Top Tips for House Hunting Online

Feb 5, 2021 1:37 pm
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Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your new home search, but it should not be your end all be all.  One of the services that I offer my clients is providing them with the most up to date current listings of the homes that meet their search criteria.  I have access to and can send the notice of a new listing within 15 minutes of it going on the market.  And some I even know about as ‘Coming Soon.’  I can also research the ones of interest prior to the showing to find out if it truly meets all the checkboxes before we schedule a showing for you.

Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, but keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture of home listings online, keep the following three things in mind.

  1. Stay up to date. When you start your search, make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) where real estate agents actively post their most current homes for sale. Many online resources update less often or fail to remove listings that are off the market, making it more difficult to sort through the clutter. The service I provide will provide the most up to date information.
  2. Pictures can be deceiving. Real estate photographers are experts at showing a home in the best possible light. Many use tools and strategies to boost appeal, such as a fisheye lens to make areas look larger and creative editing to make colors and textures really pop. But often listings will not contain photos of unappealing parts of the home, like small closets or outdated bathrooms. When you wonder why there are not certain photos of key points of the home, it’s usually because that’s what they don’t want you to see.  Some research on my part often uncovers that and eliminate wasted time of going for a showing.
  3. See it to believe it. Once you find what appears to be your dream home online, call me to schedule a showing. You want to take the opportunity to vet the home in person and explore every part of it before beginning the offer process. I will help you cover all your bases and will ask questions you may not have thought of.

Yes, inventory is low and the market is very competitive right now, but I can save you time, energy, and frustration by being your source for your new home search.  Provide me your wish list and I’ll set up for you to receive a notice when your dream home comes up for sale.

Marie Dinsmore

RE/MAX Around Atlanta

Experience, Passion, and Commitment to Excellence

Getting Ready to List

Jan 6, 2021 6:21 am
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When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the utmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top four recommended projects to do before listing your home.

Repaint walls.

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up, and generally, it can be a do-it-yourself project. Make sure to cover any walls with scratches and chips and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.

Repair or replace floors.

Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing it. And don’t forget the tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. Re-grouting can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!

Refresh the landscaping.

Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the inside. Clean walkways and driveways, plant seasonal flowers and plants, trim hedges, and trees, install outdoor décor pieces and fill in mulch and gravel. Some potential buyer won’t even come inside if they don’t like what they see outside.

Fix your fixtures.

Leaky faucet? Rusted drains? Loose drawer handles? Making these small fixes can make a big difference to potential buyers with detailed-orientated minds. Improve your kitchen. An outdated kitchen can be a real eyesore in a home. Updating cabinetry, repairing or replacing countertops, and installing new faucets and sinks may be worth the investment

I have a complete checklist that I go over with my potential sellers.  Give me a call and let’s go over where to start.

Marie Dinsmore

RE/MAX Around Atlanta

Experience, Passion, and Commitment to Excellence

Why selling your home during holidays can be a good thing

Nov 12, 2020 2:52 pm
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Most people think that spring is the best time to sell their home because everyone wants to buy as soon as school is out and get settled before the new year school year starts.  With COVID this year, you can throw out almost all the ‘normal’ statistics from the past.  As with this year, even though inventories were and are still low, it has been a record-breaking year for real estate.  This year has proven, there is no ‘ideal time’ to buy or sell.

Because inventory is low, it is definitely a seller’s market.  Typically, before a home is ever listed, we can put out a notice of ‘Coming Soon,’ and have multiple appointments for showings before it ever shows up on FMLS.  For one such home recently, I had 9 appointment showings prior to it being formally ‘listed’ and a cash offer.

So, what does this have to do with selling your home during the holidays?  Here are some reasons:

  • You have very motivated very serious buyers that possibly have had to rent temporarily until they could find what they wanted
  • Because inventory is low, you can usually get near or sometimes above the asking price, as many homes are receiving multiple offers now
  • Because homeowners decorate and make their home feel warm and inviting sometimes invokes the buyer’s emotions as to which home they choose.
  • And plus, it makes an Awesome gift to the family – so get them what they really want

There are many reasons some do not want to list during the holidays.  They are worried about showings and people being in and out of their homes.  Right now, it has turned into a very quick process with multiple showings as soon as it’s listed.  Most all listings right now are going very quickly.  Buyers around the holidays are very serious.  They are not just ‘window shopping.’  They are ready to pull the trigger when they find what they want.

