If you’re thinking of buying a home and not sure where to start, you’re not alone. Here’s a map with 10 simple steps to follow in the homebuying process. Be sure to work with our trusted real estate professionals to learn the specific path to take in your local area.

Written by Danny Margagliano
30a Local Properties | DestinPropertyExpert.com

You may have been taught not to judge a book by it's cover but if that book is your home and you are renting or selling it, people will judge based on how the exterior looks even before they step inside. The exterior of your home sets the stage for what is inside and if your target audience doesn't like what they see you will struggle to sell it. Curb appeal is one of those things every homeowner should take seriously. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to get the perfect curb appeal (you can though if you have enough money to cater to that). There are some DIY hacks you should try to improve the curb appeal like upgrading your mailbox or even lighting up the exterior. However, the advanced ones will require a professional to execute the plans for the best outcome. Here are some great curb appeal hacks that you can try:

A fresh coat of paint
If you want to transform the front yard, a little paint job can go a long way in giving you a great outcome. Some people might discourage you from bold colors but don't hold back if you are sure you can make that work. Bold colors will make your house stand out which is what you should be aiming for. Nonetheless, bold doesn't equal dull. Bold colors blended well can be a work of art. Don't just slap paints around because that can end up having the opposite outcome.
It's important to ensure the paint color you have chosen is in line with the HOA regulations, if applicable. It would be a huge disappointment and costly to have to repaint your house just because the HOA doesn't approve the paint colors you had done. For a better outcome, consider a contrasting color for the shutters, doors, and the trim of the home. You can repaint your home on your own or get a professional painter to do the work.

Plant some trees
A well-kept yard will attract a lot of people to your home. Add some trees to give the property a homely feel that will be a magnet to potential buyers or renters. This is a simple curb appeal project that will not only bring your home to life but also increase the longevity of the home. Trees protect the home from adverse weather conditions which would otherwise have damaged the home. You don't need a lot of space to plant trees. Even one or two trees can go a long way in transforming your homes landscaping. You just have to pick the right trees depending on the climate of the region and plant them. Consult a tree specialist for help in picking the best ones if you are not sure. The actual tree planting process shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. Just remember to water them until they can survive on their own.

Lawn maintenance
A lawn can be a selling point or a drawback depending on how well it has been kept. Lawn care is a huge part of maintaining curb appeal. Ensure you are mowing your lawn regularly, pulling weeds and raking off leaves. You ought to keep the lawn well-watered as well to prevent brown spots. As long as you adhere to a lawn maintenance timetable lawn care won't be a huge project every time. In case you are living in a dry area where maintaining green grass is a hustle you can consider some lawn alternatives like artificial turf or shrub beds.

Add flower boxes
Flowers not only lift the mood of a place, whether inside or outside but also make people happy. Adding flowers to your home is a low-commitment, easy, and quick way to bring color to your property. Flowers of different colors in full bloom are some of the best sights and they will draw people in from miles away. They not only look great but also smell great which is a great mood lifter. The best part is that you don't even need a garden to plant flowers. You can add flower boxes at random places like the front porch, the windows, or even at the gate.

They bring with them delightful colors as well as loads of curb appeal. Flower boxes are quite cheap and besides that, you just need the soil and, of course, the flowers. Note that dead flowers will be a sore sight and it is better not to have any if you will leave them to wither and die. They are easy to maintain because all you have to do is water them and they will reward you by blooming and improving the curb appeal of your home. You can even do drip irrigation if you don't have a lot of time to water them in person every day.

Light up the exterior
Great lighting can have a dramatic effect, especially at night. When everything goes dark and the lights come on in your house people will be drawn to it if the exterior is properly lighted. It gives off a romantic vibe which many homebuyers and even guests love. When choosing new lighting fixtures for your home you ought to look for more than functionality. Consider the style as well. You need to ensure the entryway is properly lit but also appealing. To enjoy a hassle-free installation, you should go for fixtures that mount to the wall just like the existing fixtures. This saves you the cost of having the whole place remodeled to accommodate the new lighting fixtures.

Upgrade your mailbox
The mailbox might only cross your mind when you are picking your mail but it can also have a huge effect on the curb appeal. If you want to make the exterior of your home look attractive you have to start thinking of it as an important part of the house exterior. You can have one standing by the road or it can be mounted to your house. It is crucial to remember that the installation of the mailbox has to be in line with the set regulations in your city. A fresh coat of paint and a few upgrades should have it looking new and appealing.

Stain the garage door
If you don't have enough money to have a new garage door installed you can just stain the existing one. It will cost way less and give you an attractive end product. However, make sure you have washed the garage door before staining it for the new paint to look great and last long. Power washing the door will give much better results than just using soap and water.

Outdoor furniture
If you have an outdoor space designed for relaxing or a patio, the kind of furniture you decide to add can make or break the curb appeal you are going for. Few furniture pieces will make the space look neglected and scarce while too much of it will give the space a cluttered appearance. You ought to get a good balance when adding outdoor furniture. In addition, ensure the pieces are always clean and well maintained. If you have a small yard, huge outdoor furniture pieces will make the space look cramped. You can add simple ceramic stools and a small table with a pretty planter as a centerpiece. You can never go wrong with these.

