Let That Holiday Cheer Help You Sell Your Charlotte Home This Month

Ahh, a cozy fire, the smell of freshly cut pine trees and a plate of warm molasses cookies may just be all it takes for buyers to envision themselves celebrating THEIR holidays in your Charlotte home!   So take the time this season to channel that holiday spirit and cheerfully enhance your house for the holidays with these festive tips:

• Don’t Neglect the Winter Curb Appeal – Remember that the first impression for buyers is VERY important in the home buying process.  In the dead of winter, yards can look barren and bleak but, no need to add to the seasonal depression. Be sure to rake fallen leaves and clear dead flowers from their beds or pots.  Utilize fresh seasonal annuals such as Pansies.  With darkness settling in so early, don’t forget to turn on both indoor and outdoor lights to give your Charlotte home a cozy glow.

• Tastefully Deck the Halls – While you want to remind some buyers of their yearly traditions, you don’t want to offend others. So, if you typically go overboard with holiday decorations, tone it down a little this year and go for a winter nature theme — think pinecones, snowflakes and the smell of cinnamon or molasses.

• Host a Holiday Open House – With your house in the season’s spirit, it’s the perfect time to have interested buyers walking through. Offer fresh baked cookies and apple cider to seal the deal!

• Be Flexible with Showings – Put in a little extra effort to keep your home clean so that buyers can drop in anytime.  Property purchasers looking at this busy time of year will be seriously interested — you may just be one of the few homes open to them.

By adding a little holiday cheer to your Charlotte home, you could remind potential buyers of happy memories and put them in the giving — or hopefully, buying — spirit.

If you would like more tips to get your home sold during the holiday season, please phone me at (704) 491-3310 or email me at Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com.

Read more: http://www.icharlotterealestate.com/let-that-holiday-cheer-help-you-sell-your-charlotte-home-this-month/#ixzz1gMhGale5

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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Charlotte Home Seller Tips:  Do Your Research 

National real estate sales data does not, by any stretch of the imagination, reveal the housing market in YOUR area.  Even local daily newspapers, business journals and websites don’t have the micro-data that you will need to set your price.  Consult a local Realtor® for the down and dirty stats that you simply MUST have on-hand in order to make an informed decision with regards to pricing your home.  

Ask your Realtor® to share with you:

• Current versus historic median/average sales prices
• Average time on the market of for-sale homes in your specific neighborhood
• Your recent neighborhood list to sales prices
• Are others in your area offering incentives to their buyers?
• How many homes have sold in your area in the last 6 months?
• How many homes are currently under Contract in your neighborhood/area?
• Confirm unemployment rates and the state of major local employers; are businesses coming to the area or are they closing shop?  

Your local expert can provide you with accurate statistical data and guide you in proper placement in YOUR market for optimal results.  Do your research and compare it to what your local expert provides you--your market placement will be far more accurate when working from the real data obtained from your Realtor®.

Originally posted at www.iCharlotteRealEstate.com

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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...ANY Agent Will Be Hard-Pressed to Procure a Ready, Willing and Able Buyer for Your Over-priced Home!!

I recently wrote about four reasons why it, perhaps, isn’t your agent’s fault, if your home is not selling.  I’ve received several comments, even from my own sellers who actually made valid comments about other homes in their own neighborhoods, proving to me that they just ‘get it!’ 

From that post, I also received an invitation to present my marketing plan to a potential new seller.

In a discussion with the potential seller this week, he asked the question, “What if my home doesn’t appraise when we DO have a buyer? If the buyer won’t pay any amount above the appraised value when we get to that point, I won’t be able to sell my home!”  I’m thinking, ‘do we need to discuss a short sale?’ but, in review of his financials, he’s in great shape to sell his home and still walk away with quite a bit of equity.

However, it’s not about equity, it’s about principle to this seller!  This seller has a pre-determined figure set in his head as to how much he can will sell his home for and he is committed to taking no less than that amount.  His suggested list price is over-inflated and well-above market value.  Regardless of the comparables reviewed with this man, he is insistent.  

I asked him, “When you’re negotiating the next home that you are going to purchase, are you okay paying above market value even though your lender won’t approve a mortgage for any amount above appraised value?”  

He paused, then said, “Well, I’m counting on you to be able to negotiate with the buyers and get this thing sold at MY price--its MY home and I’m selling it at MY price.”  

I love listings so, this was very difficult for me to say but, I said, “I’m so sorry ___, I would be hard-pressed to procure a ready, willing and able buyer for your over-priced home.  In fact, at this time, it will be impossible.  I’m going to have to respectfully decline.”

