seller tips – Page 4 – Cooper Realty Associates

To Update or Not To Update…

If you’re considering selling your home, you might be considering whether or not to add updates before you put it on the market. There is no definite answer to whether or not updating your home is the right decision and no guarantee that you will recoup your investment, but if it is something you are thinking about, here are a couple of things to consider:

If you choose not to add updates, you will end up selling for a lower price than similar homes with upgrades. However, in many areas home with updates and a higher price tag will still sell more quickly than older homes with discounted prices. If you’re on the fence, this is something you should discuss with your realtor. A good agent will be able to give you info about comparable homes and provide you with information about whether or not updates or a discounted price will be more likely to help you sell. In addition to selling faster with updates, you may find that it’s a less costly route in the end too. Buyers who put offers on homes that need updates (whether it’s paint, flooring, appliances, fixtures, etc.) will often request a credit off of the home price. In a lot of cases, the discount that buyers request is significantly more than the amount it would cost the seller to just make the updates themselves, especially if you shop around for good deals. Again, this is something that you should consult your agent about.

So, to update or not to update? This is a question that each individual seller needs to answer for themselves. You should definitely consider the cost-effectiveness and return-on-investment that updates would provide. But remember, there are no guarantees in the real estate market. With the differences in the real estate market even from neighborhood to neighborhood, definitely consult your agent for information about what might be the best decision in your local market before making the decision that is right for you.

Are you considering selling a home in the Sussex County area and looking for a great agent to be on your team? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Mistakes That Sellers Make (and how to fix them…)

If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, there are several common seller pitfalls that you need to steer clear of. The first is pricing your home too high. No matter what you think your house is worth, you need to remember that you are emotionally attached to it in a way that a buyer won’t be. There are many ways to research home values, but remember your home is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay. Many homes sit on the market for months, if not longer, because the sellers are holding out for the price they want rather than the one they are likely to get. Second, avoid doing major renovation before selling. Most renovation projects don’t bring any return on investment. Small changes like a fresh coat of paint, updating cabinet and drawer hardware, updating light fixtures, and cleaning up your home’s curb appeal are more likely to make a big impact than a brand new kitchen or bathroom. Lastly, many sellers hold off and wait until spring to list their homes for sale, but just because spring is historically the busiest time for real estate doesn’t mean that your home won’t sell if you list it at another time. If you need to sell your home, do so, just be sure to showcase whatever features are most applicable to the given season. For example, highlight your central air in the summer and your wood burning fireplace in the winter! Of course, having the right team on your side can help your home sell even faster. That’s why we’re here! Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates today and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Tips for Pricing Your Home Right

If you’re looking to sell your home, setting the right price is probably something that you’ve thought a lot about. Of course, a good real estate agent will be able to help you with this (which is one reason you should call us!), but here are a few other tips while you consider the best price for your home. First of all, although it is important to know your competition, remember that current listings haven’t sold. Your best bet for learning about successful pricing strategies is to check out recent past sales in your area and in homes similar to yours. Sellers that aren’t in a rush to sell their homes often price higher than sellers who are looking to sell quickly. Pricing high is not smart, especially in today’s market. Sellers who price high often have to slash their price in a few weeks or months when their homes have sat with little to no interest. This strategy leaves sellers chasing the market, which is never good. Price your home right from the get-go. Pricing your home low may even work out in your favor, if a bidding war ensues. Again, consult your agent! Finally, detaching yourself from your home emotionally will help you. Think like a buyer, and talk with your agent about trends in the market. Ask what buyers are looking for and consider your home. All buyers are likely to find something wrong with your home, but the right price can compel them to overlook the downside and make an offer!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

5 More Staging Tips

Yesterday I looked at three tips for do-it-yourself staging. Here are five more expert staging tips!

1. Group furniture. It isn’t necessarily true that rooms will feel bigger if all the furniture is pushed against the walls. Positioning pieces in conversational groups is cozy and creates an obvious pattern of traffic flow. Creating more user-friendly spaces actually opens the room up, thus creating an illusion and making the room seem larger.

