Renee Hillman leads this Raleigh eXp Realty top producer team of real estate agents. Experience matters! Let us defend your home's equity.
We often times forget to share with you all the inner workings of some of our transactions. Our team has so many fun stories that have come to fruition over the years so we are working to share more of these “Success Stories” with you. This story is straight from our team leader and just all-around boss woman, Renée Hillman, and focuses on our listing at 129 Begen Street in Morrisville.
Thinking of selling your house this spring? It is common knowledge that spring is the most popular time of year to buy and sell a home. For that reason, many homeowners wait to put their homes on the market until then. The question is whether or not that is a good strategy this year.
The other listings that come out in the spring mean increased competition to any seller. Do a greater number of homes actually come to the market during the spring in comparison to the rest of the year? The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently revealed the months during which most people listed their homes for sale in 2018. This graphic shows the results:
The second quarter of the year (represented in red) are consistently the most popular months for sellers to list their homes on the market. Last year, the number of homes available for sale in January was 1,520,000.
With the national job market improving and mortgage interest rates projected to rise later in the year, buyers are not waiting until the spring; they are out looking for homes right now.
If you are looking to sell this year, waiting until the spring to list your home means you will have the greatest competition amongst buyers. Beat the rush and list your home today!
In this fast moving, hot real estate market, some homeowners might consider selling their homes on their own or For Sale by Owner (FSBO). They believe that they don’t need a real estate agent and that they can save the commission for the services a real estate agent offers.
However, a study by Collateral Analytics reveals that FSBOs don’t actually save anything, and in many cases may be costing themselves more, by not using the services of an experienced agent.
In the study, they analyzed home sales in a variety of markets. The data showed that:
The study makes several suggestions:
“There could be systematic bias on the buyer side, particularly buyers who rationalize lower-priced bids with the logic that the seller is “saving” on commission. Such buyers might specifically target sellers who are not being represented by a skilled agent.” In other words, ‘bargain lookers’ might shop FSBOs in hopes of getting a deal.
“Experienced agents are experts at ‘staging’ homes for sale” which could bring more money for the home.”
“Properties listed with a broker will be listed online with all other participating broker websites, marketing the home to a much larger buyer population. And those MLS properties generally offer compensation to agents who represent buyers, incentivizing them to show and sell the property and potentially enlarging the buyer pool.” If more buyers see a home, the greater the chances are that there could be a bidding war for the property.
FSBOs achieve prices significantly lower than those from similar properties sold by Realtors using the MLS.
The data suggests the average price was near 6% lower for FSBO sales of similar properties.
As Dave Ramsey, America’s trusted voice on money, explains:
According to the National Association of Realtors, staging a home prior to listing it can result in a faster and more profitable sale.1 In fact, the Real Estate Staging Association estimates that professionally staged properties spend 73 percent less time on the market, receive more foot traffic, and typically sell for more money.2
Source: National Association of Realtors
Following are 10 tips you can use to get your home “show ready” prior to hitting the market. These easy and cost-effective ideas will help your house look its best—and help buyers visualize themselves living there. Even if you’re not currently in the market to sell, you can use these tactics to breathe new life into your existing home decor.
To get a plan customized for your particular property, give us a call to schedule a free consultation. We’d be happy to share our insider knowledge of the buyer preferences in your neighborhood … so you’ll know where to focus your time, money and energy to maximize your results.
1.REMOVE CLUTTER
Decluttering is typically the first thing we tell clients to do to prepare their home for sale. And according to the National Association of Realtors, a whopping 93 percent of agents agree.1 Decluttering is the act of removing excess “stuff” from your home to make it appear clean and spacious.
Overflowing closets and cluttered countertops can make your house feel small and cramped. In contrast, sparsely-filled closets and clear countertops will make your home appear larger and assure buyers that there will be plenty of room to store their belongings.
Don’t neglect drawers, cupboards and even your refrigerator in your decluttering efforts. Serious buyers will check out every nook and cranny of your home, so pack up anything you don’t use on a daily basis and store it off site. The same goes for jewelry, sensitive documents, prescription medication, firearms and other items of value. Store them in a locked safe or storage unit before opening your property to buyers.
Make sure any items that remain are clean, tidy and well organized. The good news is, when it comes time to move, a large portion of your packing will be done!
2.DEEP CLEAN AND DEODORIZE
From carpets to bathrooms to appliances, having a clean home is a MUST. If you’ve ever checked into a dirty hotel room, you can imagine how buyers can be turned off by a home that hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned.
