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Home Improvement
Question: I love to garden. But should I even bother to plant this spring if we are planning on selling our home?Answer: You should definitely plant your spring garden! You want to show a prospect how good your home can look, not just have them imagine.
Not only will the future buyers love enjoying the fruits of your labor, but the home will also show much better during the listing period, thus decreasing your overall marketing time. Curb appeal is a very important aspect of showing and selling your home. The majority of buyers will drive by your home before ever calling to schedule a viewing. Your exterior landscape is of utmost importance for this reason.
Colorful flowers and vegetable gardens also make a house feel more like a home. You want the buyers to feel invited in and comfortable with the home and property, and landscape flowers can do just that. If you plant perennial flowers you will most likely get a greater return on your dollar. Typically, landscaping offers one of the biggest paybacks for sellers.
Placement of the flowers can be critical. Be tactful in the quantity of vegetation that you plant. For flowering plants, choosing one color scheme and carrying that throughout your yard will draw the most attention. Also choose a color that matches or highlights your home. Put a colorful arrangement near the front door, right where your guests will be entering.
Above all, you will enjoy the gardening experience and appreciate the last few months you have in your home. Just remember, when selling your home the little things mean a lot! A quicker sale at a higher price is what its all about!
Leslie Cooper Pyle
RE/MAX Real Estate Associates
Question: Will the addition of an above ground swimming pool increase our home's value, or should we just spend the extra money to have an in-ground pool installed for added property value?
Answer:The issue of a pool has always been a tricky one in central Indiana. In an average priced neighborhood of homes between $150,000 and $200,000, a pool narrows your buyer base by about 50 percent. Many people simply don't want a pool for reasons such as upkeep, maintenance costs and safety, just to name a few.
If you decide to get an above ground pool, you generally lose another 50 percent of that dwindling buyer base. While some above ground pools look nice, especially with additional landscaping and upgraded decking, my recommendation would be to go the next step and get the in-ground pool. Chances are you will get a good chunk of your investment back, and you won't narrow your buyer base as much.
Some buyers actually will be looking for a pool or won't eliminate a home in their price range if it does have one, as long as it is in good condition and is aesthetically pleasing. However, it has been my experience that an above ground pool often turns off the potential buyer, mostly because of the potential resale ramifications. Many times sellers with an above ground pool offer to remove the pool for the potential buyer if the offer price is right.
If at all possible, a seller with a pool should try to list and sell their home in the late spring or early summer when the pool and its surroundings look the best. Make sure to leave any instructions visible for the potential buyers regarding pool maintenance, supplies, etc. to answer as many questions as possible. Records of upkeep, repairs and maintenance are also helpful if applicable.
Tim Catton
Century 21 At the Crossing
Question: We are planning on selling our home this summer, and have four children under age six. They have a number of large outdoor toys and play equipment, including a plastic climb-on castle, sandbox, inflatable pool, soccer kickback and a large swing set. My question is twofold: Should we have these items put away for the summer to show the house, even though it would really cause a hardship on my kids (and my stay-at-home-mom wife,) and if we do leave the items out, will potential buyers expect any of the equipment to stay with the property? We really planned to take it all with us.
Answer:These are fairly common concerns for many Hoosier families, especially during the summer months. It is hard to maintain a normal routine while you're trying to sell, and having children adds an extra challenge to the issue. You've probably heard that sellers should clean up and clear out the house clutter to get it ready for sale. I'd add that this same approach should be used in your outdoor living areas. Even outside, neatness counts! With today's smaller yards, multiple outside toys can be overpowering and make a yard look smaller than it is.
Successful home selling is a whole family effort, so enlist the little ones to help get and keep the house "Show Ready." Some of our families practice "show time drills" to prepare for those last minute tour requests. Make it a fun activity by assigning each little one an area of the yard or house to straighten. It will make them feel individually important and actively involved, while assisting Mom and Dad immensely.
And just as you've done inside the house, inspect the toys and outside equipment and make sure everything in is good repair. Consider eliminating anything and everything that is broken, rusted or badly faded. Perhaps any unused equipment could be put in storage or sent to Grandma's temporarily.
