How an Agent Helps Market Your House

You’re ready to sell your house. But what do you need most from your real estate agent?

Well, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) asked that very question to recent sellers and found one of the top things they were looking for is help marketing their house to potential buyers. Maybe that’s what you need the most help with too.

You expect your real estate agent to write a great description of your house for the listing and pair it with some high-quality photos. But that’s not all you’re going to get when you partner with a great agent.

They’ll do a lot more to make sure your house stands out. Here are some of the most common methods real estate agents use to market homes according to that same report from NAR (see graph below):

So, how can you benefit from your agent using these methods?

• Listing on the MLS – By listing your house on the MLS, it will get more visibility from other real estate agents and buyers. This could lead to more traffic, which could ultimately help you see an increase in offers and ultimately a better price.

• Using a Yard Sign – A yard sign catches the eye of people driving or walking by. This method drums up local interest since people who live nearby might have friends or family looking to move into the area. It also prominently displays your agent’s contact information, so interested buyers can get in touch easily.

• Having an Open House – When your agent advertises and hosts your open house, buyers see others are interested in your house, too. This competition can lead to stronger offers. An open house is also easier for you since you only need to leave once for many buyers to visit. Plus, your agent may get useful feedback on what people like or don’t like, which can help you make improvements to attract more buyers later, if needed.

• Showcasing on Your Agent’s Website – Having your house visible on your agent’s website allows for a professional presentation of your property. Additionally, people visiting your agent’s website are more likely to be serious buyers who are ready to make a move.

• Social Networking – Your real estate agent works hard to have a wide-ranging social media presence. Marketing your house this way allows them to reach a large audience. It also makes it easy for people to share your listing with friends and loved ones who might be interested.

• Providing Virtual Tours – Virtual tours are extremely convenient for buyers, especially those who are relocating from out of town. This method allows them to tour anytime, day or night. It shows your agent is using the latest technology to market your house.

There are many tools that can be used to market your house. As NerdWallet sums up:

“A good real estate agent will have a robust plan to promote your listing in an effort to find the right pool of buyers. Adding your home to databases of available homes called multiple listing services (MLS), open houses, 3D virtual tours, professional photography and broker tours for buyers’ agents (particularly for luxury homes) are all factors that may go into a marketing plan.”

As a seller, it’s smart to work with a creative local real estate agent who can maximize them to make sure you get as many eyes on your house as possible.

Bottom Line

When it comes to marketing your house, working with a pro has tons of benefits. If you’re ready to sell, but don’t know where to start, connect with a local real estate agent.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

Related Links

• Your Own Space: Tips for Infusing Your Personality Into Your Home

• Questions You May Have About Selling Your House

• 6 Things You Absolutely Need as a New Homeowner, According to Reddit

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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6 Things You Absolutely Need as a New Homeowner, According to Reddit

One of my favorite places to find home design inspiration, product recommendations, and DIY tips is Reddit.

Not only is the platform full of real-life people sharing their actual experiences and thoughts, but it’s also divided up into communities — called subreddits — that are niche enough to cover basically any interest or task you might have. Some of my favorites, as the owner of a midcentury house, include the Gardening, Mid-Century, and Home Improvement subreddits. One other I find myself returning to again and again is the Buy It for Life subreddit, where users share their favorite products that have exceptional quality and warranties — products that you can, as they say, buy for life.

Recently a thread in the Buy It for Life subreddit caught my attention: One user wrote that they were a new homeowner and needed help stocking their house. They asked others for their best suggestions of must-have tools that were “BIFL” (buy it for life). The thread reached over 200 comments, and it’s worth a skim — but for the short version, here are the very best suggestions. 

Water Shutoff Key

The top answer on the thread was a water shutoff key — something I was surprised to realize I don’t actually own! This will help you turn off the main water supply to your home if something goes (very, very) wrong. You can pick up a steel one from your local hardware store for under $20.

A Ladder … and a Step Stool

Anyone with a home will probably, at some point, need to reach something high, like the gutters, the ceiling lights, the branches of a tree to pull out a tangled balloon (I know this one from experience). Having a sturdy, well-balanced ladder is key in those situations, so it’s no surprise that a ladder was another recommendation on this list. And right below that: a step stool. I personally think both have been crucial in my own home! A step stool can cover most indoor tasks and is a lot easier to transport than a full-size ladder.

A Plunger

“Plungers make great housewarming gifts,” writes user u/tubluu. It’s true: If you’ve ever been in a position where you needed a plunger and didn’t have one, you know that it can be worth its weight in gold. For toilets, make sure to get one that has a more spherical shape, which provides better suction (and therefore better unclogging power).

