Selling

February 3, 2021

8 Ways to Make Buyers Fall in Love With Your Home

Ways to Make Buyers Fall in Love With Your Home

 

We all want people to love our home as much as we do, but especially when it comes to trying to sell it! While it’s impossible to please every buyers’ taste, there are several easy things you can do to make your home more appealing without spending a lot of money.

Check out these 8 easy ways to make buyers fall in love with your home and see if your showings cause buyers to swoon.

 

1. Check your curb appeal. Take an honest look from the curbside. What are buyers seeing first? If your home needs to be painted or pressure washed, consider making that investment. Clean up landscaping by trimming trees and bushes, planting some fresh annuals and laying new mulch. Clean windows, repair sagging soffit, or porch railings, and have any trip hazards on your driveway or front walk repaired. Finally, consider some attractive, yet subtle decorations for your front porch. Check out this “Grill the Geeks” Episode on ways to improve your home’s curb appeal.

2. Create an inviting entryway. When buyers step inside your front door, you want them to feel welcomed. If you have a foyer or front hall, it is easier to make an attractive entryway, but even if your front door opens right into your living room, you can create the feel of an entryway with a couple of simple tricks. Clear the area of clutter things that tend to pile up at the front door, like backpacks, dog leashes, or shoes. Place a small table or bench beside the door with plants, candles, or other simple décor. A small area rug can help define the space as the entryway.

3. Let the light shine in. Take advantage of natural light as much as you can. Trimming any bushes or trees outside your windows can help immensely. Wash your windows inside and out and replace or remove any worn screens. Make sure to open blinds or curtains before all showings.

4. Add some fresh color. Painting is an easy and inexpensive way to make an older home look new and is especially important if your current wall color is dark or outdated. Choose a light neutral color like a warm grey or light beige and use the same color throughout the house. If your home tends to be dark, this will help brighten it up.

5. Let storage spaces speak for themselves. Many sellers make the mistake of waiting until they have a contract to start cleaning out closets. Cleaning out clutter is part of getting ready to show, not just getting ready to move. You want buyers to perceive that there is ample storage in the home, and this doesn’t work if every drawer, cabinet, and closet is stuffed to the gills.

6. Eliminate distractions. Streamline your decorating so your buyers see the house and not your collection of Mexican roosters. Go ahead and pack up collectibles and family photos and keep decorative touches to the minimum. Too many plants, magazines, or toys distract the buyers from seeing the home as their own.

7. Entice them with outdoor space. The back yard shouldn’t be an empty space of infinite possibility, nor should it be a storage area for neglected toys. Get rid of any eyesores you’ve been avoiding dealing with, spruce up your landscaping, repair irrigation or pool issues, and create an entertaining space with a patio set, or a backyard oasis with some potted plants and a hammock.

8. Make it easy for them. Taking care of minor repairs is another step you can take to help buyers see your home as an easy and comfortable move. You want them to be mentally arranging their furniture as they walk through, not making a list of nicked woodwork, torn window screens, and leaky faucets. The less work involved, the easier it is to fall in love.

 

If you are looking for additional ways to improve your home’s appeal, give us a call today. We’d love to help you get your home ready to sell and to help even the pickiest buyers fall in love with your home!

By The Property Geeks
Selling your home with pets
January 22, 2019

What to Do with “Spot” When Selling Your Home

According to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 68% of American households have at least one pet. If you’re one of the approximately 85 million families that shares your home with a four-legged friend, that can be challenging when it comes time to sell your home.

A couple of weeks ago Property Geek Hannah Smith answered a seller’s question on our weekly #GrillTheGeeks segment about how to handle their pets when they had showings. If you missed Hannah’s response, you can watch it here:

#Grill The Geeks – Pets & Showings

Hannah Smith, Realtor chats about why it's so important to have a plan for your 🐕 pets🐈 when selling your home. Have a question for #GrillTheGeeks? Message us on Facebook or send it to info@thepropertygeeks.com.#BHHS

Posted by The Property Geeks on Wednesday, January 9, 2019

 

Basically, if you’re able, it’s best to make sure your pets are removed from the home when you’re having a showing. Here are our top reasons why:

#1 Pets stink.

