Tips & Tools : Curb appeal

Appearance Matters in Real Estate

RE.com Tips & Tools — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:59:00 GMT

When you're selling your home, remember that attractive homes command higher prices. Good condition adds value to any home.

It’s often said that location is the most important factor in the value of a home. But the condition of the home is important as well. Homes that are solidly built, well maintained and upgraded with desirable amenities typically are worth more than similar homes that are outdated or in need of repairs.

The value of curb appeal
Home shoppers tend to be attracted to certain homes on the basis of first impressions derived either from photos of the home on the Web or the home’s "curb appeal," which refers to how nice the front of the home looks from the street or entrance. Professional well-lit photos that show off a home’s best features can create a very good first impression online while healthy landscaping, clean windows and a fresh coat of exterior paint can boost a home’s curb appeal. First impressions may present a true picture of the home’s overall condition, but first impressions also can be deceiving. This is especially true if the home has been expertly presented to maximize its selling points. Careful buyers should look beyond first impressions to other factors as well.

Here are some to consider:
Décor. A fresh coat of paint, new carpets, a modernized kitchen and updated bathrooms can all make a home more valuable. Inexperienced home buyers may be especially turned off by cosmetic imperfections such as broken tiles or tattered curtains, aged appliances or unusual décor such as wildly patterned wallpaper.

Upgrades. Extras such as a backyard deck, sunroom, energy-efficient windows and the like also may add value to a home. (Although such improvements rarely recoup the full cost of installation.) Major remodeling or room additions can add value as well, especially if the workmanship is of good quality and the proper permits and inspections have been obtained. Un-permitted additions or alterations can actually do the the opposite and impair a home’s value.

Age. Brand new homes typically are worth more than comparable older homes, though older homes may have a certain charm as well. That’s especially true of homes that offer vintage architectural elements such as antique doorknobs or light fixtures, or crown moldings. Older homes also may offer solid construction and mature landscaping that has weathered the elements over the years.

Stairs. Two-story homes typically offer more living space than single-level residences, but some people view a lot of stairs inside the home or from street level to the entrance as a negative factor. Older buyers who have aching knees or bad backs may be particularly adverse to stairs.

Garage. A large garage that’s attached to a home is generally more valuable than a smaller or detached garage or open carport. Garage conversions that leave no on-site vehicle parking can be a negative factor even if they create additional living space. That’s especially true if the conversion is illegal or un-permitted. Ample closets and extra storage space in the garage or elsewhere in the home can also be a plus.

Swimming pool. Many people enjoy swimming pools and spas, though others are disenchanted by these amenities since they require a lot of maintenance, can be a safety hazard and can only be enjoyed seasonally. The same might be said of a wood-burning fireplace or stove.

Thinking About "Flipping" Houses?

RE.com Tips & Tools — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:05:00 GMT

Here are some common mistakes to avoid.

It looks so easy on TV: Investor buys run-down house, fixes it up and sells it for a huge profit, a process commonly known as “flipping.” But actually making money flipping houses is no easy business. It can be lucrative if you know what you’re doing, but you could lose your shirt if you go in unprepared.

Here are some of the mistakes experts say flipping novices make:

Not knowing enough about the market
If you don’t know how much comparable homes sell for in a specific neighborhood, you won’t know whether the investment property you’re considering is undervalued. If it’s not undervalued, you’ll have a harder time making a decent profit. You’ll also need to know how long neighborhood properties tend to stay on the market.

Over-improving the property
Yes, updating kitchens and adding more bathrooms generally add value to a property. But you can quickly get in very deep if you start making structural changes. Paint, new carpeting and cosmetic updates to kitchens and master baths may be all you need to make a profit. And if your improvements make the home the most expensive on the block, you could have trouble selling it.

Decorating to your tastes instead of buyer tastes
You might like bold colors and avant-garde decorating, but neutral colors and choices appeal to more buyers. You can quickly spend a lot of money on designer touches that don’t add to the bottom line.

Handling too much work yourself
Many flippers overestimate their skills and underestimate how long it will take them to complete projects. Hiring skilled labor can help you complete a project on time, reducing expensive carrying costs and more than making up for what you would “save” doing it yourself.

