denvernc – Maranda Christensen | NC Realtor®/Broker | Tailored Real Estate – eXp Realty

5 Reasons Your Home May Not Sell

September 20, 2021Leave a comment

1. LOCATION

Over history it has been said the three things to look for in buying a property are 1. Location, 2. Location and 3. Location. And there are positive and negative factors to almost every location.

No matter where your property may be located, there is a ready, willing and able buyer in the marketplace. You just have to be creative and sell the benefits.

2. CONDITION

Making a good first impression is important in getting a property sold. Painting the front door and trim, making sure the doorbell works, putting furniture and clothing in storage and cleaning off counter tops are just a few of the little things I suggest to my clients to make properties more marketable. I spend the extra time necessary with every client to assure all the little details are taken care of. It’s that attention to detail that sets me apart and enables me to get properties sold.

3. PRICE

How soon you want to sell has a direct relationship to the price you receive for your property. A very important statistic to look at when pricing your property is the average sales price to list price percentage. This gives you a realistic guideline of what is really happening in the marketplace.

For an honest price analysis of your property, call me and I will share with you the price I expect you to receive in today’s real estate market.

4. TERMS

terms in a agreement to purchase or sell a home

Are you flexible about possession dates? Many times, serious buyers that are relocating to an area only look at those properties that offer immediate possession. Are you willing to assist the buyer with financing? Sometimes a seller who is willing to assist with financing will help a property to sell. Are you buying another property? If you are willing to consider trading part or all of your equity for another property, that makes your property more attractive in the marketplace.

5. THE AGENT AND COMPANY YOU CHOOSE

I pride myself on selling properties that other agents can’t sell. I understand the frustrations involved when sellers are not able to accomplish their real estate objectives.

If you are serious about selling and not just listing your property, call me today. I will give you an honest evaluation of what it is going to take to get your property sold. I will share with you my proven marketing systems that have enabled me to help so many sellers accomplish their real estate objectives.

FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR HOUSE IS WORTH IN TODAY’S MARKET.

If you’re going to sell your house in the next 6-12 months, what you do right now to prepare for the sale could make a difference of thousands of dollars.

The first thing you’ll need to know is how much your house is worth compared to other homes in today’s market. It’s easy to find out.

Now you can get a FREE list of homes for sale and sold in your neighborhood in the last 12 months so you have a good idea of what homes like yours are selling for in your neighborhood.

To get the most current Neighborhood Activity Report for your area just call or text today and we’ll send it out right away.

Maranda Christensen

Tailored Real Estate – eXp Realty

Broker/REALTOR®

704-951-4017

Let’s Get Social!

Average Sales Price up 20.6% from September 2020 in the Lake Norman NC Area. What's driving this increase in sales price?! The low inventory and high demand. There are only 297 homes for sale in LKN (including new construction). That's a whopping 1.2 months worth of supply.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I was born in the 80's -- So naturally I had to throwback to 1980's home décor! Love or Hate?! #TBT #throwbackthursday #therealestatepanda #thursdayvibes #realtorlife

I was watching "America's Got Talent" the other day and one of the contestants was trying out for, I believe his 5th time. Time and time again he was boo'd off stage. But because he never gave up, because he kept trying, he did not fail. He was accepted to move forward this time.

👉👉👉How can you know what the market is like if you don't keep up with it at least monthly? See how it's trending, is it still in a quick climb, or has it stabilized a bit?

Head over to my site for DIYs, Staging tips, Fyi's on all things real estate and more.

A Mortgage Preapproval is a letter from a lender indicating that they've reviewed your credit/debt and have preapproved you based on these facts. It shows that you are a serious buyer with the ability to purchase.

Weekly Market Snapshot: Resale Single Family Residence in the Lake Norman area and Denver NC specifically.

WHY YOU SHOULD INVEST IN A RENTAL PROPERTY

September 1, 2021September 1, 2021Leave a comment

Investing in real estate can be a great alternative to traditional investments and many owners choose to rent out their property. Here are some of the top benefits for getting into this line of business!

Increase over time. Money being put towards real estate investments has increased substantially over the past few years. This is due to an influx in demand of rental properties and an increase in rental rates. These continue to trend upwards, meaning your property’s value will continue to increase as well.

Security. Unlike investing in stocks, your investment growth is a lot steadier with a very minimal chance that you can lose it all overnight. Generally, experts can predict when the market will start to dip in advance, and you can adjust accordingly.

Create passive income. Investing in a rental property (or four!) can make you money while you sleep and the rent you collect can cover or exceed your mortgage payment and other expenses, allowing you to bring in extra cash flow.