A happy home for an active family is a goal of many. But buyers come in all shapes and sizes, and a single professional might not have a use for a wood fort with sandbox. Until you know who your buyer is, you won't know if the equipment will be an issue. The backyard play toys of children are usually personal possessions. But because they can appear to be built-in or attached—and some are quite valuable—buyers can be confused about what stays and what doesn't. I recommend that you create a list of the equipment that you wish to take with you, and add this information to your home-info marketing materials. You could also take a little extra effort to reassure the new buyers that the yard will look great when you leave. The lawn under and around a swing set, climbing gym or plastic pool can take a beating. Adding a statement such as, "Sellers will move play set, pool, and toys, and restore the grounds underneath," will eliminate confusion about the equipment, as well as remind the buyers of the benefit of letting you take your own toys.
Dee A. Young
NEW DAY, the real estate company
Question: People always talk about putting a fresh coat of paint on walls and doors before putting your house on the market. Should I invest in having the exterior painted, too? Will it help sell my home, or just add value?
Answer: I always recommend a fresh coat of paint if the colors are faded or worn-looking. If the exterior is mostly wood, a fresh coat of paint can really help market the home. Prospective buyers are very concerned with purchasing a home then needing to invest additional money in costly repairs. In a buyer's mind, he or she will consider the home, but then deduct dollars for the price of the painting. It may be enough money to convince them to consider other homes instead.
A fresh coat of paint alleviates these concerns. It does not necessarily add any value, but it can decrease marketing efforts and the amount of time your home is on the market. The main factors that add value are square footage and location—other repairs add some value, but rarely dollar for dollar.
To summarize, if your home has not been painted in a few years then a fresh coat of paint will make it look better and should help it sell quicker!
Leslie Cooper Pyle
RE/MAX Real Estate Associates
Question: How important are phone jacks and cable hook-ups to buyers? When we built our home, our kids were toddlers and we didn't have them installed in their bedrooms. Now, we are planning to sell and my husband is convinced that not having wired bedrooms will prevent our home from selling. Do you recommend that we have phone jacks and cable installed before we list our home?
Answer: In today's world of high technology, the more phone jacks and cable outlets, the better. It seems as if almost everyone owns a computer, and some families own multiple computers. However, I do not personally believe the lack of jacks and cable outlets in the spare bedrooms would hamper the sale of your home, nor affect the sale price. In all my years of selling real estate, I do not believe I have ever had a sale hinge on the number of jacks and cable outlets.
When showing homes to buyers, they often look for the location of phone jacks and outlets if they are seriously interested in the home. Most often, they hope to find them located in the kitchen, living room and master bedroom. Any additional outlets are just a bonus. They are fairly inexpensive to install, so they will not provide a reason for buyers to overlook your home.
I would forego installation of any other jacks and outlets, and dedicate your resources elsewhere. Good luck in your quest to sell your home!
Leslie Cooper Pyle
RE/MAX Real Estate Associates
Question: Are energy-efficient options a good selling point for a home? We are considering installing low-e windows, but it seems like something that buyers wouldn't even notice. Do you tell them about energy efficiencies when showing a home, or do we just rely on buyers having done their homework?
Answer: Updating your home by replacing your windows is a very good idea. New windows will give the home a fresh, clean look. New windows are also a high value item in the eyes of a buyer. Generally, buyers perceive the prospect of window replacement as an expensive and bothersome, but needed improvement in many existing homes.
Low-E windows are a great choice for several reasons. Besides the energy savings that you should realize due to the extra insulating properties, there is also the benefit that they will reduce the UV rays and glare from the sun. Your home should feel more comfortable, sound quieter and you should experience less fading in your carpets and furniture located around the window openings.
With the fluctuating, and often escalating costs of home heating fuels, energy-saving options will always be desirable features for homeowners. As you walk through your home to make your "get-ready-to-sell list," you should consider adding as many little energy-saving improvements as you can. It might be helpful to spend a little time at the local hardware store researching each item that you put on your list, so you can compare the cost verses the anticipated return value. Do your homework. Read the home-for-sale ads in the paper, check out houses marketed on the Internet, and perhaps even visit a model home or two to find out what items seem to be hottest trends promoted to prospective buyers. You will want your home to compete well in the competitive sales market.
You asked if agents would mention energy improvements, or if buyers would even notice them. The answer to both questions is a definite maybe. Typically, buyers can be somewhat overwhelmed during an initial home tour. They might be looking at several houses on the same day in several neighborhoods, and if so, would have much information to absorb.
