Life sometimes catches us off-guard. It’s not unusual for family situations to change suddenly and a move becomes necessary.  So many times I have discussed the need for regular updating to a home.   When it’s time to sell (and there will be that time) the job of preparing for the marketplace is easier, and less costly, if there has been regular maintenance.

I have been showing homes this last week and I am amazed at the conditions of some properties. The facts are these: there are fewer buyers, more competition, and decreasing values. Why wouldn’t a seller want to capture the buyer by being competitive? That means to offer more amenity at a lower price. Simple.

I have seen more unkempt homes, trashed yards and filthy toilets than I ever care to see. Ah, you say, short sales. No. Maybe sellers haven’t been told that selling a house is like selling anything else. There’s a lot of competition–what are you going to offer that will inspire the buyer to think “wow, we had better grab this before someone else does”. Wake up America! (Always wanted to use that line…..after looking at houses on the market it seemed appropriate!)

My flower pots are empty and screaming for attention! With great anxiousness I await the blooming trees. Then it snows! Before I get myself into a “twitter” let’s talk about our landscaping. Whether considering how we live with our landscaping choices, or we are going to sell (now or in the future) here are some ideas I have gathered over the years. In fact, having just been with several different buyers recently, I’ll share with you some of their comments.

First, do you like simplicity or all the master gardener details and variety? Buyers with children do not like a yard requiring time consuming maintenance. Also, I noticed that ponds, waterfalls, and taller ledges (while visually attractive) don’t appeal to protective parents. If you are like Jim and me, our little pond offers pleasant sounds, a variety of colors and plants, and a pleasing visual effect – but we have to watch the grandkids closely when they visit. Consider how you will live in your yard – and who. Maybe the birds, squirrels and occasional turkeys and deer will help you make some decisions. For instance, all my spring bulbs are in fenced areas. Those deer find tulips delectable!

The plan to stay in our homes for many years allows us to “do our own thing”, but what if we’re trying to sell a property? Here are some ideas: consider good color in the front yard. Red and yellow. Psychologists tell us that yellow is the first color our eyes process – but I’ve always said a pot of red flowers will do wonders for first impressions. Walkways are more pleasant if they are curved – maybe flowers marking the pathway. There are so many different water features available now that wouldn’t cause parental concern – it’s worth considering. Water enhances ambiance, is relaxing and refreshes the spirit. Some flowers have a pleasant fragrance – use them near the front entrance. Not enough can be said for neatness. Bushes trimmed, trees not blocking views, shrubs healthy and grass mowed.

Here’s a suggestion: if you are going to sell, start on the yard first. It takes awhile for plantings to grow – then go to the inside for fresh paint and decluttering. Oh yes, a side benefit – if you start sprucing up your yard, it will encourage the neighbors to do the same. That helps create a great first impression when buyers drive down the street. In every neighborhood we have lived in, there has been one “neat-nik”. Now that is pressure! Motivating. You might even decide that everything looks so good – why move? That doesn’t sound like a Realtor, does it? Hmmmmm…

Today my thoughts are going to marketing my newest listings. It’s the time of year when we all anticipate seeing dirt again – and not just on top of the huge piles of snow! Also, it’s when the sellers in our community anticipate our busiest real estate season – March, April, and May.

With that said, I want everyone to know that I also work for buyers. Let’s open the eyes of the sellers by looking at properties the way a buyer sees them. Here’s the process: we meet with the buyers – going over legal representation issues, listening to their needs and wants, discussing how to obtain financing (or maybe how to make a cash offer) and then we begin.

The Internet has changed the buying process in that we don’t go get in the car together and take a look at what is in the buyer’s price range and might fit the necessary criteria. Most of the time a buyer has been looking at homes on the Internet and is very savvy about what is available. What do they see? Pictures and words. That’s it. Sure, the location is important, but that has usually already been established.

When I take a look at homes on the Internet with buyers it is not uncommon for them to bypass what might be a great home, only because the pictures are terrible. Lighting bad, angles not showing the rooms to best advantage, and who needs to see a shot of the toilet in a bathroom? Every bathroom has ‘em! I could go on and on about the buyers’ comments: “not that one, next!” There are plenty of homes available, in all price ranges, and as sellers you want your property displayed and described to present the very best overall picture.

I want you to know my photographer is the best. All the shots are well planned, tell a thorough story, and will entice buyers. Mike is a professional photographer – the fact that he’s “family” is, of course, irrelevant. Take a look at the pictures on the web site. You will be impressed – because buyers are.