When you are looking at buying a home there are don'ts you should be aware of. Many times the handling of the negotiation can mean the difference in huge amounts of money. This is why it is vital to have an experienced agent on your side. Here are just a few common pitfalls to avoid.

Not doing your homework

Doing your homework is important in such a large purchase. Ask your agent for a list of comparable homes recent sale prices. Look to see how long comparable listings have been on the market and what the average sale to list price ratio is. This will give you the information you need when making an offer and negotiating a final sale price.

Not understanding the seller

Try to look at the deal from the opposite side of the table. A sale is typically emotional for a seller. When making an offer try not to insult the seller, offering a fair and realistic offer to purchase will typically get you further in the negotiations. If you know the seller's motivations for selling you may also be able to offer terms that might be more attractive like a quick close or inspection.

Showing your cards

While you want to know as much about the seller as possible divulge as little about yourself in the negotiation as possible. Any knowledge the seller has about your motivation can be used as leverage in the negotiation.

Getting your heart set

Buying a home can often be an emotional process. Identify several properties you'd be happy with as well. Be careful not to get your heart in the way of your head as it can sometimes hinder the deal.

Trying to win

In a sale there needs to be two ingredients: a seller who wants to sell and a buyer who wants to buy. Try not to getting caught up in the game. Ultimately it is about buying a home and not winning a negotiation.

Low Home Inventory! Do you know what that means? 

Spring Cleaning & Staging: Now is the time!

Here on the Seacoast, it is finally starting to feel like Spring! And since it is time for you to do your spring cleaning, you might as well consider an important factor when selling your home: Staging It.

However, no matter how clean your home is, or is not, staging is beyond just cleaning. The goal is to give prospective buyers the vision to picture themselves living there.

According to the National Association of Realtors® 2015 Profile of Home Staging: 

"Thirty-two percent of buyers' agents believe staged homes increases the dollar value buyers are willing to offer by one percent to five percent."

A qualified real estate agent can advise you on how to 

1. De-personalize - a neutral setting to help a buyer envision where they would hang their family photos. This includes possibly changing your neon green daughter's room to a more popular shade.

2. De-clutter - a house can be clean and still have clutter. Use your spring cleaning and impending move to take this time to purge! Donate, have a yard sale, start packing or throw it away! 

3. Furniture Arrangement - Your real estate agent can help you by either using your existing furniture to help define a space, or perhaps they have you rent/borrow/buy a new piece to help display how an oddly shaped space might function better.

Check out Great Island Realty's Pinterest Board "Tips and Tricks" for more home staging and curb appeal advice! 

Curb Appeal Inspiration & Execution

How often have you driven by a home before asking your real estate agent to see the home? How many times have you changed your mind based on just what you can see from the outside?

Although the outside temperatures do not indicate it, spring is here and so is the spring real estate market!

This weekend starting at 10am Saturday & Sunday the 28th/29th, the 21st Annual Seacoast Home & Garden show is taking place in Durham, NH at the Whittemore Center Arena at UNH. 

With a low cost ticket of only $8 per adult and over 200 vendors this event full of activities, seminars, services & products should have plenty of inspiration for anyone selling their home. It will also allow the non-DIY'er to find someone else to execute!

A 2013 survey from the National Association of Realtors® showed that 71% of homebuyers place curb appeal on their list of important factors.

Your real estate agent can also provide great feedback, advice, and help you analyze which improvements get the most return value.  With their sound advice you can make sure your home is one that buyers want to see more of! 

Next week on the Great Island Realty blog: Spring Cleaning & Staging: Now is the time!

For more information on the Seacoast Home& Garden Show, please click here.