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Tag Archive for: affordable homes

Preparing Your Home for a Seller’s Market

August 12, 2020/in Education, For Sale, Resources /by Cara Chatellier

As you prepare for the adventure of selling your home, there are certain tips to follow to ensure you entice potential buyers and get offers that excite you to sign on the dotted line. Oftentimes, because we’ve been living in our homes for years, we overlook little details that potential buyers may be looking directly at. Following these tricks of the trade will ensure your home is ready to sell quickly allowing you to move on to your next purchasing journey quite seamlessly.

 

Make necessary repairs

 

This one seems like a no-brainer when it comes to getting your home ready to sell, but don’t overlook the small stuff. Patch up any holes in the wall, replace any broken windows, clean the gutters and ensure there are no leaks in your roof. Buyers are extra particular when it comes to checking for repairs, especially if they are not the fixer-upper type.

 

Clean up the exterior

 

The outside of the home is the first thing that potential buyers see when pulling into the driveway for the first time. Make sure that your landscaping is up-to-date, and your lawn is mowed neatly. A clean appearance sets others at ease almost instantly. A messy exterior can give potential buyers the impression that you are slacking off and immediately push them to question whether you are neglecting the inside of the home too. Create trust with a clean exterior. Bonus points if you clean up garden beds, prune the shrubs and replant window boxes to keep everything in tip-top shape. Curb appeal is key, even to potential buyers. 

 

Depersonalize and neutralize

 

Everyone’s style is unique. If your home is over personalized with bright wall colors, custom wall hangings and eclectic furniture, consider switching things up and toning it down a bit. While some unique features may be considered selling points, an overabundance of personal style may become off-putting to some. Creating a color palette that is inviting and neutral will attract and retain more potential buyers. The wider the range of buyers, the better the options you have when accepting an offer.

 

Organize closets and storage spaces

 

Potential buyers will scan your house meticulously. Ensuring all areas, including closet spaces and storage rooms (such as an attic or basement) are organized is key to a successful showing. This tactic also helps with personal privacy as numerous potentials are scouring through your belongings to see if your spot is the one for them. If you notice, while organizing, that you have a lot of excess clothes, belongings or furniture that you’d rather keep out of the house during the showings, consider renting a temporary storage unit to safely house your things. 

 

 

Clean the interior from top to bottom

 

This seems like common sense, I know, but it’s something that can be overlooked with all of the other checkboxes on your home selling list. Vacuum and shampoo carpets and shine wood floors. Dust ceiling fans and tops of cabinets. Deep clean countertops, appliances and bathrooms. Make sure your house looks pristine for your potential buyers. Afterall, you want them to love the place as much as you did when you purchased it, right?

 

Preparing your home for a successful sale takes a lot of work and planning, but it’s worth it to find buyers who pay the price tag. Pay attention to the details within your home and set it up to sparkle. You want your home to stand out from all the others that they may be looking at, so following these simple, yet effective ideas will knock your home out of the park. Need a bit of extra guidance on your current home’s condition along with ways to get it ready for sale? Contact me today! I would love to walk you through the process to sell your home.

https://mauraallardandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pexels-mark-mccammon-1080721-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 Cara Chatellier https://mauraallardandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Untitled-340-×-156-px-3-1-300x147.png Cara Chatellier2020-08-12 17:30:032020-08-12 17:30:03Preparing Your Home for a Seller’s Market

Homes for Sale in Beverly, Massachusetts

June 15, 2019/in Community, For Sale, Housing /by Maura Allard

If you’re looking for homes for sale in Beverly, Massachusetts, you’ll want to know everything about living there!

My home is in Beverly, so I know that it’s a great place to live. It’s got lots of great schools, well-known employers, and has a great sense of community!

Here are some facts about living in Beverly:

  • Beverly Population: 42,000
  • Time from Beverly to Boston: 35 minutes
  • Popular things to do and see: The Cabot Theatre, Long Hill, Independence Park

Considering moving to Beverly? Then you’ll want the best realtor in Beverly’s neighborhood! Let’s talk.

