Posts Tagged ‘sell your Brooklyn home’

Helping Your Loved One Prepare for a Move in Brooklyn

Tuesday, September 30th, 2014
prepare for a move in Brooklyn

Help your loved one prepare for a move in Brooklyn. Organize, clear clutter and make repairs.

by Charles D’Alessandro | Leave a Comment

This is the fourth in a series of blogs on caregivers, their loved ones and assisted living in Brooklyn.

In the previous blog post, Taking Care of the Caregiver, we focused on taking care of you, the caregiver. This blog post will focus on helping your loved one prepare for a move in Brooklyn.

It is clear that your loved one is no longer able to live independently on their own. You and your family have lovingly and carefully considered all housing and care options available to your loved one. In their best interest, you have decided to sell their home and move them in to live with others who will provide assistance and proper care. Now what? It’s time to organize, clear clutter, make repairs and prepare for a move in Brooklyn.

When someone lives in a home for many years, accumulation of stuff and clutter happens, a lot of it happens. Repairs need to be made. Now it’s time to sell, and all of a sudden the collection of stuff and so many repairs through all those years of living looms overhead like an enormous elephant! Is organizing, clearing clutter and making needed repairs to prepare for a move in Brooklyn overwhelming? Is it keeping you from getting started? Ask yourself this question, “What is the best way to eat an elephant?” The answer is, “One bite at a time.”

Professional help to prepare for a move in Brooklyn is available. However, if you choose to tackle the task alone, consider these very helpful suggestions:

  1. Sort stuff. Start small. Choose one area of the home. Try the kitchen counter or just one closet, for example. Do not move to another area until the area you are working on is finished.
    1. Grab boxes. Label them “Trash,” “Keep,” “Give Away” and “Urgent.” If something has not been used or thought about for the past 6 months, place it in the “Trash” box. This is the perfect time to “Give Away” collections. For example, share your loved one’s owl collection with those who have always admired the special owl collection.
    2. Do something with each of the boxes NOW! Throw the “Trash” boxes away NOW!File the “Keep” boxes or put this stuff where it belongs NOW! Share the “Give Away” boxes away NOW! Address the “Urgent” boxes NOW!  If you don’t do it “NOW,” you’ll be back at square one.
  2. Get help to determine what repairs must be made to your loved one’s Brooklyn home. Don’t worry about any repairs that do not need to be made. Hire an expert to make the repairs for the purpose of selling the home.
  3. Remove heavy window treatments. Allow sunlight to lighten and brighten the rooms of your loved one’s home. Consider hiring someone to add a neutral coat of paint to walls and trim.
  4. Lastly, hire a house cleaner. After organizing, clearing clutter and repairing is complete, treat yourself to professional housecleaning of your loved one’s Brooklyn home. Getting the whole house cleaned in just one day is very rewarding. This last step may convert you to organizing and clearing clutter in your own home regularly. It’s that rewarding!

If the need to help your loved one prepare for a move in Brooklyn has arrived, contact me, Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate. Call (718) 253-9600 ext. 206 or reach me by email, [email protected].

 

Resources on Getting Organized –

http://www.napo.net/get_organized/how_to_hire.aspx

https://www.findmyorganizer.com/organize.b.507.g.34.html?professional_organizer_region=new+york&page=1

 

Recommended Reading –

Moving for Seniors: A Step-by-Step Workbook, Morris, B., 2001, Smooth Transitions.

 

Brooklyn/New York Senior Housing Options –

http://www.aplaceformom.com/assisted-living/new-york/brooklyn
http://www.seniorhomes.com/c/ny/brooklyn/assisted-living/

 

Copyright: joannsnover / 123RF Stock Photo

 

Your Kitchen – the Focal Point of Your Brooklyn Home

Thursday, June 26th, 2014
Your kitchen - the focal point of your Brooklyn home

Your kitchen – the focal point of your Brooklyn home

By Charles D’Alessandro | Leave a Comment

Take a look at your kitchen. Is it dated? Are you looking to sell your Brooklyn home? If your kitchen is “way out there”, you may have a hard time selling.

Your kitchen is the focal point of your Brooklyn home. Buyers today are looking for a home with a kitchen that is easy to use, easy to clean and easy to look at. If your kitchen is dated, you many need to invest in a kitchen remodel. Even a minor remodel can recoup most of the cost when you sell. Just remember, consider what will appeal to a future homebuyer. Ultimately, the work you put into a remodel is work you are doing for yourself, but at some point, somebody else will live in the house. Don’t remodel in a way you may regret later. Don’t do something so edgy that you  end up asking yourself, “What on earth was I thinking?”

