Few decisions you will make rival the importance of a home sale or purchase. When the time comes for you to make your real estate move, call on Kim & Sandra to be the ones you can count on during this critical moment. Their goal is to connect you with the right results in your next sale or purchase.

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Special Reports for Home Buyers Home Buyers: How To Avoid Paying Too Much First-time home buyer or seasoned pro, buying a house is an emotionally stressful and daunting process. This informative report gives you helpful tips on how to deal with this and avoid overpaying for your home. A Critical Guide to Home Loans: Your Options & How They Affect Your Future The world of real estate finance has become a world of increasingly complicated technical terms and 1001 creative ways to get potential homeowners into their new homes. What you don't know CAN hurt you. This report gives you a strong working knowledge of real estate finance. A must for prospective home buyers and sellers looking to refinance. Special Reports for Home Sellers 29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast (And for Top Dollar) Selling your home? This information packed report offers tips, hints and insights to help you to a speedy and more profitable home sale. Tip No. 1: Know why you're selling. The reason you look closely at why you want to sell is that your motivations play an important role in the process. They affect everything from setting a price to deciding how much time and money you'll invest to getting your home ready for selling. For example, what's more important to you: the money you walk away with, or the length of time your property is on the market? If your goal is a quick sale, that can dictate one kind of approach. If you want to maximize your profit, the sales process will almost certainly take longer.   Tip No. 2: Once you know, keep it to yourself. Your reasons will affect how you negotiate the sale of your home, but they should not be give as ammunition to the person who wants to buy it. For example, a prospective buyer who knows you must move quickly has you at their mercy in the negotiation process. When asked, simply say that your housing needs have changed. Your reasons are nobody’s business but your own. Tip No. 3: Do your homework before setting a price. Setting the listing price  shouldn't be done lightly. Once you've set your price, you've told buyers the absolute maximum they have to pay for your home. The trick for the seller is to get a selling price as close to the offering price as possible. If you start out by pricing too high, you might not be taken seriously by prospective buyers and their agents. A price too low can result in selling for much less than you had hoped for.  Setting your home's sale price can be a fairly easy process. If you live in a subdivision comprised of homes with similar or identical floor plans, built in the same time period, then all you have to do is look at recent sales in the neighborhood to give you a good ballpark figure. But many people live in older neighborhoods that have changed quite a bit over the years. Every home in your neighborhood may be different in minor or substantial ways - the house next door may have added another bedroom, for example, or the one across the street might have been built recently to fill a vacant lot. As a neighborhood evolves over the years, you may find that there aren't any homes that are truly comparable to your own. If you decide to sell your home on your own, the most common way to set a value is to look at homes that have sold in your neighborhood within the past six to 12 months, as well as those now on the market. That's certainly how prospective buyers will assess the worth of your home. You can usually learn what homes have sold for in your neighborhood by making a quick trip to City Hall; home sale information is in the public records in most communities (but not all). If this sounds like a lot of work, you may decide to hire a Realtor.   Of course, we highly recommend this.  A knowledgeable agent will have this information at his/her fingertips. Your Realtor will do all the market research and provide you with comps showing where your home should be priced to best meet your goals - a fast sell, maximum profit, etc. Tip No. 4: Go home shopping yourself. If you visit enough homes and pay close attention to the details (and what other "buyers" are saying), you'll develop a good understanding of how different features affect pricing. And then you can apply what you've learned to the task of setting your price. But don't forget to include in the equation what homes are actually selling for, not just simply what people are asking. And remember, if you're serious about getting your home sold quickly, don't be more expensive that your neighbor.   Tip No. 5: Know when to get an appraisal. Sometimes you can use a good appraisal to your benefit in marketing your home. And if you get a VA or FHA appraisal, you can use it to let prospective buyers know that your home can be financed. However, an appraisal costs money. It also has a limited life.  Be prepared to not like the figure you hear. As the Seller, of course you are going to see more value in your home than anyone else.  Don't let emotions conduct your business decisions.  Again, a good realtor will be able to provide this information.  They pull comparatives from the same database as appraisers and may be more familiar with the homes personally. Tip No. 6: Your tax assessment means almost nothing. Some people look to tax assessments to assign a value. The problem here is that assessments are based on a number of criteria unrelated to property values, so they often don't necessarily reflect the true value of your home. Have you ever heard of two identical homes in the same neighborhood with dramatically different assessed values because one was purchased more recently than the other? Well, it happens quite often.   