Come on in and grab this:
✔️ Your Mortgage Documents (including a payoff estimate)
✔️ Your prior title policy (this will save you money on the order of the new title policy)
✔️ Homeowners Association Documents
✔️ List of home updates
✔️ Home Repair and Maintenance records
✔️ Age of Mechanicals and FAQ (average heating/cooling costs)
✔️ Copies of any pre-sale inspection reports
✔️ Tax records
✔️ Any permits or property surveys
THE MODERN AGENT ADVANTAGE (Read this before hiring an agent to sell your home)
Here’s what you can expect when working with someone who follows less traditional (aka more modern) methods when it comes to strategically marketing your listing
✔️ They utilize digital marketing strategies: They know how to position your home on social media in a way that will result in more eyeballs on your listing. They are also active on their social platforms which means they are continuously growing their network and are connected with agents all over the country.
With having an active social media presence on platforms such as Instagram, they have the ability to connect with and reach more millennial home buyers which make up the largest share of home buyers at 38%, according to a report done by the National Association of Realtors.
✔️ Modern Agents keep up with the latest design trends to give you the competitive advantage when it comes to prepping your home from sale. With their active social media presence, they have the ability to connect with and learn from interior designers right from the Instagram app on their phone!
✔️ Modern Agents know the importance of hiring a professional photographer to take their listing photos. They understand that the majority of buyers are first seeing your home online which means that is your first chance at capturing their attention. Blurry, iPhone photos aren’t going to create the same demand that professionally done photos will.
✔️ They have a quick response time as they communicate via text and email while on the go and at home. Many areas are experiencing very limited inventory and an abundance of buyers looking for homes. This puts sellers in the driver’s seat but if you’re not hiring an agent that does what is necessary to capture the most buyers possible, you could be leaving money on the table.
✔️ When a home hits the market, buyers want to get in immediately if it fits within their search criteria. Modern Agents have set up easy ways for other agents with active buyers to get their showings scheduled and make sure they’re not left waiting around.
Before you put your house up for sale, ask the agents you’re interviewing if they are following modern marketing methods that will put your home in the best position possible (not just in MLS)! Do you have a question about the marketing strategies I (as a modern agent) follow? Leave your questions below!
The question I am getting on repeat: Is now a good time to buy?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Let me break it down because my answer varies depending on where you’re at!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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For starters, interest rates are at historic lows which makes locking in a great rate on your mortgage super appealing – if you’re ready. It’s also important to be prepared before you dive into the process, especially with the lack of inventory we’re experiencing, so let’s chat! Here are a few questions I would consider before taking your next step!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉 Do you know your current credit score and approximately what you’d be comfortable spending monthly (for mortgage & taxes)?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉 Do you have an emergency fund (this will be essential to make sure you’re prepared for home maintenance, repairs and other costs of homeownership)?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉 Do you currently renting? If the answer is yes, do you know if the terms of your lease are flexible (do they offer month to month or allow you to sublet if you find a home prior to your lease being up)?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉 Are you prepared for the expenses associated with the home buying process? (home inspection, appraisal, closing costs, down payment, earnest money)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉 Have you talked to a lender to determine if you qualify for any down payment assistance programs?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you want to talk about these questions more in depth and what specific costs you should be prepared for, I’m only a zoom call away! Send me a message and let’s get your buyer consult on the books.
Make your internet time be productive! Take a break from the bleak news and have some home shopping therapy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Home Staging Made Simple – Here’s your checklist:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Solid neutrals > bold patterns and colors⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
White linens for the bedrooms and bathrooms⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
New doormat and entryway rug for a fresh first impression⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Shelf styling like a pro (*search Pinterest for inspiration)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Pre-pack: take out half of everything in closets, cabinets and your pantry and pack it up!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Light your way to sold! Always have the lights turned on, the blinds opened up and bring in as much natural light as possible.
Invest in additional lighting for darker rooms and spaces.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Show off the lifestyle of your home – highlight your favorite rooms and what you love most about the house.⠀⠀
My go to housewarming gift ideas:
Step 1 – Head to Target
Step 2 – Find a decorative basket that can be used on a shelf or somewhere in their home
Step 3 – Always include champagne (don’t worry, I included more than the one can – this is just for photos)
Step 4 – Throw in a cute dish towel because you can never have too many and is something that is probably buried in a kitchen box on moving day!
Step 5 – Add some greenery – it always adds life to a space
Step 6 – Search the aisles (most likely Hearth & Hand Magnolia) for a cute decorative item – This “Welcome Home” sign is perfect!
Step 7 – Add in an “extra” – in this basket I chose the Homebody book by Joanna Gaines which makes a gorgeous coffee table book (with or without the cover)!
PS: If you need a friend who is going to be needing a housewarming gift, don’t forget to tell them I can help (and create an Instagrammable basket for them on closing day)!
It’s Wednesday, you just walked in the door from a day at the pool. The kids are cranky and tired, you’re ready to relax in the AC UNTIL you remember you have a showing scheduled in less than an hour!
Incase you ever find yourself in a crunch (whether it’s guests coming on short notice or you have a last minute showing) here are my tips for getting your house “show ready” in 15 minutes!
1. Get yourself a last minute basket – Pick up an extra laundry basket from Target that is dedicated for “showing time”! Before you leave the house, you can do a quick scan of the house and throw in any scattered toys, dog dishes, magazines, any little things laying around that you want out of sight but don’t have time to put away. Then take it with you in the car!
2. Fluff the couch pillows – you know how they get when the kids, spouse or significant other has been laying or sitting there. Fluff them up to make the couch look good!
3. Light the candle – don’t overpower your house with all the smells but one simple candle on the kitchen counter adds a nice touch that also makes it feel homey!
4. Turn on every single light (including exterior lights, accent lights and lamps) and open all blinds and curtains. Seriously – all of them no matter what time of day it is! Your home shows best when it’s light and bright!
5. Close the toilet seats – just telling you incase you forget (a lot of people do!)
6. Tell Alexa to play some background music that sets a classy, relaxing or inviting mood.
7. Keep containers of cleaning wipes in the kitchen and bathrooms so you can quickly wipe down countertops.
There you have it, your house will be ready for a showing in no time! Before I go, I wanted to let you know about my showing prep checklist! I packaged up all the tips I give my sellers when prepping for a showing, into a PDF checklist and I’m sharing it for free! It’s the list they follow to make sure their house looks it’s best before buyers arrive.