Sellers, please note when listing and selling your Charlotte homes:

• Even if your neighborhood is declining, if the price is right, it WILL sell.
   
• Do your homework; research the comparable homes in your neighborhood and listen to your agent’s pricing advice – you’re paying for his or her expertise, whether or not you agree with it.  The market data doesn’t lie!
   
• Banks have much tighter lending requirements and they are sure not to loan more money than a home is worth.  Not to mention, a buyer, in their right mind, is not going to come to Closing with cash out-of-pocket just to purchase an over-priced home!  They’re looking for a DEAL, not a home that has been marked up for seller profit!
   
• Please bear in mind that if your over-priced listing becomes stale on the market and you stick to that 'must-have' unrealistic price, you will lose far more in carry costs and market longevity costs than had you initially priced your home at market value.  If in doubt, read this article that demonstrates how much you can lose by overpricing your Charlotte home for sale.  You may reconsider your strategy! 

If you are thinking of listing your Charlotte home for sale, taking all of these factors into consideration is critical to the success of your sale.  Remember, you wouldn't 'over pay' for your real estate purchase; why would you expect your buyer to do so?

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

Get Your Charlotte Real Estate SOLD!

Preparation for anything in life is a critical step in helping to insure success.  The same applies to listing and selling your home–especially in today’s market.  Five tips to help assure a successful sale:

• Interview and get a comparative marketing analysis (CMA).  Each agent has a different opinion about the value of your home and how to best market your home.  Learn from each agent and then sign a contract with the agent you feel will best represent YOUR needs.
• Research the number of foreclosures and short sales in your neighborhood.  To sell your home, find out how many foreclosures and short sales you’re competing against.  Although appraisers are not to use distressed properties in their resale appraisals (unless distressed sales are the majority), distressed sales impact the value of your property as well as the length of time it takes you to sell.  Your Charlotte real estate agent can help you with this research.
• Be realistic about price.  After reviewing your CMA, talk with the agent you hired and come to an agreement on the price that can get your home sold.  Ideally, that price should be at or just below the selling price of similar houses in your neighborhood that have sold in the past 90 days.
• Counter offers:  Don’t be insulted if a buyer suggests a lower price than you want.  Remain calm and consider your options:
•         Can you afford to let the house go at the offered price?  If you can and still want to decline the Offer, give it some more thought.

•        How long did it take to get this potential buyer?  Super low bids are not insults; they’re a buyer’s way of testing you.
• Consider carry costs of turning this Offer down and waiting for another
• How imperative is it that you move now vs. 6 months from now?
•       So, even if an offer seems insulting low to you, counter it.  If the buyer wants your home, he or she will come up to a realistic price.
• Remain flexible.  Make concessions where you can.  The buyer wants you to pay part of the closing costs?  That’s a great way to sweeten the deal.  Fix those small problems found in the home inspection.  Add on a home warranty.  A successful sale means everyone walks away happy.

Put these resolutions into action, and your new year may turn out to be even happier than you expected!

If you’d like a proven marketing plan to get your Charlotte real estate sold, give me a call today at (704) 491-3310 or email me at Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com.  You’ll also receive a free competitive marketing analysis.

Read more: http://www.icharlotterealestate.com/5-tips-to-getting-your-charlotte-real-estate-sold/#ixzz1dbueOZkG

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

Buyers Market and Charlotte Home Sellers -

Bringing the Two Together for the Sale

In today’s real estate market, you can experience a difficult time selling your Charlotte home.  However, the fact remains that homes are still being bought and sold each and every day. Buyers are out there; your mission, as a seller is to attract them to your home.

Here are a few tips for getting Charlotte homes SOLD in any real estate market:

Prepararation – Your home needs to stand out from the rest, including sparkle and shine:

•    Make minor repairs: Patch holes, fix faucets and replace cracked tiles.
•    Clean thoroughly inside and out: Including cobwebs, dirty carpets, worn rugs and getting rid of any smelly odors.
•    Check your curb appeal: Mow the lawn, plant flowers, trim bushes, etc.
•    Remove clutter and de-personalize: If it isn’t essential, pack it up or get rid of it, keeping in mind that eventually, when your home sells, you’re going to have to pack it up anyway!
•    Straighten out your cabinets and closets: Buyers will open them; make sure they’re nice and neat.

