8 Home staging mistakes (to avoid):

1 – Just because you love it does not mean that everyone else will:  Ensure your property appeals to a broad market of buyers. In other words, keep it neutral. Bright or dark colors may be too much for buyers to get past.

2 – Edit your storage places:  Buyers may poke around, opening kitchen and bathroom cabinets and closets spaces. Spend some time organizing/clearing those areas because a cramped space can send the message to buyers that there is a lack of storage.

3 – Scale and size of furniture:  Bigger does not always mean better. Be sure that items such as furniture, plants and other decor pieces are in proportion with the room. You are selling the house & space, not the items in it. Even if the rooms look somewhat empty, that is better than over stuffed rooms. Store your larger pieces or ask friends/family if they have some storage space to use.

4 — Clean, clean, clean : This means something different to everyone so keep your home & yard on a regular cleaning schedule – if you have to contact professional services to help you out – do it, it will be worth the extra cost. Be sure your home is in ‘showing condition’ at all times for showing random drop-in buyer/s. Keep personal items out of the picture. 

5 — Pets:  Some buyers may be allergic and/or are immediately turned off by signs of animals  Keep pet hair to a minimum by vacuuming everyday, crating your furry friends or keeping them with friends or sitters while home is up for sale. 

6 — Pay attention to the details:  Don’t hide flaws , either repair them before you go on market or have the price reflect that there is some work to be done. It is tough for a realtor to justify selling for top dollar when property is not in top condition.

7 — Upgrade periodically:  Change up your light fixtures, hardware, taps, faucets and drapery. You will likely get a better reaction from buyers plus it shows that the house has been maintained and cared for. Buyers are more likely to pay more for a property that has already been updated.  Not sure where to update or what to do? This is where your real estate agent and home stager can really come into play.

For example, a new light fixture can make a huge difference in a house.  It gives the whole home a fresh feel and look – opt for a style that works with different decor styles.

8 — Don’t rush:  Prepare yourself & home for the market in advance. Get the little jobs done and listen to your realtor and/or home stager to help you get top dollar.  An incomplete house is exactly that and buyers will not respond in a positive way. Take time to finish up incomplete projects and tackle the to-do list. Painting and small repairs can be set up separately. Whether it is a good time to sell, or there is a lot of competition on the market have a game plan and strategy for peak performance.

The Psychology Behind Home Staging:

'A lot of effort goes into buying a home. Buyers look at countless home listings and make split-second decisions whether to move on or to see it in person. For your home to stand out, it has to feel like home to a potential buyer.  Home staging is art as well as a science. A prospective buyer should be able to visualize how he or she would personalize their new home, so the stage you set should be neutral yet feel personal. Visualization is a key concept in home staging. If buyers can see themselves living there, they will develop a personal connection to the home and will feel good about investing in it.'  Read more about home staging here. 

If you are ready to list and sell your house and would like me to be your agent, you will be given the following: a review of profit goals and in depth research of property and comparisons; in doing so, you will be able to set a profitable and realistic listing price. Next, we will do a complete walk through of the property and you will be given staging advice on how to maximize your homes best features and furnishing placements. We will plan a time in advance for photography & video for print and online marketing. Be ready with a detailed game plan including all of steps of the sale of your home from beginning to end. 

Good luck with your real estate adventures & looking forward to hearing from you!

Shannon Katz, Realtor. c.970-366-7644.  e. shannon.katz@c21circle.com.  w. shannonkatz.c21.com

Personal Statement: My real estate abilities are based on good communications, research, staging, photography & marketing, experience, fluid team work, mutual respect and realistic expectations. 

All information is strictly confidential and never shared. 

#sellmyhome #stagemyhome #sellingmyhome #homeselling #homesellingtips #homestaging #homestagingmistakes #century21circle #spacecoasthomeforsale #homestagingadvice #listingmyhome #diyhomestaging #homesellingstrategy #brevardhomesforsale

Hi there, getting ready to sell your Florida home on the Space Coast? If you pick me to be your agent, this is what you can expect:

First I will do extensive research on your property details and neighborhood market and develop a CMA to get you to the best selling price. We will go over profit goals and find the most profitable and realistic price for your home. 