Tip No. 7: Find a good realtor. Once you understand how much work it will be to sell it yourself, talk to a Realtor you trust even if you decide to strike out on your own. Many top professionals are more than willing to help do-it-yourself sellers with the paperwork, contracts, etc. Plus you'll have a relationship with an agent if problems do arise that require professional help. If you decide to work with a Realtor contact four or five - you probably met a few that you liked during your open house tour. Explain to each that you're thinking about putting your home on the market and you'd like to talk about pricing and marketing. By having this group "evaluation" done, you should end up with a fairly tight price range to help guide your decision. Any Realtor who is substantially higher or lower than the group should be able to justify their estimate. Just as you should be concerned with too low of a price, beware of an agent who gives you the highest price - they may be trying to buy your listing. A good Realtor knows the market and your neighborhood in particular. They will supply you with information on past sales, current listings, a marketing plan, something on their own background, and references from past clients. Take the time to carefully evaluate candidates on the basis of their experience, qualifications, enthusiasm, and personality. Most importantly, make sure you choose someone who is going to put in a lot of hard work on your behalf. Tip No. 8: Give yourself room to negotiate. Make sure you leave yourself enough room to bargain. If what you ask for is unacceptable to the buyer, and their first offer is unacceptable to you, then you better make sure you have someplace to go that is acceptable to you. Start with the absolute minimum price you would accept, then pick the price you'd get if the world were perfect. This gives you your range to keep in mind when working with your Realtor to negotiate the sale. In setting your asking price, review your priorities. Do you want to maximize your profit or sell quickly? You'll price high for the former and closer to market value if the latter is the case.   Tip No. 9: Maximize your home's sales potential.  You may not be able to change your home's location or its floor plan, but you can do a lot to improve its appearance. And you should. The look and "feel" of your home generates a greater emotional response than any other factor. You may price your home to sell, but a prospective buyer reacts to what they see, hear, feel and smell.   Tip No. 10: Rely on other people's judgement as well as your own. The biggest mistake you can make at this point is to rely solely on your own judgment. Remember this is your "HOME",  a place of fond memories. There are bound to be emotional issues that can impair your ability to make an honest assessment of your home's strengths and weaknesses. In evaluating what improvements you can make, don't be shy about asking others for their opinions. But make sure you're getting an honest answer; some may try to spare your feelings, just what you don't need. Fortunately, your Realtor won't be shy in discussing what should be done to make a home more marketable. The key to effective marketing is knowing your product's good and bad points. In the case of your home, accentuating the good can mean a faster sale for more money; failing to deal with the bad can mean months on the market and a lower-than-desired sales price. Each year, corporate North America spends billions of dollars on product and packaging design. The lesson here is that appearance is critical - and it would be foolish to ignore this when selling your home. Nearly two-thirds of the people who sell their own home say they wouldn't do it themselves again, according to research by the National Association of Realtors. Sellers surveyed point to difficulties in setting a price, marketing handicaps and liability concerns among the primary reasons they would turn to a Realtor next time. And selling a home yourself usually eats up more time and effort than you might initially expect. Sometimes you can use a good appraisal to your benefit in marketing your home. And if you get a VA or FHA appraisal, you can use it to let prospective buyers know that your home can be financed. However, an appraisal costs money. It also has a limited life. And you may not like the figure you hear. The best way to get to know your competition, identify features that are popular and learn what turns buyers off is to check out other open houses. Plan on spending a few weekends touring other homes on the market to learn what other sellers are asking. Be sure to make note of the floor plan, condition, appearance, size of lot, location and other features. Your reason will affect how you negotiate the sale of your home, but they shouldn't be given as ammunition to the person who wants to buy it. For example, a prospective buyer who knows you must move quickly has you at their mercy in the negotiation process. When asked, simply say that your housing needs have changed. Your reasons are nobody's business but your own. Tip No. 11: Clean like you've never cleaned before. Pick up, straighten, unclutter, scrub, scour, dust...well, you get the idea. If your living room feels crowded, take out every piece of furniture you can get away with. If your home isn't ready to appear in House Beautiful, then clean some more. Remember, you're not just competing with other people's homes - you're going up against brand-new homes as well.  These days, buyers are being told that this is their market.  Media says they can pick and choose.  Picky and choosey does not even begin to prepare you for what buyers are looking for these days.  They want P-E-R-F-E-C-T!  We can't always do perfect, but cleanliness goes a long, long way.  