If you have a large home, or are short on time, you may want to invest in a professional cleaning service. And if you have carpet, we generally recommend you rent a steam cleaner or hire a company to clean your carpets for you.
In addition to cleaning, it’s equally important to neutralize odors in your home that can be off-putting to buyers, especially pet smells and cigarette smoke. If the weather allows, open your windows and let in fresh air. Empty the trash frequently, and especially before a showing. Avoid cooking any strong-smelling food such as fish or heavy spices. You may need to clean (or remove) drapes and upholstery if odors are particularly strong.
Try to keep your home in clean, show-ready condition while it’s on the market. You never know when a potential buyer will want to drop by for a viewing.
3.DEPERSONALIZE
Your family photos and personal mementos are often your most treasured possessions. For many of us, they are what make a house a home. However, buyers will have a hard time envisioning themselves living in a place if it feels like YOUR home.
Pack up any items that are personal to you and your family, such as photos, books, children’s artwork, travel souvenirs and religious items. Collectibles and excessive knickknacks can be distracting to buyers. Instead, keep your decor items minimal and generic to appeal to the largest number of buyers.
4.NEUTRALIZE YOUR COLOR PALETTE
Along those same lines, bold color choices may not appeal to all buyers. By incorporating a neutral color palette throughout your home, buyers can better visualize the addition of their own furniture and decor, which may contrast with your current color scheme.
But don’t limit yourself to white and beige. Incorporating earth tones and midtone neutrals—like mocha and “greige” (grey-beige)—can add a touch of modern sophistication to your decor.3
One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to neutralize your home’s decor is with paint. Walls painted in dark, bold or bright colors can turn off buyers. A fresh coat of paint in a neutral color like greige (try Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter) or warm white (such as Kelly-Moore’s Rotunda White) offers a clean palette upon which buyers can visualize adding their own personal touches.4
If your sofa is worn, stained or has a bold pattern, consider purchasing a neutral-colored slipcover. Dated or overly busy window coverings should be taken down or replaced. Instead, bring in tasteful pops of color with throw pillows and accessories.
5.INCREASE YOUR CURB APPEAL
You only get one chance to make a first impression. According to a 2017 report by the National Association of Realtors, 44 percent of home buyers drove by a property after viewing it online but did NOT go inside for a walkthrough.5 That means if your curb appeal is lacking, buyers may never make it through the door.
Walk around your home and look for any neglected areas that might seem like “red flags” to buyers, such as missing roof shingles or rotted siding. Trim trees and shrubs if needed, and make sure your lawn and flower beds are well maintained. Add some colorful flowers to your front beds and/or flower boxes to brighten up your landscaping.
Make sure the exterior of your home is as clean as the interior. This can often be accomplished with a simple garden hose. But if your siding, walkway, or driveway are stained or dingy, you may want to rent a pressure washer.
Thoroughly wash windows and screens, and remove and store dark solar screens if you have them. Open shutters, curtains and blinds, which will not only make your house look more inviting from the outside, it will brighten the inside.
Consider a fresh coat of paint on your front door, trim and shutters. And small, cosmetic improvements like new house numbers, a colorful wreath and a clean front doormat can have a big impact.6
6.FRESHEN KITCHENS AND BATHS
Kitchens and bathrooms will show better and appear larger if all items are cleared from the countertops, except for one or two decorative pieces.7 You should have already packed up non-essentials during your decluttering process, and the remaining items should be neatly stored in pantries and cupboards.
If your cabinets are dingy or outdated, adding a fresh coat of paint and new hardware is an easy and inexpensive way to make them modern and bright. Consider purchasing new shower curtains, bath mats and towels for the bathrooms and new dish towels for the kitchen.
Before each showing, make sure kitchens and baths are spotless and trash cans are empty and out of sight. To add a comforting aroma, try baking cookies, or in the fall, simmer some cinnamon sticks and cloves in a pot of water before you leave the house. In the spring, try a vase of fresh cut lilacs.7
7.SET THE TABLE
Buyers often imagine hosting family gatherings in their new home, and the dining room plays a large role in that vision. If your dining room chairs are stained or outdated, you may want to recover them or use slipcovers. In most cases, an imperfect table can be camouflaged with a neutral and stylish tablecloth.
