7 Expert Tips to Secure a Speedy Home Sale in Leicester Ma.

Selling your home in the Worcester area is a huge decision, and even if everything goes relatively smoothly it will be a disruptive process to live through. Anything you can do to promote a speedy sale of your real estate will reduce your stress levels considerably, so here are seven tips to help you to get the price you want in double-quick time.

Property Brothers discussing the secret to selling your home fast

Choose Your Realtor Wisely

Picking a realtor with solid local knowledge and a good reputation can go a long way towards securing a sale, but that’s not the only consideration. The vast majority of home-seekers nowadays begin their search online, and you need to ensure that your property will be well represented there. Does your real estate agency have their own website, with high quality pictures, enticing descriptions, and good search facilities? Just as importantly, do they syndicate their catalog with other sites to reach the largest possible audience?

Make Viewings Easy

Whatever your domestic or work situation, it makes sense to be as flexible as possible when it comes to viewings. Even if you can’t commit to show your home during the daytime, try and arrange for a neighbor, friend, or family member to be available whenever possible. Also, don’t be afraid to allow viewings at very short notice – yes, this means you’ll need to keep your home in immaculate condition at all times, but that’s the price to pay. Remember, you’ll be competing for a sale with plenty of repossessions and other empty properties which can be viewed at any time, and so any restrictions you place on potential buyers will only reduce your chances.

Complete Minor Repairs

When it comes to securing a sale, it’s the little things that can make all the difference. Attend to any small maintenance jobs that need doing before allowing viewings – if your property is full of niggling problems such as dripping taps, loose door handles and so on, it may give the impression that more major issues might also be lying in wait. Likewise, make sure that your home is decorated to a presentable standard throughout. There’s no need to go overboard with interior design – most people will want to redecorate to their own tastes in any case – but you want to present a clean and tidy image at the very least.

Depersonalize and Declutter

You may think that showcasing your property as a comfortable family home with individual character will boost the chances of a quick sale, but the opposite is usually true. If viewers are met with too many personal mementos, photographs, and other trinkets, it can be difficult for them to imagine living in the property themselves. Aim to present a blank canvas by cutting your family’s visible influence to a minimum, so giving your viewers’ imaginations the freedom to plan their own future in the property.

Don’t Forget the Outside View

Before a potential buyer arranges a viewing, the chances are high that they’ll have already driven past your property as part of their initial search, and if it presents an untidy appearance from the outside you’ll put many people off before they ever set foot in the door. While your yard needn’t win any landscaping or design awards, ensure that any lawn is neatly trimmed, that borders and shrubs are tidied, and even consider a few ornamental flowers even if only as a temporary addition.

Assess the Competition

Make appointments to visit other properties on the market in your area, posing as a potential buyer, so that you can see what kind of standard they offer for the price. This may seem slightly dishonest in that you have no intention of making the purchase, but it’s a fact that your potential buyers will also be checking out competing properties, so you need to know what you’re up against.

Be Flexible With the Asking Price

When all else fails, dropping the price is a time-honored way of trying to encourage a sale. However, if your home has been on the market for some time and has already attracted several viewers, setting a new, lower price may not have the desired effect – potential interest may already have waned. If you’re aiming for a really speedy sale, make an impact with price at the start: research local values, and price your property at around 10% below the average. Of course, you’ll forego a portion of your proceeds compared to selling at full market value, but the trade-off between an ideal price and a quicker sale is your judgement to make.

Any real estate agent will tell you that selling a property can be something of a lottery, often a matter of being in the right place at the right time. However, following these tips will greatly stack the odds of a quick sale in your favor.

5 Tips for Preparing Your Home for Sale in Worcester County Ma.

Despite the fact that a home is usually one of the most expensive things anyone will ever buy, first impressions still play a crucial part in influencing home buyers. To ensure you get a quick sale at or near your asking price, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to make your real estate more appealing to potential home buyers. Consider the following tips to give your home a better chance to sell in the highly competitive market in the Worcester Ma area.

