Before you list your Vermont property there are several things to-do before. Taking the time to do these things will help you be better prepared when your home goes on the market. This can also make the sale process quicker and easier in the long run. Here are a few items to take care of before you put your home on the market. 

1. Consider a pre-sale home inspection.
An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean.
Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and seasonal items. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates.
Do you have big-ticket items that will need to be replaced soon? Find out how much it will cost to repair an older roof or replace worn carpeting, even if you don’t plan to do so. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and they’ll be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Locate warranties.
Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house. It may seem like this task can be left until closing, but you don’t want lost paperwork or last-minute scrambling to cause the deal to fall through.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal.
Walk out to the front of your home, close your eyes, and pretend you’re a prospective buyer seeing the property for the first time. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? What do you see framing the entrance, if anything? Is the walkway free of cracks and impediments?

 

Selling a home is a complicated process, but Coldwell Banker Islands Realty will guide you every step of the way. To get a better idea of the value of your home fill out a comparative market analysis form and one of our experienced Realtors will give you an evaluation. 

When selling a property, photos are the first impression a buyer will have so it is paramount to have great images that capture the character, main features, and layout of your home. With the majority of buyers shopping for homes online, these high-resolution listing photos and video home tours are a must. Here are some tips on how to make your Vermont 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 online.

• Make it spotless.

Cameras also tend to magnify grime. Don’t forget floor coverings and walls; a spot on a rug might be overlooked during a regular home showing, but it could become a focal point online.

• Know what to leave.

You want to avoid clutter, but try to have three items of varying heights on each surface. On an end table you can place a tall lamp (high), a small plant (medium), and a book (low).

• Snap practice pictures with your own camera.

This will give you an idea of what the home will look like on camera before the photographer shows up. Examine the photos and make changes to improve each room’s appearance, such as opening blinds to let in natural light, removing magnets from the refrigerator, or taking down distracting art.

• Pare down.

Removing one or two pieces of furniture from each room, even if just for the shoot, can make your space appear larger on screen.

• Rearrange.

Spotlight the flow of your space by creating a focal point on the furthest wall from the doorway and arranging the other pieces of furniture to make a triangle shape. The focal point may be a bed in a bedroom or a china cabinet in a dining room.

• Accessorize.

Include a healthy plant in every room; the camera loves greenery. Energize bland decor by placing a bright vase on a mantle or draping an afghan over a couch.

• Keep the home in shape.

Buyers who liked what they saw online expect to encounter the same home in person.

 

At Coldwell Banker Islands Realty, we use High Dynamic Range photography to captivate buyers. This technique involves shooting multiple images of the same scene at different exposure values and then merging them together to create a seamless scene. This, coupled with light editing, makes homes stand out online while maintaining its true depiction. HDR Photography is just one of the many marketing strategies we use to get you home noticed and sold. Learn more about our marketing services or reach out to a Realtor for a personal consultation. 

While we don’t have a crystal ball to see the future of the real estate market, we can assess the current conditions and bring an objective eye to the table. In the past year, our REALTORS^® guided over 130 families through this fast-paced market. They have the area expertise, market knowledge and negotiating skills to guide you home. Here are some of the top questions we’re hearing from clients:

1. Will the housing market shift in 2022?

While there are a number of factors that play into the real estate market, we predict that 2022 will see continued trends of light inventory and high buyer demand. Interest rates are on the rise but remain historically low still making today an opportune time to buy a home.

 

2. Is it true home sellers are getting offers over asking?

The key to selling a home is pricing it at fair market value, from the start, to attract the most potential buyers resulting in showings and offers. This market is competitive with some homes seeing multiple offer situations that ultimately drive up the sales price.

 

3. Shouldn’t I list my home in the Spring?

If you’re considering putting your home on the market don’t wait! While home prices remain high they could decline as interest rates increase and more inventory comes on the market.

 

4. What if I sell my home and can’t find a new home to buy or rent?

We understand the stress of putting your home on the market. The sale can be contingent on certain terms so that your next move can happen. Our REALTORS^® have the experience and negotiating skills to help you reach the closing table and find your next home. 

 

5. So it’s a good time to sell, but what about buying?

Interest rates are rising but remain at all time lows. They are expected to increase throughout the year and with the rise, the amount buyers would be able to afford will go down. Our real estate advocates will help you put your best offer forward and stand out among the competition.

 

6. What is my home worth today?

Your home has never been worth more. Median home prices in Northwest Vermont have risen 16% from 2020*. Dreaming of retirement or your next investment? Now is this time to get the most value out of your home. 

*NVRA Market Report December 2021

Wondering if now is the right time to list your home? You may be surprised. Don't wait to list until the spring, get a free market analysis to find out today!

Considering selling your Vermont property? There are a number of factors to consider when contemplating whether now is the right time. The questions listed below will help you through this process and whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. 

1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home?

Check your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out how much you’ve paid down. Usually you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest. But if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.

2. Has your income or financial situation changed?

If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving. If your income has decreased, you may want to consider downsizing.

3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood?

The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same one in which you want to settle down for good. You may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district.  

4. Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on?

Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. But if your property isn’t large enough, your municipality doesn’t allow it, or you’re simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option. 

5. Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market?

If your market is hot, your home may sell quickly and for top dollar, but the home you buy will also be more expensive. If your market is slow, finding a buyer may take longer, but you’ll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home. Ask your real estate professional what they see happening locally. 

6. Are interest rates attractive?

Low rates help you buy “more” house, and also make it easier to find a buyer for your current place.

7. Is the effort and cost of maintaining your current home becoming difficult to manage?

A REALTOR® can help you decide whether a smaller house, condo, or rental would be appropriate.

 

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you may be ready to move and our experienced Vermont REALTORS® are ready to guide you through the process of selling your Vermont residence. Wondering what your Vermont home is worth in your current market? Get a market analysis to find out today! Our experienced Vermont Realtors are ready to guide you.