Señales que indican que estás listo para vender tu casa

05 de Febrero del 2015 | Editorial Metroscubicos

Saber cuándo terminar una relación y moverse a lo que sigue, es una gran habilidad, necesaria para la vida diaria. No estamos hablando de una relación amorosa, sino de una aún más profunda, la que estableces con tu hogar.

Vender una casa es todo un proyecto y también es difícil ya que, fue en ese espacio donde se crearon recuerdos, memorias con tus seres queridos y vivencias que serán imposibles de olvidar, por ello, este proceso hace más complicada la ruptura con tu propiedad.

¿Cómo detectar los signos inminentes que muestran el fin de la relación entre tú y tu casa? Para saber si estás en el momento de ruptura donde es necesario seguir adelante, te decimos cómo descubrir que estás listo para vender tu casa y comprar otra propiedad. Pon atención en estas señales.

Comienzas a explorar qué hay en otras colonias

Pones atención a casas o departamentos que se venden en colonias quizá más nuevas o céntricas. Ingresas a buscadores por Internet o incluso descargas aplicaciones a tu smartphone que te permitan encontrar propiedades buenas, bonitas y baratas (o al menos a un precio justificable).

Quizá comienza como pasatiempo pero, si tu búsqueda se vuelve cada vez más detallada y ocupa tiempo que antes empleabas en realizar otras actividades, estás poniendo realmente manos a la obra. A veces, la decisión de vender una casa no es consciente y se transmite a través de las acciones. Monitoréate en este aspecto.

Te obsesionas con cada anuncio de “Se vende” 

Para todos es importante conocer el valor y precio de nuestra casa, seguro tienes algún conocido en bienes raíces y decides preguntar sobre esta cuestión. Cuando al fin tienes el precio aproximado de tu vivienda, el paso que sigue es salir a las calles y buscar propiedades en venta.

Es una forma agradable de matar el tiempo pero, si te obsesionas con la idea y quieres visitar cada casa que ves “en venta”, haces citas con los propietarios o asistes a varios Open Hose, esas son señales que indican que realmente debes seguir adelante en una nueva vivienda y ofrecer en la que te encuentras actualmente.

Estás desesperado por tener una casa con el “tamaño correcto”

Puede ser que tu casa era perfecta hace cinco años por el momento de vida en el que te encontrabas pero, ahora parece que no va con lo que buscas ni con la forma en la que vives. No importa cómo trates de modificar los espacios de la propiedad, el resultado sigue siendo tu insatisfacción.

Si cada mañana aborreces la idea de pasar tiempo en la cocina porque de pronto es muy pequeña y tú necesitas más espacio, o quisieras estar más fuera de casa que en ella, es momento de evaluar la posibilidad de una venta.

El primer paso para tomar esta difícil decisión es tener claras las razones por las que esa casa ya no es la adecuada para ti. Después, acepta el proceso y comienza a implementar un plan para hacer tus nuevos sueños realidad.

Comparte ésta liga: http://www.metroscubicos.com/shrt/0dabFA

10 top real estate tips for 2015

bankrate.com

By Steve McLinden

Bankrate.com

Another year of strong economic growth, improved employment and pent-up housing demand bodes well for most sellers in 2015, particularly in the Farm Belt and in energy-producing states such as Texas, North Dakota, Louisiana, Montana and Wyoming, and urban areas like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston.

In fact, the National Association of Home Builders, or NAHB, predicts that the 2015 single-family home sector will outperform a strong 2014. There are cautions: Moody's predicts mortgage rates will rise from about 4 percent now to 6 percent by 2017.

The recovery has yet to arrive in many states, reinforcing the notion that real estate growth is regional. No one can accurately predict when this real estate uptick will end or how hard, or soft, a landing it will make. In the meantime, let proven fundamentals, applied with a few modern wrinkles, rule the day. Here are 10 tips for 2015 to help the real estate process.

1. Do sweat the small (cheap) stuff, sellers

Little touches go a long way in the buyer's eye, starting logically with the entry. Trim bushes, wash walkways and change out trampled welcome mats. Inside, de-stink with candles and counter sprays, de-jam closets and de-clutter rooms, focusing keenly on kitchen counters. Hide scrub brushes and other fantasy-killing labor tools. Dust, wax, scrub toilets, wash windows, test and clean lights, put out fresh towels, winnow family mementos, harness or hide that avalanche of toys, remove prescription drugs from medicine cabinets and police the yard for "pet bombs." It's time well-spent.

