Articles

Be prepared for a lengthy waiting period. Even if you’re well organized and have all the documents in place, short sales can still be a long process. Waiting for your lender’s review of the short-sale package can take several weeks or even months. The length varies by lender and location, but these benchmarks can put your situation in perspective: If […]

      A short sale is one where the net proceeds from the sale won’t cover your total mortgage obligation and closing costs, and you don’t have other sources of money to cover the deficiency. It’s significantly different from a foreclosure, which is when your lender takes the title of your home through a lengthy legal process and then […]

  Remove clutter. Clear off counters and pack unnecessary decorative items. Put extra furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season items. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too. Let it shine. Cleaning windows and screens will help bring more light into your home. Replace burnt bulbs, and consider higher wattage in low-light areas. Clean the walls or brush on a […]

    Once you are under contract, the buyer’s lender will send out an appraiser to make sure the purchase price is in line with the property’s value. Appraisals help guide mortgage terms. The appraised value of a home is an important factor in the loan underwriting process. Although lenders may use the sale price to determine the amount of […]

    Feng Shui is a Chinese system of beliefs that govern spatial arrangement in relation to the flow of energy or “life force” (known as chi or qi) in a building. Learn how to appeal to buyers who follow such principles. Chi flows in. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the “mouth of chi” and […]

These tips will help you convince buyers your property offers top value for their dollar. Amp up curb appeal. Look at your home objectively from the street. Check the condition of the landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, and house number. Observe how your window treatments look from the outside. Something special—such as big flowerpots or an antique […]

With the majority of buyers shopping for homes online, high-resolution slide shows and video tours are a must. Here’s how to make your home shine on camera. Understand the camera’s perspective.  The camera’s eye is different from the human eye. It magnifies clutter and poor furniture arrangement so that even a home that feels comfortable in person can look jumbled […]

  Trim bushes and branches so they don’t block windows or architectural details. Set a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch or front walkway. Install new, matching locks and knobs on your front door. Repair any cracks or holes in the driveway, and clean oil spots with degreaser and a steel brush. Edge […]

Executing a deep clean before putting your home on the market will not only help it shine, but it will make tidiness easier to maintain between showings. Here are some power-cleaning tips to try. Clean windows make a huge difference. Remove window screens and place them outside on a tarp or other clean, waterproof surface. Use a garden hose, an […]