You can better ensure that your home is remembered and that all your energy features are noticed by providing your own home info brochure. Make sure your REALTOR® creates a handout complete with full color photos, room details and your list of home improvements and updates. Make multiple copies, and then place this flier in an easy to find location, such as on the countertop or dining room table. Then when buyers and agents tour your home, they will have your home brochure to take with them to remind them of your special home and all that it offers. Make it easy for them to remember to pick your property for their next home.
Dee A. Young
NEW DAY, the real estate company
Question: If you want to re-do your kitchen, there are so many choices that really vary in expense. Do you get your money's worth on resale if you purchase say Corian or granite countertops versus laminate? And what about floors? Does it make sense to spring for hardwood or tile versus laminate?
Answer: Kitchens are the best room in the home to remodel and recoup money spent. Most home remodeling projects usually only offer a seller a payback between 40 percent and 70 percent at time of sale, but kitchen and bath remodels usually allow owners to recoup between 90 and 95 percent of every dollar spent.
As far as whether or not the quality of materials used allows for the most payback, that depends on the price range of home being sold. In certain price ranges, Corian and wood floors are expected. In others, it would be an over-improvement. So, you'll have to decide based on your home's value and the value of the neighborhood you're located in.
I suggest consulting with your real estate professional prior to making any vast improvements and getting his suggestions. More often than not, most minor improvements provide for a quicker sale rather than an increase in sale price.
To address your flooring concern, wood floors offer an ambiance to a home that no other flooring can provide. It is one of the biggest trends in new home construction and remodeling. Experts suggest that wood floors give a comforting, warm feeling that other flooring does not. So, in almost any price range a wood or wood laminate may be a good choice for you.
Good luck in your quest to remodel!
Leslie Cooper Pyle
RE/MAX Real Estate Associates
Question: We are preparing our home for sale. Which will have the greatest impact on our home's resale value — remodeling the kitchen or finishing the basement?
—Suzanne and David McCarty, Greenwood, IN
Answer:Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? Unlike the wicked queen in Snow White, you are asking the right question for the right reason. You understand that in order to maximize the proceeds from the sale of your home it may be necessary for you to make a cash outlay. The improvements you plan may bring a better sale price and sell your home more quickly!
The simple answer is that before deciding which space to improve you must to evaluate each carefully. For example, what is the age of the current kitchen? Does the kitchen need to be remodeled or redecorated? Is the basic design compatible with the traditional "triangle" workspace or will you need to move the major elements — stove/sink/fridge? If small, can you enlarge it by opening it up to an adjacent space like a breakfast nook, dining room or family room? Do you plan to take your appliances with you when you move?
Questions that you need to ask yourselves about your basement might include: Is your basement large enough to accommodate new uses that finishing it would enable? Is it dry? Will the current plumbing permit you to add a half bath, full bath or wet bar affordably? Would new wiring be required to power new light fixtures and electronics that would entice prospective buyers? If you plan to add a bedroom in the basement what is the cost of adding a second means of egress to satisfy safety requirements?
Now that you've answered some of the obvious questions, it's time to decide whether you will perform the work required yourselves or hire a contractor. If you hire the work done interview three contractors each of whom will also raise additional questions.
Several years ago, my wife and I decided to update our kitchen—new cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring. We spent all our money and had nothing left. We scrimped for six months then "finished" our basement family room by painting the concrete block walls a neutral color, putting low-priced carpet over a good pad in the family room and up the stairway and staining the 1/4" luan ceiling a dark walnut color. We accomplished what we wanted in both the kitchen and basement.
In your situation, since you are getting ready to sell your home, you will not spend a bundle on the kitchen or the basement. Be creative and find a way to do both. If you are truly strapped for cash do what you can in the kitchen then clean and organize your basement space.
Roger Howard
1st Home Realty
Question: We purchased our first home this year, and are wondering if any of the closing costs or other expenses is tax deductible?
Answer:Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! Homeownership in Indiana (and the United States) is at an all-time high and you are to be commended for taking that important step.
