Sunrise Homes & Renovations, Inc.

Selling Your Home This Autumn? Try Boosting Your Curb Appeal with These Inexpensive Upgrades

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Selling Your Home This Autumn? Try Boosting Your Curb Appeal with These Inexpensive UpgradesCurb appeal is the first impression that your home will have on potential buyers, so it’s important to make it a good one. Try these simple budget upgrades to give your home the “WOW” factor that buyers are looking for!

Crystal Clean

As simple as it sounds, it is extremely important to make sure that your house is nice and clean on the outside. This is overlooked by sellers more than you’d think as they become so focused on perfecting the inside of their home that they forget about the exterior!

Dirt streaks running down stucco or siding give the impression that your home isn’t well kept, and smudges on windows will prevent them from sparkling in the sun. Remember: you want your home to be their dream home. Spruce up the outside to impress buyers before they even set foot in the door.

Knock Knock

Another important design feature of your outer home is the front door as it is one of the only features of the exterior that buyers will be forced to look at up-close. A new door will not only look great from the curb, the details of its quality will inevitably be seen by anyone who enters the home. Make sure your door is in tip top shape before you start your showings!

Raise The Roof!

If your roof isn’t in good condition;or looks like it isn’t in good condition, then upgrading it is an absolute must. Most buyers are quickly turned off when they see a roof that’s in poor condition because it can be an expensive fix. It’s important that when buyers first see your home they don’t see more dollar signs than they expected.

Fantastic Furniture

Patio furniture is an easy and inexpensive way to differentiate your home from the rest! Add a pop of color to a neutral-colored house by placing vibrant chairs and planters on the front porch as featured pieces, or add a cute table and chairs to your lawn to show how useful the space can be.

That being said, be careful not to overdo it, as too much patio furniture or potted plants may give the illusion that your home is cluttered, which is a major no-no in the real estate world.

Need more advice on how to better prepare your home for a sale? Contact your local trusted real estate professional today.

Don’t Even Think about Selling Your Apartment or Condo Without These Key Renovations

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Don't Even Think about Selling Your Apartment or Condo Without These Key RenovationsFail to complete these renovations before selling your condo and you may be missing out on huge profit gain! Don’t sell yourself short, tackle these reno projects before your home hits the market to maximize offers.

#1: Is It Time To Paint?

Painting is one of the most cost effective ways to make a property look newer, bigger, and brighter. Scuff marks and scratches are one of the most common types of wear-and-tear, but they’re also a huge turn-off to buyers, which makes this easy renovation is a no-brainer. Choose paint colors that are neutral to ensure that they’re adaptable to the wide variety of interior design preferences that your potential buyers will have.

#2: Let There Be Light(ing)!

Old light fixtures can not only bring down the aesthetic appeal of your condo, they can also give it a gloomy vibe. Adding new light fixtures to your home will brighten the space and provide it with more vibrant energy while also increasing the modernity of its design. Now that’s a bright idea!

#3: How Is Your Flooring?

Flooring is another design element that can easily make an old unit look more modern, especially if your condo is carpeted. By replacing the floors you can also avoid the possibility of a buyer trying to deduct the cost of floor replacement from your sale price, which would most likely outweigh the cost of doing your own reno in advance.

#4: Spruce Up The Kitchen With New Counters

Changing kitchen countertops is one of the effective ways to spruce up an outdated kitchen. Since countertops are so large the eye is drawn to them immediately, making them a key design factor. Many modern buyers prefer high quality stone such as granite or marble, though there are many stylish options to choose from if visual appeal is what you’re after. Add new countertops to give your condo that “WOW” factor and you’ll instantly tack on extra value to your property.

#5: Don’t Forget Your Balcony!

Balconies are often overlooked when it comes to condo showings, so if you choose to pay attention to this significant detail you’ll not only stand out from the competition but will also showcase an important selling feature of your home. Dress the balcony to show its functionality: does it fit a BBQ, table and chairs, lounge chair, planter? Adding some furniture will show the possible uses of the space, making it more valuable to potential buyers.

