When Should You Put Your House on the Market?

Today, we’re answering the two most common questions we get from sellers: When is the best time of year to list your home? What do you need to do to prepare your home for the market?

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One of the most popular questions we get on listing appointments is, “When is the best time of year to list our house?” The other most popular question is, “What do we need to do to get our home prepared for the market?” Of course, the answer depends on how much work has to be done to the house. Typically, all markets have their highs and lows. In our area, the slowest time of the year is usually the month of December. The market starts pick up a bit in January and February; we see the most home showings during March, April, and May. That said, we usually recommend that you list sometime in February so that you are a little ahead of the competition. While March, April, and May are the busiest months for showings, April, May, and June are the busiest months for closings. That means most of our home sales happen in April, May, and June. Typically, it takes about 45 days to go from contract to closing.

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People buy and sell homes year round!

”

As we mentioned earlier, December is typically the slowest time of the year. However, because of the low inventory, low interest rates, and high demand, we have seen 22 closings in December so far this year, which is a record. People are always buying and selling houses; we’ve even shown houses on Christmas Eve! Just be aware that traditionally you will get the most showings in March, April, and May, and you have to give us time to stage the home and prepare it for the market as well. How long does it take for our sellers to hit the market? It really depends on the house. Some properties need new carpeting, paint, and other upgrades before they can sell. On average, it takes a few weeks to get the home ready for the market. It can take as long as five months, though. If you want to sell when the market is busiest, we recommend that you start preparing your home for the market in January so that you can be on the market sometime in February. That way, you can take advantage of those busy showing months and close during the peak closing months. If you have any questions about your specific property or if you would like to learn more details about our current real estate market, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

6 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Realtor

There are six questions you need to ask in order to hire the best Realtor to sell your home. We’ll go over those questions today.

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Choosing a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you can make when buying or selling your home. Here are six questions you should ask when interviewing agents to sell your home: 1. How long have you been in the business? Experience definitely pays off when it comes to the world of real estate. An agent that has been in the business for several years has probably run into many different situations and will be able to handle anything that comes up during your sale. 2. How many homes have you sold? How active is this real estate agent? Some agents may have been in the business for many years without selling many homes. You’re looking for someone that has been in the business for many years and sold as many homes as possible.

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Experience always pays off in the world of real estate.

”

3. What are your average days on market? It’s one thing to list a home, but it’s another to sell the home. You want to find someone who can sell your home as quickly as possible for top dollar. You don’t want to hire an agent that starts with a list price of $500,000 but sells for $425,000. Look for an agent with a very close list-to-sales price ratio.
4. What is your marketing budget? These days, real estate is all about marketing, so ask your agent how many dollars per month they will allocate towards marketing your home to the world. 5. How are you going to market my home? Again, in this new world of real estate, you need an agent who has a marketing strategy that will benefit you. 6. Do you have any references? Talking to someone else who has already worked with the agent is a good way to figure out what it will be like for you to work with them. By working with an agent, you will position yourself to get the highest market value for your home. If you have any other questions about hiring a Realtor, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

Cookies on a stick!

COOKIES ON A STICK...!

This is now my favorite thing to make and it's SO easy.  I just made them the other night with my two daughters and they had so much fun.

All you do is...grab a roll of sugar cookie dough, pull off pieces, roll in a ball and grab any type of sprinkles, put in a bowl and then roll the balls of sugar dough in sprinkles.  Then grab popsicle sticks and stick them in the balls. 

Place the balls on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.  (Just follow the baking instructions on the back for cookies).

Happy Blogging~ Kristi

Crabtree Valley Mall Visit

Today I went to Crabtree Valley mall and shopped around and basked in the Holiday Spirit...:)  Seeing all the decorations and visiting the beautiful stores while talking with all the sweet employees made me so happy!

Here are lovely tall suede boots at Bebe that are to die for! They have great holiday dresses and outfits to get you ready for Christmas and New Years!  Whatever it is your looking for...Crabtree Valley Mall has everything necessary to check off your holiday shopping list!

At Williams-Sonoma...I just love how you can always count on walking in there and smelling the amazing smell of a home cooked meal.  Makes me feel like I just walked into my home!
I've never seen the copper and silver Vita-mixer and I love it!  I enjoy seeing how they set their table and all the holiday dishes they use!
Love the Thanksgiving apron and hand towels...and be sure to get a great smelling candle!

