Buyers & Sellers

With my many years of real estate experience, I’ve gathered a lot of tips that can help you buy or sell property.

Buying Tips:

How Much Can I Afford?

• Review your budget and determine how much you want to pay each month.
• Housing costs are usually more than just mortgage principal and interest; they often include property taxes and insurance.
• As a general rule, your monthly housing cost should not exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income.
• If you have long term debt (car payments or credit card balances), that monthly debt plus your house payment shouldn't be more than 36 percent of your monthly gross income.
• Meet with a lender early in the home-buying process, so that you know what size loan you qualify for.

How Do I Choose a Professional Residential Real Estate Agent?

• Select someone who listens to you and is interested enough in you to find out about your housing needs and preferences.
• Commit to working with one sales associate who can learn your likes and dislikes in homes.
• Choose a professional who specializes in residential real estate and who has specific knowledge of the local real estate and mortgage markets.

Selling Tips:

How Do I Prepare My Home?

• Consider the Interior:
  • To eliminate odors, steam clean your carpet and wash walls and floors with household cleaners and disinfectants.
  • Keep your home smelling fresh by burning candles or potpourri, boiling a pot of cinnamon sticks or putting a dab of vanilla on cold light bulbs before turning them on.
  • Paint your walls, removing outdated wallpaper.
    • For broader appeal, paint in neutral colors such as beige, white, off-white, or gray. These colors suggest newness and cleanliness and can brighten a dull or outdated room.
  • If your carpet is heavily soiled, you may want to have it professionally cleaned.
  • Wash your windows and open your curtains to let light in.
  • Clean hanging light fixtures and add the highest-wattage bulbs allowed.
  • Move out excess furniture items.
  • Organize closet spaces.
  • Fix loose doorknobs, leaky faucets and sticking doors.
• Consider Curb Appeal:
  • Cut the grass, trim all hedges and shrubs and plant a few extra flowers for color.
  • Clean or paint the front door, garage door, window trim and shutters.
  • Check the gutters and the roof.
  • Clean out the garage and make sure your entry light and doorbell work.

How Do I Choose a Price?

• With the help of your Real Estate Agent:
  • Evaluate everything from market condition to neighborhood influences.
  • Look at comparable homes that have sold or are for sale in your neighborhood.
  • Set the right price from the beginning because setting a high price may limit the number of buyers.
  • Leave room in your asking price for negotiating.
• There really is no best time to sell your home. Strong or weak market conditions, variables in financing and your schedule are all part of this selling question.

What Can I Expect At Resale From My Improvements?
(Estimated recapture cost based on historical data.)

• 200% — Minor Kitchen Remodel — Update colors and surface materials.
• 100% — Landscaping — Green lawns, bright flower beds and trees lure buyers.
• 100% — Fireplace — An energy-efficient fireplace appeals to the romantic in everyone.
• 94% — Major Kitchen Remodel — A great kitchen makes your home’s other imperfections less noticeable.
• 92% — Bathroom Addition — A second 5x9 bathroom alleviates morning stress.
• 85% — Bathroom Remodel — Update colors and surface materials.
• 85% — Master Suite — Combining two bedrooms with an upscale bathroom and a walk-in closet.
• 84% — Finished Attic — Makes a small house live big.
• 80% — Room Addition — Popular additions are family rooms and bedrooms.
• 77% — Deck Addition — Creates an outdoor room for entertaining or relaxing.
• 71% — Window Replacement — New vinyl or vinyl-clad insulated-glass windows. Wood windows return a higher rate.
• 69% — Replace siding — Gives necessary "curb appeal."