Two Listings Bring Multiple Offers Within 24 Hours

Two Listings Bring Multiple Offers Within 24 Hours 

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta recently listed two homes in the North Atlanta area and within hours received multiple offers on the homes. Ever wonder how homes sell so quickly? It's finding the right agent who will utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed your expectations. These quick sales are located in Duluth and Woodstock, Georgia.

2741 Old Coach Road, Duluth Georgia

Southern charm with over a half acre in Duluth, Georgia. Large covered front porch overlooks blooming shrubs. Light colored hardwood floors in the foyer continue into the bright kitchen complete with white cabinets and walls of windows overlooking the backyard. Home provides new carpet, paint and kitchen stove/oven. 4 bedrooms upstairs with 2 full baths and 1 half bath on main level. In-law or teen suite with full kitchen in the finished basement just waits for your personal decor.

401 Patton Court, Woodstock Georgia 

Hard to find family home with over a half acre in Woodstock, Georgia. Relax in your private backyard filled with shade trees. Fantastic kitchen displays granite countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and cherry cabinets. Light cherry colored hardwood floors flow through living area. Convenient bedroom on main level. New double pane Pella windows, A/C unit and hot water heater. Unfinished basement just waiting to become the entertainment central area of the home. 

Getting your home sold quickly takes more than just putting a sign in the yard. It takes marketing and advertising as well as preparing your house to look less like home and more like what the buyer wants to see. This is called staging and staging is not decorating it's depersonalizing. Below are some tips to stage your home for a quick sale. 

Top 5 Tips for Effective Home Staging 

According to home stager, Karly Howell, staging a home is one of the most important steps in a quick sale. With the abundance of design shows on TV today, many sellers think that staging only includes furniture and that it costs a lot of money, but neither is true. Here are 5 easy, low-cost tips to help prepare your home for sale.    

1)    DECLUTTER!

You think your cookie jar collection and prized comic book memorabilia are great, but your potential buyer doesn’t necessarily share the same opinion. The focus needs to be on your house and not on the objects inside or around it. Too much clutter is distracting, and potential buyers may miss the special features of the home with all the visual periphery. Two ideas to help cut down clutter are 1) rent a short term storage unit in which to place all the extras or 2) start packing early and place unneeded items away in a basement or closet.

2)    Clean-up

The house should shine both inside and out and look newly cleaned. Pay special attention to wood trim, ceiling fans, and windows. Again, you want to highlight the selling features of the house. If it’s noticeably dirty or there a foul odor coming from the pantry, buyers won’t stay long. Make it feel welcoming and fresh - think about your last experience in a nicer hotel. You’ll want to create the same experience in your home. Avoid using any heavy scented sprays that could be bothersome to your potential buyers.  

3)    Depersonalize

Take the time to remove family photos, monograms, or name decorations. Potential buyers want to imagine their family in the home and where their pictures and items will be placed. Help to create this experience by tucking away all personal things. Also, depersonalize to protect your privacy since strangers will be in your home.  In addition, objects that are considered controversial or offensive need to be removed too. Items that fall into this category are taxidermy, provocative images, and symbols associated with notorious groups/ideas.  

4)    Appropriate furniture

Furniture is a great benefit in staging a home because it helps potential home owners plan for their own furniture in a room. A few rules to follow: make sure the scale of the furniture is appropriate for the room size. A small kitchen table is not suitable in an oversized dining room. On the flip side, avoid placing oversized furniture, like a large sectional sofa in a small living room. It can make the space feel more confined and less functional. Too much furniture can become an obstacle to. It’s better to have nothing in the room then to have the wrong size pieces. It’s also important to make sure the furniture is appropriate for the location it’s placed in. Don’t place beds in living spaces, offices in dining rooms etc.

5)    Highlight special features

This seems obvious but sometimes is a missed opportunity. Special features can include anything that is visually appealing, helpful, cost effective, or just plain cool.  

Draw attention to these elements by showcasing them. If you have built-ins or architectural niches, place attractive, decorative items there and keep it neat. If there’s an uninviting concrete slab patio, show it’s functionality by creating a small seating area with potted plants and decorative accents. Work with what you have and draw out the positive attributes.

For professional staging advice, contact Karly Howell Design for a complimentary home consultation.  karlyhowelldesign@gmail.com

Let's list your home today! Your North Atlanta realestate experts are ready to assist you - The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta. 5780 Windward Parkway, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30005 www.northatlantaluxury.com 678.929.6529

Two Listings Bring Multiple Offers Within 24 Hours

Top 5 Tips for Effective Home Staging

Top 5 Tips for Effective Home Staging 

By Karly Howell

Staging a home is one of the most important steps in a quick sale. With the abundance of design shows on TV today, many sellers think that staging only includes furniture and that it costs a lot of money, but neither is true. Here are 5 easy, low-cost tips to help prepare your home for sale.    

1)    DECLUTTER!

You think your cookie jar collection and prized comic book memorabilia are great, but your potential buyer doesn’t necessarily share the same opinion. The focus needs to be on your house and not on the objects inside or around it. Too much clutter is distracting, and potential buyers may miss the special features of the home with all the visual periphery. Two ideas to help cut down clutter are 1) rent a short term storage unit in which to place all the extras or 2) start packing early and place unneeded items away in a basement or closet.