Staging -  Hire a professional home stager or if money is tight, read informational home staging articles on doing it yourself. Here are a few quick tips: •    Carefullychoose your window coverings, or eliminate them.
•    Tie new bathroom towels with ribbons or cording for a polished bathroom look.
• Use colors to bring out the appeal in the room.
• Don’t forget the plants. A simple, yet highly effective way to make a difference with a showing–fresh, live plants just brighten the room and the buyer gets the feeling that there is ‘great light’ in the home as well.

Good Marketing Techniques - A strong marketing campaign strategy is an absolute MUST.  A few
techniques you want to be sure you or your agent includes in your marketing campaign are:

•    Take photographs with good lighting that show off the positive aspects of your home. If you or your agent aren’t ‘into’ photography, hire a professional–well worth the money you will spend to showcase your home online.
•    Create a virtual tour that showcases both the inside and outside of your home.
•    Display the photos and virtual tour on as many real estate websites as possible.

Selling Charlotte homes isn’t a quick or easy endeavor, especially now. Aggressive marketers are the winners.  Taking the time to clean and stage your home, as well as create a far-reaching marketing campaign, can get that for SOLD sign displayed much quicker.

If you’d like to sell your home, let me create a strong, far-reaching marketing campaign to get your home SOLD.   Give me a call email me today.

Read more: http://www.icharlotterealestate.com/buyers-market-and-charlotte-home-sellers-bringing-the-two-together-for-the-sale/#ixzz1QM6N7R58

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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7 Powerful Reasons to List Your Charlotte Home for Sale During the Holidays

1. While there may be fewer buyers out there shopping for Charlotte homes for sale during the holidays, the buyers who are looking, are serious buyers, ready to buy!

2.  Relocation buyers are still shopping for homes for sale in Charlotte.  Holidays truly don't matter to companies who are relocating employees so, now is a great time to be 'on the market.'

3.  There is less competition during the holidays--most sellers don't want to have potential buyers trapsing through their homes during the holidays--take advantage of this.


4.  After the holidays, the supply of homes on the market increases substantially, lessening the demand for your home.  More competition also equals a lower sales price.

5.  Statistics show that you can typically sell now for more money during the holidays.

6.  Sometimes your home shows better when decorated for the holidays!  Just remember that tasteful and simple decorations are better than over-doing it.

7.  Buyers typically have more time to look for property during the holidays with more time off from work, meaning that couples can look together as well, making a quicker decision on a home.


Selling your Charlotte home during the holidays doesn't have to be stressful.  Are you ready to sell your home?  I’m ready to help!  Give me a call today or email me; I’m happy to be your holiday helper!

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

Are Your Photos Helping or Hurting the Sale of Your Home?

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” – Frederick R. Barnard


One photograph can have a bigger impact on the sale of the home than the entire write-up.  With the number of potential buyers searching for Charlotte homes for sale online, vivid photographs have sprouted everywhere.  In fact, good photography can make the difference between having your home passed over and selling it.


If you’re considering adding your home to the online list of Charlotte homes for sale, you need to think about your photos – and those photos need to be good.  Just like the home itself, the photos need to stand out from the crowd.

Here are a few photography tips for anyone taking shots of your lovely home:

Talk to your agent about what’s “hot” right now.   Obviously, your strongest selling points are what buyers are looking for now. Two years ago, buyers were looking for fewer square feet, stepping away from the McMansions.  Last year, it was decks, patios and outdoor hardscapes.  This year, it could be your beautiful backyard with the play set.  If you have a selling point, capitalize on it with fantastic photography.

Use the most favorable lighting.  High noon sunlight is harsh and often highlights exterior problems that even you may not have noticed.  When taking exterior pictures, select lighting that draws attention to the positive features.  For instance, one of the most beautiful real estate images I’ve ever seen was a home with all the lights on. The sun was almost completely down and served to accentuate the beauty of the home.

Take as many pictures as you need to get the perfect shot.  A shot that’s slightly twisted to the side may not seem like something to throw away, but it can distort the appealing lines of a home. Because photos are two dimensional and flat, even the slightest left or right slant can make the home look like it’s looming, falling in or disproportionate.  Some shots are taken intentionally at an angle but, a much larger angle is used for effect and doesn’t appear as though the foundation is sinking on one side!

The ability to use photos to show off your home on the Internet has been a huge plus for those with Charlotte homes for sale.  However, a poor photo can do more damage that having no photos at all.  If you can’t seem to take a picture without the image blurring, slanting or looking distorted, hire a real estate agent who can get the job done for you.

Looking for a real estate agent who knows how to showcase your home in pictures?   Give me a call or email me today.

