Staging for Success According to National Association of REALTORS® 2017 Profile of Home Staging, seventy-seven percent of agents representing buyers said that a staged home helped their buyer visualize themselves living in the home and forty-nine percent of those agents said that staging a home impacted their buyers’ impression of the property. Staging a home for sale has also shown an effect on buyers’ offers to purchase the home. Offers are augmented between one to five percent for a staged … [Read more...]
10 Sneaky Ways to Hide all the Clutter
Hide the Clutter, beautifully. A place for everything and everything in its place -- that's what prospective buyers want to see in your house. Here's how to lose (or disguise) the clutter. Ditch the Entry Rack As handy as entry racks are in your entry or hallway, they may be sending the message to potential buyers that you don't have adequate storage. Put handy entry racks away while you're showing your home, and clean out your entry closet while you're at it. Manage … [Read more...]
Thinking of Selling? Don’t Overlook an Outdated Kitchen, Buyers Won’t
If you are planning on listing your home for sale, make sure that you don’t overlook that outdated kitchen. A recent article on realtor.com listed “7 Signs Your Kitchen Is Way Overdue for a Renovation,” in which they warned: “Dated kitchens—just like bathrooms—are a major barrier for resale. Buyers want modern amenities and styling, and most aren’t interested in renovating post-purchase.” Kitchen remodels can be pricey, with many complete remodels costing $20,000 or more. But not every … [Read more...]
10 Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The award-winning pros revealed decorating mistakes that drive them crazy and shared insider tips and tricks for creating a harmonious room design. In addition to the designers' pet peeves, we've added a few of our own. By Brenda Richardson Special to The Washington Post After years of working with numerous clients, interior designers Michael Smith and Mary Cook have seen many of the same design mistakes over and over. The Los Angeles-based Smith, who was appointed by the Obama's to … [Read more...]
Homeowners Reap Remodeling Benefits
Homeowners Reap Remodeling Benefits Whether Selling or Staying, Say Realtors® Homeowners preparing to sell often make improvements, both big and small, to their homes that can help yield positive results and garner top dollar from buyers. According to a new report from the National Association of Realtors®, remodeling projects can also bring major benefits to homeowners who choose to remain in their homes. "Realtors® know that certain home upgrades and remodel projects can be beneficial to … [Read more...]
Home Prices – Steady Growth Third Quarter
Home Prices An encouraging lift-off in existing-home sales amidst ongoing inventory shortages kept home prices rising in most of the country during the third quarter, but overall price appreciation slowed to a healthier pace, according to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors®(NAR). The median existing single-family home price increased in 87 percent of measured markets, with 154 out of 178 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) showing gains based on closings in … [Read more...]
Americans Believe Buying a Home is a Sound Investment
The American Dream A vast majority of Americans believe that buying a home is a solid financial decision, and most believe they could sell their home for at least its initial purchase price, according to a new survey from the National Association of Realtors®. The 2015 National Housing Pulse Survey also found that a preponderance of Americans think that now is a good time to buy a home. The survey, which measures consumers' attitudes and concerns about housing issues in the nation's 50 … [Read more...]
Getting a Large Home Loan Just Got a Little Easier
Large Home Loan Chase bank is easing the lending requirements for its jumbo mortgages, which tend to be loans in excess of $417,000 in many markets and $625,500 in more expensive areas. A potential buyer now only needs a credit score of 680 and a 15% down payment to qualify for a maximum loan amount of $3 million for a primary-residence home. Borrowers used to need a 740 score and put 20% down. By easing its standards, the bank is hoping to gain more customers. "The performance we had on … [Read more...]
The Best of Useppa Island
As seen in Florida Weekly's Best of 2015 Issue - Florida Weekly brings you all things Southwest Florida Living, from dining, recreation, cultural and community events, to business news and education in the Fort Myers area. The Best of 2015 is an Annual Special Section Edition in their line-up that includes a Season Guide for the Arts and A Beautiful Life covering everything Luxury. www.floridaweekly.com The People, Places and Things that make Southwest Florida so Special … [Read more...]
TIPS FOR INTERIOR PAINTING
Tips for Interior Painting Like a Pro - If you're interested in painting your interior walls but don't want to hire a professional, it's helpful to know how they do it. Knowing something about the process could save you time and money -- and help you avoid having to repaint your walls after you make a mistake. Here are some tips for painting your walls like a pro: #1 Inspect your walls. Check for cracks, flaking, peeling or scrapes. Then, fill large cracks as needed, sand those areas … [Read more...]