More Home Staging Tips

Home Staging Tips.

This is a topic that has always been important, but is more important in today's market than ever before.

I can't stress enough the importance of making your home look and feel like a model home.

No clutter!

I'll say it again, no clutter anywhere. No clutter on kitchen counter tops. No clutter in closets. No clutter in basements or work areas. No clutter in bathrooms or bedrooms. No clutter in closets or the garage. No clutter!

Why? Because potential home buyers can not visualize themselves living in what is now your house, if they can't see the house. If Buyers are overwhelmed by your clutter, they will turn on their heals and walk out your front door if your house before they have seen the whole house. I see this happen daily! Never mind if your floor plan fits their search criteria to a "t". Potential Buyers will leave if your house is cluttered. They will also leave if your house is a mess. You only have once to make an impression. If buyers can't see past your clutter and mess, you have lost your possibility for a sale.

Earlier this week I received a phone call from an owner who said they needed to sell. They went on to tell me that the home was ready to list and they wanted to get it on the market by Monday. My visit yesterday morning revealed that not only is the house NOT ready to sell, there is at least 6 weeks worth of work that will need to be done to bring the house to a "show ready" condition.

Selling a home in any market is competitive, but it is really competitive now. With an abundance of homes on the market in every conceivable price range, the good ones go quickly. The ones that are cluttered -- stay on the market an eternity, AND they sell for significantly less than the Original List Price (OLP). Therefore, it's essential that Sellers follow some simple, yet extremely important tips when staging their home. By following these tips, you will help to make your home more saleable.

A quicker home sale can be reached by keeping in mind the needs of the home’s most likely buyer and creating a fresh inspiring look just for them, according to Pulte Homes expert Janice Jones, national vice president of merchandising.

“Everyone understands the value of de-cluttering, cleaning and refreshing a home in today’s competitive market,” Jones said. “The difference between a ‘For Sale’ and a ‘Sold’ sign often boils down to effectively staging a home to appeal to young singles, families or empty nesters—the three largest customer segments that are likely to buy your home. Home sellers should have a good idea of the type of buyer who will make an offer and, since everyone likes an updated home, some simple refreshes can achieve an updated look and feel.”

Jones recommends conducting a technology overhaul prior to staging your home. “Old technology will date your home and you seldom have a second chance to make a positive first impression,” she said. “Flat screen TVs, laptop computers, iPods with docking stations and wireless technology have eliminated the need for large bulky entertainment centers or massive desks designed to hide wiring. Once you’ve rid your home of bulky, dated stereos and TVs, it’s time to hone in on attracting prospects.”

Here are a few, additional ideas:

For singles, Jones recommends emphasizing sleeping spaces and the living room, which are critical to this group. “Singles will spend a lot of time in the living room and the bedroom, which are their sanctuaries from the outside world. As a result, there is no need to set the dining room table with place settings,” Jones said. “Instead, focus on a simple TV stand with clean lines, a flat screen TV and candles in the bedroom and bathroom.”

Young families tend to revolve around children. Items that help this demographic envision themselves living in the space include age-appropriate bedding, linens and towels, a bright rug near play areas, and strategically placed toy chests with open tops. Since kids often play or watch TV on the floor, eliminate the coffee table to create a living room that appears larger and more inviting. Jones notes to remember about the garage when staging for families. “Organize children’s toys and sports equipment to showcase the garage’s storage capacity without compromising functionality,” she said.

Empty nesters tend to seek an upgrade in quality features. Upgrading bath accessories like towel bars and toilet paper holders or decorative hanging lights to a better quality and newer style will make an impact. If the budget allows, upgrading the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher can draw in a buyer.

Lighting is also a key feature for this group. Jones advises ensuring living spaces maximize natural light. If lighting is less than ideal, add lamps or a ceiling fan with light fixtures. It’s important to open heavy blinds or window coverings when showing the home.

