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6 clever ways to increase the value of your home

Are you planning on putting your house on the market? Yes? Well, then you are in the right place! In today’s article, we will discuss 6 different ways to increase the value of your home before selling it.

Why is this important besides the obvious reason? The answer to this question is quite simple, actually. Selling a house isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are many different aspects you’ll have to think about, many things you’ll have to handle along the way – and most importantly – selling a house isn’t a process that will end in a week. It takes time to find the right buyer and to accomplish getting the asking price. However, boosting your home’s value, adding a feature here and there, upgrading a thing or two won’t only add to its price. It will also help you sell your house faster. So, let’s dive in!

Smallest upgrades can make the biggest difference.

1. Baby steps first

Sometimes the smallest efforts are what pays off the most. And that is precisely what you should do when investing large amounts of cash into your property. What can you do? Is there anything you can do that will help you stay within the limits of your budget? Ask yourself these questions and think long and hard before giving yourself the answers to them. Be honest with yourself and you will get the best results. This process won’t be hard to handle, especially if you are already living in a house you are trying to sell. You already know what’s broken, what needs fixing and what can be upgraded. It is the little things that can improve your potential buyers’ first impression and increase the value of your home once you put it up for sale.

2. Staging your house

Home staging was something only professionals did in the past; however, things are quite different nowadays. Everybody does it. It is a competitive market, and every little detail counts. That is where home staging comes into play. You will want to keep your potential buyers’ attention and get them interested. And there is no better way than staging your house following some simple rules. You need to make your house look cozy, stylish and above everything else – clean.

3. Get rid of the clutter

This step is really important when it comes to making an effort to increase the value of your home before putting in on the market. Overcrowded rooms make space look smaller, dirtier and simply – less desirable. That is why you will want to get rid of all that unnecessary clutter that has been piling up over the last few years. Go through your closets, drawers, pantry, kitchen, bathroom, attic and basement. Sort your belongings and say goodbye to the items you won’t be needing anymore. Also, keep in mind that you’ll have to move in the near future. And decluttering will help you to not only boost the market value of your house but to save some money on your move as well. Give it some time and try to be strict. Everything you don’t need or use anymore needs to go. And once you finish decluttering, you will be able to determine the cost of your move in advance. How? Well, you will know what you are about to transport to your new house. Nice, right?

4. Clean your house in order to increase its value

Yes. This step seems so obvious, however, so many of us neglect it. Home staging is all about leaving a good first impression. And no matter how good and valuable your house is, if it isn’t clean and shiny – it will not make a good first impression. If cleaning your house sounds like a nightmare, you can always hire professionals to take care of this task for you. On the other hand, cleaning your house all by yourself can provide you with some valuable insight once again. You will see all these little things that need fixing, upgrading or replacing during the cleaning process, so – yes, cleaning on your own might be a good idea.

Clean houses leave a better impression. Alt. text: Somebody cleaning a wooden floor.

5. Small upgrades can do wonders

Are there some cheap upgrades that will help you leave a good first impression and increase the value of your home? Of course, there are. Here are some of them:

Brighten each room. After you clean your windows, you might consider replacing your old and broken window blinds.
Replace old doorknobs and cabinet pulls.
Replace old light bulbs and fixtures with some new ones.
Repaint your walls.
Repaint the front door. As we have mentioned before – it is all about the first impression people get when searching for their new home.
Refresh your woodwork by conditioning it and make sure to cover all the scratches that might make your home look older than it actually is.
Fix a squeaky floor and replace all the broken tiles if there are any.
Repair plumbing leaks and water damage if there is any.
Caulk around the tub.
Make sure your appliances are working, and if not – replace them.
Add a plant and floral arrangements in order to make your home more welcoming.

Let the light in! Alt. text: A man opening some window shades.

6. Staying organized is something that will help you stay on your budget

Yes. It will. And that is why you need to play it smart when it comes to ways to increase the value of your home before putting it up for sale. Think smart and try to make only the best calls. Try to save as much money as possible and avoid overspending. Not everything needs to be fixed or new, however making every piece of your housework well together is the key when boosting your house’s market value.

How to buy a house remotely

A woman looking at her phone while trying to buy a house remotely.

You may have heard that Money.com has selected Clarksville TN as the best place to live in the USA so now you want to buy an investment property in Clarksville. How do you go about buying a house or a Multi-family rental property in a city or state you’ve never been to? Well, I am going to walk you through this process.

An average house hunt lasts between six months to a full year. During that time, a buyer talks to their real estate agent, visits open houses and deals with all the necessary paperwork. So, is all this possible without you being physically present in the area where you would like to buy? Well, yes. But, this doesn’t make it easy. In order to find and buy a house remotely, you will need to deal with ample preparation. So, let’s not waste any time, and let’s see how you will deal with hurtles that stand in your way.

Finding the right real estate agent

You cannot hope to buy a house remotely without getting the right real estate agent. Some of you may hope that by being vigilant online and by contacting the right people you may find a decent piece of real estate all by yourself. While doing these things can be somewhat useful, trust us: trying to find a house without a professional agent at your side is like trying to ride a bike without wheels. You can try, but you aren’t going to get very far.

You need to have a capable real estate agent by your side in order to buy a house remotely.

So, how are you to find a decent real estate agent to help you out? Here are a couple of things you can do to ensure that the agent you hire is worth the time and money spent.

With any luck, they should be able to find you the home you are looking for and snatch it for you in record time.

