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The 3 Big Buyer Mistakes That Turn Off Home Sellers

March 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

turn off home sellersBuyer Missteps That Turn Off Home Sellers

Current real estate conditions and low interest rates do make for favorable conditions for home buyers, but there are still a few buyer mistakes that turn off home sellers and can kill a real estate deal under any condition. Don’t miss out on the house you love. Avoid these home buyer mistakes that turn off home sellers.

3 Buyer Missteps That Turn Off Home Sellers

Home buyers may feel a false sense that all transactions come down to them, but home sellers can certainly pick and choose who they do business with. Here are the biggest missteps home buyers make that turn off home sellers.

LOW BALL OFFERS. A low ball real estate offer is not only insulting, it’s an easy way to turn off home sellers. Of course home buyers want a good deal on the house they are buying, but offering well under home appraisal probably won’t get you far in the deal.
Solution? Home buyers should work with an experienced Realtor who can compile market comps and current real estate transactions in the area to see how homes are selling in that market. At Capital Residential we work with home buyers to give them a more precise sense of offers turn off home sellersthat match real estate inventory based on our comprehensive market reports.

CRITICISM. Very rarely does a home buyer love everything about a home, but some home buyers take their criticism of a home a little too far. Buyers with an overly critical eye can turn off home sellers and sour the deal. The mural or backsplash that one home buyer finds horrendous may have been a labor of love for the current homeowner. Hurt feelings are sometimes just enough to turn off home sellers.
Solution? If the home seller or their agent is in earshot refrain from negative comments about décor or taste. These things are subjective, and harsh comments coupled with sensitive home sellers can wreck the transaction. Speak up if there’s a legitimate concern about the property, but keep comments about the home seller’s style to yourself.

LOAN ISSUES. So a home buyer has made an offer, the home seller has accepted, and then the loan falls through. It happens, and when it does it will turn off home sellers, and create dissatisfaction for everyone. Home buyers want to work with qualified home buyers so that when an offer comes in and the home is taken off the market, they can be certain the transaction will take place.
Solution? Get preapproved for your mortgage. This will put your mind and the home sellers you interact with at ease. At Capital Residential we help home buyers through the paper process, and ensure that they aren’t taking missteps that could threaten the deal or turn off the home sellers. Sometimes actions that seem insignificant can have huge implications on the deal. Just buying a refrigerator or washer before the ink is dry can ruin the real estate transaction. Once preapproval occurs, would-be home buyers should refrain from making large purchases on credit, so as to not affect their buying status.

How Working with a Real Estate Agent Can Avoid These Pitfalls

turn off home sellersAt Capital Residential our goal is to successfully guide home buyers through the home buying process. We are aware of what will turn off home sellers, and help our clients position themselves to be qualified, home buyers that sellers want to work with. If you are looking to buy a home, please contact me, George Jamieson at Capital Residential in Norwell, MA. I can be reached by email at George@capitalresidential.com or call/text me at 617.877.4839.

Filed Under: Buyer Tips, Cohasset, Hanover, Hingham, Home Tips & Trends, Marshfield, Norwell, Recent Posts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What Today’s Home Buyers Want

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

home buyers want

Today’s Home Buyers Want Upgrades, Space, and Efficiency

The spring market is heating up on the South Shore, and today’s home buyers want to find the right house. So how do you make the house your selling a must-have for today’s home buyers? To compete in the spring market you have to know what home today’s home buyers want.

Today’s Home Buyers Want Value

Some things don’t change, and today’s home buyers are no exception. Today’s home buyers want a good deal. That’s not to say that home sellers have to undervalue their home listing, but it does mean that sellers should accentuate the positives about the home and give buyers every reason to pay top dollar. Show off the space. Remember the 50% rule and try to remove half of your items in each room. According to Realtor Magazine, 62% of home buyers are looking for one additional bedroom and bath in their next house, and 76% are looking for additional storage.

Home Buyers Want Upgrades and Quality

Today’s home buyers want practical amenities and good construction. Radiant flooring, energy-efficient appliances, modern fixtures and hardware, and high-end appliances top the list of today’s home buyers wants. Hardwoods and fireplaces are excellent features, but can detract from the home if they are not in great condition. Have hardwoods sanded and polished, and service fireplaces so they are in good working order.