2. Take note(s), buyers

In a whirlwind house-hunting tour of several properties, buyers benefit by keeping a pro-and-con checklist of each home they visit. Otherwise, the features of several homes tend to blend together in a tired brain by day's end. Creating a rating scale of 1 to 10 also helps, as does carrying a checklist of specific features that you seek in an ideal home.

3. Sell by season

Though spring is optimal, home selling is a year-round sport. Use seasonal accents to make buyers linger longer.
Winter: Unfurl throw rugs and spotlight functional fireplaces. Near holidays, add touches like wreaths and pine-cone centerpieces. Display photos of your home a season ahead, particularly in winter, so buyers can see the house ensconced by greenery.
Spring: Fresh-cut flowers and candles bring spring scents indoors. For that new-start look, do extra spring cleaning and use brightly colored linens, spreads and pillows. Add little pops of color to the entry and landscape.
Summer: Highlight patios and other outdoor areas. Swap out dark towels and curtains for light colors. Put out a seasonal fruit basket or add hanging flowers. Keep the house cool but not cold.
Fall: Display pumpkins by the door and vases of fall foliage or tricolored corn inside. Use seasonal scents such as baked apple. Keep those leaves at bay.

4. Drill deeply

Buyers are regularly advised to scope out the block at varying hours, but why not drill down further to see if your potential new neighborhood is fading or flourishing?

• Bad signs: A major local employer is struggling or moving away; adjacent neighborhoods are progressively turning into rentals; and a few too many for-sale homes are lingering on the market. Nearby commercial spaces remain persistently vacant.
• Good signs: Schools are in high demand and well-rated. Young families and artsy types are moving in. Older couples are "aging in place" and nearby commercial properties are getting redeveloped and quickly leased. For-sale homes are generating multiple offers.

5. 'Big data' is everywhere, so tap in

While local knowledge and old-school networking will always be valuable, the latest technology lets agents offer much more. Some agencies offer "livability" ratings by ranking and contrasting neighborhoods by air quality, traffic choke points and specific data on a home's energy efficiency. In 2013, the National Association of Realtors introduced its Predictive Analytics group. Banks already use "big data" to gauge the worth of foreclosures and short sales, and mobile apps now offer it for consumer and agent use. Ask agents if they offer this and other edgy technology such as high-definition aerial footage shot by drones. Should your grandiose home merit that, go big!

6. Transparency equals trust

Buyers will certainly enlist inspectors to twice-over your home, Mr. Seller. So instead of inviting disappointment, delay and distrust, go transparent with your own presale inspection. It's far better to know now about issues with the plumbing, HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning), foundation, electrical systems and roof. Provide the buyer a copy of the inspection along with repair receipts, and explain if or how you've adjusted your price accordingly. Buyers appreciate candor.

7. Math versus ego

Too often, buyers get caught up in win-at-all-costs negotiation. They'll stubbornly let as little as a few grand lock them out of the right house. At an interest rate of 4.5 percent, the difference between paying $200,000 and $195,000 -- assuming 1.25 percent property tax and 15 percent down -- is only about $25 per month on a 30-year mortgage, or about the cost of lunch for two at a fast-casual eatery, before the tip. Don't let that ruin your chances at your dream home.

8. Retain mineral rights

With so many giant natural-gas fields (shales) in play across the U.S. and new ones pending, homeowners should exercise "seller's market" clout to retain mineral rights. While that intent needn't even be mentioned in the sales contract in some states, it's always safest to note it, provided the buyer doesn't protest. Avoid that scenario by conveying those rights to a trustworthy relative or to an energy company buying them before putting the house on the block. "Mineral rights? Oh, so sorry, I no longer own them."

9. Buying? Then cool it for a while

Refrain from making big capital purchases like a new car, opening new credit cards or amassing big chunks of other new debt before buying a home. These raise your debt-to-income ratio, which lenders examine to determine the mortgage amount you can afford. Also avoid moving large sums of money around, changing banks, changing jobs and becoming self-employed before buying a home.

10. The price is right

Trite, you say? Perhaps. But accurate home pricing from the outset never goes out of style because it sells homes. Some agents advise sellers to overprice because inventory is low. Others say go below market to spur a bidding war. Don't get caught up in pricing games.

