selling your house

These 9 easy home improvements add value to your home

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1. Improve energy efficiency Boosting the attic insulation from R11 to R49 can lower heating and cooling costs up to $600 per year (according to Houselogic.com). If the existing insulation comes up just to the tops of the joists, then you may need to add insulation. If you can’t see the joists and the insulation is well above the tops of the joists, you’re probably okay.

2. Spruce up the exterior  You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Projects that enhance curb appeal can offer the best bang for the buck. Basic efforts like power washing the home’s exterior, painting the front door, or adding landscaping improvements can be small investments that enhance curb appeal when selling a home. 

3. Low-maintenance lawn care: Overgrown lawns and bushes will cause your home to stand out—in a bad way. For a few hundred dollars, hire a landscaping service to tidy up. Adding plants and trees native to your region will also help boost the home’s curb appeal.

4. Budget-friendly kitchen remodelsIf your budget allows only one room renovation, go for the kitchen. Most studies have shown as many as 80% of homebuyers list the kitchen as their favorite room. Buyers may be more forgiving of other outdated areas with a newly updated kitchen. A minor kitchen face-lift could include painting cabinets or getting new cabinet doors, new appliances, upgrading countertops, or new cabinet hardware. 

5. Bathroom remodelUpdating bathrooms can make a big impact. Studies have shown a minor bathroom remodel can provide a 102% return on investment, and you don’t have to spend a fortune to make big upgrades. Re-grouting tile, replace caulk around the shower, tub, and toilet areas, replace the toilet, mirrors and fixtures can go a long way to improve the look of the bathroom.

6. Deep house cleaning: Make sure your home says “clean” to potential buyers when they walk in the door. Even if you clean your home regularly, hire a cleaning service for a thorough top-to-bottom scrubbing.

7. A coat of paint Painting the home interior is one of the most inexpensive updates you can make. New paint lightens rooms, hides visual defects, and simply makes a room feel fresh and clean.

8. Fix the flooring New flooring can instantly brighten up the home, and makes a huge difference in how your house is perceived by buyers.

9. Make your home feel bigger. You can’t change the square-footage of your home, but you can make each room in your house feel larger. A sunny room feels more open—replace heavy drapes with vertical blinds or shutters. Also, clear the clutter. Add shelving or storage space to help organize.

Thinking of selling? Call Jean Hedren, Edina Realty NW Wisconsin Realtor, 218-590-6634 for a free comprehensive market analysis of your property. 

Summer is hot and so is the real estate market. Now is a great time to sell.

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Right NOW is a great time to sell your home or cabin in NW Wisconsin.

Summer is in full mode and serious buyers are active. If you’re ready to sell your lake home or cabin, now is the time to be on the market.

Buyers are eager to enjoy their new homes all year round. In the fall there’s hunting, fishing, paddling, hiking, biking, and ATVing. In the winter there’s skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and just relaxing by the fire. Every spring, long before the water is warm enough for swimming, we’re blessed with months of weather that’s perfect for enjoying the great outdoors in other ways.

So if you’re ready to move on to the next stage of your life, then maybe it’s time to make your move.

Keep in mind, too, that listing your home today doesn’t mean moving out next Tuesday. Even after we’ve done a little negotiating and you’ve accepted a buyer’s offer, more time will elapse before there’s an actual closing. Typically, unless it’s a cash offer with no inspections or other contingencies, that’s about another 45-60 days.

And for all the rest of you selling a year-round lake home or cabin, the best time to find buyers is… Year-round. So if you’d like to learn more about what your home is likely to sell for in our current market, give me a call now. Jean Hedren, Edina Realty, NW Wisconsin. 218-590-6634. Visit www.JeanHedren.com

Check out my recent sales: Sold by Jean Hedren

Northern Wisconsin property search. Click here: Map of Northwest wisconsin.

Top 7 exterior home remodeling projects with highest returns

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If you are thinking of selling your home and need to do a few updates first, these 7 exterior projects will result in the highest return on your remodeling dollars. Cost Vs Value RISMedia 2019

Stone veneer, minor kitchen remodel, wood deck, and siding replace rank the highest of most likely adding value to the home for sale.Exterior projects

 

Nationally, the top 7 projects with the greatest ROI in the mid-range cost category:

  • Manufactured stone veneer
  • Minor kitchen remodel
  • Wood deck addition
  • Siding replacement
  • Steel entry door replacement
  • Garage door replacement
  • Vinyl window replacement

Ready to sell? This pre-listing checklist can help.

