Archive for the ‘Selling Homes’ Category

Corte Madera Extreme Makeover

Friday, August 5th, 2011

Produced and Directed by Madeline Schaider Real Estate

Madeline Schaider recently sold a renovated Kott house in the Chapman Park area of West Corte Madera. By directing an extensive renovation of this 1956 home and gardens, the house sold quickly for $1,050,000, more than the asking price of $1,029,000.  The sellers received two good offers within three days, sold their house for a good price, and realized almost a 5-fold return on their investment in renovations.

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Marin Home Values in a Changing Market

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Time to Buy a Home in Marin?

Some of our Marin buyers have asked, “Is this is a good time to buy?”  Looking at the long range picture of home values in Marin, we think this is not only a good time to buy but an opportunity for buyers.

These are confusing times for home buyers. Some economic indicators are not great, and the media continues to support a pessimistic view. While some Marin house prices are coming down–we think of this as an adjustment to a previously runaway market–others are not. This is definitely a great time for buyers!

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To Stage or Not to Stage

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Is it worth staging your Marin home before you sell it? Many sellers at every price point object to having their homes staged. Their reasons are that it is not worth the expense, the house looks good, or buyers are still going to negotiate the price, so staging doesn’t matter.

Staging Your Marin Home IS Important

We know first hand that staging your Marin home is more important than ever. Here are some of the reasons

  • WOW Factor. You know the expression, “You only have one chance to make that first impression.” So true in real estate. When a buyer opens that front door, you want to WOW them immediately. It’s a subliminal factor that affects a buyer’s ‘feeling’ about a house. Buyers can tell you all the features that they want in a house, but often times, it comes down to a very primal, emotional response.
  • Most buyers search the Internet for properties. Online viewers have a very limited attention span.  If a property is vacant or unattractive, buyers are inclined to skip over it quickly. Staged and attractive rooms will make a much better WOW impression for these buyers, and more often they place house on a their “lets see it” list.
  • It is a buyer’s market, and buyers are more particular than ever about the appearance of properties. They have more to choose from and can take their time.
  • A staged home will attract more buyers.
  • Staging often define spaces in a house and show buyers how they might use these spaces.
  • Staging will neutralize a home so buyers can see themselves in the home, and not the sellers.
  • Buyers will stay longer in a staged home. They have somewhere to sit down and relax, look around the room, chat with their families, and see themselves living there.
  • Staged homes can focus the buyer’s attention on the positive aspects of the home and take away attention from any possible flaws.
  • Buyers perceive that the seller has carefully attended to the overall care and maintenance of the home, since it is staged and well presented.
  • Staged homes will net the seller a higher sales price, with fewer days on the market. The longer they are on the market, the lower the sale price.

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