Will the right paint color help sell your Tamaqua home?

It might. And the wrong paint color can certainly make it harder for you to sell.

 

First, look at the exterior. If the paint is in good condition, consider power washing to remove the dust and give it new energy.  If a new coat of paint is called for, consider your choices with three things in mind:

• Will this color appeal to the masses?
• Does this color “fit” the neighborhood?
• Will this color complement the color of my roofing?

Studies show that white is preferred by about 40% of homeowners. It has the added advantage of flexibility, because you can add other colors to the door and to the window and door trim.  The drawback is that white shows dirt more than other colors do, so it may need to be power washed more often.

 

Grays and other neutrals are also fairly safe, while pastels such as peach, and vibrant colors such as purple could make your house stand out like the proverbial “sore thumb” in the wrong neighborhood.

 

If your house is already a neutral color and doesn’t need to be repainted, painting the front door a bright and lively color can add new vibrancy. The color you choose might not appeal to everyone, but since a door is small, buyers won’t dismiss the house based solely on the color of the door.

 

Inside, it’s a good idea to add a fresh coat of paint and to stick to neutrals.

Fortunately, neutral no longer means white or beige. The “New Neutrals” include shades of gray, pale blues, and sage greens. Some decorators recommend using a vibrant color as an accent wall in a room or two, but do so with caution.

 

Unless your potential buyers love the color, it could be a drawback. And, unless they’re planning to buy new furniture, they’ll be looking at the house with an eye toward how their own furnishings will look in your spaces. Earth tones can be a good choice for accents.

 

Whatever you do, resist going wild in every room with a color that may appeal to only a few. You want agents and their buyers referring to your home as the one with the beautiful rock fireplace, the well-appointed gourmet kitchen, or some other appealing feature - not as “the turquoise house” or “the electric purple house.”

 

Yes, buyers can repaint, but many buyers today are looking for a Tamaqua home that is “move-in ready.” Few will want to repaint the entire house before they move in, and those who are willing will likely want a price reduction to cover the time and expense.

 

You may love one of the new colors of the year, but remember you’re not painting for you. You’re painting to give your home the greatest appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers. Stay neutral even if you personally consider it boring.

 

If you’d like to know what colors buyers here in Tamaqua seem to love this year, call me. I’ll be happy to share what I’ve learned.

The Controversy Over Using Scent in Selling a Tamaqua Home

There is no doubt that we are affected by scent. Certain scents take us immediately back in time to places, situations, and people from our far distant past. They produce memories that could be wonderful – or memories we’d rather forget.

 

According to researchers, scents also evoke feelings and emotions even without powerful memories attached. For instance, citrus scent is believed to produce energy and uplift spirits, while the aroma of green tea helps to create harmony.

 

Scent appears to be so influential in determining consumer confidence and buying decisions that the ambient scent industry that has long served professional buildings and retail establishments is now being recommended for use in homes for sale.

 

The idea, of course, is that the right scent will immediately make a potential buyer feel at home and create a desire to own the house. It can even ease a buyer's concern over the price of the house.

 

Some in that industry state that ambient scenting is the most powerful tool in a REALTOR’S® arsenal, and is a requirement for success. They caution, however, that adding scent is not a task for amateurs. Using the wrong scent, wrong combination of scents, or wrong amount of scent will only confuse the buyer. In other words, "You need a professional."

 

Now let’s look at the other side of the question.

No one would argue that bad aromas will send most Tamaqua homebuyers running back out the door. These include the scent of ripe garbage, dirty diapers, dirty cat litter boxes, unwashed laundry, and several other unpleasant things. For some the aroma of cigarette or cigar smoke will be an automatic “No.”

 

No amount of ambient scent or odor-killing sprays will take the place of cleaning.  

 

And what about those potential buyers who suffer from allergies?

I know people with allergies who won’t walk into a house or a retail store if they catch a whiff of artificial scent. They say it’s simply not worth risking a bad headache or other allergic reaction.

 

Should you use natural scent to enhance your Tamaqua home for sale?

Many agents recommend opening the windows and letting fresh air replace the stale air in your home. Others say baking cookies or boiling spices prior to showings is a good idea. Some believe the aroma of fresh brewed coffee says “Welcome – stay a while and look around.”

 

As a seller, you control this decision, so weigh it carefully.

As a buyer, it’s a good idea to be aware of the power of scent in your home buying decision. Do you love the house for its location, its floor plan, and its other features – or is the scent over-riding more practical considerations?

 

As your Tamaqua REALTOR®, I’ll continue to believe that market knowledge, professionalism, and excellent customer service – not the use of scent - are the most powerful tools in my real estate arsenal.

 

Please call when I can help you...

When the Tamaqua home you’re selling is vacant…

If you’ve already relocated, or if you’ve inherited a house, or if you’re choosing to sell rather than find a new tenant for an investment property, your Tamaqua home may be vacant while being offered for sale.