Be sure the table is centered underneath the chandelier and on the area rug if you’re using one. If your dining room is small, remove all other furniture and leave only four chairs.8
Dress up the table using nice tableware and cloth napkins or a table runner and centerpiece. For a long table, try lining up a series of small vessels down the middle.
8.REARRANGE FURNITURE
Start in your living room and think about what you want to emphasize (and de-emphasize) about the space. For example, do you have a beautiful fireplace or a stunning view? If so, arrange the furniture with that focal point in mind. Use a symmetrical seating arrangement to create a cozy conversation area adjacent to the focal point.
If the room is small, consider removing some of the furniture to make it feel larger, especially oversized pieces. That includes oversized television sets, unless it’s a designated media room. Pulling furniture away from the wall can make the room feel more spacious, and placing your largest furniture piece in the far-left corner (as opposed to near the entry) can create the illusion of a larger space.9
For small bedrooms, remove all the furniture except the bed, bedside tables and a dresser. If it’s a large room, add one or two chairs and a table to create a seating area. Place lamps on the bedside tables and seating area if you have one.10
Make sure each space in your home has a clearly defined purpose. For example, if you’ve been using an extra bedroom as a catch-all storage space, stage it as a guest room or office instead. Turn an awkward alcove into a workstation or a reading corner. Help buyers imagine how they could use the space themselves.3
9.LIGHTEN UP
Lighting can have a drastic impact on the look and feel of a home. Few buyers seek out a dark house; most prefer one that’s light and bright. Make sure windows are clean, and open curtains and blinds to let in the maximum amount of daylight.
Each room should have three types of lighting: ambient (general or overhead), task (such as a reading lamp or under-cabinet light), and accent (such as a floor or table lamp). Aim for a goal of 100 total watts per 50 square feet.11 If your mounted light fixtures are dated, replacing them with something more modern is an easy and inexpensive upgrade that can have a big impact.
Strategically placed landscape lighting can add a dramatic effect to your home’s exterior. Welcome evening visitors with a lighted walkway, or use a spotlight to accentuate trees or other landscaping features. Solar lights require no wiring; simply place them in a sunny spot and they will turn on automatically at dusk.
10.HIGHLIGHT YOUR BACKYARD’S BEST FEATURES
While your home’s interior often takes center stage, don’t forget about staging your home’s outdoor areas to help buyers imagine how they could utilize the space.
Even a small patio can become a selling feature with the addition of a cafe table and chairs. Add a tray of plates and coffee cups to help buyers envision a peaceful breakfast on the back porch. Place chairs and wine glasses around an outdoor firepit or hang a hammock with a book in your favorite shady spot.3 These small, simple additions can help buyers visualize the possibilities your backyard has to offer.
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
If you’re in the market to sell your home, this list provides a great starting point for your preparations. But nothing beats the trained eye and expertise of a real estate agent. Before you do any work, we recommend consulting a professional for advice about your particular property.
We offer free, no-commitment seller consultations and will walk through your home with you to help you assess which projects and upgrades are worth your time and money, and which ones you can skip.
As local market experts, we are intimately familiar with buyer preferences in your area. We’ll run a comparative market analysis to find out how your home compares to others currently on the market, as well as those that have recently sold. Then we’ll tailor a custom plan to suit your particular property, budget and needs.
Please call or email us today with questions or to schedule a free consultation!
Want more helpful homeowner tips? Check this out!
Sources:
“We’ve known Renee since she started in the business and had no hesitation on who to call when we were ready to sell. She really knows her stuff inside out and is on the ball! She is not only a very smart business woman but also very personable. She definitely knows how to make great recommendations on things to do to ‘sell’, knows the market and how to move houses. We were blown away with the ‘Coming Soon’ strategy to build motivation and it worked! We highly recommend Renee when selling or buying. She’s top-notch!” — Joe and AnnMonza
The Monza’s selected Renee and the HREG team to market and sell their custom-built executive home in Cary’s Buckhurst West neighborhood.
To read more five-star reviews about Renee Hillman and Hillman Real Estate Group, check out these reviews at Realtor.com.
