Contemplating Space

Although I live in a detached, single family home, one of my favorite books about home is "Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure" by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, a New York City-based stylist.

From this book, here is a thought for the day, a suggestion rather than a quote per se.

Sit for ten minutes in a part of your home that you never sit in.

Meditate if you will. Contemplate your home with a new perspective. Consider unused corners. Minor tweaks can freshen up your day or week.

Here is one of my bookmarks, some fun simple ideas for "5 Ways to Freshen Up Your Daily Life". If you would like an actual paper copy, drop me an email.

Enjoy this wonderful day.

Ideal Market Reach

I receive the letters in the mail just like you. The local builders are back in full force, and they prey on uncertainly. They focus on everything negative in big bold "NO" letters. They scream at you to convince you that selling directly to them, off market, is the only logical choice and in your best interest.

There is a market for less than perfect homes, "fixer uppers" even. The open, free market with expert presentation and targeted, multi-faceted marketing opens doors to as many well-qualified, interested buyers as possible. A measured, thoughtful approach to preparation, which does not have to be expensive or particularly disruptive, can help reach your most likely buyer who actually may want to live in your home for as many years as you have. Your own advocate, who has your needs in mind, can guide you throughout the selling process to a successful settlement.

If you are considering selling your home directly to a builder, I strongly encourage you to also meeting with a Realtor who can give you another option to consider. Explore options, protect yourself, open the possibilities, then decide.

Perfect

People seek the perfect home. There are so many variables, needs versus wants, deal breakers on the can't-have and can't-live-without sides of the scale. Buying a house is a difficult decision. One searches for the ideal match, often torn, angst-ridden.

And the first thing they do after they move in is change it. Paint a room, swap out a light fixture, renovate the hall bath. They make it their own. And it is natural and comforting and affirming.

So don't fret over the little things when you immersed in your home search. Your new home will be perfect, and then you will make it perfect-er, and it will be yours.

Real Emotions

I was planning on writing today about the emotions that installing a for sale sign in the yard can evoke for sellers, their children, and even their neighbors. That sign is a symbol of change, and change is challenging. One of my daughters said that when the sign went up in front of our old house, she knew it was real and she was saddened.

Today, I was further reminded of how, in my job as a real estate professional, I often encounter people during emotional times. Selling a house, many have written and researched, is right up there on the emotional index. Well, there are other instances when clients need my help. A horrible event occurs and one client can no longer live in the rental we found. Another client receives disappointing news and their anger spills over. And I take a deep breath and work on a solution that can hopefully help.

And even with a sign installation, in my experience, talking with the client about where it should go and to prepare them for its appearance can ease a touch of their stress.

Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is more than the color of your shutters and the architectural features of your home. For a relatively small cash investment, you can spruce up the curb appeal of your home, whether you are staying or selling.

I work regularly with landscapers who will plan within a client's budget to spruce up the garden and general appeal of a property. For the outside of your home, remember this analogy.

Decluttering is to the inside what weeding and trimming is to your home's exterior.

Weed, trim, rake, edge, mulch (but not too much!), then fill in with some plants. Perennials which will add to the beauty of the yard for years to come are the best, even if you plan to sell. Your future homebuyers will appreciate your efforts. And even quick fill-ins with seasonal annuals: think pansies and tulips in spring, petunias and geraniums in the summer, mums in the fall, and holly and greenery with berries in the winter.

If I am customizing the house preparation checklist for a seller client, landscaping is always part of the input.

QOTD: Process

This quote of the day is from my favorite Washington Nationals announcer, FP Santangelo. On August 26, 2014, top of the 7th inning playing at the Philadelphia Phillies, one out, bases loaded, up to bat was Kevin Frandsen of the Nats. FP was talking about how, as a young hitter, you might be focusing on the result, say a grand slam, and not the process. Instead, as a veteran, he stated you let the pitch dictate the at bat:
  
Results take care of themselves if you stick with the process.

Hold a beat, then Frandsen hits an RBI single!

As a real estate agent, I believe in my processes, both in managing a transaction, leading buyer clients through their home search and contract, helping a seller with their property's preparation, presentation and pricing, as well as my client prospecting activities. It is difficult sometimes to lose sight of the process, but the results do come. They come in the form of the perfect house for a newlywed couple, the ideal inspection contingency result for a single buyer client, and the ideal house prep and presentation to the market for a seller who needed a quick sale.

Fan of Roget

Call me old fashioned, but I do actually turn to my Roget's Thesaurus when writing descriptions for my listings, whether for online details or my property brochures. I was reminded of the importance of language last week when my sixth grader, Julia, came home after the English class word funeral. Happy, sad, little, big, said, mad, very, small... RIP from sixth grade English onward.

I wish more Realtors took the time to use descriptive language to paint a picture of the home they are selling. With accuracy of course and minus the hyperbole, prospective buyers and their agents would appreciate their efforts, and to be honest, it makes the work more interesting. And you will do your sixth grade teacher proud.

QOTD: Price

Another Quote of the Day from my daughter, Lucy, age 14.

Mom, I've decided that the most important price for a house is the first one.

Having a mother as a Realtor rubs off on a kid, I guess. We had been driving home from an open house; I bring one of my daughters along if I'm previewing properties or just staying on top of the market and I want some company. The house we had just seen had had a price reduction and she went on to say how, once the seller lowers the price, then buyers think they have even more chance to negotiate on price. She is a freshman in high school. She understands market conditions and negotiating position.

In a rising market with conditions more favorable to a seller (based on housing supply, interest rates, and other economic conditions), for the right property, "testing the waters" with a leading edge price might be a winning strategy. However, if minimum time on market, optimal contractual terms, and potential competition for your property are key success factors in the sale of your home, there are other "at market" or conservative pricing strategies to discuss with your real estate adviser and agent.

Let me help you match your goals with the right pricing, preparation, and promotion strategies for the sale of your house.

Backyards

There are grassy flat backyards, postage stamp sized neat tidy urban garden backyards, narrow corner lot backyards, picket fence with a gate to your neighbors' backyards, private fenced oasis backyards, and expansive impressive backyards. Any that accommodates a hammock between two old trees is ideal to me. What is the best feature of your backyard or other outdoor space?