October 2019 Real Estate Roundup

Fall is here in full effect and the ghosts and goblins are about to give way to some colder temperatures as the month ends.  While real estate sells every day of the year (excluding holidays and weekends when the banks are closed) as the end of year holiday season kicks in real estate sales have a tendency to slowdown.  Homeowners with a home to sell now should make sure their homes are ready to sell in the fall or in the winter regardless of the holidays.  Proper presentation and proper pricing are a must when it comes to selling a home anytime of the year so homeowners should be looking to how home sales are performing in their area during this time to see what the best pricing strategy is.  The articles in this month’s roundup provide input for homeowners looking to sell as well as buyers and investors.

How Important Is The Square Footage Of The House?

The size of a home is an important piece of information that home buyers want to know about.  Homeowners should be aware of their home size in terms of square footage as that also can be factored in when pricing and/or in the appraisal of a home as Kevin Vitali points out.  Square footage must be accurately determined and relying on public sources or prior real estate listing data could be a setup for problems later on.  

Cheap Home Staging Tips

Having a home staged when putting it up for sale means showing the best qualities of your home.  Staging also does not have to be an expensive endeavor as Bill Gassett points out in his article.  There are plenty of ways homeowners can position their home so that buyers can appreciate the home for what it is rather than what is in it.  Cleaning, painting rooms, deodorizing, de-cluttering can go a long way towards making a home for sale be more about the home and is very easily done by the homeowner.

Paint Your House Before Putting It Up For Sale

A fresh coat of paint when putting a home up for sale can mean the difference between a home being loved by buyers or buyers hesitating to see the potential of a home.  Old worn out walls with stains and signs of fading are a great way to convince a buyer no one cared about this home as Frederick Franks explains.  A freshly painted house with a neutral color allows a home buyer to appreciate a home for its actual design.  A bigger positive for a freshly painted home is that it can also add value to the home as well.

Real Estate Fixtures

When buying a house it is wise to pay attention to the fixtures.  Certain things like attached chandeliers, built-in appliances, fixed bookcases are supposed to stay with a home after closing unless the seller stated in the contract those items would not stay.  Fixtures that have been changed or downgraded by the seller from what was originally in the home can quickly result in the filing of a lawsuit.  In this article by Sharon Paxson she discusses what types of items are considered fixtures and what types are personal property that do not stay after closing.

To Do List For Getting Your Home Ready For Sale

Presentation is everything when it comes to selling a home and a lack of presentation is a sure fire way to make sure the home does not sell.  In an article by Jeff Nelson he covers the important things home sellers should be doing prior to putting their home on the market.  Most home buyers these days are looking for ready to move into homes and if a lot of work is left for the buyer to do they will either pass on the home or will be expecting a big discount.  The article includes a handy infographic that makes for great reference as one is working on getting their home ready for sale.

Smart Home Features That Can Boost A Home’s Value

As many home devices and appliances move toward the internet of things model (meaning internet connected) adding smart home features to a home has never been easier.  That does not mean every and any home based internet smart thing is going to boost the value of a home.  As Joe Boylan discusses certain smart home features are more likely to result in an increase in home value than other smart features.  Smart appliances, smart security systems, smart lighting, smart locks and more are great features to add that can also appeal to today’s home buyer.

Should You Buy Or Rent A Home?

Depending on one’s time frame renting may make more sense than buying a home and with the change in tax laws the mortgage deduction advantage has gone away for many.  Renting a home allows one more flexibility in moving when the need arises whereas buying a home can have high transaction costs that make it harder to move frequently.  Michelle Gibson explores the pros and cons of renting versus buying a home and provides some good insights into why one may work better for one versus the other.

Long Term Vs Short Term Rentals

For the recent real estate investor the option of short term rentals has never been easier than before.  Certain websites allow short term rentals to be done quickly and the feedback systems mean that good managers can make good money fast.  On the other hand long term rentals represent a steady flow of income with little day to day input as this article explores.  Whether you want a long term rental or are considering a short term rental understanding the needs for each is a good place to start and can set you on a path to knowing what works best for your situation.

Final Thoughts

Buying or selling a home can be an exciting and challenging time.  By being ready when selling or buying you can get a leg up on the competition who comes in unprepared.  Read some other articles that you found to be good?  Please share them in the comments below.

The Real Estate Roundup For October 2019 was provided by Greater Cincinnati Area Luxury Realtor Paul Sian of United Real Estate Home Connections. Paul is a licensed real estate agent in the states of Ohio and Kentucky and has over 14 years of experience. Feel free to contact Paul for all your Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky real estate needs.