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ERA Justin Realtor salesperson Rosemarie Zembryski offers information which can mean a faster sale in a competitive real estate market. A graduate of the ERA Top-Gun Academy, Rosemarie’s focus to her buyers and sellers is evident as she details in this article.
ERA Justin Realty Tips: Investing in Curb Appeal and Staging When Selling
Rosemary Zembryski, a Realtor salesperson with ERA Justin Realty offers suggestions to sellers. “We have been a Realtor of choice to thousands of buyers and sellers since 1950. Our team knows the correct advice for a successful sale. It may seem counterintuitive to invest money in a home you’re selling. Wouldn’t it be better to save that money for improvements on your next home? Even though the home sale market has improved impressively, not necessarily in price, but in homes sold, buyers may still pay more for homes they can move right into without having to do work. This is not to say that buyers won’t buy homes that need updating, but they need to be able to see the potential. And the property needs to be priced right for the market, taking into account work that needs to be done.
Hypothetically, a home was sold in a residential neighborhood. It was owned by one family for more than 50 years. The property had deferred maintenance and a dated décor. If the listing had been put on the market before it was partially updated, it may have been harder to sell and would have sold for less than it did with some repairs and tasteful upgrades.
Before the sellers ordered a structural pest control (“termite”) inspection, they had some obvious defects corrected. This kept the cost of the remaining repairs down. It also improved the appearance of the house. A back porch that was in poor condition and was easily visible was repaired. A pink vinyl bathroom floor was replaced with a neutral vinyl.
The most dramatic change was achieved by removing the heavy dark draperies, some dark furnishings and the dark flocked wallpaper in the foyer. The draperies were left off to expose the beautiful wood windows. The house was transformed from a dark, outdated home to a light-filled home with a lot of potential.
After personal clutter was out of the house, the shag carpet was removed to expose the beautiful hardwood floors. The interior paint was touched up as needed, and the house was staged by our ERA Justin team with the existing furniture, artwork and accessories.
The house showed beautifully, even though the kitchen and bathrooms were old. The listing sold quickly with a back up offer at the asking price.”
Realtor salesperson Cathy Vick added, “Improving curb appeal, the way a house looks from the street, usually pays off. For some buyers, curb appeal is so important that they won’t even look at a listing that lacks good street presence.
Enhancing curb appeal can often be done inexpensively. Trim overgrown plants to a size that allows buyers to see the architectural detail of the house. If the landscaping has been unkempt for years, remove dead plants and add colorful plants before the house goes on the market. Replanting areas of the lawn adds to the allure of a property.”
Zembryski continued, “Kitchens and bathrooms are important to today’s homebuyers. However, it wouldn’t be prudent to do a complete remodel just before you put your home on the market. You usually can’t recoup the investment. Generally, fix-up-for-sale projects should be limited to cost-effective improvements like new paint, replacing outdated light fixtures and replacing worn floor coverings.
In the listing described above, the old bathrooms were given cosmetic upgrades. Toilets and pedestal sinks were replaced inexpensively. The original tub in this 1920s home was reglazed to look like new. It turned an eyesore into a bathroom that would please a buyer. You can improve the look of a dated kitchen with new stainless steel appliances, paint, updated light fixtures and a new floor, if necessary. It’s true that many homes never look as good as when they’re for sale.”
Vick concluded, “Repeat and referral business is a mainstay of our firm which has taken place thousands of times. We provide buyer and seller articles in North Jersey Newspapers. Our Realtor salespersons have built a base of buyers and sellers who count on them to transact their real estate business. Questions? Call us, we want to perform above your expectations. Because of our daily priorities, ERA Justin Realty proudly received the prestigious ERA 2003- 2012 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award,’ as a premier ERA real estate firm. Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it. ERA Real Estate was also the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms.’ award through J.D. Powers.”
Ask to see a copy of their more than 700 reviews of their services from their buyers and sellers. More information is available on their two winning websites, www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.
All ERA Justin Realty full service Realtor salespersons can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue. By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD.
