Articles Tagged "List a Home"

If your plans for 2022 involve selling your home and purchasing a different property, now is the perfect time to start your planning. Accomplish your New Year's resolution of selling your home! Here are some tips our real estate agents recommend in 2022 to help you streamline the selling process. 

• Remove Half the Stuff in Your Closet
  No matter what year you're selling your home, some things remain timeless. Like the fact that a clean and decluttered space will show better to potential buyers. It's common knowledge that you need to declutter before listing your home, but it's best to cut the amount of stuff in your closets and cabinets by half. Buyers will open your closet and cabinet doors to get a closer look at the storage space in your home. Though it might seem like having the closet or cabinet packed full will showcase how much it can hold, it's better to stage the space with less stuff. Having less stuff in a closet or cabinet makes it appear roomier and well-organized, Both of these traits will increase its appeal to potential buyers. 

• Price Your Home Right at the Start
  It's tempting to price your home at the higher end of what you think you can get for it in hopes of maximizing your profits. You may think that if it doesn't quickly sell, you can always lower the price after a few weeks. Most of the time, it's better to price your home at a lower, more realistic price. Homes that are correctly priced attract more interest and sell faster. A home that's on the market for an extended period often appears worrisome to potential buyers. They may worry that it hasn't sold because there are issues (like expensive repairs or strict offer requirements) that are preventing potential deals from closing. 

• Illuminate Your Home with Attractive Lighting
  A simple, highly effective way to help your home look its best is to ensure that it's well-illuminated. Any home looks better when it's lush with atmospheric lighting. Go through your home and check that all your light fixtures have working light bulbs. Confirm that the lightbulb in the fixture is the best alternative. For example, fluorescent lighting often looks hazy and a little dull. Swap these light bulbs for an LED bulb that emits a soft, warm light. 
  
  
• Optimize Your Home's Natural Light
  A space with lots of natural light looks cheery and inviting; it also appeals to potential buyers. Maximize the amount of light that enters your home by cleaning your windows, washing drapes and blinds, and moving any furniture that obscures the light.

• Work with an Experienced Agent
  A qualified agent with experience handling Staunton homes for sale transforms the home selling process. Since they have local experience, they understand how to properly price your home and what concessions are considered normal for your area. They can make recommendations that will help your home look its best. Your real estate agent will assist with scheduling tours and open houses, and they'll take care of the marketing for your property. Experienced agents know how to handle buyer negotiations so that you're able to get as much money as possible for your home. If a problem arises during the home inspection or appraisal, they'll try to salvage the deal. 

• Be Strategic with Your Home Upgrades
  You might think that completing a few home upgrades is a simple way to get more money for your home. Some upgrades will have an excellent return and help your home sell faster and for more money. Others don't make a significant difference to potential buyers and provide a poor return for your money. One area that tends to have a strong return for your money is your home's kitchen. If your cabinets are old, consider painting them and adding new hardware to update their look. You can replace your countertops for a few thousand dollars. This instantly gives your kitchen a facelift, and you'll get your money back when your home sells. Remember, home repairs and maintenance aren't upgrades. These are the tasks that buyers expect to be completed in a home that's been properly cared for. Check that all your utilities and appliances are in working order. Doors should be even and on track. All your home's electrical components should work. It's also best to take care of any plumbing or structural repairs that your home needs before listing it. 

Ready to put your home on the market? Contact us today to get started!

Spring is just around the corner, and if you're thinking about putting your home on the market, now is the time to start getting ready. The real estate market heats up every spring, and with interest at historic lows, there couldn't be a better time to take advantage of the seller's market. 

Preparing to list your home can be a lengthy process, especially if it's your first time. From cleaning to staging, you may not know where to even start. If you want to make sure your home stands out among these beautiful Virginia homes for sale, be sure to follow these tips below:

1. Find A Good Real Estate Agent
   The first and arguably most important step to listing your home is to find a reputable real estate agent. Referrals from trusted sources are usually the best ways to find a good agent. Working with a trusted real estate agent is the key to a smooth and successful transaction.
   
   
2. Scope Out The Market
   Make sure to do some research about other Augusta County homes for sale, so you can get a sense of what other properties are selling for in your area. Look at homes that are similar in size to your own, as this can help you at least establish a starting point for a sale price.