We love them and couldn’t live without them, but let’s be honest… most pets have a certain eau de animal about them. If you’re able to find Fido somewhere else to stay while your house in on the market, that would be ideal. But if you can’t temporarily rehome your pets, we do advise removing them from the house during showings. Spray a little Febreze around their preferred areas and take the dog for a walk or the kitty to a friend’s place while prospective buyers are walking through.

#2 Pets can be squirrely.

No matter where you secure your beloved furry friends during a home showing, there’s a chance they could get loose. A buyer might not see the sign you left on the laundry room door and next thing you know, your cat could be hightailing it right through the front door. No agent wants to have to make that call.

#3 Pets get stressed out.

Even if you’ve got your pup nestled into his crate in a corner of the basement, you have no idea how much stress it might cause him to have strangers parading around his house. Spot doesn’t know you’re selling  — he just knows there are people there who probably shouldn’t be. If he barks the whole time prospective buyers are trying to tour your home, he might just be the reason they write an offer on a different property.

#4 Pets are unpredictable.

Your cat might be the most loving feline on Earth. But what if she chomps down on a kiddo’s hand who reaches out to pet her? As real estate agents, we’ve heard it all. You’d be surprised how many times a loving four-legged member of the family gets a bad rap for having a natural reaction to a stranger being in their home.

#5 Pets are living allergens.

We’ve seen estimates that 10% of the population has pet allergies, with cats being twice as likely as dogs to cause an allergic reaction. Removing the pets from the home just for a showing won’t eliminate allergens, but it may help. And if you’re able to find a new temporary home for your dog or cat while your house is on the market, it might increase your odds of finding a buyer.

We know it’s not always possible to make alternate arrangements for your pets and buyers do understand that. If you can’t remove them during a showing, try to make sure they’re in a separate area and well-contained for their safety as well as the safety of the prospective buyers.

If you have other questions for #GrillTheGeeks, feel free to send us an email at Info@ThePropertyGeeks.com.

By The Property Geeks
7 Tips for Moving in Winter
December 4, 2018

7 Expert Tips for Moving in Winter

Winter is a great time to buy a home — there’s less competition, so that often means you can get a better home for a cheaper price. Talk about a happy holiday!

But moving in the winter? Not so great.

There are definitely challenges that go along with packing up everything you own and moving it to a new location in the dead of winter — especially if you live in an area with extreme winter weather.

But it’s not impossible! Here are seven expert moving tips to make your winter move fast and easy (and have you settled into your new place with a nice, hot cup of cocoa before you know it):

1. Keep an eye on the forecast

This one should go without saying, but if you’re planning on moving during the winter months, it’s extremely important that you keep an eye on the forecast.

Winter weather can be unpredictable, and snowstorms can hit with little warning. Check the forecast once a week in the month leading up to your move. The week of your move, check every day.

If there’s a significant amount of snow forecasted – the kind of snow that could close roads or make driving unsafe – consider postponing your move date until after the snow passes. The last thing you want is to get stuck on the side of the road with all of your belongings in the back of a truck.

2. Confirm with your movers (and then confirm again)

One of the best things about moving during the winter is that it’s a slow time for moving companies — which means a better deal for you on your moving services.

But if you do hire movers (or rent a moving truck), it’s super important to make sure you confirm all the details (like the day, time, and location) of your move. You should plan to confirm the appointment a week before and then check in the day before your move to make sure there’s no winter weather that will keep things from going as planned.

You don’t want to get stuck in a house with no heat or electricity, waiting hours for movers who have the wrong time. Make sure you reconfirm.

3. Hire a babysitter and/or petsitter

Moving in winter is tough.

But you know what makes it tougher?

Having a bunch of children and/or pets running around.

If you’re a parent (or a pet parent) do yourself a favor and hire a babysitter and/or pet sitter for the day. This will save you a ton of time and stress. Instead of trying to keep track of your children or four-legged friends as you lug boxes through the snow, you can focus on the task at hand, which will get you through the move (and into your warm home) faster.

4. Start your move as early as possible

Not only do the days get colder in the winter — they also get shorter.

Because there’s fewer hours of daylight during the winter, you’ll want to get your move started as early as possible. That way, if you run into any speed bumps along the way, you still have daylight hours to figure things out.

Even if you’re not a morning person, get started early. A winter move can be tough, but a winter move in the dark is even tougher.

5. Protect your floors

If there’s snow on the ground, that means when you move, you’re going to get snow on your shoes. And, eventually, that will mean snow (and water) all over your nice, new floors.