An absolute “must” for home stagers regardless of which demographic is being targeted is color. Most sellers are instructed to use neutral colors when repainting. However, adding the right punch of color to accent walls can create depth, enhance kitchen cabinets, or bring a boring bathroom to life.

Homeowners can find color in simple accessories, like throw pillows, coffee table books, and decorative canisters. Neutral colors in flooring materials, upholstery pieces and window dressing work well because they enhance brighter accents.

When choosing colors, Jones cautions homeowners to be aware of their sensory impact:

- Red is stimulating and encourages self confidence
- Orange promotes happiness and celebration
- Yellow is uplifting and light-hearted
- Blue is calming in softer tones and promotes clarity in deeper tones
- Green is the color of nature—it feels fresh and rejuvenating
- Aqua is restful while pink is gentle and sweet—making a great pair
- Purple tones bring out a sense of compassion

“The key is to experiment and put yourself in the shoes of the prospective home buyer,” Jones said. “It may be helpful to ask a friend or relative for a brutally honest opinion before and after you start staging. You may be surprised how little changes—with a little budget—can make a huge difference to a prospective buyer.”

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. If you have questions regarding the staging of your home, general questions relating to market conditions affecting your neighborhood or questions regarding the buying / selling process, Sara Hibbard is easily reached at 770-399-8108 OR sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com. To visit Sara Hibbard's websites please go to www.SaraHibbard.com, www.SaraHibbardHomes.com, www.SaraHibbardRealEstate.com or www.AtlantaMLSHomes.com.

More Christmas Ideas

Merry Christmas!

Don't you just love this season of giving?

Since moving to Georgia from Boston in February 1994, I often have a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit.

It's not because I'm Scrooge. I actually love the Christmas and holiday season.

The reason I suspect can be blamed on one thing.

WEATHER.

Back in Ohio where I grew up, or in Boston where I lived for 18 years after college, it wasn't difficult to get into the holiday spirit. In Ohio or Boston, we experienced our first snow falls often before Thanksgiving. Snowfalls always have a way of getting you primed for a festive holiday mood.

Since we rarely experience the type of weather I need to get me into the mood in Atlanta, I typically rely on the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, Christmas concerts and the singing of carols to get me ready for the season.

In the last week or so, the Atlanta metro area has experienced record low temperatures for December. On Sunday we actually saw a few large snow flakes. Last night it actually got down to 14 degrees. So, for a transplanted Northerner like me, I am finally experiencing the Christmas spirit.

Last night, for another reason other than Christmas, I found myself wondering the isles of the local Best Buy. The store was packed with people. Based on conversations I over-heard, most people in Best Buy seemed to be overwhelmed by the technology that surrounded them. Some folks thought they had their purchase dilemma figured out only to be side-tracked by another brand or model that had an added feature for less money. These folks were even more confused about what to buy after their consultations with the extremely helpful sales staff.

I overheard a conversation an older couple was having about what to get a family member who had evidently been a 1st time home buyer in 2010. Of course my ears perked up as I strained to hear the conversation. As the story unfolded, it made me reflect back 12 years ago on my first Georgia home and my first Christmas in my new Georgia home!

I started building my first home in Georgia in early April 1998. Since I was born in April, I signed the papers and chalked the transaction up to the biggest birthday present I would ever bestow upon myself. My home was finally ready to move into in September. After a summer of visiting my house almost daily and recording the building progress in pictures, I was overjoyed with the end result. I moved into the home on September 5, 1998.

All of that to say that although the builder did a great job with landscaping, there was still much to be done. While the house was being built, the look of the lot changed many times. I ended up with a huge birm that wrapped around the back side of the property. This birm would definitely require major landscaping as well as to provide a ton of privacy for a corner lot.

My family surprised me at Christmas that year with landscaping gifts.

My aunt and uncle gave me 98 junipers of 3 different varieties. My sister gave me 12 camellia's while my brother gave me 5 crape myrtle trees. A Great Aunt/Cousin gave me a stacked stone and rock wall for seasonal plantings. The rock planting area was embedded into the side of the hill. My parents gave me 7 rose bushes, 12 cleyera, 38 loropetalum and a Bradford pear tree.