Activity in the first month of a listing is always the best, so don't risk wasting it. Price too high, and scare off many buyers and agents. Price too low, and risk leaving dollars on the table. Hiring the right agent based on recommendations, response time, in-person interviews, track record and data support will yield that pricing expert you need.


Read more: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/real-estate/tips/#ixzz3SlmYM0JF

15 Overlooked but Important Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

trulia.com

If you really want to make your home attention-grabbing, it’s time to up your game.

You may think you know the basics when it comes to getting your home ready to sell: remove any clutter or personal effects, fix what’s broken, and stage your rooms. But buyers are a fickle lot, and they can fall in — or out — of love with a home for any number of reasons, some so subtle that the buyers themselves aren’t fully aware of their logic.

If you really want to make your home attention-grabbing for all the right reasons, it’s time to up your game with these outside-the-box tricks:

1. Set the mood (lighting)

Swap out your bright white light bulbs for a soft and flattering wattage that invokes a cozy, yet welcoming feel and hides any tiny imperfections. Opt for bulbs that emit yellow-toned and red-toned hues.

2. Wash your windows

Have your windows professionally washed, or devote an afternoon to washing them yourself from both inside and out. Even on gray days, clean windows will let in more light and make your rooms sparkle — and buyers will definitely notice if it isn’t done.

3. Mind the details

Small details can make your home look dumpy without you even realizing it. Freshen up rooms with new switch plates and outlet covers if yours are grubby from fingerprints or yellowed from aging. Polish handles and hardware and use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove minor spots and scuffs on walls.

4. Make it welcoming

You’ve got the curb appeal, but what about “walking up to the door” appeal? Invest in a new doormat and take the time to scrub down your front door since it’s probably covered with dust, dirt, and oils. Better yet, repaint it and add some new house numbers and a new porch light.

5. Don’t forget your side yard

Turn that dead space into a selling point by creating a potting station or kitchen garden, or even set up breakfast nook with a café table and chairs.

6. Get creative with color

Paint two adjacent rooms the same color to give the appearance of an open floor plan. Paint your walls to match your drapery (or buy drapery to match the walls). Use the same colors and patterns in the master bedroom and bath to create an “ en suite” feel.

7. Update your own furniture

Empty rooms show poorly. “Stage” a spare bedroom with an air mattress and bed frame. Create a living room arrangement by throwing matching slipcovers over clashing chairs and sofas.

8. Brighten up trim

Walls aren’t the only things that need a fresh coat of paint. Dingy door and window frames will drag down the prettiest of rooms. Repainting wood-toned trim white will also make your space brighter.

9. Employ scents

The old tried and true: bake a fresh batch of cookies to create a homey feel (or fake it with a scented candle). Employ soothing, spa-like scents like vanilla and lavender in bathrooms and bedrooms.

10. Make your space look bigger

Hang floor-length curtains above your windows to give the illusion of higher ceilings. Lay down a striped rug to make your floor seem more expansive. Use a clear shower curtain to open up a small bathroom.

11. Fake a closet organization system

Make your storage look custom with DIY shelves, hangers, and bins. Organize clothes by type and color for added impact.

12. Dress up your laundry area

Whether it’s a separate room or a corner of your basement, make your laundry area look welcoming by adding a folding surface, bins, and baskets for storage, and a designer element like a fun rug or temporary wallpaper.

13. Tidy up the garage

Install overhead or wall shelves to store bikes and sporting equipment. Create a workshop area in one corner — show buyers it’s more than just a place to park cars.

14. Prepare for snoopers

Buyers will open your fridge, peek in your medicine cabinet, and check under your sinks. Make these areas so tidy Martha Stewart would be proud.

15. Don’t knock feng shui

Many of its teachings can help make your rooms more attractive: avoid having the backs of furniture facing entryways, close the toilet lid, and don’t place anchor pieces like beds or sofas against a window.

- See more at: http://www.trulia.com/blog/15-overlooked-important-ways-get-home-ready-sell/#sthash.BbZXaZDu.dpuf

12 Hacks to Make Your For-Sale Home Look and Smell Pet-Free

trulia.com

Do you refer to your pet as one of your children, without irony? Me, too. This unconditional love is not a sentiment all who visit my home share, particularly if they stand up from my couch and discover their once-black pants are now covered in beautiful (and trendy!) tan-and-brown ombré doggie fur.

