Category Archives: Housing Marketing

Looking to Sell? Boost Your Home’s Appeal With These Simple Décor Tips

When the decision is made to put a home up for sale, homeowners typically have to decide whether or not putting money into home renovations will eventually lead to the best return on investment. Our experts often instruct our clients to consider strategic décor upgrades that will make a home more appealing to the market without breaking their budget. Today, we will address a few of the best décor tips and tricks that will help any home garner the attention of the buying market.

Maximize A Home’s Curb Appeal

Every home only has one opportunity to make a first impression. Beauty is in the details, so homeowners should ensure the lawn is freshly mowed, the flower beds are complete and the front door has a fresh coat of paint. If an open house is held, do your best to keep the porch or front step swept and clean. Also, many older homes will have the same door handle for years, an upgraded door handle can be an affordable way to make a strong first impression.

Consider What Needs Paint

Every homeowner has their unique stylistic tastes. These tastes can lead to a bold wallpaper selection or a favorite color paint in a child’s bedroom. When looking to appeal to as many buyers as possible, it can be better to ensure the walls are painted a more neutral color. Neutral or white colors will give a home a brightness that is appealing to buyers. Once a home is freshly painted, keep the walls clear of clutter and allow the buyers to use their imagination.

Pack It Up

When people live in a home, they accumulate clutter. Whether it be papers from work or an abundance of dolls for the kids to play with, buyers can be easily distracted by clutter. Our experts suggest packing away miscellaneous items and storing personal items until a sale is complete. While clearing off shelves and taking down family pictures can be an emotional experience, it can lead to a faster sales process.

Make Small Bedroom Upgrades

Bedrooms are often one of the biggest selling points for a home. Besides ensuring that a bed is made, sellers can make their bedroom more appealing to buyers by utilizing neutral bedding and draping a throw blanket over the bed. Nightstands should be clean and organized, and a great-smelling candle cannot hurt. Whenever a bedroom is being shown, revert back to thinking of comfort. The more comfortable the bedroom looks, the more appealing it will be to buyers.

Use Mirrors to Make a Space Appear Larger

Designers have been utilizing the mirror trick for decades. Living areas that don’t feature large windows or exceptionally high ceilings can strategically place a mirror on the wall to give the impression of more space. If the mirror can reflect the natural light coming in from a window, that’s even better.

Prioritize The Finishing Touches

Final touches include things like ensuring all the carpets in the home are deeply cleaned before the house is shown or running out and bringing in some flowers to display. Go around the house and collect any items that may be deemed controversial. This really speaks to the removal of old political campaign stickers or fridge magnets. By taking the time to inspect the small details of a home, it can end up paying significant dividends come closing day.

5 Renovations That Increase Resale Value

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Renovations and home improvements aren’t just for our own personal satisfaction. Yes, we redecorate, remodel, and restyle while we live somewhere to make a home more unique, but sometimes, certain updates can add more to the bottom line when it’s time to sell.

From bathroom remodels to updated kitchens and new decking to extensions, for Margate NJ real estate it’s helpful to know which renovations can boost your selling price when you eventually decide to move.

So, here are the top 5 renovations that will increase the resale value of your home.

1. Loft Conversion

Adding an extra bedroom and en suite with a loft conversion has the potential to add up to 15% to the home’s value.

There are different types of loft conversions available, from light roof conversions (which is the most cost-effective as it requires less structural work) to more expensive mansard conversions, which have one or both roof slopes replaced with a flatter roof.

Most lofts can be converted, but you should always make sure your space is compatible by hiring a builder or architect to check first. You should also always check planning permission with your local authority before planning a loft conversion. While most projects don’t require it, more expensive conversions, like the mansard, generally need permission.

2. Minor Kitchen Remodel

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it only makes sense that you’ll want to ensure it is up to scratch if you’re planning on selling. However, these remodels are some of the most expensive, with the average homeowner paying $12-35k for the upgrade.

If this scares you off, we don’t blame you. However, you may want to consider a minor remodel instead. Installing a functional and modern-looking kitchen not only creates a warmer and more inviting environment for you and your family but will also add value to your home. A minor remodel has also proven to earn you a return on investment (ROI) of more than 83%.

The kitchen is a social hub, and when potential buyers view your home, they want to imagine their family and friends cooking, drinking, and sharing memories together. If they can see themselves enjoying life in your upgraded kitchen, it will heavily influence their buying decision, even if the remodel is minor.

3. Bathroom Remodel

Bathroom remodels are some of the most popular home upgrades, and they have a great return on investment. If your bathroom furniture and style is outdated, old, or damaged in any way, a remodel can add up to 4% of the value of your home.

According to the National Association of Realtor’s (NAR) 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, bathroom upgrades ranked highest, above kitchen upgrades and complete kitchen renovations.

