March 2017

Tips For Selling With Young Kids At Home

When you’re a busy parent with young kids at home, selling your house may seem like a scary idea. But don’t worry, we’ve got four tips that can help get you and your home ready to sell.

Declutter and organize

Give potential buyers a reasonably blank canvas to work with. That means to pack up the big toys and put them somewhere hidden. We suggest approaching your home room-by-room to make things easier and give yourself enough time to tackle a room per day. Plus if you have older kids, you can encourage them to help.

Stage your kid’s rooms the best you can

Sometimes we need to draw the line when we’re staging a family home. Step one is figuring out your target market. If you have a larger family sized home, you can get away with staging the kid’s bedrooms to some extent. But if your home is smaller, these rooms might be used as an office or more living space. If you’ve already purchased your new home, try to leave these rooms neutral and tidy.

Create a checklist for showings

When you’ve received the call from your real estate agent that they’re going to show your home to a potential buyer, you’ll want to have a checklist to reference. When you only have a one or two hours notice, every moment can count. Don’t forget anything important like tasks such as cleaning the diaper disposal, putting the toilet seats down, tidying up the shoes, and so on.

Accept that your house might not be perfect

No matter how hard you try, your house probably isn’t going to be perfect –especially with unexpected showings. You will probably forget to put away a sippy cup once or twice, but don’t beat yourself up about it. Selling a home with kids is tough. Just do the best that you can with all of the advice your real estate agent provides and you will do a great job.

A good real estate agent will guide you step-by-step through the selling process. To get in touch with an experienced and local Orlando realtor click here or call 407-493-0719.

Neighborhood Features to Look for If You’re Starting a Family

In Orlando, an area geared to young professionals differs greatly from a family-friendly neighborhood. Learn what to look for when you’re starting a family.

Having children means your priorities often shift. Proximity to the bars, restaurants, and nightlife you used to love becomes less important than school districts, crime rates, and a sense of community. Here’s how to find the great perks for families in your next neighborhood.

1. School district information

The school district you choose is a huge decision for many parents. Of course, you want a school that offers a high-functioning environment for learning. You can use websites like GreatSchools. Always keep in mind that school districts do change sometimes. Once you find an area you like, visit the neighborhoods that are zoned for those schools for a firsthand look.

2. Crime rates

From the moment you become a parent, your job is to keep your child safe. You baby-proof the home, maintain regular doctor visits and keep your child out of harm’s way. Searching for a neighborhood ranks right up there with the rest. Ask the local police for information on the area you are thinking of buying your home in. They will direct you to various websites that can help you make your decision.

3. Strong community network

When you’re just starting a family, of course, you keep your old friends that don’t have kids. But let’s face it; your interests are suddenly quite a bit different. If making friends in the neighborhood tops your list of priorities, look for evidence of other families while you’re on the house hunt. Are children playing on the sidewalks? Are families out together for a walk? All of these signs point to lots of potential friends for you and your kids.

Need help finding the perfect home to start your family or want to move your current one to a bigger home in Seminole County? Contact a professional realtor here.

Why You Should Stage A Home

Every real estate agent knows how important it is to discuss staging your home before you list it for sale. Staging can make a big difference in both the length of selling time and price.

Why do some sellers put off staging their home? They either think it’s too much work, they think it’s too expensive, they like their decorating, or they don’t understand its value. All of these reasons may seem valid but will ultimately set you back from selling your home quickly and getting the price you want.

Three big reasons to stage your home:

1. It justifies your asking price.

A well-staged home is aesthetically pleasing. Everything looks comfortable, inviting, and simple. Staging gives potential buyers fewer reasons to talk down any space or point out repairs. Also if a home looks move-in ready, buyers are more likely to accept the price you have set.

2. You get a head start on packing.

You’re going to have to pack up your belongings eventually before you can move. So why not start now? In order to stage your house, you must remove any clutter or personal belongings from the premises. When you stage your home, you’re making the job easier when it comes time to move by getting a head start.

3. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

You may have heard this line before, but it’s true! If you don’t stage before you list, you’re losing both time and money. Staging isn’t just the inside of the house- but the outside too! Don’t find out the hard way and stage your home before it goes on the market. If your home is already listed, it’s never too late to stage.

If you’re ready to list or want more advice about selling your home, contact an experienced realtor here or call 407-493-0719.

What Not To Do When Selling Your Home

1. Don’t show off your day to day life

Moving house is about imagining what life will be like somewhere else. Make sure you have space for potential buyers to envision their life in your home. Pick and clean up items like toys lying around and paperwork piles.

2. Don’t be negative

Avoid apologizing and let the buyer make their own mind up about everything. Above all – never give a negative reason for why you are moving. Buyers will ask “Why are you moving?”, and how you answer this can be crucial. Never lie, but always try to focus on the positive reasons for selling.

3. Don’t poorly present your property to buyers

Remember, you don’t get a second opportunity to make a first impression. Stage your home to look the best it can to let buyers visualize their own life there. This is very important because you can’t assume that they will see past your personal possessions. Create an environment that will make buyers want to see more.

4. Don’t use bold colors for decor

Home decor is a personal choice – and while you may love your bright green walls, a buyer may well change their mind about the entire house for this one thing. Many buyers don’t want to have to spend money on the property immediately after they buy. For the cost of a bucket of paint, you will do wonders for your homes value.

5. Don’t ignore the competition

When you are selling your home, you are competing with all other properties for sale that are also in your homes price range. Take time to talk to your realtor about setting a price based around what other similar homes listing price. You want to ensure that you property looks like the best value for money, and will create the best impression to potential home buyers.

If you’re ready to sell your home and want an experienced realtor on your side, click here or call directly at (407) 493-0719.