Another reason some people sell and buy the last couple of months of the year, is due to job offers and transfers.  They can’t wait until Spring.  Most companies want their employees in place the first of January.  They figure that the extra holidays give time to pack and move.

Lots to think about with the new year fast approaching.  Housing costs will probably rise as well as the interest rates.

If you want to explore the possibilities, give me a call, and let’s talk.

Marie B Dinsmore
Certified Negotiation Expert
RE/MAX Around Atlanta
Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com
www.DinsmoreTeam.com
770-712-7789

The Value of a Good Realtor

Jun 6, 2020 9:02 am
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Despite COVID 19 the market is still doing well.  The best thing about the real estate market right now, are those who are buying and selling property are serious.  What is getting listed, is selling fast.

So, why do you need to enlist the help of a good realtor to sell your property and not do it yourself?

  1. Overpricing. Experience shows that when the home is overpriced it usually doesn’t sell quickly; if at all.  A good realtor can get you good comparisons on what has sold nearby and advise if you need to have your property appraised prior to listing.
  2. Selling in “As-Is Condition. In today’s competitive market, you need to take the effort to make your house sparkle like the day you bought it.  If there are reasons that you have to sell ‘As-Is,’ then a good realtor will have alternative solutions, i.e. the I-Rep program, know of investors, etc. looking for property in the area.
  3. Drive-By Appeal. First impressions decide whether the buyer even stops to come in.  Depending on your location, you may not be able to depend on drive-by traffic to even get potential buyers interested except for perhaps your immediate neighbors.  And in today’s market people want a preview of the inside, so you need great photos for a virtual tour.  Your realtor will get your property listed on all the real estate listing sites so that all serious buyers and other realtors have access to the information on your property and can schedule showings.
  4. Dark Home Syndrome. The brighter and cleaner a home is, the better it shows.   A good realtor will ensure you have plenty of notice prior to bringing potential buyers to see your property to give you sufficient time to tidy up.
  5. Overvaluing Your Home. Beware of spending too much on your property so that you overvalue its worth in the neighborhood.  Having a conversation with a good realtor can give you good sound advice on where to make improvements and what will help your home sell.  It is advisable to have that conversation as soon as you’re thinking about listing your property.
  6. Financing. Be willing to be flexible with closing costs.  This is all part of why you hire a realtor.
  7. Do It Yourself Syndrome. Unless you know the laws about Seller’s Disclosure and termite reports you could cost yourself thousands of dollars by doing it yourself.
  8. Stay Out Of The Way. If you are underfoot when showing, a buyer does not feel free to really look at your home.  Put away and lock up any valuables before showing.  Yes, you love your home and you may think you can point out all it’s best features, leave this to your realtor.  Realtors screen potential buyers before bringing them into your home so as to only bring those who are serious.
  9. Attitude. A positive attitude is best; remember your taste is not everybody else’s.  Another reason you want to leave the showing of your property to your realtor.  They can also advise you on how to best prepare your home for showing.
  10. Seller’s Remorse. Respond to offers quickly, the first might be the best offer.  Your realtor will advise you on pricing your home correctly.  In today’s market, the offers come in quickly and are on target for what the property’s value truly is.  By not responding and being able to negotiate may delay the sell and getting the best price.

Have questions?  Give us a call.  We can help you through the maze of selling or buying in today’s market.

Sincerely,

Marie B. Dinsmore
RE/MAX Around Atlanta
Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com
www.DinsmoreTeam.com
770-712-7789

 

Still Listing / Still Showing Homes / Homes Still Being Sold

Mar 26, 2020 1:08 pm
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These are challenging times, but, Yes, we are still listing, showing homes, and selling homes.  Granted we have had to get creative in order to do so, but that is what a good experienced real estate agent does.