User u/thewrights11 makes another great point: “With plungers, it’s helpful to have one for each bathroom and make sure you have at least one of each type — both sink and toilet.”

A Fire Extinguisher

Another great housewarming gift, says user u/CrabbyAtBest: a fire extinguisher. “Whenever a friend says they don’t have a fire extinguisher, that’s my housewarming gift,” they write. “I think it says ‘I care about you, even if you don’t, moron.’” Keep a fire extinguisher close at hand in the kitchen, where you can use it to smother any potential grease fires.

An Electric Screwdriver

A drill is a common recommendation for new homeowners, but a more lightweight tool might get more use for many. User u/benpeterson recommends an electric screwdriver for small projects at home — specifically, the Milwaukee M4 electric screwdriver. 

A Wet/Dry Vacuum

A good vacuum cleaner is important, but there’s a lot it can’t do — namely, deal with anything wet. That’s where a wet/dry vacuum comes in handy. As user u/akbrim says, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used a ShopVac for one thing or another. Wasn’t something I thought I needed, but my dad recommended it and he was dead-on correct.”
Below, user u/vikraej adds, “This is one of the few tools that when you need it, you sometimes need it urgently. We wait to buy tools until the need arises, but a Shop Vac is an exception. It’s also our go-to housewarming gift for friends buying their first home.”

Read more at ApartmentTherapy.com

Related Links

• Your Own Space: Tips for Infusing Your Personality Into Your Home

• Questions You May Have About Selling Your House

• What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Questions You May Have About Selling Your House

There’s no denying mortgage rates are having a big impact on today’s housing market.

And that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house and make a move.

Here are three of the top questions you may be asking – and the data that helps answer them.

1. Should I Wait To Sell?

If you’re thinking about waiting to sell until after mortgage rates come down, here’s what you need to know. So are a ton of other people.

And while mortgage rates are still forecasted to come down later this year, if you wait for that to happen, you may be dealing with a lot more competition as other buyers and sellers jump back in too. As Bright MLS says:

“Even a modest drop in rates will bring both more buyers and more sellers into the market.”

That means if you wait it out, you’ll have to deal with things like prices rising faster and more multiple-offer scenarios when you buy your next home.

2. Are Buyers Still Out There?

But that doesn’t mean no one is moving right now. While some people are holding off, there are still plenty of buyers active today. And here’s the data to prove it.

The ShowingTime Showing Index is a measure of how frequently buyers are touring homes. The graph below uses that index to show buyer activity for March (the latest data available) over the past seven years:

You can see demand has dipped some since the ‘unicorn’ years (shown in pink). That’s in response to a lot of market factors, like higher mortgage rates, rising prices, and limited inventory. But, to really understand today’s demand, you have to compare where we are now with the last normal years in the market (2018-2019) – not the abnormal ‘unicorn’ years. 

When you focus on just the blue bars, you can get an idea of how 2024 stacks up. And that gives you a whole new perspective.

Nationally, demand is still high compared to the last normal years in the housing market (2018-2019). And that means there’s still a market for your house to sell.

3. Can I Afford To Buy My Next Home?

And if you’re worried about how you’ll afford your next move with today’s rates and prices, consider this: you probably have more equity in your current home than you realize.

Homeowners have gained record amounts of equity over the past few years. And that equity can make a big difference when you buy your next home. You may even have enough to be an all-cash buyer and avoid taking out a mortgage altogether. As Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

“ . . . those who have earned housing equity through home price appreciation are the current winners in today’s housing market. One-third of recent home buyers did not finance their home purchase last month—the highest share in a decade. For these buyers, interest rates may be less influential in their purchase decisions.”

Bottom Line

If you’ve had these three questions on your mind and they’ve been holding you back from selling, hopefully, it helps to have this information now. A recent survey from Realtor.com found more than 85% of potential sellers have been considering selling for over a year. That means there are a number of sellers like you who are on the fence.

But that same survey also talked to sellers who recently decided to take the plunge and list. And 79% of those recent sellers wish they’d sold sooner.

If you want to talk more about any of these questions or need more information, contact a real estate agent.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

Related Links

• Your Own Space: Tips for Infusing Your Personality Into Your Home

• Can You Offer Less on a House? How To Lowball and Negotiate Like a Pro

• What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Your Own Space: Tips for Infusing Your Personality Into Your Home

Your home is a reflection of who you are. No matter what you like, it's exciting to infuse your personality into every aspect of it.

