Preparing Home for Sale Archives

8 Home Staging Ideas To Make Your Home Look Bigger

First impressions are crucial in the real estate market. Staging your home in San Diego is an absolute must if you’re in the market to sell. Staging increases your home value and can help you sell it faster by making it more appealing to buyers. One thing buyers always appreciate is space. Our homes in the San Diego metro neighborhoods tend to be smaller than in the surrounding areas. With that in mind, you may have some worries about making your home seem spacious if it’s on the smaller side. Smart staging is your best friend here. With just a little rearranging and redecorating, you can make your home seem much larger than it is. Here’s a list of home staging ideas to make your home look more prominent to help you with that.

Grey sofa and bright accessories in light colored living room are great home staging ideas — light modern furniture

1-First of all, deep clean and declutter

Here’s a hard truth: all the home staging ideas in the world won’t work if your house is messy. While living in your home, a bit of clutter isn’t a big deal, but it will make the place visually smaller. It would help if you did an entire house declutter before you stage, as you’ll have much more space to work with. Pay special attention to rooms that tend to get messy a bit more that you still want to show off, such as a home office. Removing any random objects that don’t serve any purpose is an excellent way to start. Newspaper stacks, figurine collections, and similar things should all go. Also, make sure to deep clean your place. Dust and grime build up sometimes make the area look dull and closed-off, which you want to avoid.

2-Consider the height of your furniture

Vertical space is also very important for the perception of the size of your home. Tall furniture can fill up a lot of that space, making the room visually smaller. Swapping it out for shorter pieces leaves more space between the furniture and the ceiling, hence making the ceilings look taller. While buying new furniture just before selling your home isn’t the most logical move, you can make it work. Try buying pieces that will also work in your new house once you move. To make sure that your new furniture is in good hands, professionals at bestmovers.nyc suggest looking up moving databases. That way, you’ll have the best insight into which moving company is a good fit for you.

3-Repaint dark walls

Darker shades of paint, such as olive green or navy, can add a sense of intimacy and warmth to the room. However, they also make the space look smaller. If you want to make your home seem more prominent to potential buyers, now is a good time to repaint those walls. Instead of deep colors, try leaning more towards whites and creams. This type of home renovation isn’t expensive and will make a huge difference.

woman-painting-the-walls-of-new-home-with-paintbrush — Giving your walls a makeover is one of the best home staging ideas to make your home look bigger

4-Mirrors are your best friend

Mirrors can make a nice decorative piece, but they’re also much more than that. The room’s reflection in the mirror is guaranteed to make it bigger than it is. Mirrors also make the light bounce around the room, making it seem lighter and brighter. Overall, including mirrors is one of the best home staging ideas to make your home look better. However, it would be best if you were careful about their placement. You want to get a mirror in a place with a lot of natural sunlight. Otherwise, it won’t do much for you. Also, please don’t overdo it. Too many mirrors will make your home seem like an antique shop, and that’s not the look you’re going for here.

two grey sofas and two mirror on the wall and light painted walls when home staging — Mirrors can do wonders for lightening up the space for home staging ideas

5-Take away some of the furniture when home staging

Picking out the right furniture plays a big part in successful home staging. When it comes to this, quality beats quantity. You want to keep furniture pieces that make your house look open and spacious and transport everything else to another location. A great example would be a white couch because it’s functional but sleek and not too flashy. If you have to move on a short timeline, you might be worried about how to handle this on short notice. Transporting the furniture you won’t use for staging to your new home first is a good idea, as it will relieve some of the moving stress. Of course, if you have pieces of furniture you don’t want to keep, donate them or throw them away.

6-Skip the flashy patterns

Busy patterns can really be your friend sometimes. Unfortunately, staging a small home isn’t one of those situations. Even if they’re light in color, they can easily close up the space. Instead, opt for either very simple patterns such as light stripes or no pattern at all. Also, try sticking to a monochromatic theme if possible.

