Ways to Increase your Home’s Value
By Tom Hallis | June 23, 2009
When you first purchase a house in St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach or Pinellas County, you’re most likely thinking of ways to build a home for you and your family. A big yard means plenty of room for the children to play. A newly renovated kitchen means you can finally throw the types of dinner parties you’ve always wanted. A master suite, well, that’s just icing on the cake. However, when it comes to sell your Florida home, it’s important to remember that all those little (and big) changes can also mean big little (and big) changes in your sale price.
While most homeowners should make changes to their houses that suit their lifestyle rather than the eventual sale price of their home five, ten, or even twenty years down the road, there are a few things to keep in mind. After all, if you will someday be selling your St. Petersburg house, you want to be sure you’re maximizing your profit.
- Repair all the little things – now. Most of the time, homeowners are willing to overlook the little idiosyncrasies like a broken step on the porch or chipping paint on the kitchen cabinets while they live in their house. These small repair needs are a bit like a knee that acts up in the rain or a car that always requires you to turn the key three times to the right before starting; they just become part of the everyday backdrop of your life. However, for someone buying a home in St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach or considering real estate in Pinellas County, these things can become glaring problems. By fixing issues as they arise (rather than waiting until you’re ready to sell your FL home), you not only avoid making major repairs all at once, but you actually get to enjoy the repairs while you live there.
- Know your neighborhood. If you live in one of St. Petersburg’s family-friendly neighborhoods, chances are things like well-maintained yards, large family rooms, and spacious kitchens will be worth more in the long run. If you live in a Clearwater Beach condo, you might find that built-in bookshelves and jacuzzi bathtubs are more appropriate. While you don’t have to tailor every change to your eventual sales audience, you can choose to make the types of changes that will translate into the highest returns.
- Don’t ignore the less visible changes. Almost all of the houses for sale in St. Petersburg go through cosmetic changes before they hit the market. Fresh paint, new kitchen appliances, and good landscaping are fairly common. Less common are things like a new roof, updated plumbing, or even a newly-installed automatic sprinkler system. However, these things show up in a home inspection evaluation, and when you put your trust in a FL real estate agent like Tom Hallis, these types of changes will always get the focus and attention they deserve.
The most important thing you can do to your St. Petersburg home is enjoy the time you’re going to spend there. However, by keeping its eventual sale at the back of your mind, you’ll be able to get the most out of your life – and your investment.
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »
Guide to Buying a Fixer-Upper in Florida
By Tom Hallis | May 23, 2009
In the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida real estate market, buying a home with the intent to fix it up is one of the best investments you can make. There’s no better way to take control over your home ownership than to customize the design, floorplan, and landscaping of everything from a single story rancher to a charming Victorian – especially if you’re looking to use the current Florida real estate economic climate as a way to get the home of your dreams without breaking the bank.
However, as any responsible real estate agent will tell you, buying a fixer-upper can be a big challenge. Excessive or hidden damage in a home can be both dangerous and costly. Before you make the plunge, make sure you follow a few important fixer-upper guidelines.
1. Always get an inspection. Nothing will give you a better idea of what kind of repairs you’ll come across than a thorough home inspection from a trusted source. Don’t take on more damage than you, your contractor, and your budget can handle.
2. Pay attention to the layout and structural foundation of the house. If you’ve always dreamed of a large kitchen, make sure your potential new home can be adapted in terms of wiring, plumbing, and layout. Sometimes, the skeletal structure of a house prevents certain types of cosmetic changes.
3. Location matters. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a single family house in St. Petersburg or a condo in Clearwater Beach; a home’s value is only as high as the neighborhood in which it’s located. A rundown building in a nice neighborhood has the greatest potential to bring an enormous resale price.
4. Know the difference between “big fixes” and “small fixes.” Things like drywall, painting, floor refinishing, landscaping, and hardware are easy to do yourself. Things like plumbing, electrical work, windows, and roofs can be more expensive and difficult. Stick to changes you can make for certain based on your skill level and budget.
When buying a home in St. Petersburg or looking at Clearwater Beach real estate options, a fixer-upper can be one of the best ways to get the home of your dreams for a low overall cost. Just make sure you enter into the transaction with your eyes open, with flexibility in mind, and with Tom Hallis at your side.