Tax breaks. As a real estate investor, you can take advantage of several tax exemptions. Rental income is not subject to self-employment tax and government provides tax breaks on insurance, repairs, legal fees, and property taxes.

Inflation. Although normally a bad thing, people who own rental properties actually benefit from inflation because, as the cost of living increases, so does your income.

Flexibility to sell. Renting out a home allows the homeowner the opportunity to be selective about when and if they sell while the home is still appreciating. Once the market is in the right place and the lease is up, they can pull the trigger.

Curious of opportunities in your area or what to look for when considering a property to hold as an investment? Schedule a call with me using my calendar below. Or you are welcome to text, call, or email me at anytime. Contact me here

Maranda.Christensen@exprealty.com

704-951-4017

647 N NC 16 Business Highway

Denver, NC 28037

Upsizing Your Home: Read this first

August 26, 2021Leave a comment

Before taking the plunge to go bigger, take a moment to ask yourself these important questions.

First of all, why are you considering an upsize?
- What is it that your current home isn’t fulfilling for you? Know what this is, so that you can weigh the option of updating your current property or if it’s time to move on. Also look into the bigger picture, like the kind of community you want to live in, the school district, commute to work, and your lifestyle.

Think realistically: What are you future goals?
- How long do you plan to stay in the home? How might your needs change?
  - Will your family size change? Do you dream of having a certain animals? etc.
  - Buy a home that fits with your lifestyle and goals. As your local Lake Norman Realtor®, I can help you find a home that’s as unique as you are. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me to talk about your goals, plans, and expectations.

What can you afford, what do you WANT to afford?
- There is a difference in what you CAN afford (are qualified for) and what you WANT to afford (the lifestyle you want to live).
  - Take a moment to reflect on your current lifestyle and budget. Buying a bigger home, could mean more financial responsibility. (maintenance costs, mortgage, insurance, etc.)
  - Do you have hobbies, vacations, charities, or other things you enjoy doing that you may have to push aside if your home costs increase? If so, is it worth it? After all, life is about making memories and having life experiences. (in my opinion)
- Know that you can afford to move up and still maintain your lifestyle. 🙂

How will you use the extra space?
- Don’t let your money go to waste. Yes, that home may have more square footage than your current home. But does that mean it’s usable space for your needs?
  - Do you really need more bedrooms? What will you do with them? Do you have a vision for the “bonus room,” or will it end up as empty space? When you think of a bigger home/yard, envision what that means for you and how you’ll use the space.

Should you buy first, or sell first?
- I recommend you sell your home before purchasing a new one. However, in some situations it may make sense for you to buy before you sell. If this is the case, do your best to:
  - Know what your home will likely sell for, think realistically and count on the low end of the range to be safe.
  - Get a 90 day closing on your home purchase to allow you more time to sell and avoid the stress of being in a time crunch.
  - List your home as soon as the due diligence is over for your new home purchase.

Know your options, should you choose to sell your home before you buy a new one:
- I’m sure you’ve heard, it’s a HOT seller’s market right now. This means that sellers have the upper hand. Here are some options to keep in mind allowing you time to find a new home:
  - Request a seller lease-back from the buyer. It’s important you discuss this with the buyer(s) before accepting an offer. You and the buyers can negotiate the terms of the lease back (amount of time, compensation, utilities, etc.) This allows you as the seller more time to procure a new home.
  - You may also ask for a longer closing period to give you more time to get into a new home. I would suggest waiting until due diligence is over to make an offer on another home. The reason for this is:
    - 1. It allows you to give a stronger offer (showing you have a serious offer on your home, past the due diligence period and highly likely to close).
    - 2. Gives you more peace of mind that the buyer has done their due diligence and are moving forward with the purchase. Of course, in certain circumstances the buyer can still back out of the contract after due diligence, but this doesn’t usually happen. If it does, the buyer would likely be forfeiting their earnest money deposit.

In conclusion

Know your why, your motivation for a bigger home. Is it necessary to move to fulfill your desire? Know what lifestyle you want to live, can you afford (preapproved from your lender) the upsize and maintain this lifestyle? Envision yourself in this bigger home, do you have a vision for the extra space? Or do you simply just “feel” like more space would be better? Knowing your why, will help you envision how you want your home to be. If you’ve decided that it’s time to upsize, make a game plan. Are you going to sell first, or buy first?

Reach out to me to discuss your goals, strategies, and options to get you where you want to be. 🙂 You can schedule time on my calendar here. Or feel free to call, text, or email me at anytime.

(704)951-4017 or Maranda.Christensen@exprealty.com

Let’s Get Social

HAPPIER HARDWOOD FLOORS

August 14, 2021August 9, 2021Leave a comment

Tips for cleaning your beautiful hardwood floors and keeping them looking great.

