Bob Bower & Berta Bower at Alain Pinel Realtors Articles

Recent_Sales

Selling A House

Selling a house can be a very involved process. By joining efforts with our experienced team, we can help make it a quick and profitable experience. Below are a few tips to get your property market ready and sell for the best price. Most people are looking for a home in "move in" condition, when you put in the effort for "model" perfect, it results in a faster sale and a higher profit.

For more tips and information, contact us at 408-913-7702

General Tips

A great first step when getting ready to sell your home is to make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.

* Say to yourself "This is no longer my home, but a house to be sold."
* Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance warranties to the new owners who will undoubtedly make changes to make it their own.
* Say goodbye to every room.
* Don’t look backwards — look toward the future.

Now you are ready to maximize your home’s exterior and interior appeal. Take as much time as necessary. These are the things that will help make your home irresistable to buyers. Here are some proven improvements to get you started.

Exterior and Curb Appeal

* A well kept lawn implies a well maintained home. Cut lawn weekly. Rake leaves and sweep sidewalk on weekends.
* Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly. Add fresh mulch to freshen up entire yard.
* Store lawn equipment, toys and other outdoor items away neatly.
* Clean all windows, inside and out including screens. This is also a good time to inspect, fix screens.
* Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling. Repair if needed.
* Clean gutters.
* Inspect and clean the chimney.
* Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
* Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
* Add a few colorful annuals, perhaps in pots.
* Power-wash driveway and remove any weeds in the seams.
* Keep your garage door closed.
* Ensure all exterior lighting is working and clean.
* Clean, paint or restain the front door. Polish or replace door fixtures, i.e., knob, locks, knocker, etc.
* Make sure entry light and doorbell are in working order.
* Put out a fresh, new welcome mat and add colorful plants in pots (space allowing).

Interior Appeal

* Give every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as remove all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. The kitchen and bathrooms are crucial, keep everything "sparkling."
* DeClutter and depersonalize every room your home. Pack up the photos, family heirlooms, etc. Prospective buyers need to see themselves living in your home. Getting rid of the "clutter" makes homes more spacious.
* Repaint dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint.
* Make any needed repairs.
* Repair or replace dingy faucets and showerheads. Buy and display fresh, new towels in the bathrooms. These are easy bathroom "pickups".
* Spruce up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.
* Clean out and organize your kitchen cabinets. Prospective buyers will check and well organized cabinets equal a well cared for home with enough space.
* Ensure there are no strong odors in your home.
* Consider hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market. This will make it much easier for you and your family. It can be difficult to maintain the level of "cleanness" that is needed to sell your home for top dollar.

All homes listed by The Bower Team receive a free staging consultation with a staging expert to increase the salability of the home. *

*Statistics consistently show that staged homes sell faster and for more money.

Buying A House

There are no absolutes on a time-frame for buying a home (some buyers find a home their first day out while others may take weeks or even months) but there are some general guidelines that can help with your overall planning. Remember, local and long distance moves have different requirements and timing. In the Bay Area, the market is much quicker. Most closings occur within 30-45 days from an accepted contract. Our experience can help you manage this process to ensure a successful move.

For more tips and information, contact us at 408-913-7702

Timeline

# 3-4 Months Before Move Develop a personal checklist of what you’re looking for
# Start Mortgage Pre-Approval Process
# Contact your experienced Agent
# Begin Property Search

# 2-3 Months Before Move Compare and evaluate homes
# Choose a home
# Offer and purchase contract

Once you’re in Contract
# Property Inspections
# Moving arrangements
# Monitor mortgage process
# Arrange for any school transfers or registrations
# Arrange homeowners insurance

# 3-4 Weeks Before Move Start basic packing
# Make address changes
# Arrange for utilities at new home
# Purchase decorating items, like draperies, for new home

# 1-2 Weeks Before Move-In Verify mover
# Verify closing details with settlement agent
# Verify any final mortgage details
# Packing