Ready for a successful condo sale? Contact your trusted real estate professional today for further advice.

Trying to Decide Whether or Not to Sell Your Home? Here Are 5 Key Questions to Ask Yourself

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Trying to Decide Whether or Not to Sell Your Home? Here Are 5 Key Questions to Ask YourselfSelling a home, especially one with sentimental value, is never an easy decision to make. There are many factors that go into determining if the home is ready to be listed and if the seller is actually ready to part with it.

Answering some simple questions can go a long way to help an owner decide whether or not it’s time to try and sell.

How Much Work Does The Home Require?

Some houses and condos are ready to hit the market immediately, but others have serious problems that would need to be disclosed to interested parties. It may not be wise to try and sell until all major issues are repaired.

What Is The Market Like In The Area?

Have similar homes in the neighborhood been selling quickly for a lot of money or have they been sitting on the market for years with no buyers? Any seller should look into the current market trends in their community to determine how much they would be able to sell for so they don’t lose money on the transaction.

When Is The Best Time To Sell?

Every city is different and the time of year can have a major impact on the market. A local real estate agent will have a strong comprehension of the best time of year to list the home, which could provide some valuable time to get it ready.

Will You Be Happier In A New Home?

Sometimes deciding to sell a home can become so overwhelming that people forget to ask themselves whether or not they will be happier in a new home. If the answer is a resounding ‘yes’ then there should be no question about selling.

Should A Real Estate Agent Be Involved?

It may seem easier for sellers to eschew the services of an agent to save a little money, but the nightmare that can follow without the assistance of somebody who has the time and experience to show and promote the home may not be worth it. Talk to local real estate professionals to see if there are any that feel like a good fit.

If you have been debating selling your home but still aren’t sure whether or not it’s the right time, speak with a local real estate agent. They will be able to walk you through the process and provide some insight about what you should expect.

3 Tips That Will Help You Sell Your Home in 60 Days or Less

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3 Tips That Will Help You Sell Your Home in 60 Days or LessIt doesn’t matter where you live, what kind of home you have or what time of year it is. If you’re looking to sell your home quickly, you’ll need to do a better job than other local homeowners who are competing against you. Try these top three tips to secure a sale within 60 days.

1) Enhance Its Appearance

When it comes to selling your home, looks are everything. If the appearance of your home is impressive, it will be more inviting to potential buyers. Remove any items that make the home distinctly yours, such as family photos, kids’ toys, or personal items. Ensure that every space is meticulously clean and clutter free to demonstrate that it is a well-kept property.

It is also extremely beneficial to neutralize the design of your home. Maybe you love the red walls in your living room or the fluffy pink area rug in your bedroom, but this doesn’t leave much room for others’ imagination. Make your home a blank canvas upon which buyers can project their own idea of a dream home.

2) Price Wisely

While everyone would love to sell their property for more than market value, inflating your asking price could delay a sale. Research the asking prices of comparable properties in your neighborhood and consult a reputable real estate professional for advice.

There are several other strategies you can use to price your home for a quick sell. Psychologically, certain prices are more attractive to buyers even if there’s marginal difference; a home priced at $599,000 is more attractive than a home that’s priced at $600,000. Although there’s marginal difference between these two prices, the home that’s priced just under the century mark will likely sell quicker.

3) Go The Extra Mile

One of the best ways to make your home stand out from the competition is to offer something that no one else is. Whether it’s high quality photos or a video tour of your home, your listing can provide viewers with a unique look at your property that encourages them to become attached to it right away.

Several other incentives can be offered to help you close quickly, such as including home appliances and transferring your warranties over to the buyer. You can also offer to cover their closing costs, either partially or fully, which is another financial perk that will set your home apart from the rest. Everyone likes a gift-with-purchase, but few sellers offer them.