Forgetting curb appeal
Save some of your budget for fixing up the lawn, adding some landscaping and sprucing up the home’s exterior. Curb appeal counts!

Failing to get a home inspection before buying
With an inspection, you’ll know whether you’re likely to need major repairs to the plumbing, electrical and heating and air-conditioning systems, or whether there are structural and rot problems. They’re all expensive to fix and could leave you with little money for other upgrades.

Under-budgeting
Even if the home is inspected you’re likely to run into significant unexpected expenses during any home renovation project. Leave leeway in your budget for the unexpected. And make sure you fully understand other costs you will entail, including mortgage and other loan payments, insurance, listing and closing costs.

Indecision
If you don’t know what you want to do with the property as soon as you close, or don’t have reliable contractors already lined up, you’re wasting time. And with flipping, time is money.

All the advice in the world won’t keep you from making some mistakes. But if you’re smart about your investment, realistic about your knowledge and skills and learn from your mistakes, you just might be able to make flipping profitable.

Quick and Easy Ways to Boost Curb Appeal

RE.com Tips & Tools — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:23:00 GMT

Bust the rust, mulch the beds and paint the front door to bring buyers inside.

You know the basic curb appeal storyline: If potential buyers don’t like what they see from the street, they might never get inside the front door. You might have done the same at some point yourself when shopping for a home.

Fortunately, unless you’re living in an Addams Family-like spookhouse, there are plenty of quick and easy ways to spiff up your home and give potential buyers a reason to come inside.

Yards should look appealing and inviting, a place where you’d like to relax on a pleasant spring afternoon. An easy way to do that is to keep the grass freshly groomed – don’t forget the edging – and plant beds freshly mulched, says Scot Kenkel of Clinton, TN., who trains real estate professionals through his Success Learning Institute.

An easily overlooked detail is the mailbox, Kenkel says. If it’s rusty, paint or replace it, whether it’s at the curb or by the front door, he says.

Kenkel says another detail easy to overlook when trying to boost curb appeal is the appearance of the windows. Sheets or blankets doubling as curtains are a definite no-no, but he says you also want to shoot for uniformity and balance in the windows. Leave all the curtains open, rather than some open and some closed.

“It isn’t the obvious, it’s the subtleties, like mini-blinds drooping in the middle,” Kenkel says.

Class up the joint by removing any junk cars, or even just extra cars in the driveway, he says. And bring the trash cans back from the curb as soon as possible and store them where they’re not visible from the street.

If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves, painting the front door in a contrasting color can spruce up the whole front of the house, he says. “Flanking the door with decent-looking greenery will help make the door appealing,” he adds.

Jeanette Fisher of Lake Elsinore, CA., a community college home-staging instructor and author of several books on staging and design, agrees with the concept of painting the front door in a contrasting color. It leads the eye to the front entrance, especially if there is a separate walkway to the front door from the street, she says.

But she cautions against ruining the curb appeal impact by painting the garage door in the same color. The garage door is bigger, and that’s all people will see, she says. It’s also a bad idea to paint the garage door a color different than the siding, she says, because the garage door should blend with the home rather than dominate it visually.

Fisher also advises decluttering the area around the doorway. “Get rid of all the little pots by the door. One massive pot is better,” she says.

When mulching, give yourself an edge by using cocoa mulch, Fisher says. It smells good, a bit like chocolate, she says. Talk about curb appeal!

Features That Add Value To a Home

RE.com Tips & Tools — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 18:25:00 GMT

When buying a home, you should consider whether it has features that may boost its future resale value.

Understanding what features add the most value to a home can help in your home buying decision.

Curb appeal
Home value begins on the outside. What initially attracts a potential buyer is curb appeal. This can be enhanced with attractive, well-maintained landscaping, a well-manicured lawn and attractive bushes and trees. Shrubbery and foliage should not be placed too close to the house as they may detract from its appearance.

The kitchen rules
The single most value-boosting feature of a home is an appealing, up-to-date, user-friendly kitchen. Kitchens have become a magnet for today’s families -- the hub of activity for everything from eating dinner to doing homework.