2)    Clean-up

The house should shine both inside and out and look newly cleaned. Pay special attention to wood trim, ceiling fans, and windows. Again, you want to highlight the selling features of the house. If it’s noticeably dirty or there a foul odor coming from the pantry, buyers won’t stay long. Make it feel welcoming and fresh - think about your last experience in a nicer hotel. You’ll want to create the same experience in your home. Avoid using any heavy scented sprays that could be bothersome to your potential buyers.  

3)    Depersonalize

Take the time to remove family photos, monograms, or name decorations. Potential buyers want to imagine their family in the home and where their pictures and items will be placed. Help to create this experience by tucking away all personal things. Also, depersonalize to protect your privacy since strangers will be in your home.  In addition, objects that are considered controversial or offensive need to be removed too. Items that fall into this category are taxidermy, provocative images, and symbols associated with notorious groups/ideas.  

4)    Appropriate furniture

Furniture is a great benefit in staging a home because it helps potential home owners plan for their own furniture in a room. A few rules to follow: make sure the scale of the furniture is appropriate for the room size. A small kitchen table is not suitable in an oversized dining room. On the flip side, avoid placing oversized furniture, like a large sectional sofa in a small living room. It can make the space feel more confined and less functional. Too much furniture can become an obstacle to. It’s better to have nothing in the room then to have the wrong size pieces. It’s also important to make sure the furniture is appropriate for the location it’s placed in. Don’t place beds in living spaces, offices in dining rooms etc.

5)    Highlight special features

This seems obvious but sometimes is a missed opportunity. Special features can include anything that is visually appealing, helpful, cost effective, or just plain cool.  

Draw attention to these elements by showcasing them. If you have built-ins or architectural niches, place attractive, decorative items there and keep it neat. If there’s an uninviting concrete slab patio, show it’s functionality by creating a small seating area with potted plants and decorative accents. Work with what you have and draw out the positive attributes.

For professional staging advice, contact Karly Howell Design for a complimentary home consultation.  karlyhowelldesign@gmail.com

 For more advice for selling your home, contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team - Keller Williams Realty - North Atlanta. 5780 Windward Parkway, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30005 www.northatlantaluxury.com

 Top 5 Tips for Effective Home Staging

Open House Tips and Tricks

Open House Tips and Tricks

Presented By The

 Happiness Is Our First Concern

First impressions matter! These Open House Tips and Tricks will give your home the best first impresssion when buyers come to visit. As you begin the process of selling your home, contact The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team at 678.929.6529 or visit us at www.mevhomes.com. Our team specializes in Luxury Real Estate in the communities of North Fulton and Forsyth Counties in Georgia.

Curb Appeal
Yard landscaping and exterior of your home must look clean and tidy.

• Plant colored flowers in pots, cut and edge the lawn, and place a fresh layer of mulch/pinestraw in the planting beds. 
• Clean up any random debris or toys lying around. 
• Take a look at your front door and remove all cobwebs and consider a fresh coat of paint. 
• Be sure you have a bright, fresh doormat. 
• Check the entry way and don't leave shoes on the floor for visitors to stumble on, and get rid of that stack of mail on the hall table.

Clear the Clutter
It is difficult for prospective home buyers to envision living in a house filled with someone else's personal items. Make sure every surface of your home is clean and clear of clutter.

• Kitchen: Uncluttered counter tops for buyers to envision how their own appliances would fit.
• Bathroom: Put away all personal items, including toothbrushes and toiletries.
• Bedrooms and Living Area: Pack away personal items that might prevent buyers from imagining themselves in the house.
• Don't hide the clutter in the closets or cupboards. Most open house guests open closets and many look in kitchen and bathroom cupboards too. So, don't hide anything in the house you wouldn't want to be seen.
• Take down the family pictures, special collections and displays.
• Pack a few boxes early. 

Clean, Clean, Clean! 
Be sure buyers remember that your house is spic and span and not dirty and smelly. 

• Wash the carpets the day before the open house.
• Wash windows inside, outside and including the tracks.
• Dust everything.
• Make the beds, and do the dishes. 

Organize Closets and Storage Spaces
Storage space is a key concern for most home buyers.

• Clean out any extra items and make sure these spaces are well-organized. 
• Make closet floors free from clutter and shoes. 
• Investing in some shelving and stackable bins to really show off the space.

Set the Table
Buyers will find themselves picturing what it would be like to entertain in the home.

• Arrange the dining room and kitchen tables with your best tableware. 
• Add some fresh flowers and candles.

Leave Out Treats
You want your home to feel inviting and welcoming. 

• Put out a plate of cookies or brownies, or individually-wrapped candies or chocolates. 
• Offer bottled water, hot cocoa or lemonade.
• If you live in a region that is known for a specific type of food consider offering a “taste” of the area. 

Lock Up Valuables
When you leave for the open house, don't assume that all of you possessions are safe.