2. Move things around. Consider everything you have in your home. Remember, furniture doesn’t have to stay in the room where it currently resides. You can move things from the living room into the bedroom or vice versa. It may be possible to create a whole new environment with a little creative rearranging!

3. Use good lighting. Many staging experts recommend 100 watts for every 50 square feet of living space. For the best lighting each room should utilize overhead and task lighting along with accent lamps on tables or walls.

4. Trick with paint. If you have several small, boxy rooms, they will feel bigger if you create a seamless transition by painting them all the same (warm, neutral but not boring!) shade.

5. Finish projects. If you have any missing floorboards, cracked tiles, holes in the wall, cracks in the sidewalk, etc. fix them! It will cost you much less to fix these relatively minor problems than potential buyers might deduct from the price before making an offer, so it’s worth it in the end.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Three Suggestions For Staging Your Home Yourself

If you’re thinking of selling your home, or if your home has been on the market for awhile and is not selling you might want to consider staging it. Staging a home is not just about cleaning. It’s arranging furniture and accessories in a way that offers the illusion that your house is larger, cleaner, warmer, and more inviting that it might be. A lot of people think that it isn’t worth their time or effort to stage their home, but trust me, it really is. Recently, a friend of mine moved half-way across the country. Their home was for sale for months with plenty of interest but no offers. It was on the market for so long that my friend’s husband had to move without her and their kids to start his new job. Finally, they had a professional come in to stage their home. The very next person to see the home bought it… within a week they were under contract!

Staging your home can help it sell faster and for a higher price than if it sits on the market for months, causing you to lower the price in order to sell. However, if you’re still not willing to budget for a professional to stage your home, consider these three do-it-yourself tips:

1. Clear it out. Most homes are stuffed to the brim with furniture. Take one larger piece out of each room and rearrange remaining furniture to open up floor space. If you need to rent a storage unit, do it.

2. Pack Up. Box up valuables, personal photos, and extra clutter. Remove all personal objects so that potential buyers can imagine their own things in the space. Remove all small appliances, etc. from kitchen counter tops and box them up. Clean out your cabinets and closets. Leave only what is absolutely necessary to live with and box up all other serving sets, clothes, cleaning products, etc. Take half of the books off of all bookshelves. Remove any personal collections from your walls. You don’t need to clear out completely (after all, you still need to live there!) but clearing out everything that is not absolutely necessary will give the all-important impression of more space. And again, take the boxes to storage.

3. Spruce it up. Paint, replace worn carpeting, etc. If you don’t have time to do these relatively quick, inexpensive things, lower the price to make the imperfections of your home seem less important.

Remember, just because you love your home doesn’t mean everyone will. In order to stage your home well, you need to avoid looking at everything through your own personal lense and use an objective eye.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

5 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value for under $500

If you’re trying to sell your house you can do a lot to increase the value without spending a lot of money. Here are five ways that can cost less than $500.

1. Paint
I will never get tired of saying it. Paint your house if you want to increase its value! Not only do neutral colors make your home seem more desirable to the majority of people, but freshly painted rooms also look clean and updated… a strong selling point!

2. Clean
Even if you clean your house regularly, there are most likely spots you overlook or can’t get to. If you hire a cleaning service to come and do the dirty work then your house will be able sparkle from top to bottom and make the best possible first impression to potential home buyers.

3. Go Green
Replacing loud, broken, or simply outdated light figures or ceiling fans with new, energy efficient fixtures will increase your bottom-line without costing too much.

4. Scrape off the popcorn
If your home has popcorn ceilings, dedicate a weekend to bringing it into the 21^st century by scraping the popcorn away. Getting rid of this dated look will instantly update the value of your home.

5. Update the Bathroom
Even if you can’t afford an entire remodel, spending a little bit of cash on a face lift will increase your bottom line. Things like replacing old wallpaper, a fresh coat of paint, new light fixtures, and new faucet & hardware can make the room seem brand new!

