Northern Indiana Lakes Area Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts in the category - Selling Your Homehttps://www.thergrouprealestate.com/blog/Copyright TheRGroupRealEstate.com2022-05-03T10:11:55-07:00tag:thergrouprealestate.com,2012-09-20:13009Planning to Stage Your Home? Here’s How Much It Might Cost You—And Why It Is Worth the Investment<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1242/image/staging1.jpg" width="1605" height="1069" />
So, you’ve finally decided to make that move and sell your home. In preparing for a successful sale, don’t forget to put your feet in the shoes of your buyers; imagine being them in order to effectively engage them.
As a buyer, how will a home stand out for you? There’s no question, a dull and empty property doesn’t make a grand impression. But what if a home radiates an inviting atmosphere from the exterior to the interior—the garden is lavish and welcoming, the entryway is beautiful, the interior is bright, neutral and updated, the backyard has a patio that is perfect for gatherings. You can imagine how the home can fit your lifestyle, and in a jiffy, you can say yes to this charming house.
To transform your home into a show-worthy property, home staging is a “must do.”
Staging How-To’s
Home staging involves decluttering and depersonalizing, redecorating, curating on-trend furnishings, and other aesthetic strategies to make a home as appealing as possible. Drawing some of the fundamentals of interior design, it can turn unappealing or unused spaces into pleasing, usable spaces, and show off a property’s best features.
First things first, crank up curb appeal. The exterior matters because it can either attract or repel potential buyers to step in the front door. Remember—the first look creates strong impressions. Sprucing up the lawn and landscape, power washing the driveway and walkway (if needed), and adding outdoor lighting can turn up the mood from average to great.
In the interior, focus on the rooms where potential buyers would most likely spend the most time in such as the living room, kitchen, dining room, primary bedroom, and bathrooms. If you have aging hardwood floors, it will be noteworthy to refinish them and use them as a selling point, apply a fresh coat of neutral paint on the walls to conceal imperfections, refresh window treatments, and update faded or old furnishings, and add accessories. These simple steps will give your home a bright, fresh, and updated look. Don’t forget to clean, dust, and deodorize.
Staging Works
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If done well, staging can make a remarkable difference. It helps buyers <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/profile-of-home-staging" target="_blank">visualize a property as their own</a>, and makes the home significantly great in photographs. Houses that are prepared for the market, and are attractive on the internet usually sell the fastest, and for more money compared to unstaged properties.
According to the <a href="https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=304550&module_id=164548" target="_blank">2020 Consumer’s Guide to Real Estate Staging</a> by the Real Estate Staging Association’s (RESA), staged homes were sold faster within an average of only 23 days on the market. “Faster” is not the only keyword. Staging also helps in getting higher offers. Eighty-five percent of staged homes sold for 5-23% over the listing price.
Staging Costs
When you’re ready to take action, hiring a professional stager is highly recommended. A pro will help make the process less stressful, avoid costly mistakes, save time, and invest your bucks for the best ROI. They are in the know of the current market trends, and what it takes for your home to attract top dollar.
The cost of staging depends on the state and city where a house is located, and whether it is vacant or being lived in. Some stagers charge by the hour, with a range of $75 to $200. Others charge varying amounts for the initial design consultation with an average cost of $300 to $600, and $500 to $600 for staging services per room per month. Taking the promising ROI and faster time to sell, paying a pro is definitely worth the investment.
Complimentary Staging by The RGroup
At The RGroup, our goal is to help our clients achieve the most for their homes—and experience zero stress along the process. If you choose us as your Realtor, you don’t have to go through the trouble of finding a professional stager, or try staging on your own. Our concierge team handles complimentary consultation and staging services—including cleaning your home, creating great curb appeal, needed repairs or maintenance, and coordination with contractors you can rely on, if needed.
