Every homeowner can have all sorts of reasons for selling their house. Those in the boomer generation can be in one of the traditional phases of retirement (planning, transitioning, initiating) or perhaps in one of the newly-popular phases (postponing, rejecting).
For them and everyone else, the decision about whether to sell the house falls into one of two categories: those triggered by economic pressures -- or all the other reasons. In all cases, being in control of the timing of your house sale will put you in control of the process. That pays off.
Even if the money factor doesn’t rule, it’s vital to first do some hard-nosed dollars-and-cents calculations before putting your house on the market. Find out what a realistic listing price range will be. I or another experienced Realtor can be a major asset in establishing this: you can count on a complimentary consultation that will offer comparable current values for home sales.
Then consider current rental rates for a house like yours. Sometimes you will be surprised to find that the most beneficial course would be to rent your house for an interim period, especially in light of some evidence that a market rise is just beginning. When you are penciling out these factors, be sure to include realistic maintenance expenses and, if you are moving out of the area, property management fees. I can help here, too.
If financial pressure is the key motivating factor, make sure you have weighed the alternatives before sealing the decision to sell your house. If you haven’t done so already, find out if refinancing is an option. The first answer isn’t necessarily the final one: check with other financial sources as well as your current mortgage holder. Mortgage rates are lower than ever, and if unmanageable mortgage payments are at issue, this could be the most direct route to reducing that outflow and giving you time to sell on your own timetable.
Being methodical and patient when deciding about any house sale can make a big difference in the bottom line. I’m here to provide current information and guidance that will help make that possible.
As moving time approaches, most internal stress meters start twitching around the time we have to figure out how many cartons it’s going to take. A cross-town move is one thing -- sometimes you can even handle it yourself (with the help of bribable friends and relatives, of course).
But suppose you have just accepted a new job promotion in New Bern or are being stationed at Cherry Point. Of course, you’re immediately excited by the adventurous prospect of the summer’s relocation. But suppose your new position is located in a new zip code – and maybe even a new state. Your move up the professional ladder could also mean spending a lot more time and money on the move itself…and once here, the demands of your new position will double your need to pay attention to your career.
Fear not: your Realtor has seen how clients achieve a smooth transition with a minimum of stress. And we are happy to share some of the strategies that work best:
1. Lighten the load. The more belongings you and your movers have to pack, carry, and unpack again, the more costly the move will be. You can significantly lower the cost by getting rid of all the possessions you no longer use on a regular basis (there are probably more than you think!). Hold a yard sale, donate to charity, or just give those items to friends and family. Realtors are forever advising clients to de-clutter, but this holds doubly true when you are relocating. When you’re done, you’ll feel like a huge burden has been lifted from your shoulders! Stress meter: down.
2. Plan in advance. Real estate agents and relocation pros will always stress advance planning. As soon as possible, sit down and list the steps you need to take, then put them in order. You will find this gives you more time to make decisions, and more time to shop (and save money). For example, if you are buying a New Bern home and are working under a strict deadline, you could back yourself into a hurried decision instead of allowing time for your agent to expose you to all the additional options. By planning ahead -- meeting with me as far in advance as possible -- you can allot enough time to establish a relationship that allows your agent to introduce the full range of neighborhood options. Stress meter: down.
3. Consider using professionals. Before dismissing the idea of hiring professional movers because of cost, spend a day obtaining estimates from at least two or three companies, then compare with do-it-yourself moving costs. Be sure to check with the HR Department at work or with your Command to explore the compensation that may be provided for your move. You can often obtain a binding estimate that is valid for about 60 days. Compare those figures with the cost of renting a truck, driving the distance, and hiring moving help on one or both ends. Hiring professionals is a one-time cost that will relieve you of the hassle – not to mention the emotional toll – at a time when your attention should be directed to your profession.
Stress meter: down.
The move to a new town can be anywhere from nerve-jangling to serene. If your future could include relocating to New Bern / Cherry Point, please feel free to contact me for some practical local advice. We have many excellent neighborhoods here in our area that I’d love you to see!
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252 635 1100
Gary Barker
PO Box 513
Bridgeton, NC 28519
Everybody has at least heard of it: Feng Shui -- the ancient Chinese art of living in harmony with your surroundings. Applying feng shui to make your open house a hit may seem like a stretch, but not after we’ve been introduced to how much common sense it makes. Homeowners who are open to taking advantage of every angle to sell their home can readily apply some feng shui principles to good effect. And they don’t have to become students of mysticism in the process!
Here are three feng shui principles that can improve your home before an open house:
1. Allow the free flow of energy
Feng shui imagines that the vital energy called "Chi" should flow freely through your home. You don’t have to believe in an invisible power to make use of this principle – just think of Chi as water. Stand at your front door and picture how water would flow from the entrance and room to room, then pick out the places where it would stagnate. Before your open house, clear out any furniture that might impede movement and the flow of the water (the Chi). As an agent, I can help you spot which pieces of furniture are so heavy or bulky that they block the natural “flow” of the house, improving every visitor’s walk-through in the process. One thing that I emphasize is creating a long diagonal from the front door or foyer. When ever possible allow guest to see through the foyer to the living space and to the outdoors via a window or door.
2. Pay attention to lighting
Lighting is an important part of feng shui: softening being the key theme. You should favor soft lights, which are understood to promote positive energies (think ‘cheerful moods’). When lighting a particular room, favor multiple light sources instead of single bright lights. For a daytime open house, allow sunlight to enter by making sure you unblock the windows and open blinds and curtains.
3. Remove clutter
Clutter represents darker, stagnant energy that will sap the positive energies of your home. This is one place where my experience and feng shui couldn’t be more in harmony: clutter can really impede the sale of an otherwise fine home. Remove clutter from view, storing it away during your open house or showing. I have ministorage space to store your clutter. Visit www.BradfordStorageCenter.com . Keep your decor to a minimum: the space will seem to open up (not to mention how it will free up the flow of Chi!).
You don’t have to become a feng shui master to take advantage of some of its simple design principles that can lead to a more successful open house. If you’re looking to sell a home and seek an agent with proven creative marketing techniques, contact me anytime. I will be honored to provide you with a complimentary consultation.
Visit our Website
Visit our Facebook Page
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Send us Email
252 635 1100
Gary Barker
PO Box 513
Bridgeton, NC 28519
