at home; and recognition that spontaneity brings a welcomed break.  For the most part, all three circumstances can be addressed within a luxury home setting.
• Luxury buyers are planning for extended shelter-in-place scenarios for themselves, family and guests. Expectations are high that over the coming year, more time will be spent at home, with about half of luxury buyers seeking a residence with accommodations for long-term guests. Whatever their individual reason, the result is preparation for non-household members to shelter with them. 

The luxury customer is more interested in high-quality offerings and customer service than low price. The ultra-luxury segment values brands that feature corporate citizenship, reputation and loyalty. 

• While real estate as an industry has had significant technological disruptors such as online agencies over the past few years, luxury buyers overwhelmingly prefer to work with a traditional brokerage firm. 70% of luxury buyers noted as much, with 19% noting they would work with an online agency. 
• Luxury buyers are bullish on the residential real estate market. 45% of those surveyed believe that it is getting stronger (more buyers) -- compared to 31% who believe that it is softer (these results are impacted by in-market, in-country specifics). 
• 60% of affluent consumers expect an increase in their current home's value, primarily in the 1% to 10% range.   
• 50% of luxury buyers believe that now is a good time to buy real estate, being the number one result in the survey -- beating out stocks, private equity and gold, among others.  
• More than one-half of ultra-luxury buyers (52%) perceive their current home value to have risen by more than 10%, perhaps incenting them to trade up or add to their portfolio.
• As to an outlook for 2021, barring unforeseen economic or geopolitical issues, a record number of affluent households will be in market to acquire, especially within the luxury segment.
  
  
  To learn more about the Luxury Real Estate market in your area, feel free to call one of our Peabody & Smith Realty agents today - proud members of Luxury Portfolio International.

Deciding to sell your home is a big decision, and the process can be stressful and time-consuming. However, we have put together a list of the most important things to do to prepare to sell your home. It is always important to allow plenty of time for the home to sell before needing to move. Homes sell better when they are clean, uncluttered and decorated sparsely with only a few nice pieces of furniture. Here are the top ten things to do to prepare a home for sale: 1.     Work with a trusted local real estate agent to determine the fair market price for the home. 2.     Remove some of the furnishings - This makes the rooms feel bigger. 3.     Organize half of the stuff in the closets - This make the closets look bigger. 4.     Remove at least half of the things in kitchen cabinets - Organize the contents neatly. 5.     Remove a lot of personal items - This allows the new buyer to imagine the home as their own. 6.     Fix damage to walls and re-paint - Use neutral colors (not white) that appeal to everyone. 7.     Clean everything and wash windows inside and out - Let the light shine in. 8.     Repairs - Make minor repairs. Make sure all major appliances are in good-working order. 9.     Trim exterior landscaping and lawn - This increases curb appeal. 10.  Add plants and fresh flowers inside and out. Find additional information about home selling in our recently published Frequently Asked Questions page about Home Selling! Contact a local real estate agent at Peabody & Smith Realty to help you start the selling process.