How To Prepare Your Home For Sale In 2024 — A No B.S. Strategy

When preparing your home for sale, there is so much work to do it may feel like a never-ending challenge. 

Let me share with you 8 powerful tips that will not only help you prepare your home quickly and efficiently but also significantly increase your chances of a successful sale. Let’s focus on what’s most important and get you ready for the exciting journey ahead. 

Your dedication to maintaining your home over the years will greatly influence the amount of time and energy you'll need to invest in preparation. Remember, deferred maintenance may require additional resources, but it's all in your hands to get your home ready for potential buyers.

1.) You should consider ensuring all your home systems and appliances, also known as 'mechanicals ', are in good working order. These include your furnace, hot water tank, electrical panel, plumbing, sump pump, and air conditioner.  Believe me, when I say things you might excuse, other people won't. 

2.) Take the time to remove all clutter from every room, every closet, and items on all surfaces, and let’s not forget the basement, the garage, and the attic.  

When I sold my home in 2021 after 22 years and raising eight kids, I put a dumpster in my driveway. I needed more time to sort through everything and figure out what was junk. If I hadn’t seen something in six months, I tossed it. If I thought something was worth keeping, I invited people to pick it up. If an item stayed out for over a day, I threw it in the trash.

3.) Use on-demand handyperson services, similar to how you would use Uber for a ride, to come in and make minor repairs. These services can help you check things like your leaky sinks, pipes under sinks, seals on toilets, gutters, and downspouts, trim back your trees, and check the seals on your windows. Then be sure to have your furnace cleaned, your AC unit serviced, batteries in smoke detectors, clean your gutters, check your sump pump, and make sure that the dirt around your house is sloping away from the house so water does not get into your basement while somebody is looking at your home?  

4.) Now, it’s time to get some curb appeal. There’s nothing like pulling into the front of a home with eager buyer clients only to see that the current owner has not maintained the front of the house. Many markets, which are areas where buyers and sellers meet to trade goods and services, are still 'seller’s markets ', a term used to describe a market condition where there are more buyers than sellers.  The question is who wants to buy a house where it looks like nobody cares about it? I have had buyers waive off seeing a home, based strictly on the outside of the home. If your front door needs to be painted, paint it.  I cannot overstate how important it is to make the exterior of your home look nice and feel inviting.

I want you to add flowers, and it never hurts to be colorful with your floral selections. Trim everything up and keep it neat.

5.) Let’s talk about smells. You may be nose deaf, but the buyers are not. I will suggest you spend the money to get your vents cleaned. Make sure your furniture has been shampooed and smells like brand new. Don’t smoke in your home, even if you are a smoker. And let’s figure out how we can check the pet's smells, especially if you own a kitty.   Remember a person with no animals can smell them the moment they walk in the door.

6.) Remove furniture if your room feels crowded. That’s an austere enough statement: people like open, spacious, clean environments.

7.) The two most important rooms in the house are your kitchen and baths for selling. Please pay close attention to how you present these most important rooms. Most of the time, you don’t have to do the whole room to make your kitchen and bath feel clean, updated, and a space to appreciate. This may sound a little repetitive, but I’m gonna tell you that paint goes a long way. These days, you can paint just about everything, including your countertops, and change the entire look. If you’re the type of person who is more of a DIY,  head over to 'tube university’, for online DIY tutorials, to get ideas.  It is always a great idea to save yourself money if you are skilled enough to do it and have the time.  

8.) Engaging a professional cleaner is the final touch that will make your home feel fresh, smell good, and ready for sale. This step will not only enhance your home's appeal but also boost your confidence in the selling process. Trust me, you’ll feel proud when people walk through your beautifully presented home. 

These are my top eight tips for getting your home together and preparing your house for sale. When selling, your home has become my store, and I want to present the space in the best light possible.

The Golden Hour: Choosing the Best Time to Sell Your House for Maximum Profit

Are you prepared to begin the process of selling your home? One of the most crucial aspects that can significantly impact your success is timing. The real estate market is a complex landscape, and knowing when to put your house on the market can make all the difference in securing the best deal.

The Science of Timing

Selling your home is more than just finding a buyer; it's about finding the right buyer at the right time. While it may seem like an unpredictable task, there are patterns and strategies that can help you navigate the market effectively.

The Golden Hour

Just as photographers aim to capture the perfect shot during the "golden hour" when natural light is soft and warm, sellers should strive to list their homes during the real estate market's equivalent. Research indicates that certain times of the year and even specific days of the week can influence buyer behavior and competition, ultimately impacting your home's perceived value.

Seasonal Strategies

Understanding the seasonal patterns of the real estate market is key. Spring is often considered prime selling season, with buyers eager to make a move before the school year starts. However, depending on your location and property type, there may be hidden opportunities in other seasons. Winter, for instance, can attract serious buyers looking to make a quick decision.