Carry Out Any Repairs

Addressing any defects on your home will help to satisfy the watchful eyes of home inspectors who buyers often hire when looking at property. In fact, property defects discovered by home inspectors account the vast majority of failed sales. You might even want to consider hiring a home inspector yourself to get some professional advice on any repairs or modifications that need to be carried out.

Brighten It Up

Maximizing the amount of natural light in your home has a major impact on its livability, but it doesn’t always have to be a complicated or expensive process. You can brighten up your home in just a day by making sure all of the windows are clean and any overhanging branches are trimmed back. A fresh coat of paint and some clean curtains can also make a huge difference.

Make It Less Personalized

While it’s important not to make your home completely sterile, it’s just as essential not to make it too ‘lived in’. Potential buyers will want to be able to imagine their own things in the home, so getting rid of any unconventional customizations can make it easier to sell. Most buyers lack the vision to be able to see past your own design tastes, so consider giving the home a more neutral appearance.

Invest in Professional Cleaning

A dirty or untidy home will almost certainly not command a good price or even be possible to sale. Consider having your carpets professionally cleaned as well to freshen up the place. Likewise, cut the grass and patch up any unkempt areas of the garden. You may also want to keep any pets out of the way when you have viewings lined up, since not everyone is a big fan of having animals in the house.

Don’t Neglect Storage Space

While cleaning your home in preparation for potential buyers, consider removing clutter from any storage areas. Storage space is a key concern for many homebuyers, and a lot of people will snoop around during viewing to take a closer look at the details. Be sure to keep any storage rooms and closets as tidy and as empty as possible. The less clutter you have in your home, the bigger it will look.

Final Words

When selling a home, the first impression is often the only one that counts, and many potential buyers will judge the property the moment they enter the door. Make sure the entryway is as presentable as possible, and ensure all rooms (particularly kitchens and bathrooms) are spotlessly clean. The better the first impression people have of your home, the more likely you’ll get your asking price.

Maximize Income with a Property Management Strategy in Worcester Ma

Make the Most of Your Investment – How Property Owners Can Maximize Their Real Estate Rental Incomes and Boost Their Profits

Investing in real estate in Worcester County Ma. is a great way to diversify your portfolio and build wealth for the future. Owning rental property and being a landlord is not right for everyone, but if you know what you are doing and understand what to look for, you can make a handsome profit down the line and enjoy a steady stream of income for many years to come.

As with any type of investment, it is important to maximize your returns and look for ways to bring in as much cash as you can. Maximizing your rental income and boosting your profits is not always easy, but once you get it right, you can enjoy the extra money month after month and year after year. Employing sound Property Management methods is essential to your success.

Choose the Right Neighborhoods

The nature of the neighborhood will have a huge impact on your ability to maximize your rents and raise your rates as your own expenses go up. If you buy in an economically depressed area, you may find yourself stuck with low levels of rental income and high repair rates, especially if you focus on the low-income segment of the rental market.

That is not to say you cannot make money in these areas – many landlords are doing just that. It just means that the job is that much harder, and the hassle factor can make renting there a bit more difficult.

That is why so many property investors choose to focus on up-and-coming neighborhoods instead of economically depressed ones. Buying rental units in places where growth is taking place is always a smart move, since buyers can benefit from market appreciation and higher rents down the line.

Research the Local Rental Markets

No matter how nice your apartments are, you will not be able to charge $1500 rent in a neighborhood where $800 rents are the norm. It is important to research the local rental markets and set your own rates accordingly.

If you are unable to make a profit on those $800 monthly rents, you may need to look elsewhere for a better investment opportunity. If you are happy with that level of rent for the time being, you can invest in a solid property, continue to make improvements and succeed with the local market.

Keep in mind that public programs may be somewhat limited in the amount of rent they are willing or able to pay. If you plan to incorporate Section 8 and other programs into your rental income stream, you will need to research those markets as well. Many property owners actually like these programs, since a good portion of the rent is guaranteed by the government. Other property owners find that the hassle factor is more than they like. You will need to make up your own mind and decide which mix of public and self-pay renters works best for you.