If you’re putting your home on the market, owning a dog or cat could deter buyers or reduce offer amounts. There’s no amount of money that could persuade me to banish my mutt while I entertain guests this holiday season — or put my home on the market and show it — so I’m happy to use these easy tricks and tips to help take care of pet odors, messes, and damage.

“I know you weren’t just planning on vacuuming during my nap.”

(Image via Sabrina Rojas Weiss)

1. Rubber Glove Treatment

Rub a damp rubber glove over furniture, and static electricity will help remove fur quite easily. (Tip via Real Simple)

2. Duct Tape Solves Everything

I could use about 15 lint rollers to pick up fur from my couch or car seats, or I could go heavy duty and wrap duct tape, sticky side up, around a paint roller for a stronger version of the same concept. (Tip via Family Handyman)

3. Squeegee Power

Sometimes vacuuming is no match for the fur buried deep down in the living room rug. Amazingly, a window squeegee can do the trick instead. (Tip via Lifehacker)

4. Better Bitter

To stop dogs and cats from chewing on furniture or — zzzzt! — power cords, you can purchase Bitter Apple spray, or make your own by mixing white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar.

5. Stick ‘Em Up

This special double-stick tape will annoy cats enough to make them avoid using your furniture as a scratch pad. (We imagine regular double-stick tape would do the trick, too.)

6. Leave the Mud Outside

I’ve always kept Wet Wipes in my entryway, to wipe the dog’s paws when we come in from a muddy day. This Paw Plunger looks even more effective (and kinda fun to use).

7. Smell Check

Before you sell your home or have special guests over, you might want to invite over a close, exceptionally honest friend who can tell you if your home smells like wet dog or a very well-decorated litter box. You need the friend, because it won’t smell bad to you at all anymore.

“I just improved your priceless hand-woven rug. You’re welcome.”

 (Image via Meredith Leigh Collins/Flickr)

8. Clean Those Rugs, and Clean Them Again

Like your mom always told you, baking soda does wonders for odors. Sprinkle it on any urine stains on rugs. You also can use a black light to find old stains you never knew about or thought you’d taken care of. (Tip via Care2 and Petslady)

9. Litter on the Bar-B

Add a sprinkle of activated charcoal to the litter box to absorb smells. (Tip via ehow)

10. Clean Ears = Happy Noses

If your dog is prone to stinky ears, clean them regularly with a solution of vinegar and alcohol. This will do wonders for the smell of the whole house, too. (Tip via ehow)

11. Trunk No-Show

The Internet is flooded with instructions on how to customize old trunks, new Ikea storage units, and built-in cabinets into excellent litter box and dog crate camouflage.

12. Play Date

When in doubt of your pets’ behavior or your visitors’/buyers’ preferences, consider asking a friend or neighbor to have the “kids” over to play for a little while. If you’re selling your home, make sure you also put away pet toys and pet photos. You shouldn’t lie to potential buyers about furry creatures living there, but you don’t want any unnecessary reminders around either. (Tip via About.com)


- See more at: http://www.trulia.com/blog/12-hacks-make-your-for-sale-home-look-smell-pet-free/#sthash.ntOfCEdX.dpuf

How to Get the Outside of Your House Ready to Sell

 moneyinstructor.com

Selling a house is not high on the list of things people like to do.  If you have called it home for many years, the task of getting it ready to sell can seem downright ugly.   There are certain areas of the lawn that need work, some weeds you have ignored for years and trees that need trimming.  To make the exterior of your house ready for sale, especially if you are in a hurry, there are ways to make the job easier.  The exterior of the house is what is captured for all of the ads and listings, so it needs to have maximum curb appeal.

Section your yard into sections.  

Consider the garage the exterior since it contains the outdoor equipment.  Depending on your yard size also determines how many sections you may have.  Each section will then get a list of the work needed in that area.

Yards of less than an acre usually only require a section for each side, the garage, the front and the back of the house.  If you are an elaborate gardener, flower beds and special landscape details may need their own list.  A pool area or fence can be considered its own section too if they have an extensive to-do list.

Start with one section, and have a pen and paper to make notes.

Garage

If you have a garage, make sure your car fits in it.  The garage is meant for cars, but when people look at them, they are really envisioning how much "junk" it will hold.  The garage shelves need to be as organized and clutter free as the interior of the house.

Remove any evidence of "critters."  Hide the bag of mousetraps.  Put away the bottles of weed killer.  Give the appearance your house is perfect inside and out.

