Selling a home that is close to a new development can be challenging

There is a newly built home down the street - in a newly built subdivision and, you’ll admit, it is divine. It’s a house with everything… brand-new appliances, white marble countertops, wide plank flooring, pendant fixtures, and energy efficient heating, cooling, and electrical systems. Looking around, you find yourself entranced. The problem is…you’re not in the market to buy a home...you're trying to sell your not-so-new home.  

How do you market an older home? The good news is that older homes have buyers! Oftentimes, the buyers are looking for an older home because of its character, mature landscaping, and lower property taxes. If your potential buyer is looking for a newer home, you’ll have to make changes so that buyers are attracted to your older home.  

While there is nothing you can do about the fact that your house was built in 1985 (or thereabouts), you can research the trends in new homes, analyzing what to do to make your home appeal to buyers.

Investigate trends and review competition. Get ideas of the latest decorating trends in model homes as wells as ways to maximize the best features of your home, minimizing the least appealing features.

Small upgrades go a long way.  Adding a fresh coat of paint in new neutral tones of pale grey or beige rather than pure white can give your house a new look. Other upgrades, like switching out the old kitchen and door hardware are small aesthetic details that can give your listing new life.  

Big ticket items go even longer.  Big ticket items like energy-efficient appliances, new countertops, and bathroom remodels, may be the most important upgrades sellers can make because most buyers can’t afford them on top of a home purchase.

Be Realistic. Lower Your Price.  A house that has seen little movement for months is frustrating. Not an easy decision, but lowering your house by $20,000 (or more) will take months off the time it can potentially be on the market.

Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade association with over 1,000 REALTOR® and affiliate members in Will and Grundy counties and the surrounding areas who provide professional and ethical real estate and real estate related services.

Call us: 815-744-4520!

Sources:

https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/sellers-game-compete-newly-built-homes/

https://magazine.realtor/home-and-design/feature/article/2018/05/how-older-homes-can-gain-an-edge

https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/why-buy-old-home-instead-of-new-one/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/ten-home-design-trends-to-watch-out-for-in-2018-according-to-houzz/2017/12/15/b64a9b58-df6a-11e7-89e8-edec16379010_story.html?utm_term=.cadca86ae282

10 Moving Tips from Three Rivers Association of REALTORS

As REALTORS®, we are often asked for homebuying and selling advice of all kinds, including on moving. Many clients worry about the amount of clutter they have to sift through before they move, or struggle with what they should do about the possessions they have accumulated over many years, or even decades. Moving can seem like a daunting task for many, so any tips we can share to ease our clients minds about the process, no matter how small, will help take the weight off their shoulders (and backs!).

1.    Breaking up a big move into stages helps the task become more manageable. The pros at Two Men and a Truck recommend decluttering the places where clutter tends to gather as soon as you decide to move: the attic, basement, and closets. After you have decluttered the home and gotten rid of as much possible, you can begin packing what you will take with you.

2.    Hold a rummage sale or sell items online that you don’t intend to take with you to help with moving costs. If you have friends or family helping with the move, offer them these items as a token of appreciation. Recycle and donate what’s left over.

3.    Pack a little bit each day. Start with the items you least often use (such as artwork and books) and gradually move packing to essentials like cleaning and personal care supplies just a day or two before the move.

4.    Label boxes not only with contents, but with what room they belong in. Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.

5.    Number boxes so that you can easily check if all of them have made it to your new home.

6.    Make a separate box for vital documents and records (such as birth certificates and passports) and bring it to the new house with you instead of in the moving truck.

7.    Pack a small overnight bag for each family member so that you aren’t obligated to unpack entire boxes just to find a pair of pajamas, toothbrush, change of clothes, or child’s favorite stuffed animal at the end of a long moving day.

8.    Clothes, towels, blankets, and dish towels can be used as padding when packing dishes and other fragile items.

9.    Transport as little food as possible to save time and your arm muscles. Stop buying groceries a couple weeks before you move, and try to get through your existing supply. Donate items you can’t move to neighbors, family, or a local food pantry.

10.  But don’t forget snacks and drinks on moving day! Moving is hard work. Be sure to plan to keep the kids fed and hydrated, along with pets, on the big day.

Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® is a nonprofit professional organization located in Joliet, Illinois. We keep our members informed of housing market trends, the latest real estate industry news, and helpful tips that can improve your success in real estate. Please visit our website for more information, or call us Monday through Friday from 8-4:30 at (815) 744-4520.

New Year, New Home: A Checklist For First-Time Homebuyers

Are you preparing for the New Year with plans to buy a new home?  Buying your first property is an exciting endeavor.  Owning a home truly is the American dream!  Fortunately, navigating the housing market and financing world doesn’t have to be intimidating with help from a REALTOR®.  To stay prepared during the home-buying experience, follow our checklist specifically tailored for first-time homebuyers:

Savings

Are you questioning whether or not you can afford a home based on income and savings?  Many people are surprised to find that they can afford a home.  With the help of REALTORS® and lenders, it is relatively easy to create a plan for paying your mortgage.  Based on savings and income, there is a home that will fit your budget.  

Income

Can you afford to pay the bills on a monthly basis?  This is possibly the most important step when looking for your first home.  If you are currently renting, chances are you can afford a home!  While you have to think about payments including water, gas, and home-related costs, they are typically of similar cost to renting.  In some cases, it can even be substantially cheaper to buy than rent.

Credit Score

Many first-time buyers are under popular belief that they have to have a perfect credit score in order to put a down payment on a home.  With the average credit score of approved loans continuously lowering, you can now get a loan if you have lower than an 800 credit score!  

Realtors

A great step in buying your first home is enlisting the help of a reliable real estate agent.  REALTORS® have extensive knowledge and expertise in the housing market and will find you the best homes in the area.  They can also assist you in negotiating price, closing costs and answering all of your questions.  Your dream is possible, with help from a dedicated team!

At Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®, we aim to address real estate issues in the community and work to provide a good housing market for Will and Grundy County.  We offer realtors in the area a wide, but industry-specific range of services.  To learn more about Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®, or to find a REALTOR, visit www.trarealtors.net.