Should I fix everything first?

Q: In a depressed economy, is it wise to fix everything before selling? Should I sell as is?

A: Quick fixes before selling a home always pay off, but there is no fast or hard rule. The answers to this often-asked question largely depend on a variety of factors such as market condition, competing homes, time of year and location of the home. There are general guidelines that apply to most homes. Realtor.com and several real estate magazines put together a Cost vs Value Report every year that is helpful.

Here is Dallas/DFW 2009/2010 report: Cost vs Value Report

If you’re in a hurry to sell, do the “little things” that make your house look better from the outside and show better inside.

Neatness sells. New paint, an immaculate lawn, picture-perfect shrubbery, a newly sealed driveway, potted plants at the front door =  drive-by shoppers will probably want to see the rest of the house. Then, for both the inside and outside of your house, if you’re going to repaint, choose neutral colors, and keep clutter and personal knick-knacks, photos, etc. to a minimum. Remember, when a family looks at a house, they’re trying to paint a picture of what it would be like as their home. You want to give them as clean a canvas as possible.

Certain home improvements that are useful to almost everyone have proven to add value or speed the sale of houses. These include doing some kitchen remodeling like updating colors, painting outdated cabinets, new appliances and fixtures, updating bathroom fixtures, lights, colors and wall coverings if needed, Carpet(replace or tear out).

If money is tight, a well staged and very clean house is your best option.

If you are still not sure what to fix or update our agents at Blairfield would be happy to come to your home and help you

Blairfield Realty DFW welcomes new agent!

Hi all!

We are very excited to welcome a new member to the team, Jon Wilson. Jon is a native of DFW and will be specializing in the North Dallas and Plano areas, however Jon can meet your buying or selling needs all over the greater Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Jon has 9 years of diverse real estate experience with over two years and many awards in new home sales. Welcome to the team Jon!

Jon’s full bio will be available asap

Contact Jon:

(469)579-6598

jonwilson2006@yahoo.com

Scared of taking the plunge?

Buying a home can be really scary,  especially for first time home buyers! Well… It doesn’t have to be!

10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying

1. Find a real estate professional who’s simpatico. Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, any more than there’s a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don’t usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.

3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.

5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.

6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself—room size, kitchen—that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.

7. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-homebuying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.

10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.

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Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. www.REALTOR.org/realtormag

1st timer here!

Hello!

Hi there, My name is Ryan Stokes. This is my first blog… EVER! I am a licensed REALTOR and office manager for Blairfield Realty DFW. Blairfield Realty is owned by the most awesome person ever! Her name is Donna Miller. Donna’s professionalism, work ethic, the way that she cares about people so deeply and how much she truly enjoys helping people with real estate has inspired me to not only become a real estate agent but to strive to be the most helpful and thoughtful agent that I can be! This is my first blog but it certainly will not be my last!