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Getting The Highest Price For Your Home

In order to get the highest price in the shortest time, you need to know how to market your home. The better you market your home, the more offers you will get. And the more offers you get, the more choices you have to get the price and terms you want.

The most important factor of marketing your home is pricing it right. Your price should be adjusted to reflect the market, and the property’s worth. The key is to get many people checking out your property at a fair price instead of having no buyers because your price is set too high.

Another important factor is the condition of your home. Make sure that your home looks ready to be sold. Fix any defects (peeling or faded paint, cracks, stains, etc.) Condition alone can sometimes prompt fast buying decisions. Not only should you fix any defects, but consider upgrading your home by making major repairs and cosmetic improvements before selling. A nice looking home triggers the emotional response that can lead to a financial response.

Learn how to negotiate the best terms for all parties involved. Terms are another factor which may be adjusted to attract buyers. If you insist on getting your asking price, think of what you can offer to the buyers, for example, improvements you’ve made, or even offering seller financing at a lower than market interest rate on a portion of the sale price. Convince them why they should be paying the price you have set.

Lastly, get the buzz out about your home. List your house with a hot agent that ensures your house is listed on the MLS and on the Internet. On your own, get the word out. It should be visible to passerby’s that your house if for sale, whether it be signs, local advertisements or you telling friends, family, and acquaintances.

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Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program

In this current economic crisis, millions of homeowners facing financial hardship and possible foreclosure actions are requesting the help of agents with the Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) designation. A CDPE is a real estate professional with specific understanding of the complex issues that confront homeowners in distress. Through comprehensive training and market experience, CDPEs are able to provide real solutions for homeowners facing hardships in today’s market.  Paul Wheeler has achieved the CDPE designation.  As a professional trained to address specific needs, he does not merely assist in selling properties, he helps clients find solutions.

The rising number of foreclosures in this country is simply too big to ignore. That is why a government-backed program HAFA has been released that aims at streamlining foreclosure avoidance options.

If you think that a short sale might be a good solution for you, call us at 669-8559 to discuss this and other possible options.

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The Art Of Staging

When it comes to Staging, what kind of wall art should you use? Since it is all about neutralizing, how can you choose a painting, a print or a picture that is not taste specific?

Well, first of all, try to stay away from flashy colors. Then, I would say that your choice will depend on the room you are staging. For example, in the kitchen, you should play with shapes for your art. Who said that every “chef d’oeuvre“needed to be presented in a frame? Be creative…

Depending on your color scheme, you could play with different shades and use pictures of drinks, food (such as spices), bottles…something really appropriate for the kitchen. Recipes can be really eye catching as well if nicely presented.

In the dining-room, wall art could be plates or placemats, but if you want to keep it simple, a landscape is great too. Landscapes are used the most in Staging because they pretty much go in every room throughout the house. Abstract is a genre of Art that suit the needs of a staged home. And, since Staging doesn’t mean boring, you have a lot more options than still-lives and landscapes. Just remember to keep it simple and to avoid portraits; they are just too personal and taste specific.

The purpose of putting Art on walls when staging a house is not only to look good and appealing. It’s also to anchor a piece of furniture or to create a vignette. (For example: a couple of paintings above the sofa).
Remember that to fill up empty walls; Art is not the only solution: think outside the box. You can also find some great architectural wall art and iron candleholders. Just shop around and you will find endless possibilities.

Good Luck!
Virginie Gill
Certified Staging Expert
Owner of Voilà Design

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From “Blah” To “Wow”!

There are 2 rooms in which we know that investing your money won’t be a waste. These 2 rooms are the bathroom and the kitchen, and here are a few tips to bring the “wow” factor in. This week, we will focus on the kitchen.

Make sure everything works well: cabinet doors, pulls and knobs, no leaking faucets.
New hardware for the cabinets is not very costly and it makes a huge impact. Preferably, everything should match in your kitchen (all glass, all stainless steel, all chrome or all oil rubbed brass).

Appliances need to be spotless.

Countertops are one of the most expansive upgrades for your kitchen, but for those of us on a budget, here is a simple fix. If you have laminate countertops, you can freshen it up with paint. Go to your local hardware store and ask for laminate countertops paint.

If you have butcher block countertops, oil them. A small can of oil or wax will do the trick.

If you have a bar, you need to emphasize it. It needs to be defined as an eating area, so stage it with a couple of bar stools and a few accessories. Every counter space counts and it is a great selling feature. If there is a breakfast nook in your kitchen, stage it with a small table and 2 or 4 chairs (depending on the size of the nook). Don’t forget to set the table to create a welcoming atmosphere so buyers can picture themselves living in your house.

It is very important that you de-clutter the countertops; you MUST show off the space. There is no better example of less is more. Pick ONE (yes just one!) small electric appliance (it should be the one you can’t live without and it should look clean): this one can stay! The rest MUST go. Then, use your imagination: wooden or stainless steel bowls with apples or lemons, fresh flowers, a kettle on the stove and you’re good to go.

