SELLER TIPS: HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR A SPRING SALE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling your home in the spring doesn’t mean you have to actually wait until spring to prepare your home for a sale. For the past year now, the Metro DC area has experienced low inventory and high buyer demand. We expect this demand to continue but we also anticipate many more homes to appear on the market in the warmer months.  Below are things you can do now to improve the odds that your home will stand out among the sea of new listings flooding the springtime real estate market.

Renovate what’s outdated.

Not sure where to begin? The key rooms to focus on are kitchen and bathroom. If they scream 1980s and may give buyers flashbacks, they should be updated before you sell.

But instead of going big, think small with renovations.

Rather than replace the kitchen cabinets, just replace the hardware, doors or repaint the cabinets instead. And when it comes to the bathroom, updating fixtures like bath faucets, towel racks and cabinet handles can say a lot about your sense of style. Plus a simple bath tub reglaze can make it look as good as new.

Rather than replace kitchen cabinets, replace the doors or repaint the cabinets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fix anything that’s broken

As the current homeowner you know there are things that just need to get done. But you might also consider getting your home pre-inspected so you know everything that’s wrong and repair it accordingly. After all, any home buyer who makes an offer will likely get your home inspected and home inspectors scrutinize about 1,600 features from the foundation to electrical and beyond.

Repairs take time so it’s smart to get these things rolling now so your home is in great shape by spring.

Replace non-working lightbulbs

This is an easy one that’s often overlooked. Make sure all your lightbulbs are operable to show your home in its best light. For example, there might be a chandelier where one or two bulbs are out, and you don’t really notice it. Go around and check all your lamps and light fixtures and make sure that all your bulbs are working. It goes a long way in showing the pride you have for your home.

Paint with whites and neutrals.

A new coat of paint is a relatively cheap and easy way to give an instant facelift to your house. If the colors currently on your walls aren’t all that flattering, now’s your chance to make it right. Generally, the best paint colors to pick are neutrals, whites and grays. Anything more vivid might appeal to a few buyers but not a wide range. You can use pops of color like bright yellow pillows, when staging your home.

Organize paperwork

Having all your paperwork together for potential buyers will help speed the process of the sale along and allow them to address any questions with you before the deal is finalized. Any manuals, warranties, and receipts for the equipment in your home will be very important for your buyers to understand and keep for their records.

Permits and receipts from any renovations or repairs you have completed on your home are also important to include. Copies of recent utility bills and property tax forms can also be very helpful so they know what to expect before they move in. This offers full disclosure to your buyers and will ensure you both feel comfortable going forward with the sale.

Call the Jennifer Young Homes Team

If you are considering selling your home this Spring, now is the time to meet with your realtor and start preparing your home. We will walk through the home with you to determine the things you can do to prepare your home for sale. We provide home staging when needed and a professional photographer once the home is ready for sale.

Our team represents buyers and sellers in all price ranges and our goal is to get you the most money for your home. Call us today at 703-651-5655!

 

Source: Forbes, TheBalance.com

10 Ways to Declutter in the New Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never have we been more excited to welcome in the new year. And with 2020 being the year of staying home, well, we’ve certainly accumulated a lot of stuff. Our friends at HGTV created these 10 easy ways to help you clear your house (and your mind) of all that clutter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paper clutter can pile up

Keep paper copies of important documents (marriage license, birth certificate, social security card, legal documents, deeds or titles and current insurance policies.) Digitize other important documents (tax returns, pay stubs, current investment statements, receipts for valuables, warranties and medical records.) Shred monthly statements and bills after you pay them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spices don’t stay fresh forever

Whole spices stay fresh up to 5 years. Ground spices are best in the first 12 months. Not sure? Use the sniff test. No scent = no flavor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every room is now a playroom

New toys? Donate what kids have outgrown. Have your kids help you decide. And for those that they are unsure of, tuck them away in a closet. If they don’t ask for it in a month, add them to the donation bin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Makeup expires faster than you think

Not only does makeup expire, it also grows bacteria. Replace blush, eye shadow and lipstick every 2 years. Replace foundation and concealer after 1 year. Replace mascara every 3 months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cereal box collection

It might’ve worked in Jerry Seinfeld’s NYC apartment but cereal boxes are visual clutter. Move your cereal into food containers. Then, buy in bulk if possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edit your pantry

Items you use every day should be stored at arm’s reach, while holiday baking items can be tucked away on a high shelf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t let old calendars pile up

Cut out and frame important dates or artwork for that year. These can then be turned into a scrapbook or added to a photo album.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holding onto holiday cards?

