Lindsay Jones, Broker

By Lindsay Woodruff, Broker The goal in proper pricing and presentation of a listing is to make it the most attractive so that multiple buyers come to view and decide immediately whether they will be making an offer or not. Your home’s appearance and first impressions make such a huge difference in marketing and selling […]

By Lindsay Woodruff, Broker

The goal in proper pricing and presentation of a listing is to make it the most attractive so that multiple buyers come to view and decide immediately whether they will be making an offer or not. Your home’s appearance and first impressions make such a huge difference in marketing and selling properly (for top dollar and to the best buyer in the most efficient way.)

If you have decided to sell, try and keep these points on the top of your list! 

1. Know where you are going! In a busy market, having a plan will be the difference between a seamless transition between homes and potentially being homeless and under an intense amount of pressure. Do your homework, if you’re buying, make sure you’re pre-approved, browsing the market for what you want/need and actively working with your agent to be sure you’re ready to move forward with the next home. Don’t wait until you have a contract on your current home to decide where you want to go, learn what you can afford etc. 
2. A clean and organized exterior is almost just as important as the look of the interior. Let’s face it, we all don’t live in perfectly staged, dustless homes! This is real life and that’s what makes the world go around. Having said that, take some time to give your property some TLC so when people pull up, they’re even more excited to see the inside and back yard. Pull weeds, remove tools, toys, messy garbage cans, any extra clutter laying around (that bag of dirt laying in the flower bed you’ve been meaning to put down for two months.) Buyer’s love to see an organized yard where everything has a place. Create a corner for the garbage, a spot for the pool equipment, clean and stage your existing outside furniture (even if its not included in the sale.) Keep the grass cut and plant a few bright flowers or put them in a pot where people can see. 
3. DECLUTTER: I cannot emphasize this enough. We know you still live there and need to access things regularly, especially with little kids or pets but please do your best to hide stuff away if at all possible. Eliminate any extra items from the main parts of the home, blankets, decorations, items on the fridge, things on the counter… It’s ok if you relocate them to a closet but less is more when it comes to your home right now. It may not make or break a deal but it WILL HELP you sell and will help the buyer to make a decision! 
4. Evaluate your home’s “smell”: Yep, your home has a smell and it may not be evident to you as you live there everyday but it will be to new noses. It isn’t always a bad smell either but it’s important to be sure you don’t have any overpowering smells of any kind. Stuffy, stale, lingering pet odors, musty are just some of the terms I hear. Consider having your ducts cleaned and sanitized prior to listing. It will run you a few hundred dollars but it will make a difference and the documentation you get from the company can be presented on the listing, a nice plus for a buyer to see. If you have older throw rugs, remove them, roll them up and pack them away as they may hold old smells you’re just accustomed to. Vacuum and get a pleasant “homey” candle. Personally, I find that candles smelling like baked goods, Fall, Holiday scents or anything crisp and clean are great. Stay away from heavy floral scents overall, as it can be super strong and may appear as though you’re trying to cover something up. Open those windows and let some fresh air infiltrate, weather permitting! 
5. Bright and Light! When your agent is having photos done and when the home is being shown, leave lights on and blinds open especially if the view is nice! 

Lindsay Woodruff is Broker of Record and Licensed Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Herbertsville Real Estate located at : 321 Herbertsville Road Brick NJ. Office: 732-458-6262

By Lindsay Woodruff, Broker Being a buyer in today’s real estate market is a tough job. Not only have prices gone up, which will inevitably hurt some people’s buying power but there is so much competition out there that sellers are able to sort through dozens of offers to take their pick. Being one of […]

By Lindsay Woodruff, Broker

Being a buyer in today’s real estate market is a tough job. Not only have prices gone up, which will inevitably hurt some people’s buying power but there is so much competition out there that sellers are able to sort through dozens of offers to take their pick. Being one of 20 offers is a daunting task and makes the process just more stressful when trying to find a home. Supply and demand has turned our local, regional and national markets into a frenzy with a lack of listings to choose from and an overabundance of buyers. Low interest rates, the need for a more functional home and people needing/wanting to move are just some of the reasons for the increase in buyer activity these days, many of them stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Dealing with clients on both the sale and buy side every single day gives me insight into what works and what doesn’t. Although nothing is ever guaranteed, being able to make offers with confidence and guide all clients with practical and educated knowledge is what we strive for everyday. Here is a list of some ideas to take into consideration when buying and selling in the Spring/Summer of 2021. 

• GET PREAPPROVED– if you’re buying a home OR if you’re selling your current home and looking to buy another. This step is always one of the most important things you can do to put yourself in a ‘ready’ position and have an accurate idea for what you can afford. Many people who are selling their current home and buying another don’t think it is necessary to get pre-approved before listing but this couldn’t be any more wrong. You NEED to know what you can afford and what your financial position will be before you put your home on the market. The last thing you would want is to list your home, take an exceptional offer and then realize when going to look for your new home that you cannot get a mortgage. Buyers: always get pre approved before starting your home search. Your offer will be tossed without one and your mortgage may determine what time of home you can buy (condo, needs work, taxes, HOA fees.)
• BE PERSISTENT AND ADAPT– You must continue to make an attempt to be the best buyer out there even though your offers may be getting turned down. If you continuously are losing out on homes, your agent can possibly discuss what factors came into play with the decision to take another offer. Use this knowledge and don’t give up. You may have to change your strategy but being consistent is key and be positive that something will work. 
• BE AGGRESSIVE- If you LOVE a home and have to have it, do not hold back. Discuss pricing and market values with your agent to determine what is a realistic and strong offer to come in with and be prepared to compete in a best and final round. Put your best foot forward with your mortgage and down payment and keep the offer as simple and straightforward as possible. 
• DON’T GIVE IT ALL AWAY– Many buyers these days are waiving contingencies for inspections and appraisals. Although it is a tool to consider in the tool box for buyers, it is not always the best practice and can put you in a risky position. Please weight out the risks and rewards when considering waiving your right to  a home inspection or choosing to have a limited home inspection. Also, appraisals are a hot button issue now too as prices have gone up so quickly. Deciding to cover the difference in an under appraisal situation is a decision that should be weighed carefully. Consider putting a cap on that amount, if you so choose, remember that the seller can also renegotiate the price too. There are many options to review for this and it shouldn’t be an automatic part of every offer you’re making. 
• Markets of all kinds never last forever. If you are deciding to sell, get yourself a market analysis to determine what price you’re looking to walk away with so you can make an educated decision on your next move. Think ahead and be prepared way ahead of time when buying or selling. Preparation makes the entire process more seamless and less stressful. Successfully getting buyers into their homes has not always been an easy, straight path these days BUT it is getting done and it can be done with hard work and dedication. Facilitating sales and purchases is a team effort and having the right team on your side makes all the difference. 

Lindsay Woodruff is Broker of Record and Licensed Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Herbertsville Real Estate located at : 321 Herbertsville Road Brick NJ. Office: 732-458-6262