You don’t want damaging your floor to be the first thing you do when you move into your new home. If you move on a snowy day (or the ground is wet from a previous storm), lay down plastic tarps to protect the flooring before you start moving things in.

6. Make sure the heat is turned on in your new place…

Before you move, make sure you’ve switched your utilities and the heat is turned on in your new place. The last thing you want to do is arrive and find you have to spend the first night in your new home bundled up because you have no heat!

7. But turn it off during the move

That being said, turn your heat off during the actual move. As you move things in and out, all the heat will escape through the door, which will not only make it cold inside, but will also stick you with a hefty energy bill.

Moving in the winter can be a challenge, but with these tips you’ll be moved and snuggled up by the fire in your new home in no time!

By The Property Geeks
Thanksgiving
November 20, 2018

5 Tips for Selling Your Home Around Thanksgiving

The majority of people think the best time to sell a home is during the summer. Children are out of school which makes it much easier for parents to relocate and start a new life in their new home. In actuality more than half of homebuyers do not have children or have children that are out of the house. There are far less numbers of homes for sale during the holidays which makes the demand for a quality home that much higher.

1. Make Curb Appeal a Top Priority.

By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, trees have started to lose their leaves. This makes maintaining the exterior of your even more of a priority. Bare trees result in a more exposed home, so touch up the paint, clean the gutters and spruce up the yard. Keep buyers’ safety in mind as well by making sure stairs and walkways are free of leaves.

2. Avoid Clutter at All Costs.

Family visiting during Thanksgiving can add quite a bit of clutter to the home. In the case that a potential buyer wants to view the home, eliminating this clutter couldn’t be more important. If family has taken over a bedroom that’s usually used for storage, it can be wise to invest in a storage unit. These are not expensive and can be rented for a month or two while the home is on the market. Clutter decreases the perceived size of the home which could be a deciding factor whether a buyer puts an offer in or continues their search.

3. Appeal to the Buyer’s Imagination.

Creating a warm atmosphere during Thanksgiving and the holidays when your home is being sold can do a couple of things. The potential buyers could imagine themselves celebrating their own Thanksgiving in the home. This isn’t the time to put up huge amounts of decorations but rather enough to get into the spirit of the season. Warm colors should be abundant and those quirky holiday decorations that some families put up in their homes during certain holidays should be kept in the attic.

4. Price The Home To Sell.

Pricing the home to sell during the holidays is extremely important. If you accepted a new job and need to relocate by the end of the year this multiplies in importance. Many buyers if in the same situation will want to put an offer in around the Thanksgiving holiday. This will reduce the stress of trying to find a home during the Christmas holidays when many people travel for extended periods. Closing quickly will also allow you to write off closing costs during this year’s tax season.

5. Select an Experienced Real Estate Agent.

Picking the right agent is important regardless of what time of year that it is. During the holidays it’s more important as many facets of selling a home can be impacted by the holiday breaks. We’d love the opportunity to earn your business!

Remember: Selling your home during the Thanksgiving and holiday season isn’t impossible. Taking care of the small details leading up to the sale will only increase your chances of considering offers with your turkey dinner. Happy Thanksgiving and good luck selling this holiday season!

By The Property Geeks
Sell Your Home In Winter
November 12, 2018

Top 10 Items That Will Sell Your Home in Winter

Many homeowners believe attempting to sell their places during winter is a losing proposition. Real estate agents, however, know any season is the right one when a property is attractive and represents a great value. Here to help you with your winter sales push, we’ve compiled the top ten items that will sell your home in winter.

With inventory typically lower during the cold weather months, it’s actually a perfect time to put a home on the market. It also doesn’t hurt to set the stage — or sweeten the pot, if you will — by evoking a warm and welcoming vibe that makes would-be buyers want to hang up their coats, kick off their boots, and stay a while.

There’s no denying it’s cold out there, so why not embrace it? The following are amenities that prove winter really can be the most wonderful time of the year.

1. Fire pit

#Cozy #night by the #fire during the #holidays…

A post shared by Lights Over Atlanta (@lightsoveratlanta) on

Create a covetable outdoor space with the help of a fire pit. Whether it’s made of stone and serves as a permanent fixture or is a movable and affordable centerpiece for backyard S’mores-making, adding the element of fire ups the charm factor immediately.