Many people don't realize just how important this is. Tip No. 12: Fix everything no matter how insignificant it may appear. The step that squeaks, the light switch that doesn't work, the hairline crack in the bathroom mirror - they might be minor annoyances to you, but they can also be deal-killers. The problem is that you never know what will turn a buyer off. And even something minor that's gone unattended can suggest that perhaps there are bigger, less visible problems present as well. Tip No. 13: Remove all traces of you from your home. When you toured other people's homes, you may have felt some discomfort. This probably occurred because you saw, heard or otherwise sensed something that made you feel as if you were intruding into someone's life. The last thing you want others to feel in visiting your home is that same sense of discomfort. Avoid this by making your home as neutral as possible Anything that interferes with a prospective buyers' ability to see themselves living in your home must be eliminated. A few carefully chosen knickknacks and family portraits may add warmth and character to the home, too many are a distraction. Avoid unique or trendy color schemes - paint and carpet in neutral shades of white or beige. Tip No. 14: The little touches can make a difference. While personal items can detract, other small touches can help make your house a home to buyers. A well-placed vase of flowers, accent pieces of sculpture, potpourri in the bathroom - all can enhance the attractiveness of your home in a subtle, soft-spoken way. Try perusing any of the home magazines for tips. Tip No. 15: Don't let a smell be your downfall. Odd smells kill deals quickly. We've seen people enter the front door of a home and turn around and go back out because of strong aromas.  No incense!  No strong room fresheners--you cannot cover up odors and that just makes buyers suspicious. All traces of food, pet and smoking odors must be eliminated. Even when you're sure they're gone, don't encourage prospective buyers to imagine things. If they know that you're a smoker or that you have a dog, they'll start smelling odors and seeing stains that may not even exist. Be safe - don't leave any clues. Tip No. 16: Disclose everything. Smart sellers proactively go above and beyond the laws to disclose all known defects to their buyers - in writing. If the buyer knows about a problem, he can't come back with a lawsuit later on.  This is required by law if you are using a realtor, and even if you don't, we advise having a property disclosure available.  Tip No. 17: The more prospects, the better. By maximizing your home's marketability, you'll increase your chances of attracting more than one prospective buyer. Why is this better? Because several buyers compete with each other; a single buyer ends up competing with you. Tip No. 18: Don't get emotional during negotiations. The extent of most people's experience in the art of negotiation begins and ends at their local auto dealership. And few of us have pleasant memories of haggling with car salesmen. But if you can just let go of the emotion you've invested in your home and approach negotiations in a detached, businesslike manner, you'll find the process to be a lot less painful. In fact, you might even enjoy it - and you'll definitely have an advantage over prospective buyers who get caught up in the emotion of the situation. Tip No. 19: Know your buyer. In the negotiation process, your objective is to control the pace and set the duration. And the better you know your buyer, the more easily you can maintain control. As a rule, buyers want the best property they can afford for the least amount of money. But knowing specifically what motivates your buyer enables you to negotiate more effectively. Maybe your buyer needs to move quickly. Or the maximum amount he can spend is just a little below your asking price. Knowing this information puts you in a better bargaining position. Tip No. 20: Find out what the buyer can pay. As soon as possible, try to find out the mortgage amount the buyer is qualified to carry and the size of his down-payment. If he makes a low offer, question his Realtor about his client's ability to really pay what your home is worth.  As realtors, our policy is to always have our buyers pre-qualified before we take them shopping.  We have a team of professionals just a phone call away to help us to insure this, and they are available when we call them--even on weekends!  This is a very important step in the home-buying process/home-selling process.  It keeps us from wasting your time and ours, and it also protects the buyer.  We wouldn't want them falling in love with a property that they could not possibly afford. Tip No. 21: Find out when the buyer would like to close. When a buyer would "like" to close is often when they need to close. Knowing this gives you his deadline for completing negotiations - again, an advantage in negotiations.  We always try and close as soon as possible and closely monitor our buyers' loan processes to insure that things proceed smoothly. Tip No. 22: Don't sign a deal on your next home until you close the deal on this one. If circumstances conspire to force you into closing on your new home while you're still making mortgage payments on the old one, you might end up turning yourself into a seller who is eager (or desperate) for the first deal that comes along. Tip No. 23: Don't move out before you sell. Studies have shown that it is more difficult to sell a home that is vacant - it looks forlorn, forgotten, simply not appealing. it could even cost you thousands. If you move, you're also telling buyers that you have a new home and are probably motivated to sell.  If nothing else, leave the house staged.  This is also good for your security. Tip No. 24: Don't give yourself a deadline. Forcing yourself to sell by a certain date adds unnecessary pressure and puts you at a serious disadvantage in negotiations.  It is also unrealistic in today's market unless you are willing to sell your home for a lot less than what it is worth, and none of us want to do that. Tip No. 25: Don't take a low offer personally. The first offer is invariably well below what you both know the buyer will end up paying for your property. Don't get angry or feel insulted; evaluate the offer objectively. Make sure it spells out the offering price, adequate earnest money, amount of down payment, mortgage amount, a closing date and any special requests. Now you have a point from which you can negotiate.  Always see the other side and try to understand.  Don't shut down--if they wanted it enough to go through the process of making an offer, they must want to try and work it out. Tip No. 26: A really low offer may mean the buyer's not qualified. If you feel an offer is inadequate, now would be a good time to make sure the buyer has been qualified to carry a mortgage of the size this deal would require (if you haven't learned this already). Ask how they arrived at their figure, then suggest their agent use comparable sales to establish what homes are going for in your neighborhood.  