Thinking of buying or selling your home? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you –302-644-2266!

Thursday Three: 3 Ways to Find Out What Your Home is Worth

If you’re thinking of selling your home, one of the most important things to do is price it right. In order to do this, it is imperative that you know the value of your home. Guessing at a home price is definitely not the right strategy, so before you list, be sure to use at least one of these methods to figure out what your home is worth

1. Appraisals
This method begins with a property inspection and ends with the recommendation of a listing price as well as an assortment of other valuable information. An appraisal is really the best way to know what your home is worth, and although it’s not free, the cost of an appraisal (often several hundred dollars) is well worth it if it helps you price your home right the first time and thus sell it more quickly. Just be sure to look for an appraiser who is state licensed and has a wealth of experience in the area in which you’re trying to sell.

2. Automated Valuation Methods
Otherwise known as AVMs, these online programs use all kinds of information including public records of sale and demographics, and information that you input about size, location, and layout to determine the estimated value of your home. Although this method is quick, easy, and free, it’s not actually the best method for determining your home’s value because it’s just a software program and can’t account for characteristics like curb appeal, noise levels, and safety. If you want to use an AVM to get a general idea of your home’s value it might be a good first step, but it shouldn’t be the only information you get before determining your list price.

3. Comparative Market Analysis
Otherwise known as CMAs, or more commonly referred to as comps, the process involves asking your agent to examine your home and then look around the local area for comparable homes that have sold recently. CMAs are free and experienced agents are well-versed in preparing them. It’s often a good idea to get comps from several agents and ask them to explain their process so you can understand how they came to their recommended list price before you make a decision.

For help determining an appropriate listing price for your home, give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266!

Landscaping For A Great First Impression

If you’re trying to sell your home (or thinking about it), then you want to brush up your home’s curb appeal to make a great first impression on your potential buyers. Here are a few landscaping tips that don’t require too much cash to make happen.

First, plan for some low maintenance landscaping. Adding some greenery and bright plants to your yard will bump up the curb appeal of your home, but for a low-cost, low-maintenance fix be sure to purchase plants that are native to our region. Water-conserving plants that are drought-tolerant are also a good bet for a low-maintenance fix. Another good idea is to plant a shade tree. Although a tree won’t mature quickly, if you’re thinking ahead, planting one now will be planning for the future of your home. Again, stick to native vegetation. Planting a tree helps with curb appeal, offers shade, and can even cut cooling costs if properly placed. Be careful about placement though because you don’t want to plant any trees too close to your house. My last tip is to curate your lawn. Overgrown grass, lawns with patches of dead grass or dirt, or lawns that are overrun by weeds all make a negative first impression on potential home buyers. Luckily, these issues are easy to fix. Consider hiring a landscaping company to clean up your yard, shape hedges, trim trees, etc. Spending a couple hundred dollars fixing up your home’s curb appeal is worth it to attract home buyers that might otherwise be unimpressed.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

5 Things to Know About Pricing Your Home

They key to selling a home quickly is the right price. Whether we’re in a buyer’s market or a seller’s market, the thing to remember is that houses are only worth as much as they sell for. Here are a few things to remember when trying to come up with your list price:

1. Get the research
Get your home appraised or have your agent pull the comps for your home before you determine a list price.

2. Distance yourself
It’s difficult to be emotionally detached when selling your home, especially if you’ve lived there for a long time. But you need to remember that your buyers do not have that kind of sentimental attachment. Emotions should not inform your price, just stick to the facts.

3. Get out of the past
Just like emotions can’t inform your price, neither can the past. Forget what you paid for your home, or what your neighbor down the street sold their home for a few years ago, or even last week. If you have to sell your home in today’s market you may not see the kind of appreciation you were banking on when you bought your house. If selling is what you need or want then you need to let go of the past and remember that you need to price your home to sell in today’s market.