Look locally

The first guideline you should abide by is that you need to look locally for real estate agents. By this, we mean that if you want to buy a home in Clarksville TN, find a real estate agent who is situated in Clarksville. The real estate market is always changing and adapting, and you need to hire someone who has their finger on the pulse of the market. This is why it is absolutely paramount that you find a locally situated real estate agent. Only with their knowledge, leads, and contacts will it be possible for you to find a good home and manage to offer a price before someone else grabs it from you.

Online ratings and testimonials

Now, once you look into active agents in your preferred area, you will probably find that there are multiple. After all, agents don’t limit themselves to a block or two, which is why a lot of them have overlapping areas. So, how are you to filter out between them? Our advice is to first look for reviews and testimonials. An experienced agent will have a plethora of satisfied ex-clients who should share their experience and impressions.

Try to only work with top real estate agents. You can risk working with an upstart agent, but only if you are looking for a home locally. If you want to buy a house remotely, you will not have the luxury of working with inexperienced realtors. Also, no matter the experience, remember to check if the agents have the necessary licenses and paperwork.

Remember, there is no such thing as doing too many background checks.

Conduct interviews

Unfortunately, reviews and testimonials won’t be enough. In order to ensure that you have the right person by your side, you will need to conduct an interview. During this interview, you need to explain your situation and see if the real estate agent is capable of handling it. Ask them whether they handled similar situations in the past and whether they have any advice for you.

They can also give you tips on how to easily move here and which movers to hire. And knowing that you can get cheaper movers during certain seasons or that portable storage units can be very useful, is something that can change your whole relocation. So, try to talk with your real estate agent as much as you can in order to see how capable and helpful they really are.

Things to attend to in order to buy a house remotely

With a competent, experienced real estate agent by your side, you are almost set for buying a house remotely. The only thing that remains is to deal with the rest of the preparations. Mind you that, besides finding you a decent home, your realtor will be your best source of information and advice. Just like moving companies like AAA Insta-Move Orlando will be your best source of advice for moving into your new home. So, if anything pops into your head regarding purchase preparation or legal paperwork, consider talking with an experienced professional.

Prepare paperwork

It is always a good idea to have all the necessary paperwork ready the moment you start looking for a home. Remember, a good opportunity can come out of nowhere. And, the only way for you to make the most out of it is to have your paperwork ready to go. Also, you need to check what kinds of insurances there are and which ones you need to have. This is especially important to keep in mind if you plan on getting a mortgage for your new home. For that, you will have to talk to different banks and find out which one gives you the best conditions.

You need to have your paperwork ready in order to make an offer at a moment’s notice.

Check the neighborhood

Another thing you should do is to visit your future neighborhood at least once before purchasing a home there. This will not only give you the opportunity to meet your real estate agent in person, but you will also see how good the neighborhood actually is. But if this isn’t possible, Realtors like Ron Dayley of Coldwell Banker Conroy, Marable and Holleman in Clarksville TN will gladly go and video the neighborhood for you at different times of the day. “I have done this many times for my clients over the years, it will help give them a sense of where they are investing their money and the kind of neighborhood they are buying into” – Ron Dayley.

Don’t get us wrong. Doing online research like knowing median household income and checking for schools is important. But, to get the true feel of your future neighborhood, you should consider visiting it. That way, you will have a much easier time settling into it.

6 Tips for a Successful Open House

wine, cheese, and crackers on a table for an upscale Open House in Clarksville TN

You have decided to sell your house? Well, prepare yourself. Putting your real estate on the market needs a lot of effort and patience if you want to carry it out well. No matter whether you’ve decided to employ a real estate agent, or you will conduct it all by yourself, there must be a good plan (Here are our 6 Tips for a Successful Open House). One thing that can definitely help you during the process is holding an open house. Although there are different views concerning the success of open house events, it may be a good advertisement, if properly conducted. It is always a good idea to try something different. So are you eager to sell your house? Follow our list of correct ways to hold an open house and try something new.

1. Choosing the best time for the open house

Whenever an important event is to be carried out, the crucial thing is to choose the best time for it. And when it comes to open houses, it is even more important. Since the idea of open houses is to show your real estate to potential buyers, you should pick a time when most of the people are free to come. Therefore choosing a workday will be a potential failure. Not only are people too busy with their jobs, but they are also tired and unwilling to participate in any kind of gathering. On the other hand, with the weekend, there comes relief. At that time people are spending time with their families. Accordingly, that is the perfect occasion for the ones who are considering moving from one city to another one to check out possible choices.

In many cases, Sunday is considered to be the perfect option. It is also recommended to pick morning hours, for there are fewer traffic jams in almost every area. Yet, don’t be surprised. It is not unexpected for some people to show up at some later hours, in the afternoon, considering different lifestyles and work times.

Think about this interesting fact as well. Although most of the people will choose all the seasons but winter to start an open house event, selling your house in winter can be interesting and successful too. Showing your home as a warm, cozy, and romantic place during the cold days is a shot that hits the bulls-eye.

6 Open House Tips

a grey house with a black roof to hold an open house in — An open house day may be a good opportunity for selling your real estate.

2. Don’t forget the advertisement

Good marketing is always necessary. Whether we want to present our services, show our handmade stuff or sell our house, a good way to gain buyers’ attention is good advertisement. So, if you are searching for the best ways to hold an open house, start with good marketing. Nowadays, thanks to technical modernization, there are many ways to create one. Here are some suggestions on how you can spread the word about an event:

create some brochures
design interesting leaflets
put up accurate signs that lead to your place
don’t forget to use social media

3. Brochures and leaflets as a good reminder

Printed brochures and leaflets can be very useful aids, serving as a reminder for your potential customers. So, if you are thinking about the correct ways to hold an open house, making some brochures and leaflets is necessary. When you make them, be sure to include all the important facts about your real estate property. It may include the address, some basic facility information, and your phone number. Remember, some well-done photographs of a few rooms and the home’s exterior in your brochure would help as well. When your potential buyer takes it home with them, a well designed and informative advertisement will help them make a decision if they are having second thoughts. To make it even more useful, you can add advice for some good moving agencies like movingkingsnc.com. This is at the same time helpful to the buyer and may express your hospitality and goodwill.