Again, we always pre-qualify our buyers and would never put you through such a scenario. Tip No. 27: Don't take a low-ball offer seriously. An unacceptably low offer should not be taken personally or seriously. Rather, it should be countered, even with the slightest of reductions in your asking price. This lets a buyer know that their first offer isn't seen as a very serious one.  Keep in mind, investors are on the prowl these days.  They look for desperate and distressed sellers, so don't let them rattle you if they pop up.  They are a necessary evil in the real estate market because they do provide options--we just hope that our Sellers never have to use those options. Tip No. 28: Make sure the contract is complete. The best way to avoid problems is to make sure that all terms, costs and responsibilities are spelled out in the contract of sale. A contract should include the date it was made, the names of the parties involved in the transaction, the address of the property being sold, the purchase price, where deposit monies will be held, the date for loan approval, the date and place of closing, type of deed, any contingencies that remain to be settled, and whether there's any personal property included (or not) in the sale, among other things.  Also, in North Carolina, a real estate transaction MUST be conducted with a N.C. attorney.   Tip No. 29: Don't deviate from the contract. Resist the temptation to diverge from the contract. For example, if the buyer requests a move-in prior to closing, just say no. Now is not the time to take any chances of the deal falling through.  Any deviations MUST be in writing and all parties MUST have copies of any changes made. Team Gandy and George hope that these tips help you to prepare yourself for the upcoming sale of your property.  The process of selling your home is time-consuming and sometimes frustrating, but we strive to always make this process a successful one where all parties walk away with a smile on their face.  Please keep us in mind and call to set up an interview.  We would love to meet with you in person and take a tour of your home.  We know what buyers are looking for and we will be glad to help you get your home ready for a quick sale! Call or email us today: Sandra George:  704-791-8075 or sandrageorge@remax.net Kim Gandy:  980-621-9854 or kimgandy@remax.net Squeezing Every Last Dollar From Your Home Sale In this report, learn vital tips and strategies that will help you maximize your return on investment when you sell your home. You'll be amazed at how some seemingly insignificant repairs or renovations can pay big dividends when you do sell your home. The secret to making top dollar when you sell your home isn't really a secret at all.  We've been revealing it to our clients for years. Because it involves a lot of discipline and elbow grease, many people decide to cut corners. And that's when the price you could command begins to drop. Do not be one of those people. During my years in real estate, we've seen countless examples where well-considered, well-placed investments of time and a little money have dramatically improved the sales price and increased the speed in which a home has sold. In todays economy, there are no guarantees that you will recoup what you spend to improve the value of your home--all the more reason to pick the right investments. But even when you don't recoup all the money you invest to upgrade, many improvements can give you an important edge over other homes on the market. And the failure to make some improvements can leave you at a distinct disadvantage as buyers compare your home with the competition. Believe me, we've seen it happen time and again. Spend time before you spend a dime Unless your home is in mint condition or you're actively selling it as a fixer-upper, there's probably a long list of repair or remodeling projects to consider. These can range from relatively simple jobs, such as painting a bathroom, to the more complex such as a room addition or a remodeling project. In considering any home improvement project, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions: Why are you doing it? Is it work that really needs to be done such as a paint job or replacing a leaky roof? Or is it a luxury item that you like that you think might appeal to a potential buyer such as a hot tub or home office addition, for example. Will it add value to your home, or have no impact at all? Or will it make your home more difficult to sell? Some investments like painting and yard work involve relatively little cash outlay and yet return many times your cost. Other improvements that you think add value have no significant impact. Adding a swimming pool is a good example. Besides the hassles of maintenance, a pool can reduce your homes appeal among families with small children because of safety concerns. Planning is everything If theres one piece of advice we would give every homeowner regardless of the circumstances, its this: Plan first, then do. Careful planning on your part is a prerequisite to undertaking any home improvement project, major or minor. In fact, the quickest way a minor project balloons into a major one is when you haven't thought things through in advance. We've seen more people get in over their heads because they didn't think things through before starting work. Whether you hire someone or do the work yourself, expect to spend more time and money than you initially anticipate. But by choosing well, you can ensure that the work you do adds the greatest value at the lowest cost.  And, don't become emotionally involved--keep it simple.  