Preferred Properties of Texas

The Preferred way to buy & sell property for over 25 years

Tips For First Time Home Sellers

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Selling a home is very different from buying a home. Buying a home generally involves emotions and feelings, but selling a home typically centers on what listing agents like to call maximizing profit potential. Here are a some tips for first-time homesellers.

Price Your Home Accurately

Your agent will analyze comparable sales and prepare an estimate of value—often called a CMA—for comparative market analysis.

Home Staging Boosts Selling Power and Appeal

Ask your agent to advise you on preparing your home for sale. Most homes show better with about half of the furniture removed. If a buyer walks in the door and wonders if anybody lives in the house, you’ve done your job correctly. Consider home staging to boost your selling power and appeal.

The Best Day to List Your Home

Choose the best day to list your home. This time period will vary depending on your local community, the weather, time of year, and a host of other factors, including the state of your present real estate market. You basically get one chance to present your home in its best light the first day on the market.

Ask About Your Agent’s Standard Real Estate Commission

If the agent’s standard real estate commission seems reasonable, consider the big picture and benefits to you to hire this individual.

Be Flexible With Home Showings

Be flexible with showings. The best way to sell your home is to let a buyer inside with their buyer’s agent to tour in peace and quiet. Leave the house when buyer’s agents show up.

Host an Open House

Allow an open house if your home is conducive to an open house or ask your agent if they advertise the open house online. Many a home buyer has had no desire to buy a home until they spot an open house and subsequently fall in love.

Insist on Professional Photography

The most popular photos are rich in color and depth, and they entice. Ask to approve the virtual tour or photo tour before it publishes.

Review Your Listing Online

Look at your home listing on various websites to make sure the information conveyed is accurate. Agents do their best to ensure accuracy, but since it is your home, you know the details better than anyone.

Respond Promptly to a Purchase Offer

Try to respond promptly to a purchase offer. Many purchase offers contain a date by which the offer expires. Notwithstanding, it can drive buyers crazy if they are forced to wait for a seller to decide whether to accept their offer or to issue a counteroffer.

Line Up Movers Early

Line up your movers early. You can start packing before your home hits the market, which will give you a head start on the process.

If you’ve been thinking about selling contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our agents. We are here for all your real estate needs!

 

Does Removing Wallpaper Increase The Home Value?

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When you consider the effect of wallpaper on your home’s worth, there are two types of value steps to weigh: What homebuyers see, and what appraisers see.

Style tastes will not factor into the appraisal. Provided that the underlying walls are in good shape, an appraiser is not going to reduce your appraised value dependent on the stripes on your bathroom walls or the border with spices and herbs in the kitchen.

Appraisers don’t value homes based on a seller’s style preferences, so your frilly sofa and yellow carpeting are safe in their ruling. However,”older wallpaper can make a house look and feel outdated. While this may not directly affect the value of the house, it might affect the marketability. Most buyers prefer to paint since it’s easier to change without a massive hassle. Buyers will pay less for dated homes.

Clean walls are a fantastic way for a buyer to look at your home as a clean slate. About 57 percent of high HomeLight agents urge that homeowners paint the inside before selling their houses. Painting the exterior independently has a 51 percent return on investment — not bad for a job that costs under $3,000.

Expect wallpaper to draw lower offers. Most of the time, wallpaper is something that the buyer looks at as something which dates the home, and they believe things that are obsolete to be fixes. In their mind, they are going, ka-ching, ka-ching, and taking numbers off. Nine times out of ten, they’re gonna subtract a good bit of money.”

Like it or not, that background you have lived with for years will impact your offers. Whether we reduce the price or not, the buyer will reduce their deal. That is the problem.

Unless they’re house-flippers or enthusiastic DIYers, most buyers aren’t looking for a project to take on once they are settled. They don’t want to devote their free time fixing up a house. The more you leave bare, the less buyers will probably offer, and they will typically lower the deal by more than it would have cost the homeowner to finish the job.

Before checking whether it’s possible to eliminate your wallpaper, it’s worth evaluating whether you should. Just as our experts recommend it, they also know that some homeowners don’t have the money or the know-how to eliminate it. It really does come down to the house and the unique situation of that house.

Fix Up Your House Before Listing Or Sell It As A Fixer Upper?

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If you are thinking of selling your home, this is probably a question you have been asking yourself and your realtor. There is not any hard and fast answer; the path you go will depend on numerous factors, the most important of which are: the condition of your house, the potency of the market in your area, and the possible gain to be made with and without upgrades. These tips can help you decide whether to sell now or later.