The Seller's Almanac

To increase your chances of success, consider creating your own "Seller's Almanac." Track local market trends, pay attention to economic indicators, and observe how neighboring homes fare in the market. This personalized guide will empower you to make informed decisions about when to list your property for sale.

Timing Triumphs

Selling your home isn't just a transaction; it's a strategic move. Timing triumphs when you align your sale with the broader rhythms of the real estate market. By recognizing the ebb and flow of buyer demand, you position yourself to attract serious offers and maximize your home's value.

Mastering the Clockwork Sale

In real estate, timing is everything. The art of selling involves more than placing a "For Sale" sign in your front yard; it's about orchestrating a seamless and well-timed process. Whether you're planning to sell in the spring, summer, fall, or winter, understanding the nuances of the market's clockwork will set you on the path to a successful home sale.

So, are you ready to master the art of selling? Dive into the intricacies of timing, embrace the golden opportunities, and unlock the potential for a lucrative home sale journey. The clock is ticking—make every moment count!

Are You Tired of High Rents in Central Ohio?

If you are a renter, we know you see the chaos. The rents are skyrocketing to well over $1500 on average per month In Columbus. Landlords are evicting tenants left and right. And, because Franklin County laws are landlord friendly, it only takes three days to get that eviction process rolling. But we believe that chaos can often be the catalyst for some of the best decisions of our lives.

What if you knew that for a home with a price point of $130K, the average monthly mortgage payment is under $1,000 a month? And for homeowners, you’re rarely just getting a home. If you live in a neighborhood of owners, you are also getting a community that takes a vested interested in the neighborhood. You’re usually getting nicer yards, people who keep their eyes on the children and elderly, and people who exhibit a level of respect for the community.

But, even though home ownership sounds like a great solution, we also understand that people who have never purchased a home don’t necessarily know where to start. Maybe some of the real estate lingo is confusing or maybe you don’t know where you stand credit-wise. Maybe you think the process is tedious. You might even think it can never happen for you. We’re here to not only burst your myths wide open, but to help you get to your goal of home ownership.

On Saturday, March 23, 2019, we are holding another “It’s Time To Own It” event it! It’s our exclusive, free seminar and workshop to give you all the tools you need to become a homeowner. We have a roster of professionals that are scheduled to speak including Take A Look Real Estate Broker agents, lenders to discuss credit, title agents and home warranty professionals. We will also give you detailed information concerning the inspection and appraisal processes.

Click here to get registered for the event. Also please share this article and event link with a friend or relative who could use a lifestyle upgrade too. And if you have any questions in the meantime, give us a call at 614-778-8503 and we will be glad to give you more information!

We look forward to seeing you at the event and putting you on the proper path to homeownership. See you there!

Why Agreements in Real Estate are Important

As real estate professionals, our job at Take A Look Real Estate Brokerage is to service our clients needs with professionalism and an attention to their best interests. In order to be as effective as you need and to get the highest quality of service, agreeing to certain standards of dedication is in the best interest of the homebuyer or seller. For some clients, signing agreements doesn’t always make sense to them. In this article, we will explain why an agreement can be your best ally.

First of all, when an agent presents a buyer or seller with an agreement of exclusivity, they are going to bat for their reputation and their diligence in servicing you. They are, in essence, saying that their job is an allegiance to your needs, desires, resources and time. Most agreements specify a time frame that they intend to dedicate to helping you to get what you want and certain actions that they will and won’t take to keep you satisfied and taken care of. By law, it holds them to the fire. It forces them to take initiative to execute and deliver services to you that will help you to buy or sell the right property in the right amount of time.

A buyer-broker agreement is the agent’s promise to give you access to the largest quantity of quality properties that will fit your needs and price point. For a seller, a listing agreement, particularly with Take A Look, is assurance that consideration of your home will be given to qualified, serious prospects and agents that are also bound by the rules of the Columbus Board of Realtors. When our agents are tasked with servicing you, they are tasked with being devoted to protecting your resources while respecting your time.

But an agreement lets our agents know that you are as serious as we are in providing assistance to you. We understand that real estate transactions can be tedious and even scary for people because of the high dollars amounts being transacted. For many, real estate is the most expensive investment and undertaking a person will ever commit themselves to. When you make an official agreement with an agent, you are holding yourself accountable to making a move that can be a positive investment or retrieval of equity for your future.

At Take A Look, our agents are not only licensed, but receive ongoing training, support and resources that make the time that we spend working with you valuable. Our attention to your needs and the details of your transactions are of the utmost importance to us. And our allegiance to the precepts of the Board of Realtors holds us accountable to upholding ethical standards and behaviors.

