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Selling Your Home? Know How To Choose The Right Real Estate Agent

March 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Selling your home this year? Any competent real estate agent associated with a reputable brokerage firm can help you when selling your home. However, there can be vast differences in the level of value and professional services offered by the multitude of real estate agencies you have to choose from. It’s important when selling your home to know how to choose the right real estate agent. Not only is the brokerage firm you pick a key component, but the specific real estate agent you choose to work with can have a huge impact on the success of your transaction.

Selling Your Home with the biggest company doesn’t mean you always get more

Capital Residential Real Estate is considered a boutique real estate agency, meaning it’s locally owned, relatively small and independent from a national or regional brand affiliation.  As the owner and principal broker of Capital Residential Real Estate, I like my company being independent and different from the self-proclaimed #1 real estate conglomerates in the industry. The advantage Capital Residential Real Estate has is we don’t have to pay a franchise conglomerate a monthly fee plus another few percentage points for national advertising. That money can stay here locally and be spent strategically when I’m selling your home.

Brand awareness, brand recognition and brand loyalty are the basis for any measurable success in corporate America, but then again, I’m not corporate America, I’m Main Street America and that’s the way I like it. However, as a business marketing grad, I have to give kudos to brand names such as Coldwell Banker, Century21, ERA, Sothebys International Realty and Better Homes and Gardens – all enterprises of Realogy’s real estate franchise network. Formerly all these franchise brands were directly owned by Cendant until they spun off and separated their hotel, car rental and real estate businesses and created Realogy, who’s franchise empire has certainly achieved the pinnacle of franchise branding success.  Other names that may come to consumers minds is the ReMax and Keller Williams franchises. Even locally here in New England and South of Boston on the South Shore of Massachusetts, William Raveis Real Estate and Jack Conway Realtors, two real estate powerhouses and non-franchise entities as of this date, have built great brand recognition and still remain independent.

A Referral to a Real Estate Agent is the norm when selling your home

If you’re selling your home and you get referred to an agent affiliated with Capital Residential, Coldwell Banker or William Raveis, chances are you’re probably going to end up working with that agent. People like referrals, both the giver and the receiver as well potential user of the services. It’s human nature to trust a friend’s opinion and their personal referral when it comes to something as important as selling your home and people like doing business with people they know. But that doesn’t always mean the referral you end up with is the right one for you. It can be no different than cold calling a real estate agency and ending up with the person who answers the phone. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if the real estate agent you’ve been referred to is exceptional and worthy of handling such an important financial transaction. Remember that selling your home involves hundreds of thousands of your dollars if not millions and you want an agent who has expertise in pricing, marketing and certainly negotiating so none of your money gets left on the table and the deal actually gets completed.

All of these companies I mentioned are strong national and regional brands who have spent a lot of money on their marketing campaigns to become successful. This has helped them attract and leverage people, both agents and consumers alike. I know and work with many good agents who are affiliated with these brands, but some real estate brokerages are hamstrung by their tight budgets caused by too many listings, overpriced listings and big office overhead. Then it’s up to the individual real estate agent to dip into their wallet and pay for the enhanced marketing efforts needed when selling your home in today’s market. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case as some agents might not have or be willing to spend their personal savings on marketing your home.

Getting a Bigger Bang For Your Buck When Selling Your Home

Most consumers might think a big national franchise brand can provide more value, better advertising and a bigger bang for their buck, but this isn’t necessarily true. Locally owned independent brokerage firms like Capital Residential Real Estate can offer the same and in many cases more value and service when selling your home.  Boutique real estate firms like Capital Residential have equal access to the same pool of home buyers in the marketplace so it’s just a matter of reaching those buyers and making sure your home is seen first and frequently.  Anyone can list a home for sale on the Internet, even the owner, but that doesn’t mean your home will be marketed properly. Just having your home listed on the MLS (Muliple Listing Service) these days isn’t enough to reach all the prospective buyers. When selling our home, you need feature advertising and strategic positioning on the Internet in order to find the right buyer. This featured positioning means having your home found first on sites like Realtor.com, Trulia.com and Boston.com, which easily leads people to your home for showings, open houses and ultimately a completed transaction. Capital Residential uses these featured on-line advertising resources as well as social media including Facebook and Twitter to increase your home’s on-line SEO.

