How to Prepare Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home For Sale

How to Prepare Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home For Sale

So you’ve decided to sell your home. The next step is to list it in the market. But certainly, your Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale cannot be photographed and advertised as is. There are tried and tested tips given by professionals which can boost your home’s appeal, making it sell fast. Follow these 6 simple steps in preparing your home to sell.

• Eliminate emotional attachment

By now you have to realize that your home is now a commodity which has to be sold. Although you may have fond memories through the years of staying in that home, you have to try to remove emotional attachment which may hinder the rest of the preparations you must make in  your home. Perhaps you can look forward to building new memories to your prospective new home.

• Clean and declutter

Your bathroom, bedroom, living room and kitchen must be stellar if you want homebuyers to be impressed. First impressions count a lot in home selling so you spending days deep cleaning the whole house surely won’t go to waste. And of course, decluttering is a must too. This is when you clear spaces from eye sores and things which don’t need to be there. A good tip is to keep three boxes for your stuff: 1 each for storage, donation, and trash. This will also give you a headstart on moving.

• Repair and upgrade

A home that is move in ready (one that has less or no repairs needed) is always more appealing than others. It should be one of your priorities to repair all things that are broken and make sure that the home is in tip top shape. Upgrading can also be considered as it will help make your home appear well maintained and therefore more attractive.

• Define spaces clearly

Make the rooms in your Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale well defined. This means that the purpose of each room has to be obvious. This helps buyers envision themselves in your home. Moreover, it makes it easier for you to follow the next important step - staging.

• Stage your home

Staging is like dressing up your home so that the best features standout and the home becomes more attractive to most buyers. There are quite a number of staging tips you can refer to which offer specific touches depending on the room. Many people have benefited from professional staging. For samples of well staged home, visit www.lakelandfloridaliving.com.

• Work on the curb

When you sell your home, you work both on the inside and the outside of it. Make sure the curb appeal will catch people’s attention. By doing so, you will give out the impression that the home is well maintained and that it is not going to be difficult for the new owners to maintain.

These are fairly simple steps when preparing your Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale, but they would surely help you a lot. When you’ve decided to sell, it is equally important to contact your agent asap so you have someone to guide you through these steps.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

3 Ideal Lakeland Sandpiper Homes for Sale Design for Seniors

3 Ideal Lakeland Sandpiper Homes for Sale Design for Seniors

Recent statistics reveals that the percentage of Americans seniors are increasing every year. This report has an effect on a a lot of things, even on contemporary home architectural designs. If you have a Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale and you want to attract 55+ buyers, it would be worthy to check this list of the most common design ideas that are fit for elderly.

• Have less obstructions for better mobility.

Stairs, steps, and narrow pathways and doorways are all not advisable for seniors. On the other hand, architects suggest having wider pathways and doorways, a more open floor plan, no steps, and lower sinks as some of the possible interior make up of a home. This will allow better movement and minimize risk for accidents.

• Light their way

Considering the fact that most seniors suffer from poor vision and other eyesight problems, lighting in a home might be one of the most significant factor for them. Make sure your homes for sale in Lakeland Sandpiper are well lit, either by artificial LED light or by natural light. Windows that are huge allows more natural light in, lighting hallways and rooms for a clearer view. Experts say that instead of the traditional lighting, one that spreads the light equally in the room is more preferred.

• Use color strategically

Color has a huge effect on an individual’s mood and energy level. You don’t want potential adult buyers to feel depressed when they come in your Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale. As much as possible, choose colors that would encourage relaxation like greens. Head over to www.lakelandfloridaliving.com to see some ideas on your home’s color scheme.

What’s important for the elderly is being able to see things clearly. Because their eyesight is not at its top shape, it would help if there are contrast in the home. For instance, a pearly white bowl will surely pop up on dark walls.

Explore on how you can make your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale appealing not just to adults but also to seniors. Consider these ideal styles mentioned above and  make it more conducive for seniors to live it. Talk to your real estate agent and contractor if needed to help you plan this out.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

How Interior Design Helps Sell Lakeland Sandpiper Homes for Sale

How Interior Design Helps Sell Lakeland Sandpiper Homes for Sale

Before you raise your brow on the idea of spending to design a home that you’re actually planning  to sell, you need to be aware of its benefits. The possible returns of interior design in your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale can outweigh the initial money you will shell out. Read on to find out how it can help you as a home seller.