4. Leading Signs

If you are a serious seller and are looking for all the correct ways to prepare for an open house, don’t forget the signs. Wherever your real estate is situated, if you want your potential buyers to find it, you have to give them some accurate guides. No one likes roaming around in some endless search. Therefore make your real estate’s location clear and easy to find. Put up several well-placed signs on the way to your house. Arrange them well and unambiguously. Be professional, but be careful, too. Try to be reasonable and not to overdo it. The whole crowded field of sings will be no good at all.

a blue Coldwell Banker sign that says open house — Well-made signs can attract your buyers’ attention and make them feel comfortable during the search

5. Social media will spread the word well

In modern times of developing technology, social networks are inevitable. Almost everyone has computers or smartphones that practically assist the everyday life of a modern man. So if you decided to hold an open house event be sure that social media will give you the widest spread advertisement. Post the upcoming date of the event on some of your active Internet profiles. Be sure that among all your followers there must be at last three who will be interested in your open house. And don’t forget to advertise your open house in a Facebook Group that focuses on Open Houses.

6. Be a good host!

It is true that the idea of a group of strangers roaming around your house is not the most desirable picture you can imagine. However, as a professional seller, and a good host you want your potential customers to feel at home. Therefore, let’s make everything perfect. You know the expression ‘love at first sight’? Well, that’s exactly what you should strive for. Make your house alluring to the eye. Tidy it up, arrange the furniture, clean your fireplace. Bring fresh air into the house. Also, think about some pleasant music (I like Classical music). It will make people feel relaxed and comfortable, so don’t be afraid to play some. And finally, for the impression to be complete, prepare some appetizers, and refreshing drinks. You can serve them to the people who come to your party. That will show you are an open-hearted person and will encourage everyone to cooperate with you.

Selling your Home may be stressful and tiring even with a professional helping during the process. However, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Therefore, try to follow our tips for finding the correct ways to hold an open house event and be prepared.

Selling your Clarksville Tennessee property – A Step by Step Guide

A beautiful upscale house offered for a sale, representing selling your Tennessee property

How do you sell your Clarksville TN home?

If you are preparing to sell your Clarksville Tennessee property (house, land, condo), your mind must be in a mess. There are so many different points to think about, that you might think it is just too much to do. However, you shouldn't despair. Many have taken this step before, and there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to go through it as well. With a little preparation and a few pieces of advice, selling your Tennessee property will be a walk in the park. This step by step guide should cover all the essentials of the selling process!

Where to begin?

Whatever we wish to accomplish, it is always crucial to think about what the first step is. It's the same with selling a house. While there are many approaches you can take, I have come to the conclusion that the most vital first step is to find a good realtor!

Finding a realtor

The number one reason why you should find a realtor is that selling has many confusing steps. If you are not an expert on the subject, you will probably make some mistakes. A good real estate agent will do the hard work for you, and make everything less stressful.

Turn to friends and ask for a recommendation. Furthermore, always check the history of the real estate agent. Ask him if he has any references, how long he has been in the business, how many houses he has sold, etc.

After you found the right agent for you, it is time to set a price.

Make sure to price your home properly

If you wish to price your home properly, you must research the market. Find out what the prices of other homes on the listing are, and form a competitive price. While you don't want to be too cheap when compared to others, a lower price will attract more buyers. Nevertheless, never go too much bellow the true value of your home.

Your home is valued by the footage, the neighborhood, overall features it has, general condition, and many other factors. It is smart to hire a professional appraiser to examine your Tennessee property and set the right price.

Furthermore, when setting a price, consider the time when you wish to sell. January is not a suitable month to sell your home. If you start in February, prices are usually lower. The best time for selling your Tennessee property is during the winter, after the holidays. That's when you can get the best price!

Staging a house

No matter how good a real estate agent is, or how affordable your home may seem, if your house doesn't look presentable, no one will buy it. Staging a house for selling requires finesse and innovative thinking. There are a few different approaches you can take to tackle this difficult challenge.

First, you can always turn to professionals. In most cases that is the best option. However, have in mind that it costs money. If you have a low budget, it is recommended to stage the home yourself. Buy real estate magazines, and use Google to find clever tips on staging.

A few general principles are:

make your front yard stand out by improving the curb appeal
remove drapes and clear everything in front of windows to allow access to natural light
create more space by removing unnecessary pieces of furniture
add accessories on the shelves to make the living room nicer
place a few lamps on strategic positions to provide lighting during night visits

There is much more to staging a house, feel free to find other ideas and implement them!

Handling offers and negotiation process

The next part in this step by step guide about selling your Tennessee property is to learn how to handle offers and negotiations. If you did all previous steps properly, you should start getting calls very soon. Buyers will either offer to buy your home at the price you set, or give you a lower offer. Sometimes happens that you even get a higher one, if they are really interested in your place.

Before you start considering any offers, decide for yourself how much are you willing to go below the set price.

Appraisals and home inspections

One other thing that will start happening simultaneously with getting offers is the appraisal and home inspections. Most buyers often hire professionals to appraise the home they wish to buy. That's their way to make sure they don't overpay for the house.