Comparing Capital Residential to National Real Estate Franchises

When comparing Capital Residential to the national real estate franchises, the more important factor is the specific agent you chose to represent you and what that agent provides in terms of added value. Not all real estate agents are created equal. Some are experienced, some are not. Some have college degrees and real estate designations, some do not. Some have been professionally trained in negotiation techniques and how to bring deals to a successful conclusion. Some agents invest in themselves and their listings by way of hiring a professional photographer and videographer, which is necessary in today’s market. Selling your home in today’s market is not easy, inexpensive or an exact science. But one thing is for sure: It means thinking outside of the box, being creative and guaranteeing clients that their home will stand out above the competition. If the agent you are interviewing to represent you when selling your home can’t guarantee these types of marketing components, then keep looking for the right agent.

Being an Educated Consumer When Selling Your Home

As an educated consumer and someone thinking about selling your home in the near future, these are all relevant thoughts and considerations when hiring a real estate agent to represent you. I would suggest you interview at least three real estate agents in your community. Have the big companies come in first and second and then have Capital Residential come in last. Consider the added-value services each offers as well as the qualities and professional skills of the individual agent because they are ultimately the one and only person who is in control of your destiny when selling your home. Then make the choice that meets your expectations. As I said, any reputable real estate agent can sell a home, but how you get there and the net result is just as important. If you would like to speak to Realtor George Jamieson at Capital Residential Real Estate, please call 781-659-2005 or email him at George@capitalresidential.com. Take advantage of Capital Residential’s special offer: New clients get a free certified home appraisal and a $650 closing cost credit. Capital Residential Real Estate serves clients throughout the South Shore including the towns of Norwell, Hingham, Hanover, Scituate, Marshfield, Cohasset, Duxbury, Pembroke, Hull, Rockland, Abington, Braintree, Weymouth, Quincy, Plymouth, Kingston, Milton and South Boston.

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6 Seller Mistakes That Turn Off Home Buyers

February 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Seller Pitfalls That Turn Off Home Buyersturn off home buyers

The last thing a seller wants to do is turn off home buyers. The entire real estate process of selling a home is doing everything to maximize exposure to interested home buyers and attracting home buyers to your property. But, sometimes seller interaction can turn off home buyers and lead to no sale. Don’t let this happen to you.

The List of 6 Seller Missteps That Turn Off Home Buyers

Buying and selling a home can be an emotional roller coaster. It’s a big decision on both sides, and it’s easy for buyers and sellers to take missteps that affect the outcome. Here are the biggest mistakes home sellers make that turn off home buyers.

OVERPRICING. Every seller wants top dollar for their home, but inflated pricing can turn off home buyers. What’s worse, it can turn off home buyers before they even walk through your front door. In a sea of home listings, home buyers often select potential properties by size, bedrooms, location, and price. And you may be pricing your home out of the range for qualified buyers. But, don’t undervalue your home either.turn off home buyers

Solution? Work with an experienced realtor who can compare your home to similar homes that have sold in the area, and help you determine an appropriate listing price. At Capital Residential we study home sales trends by South Shore community, so that we can give our clients the most current and comprehensive guidance when listing a home for sale. Rather than turn off home buyers, our agents do everything to position your home for a sale.

MESSY HOUSE. The easiest way to turn off home buyers is by listing a cluttered, dirty, sloppy home. Sellers should list a home that is in the best condition it can possibly be in. Your home should look its absolute best. A clean home with no clutter is essential. But more than that, home buyers are watching for fresh carpet, newer paint, and upgrades. Homes that aren’t “move-in” ready often turn off home buyers. Especially in an age of HGTV and home design shows, home buyers expect a tidy, organized, pleasing home. Home sellers will turn off home buyers without this preparation.

Solution? Don’t turn off home buyers with a messy house. Clean, repair, spruce up your home before listing. Work with an experienced agent that can help direct your work efforts. At Capital Residential we understand the expectations of home buyers, and work with clients to present a home that brings in home buyers and offers. We also have a great pool of resources such as cleaners, stagers, and contractors to put the finishing touches on your listing.

LINGERING SELLERS. Of course home sellers are interested in how home buyers react to their house, but to stick around for showings and open houses is one big way to turn off home buyers. It’s hard for home buyers to relax when you, the seller, is there. It can turn off home buyers when their first impression is to be guarded. You want potential home buyers to feel free to explore and consider the possibilities of living in the house, and it’s hard to do that when the current homeowner is standing by.

Solution? You won’t turn off home buyers if you’re not there. Out of sight, out of mind, is a good thing during an open house. Plan to be out of your home whenever a potential home buyer is coming for a tour. It can be an inconvenience, but it’s well worth it when it leads to an offer.