Consider your buyer
The words”fixer upper” might actually be a selling point for some buyers who perceive they are getting a deal, who are especially looking for something they can put their postage, or who simply can not afford to purchase something turnkey. The marketing your agent does is key here so you don’t end up with nothing but unacceptable offers.

“In almost any marketing communications enclosing a fixer-upper, it’s important to remain focused on value,” stated ExtraSpace. “Prospective homebuyers are aware that a fixer-upper will market at a lower price point than more contemporary houses on the market. But that does not mean that you have to accept a lowball offer. Rather, highlight the home’s investment possible by reminding buyers of the future sale opportunities after the house was remodeled.”

If your home requires A LOT of work and also you can’t, or don’t want to, put the time, money, and effort into getting it in prime condition, targeting investors could get it sold quickly. “A couple of decades past, a previous customer called to say her next-door neighbors necessary to immediately sell their property. “The home appeared inhabitable. It had holes in the walls all the way to the outside and urine-soaked wood flooring; many of the electric did not work and the bathroom tub had dropped through the joists. Each of the faucets leaked and, in one bedroom, I found a pile of dead rats swept into a pile in the center of the ground. This was not a home that could be readily fixed up. Not even a coat of paint would have helped sell this location. We priced it low enough that it attracted multiple offers and sold with zero days on market.

Since flipping is much more popular than ever, a house that needs work – especially certain kinds of work – may be attractive enough to investors which you don’t have to do any job in any way. “A fantastic rule of thumb: If your home needs toilet or bath remodels, a new roof, or base repairs, there’s an 80%-plus chance your purchaser will be an investor,” Bruce Ailion, a broker and REALTOR® in Atlanta, said on Realtor.com.

Obtain an honest assessment – and be able to hear it
If you’ve lived in your home for quite a while and/or have not kept up with upgrades and fixes, your real estate broker’s assessment of its condition and the recommendations he or she makes to get it market-ready might be eye-opening. They might also make you mad. Try to listen to and keep an open mind, even in the event that you are feeling offended. In the long run, you share the same goal, which is to get your home sold for the best possible price.

Be sensible on pricing
“Finding out your home’s value is not as straightforward as subtracting the cost of repairs from your home. In addition, you have to factor in’annoyance expenses,’ said Ailion. “Quite simply, turnkey homes often sell at a premium to traditional buyers because they do not have to do some work. If your home requires some sprucing up, you’re likely going to get to incentivize buyers to dig in and get their hands dirty.”

It can be that fixing your home up makes the most sense because of the financial upside. In presenting you with comparables, your real estate agent should be able to show you other properties in your area in varying conditions (depending on the amount of active listings or recently sold homes around you). This will help advise the pricing for your house and give you some idea of how much you’d have to put into it to get high dollar.

Choose your updates wisely
A 30,000 kitchen renovation may not be in the budget and may not give you the return on investment you’re looking for, but there are smaller updates you can do to your own kitchen to make it appear fresh (and, you can use the same principles in other important places, like bathrooms). Better Homes and Gardens includes a great collection of upgrades you can make for under $2,000, including hanging a ring which”illuminates the sink region” and swapping out a tired sink for a”farmhouse sink (this ) adds personality to the space.” Also think about painting cabinets and installing new hardware, also, if you’re up to the task, including an eye catching backsplash.

Make necessary repairs
Investors aren’t expecting perfection, and their supplies will be dependent upon the state of your house and the potential profit they can make after it’s fixed up. Non-investor types searching for a deal may not necessarily be scared off by some cosmetic problems, but significant repairs which are required are yet another story. If you’re looking for the smartest place to set your pre-sale renovation dollars, this may be it.

WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR HOME’S VALUE

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Looking for some ways to increase the value of your home? Whether you are thinking about listing your home for sale, or you’re interested in putting a fresh face on your home you proudly own, consider these ways to increase your home’s value:

1) Repaint your front door. A fresh coat of paint can add personality, hide scuffs and dirt, and give your home an entirely NEW curb appeal. This weekend project is inexpensive and a great way to increase your home’s value!

2) Spread some fresh mulch in your front yard. It’s an inexpensive and high-impact way to improve the look of your landscaping. Cover up the gray, weathered mulch covering your shrubs now – it will do wonders.

3) Paint your kitchen cabinets. Are your cabinets needing a fresh stain or paint? This can do wonders for the overall color of your home – painting old cabinets a light cream color can have a brightening affect on your whole house.

4) Update (or paint) your hardware in bathrooms, kitchens, on door handles, light fixtures… think dark on white, modern paired with rustic.

5) Add crown molding… this gives a home a warmth and some character. Consider crown molding in your living room – the difference it makes can be shocking.

