Articles Tagged "For Sellers"

With more people than ever staying at home, this year's spring cleaning is getting some extra attention. Whether you're trying to get your kitchen spotless before adding it to the inventory of Las Vegas homes for sale or you just want to make your home look great, learning how to clean stainless steel appliances the right way can make a huge difference. 

Luckily, a few of our REALTORS® are cleaning pros. They've pulled together this list of their top secrets for making your stainless steel sparkle. 

Before you start cleaning, you'll want to make sure you have some soft microfiber cloths. This is your best option as they're non-abrasive and won't cause scratches. 

Always avoid things that can damage the surface of your appliances, including steel wool, scouring powders, ammonia, or bleach. Instead, try one of these four simple and effective cleaning methods.

1. Vinegar and Mineral Oil
   This may sound more like a recipe for salad dressing than a cleaning technique, but stick with us! First, you'll want to gather your supplies. You'll need your microfiber cloths, white vinegar in a spray bottle, and mineral oil. Always avoid food-based oils, like olive oil or vegetable oil, as they can go rancid. You may also want to have some paper towels handy. Start by determining the direction of the grain (horizontal or vertical) on your stainless steel appliances and make sure that you clean in the same direction. Spray down the appliance with the vinegar and wipe it down using the soft cloth (or paper towels). This should take off the first layer of grime and start to reveal some shine. Once you've removed all the vinegar, dip a soft cloth in just a bit of oil and use it to polish the surface. Make sure to rub in the same direction as the grain. Keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way, and you can always go back for more. With just a little bit of elbow grease, all of the streaks and marks should disappear, leaving you with a shiny surface that looks brand new. 

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An open house can be one of the best ways to cultivate an interest in your property, but it can also be stressful. 

Not only will you have a whole group of strangers wandering around inside your house, but you'll have to worry about what kind of impression your house is making. Luckily, we have a few ideas on how to prepare for a successful open house when listing your Las Vegas home for sale.

1. Clean like crazy.
   One of the keys to making a great impression on your prospective buyers is to clean your house meticulously. Hire a professional house cleaning service if you have to, but make sure every square inch is spotless! Give extra attention to the kitchen and bathrooms.
   
   
2. Pare down your belongings.
   An uncluttered house not only looks cleaner and more inviting, but it also opens up the space, making your house look even more significant than it is. Throw out, donate, sell, or give away anything you don't need. To make space, you may even want to rent a storage unit or move some furniture to your new house, if possible.
   
   
3. De-personalize the space.
   Those who attend your open house must envision themselves living in your home, which means they shouldn't see too much stuff that reminds them of somebody who already lives there. Highly personal items like family photos and children's artwork should be tucked away out of sight. 
   
   

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Adding your home to the inventory of Las Vegas homes for sale is a stressful experience for many property owners; not only do you need to prepare your home, but you have to wait for the right buyer to come along. Education about the home-selling process is one way to combat your feelings of apprehension and nervousness. The more you understand about selling a home, the more confident you'll be when your home is on the market. Brush up on your real estate knowledge with these real estate terms you might hear throughout the home selling process. 

1. Appraisal: An impartial opinion from a certified and licensed appraiser concerning the value of a home. This opinion is based on a walkthrough of the home and data from comparable properties.
   
   
2. Buyer's Agent: A real estate agent that only represents the homebuyer in a real estate transaction.
   
   
3. Buyers Market: A real estate market with more homes for sale than qualified buyers.
   
   
4. Closing: A meeting when ownership of a home is transferred from the seller to the buyer.
   
   

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As a seller, do you hold your breath during a home inspection, praying it won't sabotage the sale? According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly one-third of home sale transactions that collapse before closing are due to problems uncovered by the inspection.

Don't leave the results to chance. Take charge with these proactive home inspection tips our brokers have learned over years of experience.

1. Understand the Purpose of an Inspection
   With the financial investment involved, home buyers are entitled to an accurate evaluation of the property's condition. Inspectors will review everything, but primary issues of concern are problems involving safety, structural defects, and building code violations. 
   
   
2. Clean the House Thoroughly
   No, a dirty floor won't impact the report per se. What it will do is cause the inspector to question the quality of overall maintenance right from the start.
   