MISLEADING INFORMATION. As a home seller you absolutely want to accentuate the positives of your home, but it will turn off home buyers if you inflate the truth about your home. If you are willing to stretch the truth about some things, potential home buyers will wonder what else you’ve hidden. It will turn off home buyers and can damage you and your home’s reputation. Be honest about the home so that when interested home buyers come for a tour the home will live up to their expectations, and maybe lead to an offer.

Solution? Be straightforward about the home’s positives. If the seller is concerned that the home has little to attract buyers then consider ways to improve the home’s appeal. Touch up the paint, take care of minor repairs, bring in a professional home stager. At Capital Residential we work with our cients to accentuate the positives in a home. Don’t turn off home buyers with misleading information. Instead, work on making your home the best it can be.

NO PHOTOS. These days, many home buyers conduct their searches online for home listings. Not only does it turn off buyers, but it is a such a turn off home buyerslost opportunity, when a home seller does not add photos of their home to their listing. Square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, and other details are helpful to home buyers, but nothing compares to a visual of the home for sale. Many home buyers will skim right over the listing when there are no photos, leaving the home seller with a reduced number of viable leads. No photos of your listing will also turn off home buyers because it is an indication that maybe the house isn’t attractive.

Solution? Take photos of your home before you list the house. It is part of making a good first impression, and it is equally important that the photos are done well. At Capital Residential we take professional-quality photos of each of the homes we list. We know how important photos are to attracting home buyers. Most of the time, photos are the first visual home buyers have a property, and they need to trigger enough interest for home buyers to take the next step and tour the house.

POOR UPGRADES. Nothing puts a smile on a home buyers face than an unexpected quality upgrade in a home, and nothing will turn off home buyers more quickly than a poorly-executed upgrade. Most of the time good intentions are there, but often home sellers will pick and choose what they upgrade and how much they invest in it, and this can turn off home buyers. Making some upgrades in the kitchen or bathroom without carrying over those upgrades, can draw attention to problem areas, and upgrades that are done on a budget can detract as well.

Solution? Before a home seller invests in an upgrade, take a closer look at how much value it adds to the house. At Capital Residential we provide clients with professional consultation regarding ways to increase a home’s value. Some upgrades make sense, others don’t, and all upgrades should be done with the goal of adding to the home seller’s bottomline while providing value to the home buyer.

turn off home buyersHow Working with a Real Estate Agent Can Avoid These Pitfalls

At Capital Residential our goal is to attract qualified buyers to home sellers. We are aware of what will turn off home buyers, and help our clients position themselves and their homes to sell at top dollar. If you are considering selling your 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: A Realtor's Life, Cohasset, Hanover, Hingham, Home Tips & Trends, Homeowner Tips, Marshfield, Neighborhoods, Norwell, Open House Tips, Recent Posts, Scituate, South Shore News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Staging Your Home to Sell in the South Shore’s Spring Market

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Appealing to Buyers: Staging Your Home to Sell Makes a Difference

Staging your home to sell is one of those things that sellers want to do before they list a house, but they don’t always get around to doing. And it’s also one of those things that can make a huge difference in the house selling process. Staging your home to sell is really about maximizing the positives in your home and appealing to the greatest number of home buyers.

Staging Your Home to Sell Quickly

The simple answer is yes. Staging your home to sell can reduce the time your house is on the market and increase your selling price. According to recent data compiled by Stagedhomes.com, 94% of homes staged by an Accredited Staging Professional sold in 29 days or less, compared to an average of 145 days for homes that were not staged. And homes staged by Accredited Staging Professionals stayed on the market 83% less time than a home that had not been staged.

Staging Your Home to Sell: Is it Worth it?

The study by Stagedhomes.com also revealed that staging your home to sell brings an average 3% minimum increase in final sales price compared to homes not staged. While buyers may be reluctant to spend money, staging your home to sell is often a wise investment. It costs several hundreds of dollars, upwards of a few thousand for a professional home stager, but this may be money well spent. Sellers with homes that sit on the market with little activity often have to drop the listing price of the home by thousands. The expense associated with staging your home to sell is often much less than dropping the listing price by thousands of dollars.