Save addresses in a spreadsheet than recycle. Or if you’re feeling crafty turn this year’s holiday cards into next year’s gift tags.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magazine hoarder?

Cut out photos or recipes you love than save in a binder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donate gently used winter wear

Give unused or outgrown winter wear a new home. There are plenty of people in need who would appreciate a warm coat.

Don’t wait any longer to tackle your clutter—start the new year with a clean slate by following these simple decluttering tips. After all, we all could use a fresh start in 2021.

Tips for Selling Your Home Fast During the Winter

Typically, many homeowners avoid selling their homes during the winter season (December 1 – February 28) because they fear they won’t have any prospective buyers. But we’re here to tell you that no longer applies for 2020-21. With 60-year low interest rates and tremendous buyer activity, coupled with lack of inventory, we expect winter home sales to increase across the Metro DC region. And this means rising prices for sellers.

But even with a strong forecasted winter market, there’s still a lot you can do to help your home sell faster by making it feel welcoming and bright to potential buyers. Let’s take a look.

Show Buyers What It Looks Like During the Spring and Summer

Showcase what your home has to offer by giving potential buyers the opportunity to see the home during other months of the year. If available, include a photo album or digital slideshow of the exterior in the summer, spring, and fall. Highlight garden beds, and patios or decks with furniture.

Put on the Winter Curb Appeal

Leaf- and snow-covered sidewalks can make a perfectly nice home look sloppy and poorly maintained. Use a leaf blower daily to keep leaves, branches, and outdoor dirt off the walkways, and do your best to keep the yard clear of leaves, too.

Add fresh mulch to garden beds so they look their best.

Clean gutters and rinse loose dirt from your home’s siding one last time before the temperature drops. And don’t neglect your bushes and shrubs during the cold months—pruning them occasionally gives the landscape a tidier, neater look.

If it’s snowy, keep the deck shoveled and salted so buyers can walk outside to experience the space.

Let There Be Light

Retract blinds, and widen curtains, so there’s minimal window coverage. The windows will look bigger, and it’ll encourage daylight to flow into your space.

Experiment with your lightbulbs to find the most flattering hues for your space. A bathroom looks great with daylight bulbs (5,000-6,500K) and living spaces, such as bedrooms and living rooms, look best with soft white bulbs (2,700K). In general, your home’s design and color palette will play a part in what looks most appealing. Go for cozy and bright. If you’re upgrading bulbs in hard-wired fixtures, consider going all LED. Let the buyers know you’re leaving the bulbs for them.

Bring in extra floor lamps. Add them to rooms with dark corners to create a warmer setting.

Remove screens from the windows to allow more natural light to flow into your home, and clean the windows. Be sure to let potential buyers know you will replace the screens.

Spend Time on Basic Home Maintenance

Check window seals and doors for drafts. A drafty window is most noticeable on a cold day, so take extra efforts to weather seal and insulate around windows and doors.

Have the furnace or boiler maintained prior to putting your house on the market. On a cold day, buyers will make sure the systems are in good shape. Be a step ahead by having your maintenance team leave a sticker or magnet marking the date of the last inspection to add peace of mind for buyers.

Swap out the HVAC filter to help reduce any odors or fall allergens in the home.

Dust ceiling fan blades and the inside of your dishwasher and washing machine. Don’t forget all the nooks and crannies in the kitchen.

Crank up the Cozy Inside

You want your home to be as inviting as possible, so potential buyers can easily envision it as a friendly, welcoming space for family and friends.

Accessorize the main living area with neutral-but-coordinated throws and pillows and unscented candles for ambiance.

Remove the TV in the living room if you can live without it. Yep, big black screens are an eyesore, especially if they’re blocking light or detracting from a beautiful mantel.

Take another look at how the furniture is positioned now that the TV isn’t there. Consider rearranging to maximize the functionality of the space. It might not be how your family used the room, but it’ll present really well.

Keep thermostat running at a comfortable 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Crank up the Cozy…Outside

Since more people are spending time outdoors consider investing in landscape lighting. This will also help visitors who are touring during the late afternoon or evening when there is minimal daylight. Outdoor lighting accessories will amplify your home’s appeal sp consider solar lights lining a walkway, motion-activated spotlights and landscape spotlights. 