4. Don’t pick the highest price
Pricing too high will most likely cost you in the long-run. Choosing a lower price than you were hoping for might be a difficult reality to face, but if you don’t price right for the market in the first place you will be forced to drop your price anyway, and at that point you will be chasing the market which is most often fruitless. Plus, with all of the real estate websites that allow buyers to access pricing information with a few swipes of the mouse, potential buyers will know that you’ve dropped the price and may be able to sense your desperation to sell. In the meantime, whether or not you move, you’re still saddled with the mortgage payment.

5. Adjust if necessary
No matter how much research you have backing you up, if your home isn’t selling, it’s not priced right. If there has been interest but no offers, ask your agent to find out why. Your agent can talk to other agents to find out what they liked and didn’t like about the house and what they thought about the price. Find out what buyers didn’t like about the house and change it if necessary. If it’s not possible to make adjustments based on feedback, then you should think about lowering the price accordingly.

As a general rule of thumb, houses that are priced right sell within 3 months of hitting the market. So, do your research, distance yourself, and adjust your price if necessary to get your home sold!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Thursday Three: 3 Professionals You Should Consider Hiring For Less Than $100

If you’re thinking of selling your home (or just want to make updates to enjoy yourself!), hiring any or all of these professionals to give you their opinions can make a huge difference in the long-run, and all of them should cost you less than $100!

1. Interior Designer
Shop around because a standard hourly consultation fee is often less than $100. Make it clear beforehand that you are looking for ideas and suggestions, not a room makeover. Tour your house and in an hour the suggestions you receive, can go a long way to making huge improvements in the way your home looks and feels. Even tips on things like paint colors and furniture placement can be huge changes! If you don’t want to shell out the money for an interior designer and you are serious about selling, your realtor may be able to help you with this too.

2. Get It Inspected
Many homes face hidden problems like termite infestation, outdated electrical systems and deteriorating roofs. All of these and the many other problems that homes can hide all negatively impact the value of your home. By hiring an inspector to check out these unseen areas you may be able to fix small issues now before they become huge problems. The relatively small upfront cost of a home inspection now (inspection costs can vary widely) can save you tons of cash in the long-run.

3. Cut Energy Costs
Call your utility company and ask if they offer energy audits of customers’ homes. Many providers do this for free! An auditor can show you how to maximize your home’s energy efficiency which will help you conserve power and water. An energy efficient home helps you save money, and since this service is often free there’s really no reason you shouldn’t do it!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Understanding Contingencies

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you will most likely have to deal with contingencies during contract negotiation. Contingencies are conditions placed on the contract that, if not met, allow the buyer to either back out of the deal. Of course in the case of an unmet contingency, buyer & seller can always renegotiate, if they would prefer. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home contingencies may seem a little overwhelming, so here’s some help explaining some of the most common:

Contingent on appraisal means that the home must be appraised and its appraised value must meet or exceed the offer price on the contract.
Contingent on inspection means that the house must pass any professional inspections that the buyer desires. In addition to a general home inspection, this might also include specific inspections such as structural engineering, termites/pests, radon, mold, electrical, plumbing, roof, etc. If any inspections turn up any problems that could be potential problems for the buyer or problems that would impact the price of the home the buyer may wish to renegotiate or to back out altogether.
Contingent on financing means that the buyer must secure a loan for the specified amount of the offer price.
Contingent on repairs means that the seller must repair any evident issues or issued turned up by the home inspection up to the agreed upon amount.
Contingent on closing costs means that the seller must pay the specified amount (up to 100%) of the closing costs.

