Start Planning Your Next Move Now

When moving season arrives, thousands of people across the country pack up 

their belongings 

and move to a new home. 

I've found a slew of 'moving' articles that are impressive.

Enjoy. Here.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

 Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

The Best Season to Sell Your Home—and Why

Timing really is everything when it comes to home sales. Getting your asking price, and even attracting multiple buyers, can simply be a factor of the time of year when the home is sold.

Spring and Summer

Spring brings rain and flowers—and possibly extra green in the final sales price of your home. Families like to move during the summer when there’s a break in the school calendar so they don’t have to pull their children from class, and so they are well-settled before the new school year. Plus, it’s often easier to move in the warm spring and summer months than during winter snows.

50% of homes are sold during the summer.

Source

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

What Do Homebuyers Want?

Buyer Preferences

The National Association of REALTORS®’s 2013 Home Features Survey gathered information from purchasers to find out what they bought and what features mattered most to them. According to the survey, the majority of buyers want more closet and storage space. If you can emphasize this space in your home by emptying some of your closets, you are more likely to attract top dollar for your property.

In addition, 65% of buyers said a home with central air conditioning was very important. In fact, this is the most important of 31 features listed by the NAR.

NAR’s study showed that buyers were willing to pay the most extra money for a home with a basement and an in-law suite, but, as always, upgraded kitchens were a priority, too.

While granite countertops are definitely a popular choice, only 20% of buyers said that particular type of surface was very important. Stainless steel appliances were considered very important by 17% of buyers. More important than those specific features were new appliances and an eat-in kitchen. So, as a seller, if you have limited money but want to upgrade your dated kitchen, you may be better off spending the money on new appliances instead of new counters.

Home purchasers in 2013 emphasized practicality with their focus on storage, space and appliances: 89% bought a home with a laundry room, 78% bought a home with a garage, 57% bought a home with a fireplace and 41% bought a home with a basement.

READ the whole article here.

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Think Spring

Spring is here. Let's talk real estate! 

The lovely cherry blossom tree will let us know it's time.

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Spring! Let's Get Moving!

Time to Buy. Time to Sell. 

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

How Can I Inexpensively Increase The Value Of My Home?

You would be amazed at how basic it can be to protect your home investment without spending a lot of money. Here are some basic tips for you to follow.

1. DECLUTTER AND ORGANIZE

Your home will look more spacious by getting rid of unnecessary items. Knick-knacks, piles of paper and magazines, old furniture. If you can bring yourself to permanently get rid of these things, while you are trying to sell, put them in a storage unit.

2. DEEP CLEAN

Room by room, do a deep clean from floor to ceiling. Walls, baseboards, corners from top to bottom. Windows, window sills, door frames, doors, door handles. Furniture and drapes too. A house that is spotless shows better and sells for more.

3. PAINT

A coat of fresh paint goes a long way in making your home look updated.

4. LIGHT SWITCHES AND PLUGS

Replacing light switches and outlet covers to a modern "Decora" style switches give your home a more modern appeal and can give the impression that the electrical system is updated.

5. LIGHT BULBS

Be sure you have a bright home. It is worthwhile investing in bright, modern light bulbs so that your home looks fresh.

6. HEATING SYSTEM

If you heat with a forced air system, but sure that everything is in good working order and clean. Having a regular maintenance plan for your furnace is a good idea. Potential buyers will see the label and inspection dates. If you have electric heat, be sure your baseboards are modern and clean. If you have very old baseboard it can be worth updating them to modern, energy efficient baseboards.

7. CLEAN OUTSIDE

If your home is siding, be sure it is clean. Wash all the outside walls. With brick or wood, give it a good sweeping to get rid of any cob webs etc. Sweep and wash the driveway, walkways and deck. Go the extra mile - curb appeal does matter.

8. SEASONAL DECORATIONS OUTSIDE

If it is spring, summer or fall, be sure to have flowers outside. If you are not much of a gardener, purchase some potted plants. In the colder months you can have a couple of welcoming seasonal decorations to set the mood.

9. YARD

Be sure there is no clutter in the yard. Old lawn furniture and junk should be removed. Make sure the lawn is mowed and raked. The first thing a buyer will see is your front yard. They often will decide whether the house is worth buying at top dollar from the first impression they get.

Susan Hawke, Sales Representative with REMAX, Sault Ste Marie Brokerage Inc. is dedicated to offering clients the best possible service. For more insight and tips visit: http://susanhawke.blogspot.ca/. If you are thinking or buyer or selling in the Algoma region, or know someone who is, contact Susan Hawke, Sales Representative today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Hawke

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8315753

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Photo Source

RE/MAX - 5 Top Reasons to Hire a Selling Agent

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Must-Do Before Selling Your House Roundup

I searched the net to find you some great articles on things to do before you sell your home.

Here they are:

1.  10 must-do repairs

2. 10-things-to-do-before-you-list-your-house

3. Sarahs-top-ten-things-to-do-to-sell-your-home

4. 10-things-to-do-before-you-list-your-house



Like A Hawke,
Susan

 Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

High home energy score could help sell home

Looking to boost the resale value of your home? Knowing its energy score could help.

(NC) An energy score is an rating given to your home after it has been audited by a professional home energy auditor. Similar to a house's walking score, an energy score can be listed on the MLS listing for your home, and it can be a selling point for potential buyers.

Assessing previous energy bills are not always indicative of the actual energy efficiency of the home. Often times, energy bills reflect the lifestyle of the residents, not the house's efficiency. An energy audit and energy score provides potential buyers the actual efficiency of your home.

An energy audit rates your home's energy efficiency level on a scale of zero to 100. The more energy efficient the home is, the higher the score. A rating of zero represents a home with major air leakage, no insulation and extremely high energy consumption, whereas a rating of 80 represents an airtight, well-insulated, and sufficiently ventilated home with high-efficiency equipment.

During an energy audit, homeowners receive recommendations on upgrades that can help make their home more energy efficient.

If you decide to sell, be sure to tell your realtor about Enbridge Gas Distribution's Home Rating program. By having your realtor include your energy score on your MLS listing and other marketing material, you are letting potential buyers know that they can save on their energy costs.

For more information on your home's energy efficiency, visit www.knowyourenergyscore.ca.

Like A Hawke, 

Susan 

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada