Staging Your Home – Tips

Here are some of my best must-have tips when staging your home to sell.  What appeals to you may not appeal to buyers and I promise these tips will bring more money into your pocket as a seller.

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Brand new appliances historically offer high returns to sellers.  Old appliances that make a kitchen look dated is a turn off to buyers.  Adding new appliances creates a “new kitchen” vibe that will bring in more money to sellers.  Stainless steel appliances are what most buyers look for.  “Slate” finishes are an up and coming trend that eliminates smudging on your appliances while still giving the stainless steel look.

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Unpleasant household smells are a major turn off to buyers.  If you have pets make sure you shampoo the carpets or get rid of old carpet that has trapped bad odors.  Cinnamon and fresh smelling fragrances will help buyers feel more at home in your house.  Make sure you keep rugs clean, pets bathed, and linens fresh to avoid lingering odors.

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Lots of light is important to buyers.  Buyers do not like dark spaces.  Open the blinds and curtains to let natural light in and be sure you have plenty of lamps.  Light-colored paint and light colored furniture will help improve your chances of a sale.

Curb appeal is very important to bring in buyers.  Trim your bushes and make sure your yard has been mowed and edged.  Fresh paint on the exterior of your home will attract buyers.  Plant colorful flowers that are in bloom.  All these suggestions will improve your chances of a sale and eliminate phone calls canceling showings of your home.   Buyers have a tendency to drive by homes they like before they view the interior with their agent.  If the home lacks curb appeal, you will loose a buyer before they even step foot inside your home.

Clear out clutter and items that may distract buyers when walking through your home.  Staging your home to show its potential is important to selling it.  Neutral paint tones are important and furnishings that highlight the functionality of your rooms is appealing.  You want buyers to picture their furniture in the room and be able to see themselves living here.

Visit Beaches Close to Orlando

When planning a visit to Central Florida be sure to plan a visit to one of Central Florida’s beaches.  Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach are only an hour from Orlando.  Both beaches are gorgeous but have completely different vibes.

New Smyrna Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

New Smyrna Beach is known for its incredible surfing and it’s clean, quaint, small town feel.  You can drive on New Smyrna’s hard-packed sandy beach from the inlet south to 27th avenue.  The beach south of 27th to Canaveral National Seashore offers car-free beaches.  Enjoy a nice lunch on the beach while watching the waves at the breezy oceanfront Breakers restaurant on Flagler Ave.  New Smyrna also offers great fishing charters, golfing at the courses at Venetian Bay, Turnbull Bay, or Sugar Mill’s courses, and great shopping on Flagler Ave and Canal Street.  Stay at New Smyrna’s brand new Hampton Inn hotel on Flagler Ave or our best bed and breakfast, the Black Dolphin Inn on Riverside Drive.

New Smyrna Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

Daytona Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

Daytona Beach is a city known for fast cars, art, and its beautiful beaches.  Stop by Daytona’s International Speedway and take the daily tour of our famous speedway.  Daytona offers go-kart racing, golfing, fishing, water sports, great food, and shopping.  There are plenty of dining options and overnight accommodations directly on the ocean!

Daytona Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

How to Create the Perfect Pro-Style Kitchen

Pro-Style Kitchen | New Smyrna Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

All homeowners who cook need a beautiful kitchen that provides them with the tools to efficiently and effectively prepare meals.  Having top level appliances, the correct layout, the right counter surfaces, deep sinks, and plenty of storage is essential.  In the real estate world we use terms like “gourmet kitchen” to describe a kitchen that has easy to maintain surfaces and an abundant amount of storage that a “chef” would incorporate in their kitchen.  These professional tools will make your kitchen a realm of “culinary magic”.

1.  Lighting – Having the right lighting in your kitchen is important.  The best kitchens have adequate lighting in the food prep areas and modern pendent lighting over the kitchen eating areas.  Recessed lighting is popular as it effectively brightens your entire kitchen.

2.  Kitchen Layout – Homeowners that enjoy cooking and being involved with friends and family prefer open kitchen layouts.  Kitchen layouts that flow into family and entertainment areas are chosen.  Having multiple food prep areas allow for multiple “chefs” in the house.  Consider a kitchen island or dual sinks.

3.  Counter Surfaces – If you plan on spending time in the kitchen, it is essential to invest in surfaces that will not scratch if cut on, not be stained easily, and not be burned if a hot pan or bowl of hot food is placed on them.  Durable surfaces such as granite and quartz that will withstand the normal wear of cooking are typically chosen for kitchen counter surfaces.

4.  Appliances – Professional level appliances provide added features that make it worth the extra money.  For example, professional-grade refrigerators often allow the owner to keep multiple temperatures for separate food storage compartments to keep food the freshest.  Stainless steel appliances and appliances that are hidden with matching cabinet doors are still popular.

To receive information about how much your kitchen contributes to the overall value of your home please contact me HERE.

How to Prepare to Sell Your Home

New Smyrna Beach Real Estate

You can do a lot to increase the appeal of your property and to create a lasting impact on potential buyers.

What To Do To Prepare:

The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when listing your property for sale:

1.  Curb Appeal.

Keeping your landscape pristine, and adding creative touches to your yard, such as colorful flowers, will create an immediate impact on passers-by and potential buyers.

2.  Property Repairs.

Simple upgrades such as window repairs, polishing the doorknobs, and a fresh coat of paint in the most frequently used rooms will instantly brighten up the property.

3.  Cleanliness and Staging.

Keep your property uncluttered, sweet-smelling and well-lit from top-to-bottom. Pay attention to details: put away the kitty litter, place a vase of fresh flowers near the entryway, pop a batch of cinnamon rolls in the oven, have your carpets cleaned.

4.  Disclosures and Inspections.

I am very familiar with the legal procedures involved in disclosures and will help you develop a thorough disclosure statement beneficial to both you and the buyer, as well as suggest home improvement measures before placing your property on the market (such as termite and pest inspections).

5.  Showtime.

Presenting your property to potential buyers is a job that I will take care of for you. Buyers feel more comfortable discussing the property if you are not there. Moreover, I will know what information will be most useful in representing your interests when speaking with prospective buyers.

For more information on how to prepare to sell your home and the selling process please visit my website: http://sarahcaudill.com/sellers/decide-to-sell/

To List your home in Volusia County, call me today at 386-295-8664 or email sarah@sarahcaudill.com.

How to Financially Prepare to Purchase a Home

Before you start shopping for your property, it is a good idea to make some preparations.

Build Your Green File.

A green file contains all your important financial documents. You will need it to secure financing for your property. The typical green file should contain:

• Financial statements
• Bank accounts
• Investments
• Credit cards
• Auto loans
• Recent pay stubs
• Tax returns for two years
• Copies of leases for investment properties
• 401K statements, life insurance, stocks, bonds, and mutual account information.

Check Your Credit Rating.

Your credit score will have a huge impact on what type of property you can buy, and at what price. It is first recommended to check your credit rating with an experienced lending institution so that Sarah can determine what you can afford. The lender will research your credit ratings from the three credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. I will be happy to recommend experienced, knowledgeable lenders in the residential, construction, commercial, and investment real estate fields.

Be Careful With Your Finances.

Now is not a good time to make sudden career changes or large purchases. You want to approach your property purchase from a position of financial stability.

Please visit my website to find more tips on preparing to purchase a home  Deciding to Buy and search the MLS listings throughout Volusia County directly on my website www.sarahcaudill.com