5 Things Every Homeowner Needs To Hear When Selling

Selling your home can be a very stressful process! So many things go into selling your home that, without a professional realtor to help, it can be hard to deal with. I am going to assume that you have already decided to hire a professional to make the process go a lot smoother, but it doesn't stop there. There are many things that only you can do to make sure that everything in your control is done for your home to SELL FAST! Sometimes it is a little tricky for a real estate agent to tell you what you need to hear without hurting your feelings, so I'm going to do it for them. These are 5 things that you, the homeowner, need to keep foremost in your mind:

 1) DON'T OVERPRICE 

The real estate market is booming right now, but over pricing a home can keep it from ever being shown. According to  www.thebalance.com buyers won't make an offer on overpriced homes because they do not want to offend the seller. They believe that if the seller would take a lower price, they would have already had it at a reasonable price. Buyers also assume that the seller must have turned down low-ball offers from other buyers because surely someone, somewhere along the line, had offered a reasonable price to the seller. But many times, there are no offers at all. Don't be offended if you get a low-ball offer, be patient and willing to negotiate.  

2) STAGE YOUR HOME

I get it! You have a personal attachment to everything in your house, but to a potential buyer it can be a very distracting. A buyer might be shown 5 houses in one day, so don't let your house be referred to as "the house with  the  mannequin collection.” Personal items including photos should be stored away. When a potential buyer walks in, you want them to imagine how this could be their dream home. The buyers may not enjoy seeing pictures of the first time your son peed in the back yard. Staging includes the outside too. Make sure the Yard is clean, the side walks pressured washed, and yard is clean. This is the very first thing the potential buyer will see. Be sure to make a good first impression.

3) PETS HAVE TO GO

Unfortunately, not everyone loves pets. If your house is being shown it is best if you take your pets with you. No one wants some random dog humping their leg no matter how cute he is. Honestly, if possible, remove all evidence that pets live there. Trust me, it will be one less thing that could potentially be a deal breaker.

4) REMOVE CLUTTER

This one is extremely important! As a real estate photographer, there is nothing more impressive than walking in a home that is spotless. The first thing I say to myself is "I could totally see myself living here." You want all the attention to be on the features of the home and not on the toys thrown all over the floor. Nobody wants to step on a Lego, trust me! Hide away all dirty laundry. You don’t want to be the house remembered as the one with the leopard print thong hanging from the ceiling fan. Also, don't leave anything that you would be embarassed by if your mother saw it (Wink Wink). I understand how difficult it is to keep your house "show ready", but it is SO IMPORTANT. Also, make sure your house smells good. There is nothing worse than walking in a house that stinks of moth balls or pets. 

5) ALWAYS BE READY TO SHOW

Always be ready for your house to be shown!! People are going to want to look at your house at the craziest times- sometimes even ruining  your dinner routine. Get ready to eat out and sacrifice your precious time riding around wasting time for people to look at your house. So many people put their home on the market and then it’s takes an act of Congress for it to be shown. Buyers are ready to buy NOW! If they have to wait to see your home but get to see four others, they are likely going to forget about yours and buy one of the others. Selling your home is annoying, but the only way it will sell is if it is being shown, a lot!

These are only a few things that a seller can do to make sure their house SELLS FAST. Always listen to your realtor. They have your best interest in mind. It might be hard to hear sometimes, but don't take offense. IT'S FOR THE BEST. You can find more tips to get your house SHOW READY by clicking on the link. I hope I've helped you sell your house fast! 

Don't be the victim of a drive-by real estate shooting!

You wait years, maybe decades to list your home whether to upgrade or downsize. You hire an agent and they blast through your house in five minutes taking cell phone photos. That's OK! You figure that they MUST know what they're doing, right? You check out your house on Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc. The photos are dark and crooked. Criteria for good photography is nonexistent on your listing. What happened? You are the victim of a drive-by real estate shooting. Your agent did a shoot and run! 

It is fantastic if your real estate agent also happens to be a seasoned, experienced real estate photographer with proper technique and equipment. While not impossible, this scenario is the exception rather than the rule. 

WEB APPEAL IS THE NEW CURB APPEAL!  This is not a unique phrase that I made up.  Google it!  It is used throughout the industry for marketing, yet many realtors fall back on their belief that the traditional concept of curb appeal still matters.  According to Realtor.com, 92 percent of home buyers use the Internet as part of their home search That means that listing photos are a critical factor. It should not matter whether your house is less than 1000 square feet or more than 5000. If your home is worth listing, it should be worth representing with photos that do it justice. 

From a real estate agent's perspective, photos define their brand more than anything else. It defines their dedication and professionalism. Some realtors will say they are doing fine without professional photos so why fix it if it ain't broke?  Others will do whatever it takes to deliver professional services because they know that potential listing customers check out other listings on the Internet. They know that a knowledgable consumer is not going to hire someone who displays homes with photos that are dark with crooked or even up-side-down images?  Those lost customers won't be counted because they are not going to bother to call the agent or broker and tell them why they are selecting another agent/agency. 

Do your homework before listing! There are great agents out there who will do their best. Agents who will present your home in the best light regardless of the listing price. You want someone who will treat your home with respect whether it's listed for $100,000 or $5,000,000. It shouldn't matter!  

by: Debra Resch, Better Home Photos, 2017

The Importance of Quality Photography When Selling a Home

The Importance of Quality Photography When Selling a Home

by: Dylan Snyder REALTOR® The Snyder Group at Keller Williams Realty

Are you considering selling your home? There are many small tasks to check off a to-do list. One of the most important things that homeowners can do to help themselves and market their home is to have professional-level photos of a property to list online.

Why are photos so important?

The majority of prospective home buyers go online and review listings before determining whether or not they would like to visit an available property. Therefore, quality photos create an initial idea in the buyer’s head and poor quality pictures can reduce potential traffic to a listed home. It does not pay to sacrifice quality when listing a home online.

What Makes a Good Listing Photo?

Today, first impressions begin online. Photos of a home must be taken with professional level equipment. A smartphone will not do. It has been found that photos of homes taken with a professional camera and then listed online receive an average of 61 percent more views. In addition, these properties benefit from a significantly higher asking price and are more likely to sell.

What should sellers desire in photos of their home for listing? Pictures must be high-resolution and properly lit. Snaps of homes on cloudy days or with dim lighting can make a home appear drearier and less inviting. Avoid giving DIY shots to an agent to upload for an MLS listing. Energy needs to be spent on staging the home and photos need to be taken when homes receive the best natural light. It's a big mistake to skip staging and take pictures of the home as-is, as most of your competition will be striving for that clean look. The home is a product for sale. Make sure to de-clutter and fully clean as if one was staging for an open house because, in a sense, you are.

Invest in having professional photos taken of the home and surrounding property as photos do help capture interest. They are also used when buyers create a mental shortlist of properties. Good pictures not only help with attracting initial interest but also assist in sustaining interest at pivotal times and can help potential buyers recall attractive features in a home when making a final decision. High quality photos are a priority for those working with an agent and others who want to sell a home themselves.

What Can Turn Off a Buyer?

Buyers are generally not attracted to photos with the following problems: low-quality or blurry photos, not marketing the lifestyle within a home, leaving clutter and personal items in a shot, and poorly-lit pictures. Quality photos are a way to provide a virtual tour of the home. A sufficient number of photos should be taken and listed to provide viewers with a good general idea of the layout and features of a home.

What is the Bottom Line?

Sellers interested in making the most out of the first few months of selling a property need to take steps to drive traffic to their location. Quality photos can attract more views and potential buyers. Multiple offers may come in which may drive up the offer price on a home. In addition, quality photos make help a home stand out in a competitive market and help sell a home faster.

In contrast, poorly lit photos and pictures of homes that fail to showcase important and desirable features of the home to the local market can serve to dampen traffic. This leads to fewer scheduled visits during that initial window of time when a home is newly listed. It may take longer to sell and cost a homeowner more to maintain a property while it lingers on the market.

While it's not the only thing sellers will have to do to get ready to sell, high-quality photography is an important step for any savvy homeowner that's looking to maximize their home's value, and decrease the time it takes to sell.

12100 Two Rivers Drive, Athens, AL 35611

Stunning Pent House, Corner Unit, 5 Story Condo, well appointed, in a Gated Community, with breath taking views of the Elk and Tennessee Rivers. Furnishings, except dining room, remains. Beautiful Travertine flooring throughout. Stone tile walk-in shower in Master and 2nd bath. Wrap around balcony with stone floor, with an entrance from Master. Plantation Shutters in LR and DR and 2" wood blinds in bedrooms. Jennair appliances and a wet bar with a Scottsman ice maker,New Whirlpool washer/dryer. Garage has a storage building built into back wall. Covered boat slip with heavy duty lift in the Private Marina. Many more amenities plus can sleep 16 people in comfort. Make Appointment Today!