7-Put up big art pieces

Keeping it simple is a good rule of thumb when you’re staging your home to look bigger. That being said, your buyers’ eyes still need something to latch onto. A good trick is to make a big art piece the focal point of the room while keeping most of the wall space clear. This will create the illusion of a bigger space, as there is just one big object in an otherwise empty area. Just make sure to pick one that matches the style of your home, so it doesn’t look out of place.

8-Leave some of the shelving empty when home staging

If you have open shelves in your home, your first instinct could be to fill them with books and decorations for the staging. This is not that good of an idea, as it will make the walls look cluttered. Instead, opt for half-empty shelves and statement decorative pieces. This will emphasize the existing vertical space, making your home seem larger.

2 plants on wall shelves and a few folders in bright-living-room-interior-with-a-teddy-bear-and-aqua-sofa-pillows — Don’t overcrowd the shelves when staging a home

Conclusion

Staging your home for prospective buyers can be tricky if you don’t have much space to work with. You need to pick out a suitable layout and decide what furniture to use and what to remove. Luckily, there are many home staging ideas to make your home look bigger that can do wonders for a smaller space. See which ones work best for your home, and get onto rearranging. With creativity and inspiration, your home will be done in no time.

If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away. We will put a plan in place that will not only save you money but it will also help you receive the highest dollar amount possible when you are ready to go on the market for sale.

More Ways to Increase The Value of Your Home In San Diego When Selling

The Best Tips for Boosting Your Home’s Resale Value With DIY Projects

Are you ready to sell your home in San Diego? Before listing your property, take a hard look at making some home improvements. Sometimes, a little elbow grease can improve your home’s value and set you up for a successful sale. Check out these tips from the McT Real Estate Group to give your home the boosts it needs.

Set your price

Before making your improvements, you’ll want to establish a goal selling price. Speak with your real estate agent and come up with a price together. Check out this expert advice for more information on pricing.

This should be based on a number of things, like what similar homes are selling for. Knowing your market and how much you can get for your home will help you decide how much to invest in your improvements.

How to price your home
What are the homes in my area currently selling for

You can do a lot of research on your own but, your local Realtor, one who is very active in the Real Estate market will have a lot of information that you cannot find on these websites. Some of these things include the number of offers received; what are the buyer’s hot buttons? Why one home received higher offers than another home right next door? Why did a house fall out of escrow? Why did a smaller home sell for more than a larger home? These are just some of the things you cannot find if you are solely looking at data found online.

Make major repairs

Most home buyers are looking for properties that are move-in ready, meaning they prefer a home that doesn’t need any significant repairs. To give your home the appeal it needs, go through every nook and cranny and tend to the little issues that you typically overlook, like dings in your drywall, marks on the floor molding, and sticky door frames. Then once you’ve covered the smaller concerns, have your home’s major elements and systems checked out and make repairs as needed.

How do I know if my roof needs to be repaired or replaced?

Signs of foundation problems in my home

Curb appeal

We tend to turn a blind eye to things we look at on a daily basis, but your home’s exterior will make an all-important first impression to home shoppers. View your home with fresh eyes and think in terms of what someone seeing it for the first time will notice. Take note of any issues like hanging branches, dead plants, damaged gutters, worn paint, or clutter in your yard. Take on any little fixes that you see, then make sure your curb appeal looks stellar with these DIY projects.

Which plants to consider for instant curb appeal

How to make the front porch look nice for better curb appeal

Kitchen

It’s time to take down the refrigerator art, scrub the oven and wipe down your countertops! The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and potential buyers will be looking at it closely. Giving it a good tidying and cleaning is a great start to ensuring they will like what they see. However, even minor renovations can boost your resale value. Consider some DIY-friendly upgrades that won’t blow your budget, take minimal skill, and still leave you plenty of time to do a little house hunting of your own.