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »
The Importance of Curb Appeal
By Tom Hallis | April 25, 2009
Most real estate agents will tell you that the best time to sell a home in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas is during the late spring and early summer months. When the weather turns warm, the vibrant growing season commences, and children can be seen playing happily in the yard, potential homebuyers really begin to connect with a house – even before they set foot across the threshold.
In real estate lingo, this is known as curb appeal.
Most potential homebuyers make a decision about a house within the first 30 seconds. For example, simply driving by a well-kept single family home for sale in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas is often enough to cause people to pull over and make an immediate call to their realtor. That’s because an inviting exterior promises an inviting interior.
To get the kind of curb appeal that really gets noticed, you have to be able to detach yourself from your home. You may have lived there for months or years, and have probably learned to overlook the overgrown shrubbery next to the sidewalk or the mailbox in need of repair. However, these are the first things potential homebuyers will see. You have to view your home as objectively as possible in order to begin making the necessary repairs to get noticed.
Look out for:
• Visible mold or mildew on the house, roof, or sidewalks
• Outdated exteriors
• Yard clutter
• Dirty gutters, siding, or windows
• Chipped paint
• How your home appears at dusk or even at night
• Overgrowth in the yard or on the sidewalks
• Dead plants or leaf piles
• Overly personalized doormats
Of course, if you’re really motivated to sell your home in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas, you may also want to consider upgrading your landscaping. Like staging your home or making repairs, restorative landscaping can give your house just enough polish to entice a higher level of buyers. In fact, in a recent study, it was determined that good landscaping can actually add 6 to 11 percent to your home’s sale price.
We all know that selling a home can be hard work. Increase your chances of success by making sure your potential buyers are impressed before they even get out of the car.
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »
Staging Your Home
By Tom Hallis | March 24, 2009
Staging your home is a great way to prepare your home to sale and to make it look alluring to buyers in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas. Staging your home has become popular during the last decade. Read this article to find out some great ideas on how to get your home ready for potential buyers and get it sold sooner, rather than later.
Within the first minute, people decide if they could live in your home. The problem is that there are so many homes on the market right now, that if yours doesn’t catch their eye immediately, then they have other choices. The struggling housing market is forcing people to take more drastic measures to sell their homes. Many homeowners say they need all the help they can get. With the market not being so good, there are ways you can make your house stand out. Staging your home is the way to make your house stand out in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas.
The idea of home staging is to highlight your home’s best attributes and positively affect potential buyers. Staging your home isn’t about your own tastes. It is about making the home appealing to the general population. Whether you go at it alone or use a stager, you need to have the attitude that your home is no longer your home.
Following are some tips to consider:
- Take down family pictures. Potential buyers need to picture themselves in your home, not you!
- Staging your rooms to show off their true potential. Clear out clutter or other personal items that will distract buyers.
- Painting the walls yourself is the cheapest upgrading option you have. This will really attract buyers. Try a neutral tone.
Staging your home is a great option to make your home stand out in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas. Let myself, Tom Hallis, your agent offer you advice about how to make your house more attractive to buyers.
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »
What buyers look for, or look out for when purchasing a home.
By Tom Hallis | February 12, 2009
What should buyers look for, or look out for when purchasing a home in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas? This article will help sellers look into some important aspects of selling their home and what potential buyers look out for as well.
The way you live in your house is not the way to sell your house. So, what makes a house a home for sale on the market, and one that soon has a “SOLD” sign out on the front lawn? And what aspects are important to look at because potential buyers will ask the question, “How much work are we going to need to do prior to moving in and beyond?” The appearance and cleanliness of the home are significant. Always have your home ready to be shown at a moment’s notice with me, your agent, Tom Hallis because this is what buyers are looking for. And a tip- burned out lights need to be replaced; classy lighting and upgraded fixtures can ameliorate the value of a home. Also, buyers said they would be willing to pay more for a home with a renovated kitchen.
Here are some things a buyer will look out for when dealing with the purchase of a home. The buyer will consider the following:
- Exactly what property is included in the sale? Lighting fixtures, drapes or blinds, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and dryers are often problem areas.
- Is the neighborhood quiet, friendly? Are the homes well kept?
- Are there any development plans that will affect the property?
- The inspection report - are there any substantial problems with the house?
- Real estate taxes - what are the current property taxes, and what impact will your purchase have on the taxes?