Power wash your compound
Unless the outdoor space is entirely made of gravel, you have to power wash it on a regular basis. Concrete surfaces, if left unattended for a long time will look dull and make the entire space look unkempt. Therefore, plan to have the place power washed regularly. Watching a few before and after videos when it comes to power washing will have you running to complete these tasks. It is more than giving the home a curb appeal. You will also benefit from living in a clean place not to mention how much this simple task can do towards preserving the value of your property. Keeping the home clean also reduces the expenses of maintaining it as well as the repair work that will be needed. Therefore, this is one of the things you need to work on to improve the curb appeal of the property.

Upgrade the house numbers
House numbers are crucial in helping people find your property quickly. You can pick a design of your choosing as long as the number is clearly indicated and the design doesn't violate the HOA regulations. A font that aligns with the home architecture is great for curb appeal. Make it distinctive in order to have people looking back to get a second look. Replacing the house number is one of the easiest jobs and even people who are not super handy can complete the task.

You don't need much to improve your curb appeal. You can start with the simple hacks that don't require any money or just a few bucks as you plan for more advanced home improvement measures. Go ahead and get started now!

COVID-19 protocols and technology usage recommendations from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) are making it possible to sell houses right now, while agents continue to abide first and foremost by state and local regulations.

With more companies figuring out how to efficiently and effectively enable their employees to work remotely (and for longer than most of us initially expected), homeowners throughout the country are re-evaluating their needs. Do I still need to live close to my company’s office building? Do I need a larger home with more office space? Would making a move to the suburbs make more sense for my family? All of these questions are on the table for many Americans as we ride the wave of the current health crisis and consider evolving homeownership needs.

According to George Ratiu, Senior Economist for realtor.com:

"The ability to work remotely is expanding home shoppers' geographic options and driving their motivation to buy, even if it means a longer commute, at least in the short term…Although it's too early to tell what long-term impact the COVID-era of remote work will have on housing, it's clear that the pandemic is shaping how people live and work under the same roof."

Working remotely is definitely changing how Americans spend their time at home, and also how they use their available square footage. Homeowners aren’t just looking for a room for a home office, either. The desire to have a home gym, an updated kitchen, and more space in general – indoor and outdoor – are all key factors motivating some buyers to change their home search parameters.

A recent realtor.com-HarrisX survey indicates:

“In a poll conducted at the end of Q2 of 2,000 potential home shoppers who indicated plans to make a purchase in the next year, 63% of those currently working from home stated their potential purchase was a result of their ability to work remotely, while nearly 40% [of] that number expected to purchase a home within four to six months and 13% said changes related to pandemic fueled their interest in buying a new home.”

Clearly, Americans are thinking differently about homeownership today, and through a new lens. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) notes:

“New single-family home sales jumped over the summer, as housing demand was supported by low interest rates, a renewed consumer focus on the importance of housing, and rising demand in lower-density markets like suburbs and exurbs.”

Through these challenging times, you may have found your home becoming your office, your children’s classroom, your workout facility, and your family’s safe haven. This has quickly shifted what home truly means to many American families. More than ever, having a place to focus on professional productivity while many competing priorities (and distractions!) are knocking on your door is challenging homeowners to get creative, use space wisely, and ultimately find a place where all of these essential needs can realistically be met. In many cases, a new home is the best option.

In today’s real estate market, making a move while mortgage rates are hovering at historic lows may enable you to purchase more home for your money, just when you and your family need it most.

Bottom Line
If your personal and professional needs have changed and you’re ready to accommodate all of your family’s competing priorities, let’s connect today. Making a move into a larger home may be exactly what you need to set your family up for optimal long-term success. Call Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors® at (866) 742-5732 or email us at ClientCare@RealtyExecutives.com.

In today’s real estate market, setting the right price for your house is one of the most valuable things you can do.

According to the U.S. Economic Outlook by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home prices nationwide are forecasted to increase 4.7% in 2020 and 4.1% in 2021. This means experts anticipate home values will continue climbing into next year. Today, low inventory is largely keeping prices from depreciating. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, notes:

“Looking at the sheer number of buyers, low mortgage rates, and limited sellers, the strength of home prices–which are now growing at the highest pace since January 2018–makes sense.”

When it comes to pricing your home, the goal is to increase visibility and drive more buyers your way. Instead of trying to win the negotiation with one buyer, you should price your house so that demand is maximized and more buyers want to take a look.

How to Price Your Home
As a seller, you might be thinking about pricing your house on the high end while so many of today’s buyers are searching harder than ever just to find a home to purchase. You’re thinking, higher price, greater profit, right? But here’s the thing – a high price tag does not mean you’re going to cash in big on the sale. It’s actually more likely to deter buyers and have them looking at the houses your neighbors are selling instead.

Even today, when the advantage tips toward sellers because there are so few houses for sale, your house is more likely to sit on the market longer or require a price drop that can send buyers running in the other direction if it isn’t priced just right.

A Trusted Real Estate Professional Will Help

It’s important to make sure your house is priced correctly by working in partnership with a trusted real estate professional. When you price it competitively, you won’t be negotiating with one buyer over the price. Instead, you’ll have multiple buyers competing for the home, and that’s what ultimately increases the final sale price.

The key is making sure your house is priced to sell immediately. That way, it will be seen by the most buyers. More than one of them may be interested, and your house will be more likely to sell at a competitive price.

Bottom Line

If you're thinking about listing your house, let’s discuss how to price it right so you can maximize your exposure and your return. Call Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors® at (866) 742-5732 or email us at ClientCare@RealtyExecutives.com.