   
3. Do Your Own Walk-Through
   Go through your home top to bottom, viewing it with a buyer's eye. Look for leaks and water damage, mold, bugs, damaged fixtures, and other problems. Don't overlook seemingly minor issues such as burned-out light bulbs or running toilets. 
   
   
4. Provide Total Access
   Inspectors need to check every part of the home, so make sure to unlock the attic, clear a space around the furnace and hot water heater and remove any clutter. Don't forget about the garage and exterior, including the yard.
   
   
5. Keep the House Fully Operational 
   If you're not currently living in the home, leave the utilities on so the inspector can check appliances, test the HVAC and run hot and cold water.
   
   
6. Have Paperwork in Order
   Are the appliances under active warranty? Did you have the chimney cleaned recently? Gather receipts and documentation related to major purchases and maintenance to put in a folder for reference.
   
   
7. Be Ready on Time
   As with most service people, an inspector's time is money. They have schedules to keep, and proceedings will get off on the wrong foot if you keep them waiting.
   
   
8. Make Yourself Scarce
   Inspectors have a tough time doing their job properly with anxious owners hovering over their shoulder. Leave the home for the duration of the inspection and take any pets with you. Your real estate agent should be on hand to represent your interests.
   
   
9. Don't Panic at the Results
   Nothing's perfect, so the inspection is bound to turn up at least a few issues. Fortunately, most buyers understand. Don't assume you'll have to deal with every single point noted on the report. Consult with your real estate agent to determine which issues are priorities.
   
   
10. Have a Plan B
    Everything is negotiable, and that includes the findings in the inspection report. If you would prefer not to do repairs yourself, offer a credit or reduced price as an incentive. Creative options include funding a one-year subscription to a home warranty program and bartering for furniture, appliances, or other items a buyer may want.
    
    
11. Consider a Pre-Listing Inspection
    Forewarned is forearmed. Getting your own inspection beforehand can be well worth the expense by giving you advance notice of potential problems. If the inspection comes up clean, you'll have peace of mind knowing your home is ready for sale.

Are you looking for experienced help navigating the ins and outs of Las Vegas homes for sale? Contact us at Wardley Real Estate for more information.

Remodeling the interior of your home is one of the best ways to make a house feel like home, and the right improvements may even add value to the home. Whether you're dreaming of the future while shopping for Las Vegas homes for sale or considering how to customize your current home, there are many great options to consider for your next home makeover. Our real estate agents are here to help with makeover tips for boosting the interior of your home.

• Break Out the Fresh Paint
  Painting a room is one of the most common suggestions for giving your home a fresh look, and for a good reason! Not many updates can change the look of a room more quickly than a fresh coat of paint, and with the right prep work, painting is an easy DIY task. Consider which colors would create the atmosphere you desire for the room.

• New Lighting to Brighten a Room
  Adding new lighting is another reliable tip for creating a fresh look on a budget. Antique lighting adds atmosphere before it's even switched on, and you can get unique looks from modern lighting, too. Additional light sources can brighten the atmosphere in a room and highlight what makes each room special.

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If you're planning to put your Las Vegas home for sale, one of the most important parts of getting your house ready is getting rid of clutter. Our real estate agents know it helps with open houses to have as few personal possessions as possible so that potential buyers can imagine filling the space with their own belongings. Studies have shown that a decluttered home sells faster, and at a higher price point. Still, the issue remains—what to do with all that stuff.

A lot of things can probably be donated, given away, or thrown out. It's also a good idea to have a big yard sale to unload some old, unwanted items. Still, you're going to be left with a lot. It can't go back into your old house, and your new house probably isn't ready for it yet. If you've found yourself in this tricky spot, renting a storage unit may be the solution you're looking for, but it's important to choose wisely. 

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Energy efficiency—it's one of the most talked about concepts, especially by home buyers. With the increase in technology that prioritizes energy efficiency, homeowners are enjoying lower energy bills, enhanced appliance performance, and are pleased to know that the resources their home uses daily are making less of a negative impact on the environment. Our real estate agents understand the importance of energy-efficient homes and want to make sure that our home sellers know how they can make their homes more attractive to buyers.