Hardwood floors make for a beautiful, stunning addition to your home. However, they can bring new cleaning and maintenance challenges that aren’t present with carpet. Here are some tips for simple, efficient, and thorough hardwood floor cleaning.

Make the job easier
Place mats on either side of your exterior doors and always remove your shoes before entering your home—and make sure your guests do the same. Protect the floors by placing felt (or similar) protectors on the feet of your furniture, and use area rugs to designate play areas for the kids. This will reduce extra dirt, dust, and floor scratches.

Weekly cleaning
Sweeping with a standard broom will remove some dirt and dust, but not as much as a mop, wipe, or broom that’s been treated with a dusting agent such as a Swiffer. You could also invest in a vacuum that is designed for hardwood floors. Just be sure that the vacuum won’t leave scratches!

Deeper cleaning
Regular sweeping will remove most dirt and dust, but occasionally you’ll need to give the floors a deeper cleaning to remove the dirt and grime that builds up in your floors’ seams. Use a wood-cleaning soap to thoroughly mop your floors, but make sure the mop isn’t sopping wet—you don’t want to leave standing water.

Spots and scuffs
Most of the marks that occasionally show up on your floors, such as scuffs from rubber soles on boots and shoes—can be wiped away with a rag or very fine steel wool.

Looking for a professional to help get those hardwoods refinished and looking new? Reach out to me, I’ve got a couple of great connections on standby. Text or call me at 704-951-4017 or schedule a time to talk below. 🙂

Let’s get social!

A LITTLE EXTRA PREPARATION AND INGENUITY GOES A LONG WAY TOWARD A BETTER PAINT JOB

August 12, 2021August 9, 2021Leave a comment

Painting is one of the most inexpensive ways to give your home a makeover. Whether it’s updating an old bathroom paint scheme or adding a bold accent wall, painting can totally transform a room. But painting can be a big hassle and come with tons of prep work and clean up. Here are a few of Breakthrough Broker’s top tips to make your painting experience more enjoyable and lead to a more professional finish.

Prep beyond tape and drop cloths
A drop cloth will protect your floors, but a thick and durable drop cloth is also a little clumsy to maneuver. For smaller, awkward items that are in danger of paint splatter, use plastic wrap. It’ll make it much less frustrating to protect a toilet or bathroom sink.

Be ready for spills and splatters
At the very least, a few drops of paint are going to end up where you don’t want them. Have a rag and some Q-Tips ready for the inevitable paint splatter, so that you can quickly wipe them off before they dry and set on your frames, countertops, or hardwood floor.

Use heat to remove tape Patience is key when removing painter’s tape, but it can still tear and leave splotchy edges no matter how careful you are. Hold a heat gun or hair dryer a few inches away from the tape as your remove it little by little. The heat will break down the adhesive and make removing the tape a much less frustrating task.

Let’s Get Social!

NEW HOMEOWNER? AVOID THESE LAWN CARE MISTAKES

August 10, 2021August 9, 2021Leave a comment

It’s easy to take a few missteps when it comes to lawn care, especially if you’re a new homeowner and it’s your first time being solely responsible for your yard and landscaping. Here are a few tips that will help you avoid lawn-related frustrations.

Cutting the grass short. Lowering the height of your mower blades may give you a few extra days between each mowing, but it’s bad for your grass in the long run. Don’t go any shorter than 2.5 inches, or your grass could be starved for sunlight.

Watch where your dog urinates. Finally out of an apartment and ready to let the dog into the back yard when it’s time to go? You might regret it. Your pets’ urine can kill your plants and grass. Try to train your dog to go in one spot, preferably in stone or gravel.

Be careful with fertilizer. Fertilizing your lawn isn’t as simple as picking up any bag at a local store. Choosing the wrong fertilizer, using too much, or ignoring the instructions is a recipe for disaster. Do plenty of research or ask a professional if you need help choosing.

Give your plants room to breathe. The nutrients in soil are a finite resource, and your plants and shrubs also need their fair share of water and sunlight. If you plant your shrubs, trees, and flowers too close together, they’ll have to compete for those resources and may become malnourished. Pay attention to the planting recommendations for each plant to make sure that they have the proper space to thrive.

Find me on Social Media for more tips, diy’s, and more!

WHAT TO PACK IN A NATURAL DISASTER

August 5, 2021July 27, 2021Leave a comment

In the event of a natural disaster, you have to be ready to flee at a moment’s notice, leaving you very little time to decide what to take. To help you prepare for an evacuation situation from a wildfire, tornado, hurricane, and more, here are 5 things to consider packing.