2. Hot tub

A nighttime soak in this Jacuzzi ® Hot Tub will bring a smile to your face in no time

A post shared by Jacuzzi Europe Official® (@jacuzzi.europe) on

Wait, is this a home or a five-star resort? Watching steam rise from a frothy hot tub on a chilly afternoon or evening makes anyone want to move right in! Giving a place the spa treatment, will remind home-shoppers that with this luxurious item on the premises, winter can last as long as it likes.

3. Home theater

Think the kids will like this one? #SoldbyKenitaTang #Kenitatangrealtor #Movienight #hometheater #movies #Kids #Realtor

A post shared by Kenita Tang (@kenitatangrealtor) on

Especially during the winter, and particularly in cold weather climates, playing up the ability to have a blast indoors does wonders for buyers’ peace of mind (moreso if they’re parents). A home theater, even on a smaller scale (think flat screen and an old-fashioned popcorn maker), helps visitors envision themselves and their families surviving those endless snow days in style.

4. Fireplace

It’s almost impossible to resist the hypnotic allure of a roaring fire. According to the National Center for Real Estate Research, fireplaces have a positive impact on the selling price, with each fireplace adding about 12 percent. If a home has this feature, by all means, strike a match and watch that property heat up!

5. In-home wine bar

A post shared by S.Kotake (@shin5jjj) on

Baby, it’s cold outside — so why leave the house? This wine bar is one way to keep spirits merry and bright. It also conjures up thoughts of hosting holiday parties and gatherings as new owners envision celebrating and showing off their place.

6. Hot cocoa bar

On the other end of the spectrum, but no less festive, a hot cocoa bar offers a sweet welcome all ages can enjoy. Placed in the kitchen, dining room, family room, or foyer, this treat station makes you feel comfortable and right at home.

7. Wood-burning stove


Wood-burning stoves represent a delightful throwback to bygone days. Their timeless appeal will charm visitors at the same time they warm up a home. Thanks to advancements in technology, these old-fashioned heaters are more energy efficient than ever.

8. Home sauna

A home sauna? Why not? We can do that.

A post shared by Raykon Construction (@raykon_construction) on

Calling all athletes and anyone who could use a haven from the stresses of the outside world! (So, OK, everyone!) An in-home sauna is the oasis you’ve been seeking. Steam away those cares while enjoying health benefits that include improved circulation, detoxification, and even sinus relief.

9. Storm survival kit

Throwing in a highly-desirable item often increases interest from buyers. In a snowy climate, there are few tools as sought-after as a snowblower once that white stuff starts falling. Want to keep the enticement more affordable? Heavy-duty snow shovels, high-end gloves, rock salt, and de-icer all come in handy as well. First-time home-buyers who may be snow-removal newbies will appreciate this gesture.

10. Highlight energy efficient upgrades

via GIPHY

In addition to being comfortable temperature-wise, if a home is as energy-efficient as possible, that’s something buyers will definitely want to know — and remember. Creating a list of any upgrades to windows, doors, HVAC units, and the roof, as well as the installation of energy-saving appliances, means more money in buyers’ pockets and less going out the window.

By The Property Geeks
August 7, 2018

11 House Fails That Could Ruin A Sale

When you’re looking for a home, you probably have a couple of lists in your head: the must-haves, the nice-to-haves, and the absolute deal-breakers.
Unfortunately, most of the places on this list fall into that third category, unless, of course, you’re handy or have a big budget for repairs.
Check out these strange but hilarious home fails that would definitely have you looking elsewhere.

1. A tree grows in… the driveway

Apparently they all drive motorcycles… #housefail #fail #garages #oops

A post shared by Pro Tool Reviews (@protoolreviews) on


Perhaps if you’re exceptional at parallel parking you could make this work. Otherwise, you’ll probably need to contact an arborist or tree surgeon before you can park in the garage. Unless you have a motorcycle as the caption suggests — then you’re all set!

2. What is this house trying to say?

#designfail #housefail #fail #foundinthecity #architecturefail

A post shared by isaos (@isaos) on


When your house resemble an emoji, chances are you’re going to get a lot of drive-bys as people attempt to figure out which emotion your home is trying to convey. Your guess is as good as mine.

3. Cock-eyed toilet


There’s nothing “regular” about this bathroom. Looks like someone installed this in a real hurry. (I’d hate to see how things would end up if they put in a bidet.) If nothing else, this would definitely be an interesting conversation-starter.