Although the builder had installed a great sod front yard, my back yard was seeded fescue. It was not filling in well, so my parents also gave me a gift certificate ear-marked for the back yard to receive sod in the spring.

These days the plantings have all filled in very nicely. The back yard is still to die for! And, I have no weeds -- ever! Regardless of the season, my lot is the talk of the neighborhood as there is always something in bloom.

As people come around the corner, my lot stops traffic. Drivers actually pause and heads actually turn to look and enjoy whatever is blooming at my house.

Yes, I look back on that Christmas with fondness. And, I enjoy those gifts every day all year long. Year after year. So do my neighbors.

Who do you know who purchased a home this year? Who do you know who might have been a 1st time home buyer in 2010?

Are you wondering what to get them this holiday season? I can certainly suggest that you talk with your local green house or landscape nursery. There are many available to choose from -- especially in Atlanta. If you are a northerner as I am, you probably know very little about the indigenous plants of the south. You will have much to learn, but you will also have a ton of fun in the process. Find a landscaper that knows what they are doing and understands what plants and shrubs work best in particular light conditions. For example, hydrangea's and aucuba love the shady or north side of the house. If you plant them in the east, they won't last. OR call me for a recommendation to a local landscaper. I know a lot of them. At the very least, I can certainly tell you what to look for and what to ask of your landscaper.

Most of all have fun with your gift. This is actually the time to plant bushes and shrubbery. Your landscaper will work with you to start the process after Christmas.

To present the gift, ask your landscaper for pictures -- whatever it is. Get a picture of lorepetulum and wrap it up. Remember it's all in the presentation! OR, get some refrigerator letters that spell the item you are giving. Put a letter in each package for the recipient to open. When they get all their packages open they will still need to put the puzzle together to learn their gift. You'll have a ton of fun with this and you'll love this season of giving.

Merry Christmas to you and those whom you love.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara is available for consultation by calling 770-399-8108 or e-mail at sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind This Holiday Season!

Wondering What To Get Your Wife For Christmas?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Got your shopping done????

Hey! Time's flying! Doesn't seem possible does it?

There's only 12 shopping days left till Christmas! So, what are you getting for your wife?

As I write this, I'll bet there are a ton of men (if you tear them away from the Falcons game) wondering the malls, trying to conger up a great idea of what to get their wives for Christmas. Sound familiar?

Lucky thing you happened on this blog, because I've got a great idea!

What about a facelift for the kitchen or your master bathroom? I'll bet my next closing, there isn't a women in the greater Atlanta metro area who wouldn't melt over the idea of getting a major update in the rooms where she spends the most time. Think about! Although it's for your wife, it's actually a gift for the whole family. A win-win Christmas gift that the whole family will benefit from and ultimately enjoy.

A surprise kitchen update or facelift, could conceivably inspire your wife to start creating incredible recipes. Imagine a decadent piece of cake each evening after a long day! You might be surprised to know, a new kitchen could inspire your kids to finish their peas. You'll be happy because everyone else is happy! And, ultimately, if you decide to sell your home within the next 12 to 24 months your resale value will be greatly improved! Then, your whole neighborhood will be happy too! You'll be the hero because it's the gift that keeps on giving!

Think about how you could wrap this surprise. Ultimately you could have several packages of various sizes and descriptions. Don't forget the beautiful wrapping and remember it's all in the presentation. In one beautifully wrapped box, you could enclose a couple of paint samples. Another package could include a paint brush and roller. (Hey, by including a paint brush and a roller, it doesn't necessarily mean that this is a do-it-yourself job". Just that a job is going to be done.) A 3rd package could include a granite sample or a back splash sample tile. Perhaps another package includes a sample floor tile, or material swatch for new curtains.

Sometimes its even fun to wrap individual letters that spell

K I T C H E N M A K E O V E R

That way, even when she has all the boxes opened she still has a puzzle to solve!