Another issue that raises concern regarding buyer appeal is that sellers often mistakenly think that viewing empty properties will give the buyers an accurate sense of the space available. On the contrary, it is more difficult to really judge the size of a room without furniture and other objects as reference points. An empty room even allows buyers to focus on negative details instead of getting a sense of the overall space and the flow of each room to the next. Buyers need to ask themselves the question, “Can I see myself in this home?” Therefore, staging really helps buyers envision themselves in the space.
The idea of “staging” a home to make it look alluring to buyers has become popular during the last decade, as manifested by the proliferation of numerous home staging companies offering advice about how to make the house more attractive to buyers. Check out next’s months article about “Staging a Home.”
When selling your home with myself, Tom Hallis, your agent keep in mind what buyers look for, or look out for before coming to look at your home in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas.
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »
New Year brings optimism for the 2009 Real Estate Market
By Tom Hallis | January 28, 2009
What better way to start the New Year, then to bring confidence to our 2009 Real Estate Market. Ringing in the New Year being hopeful and optimistic will allow us to decide what we can do to improve our way of thinking about what is currently going on in the market. The New Year begins with us having a positive outlook and is a promising time for those of us looking to buy a home in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas.
Here are a few reasons to make a real estate investment in 2009:
Lower Home Prices: Housing prices have fallen to more affordable levels, in some markets moving back to 2003 prices. Lower home prices expand the number of people able to afford to buy and own home, creating a greater demand in the 2009 Real Estate Market.
Historically low interest rates: 30 year fixed mortgage rates are nearing 5 percent and are expected to move to 4.5 percent or lower in the 2009 Real Estate Market. Compared to 6.25 percent rates seen earlier in 2008, a rate of 4.5 percent would mean a monthly savings of $218 on a $200,000 mortgage. Lower monthly costs will keep people in their homes, reduce the number of homes on the market and lead to a stabile housing market.
The New Year brings optimism for the 2009 Real Estate Market. It is already evident that the housing inventories and prices are beginning to stabilize. The combination of lower prices and historically low interest rates will lead to a very good housing recovery.
No one can predict a market bottom, however it appears the worst of the market turmoil is behind us. The drive to stabilize and improve the housing market should lead to an improved 2009 Real Estate Market.
Let us all take a good peek into our own personal outlook on the 2009 Real Estate Market. With the interest rates low and many homes available, there is no better time than the present especially if you are looking for a home in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas.
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »
Real Estate during the Holidays
By Tom Hallis | December 19, 2008
Now is still a really good time for Real Estate in St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas. Buyers can, and do, get serious during this busy time of year. Lots of sellers take their homes off the market during the holidays, assuming no one will be buying at this time. But with serious buyers still out there and a lower inventory of homes, your home has a good chance of standing out. With fewer homes for sale, competition is decreased. There are good reasons to sell your home during the holidays.
Buyers are more serious during the holidays. Anyone shopping for a home during the holidays probably has to buy before a certain deadline. Therefore some buyers may be looking to relocate before the new year. Investors may also want to close before the end of the year for tax reasons. If you live near a university, students and staff may be looking for homes between academic sessions, and if you live near a military base, servicemen and women may be moving to the area. Work with me, Tom Hallis, your agent to target these motivated buyers. Buyers have more time to house-hunt. Buyers who are looking at this time during the holidays are serious about making a purchase. Some buyers purposely wait until their families are together for holiday vacations to start looking for a home. Homes show better in the winter. Decked out in lights and garland, homes often look their best during the holiday months. Take advantage of the Holidays and spruce up your homes to make them more festive. Deck the halls, but don’t go overboard, just enough to make your prospects feel at home and your home still looking spacious.
Home sellers can’t always take a holiday from keeping their house on the market. Instead, they should consider ways to turn the holidays to their advantage. By holding a holiday-themed open house - maybe instead of the traditional Sunday afternoon open house; your home could be open in the evening to take advantage of a festive holiday light display. Keep in mind to not block or cover up important selling features such as fireplace mantels, stairs, stained-glass windows. Tone down the size of tree. In place of a 10-foot tree, try decorating a table-top, four-foot version. Set a plate of cookies on the counter, next to festive paper napkins for guests. Giving house hunters a place to escape from the cold is another excellent way to get them inside your home.