Here are the top 10 kitchen trends:

1. Chef’s stoves – Even if the buyer doesn’t cook, they want the stove look cool.

2. Eco-friendly features – Appliances and materials in the kitchen are important to a buyer.

3. Granite and quartz countertops – Granite tops the list.

4. Tile backsplashes – Most buyers prefer tile over marble, stone slab or other materials.

5. Floors – Hardwood flooring is hands-down the top choice for flooring.

6. Stainless steel – Well over half of homebuyers today want stainless steel appliances in their kitchens.

7. Islands – Islands aren’t really a must, but they are popular with homebuyers.

8. Transitional style – This is a style combination of traditional and contemporary styles.

9. White cabinets – Almost 75 percent of homebuyers want white or off white cabinets.

10. Gray color schemes – Shades of gray in the kitchen go well with white cabinets.

Kitchen updates are number one for adding value to your Brooklyn home.  Need more ideas for adding value to your home? Subscribe to Brooklyn Real Estate Blog today.

Look no further for a real estate agent with your best interest at heart. Give Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext. 206 or email  [email protected] when you need to sell your home.

Resource: http://rismedia.com/2013-11-16/10-top-kitchen-remodeling-trends/2/

Using Comparables to Sell Your Brooklyn Home Like an Olympic Athlete

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

With the London Olympics kicking off this month, athletes from all over the world are putting their competitive strategies into place to be one step ahead of the competition and go for gold. Channel the world’s champions this summer to establish a game plan, analyze what’s worked in the past and beat out the competition by presenting your Brooklyn home at its best!

Athletes constantly stay informed on the statistics of their biggest competitors, and so should you when it comes to selling your Brooklyn home. Below are the basic components to consider when using comparables to price your real estate:

Make sure the comparable house has sold. Before using a property as a comparable, it needs to have sold so that you know the selling price. Consider the original listing price as compared to the selling price of the home, when developing your winning strategy. Pay close attention to price reductions and how many months the house was on the market. These are essential indicators to pricing your property right the first time.

  • Look to see if it is the same type of home as yours. Find comparable sales that are similar to your home in square footage, style, construction material, number of bathrooms and bedrooms and other amenities.
  • See if it’s in the same location. Real estate pricing is largely based on location, so make sure any houses you consider as comparables are close to your own house or in proximity to the same conveniences.
  • Double-check the research. Just because someone hands you papers that they claim to be comparables doesn’t mean they actually are. You know your house best, so do your own research and read the fine print to make sure that the comparables you’re using to determine your property’s resale value are a good match.

Starting off on the right foot might help you sell your house faster than an Olympic track star. Dedicate yourself to researching comparables so that you can contribute educated facts when discussing the list price of your Brooklyn home.

If you need help pricing your property or need a real estate agent to help you beat out the competition, please call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].for more information.

 

 

 

Get Your Brooklyn Home For Sale Ready for Its Close-up

Friday, February 17th, 2012

The winter season makes staging, or the concept of showing your Brooklyn home for sale  at its best, even more important.  Follow these tips to make your home irresistible:

  1. Make every surface shine: Shine bathroom fixtures, stove, refrigerator and faucets.
  2. Sweep your front porch: Sweep away all those leaves stuck in the corners.
  3. Clean, Clean, Clean: Everything from lamps and light fixtures to bulbs and baseboards.
  4. Add fresh flowers: Put them on the entry table, dining room table and anywhere else that needs a splash of color.
  5. Remove all clutter: Put it in a storage locker or a friend’s garage. Take down all your personal pictures.  Buyers want to picture their belongings in the house, not yours.
  6. Burn potpourri: Or bake something to leave out for potential buyers.
  7. Leave every light on: And every interior door open.
  8. Keep snow and ice at bay:  If your Brooklyn home is under winter conditions, be sure to keep walkways and driveways clear of snow and ice.
  9. Warm it up. Adjust the thermostat so your home is warm and inviting.

10.  Take advantage of natural light: Encourage showings during daylight hours. Have all curtains and blinds open during the day and closed at night.

11. Wash the windows: Buyers act on first impressions; the strong winter sun can reveal grime and turn away prospective buyers.

12.  Create a little atmosphere: Play music softly in the background. Tune the radio to a classical station, and turn it down so that you barely hear it in the background.

13.  Show off hardwood floors: Pull up that wall-to-wall carpeting, clean the floors, store the throw rugs and show the wood!

14.  Freshen the walls: At a minimum, clean the walls from top to bottom.  If they still look dingy, give them a fresh coat of paint.  That is the quickest and fastest way to freshen up a room.

15.  Use the rule of 3 – Three items per surface, in every room.  Make it look uncluttered and clean by doing this.

If you are ready to sell your Brooklyn home , I can help you get it on the market and sold.  Call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] for more information.

Are You Considering Selling Your Brooklyn Home for Sale by Owner?

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Hiring a real estate agent still gives you the best chance of selling your home

Are you Considering Selling Your Brooklyn Home for Sale by Owner ? Should you try to sell your home on your own as a Brooklyn home for sale by owner (FSBO)? The 2011 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers has new information about FSBOs here is the Need to Know If  that can help you decide if you should try to sell your home without the help of a real estate professional.

