how to sell my home Archives - Holli McCray Home Marketing Group

3 Smart Home Improvement Projects

Written By: Holli McCray

Most people take on home improvement projects for 2 reasons… The first is to improve their living situation. This can be something as simple as painting a few walls to as extensive as adding on an addition to accommodate more living or working space. The other motivation behind most home improvement projects is to improve the resale value of one’s home. A smart investment in updating and remodeling a home can yield thousands in additional profit at the closing table.

That said, it’s important to make sure that the improvements you’re making to your home fit the current trends buyers are looking for when purchasing a home. New home improvement trends occur every few years… Knowing these trends cannot only create a wonderful space for you to enjoy but can also put your home at the top of buyers’ lists when it comes time to sell.

Finish and Remodel The Basement

Livable basement space is in high demand these days. A space for the kids to play away from the adults, a quiet place for a home office, or a dark spot to watch a family movie are all high on many homebuyers’ “wish lists”. When finishing/remodeling your basement, the added value, and benefit typically outweigh the costs to complete. Before you get started, make sure that your basement is encapsulated and/or sealed before adding any drywall to avoid any moisture buildup that could result in mold growth.

Other things to consider are replacing the electric wiring and ensuring that it is up to date. Adding a light neutral paint color can bring a bright and spacious feel. Use light fixtures that match the rest of the home. Designer carpet squares, stained concrete, and engineered hardwood are all in demand right now and can offer a high-end elegant look for your basement.

Basement remodel projects can take months to complete, but it adds an unbeatable resale value and provides countless options for enjoyment inside your home.

Update and Maintain Your HVAC

HVAC is your home’s heating, cooling, and ventilation system. When done correctly, it keeps your home’s interior temperature at an efficient and accurate level. It will also keep from paying unnecessary utility costs to properly heat and cool the home. When it comes to selling your home, a new and/or properly maintained HVAC system will provide reassurance to the buyer that they won’t be inheriting any expensive issues when they move in. The problem is that most people don’t check on these issues, and it causes the HVAC system to deteriorate faster and not work properly. That said, if you have a system that is more than ten years old, we highly recommend upgrading your HVAC to a new more efficient system.

When it comes to your home’s ductwork, having it cleaned routinely can not only improve the longevity of your system, you will also have cleaner air running through your home. For those who have allergies, this should absolutely be part of your home maintenance plan.

If you do decide to install a new system, choose one with a high energy-efficient rating, confirm it’s the right size, and add a heat pump. If you choose a unit that is too tiny, it will have to work harder to reach the right temperature, which will reduce the life of the unit and cause frustration when your home isn’t remaining at the desired temperature. Additionally, units that are too large will cause you to have higher utility costs that are not necessary.

From a resale standpoint, homebuyers may not notice a new cabinet, but they will notice an old HVAC system, and it can cost you top-dollar. While being a more expensive project, installing a new HVAC system generally adds substantial value to a home.

Proper Insulation

Insulation is a crucial component for every house. Adding the proper insulation remains one of the best and easiest home improvement projects that homeowners should complete to add value and quality to their home. Though the costs of proper insulation have risen recently, it will save you loads of money in reduced energy costs. In a single year, you can save hundreds of dollars in utility expenses!

There are many different areas of a house to insulate properly though the most common are the basement, exterior doors, and attic. Pay close attention to the R-value of your insulation. The R-value is how much your insulation will resist heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the more effective the insulation. Foam insulation is also recommended, especially in attics because it is very energy efficient and is water-resistant if you happen to have any moisture in the attic. For those who have stone and mortar walls (particularly in the basement), polyurethane foam is best on these types of surfaces.

When you go to sell your home, make sure to mention that you have energy-efficient insulation installed in the marketing. This will not only make your home more appealing to homebuyers but will also help them justify paying a higher price.

If you need help completing any home improvement projects, don’t hesitate to contact us. Over the years, we have vetted dozens of contractors, so we can recommend a reliable company to work with.

And if you need some guidance on what home improvement projects make sense for your home in today’s market, we’re happy to help! We can provide some ideas that will improve your home’s resale value even if you aren’t planning to sell right now.

Home Staging Tips To Help Sell Your Home

Maximize the appeal of your home…

What is Home Staging?

Home staging is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money. –Wikipedia

Home staging, when done correctly, is a valuable tool that can lead to more money in your pocket at the closing table. Whether you do it yourself or hire a home staging company, you absolutely MUST invest some time (and possibly money) into staging your home for sale. Trust us, you’ll be happy with the outcome!

Should I Hire a Professional Home Stager?

There are definite benefits to hiring a professional to help stage your home. Aside from making your home look better in photographs and open houses/showings, the return on this investment will be seen in the price that your home commands when the offers start coming in. Here are a few reasons why you should consider a home staging consultant or company:

Perspective – A professional does not have the same personal attachment to your belongings and furniture and will be able to create a clear and defined “look” that is more attractive to buyers and less personalized to your taste. The goal will be to create a look that speaks to your home as a whole, not just one room at a time.