Some of our clients are willing to do Facetime Virtual tours.  Others have created a virtual tour of their home that we can send to prospects.  For those clients who decide they want to visit the property and see it in person, we are taking every precaution.  We ask the property owner to open all doors as well as cabinet doors, so we don’t have to touch anything.  Or if we do, we’re using gloves.  We are sanitizing upon entry and when we leave the property.  Our buyers and seller’s safety are our primary concern at this time.

There are also other ways to receive offers for your home rather than the traditional listing.  As an iRep Real Estate Pro, I can help you receive cash offers on your home and a retail market valuation in 48 hours.  So, if you were planning to sell this spring but are apprehensive, due to our current situation, this might be an option to consider.

Contact me and we can discuss all your options.

Marie Dinsmore

The Dinsmore Team

RE/MAX Around Atlanta

www.DinsmoreTeam.com

Cell 770-712-7789/Fax 770-888-7793

Experience, Passion, and Commitment to Excellence!

Renovate and Love It?  Or List it?

Mar 5, 2020 4:08 pm
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This time of the year many people look around the house and see all those projects that need to be done and/or completed.  Regardless of where on the list your projects are, there’s always the investment that needs to be considered.  What will be my ROI when it comes time to sell?

When considering remodeling, a homeowner always must take into consideration many different aspects before starting the project such as:

  • Are you staying for a while or are you getting ready to list? If you’re staying then you can take into consideration your likes, tastes, color schemes, etc.  If you’re listing, then you will want to keep things neutral.  Many people can’t get past a color scheme to see the potential of a home.
  • Do you have several projects on your mind and wondering where to start first? Most will say, if the kitchen is on your list, start there first as a great kitchen will yield 70% ROI.  That’s why if a house has a great kitchen, the listing shows many photos of the kitchen.
  • Typically, next on the list is the bathroom and usually the master bath. When remodeling the bath, the functionality should be the heart of a bathroom remodel. Make a list of what you wish to gain with the remodel, i.e. more storage, need more lighting, more outlets, etc. Shower or tub or both?  If you very seldom take a bubble bath why have a huge garden tub taking up space?
  • Then there’s the floors. Sometimes that’s at the top of the list. If it’s the only project you want/need to do, that’s great, but if you have other renovations to do, save the floors for last due to the wear and tear from the other remodeling projects.  You don’t want your beautiful new floors scuffed and scared.
  • Hire a reliable contractor and have some ideas of what you what your finished project to look like. Start a notebook or Pinterest board with all your ideas so that you can show your contractor what you have in mind, because a picture is worth a 1000 words.  Many home improvement stores will also help draw up the plans for some remodels, like a kitchen.

So, what are the top renovations you can do that have the biggest ROI?  We searched many different sources and here is our overall list:

  • At the top of the list and the one that will give you the biggest ROI and pay for itself is attic insulation at 116.9%
  • Stone Veneer. This was a surprise, but in all the research, this one kept coming up and with a 95.6% ROI.  This one adds to that curb appeal.
  • Garage Door Replacement for a 91.5% ROI
  • Entry Door Replacement with a steel door. Again, looking for that curb appeal and safety. 91.1%
  • And lastly and most interesting we found that most projects recommended that are lower in cost often make cosmetic improvements and yield a very good ROI.
  • For example:
    • Minor kitchen remodel. Replacing or adding kitchen hardware.
    • Refinishing or painting cabinets can give up to 77% ROI.
    • Rather than a total remodel of a bathroom, consider replacing the fixtures and possibly the sink.
    • And then there’s the light fixtures that may also be out of date. Replacing outdated light fixtures and ceiling fans are other good investments that add a good esthetic appeal.

Still wondering whether to start on those projects or just sell as is?  Contact the Dinsmore Team.  We can advise you as to what home improvements make sense for the area and your neighborhood.  You can then decide if you want to renovate and Love It or List It.

The Dinsmore Team

RE/MAX Around Atlanta

www.DinsmoreTeam.com

Cell 770-712-7789/Fax 770-888-7793

Experience, Passion, and Commitment to Excellence!