Don’t Forget about the Outside

Today’s home buyers are as concerned about the exterior living space as they are of the interior space. Decks and outside entertainment areas go a long way with buyers so maximize the appeal of your exterior space. Freshen up older decks with stain, add flowers in ceramic pots, and clean the deck furniture. If the space seems uncared for it will be reflected in the buyer’s offer so take the time to make the backyard look tidy and maintained.

Home Buyers Want Useable Space

Today’s home buyers want useable space, and they are turned off by space that serves no function. Take a look at your house with fresh eyes. Arehome buyers want there spaces that seem to be a collect-all zone? Or is there an area that would be better served with different furniture? Some of these fixes are easy. If you’ve turned a bedroom into an office or playroom, turn it back into a bedroom. Bedrooms sell, and you want buyers to see the space set up as a bedroom. Other instances require imagination. Make small nooks into efficient office spaces or storage areas.

Priorities buyers have for their next home according to Realtor Magazine:

  • Affordable price: 78%
  • Energy efficient heating and cooling: 68%
  • Energy Star rating: 61%
  • No wasted space/smart design: 56%

What are some of those extras that buyers dream of?

  • A separate laundry room: 80%
  • Additional storage: 76%
  • Outdoor grilling living area: 63%
  • One additional bedroom and bath: 62%

 

Filed Under: Buyer Tips, Cohasset, Hanover, Hingham, Home Tips & Trends, Homeowner Tips, Marshfield, Neighborhoods, Norwell, Recent Posts, Scituate, South Shore News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What Are Buyers Paying? Recent Home Sales on the South Shore

January 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A Comparison of Recent Home Sales on the South Shore Over the Last Month

The holidays may have been last month, but they did not stop recent home sales on the South Shore. Buyers and sellers managed to close quite a few sales across the South Shore and across the board in terms of price and home size. The recent home sales on the South Shore did vary a bit from town to town, with some areas seeing high activity.

How Are Home Sales on the South Shore?

Recent home sales on the South Shore indicate what today’s home buyers are looking for and what they are willing to pay for a house. The starter and mid-size homes in the $300-$700k range are popular with current home buyers, with sales activity being higher at those price points.

recent home sales on the south shore

Recent Home Sales on the South Shore: Scituate

Among the recent homes sales on the South Shore in December 2011, Scituate had 18 home sales. Most of the homes sold were under 2,000 square feet in size with all of those sales coming in under $500,000. There were a few homes that sold for more than $500k. This home at 3 Hickory Lane, Scituate sold for $609,000. It’s a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3,200+ square foot home. Search current home listings in Scituate, MA.

recent home sales on the south shore

Recent Home Sales on the South Shore: Norwell

Homes sales in Norwell were a little light in the month of December 2011, with a total of 3 home sales. However, 11 home sales in November gave a little boost to real estate activity in this South Shore community known for its smaller size and excellent schools. 3 of the 14 sales in November and December were over $500,000. The vast majority of home sales in Norwell were in the starter and mid-size home markets. Among the recent home sales on the South Shore was this oversized cape-style home on a quiet cul-de-sac in Norwell, MA. The 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2,442 square foot home sits on 1.38 acres and sold for $587,500. Search current home listings in Norwell, MA.

recent home sales on the south shoreRecent Home Sales on the South Shore: Hingham

December 2011 was a good month for home sales in Hingham, MA, with a total of 20 home closings. This affluent and historic South Shore town has a resilient real estate market reflected in consistent home prices and sales. While Norwell and Scituate had no home sales in the $1 million range, Hingham had two sales, with one 4,ooo square foot home selling for $1,635,000. This home at 11 Edgar Walker Court in Hingham, MA sold just under $1 million. The traditional 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 3,400+ sq. ft. colonial sold for $912,000. Search current home listings in Hingham, MA.

 

Filed Under: Buyer Tips, Hingham, Home Tips & Trends, Neighborhoods, Norwell, Recent Posts, Scituate, South Shore News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Buying in Norwell? Tips To Get You Started

December 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

NorwellBeginning Your Norwell Home Search

Maybe it’s the small town appeal, strong Norwell school system, or rural attributes that have attracted you to this South Shore community. You’ve narrowed your search, and are considering buying a home in Norwell. What are the next steps? Here’s are a few tips to get you started on your Norwell home search.