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List every repair and improvement you made, no matter how small.Walk through your house and write down everything you can think of. Did you buy a new fridge? Install a new hot water heater? Rebuild your deck? Replace the roof? You also want to list any problems you have addressed, and then talk to a professional about what and how to disclose.

Note the obvious flaws. Maybe there’s a ding in the wall from moving a piece of furniture. Or perhaps your landscaping needs a major refresh. Note the obvious, fixable problems that could affect the sale of your home in order to have an idea of what you’ll need to do to get it market-ready. This information will also be helpful when speaking with a qualified REALTOR®.

Is this your year to sell in NW Wisconsin? I would be very pleased to help. Call Jean Hedren, Edina Realty NW Wisconsin Realtor, 218-590-6634.

This article is brought to you by Jean Hedren, a Certified Residential Specialist. 

Pricing your home to get the highest offer

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The best way to get the most money for your home is to price it right at the start. Today’s buyers are discerning. They have the information at their fingertips to pay what they believe your home is worth. Ultimately, a home’s value is what a buyer is willing to pay rather then what the selling thinks their home is worth.

Here are 10 benefits to right pricing:

  1.  Each new listing creates a buzz in the local real estate community. The right price will generate more calls and inquiries, and attract more Realtors to show the house.
  2. The right price will send the message to buyers that the price is based on actual value rather than sentimental value.
  3. Homes tend to sell closer to the asking price during the first few weeks on the market, resulting in a higher price in a shorter time.
  4. Fewer mortgage payments and less interest paid means more money in your pocket.
  5. The right price sends the message to the buyer that your home is a better value compared to others on the market.
  6. Less time on the market means less time keeping the home ready for showings.
  7. In a fluctuating market, it is better to sell now as prices may decrease even more.
  8. The longer the house sits on the market, buyers may think there is something wrong with the house.
  9. Keep your ultimate goal in mind – selling now means moving on with your life.
  10. There is never a second chance to make a good first impression.
Selling a home in NW Wisconsin? Send me an email or give me a call at 218-590-6634. I’ll be happy to provide a current price analysis to give you an idea of what your home will sell for in the current market.
 

6 ways to make a great first home selling impression

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You won’t have a second chance to make a good first impression. When everything in the front of the house is in perfect repair, buyers will think your house is obviously well cared for. 

  • Your front door can be your home’s focal point. Replace an old door with peeling paint or dated hardware with a new steel door. Or, salvage the door with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. Satin nickel, black, and bronze are the trends.
  • Wash windows inside and out and remove screens for added sparkle.
  • A garage can make a big impact. Replace or paint the door.
  • Don’t overlook the front porch. It’s an iconic symbol of American living. Stage a rocking chair or outdoor table and chairs.
  • Driveway. Repair cracks and clean up oil stains. If budget allows resurface the driveway.
  • After dark. Portable outdoor lights aimed at the house or a beautiful tree offers a low-cost, high-impact effect.

Selling a home in NW Wisconsin? Send me an email or give me a call at 218-590-6634. Or, email me: jeanhedren@edinarealty.com. I’ll be happy to provide a current price analysis to give you an idea of what your home will sell for in the current market.

Examples of green home features to help sell your home

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The U.S. Department of Energy lists several key features of an energy efficient home. Home sellers, be sure to highlight these features to attract buyers. The infographic at the left (courtesy of National Association of Realtors) shows how buyers rate the importance of green and energy efficient homes.

  1. Appliances and electronics – shop for appliances with the Energy Star logo. Energy Star brand offers a higher energy efficiency rating than the government standard.

2. Insulation and heating/cooling temperature control. The Department of Energy has determined that 56% of home energy costs go to heating and cooling. Improving the insulation in your home and installing a programmable thermostat can be an energy cost saving.

3. Water heater. Keeping the water heater in good working order, or replacing  with an energy efficient model can have a positive impact on your utility bills.

4. Lighting. By switching all lighting to LED or CFL lights, you can use half the energy of incandescent bulbs for 10 times the life.