6) Turn any room into a bedroom by adding a closet. If you have an opportunity to create a true “closet” in an office or spare room, DO IT because adding a closet to a room means adding a bedroom to the total bedroom count of a home. This expands your reach on search engines and can draw in an entirely new group of buyers.

7) Add visible storage. Floating shelves in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry rooms can be a simple weekend project that turns out to be “so worth it” and not just for re-sale purposes. Chances are, you have something on the floor in your laundry room which could be hung up.

8) Swap out your outdated light fixtures with fresh new ones adding personality and color to any room!

9) Go for neutral paint colors if you are planning on re-painting -light, airy colors that go with anything. Avoid anything evoking one certain season (rich reds of winter, dark browns of autumn) and remember to paint your trim something complimentary.

10) Update window frames. Consider adding crown molding to the tops of your window frames; this has a HUGE visual impact and costs less than adding crown molding across your entire ceiling.

11) Add mirrors to your wall decorations, this makes the space feel bigger, plus mirrors are neutral and sure to please anyone’s tastes.

12) Rather than removing an older bath tub, consider painting the one you currently have. This less expensive alternative LOOKS like a new bathtub (especially if you update hardware).

 

Hopefully these ways to increase your home’s value proved helpful! Call our Real Estate Team, Preferred Properties of Texas, for more information about listing your home for sale. 254-965-7775

 

Exterior Upgrades to Refresh Your Home

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When it comes to owning property, it’s the tiny details which make all of the difference. There are small, easy, and cheap things you can do to make your house a more pleasant place to live in and consider. Or, if you choose to go large, some shrewd investments may make your house both look better and increase its value.

However big or small your budget is, this guide will provide you a few suggestions about the best exterior upgrades to refresh your home’s outside and make it appear nicer and more precious than before.

Get a brand new mailbox

When considering repainting the outside of your home, the mailbox is frequently overlooked. However, consider how much spice just a fresh coat of paint brings to a old rusty mailbox.

You can either repaint the existing mailbox or build a brand new one from scratch. If money is too tight, there’s absolutely no shame in buying a new one.

Paint the front door…

Another thing that can be freshened up by a new coat of paint is your front door. This is a very simple DIY project which may be finished within a single weekend.

Just remember that the style of your residence and the overall aesthetics you are going for, and you’re ready to go.

…Along with the deck, too

Now that you have the entire vision of how your home will look and the whole color palette in your mind, show your deck or porch some love, also.

As it’s totally open, a deck may benefit from a fresh coat of paint more than the usual porch. Additionally, if you like the weathered appearance and patterns, you could just go over it with some very clear color and maintain the look you’re used to.

Update your house numbers

Updating your home numbers is yet another way for you to rejuvenate your house’s exterior without costing too much. Head to your regional arts and crafts store and find beautiful wooden or metal numbers for a quick DIY project.

A brand new home number is a excellent way to maximize your home’s curb appeal.

Add some lights

This is an update that will be visible only during the nighttime , but a well-placed mild or 2 (or six) can make the appearance of your house pop.

Add soffit lights to highlight the house’s design, floor lights to accent trees or high bushes, and a few porch lighting to make a welcome glow near the front doorway. Look at adding light near your house’s number sign, too.

Make the place more flowery

Flowers make everyone happy and create your area prettier. A pleasant, well-maintained flower garden will make your home stand out from the remainder.

If you aren’t that into gardening, a few permanent planters at the front of the house can be enough to do the trick. Planters provide a four-season opportunity to decorate the outside with timely color and accents. Besides, those planters’ color can be exactly what you need to add some spark and personality to your home.

Upgrade and update the rainwater products

However, replacing the constant spouting, downpipes, and rainwater heads may bring a completely new look for your house’s exterior.

The one thing that you ought to pay extra attention to is the longevity of the materials that you select. Cast iron has a mean lifespan of 50 decades, PVC 30 decades, aluminum 40 decades, zinc 50 decades, and lumber, based on the species, will last on average for 40 years if it’s been maintained correctly.

Go green

Another investment which will bring you benefits for many years to come is spending money on a green addition to your home.

Update your outside home with eco friendly amenities like a green roof with vegetation or get solar panels and landscape lighting powered by solar energy and reclaimed materials for your home’s exterior. These add-ons may add value to your home.

Add a bird feeder

Here is another economical yet efficient way to make your area more lively. Add a bird feeder for the birds to visit near a kitchen or living area window, and it will brighten your day.

If you’re crafty, construct it by yourself, or think about buying a bird feeder. Should you search for one, hunt for an alternative that has anti-squirrel capabilities.

