Coldwell Banker Cutten Realty BLOG

It’s natural that home buyers are excited and eager to find the house of their dreams during the home buying process. Real estate agents typically tell sellers not to be overly emotional during the process, because it may jeopardize their sale. However, some buyers may be unaware that approaching the buying process with too much emotion can also take its toll on their prospects as well.

It’s important for buyers to keep in mind that purchasing a home is a business deal, and like any formal agreement, it’s best to go in with a clear head.

Take several looks at the home

When it comes to shopping for a house, every person has their own way of deciding what they want. However, making snap judgments about a home after one look can make some pass up a great offer because they believe there are better deals available, while others might choose a home too quickly without exploring other options. Striking a balance between the two is important, because it gives buyers the chance to really examine each house they visit and weigh the benefits and drawbacks of all their options, according to MSN Real Estate.

For example, buyers who are frequently looking for a better deal may pass up homes that have all the amenities and features they are looking for within their price range. Over time, they may find that all the homes they passed up were the best options, but many of these may already be off the market. In contrast, buyers that fall in love with a home immediately may experience regret down the road if they don’t take an objective view of the property. It’s important that buyers go through all the advised procedures, such as getting the home inspected and appraised and making sure it falls within the right price range to avoid overpaying, MSN Real Estate reports.

Make a realistic offer

Buyers who are extremely interested in a home should be very careful about making realistic offers, and working with their real estate agent to know how much a property is really worth. Making lowball offers for the sake of negotiating can cause buyers to quickly lose out on a home sale. In addition, making a significantly higher offer may result in buyers overextending their finances.

When buyers start looking for their dream home, many start with the available real estate listings in their area. A home listing is the first place most sellers show off all the best features of their homes, ranging from their master bedroom and bathroom suite to their wraparound porch and deck. Because homeowners may only get a few sentences to advertise their properties, it’s important to make them count and avoid some of the most common mistakes sellers make.

Working with a real estate agent before listing a home is a good place to start. Agents are experienced in writing listing descriptions and will ensure that buyers properly feature all the highlights that a home has to offer.

Don’t oversell

It’s natural for homeowners to want to paint their home in the best possible light by using phrases such as “best home on the market” or “won’t find a better deal than this.” However, overselling a home’s features can backfire in a number of ways, according to Bankrate.com. First, home buyers may view these descriptions with skepticism and automatically assume there is something off about the home. While buyers love a good deal, there is some truth in the “too good to be true” notion that may prompt buyers to steer clear of these offers.

In other cases, building up a home too much can create high expectations in buyers that, if not met, may turn away more individuals than it attracts. For this reason, focus on descriptions that highlight the best features of the home. Rather than listing a property as “a steal,” emphasize the natural light that pours through the dining room, or the granite countertops and hardwood floors. Features and characteristics that a buyer can visualize may have a stronger impact than subjective descriptions of the property.

Be careful with pricing

When it comes to deciding on a price for a home, consult closely with a professional real estate agent, who can provide a wealth of information about the market, neighboring prices and other factors that may influence a home’s value. This can help homeowners avoid pricing a home too high or too low. While beautiful pictures and descriptions of a house may entice potential buyers, properties that are priced too high may quickly turn them away before they reach a home staging. Homes that are priced too low may have a similar impact, as buyers may perceive there is something wrong with the property.

After buying a home, many new owners focus on the inside of their new house. Painting the rooms, upgrading the kitchen and unpacking all of their belongings are usually at the top of the move-in list. But during the warm spring and summer months, homeowners may find that they spend a great deal of time outdoors, playing with their children or barbecuing with neighbors. Creating a warm and welcoming outdoor atmosphere is just as important in making guests and new owners feel at ease, and there are several ways individuals can turn their yards into a great escape, according to MSN Real Estate.

Add some accessories

Purchasing a few soft touches can help homeowners cater their yards to their tastes and become an extension of their home. For example, purchasing exterior lights, ranging from solar lighting to lanterns can not only add some warmth to a house, but also increase safety by preventing falls and injuries. Having a well-lit yard may also deter strangers from lurking around a house, MSN Real Estate reports. Homeowners creating a backyard escape may also consider hanging lanterns in the trees or other forms of creative lighting.