Simple Tips for Staging Your Home to Sell Like a Pro

Staging your home to sell is an art, and professional stagers are recommended for home sellers looking to reap the most reward from the staging process. However, there are simple tips that the professionals use for staging your home to sell:

  • Clean, declutter, remove. Clean the entire house, top to bottom, until every surface sparkles. Wash all fabrics: drapers, rugs, pillows, etc. Remove all personal items. Clear the shelves, counters, tables, dressers, bookcases and built-ins.
  • Start with a fresh canvas. Staging your home to sell is all about finishing touches. But it’s impossible to do this without a blank slate. Be sure that you are working with a minimum amount of furniture and accessories in the house.
  • Grouping. Home stagers often group items in bundles of 3 and 5. Odd numbers work well so if you are adding color to a mantle or side table remember to group items in 3 or 5. For example, a vase, a candy dish and a paper weight. This also works with groupings of framed artwork on walls.
  • Scenarios of comfort. Design kitchens, bathrooms, and master bedrooms to be clean, welcoming and relaxing retreats. Clear kitchen counters of everything. Add one colorful bowl of fruit, a healthy, green plant, or a set of new canisters for a fresh look on the counter. Place a small basket of clean, rolled washclothes, designer bathsoaps and lotion in the bathroom along with a small flowering plant. Make the master inviting with big, stylish pillows on the bed and spa-like finishing touches in the bathroom.
  • Dress up the outside. Along with trimming shrubs and keeping the lawn mowed, staging your home to sell requires some creativity outside. Add pots of plants along decks and steps. Clean and arrange deck furniture and set the outdoor table with a vase of fresh flowers and colorful plates and serving pieces.

Staging Your Home to Sell: Where to Start?

The first step is to work with an experienced real estate agent. At Capital Residential, we specialize in home selling and buying on the South Shore, and work with experienced staging professionals who will make your home attractive to the largest pool of qualified home buyers. Our agents work and live right in the community. We watch and study the trends, and understand what both buyers and sellers want in this market. Wondering how homes are selling on the South Shore? Sign up for our free market reports to receive the latest real estate numbers for Norwell, Hingham, Hanover, Marshfield, and other surrounding towns. If you’re thinking of selling your home, 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: Design News, Hanover, Hingham, Home Tips & Trends, Homeowner Tips, Marshfield, Norwell, Open House Tips, Recent Posts, Scituate, South Shore News 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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

10 Simple Ways to Get Your House Ready to Sell

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

get your house ready to sellWhat You Need to Know to Get Your House Ready to Sell

Every seller wants top dollar, but the deciding factor is most often what’s been done to get your house ready to sell. Just because two homes are the same square footage or in the same neighborhood doesn’t mean they’ll sell for the same amount. It comes down to buyers and how they react to the homes.

Get Your House Ready to Sell Checklist

So what can you do to get your house ready to sell? Start with this checklist to get your house ready to sell.

Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer.

Use a critical eye to evaluate your home and property. Get your house ready to sell by looking for the flaws outside. Cracks in the driveway or pathways, peeling paint, missing window trim, broken gutters. These eye sores indicate to buyers that the home has not been cared for. They can be easily remedied, and will go a long way in first impressions with buyers.

Don’t make it personal.

You probably have wonderful memories of the home, but to get your house ready to sell you need to let the personal part go. Remove the family photos, the mementos and knick-knacks, and all of the other personal items that can be distracting to buyers. You want them to imagine owning the property, not being reminded that it belongs to someone else.

Be neutral.

You may love magenta walls and orange-striped pillows, but your taste may not coincide with the average buyer. To get your house ready to sell neutralize the design and décor. Cream and beige tones are good choices because they are not offensive. Some buyers have a hard time seeing past a color they don’t like. Make it easy on them by creating a completely neutral palette.

get your house ready to sellDwell on the details when you get your home ready to sell.

It’s easy to overlook a small crack on the wall especially if it’s been that way for years, but when you get ready to sell your house you need to notice those details. Just because you learned to live with it doesn’t mean the next buyer is willing to. Address the cracks, fill the holes, smooth the wall surfaces. Fix the door that sticks, the step that creaks, the light switch that doesn’t work. And don’t rely strictly on a fresh coat of paint. Take care of wall imperfections before touching up the paint.

Clean out the closets and drawers.

It can be a big task, but to get your house ready to sell you need to purge. Buyers open doors and drawers, and you don’t want them to be a mess. Stuffed drawers and bursting closests tell buyers that the house doesn’t have adequate space. Pack clothes up and put them in the storage if you have to. Streamline the closets so they look functional and neat. Do the same with drawers in the bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. Buyers can imagine themselves in a neat, efficient space.

Organize the kitchen.

Get your house ready to sell by removing everything from the counter. It may not be what you are used to, but buyers like to see every inch of counter space. A tidy kitchen is an efficient and more spacious kitchen. Organize cupboards and pantries, and remove clutter.

Less is more.

