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4 Ways Sellers Can Improve the Value of Triangle Homes

FFR- Jan 19 Pic- Stuart MilesThe busy spring season of buying and selling homes in Raleigh and throughout the Triangle is almost upon us. In order for Triangle home sellers to get the most value out of selling their local homes, Flat Fee Realty wants sellers to focus on the tried and true ways to improve area homes.

While each home for sale in the Triangle is a little bit different, homeowners have consistently found these strategies to be simple yet effective ways to truly improve the value of almost any Triangle home before it goes on the market.

Here are the four most important lower-cost improvements that Flat Fee Realty has seen homeowners make; they can often have a high return on investment:

  • New front door: First impressions are everything, and the entry way of the home, for potential buyers, is the first differentiator they see. Adding a new steel front door has topped the National Association of REALTORS Cost vs. Value report. Homeowners often recoup almost 100% of the cost of this improvement. 
  • Adding backup power: In the same report, installing a backup power generator brings back almost 70% of its cost, and is trending upwards in value. Here in North Carolina, this could be an excellent selling point with our bad weather often associated with ice storms and hurricanes.
  • New fixtures: It’s an easy replacement strategy. Old fixtures (such as brass or gold) are a turnoff for many buyers. Changing them out with popular styles can appeal to Triangle home buyers. 
  • Adding square footage: Although this one is more optional than a requirement, any added living space without increasing a home’s footprint (such as finishing a basement, creating an attic bedroom, or adding a rear deck addition) brings high average returns.

All of these improvements will appeal to the widest range of Triangle homebuyers and put more money into a seller’s pocket. Another great way for Triangle homeowners and homebuyers to save money is using Flat Fee Realty. Learn more about Flat Fee Realty today and how it is the best way for Triangle homeowners to list their home. Visit our website or call us toll-free at 888-646-9488 to begin saving on selling homes in the Triangle.

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Photo: Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos

This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

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Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

What is the Difference between a Buyer’s and a Seller’s Agent

ambro couple (2)An important question often asked by Triangle home buyers or Triangle home sellers is: ‘What is the difference between a buyer’s agent and a seller’s agent?’

Knowing the difference between the two is not only important to selling or buying a Triangle house, but it could potentially save you thousands of dollars in the Triangle real estate market. Often both types of agents are highly involved in the selling of a home in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex and the surrounding area and it is important that any potential Triangle homebuyer or seller have knowledge of the roles each type of agent play in the real estate market. Flat Fee Realty explains the differences.

A seller’s agent, or a ‘listing agent,’ handles the following aspects of selling a Triangle home:

  • Represents the buyer: First and foremost, they are the Triangle home seller’s representative. This means they are trying to get the best price and terms for the seller, and not the buyer.
  • Acts as a guide to prepare the home for sale. They usually make selling suggestions and help stage, photograph and show the house to potential Triangle area home buyers.
  • Shares home buyer information: Finally, a listing agent has the legal obligation to share with the seller any information that they find important about the potential buyers.

The buyer’s agent is responsible for representing the following aspects of the home selling process:

  • Understands the market place and the comps in the area and local neighborhoods: Ability to help get accurate inspections set up for the home that is chosen. Inspections can catch issues and repairs that could potentially cost thousands of dollars in the future.
  • Protects the buyer. A professional set of eyes and ears are needed to look out for the buyer. Buying a home is a major purchase and something people do quite rarely in their lives. A buyer’s agent will make sure all of the contract language and promises made by Triangle home builders are followed through and in the best interests of the Triangle home buyer.

Both the buyer and seller agents are frequent partners in the Triangle home buying process. Residents looking for change as we head more deeply into 2016 need to know that Flat Fee Realty saves both time and money. Cost effective commission fees are the norm and the level of professionalism is what is expected in this very popular marketplace. Call us at the phone number below or work with Flat Fee Realty today by visiting our website.