Does your kitchen lack workspace or storage? Boost both with a DIY kitchen island

How to redo my kitchen cabinets with a practical and beautiful DIY refresh

Bathroom

Like the kitchen, bathrooms get a lot of attention from potential home buyers. Clean and organize yours completely, both in the seen and unseen spaces — like inside your linen closet and vanity. Then replace your shower curtain and add new towels and a fresh bath mat. With the basics refreshed, consider making some upgrades, keeping in mind that even relatively small enhancements can also go a long way in the bathroom. These great projects are fodder for your inspiration:

How to add a bathroom vanity for an attractive and effective update

Is your faucet old, worn, or out of style? Here’s how to replace a bathroom faucet

Paint

Painting is a low-cost, efficient and effective way to give every room in your home a facelift. And the best part is, it’s beginner-friendly. Even if you never held a paint roller before, you can achieve attractive results with a little planning and good prep work. Keep in mind, though, that there are a few strategies for adding new paint when you’re trying to sell your home. These tips will help you choose the right colors and lay coat after coat like a pro.

Your front door will greet house hunters, so make sure it’s gorgeous

Wallpaper isn’t messy and boring anymore; explore trendy temporary wallpaper designs by artists that are easy to install

Making simple upgrades can greatly improve your home’s resale value. Before deciding on your projects, set a price and know your market. Make necessary repairs and upgrades, and get ready to move—your home will be sold before you know it.

5 Tips To Increase Your Home Value in San Diego

Stage A House That Is Vacant

Deciding on whether to stage a house that is vacant or leaving it empty for selling can depend on several factors. In our Real Estate Experience of over 17 years, we have found that staging a home is better than not. Selling a house that is staged sells faster and for a higher dollar amount than a home that is vacant and has not been staged. The reason a staged house sells for a higher dollar amount is more buyers are attracted to it, and the home simply shows better. This ultimately creates competition amongst the buyers looking at the house.

Showing A Staged Home

Home staging has become extremely popular in the last several years. Approximately 79% of buyer’s agents say when showing a staged home to their clients, it makes it a lot easier for the potential buyer to see themselves living there. They tend to stay a little longer during the showing which is a definite plus. They also have an easier time visualizing their own furniture in the space and tend not to focus on the negative aspects of the property.

Virtual Staging

Oftentimes a seller may think of selling their vacant house without having to stage it. There are other sellers that have heard about virtual staging. Virtual staging may be more affordable and does look good in photos. But most times a buyer that sees a property online that shows beautifully staged, will be disappointed when they walk through the home in person. Every defect the property has will be on display. The buyers walking through will notice every scratch, stain and wear and tear the home has endured throughout the years

Lightly Staging A House

Even if sellers don’t want to stage a house, they should consider lightly staging their vacant property. It will make the home appear larger than it really is. It will feel inviting and people can then visualize living in the house. This especially holds true for smaller rooms. If you add furniture to a smaller room, it will magically make the room feel larger.

Staging A House Is Not Necessary

There is a time when we believe that staging a vacant home not necessary. This of course is when a property is a fixer. In other words, if your home has a lot of deferred maintenance, such as cracks in the walls, original electrical, foundation issues, plumbing issues, etc. we would recommend not staging the property. In these circumstances, these types of sales are better suited for savvy investor type buyers. They do not care about furniture. Instead, they are strictly looking at numbers. We have found if you stage these types of homes, a traditional buyer may fall in love with it because it looks cute. But, when you accept an offer and they do their inspections, 9 times out of 10 they get scared because of all of the repairs needed, and they eventually cancel the escrow. This is never fun for a seller.

Not Staging A Home

If you are still not convinced that you should stage a home before selling? No worries, nothing is set in stone. We are only letting you know what we have learned throughout our years of selling homes in North Park, South Park, and surrounding areas of San Diego. The one thing that we recommend you should always do; having the house deep cleaned before putting the house for sale on the market. A dirty house will turn many potential buyers away. They will automatically think the home has not been kept properly. It will show in their offer if they decide to make one.

Staging A House Before Selling

If you are thinking of selling your home, contact your local Realtor. Go on their website first and check out the photos of the homes they are selling and have sold in the past. There should be an area on their website that shows their “Featured Listings.” This will give you an idea of what they provide. Do you see a lot of photos of vacant properties? Or are most of the featured homes staged? Another important factor to look at is the quality of the photos. All photos should be professional. This is the first thing a prospective buyer sees online. If the photos do not showcase the property well, they will move on to the next property.

