Princeton Real Estate

Beatrice Bloom, Princeton Real Estate Agent

Seller Tips

HOME STAGING: TAPPING INTO EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 22, 2017

HOME STAGING: TAPPING INTO EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS

Home staging isn’t just hype – there’s a lot of psychological evidence to back up the powerful emotional reaction tied in with purchase decisions. And that means when it comes to selling your home, it’s not enough to declutter and “depersonalize” – you need to go “all out” in creating a luxury feel that makes buyers want to live the lifestyle your home promises. Here are some tips:

  • Invest in lush towels. Stick with white to get that posh hotel vibe.
  • Set out some fancy bath salts. Sound silly? People want to imagine themselves using luxe brands, and staging with a few high-end products can tap into that desire and help buyers equate your home with the lifestyle they aspire to.
  • Add some orchids or bamboo. Both of these choices are associated with high-end homes, thanks in part to their use in magazine photo shoots of high-end homes.
  • Toss in some oversized pillows. Small pillows are ubiquitous. Large pillows say “snuggle up and relax.”
  • Choose neutrals. Neutrals calm an interior, making it seem both relaxing and upscale and lending your entire home to that spa-like ambience.

Quick fixes can yield big returns. Before listing your home, decide what changes you can make to elicit that spa-like, luxe feel in your potential buyers.

 

THE OFFER’S IN – AND IT’S LOW: SHOULD YOU TAKE IT?

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 8, 2107

THE OFFER’S IN – AND IT’S LOW: SHOULD YOU TAKE IT?

Every seller fears it: The low-ball offer. But before you turn your back, here are a few key points to consider before you decide to walk away:

  • Is the offer truly low, or is it simply lower than what you were hoping to get? Low-ball offers vary from one market to another and even from one home to another. An experienced Realtor can help you decide if an offer is truly too low or if it’s just lower than what you wanted.
  • Is your home priced right for the market? Again, an agent who’s experienced in your market can help you decide if your price needs adjusting, especially if you receive multiple low offers (or very few offers).
  • Are you reacting out of indignation? Once a low offer comes in, take some time to cool down and remove the drama from your decision, then consider a counteroffer closer to your asking price.
  • Are there other incentives associated with the offer? Maybe the offer comes with a very quick closing, it’s all-cash or there are few inspection contingencies. These can all add to the value of the offer, so they should be weighed in.

After all, your goal is to sell your home, so before turning your back on a low offer, consider why it’s low and whether the offer may still be a good deal for your needs.

 

SELLING THIS SPRING? 5 SIMPLE PROJECTS TO START NOW

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 1, 2017

SELLING THIS SPRING? 5 SIMPLE PROJECTS TO START NOW

Listing your home this spring? Here are 5 inexpensive fixes to do now:

Boost your curb appeal. Trim bushes and refresh tired planting with colorful annuals. Clear away cobwebs from the porch, add a new mat and paint the mailbox and front door. Powerwash the driveway and sidewalk.
Paint your walls and trim. Fresh paint can breathe new life into any space. Opt for neutrals, and repair nail holes or other defects first.
Replace flooring. Sometimes, a professional cleaning is all it takes to get rid of odors and stains, but if that doesn’t do the trick, replacing flooring with a neutral option is a great way to make your home stand out against the competition.
Have a home inspection. About three-quarters of buyers have home inspections prior to purchasing. Get the jump on unexpected surprises by having your own inspection to tackle needed repairs that could slow the sale.
Clear all clutter. Cutter on surfaces, inside cabinets and closets, and even in basements and attics makes homes feel small and cramped. Clearing out helps expand the space visually.

Finally, make a list of any small “honey-do” projects you’ve been putting off. Even a little delayed maintenance can make your home look much more undesirable.

FOUR DANGERS OF OVERPRICING

imagePrinceton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – November 30, 2016

FOUR DANGERS OF OVERPRICING

Your home is a major investment, so it makes sense you want to get all you can when it’s time to sell. But asking a high price simply because you think your home is worth more or you want to “test the market” can wind up backfiring in significant ways.

  • First, instead of intriguing buyers and agents, a higher-than-usual price can drive plenty of potential buyers away – and most of these buyers will find another home long before you decide it’s time to lower your price.
  • Second, even if you receive your higher price, the home may not appraise at that cost, which means the buyers will not be able to secure financing and your home will not close.
  • Third, by pricing your home beyond its market value, you inadvertently make other homes look better by comparison.
  • Fourth, you miss out on the initial interest that normally follows a new listing, and you project an image of someone who’s not really serious about closing.

Pricing a home appropriately for the current market is a skill that’s best left to a qualified agent. An agent knows the market inside and out, and they’ll help ensure your home sells for the best price possible.

SELLERS: SHOULD YOU HAVE A HOME INSPECTION?

imagesPrinceton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – October 26, 2016

SELLERS: SHOULD YOU HAVE A HOME INSPECTION?

About four out of five home buyers have a professional home inspection prior to closing on a sale, and for buyers, the advantages are obvious: A professional inspection is a great way to uncover potential repair issues prior to a sale as well as providing valuable leverage in the final negotiations. In recent years, more sellers have been opting to have inspections even before placing their homes on the market. Why? Three primary reasons:

  1. Professional home inspections provide sellers with an opportunity to repair problems using their own contractors before their home goes on the market to help avoid delays in escrow.
  1. Sellers who don’t want to make repairs can price their home more accurately based on the inspector’s findings, helping to avoid last-minute negotiations prior to closing.
  1. Seller inspections provide a guideline for comparison when the buyer’s inspection comes through, and having your own inspector review the buyer’s inspection can help you determine if you’re willing to lower your price or make other concessions.

Having your own inspection also shows buyers you’re serious about selling and can provide buyers with the peace of mind they need to close quickly.

 

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