Beauty and the bath
A close second in adding to a home’s value is the bathroom. It needs to be functional and attractive. There should also be enough bathrooms for the size of the home. For example, a three-bedroom house with just one bathroom could be a problem at resale.

Detailing
A home that has been well maintained is more likely to retain its home value. There are also a few other aesthetic aspects that can help. Gleaming hardwood flooring is always popular. And a fresh coat of paint provides easy and cost-effective appeal.

Look for a Home With a Good Resale Value

RE.com Tips & Tools — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:41:00 GMT

Think about how easy it will be to sell a home, before you buy it

Buying into a good neighborhood is the best way to ensure that a home is likely to retain its value. But besides location, there are the other factors that make a home more likely to be easy to sell in the future.

Curb appeal

Look for a home with curb appeal; one that’s well kept with large, healthy mature trees. Not only do REALTORS® say that curb appeal can increase a home’s value by up to 10 percent, it’s key to selling a house. After all, it’s what gets buyers past your front door.
On the flipside, stay away from elaborate landscaping or pools (unless you love gardening or swimming). They can deter some people from buying a home because they require maintenance.
A garage is also a definite plus, especially when most houses on the street have one. Rule of thumb: the bigger, the better.

Great interior

Unless you’re willing to renovate and move walls, choose a home with a natural-flowing floor plan instead of one that’s awkward and poorly designed. Even the best decorating in the world won’t improve a bad floor plan. While layout preferences vary from region to region, most buyers like a large separation between the master bedroom and secondary bedrooms; a central area where living, family dining and kitchen areas flow together; and a main or second-floor family room.
According to most REALTORS®, three-bedroom homes are the best sellers because they appeal to the widest market segment. Getting four or more bedrooms has obvious appeal to larger families but doesn’t necessarily help a home sell faster.
Unless you’re buying an older, smaller home, look for one with a spacious master bedroom. Buyers also look for ample storage and closet space.
Contemporary kitchens and updated bathrooms -- especially master bath suites -- will usually have the greatest positive effect on resale value. New appliances are also a big draw.
Buyers are attracted to bright, cheery spaces so look for a home with large windows, good sun exposure, garden walkouts and, in newer homes, high or vaulted ceilings.

Things to avoid

Most buyers don’t want a fix-upper or a home with a leaky basement or roof, so keep your distance from needy properties unless you are very handy or estimate the cost of the repairs is going to be so low that you will still be able to make your money back when you sell in the future.
Be wary of wiring and plumbing systems that don’t work properly or meet current standards. (A home inspection will tell you of these conditions.) Besides risking your safety, you may have to sink a small fortune into the home to avoid scaring potential buyers away.
Many buyers prefer buying homes that already have forced air heating (versus radiators), central air conditioning and central vacuum as they can be inconvenient and costly to add.

Step 1: Getting Set to Sell Your Home

RE.com Tips & Tools — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:58:00 GMT

The first step in home selling is to get your house ready for market.

The home selling process can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve broken it down into six easy steps. This article describes the first step: Getting your home ready to sell. The more preparation you do beforehand, the better price you’ll get for your home.

Take a critical look at your house

When selling a home, you need to look at it from the perspective of a potential buyer. Are there obvious flaws that need to be fixed? Problems that you have grown accustomed to will leap out at potential buyers. Fix everything prior to listing. If you’re worried about possible repairs for larger problems such as an old roof or a broken heating and cooling system, it can pay to get a home inspection so you know what needs work. Taking care of those larger issues yourself before putting your home on the market can mean more offers and less negotiating later.

What about the appearance of your home? Does the décor need an update? Consider painting or making minor changes to update problem areas. Rearranging the furniture or buying new furniture or slipcovers can quickly change a room. Even if you don’t need updating, a fresh coat of paint helps both the inside and outside of your house look better and cleaner. Just be sure to choose neutral colors that will appeal to many buyers. The updates you make should be relatively cheap or should be able to travel with you to your new home.