You're no longer going to be calling this place home, so don't be too sure that you know what the buyer is going to want. Be methodical Try breaking your list into exterior and interior projects, then break it down further by room or outside area. Decide which projects you're going to take on yourself and which will require outside help, and then do a rough cost estimate for each job. One rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if you do the work yourself, you'll probably recoup more than what you pay out for some improvements. You can probably save anywhere from 10 to 30 percent by removing hired labor from the equation. On the other hand, you might pay more for work done by professionals, but the improvements can speed up the sale of your property. Whether you should tackle the work yourself or hire professionals depends on several things. Do you have the time? Can your friends or relatives help you, or are you going to do it all yourself? How skilled are you and your helpers in the task at hand? You may decide to split the job--the contractor does the major work and you do the finishing. Doing at least some of the work yourself can still save you money. Whatever you do, the key lies in doing it well. If that means hiring a professional, do it. A poorly done job can do you more harm than good. Now lets take a look at some projects you might consider, beginning with some simple steps that can reap huge dividends. Curb Appeal Here are some investments in your homes exterior that we've found through firsthand experience can pay huge dividends: Paint It should come as no surprise that surveys show that painting the exterior of your home results in the greatest return on time and money invested when compared to other improvements done for selling purposes. An investment of $1,000-$2,000 can mean adding $3,000-$4,000 to your asking price. And if you can do a good job yourself, your profit is even greater. Even if your home doesn't need the full treatment, check the trim around windows and doorways for cracking or peeling, and do any necessary touch-up work. car. Landscaping Another key first impression is made by the grounds of your home. If you can improve the attractiveness of your landscape without spending a lot of money, you can add a good 5 to 10 percent to the value of your home. Minimally, you should prune existing trees, shrubs and bushes, clean out dead plants and weeds from flower beds and replace them with colorful flowering plants. Because landscaping can become a high-maintenance headache if not done carefully, choose hardy perennials that require minimal care. If you have a damaged lawn, you may need to take additional steps. The easiest step is to repair damaged sections with new sod. While seeding is cheaper, it wont produce grass overnight. A good patch job can make for a great quick fix. Other lawn problems--dead areas due to lack of sunlight or a trees root system can be solved by planting ground cover or creating additional flower beds. Like a new paint job, a relatively inexpensive upgrade of existing landscaping can bring far greater returns than what you spend. But don't do anything that would be deemed excessive by neighborhood standards. The idea is to make your home more attractive, not stand out as an oddity. The driveway Because its big, dark, and usually takes up a significant portion of the property in front of your home, a driveway can affect a buyers first impressions. If yours is in good condition, make sure you keep it swept and neatly edged where it meets the lawn. If yours is cracked, buckled or oil-stained, fix it. Patching concrete can be a problem because matching color is difficult; tar and asphalt are relatively easy to match. Whatever you do, be careful you don't create a bigger problem through quick-fix solutions.  Use high-quality patching materials and sealers. Decks and patios These can be popular additions that add value, especially with smaller homes, because they add living space. But make sure that whatever you do is consistent with your homes architectural style and integrates well with your outdoor areas. The garage If your garage has that rough, unfinished look, consider drywall and matching switch and outlet plates. At a minimum, make sure all switches and outlets work. And give everything a good cleaning. Don't neglect the minor details It's often the little things that really stand out. If your mailbox is in poor shape, replace it. Varnish or repaint your door if it needs it. A door knocker and brass kick plate can also be a nice addition. Spruce up the entryway with new light fixtures, potted plants and other decorative touches. With the exception of adding a deck or patio, most of the steps we've touched on here can be accomplished in relatively little time and without a lot of money. But the difference in the impression your home makes on prospective buyers will be dramatic. Ironically, some of the big-budget items you might consider spending your money on will do little to enhance the marketability of your home. Aluminum siding, for example, is prized by some and loathed by others. Hot tubs may or may not appeal to potential buyers. Watch out for changes that you may find appealing but end up limiting your homes appeal to others. Besides swimming pools, other investments you probably wont see a return on are tennis courts and automatic sprinkler systems. Unless they're for your own enjoyment, don't waste your money. One major expense you may have to consider is a new roof. But if you think you can pass the cost along to a buyer, forget it. Everyone expects a good roof, and they're not going to pay extra for it. And a roof in poor condition can kill a deal quickly. Making the best second impression As with the exterior, we've found that there are plenty of interior tricks to punch the right emotional buttons in prospective buyers. In all rooms, certain minimum standards should be met: Make sure all plumbing and electrical systems are in good working order Repair cracks in the wall Paint :  As is the case outside, a fresh coat of paint throughout the house will more than pay for itself Remove wallpaper Replace missing molding Replace cracked or broken window glass Make sure window and door hardware match Install new floor coverings Install new light fixtures Make sure switch and outlet plates match from room to room Upgrade insulation in drafty or hot rooms As is the case outside, a coat of paint can literally make the difference between a sale and no sale. Be sure to stick to neutral colors--white or off-white. It tends to make everything look new, clean and bright. Be sure to paint everything: inside closets, cabinets, pantries, etc. If a prospective buyer opens a door and sees dirty walls or shelves, you've just wasted the advantage you had gained by painting in the first place. Like paint, new carpeting should also be in a neutral shade. This helps buyers visualize their own furniture in your home. Wallpaper, like wall colors, makes a personal statement about the owners tastes. Remove it. Buyers want to visualize what they would do with your house, and wallpaper gets in the way of their dreaming. Many buyers value good wood floors, so sand and refinish yours if they can be restored. Otherwise, you might consider new flooring. If your home is short on storage space, consider how you can add shelving, cabinets or other storage systems to remedy this deficiency. You may also consider replacing windows and doors with more energy-efficient models. Taken individually, each of the above improvements may not seem like much. But you'll find that the cumulative effect of fixing even relatively minor problems will be dramatic. A crack in the wall, a carpet stain or a light switch that doesn't work can send a negative signal that results in the loss of a buyer.  