Check out some other great places to live in the area

Buying a Home in Peabody | Homes for sale in Danvers

 

0 0 Maura Allard https://mauraallardandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Untitled-340-×-156-px-3-1-300x147.png Maura Allard2019-06-15 12:13:212020-06-23 13:32:14Homes for Sale in Beverly, Massachusetts

The Process of Buying for First-Time Buyers

April 16, 2018/in For Sale, Housing /by Maura Allard

I enjoy working with first time home buyers. Homeownership is a wonderful investment, but choosing the right house can be daunting and the process can feel overwhelming to many.

When working with my first-time buyers I make sure we have an in-person meeting to go over the specifics of what they will need, make sure they are pre-approved and know what they can afford PLUS go over the myriad of forms they will be asked to sign when they go to make an offer.

Once you find THE house, everything can move quickly. I work hard to prevent the overwhelm.  If buyers have readily seen the disclosure forms beforehand then they know how the process will unfold and will have realistic expectations. This can leave you in a place where you feel far less overwhelmed and more settled about buying your first home.

If you have questions about getting pre-approved or what the home buying process will look like; please email, call or text and I would be happy to chat with you.

0 0 Maura Allard https://mauraallardandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Untitled-340-×-156-px-3-1-300x147.png Maura Allard2018-04-16 20:00:002020-06-23 13:14:05The Process of Buying for First-Time Buyers

The Truth about Zillow

April 9, 2018/in For Sale, Housing, Loans & Mortgage, Resources /by Maura Allard

“Zillow says my home is worth a million dollars!”

Zillow is a wonderful and powerful tool and has changed the way people buy and sell houses, for many reasons I like Zillow.  One reason I dislike Zillow is when I am contacted to sell a house and at my first meeting I’m greeted with the happy seller’s Zestimate as their listing price.  Zillow can not see inside your house. If you have not updated the avocado green bathroom and still have the 1970’s paneling — Zillow doesn’t know this!  If all of the houses in a mile radius that have recently sold have granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, finished basements, new roofs, and maintenance-free decks while your home is still stuck in the 1970s, it is more likely not worth what Zillow’s Zestimate is stating.  The same case can be made if all the houses in your neighborhood that have recently sold have not been updated and your house has just undergone 50K in renovations. This means your house could be worth more than Zillow’s Zestimate. WIN!

A Realtor’s Perspective

A Realtor takes the time to pull similar home sales within your area and adjust the price up or down based on:

  1. style of home
  2. square footage
  3. lot size
  4. general overall condition

 Your Realtor then can provide you with a solid price range to list your house. The listing price is your decision.

Advice to keep in mind.

Look at your Zestimate but keep an open mind when meeting with your Realtor as to where to price your home. The goal is to sell for the highest price in the shortest amount of time!

0 0 Maura Allard https://mauraallardandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Untitled-340-×-156-px-3-1-300x147.png Maura Allard2018-04-09 19:56:462020-06-23 13:33:31The Truth about Zillow

Homebuying and Preapproval

April 3, 2018/in Community, For Sale, Housing, Open House /by Maura Allard

What you need to Know

Your lease renewal is coming up and you have decided you are tired of paying someone else’s mortgage. The time has come to buy your first home.  Whether it is a studio, condo or single-family — the first step in the home buying process is to get pre-approved.  While it is oh-so-very tempting to just log on to the computer and fill a form out, I strongly advise finding a local, reputable mortgage company with a loan officer who will spend the time with you.

It is important that the loan officer pulls your credit and reviews your taxes and pay-stubs. They should take the time to explain how the mortgage process works, and review closing costs and escrow accounts with you.  Your loan officer should make themselves available to you to run numbers with you on houses that interest you.  Feeling comfortable with your monthly mortgage payment is VERY important and it should be foremost in the mind of you, your Realtor and your loan officer.

If you are ready to start looking at homes and need a recommendation for a loan officer, please feel free to reach out to me directly.  I would be happy to provide you with some names.

0 0 Maura Allard https://mauraallardandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Untitled-340-×-156-px-3-1-300x147.png Maura Allard2018-04-03 19:53:552020-06-23 13:14:05Homebuying and Preapproval

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