McKinney TX Real Estate

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Best Bang for Your Buck Updating Projects

Attention Sellers! With the large amount of inventory on the market, I'm sure your agent has given you many tips on how to increase your chances of selling your home quickly and for the best price. More importantly, maybe they've told you to "update your home". Great. They've told you things like - paint your home, put in new carpet, organize, de-clutter. While these are excellent tips, I think SPECIFIC tips would be more helpful.

I hate to see a seller spend a lot of money on new carpet or paint, only to see them choose a hideous paint color and cheap plush carpet in an unappealing color. Here's a list of some specific action items that you can do to attract the most buyers to your home. Think of it as, "Updating to Sell Your DFW Home For Dummies". Why just DFW? I've been to a LOT of Model Homes in the DFW Metroplex. A LOT! These specific updates are found in every model home I've seen. Perhaps this list can pertain to many other markets as well...but you can bet buyers in DFW want to see these things:

Best "Bang for Your Buck" Updating Projects
1. REMOVE YOUR WALLPAPER! ALL Wallpaper is dated.
2. NEUTRAL PAINT - USE WARM BEIGE COLORS! Choose warm cozy colors over white. Have a painting party and GET IT DONE!
3. REPLACE CARPET - CHOOSE "FRIEZE" CARPET OVER PLUSH. It's not much more expensive, but make a big impression on buyers! Ahhh...new carpet smell!
4. GRANITE COUNTERTOPS IN THE KITCHEN. Always a showstopper! This option is pricy for entry-level markets, but a must for $300K+
5. REPLACE BRASS FIXTURES - LIGHT, PLUMBING- WITH "OIL-RUBBED BRONZE" OR SATIN NICKEL. That's right, take down those "Hollywood light" strips in the bathrooms!
6. IF REMOVING WALLPAPER, SKIP TROWEL THE WALLS FOR AN UPDATED TEXTURE. So inexpensive, yet so chic! Your friendly Home Depot or Lowes representative will be happy to teach you how!Don't believe me? Visit any model home and take notes of what colors, fixtures, styles are popular. These are the most neutral, popular choices for buyers today. Or, better yet, open a Pottery Barn catalog...try to imitate the styles there with furniture you have.

Other tips for SERIOUS Sellers:
1. Get a PRE-LISTING INSPECTION! Think of it as selling your home as a "certified pre-owned" home. You'll ease buyers fears and not have any surprises yourself when the buyers get the home inspected! Complete any needed repairs before going live on the market.
2. Invest in a few hours with A PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGER! Their job is to use what you have to help your home show at it's absolute BEST! There are TONS of great ones here in the metroplex! Let me refer you to one!
3. Don't have the time to do a great cleaning of your home each week? Then HIRING A HOUSEKEEPER to come frequently while your house is on the market could be money very well spent! Selling a house can be stressful enough. Hiring an extra pair of hands can be a lifesiver to those of you with full time jobs, kids or just a very busy household! And, with it looking so sparkly clean, it could very well mean LESS time spent on the market.

Are you looking to sell your home? Do you need a Collin County Realtor? Contact the Barron-Daugherty Team at d + b real estate for exceptional service - before, during and AFTER the transaction!
"Real Family. Real Estate."

The "Pottery Barn" Test

When working with a new seller, one of the most important things we can educate them about is the importance of preparing their home for showings. Educating them that how we live is not how we live when we are selling. Then telling them what changes need to be made prior to listing the home. What updates need to be made.
What happens if you are a seller, and you just don't know if you need to update your curtains? Your kitchen? Your furniture? Your paint? Maybe it's been a while since you've decorated your home and you are not sure if your style is still relevant.
We came up with a pretty good idea that proves to be an easy and quick test. If Mr or Mrs Seller isn't sure about the state of their home's decor, we kindly refer them to a Pottery Barn Catalog. I would say, if you don't find that style of _________ (window treatments, furniture, etc) or color palette in the catalog, then there's a good chance it would not appeal to today's buyer. If you don't have a Pottery Barn Catalog, then go to your nearest Model Home.
Of course we know that buyer's tastes come in all shapes, sizes and colors. But what we are trying to do is have the home appeal to as many buyers as possible. Buyers want what is popular NOW. With the large amount of inventory that is available, if you aren't willing to update the home, then the seller down the street is.
And what house do you think will sell first? The one that the buyers will have to spend a weekend painting or installing new light fixtures? Or the one that is move-in ready that they can impress their friends with?

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

About Us

There’s an old saying that two heads are better than one. But who ever thought you could put that wisdom to use when buying or selling real estate? Now you can, with Laura Barron and Kim Daugherty – d + b real estate sister REALTOR® team. With a synergistic working style that produces results, Kim and Laura are committed to helping you find your dream home anywhere in DFW.

Longtime residents of North Texas, Laura and Kim bring a wealth of valuable skills and abilities to the table for their clients. Kim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Texas A&M, and has experience in New Home Sales.

Laura has an extensive Customer Service background and puts that experience to work for all of their clients. Together, they were part of The Kraft Team as Buyer’s Agents. By focusing on buyers, Laura and Kim have learned exactly what buyers are looking for in today’s market. Building upon that success, Laura and Kim have built a partnership like no other.

By working together as your agents, Laura and Kim will complement each other’s expertise, multiply each other’s time and provide you with the exceptional service, professional knowledge, and most complete representation necessary to help you achieve your goal of buying or selling real estate in North Texas.