Be sure to check out the brand new clothing boutique "Paisley" owned by Lauren who is 25 years old!  It was a pleasure meeting her mom who was working in there today!  Lauren went to ECU and spent some time in Atlanta at the markets!  The store has been in Crabtree now for 2 weeks so please stop by and check this boutique out...some of her pictures are featured above!

Disney store is, of course, all set for your wonderful kids! 

The excitement on their faces as they run through the store is priceless!

To me, this is so much fun!  Who has put their tree up at home already?  Every year I look forward to this special time!  Everyone have a Happy Holiday and I'll talk with you soon!

~Kristi~

4 Pricing Pitfalls Sellers Should Look Out For

Pricing your home for the market can have a major impact on its appeal to buyers. Here are a few of the pitfalls to avoid.

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When selling your home, the way you price it makes a major difference in the kind of traffic your home generates and the kinds of offers you’ll receive on it. Today I’d like to share four pitfalls of overpricing your home so that you know what to avoid when listing it on the market:

1. You may overprice your home out of the market. Home buyers typically search for homes within specific price ranges, and if you’re outside of that price range, your target buyer may not even know that your home is listed. Thanks to technology, buyers do their homework a lot more thoroughly in today’s market and are more likely to do their own comparative market analyses, so you want to make sure that you’re within the sweet spot of their price range.
2. Don’t let your home sit on the market. A home that sits on the market for a long period of time does not look good to buyers. Buyers have the ability to check your home’s cumulative days on market, and if your home has been on the market for way too long, they will take this into consideration when making an offer.
3. An appraisal will reveal the home’s true market value. Any buyer who purchases your home with a mortgage will have to get an appraisal on it before the bank can loan them the money. The appraiser will determine what comparable homes are selling for in your area, and if your home is overpriced, the appraisal will reflect that. At this point, you may have to go back to the drawing board and renegotiate in price.
4. Overpriced homes will take a long time to sell. If you’re looking to move on in your life, this will only delay your progress.

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A home that’s been on the market for a long time may get lower offers.

”

So when pricing your home, sit down with a Realtor, do your research, and come up with a good sales price that reflects exactly what the market is telling you.

If you have any other questions about pricing your home or anything else related to Raleigh real estate, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help you!

Christmas Tree Decorating!

Ho,Ho,Ho....Christmas Tree night of decorating....Well from being out and about and seeing all the beautiful Christmas decorations it inspired me to get my tree up last night!  Here is a picture...I think I will wait till after Thanksgiving to actually put the Christmas ornaments on the tree!  I love to decorate!  It makes me so happy to see a pretty little spot in my house.

Here are my kids (Ruby's grandbabies) last night in the festive holiday spirit playing their "Cupcake" game!  So cute!  I love a warm, happy, cozy home!

~Visions of Sugar Plums~

Visions of sugarplums dancing in my head... Wait, not really. Quail Hollow hosts a Christmas shopping event every year. I have attended this since forever! They have the cutest gifts for anyone you may know (even yourself!)

When I first walked in I came across these lovely scarves. As soon as I saw these I was thinking "Wow, this sure would be great to have this winter curled up by the fire".

One thing I abosutley love about this place is the variety of decorations they have for the Christmas season! How cute are these? If it were up to me I probably would have bought one of each. The Santa Claus especially! Seeing this Christmas tree already up reminded me that I need to get mine put up at home.

Who doesn't love cookies and hot tea? Well this place had it all - you can even buy it to take home! 

Overall this place is a great shop for all your crafty buys and getting in the holiday spirit. If you were not able to go while it was open, be sure to check it out next year before Christmas!

~Kristi Bourquin

5 Reasons Fall Is the Best Time to Buy a Home

The fourth quarter is here and everyone is preparing for the holiday season. If you are thinking about buying a home, though, now might be the time to prepare to make a move.