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Our team will work the hardest for your home to get the spotlight that it deserves in the market. That’s The RGroup guarantee. Don’t hesitate to <a href="https://www.thergrouprealestate.com/contact/" target="_blank">contact us</a> today.2022-05-03T06:13:00-07:002022-05-03T10:11:55-07:00Angie Racoltatag:thergrouprealestate.com,2012-09-20:12285Top 10 Things to Do Over The Winter to Update & Maintain Your HomeAlthough it's tempting to simply cozy up inside during the long winter months, it’s actually one of the best times for home maintenance and transformation.
The winter months can easily be maximized for the best home projects — especially if you intend to get ready for a spring or summer sale, or even to just keep current with timely updates. With fewer outdoor distractions and more time at home, you can accomplish tasks in a shorter timeframe, and make your winter hibernation that much more enjoyable.
1) Seal Up Cracks and Add Insulation
If there are leaks or cracks in your home’s doors, windows, walls and other openings, air trickles in and out constantly. This can cause a surge in your heating and cooling costs.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can <a href="https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/seal_insulate/methodology" target="_blank">save an average of 11% of total energy costs</a> if cracks and leaks are sealed, and insulation is added in floors, accessible rim joists, and attics.
Not only will this cut energy costs, it also appeals to eco-friendly buyers.
2) Interior Painting
One of the easiest ways to revamp your home is by splashing a new coat of paint. According to color experts, the 2020 palette trend for interiors includes primarily light neutrals like <a href="https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/color-palettes/color-of-the-year-trends-2020" target="_blank">White Heron, First Light, Buxton Blue, </a> <a href="https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-collection/top-50-colors" target="_blank">Repose Gray, Beige, and Tricorn Black.</a>
During late fall and winter, repainting rooms and cabinetry can be best executed because manufacturers often offer the best deals on paint. Paint also dries faster during winter because of less moisture and humidity.
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1242/file/AdobeStock_197561185.jpeg"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1242/image/Screen_Shot_2020-10-30_at_9.15.41_PM.png" width="2944" height="1958" /></a>
3) Evaluate and Upgrade Safety Features
Cases of house fires reach a peak during December and January. This is why the evaluation and upgrade of your home’s safety features should be carried out during these colder months. Check the expiration dates of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Change batteries, replace them if needed, or upgrade to newer and better models.
4) Replace Faucets, Door Handles, and Cabinet Hardware
Replacing worn faucets, handles, and hardware, or even simply updating them is an easy task that goes a long way towards a cosmetic refresh and cohesive home theme.
The must-have finishes of 2020 are <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-10-trends-door-hardware-2020-bill-wallis-managing-director-/" target="_blank">brushed bronze, graphite nickel, and brushed nickel.</a>
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5) Change the Furnace Filter
If it’s a long and brutal winter, your furnace filter needs to be replaced more than once especially if you or a family member is sensitive to air particles. High-quality filters will help catch dust mites and other allergens.
6) Update Flooring
Replacing outdated, stained, ripped, or degraded carpeting will definitely make your interior haven feel cozier and stand up better to the harsh winter elements. But those who opt for hard surface options can switch to popular flooring replacements like <a href="https://www.dfdesigninteriors.com/interior-design-trends/" target="_blank">white oak, wide planks, wood look tile flooring or concrete.</a>
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7) Get Rid of Dying Trees
Booking tree removal companies during the winter is an easy task as they generally aren’t filled with too many bookings compared to the spring and summer months when there are more emergencies due to winds and storms. Weakened and dead branches are also primed for removal.
8) Replace Your Kitchen Backsplash
This is a great way to introduce playfulness in the kitchen and brighten up the mood while cooking. Not to mention, making this area easy to keep clean.
