Moving? Preparation is Key

May 10, 2012 By John Day Leave a Comment

Moving isn’t fun

I don’t care what you hear about moving, it’s stressful.  Not only do you have to deal with selling a home, buying a home but the physical aspect of moving you, pets, belongings and if your wife will let you come along, yourself.  I’ve moved too many times and am just completing the process again.  This time from over 4,000 sq. feet into 1,900 sq. feet. I started 8 weeks prior to my move date.  This choice made this move my easiest.

Plan Your Move

even if you take a legal pad and scratch out a rough plan that includes, times, dates, materials, things to do etc., it will help you with the process.  Home Depot was my best helper. If moving yourself you will find some of the least expensive moving materials that you will need.  Use this checklist as a guide.  Every situation is different so adapt the list to work for you.

Start with least used and needed items first.

I rented storage bins to get stuff out so the last week wasn’t crazy.  I moved a little at a time into storage and used the extra time I gave myself to weed out the junk.  I suggest packing those items you seldom use and seldom need.  For example, if your moving in 8 weeks do you need all the artwork on the walls?  The 3 extra beds and dressers and lamps that no one is using?  Start thinning and pack as you go.

Designate an area in your home for a staging place.

Use a room that is large and not used a lot, start moving items in to that room and have plenty of packing materials and boxes waiting there for you.  Pack, label the boxes carefully and get it to storage, a POD or even your garage. Then start again.  Do this over a period of weeks and before you know it, your house will be close to empty and you’ll be much more relaxed.

If Selling your current home and buying another

Please contact me.  There is a fine art to making this work.  I’ve helped others and can help you make a smooth move.

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Why John Day is More Equal Than Other Maryland Real Estate Agents

January 16, 2012 By Maryland Real Estate Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that John Day is one of the best REALTORS in Maryland but what makes him more equal than others? A consistent top producer at Long & Foster, John has extensive experience in the Maryland real estate landscape. When you look at his Report Card, you realize that his clients are not just happy with his services but thankful as well. Why?

Obviously, the main reason is that John Day produces results, and that’s the fundamental point but more than that, it’s the way by which he uses his vast experience to bring the best deals for his clients. If you are looking to sell your home, it’s highly beneficial that you spend some time to view John Day’s “Sell Your Home Fast for More” training video. In a little more than 7 minutes, John lays out the main points of his Expedite program and you will see how his ideas can boost the value of your home, right away. In the example for the preparation stage, John explains why the wallpaper has to be replaced, and how the color of the carpet or the wall needs to be improved. These suggestions are based on a deep understanding of the real estate market, cultivated by many years of keen and passionate observation.

Are you looking for the best Anne Arundel REALTOR? Contact John Day today and find out how he can help you sell your home for more, faster.

 

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Do Research Before Making Improvements Prior to Selling Maryland Real Estate

December 21, 2011 By Maryland Real Estate Leave a Comment

Those of you that want to sell your Maryland real estate should know that when it comes to making improvements to your home before selling, it could pay to keep up with the Joneses.

What this means is that the more you know about the improvements your neighbors have made to their homes, the better informed you will be about what improvements you should make to your own home. HouseHunt.com notes, “For example, if most houses have two and a half baths and you only have two, consider adding a half bath.” The website comments that adding a bathroom is the kind of home improvement project that pays for itself when it is time to sell.

While it is good to keep up with the other houses in the neighborhood, you do not want to make so many improvements that your house surpasses others in the area. You might think that the house that stands out would command a higher selling price, but it does not necessarily work that way. A potential buyer may be excited by wonderful improvements, but it is unlikely that you will recoup the effort and money put into improvements that go far beyond what other houses in the neighborhood have.

If you want expert advice on preparing your Maryland property for sale, contact John Day, an aggressive negotiator and personable Maryland real estate agent.

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Invest in Home Staging but Don’t Over Invest

December 19, 2011 By Maryland Real Estate Leave a Comment

While you appreciate your decorating tastes, prospective buyers may not. If you are preparing to sell Maryland real estate, you may want to consider home staging; to set help buyers see themselves as the new residents. This can mean making things look inviting, and maybe even changing your home decor to neutral colors.

The Washington Post reported that “According to the HomeGain 2011 Home Improvement National Survey of real estate agents, even do-it-yourself staging — on which Washingtonians spent an average of $350 last year — can bring a $1,500 to $2,000 payback in the sales price.”

The article included typical information about how home staging can make a big difference and there was an interview with a woman who found that staging helped quickly sell a home that had previously attracted little interest. The article told the story of one case of home staging gone awry. In that case the home did not even sell after $16,000 of staging work had been completed. Sometimes too much of a good thing can backfire!

Having a home not sell after being staged is an unusual case, as the experts interviewed observed, empty rooms can look small and lack warmth that sometimes buyers need to visualize themselves in the home. In fact, when it comes to home staging, sellers are often advised to get rid of clutter and even remove some furniture. You want to show what’s possible in the room, but you don’t want the room to seem too full. The most important aspect of home staging is to help the potential buyer see themselves as the new home owner.

 

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Seller Tip: Keep Prospective Buyers Comfortable

December 14, 2011 By Maryland Real Estate Leave a Comment

Some of the words people associate with home are cozy, comfortable and warmth. But in “Tips for Selling Homes ins Cool Market,” The Wall Street Journal warns that if you want to sell Maryland real estate, you shouldn’t “roast” prospective buyers: “Heat is nice during the winter but don’t blast buyers with hot air. Keep the temperature at a comfortable 65 degrees for all showings.”

You also have to remember that since you are indoors more with windows closed, your home will likely get stuffy. Keep this in mind and don’t cook food with strong odors the day of or even the day before a showing or open house because those smells can linger and be a turnoff to buyers.  The Journal suggests “If pets are in the house, consider running the furnace fan constantly during the day to keep air moving and dissipate odors.”

After you have done the needed major and minor repairs to your home, you have to remember that there are still some extra touches that can make real estate more inviting to people who want to buy. In some ways, you can think about some of the things you would do when you are getting ready to entertain. When we get ready for guests, many of us work really hard to make sure everything is just so—that kind of mindset is useful when you are preparing to sell your home.

 

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