[wpcol_2third id=”” class=”” style=””]AUGUST NEWS YOU CAN USE
Housing Stats ∙ Getting Your Home Ready to Sell ∙ Client Satisfaction
HOME PRICES UP AND THE SUPPLY OF HOMES SLIGHTLY GROWING
Slowly, but surely, Houston homebuyers are seeing more homes come on the market. Inventory had been flat at a 2.6 month supply from last December to April, but has been slightly moving up in the last three months. Houston is still down from the 3.4 months supply a year ago, and below the 5.6 months supply across the U.S.
Home prices grew to the highest levels for a July, but were lower than June’s all-time record highs. Sales of homes priced between $250,000 and the millions showed the greatest strength, while days on market (DOM), fell to a record low of 45.
According to the latest monthly report prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR):
>>>Read the entire release.
Sometimes home buyers / sellers do not believe that they are going to get full-service when paying a flat fee or receiving rebated commissions. Leslie Lerner Properties does not leave a stone unturned. We are with you from the beginning to closing and beyond. Linda M. attests:
“I have bought and sold many properties over the years, and some experiences (at full 6% commission!) were marginally better than others, but none were what I would call good, until I just sold my house with Leslie. For the first time ever, I had absolute confidence in my realtor’s knowledge, competency and integrity, which, believe me, has not been the case in the past. Leslie was “on it”, from beginning to end; responded immediately to all my emails, calls and texts, and was proactive during the entire process, rather than waiting for signals from me. She dealt professionally and effectively with a very difficult buyer’s agent, and went to bat for me dealing with an exasperating contractor, even after she had been paid her fee, and could have just left the issue with me to sort out. At one point, I was so stressed by the buyer’s agent’s demands, that I was willing to accept a proposal that would have cost me more money than was originally agreed upon. Leslie said “absolutely not!” – and got the buyers to honor the original agreement. Additionally, the title company had originally scheduled the purchase and the sale at the same time, but when I mentioned to Leslie that I really would have preferred to do this separately, she arranged that too, even though it was the last Friday of the month, and they had a very full schedule.
I told her many times during our association “You’re not like any other realtor I have ever dealt with!” and I meant it.
Suffice it to say, I sold my house the second day it was on the market, for full asking price and, despite problems with the buyer’s agent, closed in less than a month, feeling very well served and represented by my agent. I would gladly use Leslie again and recommend her services without reservation. Reduced commission in this case absolutely does NOT mean reduced service … quite the contrary! A+.”
>>>SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT LESLIE LERNER PROPERTIES
TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR HOUSE READY TO SELL
Thinking about selling your house? Do you want to sell it quickly? Start by getting your house ready with these simple steps:
Make Necessary Repairs Prior to Listing
If you are planning to list your home, go through your house with a fine-tooth comb and make a list of all necessary repairs. Making these repairs prior to listing will help prevent potential buyers from being distracted by items that are in disrepair while touring your home. Instead of thinking about what’s wrong, they will be focused on everything that is right about your house. Making repairs prior to listing can also help you save time and money in the future by avoiding negotiations over minor repair issues. TREC contracts state, “Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all required permits must be obtained, and repairs and treatments must be performed by persons who are licensed to provide such repairs or treatments or, if no license is required by law, are commercially engaged in the trade of providing such repairs or treatments.”
No Need for a Huge Home Improvement Project
Fixing your house up to sell is one thing, but a total makeover is another. You probably won’t get your money back if you do a huge home improvement project before you put your house on the market. You never know what potential buyers will like and it may be different from what you envision. You are better off doing updates that will result in a return on your investment (cabinet hardware, lighting, door handles, grout, caulking, power washing, leaks, etc.).
Remove the Clutter
Many people look at photos on MLS and clutter accounts for 90% of the picture. They can’t tell anything about the space they are looking at. Buyers need to envision this as their home, with their belongings. How can they do that with so many distractions?
Free up the visual space in your home. Decide what you want to save, store or eliminate. Once you are down to what you want to keep in the home while selling, organize it in a way that makes your house feel open, clean and a place the future buyer would want to call “home”. You want buyers to see the beauty and details of your home. They cannot do this if you have clutter covering it up.
Curb Appeal
The way your house looks from the street is critical. First impressions can also account for last impressions. Make buyers want to learn more about your house by sprucing up the facade, grass, landscaping, trees and lighting. A good power washing, new mulch, flowers, trimming the shrubbery, etc. can make a world of difference.
Be Ready to Show Your House
When leaving the house in the morning, make sure beds are made, dishes are put away and the house is ready for visitors. I always tell clients, make sure your house is as clean as it would be if you were throwing a nice party. Remember, the faster your house sells, the sooner you don’t have to keep it as clean.
Make Sure Your House is Light and Bright
People don’t like walking in a dark home. Take down heavy drapes, clean the windows, open shutters and do anything that will make your house bright and cheery. Many people try to keep the sun out of their home while they are away during the day. While you are trying to sell, let the light shine in before leaving the house.
[/wpcol_2third][wpcol_1third_end id=”” class=”” style=””]All of the service, for less money!
LESLIE LERNER PROPERTIES WILL:
If you think it is time to buy or sell a home, remember to call Leslie Lerner Properties at 713.489.9900. Leslie Lerner Properties is the Home of Flat Fee Listings and Rebated Commissions. A great amount of information can be found at www.LeslieLernerProperties.com. Leslie Lerner Properties offers all of the service for less money, when buying or selling a home.
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