Generally every space looks better and bigger with less furniture and items in it. To get your house ready to sell minimize what you have. You’ve likely grown out of your house or are downsizing anyway so take the time to get rid of old furniture and items you don’t want anymore. Donate or toss them. Remove at least one piece of furniture from every room. Try to narrow bedrooms down to just bed, bureau, nightstand. Remove everything else. Clean out under beds and give everything a thorough cleaning.

get your house ready to sellFocus on finishing touches.

Niceties go a long way when you get your house ready to sell. Add the little features that buyers appreciate. Update older kitchen cabinets with contemporary knobs, fill vases with fresh flowers, stack potted plants on decks and back steps, and place nice bath soaps in a dish with fresh hand towels in the bathroom.

Make surfaces sparkle.

Every surface needs attention when you get your house ready to sell. Everything from your front lawn to kitchen floors need to look like new. When surfaces look dingy the buyer assumes they’ll need to replace it and this comes off the listing price. Buyers are more willing to pay top dollar when everything looks pristine and new. Sand and refinish hardwood floors, regrout tile in the bathroom, wash tile floors and windows, trim the grass, and steam vacuum carpets. Some sellers invest in professional cleaning services on an ongoing basis during the home selling process to maintain maximum cleanliness.

When you get your home ready to sell, choose an experienced real estate agent.

get your house ready to sellOnce you get your house ready to sell it’s important to work with a real estate agent that is familiar with your neighborhood and real estate market. Capital Residential specializes in home selling and buying on the South Shore. Our agents work and live right in the community. We watch and study the trends, and understand what both buyers and sellers want in this market. Wondering how homes are selling on the South Shore? Sign up for our free market reports to receive the latest real estate numbers for Norwell, Hingham, Hanover, Marshfield, and other surrounding towns. If you’re thinking of selling your home, 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: Cohasset, Hanover, Hingham, Home Tips & Trends, Homeowner Tips, Marshfield, Neighborhoods, Norwell, Open House Tips, Recent Posts, Scituate, South Shore News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Won’t My House Sell? The 4 Top Strategies for Selling a Home

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

selling a homeHow to Go From Selling a Home to Sold

Once you’ve started down the real estate road of selling a home, it’s discouraging when offers don’t start coming in. There’s a lot of preparation and decision-making that goes into selling a home: everything from finishing up projects inside and outside the property to scheduling to be out of the house during open houses. With all this hard work it’s understandable that home sellers get frustrated when the process of selling a home results in no sale. While there is no perfect answer, and timing is a huge factor, there are 4 key strategies for selling a house that I share with my clients. Following these tips will help your home stand out against the competition, and improve your chances of selling a home in this real estate market.

Why Price Matters When Selling a Home

Pricing a home to sell can be a sensitive issue, but it’s likely the most important aspect in selling a home. What a home sells for can vary by decade and sometimes even from year to year. So what your neighbor received as an offer last summer on their home may not be indicative of what you’ll get on your home this year.

It’s important to price your home according to current market conditions. The best way to do that is to follow market reports that list recent sales and selling prices in your area. The ones that I provide to clients are market reports specific to South Shore communities including Norwell, Hanover, Hingham, Scituate, Cohasset, and Marshfield. The market reports are emailed weekly and are free of charge, and contain current real selling a homeestate data and trends for the South Shore. These market statistics are very helpful in determining pricing for selling a home. Sign up now forcustomized market reports from Capital Residential.

However, it’s not enough to just look at sales price on recently sold homes in the area. You should compare your home to similar homes in terms of neighborhood, size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and lot size. Pricing can change dramatically if your home sits on a busy street or has 4 bedrooms.

Another factor to consider when pricing and selling a home is days on market. Take a look to see how long it took for homes to sell in your area and how often and by how much the listing price was reduced during that time. The number of days on market provides key insight into how challenging it may be selling a home in your town or neighborhood. The ideal time for selling is within the first 3 weeks of listing. After that, interest usually slows, and sellers are left to consider reducing the asking price on their home. Success in selling a home starts with setting a listing price that matches the supply and demand in your town and neighborhood.

Marketing Your Home To Sell

Selling a home is competitive whether it’s a buyer’s market or seller’s market. And marketing is key in getting the attention of buyers and real estate brokers representing buyers. Start with signage. Be sure that your home has a for sale sign out and visible as soon as the listing goes on the market. This is important in creating interest that you are selling a home.

Have open houses for both buyers as well as real estate agents. Be sure that your home is impeccable and it never hurts to put out light refreshments. It leaves those who tour your home with a good impression, which in turn may result in leads from home buyers.