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

CHARLOTTE NC SELLER TIPS - DECLUTTER

Once upon a time, a couple requested that I meet them to discuss listing their family home.  We scheduled an appointment and as always, I got my listing presentation together and went in with confidence that I was going to be their listing agent.  I've sold two homes on their street which were on the market for very short periods of time, one 5 days and the other 19 days and that was their reason for phoning me.  So, a great start to an awesome listing in a great neighborhood!

Not so fast...  

When the Charlotte NC sellers opened the door, I was in complete shock!  This home looked like a tornado had gone through it.  These photos do not do the real condition of this home justice:  there was loose trash in the opened dishwasher (filled above the countertops, both bottom and top shelves of the dishwasher), the luxury master bath had craft supplies ALL OVER everything!  There was not ONE single clutter-free room in the entire home and barely room to sit down!  

I reviewed each room and told them what they needed to do,  giving them my list of 'to dos' and told them that their home needs to be cleaned out and to keep in mind that it needs to show like a model home--no ifs ands or buts!  This home will not be listed until it is de-cluttered (at least, not by me)!

CHARLOTTE NC SELLERS: 

• With our new MLS range, you MUST make your home look more spacious than you normally would have it looking!  Buyers are looking in a particular range and if your home show larger than the other ones that are similar in size, you're one-up on the competition.
• You simply must remove clutter and furniture to make your home look open and spacious.  
• Just as some buyers can't look at vacant homes and see it with their furnishings, MOST buyers can't SEE a home with clutter and I can promise you that agents won't bring other clients back to see your home after seeing it in this condition.
  
• PLAIN AND SIMPLY - If it's cluttered, it WON'T sell!

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

Shoulda'- Woulda'- Coulda'

HELP!  We've received an offer on our home...and it's WAY too low!   What do we do?  I know that you've heard that--I have and here's what I tell my Sellers:


First, I have a story--ONE year ago, I had a buyer who made an Offer of $700K on a property that the sellers thought was simply TOO low because they had, one year prior to that, received an appraisal value at $775K.  We knew that the price that we were offering was right but, they insisted that we were WAY too low and they would not respond to our Offer.  Fast forward a year and a half and their home is still on the market and fair market price is now down to the point that the absolute HIGHEST that they can get on their home is $650K.  Shoulda' Woulda' Coulda'-right?


Sellers, keep in mind that your very first offer may not be exactly what you were dreaming of--but, you simply must consider this offer.  Making a stiff or non-counteroffer is likely to have your first and quite possibly only buyers running for the hills!  How long are you willing to let your home languish on the market until the next, probably lower, offer comes in--if, indeed one does?



Sure, it's tempting to stand your ground and wait for that dream offer to come in but, consider the amount of time that your home  has been on the market.  If you're running into the 'months on the market' rather than 'days on the market' then you need to seriously consider that first offer.  Don't be an ostrich and bury your head in the sand--you must understand the realities of the current market and how it is trending.  Ask your agent to perform a market absorption analysis for you--these details can be eye opening for you and help you to realize that you should not be selling with emotions--this is a business decision.  This first offer is certainly worth serious consideration.  


Time on the market has an impact on the buyer in ways which you, as a seller, may not be aware:  the longer the shelf life, the fewer potential buyers are going to come through.  Self life erodes value just as your neighbors home selling at a foreclosed amount does--especially in a buyer's market!  Let me repeat that--especially in a buyer's market!    Buyers begin to wonder, "What is wrong with the home that has caused it not to sell?"   What factors are keeping it from selling?  Is it price or is there something underlying that others have found before us?  



In nearly every neighborhood in our city we ARE in a buyer's market so, I highly recommend your taking a long, hard look at that first offer.   If you don't consider this offer, how long will it be before you are able to garner another offer?  How long are you willing to wait?  How much lower are prices going to go before you do get another offer?  How much more in mortgages are you going to pay before you finally Close on this home?  What is this waiting period going to cost YOU in the long run?

About the author:

Debe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate Broker, Certified Neighborhood & Relocation Specialist, ABR & e-PRO who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Charlotte NC Metro Area.  If you're relocating to or from any other area of the country, Debe connects you with any member of her team of relocation professionals in your destination or exit city of choice.  The destination service is of no cost to you!  The Maxwell House Group's quality service guarantee puts this team far ahead of the competition; providing unsurpassed customer service is their #1 priority!  Debe Maxwell -- Helen Adams Realty -- 704.491.3310

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.