3 foolproof ways to make an amazing first impression on home buyers.

One of the most important things to do before selling your home is ensure the first impression counts! Homes are selling fast and at top dollar, it is still important to prove that your home is worth every cent. These simple steps will help ensure that the first impression is the best to drive potential buyers.

Curb Appeal

Your home’s exterior, this includes the yard, driveway, sidewalk and front entry – should serve as a snapshot of what is to come inside. Curb appeal sets the tone to a potential buyer and can make or break an offer.

  • Mow the grass, trim trees and plant.
  • Clean up the front door area and add some plants, lighting and check for spider webs.
  • Plant new shrubs and remove weeds.

Professionally clean

Investing in a professional cleaning company to deep clean carpets or wood flooring can make all the difference in a first impression. Carpets, over the years tend to stain, wear and tear, so it is important to spend that little extra money to make it as pristine and new looking as possible.

Caulk Tubs and sinks

Caulking around your home is an inexpensive way to add detail to your home. It’s easy and can be done fast. This will also stop leaking and give that extra design touch to ensure a positive impression that your home has been taken care of.

Before you list your home, ask GreenTree Properties to come by and examine the property for specific showing tips to make your home more appealing. Please contact (949) 492-0090 or visit here.

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How Long Will It Take To Sell Your Home?

One of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind when they’re selling their home is “How long will it take?”  Putting your home on the market leaves a lot of uncertainty and can add some extra stress, especially when you’re trying to plan your next move.  GreenTree agents gather market data and analyze the life of a listing in own your area, but you’ll want to consider these factors when asking how long it will take to sell your home (the last one may surprise you).

In real estate, everything comes down to location, location, location.  Factoring in how long your home may sit on the market is no different than this basic principle.  If your home is located in a sought after area—next to a great school, proximity to entertainment and convenience, or in an up and coming area—you may be in a fast moving sellers market.  You’re GreenTree agent can give you data on the average age of similar listings in your area, as well as the longest listings, and why those listings might not be selling.

Consider price not just in terms of fair market value, but also in visibility.  Homes that are priced properly typically see shorter market time but price can also be used as a marketing tool to attract buyers.  Homes that are priced 10% over market value will typically appeal to 30% of the market, while homes priced at fair market value can attract 60%. However, homes priced 10% under market value have the opportunity to move quicker and field more offers from 70% of the market.

It’s often overlooked, but the quality of photographs used to portray your home could greatly affect it’s time on the market.  Listings with substandard photos don’t drive internet traffic and could be off putting to buyers.  Over 90% of home buyers use the internet to search for homes, so listing photos are crucial for making a good first impression.  DSLR photos that are properly lit and showcase the features of the home without manipulating the house tend to attract more buyers, more offers and sell quicker.

If you’re thinking of selling, talk to your GreenTree agent about a custom strategy to get your home sold in the timeframe you want.  The right combination of location factors, price point and marketing can help ease your stress and put more confidence into selling your home.

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The Largest Group Entering the Market Right Now

They’re called boomerang borrowers, and they could be changing the housing market in the coming months and years.

The timeframe for borrowers who were significantly hit after the Great Recession between 2007 and 2010 to improve their credit score is about the happen, opening the door for a lot of consumers to re-enter the housing market.

Foreclosures, short sales, and bankruptcies remain on a credit report for seven years, which means these items are due to fall off the credit files of 2.5 million consumers by June 2017, the largest of the group over that time frame.

With millions of borrowers coming back into the housing market, should this be the time to sell?

Consider low inventory.  There is a shortage of homes for sale in many markets throughout the country in relation to buyer demand.  This is economics 101 and happens to create a highly desirable atmosphere for sellers to obtain the best possible sale price and terms.  According to Redfin, buyer demand rose by 13.3 percent over the month in September, it’s highest level in three-plus years.  We’ve seen buyer demand gain momentum since Labor Day, when a pop of fresh listings hit the market.