Concerned that your home isn’t impeccable? Consider working with a home staging professional. Usually a few simple steps can make a huge difference in home presentation. Clear clutter from all counter and table surfaces. Keep photos and wall hangings to a minimum. Remove toy bins, totes, and extra furniture, so that rooms and furnishings fit to scale.

Get word out that your selling a home. Utilize direct mail options such as oversized postcards and list your home in the real estate section of the local paper. Visibility is important in selling a home, so be sure that your listing agent runs a robust marketing campaign and gives you a written guarantee that your home will be featured for sale on Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Homes.com and Boston.com to name a few. If they are not highly visible as a listing agent, then it is likely your home won’t have much visibility as a listing with them.

A Picture Tells a Thousand Words: Selling a Home with Photography

selling a homeBuying a home is as much visual as it is a logical decision. Photos are absolutely essential in selling a home. Online searches for home listings are very common in the buying and selling market, and listings that offer few or no photos are less likely to produce any interest. With online listings everywhere your home can be listed in multiple locations with dozens, even hundreds of visitors looking at your listing. With all of those opportunities to be seen, it’s important when selling a home that your property attracts visual interest.

Exterior and interior photos that are of high quality are a necessity. A photo of the front of your home is standard, but be sure to have the photo taken when there’s good lighting. Wait for a bright day, clear any debris from the yard and path, trim hedges, hang a wreath on the door or add flowers to outside pots, take the shot from an angle, and avoid extraneous items such as cars or neighboring homes. If you have a deck, pool, or backyard, take photos of each area. Again making each shot as attractive as possible.

Inside the home, photograph each room. Open blinds and turn lights on so that the images are bright. Tidy bedrooms, make beds, and remove all items from nightstands except for essentials like clocks and lamps. Try to include as much of the room as possible in the photo to show dimension. In the kitchen remove all items from counters, place a vase of flowers on the table, and clean appliances so they shine in the photos. If you have areas of visual interest such as hardwood floors, a fireplace mantle, or detailed wood trim take photos of them as well.

Selling a Home Starts with Choosing the Right Agent

With so many real estate agents to choose from, it can be an overwhelming decision for home sellers. But, it’s a decision that can mean the difference between successfully selling a home or being left with an expired listing.

Not all real estate agents are the same, and all real estate is local. Be sure that the agents you are considering are knowledgeable of buying and selling conditions in your town. Capital Residential specializes in home buying and selling in Norwell, Hingham, Hanover, Scituate, Cohasset, Marshfield and surrounding South Shore communities. We research, study, and analyze the real estate transactions in these South Shore communities on a daily basis. We know what the trends are and we relay that information to our clients to give them the best chance of a successful home sale.

Also, find an agent that markets well. If your real estate agent does a good job marketing their services, it’s likely that agent will market your property well when selling a home for you. At Capital Residential we promote an active online and print presence that includes the major real estate search engines as well as the local newspapers and direct mail efforts. We also utilize the latest social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter to promote active real estate listings on the South Shore.

Choose an agent that is experienced. Home sellers want a seamless, hassle-free process, and while there are hiccups that can occur in the home selling process, it makes it easier when you are working with an experienced, professional real estate agent. At Capital Residential, our goal is to provide our home selling clients with an experience that they can confident in and delivers results.

selling a homeSelling a Home? Contact George Jamieson at Capital Residential

In the beginning stages of selling a home or left with an expired listing? Contact 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. I am happy to answer your questions and work with you to set a real estate strategy for selling a home in today’s South Shore market.

Filed Under: A Realtor's Life, Business, Cohasset, Hanover, Hingham, Home Tips & Trends, Homeowner Tips, Local Market Conditions, Marshfield, Neighborhoods, Norwell, Open House Tips, Recent Posts, Scituate, South Shore News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ready to Sell? 7 Tips for Selling a House in the Spring Market 2012

January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

selling a house in the spring marketSelling a House in the Spring Market on the South Shore

With snow on the ground it’s hard to imagine the daffodils and crocuses budding, but they are coming, and so is the time for selling a house in the spring market. And it starts early. On the South Shore, the spring real estate market actually begins just after February vacation, so there’s really just a few weeks before we see houses listed and the spring market cycle begin to take shape. Selling a house in the spring market depends heavily on preparation and timing. The stronger listings, the ones carefully evaluated before coming to market, tend to do better.

7 Tips for Selling a House in the Spring Market 2012

Planning is key for success when selling a house in the spring market. And now is the time to enhance and position your property for a sale. Consider these tips before selling a house in the spring market on the South Shore:

Schedule Contractors Now.