From the décor, to the furniture, to the little details—everything should make you feel right at home. In this guide, we'll share some tips on how you can add your own personal touch to your living space and make it truly yours. So grab a cup of tea, put on your favorite tunes and get started!

Adding Personality to Your Décor
One of the easiest ways to infuse your personality into your home is through your décor. Whether you prefer bold colors, quirky art pieces or cozy textures—there are endless ways to add touches of your personality to your living space. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Mix and Match
Don't be afraid to mix and match different styles, colors and patterns in your home décor. This will give your space an eclectic and unique look that reflects your individual style. For example, you can mix vintage pieces with modern furniture or incorporate different cultural elements into your décor. The key is to have fun and be creative!

Display Personal Items
Showcasing items that hold special meaning to you is a great way to add personality to your home. It could be anything from family photos, travel souvenirs or even vintage finds. Not only will these items add a personal touch to your décor, but they will also serve as great conversation starters for when guests come over.

DIY Projects
Get crafty and create your own unique décor pieces. Not only will this add personal touches to your space, but it's also a fun and fulfilling activity. You can make anything from wall hangings to throw pillows to custom artwork. The possibilities are endless and you'll have a one-of-a-kind home that truly reflects your creativity and personality.

If you have little ones, get them involved in infusing their own personality into their space. Create a photo collage using pictures of their favorite memories or drawings, or make personalized decorations like paper garlands or hand-painted vases. They could have a lot of fun designing and decorating their own space, such as a reading nook or play area.

Making Your Furniture Stand Out
Your furniture is not just functional, it's also an opportunity to showcase your personal style. Here are some ideas to make your furniture truly yours:

Reupholster
Give new life to old furniture by reupholstering them with fabrics and patterns that reflect your personality. This is a budget-friendly way to make your furniture stand out and add a personal touch.

Incorporate Bold Colors
Don't be afraid to incorporate bold colors into your furniture pieces. Whether it's through a statement piece like a bright red couch or through smaller accents like colorful throw pillows, adding pops of color will instantly bring personality to your home.

Get Creative With Storage
If you have the space, consider using unconventional items like vintage trunks or bookshelves as storage solutions. This not only adds character to your space but also reflects your personal style. Plus, it's a great way to repurpose old items and give them new life.

The Little Details Matter
It's often the little details that make a big impact when it comes to infusing personality into your home. Here are some ideas to add those finishing touches:

Lighting
Choose lighting fixtures that reflect your style, whether it's modern and sleek or vintage and whimsical. You can also add string lights, fairy lights or candles for a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Textiles
From curtains to rugs to throw blankets, textiles are a great way to add texture and personality to your home. Don't be afraid to mix and match different patterns and textures for a unique look.

Plants
Bringing in some greenery not only adds life to your space, but it also reflects your love for nature. Succulents, cacti and houseplants are all great options and require minimal maintenance.

Scent
Scent is a powerful way to set the mood in your home. Invest in scented candles, diffusers or essential oils that reflect your preferred scent and create a cozy atmosphere. 

Don't Forget the Yard
Your outdoor space is an extension of your home and also a great opportunity to add personal touches. Consider adding a garden with your favorite flowers or incorporating outdoor furniture that reflects your style. Add personalized stepping stones in the garden made from Stepping Bluestone by your favorite plants. You can also hang string lights or set up a fire pit for cozy gatherings with friends and family.

Share Your Story
One of the best ways to infuse your personality into your home is by sharing your story through your décor and furniture. Do you have a favorite travel destination? Display souvenirs or photos from that place in your home. Do you have a hobby or interest? Incorporate elements of it into the design of your space. By sharing pieces of your story, you'll not only add personality to your home but also create a space that is uniquely yours.

Infusing your personality into your home is all about creating a space that reflects who you are and what you love. From your décor to the little details, there are endless ways to add personal touches and make your home truly yours. We hope these tips have inspired you to create a living space that is a true reflection of your unique personality. So go ahead and get creative—your home should be a place that brings you joy and comfort every day. And don't forget to share your story through your design choices!

Read more at Rismedia.com

Related Links

• The decision to sell your home vs. rent it out is ‘complicated,’ experts say — what to know

• Can You Offer Less on a House? How To Lowball and Negotiate Like a Pro

• What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Can You Offer Less on a House? How To Lowball and Negotiate Like a Pro

Most house hunters hope to find that hidden gem: a great house listed at a low price.

While that occasionally happens, it is more common for buyers to try to create their own discount by making a lowball house offer. But that bargain-hunter’s strategy can backfire.