Here are the top 4 facts you need to know if you’re considering selling your Brooklyn home for sale by owner:

  1. It’s harder to sell your Brooklyn home for sale by owner in today’s market. FSBO transactions accounted for 10 percent of sales. That’s slightly above the record low of 9 percent in the 2010 study, but well below the record high of 20 percent set in 1987. The share of homes sold without professional representation has trended lower since 1997.
  2. If you know someone who wants to buy your home, you’ll be more likely to be able to sell it on your own. Many FSBO properties are not sold on the open market. Factoring out private sales between parties who knew each other in advance, the actual number of homes sold on the open market without professional assistance was 6 percent.
  3. If you’re good at attracting buyers, pricing your home and filling out paperwork, selling your  Brooklyn home for sale by owner may be the way to go. The most difficult tasks reported by unrepresented sellers are attracting potential buyers, getting the right price, and understanding and completing paperwork.
  4. Hiring a real estate agent still gives you the best chance of selling your home. 89 percent of buyers used real estate agents and brokers. 7 percent bought directly from a builder, and 4 percent purchased a FSBO.

Ready to hire a real estate professional to get your home sold? If you’re thinking about selling your Brooklyn real estate and would like more tips on how to get it ready, please call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected], for more information and discover how I can help you.

Advantages of Selling Your Home Without a Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Selling Your Brooklyn Home For Sale By Owner

In today’s economy, people are looking for ways to save money.  This is also true when it comes to selling their homes.  Some homeowners believe that selling their homes without a Brooklyn real estate agent will save them thousands.

Is selling your home on your own right for you?  After weighing some of the advantages and disadvantages to selling your home without a Brooklyn real estate agent, you will be able to make a more informed decision on which choice is best for you.

Here are three advantages of selling your Brooklyn home as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO):

  1. You may save money by eliminating the commission. Selling your house as a FSBO means you don’t have to pay commission to a listing agent.  The average commission is 6% of the sales price, so you could possibly save that amount.  Unfortunately, buyers know that too.  So, most buyers believe that if you are selling on your own and not paying a commission, they should get the savings – not you.
  2. 2. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is now available to you. A FSBO can now be advertised on many local Multiple Listing Services.  In the past, this tool was only available to real estate agents and brokers.  You will usually have to pay a fee to get your home listed on the MLS.
  3. Offers and counter offers can be negotiated face to face between you and the buyer. You don’t have to wait for your listing agent to talk with the buyer’s agent and get all the paperwork drawn up.  However, if you are not skilled in negotiation, you may leave money on the table.

One other thing to take into consideration before you put up your For Sale By Owner sign is the state of your local real estate market.  If it is a buyer’s market, you will most likely have a hard time selling your home by yourself.  It’s easier to sell your home by yourself when it is a seller’s market.

If you’re still not sure if selling as a FSBO is right for you, and you have plenty of time, you can try selling your home without an agent.  If your home hasn’t sold after a few months, you can then hire a Brooklyn real estate agent.

If you’d like information on how to sell your Brooklyn home on your own or what paperwork you need, I’d be happy to help.  Contact me  Charles D’Alessandro your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] to schedule a free no obligation interview or market price review.

How to Stay Safe when Showing Your Brooklyn Home for Sale by Owner

Saturday, June 18th, 2011


Marketing your Brooklyn Home For Sale By Owner

You’ve decided to try to sell your Brooklyn home for sale by owner (FSBO). One of the many tasks you’ll be performing is showing your home to potential buyers.  You won’t personally know most potential buyers, so be sure to take precautions to stay safe.  After all, these are strangers you’re allowing into your home.

Here are six tips to protect your safety when showing your Brooklyn home for sale by owner (FSBO) to potential buyers:

1. Pre-qualify potential buyers. The most basic thing you want to do is determine if a potential buyer can afford to buy your home.  The best way to do this is to require that the potential buyer give you a copy of their pre-approval letter before scheduling a viewing of your home.  Buyers who are not serious about buying within the next few months will not have bothered to get pre-approved, and buyers who cannot afford your home will not be able to get a pre-approval letter.

2.      Use a sign-in sheet. Keep a sign-in sheet near the entrance to your home.  Have everyone who comes to view your home fill out his or her name, address and phone number on the sheet as soon as they enter.

3.      Stay with them while they tour your home. While you don’t want to hover over their shoulders, don’t allow them to wander around your home by themselves.

4.      Have someone else with you. Don’t be home alone.  Have your neighbor, a friend or family member with you at all times.

5.      Hide valuables. Do not leave money, jewelry or other valuables where they can be seen or easily taken.

6.      Require an appointment. Whether you’re selling your home as a FSBO or with a  real estate agent  requiring an appointment allows you to keep a normal schedule.  You don’t want people touring your home while you’re eating dinner or taking a nap.   If a buyer is really interested, he or she will not have a problem making an appointment.

Want help marketing your Brooklyn home for sale by owner?  Give me  Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn Realtor® with Fillmore Real Estate a call today at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].  I’ll give you a free home market price  analysis to determine how much your home is worth in today’s market.