Search Norwell ListingsNorwell

There are some great homes on the market in Norwell, ranging in all sizes and numerous styles. From starter homes to luxury properties, new construction to established neighborhoods, Norwell has some beautiful houses available to buyers. Take a look at these Norwell listings. If you’re not working with a Realtor I am happy to personally provide you with more information about the listings that catch your attention.

List of “Must-Haves”

There are a lot of choices in house hunting: property size, square footage, number of bedrooms, number or bathrooms, new construction, antiques, main roads, neighborhoods, waterfront, proximity to Route 3, proximity to Route 3A, and the list goes on. It’s tremendously helpful and time-saving for buyers to consider these options and draft a list of musts in their home search. I can work with you to provide resources and information to help you weigh these options before deciding what will work for your family.

NorwellMarket Reports

Is it a good time buy? What are homes worth in Norwell? Are homes selling for listing price? These are all excellent questions for homebuyers to ask. And, I can email you that information on a weekly basis. Just sign up for my free market report, and you will receive the most current numbers for Norwell.

Attend Norwell Open Houses

Much about home buying is visual, a feeling when you see the property and walk through the home. I am happy to work with you, show you properties and homes that seem like a good fit for you. As a resident of Norwell, I know my way around, and am familiar with the various sections and neighborhoods within the community. I can offer you a lay of the land as well as insight into Norwell.

If you have more questions about starting a home search or buying a house in Norwell give me a call at 617.877.4839 or send me an email at George@capitalresidential.com. It would be my pleasure to work with you to find the perfect house.

Filed Under: Buyer Tips, Home Tips & Trends, Market Analysis, Neighborhoods, Norwell, Open House Tips, Recent Posts, South Shore News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Families Want To Own A Home

July 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Owning a home is part of the American dream, right? At least for most people. Renting is an option during and right after college and even for retirees who spend a few months here and a few months there.  Also for the ultra-wealthy, renting is sometimes a better business decision. But for young families just starting out, owning a home means enjoying the lifestyle they want.

If you have children, it means providing them with the best education and surroundings. The South Shore including the towns of Norwell, Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Hanover and Marshfield offer just that. Great schools, nice neighborhoods, recreation, excellent sports and strong communities are what the South Shore is all about.  Owning a house is a place you can really call home and it is yours. You can do what you want with your home (within reason and per local by-laws). You can renovate your home, knock down walls and add-on if you want. You can put in an in-ground pool, put up a fence for security, add a sports court or even a winter-time ice rink. When you rent a home or an apartment, you can’t do anything to the space other than live in it and pay your landlord his or her retirement. You can’t update it and you certainly have to be careful about how loud you are.

As a renter, have you ever had a nightmare neighbor who walks around their hardwood floor apartment in what you would believe to be ”wooden clogs” and then sets off their smoke detector at 2 a.m. every Friday night? Hopefully I wasn’t the nightmare neighbor at some point, but I think I was in the majority of noise abiding tenants when I lived throughout Boston in my earlier days. I have a lot of rental apartment horror stories. The bottom line is that paying rent works for some people at certain points in their life. But as most young adults mature and start their own family, owning a home is the smart thing to do.

Even if you’re in the minority of those who believe the real estate market is not a good investment and we won’t see the kind of home appreciation we’ve seen in the last 100 years, you can’t argue that you are building equity as you pay off your mortgage and at a minimum you will get something in return for your monthly payments versus nothing when you rent. Also, at least currently, their are tax advantages to owning a home including the mortgage interest deduction and energy efficient deductions when you make certain updates to your home.

As we all know, price is a large piece of the puzzle and what you can afford to pay for monthly living expenses is a key factor in making the jump into home ownership. As a homeowner and a Realtor who serves buyers and sellers throughout the South Shore and Boston, I can attest that the best thing about owning a home is building memories, enjoying our property to its fullest potential and calling it “our home”. If you are just starting out by yourself or have a growing family and need a Realtor to help you find your first home or your dream home, please call me. I would love to help you achieve your real estate goals.

Filed Under: Buyer Tips, Property Listings, Recent Posts, Universal Truths Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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