Special Mementos. Is there a locket handed down from generation to generation that you keep in your jewelry box? Or a sweet note from a loved one tucked away in the closet? Although you can’t take every special keepsake with you, make sure you grab the ones closest to your heart.

Important Documents. Bring identification documents for each member of your family, such as passports, birth certificates, social security cards, etc. You should also pack a copy of health insurance for each person.

Cash. Although it is rare for most people to carry cash on them these days, in the event of a natural disaster it is necessary. In most cases, there is likely to be a power outage in the area, rendering ATM machines and most registers unusable.

First Aid Kit and Medications. Create a first aid kit consisting of band aids, pain killers, gauze, cleansing towelettes, and gloves. Also, don’t forget to grab any medication your family members are required to take and the prescription script if available in case you need refills.

* Food and Water.*Pack non-perishable food items like granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit. Make sure to stock enough water for everyone in your family to at least have 1 gallon a day.

TIPS FOR HIRING A MOVING COMPANY

July 31, 2021July 27, 2021Leave a comment

The process of moving can seem daunting, but with a little help from a reliable moving company, a lot of stress can be relieved. Here are some tips to make sure your belongings are in safe hands.

Get references from friends and family. You should always do you research thoroughly, reading review sites and local articles and blogs, however, nothing is stronger than a good recommendation from a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor.

Require them to take inventory and do a walkthrough. A strong, reputable moving company will take steps to evaluate the job ahead of time, including taking inventory of your belonging that need to be moved and doing a walkthrough to note stairways, doorways, etc.

Understand the contract you’re signing. A contract with your moving company should include the following: description and scope of services, pricing (fixed rate vs. hourly rate), date(s) of pickup, date(s) of delivery, liability and claims protection, and any additional charges.

Double check the company’s insurance and amount of protection. There are several levels of liability moving companies offer, but the most common are full value protection on items, requiring them to either repair, replace, or provide cash value for items that are lost or damaged in the move, and alternative liability coverage that requires them to be liable for up to 60 cents per pound of the item in question.

Unpack in a timely matter and report problems. Depending on your contract, you have a limited time to report any issues to the company and file a claim, so make sure to unpack and evaluate your belongings before that deadline passes.

Reach out to me for recommendations on movers or other home professionals. View my calendar below to schedule at a time that works for you. Or simply give me a call/text at 704-951-4017.

Let’s Get Social

WHICH FEATURES ARE YOUNG BUYERS LOOKING FOR IN A HOME?

July 29, 2021July 27, 2021Leave a comment

Millennials are the second-largest segment of home buyers, ranking behind only baby boomers, according to the National Association of Realtors. Here are five features that tend to entice millennials who are looking to buy.

An up-to-date kitchen and bath
Younger buyers often have limited funds for renovations, so it’s important that they have functional and inviting bathroom and kitchen spaces from the very start.

An open floor plan
Having a formal dining room isn’t of particular importance to millennials, in fact, many prefer open spaces with no separation between kitchen, living room, and dining room. An open concept makes it easier to entertain everyone at once.

An office
More and more jobs are offering work-from-home options, and there are also plenty of freelancers and telecommuters among millennials. A dedicated space for getting some work done can be a key attraction.

Friendly location
With gas prices rising, many millennials prefer walking, biking, or public transit for their commutes. A great location is key.

Energy savings
Millennials are often more conscious of energy conservation and efficiency. Energy-efficient appliances, energy-efficient windows, and quality insulation can make a huge difference.

Contact me here

Let’s Get Social!

FIVE NEGOTIATING TACTICS THAT CAN KILL A SALE

July 27, 2021Leave a comment

Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid:

1. Lowball offers: Going far below market value when you make an offer damages your credibility as a buyer and can be insulting to the seller. The seller has a range in mind that they’ll accept, and if you’re not even approaching the low end of that range, they won’t even consider the offer.

2. Incremental negotiations: Don’t continue to go back to the seller with small increases in your offer ($1,000 or less). The constant back-and-forth can grow tiresome and lead the seller to consider other opportunities.

3. “Take it or leave it”: Try not to draw a line in the sand with your initial offer. The seller can get defensive and consider other offers if you immediately show that you’re unwilling to budge. Even if it’s true, don’t make a show of it.

4. Nitpicking after inspection: Obviously if inspection reveals a major issue, it should be factored into the final sale price. But insisting on a lower price for every minor repair can put negotiations in a stalemate.

5. Asking for more, more, more: Some buyers will request that the sellers throw in add-ons like furniture or appliances that weren’t included in the listing. Try to avoid giving the seller a reason to build up resentment and think that you’re being greedy.

For more advice and tips, feel free to reach out at anytime! It’s my goal to go above and beyond for my clients! My advice is always free. Reach out to me here.