Buyers Vs Sellers

SELLERS• Today’s sellers are most often members of Generation X (38 percent), and the majority (63 percent of all sellers) are listing a home for the first time. • Those listing a home for sale commonly had a recent job change or promotion (26 percent), a shift in financial circumstances (24 percent), retirement (16 percent) or another life change, such as the birth of a child, marriage, divorce, or becoming an empty nester. • Most sellers are trading their homes for one they see as an upgrade, seeking a median of 100 more square feet and a home that costs an average of 11 percent more. •

Sellers’ top regret was that they didn’t take more time to prepare for a sale (30 percent). Women consider selling for an average of 5.9 months before listing; men consider it for 4.6 months. • Eighty-eight percent of sellers use an agent to sell their home, and the majority (69 percent) of sellers who use an agent elect to bring them on board at the beginning of the process. • Unlike buyers, Millennial sellers are just as likely as older generations to use an agent for a sale. However, Millennials are more likely than older generations to use online resources in their sale as well. • Sellers look to their agents most often for pricing help (50 percent) and contract negotiation (35 percent). Millennials tend to rely on their agent for legal advice and determining the best time to list their home for sale. • Eighty-three percent of sellers make home renovations before listing. The most common improvements are painting (45 percent) and renovating the bathrooms (31 percent). • When marketing their homes, Millennials are more likely than older sellers to use video footage (29 percent) and promote their listing on social media (28 percent). • In the time it takes to sell—2.8 months on average—two-thirds of sellers (66 percent) elect to change their listing price at least once. Thirty-nine percent changed the listing price of their home two or more times.

BUYERS• Half (50 percent) of today’s home buyers are under the age of 36, and 47 percent are first-time buyers. Solo home buyers are in the minority; most buyers are shopping with a spouse or partner (73 percent). • Eighty-three percent of buyers are shopping for a single-family house. Their top considerations are affordability and being in a safe neighborhood. • Fifty-two percent of buyers consider renting while they’re shopping for a home—a number that’s even higher among younger buyers. • Seventy-five percent of buyers hire a real estate agent during the buying process. • Across all generations, almost nine out of 10 buyers (87 percent) use an online resource at some point in their search for a home to buy. • Millennial home buyers share many concerns and preferences with their grandparents’ generation, both choosing homes with shared community amenities and considering townhouses at higher rates than those ages 35-49. However, Millennials’ home-buying process is significantly different from their grandparents' process. • Millennial home buyers wait longer to buy a first home than previous generations.i The modern-day “starter home” is nearly as large as the median home for “move-up” buyers, and costs about 18 percent less. • Millennial home buyers undertake far more social home searches, seeking input from friends, relatives and neighbors 58 percent of the time, versus the Silent Generation, who poll friends just 37 percent of the time. • More than a quarter (26 percent) of buyers find an agent online. A third (33 percent) find an agent through a personal referral. • Millennials scrutinize more agents, asking friends and family about their experiences with agents and reading online reviews more than other generations. • When it comes to choosing an agent, Millennials and other generations share their top priority: a sense that an agent is trustworthy and responsive to their needs. • The average shopper goes on seven home tours, and while they may incorporate online research, they tend to be hands-on at decision time, preferring to meet an agent in person or talk on the phone, and prioritizing private tours of homes led by a professional. • Only 46 percent of buyers get the first home on which they make an offer, reflecting the reality that in today’s tight market, the search—which takes an average of 4.2 months— comes with competition and disappointment. • Over half of buyers (56 percent) save up for a down payment by setting aside a little money at a time. Almost a third (32 percent) use more than one source for their down payment, including gifts and loans from family, selling stocks and bonds, and cashing in retirement savings.

9 Reasons why you will benefit from Having Me List & Sell Your Home Fast!!

Nine Reasons why you will benefit from

having me list and sell your home fast!!

1.     Our 30 proven tips help you prepare your home for sale.

2.     Our feature sheets make sure a buyer will remember your house, even if he has seen several other homes at the same time.

