Profit from Early Decisions When Selling a House in Long Beach

 

According to a recent survey, nine out of ten REALTORS® believe that clients who make improvements before selling a house in Long Beach are more likely to secure a successful sale.

Why, you may wonder, would anyone take the trouble to run a survey to discover anything that obvious? Possibly because of a follow-up question Realty Times came up with: 65.9% of real estate agents – virtually two out of three – agree that a common mistake among homeowners is not making "the right" home improvements for the local market.

Uh-oh! Remodeling in the wrong direction can cost you twice! If it’s such a common mistake, it’s safe to say it might be best to consult an agent before rolling up your sleeves (or opening your checkbook). Active Long Beach agents are constantly noting what features are popular with prospective buyers and which improvements are making a difference in today’s market. Knowing what sells -- and why -- is fundamental information when home improvement decisions are about to be made.

Also important is the changing nature of an effective marketing roll out. Yesterday’s sign on the front lawn and paragraph in the newspaper are no longer sufficient. Pocket listings, preview open houses, and social media promotion are all elements that now can be brought into a multi-tiered marketing plan geared to create awareness (“buzz”) around a property’s debut.

Yet, the new market retains at least one unchanging fundamental. To achieve the highest return when selling a house in Long Beach or Lakewood, it has to be priced right. Real estate commentator Barbara Corcoran puts it succinctly: “You could spend all the money in the world fixing up and marketing your house,” she says, “but the wrong price on the right house guarantees no sale.”

If you are thinking of selling a house in Long Beach or Lakewood this winter, I’m here to help you meet that goal. Contact me and I would be happy to give you the information that you need to get started on a marketing plan. 562-882-1581

Smart Long Beach Sellers Give Appliances a Starring Role

Success in selling Long Beach homes can depend on being able to distinguish what is important to buyers from what is not. Proactive homeowners know that one room usually gets more attention than does any other: the kitchen.

There are many good reasons why this is so (we have discussed them before) -- but one kitchen detail in particular can have a disproportionate impact. It’s a detail that is all too easy to overlook: the condition of the appliances.

Realty Times declares, “Sellers should update their appliances." I don’t think I would go quite that far, but the gist is right. When the appliances look like they deserve their starring role in the main act -- the kitchen -- it indicates a homeowner who has taken pride in their property. To a prospective buyer choosing whether or not to write an offer, it can be decisive.

If you are selling a Long Beach home this fall, it will definitely pay to take a critical look at your kitchen’s appliances, and then taking action!

Of course, begin by deep-cleaning them thoroughly. Potential buyers often look inside appliances…and the last thing you want them to find is a crusty oven or rusty dishwasher. It’s true that after a few years of wear and tear, most kitchens don’t look like they belong on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. But before you commit to wholesale appliance replacement, first see if some light cosmetic action might make that unnecessary.

Check your appliances for scratches, and if they are prominent enough, do something about them. For surface scratches, get a bottle of matching-color appliance paint (available at local Long Beach hardware stores), then dot or stipple the smallest amount possible onto the scratch. For deeper scratches, fill first with a filler material you’ll find in one of the do-it-yourself scratch repair kits offered by auto parts stores. After it has had time to dry, step back and inspect. If you have to know where to look to notice anything: Good job! That was certainly a lot more economical than buying a new appliance.

When all else fails, replacements may be necessary. If you go this route, make sure you go color- and tone-neutral. Remember that many homes will undergo remodeling by their new owners, and their taste may be different from yours. Don’t be tempted to blow the budget by buying appliances that outclass the rest of the property, but also be careful to select appliances that don't look cheap, outdated or out of place where they will be sited in the kitchen.

If you are one of those preparing to sell your Long Beach or Lakewood home this fall, I offer complimentary consultations prior to listing. We can go over big and small changes that will help maximize your return! Give me a call and we can sit down together and brain-storm what would be your best options … Until Next Time!