You can expect a home inspector to come to your house and thoroughly look at all the corners. They are trying to verify the structural integrity of the place, and see if there is any mold or pests present. Furthermore, they will also examine HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, appliances, utilities, and light fixtures.

You must understand that the inspection is necessary, and prepare well. Clean the house thoroughly, prepare all the paperwork, do all necessary fixtures around the house, and finally, give access to all rooms.

Required disclosures by the state of Tennessee

A disclosure statement is given to the buyer before closing the deal, and it is a requirement by the law. It should cover any possible issues or problems with the house. Here is what you should never forget to disclose if present:

lead-based paint
deaths, or violent crimes
pests and toxins
paranormal activities
structural issues, like cracks in the walls, flooding, busted pipes, etc.
any disputes regarding the property

If you fail to mention these issues in the disclosure, you are risking a lawsuit.

Closing the deal

Before you can start reaching out to Tennessee experts in relocation, there is one more step to be taken. The last part of selling your Tennessee property is closing the deal. You are required to sign all the paperwork and transfer ownership to the buyer.

That can be done in the attorney's office, in the house, or somewhere else. Different parts of Tennessee handle this process differently. At some parts, the owner and buyer tend to meet and finalize the deal, while in others they do everything separately.

Hopefully, this step by step guide will have you covered for every necessary process of selling your Clarksville Tennessee home. It takes some time, but have patience and the right buyer will show up! Good luck!

You may be interested in this article on How to Buy a House Remotely.

Why do you need to clean when moving out?

Your house cleaning guide cannot be followed without your focused helpers.

Moving to a new home can be a dreadful task that takes up a lot of our time and energy. There aren’t many enjoyable things during relocation. Still, this is one of those things that must be done, no matter how much we dislike it. Not to burst your bubble, but if you are planning a move, you cannot forget to clean your place once all of your things have been carried out of your home. If it makes you feel better, nobody looks forward to this task. However, if you follow our house cleaning guide, this process will be substantially simplified.

Why do you need to clean when moving out?

For starters, you should clean your old place because it is not acceptable to leave a mess for the new residents. It is a basic common courtesy. On the other hand, you can look at is as if it’s an unwritten law that applies when moving out.

In addition to that, you might have a problem collecting your deposit for a rented property. No landlord in Clarksville TN will return your money unless you leave their property squeaky clean. So, as you can see, unfortunately, there is no way you can avoid cleaning and following a house cleaning guide. In case you must move out but you still haven’t got a new property lined up, it is certainly the time to contact a real estate agent.

Use a broom and a vacuum to get rid of the dust and dirt on your floors.

Should you skip the house cleaning guide and just hire professionals to handle the cleaning for you?

This is a very difficult question. The answer to it mostly depends on your moving budget. When making a moving budget, most people forget to include the costs related to cleaning. So, it is hard to hire professional cleaning assistance if you do not have the funds to support it. One thigs is for sure, if you can afford it, do not hesitate to hire help. There are many things that will occupy you during a move. Therefore, if you can have help and skip this step, do it by all means. One benefit of selling your home in the winter is that professional moving assistance is much cheaper. This can be a trick to free up some room in your budget and hire professional cleaners but luckily, here in Clarksville, they tend to be affordable.

Get cleaning supplies on time

Do not wait for moving day and then run to Dollar General on Madison St to buy everything that you need. Truly, the last thing you want to be doing on moving day is to run around buying cleaning supplies. Handle this in advance, so that on moving day, you can focus on the move and on supervising your movers. In the event that you haven’t made your supply list, it should contain the following items:

bucket
mop
vacuum
furniture polish
dusting rag
different kinds of brushes and sponges
glass cleaner
baking soda
white vinegar

Remember, not all supplies are needed. Buy things you use on a regular basis, with a few small additions.

A mop is a must-have cleaning supply.

Clean things that you will pack

You probably thought that your house cleaning guide will focus mostly on cleaning once the move has been completed. That is only partially correct. Of course, it is very important to clean your residence once all of your items are carried out. However, you should clean things that you plan on packing as well. If you do this, your unpacking process and cleaning your new home will be much easier to handle. Plus, your old home will be left clean as well. There are many features that home buyers look for in a home, but none of them matter if the cleanliness isn’t satisfactory. A dirty, smelly house can and will stop buyers from making an offer on your house.

101 house cleaning guide – start from the top

This advice might sound a bit trivial, but it can make a big difference in the effort and the energy you will invest in this task. For this reason, always clean from top to bottom. For example, always clean the top shelves first. This task needs to be followed by countertop cleaning. The finishing touches are to be done on the floor. If you start the other way around, you might end up dirtying up spaces that you already cleaned. Naturally, cleaning is a hassle so do not make it even harder on yourself.

House cleaning guide cannot be complete without a plan

Before you start, you must have some type of plan or system. Otherwise, at one point you will realize that you are all over the place. You have two options. First, you have the option of focusing on cleaning one type of item. For example, clean all the furniture and until you are done with all furniture pieces, do not switch to a different task. Second, you can always clean one room at a time. By doing so, you can avoid wasting time by running all over the place. It is much less time consuming when you direct your effort into one area.

Make it fun and involve your friends

No house cleaning guide should exist without a moving playlist, friends, and wine or coffee. Everybody knows that moving can be the biggest pain in the neck. Certainly, your friends and family will sympathize. Hence, you should organize a little hang out with them. To be more specific, a little cleaning bonding time. While you clean you can chat and amuse each other. This is a great way to lower the cost of your upcoming move, by not engaging professional cleaners.