Other small touches can have an equally appealing effect, such as a water element, outdoor fireplace or stone patio. Most water fountains can be found at home improvement stores in a variety of sizes, each of which may offer a different feature. Laying brick or stone can also be an affordable addition to a homeowner’s backyard and give them a great space for entertaining guests.

Lastly, patio furniture can serve as warm outdoor dining spaces for summer cookouts, holidays and get-togethers. In addition to patio sets, outdoor chaises, potted plants and small accent tables can create a unique outdoor space for homeowners to relax in.

Add some color

No amount of furniture or lighting can make a yard full of dead grass and wilting bushes look appealing. So homeowners can start beautifying their yard and keeping it healthy by trimming bushes and hedges, digging up weeds and fertilizing their yards. Fertilizing and seeding the yard alone will keep the grass soft and healthy while keeping weeds from popping up. There are also several types of flowers that thrive in hot, dry weather, such as lavender and sage, so shop around at a nursery for the best types of flowers that correspond with the region’s weather.

Making the proper impression is a major factor in attracting prospective home buyers and keeping their interest. One of the best ways to do that when selling a home is to repaint key areas of the home. The entire thing does not necessarily need a new paint job, unless the current one is significantly flawed.

Important areas

According to Paint Quality Institute expert Debbie Zimmer, determining where to apply fresh paint is as much a psychological question as anything else. As a result, the front door can be a key spot. Before prospective buyers come inside, this will form part of their first impression of the property. If it looks shabby, that perception may color their opinions of the rest of the home, even if it is in better condition. Aside from being pleasant in its own right, an attractive front door conveys the impression that the sellers have taken care of the home, a good first impression to make.

The area just inside the door is also important. This is the first part of the
home’s interior that prospective buyers will get a clear view of, and can
profoundly affect their opinion of the home and their ability to picture
themselves living there. Zimmer notes it may be particularly important to look over any rooms where children and pets have spent significant amounts of time. The Washington Post notes that new paint can appeal more strongly to buyers who wish to avoid working on a home themselves, whereas colors they do not care for may cause them to begin thinking about the time or money they would need to spend repainting.

Coloring

To make it easier for potential future residents to imagine themselves living in the home, Zimmer recommends selecting white, off-white or another quiet color, since these appeal to most people. Home sellers should carefully consider whether to do any repainting themselves, keeping in mind that rushed or visibly unprofessional work may need to be fixed.

One real estate agent told The Washington Post repainting has an added advantage.  It can make a home look much better in photographs, an important consideration in an era where buyers commonly examine a number of houses online before determining which to visit.

Whether individuals currently own or are selling a home, making improvements around the house can add more character, charm and utility. There are several projects that may not only add dollar value to a home, but can also make it more enticing for potential buyers. And what’s more, many of these improvements can be completed at a low cost. So whether a homeowner is simply trying to spruce up their property or getting ready to put it on the market, consider a few small alterations to make the house appealing.

Upgrade windows and doors

The entryway to a home should be welcoming for residents, neighbors and guests, so installing new entry doors can make a house appear warmer. Several home improvement stores have a wide variety of doors to choose from, and hanging a new door is also a task that can be completed easily by the homeowner. In addition to purchasing a door that is already finished and ready to be installed, homeowners may also consider purchasing doors they can paint to add a bit of color and
character to their home. Some owners paint their doors vibrant colors, such as red, purple or blue to boost the curb appeal of their property.

In addition, installing replacement windows is another valuable investment that can hold financial benefits for current homeowners and buyers, according to AOL Real Estate. Energy-efficient windows may allow current owners to earn a tax credit for their purchase and lower energy bills for home buyers.

Make good use of additional space

Many homeowners utilize additional spaces, such as a home office, foyer or exercise room. However, it’s easy to forget about other areas that can be converted into valuable bonus rooms, such as the attic and basement. These can be remodeled to serve as additional bedrooms, entertainment areas and home offices.

Remodeling these areas can be especially valuable for sellers because they may appeal to larger families or multi-generational households, AOL Real Estate explains.

In addition, maximizing outdoor space can be a great way to expand entertainment areas for current homeowners or buyers. Outdoor grills or ovens, fireplaces and dining sets can provide an escape for owners and add an air of elegance to a home.