House Exterior

The outside of the house is what is pictured in an ad to draw a potential buyer in.  It needs to be sparkling clean to get the best results for you!  Make sure the windows are clean and in working order.  Replace any screens that have been damaged.

Other exterior points to do:

• Clean the rain gutters out
• Remove leaves and debris from landscape rocks or woodchips
• Hang a welcome sign on the front door
• Wash any dirt, mold or mildew from the siding
• Check the roof and soffits to make sure all pieces are secure
• Fix any shutters, porch railings, steps and doors that are broken

Yard

Make notes if there are specific bushes to trim, grass to be edged or trees to be pruned.  Keep any flowers deadheaded and fresh looking.  The yard will need to be as weed free as possible, and cut while the house is being shown to potential buyers.

Other things to keep in mind for the exterior sections include fences, sheds, walkways and pools.  Are they all in good repair, with no cracks, paint chips, rot or missing pieces?  I they have any of the above, put them on the list to fix.

Appearances are everything when selling a house.  The outside is the first thing people see, so spruce it up.  Keep everything neat and tidy, and your house will sell fast!

Information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not be interpreted as financial or legal advice. This does not represent a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Please consult your financial advisor.

How to Prepare the Interior of your House for Selling

moneyinstructor.com

Selling a house can be a daunting task.  You haven't done spring cleaning in five years and paint is the last thing you want to shop for.  Where do you start?

Throughout the whole house, the following needs to be done:

• Remove personal pictures.  It sounds cold, but without your family's faces staring at them, a prospective buyer can imagine themselves in your home more easily.

• Reduce the clutter.  Pull extra items off of shelves in the linen and entry closets.  Box them up and label them and move out of sight.  By reducing clutter, it gives the appearance of a larger, roomy house.  A house with enough room for all of the clutter they need to move in.

• Straighten up closets.  A well organized closet looks appealing, especially if your house is an upgrade for them.  By seeing organized closets, it gives them hope that theirs can be too.  Whether or not it's true makes no difference, the visual of seeing it makes it possible in their mind.

• Clean.  Clean.  Clean.  Do the usual cleaning chores like dusting and vacuuming.  Go the extra mile and clean all the ceiling fan blades.  Wipe down the window sills.  Clean the tops of closet and entry doors, and the molding around all of the doors and floorboards.  A clean house makes move-in condition seem real.

• Neutralize.  The term �resale beige' was created for a reason.  People like to see neutrals in a potential house.  They might have plans to change to red, blue or green, but until they can afford the change, neutral colors are satisfactory.  Neutral colors are easily adaptable in bedrooms.  If a wall is a non-gender specific color, bed linens, curtains and pillows can give color to a room without spending the time to remove wall paper and re-paint.

• Wash window coverings.  People are drawn to windows and the ability to look outside.  Since they are drawn to the windows, make sure to clean any blinds or shades.  Keep the blinds and shades up, since it lets the most light into a room.  Light makes any room seem bigger, and big rooms are what sell people on a house.  Take all of the curtains and valances to the dry cleaners for a cleaning or throw them in the washer.  Typically window dressings remain in the house.  If they are clean upon moving in, it's one less step for a harried new tenant to deal with.

There are special considerations for certain rooms. The most time a person or a family spends awake in one room is the kitchen.  This room in usually the focal point of any home, therefore it needs to be ultra ready with extra steps taken.

• Make the refrigerator spotless.  Whether the appliance is staying or not, it needs to sparkle on the inside and out.
   
• Empty the small appliances, paperwork and odds and ends from the counter. Put away as much as possible, while still leaving your cupboards organized.

• The pantry door may be the busiest in the house, but make sure the area isn't the messiest. 

The bathroom has the reputation of being the �germiest' room in the house.  To combat that image, make sure yours sparkles.

• If you have important prescriptions, keep them out of sight or with you while they look.  If there are personal items you don't want to be seen, hide them too.

• Use diligence to remove all signs of hair and hair products from the floors, counter tops and mirrors.

• Close that nasty lid.  Scrub the toilet inside and out, but leave the lid down. 

A house that is immaculate will sell much faster than one that needs cleaning before moving in.  It will save the home buyers a lot of time, and they can focus on unpacking boxes.

Information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not be interpreted as financial or legal advice. This does not represent a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Please consult your financial advisor.