Everything is more bearable with a friend, so there is no surprise that the same goes for cleaning.

Making a house cleaning guide is not easy and following it is even harder. However, once you complete your move, you will see that your energy and time were well spent. Nothing can beat the feeling of walking into a new, fresh, and clean home. To get to that point, your old home must be taken care of. So, get motivated and start planning your cleaning excursion. Since you cannot avoid it, you might as well try to make the best of it. Now let’s get your Clarksville TN home Listed and start searching for your new home.

How to sell your property in Tennessee

How to sell your property in Tennessee?

Selling a property is never easy. However, it is very common. Some people need to sell because they are moving away; some people need something bigger or something smaller. Whatever the situation may be, selling a home does not have to be an overwhelming process. You just have to be willing to start preparing your home ahead of time and organize yourself, your family and your household. Of course, if you are familiar with real estate you could sell your property by yourself. But, if you want this process to go a lot smoother, easier, and faster, you can also hire a real estate agent to help you out. So, without further ado, here are some advice on how to sell your property in Tennessee.

Choose the Best Season for Selling

It is of key importance to choose the best season for selling your property in Tennessee. Of course, if you have to move in a hurry and verifiedmovers.com have already relocated your things, you cannot wait half a year to sell your property. However, if time is on your side, choosing the best season will bring you the best buyers and the best price. So, if possible avoid selling your home during the winter holiday seasons.

Although there are many benefits of selling a house in winter, still many people worry about the holidays and their children at that time. So, use those months for preparing your home. Do some renovating and cleaning. Probably, the best season for selling your home is in spring. There will be a lot of potential buyers at that time.

Prepare Your House for Selling

One thing is for sure – the first impression counts! So, in order to sell your property in Tennessee for the best possible price, you must make sure that it is perfect. That means doing some renovations and of course, a lot of cleaning. You do not have to completely renovate your kitchen, bathroom or similar. Just make some simple adjustments. For example, if your faucet is leaking, call the plumber. If your walls are dirty, repaint everything. And if your carpets are really old, consider getting new ones. These simple changes can really increase the value of your property. Then, a couple of weeks before you plan on putting your house on the market, clean your entire household. Moreover, it is a good idea to check for the most desirable features of the homes in your area. For example, if you are from Clarksville, Tennessee, incorporate some of the most desirable home features in Clarksville into your home.

De-Personalize Your Home

Another very important thing when selling a property is to try to make your home look a lot less like ‘You’. That means that you need to de-personalize every corner of your Tennessee home. But, do not look at this as another chore you have to do before you safely move out of TN. You can get some boxes and bins and prepare those personal things for moving. You do not have to pack everything. Just those things like photos of you and your family travel souvenirs and similar. When buyers come to see your home, they will want to imagine it as theirs. And they cannot do that if there are a lot of your personalized items lying around. So, put those items safely into boxes, and place them in your garage, in a storage unit or to your new home.

Removing the clutter from your home will make buyers imagine what their new home could look like.

Find A Local Tennessee Real Estate Agent

So, when your house is decluttered and thoroughly cleaned, it is time to look for some great local real estate agents. Firstly, look for recommendations from the people you trust. However, if nobody can give you recommendations, go online and do some researching. Try to find local real estate agents because they are familiar with the market and will know how to sell your property in the best and fastest manner. Also, a good real estate agent should know how to reach a wider audience and bring the right potential buyers. That is why you should interview them first. Ask for their experience and also, ask for their valuation. If you like what you hear, hire that real estate agent, and you will be one step closer to selling your property in Tennessee.

Having the right real estate agent can make or break your property selling.

Prepare For an Open-House

All buyers want to see the property they are planning to buy. This is why you must prepare for an open house. Basically, that is when potential buyers who are interested in your property, come and view the house. This is why everything must be cleaned, decluttered and de-personalized. If you want, you can leave your real estate agent to greet the potential buyers and show them the property. Or, you can do this by yourself. Many people decide to stay in the home during an open house. Usually, because they want to meet the people who are going to be living in their old family home.

Make sure that all your potential buyers are notified about the open-house.

Get Market Analysis

Of course, before you decide to put your house on the market, you need to set a price. And, that price cannot be what you simply want it to be. In order to price your Tennessee property, you must do market research first. So, if you are from Clarksville, learn about Clarksville properties for sale. Check all the similar properties that are being sold in your neighborhood and set your price accordingly. If your price is too high, nobody will want to buy, and if it is too low, well, you just made a big mistake and lost a lot of money. This is why market research is a must! So, check all other properties, their sizes, amenities, the condition they are in and similar. If this seems too complicated for you, ask a real estate agent to help you out and give you some real estate advice.

Why Pick me as your Realtor?

Unlike most realtors, when you list with me, I won’t just put your home in the MLS and hope that one of the other Real Estate Agents in Clarksville TN will get your house sold. I will build you a custom website, I will shoot HD videos of your property, I will market your home on Social Media sites (I have over 400,000 local followers on my sites) and I will also do all the standard things that other realtors do to market your home.

Home features today’s buyers need

Selling a home is not always easy. Homebuyers can be picky – they often know exactly what they want and won’t settle for anything less. Some homes spend years on the market before finding their buyer. Which is why a seller should take into consideration all the factors that impact a home’s value and desirability in order to meet potential home buyers’ expectations. In addition to factors such as location and size, there are certain home features today’s buyers need more than others. So, let’s analyze today’s buyers’ needs and preferences and help you sell your home faster and get a better price.

Which Home features do buyers want?

Functionality

Good examples of popular home features that add functionality are multi-use rooms and open concept floor plans.