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This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Ambro, FreeDigital Photos.net

 

 

4 Reasons Why 2016 is the Year to Buy a Triangle Home

home search, hywards, freedigitalphotos.netMany home buyers in the Triangle have been waiting patiently! They have been slowly saving their money; preparing, learning, and trying to decide when is the right time to buy a new home. This is the year! Triangle real estate professionals have repeatedly predicted that 2016 will be one of the best years for home buyers in Raleigh and the region.

Local real estate professionals consider many factors before determining how the real estate market will be in the future. Here is why 2016 will be a record year in central North Carolina.

Flat Fee Realty believes in the following key factors that we think will make 2016 a great year for Triangle and Raleigh buyers and sellers alike:

  • ​More houses will be on the market: One important local real estate trend in 2015 was the selling of homes that had positive home equity. This created a seller-friendly real estate market. It also, at times, increased the likelihood of a multiple buyers for one property which in turn solidified the asking price. More homes will be available in 2016.
  • Mortgage rates might increase in the coming year: While current mortgage rates are still some of the lowest in history, it is expected that the rates will likely rise. While it will still be possible to have historically affordable mortgage rates, buyers will be looking soon for a home.
  • Average rent rates are on the rise: Over the past several years, the average rent has risen for apartments, town homes, and rental homes all across the Triangle area and nation. With those rising rates, it is becoming more and more apparent that the best financial choice for many people in the Triangle is buying a home. 
  • The availability of online tools: The access of information that the average Triangle home buyer has today is incredible, both in volume and accuracy. Buyers and sellers are more informed than ever. One such tool offered is our own from Flat Fee Realty, an online MLS listing service that enables home buyer and home sellers to bypass the expensive fees of realtors.

In 2016, buying or selling a home in the Triangle area has never been more defined as a process. Call us at  Flat Fee Realty! With value-based fees, easy to use interface, and a service track record of success when it comes to buying and selling houses; Flat Fee Realty is the smart choice for home buyers and sellers. 

Visit our website to get started today.
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This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Hywards, freedigitalphotos.net


 

 

 

3 Big Mistakes When Selling a Home in the Triangle

FFR Website PhotoThe average home owner usually will move every 13 years. That is a long time to live in one place and a big chunk of a life experiences as well. At Flat Fee Realty in the Triangle, we understand completely that a house is likely filled with an uncountable number of family moments and accomplishments. All of these factors combine to create a great deal of attachment, sentiments and memories, all of which can make selling a home an emotional time. 

It can be tough for local homeowners to make the decision to sell what has long been home. It is usually the right decision, especially in this 2016 seller’s market. Due to the fact that homeowners are very attached to their homes, they often can make big mistakes when selling.

Our Flat Fee Agents want the following three selling mistakes avoided:

  • Not taking care of the details: When potential house buyers are viewing Triangle area homes, they often see a home that is cluttered or disorganized. If the seller’s home is not neat and trim and things are out of place, potential buyers can only think what else might be wrong. Take the time to pretend to be a buyer and take a honest and frank walkthrough of the house looking for any reason not to buy; even better, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to review the home from every perspective as well.
  • Listing at an unrealistic price: The reason pricing is so important is it has been proven that properties that are overpriced, when first on the market, tend to close at a lower pricethan they would have if it had been even with all the comps in the neighborhood. We suggest that our agents get involved to help price the home correctly; Contact us at Flat Fee Realty to get the right listing for your property here in the Triangle.
  • Getting too emotional or easily offended: Don’t get upset if a potential buyer isn’t the biggest fan of a dark blue dining room color or if a potential buyer offers an unrealistic price that is not even close to asking. Instead, remember that everyone will not like everything. The goal as a seller is to be flexible enough so that the buyer will consider the overall value presented.

Selling a house in the Triangle is quite a big deal for everyone involved and it is indeed stressful. It is one of the biggest transactions that an individual will ever experience. Flat Fee Realty can help minimize mistakes when selling a local home. If this is the year to sell your home, contact the Flat Fee Realty team today! We make the difference!

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This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Flat Fee Realty

 


 

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