Give it curb appeal

Starting at the curb, is your home welcoming? Check the landscaping and lawn. Trim your hedges, edge your loan, pull weeds, pressure wash the driveway and front walk. Plant flowers either in bed or pots around the front door. Keep your front porch swept and clear of any outside clutter. Replace a worn-out welcome mat. Paint the front door. If you have a storm door, clean the glass. Check to make sure all outdoor lights are working, especially the porch and walkway light.

In your backyard, put all your tools and work equipment out of site. If you have power tools or lawn equipment you don’t use frequently, put it in storage or at a friend’s house. Make sure any swing sets and outdoor furniture are clean and in good repair. That goes for the deck as well – repair any rotted wood, especially on steps.

Clean and de-clutter the inside

One of the most important things that you should do when selling a home is to clean and de-clutter inside. Home selling requires a thorough spring cleaning – the baseboards, blinds, furniture, floors, carpets, everywhere. You want your home to shine. You may even consider hiring a cleaning service to do this if you are short on time. And remember, once your home is clean, keep it that way. When your home is on the market, make sure you vacuum, mop and clean your kitchen and bathrooms every few days.

You also want your home to be free of clutter when selling it. Go through each room and pinpoint the piles of clutter that have built up, and be ruthless. In your living areas, get organized by storing what needs to be stored and throwing away the rest. If your rooms are furniture-heavy, store what you don’t need or take it to a friend’s house. Go through your bedrooms and put away personal items. Get a head start on packing by thinning out your closets with out-of-season clothing. Pare down your outwear, especially if you have a coat rack near an entrance. Pack away extra coats, shoes, umbrellas and other outdoor gear you won’t need while you’re selling.

Problem areas

In the kitchen, clear off the counters and organize your cabinets (they will be opened!). Pack away kitchen items you can do without – the piles of storage containers, party serving dishes, and specialty pots and tools you rarely use. The extra room will make your kitchen feel more spacious.

In the bathroom, move toothpaste, makeup and other items from the counter to a drawer or cabinet (neatly though, don’t just toss everything in the drawer). Put out a new bar of soap on a sparkling clean soap dish (if you can’t get all the dried-up soap off, buy an inexpensive new one.) Pack away medicine for ailments people don’t care to think about – laxatives, athlete’s foot, etc. Don’t leave your toilet bowl brush or plunger next to the toilet – a better place for those items is your utility closet.

Scrub your tub or shower stall until it looks new, and clean it every day to keep soap scum and mildew away (that includes fishing hair from the drain). Replace your shower curtain liner. Limit yourself to one shampoo bottle and one bar of soap or one bottle of shower gel. Use a wash cloth daily? Dried up, dirty wash clothes are a turn off. Toss it into the laundry and replace it after one use. Inspect your towels – only display clean, hole-free towels. If the edges on all your towels are frayed, pick up new, inexpensive ones to display.

Utility areas

Mudrooms, basements and laundry rooms can be the toughest areas to deal with when selling. Don’t let the project overwhelm you. First, throw away the junk. Then pack items you need but use rarely into storage bins or boxes and neatly stack them on shelves. Having the area clean and freshly painted is important. If you have pets, make sure food, litter boxes, pet toys and grooming tools are not in high-traffic areas.

After you’ve prepared your home inside and out, have a friend or neighbor walk through and tell you what should be changed. You need to choose someone who is not afraid to be honest to do this. The feedback can really help in the first step of the home selling process.

The first step in home selling is to get your house ready for market

RE.com Tips & Tools — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:20:00 GMT

The first step in home selling is to get your house ready for market.

Take a critical look at your house

Give it curb appeal

Clean and de-clutter the inside

Problem areas

Utility areas

Tips for selling a home in winter

RE.com Tips & Tools — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:26:00 GMT

Creating warmth and an inviting feel can get results.

When you’re selling a home in the winter, fewer buyers are in the market and homes do not show as well when the grass is brown and the trees are bare. Luckily, there are things you can do to increase your chances of making a sale.

Curb appeal.

Let’s start outdoors. Curb appeal is an important element of selling a home. Many buyers won’t even go inside homes that don’t look great from the street. You won’t have flowers blooming in winter, but that doesn’t mean the yard and landscaping can’t have the necessary appeal for selling a home.