Whether you need roof or chimney repairs, exterior or interior painting, or a top coat on the driveway, now is the time to line up the contractors. Schedules fill up quickly as other homeowners prepare their properties for sale. Start the process now so you have plenty of time to get projects complete before selling a house in the spring market 2012. If you need a referral, contact me or visit my local business page.

Finish the “Little Projects.”

There are always a few small things that homeowners wish they got to before selling a house in the spring market. It might be a leaky fawcet, a hole or dent in the drywall, or maybe just a lightbulb that has blown, but whatever that little project is, now is the time to complete it. Too often homeowners look past the little things until it’s time to list the house for sale, and then the pressure is on. Reduce the stress by finishing the projects now.

Add to Your Home’s Best Features.

Take a look at your house and put yourself in the home buyer’s shoes. What parts of your home are the most attractive? Try to lengthen that list by boosting your home’s curb and interior appeal. Paint the front door. Clean the windows and drapes. Freshen the paint on woodwork and trim.

Clean the closets and drawers.

Storage is always a top priority for home buyers, and open houses inevitably lead to a closet or drawer being opened. And a messy, cluttered appearance gives the impression that the house lacks adequate space. Clean the utility drawer and organize the closets. Showcase the functionality of your house.

Declutter.

Now is the perfect time to sort through totes, storage bins, and closets and figure out what you don’t want or need to bring to your next home. Drop household items to the Salvation Army on Route 53 in Hanover, drop a bag of clothes in the St. Vincent de Paul bin behind St. Helen’s Church, drop gently used clothes, coats and toys to the Closet located at Norwell Town Hall. Removing these items now will save you time when you go to move, and it will make your home neater for open house. Buyers are able to visualize themselves and their furniture better when less of your belongings are visible.

Clean the Yard.

Home buyer first impressions are based on the exterior of your house, and selling a house in the spring market is competitive. Tidy the yard, pick up fallen branches, toss old pots and plantings from last season, and shovel and salt walkways and driveways.

Work with an Experienced Real Estate Agent.

It’s not too early to start the process of selling a house in the spring market 2012, and the first step is to find the right real estate agent to list your house. Home sellers should look for an agent knowledgable of the local real estate market. Capital Residential specializes in the South Shore towns of Norwell, Hingham, Cohasset, Hanover, Marshfield, and Scituate and surrounding communities. We keep up-to-date on the the real estate market here on the South Shore, and therefore can help our clients determine appropriate listing prices, stage their homes for buyers, and market their homes effectively.

If you’re thinking of selling a house in the spring market 2012 on the South Shore, contact me. I’m happy to answer your questions about the South Shore real estate market and selling your home. And sign up for my free market reports so I can email you the latest numbers for homes sales and trends in your town.

Filed Under: Cohasset, Hanover, Home Tips & Trends, Homeowner Tips, Local Market Conditions, Market Analysis, Marshfield, Neighborhoods, Norwell, Open House Tips, Recent Posts, Scituate, South Shore News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Home Energy Tax Credits Expire December 31

December 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

creditsLast Days to Use Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

It’s a hectic time with the holidays fast-approaching, but homeowners have a few days left to take advantage of tax credits for energy efficient home improvements. The 2011 homeowner tax credits expire on December 31, and with no guarantee that Congress will renew them for 2012, the next week or so may be the last opportunity to utilize these credits.

Upgrades Lower Home Energy Bills

The energy-efficient home improvements are popular with homeowners looking to improve and invest in the comfort of their home while reducing their energy bills over the long-term. The allowance for the tax credits that homeowners may be eligible for include:

  • $300 for electric heat pump water heaters, electric heat pumps, central air conditioners, biomass stoves, and natural gas, propane, or oil water heaters.
  • $150 for natural gas, propane, oil furnace, or hot water boilers.
  • $50 for advanced main air circulating fans.
  • 10% of the cost of insulation and sealing materials, exterior doors and certain types of energy efficient roofs.
  • 10% of the cost, up to $200, of exterior windows or skylights.

For more information about applying for these tax credits and what projects are eligible, visit the IRS website.

Filed Under: Business, Home Tips & Trends, Homeowner Tips, South Shore News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hosting Thanksgiving? Safety Tips for Deep Frying a Turkey

November 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Homeowner Tips for Safely Frying Turkey

While most people worry about overcooking the Thanksgiving turkey, the real concern should be in the way it is prepared. Deep fried turkey has grown in popularity over the last decade, but the delicious technique comes with a lot of danger. Nationally there will be more than 2,000 fires on Thanksgiving and the source is mostly deep fryers. Here are a few tips to follow to keep you and your family safe while frying your Thanksgiving turkey.