Renovate and Decorate

Making consistent and smart property improvements is one of the best ways to maximize your rental income and boost your profits over time. You may start with a block of similarly-appointed apartments, all charging the same amount of rent. As time goes by, however, you can make strategic improvements that would justify higher rents and attract a better class of tenants down the line.

When a long-time tenant moves out and you clean the apartment, consider going one step further and doing a bit of renovation. Instead of merely cleaning the same old carpets, you could take them out and replace them with upscale hardwood floors. You could upgrade the kitchen countertops from Formica to granite, or install new stainless steel appliances.

Suddenly you have an upscale apartment that will appeal to young professionals in the area. Repeating the upgrade process each time a tenant moves can help you rebrand your apartment building and boost your rental income over time.

Investing in real estate is a great way to build your wealth over the long term, especially if you make strategic investments in the future of your business. Understanding the factors that affect market rents, from the nature of the neighborhood to the amenities on offer, is one of the best ways to maximize your income and your return on investment.

Real Estate Tips- Sell your home faster in Worcester County Ma.

Real Estate Selling advice for Worcester County Ma.

Want a Fast Sale? Upgrade Your Home’s Exterior.

Everyone wants a quick sale when trying to offer a home for sale in Worcester Ma.

Most home sellers are going to wait weeks if not months before their property actually sells. Real estate agents understand and promote the benefit of staging the interior and the exterior of the home for a fast sale and with good reason. The appearance of the outside of a home enhances what’s commonly referred to as curb appeal. It’s an important part of enticing potential buyers to step inside for a long look. If you want to sell your home quickly, take the time to upgrade one or more of its exterior features to increase its attractiveness.

Major Improvements

Unless the building actually needs a major improvement, you probably won’t be making any of these changes. However, if the home is in need of any of the following repairs, you should make them to improve your chances of selling quickly. A good Property Management Company can help you and some offer flexible options to support you.

A new roof
Replacing cracked sidewalks or exterior steps
Repairing a driveway
Porch or deck repairs If you need to close settlement by a certain date, you can easily make a few exterior improvements to encourage buyers to consider purchasing your property. Many of the upgrades simply provide a facelift that makes your property more attractive, while some of them offer functional enhancement along with an element that instills beauty to the property. You can discuss your thoughts with your real estate agent. As an experienced professional, this individual might be able to tell you which changes could lead to a quicker sale.

Exterior enhancements that you should consider include:

Adding landscape lighting to accentuate architectural details and to promote
safety
Painting wooden shutters and/or window frames
Pointing brick exteriors
Getting professional landscaping
Installing a border fence
Creating a rock garden
Cleaning and staining the deck
Installing a security door

Many of the tasks that you complete when selling a home will make little difference to some buyers. In general, however, taking the time to improve the appearance of the home on the outside as well as on the inside can help to promote a faster sale. A home that is move-in ready is always more desirable than a home that needs a lot of work. Take the time to make necessary changes to the outside of your home and consider a few cosmetic ones, particularly if you are in a hurry to sell.

S & R Properties of Leicester Ma serves all of Worcester County.

Five Things You Must Do Before Buying a Home

Leicester Ma Real Estate-Serving all of Worcester County

Buying a home for sale is probably the most significant financial investment you will ever make. Before you take the leap, you need to do your homework and make sure you are really ready. Here are five things you need to do before you call a realtor and start shopping for a home.

#1. Check Your Credit Score

Even if you think your credit profile is spotless, it is important to pull a copy of your report and your three-digit credit score. Credit bureaus make mistakes all the time, and an error on your credit report could have profound implications on your home search.

If your credit file contains errors, you could be charged more for your mortgage, or even be turned down altogether. If the black marks on your credit profile are legitimate, knowing where you stand now will give you a goal to work toward. Improving your credit score before you start shopping for a home is a move that could save you money for decades to come.

#2. Set (and Stick to) Your Price Range

Knowing how much home you can afford is absolutely vital. Do not rely on the real estate agent to set a price range for your search – they may try to maximize their commission by pushing you into a pricier property. Instead, do the calculations yourself – there are plenty of mortgage calculators where you can run the numbers.