• Lock up, or pack-up and remove your valuables (i.e. jewelry, coin, cash, special antiques, etc.) 

Let It Shine!
Buyers are looking for a place to live, breathe, and relax.

• Be sure that as much natural light as possible is entering the home - open curtains and shades.
• Turn on all the lights. 

Skip Smelly Scents
Anyone who has ever faced seasonal allergies knows how annoying a little pollen can be. For those with permanent allergies, even a burning candle can induce an allergy attack that will force your potential buyer back to their car and headed to the hospital.

• Consider opening a window to air out the house - weather permitting.
• Looking for allergy-free options like making hot apple cider to clear the air before the open house.

Set Music
Light and music can subconsciously impact how a potential buyer feels about the home.

• Play some soft music throughout the house.

Easy Access
Open Houses may be difficult for potential buyers to navigate – especially when parking is difficult to find.

• Move all cars are out of the driveway.
• Consider asking neighbors to move their cars from nearby curbs to make room.

Educate
An open house is a great opportunity to inform potential buyers about all the details critical to selling the house.

• Include information related to inspection reports, appraisals, major repairs, and blueprints. 
• Inspection and blueprints inspire a potential buyer to make possible additions. 

Show and Tell
A picture is worth a 1,000 words.

• Consider creating a picture bulletin board of what the home (and it’s surrounding foliage) looks like throughout the year.

Let In The Nosy Neighbors
We all know how nosy neighbors can be – and what better chance to fulfill their needs and yours than to hold a special preview just for your neighbors?

• Consider opening the doors an hour early for a “Neighborhood Preview Only”. 
• Create a few special flyers for the neighbors advertising these “special hours”. 

Leave Flyers and FAQ Sheets
An informational flyer with one or more high quality photos of the home can be a great selling tool.

• Offer insider information about the neighbors, the local school system, and any other benefits to the area.

Make Yourself Scarce
You shouldn't be home during an open house.

• Buyers will feel more comfortable asking questions to the realtor, and discussing the benefits and drawbacks of your home. 
• If you have pets, make sure you take them with you.

For more Open House Tips and Tricks contact:

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty www.mevhomes.com
678.929.6529  
5780 Windward Parkway
Suite 100
Alpharetta, GA 30004

Open House Tips and Tricks

Staging Your Home To Sell This Year

Staging Your Home To Sell This Year 

Staging Your Home To Sell This Year by The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty www.mevhomes.com 678.929.6529

Real estate agents like great-looking homes because they are easier to sell. Why is that important?

• An agent’s job is to please their clients, and they will direct their buyers to the homes they think they will buy.
• Agents talk to other agents who are also directing their buyers to the best homes on the market. An attractive listing will be shown more often, meaning more market exposure—critical for a quick and profitable house sale.
• Staging is non-negotiable in many parts of the country. Staging a listing for sale in an area where the concept hasn’t caught on can give you an advantage, particularly if there are many unsold listings similar to yours on the market. Buyers gravitate to listings that look good and are in move-in condition.
• Buyers are looking for value. When prices are flat or on the decline, buyers need to perceive that the house is worth the price.

Bottom line: Staging Your Home To Sell This Year is more than an exercise in tasteful interior design. It is a business decision that can have a huge impact on your financial return and timeline.

Quick tips to stage your home include:
1. Remove the clutter - pack up what you want to keep and throw out what you don't use.
2. Furniture groupings - pull furniture away from the walls and group for conversation.
3. Musical furniture - consider moving a piece from one room to another.
4. Room transformation - re-purpose a junk room into a reading room.
5. Home lighting - increase the wattage in all lights.
6. Make it bigger with paint - keep adjoining rooms the same color.
7. Neutral paint in living areas - helps tone down outdated furnishings.
8. Color in the bedrooms - creates a warm and cozy atmosphere.
9. Vary wall hangings - break up the line and vary the height of pictures.
10. Three's company - use accessories on tables in odd numbers
11. Fresh flowers - throughout the home adds freshness.
12. Linens and soft colors on the beds - makes the rooms inviting.
13. New faces in the kitchen - hardware, paint, dishwasher face can all be changed.
14. Finish projects - don't leaving anything undone.
15. Polished bathroom - accessories like candles, rolled towels, baskets gives a spa feel.

Ready to sell your home? Now is the perfect time. 

Allow The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty to assist you today in selling your home. When you're looking for a partner to help you negotiate the complexities of selling a home, you've come to the right place. The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team of Keller Williams Realty are experts in the North Atlanta Georgia areas, including Milton, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Dunwoody, Cumming, Suwanee, and Duluth. The experience, dedication and strong communication you'll receive here will help ensure the successful and profitable sale of your home. 

Our team is proud to have on our team, home staging expert and realtor Susan Jennings. As well as holding an MBA in finance from Villanova University, Jennings holds a degree in Textiles and Design from the University of Delaware and a certificate in Interior Design from Temple University. This expertise enhances the home selling experience for our clients. Jennings started her own full service design business focusing on space planning, color expertise, as well as fabric and accessory selection. Susan Jennings will assist you in staging your home to sell for the most money in the least amount of time!

Staging Your Home To Sell This Year