Tag Archives: sellers

8 Curb Appeal IDeas to Add Value to your home

8 Curb Appeal Ideas to Add Value to Your Home

Even though it’s a cliché, first impressions matter a lot in real estate. Yes, some purchasers may require a few days to mull it over. But, for the most part, buyers are smitten with a house the minute they pull up to its driveway and see it for themselves. Appraisers will also value your home mostly by the first look. So, you’ll definitely want the landscape to look great. Also, according to statistics, now could be the best time to sell – and you’d want to do it for top dollar. So, here are some curb appeal ideas to add value to your home.

1# Make it sophisticated

When it comes to house sales, properties with elaborate landscaping—such as curving bed lines and huge island plants—tend to get a higher price tag, according to real estate stats. The landscapes with huge deciduous, evergreen and annual color plants sold better than those without these types of plant materials. Planting beds, according to experts at orangemover.com, are an affordable and low-lift option to add aesthetic interest, texture, and color. You may use them to make your lawn seem fuller even when the grass is well cut and trimmed.

2# Make it green

You can’t go wrong if you have trees in your yard. In addition to providing shade and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trees will add value to your exterior. Trees also have a way of making a house seem more like home. They provide a feeling of continuity between a home and its surroundings as well as a connection between the people who live there and their surroundings. The best way to choose a tree is to think about the function it will serve. Deciduous trees are a good pick if you want additional shade in the summertime. When the trees lose their leaves in the winter, they allow some light into your yard. In addition, they may possibly save you money on your utility bills!

A big tree in a yard is one of the best curb appeal ideas to add value to your home.
A big tree will provide not only you shade but also privacy on hot summer days

3# Rock your exterior design with some rocks

Adding a low-maintenance focal point to your yard is easy with a beautiful rock bed. Tossing random rocks, on the other hand, is a bad idea. If you want a traditional “rock” aesthetic but don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars for a 400-square-foot area, consider using decomposed granite or trap rock. Also, avoid using limestone since it decomposes fast and turns into debris. If you decide on bigger individual stones, seek smooth and spherical ones. These will endure longer and generate less unpleasant, gritty rock-garden waste that weeds enjoy.

4# Fiberglass doors are one of the best curb appeal ideas to add value to your home

When it comes time to put your house on the market, a fiberglass front door might help you recuperate some of your investment. There are also other advantages. They’re more energy-efficient than traditional wooden front doors, just like steel ones. In contrast, steel doors are prone to rust and corrosion over time and will not look good, no matter how good your home staging is. With fiberglass, you won’t have to worry about unattractive dents and corrosion.

5# Decking made of composite material is a big yes

Wooden decks are beautiful, but maintaining their waterproof qualities demands a lot of time and effort. Composite decking, on the other hand, has a long warranty. It requires no sealing, staining, replacement of rotting boards, or danger of termites, extending the life of the deck and saving you thousands of dollars over the course of its existence. Composite decking comes in three varieties:

  • Polyethylene-based
  • Polypropylene ones
  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

6# Make sure your landscape reflects the design of your house

How can you get the most out of your landscaping dollars? It’s about making sure your landscaping truly compliments your home’s design. Craftsman-style homes should be given basic and traditional landscaping, such as a bed of vividly colored flowers or well-structured shrubs. If you want your house to be called a breathtaking home in the market, modern additions like koi ponds and lavish fountains that appear as if they belong in Caesar’s Palace should be avoided at all costs.

A white-bricked house.
Sometimes, just a bed of vividly colored flowers makes all the magic.

7# Make your front yard look simple yet trendy

We’ve already mentioned the importance of greenery in the presentation. But, we picked up a few more sneaky tricks from professional movers. It is important to keep up with trends in order to boost your home value, and the trend right now dictates that ‘less is more. What does that actually mean in terms of front yard remodeling? It is important to add some greenery to your presentation, but it’s also important to pick only a few different kinds that will look good together. The other key to success is to pick wisely and choose the kinds of plants that don’t need too much maintenance. That way, you’ll save money and make trendy and harmonious curb appeal.