Do not forget about the other associated costs of home ownership – things like real estate taxes and home repairs. Those costs can really add up, and your budget needs to be big enough to handle them. It is better to buy a home for less than your maximum price rather than stretching to make the payments on a more expensive property.

#3. Research the Local Neighborhoods

You may already know where you want to live, but it is still a good idea to research some of the local neighborhoods. Things like crime statistics, the performance of the local school district and real estate taxes will have an impact on your quality of life, but those factors will also influence the future value of the property.

If you have a family or plan to start one, the quality of the local school district may be your biggest concern. If the schools are bad, you may need to budget for a pricey private school, and that will influence how much you can afford to spend on the monthly mortgage payment.

#4. Create a Home Buying Checklist

Before you start shopping, you should create a checklist of things you want. You may want to make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves to make shopping easier.

The home you buy does not have to meet every wish you specify, but the closer to the mark you get the less renovations you will have to do later. Do not be in a hurry to find the home of your dreams – it can take some time to find the perfect property.

#5. Have the Home Inspected

There is no substitute for a thorough home inspection. Whether you are buying a starter home or moving up to your dream home, you need to look for hidden damage.

Do not rely on the home inspection the seller may have done. It is important to have an independent home inspector check out the house and provide you with a full report. Depending on the results of the inspection, you will have gained some bargaining power – or avoided a costly mistake.

Buying a home can seem like a scary experience, especially if you have never done it before. Knowing that you are prepared before you start shopping can reduce your stress level and help you find a home that truly meets your needs – and your budget. Let S & R Properties help you through the process.

Don’t Forget to Check these 5 Crucial Factors When Doing a Final Real Estate Walk-Through in Worcester County Ma.

So, you’ve found your dream home. You’ve agreed upon a price and a professional home inspector has signed off on the quality of your purchase. Before the seller turns over the keys to you and relinquishes all responsibility for the home, you need to complete a final walk-through to ensure everything is in order. To make sure you don’t accidentally miss any problem areas, the following are five essential components you must check during this crucial inspection:

– Although it might seem ridiculous that you would have to check, be sure to check all light switches and electrical plugs when doing a final walk-through. Not only do you want to know what each switch controls, you also want to make sure there are no electrical issues prior to finalizing a sale. Carry an object like a hair dryer with you and plug it into every electrical outlet in the home.

– Ensure all ceiling fans are in working order, including bathroom and laundry room fans. Look for signs of moisture condensation around fans to make sure vents aren’t plugged and in need of cleaning.

– Air conditioning units and baseboard heaters should also be checked. Air conditioning repairs can be quite costly; if there’s a repair needed, you want to make sure the seller pays the bill. The same theory applies to heaters and ducting. Be sure you know the next due date for maintenance and that all warranty and maintenance records are turned over to you upon sale.

– Another no-brainer is to ensure all appliances are in working order. Are there any condensation leaks behind the refrigerator? Has the range hood fan been properly maintained? Unless you plan to replace all appliances once your offer to purchase has been accepted, you’ll want to double-check the condition of existing units.

– Confirm the quality of existing windows and that all are in working order. Can you open and close windows with ease? Are there condensation issues in between panes? Look for signs of wear and tear inside window frames to make sure the current owner hasn’t just recently cleared away signs of moisture or mold build-up.

The final walk-through is your last chance to make sure your new home is everything you hoped for. Failure to spot signs of trouble can mean you’re on the hook for any repairs. Don’t be unaware of the importance of this final act before you take possession of the home.

S & R Properties based in Leicester, Ma. has you covered. We have over 20 years of experience representing real estate clients throughout Worcester County Ma.

Property Management Ideas and Tips for New Homeowners in Worcester Ma.

Should You Rent a House? 5 Things You Need to Know.

With an unstable economy and tumultuous job market, more and more families are turning to home rentals as an alternative to buying a home in Worcester County Ma. As a real estate professional in Leicester Ma. I have found there are many pros and cons to renting a home instead of buying one. When I am working with buyers and sellers that are leaning towards renting, my experience in managing real estate comes in handy.