Depending on the age and state of your bathroom, some of the most popular remodels include upgrading the flooring, adding energy-efficient updates to decrease the water bill, updating the plumbing fixtures, and adding vanity upgrades.

4. Extension

From a conservatory, a single or two-story addition, or a garage conversion, these home upgrades have the potential to add between 5 to 20% extra value to your property.

There are many different types of extensions you can build to increase the value of your home, but again, ensure that you have planning permission before you start.

5. Decking

Everyone loves to have an attractive outdoor space, especially in summer. Adding wooden decking to your yard is a great renovation that instantly increases resale value. Wooden materials are significantly cheaper than marble for a new kitchen or bathroom, so you’ll save money with this project. They are also cheap to construct, making them an ideal upgrade for both you and your family to enjoy and someone else’s in the future.

Increase the Value of Your Home

If you’re seeking ways to put your property on the market and increase its value, these renovations will help you add some extra zeros to your asking price.

So, what are you waiting for? Get upgrading today and reap the rewards when you sell.

Should Sellers Decorate their Homes During the Holiday Season?

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Today, there are just over 1 million homes for sale in the United States. While the holiday season is spent decorating with bright lights and vibrant colors for many homeowners, Americans selling their homes are hesitant. If your home is on the market, you are likely wondering to what degree you should decorate this year. After all, many real estate agents discourage clutter and personal items when prospective buyers are likely to stop by. So the question remains, can homeowners selling their homes still decorate for the holiday season?

The primary reason many realtors discourage personal items and clutter within the home is because clutter can make a space feel cramped and personal items will often inhibit a viewer from being able to imagine themselves within the space. Although holiday decorations will fill up space within the home, they can also make a home feel warmer and more welcoming if done correctly. For this reason, many realtors recommend that sellers use only minimal holiday trimmings and decorations in order to keep the home looking as spacious as possible. A few small holiday items will likely do the trick, as too many decorations can also be a distraction to viewers.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that the seller may be decorating their home for a holiday that prospective buyers do not celebrate. In order to keep your home welcoming and inclusive, it is best not to use overtly symbolic decorations and instead lean more towards festive decorations. For this, most realtors recommend one sign if at decoration within the living room and another welcoming holiday decorations by the door.

Most realtors agree to keep the holiday decorations in storage until after the shoot when it comes to staging photos. If your home takes months to sell, staging photos that show holiday decorations may seem odd and deter potential viewers from stopping by. This means that if your home’s listing photo shoot is scheduled for the holiday season, you may need to put off decorating. However, once the photos have been taken, feel free to decorate your home with tasteful decorations.

Lastly, Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty recommends sellers take down any holiday decorations immediately after the holidays. Although some American families enjoy keeping their holiday decorations up until Valentine’s Day, it will likely hinder buyer interest and make the home appear unkempt and dated.

How to Get Your Home Ready to Show

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Whether you have been planning to sell your house for years or are trying to take advantage of the current seller’s market, before placing your home on the market, you will first need to get your home show-ready. What defines a “show-ready home” has been the subject of debate in the real estate industry for many years; however, there are certain things homeowners can do that will always improve the chances of their home selling. Below, Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty will share their top suggestions for getting a home ready to show.

Does Your Home Have Curb Appeal?

It may surprise some readers to hear that realtors and homeowners often overlook curb appeal when putting a house on the market. This can have disastrous consequences, as first impressions are crucial, and many buyers will write off a home that has an unkempt outer appearance.

For this reason, when deciding to put your house on the market, it is essential first to take stock of the home’s exterior condition and ensure that:

– The yard is free of grass patches and is well mowed

– There are no weeds or dead flowers within the garden

– The porch has no cobwebs or dead leaves

– The outer façade of the house is free of peeling paint (homeowners should consider painting the entire home if it is in desperate need of a new coat of paint).

In the fall and winter months, it is crucial that the homeowner takes extra time to maintain the exterior by raking leaves, shoveling sidewalks, and ensuring that the driveway and entrances of the home are well-salted to ensure the safety of potential buyers.

Research the Latest Staging Trends

Staging a home does not necessarily mean purchasing staging furniture and can mean rearranging the existing furniture and décor in a way that is in style and pleasing to potential buyers. When staging, it is crucial to keep in mind the viewers’ taste, which means that homeowners should not arrange furniture necessarily to their liking, but in a way that compliments the space. Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty also recommends that homeowners research current staging trends as this can help improve their home’s chances of a quick sale.

Work with Family Members or Roommates to Always be Ready to Show

Once a certain level of “show readiness” has been created, it can be hard to maintain. However, it is crucial that occupants be ready to show the home to potential buyers at all times. Before placing a home on the market, all its inhabitants must discuss how best to keep the house looking show-ready and what steps all members can make to ensure this happens. This can mean divvying up responsibilities among occupants for last-minute cleaning or asking that the home’s cleanliness be maintained at all times.