Posted by Frank McKnew on February 12, 2020 (16020 Meandering Dr.)

At McKnew Realty Group, it is important we present your home in the best possible light. Although the listing details are most certainly important, most buyers are visual shoppers, making staging and photography vital pieces to the home selling process. Although not mandatory, we highly recommend working with StagingMD to help sell your home quicker.

Staging MD was founded and began in 2016. Andrea Velazquez moved from Boston to SOMD and in doing so, became familiarized with the concept of staging. Using her experience from the New York Institute of Art & Design, she enlisted the help of Brittney Quade and together, created Staging MD. They stage both vacant and occupied homes and are available to schedule a consult at anytime.

Staging helps prepare a property to sell by making it appeal to the highest number of potential buyers. This enables them to visualize the property as their new home as opposed to your old lifestyle. In addition, it better allows buyers to picture how each space can be utilized. If your home has any unique features, staging allows for them to stand out, decreasing the desire/need for renovations. Home staging is NOT meant to deceive buyers by covering flaws or defects in the home. Each piece of furniture is specifically placed to enhance features, not cover them up.

Why should you stage? Statistics show that staged homes receive offers 17% higher and sell 2-3 times faster than non-staged homes. Staging can help give the impression the home has been well-maintained, as well as increase the perceived value. Buyers are left with a lasting impression, giving your home a competitive advantage. Our overall goal is to sell your home at its best price. We trust Staging MD to make it look its best.

Home & Design Feb 12, 2020

Home Improvements to Increase the Value of Your Home- Inside and Out!

Posted by Frank McKnew on December 30, 2019

| Home & Design

Selling and starting fresh may be on your to-do list for 2020. Making some basic adjustments to your home can help increase the value once you’re ready to sell and you can do it without breaking the bank!

Curb appeal goes a long way. The first thing buyers see is the outside of the home. A cluttered, un-kept yard may scare them away. Low-maintenance landscaping can save you money now and add value when you sell. Planting shade trees is a great way to make your home more desirable and cut cooling costs! Shrubs and colorful plants will also add value, but just remember to think low-maintenance. Refreshing the exterior paint can help preserve and protect the siding and the right color can take your home from zero to hero. Looking to splurge? Adding a putting green or water display gives value and a great first impression.

To avoid wasting time and money, spend an hour with your realtor and walk through the home. Small suggested improvements can go a long way. Much like the exterior of the home, the entrance is part of the buyer’s first impression. Replace the old front door with a new wood frame or paint with a pop of color to make your house stand out! Fresh interior paint is the cheapest and easiest way to spruce it up. Neutral colors are more pleasing to the eye and help buyers imagine the home as their own. Still rockin’ popcorn ceilings and dated wallpaper? Ditch em! This small adjustment can change the appearance of a room drastically.

Make your home seem larger by lightening it up! Replace heavy drapes with light colored blinds or shutters and install a mirror to visually double the space. Replacing worn carpet/rugs will help refresh the space even further. Too much stuff, not enough storage? Built-in shelving is a great way to condense and stay organized. Not enough natural light? Work with an electrician to install recessed lighting and energy efficient fixtures to bring your home back to life! 

Small improvements in the bathroom can help and at a low cost, too. Upgrading the plumbing and tile floors are just a few things you can do. If the home only has 1 or 2 bathrooms, add a dual sink in one to help accommodate larger families. Renovating in the kitchen isn’t always as easy. Many top dollar renovations are largely due to kitchen upgrades. Larger more open kitchens are what everybody wants right now. Knock down a wall or two to make it a more family-oriented area. Upgrade the appliances to energy-efficient stainless steel, the counter tops to granite and give the cabinets a makeover to help increase value even more! 

Although realtors are knowledgeable in the housing market, they aren’t licensed inspectors. Hiring one can help address concern with termite infestation, deteriorating roofs/foundation, outdated electrical systems and more. Doing so will put you ahead of the game come time to sell the home. Buyer’s typically request a home inspection be done prior to settlement. Addressing any problems right away can save you money, as deferring repairs can make them more expensive.