Services We Provide

Location: Is being close to work important to you? Do you care about how the home is situated on the lot, how easy it is to access, will you hear noise from neighbors, and what about traffic noise? How close do you want to be to parks, shopping, schools, and public transportation? Location, location, location!

Site: Is the home is on a hill, and if so, does it have a view, a walkout basement, or lots of stairs to climb? Is that going to be an inconvenience for you or maybe you don't mind? What about privacy? Do neighboring windows look directly into the home? Is the yard suitable for kids, pets, gardening, or other uses important to you? Is access to the property safe regarding driveway elevation or stairs to the front door? If you plan to be in the home long-term, think about how your accessibility needs might change as you age.

Neighborhood: What type of neighborhood are you in search of? It's important to choose a neighborhood that meets your expectations, not just the perfect house. What is important to you and your family? Take a drive through a potential neighborhood on both weekdays and weekends, during the day and in the evening. Do you care about homes being consistent in size and features? Do the neighbors keep the yards clean and tidy, or are there old cars and trash around? Does the neighborhood seem safe enough for people to walk, run, or bike? Does the neighborhood you're looking for need to be child-friendly or pet-friendly?

Curb Appeal: Your home should reflect your design preferences and your lifestyle. Ask yourself whether the roof and any decks or patios are in good condition. And check out the landscaping to determine how much yard maintenance you'll have to do. Is it for you?

Size & Floor Plan: Avoid being wowed by an extra large home or a home with a unique feature, such as a sauna, if you'll never use it. What size home are you looking for and what is your ideal floor plan? Think about these things before you start your hunt, and try to stick as closely as you can to that so that you don't waste your time or become overwhelmed. Remember, while extra square footage can give you that craft room, home gym, or theater room you've always wanted, how will the extra space affect energy bills and taxes? Is it worth it? And it will take more furniture to fill the home and more effort to keep it clean. Consider the space and layout you'll realistically need for your lifestyle now and for the duration you plan to stay in the home.

Bedrooms & Bathrooms: How many bedrooms and bathrooms you need for your family? Decide and only look at homes that meet your criteria. It would be a shame to fall in love with a cozy, charming cottage that isn't big enough. Don't just assume you'll be able to add more square footage later. Be sure to consult an architect who can advise you on space planning, lot usage, and local regulations. Think about who will be living in your home now and who might be in the future. If there's the potential that you'll have kids, take in relatives, or find roommates, factor that into your bedroom and bathroom count.

Kitchen: If the kitchen is the heart of your home, don't settle for one you don't love. Kitchen remodels can be costly and time consuming. But if the home is already at the top of your budget, that might mean you'll have to wait a long time for your dream kitchen and live with something you hate. However, if the kitchen just needs some minor upgrades, such as new appliances to your liking, it could be worth considering.

Closets & Storage: Older homes tend to have small closets and not a lot of storage space overall. So if you have lots of sports equipment, craft supplies, out-of-season clothes, and holiday decorations, be sure to considers where all of it might be stored unless you're planning to downsize. Because newer homes tend to have ample storage space, you might want to start by only looking at them. You can always add storage space, but that might mean sacrificing some living space, such as turning a bedroom into a closet.

Windows & Lighting: What are the views from the windows and how much natural light do they let in? Look especially at the views and lighting in living spaces where you'll spend most of your daylight hours. You don't want to be staring at the side of your neighbor's house all day or have to turn on an artificial light because your room isn't bright enough. Furthermore, note where there are built-in light fixtures and outlets in each room. You can always add artificial lighting and outlets later, but it's nice to have that in place when you move in.

Finishing Touches: Beauty is in the details. Sometimes the simplest home looks spectacular thanks to the trim work and hardware. Custom window treatments are great too. Tech updates such as smart thermostat or a home security system can be a huge draw. If elements like these are important to you, look for them while house hunting or be ready to add them after you move in.

Let us help you find your dream home!

Find a Trusted Real Estate Agent: That's Us! Working with us, you will be rewarded with skilled real estate agents who know your local market inside and out can help you sell your home quickly, and often times, for more money. Choosing us can help for a smoother and less stressful process.

Invest in Value-Adding Improvements: Determining which home improvements to invest in can be daunting, and the costs can add up quickly. The key is to spend your money on projects that will provide the most return on your investment. A garage door replacement, minor kitchen and bathroom upgrades are some wise improvements. The heart of the home is the kitchen, and many buyers will judge a property by its kitchen.

Up Curb Appeal: Curb appeal should not be overlooked. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Be sure your yard is free of debris, the bushes are pruned and the grass has been cut. Add some bright potted plants by the front door to create a welcoming atmosphere. Don't forget to touch up that exterior paint!

Get a Pre-Listing Inspection: Consider this so you don't have any unexpected surprises. It’s better to find out beforehand if there are any issues that you can fix before potential buyers find out on their own, potentially giving them negotiating power for a lower price or, worst case scenario, a reason to back out of the deal. It may be worth your peace of mind.

Use Professional Photography: High-quality photography can go a long way toward helping your home sell for a higher price. Most buyers start by looking for home sales online. If the photos are amazing, it could translate into higher selling prices and quicker sales. Leave some things to the imagination though. Make potential buyers want to see more. If they don't want to come see the house, you aren't likely to get an offer.

Staging: Two rules of thumb - less is more and keep it neutral. Capture buyers’ interest from the front door by paying attention to the entry hall and invest heavily in staging this part of the house. Repaint, add flowers, lay out a new area rug, an impressive mirror or a dramatic piece of art.

Price It Right: When a home is priced right, it will attract more buyers and bring more foot-traffic. How do you find that sweet spot of pricing for profit but not overpricing? That’s where our expertise as your agents can be truly valuable.

Remove Personal Items: Buyers want to envision their own belongings in your space. Buyers are thinking of their own furniture, where it will go and how it will fit. They came to see how the house will fit their things. Give them an open canvas to imagine. If buyers are distracted by personal items, chances are they won’t be able to see themselves in the space, and will not end up making an offer.

Be Ready to Move Fast: Once your property is listed on the market, things can happen quickly. It’s important to be well prepared ahead of time so that you can be as responsive as possible to potential offers. Sellers who are slow in reaction time or unresponsive can lose buyers.

Use your Head, not your Heart: Finally, try to remove emotion from the equation and see things as a simple transaction. Your home is no longer “home” but rather a product for sale. Be clear on what things you may be willing to negotiate on if the buyer asks. It's typical for prospective buyers to request credits or repairs. Rather than take offense, know ahead of time that buyers are looking for reasons to negotiate a better deal for themselves.

We can help you price and sell your home!

Lunch and Learn with us through educational sessions to help you plan