With real estate sales continuing to rise, Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty certainly can attest to this trend. Our agents hit the $100 Million mark in ytd sales last month! Way to go agents, your hard work has not gone unnnoticed!
Local real estate sales continue an upward trend « The Outer Banks Voice.
As the saying goes, “eye appeal is buy appeal.”
Creating a clean, comfortable and welcoming appearance for your home is crucial to the success of a sale. Taking the time to stage your home properly is well worth the time and effort.
Here’s a great infographic to help set priorities for your Outer Banks home for sale. If you have any questions, please contact us at Pam@SeasideRealty.com or take a peek at our website: www.ColdwellBankerOBX.com.
Outer Banks Real Estate Infographic: Home Staging
Hat tip to MyProperty for the great infographic.
6005 Martins Point Rd Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Remarkable…One of a Kind…Irreplaceable! Words just don’t do it justice and neither do the photos.
This property is the “crown jewel” of Martin’s Point and quite possibly one of the finest homes on the east coast.
The home is almost 14,000 square feet and sits on 400 feet (4 Lots) of elevated water front property. The home is nestled in along this private 3.85 acre estate. Trees and mature landscaping add to the privacy, security and appeal of this site.
Views of Jean Guite Creek can be enjoyed from the rear patio and just about every room of the home. All 400 feet of this property is bulkheaded and can be enjoyed along the approximately 1,500 square feet of boardwalk.
There is a private pier with boat dock and a large area (approximately 500 square feet) for gathering as you enjoy boating, fishing and everything else the water has to offer.
Jean Guite Creek opens up to the Albemarle Sound and gives you quick, immediate access to the sound by boat.
The home is stunning and not just due to its size. This home was built with care and attention to detail, and it shows.
List of rooms includes, but not limited to: 4 master bedrooms (one with kitchenette), 2 offices, loft, huge kitchen with breakfast room, formal dining room, huge great room, huge den, indoor pool and pool living room, weight room and game room, racquetball court with a retractable basketball goal, 5 car attached garage and more!
This home was built with the family in mind. Rooms are large but the floor plan is very livable. This home has many features. A full list can be obtained from broker, Brad Beacham at brad@bradbeacham.com.
Here are some of the many quality features: Elevator, Indoor Pool, Catwalk over the pool, Indoor Pool living area with wet bar , racquetball/basketball court, 3 gas fireplaces, 1 wood burning fireplace, steam room, sauna, weight room, game room, private offices, intercom system, security system, storage and storage rooms, 5 car attached garage, generator, huge attic, and much much more.
For the nature enthusiast, the property is covered in beautiful trees and vegetation and its rolling terrain is wonderful. There is even a 1K jogging trail that winds its way throughout the property!
For more information, please contact Brad Beacham at brad@bradbeacham.com.
Homebuyers have recently been caught off guard by a new development in the real estate market… bidding wars are back this spring sales season.
This recent surge of bidding wars is a result of supply shortages, unlike the wars of the past “go-go years.”
According to the Wall Street Journal’s recent article, the competitive bidding hasn’t been producing huge price increases or leaving sells with large profits. The wars, causes by small inventory, provide the evidence that housing demand is looking up after years of decline.
“An index that measures the number of contracts signed to purchase previously owned homes rose in March to its highest level in nearly two years, up 12.8% from a year ago and 4.1% from February, the National Association of Realtors reported on Thursday.
‘We very much believe we’ve hit bottom,’ said Ivy Zelman, chief executive of a research firm, who was among the first to warn of a downturn seven years ago. Earlier this week, she raised her home-price forecast for the year, calling for a 1% annual gain, up from a 1% decline.” Read Full Article.
ColdwellBanker.com gives us some helpful hints and simple tasks to consider when selling a home…
Selling a home can seem like a tedious task and it’s common for homeowners to feel discouraged if their home doesn’t sell right away. But the truth is, image is everything and making small changes to spruce up a property can make a home much more appealing to the general public.
After a home has been inspected, scrubbed down and ready to go on the market, consider a few helpful tips that may make the home more attractive.