Kick your creativity into high gear by playing with geometric, fun patterns and shapes to add dimension and a distinctive style. <a href="https://www.flooringinc.com/blog/tile-backsplash-ideas/" target="_blank">Classic shades of gray, neutrals and bold colors are the biggest color trends for backsplashes this year.</a>
9) Install Light Fixtures
Modern lighting elements can update an interior in a matter of minutes, as well as create a more elegant atmosphere. As mentioned above, brushed nickel and bronze are the current top fixture finishes, even for lighting elements. From <a href="https://www.lumens.com/" target="_blank">mid-century must haves, iconic brands, artisanal finds</a> to <a href="https://www.lucentlightshop.com/" target="_blank">sleek pendants and sputnik chandeliers</a> modern light fixtures can immediately dress up any room and elevate the elegance. Pay attention to temperature to set a warm and pleasing atmosphere, 2800-3000k is a good temperature range for this.
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10) Plan The Perfect Outdoor Living Space
Spring will be here before you know it, why not get a jump start on your landscape dreams for a more functional outdoor space that will allow you to enjoy your property even more after winter? Would you like to have an outdoor kitchen with a built-in fireplace? Upgrade your landscape? A larger patio for all those summer gatherings? A hassle-free gas fireplace to enjoy chilly nights or to create ambience? A pergola to block sun and create character? Since it is the off season, you might be able to score great prices on outdoor furniture as well.
These projects will help increase your property value, decrease utility bills, and even prevent home issues from developing. Consider tackling a few of these and head into 2021 with a confident home!
If you have questions about what upgrades or home improvements will help bring the best return on investment, <a href="https://www.thergrouprealestate.com/contact/">contact The RGroup</a> for a free consultation.
2020-10-30T16:24:00-07:002020-10-30T18:31:34-07:00Angie Racoltatag:thergrouprealestate.com,2012-09-20:12173How to Sell Your Home Faster: Price It RightHome buying and selling has reached a feverish pitch for the summer and remains steady despite the ongoing pandemic.<br /> <br />The extreme likelihood of needing to utilize your home as an office and/or school has pushed even more homebuyers into the market. Demand is growing but the supply continues to remain low. In the local Kosciusko market, this has become a recipe for bidding wars.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1242/file/P1101895.jpg" width="5000" height="3750" /><br /> <br />In the current seller’s market, it may be tempting to raise prices because buyers are waiting in line—however, pricing right is so important and will help you win even more in the long run. Consider these points:
Win-Win Is Best
Many people want to sell their home above value and then buy one below value, but this scenario is more of a unicorn than you might think. This mindset may also limit your transaction success, and actually hinder potential opportunities. Why not focus on listing at a fair value and buying at a fair value?
Overpricing Can Cause Potential Problems With Lenders
Lenders require appraisal as a basis for mortgage loans. If your home is appraised less than your listing price, buyers may have to undergo difficult negotiations as a result. They may have to challenge the home appraisal, switch appraisers, or look for another lender. This will eat up the buyer's time and money, and may even cause them to walk away. Pricing too high can cause unnecessary headaches and derail your home sale timeline.
In short, the seller may have to reduce the sale price to the appraised value or risk losing the buyer.
Reasonable Terms Give You More Value
When a property is overpriced, the freshness of the home’s appeal may be lost in about two to three weeks of showings. People may look into other options that will give them more value for their money. When you start out with a fair price, and people really like your property, they may be willing to close the deal faster. Some buyers may even pay more than your list price to ensure they get the home they love.
Fairness Builds Credibility
You make an impact with credibility. When you have credibility, your success isn’t only short term. Once you make a move in the real estate market and plan for another sale in the future, smart investors know that having a good reputation means more than any number.
While it is so tempting to go with a potential price surge, pricing right, and having the right mindset and intentions will help you succeed in the home buying and selling industry at a much quicker rate. If you want more advice from seasoned experts on pricing your home, or buying or selling, give The RGroup a call today!2020-07-17T05:09:00-07:002020-07-17T10:43:04-07:00Angie Racoltatag:thergrouprealestate.com,2012-09-20:11912Ready to Sell Your Home? Read Our Top Staging Tips First! What exactly is home staging? The goal of home staging is to show the property in a way that would appeal to the widest array of buyers. Staging has become even more popular due to social media and home improvement shows.
