Real Estate News And Views

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How to Deal With a Sloppy Neighbor

You're ready to sell your home. You diligently took notes while watching your favorite HGTV real estate programs and repainted your home, added fresh landscaping and even fixed those cracks in the driveway. You feel good, you feel confident. While proudly placing the for sale sign in the yard, you instantly become aware of the eyesore across the street you've grown use to ignoring. Surrounded by overgrown grass, more cars than any family needs and weeks of piled up newspapers, how are buyers going to fall in love with your home when that neighbor is just plain sloppy?

According to the National Association of Realtors, a sloppy neighbor can shave an estimated 10% off (varies from market-to-market) the value of a nearby listing. In fact, it's common for buyers to utilize the eyesore next store as a tool to negotiate a lower price - regardless of the numerous, sparkling upgrades that grace the interior and exterior of your home.

Investigate the situation

What can a seller do in this situation? Although uncomfortable for all parties involved, discussing the issue with your neighbor is one option. The goal is to get a clear picture of who you're dealing with.

According to one California based real estate agent, "Neglected properties likely belong to one of two types of people: those physically or financially unable to keep up with the work and those who purposely buck social norms."

In some situations, your neighbor may be facing a major life change like a divorce or sickness. Gently bringing your concern to their attention and/or offering to help with their exterior restoration might do the trick. The idea is to focus on your neighbor and not make it about your hopeful sale.

Some branches of the National Association of Realtors have funds set aside to assist older or immobile homeowners with maintaining the outside of their homes. Talk to a local, licensed real estate professional and see if their branch supports this program.

Enlist the help of a higher power

If your attempts to reason with your sloppy neighbor fail, you may need to review municipal laws managed by your local building or health departments.

Laws will vary, but some areas charge large fines for things like keeping piles of wood around that may attract animals, while others areas enforce strict anti-rooster ordinances. Consult your city's website to see if your situation is listed.

Keep in mind that getting the attention of your local government can be a tricky, drawn-out situation. However, if your neighbor's neglect has reached dramatic proportions, it's certainly worth a shot.

Special situations call for special buyers

Your sloppy neighbor won't budge and their not quite infringing on any municipal laws. Now what? Carefully audit the area you live in.

Is your neighborhood changing? Maybe older shopping centers are being renovated to include popular dining spots or homes in your area range from run down, to remodeled, to being completely knocked down. These factors can attract a specific kind of buyer who's looking for a project and sees the value in an evolving community.

If this is the case, shift your focus from your sloppy neighbor to a strategic marketing plan. Promote the "uniqueness" of your community. Check with your city's building department and see if any exciting projects, like the creation of a new sports park, are in the queue. Along with professional photos of your well-kept home and details of its cared for amenities, include a positive spin on your area's neglected spots and you just might attract the kind of buyer willing to overlook your sloppy neighbor.

A professional opinion counts

No matter what tactic you use to deal with the eyesore next store, consult a licensed real estate agent who specializes in your area. Many agents have experienced this situation, can guide you as to your best course of action and have the right connections to the kinds of open-minded buyers you'll need in order to move on.

By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.realestatelicense.com

Labels: How to sell your home

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8 Ways to Sell Your Home Faster

In some real estate markets, the number of active listings dramatically increases every week. As a seller, how do you plan on making your home stand out among the thousands of available properties? Don't fall into the category of stumped sellers whose properties linger on the market for months to come. Check out these 8 helpful tips and maybe even get the fair selling price you desire!

1) Complete that nagging "to do" list - Most sellers have a list of items that could use a little polishing, or perhaps, an entire overhaul. Take the time to replace a ripped window screen, add a fresh coat of paint or replant colorful flowers. Simple touches like these can add thousands of dollars to your bottom line.

2) Get inspected - Pre-sale inspections aren't extremely common, but what a way to show hesitate buyers that your home is in top form, especially if the report is made available during open houses. On the other hand, discovering potential problems ahead of time will allow you to handle them without scaring off your potential buyer.

3) Get rid of clutter - Does your front lawn come complete with ceramic garden gnomes or does your kitchen table look like scrap booking central? If so, this suggestion is for you! Potential buyers want to imagine themselves in your home, but if it's cluttered with too much stuff, it's an instant turn-off. Pack it away!

4) Create a neutral palette - After getting rid of clutter, a seller must depersonalize their home. Items like family photos or personal collections should also be packed away. A seller can benefit by replacing strong wall colors, wallpapers and other decorative preferences with a neutral shade. For example, maybe that pink carpet called out to you at the time, but it could repel potential buyers not interested in making the extra investment to change it. Your agent can provide the best advice and suggest a staging expert if necessary.

5) Clean like never before - Remember, you want potential buyers to walk in and instantly imagine their new lives unfolding. However, if the baseboards are filthy, the stove reveals residue from last night's dinner or the smell of fluffy the cat lingers in the air, your home may drive buyers away. Create a thorough cleaning checklist and perform each duty no less than once a week. If it's within your budget, consider hiring a professional cleaning service.

6) First impressions - Are you losing potential buyers before they even get to your front door? These days, most buyers are beginning their home search on the web. Make sure your home stands out by posting quality photos. Those important photos will capture your hard work at removing clutter, depersonalizing and creating an inviting neutral space that will surely intrigue a buyer to inquire further information.

7) Pick the right licensed agent - Working with an agent? Choose wisely! Ask friends, family and coworkers if they have any references for top agents. Do your homework, visit websites and find out which agents know your community best. The agent you choose should not only present extensive market knowledge, but must also be honest and personable towards all parties involved.

8) Set a fair price - Do you know what the comparable home sales in your area are for the last six months? What about the average days-on-the-market? This kind of data is essential to pricing your home fairly and competitively. Check out sites like www.trulia.com for estimates or consult a licensed agent who has access to market software.

By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.realestatelicense.com

Labels: How to sell your home