Some of the expenses you incur in the purchase of a home are tax deductible—even if your purchase is not your first home. Your question reminds taxpayers that there are different kinds of expenses that are tax deductible. Certain closing costs can be deducted, as can many expenses associated with homeownership. However, you must file Form 1040 and itemize your deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040) to get the tax benefit. Only two closing costs are fully deductible: real estate taxes actually paid to the taxing authority and interest that qualifies as home mortgage interest. Both of these costs are typically included in your monthly house payment and deposited to an escrow account. Your real estate taxes are paid to the county treasurer by your lender if escrowed. To be deductible, home mortgage interest must be on a loan secured by your main home (or a second home); the loan can be a first or second mortgage, a home improvement loan, or a home equity loan. Each year, your lender will provide a Form 1098, or mortgage interest statement, which shows the payment of taxes and mortgage interest as well as reduction of principal, homeowners insurance and any other expenses paid from your escrow account during the previous calendar year.
According to Eugene P. Fitzgerald, CPA and president of Fitzgerald & Isaac, a good place to start looking for the answer to your question is the Internal Revenue Service itself. IRS Publication 530, "Tax Information for First-Time Homeowners," is available online as a printable PDF file (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p530.pdf). Since persons licensed by the Indiana Real Estate Commission are prohibited from giving tax advice, homeowners should consult a tax advisor as they prepare their tax returns. Contact Gene Fitzgerald or Stan Isaac at Fitzgerald & Isaac, 317-844-8300, for detailed tax information and planning ideas.
Sometimes the cost of obtaining a loan includes fees called points, such as loan origination fees, loan discount points, etc. These fees are deductible on a pro rata basis over the term of the mortgage, but may be fully deductible if you meet certain conditions outlined in IRS Publication 530.
Other settlement fees and closing costs including title insurance, legal fees, recording fees, and surveys you paid for while buying your home are not deductions, but can be added to the basis or overall investment you have made; your home's basis may generate tax benefits when you sell your home.
Roger Howard
1st Home Realty
Question: I am purchasing my first home—a condo—and have been told I have to have project approval. What is this and who handles it?
Answer: Congratulations on your decision to purchase a home. Condominiums offer many of the same advantages of homeownership that a single-family residence does, plus the convenience of having the association handle much of the exterior and common area maintenance (paid by your condominium fee.)
When your lender seeks approval for a loan from Fannie Mae—the nation's largest provider of funds for home mortgages—certain guidelines must be met. Those guidelines are called project approval. The primary requirements for project approval relate to unit occupancy, and there are two types. The first requirement is that 70 percent of the condo units must be owner-occupied as primary residences or as second homes. The second requirement is that not more than 10 percent of the units can be owned by a single person or ownership entity.
These guidelines limit the number of units in a given condominium community that can be rented, and also limit the number of units that can be owned by a single entity. These guidelines protect the value of the individual units and the community as a whole, hence protecting the investment you make in your new home.
Your lender is well acquainted with these guidelines or will have easy access to the information. They'll be happy to handle all the details.
Roger Howard
1st Home Realty
Question: I'm considering buying a home in Marion County in a neighborhood effected by Barrett Law. What is the law? Although I'm planning to stay in this home for 10 years or more, what is the potential long-term affect of the law on my property value or my resale possibilities?
Answer: Barrett Law is an Indiana Statute that was enacted in 1905. This law provides a detailed procedure to be followed when a local government seeks to make permanent improvements for the benefit of the public. Those improvements include construction of streets, alleys, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, sanitary sewers and other public works. Currently, the City of Indianapolis uses Barrett Law assessments for the construction of sewers and water supply lines.
Under Barrett Law, Marion County and the City of Indianapolis can charge or assess impacted property owners the construction costs of the project.
The Barrett assessment can be paid by the initial owner in one of two ways: 1) cash within 30 days after project completion with no interest, or 2) the assessment can be paid over 10, 20 or 30 years with monthly or annual payments. As a buyer of a property with an existing assessment, you can negotiate payment of the assessment by the seller, or agree to assume the balance. Installment payments require the payment of a fixed rate of interest currently at 3.5 percent. Until recently, the interest rate was 7 percent. Since the terms of the repayment cannot be changed or refinanced, you should find out what the rate is to determine how best to deal with future payments.
In almost every instance, the improvement financed by the Barrett assessment will increase your property's market value to cover the cost, and should make your home more attractive to prospective buyers in the future.
Roger Howard
1st Home Realty
Question: We recently closed on a new home that was for sale by owner. When we toured the home, we weren't told that there was anything in the home that wasn't included, and there weren't any special provisions in our closing paperwork. When we arrived back at our new house, though, the refrigerator was gone. We were stunned. Do we have any course of action now, or was this within the seller's rights? I always thought that appliances went with the house.