Home Buying and Selling: Is Condo Living for You?

moneyinstructor.com

Despite the allure of maintenance-free, amenity-rich living, condominium ownership is not for everyone.  Before you join others who have chosen to live in this community arrangement, consider the following factors that come along with it.

Sharing is Required
As a condominium owner you share common walls with your neighbors.  The number of walls you share depends on the architectural style of your condo complex and where your unit is located within that complex.  You could share walls with neighbors who live on either side as well as above or beneath you.  In addition, you share ownership and use of common areas and amenities.  Examples of common areas include hallways and exterior walls.  Available amenities vary with the complex and can include clubhouses, gyms, swimming pools, security guards, and more.  These common walls and areas are reminiscent of apartment life.  This may not be an issue for some, but if you are accustomed to living in a single-family home, living in proximity to others and sharing space may require adjustment.

Space is Fixed
Whatever square footage you have when you buy is what you will have until you move elsewhere.  Unlike a single-family home where you can build a room or other addition as long as you have available land and appropriate permits, a condo stays as is.  Remember what you own is the interior of your unit.  You do not own the land beneath the building.  And because you share walls, building an addition is restricted.

Appreciation is Variable
As with any home, value appreciation is influenced by the area where you live.  In some locations, especially where land and home prices are at a premium, condominium values hold their own and even rise.  Generally speaking though condominiums can be among the first properties to experience stagnant or declining appreciation if the economy takes a downturn. In a sagging economy and also in a buyers' market -- one in which there are more homes for sale than there are willing buyers -- home prices tend to rise more slowly and may fall.  This makes single-family homes more immediately affordable, and those who typically would have purchased a condo may choose a single-family home instead.

The Association Rules
The condo association, which is comprised of the homeowners, is responsible for maintenance, operation, and finances of the complex.  A well-run association can offer considerable convenience and benefits for owners.  On the contrary, a poorly run association can create headaches, hassles, and hardships.  You can expect to pay monthly association fees or dues that cover operating costs of the complex.  Those fees can be steep depending on the amenities offered.  You can also expect the association to make and enforce rules that are designed to maintain a harmonious look and feel of the complex.  Some associations have lots of rules.  Others have few rules.  Some rules are reasonable, and still others can be intrusive.  Rules govern everything from your number of parking spaces to restrictions on visitors.  As an owner, you are required to abide by all of the rules whether you like them or not.

Before You Buy
A few general rules of thumb when considering a condo purchase are:

• Meet the folks who would be your new neighbors.  Find out what they like or do not like about the complex and the association.
• Check out the financial solvency of the condo association.  You do not want to find out about financial difficulties and be presented with an unexpected significant fee after you move in.
• Get the facts on owner-occupied versus rental units.  A predominance of rental units can present challenges of its own.
• Learn about the rules.  Read the bylaws to gain a clear understanding of how the association is organized and what the rules govern.
• Read the master deed or have an attorney review it.

And of course as with buying any other type of home, research the neighborhood and get information on recent sales in the area.  Put all information learned together, weigh the pros and cons, and then make your purchase decision.

Information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not be interpreted as financial or legal advice. This does not represent a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Please consult your financial advisor.

How to: emotionally detach before you sell

realestate.com.au

by Imogen Brown

01 OCT 2014

Some of my home staging clients understand the need to think about the most likely buyer of their property, then merchandise their property to attract that buyer.

They are happy to pack away family photos or change the craft room back into a bedroom so that prospective buyers can see themselves living in the house.

But for many, these simple actions are difficult, as they’re still emotionally tethered to their home and find it hard to unpack themselves from the property.

Emotionally detaching from your house before you list it the first step to getting it sold.

Your next property is your new home. Start to transfer your emotional connection.

If you still see your property as your home and not as a product to be packaged, you won’t see what needs to be done, or be willing to make the changes necessary.

Everything will seem harder until you realise that your house is now a property. Your next property is your home.

Separate & preserve

Selling your house can be a difficult and emotional time. My role as a home stager is to take care of the house and the owners during that time, whatever their stories.

The couple who had bought a large family house but were now selling as they couldn’t have a family.

The husband who wanted me to stage the family home to sell when his ex-wife and kids wanted to stay.

The lady on her second round of chemotherapy who couldn’t de-clutter, as she was hoarding memories for her children.

They all had problems letting go and moving on.

This lyric from musician Dave Mustaine sums it up: “Moving on is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard”.