8# Light it up—but functionally

As a reward for your efforts, ensure you can always see the results of your hard work. Landscape lighting will draw attention to your home’s architectural elements and most eye-catching vegetation. In addition, the project is very cost-effective and easy to implement. Also, who doesn’t like a good and functional light show in their yard? Smart lighting will surely add to your home’s value. If you really want to go all-in, you can make adjustable lighting that will be able to tone it down and allow a buyer to enjoy star gazing under Virginia’s sky.

Light bulbs and plants.
If you put some creativity in, you can make an exceptional exterior design with simple light bulbs.

Bottom line

So, there you have it—a ticket to a better home sale. If you apply at least two of these curb appeal ideas to add value to your home, you’ll be on a great path to a good deal. Even if some of these are inapplicable to your situation, be smart and adjust. The most important thing is to think like a buyer. When you see all the flaws clearly, you can focus on fixing them. Just then, there will be a great reward in money return.

Photos used:

https://unsplash.com/photos/178j8tJrNlc

https://unsplash.com/photos/ITzfgP77DTg

https://unsplash.com/photos/-dcznEJPmsk

https://unsplash.com/photos/UmFfm2XjLgY

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

7 signs its time to sell your home

7 Signs It’s Time to Sell Your House

Force of habit is a powerful thing, especially when it comes to settling in a property. As you are a human being, it’s to be expected you’re attached to the piece of earth you’ve lived on for so long. But, the time comes when it’s just better to leave your nest and find a new one. How do you know for sure? Here are seven clear signs it’s time to sell your house.

1# No more room for your children

Your little ones are the most valuable thing you have. Normally, you want the best of the best for them. Sometimes, in the buying process, people overlook the number of children they want to have or have financial struggles during the time. It’s all fun and games while your kids are younger and don’t require much space. But, when puberty hits, every one of their personalities becomes way too big for the shared space. You might look forward to the wine festival on Mother’s day way more than you should simply because of all that stress a cramped up house brings. So, it’s best (for everyone’s mental health especially) to start looking for a bigger space with more rooms. Four walls (painted black during an emo phase) will contain the chaotic hormonal storm at least a little bit. 

An angry woman.
Teenage anger spreads like wildfire in a tiny space. If you feel like it’s affecting you too – it’s time to upsize.

2# There are no great schools nearby

The second thing related to children is the choice of a school for them. It’s also an important indicator you should consider selling and moving to a different neighborhood or even city. Education is crucial for your kids’ future, and it’s to be expected to be your top priority. According to the experience of expert movers at beltwaymovers.com, many young couples overlook the schooling system factors when buying a house, and that’s why they end up selling their property after a few years down the line. If the schools in your neighborhood don’t meet the standards and your wishes for your kid, it’s probably time to move. 

3# Your home starts to give you itchy feet

Once the phrase ‘home, sweet home’ doesn’t apply to your house, it’s time to move on to something different. Your house should be the place where you feel relaxed and at ease. A place where you look forward to coming back to after a tough day at work. If the time comes that you start feeling contained and not tucked away between your four walls, it’s time to flee. 

‘Oh that gorgeous house downtown’ 

When you start looking at other houses, it’s a sign that something’s not quite right with your own. Maybe you didn’t have the money for your dream house at the time of buying. Perhaps you’re retired, your kids are living their lives, and now you want to watch cherry blossoms in spring and do gardening in a lovely little purple house. Possibly, you just want an upgrade. These are all positive signs that you should consider a change of residence. 

 A cherry blossom.
Not many things make you feel as alive as watching cherries bloom

4# If the renovation won’t help – it’s time to sell your house

When you attach many memories to a living space, you will indeed look for a way to renovate it to fit your needs before even thinking of selling. But, when you think about renovations, all you do is end up with a long list of chores and tasks. When deciding whether to renovate or sell, there are three crucial questions to ask yourself. 

  1. What will better fit your budget?
  2. Will renovating fix the issue for good or just temporary?
  3. Is it even possible to renovate?

Some old houses could be so fragile that renovation would just ruin them. Also, if you start adding walls to the list of things you want to tear down – it may be best to start looking for the new ones.

5# You don’t ‘feel’ the neighborhood anymore

People change. Maybe you’ve changed drastically. Or your neighbors did. Or, there’s been a significant makeover of your neighborhood – they built a mall or tore down your favorite bakery. Whatever the reason, you don’t feel as welcome and at peace in your area. It’s pretty stressful to feel you don’t fit in. If you feel like you don’t fit in, it’s best to find a new property, call local movers in Virginia to help you pack your stuff, and reach your new home stress-free. You don’t have to move across the globe to experience that much-needed change – you can simply move across the city. The mere desire to do so is undoubtedly one of the signs it’s time to sell your house. 