Clean up the outside
First impressions can be the difference between a successful open house and limited buyer attention. Clean up and landscape the outside. Plant a colorful flower bed. Replace old house numbers with new, shiny placards. Removing clutter and presenting a neat, clean outside can make the home seem more inviting to potential buyers, according to MainStreet.com. Homeowners who have the budget may also go above and beyond by installing a new door or painting the current one to add a splash of color and appeal to the home.
Replace old appliances and freshen features
When buyers walk into a home, they may immediately try to see themselves living in that space. When a house has old cabinets, counters and tiles, it can make the space seem more outdated than it really is. Although purchasing new fixtures and tiles can be an investment, it may be one worth making in order to attract more potential buyers. In addition, removing old appliances or storing them below in cabinets can also make rooms, such as kitchens and dining areas, appear more fresh-faced and modern.
A coat of paint can also go a long way in livening up a home or a particular room, and the right color can make certain smaller rooms appear more spacious and inviting. Most real estate agents agree that neutral and light or bright colors can make a room stand out while still giving it a fresh and clean appearance.
De-clutter the house
Over the years, homeowners accumulate new furniture, pictures, keepsakes and family heirlooms. And while these treasures make existing homeowners feel comfortable, they can make a home appear smaller and cluttered. For this reason, sellers should consider boxing up items they do not currently use and adding more space to their living area. A few accent pieces can be sufficient in making the place feel homey without infringing on the living space.
A fresh coat of neutral paint goes a long way
With a substantial amount of homes for sale on the market, homeowners looking to put their home up for sale have a number of other home sellers to compete with. However, homeowners can gain a leg up on their competition with some low-cost home repair and redecorating projects that can significantly improve the aesthetic and value of their homes.
Look around the home
According to Inman News, some home sellers often find that by looking around their residence, they can discover areas they can easily make more appealing to prospective home buyers.
For instance, the real estate source reports one pair of home sellers in California stripped the carpet from areas of their home, which revealed nice hardwood floors underneath. These floors may be more attractive to home buyers, which can improve the home sellers’ chances to sell their residence.
Additionally, Inman News reports dated or harsh paint colors on the walls can be unappealing to some home buyers. Applying muted color paint, such as off-white, to replace these old coats could lead to more offers on one’s home for sale.
Declutter the residence
Another way in which home sellers can improve their odds of selling their property is to declutter their home. By doing so, Inman News reports they can make the home neater and cleaner, which is something many home buyers prefer to see when checking out the residence. Even personal possessions should be removed while the home is up for sale, according to the source.
Should home sellers find that they have numerous belongings they want to take out of sight during the period in which their home is on the market, Inman News reports they may want to donate or recycle items they don’t use anymore.
Real estate agents could be able to suggest places to donate unused clutter, which could yield home sellers a tax deduction, according to Inman News.
MSN Real Estate reports homeowners can also keep their possessions in their basement or attic – somewhere they can easily access them but where they aren’t as visible to potential home buyers.
Along with their ability to afford it, home buyers’ personal impressions of a home are likely to play a large part in determining whether they pursue negotiations for it. Home sellers should make every effort to give buyers a great first impression of their home.
Clearing the household
One common difficulty is that sellers often want to be there when buyers are walking through their home. This makes a certain amount of sense, but many experts agree it is better for the current homeowners to be absent. That can make it easier for prospective buyers to imagine themselves living there, and the alternative may lead to feelings of pressure, unease and awkwardness. Having the current homeowners present can cause an unpleasant atmosphere, coloring potential buyers’ opinions due to the perception they are being watched and preventing them from discussing the home honestly while there.
Another factor home sellers may forget about is pets. While fish or other animals inside an enclosed container are unlikely to pose difficulties, prospective buyers may not appreciate being greeted or followed by a dog or cat. Some may even be allergic or dislike the pet. While this has nothing to do with the home directly, it can still affect their memories of the walkthrough experience.
Presenting a home at its best
The little things can frequently have a significant impact on how a home is perceived, so homeowners looking to sell should make an effort to ensure that the home is clean and tidy. It should look like someone lives there, but taking out the trash, removing clutter, ensuring there are no dirty dishes and taking similar steps is advisable.