Answer: Oops. You're not the first buyer to find that your expectations and those of the seller were different. But your question does give me the opportunity to remind buyers and sellers that a contract in Indiana must be in writing to be enforceable. This situation is another example of how REALTOR® can assist buyers and sellers in sidestepping the pitfalls that can unwittingly trip them up.
You relate that you were not told that anything was not included. Were you told that anything was included? What were you told? Did you ask if the refrigerator was included? Did you receive a Seller's Residential Real Estate Sales Disclosure form? The form includes the following statement: "Indiana law (IC 32-21-5) generally requires sellers of one to four unit residential property to complete this form regarding the known physical condition of the property. An owner must complete and sign the disclosure form and submit the form to a prospective buyer before an offer is accepted for the sale of real estate." The form also says that the disclosure "is not intended to be a part of any contract between the buyer and the owner."
But don't give up yet. You may have some recourse if the seller provided a printed description of the property to be sold, and if the description included a reference to kitchen appliances. You may also have some recourse if the seller provided a "Seller's Disclosure" and did not indicate that the refrigerator was not included. Or you may have some recourse if the seller, when you call to ask about this, says, "Gee, we wanted you to have the fridge. Will you let us pay the freight bill to send it back to you?" (Hmmm, not likely!)
The standard purchase agreement used by Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTOR® (MIBOR) members includes a paragraph that enumerates over 20 improvements and fixtures that should be included in the sale of the real estate. Refrigerators are not on the list. If you used this form and wanted to be sure to get the refrigerator, you should have used some of the six blank lines following the list to add the fridge. When in doubt, write it out!
To make a long story short, if the seller did not specifically say the refrigerator was included, taking it was within the seller's rights. Let me emphasize that buyers (and sellers) should always use a REALTOR®, a professional who sells several homes every year and is well prepared to help you ask the right questions and suggest strategies that will help you achieve your real estate goals. Real estate professionals represent your best interests and can help you avoid disappointments like the one you experienced.
Roger Howard
1st Home Realty
Question: When selling a 45 year old home that has an out of date kitchen and bathrooms. Is it better to spend a little money to fix it them up, or give the buyer an allowance? Also if the carpet is worn should you replace or give an allowance?
Answer: It is important to involve your local Realtor® with the improvements you select to do. There are several factors to consider when deciding to offer an allowance or do a major remodel on a kitchen. Improvements should be made so that the property shows well. Usually the first stop is to de-clutter and do a thorough cleaning. Less expensive updates such as painting, updating worn carpet or dated flooring, or even changing out faucets or new hardware on the cabinetry can make a huge difference in the presentation of your home.
Your local Realtor® can advise if the comparable sales for your neighborhood and the cost that can be recovered from the sale, is worth the investment of the higher dollar items such as replacing a kitchen or bathroom. If every other home in the neighborhood that you are competing with has a new kitchen, or if the comparable sales of the neighborhood shows that buyers have been willing to pay a premium for an updated kitchen it may be worth the investment. Each home and neighborhood is a case by case decision, and well worth a call to your local Realtor® to get some sound advise before investing a lot of money on a project that you may not see a return on.
Kathy Hall
CENTURY 21 Realty Group Elsbury
Question: We are preparing our home for sale. What are some easy improvements for increased curb appeal?
—Suzanne and David McCarty, Greenwood, IN
Answer:There are several things that a potential home seller should consider to increase curb appeal for their home. First and foremost is landscaping and yard maintenance. Make sure bushes are trimmed, the grass is mowed, weeds are pulled, and leaves are raked when necessary. Remember, most potential buyers will drive by your house before they set a showing if they have the opportunity.
If you are planning on listing your home when it might not look its best due to the time of year, make sure you take several pictures when it looks its best. Take pictures in late spring and summer if you're going to list your home after November 1 and before May 1. Get the best shots possible of your flowers and shrubs. If you have great foliage in the fall, make sure you get pictures of your home before the leaves fall. Display these in a prominent place when your home is being shown.
Next, a fresh, neutral coat of exterior paint is helpful. Buyers don't want to have to address paint immediately when they buy their new home. This goes for gutters, soffits and the roof as well. If you think any of these might be an issue, have them inspected prior to listing your house.