6# It’s the perfect time in real estate

Since the pandemic, there’s been an increasingly positive shift in the real estate market around the US. The local market in Lake of the Woods is no different. If a sale has even crossed your mind in the past, you might want to seriously consider taking advantage of the ‘housing bubble’ before it bursts. It might be a good idea to have an appointment with a real estate agent, in any case, just to be fully educated and aware of your options. 

A man with a real estate agent going over the signs it’s time to sell your house
A meeting with a real estate agent can help you solve uncertainties

7# You’re just ready 

Every individual will sometimes feel like they are at a crossroads, urging them to look into new homes. It doesn’t have to be brought on by an extraordinary and tumultuous event. The key is to feel emotionally and psychologically prepared to leave the old memories behind and sail into making new ones. There’s nothing wrong with that. You and your family evolve, and it’s sometimes just the time to part ways with the house that holds your past. It’s not a solid and visible indicator. But, a hunch, a feeling, and an instinct are among the vital signs it’s time to sell your house and go on new adventures.

Bottom line

It’s never easy to decide to leave your old habits and living space. Some things will undoubtedly have to change. But, don’t be afraid – change is not a bad thing. If you can identify with some of these signs it’s time to sell your house, then you know what to do – search for your perfect home.

Photos used:

https://pixabay.com/vectors/house-real-estate-agent-realtor-6650186/

https://unsplash.com/photos/sLrw_Cx6u_I

https://unsplash.com/photos/shRafhEd6Dw

https://unsplash.com/photos/oFMI6CdD7yU

Buying or Selling in 2022? Look for an Agent with These 10 Qualities

Key Takeaways:

  • In today’s hot market, it’s more important than ever to choose the right agent to help you buy or sell a home.
  • Real estate agents don’t just offer local expertise—their insider knowledge and marketing prowess come in handy, too.
  • Thinking about making a move in the new year? Contact us to start planning now!

Here Are the Top 10 Qualities Every Successful Real Estate Agent Should Have

Did you know that 75% of buyers and sellers work with the first agent they meet? It’s true—but that doesn’t mean it’s the best decision. If you want to come out on top in today’s competitive market, experts often recommend interviewing a few candidates before settling on the right real estate professional for the job. And if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve outlined 10 qualities of a highly successful agent.

They keep up with the latest sold data

Analyzing real estate sold data

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll want to keep up with the latest sold data for your neighborhood of choice. Sold data reports consist of homes that recently sold in your area, as well as their final prices. Not only do these numbers help sellers determine an accurate list price, but they can also be used by buyers to gauge an area’s affordability. A top-notch agent should be willing to provide you with up-to-date data every step of the way.

They know what’s happening in the real estate market

It’s hard to know what the real estate market will look like next year. But with careful forecasting, a local agent should be able to provide some valuable insight. Agents can educate buyers and sellers on everything from price fluctuations to mortgage rates—just make sure they’re using accurate data to back up their predictions.

They’re social media savvy

Real estate agent using social media

Nowadays, home-buying and selling primarily happens on the internet. According to recent research, over 95% of buyers start searching for properties online, which makes it imperative that agents maintain an active presence on their social platforms. Be sure to ask your agent about the virtual tools they offer buyers and sellers, such as access to the MLS, social media promotion, and paid advertising. Bonus points if they have their own website, too!

They have a network of contacts

When it comes to buying or selling a home, it truly takes a village. A well-connected agent can refer you to their network of local contacts, such as plumbers, landscapers, lawyers, and so much more. You’ll rest easy knowing that you can trust their recommendations for local service providers!

Their referrals are positive

Buyer or seller leaving online feedback

If an agent provides legendary customer service, their past clients are more than willing to leave positive feedback—or even refer them to their loved ones! Ask your potential agent about their reviews, or take a look online to see what previous buyers and sellers have to say about working with them.

They’re punctual

This one should be a given! The current real estate market moves faster than ever before, which makes punctuality an even more important quality than usual. If your agent is on-time (or early!) to your appointments, you’ll know they’re treating you like a priority.