Will we need to stage your home? We will do a thorough walk thru of your property and you will receive staging advise on how to maximize your homes best features and furnishing placements. Be ready with a detailed game plan including all of steps of the sale of your home from beginning to end. Photography and videography will be uploaded and added for advertising in print and online.

 Then I will then do some solid advertising & marketing. We will get your listing on hundreds of publications, direct mailers, create your own unique website, put the buzz out to hundreds of realtors, email campaigns, gain a ton of exposure with our Century21 website along with my personal websites and other real estate websites and gauge daily activities.

Of course to top it off, we will blast it off on Social Media, google ads. You will get weekly updates & know about your buyer feedback! We want pre-qualified buyers to help get you to the negotiating table. You will be provided with professional and personalized representation.

With Open Houses & Virtual Open Houses, we will make sure that everything is priced and ready for the Peak of Marketing attention.  Let's get your house in front of those buyers looking for your HOME! 

 Being prepared in advance is better than waiting to the last minute to go shopping for supplies and gas. Supplies run low very quickly during this season, so stock up in advance so you can avoid the shopping madness. Remove all objects in the yard that could get damaged or serve as a flying projectile. Secure gas grills as best as possible in a safe place to avoid propane hazards.

Some things to have on hand & ideas for preparation:

Water. One gallon per person, per day (prepare for about a week). I keep about 5 five-gallon buckets of water for washing and fill the tub up.

Rations. Food that does not spoil is your friend. Try to stockpile foods & goods before season (it will get used eventually) don't forget about the fur babies.

Batteries and/or portable power bank outlet for charging phones/computers. A portable li-ion battery would be ideal to have on hand. Batteries for flashlights. Generators are great!

If it looks like a really bad hurricane, it might be best to switch off the main electrical panel to prevent accidental fires.

Candles

First aid kit, medication, sanitary wipes & cleaning supplies

Backpack with clothes/necessities & all-important documentation in a safe water proofed location

Knife, duct tape, garbage bags (for waterproofing or for garbage)

Sand bags for blocking door ways, wood or hurricane shutters for windows

Chainsaw for fallen trees

Some books to help keep calm

Emergency plan of action. Go over plan with family & have a meeting point. Know where closest hurricane shelter is located.

https://www.brevardfl.gov/EmergencyManagement/BePrepared/Step3HaveAPlan/Shelters

After the storm:Avoid all standing water as it could be electrifying. https://www.bulsuk.com/2012/11/electrified-flood-waters-how-to-test.html

Watch for falling tree limbs & downed electrical lines

Rubber boots are a good thing to have if you have to wade through water

Drive slowly and carefully. Sometimes traffic lights are down and sometimes roads are damaged

I like checking out Mikes Weather Page for a more informative analysis of the weather pattern and trends.  Be safe out there!

Shannon Katz, Space Coast Realtor

c. 970-366-7644   e. shannon.katz@c21circle.com   w. shannonkatz.c21.com

#hurricaneprep #floridaweather #floridahurricane #summerstormsFl #emergencysheltersfl #flhurricanprep 

Important things to remember for both sellers and buyers while previewing or conducting an Open House!

 

Open houses may be staged to look like a home decor dream, but don’t let that distract you from the real reason you’re there: to potentially buy a home. Make sure you can look past the neatly arranged furniture and focus solely on whether the house would be a good fit for you and your family. To help, here’s a home buyer’s checklist of things you might have missed at first glance.

Windows – Look specifically if they are facing the right direction to let sunlight in, and whether they open to a nice view (versus directly toward another neighbor’s window). Check to see if they open/close properly. Are they hurriane ready?

Roof- Ask about the age and make. Roofs over ten years might not qualify for insurance. 

Under the Sink Cabinets – Check for possible signs of water damage due to leaky plumbing.

Electrical Outlets – Make sure there are enough outlets for the appliances and other electronics you’ll be using. If not, you can decide if that’s a renovation you’d like to make.

Storage Space – Don’t just look to see if there’s enough closet space, but look for closet placement. Also check that the storage is in a convenient location.

Appliances – If they’re included in the house, make sure they’re in good condition. They should be on and working while you’re there.