Below are a few photos of before and after staging photos of a home we just sold in San Diego. The owners of this house initially thought of not having it staged. But, after some discussion, they took our advice. We ended up with 14 offers and $35,000 over list price. The buyer loved how the furniture looked they wanted to buy it too. This of course belonged to our stager and was not part of the sale. My point is, the furniture simply creates an illusion of warmth and coziness.

Other Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Home Before Selling

vacant living room with wood floors- ceiling fan and wood door — Vacant Living Room

Vacant Bedroom with one window and ceiling fan — Vacant bedroom

Ways to Increase Your Home Value in San Diego Before Listing It For Sale

When it comes time to sell your home in San Diego, you can take several steps before listing it with a Realtor to increase your property’s value. And, to also leave you with more money in the bank. Below, we’ll discuss a few of our favorite options.

Address its Curb Appeal

We all know that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to new home buyers, it’s hard not to! The exteriors should encourage prospective buyers to enter the home, so it’s a great idea to address the landscaping, paint coat, and ensure that the front door isn’t chipped. The driveway is also important, as a poorly maintained driveway won’t leave perspectives with a good first impression of the upkeep of the property.

Maintain the Roof and Siding

Replacing a roof can cost a pretty penny, but a roof that’s falling apart is going to turn homebuyers off. Thus, before you place your home on the market for sale, it’s important to repair the roof as necessary. Roof maintenance right before you sell your home will not only improve the resale value but will also prevent home inspection issues and avoid a point of negotiation with potential buyers. For the siding, ensure that stucco or rustic siding is also properly maintained to prevent the buyer from seeing it as a future cost.

Remodel the Kitchen or Bathroom

Kitchens and bathrooms can greatly increase the value of the home and are also essential spaces in a buyer’s first impression. You will want to weigh costs, but in most cases, minor renovations will pay off immediately. Especially if you have outdated appliances or old countertops, quick renovations will instantly upgrade the feel of the space and make your home more attractive to prospective buyers. You will also want to address the countertops, as they’re the focal point of the area. Consider quartz countertop colors that’ll complement your wall color nicely.

Make your Home Low Maintenance

Buyers consider maintenance costs when looking at properties. If you have a roof, furnace, or HVAC unit that is nearing the end of its life, repairing or replacing it before selling can help soothe buyer’s fears about looming repairs. You can also invest in making your home more energy-efficient, as energy conservation features can make a home much more valuable. This investment could look like anything from solar panels to LED lighting or more efficient heating and cooling units.

Aging in Place Renovations

Aging in place renovations are something to consider if you live in a neighborhood that is conducive to families and older living such as North Park and South Park. Additions such as a lowes handrail, or a shower with a seat can add great value.

Repair the Siding

If your siding is very damaged or is showing signs of wear, you’ll benefit from repairing it before you sell. Since the siding is what protects your home against the outdoors, buyers are likely to be put off from siding that’s clearly seen better days, as it’ll lead to costly repairs down the road. When it comes time to repair, a fiber siding, such as rustic siding, will add to the curb appeal as well as the functionality of your property.

Whether you’re looking to sell your home in North Park, South Park or surrounding areas in the near future or further down the line, these renovations will absolutely help you increase your home’s value before it even hits the market! But, before you do anything else, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003, the local Real Estate Experts. Together, they will come up with a plan of action that will help you receive the highest return on your investment.

Homes for Sale in North Park

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.

4 Home Renovations That Will Max Your ROI

Home renovations do not have to break the bank. Here are some ideas that will help whether you are planning on staying in your house for a while or whether you are planning to sell your home in the near future. Knowing what type of home projects will net you the highest dollar amount and max your ROI is always a good thing. Potential homebuyers will deduct a lot of money for a bathroom that needs updating. Doing small bathroom remodels counts a lot when potential buyers see it. It will also make you feel great while you live in the home. Enjoy a nice bathroom!

