Add-On Front Patios

A New Home Trend Front Patios

Front porches and back patios have joined forces. The result is the emergence of the “front yard patio.”

A front yard patio is inviting, which might herald a reversal of a 70 year trend towards hiding out in our houses and entertaining only in our backyards. This condition was a direct result of the age of the automobile, when garages gradually crept to the front of the house at the expense of our porches.

For those of us with garage-dominated or porch-less facades, the front yard patio is a welcome feature—a decorative, as well as functional entertaining space that says, “Hello.”

Front patios can look like almost anything, and be constructed of any material that can be made weed-free and level, including brick, stone, gravel, or wood. They can be attached to the home, wrapped around the front door, or set off on their own. And they can be enhanced by such things as:

  •   A fire pit or heat lamps.
  •   A small side fountain.
  •   Low shrubs or low walls.
  •   Tea lights or lanterns.Front patios are more than simple functional changes in our space and lifestyle. They’re also a smart move for home sellers as they gain traction with buyers who see them as inviting and desirable features that add value to the house.

For more great tips and interesting articles download Matt’s Home News February edition here:  February Newsletter – Matt

Best wishes,

Matt

Getting a Home Ready to Sell…

Getting a Home Ready to Sell…

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you—or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

A key factor in attracting (or repelling) home buyers is the cleanliness and orderliness of a home. While buyers are sympathetic toward sellersBeach House who must live in a home while selling it, most buyers can’t see past the normal clutter of a lived-in home.

Buyers view dozens of homes in a row. When they walk into a home, they’re instantly comparing it to sparkling clean, well-staged homes they’ve just seen. If a home is even slightly cluttered with toys, books, furniture and refrigerator magnets, buyers can be turned off, simply by comparison. The solution? Work with me to spot the areas of potential problem. I’ll help you figure out where to put your energy for the highest impact. Then start packing. Move 70% of your stuff out to a storage unit, and clean, clean, clean.

If you or someone you care about wants to get advice about preparing their house to sell, please contact me at 609-338-3773 or matt@sjhouses.com. Ask for a copy of my report, Five Deadly Mistakes Home Sellers Make.

Matthew Haviland

Your Real Estate Consultant For Life Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

P.S. Who do you know who’s thinking about selling their home? Please introduce us so that I can make suggestions for how to get their house ready.

How to Sell Your House Without Reducing Your Price

How to Sell Without Reducing Your Price

Dear Friend,

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you—or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

No home seller wants to reduce their price because their house isn’t selling. Here are 3 ways to prevent that from happening: First, price it well to begin with. Price it no more than properties are selling for in your area. You can place a premium for things like a view or a staging-logostunning yard, but not for things like a remodeled kitchen. On the other hand, not having a remodeled kitchen could cause the price to drop. Second, make it show like a model home. Clean every crevice. Fix every bit of deferred maintenance. Remove your personal possessions. Clean up the landscaping. Third, talk to me about how to minimize drawbacks and maximize advantages. As your real estate consultant, I can tell you a great deal about how to get more from the sale of your home, possibly putting thousands more in your pocket when you sell.  As a certified Real Estate Staging Expert I can conduct a complimentary analysis of your home and provide you with a custom eight page report with staging recommendations.

If you or someone you care about wants to get more out of the sale of their home, please call me at 609-338-3773 or matt@sjhouses.com. Ask for a copy of my report, The 10 Dumbest Mistakes Smart People Make when Buying or Selling a Home.

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

P.S. Who do you know who’s thinking about selling their home? Please introduce us so that I can make suggestions for how to sell for more