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The Open House is just a part of the marketing strategy to effectively sell a home, but it can be an important one. The number of people it attracts can strongly correlate with both the number and quality of the offers you receive. So while you may not have the luxury of selling your home in the best possible month, you can at least sell it on the best day of the week. Find out more about who's searching and what you can do to maximize your bottom line.
Unsurprisingly, homebuyers are no longer relying solely on the balloons and signage of yesterday. Instead, they're headed straight to Google to learn more about what's available in each neighborhood. In fact, 88% of buyers said that websites ended up being the most valuable tool when it came to their home search. If you consider when people are searching, there seems to be a clear winner.
Real estate agents and Google alike all seem to agree that Sunday is the day when buyers are most likely to look for the home of their dreams. The peak traffic is between 8 – 11 a.m., meaning the afternoon will likely attract the highest number of people. If at all possible, you should avoid hosting an Open House near a holiday. While Saturday is certainly the next best choice, it simply can't hold a candle to Sundays when you look at the data.
Houses are one of the more unpredictable components of a home sale. You may end up finding three qualified buyers who each want the home more than the next. But you can just as easily end up with a houseful of curious neighbors who want to know the listing price, why you're leaving, and whether you remodeled your kitchen. An experienced real estate agent can let you know if your home is more suited for private showings or a broader marketing campaign.
Some sellers will use Open Houses as a strategy to better understand how buyers see the home. After listening to people and watching their reactions, sellers may learn it only takes a coat of paint or a flower bed to improve the desirability of their home. But more often than not, an Open House is tailor-made for real estate agents.
A professional will know how to use an Open House as a larger part of a larger plan for exposure. The relaxed atmosphere helps buyers connect with a home, and it allows real estate agents to crystallize how they can best leverage that interest. It just so happens that Sunday is the best day of the week for just that!
Believe it or not, you don't need to be a homebuying expert to score a great deal on your dream residence. In fact, there are many things you can do to find and acquire a house that won't force you to break your budget, and these include:
1. Shop Around
When it comes to conducting a home search, it generally is a good idea to be thorough. If you search for residences in a variety of cities and towns, you can boost the likelihood of finding a home that you can afford.
Also, it is important to remember that scoring a great deal on a residence usually requires hard work and patience. If you perform lots of housing market research, you can gain deep insights into the real estate sector. You then may be able to use housing market insights to find ways to speed up the process of locating and purchasing your ideal home.
2. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
If you have a mortgage in hand when you start your home search, you will be better equipped than other buyers to pounce at the opportunity to acquire a budget-friendly home.
Typically, it won't take long to get pre-approved for a mortgage. If you meet with myriad banks and credit unions, you can explore all of your home financing options. Then, you can select a mortgage and perform a home search with a budget at your disposal.
If you have questions about a mortgage, there is no need to worry, either. Banks and credit unions employ courteous, knowledgeable mortgage specialists who are happy to respond to your home financing queries. Therefore, these specialists can help you make an informed mortgage selection.
3. Collaborate with a Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent is a homebuying professional who will help you find a terrific house at an affordable price – without exception. He or she knows what it takes to perform an in-depth home search, and as such, will take the guesswork out of acquiring your dream residence.
In addition, a real estate agent offers comprehensive homebuying insights you may struggle to obtain elsewhere. If you are unsure about where to search for a home, for example, a real estate agent can help you hone your homebuying criteria. Or, if you are uncertain about how much to offer to acquire your dream residence, a real estate agent will help you submit a competitive homebuying proposal.
A real estate agent is available to assist you in any way possible as you navigate the homebuying journey, too. That way, you can get the help you need to seamlessly go from homebuyer to homeowner.
For those who want to purchase a first-rate house at an economical price, it helps to prepare for the homebuying journey. By using the aforementioned tips, you can move quickly to find a home that falls in line with your finances. As a result, you could accelerate your home search and acquire your ideal residence in no time at all.
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A troubling trend in today’s home is difficulty finding restful sleep. Most of us have heard of a few ways to create a more relaxing atmosphere before bed. Here are a couple others to add to that list.
Many people avoid putting plants in their bedroom because they’re afraid they’ll get forgotten and die. But many plants filter toxins and improve oxygen levels. Try adding a Pothos, Philodendron or an easy-care Sansevieria (also called a snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue) to your room. Others add scents that encourage relaxation such as lavender and mint.
Modern design tends to add pillows, throws, curtains and fabric wall hangings to bedrooms. However, textiles tend to collect piles of dust. Take a moment to look at your curtain tops or canopy, and you’ll see more than you bargained for. Dust triggers allergies, and even in folks with no allergies, the extra dust in the air makes breathing more difficult and sleep less restful. Instead, decorate your room with a floral or geometric wall covering. Cover windows with easy-care plantation shutters that dust right off. Purchase coverlets or duvet covers that easily pop in the washer to keep the dust at bay.
Incorporating these simple changes into your bedroom helps promote a restful atmosphere and improve sleep. Simpler bedroom décor makes keeping your home up for an impromptu showing easier too. If your home is on the market, ask your agent about the best way to stage your bedroom so that you can combine restfulness with the peace of knowing your home shows at its best.
