Archive for the 'Home Design and Staging' Category

Whether you really need to sell your home or not, I am going to encourage you to PRETEND. I know that sounds weird but hear me out. I work with people every day that are getting ready to sell, need to sell and/or have been trying to sell their home, so I know what is going on in their world (and sometimes I know too much!). You don’t need to know everything I know about this because some things you just don’t want to know (trust me on that). But there is one thing I know for sure that is so wonderful and amazing. And recently every time it has come up, I have felt like I’m keeping this secret from the world by not sharing it! So here it is: Right before you put your house on the market it looks fabulous. Absolutely amazing and perfect. And at that time, and maybe only at that time, the homeowner says, ”Oh my God, I love our house!”

That’s it. That is the secret. Doesn’t sound that earth-shattering does it? But it is. If you’ve lived in your house for a couple of years you know that there is some caulking you need to do. It’s been on your to do list for a couple of years now. And you’ve always wanted to replace the ugly brass light fixture in the front hall. You have a painting that is leaning up against your closet wall that you’ve been meaning to hang in the kid’s room and the chair in the living room would look a lot better in the family room but you just haven’t gotten around to moving it yet. Then there is that one piece of chipped trim that has been like that since you bought the house and you still wonder how it happened, but fixing it…just hasn’t happened. And the appliances are super old and need to be replaced.

I challenge you to pretend that you got a new job in (insert your fantasy destination) _______ and you are moving in 1 month. You have to get your house on the market and ready for showings in 2 weeks. Spend the next two weeks doing all of those things that you know you would have to do to market it properly. Some of it you can hire out. A handyperson (check out our list of preferred contractors) can get a lot done in 1/2 days work. But most of it you need to take some time and do. With everything else you have going on in your life this may seem silly. But I can’t tell you how many times I hear people say, “I always wanted to do that” and “if only I could have enjoyed my house like this longer.” You get my point? So many people are buying new appliances for people they don’t know. Future homebuyers are going to enjoy the fresh paint and the clean windows. You deserve to live in a home you love. So do it! Do it now!

You wanna know a secret? I create marketing materials for homes that I list and I always put together these homebooks for the buyers so they can have all the information about the home and the neighborhood. Well the home information page has a list of updates that the homeowners have done since they’ve owned it and usually it is organized by the year of the updates. Well most homes have the majority of the updates in the first year it was purchased and the most recent year (work done in preparation for the sale). Then there are some years that the poor house was neglected. So I’m always on my husband to update something. And I’m nagging him for the simple reason that I want to fill up my homebook page with updates when we are finally ready to sell. Yeah, okay, I nag him because I know things need to be updated and maintained too but secretly I’m thinking of my future homebook! (only slightly pathetic).

If you need more inspiration than that (which would be kind of pathetic) then read this blog post called Low-Stress Ways to Move House and De-Clutter Your Life by Annabel Candy who was guest blogging for one of my FAVORITE blogs, Zen Habits. Now go pretend to sell your house.  

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Two great open houses this weekend for those that are searching in the range of $284,900 – $299,900. 

12 Quinn Circle, Madison WI

12 Quinn Circle, Madison

The first featured home we are proud to present is at 12 Quinn Circle, Madison, WI in the Waunona neighborhood ($284,900). This 3 bedroom home is just one block to Lake Monona and Esther Beach and has a great flowing layout that is perfect for entertaining and showcases beautiful views of the wooded back yard and the large lot. Recently remodeled kitchen area features a gorgeous granite island, energy efficient radiant-heated Italian tile floors and stainless steel applicances. With 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2224 square feet and an attached 2 car garage, this home has great value. Kathryn Wunnicke is hosting this open house from 12-2pm on July 18th, 2010 and invites you to come for a live tour. 

