Posts with tag 'Seller information'

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February
24

Selling a Vacant Home

Our REALTORS® are skilled at coordinating closings for a smooth transition from one home to another, but sometimes the time frame is out of your control. Maybe you've accepted a job offer or promotion requiring relocation by a specific date, or you need to care for an elderly relative.

Don't despair. With a little extra planning, you can sell a home you've already vacated by incorporating these helpful tips.

  1. Alert the Neighbors
    Vacant homes are beacons for troublemakers. Thieves can slip in, and strip copper plumbing and other materials. Or kids may be tempted to vandalize the place. Let the neighbors know you won't be there so they can keep their eyes open for suspicious activity.

  2. Stage the Home
    No matter how well a home is maintained, a lack of furnishings can give it an air of abandonment. The effect is similar to the last item on a store shelf that no one wants. If you can't use any of your furniture, consider renting packages that include the basics for a particular room. Other options include consignment or closeout furniture. It's well worth the investment to hire a professional stager who has experience maximizing attributes and minimizing flaws.

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January
6

Painting Your Home to Sell

Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint in your home. Adding a coat of paint is an affordable and accessible way to make your home extra enticing to potential buyers.

If you're planning on selling your home in 2020, you might want to consider getting your paintbrush ready. 

Our real estate agents have seven cost-effective painting projects to help you sell your home in 2020.

  1. Understand Neutrals
    Grandma's turquoise farmhouse might be the talk of the neighborhood, but it won't be the top choice for new family offers. Stick with a neutral palette when repainting your interior or exterior. Bright colors are most often a personal choice, and it will be unlikely to find a shopper with the same taste in orange as yourself. A neutral color offers potential buyers a blank canvas they can make their own. 

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October
14

Home Inspection Next Steps

When it comes to Augusta homes for sale, savvy buyers are investing in a home inspection on a more regular basis. Our real estate agents recommend getting a home inspection when there is no inspection on file, or the most recent inspection is more than a year old.

Many lenders require a home inspection before providing funds, especially when they are extending a loan to first-time buyers. Even if this is not a requirement, however, having an inspection done will protect your interests. 

Although you can negotiate for the seller to pay for an inspection, it benefits the buyer most of all. During this process, a qualified home inspector will look at every aspect of the structure. Every issue, big or small, will be documented.

Many would-be buyers terminate a sale if there are serious issues:

  • Roof leaks or attic problems
  • Mold or mildew in the home
  • Unreliable electrical wiring
  • Sewer or septic system issues
  • Termites or other vermin

If the home is not considered safe for human habitation as a result of the findings, then your lender might withhold funding. In general, though, the decision to proceed is up to you.

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September
9

Ways to Declutter - Sprague & Curtis

Many of the best Augusta homes for sale offer plenty of storage space. However, one of the biggest challenges in moving is getting "stuff" from Point A to Point B. Our real estate agents advise taking a structured and systematic approach to your move. The keys are starting early and making decluttering a priority.

Most of us have more stuff than we know what to do with. Over time, it's easy to forget the things we bought and put away. Everything purchased by a person, a couple, or a family is a snapshot of needs they had at a particular time. But those needs change. 

So, how can you tackle the intimidating task of decluttering before your big move?

Take a deep breath and follow these tips:

  1. Start Decluttering as Soon as You Can
    The earlier you start, the less stressful the process will be, since you can tackle it at your own pace. Plus, it can offer you a fresh perspective. You might be surprised just how many things you don't use often.
  2. Incentivize Donating
    To keep yourself from carting things you don't want, figure out a nearby location for donations. Many charities accept used clothes, and some will take food, toiletries, or electronic goods. Start with a "donate" pile from the beginning.

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July
22

Move or Improve - Sprague & Curtis Real Estate

To move or to improve—that is the question. Don't worry—plenty of homeowners are faced with the same dilemma when considering purchasing new Augusta homes for sale.

Our real estate agents believe that if buying your first home is the biggest real estate decision of your life, then deciding whether to remodel or sell your home is the second-biggest real estate decision you'll make. If you're like many homeowners, you've been struggling to make a choice. On the one hand, a new home is an exciting thought. A new space in a new area—now may be the perfect time to move. On the other hand, although you're no longer in love with your home, you still have a coveted attachment to it. Why not give it a second life by remodeling a few rooms, upgrading some appliances or even adding an extension on for more space?

If you're wondering whether it's time to move or improve, consider these questions:

  • Why do you want to move?
    This question is the most important: Why are you considering changing homes? Perhaps you've become disinterested in your neighborhood, maybe you don't want to contend with the seasonal weather changes. You could simply be unhappy with work or school and believe that moving with help resolve these feelings. Whatever the reason might be, it's important that you identify it and discuss it openly with your household.

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