Listing Information

Property Type: Condo, Contemporary

Bedrooms:3Bathrooms:3 Full

Total Rooms:5Lot Size:1 AcresSquare Feet:1,942 (approx)

Price per Sq. Ft.:$203.66Garage: YesStyle: Contemporary,Open Floor Plan,Condo Upstairs,See Remarks

Construction:Fiber Cement SidingSub Structure:Slab

Subdivision:The Pointe

Water:Public Water Service

Sewer:Public Sewer

Neighborhood

School Information

Elementary:BLUESPRINGS ELEMENTARYMiddle:CLEMENTSHigh:CLEMENTS

Room Information

Main Floor

Master Bedroom: 12X15

Bedroom: 14X17

Bedroom: 13X13

Dining Room: 15X17

Kitchen: 13X18

Living Room: 15X21

Other Room: 13X11

Foyer: 04X07

Bathroom: 10X05

Bathrooms

Full Baths: 3

Interior Features

Stunning Alpine Log Home

Welcome to Angelwalk Valley – home to the most breathtaking Alpine Log Home in the South, 176+ acres of pasture & woods, and countless memories for generations. Every detail of this inviting sanctuary, down to the pre-Civil War antique pine floors, has been thoughtfully chosen over years of curation. Each distinguishing feature weaves a story of inclusiveness, love of the outdoors, passion for entertaining, and cherished time with family and friends.

From the carved mahogany doors, to the hand-painted Italian sinks, to the exquisite stained glass throughout, to the African marble fireplace surround in the master bedroom – every aspect of Angelwalk’s 16,478 finished square feet is of the highest quality and crafted with extremely unique materials. 8 bedrooms and 13 baths –  including the master wing with his and her baths, private morning kitchen, and screened porch – are designed across two finished levels with an apartment suite over the five car garage. The home also includes a 5,281 square foot plumbed and wired basement level ready to be finished with sheetrock.

Regardless of the weather, you can swim laps year-round in the 49’ heated indoor pool. Step outside and enjoy multiple decks, countless gardens, stables, bonfire gazebo, and the overwhelming peace of nature. A gated drive leads you through the second-to-none recreational acreage featuring a riding pasture, shooting range, 4 wheeler trails, artesian wells, creeks, and wildlife (including deer for the avid hunter).

From the moment you set foot in Angelwalk Valley – no matter if you are a guest or the new owner of this rare mountain retreat near Huntsville, Birmingham, Nashville, & Atlanta – you are home.

Listing Information

Property Type: Single Family

Bedrooms:8Bathrooms:8 Full/3 Three-Qtr/2 Half

Total Rooms:21Lot Size:176.07 AcresSquare Feet:16,478 (approx)

Price per Sq. Ft.:$288.26Approximate Age:Over 5 Years OldStyle:3 Story,See Remarks

Construction:Log,See RemarksSub Structure:Basement

Subdivision:Metes And Bounds

Builder:Alpine Log Homes Of Montana

Water:Public Water Service

Sewer:Septic

Special Needs:Wide Doors,Stall Shower,36 Inch Doors

School Information

Elementary:UNION HILLMiddle:UNION HILLHigh:BREWER

Room Information

Main Floor

Master Bedroom:27X24

Bedroom:17X16

Bedroom:18X16

Dining Room:18X17

Family Room:34X15

Kitchen:31X21

Living Room:32X28

Foyer:17X15

Breakfast Room:33X19

Upper Floor

Bedroom:23X15

Bedroom:23X15

Bedroom:24X23

Bedroom:25X23

Bonus:33X32

Bathrooms

Full Baths:83/4 Baths:31/2 Baths:2

Interior Features

Appliances:Range-Oven, Double Oven, warming drawer, Dishwasher, Microwave, Refrigerator, Instant Hot Water, Trash Compactor, Dryer, Washer, Wine Refrigerator, Disposal

Cooling:Central Air

Heating: Central

Fireplaces: Gas logs

Security:Security System,

Exterior / Lot Features

Parking: Three+ Car Garage,Attached Garage,Workshop,Door Opener,Side Entry

Exterior:Patio,Deck,Covered Porch,Covered Patio,Screened Porch,Treed Lot,Det. Bldg,View,Gazebo,Undgrnd Util,Sprinkler Sys,Secluded,Drive-Paved/Asphalt,Equestrian Property,Cul-de-Sac,Storm Shelter,See Remarks

Patio:Patio, Deck, Porch Covered, Covered, Screened Porch

Sprinkler:Sprinkler System

Lot View:View

Topography:Sloped

Additional Exterior/Lot Features: Barn / Stalls, Gazebo, Cul-De-Sac, Pasture, Sloped, Wooded

Driving Directions

From Huntsville: 231 So. Pkw. to R on Ruth Rd. at traffic light; West 4 mi. to dead end at Fieldcrest Dr; Left down mountain. R on Valley Cruise Ln. Locked Gate. No Trespassing Sign. Appointment Only.

Financial Considerations

HOA:No

Tax/Property ID:Key #: 44639 & 63557

Tax Year Built:2004

Listing Price History

• Original Price: $4,750,000  
• Current Price: $4,750,000  
• Price Change: $0