Clearwater Real Estate

4 Bathroom Remodeling Tips That Will Help Sell Your Home Faster

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

You know the old saying, kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. If you walk into your bathroom and you are underwhelmed with how it looks, buyers certainly will be too. That means it’s time to do some remodeling. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, but making your bathroom a welcoming retreat will sell your home.

Update without breaking the bank

Did you know that the average bathroom is between 400 and 800 square feet? So while it isn’t the biggest room in your house, it certainly is one of the more expensive to update. In fact, an average bathroom remodel is $10,000 or more. Obviously the more high end you go the more expensive it will be. There are ways, however, that you can make your bathroom look fabulous without breaking the bank.

A stand up shower

One way to update without going super high end is to install a stand up shower. These days bathtubs aren’t always a necessity, especially if there is more than one full bath in the home. When installing a shower, think about things like shower heads with adjustable settings and temperature controls. Remember that putting them up higher isn’t a bad thing, but if you can’t consider choosing a shower head that you can hold as it can help taller people.

Update the tub

Bathtubs are still a big deal. If you only have one full bath, don’t remove the tub. Choose a new one that has things like in-line heaters, adjustable jet speeds, foot massage jets and foot rests. You don’t have to get an oversized tub, even a standard sized tub with jets are a luxurious upgrade.

Change out the faucets

Remember to update all the faucets. Make sure that your tub faucets are at least similar metals as the sink. Don’t mismatch! If you have noticed mineral deposits on faucets and shower heads, think about adding a filtration system, water softening or neutralization (depending on your water type) to your home.

Flooring and quick bathroom remodeling tips

Also look at the flooring and consider an update. If you have old vinyl on the floor, think about putting down bamboo or tile. Bamboo will appeal to the environmentally conscious crowd.
Some quick bathroom remodeling tips and fixes for the bath that is in good shape but just looks in need of some TLC, try regrouting tile walls and floors and recaulking existing tubs and showers, updating light fixtures and maybe a new medicine cabinet or mirror.

Why You Should Ask If Your Realtor Is A “Listing Agent”

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

It doesn’t matter what kind of Realtor you hire, right? WRONG! Realtors can specialize as a buyer’s agent or listing agent, and depending on what you need, getting the correct specialization is key. So what are the differences?

Listing agents are real estate agents who deal with sellers. They talk with prospective sellers and help them decide to sell. Once they get the listing, they market the property to attract buyers and other general real estate agents who might have buyers that are interested in the property.

Their focus and responsibility is the sellers whose homes they list.

Buyers agents represent buyers exclusively. They work with buyers to find properties that fulfill the requirements the buyers have for a home. They have no interest specifically in the homes they show. Their responsibility is to the buyer, not the seller.

Most agents are usually a combination of both of these. But make sure that you find one that will represent your interests, as a buyer or a seller. If you are a buyer, don’t rely on a listing agent to worry about your interests. They won’t, no matter how nice they may be. Their responsibility, legally, belongs to the seller.

If you are thinking about listing your home for sale, make sure you are working with a Realtor who focuses on selling listings. Now they may have a buyers agent on their team, but you want to make sure that the agent selling your house is a professional listing agent.

A couple of things you can do to check is ask how many homes the agent listed this year, what their list to sale ratio is and their marketing plan for your listing.

If you are looking for a great listing agent to hire in the Clearwater or St. Petersburg area, give Deborah Ward! 727-410-0336

5 Tips For Finding The Perfect Clearwater Waterfront Home

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

You’ve decided to buy a home in Clearwater and think that a waterfront home might just be the kind of home for you. There are a lot of things to consider when looking at waterfront properties before deciding on buying. Here are some things you should think about.

Waterfront properties are more expensive

First things first, can you afford waterfront? Waterfront properties are definitely more expensive and have other expenses that you might not consider at first. Waterfront living is well worth the expense involved.

Insurance

One of them is insurance. Not only will you need to buy homeowners insurance, but also flood insurance. Homeowner’s and flood insurance in Florida are both expensive and will make the monthly cost of waterfront properties considerably higher.

Consider where to look

Do you want to buy in a neighborhood that overlooks the Intercoastal waterways? Maybe a condo overlooking the beaches in Clearwater? A single family home on one of the “fingers”? A home with deep water access? Does waterfront living for you include having a dock? Upkeep will cost you, but will save you from paying fees to a marina. It’s a trade off. So many options! All of these will give you different options, prices and expenses.

Talk to a Realtor

Your best bet is to talk to a Realtor about what you want and what your entire budget is. Find out before looking what things like insurance and upkeep will cost you. Be sure to factor it into your decisions. Waterfront living is fantastic and can be affordable, just be smart and informed about it before jumping in!

If you would like to work with a Clearwater Waterfront Realtor who loves help people find their perfect home, give Deb Ward a call today! 727-410-0336

10 Ways You Are Sabotaging Your Own Home Sale!

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

You want to sell your home, right? Really? Because your behavior says otherwise. Your actions are sabotaging your own home sale. If you’re wondering why your home isn’t selling, read on and see if you fall into one or more of these examples… then STOP IT!

Issues of availability:

It makes sense that the more people that see your home, the more likely one will buy it. So why in the name of all that’s holy are you being so restrictive in your showing hours?