We've seen it happen. Now lets take a closer look at improvements on a room-by-room basis, starting with your two most important rooms. Kitchens and bathrooms have long been the top two remodeling projects, and you can expect them to remain so for years to come. They are the rooms that most consistently make or break a sale. A new or updated kitchen, a sparkling bathroom. These are features that help to sell a home. The kitchen If you can get away with a remodel rather than a new kitchen, do it. Because the kitchen is so important, sellers sometimes over-improve them to the point where there is no chance of recouping their investment when they move. Don't fall into this trap. Add a new coat of paint, refinish the cabinets and counters, change drawer pulls and handles, install new appliances, put down a new floor, but don't gut and start over if it isn't necessary. When adding new appliances, be aware that many buyers consider brand name to be an important factor. If you don't paint everything, at least repaint the ceiling bright white. You'd be surprised how much it can lighten up the room. Another great way to brighten a kitchen is to add a skylight. If you do choose to put in a new kitchen, keep in mind what sells. Buyers are looking for lots of cabinets and counter space, new appliances, and an easy flow between the sink, food prep areas, stove and refrigerator. Think sunny, spacious and clean. The bathroom New fixtures, wall tile and flooring can make a big difference. If the bathtub is in poor shape, you can replace it, but a less expensive option may be to re-enamel it. If you keep the old tub, at least re-grout and re-caulk it. A good bathroom remodel or expansion can easily return more than 100 percent of its cost when you sell. If you're feeling ambitious, adding a half-bath or second bath to a one-bathroom house is another option to consider, space allowing. Whatever the family size, one bathroom never seems adequate to most people.  Everyone wants at least 2 baths or at minimum a bath and a half these days. Bedrooms For most people, the master bedroom is the third most important room in the house. If you have a large home with four or five small bedrooms and the floor plan allows for it, you might consider combining two rooms into a master bedroom. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home and a decent-sized lot, you might consider adding another bedroom. Trends to watch A more recent hot remodeling trend is the great room--combining the kitchen, dining and family room into one larger living area. While lagging behind kitchen and bath remodels, it is definitely a trend on the rise. Living rooms, family rooms and formal dining rooms, on the other hand, are diminishing in popularity. Another relatively new wrinkle is the home office. With more home-based businesses and more companies allowing employees to telecommute, more people are looking for office-ready space in their homes. A recent survey conducted by Builder magazine found that nearly a third of buyers in their 20s, 30s and 40s plan to use a room as a home office. Other rooms that are showing up on more buyers wish lists are exercise and media rooms. Questionable projects include fireplace additions and installation of elaborate security systems. You can find professionals who will argue for and against both of these projects. But with concerns about home safety on the rise, security systems appear to be moving into the desirable column. Many of these projects are relatively inexpensive and will easily pay for themselves. With some projects, you may not recoup your investment, but you will have removed impediments to a sale. If you don't take care of things like leaky plumbing, drafty windows or outdated light fixtures, you're giving a buyer ammunition to use against you during negotiations. Home improvement Don'ts There are several things you can do that can actually lower the value of your home or make it more difficult to sell. Here are a few rules to keep in mind: Do it well, or don't do it at all You may be tempted to do a lot of work yourself to save money. That's fine if you know you can do a good job. But if doing it yourself means a sloppy paint job or bubbles in the vinyl flooring, then I suggest hiring a professional. Hiring an expert can often be cheaper and faster in the long run. This is especially important when dealing with electrical systems or plumbing problems. Don't over-improve Any project that raises your homes value by more than 20 percent above similar homes in your neighborhood should be reconsidered. The reason is simple. Say your home is typical in a neighborhood of $100,000 homes, and you make $50,000 in improvements. Buyers looking for a $150,000 home are looking in neighborhoods where that is the norm, not the exception. Don't make unique improvements Sure, you may love the built-in bookcases on every wall of your guest room, but prospective buyers will probably view them as a nuisance to tear out which means they'll be less willing to meet your price. Also, avoid remodels that make unusual use of a particular room. Anything that limits flexibility will limit interest in your home. Don't create a mess Make sure your floor plan will make sense when you're done. Be careful not to make changes that impede the natural flow of the house such as closing off halls, doorways, etc. Room additions in particular are often done very