You have worked hard to own your home and care for it. Your kids' birthday parties, backyard barbecues and time spent with family is etched into your home's history. Although the thought of selling a house that you love may be difficult, downsizing can help you live a simpler and happier life. Downsizing is a step forward, not backward. Here are some of the advantages of downsizing to a smaller home.
Selling a house that you are currently living in certainly adds a few extra challenges to the mix, as you balance keeping your home ready to show with keeping yourself comfortable while you live there. But it's nothing that you can't handle, especially if you start planning ahead of time. The key is to start preparing as soon as you know you'll be putting your home on the market, and if you have a family it really helps to get every family member involved in the preparation. With a bit of elbow grease and an eye for detail, you can keep your home in prime condition without sacrificing (too much) comfort.
Our team at Old Dominion Realty is here to help, with six tips for selling a house that you're currently living in and making it through with your nerves intact.
Preparing for an open house can be a stressful experience, especially if you're selling a house for the first time. Your to-do list is a mile long, you want everything to look perfect, and you can't shake the nagging feeling that you've forgotten something important. Don't worry. Take a breath, collect your thoughts and read on to find 10 steps for a flawless open house from your team at Old Dominion Realty.
Closets are one of the key features that buyers pay attention to when they look for a new home. Many potential home buyers are giving as much attention to spacious closets as they do other rooms in the house. In fact, in a survey by the National Association of Realtors, 60 percent of home buyers were willing to pay an extra $1,350 for just one walk-in closet in the master bedroom.
Unfortunately, sellers often do not pay much attention to their closets when preparing their home for sale. What many sellers do not realize is that closet organization plays a critical role in the perception of the overall maintenance of a home. Shoes thrown all over the place, mismatched hangers and a disorganized space can result in a lower sale price when it comes time to sell your home.
Finding your first place to call home is a thrilling, exciting experience, no matter when you do it. But it can also be a bit nerve-wracking, as you navigate the big decisions of buying a house for the first time. One of the biggest decisions you'll face as a first-time home buyer is whether to shop for a starter home or a forever home. Each option offers its own advantages, so the right choice will come down to your goals, future plans and desired lifestyle.
You don't have to make the choice alone. Your REALTOR® is here to help, and the team at Old Dominion Realty has the tips you need to choose a first home you'll truly love.
Age is just a number, but it often plays a starring role when choosing what type of first home is right for you. First-time home buyers in their late twenties and early thirties tend to have a less extensive credit history, but have established a career that provides the financial stability required to shop for a first home. In the past, that meant most home-buyers in that age range would lock in on starter homes, but today the answer is not so simple.
No matter what type of home you plan to buy, there's no substitute for the guidance of an experienced REALTOR for first-time home buyers. Contact Old Dominion Realty for everything you need to find the perfect first home in Virginia.