Preparation – the key to selling your home.

It’s Spring time in Wisconsin!  The crocuses have come and gone, Brewers Opening Day is less than a week away, the daffodils are up and the Junco’s have left for cooler weather.  Real Estate “FOR SALE” signs are popping up like the dandelions that are sure to follow.

Get your ducks in a row before signing on the dotted line.  What do I mean by that?

1.        Prepare your home for the market and the microscope that buyers will be placing it under.   Pre-Sale home inspections have become increasingly popular over the past few years in response to these economic times.   Better to know up front what a buyer will be asking for than after negotiations have begun.  Make repairs as necessary in order to allow for a smooth transaction.

2.       Eliminate all clutter!  Empty out all closets.  Start packing.  Use a corner of the basement to organize the things you can pack up now, before showings begin.  Make certain to NOT pile boxes around the foundation walls.  Buyers want to see what the walls look like.  I don’t have an issue with putting boxes in the middle of the basement – you have to put them somewhere!

3.       Touch up all woodwork!  Nothing says “I don’t take care of my home” more than chipped woodwork.  Little things add up and mean a lot.  Those things translate to dollars off the purchase price.

4.       Clean, Clean, CLEAN your house.  Hire a professional service if necessary. No one wants to buy a dirty home!

5.       Organize your kitchen cabinets and pantry.  Even if you normally don’t live this way, a buyer won’t know that.  When Buyers see an organized home they feel comfortable that the house itself has been maintained during the seller’s ownership.

6.       It is no secret that bathrooms and kitchens sell homes.  Eliminate all appliances from the kitchen counter tops for all showings.  Put everything in a large laundry basket and store in the garage until the showing is over.  Re-caulk your bathtub and shower if the caulk has seen better days.

7.       Consider hiring a professional stager!  They make a world of difference!! 

8.       Start your Spring clean-up outside too!  Make your home welcoming from the street.  Plant a few pansies in pots to make a positive first impression.

It is never too early to make a good impression on your buyer.  It starts from the moment they drive up to the house.  Do things that your competition isn’t doing.  Tip the scales in your favor.  It’s easier than you may think!!

Good luck!  And remember, feel free to email me with questions.  I am happy to help!

Fran Maglio Wallace

fwallace@firstweber.com

If You're Selling Your Home, Get Ready for a Beauty Contest

For better or for worse, like it or not, today’s home sellers are participating in a “Beauty Contest”.  There is a ton of inventory available and a very small pool of buyers.   Your merchandise must stand out from the rest.

For the most part, buyers want to walk in to a home and fall in love with it.   They want updated kitchens and bathrooms, the current color palette on the walls, and mechanicals in acceptable condition.  New windows and roof??  That is definitely a plus!

If you are considering updating your home, do it!  It will help you when it is time for you to sell.  Today’s Buyers want to close on their new home, place their furniture in the house and go out to dinner that evening.  The more “move in” ready you can make your home, the more likely you will be to win the “Beauty Contest”!   Don’t forget, there are many homes from which to choose, and only a handful of buyers out there that are ready, willing and able to buy.

Don’t be left out in the cold!  Make the improvements that will get your home in the running to be a finalist.  Tip the scales in your favor.  Do everything in your power to make your property stand out from the rest.  Your real estate professional should guide you.  Take that advice and run with it.

Fran Maglio Wallace

414-350-6358

fwallace@firstweber.com

First Blog Post!

Welcome to my blog!  My name is Fran Maglio Wallace, I am a real estate professional with the First Weber Group.  I live and work on the North Shore and have been selling real estate for the past 28 years.   During those years I have sold millions of dollars of real estate and have accumulated a great deal of experience and many stories to tell.  My goal is to provide you with insight into the real estate market that we are currently experiencing.  I am happy to answer any questions you may have.  Please feel free to email me at fwallace@firstweber.com with any questions.

This is my more than “full time” job.  In order to be successful, especially in a down market, I have had to work increasingly long days spending many more hours to get my listings sold.  I have seen all kinds of markets come and go during my career, however, none has been more challenging than the market we have been experiencing for the past 3 years!  Please check back to my blog I am giving away free tidbits of information that will be useful!