3. Invest In Lighting
   Lighting is one of the most important aspects of the staging process. If you have rooms in your house that don't receive adequate sunlight, it's time to invest in additional lamps and lighting fixtures. Remember, bright rooms often appear larger and more welcoming. A real estate agent can help you optimize the lighting placements in each room.
   
   
4. Declutter Your Home
   If you're planning to move soon, do yourself a favor and start the decluttering process early. Empty the attic and basement and get rid of any junk you no longer need. Decluttering will not only help streamline the staging process, but it will also make your move a lot easier.
   
   
5. Make Repairs
   If you've been procrastinating on repairing that leaky faucet, running toilet, or squeaky door, now is the time to address it. Go through your home and make sure to repair anything that isn't functioning as it's supposed to. Even if it doesn't seem like a big deal, you can bet that potential buyers will notice.
   
   
6. Depersonalize Your Home
   As much as you may enjoy looking at your family photos and favorite art, any personalized items can certainly be off-putting to prospective buyers. Seeing personalization in a home can make it difficult for buyers to envision themselves living in the home.

7. Paint
   It's always a good idea to add a fresh coat of paint to your home's interior before listing it for sale. This can help give your home a fresh, clean look and also help your rooms appear brighter. Just be sure to stick to neutral colors, as anything bright or creative may turn off potential buyers. 

8. Deep Clean
   Once you're almost ready to list your home, it's time to clean like you've never cleaned before. Every corner, nook, and cranny will need your attention. It's also a good idea to have your carpets professionally cleaned. You don't want potential buyers noticing any dust or odors, so it's best to make sure the home is pristine. 
   
   
9. Create a Relocation Plan For Your Pets
   Your furry friends might be cute, but not every buyer will think so. It's wise to come up with a relocation plan for your pets so they're not in the way when you're showing your home. Also, be sure to hide any bowls, litter boxes, or toys and eliminate any odors caused by your pets.
   
   
10. Consider a Professional Photographer
    High-quality photos are one of the best ways to attract buyers to your listing, so you might want to consider hiring a professional photographer. Good photos are a great way to help your listing stand out from the competition. Check out some of the listing photos for these Staunton homes for sale. If you're having trouble finding a good photographer, ask your real estate agent for recommendations.

Selling your home doesn't have to be an intimidating process. Working with a good real estate agent is the best way to ensure a smooth transaction. If you're planning to list your home this spring, contact us today.

Our real estate agents understand the importance of professional photography and its powerful impact on selling your home. Professional photos make a lasting first-impression and can help you sell your home quicker and for more money. Over 90 percent of home buyers use the internet to search for a house, and the use of professional photos of your home is a great way to grab their attention.

Here are just five reasons why you should consider using a professional photographer for selling your home.

1. Generate Additional Leads
   One of the main advantages of using professional photography to sell your home is that it has a significant impact on generating new leads. Home buyers are attracted to professional photos, as they produce 61% more views compared to other pages without professional images. A professional photo that elegantly displays the interior and exterior of a home is a powerful way to generate additional interest in your home.
2. Staged Photography
   Emotion plays a vital role in any purchase decision and staged photography can grab the attention of a home buyer and help them envision themselves in the home. On the other hand, an empty or poorly furnished house makes it much more difficult to capture the imagination of a prospective home buyer. A professional photographer can rearrange each room or bring in additional props to create a powerful image of each room inside your home.
3. Focus on the Best Angles
   One of the main challenges of photography is to focus on the right angles for each photo. A professional photographer will understand the best angles for each room and concentrate on creating top-quality photos that display the beauty of your home. A tripod can deliver the perfect shot, and a professional photographer will take multiple photos for the best results
4. Add Ambience
   Creating the perfect lightning is another key aspect of photography. A professional photographer will understand how to take advantage of the natural light coming through the window or if a lamp is needed to create the perfect ambiance within a room. Capturing the right amount of light is a small detail that has a significant role in creating a high-quality photo that displays the characteristics within a home.
5. Post-Production & Editing
   The post-production process is critical in selecting the best photos available and enhancing the quality of each image. Each photo will be edited to maximize the appearance of the exterior and interior of a home. Ensuring that the landscape surrounding the home, such as the trees and lawn is perfect is just a small detail that has a significant impact on improving the quality of the photos.

Professional photography plays a vital role in attracting potential home buyers and can help improve the speed of the entire process, while also allowing you to sell your home at a much better price. If you wish to learn more, feel free to contact Old Dominion Realty for more ideas on selling or buying your home in the Virginia and West Virginia real estate markets.