Home prices are on the rise after several years of dealing with distressed and foreclosed inventory.  As of August 2016, foreclosure inventory included only 0.9 percent of all homes with a mortgage.  As foreclosures drop, home values rise, which could mean higher appreciation for home owners.

Low interest rates hovering around the 3.5 to 3.7 percent range make the cost of borrowing money extremely attractive, especially for those boomerang borrowers who are re-entering the market with now above average credit.  Modern day loan programs offer a wide variety of options to buyers at various price points and stages to purchase property, so you know that when you accept an offer, the loan process isn’t going to diminish on your buyer, thus securing your sale.

Chances are, it’s been a while since you’ve sold your home—at least 7-10 years.  Predictive analytics help optimize buyer searches.  Social Media marketing brings visibility to a whole new level.  Drones and video tours help create powerful story telling campaigns.  All done to attract buyers across the market and secure sales.  Welcome to modern day real estate!

Make yourself ready for boomerang borrowers by preparing your home to show in the best light possible.  Talk with one of our real estate professionals if you’re thinking of selling your home and find out what they can do for you.

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Barn Doors, Farmhouse Sinks and Subway Tiles

Location, location, location.  When it comes to the desirability to real estate, we’ve always known location to the most important element.  But, times are changing.  Thanks to HGTV, Instagram, Pinterest and, well, the Internet, key home features are becoming just as important as location.

Close your eyes.  Imagine a quaint home, with a rustic barn door, white shaker cabinets and a big farmhouse sink.  Chances are, you’ve already imagined it yourself, or are even seeking it out.

In a study of more than 2 million listings across the US between January of 2014 and March of 2016 by Zillow, homes with listings including keywords like “barn door”, “shaker cabinets” and “subway tiles” sell for a price 13% higher than expected.

Among other terms analyzed, quartz, craftsman and exposed brick came in behind shaker, farmhouse sink and barn doors in those terms associated with not only the highest sale premium, but also a significantly faster sale.  “Barn doors”, for instance, helped listings move 57 days faster than expected, according to the study.

We hear it all the time, “We’ll replace these french doors with barn doors, paint the cabinets white and put in quartz countertops.” These now classic design elements add charm and character, so it’s no wonder these are in demand.

If you’re planning on putting your home on the market, looking to add value, or looking to appeal to potential homebuyers, try these GT Tips:

  1. The appeal of barn doors, aside from the actual intended use, stems from the rustic and reclaimed element.  Try reclaimed adhesive wood paneling to give your home a rustic, reclaimed vibe, without the commitment of a large barn door.
  2. Many potential homebuyers are going to be looking for white, shaker style cabinets.  If your cabinets aren’t shaker,   try a fresh coat of paint.  Our current favorites are Benjamin Moore’s Simply White and White Dove, for a cleaner or warmer white.
  3. If you currently have an overmount, or undermount sink, installing a farmhouse could be tricky.  You’ll want to ensure that the base cabinet underneath has low enough framing to support the front apron, as you’ll need to cut into it.  Hiding and stacking dishes is easier in a deeper sink, too!
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Pocket Listing 101

Here’s what you need to know:

A pocket listing is a property for sale that is not listed on the MLS.  These off-market properties carry unique benefits for buyers and sellers in today’s market.

Buyers may seek the help of a real estate professional in search of off-market properties, or properties that have yet to hit the market, in low-inventory markets.  When inventory is low, buyers may find themselves in steep competition, and may grow tired of being outbid.  Pocket listings allow for an added ease in buying a home, since there’s less competition and less stress.

For homeowners undergoing construction, or prior to construction, the decision to list your home as a pocket listing gives you the added benefit of early exposure without the stress of managing showings.  Traditional marketing strategies strive to obtain as much interest in a home as possible.  For high profile homeowners, implementing an off-market strategy to selling their home allows them to maintain privacy, allowing only qualified buyers to preview and tour the home.

Want to know more about pocket listings? Ask us how they might benefit you here.

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