There are many other contingencies that can be written into real estate contracts, but these are just some of the most common. For help through the whole buying or selling process, including help through any and all possible contingencies, give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Quick Updates To Sell Your Home

If you’re in the process of selling your home (or thinking about it), you might be thinking about what kind of remodeling you should do to put your home in the best light. As a rule, you should never undertake any big remodeling projects before putting your home up for sale, but there are a few things you can do with just a little bit of money to make your house more appealing on the market.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, one of the least expensive ways to increase your property value is to paint the walls! Neutrals are key, but don’t just buy a bucket of white and paint everything… that’s boring! Browns/beiges, grays, and even some shades of blue and green can be considered neutral. The idea is to get rid of any extremely personal colors in the house – you might love your red living room, but chances are most of your potential buyers won’t. Another relatively easy fix that will attract buyers is nice flooring. If you’re lucky enough to have hardwood under your carpeting, rip it up and have the floors refinished. If hardwood isn’t an option, consider replacing your carpeting for a fresh look that will attract buyers. To save money, go for a mid-range carpet, but put the best padding you can afford underneath… this cushiony layer really affects the look and feel of the carpet. Updating your light fixtures can also really improve your home’s salability. Replace any dated fixtures with something more classic for an instant pick-me-up. Pay special attention to the lighting in your kitchen, bathrooms, and hallway. You want your home to be well lit so that buyers can see it, don’t’ you? And while we’re discussing fixtures, if your bathroom or kitchen seem dated, changing out the hardware for something new can make a big impact for not much cash. If you can swing it, switching your old faucets with something newer can give new life to a room. My final budget suggestion is another one I’ve mentioned several times before… check your curb appeal! Most potential buyers will judge your house on their first impression, which is the outside! So be sure your home is putting its best foot forward by trimming any hedges/bushes and trees in the yard, mowing the grass, trimming any weeds, and edging your driveway and sidewalks. Power washing your side walks can make a surprisingly big impact too. Finally, invest a little cash by painting the front door and placing some potted flowers by it. For maximum impact, change out the hardware on your door with something new and think about getting a new mailbox. Finally, be sure that your house number is visible. If it isn’t, buy some new numbers and hang them immediately!

Since none of these projects cost all that much, the best part about them is that you’re pretty much guaranteed to recoup your cash when your home sells, which will probably be a whole lot sooner than if you hadn’t made the changes in the first place!

Looking for an agent who can help you with more great tips? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

5 Tips For Pricing Your Home To Sell

Earlier this week I talked about what to do if your house won’t sell. And, like I mentioned in that post, the price of the home is the aspect that sellers have the most control over. Even though the right pricing strategy can take a home off the market quickly, it’s amazing how many people still make mistakes when pricing their home. Here are five tips for pricing your home right the first time!

1. Find an agent you trust: Don’t just hire the agent that quotes you the highest list price for your home. If they quote you a high price to insure that they get your listing, but then your home sits on the market forever because the price is too high, that’s counterproductive and you end up having to slash your price anyway. The best idea is to interview several agents and choose someone who can back up their suggested list price with recent comps. Which brings me to point number two…

2. Get the comps: Once you have an agent you trust, ask them to prepare a comparative market analysis of similar homes that have sold recently in your area. This is more important than looking at the list price of other homes for sale in your area, because the comps will tell you what the home actually sold for, which is often quite a bit lower than the original list price.

3. Pick the correct price: Pricing your home correctly right out of the gate will gain the attention of serious buyers and sell your home faster. If you have to list your home for less than you’d like to make this happen, think of it this way… it will cost you more in the long run to pay the costs associated with owning your home if it sits on the market for several months while you’re dreaming about an unrealistic asking price. Then you’ll have to lower the price anyway, so wouldn’t you rather just price it right from the get go?

4. Price with the market: If your house is priced to high from the start, you will most likely find yourself making price drops after several months on the market with no interest. Dropping your price is a good strategy, but everyone else (whose homes were priced more reasonably to begin with) is dropping their prices too, meaning that your home is still the highest priced home on the market and will never catch up with the competition. Instead of dropping the price several times causing buyers to wonder what’s wrong with your property, price it competitively from the start, rather than holding out for the high end of the market. Remember, the more competitive the price you start with, the better the chance you will sell quickly for a higher price than if you wait it out and negotiate 6 months down the road.