Install a leading door kick plate

A kick plate includes a wide strip of glistening metal positioned horizontally across the bottom edge of a front door to protect it from scratches, kicks, and puppy paws.

Replace your old kick plate using a fresh one, or put in a kick plate if you haven’t used one before. They are decorative as well as functional.

If it comes to choosing the material for your own kick plate, brass is the conventional choice, but nowadays pewter and antique bronze are popular choices.

Think about placing a log cabin into your backyard

If you’re interested in a way to add some critical value to your property, consider adding a small log cabin to your lawn.

Log cabins make for a wonderful home office or a home gym. They are also a wonderful way to add extra rooms to your place without creating a significant investment. On the other hand, when and if you choose to sell your house, it is going to boost its total value and marketability, even when prospective owners elect to use it like a tool shed or plain storage space.

If you are thinking of selling your home in Stephenville after these refreshers are done then check out this post about get your home ready for sale.  Then when your ready to sell contact Preferred Properties of Texas.

 

The Home Upgrades That Pay Off

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At some point or another, virtually every real estate agent was asked by their customer regarding what home updates they can make prior to listing for the greatest impact. After all, everyone wants to find the most potential out of their home, sell it quickly, and finish the home sale process with no major surprises or headaches. The best way to achieve this is by finishing strategic updates that net the highest return on investment (ROI).

As any long-time realtor may tell you, attempting to close the deal on a house with a leaky roof, even a deceased air conditioner, or a slab leak is extremely hard. All these major problems can instantly endanger any house sale. Outside of very particular conditions, most buyers will shout at closing to a home with thousands of dollars in repairs that are needed. They will likely ask your customer to make the repairs prior to closure, knock the price of the repairs from their listing price, or most likely–determine this is all too much trouble and straight out of the deal altogether.

So, what exactly counts as an”key”? Basically, consider anything which may appear as a significant red flag in the buyer’s home inspection, or that you need to disclose based on local or state laws. Homebuyers and their representatives expect a house to come with minor defects and standard wear-and-tear. In this scenario, have your homeowner local plumber out for repairs. Whatever the price of dealing with the plumbing issue is now, it is well worth it.

If you’re working with a homeowner who is prepping their house for list, inquire about these possible deal breakers ahead of time. While fixing a slab escape or addressing structural damage may not be as sexy as an upgraded kitchen or master toilet, you and your client need to remove as many red flags as you can from the property ahead of listing. In the event the homeowner’s budget only allows for all these vital repairs, then prioritize them more than other updates.

Kitchen Remodels:

Assuming that all the essentials check out, a homeowner seeking to add value to their home should next turn into the kitchen. Kitchen remodels are among the best home projects for lasting return-on-investment: homebuyers, just like us, enjoy remodeled kitchens and dining areas. If your customer invests into their home by remodeling the kitchen, they not only can anticipate their home’s worth to leap, but they’ll also see their home get much more attention when listed.

The first thing prospective buyers will notice are the cabinets and countertops. If your customer is asking for your advice about what to redesign in their kitchen, urge that they proceed with stone countertops and wood cabinets in neutral colors, like white quartz paired using charcoal cabinets. Not only are neutral colors in vogue at this time, but they appeal to the broadest assortment of potential buyers, making them the ideal choice for homeowners looking to optimize their value and curb appeal.

While kitchen remodels are generally high-value projects, make certain it’s a fantastic match for your client’s home. If none of the comp attributes feature a remodeled kitchen, then that’s going to blunt the positive impact of the job and reduce their ROI. If the comps all have kitchens which are far nicer and more extensively renovated than what your client is planning, you should also take that into account. It’s hard to entice buyers to a unicorn: for the most part, you want to spend just enough to remain competitive with comps and other homes in the area.

Energy-efficiency upgrades:

If there’s something that unifies all homeowners, it is their disdain for high electric and gas bills. More and more buyers–especially real estate homebuyers, who now compose a majority of the actual estate marketplace –are considering purchasing homes which have energy-efficiency upgrades already ready to go. This is good news for you and your client: efficiency updates can be a comparatively low-cost way to add value to the property, make it even more attractive to buyers, and also bet out an edge over other properties in your size and price range.

For starters, invite your customer to phone their regional HVAC company out for a whole-home energy audit. This specialized service will supply them with an assessment of where their home is squandering the most energy and what they can do to address this regular energy reduction. A professional energy audit provides the homeowner with a punch list of items they need to finish to get the most-possible yield.

Typically, homeowners can complete a complete suite of energy-efficiency upgrades for under $500. If you’ve got a client who would like to invest back into their home before sale, but is short on upfront money, you may want to recommend they go in this direction.

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