The holidays are stressful enough without having to think about staging and open houses, so if you’re not truly motivated to sell, it’s probably best to wait a few months. But if you absolutely have to sell, don’t be discouraged. A good agent like myself can take the burden off of your shoulders, giving you more time to enjoy the season.
With these tips in mind, it is possible to enjoy the holidays and still successfully feature a home for sale on the real estate market. Now is still a good time as ever in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas.
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »
Unclutter Your Home and Get It Ready to Sell
By Tom Hallis | November 23, 2008
It is very important to make a great first impression to the potential buyers of your home. Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen. It’s careful planning and knowing how to efficiently unclutter your home that will excite buyers. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an appealing and marketable home.
Get rid of those items that have been sitting around for years without being used or even handled. This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. Buyers and real estate agents should see your house in its best condition from the very first day it’s on the market.
Here are a few approaches to take to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, “What is this room used for?”
Another way to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell is to make those minor repairs and best of all, make the house sparkle! Only do one room, or even one small area, at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Your best friend is the trash bag; when in doubt, throw it out. Many find it easier to use boxes to sort items, so you don’t have to find a home for everything as you unclutter. Most important, be quick and decisive when sorting. Tell yourself:
- If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
- Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
- Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.
If you are getting your house ready to sell in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas, then take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas where you can unclutter your home and let myself, Tom Hallis, your agent help you to get your house ready to sell.
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »
The Value of Homeownership
By Tom Hallis | October 28, 2008
Homeownership may be the most important asset-building strategy for individuals. The value of homeownership gives homeowners a feeling of control, a greater sense of security and stability.
Homeownership is typically given a lot of importance and homeowners are generally allowed to do whatever they wish in their homes. Homeowners have the right to make choices and decisions regarding changes to their homes that renters may not be able to make.
Homeownership is a financial goal most families share. There are significant community benefits to homeownership as well. Owning a home gives residents a stake in the community and a sense of “rootedness” in their neighborhoods. Enjoying the privacy that a home brings, making long lasting friendships with neighbors and best of all taking pride in your home. The pride you’ll feel in owning and improving your home is an emotional value that cannot be expressed in dollars and cents. The value of homeownership has been thought to pro-mote thrift, stability, and neighborliness.
Homeownership is thought to be an important element in achieving personal fulfillment. When asked to define the good life, polls have shown that many Americans value owning a home over such factors as an automobile, a happy marriage, an interesting or high-paying job, and good health. The value of homeownership is credited with increasing self-esteem, life satisfaction, and an overall feeling of worth. Owning a home embodies the promise of individual independence but there are also many responsibilities that come with owning a home. The value of homeownership has been thought to pro-mote thrift, stability, and neighborliness.
If you are looking to buy your own home in St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas, these are some points to consider when seeing the value of homeownership. Allow me, your Real Estate agent, Tom Hallis to help you see the value of homeownership.
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »
Going Green in Florida
By Tom Hallis | September 30, 2008
Have you heard the news! Green real estate is getting lots of buzz. More and more homebuyers are looking for ways to increase their green footprint. They are looking for that perfect home and yard that will give them eco-luxury. Going Green in St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida is happening as we know it.
Not only are we worried about our cleaning supplies being green, but now we want our homes to be green also. Homes with amenities like Gammpar floors, LEED-certified building materials, double-paned windows and even docking stations for electric cars! Also, homes that boast features like rainwater harvesting, passive air ventilation, reclaimed fixtures and recycled content tile and flooring.
This may all seem very over-whelming, but there are a lot of sites on the web that will help you fully understand just what finding a “green” home entails. It will be worth the research and will make your life more comfortable in the long run. Just “Google” the words “green real estate”, for starters. Enjoy the search and learn what makes a “green” home; a home that you want to be a part of. We all want to do our part and so let’s enjoy all of the eco-luxury that we can.
Just a side note - there’s no denying that the mortgage meltdown has meant tragedy for many home owners. But take a look around. You’ll see there’s very positive activity in many vibrant markets throughout the US especially in St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas County Florida areas. By focusing on the good news and passing the message around, we can help speed up the market recovery. Don’t panic, let’s all do our part!
Topics: Clearwater Beach FL Real Estate, Downtown St. Petersburg Condos, Pinellas County Florida Real Estate, St. Petersburg Real Estate | No Comments »