4. Tight squeeze

Spot the problem with this room! #fail #onejob #youhadonejob #1job #housefail #staircase

A post shared by Matthew (@1matthewplatt) on


Even the slimmest homeowner would have trouble shimmying between the post and the wall to climb those stairs. This definitely seems like poor planning on someone’s part.

5. Jump the curb

"Je t'assure chéri, cette maison est bien construite " #housefail #epicfail #fail #maison #house #bordeaux

A post shared by Jean-Francois Prieur (@jiefsourd) on


More garage trouble! Unless your car can levitate like something out of The Jetsons or go airborne a la The Dukes of Hazard, you’re going to have a devil of a time parking it inside. This caption, which translated to English reads: “I assure you, dear, this house is well-built,” makes you wonder what else about the home is a little screwy. I’m guessing this is no one-off.

6. Who needs privacy?


This state of the art kitchen was apparently designed to accommodate people with particularly fast metabolisms. Either that, or someone has taken the popular “open concept” thing a tad too far.

7. When home styles collide


Most homeowners want their addition to blend seamlessly with the rest of the architecture. Not these folks! But the question we keep coming back to is: Which part came first, the tudor or the cape?

8. Color explosion


Proving that a paint job can make or break your home’s appearance, this place could benefit from a solid makeover. Choosing the perfect paint color is challenging, and it sure looks like this homeowner struggled with committing to a single shade. Still, picking one and sticking with it is probably the best way to go.

9. More than a few missing links


You can keep the gate locked and closed but without the rest of the fence, what’s the point? Perhaps the homeowner has a great sense of humor and wants to attract guests drawn to irony.

10. Indoor/outdoor shower


With shower heads readily available, there’s no reason to resort to the garden hose! If this homeowner is willing to do such a cheap and quick repair, we wonder what other shortcuts are lurking within these walls? Probably best not to find out.

11. Bathroom off the kitchen — literally


Nothing like lounging in a warm tub immediately after eating, is there? This set-up takes convenience to new heights. Still, placing a wall between this large tub and the dining room table would probably make everyone feel a lot more comfortable, especially when it’s time to host Thanksgiving dinner.

What home fails have you seen in your search? Anything that tops the ones listed above?

By The Property Geeks
Q&A on Radon
June 12, 2018

A Quick Q&A on Radon

What is radon?

According to the Minnesota Department of Health…
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from the earth. When inhaled, it gives off radioactive particles that can damage the cells that line the lung.

 Where does it come from?

Radon comes from the ground. Most soil contains traces or uranium. As the uranium breaks down over time, it turns into radium. Once the radium disintegrates it releases radon gas that rises into the air we breathe.

 Why is it a problem?

Although radon occurs everywhere, it’s most dangerous in places where it accumulates to high levels such as indoors. Radon is the most common cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second most common cause in those who smoke. Over 21,000 cases of lung cancer can be attributed to radon each year.

How do you know if you have it?

The only way to tell if you have radon is to perform a radon test. Test kits are available online and are simple to perform. A short-term test can take just a few days and a long-term test measures levels over a period of ninety days or more. Since radon levels can fluctuate greatly over time, most experts recommend a long-term test for the most accurate reading. It’s also best to test over multiple seasons.

What do you do if you’ve got it?

The good news is that mitigating a radon problem is a fairly easy and relatively inexpensive fix. In most cases you’ll want to hire a professional who’s licensed in radon mitigation. They’ll most likely install some sort of piping that will vent the radon from the lowest level of the home up and out of the attic. Even after your system is installed you’ll still want to check periodically to make sure the radon levels in your home stay below dangerous levels.

 

If you’d like more information about radon, check out these resources:
Minnesota Department of Health
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
United States Environmental Protection Agency

By The Property Geeks
May 1, 2018

How to Prepare Your Home for Photography

Few things are more nerve-wracking for our sellers than having to prepare their home for professional photography! After all, 90%+ of people start their home search online and will make snap decisions based on nothing but the pictures. So when you’re selling your home, a picture isn’t just worth 1000 words, it can be worth thousands and thousands of dollars as well.

We picked one of our top pick photographer’s brains for some suggestions on preparing a home for photography. Here are some top tips from Lisa Zampogna of Poppy Seed Photography:

 

 Clean, clean, then clean some more.

The camera will pick up everything, the good and the bad. Giving your home a thorough deep clean before the photographer arrives will not only ensure you don’t have dust bunnies in your pictures, it will also give you a head start on getting ready for showings. Vacuum the floors and dust your walls, floorboards and vents. Wipe down counters and scrub your sinks until they shine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hide your  clutter.

Look through home design and architectural magazines — that’s the look you’re going for. Clear counter tops, empty nightstands, and minimal decor will go a long way in making your home look its best. Potential buyers want to feel like a house has plenty of space for their own personal touches. If your kitchen countertops are overflowing with small appliances, it will make the room feel smaller so hide your stuff. You can keep a basket under the sink and do a quick sweep of the counters before photos or a showing. The slight inconvenience will pay off in the long run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depersonalize your pad.

Remove the majority of your family photographs and personal mementos. Buyers want to be able to envision themselves and their family in a house. If they walk through halls filled with generations of your family members, it will be more difficult to think of the house as theirs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan for picture perfect pictures.

Put away anything that might detract from your home’s natural beauty. That means stow high chairs, baby gates and toys in a closet or in the garage. Hide your toiletries in a drawer. No one wants to see your toothbrush or the rumpled towel from your morning shower in a picture. Take a critical look at the outside of your home as it might be seen by a potential buyer. Tuck away hoses, ladders, outdoor toys and tools. They’ll be eyesores in a picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Show your home in its best light.

Before your photographer arrives, turn on all of the lights. Make sure light bulbs in the same room have the same tone (daylight vs. warm vs. cool bulbs.) Turn off ceiling fans since they can mess with the lighting and open or raise all blinds and window treatments to allow for the most natural light. Drop your remote controls in a drawer and turn off all electronics and televisions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provide a helping hand.

If you can, plan to stick around while the photographer is working. He or she may need some help if they need to move something or tuck an item out of sight. Most of the photographers we work with will do what it takes to make the most of the photos, but they’d prefer a homeowner move their own items so they know where to find them after the shoot is over.

Most of the work is in the prep since photography appointments usually only take about an hour, or sometimes even less. The better prepared you and your home are, the less time the photographer will have to spend on site and in edits.

If you have questions about real estate photography, just reach out via email or on social media and we’ll do our best to get back to you ASAP! And if you’d like a printable checklist of these tips and more, please visit Lisa at Poppy Seed Photography!

By The Property Geeks
January 9, 2018

9 Ways Home Flipping Shows Mislead Viewers

We all know the premise of home-flipping shows: An investor buys a veritable dump and then, with the help of a team of ready-and-willing contractors and landscapers, transforms it into the best-looking home on the block. Next, that intrepid buyer turns around and sells it for a hefty profit. Sounds like a straightforward formula for financial success, right? Well, not quite.

What makes for entertaining television doesn’t always translate into a win beyond the high definition flat screen. The following are nine ways home-flipping shows mislead viewers. So, if you’re considering turning this into your next career or even a side gig, you may want to separate fact from fiction first.

1. Tight turnarounds aren’t always realistic

via GIPHY

In order to realize as large a profit as possible, it’s important to flip the property as quickly as you can, otherwise paying the mortgage, taxes, and insurance quickly chips away at your bottom line. While sales tend to happen quickly on TV, the reality is that even if you have a willing buyer, getting pre-approved and securing the financing doesn’t happen overnight. For anxious sellers, that ticking clock is a constant reminder that every passing day means a little less money in their pockets.

2. Finding a dedicated team isn’t easy

via GIPHY

As far too many homeowners know, not all contractors are created equal. For the most part, the artisans who make their way onto home-flipping shows are trustworthy, knowledgeable and willing to work nearly round-the-clock to get the job done. In reality, contractors may be working on multiple projects simultaneously and may disappear for days at a time. And as we all know, time is money.

3. DIY doesn’t work for everyone

via GIPHY

Part of the appeal of these home-flipping programs is the ease with which the whole property comes together. But it’s more than just the time-lapse photography that makes it seem like anyone with a tool belt can renovate like a pro. While you might be tempted to take a DIY approach to keep expenses low, remember, these people know what they’re doing, whereas most homeowners are experts at other things. Sometimes tackling a task yourself will end up costing you more than if you’d hired the right person for the job.