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Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

We are in the fourth quarter and I hope everyone is preparing for a great holiday season. In fact, the fourth quarter may actually be the best time for you to buy a home. There are five reasons why fall is a great time to buy:

1. Home prices are typically lower. Sellers understand that there are fewer buyers in the fall market, so they try to compensate for that by lowering their prices to incentivize the buyers who are out there. Make sure your agent runs a CMA and checks those sale prices to get you a good deal.

2. You will face less competition. The holidays are a very busy time for most people. Folks are traveling around the world and visiting friends and family, so buying a home is not at the top of their list. That means there are fewer buyers in the market for you to compete with.

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Fewer buyers on the market means less competition for you.

”

3. The holidays are around the corner. Sellers want to sell before the holidays just as much as you want to buy a home before the holidays.

4. You can get year-end tax credits. These are a great incentive for buyers who want to maximize their buying power.

5. It’s a great time to see what’s on the market.

If you have any questions about buying a home this fall or about the fall market in general, give us a call or send us an email. My team and I would be happy to help you!

Taking a Look at Activity in the Triangle Market

A lot has been happening in the Triangle market this year, and we have interest from all over the world.

A lot has been happening in the market here in the Triangle and I wanted to give you a quick update.

To start, year to date closed sales are up 7%, and for the month of August, closed sales are up 13% here in the Triangle. Yes, this information is from the end of the third quarter, but it gives you an idea of where the market is going.

August was was a blowout month with 13% gain compared to August last year. We also see that distressed property is now at a 43% inventory rate, overall inventory has decreased 10%, and home inventory has increased 2%.

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A lot has been happening in the Triangle market.

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What does this tell us? Homes are selling here in the Triangle! As an agent here, I can tell you that it's difficult to even find homes here because they're selling so fast.

We also saw that 17% of closed sales were financed all by cash, and the monthly housing supply is two months' worth. This means that supply is very low.

If you're looking for a home or even an investment opportunity, the Triangle might be a perfect fit. If you have any questions, give me a call and let's talk soon!

How Aging in Place Affects Us All

Aging in Place is a program that helps people by designing houses that age and grow with them.

Today I’m joined once again by my friend and Aging in Place expert Valerie Jurik to discuss supporting and caring for our aging community.

According to Valerie, since the Baby Boomers started turning 65 in 2011, there are 10,800 more turning 65 every day. That rate will continue until the year 2029. When that time comes, one out of every five people will be 65 and older—or 20% of our population.

Those are numbers that we can all relate to. We all either have loved ones that are aging or know people that are aging. My own father fell ill this past year, and the challenges and heartbreak of having to move him from our personal home to another facility in another community were devastating and hurtful on our family.

Aging in Place is trying to be the solution to that same challenge that families face all the time. Is there any way that our loved ones can stay in their home for as long as possible? If this was available last year when my father was dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia, we would’ve chosen to keep our home in an Aging in Place position to allow him to be there as long as possible.

Aging in Place designs a house to make it easier to live in.

That all comes through designing the house to make it easier to live in. As we age, things become harder for us to do. Aging in Place simply means to live at home as long as possible safely and independently. What can you do to your house to create that environment? What can you do when you buy or sell a house to create it for the interested party?

When we think of Aging in Place, the first thing we think of are older folks, but that’s not necessarily the target market. This affects everybody. No matter what your station is in life, you can buy a house that is Aging in Place so that you can grow through the house.

Say you have a house with a stepless entry. Most people would assume that that’s there for someone in a wheelchair, but what about a woman with a baby stroller? This kind of easier access into the house is an example of Aging in Place because anybody of any ability can get into your house.

A house designed age and grow with you is what Aging in Place is purely about. For Valerie, there’s nothing like educating people on how to do this. As for us at Team Ruby, we plan on continuing this discussion because we’re all about helping our friends, family, clients, and community at large.

If you have any questions for Valerie, you can visit her website or give her a call at 919-599-6940. If you have any questions for us regarding buying or selling, please feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.

Discussing Aging in Place with Valerie Jurik

I'm excited to be joined today by my friend Valerie Jurik to talk about the important topic of supporting and caring for our aging community. Valerie is a speaker, author, and Aging in Place specialist.