5. Don’t balk at lowball offers: When selling your home it’s hard not to be emotionally attached, but buyers most likely aren’t feeling the same way, so don’t be offended by lowball offers. Use them as a jumping off point for negotiation and let it drop only if the buyer makes it clear they are not serious about buying.

Looking for a real estate agent you can trust to help you through the whole process of pricing and selling your home? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and let us show you why we’re the best — 302-629-6693.

Thursday Three: 3 Staging Suggestions

They key to successful staging is a clean & clutter free space that prospective buyers can imagine themselves living in. If it is done well, nobody will be able to tell you’ve done anything at all!

Bathroom: Remove personal items such as toothbrushes, make-up, hair products, etc. from counter space. Be sure the entire room is clean, and invest in a new shower curtain and some hand towels. (Do NOT stack towels, tie them with a ribbon, fold the toilet paper into a pocket and put flowers in it, or in any other way make your home bathroom look like a maid from a luxury hotel cleaned it.)

Kitchen/Dining Room: Be sure the table and chairs and clean and clutter free place a simple centerpiece on the table – a vase of fresh flowers is always a nice touch! Be sure that kitchen counters are clear and clutter free (put any large appliances away in cabinets or closets) – a simple bowl or basket of fruit gives a clean, open look – go for multiple colors! (Do NOT set the table with a full place setting!)

Bedroom: Invest in nice bedding and be sure there are night tables on each side of the bed. For the master bedroom include a dresser and chest of drawers. If the room seems crowded, use a double bed and put your larger bed in storage for the time being. (Do NOT drape a throw, stack multiple books on the end table, or place any kind of tray on the bed or otherwise stage in a way that in no way reflects the way you live!)

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

What To Do If Your Home Won’t Sell

Has your house been on the market for awhile and it’s still not selling? Assuming it is in saleable condition, if your home is still on the market, it is most likely priced too high for the area. Luckily for you, of the three basic elements that sell a home (location, condition & price), price is the one you, as a seller, can control!

So, how do you know if you need to lower the price of your home? Ask your real estate agent what the average time is for houses to be on the market in your area. If your house has been on the market for longer than that, then you should consider lowering your price. Another indicator that you may need to lower the price is if your house has been on the market for several months with low to no interest. In many areas, home prices are continuing to fall, so even if your home was pried well when you first listed it, if it’s been sitting on the market for awhile, you may need to adjust it.

Once you decide that you need to lower the price of your home, you need to decide how low to go. That decision should be based on local market research. Again, to make the best decision you need to have a real estate agent that you trust and seek out their advice. Ask your agent for a new comparative market analysis (comps), and be sure that the comps are recent. If you put your home on the market without having it appraised, having it done now could help you even more.

Trying to sell your home? Looking for an agent you can trust? Give us a call at Cooper Realty and let us help you sell your home – 302-856-6434.

Home Features That Catch A Buyer’s Attention

There are a few features that will almost always catch a buyer’s attention. Of course, your home may not have all of these, but a few of them are easy to “fake” and others are affordable to update! So go on, catch the attention of your potential buyers!

Hardwood Floors – there really isn’t an easy way to fake this, but an affordable wood laminate can still make a big difference in selling your home if your carpet has been a turn-off to buyers.

Nice Countertops – It doesn’t have to be granite, but if your kitchen currently has tile or laminate counter tops, consider replacing them if you’d like to appeal to more buyers. Any kind of slab countertop is appealing to buyers, but of course granite is the favorite! Other options are butcher block, marble, Corian, concrete, and many other stone slabs.

Organized Closets/Cabinets – Spaces that are pre-organized suggest to the buyer that they too will be nicely organized if they moved into this home. If you have closet organizers, be sure they aren’t dated.

A Nice Entryway – fake it with a fresh coat of paint on the front door and clever furniture placement. A table or chest of drawers added near the front door can create the illusion of an entryway in a home that doesn’t necessarily have one.

Landscaping – Simple, clean landscaping with nice open lawn space is universally appealing. Remember, massive landscaping projects might look beautiful, but when buyers see that they see maintenance. If your yard space is a lot of dirt, growing some grass will help a lot!

