It's the most wonderful time of the year – and the busiest! Especially if moving is on your to-do list!
It is possible to get in the holiday spirit AND sell your home at the same time.
Some Realtors say holiday decorating is a no-no. Others say if it's done right – it creates a warm, welcoming vibe, leaving a lasting impression on your potential buyers. Just be sure decorations don't distract potential buyers!
Our gift to you? A quick "Top 10" on how to spread the holiday cheer when there's a "For Sale" sign outside your door.
Is the anticipation of needing to make a sizeable down payment discouraging you from homeownership? According to data from a U.S. Census housing survey, nearly 50 percent of current homeowners made down payments of 10 percent or less.
Don't let the need to make a down payment discourage you from purchasing your first home.
Our REALTORS® have put together a list of useful tips to save for a down payment.
We have years of experience helping people of all ages and financial situations reach their dream of homeownership. Contact us to learn more about what we can do for you.
If you're anything like the typical couple or family getting ready to sell your home, hiding clutter is your idea of cleaning before a home showing. We know – throwing some clutter in a few bins and storage solutions is a go-to quick fix for emergencies (see our first post in this Clean Up series), but cleaning up and getting rid of the stuff you are just shuffling from spot to spot is key – especially if you're getting ready to move!
"My rule on clothes? If you haven't wore it in a year, get rid of it!" says Erika Gaudreau, Real Estate Agent/Interior Designer.
"That panini grill you got as a wedding gift that's still in the box? Toss it. No one will know" Gaudreau continues, "unused items just take up usable space."
Discard any small appliances collecting dust, outdated food items, opened spices, sauces, flour, etc. that have been sitting on the shelves longer than you can remember! Plus, home buyers will want to SEE your pantry, so, be sure it is organized and not stuffed to the brim.
So, how do you KEEP it all CLEAN for GOOD?
Part of the stress of selling a home is keeping the home you're living in clean – consistently.
Cleaning is CONSTANT.
As you may have guessed, decluttering is more than a one-time deal. It's something you have to keep up with in order to keep things in order. When the entire family is home, set aside time to all focus on cleaning up. Give each person a specific job before they enjoy free time…grown-ups included! Albert Einstein once said; "Out of clutter, find simplicity."
Decluttering will give you the peace of mind you never knew you needed. So, as you prepare to pack and move into a new space, really dig in and dig out of the mess that may be holding you back! Moving won't seem like a huge hurdle when you have fewer things to pack - and unpack!
You've Cleared all the Clutter... now All Hands-on Deck! Parents, get kids in on the clean up before moving out!
Promise, they can help (after they have a meltdown because you asked them to do something other than play Minecraft)! Getting kids involved in your family's home-selling plan gives them some control and makes them feel they are part of the process. It is important to keep rooms, especially bedrooms, picked up before you have an Open House or home showing because we all know; less clutter shows off your space and most buyers are looking for bigger and better! If potential new homeowners see objects scattered around, taking up desks, counters, etc. they will assume the home is too small or it doesn't offer enough storage options. Not to mention, they can't visualize their family's stuff in the home either! So, get your cleaning crew (this is your family, by the way) ready! Here are 5 tips to get your kids to help clean up – quickly!
In general, after playing with toys or games, always clean up before moving on to the next activity. Practice this every time they play so the expectation of picking up is always there. This will become a habit and not a chore…and it will be super helpful when it comes to keeping your new home tidy!
Now that the kids are on board, check out the next post in our cleaning series, Clearing out Clutter for GOOD.
The holiday season is a wonderful time of the year. If you're like many homeowners, you look forward to adorning your home inside and out with stunning decorations, dazzling lights, and holiday cheer. However, when you're hoping to sell your home during the holiday season you may run into a bit of a problem — how do you decorate your home?
In December, New England turns into a winter wonderland, and it's expected that home sellers will want to decorate their house before they wave goodbye. Our REALTORS® understand that you want to make the best decisions for your property while still enjoying the last few weeks in your home. We've gathered together these tips on staging your home for sale during the holidays so you can celebrate the holiday season while still properly presenting your home.
Decorating correctly for the holidays when you're trying to sell your home can be a difficult task. For more advice on making your home's presentation, look as professional as possible during the holiday season, contact us.
Owning a home and having people live in it are two completely different things, right? If you're like most people, panic sets in when a friend suddenly decides they'll stop by in an hour…even worse…if your home for sale and you have a last-minute showing (Yay for potential buyers, though!). You are well aware that a day wouldn't be long enough to clean up the clutter scattered throughout the floors let alone a measly hour, so now what? Before you tackle what seems to be an impossible task, here are some tips that will have you on the fast track to a tidy home (even if you have to fake it).
SURPRISE! Your house needs to be picked up…NOW!
No one knows the stress to impress like home-sellers! For a surprise last-minute house showing with potential buyers (or any unexpected visitor) you just can't say "no" to, here are a few tools and tricks that will help you hide away clutter before guests knock on the door!
Take a second and catch your breath. Now that you've rested (that was fast, right?), you must find some energy to really clean and organize your home - for good - at some point. Sorry to burst your bubble! Cleaning up comes with moving out. You don't want to pack up anything that will sit in storage and collect dust.
May the odds be forever in your favor.
Before you tackle the bigger project at hand, check out the next post in our series, The Ultimate Challenge: Cleaning with Kids!
The landscape of the real estate market is changing dramatically, thanks to short-term rental properties. The increasing popularity of Airbnb and other similar services is encouraging property owners to invest in homes and condominiums that tourists find desirable. Our REALTORS® want you to make the best long-term investment choices possible. When considering properties to invest in for these purposes, we encourage you to ask the following questions: