With buyers scarcer, sellers must up the ante to convince them that their property offers what many want most — top value for dollar expended. Here are eight fast fixes:
1. Buff up curb appeal. You’ve heard it before, but it’s critical to get buyers to want to look on the inside. Be objective. View listings from the street. Check the condition of the landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, house number, and even how window treatments look from the outside. Add something special—such as big flower pots or an antique bench — to help viewers remember house A from B.
2. Enrich with color. Paint’s cheap, but forget the adage that it must be white or neutral. Just don’t get too avant-garde with jarring pinks, oranges, and purples. Recommend soft colors that say “welcome,” lead the eye from room to room, and flatter skin tones. Think soft yellows and pale greens. Tint ceilings a lighter shade.
3. Upgrade the kitchen and bathroom. These make-or-break rooms can spur a sale. But besides making each squeaky clean and clutter-free, update the pulls, sinks, and faucets. In a kitchen, add one cool appliance, such as an espresso maker. In the bathroom, hang a flat-screen TV to mimic a hotel. Room service, anyone?
4. Add old-world patina. Make Andrea Palladio proud. Install crown molding at least six to nine inches in depth, proportional to the room’s size, and architecturally compatible. For ceilings nine feet high or higher, add dentil detailing, small tooth-shaped blocks used as a repeating ornament. It’s all in the details, after all.
5. Screen hardwood floors. Buyers favor wood over carpet, but refinishing is costly and time-consuming. Screening cuts dust, time, and expense. What it entails: a light sanding, not a full stripping of color or polyurethane, then a coat of finish.
6. Clean out, organize closets. Get sorting—organize your piles into “don’t need,” “haven’t worn,” and “keep.” Closets must be only half-full so buyers can visualize fitting their stuff in.
7. Update window treatments. Buyers want light and views, not dated, fancy-schmancy drapes that darken. To diffuse light and add privacy, consider energy-efficient shades and blinds.
8. Hire a home inspector. Do a preemptive strike, since busy home owners seek maintenance-free living. Fix problems before you list the home and then display receipts and wait for buyers to offer kudos to sellers for being so responsible.
About Me
- Shielamarie Suttle, ASP CNE REALTOR®
- I am a Licensed REALTOR dedicated to providing the highest level of service to buyers and sellers. I strive to be known by other real estate agents as a true professional and a pleasure to do business with. My mission is to treat each and every client as an individual and to always put that client's needs first. My goal is to get the job done with as little hassle as possible. I am aware that most clients want even more than just a no hassle transaction, what they really want is someone who will listen to their needs and desires. That is what I am great at! I have been an Arizona resident for over 22 years and am deeply familiar with most every area across The Valley. I specialize in servicing Mesa, Gold Canyon, Apache Junction, Gilbert, Higley, Queen Creek and Chandler. Most importantly, I am a full-time, full-service real estate professional. Our real estate market is ever-changing and working with an agent like me who is embedded in the industry on a daily basis will ensure a winning experience when buying or selling your next home.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Make Sure Your House Sells!
The housing inventory has dipped in Phoenix by 2.6%. That's good news! This is a great sign that things are looking up in our neck of the woods. It means less inventory for buyers to choose from & less competition for sellers. Less competition gives a better chance to actually sell!
There are 3 major components to consider when selling your home: Price, Appearance & Location. The very first thing buyers will look at is the price. You should price your home according to the comparables in your neighborhood. For a quicker sale, price it below the comps! 5% below is a good place to start.
Appearance is how well your property shows. Remember, once you list the house on the market, it is no longer your home. It is now a product that should be displayed accordingly. That means all personal photos should be taken down & the property should be de-cluttered. Having a garage sale or renting a storage unit are great ways to do so. Neutral paint colors on the wall also appeal to buyers. Think taupes & light browns. It helps to have an outside opinion of what needs to be done (ie: a RE Agent or an ASP). Both are professionals and know what needs to be done in order to make the house presentable.
Even with the decline in our housing inventory, there is still a lot of competition. Make sure your property stands out by pricing it well & making it shine!
- Shielamarie Suttle
For more advice & information, visit my website at www.ShielaSuttle.com!
There are 3 major components to consider when selling your home: Price, Appearance & Location. The very first thing buyers will look at is the price. You should price your home according to the comparables in your neighborhood. For a quicker sale, price it below the comps! 5% below is a good place to start.
Appearance is how well your property shows. Remember, once you list the house on the market, it is no longer your home. It is now a product that should be displayed accordingly. That means all personal photos should be taken down & the property should be de-cluttered. Having a garage sale or renting a storage unit are great ways to do so. Neutral paint colors on the wall also appeal to buyers. Think taupes & light browns. It helps to have an outside opinion of what needs to be done (ie: a RE Agent or an ASP). Both are professionals and know what needs to be done in order to make the house presentable.
Even with the decline in our housing inventory, there is still a lot of competition. Make sure your property stands out by pricing it well & making it shine!
- Shielamarie Suttle
For more advice & information, visit my website at www.ShielaSuttle.com!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Price Reduced!
435 N Loma Vista, Mesa 85213
MLS: 2951386
JUST REDUCED! PRICED TO SELL QUICK! $259,900
JUST REDUCED! PRICED TO SELL QUICK! $259,900
Over 2,000 sq.ft. of living space! Situated on an oversized corner lot, this home has it all. Diving Pool, RV Salb, grassy area, brick fireplace. You name it! Home has been renovated in 2007. New 2 Car Garage conversion, added bedroom, updated floors, newer roof, newer AC, dual pane windows, and more. Eat-In kitchen features breakfast bar and is open to the family room. Large laundry room with storage cabinets. All appliances are negotiable. You'll be sure to fall in love with the character in the family room with high vaulted ceilings. Seller are motivated! Make an offer today!
For more information on this property & many more, visit www.ShielaSuttle.com!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Existing-Home Sales Show Modest Gain
Sales of existing-home sales increased in May with buyers responding to lower home prices, NAR says.
Existing-home sales — including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops — increased 2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.99 million units in May from a level of 4.89 million in April, but are 15.9 percent below the 5.93 million-unit pace in May 2007.
NAR President Richard F. Gaylord says buyers are seeing value in the current housing market. “Home buyers are starting to get off the fence and into the market, drawn by drops in home prices in many areas and armed with greater access to affordable mortgages,” he says. “Today’s buyer plans to stay in a home for 10 years, which is a good strategy for building long-term wealth.”
The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $208,600 in May, down 6.3 percent from a year ago when the median was $222,700.
Housing Inventories
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says there’s still a lot of inventory in the market. “The large supply of homes on the market clearly favors buyers, and it should take several months to draw the inventory down,” he says. “Stabilization in home prices can only occur with buyers returning to the market, so we are encouraged by rising home sales, particularly in distressed markets. Foreclosures and short sales appear to be a larger part of the market, particularly in California, and are creating a drag on current home prices.”
Total housing inventory at the end of May fell 1.4 percent to 4.49 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 10.8-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 11.2-month supply in April.
Sales Activity Picks Up
Although conditions remain mixed around the country, unpublished snapshot data shows a number of areas are experiencing much higher sales activity than May 2007, including Sacramento, the San Fernando Valley and Monterey County in California; Sarasota, Fla.; and Battle Creek, Mich.
“Keep in mind that the volume of home sales is the primary driver of economic activity that is tied to housing,” Yun says. “It’d be premature to say the improvement marks a turnaround. The market is fragile, so a first-time home buyer tax credit and a permanent raise in loan limits would be important steps to get the housing engine humming.”
Single-family home sales rose 1.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.41 million in May from 4.34 million in April, but are 14.5 percent below the 5.16 million-unit pace in May 2007. The median existing single-family home price was $206,700 in May, which is 6.8 percent below a year ago.
Existing condominium and co-op sales increased 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 580,000 units in May from 550,000 in April, but are 24.6 percent lower than the 769,000-unit level a year ago. The median existing condo price was $223,400 in May, down 2.1 percent from May 2007.
By Region
Here's how existing-home sales fared across the country:
*Midwest: rose 5.5 percent in May to a pace of 1.16 million but are 16.5 percent lower than a year ago. Median price: $165,300, which is 0.7 percent below May 2007.
*Northeast: rose 4.6 percent to an annual rate of 910,000 in May, but are 15.0 percent below May 2007. Median price: $278,000, down 2.4 percent from a year ago.
*West: increased 2 percent to an annual pace of 1.02 million in May, but are 12.8 percent below a year ago. Median price: $286,600, which is 16 percent lower than May 2007.
*South: slipped 0.5 percent to an annual rate of 1.91 million in May, and are 17 percent below May 2007. Median price: $175,000, down 4.3 percent from May 2007.
Source: NAR
With the inventory going down & home sales going up, this is a clear sign that the market is starting to pick up. The current trend right now is picking up the bank owned properties (REO's) for a fraction of what they're really worth. Those REO's are affordable so the competition is getting fierce. It's not rare that homes priced well below market value are getting multiple offers on the table within days of being listed.
I've said it before and I'll say it again... It's not a "down market", it's just a different one! Times are changing and it's time to start picking up the pieces. You may get a good deal out of it!