There are currently more than 1.3 million posts under the hashtag <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/homestaging/" target="_blank">#HomeStaging</a> on Instagram, and most of the shows on HGTV along with many other home improvement shows include a home staging component. According to the Real Estate Staging Association, homes which are staged before going on the market sell 73% faster, on average, than their non-staged counterparts.
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Here are our top tips we recommend you consider before showing your home to a potential buyer, or getting the listing photos done by a professional photographer:
DECLUTTER Clutter can distract a buyer's vision of how the home could feel and look for them. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 95% of agents recommend sellers declutter their home.
HIGHLIGHT BEST FEATURES Everyone's home has a feature/focal point. The view, kitchen, a particular room, patio, etc. The goal is to take focus off the not so good features, and put it on the best features.
FRESH PAINT/NEUTRAL TONES You may love the colors in your home, however not everyone has the same taste in decor. Neutral tones may not float your boat, however it appeals to the masses and better allows for future buyers to envision their own style and belongings in the home. It's like having a blank canvas and imaging the possibilities! According to the NAR, in the last 5 years 56% of respondents cited they have seen an increase in the share of buyers who planned to remodel a home. Color can be a powerful tool to attract—or repel—a buyer to a home, especially in listing photos and videos.
THROW PILLOWS People like to imagine and dream while looking at homes. They want to think about where they will be cozy with family, with a cup of coffee/tea or their glass of wine. Fluffy, neutral pillows on beds, sofas, and chairs add a level of warmth that sparks thoughts of comfort. This living space staged by <a href="https://ltwdesign.com/portfolio/" target="_blank">LTW Design</a> out Greenwich, CT shows neutral pillows and throws:
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1242/image/neutral_pillows.jpg" width="1800" height="1200" />
NEUTRAL/WHITE BEDDING Neutral bedding with fluffy duvets and pillows can appeal to males, females, and the majority of the population. Added fluff creates a welcoming feeling of comfort and warmth.
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DEEP CLEANING Deep cleaning, including carpet cleaning, dusting of fans/lights, baseboards, even inside appliances, gives the home a fresher smell, clean/fresh feelings, and helps with the overall appearance of wear and tear.
NEW CABINET HARDWARE Sometimes a simple upgrade in hardware will make older cabinets look more modern and on trend.
NEW APPLIANCES Stainless steel and updated appliances are still hot and make a kitchen look more like a chefs kitchen ... even if you don't cook, most people want a kitchen that makes them look like they do! Kitchens that offer updated appliances, hardware, and even fresh paint and new counter tops provide potential buyers with the vision of their dream kitchen without the costs of completely replacing it once they purchase the home. Kitchens with neutral colors and updated accents like this kitchen staged by <a href="https://odesignschicago.com/home-staging.html" target="_blank">O Designs</a> out of Chicago, are timeless and always classy:
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1242/image/grey_kitchen.jpg" width="1202" height="802" />
REPLACE COUNTER TOPS Appliances, hardware and counter tops can make a dated kitchen feel brand new! Hard surface counters are usually on the top of the list for kitchen must haves.
REMOVE PERSONAL ITEMS That souvenir you got while on the vacation of a lifetime means the world to you, but to potential buyers it may be a distraction. Less is more! If it is smaller than a melon, put it in storage.
ORGANIZE STORAGE AREAS/GARAGE This goes along with decluttering—get rid of the distractions! Show the space and what others could do with it.
LET THE LIGHT SHINE IN Most people want large open floor plans—let the light shine bright in your home to help it feel clean, big, open, and ready for family and friends to gather.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS Photos are typically the first thing a potential buyer sees. We live in an age of online shopping, HGTV, house flippers, and having things ready for us quickly! Having your home move-in ready with photos that make it look like it should be on TV will get a buyer's attention! According to the NAR, 20% of respondents researched stated that buyers were disappointed by how homes looked compared to homes they saw on TV shows and 98% of buyers frequently use the web to search for homes.
