Selling Archives - Page 2 of 2 - CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

Things Your Inspector Missed That You Can Still Catch

November 16, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Home inspections are an important part of the home buying process. Before finalizing an offer, hire a home inspector who will check the condition of the home. A home inspector will check things such as the electrical system, roof, and ventilation. Although a home inspector will thoroughly review a home, his or her main concern is the actual house, not the surrounding areas. It is possible that your home inspector may miss problems around the home.

Evaluate these things before you make an offer.

1. Fences and outdoor buildings: Your inspector may skip the outside portion of your house, so make sure you double check the condition of fences and anything else outside the home. If these features are damaged, they can be an expensive hassle to repair. Make sure your fences, sheds are in top shape before you purchase your home. If they aren’t, you can negotiate your offer. (Credit)

2. Roofing: Inspectors don’t usually go on the roof. They inspect from ground level and may miss a lot of problems. Inspectors will take note of missing shingles or panels but if there is a deeper problem, like a leak, it can be more difficult to identify. Consider hiring a roof contractor to go up on the roof and make sure everything is in excellent condition. (Credit)

3. Drains: This is a little problem that can become a major one if it’s not taken care of. Inspectors may overlook the drainage system or go over it quickly, not giving sinks and tubs enough time to show an issue. Fill up your tubs, showers, and sinks to see if there is a drainage problem. This may be a quick fix with a drain clog remover, or you may need to seek a specialist. (Credit)

4. Air conditioning and heating systems: An inspector might not want to run the air conditioning in freezing temperatures or the heat in 90 degree weather, at risk for ruining the system. For this reason, there may be a bigger problem at hand and you won’t know it. Do your own test of the A/C and heat to determine if there is a problem. (Credit)

5. Fireplaces: A fireplace is a common mistake when it comes to home inspections. Home inspectors may glance at a fireplace and chimney but not make it a priority. Light a fire in the fireplace to make sure it’s safe and that the chimney is in working condition. Hire a professional to clean the chimney if needed. (Credit)

If you think that your home inspector may have missed a few issues, look at them yourself and then make the decision to hire a specialist. This will help you ensure that your home is up to code and is the best home for you!

Recommended Reading:

-Home Safety Tips for the Elderly

-Benefits of Working with a Real Estate Agent

-5 Biggest Seller Mistakes

Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/6MKE_Ar-LpA/

Picture Perfect: How To Take Great Photos of Your Home

June 8, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Staging your home for sale is an important part convincing buyers of the quality and value of your property. With most real estate listings online, the power of a good photo goes beyond a clean space.

Here are some tips to help you take picture perfect photos of your home:

Invest in a Quality Camera: Show your buyers the best of your space by investing in a camera that will give you sharp images. Blurry photos do not highlight the space well or give a good first impression. Better images will make homebuyers more eager to see your home. Spending a few extra bucks now might make you extra cash in the long run.

Use Natural Light: Take advantage of a sunny day to photograph your home. Natural light makes a space feel warm and inviting while flash creates shadows and reflects off windows or mirrors. (HGTV) Buyers look for homes with extra light so use this as another opportunity to sell your home. Keep in mind when photographing the exterior to make sure the sun is behind you to avoid dark shadows.

Show Your Space: No one likes to feel cramped. According to Houzz, buyers want to get a better feel of the movement and floor plan in your home. By photographing in one spot and showing several rooms, you show the buyer an expansive view of the space.

Clear the Clutter: You want to give buyers a space to imagine themselves in without feeling like it’s lived in. Store away any unnecessary items that take away from the main focal point of the room. Keep your home clean and tidy. If you’re trying to photograph a small space, make extra room by rearranging furniture or photograph from a doorway. (Design Sponge)

Edit the Small Stuff: Don’t worry if you don’t get the exact shot you want. Photo editing sites, like PIXLR, are great for quickly touching up photographs. Crop out what you don’t need or adjust the brightness to enhance the space. Try not to go overboard with editing which can turn off buyers.

Buyers are attracted to homes that have a good presence, and what better way to showcase that than with a good photo. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/CWg7_4Xk97s/

Do This, Not That: Tips for Staging Your Home

May 25, 2014 By CENTURY 21

You never get a second chance at a first impression. It is important that potential buyers get a great first impression when they come to your home for an open house or see your listing online. Factors like cleanliness, brightness, and furniture placement all make a big impact on the home’s overall appearance. Making buyers feel comfortable in a new space is key to selling a home. We asked our Facebook friends for their best tips for staging a home to sell.

Here are five tips for staging your home:

“Make sure all furniture is about one and a half inches from the wall, this creates the illusion of more space. Clear all personal pictures. If the front door is worn, paint it an interesting color that is inviting and make sure the path to the home is welcoming.” – Michael L.

“You hope that you will have a lot of people in short period of time, freedom of movement is essential.” - CENTURY 21 Ilford

“Good photos get action. Make sure the lights are on and that you are using a good camera. Don’t use your cell phone!” – Kristy W.

“Everything off the counters! Toilet seats down. Blinds all the way up to show off recently cleaned windows.” – Wayne F.

“Stage with smaller furniture to make rooms bigger and go with light colored furnishings unless the area dictates darker classy designs.” – Peter C.

Find more great tips on our Facebook post, and visit CENTURY21.com for more home selling advice.