Keller Williams chose to team up with Valerie, who has been preaching about Aging in Place for quite some time, to reach out to you to educate you about what Aging in Place is all about. There are three important aspects of how Aging in Place supports homeowners:

1. Universal home design. 
2. In-home services
3. Products

Aging in Place is not something that's going to pass - it has just started as the country ages. It's all about living in a house that's better for you and simple things you can do if you want to buy or sell.

Many people wonder what they can do to their home to better provide for their loved ones that are elderly, or prepare to sell to a potential buyer. Aging in Place means living safely and independently at home for as long as possible. Quick things you can do include picking up throw rugs to prevent falls, widen doorways with offset hinges, tighten up rails, and make sure steps aren't loose.

It's all about living safely and independently at home for as long as possible.

If you want to sell your house, make sure things aren't cluttered and move the furniture around so it feels open and free. If you're looking to buy a house, think about the age you are now as well as what life will be like in five to 10 years. Do you want to keep going up and down steps? Can you climb in and out of the bathtub? Think about things in a house and how they will affect you as you age. 

These types of topics may seem small, but they are often overlooked (myself included) until we start aging. I want to thank Valerie for joining me today; you can reach her by email with any questions at valerieJurik@gmail.com, visit her website, or give her a call at 919-599-6940.

As always, if you have any questions about real estate or the Raleigh market, give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to help you out.

Increase Curb Appeal with These 5 Easy Tips

If you're selling your home, you want to wow buyers, and that starts with curb appeal. Here are five tips to do just that when selling in the Raleigh market:

1. Cut the grass. It seems simple but many forget it. Cutting the grass keeps your lawn looking nice and manicured and appealing to buyers.
   
2. Plant more shade trees. Here in the Carolinas especially, shade is a premium. Plant shade trees where the sun rises and sets, relative to your home.
   
3. Install outdoor lighting. Many buyers will visit your home for a second or third time in the evening to see how it presents itself at night.
   
4. Add flowers and color to the front lawn. If you don't have a green thumb (I certainly don't), you can hire a third party landscaper.
   
5. Keep everything clean. Take a look around the whole house, because anything that looks messy to you will certainly look messy to a buyer. Buyers are looking for a turnkey home - meaning what they see is what they get. Make it look beautiful the first time.

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Nothing makes a strong first impression like great curb appeal.

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If you're in the market to buy or sell in the Raleigh area, or you just have questions, please send us an email or give us a call. We'd be honored to help you!

Why It’s a Great Time to Buy or Sell in North Carolina

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When it comes to a market update, if you’re in real estate, congratulations. If you’re not, I strongly suggest you reconsider.

Right now in The Triangle area, this is a real estate Mecca! If you’re looking to buy, now is a great time to buy. If you’re looking to sell, now is a great time to sell. According to the MBA data that came out yesterday, mortgage application volume is down 2% month over month, and 16% year after year. The Dow just set a new closing high yesterday, and stocks are poised at all-time high levels once again. The conventional 30-year rate is 3.375%, and the 15-year rate is 2.8%. Government loans are 3.3%.

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We can’t keep homes on the market!

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This money is readily available for qualified buyers. If you’re looking to sell, inventory levels are as low as they have been in years. We can’t keep homes on the market!

If you’re looking to buy or sell, I’d love the opportunity to work with you and help you in either process. Please don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email.

What Are the Benefits to Downsizing?

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Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

I’m excited to talk to you about the benefits of downsizing. In the Triangle market, a lot of sellers are considering downsizing to a smaller home - here are three reasons why they are choosing to do so:

1. More money. A smaller home means a smaller mortgage payment, smaller utility payments, and fewer upkeep costs.

2. More time. When you’re spending less time on upkeep on a larger home, that's more time for you to do what you wish.

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A larger home means more expenses.

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3. Increased efficiency. A larger home means more expenses, whether it’s with utilities, HVAC, or electricity costs. When you downsize into a smaller home, these costs can decrease as well.

As with any move, there are plenty of considerations to take regarding your change of residence. Downsizing is an important decision, so be sure to contact a real estate professional in your area to figure out if it’s the right decision for you. If you’re in the Triangle area, we would love to help you out.

If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you.

What Are the Unexpected Costs When Selling in Raleigh?

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If you’re selling your home, you’re probably expecting to make a decent chunk of change out of it. However, there are many different costs to selling, and these can add up and affect your bottom line. This is especially significant when you’re moving up into a better home. Here are some tips so that you can better prepare for a home sale.

