Divorce is probably not the topic that most people wish to discuss. But did you know that statistics show that from January to March, the divorce rate rises? It is said that the U.S. divorce filings increase by 33% in January. So much that the month of January is known as “divorce month” in legal circles. There are many theories behind this long standing phenomenon. Some say that it is because people do not want to divorce during the holidays. Divorce filings also rise as the economy improves. This is because many couples who could not afford to live on their own find that they can once the economy improves. If there is a family home involved, this also often necessitates the sale of that home sometimes to further reduce expenses or sometimes just so that all parties can obtain a fresh start with fresh memories. But is it possible to sell your home during a divorce AND keep your sanity?

No doubt, the sale of the family home can be a very emotional time, even under happier circumstances, but emotions tend to run at an all time high during a divorce. Such factors create a situation where the right intermediary is extremely important. The short answer to the question is, “Yes, it is possible to sell your home during a divorce and keep your sanity.” Hiring the right Real Estate professional is crucial. Real Estate professionals who work with divorcing homeowners must possess key skills that help mediate and move the transaction along simultaneously.

 

 

Have you ever heard the adage, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it”? Home sellers would do well to keep this adage in mind when preparing to price their home to sell. What is key is to actually price it to SELL. I thought hard about this today as I finished showing my clients a few homes. After spotting a new listing that I realized was overpriced by a cool $80,000, I actually became a little concerned. I became concerned that this miseducation is part of the reason the real estate market has gone topsy-turvy.

An overpriced seller sends a message to buyers whether they realize it or not. The messages that a buyer leaves with are one or a few of the following:

1. I am just testing the market and want to see if I can actually get this amount.
2. I am underwater and need to sell at this amount so I do not have to complete a short sale.
3. I am not educated on the market and therefore have no idea what I am asking.
4. I am unreasonable and will probably be very difficult to work with.

Once a buyer believes that one or any mix of these messages are what the seller intends to convey, then a typical buyer will react in the following manner:

1. I will not look at this home because it is too expensive for the current market. (This means the seller will have fewer showings as a result. Fewer showing men less exposure and less exposure means less offers.)
2. I have looked at the home and even though it is nice, I do not want to make an offer because I am afraid the seller would be offended by my offer.
3. I believe the seller is being unreasonable and will probably be too difficult to work with (See number 4 above).
4. I will just go put an offer in on the same home down the street that is priced for the current market. (Mr. Seller your neighbor now thanks you for helping him sell his home).

Remember, much is said without actually using the exact words. When a homeowner means to convey a message that they want to sell and they want to strike a win-win deal, then they will price according to fair market value. Once that message is clearly conveyed, the buyers will pour in and there will be a sale that pleases everyone involved!

 

A- Announce to the world that your home is for sale. Some sellers insist that they do not want a sign in the front yard or they do not want to tell their friends and family that their home is for sale. Homes often sell simply due to word of mouth and often to friends that want to live in the neighborhood. Don’t keep it a secret!

B- Baking cookies or bread just before a home showing is a great way to entice a buyers senses and create a sense of hominess. When buyers walk in and smell fresh baked treats their faces seem to light up.

C- Curb appeal will bring buyers knocking. If the home looks good on the outside, buyers will desire to see the inside. A home lacking curb appeal will lose many potential buyers even if the inside looks nice.

D-Decks make for great places to showcase. If you have a deck, balcony or patio be sure to decorate it and give buyers a sense of how they could

E- Eradicate any unnecessary items from the home. The way we live in a home is not the way that we sell a home. Dispose of any extra newspapers, magazines, firewood piles, etc. Think clean lines and a less is more attitude when it comes to selling your home.

F- Finish any half-completed projects around the home before home showings begins. It is better for a buyer to see a completed home improvement than have to  envision what the home improvement will eventually look like.

G- Garages do not need to be immaculate but they should be able to be accessed by buyers and a buyer should be able to walk though the garage with a fair amount of ease to get a sense of the space.

H- Home really is where the heart is. But remember, potential buyers must be able to picture themselves in your home. This means a pictures of you and your family will not help them. De-personalize the space by clearing family photos, momentos, etc. Create a clean, inviting space that allows them to place themselves in this setting.

I- Inviting, cozy spaces help sell a home. Pick one area of your home that you could spruce up and make a relaxation zone. This is a sure way to help a buyer feel like your home is a great home.

J- Judge the overall appearance of your home with the most objective eye possible. Start at your front door and walk through each room paying close attention to details.

K- Keys and locks should be in good working order. Make sure that the locks do not stick. There is nothing worst than buyers being unable to see a home because the agent just could get the key to turn or did not know how to “jiggle the key just right.”

L- Let plenty of light into the home during the day and turn on all the lights indoor and outdoors at night. No one wants to buy a bat-cave.

M- Mirrors, glass and  should sparkle at all times. A quick wipe of the bathroom mirrors daily with a little glass cleaner will help your home show better.

N- No dirty dishes in the sink, on the counters or on the stove. A sparkling clean kitchen is sure to appeal to more buyers.

O- Open houses are a good avenue to present the home to potential buyers, but an invitation only open house is even better for vetting out potential buyers that are great potential candidates for purchasing the home.

P- Prevent any issues with pets by posting helpful reminders near the exit doors to remind buyers that there are pets at the home. Should you have indoor pets that need to stay inside be sure to remind

Q- Quintessential touches such as creating the perfect dressing table at the bathroom vanity, or creating a dressing area in a large walk in closet create an allure of high end quality.

R- Remember all the little things that made you want to buy your home initially and play up those features. If they made you fall in love with your home, they might do the same for potential buyers.

S- Surrender yourself to your Real Estate agent once you have selected someone that you trust. They are there to help you make the best decisions regarding the sale of your home.

T- Take time to add a few extra touches such as fresh flowers or candles. They add to the ambience and warm feeling of the home.

U- Understand the current Real Estate market. It is cyclical and home values change regularly. Keep abreast of the changes with the help of your Real Estate agent.

V- Views of the mountains, lakes, hills etc. should all be showcased and played up. If you have a fabulous view of something that is hiding behind a window covering, think about removing the window covering or at least ensuring that the view is unobstructed. Views sell homes. However, if your home has a view of something less desirable, such as a brick wall, keep it closed up tight.

W- Wicker baskets are a home sellers friend. Get a few wicker baskets of various sizes with lids to stash around the house. When you get a last minute home showing and the house is a little disheveled, you can simply dump things in the baskets, close the lids and you are ready to show your home. The baskets can be left out since they are decorative in nature.

X- Xeriscaping is a great idea for any little outside areas that may need some greenery.  Xeriscape is landscaping with plants and hardscape that reduce the need for supplemental water and irrigation. It’s a great way to sell home buyers on beautiful, low maintenance grounds.

Y- Your home will sell in a shorter amount of time for a higher sales price if you have the home in tip top condition and price it within the range of recent sales. Having a licensed Realtor prepare a Comparative Market Analysis will assist you in ensuring that you are placing a well priced product on the market.

Z- Zealous efforts to thoroughly prepare your home before putting it on the market will pay off handsomely. Take care of those little repairs that you have been putting off. While those little items may have become barely noticeable to you, potential buyers will spot them right away. Taking care of them now, will out more money in your pocket in the end.