4 Deal Killers for Sellers this winter

1. Cold House

Remember a showing is about both look and feel. If your sellers are the habit of having the heat off when they’re not home, make sure you call or text to remind them to heat it up before home tours. Prospects won’t hang around an unheated home long and this little distraction could cause them to miss a listing’s best features.

2. Pet Pampering

It’s cold outside and that means cats, pups, and other family friends are more likely to be inside with their belongings and “gifts.” When working with winter sellers, come up with a plan early on for what happens to pets during a showing and special checklist to make sure the toys, hair, and other accessories are stored in a way that doesn’t ruin the showing.

3. No Doormat

It seems simple, but this can be big. Whether your clients go all out or not on staging, the doormat is essential for the winter season. They don’t want to return home to traces of their prospects in every room or end up with a showing stain they can’t overcome.

45. Under-Renovating

Winter repairs take more effort than in any other season in most areas. Make sure the cold or changing weather doesn’t deter your prospects from securing a sale. Just as only serious sellers list during the winter, only serious buyers are on the market. Those buyers have plenty of choices and your staging and listing have to be enough to move them off of a very cold fence

7 REASONS TO LIST WITH A REAL ESTATE AGENT

1. Set the right price on your property
2. Effective Home Presentation
3. Gets your home in front of prospective buyers and on many websites
4. Negotiate the buyer's offer
5. Negotiate the Inspection results
6. Makes sure the transaction moves smoothly
7. Get you to the closing table

We have 24 agents ready and willing to help you with all of your real estate needs.  Please call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.  406-248-4409

WHAT PLACE IN YOUR HOUSE DID YOU THINK TO STAGE?

 

No detail is too small for a home buyer. And while you’re making sure the kitchen counters are decluttered and sparkling clean, you might want to take a closer look in the refrigerator too, particularly if it’s staying with the house. The buyer likely will be. And what will they see when they open the doors?

Over-stuffed, sticky shelves? Expired veggies that are growing a friend? Vile smells?

The contents of a seller’s fridge may say a lot about a home owner. It may even have the potential to leave a potential buyer with a negative impression.

The New York Times recently devoted an entire article to a place often overlooked in real estate showings: The refrigerator.

 

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curb appeal is very important

This is something you always hear, and with very good reason. Many people thinking of touring your home will do a quick drive-by first, often deciding on the spot if it is even worth a look inside. Make sure your home is ready to lure in onlookers with these tips:

Power wash siding and walkways

Hang easy-to-read house numbers

Mow lawn

Wash windows

Repaint or stain the porch floor as needed 

Trim shrubs

Vacuuming Tip!

When vacuuming high traffic areas use a criss-cross pattern to remove the most dirt.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

Air Conditioning tips

• Change the air filter once a month. Do not use the ultra-thick, expensive filters because they will restrict air flow and cause the unit to work harder.
• Have the unit maintained twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall
• If the unit ices over from a coolant leak or being clogged with debris, turn off the thermostat and use a water hose to defrost it faster. Once it is defrosted, you can turn it back on for a cool blast while you wait for a repairman.
• If the heating and air company has an unacceptably long waiting list, shop around for someone who can fix it faster or ask for a loaner window unit to stay cool while you wait.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

What is the differemce between list price, sale price and appraised price?

The list price is a seller's advertised price, a figure that usually is only a rough estimate of what the seller wants to get. Sellers can price high, low or close to what they hope to get. To judge whether the list price is a fair one, be sure to consult comparable sales prices in the area. 
The sales price is the amount of money you as a buyer would pay for a property. 
The appraisal value is a certified appraiser's estimate of the worth of a property, and is based on comparable sales, the condition of the property and numerous other factors.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

What foods do I keep on the counter?

Garlic, onions and shallots can be stored on the counter for up to two weeks. Tomatoes, potatoes and winter squash should also be kept in a cool and dry place, instead of the fridge. The right place to keep bananas, citrus and melons is the counter, as well (but, once they are cut, they must be stored in the refrigerator or they will begin to dry out). Bread, cakes and pies must also be kept at the counter (wrap them in plastic after one or two days) for a few days and then moved to the fridge.

Going to sell? Time to get things ready.

Home buyers associate the condition of your lawn and landscaping with the condition of your home's interior.  If you plan to sell your home, you need to make sure that the buyer's first impression of your property is favorable.  You should enhance the yard as follows:

Mow and edge the lawn
Seed, fertilize and weed the lawn
Trim and remove overgrown trees, shrubs and hedges
Weed flower beds
Plant colorful flowers in existing beds
Remove trash
Sweep and weed the street curb along your property

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.  We have 25 agents including the owners in our firm.

GET YOUR HOME READY FOR SUMMER

Vacuum upholstery and pillows. After getting the patio furniture out of storage, vacuum the upholstery to remove dirt and dust.

Clean out rain gutters and storm drains. Removing debris from gutters and storm drains can prevent clogging during storms.

Change out the HVAC filter. Put in a fresh filter at the start of the season to prevent indoor air pollution.

Wash all windows. Since the temperatures are up, this is a great time to get out and clean your windows.

Have your roof inspected. Have your roof inspected for leaks every 3-4 years or more often as it ages.

Clean out dryer vents. This is the perfect time to check your dryer vents to prevent build up.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs

I plan to list my house this spring, what should I do?

• Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc.,

• Check gutters and roof for dry rot and moss. Make sure they are swept and cleaned.

• Look at all plants. Plants are like children, they grow so fast. Prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows.  You cannot sell a house if you cannot see it!

• Remove any dead plants, weed all planting areas and put down fresh mulching material.

• Keep your lawn freshly cut, edged and fertilized during the growing season.

• Clear patios or decks of all small items, such as little planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbeques, toys, etc.

• Check the condition of the paint on your home, especially the trim and the front door. The first impression, or curb appeal, is very important

BILLINGS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

Gallup ranks Billings Number 1 city in job satisfaction and 15th in well being.  Those of us who live here know that this is a great place to live.

We have also set a snow record for the year.  We may hit 100 inches before winter is over.  If you enjoy winter sports they are great this year.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of year real estate needs.

Open houses are starting

Sunday was a great day for an open house with our weather finally being warmer.  Here are some hits for your open house.

-Try not to become emotionally involved when evaluating the condition of your home prior to the open house. .
-Any needed home repairs should be completed before the open house begins.

-Never underestimate the importance of making a good first impression. Many visitors make a decision about the home in the first few seconds.

-It is a good idea to provide cookies, brownies or other snacks for guests at the open house.

-Pets should be kept away from open house visitors. It may be a good idea to have a friend or family member takes care of your pets until the open house is over.
-Be sure to lock up all medications, both prescription and non-prescription. Also be sure to lock up any cash or valuables in the home prior to the open house.
-Make sure that the home is spotless and free of unpleasant odors prior to the open house.

-Be sure the temperature in the home is pleasant. A home that is too hot or too cold can make visitors uncomfortable, and lead them to wonder about the quality of the heating and air conditioning system.
-Always open the curtains and the drapes prior to the open house. This will allow fresh air and sunshine in and help give the impression of a larger space.
-If your home does not have plants, you may want to buy a few before the open house. Plants can provide a warm feel and help make guests at the open house feel more at home.

 

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

Snow, Snow, Snow

We have a lot of snow right now!  If you have your home on the market, it is important to keep the drive and sidewalks clear.  First impressions are important and customers do not like to get all wet trying to get inside your home.  If you do not keep the sidewalks clear then you will also end up with ice, which is an even bigger problem when showing your home.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

Why check the refrigerator?

No detail is too small for a home buyer. And while you’re making sure the kitchen counters are decluttered and sparkling clean, you might want to take a closer look in the refrigerator too, particularly if it’s staying with the house. The buyer likely will be. And what will they see when they open the doors?

Over-stuffed, sticky shelves? Expired veggies that are growing a friend? Vile smells?

The contents of a seller’s fridge may say a lot about a home owner. It may even have the potential to leave a potential buyer with a negative impression.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

Why use summer pictures when selling your home?

Outdoor living spaces are the most attractive home attributes to both men and women: 54% of women and 46% of men said outdoor living spaces like backyards, decks and patios make them fall in real-estate love. In addition, 42% of women preferred open-floor plans, and 40% of men indicated garages.

Nearly 80% of homebuyers first find their home crush on their computer. After that, about one-third then decide to go see the house in person.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs

Will my offer be accepted over any other offers because I expect to pay cash?

Cash is looked at very favorably but not always.  At the closing table all sales are cash to the seller because of some type of financing.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

Do you have secure passwords?

A site that monitors passwords came up with the 25 worst:

Here are the passwords that topped its list:

1. 123456
2. password
3. 12345678
4. qwerty
5. abc123
6. 123456789
7. 111111
8. 1234567
9. iloveyou
10. adobe123
11. 123123
12. admin
13. 1234567890
14. letmein
15. photoshop
16. 1234
17. monkey
18. shadow
19. sunshine
20. 12345
21. password1
22. princess
23. azerty
24. trustno1
25. 000000 

Call Billings Real estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

4 things buyers want in their kitchens

New appliances

Eat-in kitchen

Island

Granite countertops

 

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.