Didn't know you would get your gift dilemma answered by visiting this blog did you?

Come back soon for advice and all your real estate questions answered. Please feel free if you would like a referral to a local kitchen and bath design center.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara assists home buyers and sellers too. Please feel free to call Sara with your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process OR if you see a home (or homes) that interest you sufficiently to schedule a visit and tour. Sara Hibbard is easily reached at 770-399-8108.

What About Short Sales?

Whether I am representing a home buyer or seller, I always strive to create a win-win situation for everyone involved. When it comes to short sales, patience and perseverance are job one. With today's challenging and increasingly complex housing market, Realtor's, including me, are handling an ever increasing amount of short sales.

Do you know someone who is facing a short sale?

I just listed another short sale yesterday. It's a "fixer-upper" with a ton of potential in the 30008 zip code of Marietta.

To stay current on real estate trends, I am forever participating in continuing education. Many of these classes are focused on the skill sets necessary to consummate a short sale. I am proud to say that my experience with short sales, foreclosures, REO and HUD properties has enabled me to earn a national designation in this specialty field too. Education coupled with daily practical on-the-job experience has proved to be invaluable.

Believe it or not Short Sales can be a win-win situation for both the Buyers and the Sellers. Short Sales can also cause many complications if not properly understood and executed. Since there is no provision in the mortgage agreement for a short sale, the primary lien holder -- the mortgage servicer -- must approve the homeowners request for one. Any additional parties with liens against the property such as a 2nd mortgage holder, must also approve the request before a short sale can commence. While each short sale scenario is unique and includes seemingly endless variables, the primary benefit to the homeowner is simple -- a short sale lets them avoid foreclosure on their credit record at a time when a good credit history is critical for financial and personal reasons.

Homeowners rarely enter into this process on their own -- instead they rely on Realtor's, attorney's or other professionals to communicate directly with the mortgage servicer. Since each servicer has their own guidelines and requirements, they play the lead role in ultimately approving or declining the terms of a short sale.

Despite obstacles that can arise, one of the keys to short sale success is the turnaround time it takes to process each short sale request. Earlier this year I represented a 1st time home buyer couple who wanted to close by June 30th so they could get their 1st time home buyer tax credit. We made an offer on the property in early March. Through many days, weeks and months, we hoped that the mortgage servicer would approve the offer and ultimately the sale in time to be eligible for the tax credit. Luckily it happened successfully. My buyers are happy home-owners today. It shouldn't go without saying that the mortgage servicer basically took us up to the 11th hour before we knew for sure that the transaction would be approved. Patience and perseverance paid off.

Most buyers and sellers can't wait indefinitely for an answer from the bank. As a result, often times, it is not the first potential buyer who comes along and makes an officer who purchases the property. When buyers wait weeks without any feedback from the bank, they move on to other properties.

Ultimately the goal is always to create a win-win situation. Ideally the seller moves on without enduring a foreclosure and in affect saving their credit; the Buyer gets a home that he might not otherwise be able to afford or at a reduced price; and the bank saves tons of money since they didn't have to start foreclosure proceedings on the Seller.

Foreclosures and short sales ARE NOT for everyone! your Realtor knows your individual situation. Ask your Realtor if a foreclosure or short sale is is right for you.

Sara Hibbard is a Realtor in the Atlanta metro area. Sara is available to answer your many questions or assist you whether you are planning to purchase a home or sell your current one. Please call Sara anytime at 770-399-8108. Sara Hibbard is glad Georgia Real Estate is on your Mind!

What Are My Options If I Owe More Than My House Appraises For?

Recently I have met several home-owners who through no fault of their own find themselves in a predicament regarding their homes. Either through a job loss, death of a spouse, an adjustable rate mortgage coming due or medical problems they can no longer afford their mortgage payment. These folks who have always been perfectly on time with their mortgage payments now are 2 or 3 months behind and the bank is calling seemingly hourly to collect the debt.