 

While that does make it easier for agents to schedule showings, it also leaves you with some decisions to make.

 

First, depending upon the condition, you may choose to have some work done before putting it on the market. Consult with your agent to decide whether offering it as-is will be more cost-effective than spending the money for new flooring, paint, appliances – or even new windows or roofing.

 

Next, consider staging. In some cases, the cost of staging is far outweighed by the increase in the sales price and the decrease in time on the market. Again, gather some information before making the decision.

Now make some decisions about who will maintain the house. Even without traffic going in and out, it will get dusty, and there are always dead bugs to consider. If it’s a single family home on a lot, there’s also a lawn to maintain and/or paths to shovel.

Please do leave the lights and heat on! If the house is too hot or too cold, potential buyers won’t stay long enough to get a good look, let alone fall in love. And, if there are no lights the house will show poorly, and you’ll limit when it can be shown.

 

In cold climates, winterizing is a wise idea, even if heat is left on. No one needs the trouble and expense of dealing with broken water pipes and the damage that flooding can do. Remember that if the house is heated with fuel oil or propane, you’ll need keep-fill service and someone reliable to keep a path to the fuel tank open for deliveries.

 

Finally, do inform your insurance agent if the house is to be vacant. You’ll pay a slightly higher premium, but that’s far better than having coverage denied if something happens and you didn’t reveal the status.

 

If you’re thinking of listing a now-vacant home in Tamaqua, call me. I’ll be glad to go over the numbers with you so you can make good decisions about repairs and staging. I can also give you the names of maintenance people who have served my clients well in the past.

 

When the Tamaqua home you’re selling is vacant…

If you’ve already relocated, or if you’ve inherited a house, or if you’re choosing to sell rather than find a new tenant for an investment property, your Tamaqua home may be vacant while being offered for sale.

 

While that does make it easier for agents to schedule showings, it also leaves you with some decisions to make.

 

First, depending upon the condition, you may choose to have some work done before putting it on the market. Consult with your agent to decide whether offering it as-is will be more cost-effective than spending the money for new flooring, paint, appliances – or even new windows or roofing.

 

Next, consider staging. In some cases, the cost of staging is far outweighed by the increase in the sales price and the decrease in time on the market. Again, gather some information before making the decision.

Now make some decisions about who will maintain the house. Even without traffic going in and out, it will get dusty, and there are always dead bugs to consider. If it’s a single family home on a lot, there’s also a lawn to maintain and/or paths to shovel.

Please do leave the lights and heat on! If the house is too hot or too cold, potential buyers won’t stay long enough to get a good look, let alone fall in love. And, if there are no lights the house will show poorly, and you’ll limit when it can be shown.

 

In cold climates, winterizing is a wise idea, even if heat is left on. No one needs the trouble and expense of dealing with broken water pipes and the damage that flooding can do. Remember that if the house is heated with fuel oil or propane, you’ll need keep-fill service and someone reliable to keep a path to the fuel tank open for deliveries.

 

Finally, do inform your insurance agent if the house is to be vacant. You’ll pay a slightly higher premium, but that’s far better than having coverage denied if something happens and you didn’t reveal the status.

 

If you’re thinking of listing a now-vacant home in Tamaqua, call me. I’ll be glad to go over the numbers with you so you can make good decisions about repairs and staging. I can also give you the names of maintenance people who have served my clients well in the past.

 

Bringing children along on your Tamaqua home tour – should you or shouldn’t you?

Although the subject has been debated and discussed among both parents and agents, there’s no concrete yes or no answer.

 

The real answer is that old standby: “It depends.”

It depends first upon your situation. If you’re moving to Tamaqua from some other area and don’t know a soul here, you’ll have no choice. If you have family here who would watch the kids, or if you live here and have a regular sitter, then it depends upon other factors.

 

It depends upon your children, their ages, and their temperaments. It depends upon the time of year – whether it’s too hot or too cold out. It depends upon whether you’re going to see two homes – or twelve.

 

Ask yourself these questions:

• Will my child or children follow along with me, keeping their hands to themselves, and pay attention to what we’re seeing?
• Will they be helpful – asking intelligent questions and commenting on things I might not notice?
• Will my child / cjo;drem enjoy going through homes?

Or -

• Will they become bored, tired, and whiny within the first half hour?
• Will they run off into other rooms (or outdoors), get into things, and make it necessary for someone to keep watch on them at all times? 

If your child is a baby or young toddler, will you soon be worn out from carrying him or her while trying to pay attention to the homes you’re seeing? I’ve even seen 5 year old children insist on being carried once they got tired.

 

The bottom line: If your children accompany you as you search for a home, will you be able to give the home search your full attention – or not?

 

When you’re searching for a home in Tamaqua, call me. With children or without, I’ll be glad to guide you to the house that suits your budget and your lifestyle.