Thank you Jeff for allowing Hillman Real Estate Group to list and successfully sell your beautiful Cary, NC home! We appreciate your thoughtful review of our professional services and local market expertise:
“She knows the market so well and has forged so many relationships in the industry that she takes all the guesswork out of selling your house. I consider myself relatively clever, but I’ve got nothing on Renee when it comes to real estate. I couldn’t imagine a better experience.” — Jeff Byzek
The Phillips worked with Hillman Real Estate Group to not only sell their Fuquay-Varina home successfully in the summer of 2016, but also to purchase a new home, as well! Hillman Real Estate Group’s exclusive marketing plan, which includes professional photography, virtual tour, social media, blog promotion, and more, assisted Renee Hillman and team in giving this home tremendous market visibility, bringing qualified buyers to the table.
“Renee was so friendly and easy to work with! She was quick to respond to emails and calls, too! Highly recommend!” — The Phillips Family
We’re thrilled that The Phillips Family left this great review and would love to work with you to reach the same results when it comes to selling your home and buying a new one. Contact us at Renee-@Renee-Sells.com or by phone at 919-877-6708 anytime!
We loved working with the Lindquists to find this fantastic home in Apex and very much appreciate the fantastic Zillow review!
“I have nothing but great things to say about Renee and highly recommend her as your realtor. She possesses a great blend of knowledge and diligence, on top of excellent communication skills and being a great person who you can trust.”
To read more five-star Zillow.com reviews of Renee Hillman and the Hillman Real Estate Group team, check out http://www.zillow.com/profile/reneesells/!
Every member of our team at Hillman Real Estate Group is an expert at accommodating tight schedules for great clients! Thanks for the kind words, Sara!
“Renee was wonderful to work with – she accommodated my tight schedule for viewings, and made everything happen quickly. I appreciated her combination of friendly demeanor and efficiency, on top of her obvious knowledge and skill in the business. Thanks for all your hard work!”
To see more five-star Realtor.com reviews for Renee Hillman, check out Realtor.com.
I have been so fortunate to work with the Nealis Family on four transactions now – including the recent sale of their former house in Apex and the purchase of a new home… also in Apex. Thanks Nealis Family, for the kind review you left as a result!
“Renee is the best in the Triangle, hands down. I can’t say enough wonderful things about her. She and her team truly go above and beyond to make sure the client’s needs are met. She is responsive, empathetic, and her knowledge is unsurpassed.” – Allyson Nealis on Zillow
If you’re considering working with my team at Hillman Real Estate Group on the sale or purchase of a home in the Triangle, we’d love to for you to check out more five-star Zillow reviews like this one at http://www.zillow.com/profile/reneesells/!
Our wonderful client Beth Haggard was kind enough to recently write the following review at Realtor.com about the services my team and I were able to provide to her family during the recent sale of their home:
“I cannot say enough good things about our experience with Renee. From day 1 of coming to do an initial walk through of our home, she sat down with us and explained step-by-step how everything would work (since this was our first time selling). She gave us a nice little organized folder that had all the information we would need. She gave helpful suggestions on how to organize and stage our home so that it would be show-ready! She researched our area thoroughly and helped us list it at just the right price.
We had multiple showings within the first few days, and TWO offers by the 5th day of being on the market! We knew she was good, but wow, that was faster that we ever could have imagined! Since we had multiple offers, she was able to get us exactly what we were asking for…”
“We could pretty much get a hold of her anytime day or night, but in the case that she was busy (because everyone wants her!), her Client Care Specialist, Jenn was there to answer our questions, which I think makes their firm very unique. I kept commenting on how I was in awe of how organized Renee is. I have already recommended her to family and friends and would certainly recommend her to anyone else looking to buy or sell a home!”
Thank you very much for the kind words, Beth – it’s great clients like you that make this a dream job for my entire team. We love working with clients like you and sincerely appreciate the referrals you have been willing to make on our behalf!
For more reviews of Renee Hillman and Hillman Real Estate Group, check out Realtor.com!
Thank you, Mike and Cathy! Working with you to sell your North Raleigh condo was wonderful!
“We listed a condo in North Raleigh with Renee over the summer. We found Renee based on the great reviews she received from sellers in our area. All the reviews talked about her knowledge, responsiveness, energy and what a pleasure she was to work with through the buying/selling experience – and they were right! We could not have been happier! We had a very successful experience selling the condo thanks to Renee! Even though I’m sure our condo was one of her smaller listings we always felt like we were her only customer. If we need to buy or sell again we will definitely call Renee. And if anyone we know is looking to buy or sell in this area we will definitely recommend Renee.” — Mike and Cathy Evans
See more Zillow.com reviews for Renee Hillman at http://www.zillow.com/profile/reneesells/.