Of course, other features like lovely bathrooms, and gorgeous kitchen appliances always catch a buyer’s attention too, but it is difficult to “fake” or cheaply upgrade those. Of course, if you can figure out a way to do it, it will help your house sell all the more!

Looking to buy or sell a house in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and let us help you make your dream a reality – 302-644-2266.

Boost Your Curb Appeal

When you’re trying to sell your home, you want buyers to fall in love at first sight! Here are a few tips to boost your property’s curb appeal…

You only get one chance to make a first impression, and first impressions are lasting. We know this, yet when many people put their home on the market they don’t take the time to make sure that the first impression is a good one. When you’re trying to sell your home, you want buyers to fall in love at first sight!

Here are a few tips to boost your property’s curb appeal:

Take a picture. You’re so use to seeing the outside of your house that you might not notice it anymore. If you take a photo (or several photos) you may be able to see the property with new eyes. Show the photos to friends, family, neighbors, etc. and ask them to point out any concerns they would have if they were thinking about buying the place. Make a list and address as many of the concerns as you can, especially recurring concerns.
Paint – It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for the exterior of a home. If the entire home doesn’t need to be painted, consider freshening the trim, doors, shutters, and/or garage door.
Clean & repair the driveway – Take the time to repair small cracks and rent a power washer to get that driveway clean. If your drive way is a major mess, think about getting it redone.
Spruce up landscaping – Keep your grass mowed and fertilized. Rake your yard. Edge along your sidewalks. Plant some bright, low maintenance flowers – marigolds are a good choice!
Replace your door – If your front door has seen better days, consider replacing it. Remember, the door is what will welcome potential buyers into your home. Make it a nice welcome!
Clean – Wash your windows and doors (including screens), rent a power washer and spray down the deck, driveway, sidewalks, consider power washing the exterior of your home if you aren’t going to paint.
Replace light bulbs – check the view of your home at night and replace any burned-out bulbs. Consider adding lights if the property is in need of better lighting.

Of course the front of your house will offer the first impression to potential buyers, but don’t forget the back and side views as well!

Considering putting your home on the market? Let us help. Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266!

The Thursday Three: 3 Reasons to List Your Home With Cooper Realty

When you are looking to sell your home, the most important relationship to cultivate is the one with your agent. A local agent who is smart, prepared, and aggressive can be the difference between making settlement and continuing to make mortgage payments. Although you should keep in mind that agents are not magicians, (even the best agent is not going to be able to sell a home that is not market friendly when it comes to price and preparation), working with one is definitely in your best interest as a seller. Here are 3 reasons that you should consider listing your home with a Cooper Realty agent:

1. We know what people are looking for.
Cooper Realty agents work with a lot of people looking to buy in the area and have seen a lot of local homes. We’ve seen it all, and we know what sells and what doesn’t! I’m sure you’ve heard that when you’re trying to sell your home it is important to find “comparables.” At Cooper Realty we have seen those comparables first-hand and will translate that experience into advice on how to best price, stage, and market your home.

2. We know how to market in this area.
Agents at Cooper Realty know the protocol of selling a home in this area and can use it to your advantage as a seller. For example, we know what day/time is best to hold an open house in the area that you are trying to sell.

3. We know people.
Agents at Cooper Realty will get the word out about your home in a way that nobody else can. We have been through this process before and have relationships with other agents, inspectors, appraisers, and lenders that might come in handy. Local agents (such as those at Cooper Realty) are also likely to be members of the Chamber of Commerce, a school board, town council, or other local agency. We also have friends, neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances in the area. All of these networks can potentially translate into more traffic for your home.

Now that you know why you should list your home with a local agent, give Cooper Realty Associates a call and let us help you get your home on the market! We are Southern Delaware’s best local agents – we know what people are looking for, how to market it, and we have the contacts that can get your home sold! Call us today – 302-644-2266!