Freshening up the landscape will get more buyers to walk into the house. It is the first thing that potential buyers see before they step inside. As part of your home renovations, you should consider adding new sod or, better yet, in San Diego, drought-tolerant is much better for conserving our water. Don’t forget about the front door. If it looks dingy, freshen it up with a new stain or painting it a beautiful bright color. If the exterior of the house looks drab, give it a lovely fresh coat. You will receive a good return on your investment by doing a few of these items. You will also enjoy living in a renovated home.

If you have any questions regarding your best return on investment when selling your home, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003. We are happy to go over things you should consider if you are planning on selling in the near future.

Dog Etiquette: How To Keep Your Pup In Line When Buying Or Selling A Home In San Diego

Buying or selling a home is serious business, and it can be overwhelming at times due to all the details and stress that come along with the process. Figuring out how to stage your home to get the maximum price, keeping things clean for buyers, looking for the perfect house to accommodate your family…it’s pretty labor intensive. When you have a pet, several more tasks get added to your to-do list, including keeping the yard clean and making sure there are no pet odors that might turn away a prospective buyer. You also have to figure out a way to keep your pet safe and happy–and out of the way–during the process of buying or selling a home, which is sometimes easier said than done.

Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to make sure your dog minds his manners and keeps your home ready to sell. Having a plan is half the battle, so recruit some friends or family members to help you get through this time and ensure your pet is well taken care of.

Here are some of the best ways to get started.

Train Your Dog

A well-trained dog will know not to jump up on visitors or use the carpet as his personal toilet. Even if your dog is fairly well behaved, it’s not a bad idea to brush up on some simple commands and go over the potty rules, because animals know when there are changes happening, and sometimes it can make them anxious or change their behavior. Having strangers come into your home can also take a toll on your dog.

Consider what’s best for your pet; would he do well with a private trainer, or is he a good enough listener that you can feel confident teaching him yourself? There are many simple things you can teach your dog with a little guidance. For additional tips on training your dog, check out this guide.

Keep Him Away From Strangers

When selling your home, you’ll likely have a lot of strangers coming through to take a look at it. It’s a good idea to have a kennel or crate for your dog to rest in–preferably in a backroom or in the yard–during these times or have a friend or family member take him for a long walk. Sometimes, the realtor might not be able to give you much notice when a prospective buyer is ready to make a call; if this is the case, having a well-trained pet who knows not to jump up on guests, nip at their fingers, or bark excessively will be a wonderful thing. If he’s not quite there yet, put his collar and leash on so you can keep him at bay, or ask the realtor to go ahead and give the tour while you take the dog outside.

If you’re looking to buy a home, ensuring your pet has good manners is still a good idea. Sometimes, you may be out with your dog when you spot an open house. Taking him home before going in is the best idea, but if that’s not possible, be sure the owners know you have a pet with you and ask to make a private appointment if they aren’t comfortable with you bringing him into the home.

Find The Right Movers

Moving day involves a lot of potential risks – your stuff getting lost or broken, for example. Add your pup to the mix, and it’s easy to see why choosing the right movers is so important. It’s vital that you choose your moving company carefully with the factors most important to you in mind: scour options online to find the company with positive reviews, fair prices and that are dog-friendly. Some websites offer side-by-side comparisons for local moving companies, but it may be best to pick up the phone and make some calls to ensure you get all the answers you’re looking for.

You’ll also want to make sure that, on the big day, your dog is kept safe in his cage for a little while so he doesn’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of the move, or you could even hire someone to take him for a long walk (Click here to find dog walkers in your area). Let your helpers meet your dog so he won’t be upset at their presence, and also so they know what he looks like in case he does get out accidentally.

Moving can be an ordeal, but if you have a plan and are prepared, it will go smoothly. Just remember to take your dog’s feelings into consideration where the move is concerned, and give him lots of love and attention during this time.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group(true dog lovers and moms to several) at 619-736-7003.