Selling a home in NW Wisconsin? Send me an email or give me a call at 218-590-6634. Or, email me: jeanhedren@edinarealty.com. I’ll be happy to provide a current price analysis to give you an idea of what your home will sell for in the current market.

Buyers just closed on their dream Trego Lake cabin

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I’m lucky to work with such wonderful buyers. Doug and Pam just closed on their Trego Lake cabin. They are eagerly anticipating the fishing, boating, and other area recreation when Spring finally arrives.

 Thinking of buying or selling in the Trego or Spooner area? Call Jean Hedren, Your Edina Realty NW Wisconsin Realtor, 218-590-6634.

In the tabs above you can find out more about me and also about the communities and lakes in the area.

Tips for a NW Wisconsin real estate market in transition

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I have several buyers who are patiently watching the MLS listings for an especially good deal.  I’ve also been passing along listings that seem like a good fit.  Sometimes buyers have been ready to move quickly, and that’s paid off.

Other buyers were busy with work and family commitments, and they needed to wait a couple weeks before we could schedule a showing.  Sometimes that still works out.  But other times I’ve requested a showing and learned that another buyer has just made an offer that’s already been accepted.  Notice a pattern here???

I’m a Realtor, and of course you’d expect me to say that right now is a great time to buy or sell.  But the thing is, right now that’s especially true.  Consumer confidence is up, we’ve been seeing some promising economic indicators, interest rates are still low, and our Northwestern Wisconsin real estate market is moving faster than the snow was melting this spring.  (April 25 update: snow is gone, lakes are mostly open.) That’s good news for buyers and sellers alike.

If you’re a seller, you’ll still be facing some competition.  There’s a lot of inventory out there, and it’s important to have realistic expectations about what your home, cabin, or land is actually worth in today’s market.  But prices are more stable; homes priced correctly for the local market are selling quickly. Homes priced on the high side are languishing.

And if you’re a buyer, here are some tips to keep in mind during this transitional market.  Even if our market here in NW WI isn’t white hot, it’s at least warming up enough so you’ll need to let go of certain assumptions that are no longer valid.  If you find something you like and it’s a good value, don’t assume no one else has noticed it and come to a similar conclusion.  Instead, please call me so we can schedule a showing now.

If we go take a look and you like what you see, don’t assume you’ll be able to think things over for even a couple weeks before you take a second look.  Someone else with similar tastes may have also seen this home or cabin for the bargain it is.  By the time you’ve taken two more months to think it over, their moving van could already be backing up to the front door.

Finally, here’s one last bit of advice.  Pursue perfection, but prioritize your wants and needs.  Now, not all of my buyers have the same dreams.  Some, for example, want a sandy beach, while others want a small quiet lake that’s better for fishing and watching wildlife.  But when you do find the location that’s just right for you, you can always remodel the bathroom or replace that pink carpeting in the guest bedroom.  Know what matters most, and know what you want so you’ll be ready when you see it.

10 reasons to hit the right home selling price

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Pricing your home right from the start can result in a quicker sale. 

  1. Strategic pricing that’s based on a thorough, up-to-the-minute market analysis. If our price is too low, we leave money on the table. If our price is too high, we leave your home on the market unsold. Later, it’s likely to sell for less than it would if we priced it correctly from the start. A strategic, fact-based listing price that helps your home get noticed and sell more quickly for the best possible sale price.
  2. Each new listing creates a buzz in the local real estate community. The right price will attract more Realtors to show the house. The right price will generate more calls and email inquiries.
  3. Homes tend to sell closer to the asking price during the first few weeks on the market, resulting in a higher price in a shorter time.
  4. Fewer mortgage payments and less interest paid means more money in your pocket.
  5. The right price sends the message to the buyer that your home is a better value compared to others on the market.
  6. Less time on the market means less time keeping the home ready for showings.
  7. In a fluctuating market, it is better to sell now as prices may decrease even more.
  8. The longer the house sits on the market, buyers may think there is something wrong with the house.
  9. Keep your ultimate goal in mind – selling now means moving on with your life.
  10. If there are no showings, the price is too high. If there are several showings but no offers indicates good marketing, but buyers will react to overpricing when they step into the house.

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