poorly. If it looks like something tacked on to the original house, don't do it. Adding a bedroom whose only connection to the rest of the house is through another bedroom should also be avoided. As you can see, squeezing every last dollar out of your home sale can be a fairly involved process. But when you consider the end result,a quicker sale and top dollar for your efforts, we think you'll find that a few well-chosen home improvements are worth both the time and money. Don't plan on moving soon if you're spending a lot. You probably won't recoup your investment if you plan to move in less than two years. If you plan to move sooner, spend less money and focus your efforts on the most egregious problems. For example, turn a bad kitchen into a decent one rather than a chefs kitchen. Please feel free to call us if you would like further explanation on any of these topics, or if you have any real estate questions at all. Our mission is to be as helpful as to our area home owners. We sincerely hope this special report provides the information you need to be an informed home seller. Give us a call with any questions or concerns:   Sandra George 704-791-8075 sandrageorge@remax.net Kim Gandy 980-621-9854 kimgandy@remax.net          20 Questions You Absolutely Must Ask Your Next Agent Before You Sign on the Dotted Line If your home did not sell, it could be for any number of reasons. One reason may be that you didn't hook up with the right agent for your needs. This report is specially designed to help you make sure that the next agent you select is the most qualified to meet your particular goals and needs. How to Sell Your Home for the Highest Price Possible This special report is a great supplement to a professional real estate agent's advice and helps provide a great advantage for any serious home seller. Filled with valuable suggestions that are designed to help you sell for the highest price your property can bring. A critical must-read to maximize your profits from your home sale. How to sell your home for the highest price possible What do home buyers want? Look at your home through buyer's eyes Inspections | Agents | Don't get greedy Why do some homes listed for sale languish on the market unsold for many months whereas others sell quickly in a few days or weeks? Realtors will tell you that if a home doesn't sell within 90 days it is probably overpriced. Not necessarily true in today's market, but there is still quite a bit of legitimacy to this detail.  Your best time to sell is when your home hits the "hotsheets" and a good realtor keeps an eye on these reports that show new listings as soon as they hit the market.  However, too high an asking price is not always the reason a home doesn't sell. Whether you get top dollar for your home will depend on many factors, such as local economic conditions, supply of homes for sale, the number of buyers in the local marketplace, the physical condition of your home, the skill of your realty agent to properly market your home to as many qualified buyers as possible, the financing you can offer and the desirability of your home compared to other nearby homes now available for sale. What do today's home buyers want? Most home builders are very good at giving buyers what they want -- a "red-ribbon deal." That's a home in near-perfect "model home" move-in condition where all the buyer must do is turn the key in the front door and move in. Buyers are willing to pay top dollar for these homes. But what are most home sellers offering? Fixer-uppers! Or at least homes with problems. As I browse through our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS),  I see many phrases in the descriptions of the properties that would lead me to believe and so therefore, my buyers that there might be something "wrong" with the listing.  Sold "as-is".  "Carpet allowance of $2000 (which just tells me that we need $5,000 to replace carpet), "Needs 24-hour notice to show", "Tenant-occupied, owner must be present for all showings", "Fixer-Upper",  "Seller makes no representation to the condition of the property". etc. These phrases, although all true, would discourage me from showing these properties and after disclosing these issues, might discourage my buyers from considering them.  And, in today's market, we are seeing a lot of these types of listings, it gives buyers the impression that again, these Sellers are desperate or distressed. I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea why these homes won't sell easily and certainly not for the highest price possible. Sellers and agents should present the home in its best possible light. Avoid negatives. If a house needs fixing up, do the work before putting it on the market. That house needing $30,000 of work must be in pretty bad shape. Very few home buyers are willing, or capable, of both buying  a home and tackling major repair work. Yes, there are buyers for fixer-upper homes, but they will usually buy only at greatly discounted prices, far below the house's market value if it were in good condition. Look at your home through a buyer's eyes Pretend you are buying your home. Walk around each room and the exterior and jot down the good and bad aspects you would spot if you were buying your home. Look especially for the need to paint, clean and repair. Throw out unneeded items. The goal should be to get your home into "model home" condition if you want to get its best price possible. For example, as I look at the living room of my home, if I were selling I would write down that it needs fresh paint, fireplace cleaning, new carpets, and furniture rearrangement to make the room look larger.  The cost? Less than $1,000 to present a neat, welcoming look for buyers, improve my home salability, and even increase its market value. Most homes just need a "freshening up" to make them marketable for top dollar. New paint is the most profitable improvement you can make, so give serious thought to painting the interior and exterior.  A bucket of paint along with a mop and a bucket go a long, long way. Inspections Any realtor that is doing their job properly will tell their buyer to have an inspection done by a licensed home inspector for any home that they are considering purchasing.  