As the name implies, multi-use or multi-purpose rooms serve more than one purpose. For example, the same room can serve as a guest room and a home office, or as a living and dining room. Multi-use rooms are a highly desired home feature among today’s buyers who cannot afford more square footage.

An open floor plan has become a desirable home feature in the past couple of decades. Before the 1990s, most homes had compartmentalized floor plans. That is no longer a desired home feature. An open concept floor plan creates free-flowing space, which is great for entertaining and interacting with guests and watching over children. Also, it lets more natural light inside.

Energy-efficient home features today’s buyers need

Nowadays, home buyers are more aware of the importance of saving energy than ever before. Whether they wish to protect the environment or limit their utility bills, energy effectiveness has become a high priority. Buyers are careful with large investments, and they should be. They know the cost of relocation assistance in advance, they know how much other homes in the area are worth, and they know how much money these appliances can save them in the long run. Energy-efficient windows, furnaces, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and other appliances are some of the things you can invest in before putting your home on the market. Another feature many buyers find important is central air conditioning, so why not make it energy-efficient, too?

a kitchen containing some of the home features today’s buyers need — Energy-efficient appliances are worth the additional expense.

Kitchen and bathroom features

Perhaps you’ve heard that kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms that sell homes. Today’s home buyers usually want to avoid renovations. They would rather call Professionals and move in as soon as possible. Some of the home features today’s buyers need in their new kitchen are a large kitchen island, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast nook, plenty of storage space, wine coolers, etc. When it comes to bathrooms, the must-have features include free-standing soaker tubs, walk-in showers, plenty of storage space, a timeless design, double vanities, linen closets, medicine cabinets, etc.

a bathroom with two sinks — A timeless design is one of the home features today’s buyers need.

Smart home features today’s buyers need

Today’s buyers want their home to keep up with modern technology. This is particularly important for millennial buyers. Smart home features are usually used for temperature control, security, and lighting. The following are some of the most popular homes features today’s buyers need in terms of technology:

Programmable thermostats that can be controlled via a mobile device
Key-less locks which can be controlled via Bluetooth
Timed irrigation systems are also among the features today’s home buyers need
Whole-home speaker systems

Laundry room

This is one of the top features today’s home buyers want. A separate room for washing, folding and ironing clothes is a huge advantage in the eyes of a potential home buyer. Although the most desired place for a laundry room is the first floor, sellers who don’t already have a laundry room should consider adding one in the basement. In most homes, the basement is the cheapest and easiest place to build a laundry room.

Exterior features today’s home buyers need

Make sure you pay attention to the exterior of the home you are selling as well. Neglecting the outdoor space is a mistake you don’t want to make. In addition, to curb appeal, the backyard area is just as important to buyers as the inside of the house. They often imagine themselves spending sunny afternoons with their family and neighbors relaxing in their backyard with a cool drink in their hand. A few of the most desired outdoor home features include attached decks, swimming pools, fire pits, balconies, patios, outdoor kitchens, and fenced yards.

the backyard area of a house — Do not forget about the exterior of the house. There are many desirable features you can add here.

To conclude

Making a home appeal to today’s buyers is not that simple. There are so many things to take into account. Knowing what home features they are interested in takes you one step closer to your goal. If the home you are selling has many of the above features, it is likely to sell faster and for more money. Investing a small fortune in a home you want to sell doesn’t always make sense. However, a cheaper remodeling project, if done properly, might do wonders for attracting potential buyers. In case you are not exactly sure what your home needs to attract buyers before you start staging your home for sale, consult an experienced real estate professional. With professional advice, home buyers will be standing in line in front of your home in no time.

This article was updated for Fall 2019.

Why are people from Illinois moving to Tennessee?

As a Realtor in Clarksville TN, I have seen a large influx of people moving here from IL. They aren’t coming here for jobs, most of the ones I’ve worked with are retired or are retiring soon. They are moving here because IL has the second-highest property taxes in the country and it will continue to rise. The state of IL has debts over $200 Billion and the interest on that is over $1 billion annually.

This exodus IL to TN has been going on for years but it’s going to grow. Forbes magazine did an article about it in 2014 and it’s not getting any better for them.

Now areas like Nashville is getting younger people from IL who are escaping the taxes and looking for jobs where they can afford a better lifestyle. Clarksville, on the other hand, is attractive to retirees that want a quiet and slower pace of life where their retirement money can go much farther.

Why are people from IL moving to TN?

Homes in Clarksville TN are much more affordable than they are in Nashville and best of all we are only 45 minutes away. This really makes Clarksville attractive to people with families or those that are retired and not looking for the night scene that Nashville offers.

If you are thinking of moving to Clarksville TN or anywhere in TN for that matter, make a trip to visit and think about what is most important to you and why you want to move. This will help you pick out the right city, town, suburb or street that you will want to live in/on.

I made this exact same choice about 15 years ago when I moved to Clarksville TN. My wife is from here and she wanted to live by her mom when we had our first child. My job at the time was restructuring and it seemed like the right time to make the move. We sold our house in VA and were able to be a much nicer house in Clarksville for less money.

The majority of people who have left Illinois have ended up in Tennessee. Like it or not, Clarksville is one of the main locations that they are migrating to and it’s not just people from Illinois that are moving to TN. I have had a lot of Californians in the past few years buy property from me here in Clarksville for the exact same reasons.

Let’s embrace our new neighbors and welcome them to our wonderful city. I’m looking forward to them bring Deep Dish Pizza and Chicago Dogs to our area although Chi-Town Hot Dogs on Riverside has been here for years and they are some of the best Chicago Dogs I have ever had and will be hard to beat.