But no, wait! Remember to bake cookies or a pie before you start your open house. There is nothing better than the smell of baked sweets to attract potential buyers!

There are many more things you can do to stage your kitchen but these solutions should help you get a better idea of what a staged kitchen should look like.

Staging tip of the week:
To clean stainless steel appliances, use a smooth cloth with a few drops of olive oil. Wipe gently and Voilà!

Good luck!
Virginie Gill, Certified Staging Expert
Owner of Voila Design
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Staging: How To Make A Small Room Feel Bigger

We are all well aware that today’s buyers are looking for spacious Tulsa homes with big and airy rooms. So, what can you do to make your small rooms feel bigger?

Here are a few tips:

  • Wall color is crucial. Choose a light color, such as beige, cream, taupe or light green. After all, staging doesn’t have to mean boring!
    Also, by painting the farthest wall from the entry way one or two shades darker, it will become an accent wall and your room will appear bigger and deeper. It will naturally attract the buyers’ eyes. (This works especially for living rooms).
  • Open the window curtains and roll up the blinds to maximize the natural light.
  • Use mirrors (one or two maximum in the same room) to reflect light, as well as shiny objects like candle holders, vases and other accessories.
  • If you have dark floors like hardwoods, try a big white rug to soften up the feel of the room. It helps define a sitting area for example and opens up an entire space.
  • Use fresh cut flowers, like sunflowers.
  • For bedrooms, choose white bedding so it won’t overpower the entire room.

Each of these solutions should help to make your rooms feel bigger, and in turn, make a great impression!

Staging tip of the week:

When you remove heavy furniture, it usually leaves dents on the carpet.

Easy fix: take an ice cube and let it melt on the dents. Once melted, use a scrubbing brush and…Voilà!!

Good luck!

Virginie Gill, Certified Staging Expert
Owner of Voila Design

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The First Impression

The first impression is very important when you are  selling your Tulsa home. When I hear “first impression”, I think “curb appeal”. An attractive curb appeal is critical if you want to sell fast.

If your house doesn’t look good from the outside, chances are that Tulsa buyers won’t even stop to visit it. In order to show how beautiful the inside is, your Tulsa home needs to catch the potential buyers’ eyes right away. A few little changes go a long way.

Below are a few solutions you can adopt:

  • Clean up; rake leaves and kill weeds. Trash cans and cars should be out of sight because you want people to focus on your house and nothing else.
  • Add color to spice up the front of the house. Simple but colorful flowers, foliage and fresh mulch are all you need to make potential buyers feel welcome.

The impression the front door area makes is crucial. Buyers have plenty of time to look around and notice the flaws while waiting for the agent to unlock the door. Therefore you should:

  • Replace the house numbers (if needed) or spray paint them black.
  • Replace mailbox if dated or spray paint it black to freshen it up.
  • Make sure your doorbell works.
  • Add a welcome door mat.

Last but not least, don’t forget to clean up the windows to maximize natural light.

All this should help you make an amazing first impression. Your curb appeal will show nicely, your Tulsa home will look well maintained and buyers will be eager to discover the inside.

Staging tip of the week:

To clean your windows inside and out, you need a window cleaner along with a squeegee. Use a vertical motion on one side and a horizontal motion on the other. That way, you will know what side streaks are on for follow-up cleaning.

Good luck!
Virginie Gill, Certified Staging Expert
Owner of Voila Design

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Foreclosure Vs. Short Sale

In today’s uncertain economy, we are seeing more and more distressed property owners. At least 10% of all homes across the country are either in foreclosure or in pre-foreclosure (behind in payments) per the Certified Distressed Property Institute. This drastic change in our economy and banking system is creating a very interesting Tulsa real estate market.  Most Tulsa home owners in this situation don’t know what options they have and believe they will either have to file bankruptcy or get foreclosed on, and lose their Tulsa home.

There is a third option though and is it called a short sale. The short sale is a tool to sell the property for the Tulsa home owner that might be experiencing a period of financial instability, be behind on payments and owes too much on the property to sell for a profit in today’s market. If you or someone you know is in this situation, the first thing to do is to find an educated Tulsa realtor that is a certified distressed property expert. They will be able get your home listed, and package all the appropriate forms needed by the lender to stop the foreclosure process and work on getting the lender to accept a contract on the home that is even less than what is owed. If the Tulsa home or Broken Arrow home is sold for less than what is owed, the goal is to get the bank to wave the difference owed with the seller owing no money at closing and have a settled account, not a foreclosure on the sellers credit record.

If you know of anyone in this situation, please have them call me. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert and handle situations like this daily and keep many of our clients out of foreclosure.

Warmest Wishes!

Paul Wheeler
Owner/ Broker
The Paul Wheeler Team at Accent Realtors
Your Best Friends In Real Estate!
4625 S. Harvard, Suite 100
Tulsa, OK 74135
(O) 918.665-8559 (F) 918.665.2442
www.AccentRealtors.com