Are You Ready?

“I was born ready,” is a common response.  And are you ready?

To be ready means you know your:

• Plans and are ready to execute. “Plan your work then work your plan.”  Know your next step.  You don’t have to have the forwarding completed with the post office…. just know a direction.

If dates become fluid, do you know your fallback or plan B?

• Financial situation or have plans to meet with a financial planner or loan officer to discuss. Many people are surprised to learn their equity position and how far it might go towards a new place.

This causes many to freeze…and the home can sometimes fall into disrepair (sometimes because owners don’t have the money needed, and other times are unaware.  It’s a shame when a large asset degrades.

• Disposition strategy. We accumulate stuff.  Sometimes it’s our stuff, other times it’s our families or friend’s stuff.  There are so many options it can be overwhelming.  And some of the more obvious places have restrictions on when they can accept items.  (Goodwill seems to accept everything.)

“Success” at this often degrades to measuring how many dumpsters are used.  While some stuff is truly junk, often stuff is of value to someone in need.

This can be an overwhelming step for some.  We suggest labeling the things to be saved and getting the rest out.

• Repair strategy – most homes need some “lipstick.” Realtors are good at identifying those areas.  I was speaking to someone today who envisioned this as a large ticket items (>$20,000).  What was needed in their case was a fraction of that…  For example, the front “storm” door was in very poor condition.  Rather than spend $500 on a new one, we simply removed the one there. Deck need staining?  You may have a neighborhood kid home from college more than happy to stain the deck (keep them safe and off ladders.)
• Cleaning strategy – everyone cleans their home to a level where they are comfortable. We stage our listings, and inevitably the home needs a cleaning after we’ve stirred up the dust bunnies.  Before and after showings is also a time to give the home some attention.  Once everything is out, is another time…often glossed over.  The standard is “broom clean.”  We like to say it needs to be as clean as you’d expect it when taking occupancy.  That’s not always the same as when you moved in!  (We just had a house where it was not clean and insisted on the seller paying for a professional cleaner before closing.)

Are you ready?  By now you’ve probably figured our I’m asking if you are ready to move.  We can always discuss this with you to help formulate your answers.

Enjoy and stay sanitized!

Here is free app for your phone/tablet tied directly to the MLS  https://www.homesnap.com/Gary-Kelley

Gary is heard on WCRN AM 830 and WMCT-TV discussing “All Things Real Estate.”

If you need advice on selling your home or buying a new one, give us a call 508-733-6005.