In case you didn't know it, Georgia is a "non-judicial" state. That means that a lender is permitted to foreclose on a property without filing a lawsuit, as long as a power of sale clause is included in the security agreement, and as long as the sale is properly advertised in the local newspaper. Lenders actually prefer this method since it involves less time and less expense than the filing of a law suit. It takes much less time in Georgia for lenders to take your house back than most other states. Truly. You only have to be 20 minutes late and your bank can legally start the foreclosure process.

If you know someone who is behind in mortgage payments by 30, 60, 90 days, it is time to consider next steps to avoid foreclosure and hopefully save credit. Here are the alternatives for avoiding a foreclosure. And, I can't stress that time is of the essence here when determining a game plan.

Options Include:
1. Forbearance
2. Loan Modification
3. Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure
4. Short Sale

Forbearance

Under a forbearance agreement, your lender may allow you to reduce or suspend payments for a short period of time. At the end of the forbearance period, you will begin making regular payments plus an additional amount of the past due payments each month until you are caught up.

Pro: You remain in your home. A temporary reduced or suspended payment provides time needed to save money, pay off other bills, find employment or additional employment, or recover from injury or illness.

Con: At the end of the forbearance period, your payment will be higher due to the past due amounts owed. Your mortgage payments could be 20% - 25% higher for a period of 1-year or more.


Loan Modification

If you can make payments on your loan, but don’t have enough money to bring your account current, your lender may be able to change the terms of your original loan to absorb your delinquent payments and make the payments more affordable. Your loan could be permanently changed by adding the missed payments to the back end of the existing loan balance, lowering the interest rate or making an adjustable rate fixed, or extending the number of years you have to repay your loan.

Pro: You remain in your home.

Con: Because of additional debt such as credit cards, car payments, medical bills, and student loans, most people do not qualify for a loan modification. If you purchased your home with little or no money down or your home has depreciated in value at a rate at or near the national average, you may not qualify. Currently, most people owe more on their home than their home is worth in today’s market. If the bank runs an appraisal of the property and determines that the difference is too significant, they will not approve a Loan Modification. That makes this option difficult for home-owners to achieve.


Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure

If you are unable to bring your loan current or sell your home in a reasonable amount of time, your lender may agree to have you voluntarily transfer the deed to the property to them to help avoid the impact of a foreclosure on your credit rating.

Pro: By voluntarily transferring the deed, you save your lender tens-of-thousands of dollars in foreclosure proceedings. If you are willing to do this, Fannie Mae has reduced the mandatory waiting period to establish credit history to a minimum of 4 years. This mandatory waiting period after a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, is lower than the required 5-7 years or more following a foreclosure.

Con: Although a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure may have less impact than an actual foreclosure on your ability to establish home ownership in the future, if you are going to cooperate with your lender and take a proactive approach, a short sale is generally the better option.


Short Sale

If you cannot bring your loan current, afford to make payments moving forward or are unable to sell the property for the full amount of the loan, your lender may accept less than the amount owed as full payment.

Pro: Under the terms of a short sale, your lender may forgive your mortgage debt in its entirety according to the terms outlined in The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007. Fannie Mae has announced a reduced mandatory waiting period to establish credit history to 2 years after the completion of a short sale. This mandatory waiting period after a short sale is lower than the required 5-7 years or more following a foreclosure.

Con: You must sell your home.


If you are considering any of these options, find an agent that specializes in this area of expertise to help guide you through this process. If you don't have a family member who can bring you current and assist you with making regular mortgage payments and help to keep you current until you are back on your feet, your best option is probably the short sale. Please be aware that there are many scams. Run away from anyone who charges a fee for their services in handling a short sale.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and specializes in working with short sales. Sara's goal is ALWAYS to STOP your foreclosure, to ELIMINATE your mortgage debt entirely and to SAVE your credit. That is ALWAYS my goal as I work with home owners affected by the short sale process. Please call Sara Hibbard with all your real estate questions and concerns. Sara is easily reached at 77-399-8108.