So in conclusion, when you are asked: “Why are people from Illinois moving to Tennessee?”, tell them it’s because the future in Tennessee is bright and your money goes a long way. So why wouldn’t they be Moving to Clarksville? – Ron Dayley

Home buying basics for Clarksville Tennessee

First time home buyer Clarksville TN | Home buyers guide

Obviously, buying a house is a major purchase, for most people the biggest purchase of their lives. But what are the Home buying basics for Clarksville Tennessee? You can never be entirely certain about what you’re getting into when you’re signing the papers. Although, you can try your hardest to prepare. Whether you are a native or you have decided to move there, here is everything you need to know before buying your first property in Tennessee.

There are many reasons why you might want to buy property in Tennessee. These are some of the common home buying questions in Tennessee and elsewhere that can help you see if you are ready for the process:

What can you afford?
Do you know what to search for in a home?
What do you want in a neighborhood?
Should you be aware of any legal issues?

These are all of the things to consider before buying a home in Nashville.

Home buying basics in Tennessee

Real estate agents

One of the home buying basics in Tennessee is getting a real estate agent. If you are a native, you might be thinking that you can eschew this. Experts suggest not taking that route for your own benefit, though. It’s much more difficult to look for a house as well as come up with a good deal for it all on your own. On the other hand, if you are moving out of Massachusetts, for example, and looking for a place in Tennessee, having a real estate agent will be of great help. You’ll need someone back home who will help you sell, and then someone in Tennessee to help you look for your perfect home and buy it.

There are many benefits to working with a real estate agent. One of them is the fact that they are familiar with all of the procedures that make up the act of purchasing a house. They’ll be able to help you formulate your desires in such a way that will then translate into the houses you look at. They’ll help you consider your budget as well as your wishes and try to find something that meets your needs. You real estate agent is the one that can show you around Tennessee neighborhoods they know well that is news to you. They should be able to help you every step of the way. The best part about it is that it won’t cost you anything. In most cases, the seller is the one that covers the commission of the real estate agency.

You might be able to find an agent through a personal referral. Otherwise, you will have to consult the registry of licensed agents.

Seller disclosure

The state of Tennessee requires the seller to fill out a disclosure form. This form outlines the details of the property for the buyer. These must include any known defects, environmental hazards, remodeling, items included in the sale and details of their condition, structural damage from fire and neighborhood noise problems. This thorough disclosure will help you make an informed decision. However, you should always keep an eye out for anything they’re not telling you.

Home inspections and lawyers

First-time buyers can feel particularly insecure. While seller’s disclosures are required by law, it might be a bad idea to fully rely on them. Many people decide to hire independent home inspectors. They are the ones who are supposed to inspect your potential new home and compare it to the seller’s disclosure. This is obviously not obligatory, but might be in your best interest. The law in Tennessee also doesn’t require a lawyer to be present during the real estate transaction and signing of the contracts. However, you may also decide to have one there during some point of the process.

Things to consider before buying a home in Nashville or Tennessee in general

Finances

Tennessee’s housing market more or less follows the national average. Projections for this year and beyond have the housing prices actually rising in the (near) future. Before buying a home, consider your current financial status. In most cases, you will be required to give money for a down payment on your new home. Experts suggest making sure you still have money left after this initial cost. You need a certain amount of savings left that will keep you comfortable while you’re paying off your mortgage. Even if you have a stable income, you shouldn’t go into a purchase without having enough money saved up to cover at least 3 months’ worth of mortgage payments.

Assessing the neighborhood

One of the home buying basics in Tennessee and elsewhere are engaging with your potential neighbors. Ask them about why they think the seller is selling their home if there is anything odd they are aware of about the house, as well as some general questions about the neighborhood. They might be able to tell you if they’re satisfied with the safety of the neighborhood. Alternatively, they might give you details about the house that may not have been disclosed before.

All in all

Generally speaking, information is key when it comes to a move that is as big as buying a house, no matter where you are. Everything you need to know before buying your first property in Clarksville Tennessee is impossible to list, but staying curious, thoughtful and paying attention will come a long way. In many ways it can seem like a lot of the process is out of your hands as you have to rely on so many other people, be it a real estate agent, the seller or the neighbors you’re canvassing to get some scoop. The important thing to remember, though, is to be smart about it and not rush into anything.

This isn’t everything you need to know about Home buying basics for Clarksville Tennessee, your Realtor will know what all needs to be done so give him a call and let’s get you moving.

5 Reasons to Live in a New Home Before Renovating

5 Reasons to Live in a New Home Before Renovating – Clarksville Home Renovations

Living in a world where consumerism has an upper hand will certainly tempt you to embark on a new spending mission when you have barely ended the last one. You have just moved into your new home, do you really need to renovate it right away? Take your time and think twice about it. There are certainly more pressing things you should focus on after your move, and renovation shouldn’t be among them. I’ll explain why you should first live in a new home before renovating it.

Why you should live in a new home before renovating, at least for a while?

It should be fairly easy to discern why you should give yourself and your family some time to reassess the necessity of renovation:

You’ve had enough stress already
Settle in, decisions can wait
Moving has strained your budget
Test your new home first
Re-evaluate your renovation choices

5 Reasons to Live in a New House Before Renovations

You wouldn’t wait, of course, if the renovation was supposed to make your home habitable. If there are any safety problems or issues with plumbing or electrics, you will need to fix them as quickly as possible. However, other items can wait a little longer. Besides, the cooling-off period will allow you to strategically organize your renovation. If you are buying a house for the first time, the experience you will get during this period will prove to be valuable in the long term.