We've also noticed more stained shingles in the last decade or so. While this doesn't necessarily pose a major problem, it can negatively affect first impressions regarding curb appeal. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive to remedy this problem.
If you think your driveway needs to be sealed, coated or repaved, it probably does, especially if your home is over 20 years old. A new, neutral mailbox is always a plus, too.
One final thing—in Indiana, patriotism and basketball help sell homes. Find a good place to fly Old Glory and display it prominently; no faded or tattered flags. If you have a good place for a basketball hoop or goal, get one. But if you have an old, rusty goal, tear it down or replace it.
Getting people inside your home is half the battle. Don't lose any potential buyers because they don't like your home when they drive by or see the exterior pictures on the Internet.
Question: How do hardwood floors affect the resale value of a home?
Answer: Nothing makes a better first impression than a gleaming hardwood floor. The most common floor surfaces for the main living areas of a home are vinyl, carpet, tile and hardwood. If they are clean, attractive and in good repair, they can all make a good impression, but hardwood may do the best job of conveying a feeling of warmth, character and quality.
Walking into a home and being greeted by shiny hardwood flooring helps create an air of anticipation for a prospective buyer, who thinks, "If the floors are this good, the rest of the house must be high quality, too. I can't wait to see it."
When prospective buyers compare and rate the homes they have seen, homes with hardwood flooring could rise above homes with other types of flooring. For people who suffer from some allergies, hardwood floors are also real plus because wood tends not to collect dust and other allergens.
The gleam of natural wood makes it easy for a new owner's furniture to fit into the surroundings, as there will be no conflict between the color of the floor and the colors in the furniture as there could be with carpet, vinyl or tile.
For resale purposes, the flooring must be in good condition, clean, and appealing—just like the rest of the home. Before placing a home on the market, sellers should repair any scratches or other problems with hardwood flooring, and make sure it presents a good, shiny surface.
Buyers making their final decision could be swayed toward choosing a house with hardwood floors over a house without any hardwoods, and they may pay a higher price because the hardwoods have played a part in convincing them that the house is better built overall, with more features and amenities. In fact, according to the National Wood Flooring Association, 90 percent of real estate agents polled in a national survey said that houses with wood flooring sell faster and for higher prices than houses without wood floors.
Compared to some other types of flooring, wood is resilient and long lasting. According to the Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association, most homeowners will replace carpet after 11 years and vinyl after 20 years, while wood flooring will last the life of the building and can be refinished five to 10 (or more) times, depending on flooring conditions. In higher priced homes, the lack of hardwood flooring is a detriment to resale; while in lesser-priced homes, the presence of hardwood flooring is a significant positive factor. Over time, wood floors tend to keep their value while other flooring can look tired and worn out.
Take a moment, close your eyes and picture a nicely decorated home with gleaming hardwood floors. Now picture the same home with another flooring surface. Don't you prefer the hardwood?
Dave Goff
Carpenter, REALTORS®
Question: This will be our first winter in our first house. It is an older home that my husband and I plan to restore in the spring. What winter maintenance will help keep our home in good condition in the meantime?
Answer: There are several things to do to get the home ready for winter.
- If you plan on having a fire this winter, clean out the fireplace and make sure it has a good draft.
- Have the furnace cleaned and serviced.
- Make sure your gutters are cleaned.
- Disconnect all garden hoses.
- Install storm windows and storm doors.
- Close any vents in the crawlspace.
John T. Creamer
Century 21 At the Crossing
Question: I'm reading up on how to best show my home, but all the information I have found talks about planting flowers, trimming hedges, etc. None of those tips will help me when we put our home on the market this month! Is there anything I can do to help the way my home shows in the winter?
Answer: In the winter, make your home warm and inviting with comforting sights, sounds and smells—soft music in the background, the smell of freshly baked cookies or bread and warm lighting in the corners of the room. Potential buyers want to feel comfortable and imagine your house could be their new home.
With shorter daylight hours, it is also really important to keep lots of lights on for showings, both inside and out. If it is not possible to turn on your lights prior to a showing, make sure that the lights are easy to turn on with a simple wall switch. Buyers and REALTOR® fumbling around trying to turn on lamps could be a disaster waiting to happen—like the time the buyers' REALTOR® went into a dark bedroom and while trying to find some sort of illumination, tripped over Fido's cage. Not only did the dog get out, it ripped the REALTOR'S® pants. Needless to say, by the time they got the dog back in the cage and the REALTOR'S® leg had stopped bleeding, the buyers were not particularly interested in looking at the rest of the house.
