Peter Owen, Realtor - Four Seasons Realty
  • Home
  • About
  • Recent Homes Sold
  • Peter's Blog
  • Local Services and Stores
  • Contact

August 2015 Nassau County Real estate news - Peter Owen

7/23/2015

1 Comment

 





Long Island Real Estate
Nassau County, NY Homes
Floral Park, Garden City, Manhasset
Peter Owen
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
The Donnelly Group
730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
(516)317-2860
Email: petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com
August, 2015

Hi Everyone
We are coming into the August slow down period (normally) but there have been a surprising number of listings new to the market in the past several weeks. Many of these got the same multiple bids as in the height of the Spring market, which means the buyers are still out there. Right now I have 4 buyers still looking for their perfect home in several villages, and I am seeing the same activity in each area.
I am happy to say that it was a very active selling and buying season for me, and I am confident that the remainder of 2015 will also be active.

Let me know if you need assistance with any real estate question, concern or transaction.
Peter Owen


6 Misperceptions About Home StagingStaging your home involves creating an environment that house hunters can envision themselves living in and can help to facilitate a speedy sale and for top dollar. Quite simply, if potential buyers don't feel an emotional connection with your home, they won't feel like they belong there and they'll be inclined to look elsewhere.

That said, why would home owners make the selling process more difficult for themselves by choosing NOT to stage their property in order to make the best impression? The following are some misconceptions that sellers have about home staging.



1. It's too expensive.

Staging is an investment in getting a house sold for top dollar and always less than the first price reduction on a home. According to the Association of Staging Professionals (ASP), 95 percent of staged homes sell in 11 days or less and sell for 17 percent more than homes that are not staged. When compared with the carrying costs of a home that lags on the market (monthly mortgage, utilities, landscaping/snow removal, etc.), the cost of staging is far less.

2. Our home has been professionally decorated.

Decorating and staging are completely different. Although home owners may love the way their house looks and it suits their needs perfectly, it may not appeal to the tastes and style of today's buyers. An accredited home stager has the experience and objectivity to prepare a home for mass appeal in the current marketplace to engage as many buyers as possible — no matter what their personal style.



3. We don't need a stager to declutter and clean.

Although these may seem like easy tasks, there is a lot of emotion that goes into depersonalizing a home after so many years of accumulating personal belongings. An accredited stager will provide a detailed action plan to neutralize and remove any items that will distract from the home's features to get the house sold.

4. We can't stage the house if we're living in it.

Staging is absolutely not just for vacant homes. Every home can be staged while it's occupied and a professional stager will provide home owners with tips for keeping the home in show-ready condition while the home is on the market — and still feel comfortable in their own home.

5. We can wait and then stage later if needed.

There is a lot of truth to the popular phrase “you never get a second chance to make a good first impression." If you don't stage before you list, you will inevitably lose time and money.



6. Staging won't hide all the problems.

Before beginning the staging process, sellers should address basic repairs such as leaky faucets and broken lights first so buyers won't have a reason to turn away as soon as they walk into a home. Once this is done, a staging company will handle superficial imperfections such as repainting walls and removing outdated wallpaper to make the home aesthetically inviting and comfortable.

Garden City

Floral Park


Manhasset


Malverne




If you would like a free Comparative Listing Report to see what price you can expect in this market, just call or email me. Absolutely no obligation or pressure.

Peter Owen
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
The Donnelly Group
730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
(516)317-2860
Email: petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com
Website: http://www.nassaucountynyhomes.com/


Best, top, most trusted and dedicated agent covering Garden City, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, Malverne, Lynbrook, Roslyn Estates, and Roslyn Heights displaying a high degree of integrity, service 24/7, professional attitude and actions.





1 Comment

July Mid Month 2015 Nassau County Real Estate News - Peter Owen                                                   July 16th, 2015

7/16/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Long Island Real Estate
Nassau County, NY Homes
Floral Park, Garden City, Manhasset
Peter Owen
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
The Donnelly Group
730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
(516)317-2860
Email: petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com
July Mid Month, 2015

Hi Everyone
This appeared to be a fairly Normal Spring/early Summer real estate season. The houses were selling well with plenty of buyers making multiple bids. It was also fairly orderly, ie no buying frenzy as in 2012, but the prices were still Up generally. The mid-Summer ;market is now starting, which means fewer houses coming on t he market, but still plenty of buyers out there. This might be a great time to bring your house to market since there is less competiion and the buyers are not under preasure to get into the house for the new school year.
Let me know if you need assistance with any real estate question, concern or transaction.
Peter Owen

Clean, Declutter, Discard: Make a House Shine for ResalePurging belongings can be an arduous task for sellers. Share these 13 decluttering tips with your clients to help them prepare their home for sale. Sentimentality can be a powerful disincentive to declutter. How could a loving daughter sell her family silver, even though she dislikes the pattern? How could parents ever discard a painting by their young budding Picasso, even though he's now 30 and hasn't picked up a paint brush in 20 years?

Most home owners avoid those tough decisions and schlep possessions from house-to-house. But it's far smarter to shed before moving. Not only does it clear out space to make a listing look its best, it also saves on moving costs to transport less stuff.

1. Study the entire house. Sellers shouldn't tackle every room in one fell swoop. Advise them to go room-by-room, starting at the front door. Sellers should pretend they're seeing each room for the first time, says Kammie Lisenby, CEO of The Organizing Experts in Seattle. The goal is to make rooms resemble those in a hotel, says professional organizer Katrina Teeple, owner of Operation Organization in Los Angeles.