Under the Rugs – Lift up any rugs to check the condition of the floor underneath.

Floor Level – Check to see if the floors are level. Place a marble or another small, round object on the floor and see if it rolls consistently in one direction.

Ceilings/Walls- Look for cracks and seams for structural wear and tear as well as water damage. 

Floors- Check for small wood shavings along floors for indications of termites and other bug damage.

Air Conditioner Unit- You would be surprised to see whats in there, so be sure to check it out!

Attic – If the house has one, make sure it’s well insulated.

Doors- Check along outside of doors for water damage and also to see that they close properly. The heat can cause doors to swell and cause them to mall function. 

Water Spouts – Runoff from the gutters should be pointed away from the house, so take a step outside to see if this is the case.

Noise Pollution- Check for noises outside to hear what is going on in the neighborhood. Check it out in the evening as well to be sure this will work for you.

The Yard- How does the grass look? Is the fence in good shape? Walk around to see everything and picture yourself living there and what you would need to do to make it fit your lifestyle. 

If anything is covered up, be sure to check out what is behind or under it and if there are any doubts, follow up with another visit and bring along an expert or two in the field.

Looking forward to hearing from you!Shannon Katz, Realtor® 

At your service,
Shannon Katz, Realtor® 
c. 970-366-7644
e. shannon.katz@c21circle.com
Office: Century 21 Circle
Address: 1090 N Hwy A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903
Website: https://shannonkatz.c21.com

Personal Statement: My real estate abilities are based on good communications, research, expert marketing, experience, fluid team work, mutual respect and realistic expectations. 

All information is strictly confidential and never shared. 

#openhouse #houseforsale #buymyhome #floridarealestate #floridalifestyle #floridahomes #sellmyhome #spacecoasthomesforsale #buyinghomes #sellinghome #listinghome #spacecoastrealestate #spacecoastrealtor #openhousetips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All information is strictly confidential and never shared.

Buyers want to see themselves in your home, creating an inviting warm atmosphere will help. What’s the coziest part of your home?

                                                

                                                           SOME EXCELLENT TIPS FOR SELLERS!!

The TWO BIGGEST FACTORS THAT SELL HOMES are exposure and pricing. 

EXPOSURE: the more people who are exposed to your home, the better chances of finding the right buyer. 55% of buyers who used the internet during their home search ultimately found the home  through the internet. 71% of buyers used their mobile device to search found their home that way. Fortunately with the marketing programs and global reach that the Century 21 Affiliated brand brings to the table, broad exposure is given. 

PRICING: The more accurately your home is priced, the more prospects will be attached to it. We will analyze the local market and understand what value certain features and details should bring. Current market conditions always determine your home's value, and pricing to high or too low can cost you time and money.

The price you want and what the market will pay can be two very different things. Work with the right agent who put's you first, who will market your home effectively with the right equipment.

ACTIVITY VS. TIMING

A property attracts the most attention, excitement and interest from the real estate community and potential buyers when it is first listed on the market. Proper initial pricing helps ensure that your home makes the best 'first impression' and doesn't lose out on this peak interest period. 

 

 

Some other helpful strategies:

Go for a drive during the showings: It makes some people feel uncomfortable. Buyers may suddenly clam up if they feel they’re being watched by a stranger. They are less likely to really take time to go through and appreciate all that your house has to offer and they may walk away with unresolved feelings and you might lose a buyer. 

According to a study done by Michigan State University, a home with landscaping and effort put into curb appeal can increase perceived home value by 5 to 11%. Curb appeal can also sell a home faster. Looks Count! 

Take care of any damages, unfinished projects, consider repainting and let the decluttering begin. Updating kitchens and bathrooms are also a great idea. Make sure that AC unit is working tip top, because it get's really hot here. Put some air fresheners in and really let your home sparkle.

Should I stage my home? A recent survey found that professionally staged homes spent 72% less time on the market, so this may be the way to go.

There are many things to consider, so don't hesitate to call me so we can go over your property and expectations.

Shannon Katz, Realtor

Century 21 Affiliated

c. 970-366-7644

All information is strictly confidential and never shared.