3.     DEFEAT BUYER’S REMORSE – Get a home inspection now and fix the requirements. Place the home inspection report and paid bills online for all to see.

4.     MLS – means that your home will be available to all 7500 associates in Kansas City. We send special notices of our listing to all members of the MLS within 24 hours by email.

5.     ALL BUYER SEARCHES START ON THE INTERNET! Advertising on over 350 websites!!!

Your home will be listed on the following websites: Realtor.com, Re/Max.com, Craiglist.com, Zillow, Re/Max.com, and www.sarahbostonhomes.com & MUCH more!!  The buyer contacts generated by these websites are sent directly to us for follow-up.

6.     BUYER ACQUIRE – We will place a rider on your sign that will allow any potential client passing by your property to make a call and get a voice advertisement on your property. This program “traps” the cell phone number and emails it to me at the actual moment the customer is making the call. I will call the client back immediately and ask for an appointment.

7.     STAYING IN TOUCH – I will contact you weekly to discuss the current marketing. You and I will make an appointment to meet in my office 30 days from the listing date to discuss marketing strategy and pricing.

8.     City-wide and internet marketing reports to evaluate at each marketing consultation.

9.     A team of over 40+ agents walking thru your home critiquing how to help it sell the fastest for the for you! highest profit

Thank you in advance,

The Sarah Boston Team  

Trends in Your Home Help Sellers get The Most Money & Fast Closing!! Act Now!!

You don’t have to be an interior designer to introduce this swooning-worthy décor to your home you just have to find the inspiration!! Use these awe-inspiring ideas to give your home the stylish update it deserves.

1. Wowing White Kitchens

White opens up small spaces, beautifies larger kitchen layouts and shows off stunning design elements. Attention-grabbing backsplashes, stunning sink fixtures and dark countertops pop nicely against the backdrop of a white kitchen.

2. Beautifying Barn Doors

Barn doors serve as high-end focal points and handy solutions for wide openings and hard-to-style spaces like bathrooms, pantries and dining room entryways. You can install glass and stainless steel models to match modern décor, dark wood and wrought iron for a rustic flair or plain cedar slats to establish a neutral aesthetic.

3. Room-Transforming Tray Ceilings

Tray ceilings feature a center section that is raised several inches higher than the perimeter of the room. You can paint the heightened portion of your ceiling a room-complementing color to deepen the look of your space. Or you can use reclaimed wood or other materials to highlight your raised ceiling. Introduce lighting accents to your tray ceiling by adding a chandelier or pendant lighting.

4. Simple-but-Stunning Subway Tiles

Subway tiles are the building blocks for many stylish kitchens and bathrooms. You can lay your subway tile in patterns, purchase fun-colored tiles to highlight designs or go with the always-in-style white tile look. Subway tiles also function as more than an accent. Tile-covered kitchen walls reduce cleanup time, expand your space and give your kitchen texture.

5. Radiant Reclaimed Wood

You can use reclaimed wood for a variety of design solutions. Accents walls, coffee tables and shelving units are popular destinations for reclaimed wood. Distressed lumber is also perfect for larger design projects like new flooring, ceiling refurbishments and staircase updates.

6. Walk-In Showers

A walk-in shower will add to the aesthetics and functionality of your bathroom. Curbless walk-ins offer safe entry and exit and lend themselves to modern designs. In fact, many safety- and style-conscious homeowners are replacing their tubs with walk-in designs. Also, benches, handrails and other comfort-related features are easy to include in walk-in showers.

7. Upscale Undermount Sinks

Undermount sinks’ unbroken lines give your kitchen and counter tops a sleek, modern look. You can choose from a variety of materials and styles to ensure that your undermount sink increases the functionality of your kitchen and matches the décor. Undermounted designs also eliminate crumbs and food residue from building up around the edges of your sink which helps in maintaining a clean kitchen.

8. Haute Hardwood Floors

Recent trends like grayed hardwood, reclaimed lumber and wide-plank designs are popular alternatives to conventional wood flooring. These new hardwood looks serve as breath-taking focal points and picture-perfect complements to your existing décor. Match these hardwood trends to any design style — from mid-century to eclectic — for a beautiful update to your flooring.