5 Ways to Make Your Home More Appealing to Buyers

If your home is on the market, but it’s not selling, consider putting in some time and elbow grease to make it more appealing to potential buyers. Here are five relatively inexpensive tips to help you market your home…

1. De-clutter
You want to show off your home to potential buyers, not your stuff. Even if you feel like your stuff is organized, the truth is it is still taking up space… space that will seem more appealing to buyers if it is empty, giving the illusion of more square footage. Here are some tips to help you:

If you haven’t used it in over a year get rid of it – donate it or throw it away.
Pack up knick-knacks, books, photos, etc. – you want potential buyers to envision themselves in your home, but they won’t be able to do that if they see your family everywhere they look.
Get a small box for essentials (toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc) and put them out of site (like under the sink) when not in use.
Rent a storage unit – all homes show better with less furniture. Remove pieces that are too bulky for their space, block walkways or doorways, or are not necessary. For example, take the leaves out of your dining room table and store extra chairs – this will make your dining room seem larger. If your guest room doubles as an office, either remove the desk and all office furniture or store the bed and other pieces of bedroom furniture. You don’t want potential buyers to walk into a room and wonder what it’s used for.

Remember, de-cluttering goes for all areas of your home, so don’t think that boxing up your stuff and putting it in the garage, basement, or closet is helpful. You want to be prepared for potential buyers to open every last door, drawer, and cabinet and scrutinize every last square inch of space. What kind of impression would it give to open a closet door and see piles of stuff jumbled up? At best this is distracting to potential buyers and at worse it can deter them. Get rid of your stuff, get organized, and get potential buyers thinking about the space in your home as theirs.

2. Clean
When a house sparkles it give buyers the impression that you are the kind of people that take good care of your things. Everyone wants to buy a house that has been well cared for, so keep your house clean and increase your odds of selling. In addition to daily cleaning, consider doing the following:

Rent a power washer and spray down your driveway, sidewalks, and exterior
Wash windows inside and out
Dust for cobwebs
Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks
Polish all faucets and mirrors and keep them polished
Get your carpets professionally cleaned and then vacuum daily
Dust not only your furniture, but light fixtures, picture frames, electronics, fan blades, and anything else that collects dust
Hang clean, fresh towels
Replace any worn out bedding or curtains
Eliminate any odors – all odors should be avoided, but be especially aware of pet odors. You are accustomed to them, so ask a friend or neighbor who does not have a pet to come over and let you know if there are lingering odors. As much as you love your pets, others may not and may even be allergic. If you want to sell your home, don’t alienate buyers who are not “pet people.”
Wax floors

3. Check curb appeal
You don’t want potential buyers to walk away before they even come inside! Walk around your house and think about how it comes across to potential buyers. If you can’t be objective ask a friend or neighbor for help. Consider the following: edge sidewalks, trim bushes, plant flowers, add potted plants, mend fences, keep sidewalks cleared, keep the lawn mowed, paint faded trim, be sure that your house number is clearly visible.

4. Make Minor Repairs
Even inexpensive repairs can make a big difference in showing a home. Consider the following: tighten leaky faucets, patch holes in walls (even nail holes from those family photos you removed!), caulk or plaster where necessary, replace cracked tiles, fix doors that don’t close properly, fix windows or drawers that jam, replace burned out light bulbs or broken light fixtures, fix broken blinds, oil squeaky hinges or windows that get stuck, replace any window or door hardware that is broken or “tricky”

5. Paint
Painting is relatively inexpensive (if you do it yourself) and is perhaps the one thing you can do to make the biggest impact on the way your home shows to potential buyers. Paint all the walls in your home in neutral shades. Stay away from white which can feel cold and clinical, and instead choose from one of the lovely, warm beige tones that exist. Definitely avoid non-neutral colors – you don’t want potential buyers to remember your home as the “one with the green room.”

None of these suggestions require a large amount of money, but if you combine them with some time and elbow grease your home will be much more appealing to potential buyers.

Want help selling your home? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and let us help you – 302-644-2266!