  1. Fry away from the house. Set up the fryer at least 20 feet away from your home, structures and other flammable objects. Never deep fry a turkey inside your home, on a deck, near the garage, under a deck, etc.
  2. Place the fryer on a flat, concrete surface. Keep the fryer as even as possible to prevent any tipping and a grease fire.
  3. Designate an area. Keep children, pets, other family members, and friends away from the frying area. It’s too dangerous for the fryer to be a source of entertainment, and the person frying shouldn’t be distracted during the process.
  4. Dry the turkey. Prior to placing it in the hot oil, be sure the turkey is dry. Any water on the turkey will cause a violent reaction when it hits the hot oil.
  5. Wear long, high-quality, heat-resistant gloves. Hot oil will splatter so be sure your arms are protected. Place a hook into the turkey before lowering it into the oil. It will make it easier to take it out as well.
  6. Use the right amount of oil and turkey. Don’t overdo the oil. Once it starts bubbling it will rise quite a bit, and the addition of a turkey displaces the bubbling oil. It helps to choose a smaller turkey to fry. It’s safer, and will cook better. Crisp on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
  7. Shut off the fuel when adding the turkey. Should fire erupt when placing your turkey to the oil, it’s best to have the propane source underneath turned off. It will prevent a bad situation from getting worse. Just turn it back on once the bird is safely in the oil.
  8. Have a fire extinguisher close by. Should an incident occur grab the extinguisher, place a lid on the fryer to smother the flames, and dial 9-1-1. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
  9. Never leave the fryer unattended. Fires can erupt at any moment. It’s best to keep an eye on the fryer and be prepared.
  10. Cool your oil and recycle it. Norwell Recycling Center is accepting used, liquid cooking oil. Just bring your cooled oil to the center in a container and empty it in a designated receptacle.

 Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Filed Under: Home Tips & Trends, Homeowner Tips, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Looking to Sell? Big Design Trends for 2012

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

2012Design Trends for 2012

The Boston Design Center is not typically open to the general public, but their impact can be felt all over the South Shore, even right here in Norwell. The design trends they follow find their way into all the catalogs and home furnishing stores, and ultimately into our living rooms. The Boston Design Center recently released the hot trends they are expecting for 2012, and one word sums it up: purple.

Purple and Green in 2012

Purple is the stand out color for next year, adorning everything from fabrics on window treatments and chairs, to rugs and centerpieces. All shades seem to be prominent including the deeper plums to the bold, bright hues. Green is also a favorite for 2012. The shade is different than in years before taking on an earthier, yellow tone, and being found in unusual color pairings such as with black or pink. For those with a bold personality orange is making a comeback as an accent color for decorative pillows or a splash of color in a larger design area. And neutrals continue to be a timeless favorite for their flexibility. Taupe is preferred next season over beige due to its versatility. With its brown and gray tones, taupe offers a nice neutral palette and balance to the louder purples and oranges.

Intricate Patterns in 2012

In terms of furnishings and interior décor, patterns are big in 2012 design trends. Woven meshes and intricate patterns cover couches and sofas. Flower patterns and accents have always been popular in home design, but for 2012 the flowers have grown, taking on a 1940s look that is both modern and classic. Also trending in 2012 home design is a world-traveler’s feel. Accent pieces that conjure images of globetrotting and travel adventure such as animal-printed fabric, oversized trunks, and Asian-inspired dressers are focal points in 2012. Black and white patterns are big in the fashion world, and the trend has spilled over into home interior design. With bolder, contrasting designs expected for 2012.

Rich, Simple, Rustic Style

In terms of style, home interiors will take a step back in time in 2012 with opulent gold-toned furniture making a comeback. The luxurious styling of late 19th century mansions is expected to dominate 2012. Also emerging in 2012 is rugged, frontier-inspired interior design in homes. Details such as hammered copper, rivets and wood trim will give rustic charm to styling pieces. Another style trend in 2012, a return to minimalism, but with an expensive twist. Sleek, modern, simple design is back in design, but using expensive materials such as zebra wood, as a sort of understated display of luxury. Also, making an appearance in 2012 home interior design, are durable stylings that stand up to the wear and tear of active families. Coffee tables that can take a beating, carpet that withstands pets and children, and fabrics and upholstery that is resilient and functional.

Filed Under: Design News, Home Tips & Trends, Homeowner Tips, Open House Tips, Recent Posts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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