Get your Overland Park Home NOW! The Real Estate Market is HOT! Homes R Flying Off The Shelves!!! Go NOW!!

Check out the Hottest Homes in Real Estate, Overland Park homes have continued to grow in value, Homes from 200-380+ have moved within 1-2 months in listing! Now is the time to start shopping for your next move! Click here for open floor plans in Overland Park, Hardwoods, 2-4 bedrooms, 2-4 baths, full finished basement, walking distance to schools, great landscape, move in ready & more>> 

Get the Exact estimate on How to sell your home, what your home is worth in Today's Real Estate Market, Click here>>

Contact Homes by The Sarah Boston Home Team 

913.424.0427 

Looking to Make a Move?? Don't Pack yet! Lets get Your House Sold to the Highest Bidder Possible!! Act NOW!!!

More Tips on Selling Your Home..Fast! For the Highest Price!! 

Painted-over Wallpaper

       I realize that some of the stager-types do this on HGTV, but it’s EVIL! Eventually, the paint pulls the paper away from the wall, revealing a seam, which is a huge red flag for wise buyers.  To avoid bad karma you’ll never hear me say that it’s ok to paint over wallpaper.  One exception to the rule: If the wallpaper  was never sized, was mudded & sanded - then it is safe to paint.

Exercise Equipment in the Master Bedroom

This takes up to much space and is not eye appealing.

Smallish Closets with a Single Bar Across

There are home improvement store isles devoted to this very important master bedroom space. I recommend that sellers raise the bar so that a double hung bar can hang in a portion of the space….add a shelf or two above….and for please hide the open dirty clothes hamper.

Updated Kitchens with Shiny Brass cabinet Pulls

The stainless (or black) appliances look amazing, the lighting has been updated...why are the cabinet pulls still brass? A hundred bucks or so and the kitchen is fully updated.

Granite Counters with Dated Backsplash

Why? Why? Why? Buyers see the dated back spash butted against the gorgeous granite counters and wonder why the sellers didn’t finish the job. What should have been a        fabulous plus is now a frustrating negative.

Chandelier Hung Too High

Chandeliers as a rule of thumb should hang 33” to 39” from the top of the table to the bottom of the chandelier. Easy fix.

Overland Park Homes.. Trade Up! Sell your Home today! Move into your Dream Home Tomorrow!

Check out the Hottest Luxury Overland Park Homes, New Construction, ReSales, Open Floor Plans, 3-6 Bedroom, 2-6 Bathrooms, Pools, Clubhouse, & More Click Here>> 

Look at these, Homes starting at 350k, New construction, Open Floor Plans, Finished Basements & More, Click here>> 

Contact Homes by Sarah for more info on Selling Your Home Today! 
913-424-0427 
www.sarahbostonhomes.com

The Rantings of an Interior Decorator!! Glam up your Home to Sell Fast!!

I walk into houses Daily!! Here are a few tips on how to help sell your home fast with easy steps! 

Ceiling Fan over a Dining Table

       Unless the table is bathed in hot summer sun most of the year, who wants to serve a hot meal that will be cold in 15 seconds?

       Empty Bookshelves

       Empty bookcases make a home feel soulless. Technically, I realize homes don’t have a soul, but folks tend to connect to a home at that level.

Artwork Hung at “Eye Level”

Just whose eye level are we talking about? Mister basketball star or Miss pretty ‘n petite? The only time “eye level” applies is in a foyer or hallway, where one is never sitting. There, the rule of thumb is that the top of the frame should never be level with or higher than a door or window frame. We spend out time sitting in most rooms, so the artwork should be hung in relation to the furnishings, providing balance and color. You can feel the difference.

Wait, did you say vent?

The slats on a return air vent need to be slanted so we don’t see the unfinished wall behind it. Another simple fix!

If your home needs some updating ideas before listing please feel free to contact me. I stage what sellers already own, making their things work very hard to sell the home!