• Attracts more buyers online

At this day and age, online photos of your listed home are the most compelling reasons for a buyer to schedule a viewing. Although they still check out other basic information like lot size and number of rooms, how your home looks can excite buyers to check it out.

If you wish to be able to attract more people, you have to make your homes for sale in Lakeland Sandpiper to pop on their screen. What better way to do that than to have lovely interior design that speaks to people’s taste? No one would prefer to view photos of a home that looks like it hasn’t been touched for a year. But everyone would love to see well organized and detailed homes with updated interiors.

• Helps buyers imagine

The beauty of having a designed interior is that each room is assigned a specific purpose based on the overall setup. That way, buyers are left with chance to envision themselves living in your home and utilizing each rooms for a specific need. Helping buyers imagine living right in your home gives them a boost in wanting to purchase the property.

• Gives your home an edge for better value

Your homes selling value is determined by your agent by looking at comparable homes’ prices in your area. A home that is designed well is more likely to price higher than a similar home which lacks interior design. So if your home is located in a bad area, or is not that big, building it up using  a flawless, appealing interior will give it a good edge.

• Makes the home feel fresh

It doesn’t matter if you’ve lived in the your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale for 10 years or 1 year. Whatever the case may be, buyers wouldn’t get attracted to a home with too many maintenance issues and with old and dirty feel. To avoid this, start updating your home. A fresh coat of paint, or a small update in  the bathroom or kitchen goes a long way. Don’t be afraid to spend if it will increase the value and appeal of your home.

Remember these benefits next time you think twice in having an interior design for your LakelandSandpiper  Fl home for sale. Choosing worthy improvements to invest on can help you a lot. Visit www.lakelandfloridaliving.com to see other interiors designs of homes for sale.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

How to Get Buyers Attend Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home’s Open House

How to Get Buyers Attend Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home’s Open House

One of the best ways to meet prospective buyers for your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale is through an open house. It seems simple, but in truth, it’s not that easy.

Have you ever attended an open house where you were the only one present? Sadly, this is the reality for most sellers who hold open houses.

Here are 5 simple ways to get people attend your open house:

• Post lots of directional signs.

Create at least 20 directional signs to your open house then print a map of the area surrounding your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale and mark on that map where you plan to place all the signs. The more signs you have placed around the neighborhood, the easier it is to attract attention of prospective buyers.

• Invite your neighbors and friends.

Make flyers and distribute them to neighbors a few days prior to your open house. Drop off invitations to your neighbors and tell them that you are inviting them to your open house. You can also invite friends through phone, social media, or other means. You’ll never know if one of them knows someone who is interested to buy your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale.

• Advertise on the Internet.

Make sure your Lakeland Fl agent is tech savvy and can advertise your home on MLS, Craigslist, and even Facebook to expose your home for sale to the maximum number of people.

• Turn on the TV.

Turn on the TV to a big sports game, if there is one on the day of your open house. This will engage any sports fans attending the open house. Visitors tend to stay longer when the TV is on, which gives you more opportunities to engage them on the topic of  sports and your home for sale.

• Offer free refreshments.

This may cost you a bit, but it works. If your home has a nice patio with an outdoor grill, you may want to host a backyard barbecue to showcase your patio and grill. You can add other refreshments like lemonade, hotdogs, and ice cream. This is a great way to entice prospective buyers to stay longer in your home.

What you do during your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale’s open house is important to the sale of your home. Even if only a few people attend your open house, if they are impressed with you and your home, you’ll never know if they might just refer you to an interested buyer.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

How to Prepare the Yard of Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home for Winter

How to Prepare the Yard of Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home for Winter

Fall is the time to prepare your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale for the winter.

Protect that curb appeal that you worked so hard on with these easy tips to protect your yard from the harsh winter:

• Remove dead leaves.

Removing dead leaves, flowers, and grass in the fall means you don’t have to remove it in the winter when it becomes harder. Be careful not to remove dead-looking stalks and prune your plants since this will encourage new growth. You want your healthy plants to remain dormant in the winter.

• Spread mulch.

Choose fall mulching rather than spring mulching for your plants. This helps protect roots from frost and retain moisture during winter when it gets cold and dry.  Spread around 2-3 inches of fresh mulch around your trees and shrubs. Avoid using free mulch from the municipal piles since they are usually made from trees that died from disease, therefore they usually contain disease spores. Instead,buy hardwood shredded mulch from home and garden stores.