Wasn’t moving stressful enough?

Everybody who has ever moved would agree that moving is an overwhelming experience. The trial of relocation is stressful especially if your move is a long-distance one. So, why would you want to stack even more stress? Sure, your adrenalin is high and there’s the euphoria of owning a new house. Resist their pull and very soon you’ll realize that most changes you were so passionate about – are completely unnecessary. Before you get in touch with contractors, take a break to get ready for the next big project.

There is no need to raise your stress levels right after you move in by starting a renovation unless there are safety issues.

Allow yourself to settle in

Once you are done with your relocation, you should simply let yourself live in the new home before renovating. Take a deep breath and enjoy your home for a little while. Moving is a turning point in many people’s lives. What you’d need at this time is a little bit of stability. Adapt to this big change, to your new home and surroundings, and experience life as a homeowner. Only when you feel the steady ground beneath your feet, you will be ready to jump into the current of a renovation.

Those who have remodeled often regret initiating an immediate home makeover after moving in and will advise you to wait for at least a year. This cooling-off period, as mentioned earlier, allows you not only to grow roots but to carefully contemplate the next step in your home makeover.

Stabilize your budget

You have likely spent a lot on your move with all the different options movers can provide you with. If you rush into the redecoration you think you need, you may end up spending thousands of dollars on excessive upgrades. If you restrain yourself from an immediate house makeover, you will significantly save over time. Arrange for small fixes around the house first; paint one room at a time; look for good deals online, local yard sales, or giveaways; fill your house with furniture slowly. Don’t give in to the pressure of having your dream home as soon as you move in. This unhealthy tendency to have everything perfect so urgently will have a detrimental effect on both your budget and your nerves. Besides, your peace of mind is priceless.

Try out your new home features and devise a plan for remodeling over time. Postponing renovation will allow you to set up a reasonable budget and recover from relocation.

Get to know your new home and yourself

Even though you think you will keep most of your old habits, you are bound to change after moving to your new home. Relocation gives you an opportunity for a fresh start and it is likely that you will feel creative enough upon moving in. Put those ideas on paper but wait before you act. You may find out over time that some of your original plans don’t suit your family as you initially thought. As mentioned before, living in your new home for about a year will give you insight into what really needs to change or adapt. To feel truly comfortable, you’d need to test your home and see which desirable home feature fulfills your needs. For example, you will find out if your indoor lighting suffices as natural light varies with seasons. Maybe your family won’t spend much time in the living room but the cozy kitchen instead. Circumstances may demand that your study becomes a kid’s room or vice versa. Repurposing a room later may cause that electrical and other sockets intended for certain devices become useless.

Careful planning is key

As it is with every important project, a house makeover requires thorough consideration. If you take sufficient time to live in a new home before renovating, you will be able to explain your needs to contractors more precisely and get a more accurate cost estimate. It is also likely that your priorities will change in the meantime, resulting in changes you haven’t originally considered. Careful planning over time will also help you set a realistic remodeling budget. Moreover, it’ll help you financially recover from recent relocation.

Living in your new home for a while will make clear which home features need to be altered. To avoid putting pressure on your budget, split your house makeover into phases

Focus on what’s important

It is quite natural to strive for a perfect home. However, this mission carries the risk that you’ll either overestimate your budget or ability to cope with stress. Take your time to relax after the move. Get to know your home and rediscover your needs. Recover your finances and plan your remodeling budget. Savor every change you make to your new nest as you shape it to your dreams.

Give yourself a little time to enjoy your new home before starting your Clarksville Home Renovation. Make sure those projects are going to give you a good return in enjoyment and in resale value. Get to know the area and enjoy your new home. – Ron Dayley Realtor – Coldwell Banker CM&H.

Keep these 5 Reasons to Live in a New Home Before Renovating in mind before starting your Home Renovation projects and you should be golden.

1. Baby steps first

2. Staging your house

3. Get rid of the clutter

4. Clean your house in order to increase its value

5. Small upgrades can do wonders

6. Staying organized is something that will help you stay on your budget

Finding the right real estate agent

Look locally

Online ratings and testimonials

Conduct interviews

Things to attend to in order to buy a house remotely

Prepare paperwork

Check the neighborhood

1. Choosing the best time for the open house

6 Open House Tips

2. Don’t forget the advertisement

3. Brochures and leaflets as a good reminder

4. Leading Signs

5. Social media will spread the word well

6. Be a good host!

Finding a realtor

Make sure to price your home properly

Staging a house

Handling offers and negotiation process

Appraisals and home inspections

Required disclosures by the state of Tennessee

Closing the deal

Why do you need to clean when moving out?

Should you skip the house cleaning guide and just hire professionals to handle the cleaning for you?

Get cleaning supplies on time

Clean things that you will pack

101 house cleaning guide – start from the top

House cleaning guide cannot be complete without a plan

Make it fun and involve your friends

How to sell your property in Tennessee?

Choose the Best Season for Selling

De-Personalize Your Home

Find A Local Tennessee Real Estate Agent

Prepare For an Open-House

Get Market Analysis

Why Pick me as your Realtor?

Which Home features do buyers want?

Functionality

Energy-efficient home features today’s buyers need

Kitchen and bathroom features

Smart home features today’s buyers need

Laundry room

Exterior features today’s home buyers need

To conclude

Home buying basics in Tennessee

5 Reasons to Live in a New House Before Renovations

Clarksville Real Estate Agency

Clarksville Subdivisions

Ron Dayley Realtor – Coldwell Banker CM&H