Selling Archives - Tom Verhelst - homesandlakeshore.com

What you don’t know can cost you time and money when it comes to selling your house. The best source of information is your real estate agent, and we’ve put together a growing list of helpful resources about the home selling process. When you’re ready, call Tom Verhelst at 218-205-2604 | Karen Zell at 218-731-6836. to discuss how we can help sell your house.

Instead of just relying a crystal ball, there are some facts that help predict what will happen to home buying and selling in the coming year.

Throughout the pandemic, residential real estate markets across the country have remained steady, and most have even seen growth. While we feel for those that are truly suffering due to COVID-19 related losses, there are positive economic indicators for the future. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data released a consumer survey of responses in September 2020 entitled Survey of Consumer Expectations showing less pessimistic views about personal financials in the year ahead due to improvements in the labor market and spending expectations.

Buying or Selling Over Winter? This Year is Different

By Verhelst and Zell

If you think nobody buys or sells a home in the winter, this year may surprise you. If you check the numbers, you’d find that a good chunk of home purchases are done during the coldest months of the year. This year, because of low inventory and record low interest rates, homes are still getting bought and sold despite icy roads and snow-covered roofs.

In fact, if you are a numbers guy or gal, almost a million homes were sold in the U.S. last winter between December 2018 and February 2019. This year, industry experts expect winter home sales to be even greater. Sure, more homes are sold in the summer months. But, if you’re wondering if you should put off buying or selling a home until spring, why wait? You may be surprised to learn that there are actually advantages to buying or selling while Jack Frost is nipping at your nose.

What are the advantages? You’re about to find out!

Should You Buy or Sell a Home During Covid-19?

By Verhelst and Zell

We often receive questions about whether this is the right time to buy, considering COVID-19 has hung around longer than expected. It’s understandable—both buyers and sellers are worried about making a move right now. However, for those in a good position to buy or sell, the timing is very good. Here’s why.

How to Be Less Stressed When Moving Cross Country

By Verhelst and Zell

Moving to a totally different environment from what you are used to opens up a wealth of opportunities for new experiences and growth. But if the actual moving cross-country part has got you a little anxious, there is some smart preparation that will help the transition go smoothly.

Here are 5 things you can do to prepare for a big move so that the experience is uplifting, with perhaps a bit less heavy lifting.

Top 10 Tips to Arrange Furniture Like a Pro!

By Verhelst and Zell

Ever wonder how designers seem to effortlessly pull together a stylish and functional room? Years of practice does help, but with a few simple steps, you too can plan and arrange your furniture layout like a pro!

A good furniture layout is not only important for a nicely designed room. Proper arrangement helps traffic flow, defines spaces to a purpose and give them a focal point.

So, whether you’re staging to sell your home, or planning the layout of a new nest, get out a measuring tape, paper and pencil and get ready for an appealing room design.

Quarantine DIY Projects When You Plan to Sell

By Verhelst and Zell

Whether your home is already on the market or if you are planning to do so in the future, being in quarantine presents an ideal time to tackle simple DIY projects. Improving your home can significantly increase the value of your property and can sometimes result in a quicker sale. The work does not have to be difficult or costly. Clear out, spruce up and maximize spaces to create the most appeal. You can still make a trip to your favorite big box store for supplies, using appropriate safety precautions and social distancing. Make a list of supplies for all projects to limit shopping trips.

Being active, even if it is just around the house and yard, is a great way to beat the boredom of quarantine. Here are the best activities those planning to sell can work on at home. Don’t forget to enlist your home team- kids or others in the household. Put on some fun music and have some snacks ready, ‘cause you are going to crank up the DIY energy!

Don’t Put Off Buying or Refinancing

By Verhelst and Zell

While we are sensitive to the nation being gripped by COVID-19, the pandemic has created a unique opportunity for those who have a need and are still financially able to buy a home or refinance an existing mortgage. Mortgage rates are at an all-time low, competition may have eased in some neighborhoods, and prices have steadied. And, the major portion of these transactions can be done over the phone and internet, with safe distancing and hygiene protocols when it is necessary to meet in person. Since these occasional meetings involve few people, enhanced health precautions are easier to practice.

How about lower than market fees too, when purchasing or refinancing? You can save a bundle with Keller Williams own Zero-Plus Financing!

Navigating an Active Real Estate Market During Coronavirus

By Verhelst and Zell

Other sectors of business have slowed down due to COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus, but the U.S. real estate market is still strong, spurred in part by historically low mortgage interest rates.

While Otter Tail County has been diligently combating COVID-19, we are also monitoring the situation closely. We are operating under an abundance of caution for the health and safety of buyers, sellers and our staff.

We’ve always provided safe and clean office environments for our clients and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of cleanliness so you can feel at ease when you visit us at the office. Plus, there is enough room for us to spread out and practice social distancing when we do meet.

Are Open Floor Plans Still Popular?

By Verhelst and Zell

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Open vs Closed Floor Plans before Building or Remodeling For the last two decades, open-concept floor plans have been a dominant architectural trend. This concept generally joins a kitchen, dining area and living room into a large open space without dividing walls. Knocking down walls to an open, multipurpose … Continued

How to Sell a House When It Needs Work

By Verhelst and Zell

Would you like to sell your worn-out home and move on, but extensive repairs are out of the question? If time and/or money are holding you back, there are a few options. You could sell your home as-is. Other options include completing just minor repairs, or, you could focus on only the big-ticket items buyers … Continued