2. Make piles. Sellers should organize piles as they clear each room — for example, stack items to keep, give to family or friends, donate to a charity, sell online, get hauled away, and consign. They should bear in mind the size of the home they're moving to, their degree of sentimental attachment, and the financial value of each item. It's best to put highly personal items aside in the keep pile, such as family photos they don't want buyers to see during showings, says Lisenby.

Tip: Sellers could offer a buyers' allowance to do their own decorating, says Barry Izsak, owner of Arranging It All in Austin, Texas, and former NAPO president.3. Create a spreadsheet. A master list of what rooms will require organizing tasks can be helpful. This will also aid in prioritizing expenses, such as home improvements, paint, and staging elements. To play it safe with finicky buyers, sellers should go neutral in paint and decor, says Teeple.

4. Empty closets. Often becoming a graveyard for all the belongings home owners don't know what to do with, clean, spacious closets are a coveted feature among buyers. Izsak suggests eliminating anything not worn or used in the last two years. Aim to dispose of 50 percent of wardrobes since most people only wear 20 percent of their clothes 80 percent of the time, he says. The remaining items should be stored on uniform rods, or in labeled, see-through bins, says Teeple.

5. Clear off counters and bookcases. Get rid of books that won't be reread, particularly now that so many people read online. Add a few home decor items for sparkle. When in doubt, follow the “rule of three," a mantra among home stagers, by clustering items into threes to create visual appeal. The final effect should reflect a neutral style.

6. Inspect the home's exterior. Depending on the time of year, sellers may need to hire a professional to clear leaves, snow, or ice, so that they don't hide a home's features. Messiness and wear and tear on the outside indicates to buyers that the inside hasn't been cared for well.

7. Check curb appeal all around. While the front yard is key to making a good first impression, more home owners spend time out back, so sellers should be sure lawns, shrubs, trees, and amenities like a fence and air conditioning condensers are maintained.

8. Spruce up the kitchen. This is the home's most popular gathering spot and another place where everything gets dumped—backpacks, car keys, cell phones, etc. The rule of three applies here, too. Tell sellers not to stuff anything into a pantry or cabinets; get rid of it if it hasn't been used in a few years. Also, clean out the refrigerator and freezer.

9. Make bathrooms spotless. Not every seller has a spa bathroom to unwind in, but clean grout, tiles, shower door, and vanity can make a big difference in an average bathroom. Clear out the prime real estate of a medicine cabinet, add crisp white or other neutral towels, fresh soaps, and a plant, Teeple suggests.

10. Purge basements, attics, and garages. These are a home's purgatories—where stuff goes to never see the bright light of day, says Izsak. Anything that's been moved at least twice and not opened needs to be reassessed, says Chris Seman, president of Caring Transitions in Cincinnati, a relocation service. Separate the items to be stored in see-through bins to reveal their contents; do so by categories, such as holiday decorations; and be sure bins are labeled clearly and have lids to keep out pests.

11. Professionalize an office. With more home owners working from home, a separate room or corner for an office can boost sales appeal. Have sellers clear up paper piles and file documents—but remember, most home owners only reference 5 percent of their files, says Seman. The work area should include good illumination, a comfortable chair, and clean equipment, says Izsak.

12. Get rid of belongings. Now it's time for your sellers to rethink what to do with everything in piles. Here are some upsides and downsides to these decisions:

  • Sell or auction through an online vendor like Craigslist or eBay or at a flea market. Downside: It may take time to get the desired price.
  • Leave at a consignment shop to get stuff out of a house now. Downside: Proceeds get shared, and it may take a while to sell.
  • Give away to family, friends, or a nonprofit such as freecycle.org. Some communities let residents leave stuff outside their house with a sign, “Take it!" Upside: It gets rid of things fast.
  • Have a group haul it away such as 1-800-Got-Junk? Upside: This avoids driving it to a dumpster.
  • Donate to a charity. Upside: It gets out of a house, helps someone in need, and provides a deduction. Fill out IRS Form 8283 if total exceeds $500.
  • Organize a yard sale. If time is of the essence, the seller could hire a professional who sets up tables, takes money, and gets rid of what doesn't sell. Downside: Proceeds get shared.
13. Don't repeat collector mania. Once sellers move into their new home with fewer possessions, advise them to purchase carefully. Sending organization ideas and decluttering tips is a great way to keep in touch with past clients. Check out HouseLogic's REALTOR® Content Resource for helpful home staging, maintenance, and organizing articles you can use in your newsletter or blog, or share them on your social networks for free.


Garden CIty

Floral Park


Lynbrook

Malverne


If you would like a free Comparative Listing Report to see what price you can expect in this market, just call or email me. Absolutely no obligation or pressure.

Peter Owen
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
The Donnelly Group
730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
(516)317-2860
Email: petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com
Website: http://www.nassaucountynyhomes.com/


Best, top, most trusted and dedicated agent covering Garden City, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, Malverne, Lynbrook, Roslyn Estates, and Roslyn Heights displaying a high degree of integrity, service 24/7, professional attitude and actions.




0 Comments
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Author

    Peter Owen -Best, most trusted and service oriented Licensed Real Estate Agent in Nassau County focusing on Garden City, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, Lynbrook, Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Heights, New Hyde Park, Herricks, Mineola, and more

    RSS Feed

    

    Archives

    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All
    Posts About Peter Owen
    Real Estate For Expats
    Real Estate Newsletters
    Recent Listings

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Picture