I always know when my clients are struggling as they become emotional, procrastinate, get caught in the detail, go into denial or leave everything to the last minute.

These self-sabotaging actions move them further away from getting their house sold.

Moving on is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard.

Tips to ease your exit

If you’re about to list your house and are finding it difficult to emotionally detach, these tips will help:

• Take your time. If you don’t have to move quickly, don’t. If your agent is pushing you to list by next Friday, that’s his or her agenda not yours. Work to your own plan and only list when you and your house are ready.

• Get help from family and friends. When my Mum died my Dad asked my Aunty and sister to pack up her clothes. Some things are too painful to do alone.

• Get outside help. A home stager is a great place to start. They can provide an objective pair of eyes and practical help and advice. They will keep you on track and support you through the process.  They might tell you some ‘home truths’, but they will do it with love.

• Accept that moving on doesn’t negate the past. Take pictures of your house, rooms and special possessions. Write down your memories of the house too. Put everything in a memory box and pack it away for your next home.

• Ask yourself “What will the house sale give me or enable me to do?” Hold onto these positive images or feelings. Affirm them reguarly.

• Think and talk in chapters. This property was one chapter. There have been many, and there’ll be more. Look forward to the next chapter of your life.

I tell my clients there are 10 principles to preparing a house to sell. Learning how to let go is the first – and most critical.

Emotionally detaching from the house is number one.

Once this is done, the other principals – your objective, choosing your target audience, organising and purchasing furnishings for staging, and more, will be easier. Without letting go, they’ll be impossible.

14 Rules for House-Flipping Success

by Jason Van Steenwyk on May 2, 2014

realestate.com

1. Don’t let anyone tell you that flipping properties is either illegal or unethical. It is neither. Flippers simply provide a ready market to help motivated sellers solve problems of their own, and then take care of neglected maintenance and make improvements to the housing stock, making homes (and neighborhoods) more valuable after the flip than before. They then capture some of this value as profit. That’s it.

2. Make your money when you buy, not when you sell. The engine that drives your profit potential is the discount from the fair market value that you can get. You can get this discount by being willing and able to close quickly on a house where a motivated seller needs fast cash or the ability to relocate. You might not be a seller’s “Mr. Right.” But there’s a lot to be said for being a seller’s “Mr. Right Now.”

3. Buy at a discount to the intrinsic value of the investment.

4. Be picky. Especially with your first deals. Get a good pitch to hit. Or, as Warren Buffett puts it – stay within your own “circle of competence.”

5. Keep it simple. Most big renovations are net money losers, on average. Don’t count on them for your profits, unless you need to renovate in order to make the property livable or to bring it up to the minimum standards of the neighborhood. But make sure you factor in your renovation costs when you make the offer to the seller.

6. Remember that house flipping is essentially a market-neutral strategy. That means you aren’t relying on a continuing bull market in real estate to make your money. Flipping, if well-executed, can be profitable in up, down or sideways markets. That’s because motivated sellers must sell below market price no matter what the market is doing. Flippers exploit the difference between the discount to market value that a motivated seller will take on one hand, and the full value of a well-shown and presented property on the other. That tension – that dynamic – propels flipping profits no matter what the overall market is doing. You must move faster during a bear market, or when interest rates are rising, and you may have less margin for error. But keep it simple and straightforward, and you can profit in any market environment.

7. Take advantage of every tax deduction you can get.

8. Maintain a sound balance sheet and enough liquid savings to deal with the unexpected. Murphy’s law is alive and well in the Flipping Market, and it will drive you out of business if it strikes at the wrong time, when you are overextended.

9. Don’t neglect contract assignment. This is a great way to get started because it allows novices to hand over deals to more experienced investors who have the cash needed to make a deal profitable. And it’s a great way for experienced investors to leverage the efforts of other smaller investors! A related concept: wholesaling!

10. Serve the masses, eat with the classes. Master the art of selling to the fat part of the bell curve.

11. Understand fraud rules – and keep your integrity intact. No. Matter. What.

12. In the long run, property flipping is a people business. You will run into the same players many times over. Your reputation as one who deals fairly and honestly is a thousand times more important than any given deal.

13. Don’t lose money.

14. Be a great singles hitter. Create and work a system for nailing a modest profit again and again. You don’t have to swing for the fences. Keep it simple – reinvestment and turning over capital many times in a year, doing multiple deals with the same money, will do just fine. You’ll get your share, and four simple deals with steady profits over the year are better for new investors than one big, complex deal with uncertain profitability.