If you have light colored carpet and are concerned that people might track snow or water on your floors, be sure to put non-skid throw rugs at the front and back doors. Some people might be offended or inconvenienced by having to remove their shoes or boots. You may also consider disposable "booties" to cover footwear. These can be left at the front door, and are a little nicer than asking people to go barefoot in a strange home.
And always, in all seasons, think about important safety measures. Don't leave toys on the steps. Trim tree branches hanging low over walkways or driveways. And always remove snow and salt slick pavements.
Vicki Kenworthy Wright
Carpenter, REALTORS®
Question: How do hardwood floors affect the resale value of a home?
Answer: A well-maintained hardwood floor is an asset to any home. In addition to the aesthetic value, hardwoods enable people with allergies to avoid problems with pet odors and allergens held in carpet fibers. As a REALTOR®, my clients often request homes with hardwood floors to eliminate potential problems stemming from smoking and pets. Hardwood floors may not garner more money for your home, but they will certainly give you an edge in terms of your home's marketability.
Anne Elsbury
Century 21 Realty Group Elsbury
Question: My house needs to be repainted, but I'm thinking of moving. Should I invest in repainting it?
Answer:I would normally suggest that clients take the extra time and effort to repaint the home. Usually, it will improve the appearance of the house and aid in marketing. How much it returns in value would depend on other factors such as the current condition of the paint, color and paint type. If the exterior of the house is a color that is less-neutral and shows signs of deferred maintenance, then painting will greatly help in the marketing process.
However, if the curbside appeal of your home is comparable to others in the market area, then painting might not generate a return in value. Other factors, such as the type of paint, can also influence your decision. If there is lead-based paint on your home's exterior, updating could be guided by other regulations.
Certainly, the decision on what actions can benefit you in your market should be made after a discussion with a REALTOR® familiar with your market area.
David B. Cain, MAI, CCIM
West Clay Realty
Question: Should I plant this spring even if I plan to move?
Answer: Landscaping can be a significant factor in increasing curb appeal. If most buyers in your market are buying homes for residence rather than investment, anything that makes your house seem more like a home usually helps. Stark flowerbeds often leave a house looking empty and lonely. Warm your buyers with tasteful, but not overdone, plantings. I would suggest leaning towards plants that will flower throughout the marketing of your home.
David B. Cain, MAI, CCIM
West Clay Realty
Question: How can I make my home seem more inviting during the dull winter months?
Answer: Many people trying to sell a home during the dreary winter months find it challenging. The flowers and landscaping that frame the home during spring, summer and autumn are absent, and curbside appeal may be virtually nonexistent.
But homes can still be made to feel inviting during the dull winter months. A few simple actions can help market a home as effectively in January as in July.
Have your walkways and driveway clean of snow and ice, and well-lit for evening showings. In doing this, you not only present a well-maintained exterior of the home and property—you decrease the likelihood that the potential homebuyer will slip and fall during their visit.
In the home's interior, try to convey warmth as much as possible. Have the lights on in every room, and make sure all light bulbs have been replaced. A bright home is a welcoming contrast to the cold darkness of winter. If the home has a fireplace, having a fire burning is also extremely inviting.
Shop for fragrant items that invoke nostalgia. Burning candles in warm, spiced scents such as apple, cinnamon and vanilla stimulate both memory and hunger—great tools to help market a kitchen or dining room. Another nice touch is to have a loaf of bread baking in the oven or a bread machine.
Finally, try to decrease the amount of clutter in the home. Even though most people display more decorations during the holidays, I encourage clients to put away all unnecessary items to make rooms look larger.
Anne Elsbury
Century 21 Realty Group Elsbury
Question: "Our home is being refinanced. We think the appraisal is too low. What can we do to get a higher appraisal?"
Answer: I would ask an experienced REALTOR® to do a CMA (comparative market analysis) to determine the fair market value. Then, I would compare that to the appraisal. If there is very much difference, I would suggest either changing mortgage companies, or asking your current company to get another appraiser and show them the market analysis. If you need help, most REALTOR® have very good contacts at reputable mortgage companies—they can help with all your refinancing needs.
Anne Elsbury,
Century 21 Realty Group Elsbury