And, if the climate allows, keep outdoor furniture on your patio so they can get a better feel for the outdoor living space. Adding a heat source like a fire pit or heat lamps helps the buyer envision the outdoor space year-round.

Be Sensitive to Seasonal Decor

Both in your listing photos and in real life during showings, keep the seasonal decor at a minimum while you’re trying to sell. No one expects a home to completely lack holiday decorations during these months, but simplicity is appealing. Opt for modest, neutral accessories — think white string lights or a Christmas tree that truly flatters the space.

One snowy weather accessory that wins us over? A classic snowman in the front yard. Resist the urge to add too many scents to your home – it’ll look like you’re hiding something. An unlit pine candle in a bathroom will appeal to the senses.

Maintain Cleanliness Between Showings

Dry mop to remove dust and dirt that you track in every evening. Vacuum area rugs and entryway mats daily, and keep toys at bay.

Keep a focus on curb appeal. Continue to sweep or snowplow sidewalks, driveways, decks, and patio spaces.

You don’t have to avoid selling your home just because it’s winter. If you make the decision to list your home during the colder months follow these tips to create a cozy, well-maintained, property that will appeal to buyers.

Additional Sources:

HGTV and Zillow.com

Seller Tip Series – Tip #1

Throughout November Jennifer Young from Jennifer Young Homes will be hosting a new Seller Tips series. Each Friday, Jennifer will provide useful information on how to prepare your home to sell in such a competitive market. Make sure to tune in every Friday for the month of November to learn how we can help you buy or sell your home and beat out the competition.

To watch more, subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see all of our Jennifer Young Homes videos.

 

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Northern Virginia area, this is a great time! Please give our team a call! We would love to help you find your dream home or sell your current one!

Jennifer Young Homes Team
Keller Williams Realty
703-651-5655

Mid-Century Design

Why Are People Obsessed with Mid-Century Modern Design?

Mid-century modern design is one of the most popular design styles right now and for good reason. It boasts clean lines, pops of color, and if you buy an older home, it can be a natural fit with the existing elements of the property.

So, what exactly is mid-century modern design, and how can you make it work in your home?

Mid-Century Modern Basics

Mid-century modern design is based on architects’ work who moved from Germany to the U.S. after World War Two. These architects led the way in mid-century modern design, which emphasizes functionality and simplicity.

The period, while there is some disagreement on specifics, generally is considered to have lasted from the 1940s to the 1960s, but much of what we think of as mid-century modern now is from the 60s.

Mid-century modern design grew from the changes that were occurring post-war, and it reflected a sense of optimism.

These design concepts are focused on limited accessories, functionality and form, and sleek lines. In mid-century modern design, there is the use of different types of materials, including both traditional and non-traditional. For example, wood is often mixed with Lucite or metal.

There’s a lot of contrast in mid-century design, not just in materials but in other ways. For example, you might seek the very sleek lines that characterize the design style paired with organic shapes, such as a live-edge table.

The general idea behind mid-century design, above all else, is that pieces of furniture are like art in and of themselves, but they should take up as little space as possible. There’s nothing unnecessary in mid-century design.

There are many similarities between mid-century and Scandinavian design. Scandinavian design became more popular around the same time as mid-century in the 1950s. The two inevitably influenced one another as a result.

If you’ve ever been to Palm Springs or you’ve seen photos, it’s perhaps the capital of mid-century modern. The desert oasis became a resort town for celebrities from L.A. in the 1950s, and the homes and style of design is maintained beautifully there.

Architecture

Mid-century impacted architecture, as well. There were architects like Philip Johnson and Richard Neutra who ran with the style. Some of the features of mid-century homes include long, low and flat roofs, and open floorplans with organic flow. Split-level homes were also common in mid-century architecture.

Stone fireplaces, planked ceilings, and natural light were key in mid-century architecture and design.

Color Palettes

While mid-century is primarily about simplicity, there is one area where things get especially interesting which are the color palettes.  For example, the use of bold colors like orange or emerald green is common. In current, updated versions of mid-century style, you see many unique colors like shades of pink and saturated blues.

How Can You Create a Mid-Century Space?

One of the first things you can do to capture the simple style of mid-century is to take out things in a space that you don’t need. From there, you can think of it like building an art collection. Start integrating mid-century pieces one-by-one.

While you might want to stick with the clean lines and minimalism of mid-century consistently, that doesn’t mean you can’t also intermix other styles into your home.

If you have large windows, keep them uncovered if possible, to ensure unobstructed natural light.