It’s easy to get in touch

Scheduling an appointment with a real estate agent

Keeping in touch is key when it comes to real estate, so you’ll want to share the same method of communication as your agent. Tell your agent from the beginning whether you prefer to text, email, or talk on the phone. Not responding in a timely manner is a big red flag.

They’re shrewd negotiators

Buyers and sellers alike should look for an agent with top-notch negotiation skills to get them the best possible price. And if you want to evaluate a real estate agent’s prowess, just ask yourself this question: how well did they negotiate with you to win your business?

They’ve built their own brand

Buyers getting the keys to their new home

Real estate agents don’t just help you buy or sell a home—they need to be expert marketers on both sides of the transaction. Solid branding can help agents rise to the top of the competition and build a reputation that people rely on, trust, and recognize. Exploring an agent’s social media and website can give you a good idea of their personal branding strategies.

You get along with them

When you’re trusting someone with one of your biggest investments, it’s crucial to get along on both a professional and personal level. If you can’t have difficult conversations with your agent—or if you don’t get along with them—consider going with another candidate. Personality can sometimes trump experience!

Find the Right Agent for Your Move

Ready to start planning your 2022 move? Now is the time to find the perfect agent for the job! Contact us today to learn more about what we bring to the table, or explore our other resources to get a head start on buying or selling. We’re always here to offer superior service throughout every step of the transaction!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Here’s How Shopping Small Can Earn You Big Profits

Key Takeaways:

  • When it comes to selling your home, supporting local businesses is one of the most profitable decisions you can make.
  • Local businesses love to give back to their communities, which can increase your home’s value over time.
  • We’ve worked with the most reputable businesses around—contact us today, and we’ll pass along our professional recommendations!

Use Local Businesses as Your Home-Selling Sidekicks

When it comes to selling your home, supporting local businesses can be one of the most profitable decisions you make. Instead of calling upon big-name chains, you can utilize homegrown service providers to save money and make sure the job gets done right. Investing in local businesses has been proven to increase a community’s real estate values—besides, there’s no better return on your investment than a genuine “thank you” from a neighbor!

For every $100 spent at small businesses, this much stays in the community…

Local service provider

Small businesses tend to reinvest in their local economies more than chains do, which is great news for homeowners and potential sellers. Plus, small business owners typically work, play, and live in the same communities as their storefronts—so they care more about seeing their hometowns thrive.

The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies found that communities with successful small businesses see property values increase by 50 percent on average. And with home prices appreciating, neighborhoods can benefit from attracting new business investments to spark economic growth. According to research done by The Alliance, $68 stays in the community for every $100 spent at local businesses.

Shopping small provides hyper-local services

Working at the office

Think of shopping local like a community-wide networking event—you strengthen your connections by spreading the word about your positive experiences at businesses in the area. And if you want to know the best providers around, you can just ask your real estate agent. Your local agent doubles as your go-to reference for the most reputable nearby businesses.

Selling your home is a hyper-local experience, one in which you can benefit from partnering with the most convenient local business of them all: your real estate agent. As a small business ourselves, we understand the importance of supporting local and giving back to the community, which is why we only recommend our best business partners to our clients.

Here’s why hiring local service providers is the strategic choice

Laying sod

When you decide to list your property, there’s most likely going to be some projects that need to be completed—things like renovations and repairs, staging for showings, and general maintenance should all be at the top of your to-do list. Hiring homegrown service providers is the strategic choice when it comes to selling your home. Not only will you be guaranteed great service, but you may even receive discounted rates. When real estate agents repeatedly refer their clients to local businesses, companies sometimes provide lower rates in return.

Invest in small businesses to increase your home value

Florist preparing a bouquet

Wondering which local businesses you should take advantage of when listing your home? Hire a landscaper to spruce up your curb appeal, use a local painter to incorporate a more neutral color palette, or contact a local handyman for repairs. Want to get the inside of your home showing-ready? Your agent can recommend a top-notch florist for a bouquet of local blooms. That’s the thing about shopping small—the owners have local expertise and will go the extra mile to make sure their clients are happy!

Want to Increase Your Home Value?

It’s simple—when you invest in local businesses, those companies turn back around and invest in your community, which increases your home value! It’s hard to fully understand the positive impact of shopping local, but it becomes easier when you see your property value rise over time.