Experience – Reputable home stagers are very good at their jobs and have most likely done it for a long time. Not only do they know exactly what to do, but they will also be able to get your home ready to bring buyers in faster than you’d expect. The home stager’s expertise in traffic/crowd flow and design fundamentals lend themselves to success when attempting to get top-dollar.

Resources – A professional home stager will know exactly what they need to improve your space, and exactly where to get it. From furnishings to art, an expert stager will acquire everything needed to make their vision a reality and get positive feedback from potential home buyers.

DIY Home Staging – Where to Begin?

Contrary to popular belief, home staging does not require a huge investment but it will take some time if you’re doing it yourself. These simple tips can be very helpful to get your home market-ready:

Clean & De-clutter – This tends to go without saying. Perform a deep cleaning of your home that includes the insides of cabinets and closets and all those corners you tend to ignore. Put personal items away in storage boxes and try to maintain a neutral look that isn’t overly tied into your personal tastes.

Make it Cozy – Home staging is successful when potential buyers can already envision themselves living in the space. Set the table, bake some cookies, and place fresh flowers around the home to give it a warm, happy atmosphere. Be sure that lighting around the home is adequate and always open the blinds/curtains for showings. A clean and well-lit home that smells nice is always more appealing than the alternative.

Furniture and Walls – Move furniture away from the walls to make each room appear larger. Consult the web if you need some inspiration! Opening the space will help the flow through your home and make it seem less “boxed-in.” A new coat of paint is also not a bad idea, keeping in mind that neutral colors always work best.

HMG works with some great local home stagers, so hen you’re ready to sell your Knoxville-area home, contact us so we can help you get started on the path to home selling success!

How To Sell A Home With Pets

4 Tips for Selling a Home With Pets

We love our furry family members, and apparently so doesn’t the rest of the country. Recent surveys by the Humane Society of the United States show that approximately 79.7 million households in the U.S. own pets. Are you one of them? If so, it may take a few extra steps before selling your home, but the payoff will be well worth it. Your Mission: Eliminate any and all evidence that a pet lives in the home for open houses, showings and listing photos.

Start Outside

The inside of your home may be top of mind when trying to keep everything looking presentable for potential buyers, but don’t forget the outside! Dog owners — you know what we’re talking about! Be sure all evidence of the dog is gone. That means picking up all dog waste (yes, even at the very back of your property line). The last thing anyone wants is a big mess on their shoes while touring your home. Also, remember to collect any dog toys, water bowls, leashes, and even consider moving an outdoor doghouse into storage temporarily.

If You Can Smell It, You Can’t Sell It

Let’s talk pet odor. There is nothing that can kill a showing faster than the smell of a cat litter box, wet dog, or pet dander. Addressing the odors from pets is essential to selling your home in the least amount of time for the most money. Masking pet odor with an air freshener, essential oils or candles is a band-aid is typically not a great solution. It’s time to call in the professionals for a deep cleaning if the pet smell is coming from carpets or furniture. If you’re unable to find a temporary spot to keep your feline when potential buyers are visiting, clean the litter box prior to a showing and dispose of the waste in an outdoor trash receptacle to manage the odor.

Hide the Evidence

Family pets leave a trail of evidence in their wake. Eliminating pet hair and dander from furnishings, upholstery and carpets before a showing or open house is key. Run the vacuum over every single surface with pet hair. Additionally, put your pet’s belongings away. That means food bowls, beds/furniture, toys and leashes. Also consider that your pet may have done damage to the home, so fixing such items is paramount. Inspect doors for scratches and, of course, carpet stains which fall into the “odor” category above. For more tips on keeping your home clean with pets, you may also enjoy these tips from Martha Stewart. (http://www.marthastewart.com/894553/clean-house-tips-pet-owners#396448)

Relocating your pet during a showing is the ideal situation. Contact a local pet boarding facility before you put your home on the market to determine if that will be a good fit for you and your pet. Or, contact a neighbor or friend/family member to see if they can keep your pet during showings when possible. If you must keep an animal in the home while potential buyers are present, be sure it’s safely confined to an area where it cannot escape or make contact with the people coming in and out of your home. A pet crate in the garage works well, or a dog run in the backyard if it still allows for the property to be viewed completely. Whatever location you choose, try to make your pet as comfortable as possible to minimize stress and anxiety.

Insurance

It doesn’t hurt to double check your homeowner’s insurance policy and be sure there is adequate coverage in case of an accidental dog bite or injury while someone is touring your home. Believe it or not, this DOES happen from time to time.

Thinking about selling your home in the Knoxville, TN area? The expert staff at The Holli McCray Group is always available to answer questions you may have about getting your home ready to put on the market. Feel free to contact us directly or or find out what your home is worth today.