1. Always get pre-approved for a home loan. If you’re moving up, you need to be in the position to financially afford a new home.
2. Estimate the costs of selling your home. Many sellers don’t realize what it costs just to get your home on the market. You’ll have to pay contractors, landscapers, Realtors, and more. Don’t forget property taxes, HOA fees, and inspection fees.
3. Determine the cost of acquiring a new home. You need to pay your agent and also a portion of the closing costs. Sit down with your local agent to discuss these costs in detail.
   “
   

   Many sellers don’t
   know the costs just to get
   your home on the market.

   
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4. Calculate the proceeds from the sale of your existing home. These are called seller closing costs, and they’ll be a little different for everyone. This includes taxes, insurance, deed, revenue, and more.
5. Complete repairs on your existing home. Get quotes for repairs and make the most urgent ones when necessary. Keep the receipts for these repairs so that buyers can see that you were proactive with your home maintenance.
6. Getting the home ready to show for buyers can be costly. Staging, getting a professional to do a walkthrough, and professional cleaners can increase costs quickly.

If you want any more information on these topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. We would be happy to discuss how you can make your move easier and more efficient.

Thanks for tuning in!

8 Steps to Follow Once Your Offer Is Accepted

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What happens after your offer on a home is accepted? From contract to closing, this particular component is the most important in the home buying process. Many buyers overlook this crucial step in the surrounding Raleigh area, and as a result, many problems can arise.

You will most likely deposit earnest money into the seller’s escrow account. Depending on your market, due diligence might also be applicable.

1. Contact your lender as often as possible. Keep them close! Report to them whenever handing in important documents, and always ask about the next step.
2. Have your home appraised. This includes recruiting a respectable appraiser, not an online service. Make sure your home is accurately priced.
3. Have all the necessary inspections done to the home. Depending on where you live, there are different types of inspections to pursue, including those for sewer systems and termites. Consult your Realtor for their recommendations.
   “
   

   Your agent should
   fight for your best interests
   along the way.

   
   ”
4. Negotiate repairs with the seller. Your agent should fight for your best interests along the way, so you’re not overpaying for upgrades and other repairs. The agent is key throughout this entire process.
5. Schedule a repair walkthrough. Once repairs are addressed and completed, this final step assures all the work is satisfactory.
6. Conduct another final walkthrough right before closing. This assures everyone that your home is safe and ready to be purchased.
7. Celebrate once the transaction is completed. This is one of the most important steps of them all! Congratulations!

If you have any questions about this topic or anything else related to real estate, you can reach me by phone or email. I’d be happy to talk!

10 Things to Know About Selling in Raleigh

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search
Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

As a Raleigh seller, what are the most important things to remember?

1. Know the reason for selling your home. At the beginning, buyers sometimes aren’t sure if the decision is right for their families. You should be able to commit ahead of time, and be assured this is a good decision.
2. Confirm you’re financially prepared. Your payoff shouldn’t be more than your list or sale price. Check with your lender about your affordability.
3. Reduce clutter. Prospective buyers might not be able to look beyond the clutter when viewing your home. Less is best!
4. Clean your home. Buyers want to see homes in turnkey condition to avoid tidying up themselves.
5. Inspect and make repairs. Pursue a home inspection prior to listing. That way, repairs are addressed and fixed ahead of time once buyers are interested in your property.
6. Find a Realtor with a successful track record. They should have results selling for top dollar in a short amount of time. Conduct your research!
7. Confirm level of exposure. These days, it’s all about marketing. Speak with your Realtor about their marketing budget and exposure.
   “

   Avoid the mistake
   of overpricing.

   ”
8. Stage your home professionally. This has become more important over the last few years. Typically, a staged home sells quickly for a higher price compared to one that isn’t.
9. Price your home correctly. Avoid the mistake of overpricing and missing the market. Price your home according to market conditions. Your Realtor will make the big difference here.
10. Get excited! Be prepared for buyers to visit your home. After all, this is an exciting, new chapter of your life.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the surrounding area, contact me by phone or email. I’d be happy to discuss your real estate needs and any questions you might have!