1. If you aren’t making the home available at times when normal people are looking, then it won’t be seen.

2. And for goodness sake, use a lockbox for a house key so other Realtors besides your listing agent can show the home!

3. If you don’t want it to be obvious for security reasons, put it on a door that is out of sight, but use one!

Pets and pet smells:

4. That “adorable” yet huge dog of yours, you know, the one that you swear “doesn’t bite” and is a huge sweetheart? Yeah, even the nicest dog can be territorial about strangers in their home. When you leave for the showing, take Fido with you.

5. And that cat smell? Total turn off. Find a place for Fluffy to stay while the house is for sale so you can dispense with the litter box.

6. Same goes for snakes, lizards, rodents and other small pets. Even if they don’t smell, they can scare or turn off buyers. That person who fell in love with the rest of your home but is terrified of snakes will NOT buy because you have one, trust me.

House condition:

7. We get it, you have to live in your home while you try to sell it, but when it’s going to be shown you need to CLEAN IT! That means pick up toys and clutter, clean bathrooms and kitchen counters, leave on some lights (as discussed with you when the home was staged) and…

8. DON’T SMOKE ANYWHERE! Yes, that means even no smoking in the garage since it‘s attached to the house.

Sabotaging interested buyers:

9. You have offers! You refuse to negotiate them. Not cool.

10. Oh, and those major home problems you know about? You are required to disclose them to buyers. And yes, a sinkhole qualifies.

5 Great Things To Learn About Selling Your Home From HGTV

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

If you are addicted to those home shows on HGTV and are thinking about selling your home, you can get some great ideas on what to do (and not to do) to make your home a winner!

Flip Or Flop

Tarek and Christina are real estate investors who are always buying some property sight-unseen and then “flipping” it to make a profit. If you watch them for any time, you will notice that there is always some major “gotcha” that catches them off guard and makes their remodeling a nightmare. That is what your buyer is afraid of! They worry that all those little “problems” in your home will add up to big money down the line.

Tip: Have a pre-home inspection done if your home is in great condition. This will mean that your buyer won’t do their own inspection, but it will take away many of the scary thoughts swirling throughout their heads when considering making an offer.

Tip: The only time they really have a hard time selling their home is when they price it too high for the market. Don’t “try” to get a higher price than the market will bear for your home. Consider the actual price and condition of your home and then price it right.

Fixer Upper

Chip and Joanna are also house flippers, but their hook is that they make amazingly beautiful HOMES for their clients by decorating and staging them before they move in. The “afters” on this show are overwhelmingly beautiful and completely done.

Tip: Take some time to stage your home for selling. Get out the china and set your table, have high end linens and great bedding. The nice thing is that you can take any staging materials you use to your new home and having a cohesive look will WOW your potential buyers.

Love It Or List It

Hillary and David battle to find out whether a couple’s home can be “saved” with remodeling or whether they need to move by “listing” it. Many buyers worry that the home they are buying now will not meet their needs down the road.

Tip: If you are trying to appeal to first time buyers, make sure you have areas that are staged to look like kids live there. High end buyers will want high end fixtures like granite countertops and gourmet kitchens. KNOW who your potential buyers are and take the time to show them that your house will be perfect now and in the future!

House Hunters

If you watch house hunters for any length of time you will notice that they are VERY picky about all kinds of things that we think are silly. The other thing you will notice is that they generally have a smaller budget than their “dream home” features allow.

Tip: Anything you can do to make sure that you house is the shining star of your price range is a good thing. Check out the competition and figure out if there is anything that you can do to set your home apart!

Rehab Addict

Nicole is huge about keeping the charm of old houses. She makes sure that instead of just tearing out everything that you maintain the features that make it special.

Tip: If you can keep the travertine floors and 1950’s tiles. Now, we are aren’t saying to maintain ugly features, but not to just throw out every feature that makes your home special.

If you are considering selling your home, call us today! We are happy to take a peek and see what you need to do to make your home a superstar! 727-410-0336

Clearwater Real Estate: Selling Your Home When You Live Out of Town

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

If you own Clearwater real estate, but don’t live here, selling can be a challenge. It doesn’t have to be, however, and using the right Realtor can make it a breeze. It just takes good marketing, a little coordination and a lot of trust.

Find The Right Realtor

The first thing is making sure you find the right Clearwater Realtor. Make sure to look for one that will be diligently marketing your property even when you aren’t around to be sure the job is being done. Be sure to discuss with them your expectations about number of showings, types of marketing, etc., just as you would if you were local, but also how you’re going to hold them accountable since you aren’t there.

Ask Some Questions

A reasonable question to ask would be “how much real estate have you sold for absent owners?” The more real estate for absent owners, the better. Be sure to also ask what their average time on the market is for both local and absent owners homes. Also ask them about after they get the offer/contract on the home: what’s their process for handling that with you.

Settlement Questions and Repairs

Then, after the contract has been put in place, then find out their process for helping you through settlement. Of course you can make a trip to do the actual settlement, but what about taking care of any necessary repairs that the inspection uncovers? And final walk-throughs? Again, having a Realtor you can trust to take care of that is priceless in the sales process.

Selling Your Real Estate

Selling your real estate from far away doesn’t have to be a chore. If it is handled for you by a Realtor with integrity, a process, and fabulous marketing strategy in place, your Clearwater real estate will quickly be off the market, sold FAST and for the most money!

Looking for a great Realtor to represent you in your out of area home sale, give Deborah Ward a call today!

727-410-0336