It is important to think about your decision thoroughly before you sign a lease. Most renters lease a home for at least a year, though some landlords look favorably on tenants who are willing to extend their leases in order to develop a long-term relationship. A tenancy at will is the most favorable agreement to both parties when renting. Whether you want to rent while you look for a home to purchase or you simply want to save money, renting a house this year could be right for you. Here are some tips that might help you save time and money.

Real Estate Leicester Ma

1. You’ll be able to look for a home to buy
If you aren’t sure whether or not you want to buy a home, especially in an unfamiliar state or city, renting a house could be the right choice for you. You’ll typically rent a house for at least a year, which will give you plenty of time to find neighborhoods that you like, tour real estate properties, and even save up money for a down payment.

2. You’ll be limited in your decorating choices
One of the downsides of renting, especially long-term renting, is that your home decorating options will be limited. You won’t be able to redo your floors, remodel the kitchen, or paint your walls without your landlord’s prior approval. Even then, you’ll be limited to what he or she decides is right for the house.

3. You’ll have to obey someone else’s rules
While most landlords are very friendly, they do have their policies for tenants. If you choose to live in a rental home, you’ll have to abide by your landlord’s rules. This could be anything from no overnight guests to no smoking to no pets. Before you sign your lease, make sure that you discuss your behavioral expectations with your landlord. If you want to have a pet live with you, for example, your landlord may be willing to permit it for an additional fee.

4. You won’t have to worry about repairs
One of the most troublesome aspects of owning your own home is that you’re responsible for any and all repairs. If something breaks, you’re the one who has to either fix it or pay someone to fix it for you. With renting, your landlord will handle all repairs for you. This can be quite a relief if you’re renting an older house that has a lot of problems.

5. You’ll be able to save money
Perhaps the biggest perk to renting is that you’ll be able to save up money for your future. Whether you want to save for a year before you embark on a long overseas backpacking journey or you just want to pad your bank account before you apply for a home loan, renting enables you to live free from the stress that a mortgage often brings.

How to Compete Effectively With Other Homes For Sale in Leicester Ma?

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When you’re getting ready to sell your home in Leicester, Ma there are simple steps you can take to maximize your home’s buyer appeal. It is important to think of your home as a product that you are trying to market to a wide range of potential buyers. In order to do so, you have to depersonalize the home while maintaining a comfortable and attractive atmosphere.

In order for a buyer to connect with your home, they must be able to picture themselves living there. Your personal items can often hinder this connection because this creates a psychological road block. Good salespeople know that people buy based on emotion, and they use logic to back up the emotional decision they’ve already made. Home buying is no different. Of course there are considerations such as square footage and school district, but the most powerful part of the buying process will be the emotional connection.

It may seem unsettling to have to put away treasured items like family photos, artwork, and mementos, but this step will help you sell your home. A buyer wants to be able to walk around the house and envision how they will live in it.

Here are some items that should be put away before you put your home on the market:

Family photos. Photos of weddings and graduations can be a distraction. You want to have a potential buyer imagine their own family moments in the home.

Taste-specific artwork and decorative items. Take an objective look at the artwork and décor in your home. If you can’t picture it in a mainstream furniture and home accessories catalog, remove it. Landscape paintings and photographs are acceptable if they are professional quality.

Religious items. Many people have very strong feelings about religion and you simply want to avoid putting buyers off due to differences in religious views.

Personal grooming items. Put away your hairbrush, toothbrush, and every other personal grooming item in your bathroom or dressing area. These are distracting. Putting them away will also reduce clutter and make your home seem more organized and spacious.

Collections. If you have a collection of daggers on your living room wall, put them away. Again, be objective and put away anything that might stand out too much.

Remember that when you put your house on the market you are taking the first step in the moving process. It is the time for you to start detaching yourself from your home. View your house as a product that you are marketing and make it appeal to as many people as possible by taking the steps above.

How To Find The Right Real Estate Agent

Recently Featured Home For Sale

Is Your Real Estate Agent Qualified When Looking at Homes?