If you do need to use curtains, choose lightweight fabrics like linen that allow for the natural light to flow into a space.

Sculptural chandeliers can be a focal point in a mid-century modern room, and avoid oversized furniture. The idea is to appreciate negative space rather than trying to fill every square inch with furniture, which is common in more traditional design concepts. Along with making sure your furniture isn’t too big, look for low profiles.

Integrate elements of nature, whether that’s natural wood furniture or potted plants.

As far as the actual furniture and other items you purchase, one option is to splurge for authentic pieces. If you’re not ready to do that, you can still find replicas at a more budget-friendly price. Even much of what Ikea offers could be easily integrated into a mid-century design concept. There are also retailers with pricing that’s considered middle-of-the-road such as Crate and Barrel, with beautiful mid-century-inspired options.

*Source*

November Real Estate Market Update

November Market Update + FREE Seller Seminar Wed Nov 4th!

Happy November!  Watch the video below for another monthly update. The market is still incredibly strong, especially for well-priced single-family homes, which is a rarity for late fall. Despite a slight slow-down in luxury homes and condos/high-density locations, interest rates are continuing to keep even those properties moving. Interest rates for home purchases are in the high 2% and around 3% for investments, and we anticipate these rates to remain low through 2021, which is simply incredible! I am thrilled to share that we have sold 430 homes so far in 2020!

Our seller’s seminar is Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 6:30 p.m., and will continue to be the first Wednesday of each month.

Don’t forget we have a special drive-in movie of Sonic the Hedgehog on Saturday, November 7th at 7:00 p.m. for our past clients and raving fans! We hope to see you there!

 

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Northern Virginia area, this is a great time! Please give our team a call! We would love to help you find your dream home or sell your current one!

Jennifer Young Homes Team
Keller Williams Realty
703-651-5655

Short Sale Approval

Upside down in your mortgage or behind in payments and don’t know your options? Let’s talk!

We can help you do a loan modification short sale or an as-is quick sale! Check out this video and how we recently got our seller’s home approved through a short sale.

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Northern Virginia area, this is a great time! Please give our team a call! We would love to help you find your dream home or sell your current one!

Jennifer Young Homes Team
Keller Williams Realty
703-651-5655

How to Win an Offer Series – Tip #3

Throughout October Jennifer Young from Jennifer Young Homes will be hosting a new series, How to Win an Offer. Each Friday, Jennifer will provide buyers and sellers with useful information on how to win an offer in such a competitive market. Make sure to tune in every Friday for the month of October to learn how we can help you buy or sell your home and beat out the competition.

In this week’s series, Jennifer discusses How to Win an Offer with Flexible Timing for the Seller.

To watch more, subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see all of our Jennifer Young Homes videos.

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Northern Virginia area, this is a great time! Please give our team a call! We would love to help you find your dream home or sell your current one!

Jennifer Young Homes Team
Keller Williams Realty
703-651-5655

How to Win an Offer Series – Tip #2

Throughout October Jennifer Young from Jennifer Young Homes will be hosting a new series, How to Win an Offer. Each Friday, Jennifer will provide buyers and sellers with useful information on how to win an offer in such a competitive market. Make sure to tune in every Friday for the month of October to learn how we can help you buy or sell your home and beat out the competition.

In this week’s series, Jennifer discusses How to Win an Offer with an Escalation Clause.

To watch more, subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see all of our Jennifer Young Homes videos.

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Northern Virginia area, this is a great time! Please give our team a call! We would love to help you find your dream home or sell your current one!

Jennifer Young Homes Team
Keller Williams Realty
703-651-5655

October Real Estate Market Update

Happy October!  Am I the only one who can’t believe we are in October already? Time to go get some pumpkins.

Watch the video below for an update on how much we’ve raised for Alex’s Army Childhood Cancer Foundation (we donate a portion of every sale we make, so use us and come help us make a difference in childhood cancer), why the market hasn’t slowed down (hint: interest rates and lack of supply), and an announcement about our next big socially distanced event!

The October seller’s downsizing seminar is Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Reserve your spot online or by calling 703-651-5655.

Don’t forget we still have our Spread Joy Campaign. If we can help you spread joy, from birthday signs to grocery deliveries, and just about anything in between, give us a call!

 

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Northern Virginia area, this is a great time! Please give our team a call! We would love to help you find your dream home or sell your current one!

Jennifer Young Homes Team
Keller Williams Realty
703-651-5655