4. When trouble strikes, it’s not so easy to resolve

via GIPHY

Even with a careful home inspection, surprises (not the good kind!) pop up when you least expect them. Yet, if a sink hole opens and threatens to swallow a sunporch, home-flipping show teams are ready to fix that issue like it’s no big deal. When it happens to non-TV-star homeowners, it’s not always easy to find the right subcontractor — especially when you’re under time constraints. And, once you do, can you even afford to deal with whatever unpleasant shocker has come your way? If you have to go back to the bank for more money, that will impact your timeframe and ultimately your profit. (See number 1.) Home-flippers on TV seem to have bottomless bank accounts. Must be nice, right?

5. Materials don’t arrive simultaneously

via GIPHY

When home-flippers begin a project, all the requisite materials are on-site and ready to go. If only this were the norm! Anyone who’s ever fallen in love with a special order item knows that it’s almost impossible to find everything you like in stock and ready for delivery. Some contractors are reluctant to start a renovation until all the supplies are in, which, again, can hurt your timeline and your profit.

6. The back-and-forth is all done behind-the-scenes

via GIPHY

Never mind the fact that homes showcased on these programs never seem to lack for buyers, in many instances there doesn’t seem to be any haggling to speak of when it comes to the asking price. Leaving out the art of negotiation does viewers a disservice as it makes it appear that buyers can’t wait to pay full price — or above it.

7. The math is fuzzy

via GIPHY

In order to reap the biggest profit, you need to buy below market value, sell above it, and not put more money into the renovation than you’ll get back. As if that equation weren’t complicated enough, on television, you don’t always hear about the costs of buying or selling, inspection and appraisals fees, and other expenses that go into both sides of the transactions. Leaving out some numbers conveniently inflates the profit.

8. Costs vary by area

via GIPHY

Renovating a bathroom in rural Tennessee is going to cost much less than it would in, say, Manhattan. Not only will the labor be less expensive, but the materials and delivery charges will also skew lower in non-metropolitan areas. Of course, none of that is addressed in the show and most often estimates on TV are far lower than those you’d gather in real life.

9. You can over-renovate

via GIPHY

Once you’re in the home improvement groove, you may be tempted to splurge and really go all out, but you have to resist the temptation to overdo it and put in more money than you’ll ever get back. In the quest to make your flip as fabulous as possible, you never want to lose sight of the the reason you started this project: to make money. Consider the return on investment for each improvement you make.

Do you have plans to take on a renovation or investment property this year? If so, let’s talk!

By The Property Geeks
Contract
December 12, 2017

Geek Speak: Home Warranties

What’s the scoop with home warranties? Are they important? Do I need one?

Unlike a manufacturer’s warranty that covers an appliance for a certain amount of time, or a homeowner’s insurance policy that protects a home against catastrophic damages, a home warranty provides coverage for day-to-day breakage due to normal use.

A home warranty doesn’t expire–the plan can be renewed year after year.  Coverage can extend from appliances like dishwashers and water heaters to whole-house systems such as plumbing and electrical. Terms and limits vary by company and some offer additional coverage for specialty items like pools or wells. One of the companies we work with even covers the cost of re-keying an entire home–a huge benefit for a buyer right after a move.

Who Buys a Home Warranty?

That depends. In a competitive market, sellers may include a home warranty in the purchase price of their house. If buyers have concerns about dated appliances, they might ask a seller to include the coverage as part of the purchase agreement. Home warranties can also be purchased directly by a homeowner. They don’t have to be part of a home sale.

Kitchen AppliancesTop 3 Reasons to Purchase a Home Warranty:

Peace of Mind for Buyers – As a buyer, there’s comfort knowing that if something goes wrong, you won’t be out the expense of having to replace or repair an item in addition to all of the other moving and closing expenses.

Attractive Advantage – If a buyer is undecided between properties, the addition of a bonus like a home warranty may provide the deciding factor between homes.

Limited Liability – With a home warranty in place, a seller won’t have to worry about an appliance giving out and having to come up with the extra funds for replacement while their home is for sale.

If you’d like more information about home warranties, contact on of the geeks or tune in for this week’s episode of Grill The Geeks on The Property Geeks Facebook page where we’ll be talking to a colleague of ours who works for a home warranty company. We broadcast live every Thursday at 12pm Central time. Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

By The Property Geeks