It’s unfortunate when a buyer or seller gets involved with an agent that is more interested in their self-interests than their clients. This situation came to light recently in a Leicester Ma real estate sale I was involved in so I thought I would write about it.

A Realtor must take classes, and pass an extensive test to get a license; experience and mentorship takes time before the skills necessary to succeed are learned. Sales careers can create conditions that cause an agent to coerce you into purchasing a home that might not be right for you. If your agent seems disorganized and you are not connecting, it might be best to find another person to represent you. A good agent should always advise you to walk away from a home if it is a poor choice.

A creative professional needs to follow through and be attentive to your inquiries through instant messaging, email and phone. They also need to be a problem solver. I have seen many issues arise with financing, inspections, and many other complications that needed to be resolved to meet the goals of the customer. Experience is very important.

A Broker’s knowledge should be evident when you meet, and it should feel like a counseling session. Your ideas and concerns should be shared and when you leave you need to be sure that your agent has your best interests at heart. If you are a buyer, thoughtful questions about your timeframe, the kind of house you like, and what your expectations are need to be discussed. Sellers need careful guidance on marketing strategies, pricing, and listing agreements.

What makes one real estate professional better than another?

My experience has taught me that the best marketing sometimes is great organization, and responding to prospective buyer inquiries. There are lots of “marketing programs” that are really just smoke and mirrors, and typically cost quite a bit of money. Old fashion networking often works best.

Selling real estate is much more than a sales career. It is relationship building, contact management, advisor and customer service all rolled up into one. You are looking for somebody that is much more than a sales clerk. Look at reviews and make sure that they have a website. A lack of technical proficiency, however, does not necessarily mean that your agent lacks skill. Solid personal skills along with great emotional IQ carry much more weight than a barrage of technology. I have seen many real estate professionals with hundreds of listings most of which were well overpriced. Don’t be fooled by the savvy professional that tells you they have all those listings. It does not mean much if they cannot sell.

Does your realtor have a blog? It is a great way to see how often they post, and what they have to say. Does their website have broken links? Is it professional? This gives you an indication of their organizational abilities.

The Dangers of Setting A Price too High on Your Homes for Sale in Leicester Ma

Ideas for a quicker home sale in Leicester Ma.

After lots of discussion with your family and friends you finally have decided to put your home for sale in Leicester Ma. The thought of pricing your home has created some confusion, but you have a general idea of how much you want to list your home for.

Before you place a For Sale sign on the property you have to make some decisions about who is going to sell your home. Asking too much money for your listing carries risks. You want to get the most money for your home, but setting the price too high can create issues that you might not be aware of. What is a fair and reasonable market price? Will my home appeal to a large segment of potential buyers?

Have I been objective?

Living in a home for many years can create a condition wherein you cannot see the property objectively. This attachment can lead a person to believe that the property might be worth more than it actually is. Getting sound advice about the actual worth of the property by an outsider is a good idea, and an assessment that you should not avoid. Most Realtors will happily give an estimate even if they do not get the listing. Are there any risks if the property is priced to high?

The ripple effect of over-pricing your home.

If your home is over-priced when it’s first placed on the market, the most obvious risk, of course, is that it simply won’t sell. You may think your home is worth $15,000 more than another house in town, but if the houses are similar the average homebuyer is going to gravitate toward the lower-priced home. Another issue is, even if a buyer were to fall in love with your home and agree to pay $15000 more, the bank would insist on an appraisal to verify that it is indeed worth that amount. If the home was not worth the additional $15000 then the buyer would either make up the price out of pocket or walk away.

Because buyers don’t want to spend more money on a house than they have to, over-pricing your home could cause it to sit on the market for a long time. The longer your home sits, the less likely it will sell. A house is no different than any other item for sale. When potential buyers see that a home has been listed for a lengthy period they assume there is something wrong with it. You do not want your home to become static on the market. Buyers have lots of technology at their disposal, and can easily do their own research.

You only have a short window to make a good impression. Don’t lose that by pricing your home incorrectly.

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