Budget-Friendly Projects to Help Boost Your Home's Appeal

usaa.com

Spending money on a house you're about to sell isn't exactly an appealing thought. However, making it appealing to potential buyers is crucial to help in selling it quickly and for the right price.

Are you wondering which projects you should take on and which to put on the back burner? According to Jim Hamilton, a real estate agent and past president of the California Association of Realtors, "There are some basic things that can make your house more livable and more marketable."

Consider these low-cost ideas to help maintain your house and enjoy living in it until you decide to sell.

Renovation and Home Improvement

Find a professional contractor in your area for home repair and improvements through our alliance with the Contractor Connection.

Ditch the Pricey Kitchen

Your kitchen is an important selling point. "If you choose not to install that new kitchen, many buyers will expect a deep discount on home price," Hamilton says. "Conservatively, I'd say they'd want 50% above the cost of the work. If it needs a $10,000 kitchen, they might ask for $15,000."

However, he says you don't have to break the bank to get results similar to a huge remodeling project. "Some inexpensive, cosmetic changes can help give your kitchen a fresh new look," Hamilton says.

Paint your cabinets and switch out chipped pulls and knobs for something new and eye-catching. Or spend a bit more and install new cabinet doors and drawer fronts onto your existing boxes. For the rest of the kitchen, roll on a fresh coat of wall paint in a white or neutral color. While you love your red kitchen, potential buyers may not. Keep in mind, this tip applies not only to your kitchen but also to the remainder of the house.

Replace outdated fluorescent fixtures with recessed lighting or even more affordable surface-mounted tracks of adjustable spotlights. "Those old fluorescent light boxes really date a kitchen," says Kingwood, Texas, contractor Fred Spaulding, a former officer of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Install a shiny, new faucet. Many high-quality models are available for less than $200.

Protection for Your Home

Remodeling, regardless of the size of project, is a great time to review your homeowners insurance. Even if you are getting ready to sell, it is important to ensure that your home is properly covered while on the market.

Spend Less on the Lavatory

Bathroom improvements can range from subtle updates to grand makeovers. Either way, upgrading the bathroom tends to garner rewards at resale.

Here are some affordable fixes:

• Remove dirty shower grout with a $10 grout-stripping saw and smooth on a new coat, or hire a handyman to do this inexpensive job.
• Peel up grimy caulk and lay down a bright, fresh bead in its place.
• Replace smaller, less expensive items, like the toilet seat and towel bars.
• Instead of ripping out old porcelain tubs and sinks, pay a professional to reglaze them.

Make Over the Master for Less

Staging the master suite is important. Outdated bedding and curtains can be a turnoff for buyers. By shopping in the home decor departments at stores like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, you can find name-brand items at discount prices.

• Consider adding built-in organizers to your closet. It's always a good idea to remove items from your closet to prevent it from looking too cluttered. Buyers like to see the storage potential.
• Installing crown molding can be an inexpensive home project that can help boost the elegance factor in your master. Not only will it increase your home's value but it also could be a great selling point.
• A well-staged master bath can reel in potential buyers. Without spending much, plush towels, candles and new cabinet pulls can make this space more inviting.

Cost-effective Curb Appeal

Buyers are judging your house before they even walk inside. This is why curb appeal and first impressions are so important. Adding some flowers to your front steps is an easy way to create an inviting feel. In addition:

• Keep your lawn cut and grass green. By using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, you should see results in just two to three weeks.
• Install a new front-door handle, hinges, house numbers and doorknocker to increase potential.
• Power-wash and re-stain weathered wood decks. If rebuilding, consider using synthetic materials that require less maintenance and hold up well.
• Touch up paint around entryway and make sure your windows are spotless.

When You Must Sell

If you need to sell ASAP, there's no guarantee you'll recoup the money you've invested. In some cases, you might be better off marketing your house "as is." "It totally depends on the local competition," Hamilton says. Here's what he suggests:

• Before you start any projects, study a list of homes that have recently sold and are on the market in your area to determine the market value of your house.
• Ask a local real estate agent to arrange visits inside current comparable homes in your neighborhood. If they all have brand-new kitchens, you'll probably either have to install a new kitchen or lower your asking price.
• Try to make cost-effective changes where you can. If this isn't an option, realize that you can't count on the same price as more updated properties.