Real Estate Information Archive

Are you ready to make the transition to a new home? Or at least take a few steps to get there?

If so, you’ll need to think about selling your current property, and you’re probably hoping to get the best price possible. 

Renovations can be a great value booster. The right changes appeal to buyers and help you make a great return on your investment.

Here are four ways you might want to renovate before selling.

• Fresh Paint Job: A new coat of paint is one of the most affordable renovations — and you can even do it yourself. Uplifting colors, like taupe or soft teal, can make a room look brighter. Remember that the more neutral the area, the easier it is for buyers to picture themselves living there.
  
  
• Countertops and Light Fixtures: If you want to make your home look new without undergoing a full remodel, updating the countertops and light fixtures can work wonders. Similar to paint colors, it’s best to stick with simple styles.
  
  
• Break-Even Remodel: Did you know the kitchen and bathrooms are the most important parts of the house? To interest buyers, consider a break-even remodel in these lived-in spaces. If the cabinets and floors are outdated, try low-cost upgrades (like new hardware) so the rooms look more modern.
  
  
• Market Trends: Before deciding which renovations to make, check out the latest trends in home design. Choosing improvements based on what’s popular can help your house stand out to buyers — both online and in person.

Preparing your home to sell is easier with an experienced professional in your corner. To learn more about value-adding renovations, or to start looking for a new property, get in touch today.

When you’re buying or selling a home, the finances, the inspections, and all the other nitty gritty details are important. But at the end of the day, you’re a buying a home from — or selling a home to — another human being. Making a kind gesture can go a long way in terms of enticing a seller to choose you or incentivizing a buyer to select your property. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here are some ways to show buyers or sellers some love. 

If you’re trying to buy a home — especially in a competitive real estate market, and especially if you’re making an offer under asking price — you could provide the seller with an offer letter that waives a few contingencies. For example, waiving your inspection contingency or at least shortening it will tell the seller that you’re serious and willing to take this risk. Your offer will stand out as one that can get done quickly and hassle-free. I’d be happy to guide you through this process.

If you don’t need some of your furniture or window coverings in your new home, why not offer to include some of them in the sale? Filling up a new home with furniture is costly, and if your potential buyers have a lot of it to buy, they may be incentivized if they know they’ll save money on furniture and decor. If it’s furniture you were planning to get rid of anyway, it also takes away the potential headache of having to figure out what to do with it. 

For new homebuyers, the down payment and closing costs can be overwhelming, and that’s before you factor in recurring costs of homeownership. If you live in a neighborhood or building that charges HOA fees, one way to incentivize buyers is to extend a credit on HOA dues. You can do it for the time of your choosing, such as six months or one year, which takes some financial pressure off the buyer. Just have your realtor check that there aren’t any issues with your buyer’s lender since some have guidelines around seller credits.

Have you outgrown your home? Or has your home outgrown you and your household? Fewer and fewer families expect to stay in their first or second home for the long haul. Here are some factors to determine if you're financially and emotionally ready to sell your house:

1. Growing or shrinking household -- Are you about to welcome a new baby or take in aging parents? Maybe you're sending your youngest off to college. In any event, if your living space has become too cramped or grown beyond your needs, it may be time to make a move. 
2. Plenty of home equity -- Subtract the value of your home from the amount you have left on your loan. What's left over is the equity -- or the amount you'll have post-sale. After you sell your home, you'll be a buyer again, so having some funds to put down is key. 
3. Interest from potential buyers --You'll want to list when you know buyers are looking. Some experts say late spring is the ideal time to sell, but peak seasons vary by region. Milder weather can increase buyer interest, but that also means more competition from other sellers. 
4. Changing circumstances --Location matters. Whether your neighborhood dynamics are changing, you're unhappy with the schools in your area or a new job significantly increases your commute, your community needs to fit your lifestyle. 
5. Home improvements --Renovations may be a wise investment, but it's best to avoid listing your home in the middle of a project. If you plan to sell your home as is, completing some minor home updates such as new paint and fixtures can be a huge selling point. 

Moving is a big decision, one that requires careful consideration. If your needs have changed since you bought your home, don't hesitate to get in touch.

When people wait until summer to sell or buy a house, they are missing out on the prime springtime options. Contrary to popular misconception, spring is actually the best time to participate in the Anchorage, Alaska residential real estate market. Bonnie Mehner and Bethany Weiser with Mehner Weiser Real Estate at RE/MAX Dynamic Properties recommend getting started earlier in the year, whether you are buying or selling.

The Anchorage, Alaska Springtime Market Advantage

Why Buy a House Now?

In the unique Alaskan climate, the real estate market tends to heat up the same time the weather does. While winter turns to spring, locals decide that the end of harsh weather makes it the perfect time to relocate. Perhaps they want to move to warmer climates or have been waiting to start the moving process until the holidays are over. Either way, this results in many houses getting put on the market all at once, leaving buyers with plenty of options. Lenders in the area know that the market boom is coming, so they are willing to send more money to the Anchorage market and approve buyers for loans.

Why Sell a House Now?

Buyers know the influx of homes is coming in the spring, so this is the time when they start looking in the area. They are getting their loans approved, so they are ready and able to purchase. If you wait until summertime to list your home, you may miss out on a large pool of potential buyers, who have already struck deals in the spring.

Don’t miss out on the incredible springtime market in Anchorage, Alaska! Contact Mehner Weiser Real Estate with RE/MAX® Dynamic Properties at (907) 261-7632 to prepare now and strategize the best way to sell or buy a house. With over 50 years combined experience in the local market Bonnie and Bethany know how to target the right buyers and will advise you on the best properties that fit your needs.

If you're preparing to sell a house, you may have a long to-do list to finish before it's ready to hit the market. At the top of that should be hiring a qualified Realtor® to give you the most profit. Here are a few ways working with a real estate agent will benefit you. 

How a Real Estate Agent Assists With the Home Selling Process

1. Set a Realistic Price

One of the most important aspects of selling a home is choosing a realistic price. By setting it too high, buyers are likely to not even consider your home as an option. On the other hand, if you set the price too low, you risk losing money on your investment. A real estate agent will use their experience, knowledge, and market analysis tools to determine the right price for your property. 

2. Be Competitive

An agent also helps make your home more competitive. They're immersed in the local real estate market, which gives them unique insight into what buyers want. They will utilize this knowledge to advise you on which upgrades to make to entice buyers and how to effectively stage your home. 

3. Reach Buyers

For both traditional and new media formats, agents understand what aspects of the home need to be highlighted to attract buyers for a viewing. They also have a built-in audience from their previous work within the community, which gives your home's marketing efforts a wider reach than advertising on your own.