We’ve worked with the best businesses in our community, and we know they would love to play a part in your real estate dreams. Just tell us what services you need, and we’ll send our professional recommendations your way!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Are We in a Housing Bubble? Experts Say No.

The question of whether the real estate market is a bubble ready to pop seems to be dominating a lot of conversations – and everyone has an opinion. Yet, when it comes down to it, the opinions that carry the most weight are the ones based on experience and expertise.

Here are four expert opinions from professionals and organizations that have devoted their careers to giving great advice to the housing industry.

The Joint Center for Housing Studies in their The State of the Nation’s Housing 2021 report:

“… conditions today are quite different than in the early 2000s, particularly in terms of credit availability. The current climb in house prices instead reflects strong demand amid tight supply, helped along by record-low interest rates.”

Nathaniel Karp, Chief U.S. Economist at BBVA:

“The housing market is in line with fundamentals as interest rates are attractive and incomes are high due to fiscal stimulus, making debt servicing relatively affordable and allowing buyers to qualify for larger mortgages. Underwriting standards are still strong, so there is little risk of a bubble developing.”

Bill McBride of Calculated Risk:

“It’s not clear at all to me that things are going to slow down significantly in the near future. In 2005, I had a strong sense that the hot market would turn and that, when it turned, things would get very ugly. Today, I don’t have that sense at all, because all of the fundamentals are there. Demand will be high for a while, because Millennials need houses. Prices will keep rising for a while, because inventory is so low.”

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:

Looking back at the bubble years, house prices exceeded house-buying power in 2006 nationally, but today house-buying power is nearly twice as high as the median sale price nationally…

Many find it hard to believe, but housing is actually undervalued in most markets and the gap between house-buying power and sale prices indicates there’s room for further house price growth in the months to come.”

Bottom Line

All four strongly believe that we’re not in a bubble and won’t see crashing home values as we did in 2008. And they’re not alone – Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch share the same opinion.

Information was provided by keepingcurrentmatters.com

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Free Virtual Home Seller Seminar on 2/13 From 11:00 AM – 12:00PM EST!

Join the Licata Group team for a fun, informative, and free webinar where you will learn how to BEST prepare your home for sale for top-dollar from leading industry professionals.

Interest rates continue to stay at a historic-low with more buyers than homes that are available! You’ll learn how the current market is affecting the home selling process and how it’s often leading to multiple-offer situations.

A Q&A session will be held at the end to answer your questions.

We understand the need to sell your home for the highest market value in the least amount of time, and you’ll learn how this can be achieved in this one-hour session! Join us for a fun, interactive, and informative webinar on February 13th, 11 am. Click Here to register!

 Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com

8 Resources for Home Sellers: How to Quickly and Safely List Your Home Amid COVID-19

With mortgage interest rates hitting record lows, homebuyer demand remains strong — even in the midst of a global pandemic. And if you’re ready to take advantage of this situation by listing your home in the near future, there are some steps you can take to do it as quickly and safely as possible. Check out the eight resources below for some tips on finding an experienced listing agent, preparing your home for the housing market, and staying safe and healthy while showing your home to buyers amid COVID-19. 

  1. List Your Home with The Licata Group
  2. 10 Secrets to Selling Your Home Faster 
  3. How to Prepare for Home Services During COVID-19
  4. 15 DIY Curb Appeal Ideas That Will Help You Sell Your Home
  5. The Most Important Repairs to Make Before Selling Your House 
  6. Selling Your House? Here’s How to Prepare Your Home for a Virtual Tour 
  7. Open House Precautions to Take During the COVID-19 Outbreak 
  8. Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Home Free of Coronavirus

As you get ready to list your house, you’ll need to spend some time making a few home repairs and improvements — as doing so will help you to sell your home much more quickly. However, an experienced real estate agent can help you to determine which upgrades are worth completing — while also walking you through the entire process of selling your home in the age of the coronavirus. With these helpful resources and a great listing agent at your disposal, you’ll sell your home as quickly and safely as you possibly can.  

 Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com

How to Sell a House — Messy Kids and All

As your family grows, your starter home is starting to feel awfully full. But there’s one big obstacle standing in the way of you and an upsized home: selling your house. From the crayon you gave up on scrubbing off the walls to the tornado of toys that is your kids’ playroom, there’s a lot to contend with if you’re going to get your house in show-ready condition and keep it there.

