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Research: Is it worth your money to hire a stager?As you prepare to sell your home, you might debate whether to hire a stager who can make it look on-trend and ultra-appealing for prospective buyers. Advocates say an effective stager can make a huge difference in how customers perceive your home, since they know all the tricks for arranging, curating and/or adding to your décor for optimal aesthetics. But skeptics say the cost (a national average of $1,000 and $3,000) can be unnecessary. Sometimes, rearranging furnishings calls attention to flaws in the home. And living with borrowed, rearranged or missing furnishings (while waiting for a sale) can be inconvenient.
What do the facts say?
“Homes may be selling faster, but the right style can help earn the highest ROI,” notes stager Patti Stern on NAR.com. |
Is it worth your money to hire a stager?
3 Things Buyers Really Want
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Projects That Could Lower the Value of Your Home
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| In 2020, homeowners throughout the U.S. spent upwards of $420 billion on remodels and renovations for their homes. A commonly held belief is that nearly all projects will increase a home’s resale value. The truth is that there are numerous home improvement projects that could wind up decreasing your home’s value.
Performing the wrong renovation on your home could result in your property becoming less appealing to prospective buyers. This could mean fewer offers or even a lower sales price. If you want your renovations to increase your home’s value, consider remodeling the kitchen/bathroom areas, upgrading the appliances, or contact me and I can tell you which features have the best return on investment in our area. |
Instant Carpeting
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Winterproof Your Home
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Winterproof your home before the squall hitsWhen a winter storm hits, the snow, ice and high winds can damage your home if you’re not prepared. Below are a few things around your house you may want to consider winterproofing. Frozen pipes: Expanding ice exerts a force that can burst open the joints and the pipes themselves. Once it thaws, you’ll have messy leaks and even flooding to clean up. Reduce the risk of freezing pipes by insulating any interior walls adjacent to the pipework. In the event of a power outage, turn on the water to a slow trickle to keep the pipes from freezing completely. Ice dams: When snow and ice accumulate on your roof and in the gutters, ice dams can form, creating a place for the melting snow and ice to collect. The resulting icicles and shingle damage can create unwanted leaks and headaches. To prevent ice dams, remove leaves and other debris that collects in the gutters each fall and spring. After a heavy snowfall, go around the perimeter of the house with a snow rake to open space for snowmelt to flow. Power outage: Losing access to power and heat can set you in a scramble to keep your family warm and fed, particularly if it goes on for several days. Prepare for outages by building an emergency kit — plenty of canned food, flashlights, batteries and blankets. Investing in emergency backups provides a means to prepare food, stay warm and keep your family safe. Bottom line: Be prepared so you can avoid unwanted damage to your home when fierce winter weather hits. |
Crank Up the Cozy for Winter Showings
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Budget Projects to Transform the Look of Your Home
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Budget projects that transform the look of your homeWhether you’re preparing to move into a new home, or looking to zhuzh things up before you sell, try one of these high-impact projects that are easy on the wallet.
Fresh PaintA new color story is transformative. Each hue in the color wheel catches the light differently, altering the look and feel of a room. Once you’re done, you’ll feel extra motivated to tackle other improvements. Plus, the right paint can add value to the home. Add Crown MoldingCrown molding adds a touch of sophistication and polish to the room. Because it draws the eye to the ceiling, it has an enlarging effect. Tip: Add a chair rail and you can create a two-toned room!
Build a Laundry CenterAdding a counter and shelving units brings order and much-needed storage to cluttered up washer-dryer spaces. New FaucetsThe gleam of on-trend metals catches the light and instantly modernizes the bath or kitchen. It’s one of those super simple fixes with high returns. Take it a step further and add new cabinet handles and drawer pulls.
Add StorageShelves, pullouts and racks for closets, mud rooms and cabinets add functional elements while lending a sense of order to a space. Bottom line: These small projects offer a big payoff without breaking the bank! |
4 Steps: Getting Your Financials in Order Before You Buy
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4 Steps in getting your financials in order before you buyBuying a house takes more than a down payment: You need financial readiness. Stick to the plan, and you’ll start making real progress toward your goal. 1. Know how much home you can affordIdeally, your housing payment is no more than 30% of your take-home pay. Look for an online “How much house can you afford” calculator, enter your ideal payment and work from there. Then play around with it. What happens if you add $50, $100 or $200 to the monthly payment? 2. Create a homeowner budgetTo help you plan and adapt, work out a monthly budget that factors in your expected mortgage payment. Don’t forget to include property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, utilities and a cash fund for various household supplies and expenses. 3. Know the scoreUse the free credit score feature on your online bank account to see where you need improvement, then keep track of monthly progress. Focus on good credit hygiene like on-time payments, paying down debt and refraining from opening (or closing) credit accounts. A higher credit score indicates to lenders you’re a good credit risk, which increases your eligibility for a competitive interest rate. For a mortgage, even a quarter of a percentage can translate into tens of thousands of dollars. 4. Save for a down paymentStart squirreling away extra cash each month to build your down payment. If you find yourself short of funds, examining your spending habits, shopping for deals and looking for opportunities to boost your income will accelerate your progress. |
Checklist: Upgrade Your Exterior
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Checklist to upgrade your exteriorLooking to spruce up your curb appeal before you put your home on the market? Taking on a few of these weekend projects can transform your exterior from ho-hum to inviting. Paint the DoorMost homes have neutral hues, but a pop of color on the front entrance creates a welcoming focal point. Add a new storm door, door fixtures and a pretty wreath and your work is done. Swap Out the MailboxChange the government-issued box for something decorative and unique. Whether you opt for vintage or mod, it’s sure to make the place look more inviting. Update Your Light FixturesNew fixtures can add sparkle and polish even to an older home. Install Solar Landscape LightingThese small fixtures are unobtrusive by day, but bring some yard ambiance by night.
Pressure Wash for a Deep CleanMake your concrete and masonry look like new with a good cleaning. Bring on the PlantersBoxes or large pots filled with foliage bring a welcoming touch of nature, not to mention some lively colors. To make it look polished and professional, choose a thriller, filler and spiller. Have a Seat!Nothing says welcome home like a front yard conversation corner! Add a bench, a pair of Adirondack chairs or if you’re feeling whimsical, a hanging swing from the front yard tree. Achieve the Manicured LookNow’s the time to get fussy with your lawncare and landscaping. Keep the grass neatly clipped, watered and the walkway swept clean. Trim dead and hanging branches from trees and prune the bushes. For a finishing touch, pop a few in-season annuals into the ground and add a fresh layer of mulch to the beds. |