A lowball offer, or an offer price that’s significantly lower than the listing price, is often rejected by sellers who feel insulted by the buyers’ disregard for their property. Most listing agents try to get their sellers to at least enter negotiations with buyers, to counteroffer with a number a little closer to the list price.

However, if a seller is offended by a buyer or isn’t taking the buyer seriously, there’s not much you, or the real estate agent, can do.

Offering less on a house

However, as a buyer, you can take steps to increase the likelihood that your low offer will be accepted, or at least increase the chances that negotiations can take place.

Before you make an offer at all, you should be thoughtful about your goals. If you love the house and truly want to buy it, don’t submit an offer that’s too low. Be honest about what kind of mortgage you can afford and how much the house is worth. If you’re not sure, you can ask your real estate agent if the house is fairly priced, or if it would be reasonable to come in at a lower number. You can still offer the sellers a low price, but you don’t want to scare them away or give them an opportunity to accept an offer from another buyer.

However, if you’re interested in grabbing a bargain and becoming a homeowner for financial reasons (and are less invested in which house you own), a low offer could be the right option for you. Consider making an offer that hovers 25% below the asking price—and see what happens.

1. Stay updated on current market conditions

You and your real estate agent should be discussing the local real estate market throughout your house search so that you can recognize the value of individual homes. If your local market is a seller’s market with competition for homes, you are much less likely to have a lowball offer accepted than if buyers have the upper hand. However, in any kind of real estate market, a house that has been listed for sale for several months is more likely to have owners willing to negotiate a lower price.

It’s important to know the real estate market and do your research. A seller might be thrilled to get your low offer in one market, but might be more likely to go back and forth on price when more people are interested in home buying. You don’t want to be stuck making counteroffer after counteroffer when there are multiple people interested in the home. If you lowball the sellers, they might end up selling the house to other buyers and you’ll be looking elsewhere for your new home.

2. Be respectful of sellers

Even if you think the sellers have overpriced their property or have let it fall into disrepair, it is important to treat them with respect and follow the protocol of your local real estate market.

After all, this is the sellers’ home, perhaps the place where they have raised their family. They may be selling because circumstances are forcing them to sell, rather than by choice.

A low offer may be upsetting to the sellers, but if you and your real estate agent present the offer along with an expression of your appreciation for the property, it’s more likely to be accepted than a low offer accompanied by a half-complete contract or an insult about the property’s condition.

3. Have your agent contact the listing agent

To depersonalize the negotiations, it is best to have your real estate agent and the listing agent discuss your offer, but your agent can do more by talking to the listing agent even before you make an offer.

Your agent should also find out as much as possible about the sellers: why they are selling and whether they have turned down other offers. This can be helpful regardless of whether you intend to make a lowball offer or contemplate a higher offer.

4. Have your financing in order

Sellers are rightfully concerned about getting to the settlement of any offer they accept, so your offer should be accompanied by a pre-approval letter from a lender along with an earnest money deposit. The higher your deposit and your promised down payment, the more likely the sellers are to take your offer seriously. In fact, if you can make an all-cash offer, you are even more likely to succeed.

Keep this in mind: Having your finances in order also includes making the right decisions for yourself and your bank account. That is, make sure you can afford the mortgage for the house you like. If you think you could end up in trouble with your lender a few months or years down the road, take a step back. If you offered to waive the home inspection but are praying there are no issues with the house (because you know you can’t afford major repairs), maybe rethink this sale before going into escrow.

Yes, the seller may have multiple offers and you may end up back on the house hunting trail. But, it’s better to keep looking for a house you can afford than to default on your mortgage and end up in trouble with your lender.

5. Eliminate as many contingencies as possible

If you are making a lowball offer price for the home, you might consider keeping the contingencies to a minimum. With a steal of a price, you probably shouldn’t expect to have the sellers make repairs or to convey additional items to you, such as their window treatments. You should still have a home inspection, but you may want an information-only inspection if you anticipate making any repairs yourself.

If the sellers are already letting their house go for a bargain, you don’t want to complicate the sale with a bunch of contingencies. It’s important to find out what you should expect to repair, and the costs, but you should generally expect to get the house as is.

Keep in mind that a low offer is not always the right offer to make. In fact, you need to be prepared to lose the house if your offer is too low. Sometimes the market isn’t in your favor and the sellers will stand firm on the list price.

However, if you can make a low offer respectfully, in the context of your local market, you could end up with the bargain home of your dreams.

Read more at Realtor.com

Related Links

• The decision to sell your home vs. rent it out is ‘complicated,’ experts say — what to know

• Tips for Younger Homebuyers: How To Make Your Dream a Reality

• What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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