You can rest assured that when you sign an agreement with an agent with Take A Look Real Estate Brokers, our agents, backed by the brokerage itself, are on your side. If you would like to speak with one of our agents about buying or selling a property, contact us at 614-778-8503. Also follow us here on Facebook for local market info, available listings, property tips and inspiration.

Take A Look Real Estate Has Upgraded: Tour the New Office

The sun is shining on Take A Look Real Estate Broker’s new space!

On January 26, 2019, after a focused vision, some diligent planning and team work, Take A Look Real Estate Brokers unveiled our brand new office space. Situated on a corner lot at 2957 Stelzer Rd., adjoining a quaint veterinarian’s office, we are now open for appointments and walk-ins.

Theresa Barron, broker and visionary, wanted a space that was collaborative, energetic and functional for inspired productivity. With its uplifting color scheme and open feel, customers came alive at the open house. There was great food, music, positivity and lots of valuable information shared with our guests. Agents now have a work environment to grow their businesses at pace that promotes their idea of success. And clients have a place to go to ask questions and solve some of their personal economic concerns.

Because Take A Look offers an array of solutions for Central Ohio residents, the space had to allow for enough working room for agents and staff to assist. As you walk in the office, you are greeted with uplifting colors and New Age decor. There are three workspace areas and a media room for agents to create powerful video content for their social media channels and to close out sound for undistracted phone calls with clients.

There are various services that are being facilitated in our building. With real estate being our main focus, agents support home buyers, sellers and investors in making smart moves with their resources. As the government shut down takes a pause, our certified experts are also processing tax returns for W2 employees and 1099 independent contractors. We also assist clients with the protection of their homes, retirement income and their families through life insurance. We discover your needs and goals to locate the right policies, riders and premiums that fit your lifestyle.

Our office is also a training center for new agents. Through our Platinum Success program, along with our private facebook group and exclusive educational podcast, agents also receive their fast start training in the office and get a front row seat to watch successful, seasoned agents work. We believe that collaborative productivity is the key to success. Now we have an office that will help accelerate these ideals.

You are invited to stop on by, meet the broker and talk to the agents! If you are thinking about buying your first home, our next “It’s Time To Own It” event will take place in our conference room in March and we will put you on the fast track to ownership, starting at whatever income or credit level you are currently. We will meet you where you are and help you prepare for your future.

To get pre-registered for the event, give Theresa a call or shoot her a text at 614-778-8503. Make sure to follow Take A Look Real Estate Brokers on Facebook. Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel to get the most in depth real estate information and Central Ohio market news.

Welcome to the Cool, New, Hip Part of Columbus: Franklinton

WELCOME to COLUMBUS’ NEAR WEST SIDE, FRANKLINTON aka “THE BOTTOMS”...

The New ARTSY, FOODIE, ECLECTIC, LIVE-WORK, CO-OP, PART OF TOWN!

... And then there’s Franklinton. Historically, it’s been a lower economic, underdeveloped space in Columbus real estate, coined “The Bottoms." Franklinton has seen its share of impoverishment. However, it has completely turned around in past few years. It’s been a long gradual process, but clearly evident by what we can see today. Franklinton today is a whole new space, attracting many new creative types to join in the community.

Settled in the 1797, to the East of the Scioto River, Franklinton was never considered a hot spot of the city. Because of its relationship to the river and its past propensity to flood, it has mainly been home to a lower economic group of people. Between the two tragic floods of 1913 and 1959, nearly 30,000 people were left homeless in the neighborhood. Left behind was a hotbed of drugs, crime and prostitution that has continued for a century.

However, things are 180 degrees transformed with the city and residents of Columbus, Ohio forging an innovative path in the business, technology, logistics, and equitable housing sectors. Many Franklinton neighborhoods are experiencing some major changes. Revitalization zones are taking on new life as a younger, more hip crowd moves in.

The city began its’ efforts in 2011 when former Mayor Coleman partnered with the Franklinton Development Association to overhaul the area. The goal has been to build using an outside in approach so as to allow the neighborhood to be an accentuation of the Columbus skyline. Apartment buildings and investment homes were built and refurbished. Vacant buildings have become home to artists and their curated exhibits. As new restaurants and shops have opened, lots of people are now participating in this new Franklinton zone. It has more recently been compared to the Short North!

With a thriving arts community that continues its development in Franklinton, signs of change are everywhere. Since 2008, The Franklinton Arts District has been building a community around arts, including festivals and exhibits, which draw in crowds and marketplace opportunists. One such event, called the Urban Scrawl, is a 2 day arts festival that hosts numerous artists, food trucks, dj’s, and activities for the kids. It is developing into a funky, cooperative, artsy spot just blocks West of our main downtown hub, perfect for art lovers and foodies!

To learn more about the Franklinton area, call or text Theresa at 614-778-8503. If you have any interest in home ownership or investmenting, contact us and we’ll be glad to give you a bird’s eye view, with detailed market place information. Contact here.