You could stay put, but why live in a cramped house if you don’t have to? Instead of avoiding a move, find your dream home and then tackle your upsize head-on with these time-saving tips.

Decide if You’ll Move Out

Moving out makes selling a house much easier, especially for parents. When you relocate while your home is on the market, you eliminate the need for constant cleaning and scrambling to leave before every showing. Before moving out, consider the average days on the market in your area. While renting an apartment or Airbnb is affordable in competitive markets, it could be costly if your home takes a long time to sell.

Sellers who move out should avoid leaving the home vacant. Instead, leave just enough furnishings for staging. Home staging improves listing photos and helps buyers imagine themselves in a home they’re thinking about purchasing.

Start Packing Now

Staging is an even bigger concern for families who don’t vacate. Clutter can kill a home sale, so it’s critical that parents have a plan for eliminating clutter while keeping their house livable. For most families, this means putting most belongings in storage and keeping only the bare necessities. Thankfully, buyers are forgiving when it comes to non-master bedrooms, so there’s no need to leave play areas barren. Instead, downsize toy collections and look for easy yet stylish storage solutions like wicker baskets.

Get Your Home in Tip-Top Shape

With clutter out of the way, you can finally see your home clearly, including all of its flaws. From the little repairs you’ve put off to the dust bunnies in the corner, it all needs to go before your home hits the market. Minor fixes like patching drywall, painting, and fixing loose knobs and cupboards are simple enough to DIY, but hire contractors for anything involving plumbing or electrical wiring. While they get your home in good repair, work your way through a deep-cleaning checklist that will make your home gleam.

Keep Up with Daily Cleaning

Right now, your home looks the best it has in years. But as a parent you know it won’t last for long. You need a plan for keeping your home clean day-in and day-out while your home is on the market. Some parents take the DIY approach, diligently following cleaning schedules to stay on top of dishes, laundry, and other hallmarks of a lived-in home, but don’t rule out hiring a housekeeping service. Letting someone else handle the house can be a huge relief when you have so many things on your plate.

Housekeeping and maid services, for example, can help with tasks such as running errands and meal prep in addition to general upkeep. These services ultimately allow parents to focus on work, parenting, and life instead of constantly tending the house.

Make Showings Fun for the Whole Family

Ask any parent who has bought and sold a home, and they’ll tell you that getting kids out of the house for showings is easily one of the most stressful aspects. Make these disruptions easier on the kids (and you!) by creating a reason to look forward to showings. Find fun places to go as a family and keep a bag in your trunk full of kid-friendly activities, snacks, and other supplies. By creating a positive association, you can eliminate the fight to get out of the house.

Moving may feel like an insurmountable feat right now. But before long, this will be just a blip in your family’s history. Instead of letting the idea of selling a house with kids overwhelm you, take charge of your move. With creative solutions (and maybe a little outside help!), you can tackle your move like a pro and settle into your new, right-sized home.

 Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Orange, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Northern Virginia or even Maryland or DC, we are your Real Estate team committed to finding the perfect home for you! Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar, and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, one of our area expert advisors will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available properties, please visit our website licatagroup.com

Short Sale & Foreclosure: How Are They Different?

Short Sale & Foreclosure: How Are They Different?

As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. Here’s a brief overview.
A short sale comes into play when a homeowner needs to sell their home but the home is worth less than the remaining balance that they owe. The lender can allow the homeowner to sell the home for less than the amount owed, freeing the homeowner from the financial predicament.
On the buyer side, short sales typically take three to four months to complete and many of the closing and repair costs are shifted from the seller to the lender.
On the other hand, a foreclosure occurs when a homeowner can no longer make payments on their home so the bank begins the process of repossessing it. A foreclosure usually moves much faster than a short sale and is more financially damaging to the homeowner.
After foreclosure the bank can sell the home in a foreclosure auction. For buyers, foreclosures are riskier than short sales, because homes are often bought sight unseen, with no inspection or warranty.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Licata Group Real Estate Show Episode 1

Episode 1, Part 1: First Impressions
Episode 1, Part 2: Preparing Your Home for the Market (Staging)
Episode 1, Part 3: The Marketing Process

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.