~Shielamarie
For more information, please visit my website at www.ShielaSuttle.com!
Existing-home sales — including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops — increased 2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.99 million units in May from a level of 4.89 million in April, but are 15.9 percent below the 5.93 million-unit pace in May 2007.
NAR President Richard F. Gaylord says buyers are seeing value in the current housing market. “Home buyers are starting to get off the fence and into the market, drawn by drops in home prices in many areas and armed with greater access to affordable mortgages,” he says. “Today’s buyer plans to stay in a home for 10 years, which is a good strategy for building long-term wealth.”
The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $208,600 in May, down 6.3 percent from a year ago when the median was $222,700.
Housing Inventories
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says there’s still a lot of inventory in the market. “The large supply of homes on the market clearly favors buyers, and it should take several months to draw the inventory down,” he says. “Stabilization in home prices can only occur with buyers returning to the market, so we are encouraged by rising home sales, particularly in distressed markets. Foreclosures and short sales appear to be a larger part of the market, particularly in California, and are creating a drag on current home prices.”
Total housing inventory at the end of May fell 1.4 percent to 4.49 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 10.8-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 11.2-month supply in April.
Sales Activity Picks Up
Although conditions remain mixed around the country, unpublished snapshot data shows a number of areas are experiencing much higher sales activity than May 2007, including Sacramento, the San Fernando Valley and Monterey County in California; Sarasota, Fla.; and Battle Creek, Mich.
“Keep in mind that the volume of home sales is the primary driver of economic activity that is tied to housing,” Yun says. “It’d be premature to say the improvement marks a turnaround. The market is fragile, so a first-time home buyer tax credit and a permanent raise in loan limits would be important steps to get the housing engine humming.”
Single-family home sales rose 1.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.41 million in May from 4.34 million in April, but are 14.5 percent below the 5.16 million-unit pace in May 2007. The median existing single-family home price was $206,700 in May, which is 6.8 percent below a year ago.
Existing condominium and co-op sales increased 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 580,000 units in May from 550,000 in April, but are 24.6 percent lower than the 769,000-unit level a year ago. The median existing condo price was $223,400 in May, down 2.1 percent from May 2007.
By Region
Here's how existing-home sales fared across the country:
*Midwest: rose 5.5 percent in May to a pace of 1.16 million but are 16.5 percent lower than a year ago. Median price: $165,300, which is 0.7 percent below May 2007.
*Northeast: rose 4.6 percent to an annual rate of 910,000 in May, but are 15.0 percent below May 2007. Median price: $278,000, down 2.4 percent from a year ago.
*West: increased 2 percent to an annual pace of 1.02 million in May, but are 12.8 percent below a year ago. Median price: $286,600, which is 16 percent lower than May 2007.
*South: slipped 0.5 percent to an annual rate of 1.91 million in May, and are 17 percent below May 2007. Median price: $175,000, down 4.3 percent from May 2007.
Source: NAR
With the inventory going down & home sales going up, this is a clear sign that the market is starting to pick up. The current trend right now is picking up the bank owned properties (REO's) for a fraction of what they're really worth. Those REO's are affordable so the competition is getting fierce. It's not rare that homes priced well below market value are getting multiple offers on the table within days of being listed.
I've said it before and I'll say it again... It's not a "down market", it's just a different one! Times are changing and it's time to start picking up the pieces. You may get a good deal out of it!
~Shielamarie
For more information, please visit my website at www.ShielaSuttle.com!
Price Reduced!
2131 E Forge Ave, Mesa, 85204
MLS: 2956129
NOW REDUCED TO $180,000!
*Property was appraised for $195,000 in the last 4 months...That's Instant Equity in your pocket!
For more information on this listing & many more, visit my website at www.ShielaSuttle.com.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Price Reduced!
5347 E 10th Ave, AJ
MLS: 2880975
NEW PRICE! REDUCED TO $590,000!
For more information on this property & many more, visit my website at http://www.shielasuttle.com/!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Just Listed!
914 E Harmony Ave, Mesa - $249,000
MLS: 3015268
This property is move-in ready! Jump into the newly replastered diving pool as soon as you step foot into your new home. Completely renovated kitchen boasts new cabinets, new counters, & stainless steel appliances. Washer & Dryer is also included. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home features neutral paint throughout, ceiling fans, 2-car garage with cabinets, extra storage room, french doors in Master, tile floors throughout, sunken living room, water softener, satellite dish, RV Gate, storage shed, & large ramada in the back. No disappointments! Bring us those offers today!!!
For more information on this property & many more, please visit my website at http://www.shielasuttle.com/!
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