If there are pest concerns surrounding a home, they should be resolved before it is visited whenever possible. Prospective buyers who see or hear pests are likely to draw the worst conclusions and leave, even if the problem is only a brief blot on an otherwise solid record.
Specific rooms and areas of the home may come with their own concerns, as well. Bathrooms and kitchens commonly attract dirt, and should generally be a focus of cleaning efforts. Damp or wet basements may cause prospective buyers to fear mold, leaking that weakens the foundation, flooding and other problems.
Selling a home in winter can be challenging and some homeowners may find themselves in the position of having to sell during this time of the year. There are some ways to make the process easier, however. Ideally, the homeowners will know in advance they intend to sell and can start preparing the home before the cold sets in.
Fewer home sellers are active in winter, which generally means prospective buyers are looking at fewer choices. This might make it easier to stand out from the crowd and improve the competition for properties.
Winter home staging
According to USA Today, the season does provide a few unique opportunities to grab potential buyers’ attention. A well-shoveled driveway and walkway make a good first impression. Although they are not important in and of themselves, they tend to create an inviting atmosphere and serve as evidence that the homeowners have paid attention to the details of their home, including regular maintenance and upkeep.
To continue fostering that attitude, the source suggests home staging be used to emphasize the property’s comfort, size, warmth and brightness. Good lighting and clean windows make it easier to see and may help buyers envision themselves living in the home. Experts reportedly discourage showing a home after dark, and note it can be helpful to have photos of the home in the summer or spring on display.
Some experts advise keeping tasteful holiday decorations up, although too many could be overpowering. Instead, conservative lighting, wreaths and similar small touches can tap into the holiday feeling and focus buyers on the home’s comfort and potential during the season.
Intangible factors
One expert told Bankrate.com it can pay to play soft music when visitors are expected to look at the house, saying soothing classical music tends to encourage longer visits and more thorough examinations. Pleasant smells, particularly from baking, may also contribute to the sense of the house as a home, not simply a structure.
The seasonal effects will depend on the home’s location, and in sufficiently warm climates snow and ice may not be a problem. Alternatively, home sellers in areas that tend to have more extreme weather may find potential buyers are looking to enjoy skiing or other winter activities, or may be able to tout effective transportation and other advantages over similar homes.
Via RISMedia
Here are a couple simple rules to follow while getting your home ready to sell. Making sure to address these factors will help make sure your home is appealing to potential buyers.
1. Curb appeal is key to selling your home… If it looks rundown from the outside, then it probably is on the inside too. Curb appeal is all about first impressions. Buyers want to feel like they could live in a home from the moment they pull up in front of it. Basic improvements such as exterior painting, cutting the grass and planting some flowers improve the look of a home from the outside tremendously.
2. Deodorize… Every home has a unique odor, especially if pets are present. Be sure to professionally clean the carpet and the furniture and replace carpets if necessary. Keep pets clean and the home free from dander. Consider taking pets and pet cages if present in the home with you when you leave for showings.
3. Really want to sell your home? Repair and repaint… A little putty and paint can make all the difference. Repair damaged dry wall, gouges in wood surfaces and paint the walls. Bright colors such as those in children’s rooms should be repainted with a neutral color.
4. Put away your personal collections… Here, the old saying that one man’s treasure is another man’s junk rings true. De-clutter your home by packing up knick-knacks, heirlooms, personal collections, and even family photos. After all, they are special only to you and your goal is to make the home presentable to the widest number of people possible. Expensive collections should be packed away as well to keep them safe.
5. No guns, drugs or valuables… If you own a gun, be sure it’s unloaded and lock it away. Don’t leave it accessible to anyone viewing your home, especially anyone with children. The same is true for prescription drugs, fine jewelry, valuable art work, money and anything else you want to keep safe.
For more tips on selling your home quickly in today’s market, contact an agent at www.coldwellbankerobx.com.
Selling a home with the help of a professional helps simplify a potentially complicated, intimidating process. A Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty sales associate is Your Perfect Partner® when it comes to effectively marketing your home.
Please be sure to visit our sellers’ page, which helps you estimate the value of your home; find a Sales Associate and much more. Check out our buyer’s page for advice on the purchasing process.