Make sure the yard is raked and the grass is evenly mowed. Remove acorns, pinecones and sweet gum balls. Clear the gutters. Bare spots become even more obvious in winter, so do what you can to camouflage them. Lay mulch down around shrubbery and in flower beds, and consider a bird bath or some other outdoor feature to add charm. A chimenea or any portable outdoor fire pit can bring warmth to a patio or deck. Leave the furniture out when you’re selling your home rather than bringing it indoors for the winter.

And, of course, it is important that the exterior of your house be in the best shape possible. Faded or peeling paint or warped siding is even more obvious in the winter, so take care of that before listing your house.

A warm interior.

When you’re selling a home in winter, your indoor challenge is to keep the space warm and inviting. One simple thing to do is make sure the furnace or central heat is set high enough before showings that the house is warm and comfortable. Fireplaces can help sell your home, so light them for showings to highlight this romantic showpiece. Keep them clean when they’re not in use.

Another nice touch is to drape a warm throw over the couch, bringing to mind cozy evenings curled up with a book. And don’t forget the old favorites of baking cookies before showings or simmering cinnamon and other winter spices on the stove. Those comforting smells will exude warmth and help your home feel cozy.

Bring in the light, and some green.

Light is especially important during the short, dreary days of winter. So, when you’re selling a home during the cold season, make sure you take full advantage of natural light. One advantage of bare trees is that your home gets more light on sunny days, so make that work for you. Turn all the lights on before a showing to further brighten the space.

Nice green, leafy plants can also warm up the interior of your house. Fresh flowers add color and remind buyers of the promise of spring. And you might want to bring the outdoors in: Many homes have better views in the winter, when the trees are bare of leaves. Make sure windows are clean, sparkling and free of heavy drapery that would obscure the views.

One positive thing to keep in mind is that you have less competition when you’re selling a home in the winter. Emphasizing the warmth and coziness of your house can be just what it takes to make your home “the one” for the cold-weather buyer.

Easy garden makeovers to help you sell

RE.com Tips & Tools — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 14:56:00 GMT

Curb appeal counts. Here’s how to get the biggest bang for your buck when you’re trying to sell your home.

Before that “For Sale” sign is hammered into your front lawn, stand back and take a good look at what you see. Many potential buyers are going to get their first -- and perhaps their only -- impression of your home from their car window. So don’t underestimate the importance of your yard when you put your home on the market.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on landscaping. These seven simple tricks can make a dramatic difference:

1. Tidying
It’s just as important to declutter the outside of your home as it is the inside. Stow any outdoor tools, toys, sports equipment or trash cans out of sight. Nowhere to put it all? Consider investing in a neutral-colored plastic storage shed for the corner of your yard. You can always take it with you.

2. Mowing
Be sure to keep your lawn neatly mowed while your home is for sale. A shaggy, unkempt lawn gives the impression that the inside of your house may also be uncared for. Buyers pay more for a carefully maintained home.

3. Trimming
Is overgrown shrubbery obscuring your house? Dense bushes can make your home appear smaller than it actually is. Trim shrubs back to provide a clear view of your house. And clear greenery away from windows to let in plenty of light. Rooms flooded with sunshine are warm and appealing.

4. Edging
One of the quickest and easiest garden makeovers you can do is to simply take a spade and create deeply defined edges around all your trees and flower beds. It’s one of the tricks professional gardeners use. To keep yourself digging in a straight line, use a string tied between two stakes. Or create gentle undulating curves that follow the natural line of your garden.

5. Weeding
No need to spend hours pulling weeds in your garden to make a great impression. A quick turning of the soil in flowerbeds and around shrubs should bury small offenders and loosen major weeds for easy removal. Try digging and turning the soil as much as possible with the spade as you edge.

6. Mulching
Spreading a layer of mulch around your plantings is a quick way to both hide and prevent weeds. It can also tidy the appearance of areas, such as around the base of evergreens, where you may be having trouble growing grass. Choose a natural product such as wood chips (available by the bag from most garden supply stores) for a clean, environmentally friendly look.