818 Emerson, Madison WI

818 Emerson Street, Madison

Open Sunday from 12-2pm, hosted by Julie Campbell. A charming cape cod in the Bay Creek Neighborhood, well cared for by the current owners proves to be a suprise for many as it seems much smaller on the outside than it is when you walk through it. This home is quite large for the area with 2,086 sq. ft. and features a den on the main floor and a fourth bedroom (currently used as an office). The lower level family room has been professionally finished and features a full bath with an extra large tub, perfect for guests. You’ll love the details found in the remodeled kitchen with newer cabinets, granite counters and more! 818 Emerson Street has 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2,086 square feet, one car garage and is offered at $299,900.  

Open houses are a great way to get to know a neighborhood and gather information to see what different styles are like, different price points and design ideas. They are also a great way to get off your online search, start seeing homes live and ask local, professional Real Estate Specialists your questions about the home buying search or the selling process. And if Sunday open houses don’t fit into your busy schedule, just call 608.438.4315 or email office@thealvaradogroup.com for a private showing. Our job is to get to know YOU, not just sell you a house.

Selling your home in 10 steps.

Everyone talks about staging your home to get it ready to sell…but there is much more to the process than preparing your home for showings in the Madison WI real estate market. What happens after you’ve removed everything from the front of your refrigerator? And what is expected of Sellers throughout the process? Here is a basic overview from beginning to end.

1.  Define your goals, wants, needs and expectations.  A good place to begin is by exploring your short and long term goals in life and how selling your home fits in. 

2.  Determine the best price for what’s going on in the market right now.  Assess the current state of the market and what comparable homes are actually selling for by reviewing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) on your home. That way, you can objectively determine its fair market value and price it right. In any market, a Buyer’s or a Seller’s market, it is important to price your house ahead of the market. Positioning your home correctly in the market will get you top dollar.

3.  Prepare your property so that it is in top-selling condition.  Most of us don’t keep our homes in top-selling condition. Think about your home from a buyer’s point of view. Repair, replace or remove items in your home so that it makes a GREAT first impression.

4.  Implement time-proven, research-based marketing strategies.  Market your home to as many people as possible using for sale signs, internet, open houses, feedback tracking, Realtor connections and relationships, neighborhood mailings, and web listings.

5.  Show your property.  Ensure that your home is always in top-selling condition. When you leave for work, make sure that your home remains in top-selling condition; you never know when the phone will ring and an agent will be requesting a showing. You know what they say about a first impression!

6.  Receive an offer.  When a buyer decides to buy your home, an offer will be presented and you’ll most likely have 24-48 hours to respond.

7.  Negotiate to sell.  Most offers require some level of negotiation. Decide your parameters and be prepared to negotiate towards a win-win situation. There are many different negotiating strategies to consider. And there are different areas in the selling process to negotiate. Don’t get stuck on price when there might be inspection issues or closing dates that could be deal makers too. Negotiation is a skill and if you are too emotionally invested in what you are negotiating, work with your agent to make sure that this part of the process is handled professionally and focus on the end results.

8.  Have your home appraised and inspected.  Once you have accepted an offer, you’ll work with you agent and your transaction coordinator to arrange an appraisal, inspections and a survey (if required). If the buyer requires that certain repairs be made on your home, negotiate or make the necessary repairs to move successfully from contract to closing.

9.  Prepare for closing.  A few days before closing (also known as settlement), your transaction coordinator will be in contact with the title company and the buyer or buyer’s agent to ensure that all the necessary forms and documents have been prepared.

10.  Close!  At the closing, ownership of your property is legally transferred to the buyer. Don’t forget to bring all keys and garage door openers! Congratulations!

How much time does all of this take? It depends on your market, your situation and your motivation. I’ve seen some sales happen within 30-40 days from the time of the first conversation to the cutting of the checks. And in other situations it may take a family 2 months just to prepare their home for sale, get new appliances, and clear out the clutter before it is ready for showings. If your first question is how many days will my home be on the market, contact Sara Alvarado for a phone consult and you’ll be on the right track, 608.438.5005.