• Wrap delicate shrubs.

Your shrubs can dry up and split from heavy ice, snow, and winds. To protect them, wrap your shrubs with burlap or boxwood. Hide small plants under plastic pots or buckets. Surround your vulnerable trees with shredded leaves.

• Go to fall sales.

The best time to plant shrubs is early fall, before the ground freezes. Aside from your plants getting less stress from the cooler weather, fall is also the time when nurseries have clearance sales to empty their shelves before December.  

Making the right winter preparations for your yard will help protect your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale’s curb appeal and keep it attractive to potential buyers. For more tips in preparing your home for sale, visit http://www.lakelandfloridaliving.com

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

4 Ways to Make Your Vacant Lakeland Sandpiper Home For Sale Appealing

4 Ways to Make Your Vacant Lakeland Sandpiper Home For Sale Appealing

If you are selling a vacant Lakeland Sandpiper home, it has its benefits as well as challenges. For one, you don’t have to worry about negotiating move out versus move in dates since the buyers can move in any time after closing.

On the other hand, selling a vacant home has some drawbacks. When prospective buyers view photos of vacant homes online, they have a hard time visualizing how the room is uses, the size of the room, and the actual layout of the home.

Vacant homes also give buyers an impression that a home may have been on the market for so long because the owners have already moved or that there may be something wrong with the home and this may be the reason why some buyers might skip vacant homes. You may have a perfectly valid reason for moving like a job change, for example, but buyers wouldn’t have a way to know that.

Buyers usually make higher offers on furnished or occupied homes. Buyers who enter vacant homes struggle in visualizing their own stuff occupying the rooms.

There are ways to stage a vacant home to still make it appealing to buyers. Here are a few tips”

• Virtual Staging

For your online Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale’s photos, you could use computer-generated furnishings and accessories in the vacant rooms. There are some companies who offer virtual staging services  for a fee, but the catch is you have to disclose in advertising that the rooms in your photos have been virtually staged.

• Furniture Rental

There are companies who offer furniture rental packages, usually for 3 types of rooms (living room, dining room, and master bedroom), complete with accessories.

Before you select a furniture rental company, make sure to check out different companies and their terms since some companies will make you enter into a monthly lease agreement with a 3-month minimum.

• Consignment Furniture

You can go to a consignment furniture store and buy some inexpensive furniture to make the house look furnished. You could also offer them to your buyers upon purchase of the Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale. Note that you cannot add the cost of furniture to the sale price of your home and you are doing this purely as an incentive for buyers. This incentive makes your home more attractive especially to first-time home buyers who start with little or nothing.  

• Closeout Furniture

This is a similar idea to consignment furniture, but you are buying brand new furniture from the store. Some stores offer discounted floor samples at closeout prices. For a budget of $1,500, you may already be able to purchase living and dining room furniture. That would definitely cost you less than a price reduction on your home for sale.

Any of these 4 options can greatly enhance your vacant Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale and make it more appealing to prospective buyers. It is better to apply any of these options sooner rather than later so your home won’t stay on the market too long. For more home staging tips, visit  http://www.lakelandfloridaliving.com/.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale.
 

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

Does Your Address Affect the Value of Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home?

Does Your Address Affect the Value of Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home?

Your address (and zip code) can definitely affect the value of your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale. In fact, some homebuyers even put more importance on what zipcode they will live in than anything else about the home.

Other factors relating to your home’s location that can affect its value are:

• local schools and public services
• travel or commute time to work
• crime rate in the community
• state of the roads especially during winter
• future developments (new mall, road widening, etc.)

All these factors affect not only the value of your Lakeland Sandpiper home, but your quality of life as well. Beyond these considerations, you may already be living in the next big hot spot and you just are not aware of it yet.

Even if you think your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale may never regain its value in a tough market, just keep yourself informed and updated. Change may be on its way.

At the end of the day, the best indicator of your home’s value is based on the value of comparable homes sold in your area. To find out the true and current value of your home, contact an experienced Lakeland Fl agent who can help you determine your home’s value based on the current market conditions and comparable homes sold in your area by doing a comparative market analysis.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Lakeland Sandpiper homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!