Make sure everything is in working order, good shape, and any wear and tear on the home is minimal.
The RGroup offers complimentary staging services to prepare a home. Mindy will offer suggestions and do basic staging to get your home ready for photography and showings at no cost to RGroup clients. Should your home need further staging beyond the basics (example: replacing furniture, painting, new hardware, moving furniture into storage, etc), and you need assistance with contractors, paint selections, or design help—there is an additional fee.
The RGroup Complementary Staging Includes:
Advice on what to do
Simple decluttering
Moving around existing furniture
Adding small decor items
Present during photo shoot to make sure each room is picture perfect
2019-12-16T05:38:00-07:002020-01-08T14:29:23-07:00Angie Racoltatag:thergrouprealestate.com,2012-09-20:11520Top 20 Tips for Getting your Home Ready to SaleWhen listing your house for sale, your top goal will be to get the house sold for the best price possible! There are many small projects you can do to ensure this happens!
Top 10 Tips to Improve Your Home's Curb Appeal
1. Give your entry a facelift with either a new coat of paint or a new front door.
2. Don't forget to landscape your yard! A well groomed lawn shows buyers that the home was taken care of.
3. Make sure all exterior lights are in working order & replace bulbs as necessary.
4. Wash all windows (inside & out). You don't want to take away the great view with dirty windows!
5. Clean out your garage! Consider getting a storage unit to store any non-essential items.
6. Depending on the time of year, add a pop of color by planting flowers.
7. Remove any lawn ornaments that you will want to bring with you to your new home.
8. Replace a worn out welcome mat to welcome buyers as they tour the home.
9. Paint or replace the street numbers on the house, making them more visible.
10. Power wash any outdoor surfaces to give them a "like new" feel (siding, sidewalks, driveway, etc)
Top 10 Tips to Make Your House Feel Like Home to Buyers
1. Clean everything! A clean home will allow buyers to picture themselves in the space and not distract them.
2. Give every room a purpose - even if you used it as a bonus room, giving it an identity will help buyers.
3. Let the light in! Bright rooms feel warming & inviting, dark rooms feel small & gloomy.
4. Fix anything that is broken! Buyers will notice & may offer less for your house if repairs are required.
5. Unclutter your house! Thinning out your closets & pantries will show how much room is actually available.
6. Fresh paint & new carpet are the top 2 things you can do to help your home sell faster and for more money.
7. Organize the kitchen! Store any non-essential, small appliances & clean all surfaces.
8. Before your home is shown, empty all trash bins & hide any dirty laundry.
9. Make sure all doors & windows open & close smoothly. Fix any squeaks on bedroom or closet doors.
10. Replace burnt out light bulbs with new ones & make sure all switches work.
I provide all my clients suggestions for getting their house ready for sale which includes finding local contractors who can help. Contact me if this is the year you will be selling your home!2019-03-31T15:30:00-07:002019-04-06T13:34:59-07:00Angie Racoltatag:thergrouprealestate.com,2012-09-20:11519Home Prices Up 6.3% Across Indiana!
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently released their latest <a href="https://www.fhfa.gov/DataTools/Tools/Pages/House-Price-Index-(HPI).aspx">Quarterly Home Price Index</a> report.
In the report, home prices are compared both regionally and by state.
Based on the latest numbers, if you plan on making a change, waiting to move may end up costing you more!
Source: KCM2019-03-01T16:22:00-07:002019-04-06T13:36:08-07:00Angie Racoltatag:thergrouprealestate.com,2012-09-20:11516Staging Will Help Your Home Sell<img src="https://uploads.pl-internal.com/YzFhZTU5NjktYWExZC00NDY0LWFlZWYtN2Y3YmE2ZmFmODU2/content/2018/11/To-Stage-KCM-2.jpg" />2018-11-29T16:04:00-07:002019-04-06T13:44:04-07:00Angie Racolta