Living in Las Vegas is made easier with energy-efficient appliances and technology. The Nevada sun can really heat up a home and the temperature drops in the winter can quickly have homeowners scrambling for warmth. Energy-efficient appliances and technology provide controllable comfort solutions while cutting down potentially expensive energy costs that older HVAC systems may incur. As you get ready to list your home, you may want to consider assessing the energy efficiency of your home. We've gathered a list of ways you can integrate energy-efficient technology into your house that potential buyers are looking for as they browse Las Vegas homes for sale.

• HVAC Systems
  Las Vegas homes need reliable heating and cooling systems that won't break the bank. Upgrading to a new energy-efficient comfort system can reduce power consumption and lower energy bills by hundreds of dollars each year. You can also enhance their performance with add-ons like smart thermostats.

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Our real estate agents are asked regularly what buyers look for in Las Vegas home for sale. Of course, sellers want to make their homes as appealing as possible, and sometimes that means making improvements. Other times it means making sure the features you already have are showcased and buyers are aware of them even before they see the property in person. These exterior features are guaranteed to delight buyers and make them take notice.

• Exterior lighting. This is always on the top of buyer's lists. The right exterior lighting can make the property look stunning and add the perfect decorative touches. But even more important to buyers is the extra security they provide. Illuminated entrances and walkways provide safe passage for homeowners and visitors any time of day and discourage break-ins.

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Putting a fresh coat of paint on your home is one of the most effective and affordable ways to make it look updated, increase its value and help it sell faster. With so many different types of Las Vegas homes for sale, our real estate agents are well-versed in determining what works and what doesn't when it comes to color choices and painting. These five tips on painting your home to sell can make it stand out from the crowd and lead to a quick sale.

1. Keep it Neutral
   Both dark and bright colors can be a major turnoff for potential buyers, and believe it or not, so can bright white. Although traditional beige is considered neutral, it often contains strong yellow undertones, which make it hard to coordinate with cooler colors like green, blue and violet. One of the hottest neutral colors that's been popping up all over the place is "greige," which, yes, you guessed it — brings beige and gray together, creating a versatile neutral color that can be used in almost anywhere. Light, neutral colors also brighten up rooms and make them look bigger.

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If you want your home to be among the Las Vegas homes for sale this spring, then there's no doubt you're already thinking about the maintenance that needs to be done to your home. Making sure everything is tidy and in good repair will make your home more attractive to potential buyers. To help you out, our real estate agents share some items you should absolutely have on that spring maintenance checklist to ensure that your home is ready to sell.

• Spring Cleaning
  Sometimes the simplest answer is the best. If your house has collected dirt and grime on its exterior, get a bucket of soap and water and a long-handled brush and give it a good scrub. You could also have the exterior professionally pressure washed. And as long as you're cleaning things up, don't neglect the windows. 
  
  

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Are you a first-time home seller? Rookie jitters happen to everyone, not just professional athletes, so take comfort in the fact that you're not alone. Learn from those who have gone before you with these top tips from our real estate agents for avoiding first-time seller blues.

1. Change Your Perspective
   While living in a home is an emotional experience, selling one is a business transaction. It's difficult to make logical decisions when your heart is involved. Distance yourself from sentiment and focus on creating that emotional spark in buyers.
   
   

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A new year offers new opportunities, and for many on the Las Vegas area, it's a great time to start thinking about selling your home. Our real estate agents are here to help, and if you're thinking about getting your home ready to sell in the new year, these are the steps you can start taking today. 

1. Do a Deep Clean
   It's essential to clean your house top to bottom when you're getting ready to sell. Pay particular attention to the entryway, kitchen, and bathroom, which, as studies have shown, are the rooms that potential buyers look at with the most scrutiny.
   
   

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If Las Vegas homes for sale in your neighborhood are moving quickly, but your "For Sale" sign is still in the middle of your yard, it's time to figure out why. If you prepared your home before your listing went live and you thought you fixed everything that needed to repaired, you could have missed something important.

Our real estate agents assist our clients in pinpointing marketing issues so homeowners can make the appropriate changes. To help you complete this critical task, we've listed six reasons why buyers might be saying "no" to your home.  

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