Even the listing agent should provide this service to the buyers that are interested in their listings. Don't be surprised or offended when the buyer's inspector finds unexpected defect, and they will find something.  Be aware of the condition of your property.  If you know that something is defective, you are required by law to disclose that if you know about it.  Go ahead and take a step further, and examine your home closely or have it professionally inspected yourself.   If it's a serious problem, ask yourself if you would purchase a home with this condition. Many people these days are upside down in their mortgages and cannot afford to make the repairs.  Cosmetic issues might just be a matter of a little elbow grease.  Do the best with what you have, but try and get your home in as good a shape as possible.  If you can't, then let the price reflect the needed repairs. Once your home is ready, contact at least three successful Realtors about listing it for sale. Intererview them extensively.  (See also report on "Questions to Ask Realtors")  Do this even if you plan on selling your home by yourself. Each agent should give you a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) that will show recent sales prices of nearby comparable homes, asking prices for homes in the area, and the agent's opinion of your home's fair market value.   As you will see from these reports, your home doesn't have an exact market value. Instead, it has a range of values based on the expert opinions of the real estate agents. Once you've interviewed your three agents, select the one(s) who makes things happen. You want someone upbeat and positive about your home, but still very matter-of-fact about what you can expect from the sale of your property.  You should actually "like" your agent(s).  Not everyone "clicks", and you need to feel comfortable and confident in your choice.  Make sure they have a great internet presence and a good repartee with even the other agents in your community.  Make sure they answer their phones and return phone calls and emails.  You'd be surprised at the ones that do not actually do these things--it's easy to check it out.  Just give each of them a call and see what happens.  Pretty simple, huh?  Pretty sad, though. Financing Be open to the buyer's financing needs.  There are no 100% financing programs in our area other than the USDA rural program and in that program, the property itself must qualify as "rural".  Although, we have gotten back to the old-time way of pre-qualifying buyers requiring good credit, job stability, and money down, most buyers are cash poor.  Be prepared to be asked to pay some of the buyer's closing costs.  That could be up to 3% in most instances. Many buyers these days are taking advantage of FHA loans or VA mortgages--there may be additional fees with these loans. Offer your help upfront with the listing. The result will be a higher sales price and an easy, quick sale. Don't get greedy You've done everything correctly. You got your home into first-class condition before interviewing at least three successful local real estate agents about listing it for sale. After asking lots of questions and reviewing their market analysis' and client references, you selected the best agent(s).  We ask for 6-month listings.  That gives us time to get your home out there properly and allow for the small drop in existing home sales that we have experienced.  Under optimum conditions, your house should sell within the customary 90 days because your agent is aggressive, hardworking and successful and you have your home priced right and it looks great! Just a side note......and this is how it will probably happen-- A few weeks after your home hits the market, your agent phones to report another agent has a purchase offer. You are so excited! When it is presented to you, you're very disappointed--even a little angry,  because it's about 5 percent below your asking price. Since you've listed your home at a realistic price, just slightly above its market value as shown by the CMAs you received from the three agents interviewed, you're insulted by this low offer. You want to counteroffer at the full asking price. Or better yet, tell them that you don't want to sell them your house AT ALL! Instead, your agent counsels you to reconsider if you really want to sell. So you make a more reasonable counteroffer below your asking price. After some haggling back and forth, you and the buyer agree on a price that everyone can be happy with. Everything gets put into writing and you are on your way to the closing table--30 to 45 days down the road. The agents handle all the details, and you just sit back and  trust them to insure that things proceed properly so that you can collect your check when the transaction is complete!  And, always be aware, that no sale is done until money changes hands and the deed is recorded by a N.C. attorney.     29 Critical Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You List The single most critical step is in selecting the real estate professional you will trust your precious investment to when you are ready to buy or sell your home. This report gives you all the important questions you must ask prospective agents. It can make all the difference.

Learn more about our area County Schools by visiting the following websites:  N.C. Report Cards  Great Schools Cabarrus County Schools  Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Schools Union County Schools Rowan County Schools Stanly County Schools

You may also visit us at  KimGandy@Remax.com  OR  SandraGeorge@Remax.com.

Please take a tour of our beautiful area!  This is our home and we love it! Mecklenburg County, NC Charlotte, NC  Cabarrus County, NC  Concord, NC Kannapolis, NC Rowan County Union County, NC Waxhaw, NC Iredell County Mooresville, NC

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New Construction    New Homes for Sale - Charlotte, NC Market  Search Floor Plans and Exciting Virtual Tours of Model Homes from some of the Best Builders In the Area. My list is designed to save you time and money.  You will be able to see more homes in 20 minutes than you would by driving around in 2 weeks. Build your Dream Home the way you want it or Move in Fast to a Brand New Inventory Home

 

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