Need more advice on how to sell your home within 60 days? Speak to your trusted real estate professional today to learn more about custom solutions for selling your home.

Pocket the Profits: The Secrets to Selling Your Home above the Asking Price

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Pocket the Profits: The Secrets to Selling Your Home above the Asking PriceWe all want to sell our homes at above asking price, but what is it that makes a seller succeed at this? Here’s our expert advice on how you can sell your home above the asking price.

Ask For Less

You may be surprised, but pricing your home lower than market value can have an extremely positive effect on the offers you receive. This is because a low-priced listing will stand out and will draw more attention, which boosts your chance of a bidding war.

By attracting more buyers to come and look at your home, you will find more buyers who are willing to make an offer on your property. When they view your home they will see its true market value, and are then more likely to make a higher offer in hopes of outbidding others. It’s all about creating hype, and a low asking price will do just that.

Wait It Out

While it may be tempting to accept the first offer that comes along, in some cases, it may be better to wait and see what other offers come in. If you accept the first offer on your property you have closed the door to competition.

Consider Who You’re Selling To

Is your home better suited towards traditional buyers, or is it a valuable property for investors? If your home could easily be renovated and flipped, has high potential as an income property, or is in an up-and-coming neighborhood, it may be better marketed as an incredible investment property.

Investors expect a return on the money that they spend so are often more willing to make a higher offer – they know those funds will come right back to them.

Rock Your Renos

There are several simple renovations that can add a huge amount of value to your home. The return on investment for a few small upgrades is often very worthwhile when your goal is to receive more than asking price.

Make sure the flooring, kitchen, and bathrooms in your home are updated and appealing, and if not, consider upgrading these areas first. If you’re targeting investors, adding an income suite to your property may be the best investment you can make. Consider which kind of buyer you’re targeting and what areas of your home need the most TLC, and choose accordingly. Speak with your trusted real estate professional today to learn more.

Selling Your Home? Here’s Why You’ll Want to Keep Your Emotions out of It

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Selling Your Home? Here's Why You'll Want to Keep Your Emotions out of ItSelling your home can be an extremely emotional process, but it’s important that you don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Learn which common mistakes emotional sellers make when selling their home so that you can identify them during your own sale and overcome them before it’s too late.

Price Paralysis

You love your home, you know the value it provides to its owner, and you think it’s special compared to other houses on the market… and that it should be priced as such!

Be wary of this thought pattern though, as sellers who are emotionally attached to their home tend to overprice their listing, ignore market data, and be stubborn in negotiations.

It is perfectly normal for your emotions to cloud your judgement when first listing, but it is important that you listen to your real estate agent’s advice and stick to reason, or you may find your home failing to close.

Pricing Based On Need

Your home has a market value, and you can’t ignore that. It’s a fact.

When moving to a new property, it is essential that you understand that you cannot price your current home based on the amount of money you need to purchase your desired next home. This mindset is unrealistic, and can drag out your home sale.

If the purchase of a new home is contingent upon how much you make from selling your current home, be sure that you do not celebrate too early. Wait until you have closed the deal before gauging what you can afford to buy next, or stick to a property that is definitely within your budget.

Maintain An Open Mind

While you may love the way your personal items and interior design pieces make your home feel, it is best to stage your home very impersonally for showings. This may require re-painting rooms to more neutral tones, taking down your favorite family photos, and using professional staging furniture rather than your own. Doing so isn’t admitting that you have bad taste, but rather accepting that buyers have a wide variety of taste themselves, and you want to appeal to them all.

You should also keep an open mind when it comes to who you sell your home to. You may have an idea of what you consider to be the perfect buyer, but ultimately the goal is to sell your home. What the buyer does with it after the fact is up to them.

To avoid these emotional home-seller mistakes, work with your trusted real estate professional who can guide you through the process and keep you on the right track.