7. Planting
Give your home warm, welcoming appeal with some cheerful flowers. Plant a few clumps of annuals or buy ready-made containers to set on either side of your front door. Choose all white to create a harmonious look that never fails.

Curb Appeal Counts

RE.com Tips & Tools — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:28:00 GMT

Try to think of your home's appearance as a form of advertising.

You’re ready to put your house on the market. Inside, it is beautifully decorated and sparkling clean. That bit of peeling paint on the porch and the bald spots in the garden won’t bother prospective purchasers, right?

Maybe not. And then again, they may drive by, see these flaws and take your house off the list of houses they plan to view. First impressions count.

What real estate agents call “curb appeal” is the impact your house makes when seen from a car or the sidewalk. If the exterior of the house and the yard are tidy and well maintained, prospective purchasers walk in with a pleasant feeling of expectation that the interior will match up. If the lawn is shaggy, the windows are dirty and the doorbell doesn’t work, they will be on guard for problems inside.

Here’s a short list of things you can do to increase your home’s curb appeal:

cut and rake the grass and water frequently enough to keep it green; fill and seed any bare patches.
wash windows and replace any cracked glass.
weed and edge the garden.
bridge gaps in foundation plantings with bright annuals in containers.
remove flaking paint and stucco from the steps, porch or deck, door, trim and storage sheds and repaint.
keep the lawn and porch or deck clear of bikes, toys, gardening tools, flyers and other clutter.
keep the pool immaculate.
make sure the front door opens and shuts smoothly and the doorbell functions.
tuck garbage containers out of sight.

It’s a good idea to ask your selling agent to take a tour of the exterior, note any flaws and tell you what you need to do to make your home more sellable.

If you don’t have the time or skills to make repairs or spruce up the garden yourself, consider hiring a handyman, gardening service or pool service to visit your home a few times before you list and while it is on the market. Check out ads in the local paper or ask neighbors or your agent to recommend people who can help you at a reasonable price.

Try to think of your home’s appearance as a form of advertising. The few hundred dollars you invest in increasing its curb appeal can mean more viewings, a quicker sale and -- possibly -- a better price.

Selling a Home: How Long Should It Take?

RE.com Tips & Tools — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:37:00 GMT

The time it takes to sell a home varies, but there are things you can do to sell your home faster.

There’s no sure answer to how much time you need to sell your home. Some homes take days to sell, while others take months. A study done by the National Association of REALTORS® in 2004 found that most people sell their homes within four weeks.

But don’t get discouraged if a sale takes longer. Instead, see if you can determine why it’s not selling and ask your listing agent if there’s anything you can do to help speed things up.

Curb appeal. First impressions go a long way. Before you list your home, give it a quick face-lift. Take care of minor cosmetic repairs both inside and out. Wash your windows, de-weed the garden and trim back any overgrown shrubs or trees. Give your front hallway a fresh coat of paint, replace light bulbs and dust for cobwebs. All of these little quick fixes make a big impact on selling your home quicker.
The price is right. Listing your home at the right price is key when it comes to selling quickly. It can be difficult for homeowners to determine their homes’ true worth because of emotional ties and lack of exposure to the market. So get your listing agent to do a competitive market analysis (CMA) to objectively pinpoint your home’s optimal price. You don’t want to scare off potential buyers with an unrealistically high price. If your house has sat on the market for a long time, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate and consider lowering the price.

Often, the time it takes to sell your home will depend on factors that are beyond your control.

Market demand. If your neighborhood’s hot and there aren’t many homes for sale, you have what’s called a seller’s market. So if the demand for homes is greater than the supply, you should sell quickly and receive a good offer. On the flipside, if you’re selling in a buyer’s market where supply exceeds demand, it will likely take longer to sell your home.
Economic influences. The local business climate and fluctuating interest rates can also influence how long it takes to sell your home. For instance, if interest rates fall, more people buy new homes. However, if the area’s largest employer announces layoffs, very few people will be thinking about buying new homes. The best way to get a good understanding of the market conditions in your area is to ask your listing agent for a CMA.