Home staging has become a popular industry and topic, particularly as it relates to improving the appeal of your listing during challenging times in the real estate market.  But what about “staging” your yard?
 
Sure, any steps that you take to improve your interior’s appeal will go a long way towards wooing buyers, but it’s the outside of your home that they will see first, and you know that first impressions count!  Review some of these helpful tips to make your offering an inviting one.

Go green by seeding and fertilizing your lawn for a lush look.  Also, bring your home out from hiding by trimming overgrown branches and shrubbery around the house.  Give the impression of easy living by hanging a hammock in the front yard.  Seriously, little suggestions like that really sink into a buyer’s mind.

Give your flowerbeds and borders more striking visual appeal by applying mulch, and edge the beds and driveway, walkways and sidewalk.  Planting annuals such as geraniums and petunias will also add to the impact and brighten up empty areas.

The final step in your outdoor “staging” is to power wash your home’s siding and the sidewalk and patio or deck.  When you show pride of ownership and that you care about your home’s presentation, it will resonate with buyers looking for value and a home in ready-to-move-in condition.

For more tips on preparing your home for sale, please contact one of our REALTORS® and we will help take the hassle out of selling your castle!  Feel free to call us, stop by the office or if you prefer, email me at donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com.

While falling values are not good indicators for sellers, they’re great news for buyers, lifting affordability to historically high levels.  For example, to purchase a median priced home of $164,600 with 20% down and an interest rate of 5.1%, a buyer would need an annual income of just under $35,000.

With the lowest interest rates we’ve seen in forty years, now is an opportune time to lock in a rate on a fixed loan.  Rates are already showing signs of rising, and waiting too long could negatively affect your ability to secure such a mortgage.

In addition to rising interest rates, the fees on loan applications may also start increasing.  This is because lenders have reassessed their risk to reward ratios in light of all the recent loan defaults.  Around the corner, we might expect higher mortgage insurance premiums and closing costs, not to mention tougher and tougher terms for qualification.

With interest rates and loan fees still at very affordable levels, and incentives for first-time homebuyers, now is the time to make your move and secure your financial stability through home ownership.  If you buy a $150,000 home today and it appreciates at a very conservative 3% annually, that home would be worth nearly $164,000 in three years.

Don’t let all the negative stories about real estate blind you to the many positive factors for buyers in today’s market.  This is the best investment you will ever make.
 
For FREE information on buying a home, please contact a REALTOR® from Don Kingsley Real Estate and we will get you on the path to homeownership today!  If you prefer, email me at donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com.

When facing a mortgage default, most homeowners try to sell their home - fast.  The technique that works in these stressful situations also works for the rest of sellers - namely, aggressive pricing.

As a seller, you control the three factors that determine how quickly your home will sell: marketing, condition, and price.  Let’s focus on that last element.

First, be clear about your goals.  Can you hold out for the highest price you can get, or do you want to move on quickly?  Unfortunately, the fact that you paid more than what homes in your neighborhood are selling for is irrelevant in today’s market.

Forget about salvaging equity, and price your home aggressively against the competition.  Overpricing keeps many buyers from even seeing your listing in their affordability zone.  They’ll see lower priced homes as a better value, while you’ll wait until the lowballers come out of the woodwork.

Start your pricing decision with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) performed by a REALTOR® from Don Kingsley Real Estate.  If you’re truly motivated to sell quickly, price your home 10% lower than the selling (not asking) prices of other homes in your area.

Now your home becomes a bargain, and it will attract the attention of other agents and their qualified buyers.  An attractive price, good condition and savvy marketing will result in offers and ultimately, a sale.

Free information available that no seller should be without.  If you are thinking of selling a home soon, arm yourself with the knowledge that can help you avoid expensive mistakes too many people have made.  Call me, stop by our office, or if you prefer, email me at donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com to receive the following articles at no cost or obligation: 

* 5 Things to do Before Putting Your Home on the Market
* Low Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home’s Exterior
* Forms You’ll Need to Sell Your Home
* Simple Tips for Better Home Showings