Home Seller Resource Archives - Raleigh Real Estate Blog

June 23, 2020June 19, 2020

Does Your Home Have These Coveted Homeowner Wish List Features?

Since the start of the ongoing health crisis earlier this year, more people have been spending more time at home. And additional time at home has led more than a few owners and renters to realize that their homes might be missing a few amenities they’d like to have. How does your home compare? If it already has some of these homeowner wish list items, it might actually be worth more than homes without!

These Homeowner Wish List Amenities Make Homes More Appealing

a beautiful home for sale in the triangle

Getting a home sold quickly and for top dollar is all about appealing to buyers. And if your home has a few of the following features, it might actually be in greater demand than you realize! Here are some features buyers are actively looking for in homes.

More space

Unsurprisingly, time spent at home has led buyers to desire more space. That includes more closets and storage, larger or more open rooms, and more flex spaces.

More natural light

Spending more time at home, especially during inclement weather, likely means spending more time inside, too. Homes without a lot of natural lighting can seem dreary or dark, so it’s understandable that buyers would seek out homes with ample sunlight.

A home gym

Closures and social distancing measures shuttered the majority of fitness centers and studios, at least temporarily, nationwide. That, coupled with the convenience of working out at home, has made the home workout space a highly appealing home feature.

An updated kitchen

With restaurants closed, many took to their kitchens to don a chef’s hat and try out new recipes. This new appreciation for cooking and baking has led many to the conclusion that their kitchen leaves a lot to be desired. In-demand kitchen features include solid-surface countertops, ample storage and surface space, and updated appliances.

More outdoor space

Spending time at home is easier when you have a great backyard or deck to enjoy, especially in North Carolina’s beautiful weather! So it’s no surprise that buyers and owners name good outdoor space at the top of their wishlists.

Homeowners’ Favorite Features

The above are features owners most wished their homes had, but what about the features they already have? What is really the most important for owners and buyers?

A quiet neighborhood

Most buyers are looking for a nice, quiet neighborhood or property they can come home to, a place where they can relax and enjoy some quality time with friends and family.

Owners also stated that having a deck or outdoor space was highly valuable in a home.

Ideal location

The location of a home is almost as important—if not more important—as the home itself to many buyers. Proximity to conveniences, work, and schools are all major factors to the majority of buyers.

Modern home features

Inside the home, buyers are looking for modern innovation and design. That includes the kitchen, the bathroom, and the overall layout of the home. New appliances and hardware, energy efficiency, natural lighting, and even smart home technology are all coveted updates.

Thinking of Making a Move in the Triangle?

Whether your home has all of these salable features and you want to sell for a profit, or you’re looking to upgrade your current home for one with some of these wishlist items, Linda Craft & Team is here to help! Contact us today at 919-235-0007 to find out more about how we can put our 350+ years of combined real estate experience to work for you.

May 20, 2020May 28, 2020

Listing Your Home Now Could Mean Selling for More

There may be a global health crisis changing up the way we do everything from business meetings to dining out, but one thing hasn’t changed too much—home prices. A recent study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that most sellers are holding steady on price, which ultimately means that listing your home now could actually be a very profitable option.

Listing Your Home Now Doesn’t Mean Cutting Price

Before the pandemic struck, the Raleigh market was experiencing an inventory shortage—that is, there were more buyers than homes for sale. This is referred to as a sellers market, because the conditions are ideal for home sellers.

Now, we’re still definitely in a sellers market, which means you might not have to bend much on price. Here’s why.

Inventory has sunk even lower

inventory of homes for sale in the Triangle

Thanks to the social distancing measures in effect throughout the Raleigh area, fewer and fewer sellers are listing, further reducing the available inventory of homes for sale. For you as a seller, this means even less competition. You might find yourself with the only available home in your price range in your location—so hunting buyers likely won’t have a lot of choices. List now, and get the jump on neighbors who are waiting to list until the market picks up more.

Buyers are serious

During typical hot real estate seasons, there are a lot of would-be buyers dropping by open houses, browsing online listings, and requesting home tours—even if they don’t have an agent or haven’t even spoken to a lender. While buyer traffic is always good, buyers who aren’t serious or qualified can be more work than they’re worth if they fail to procure a loan.

On the other hand, buyers who are out searching during a pandemic are probably pretty serious about buying. They’re more likely to be working with an agent, talking to lenders, and already prequalified for a loan. These buyers are likely moving for a specific reason and are motivated to make a deal and close on a timeline.

Thinking of Listing Your Home in the Triangle?

Have you been considering selling your Triangle-area home? Are you concerned with how the current health crisis might have affected your real estate goals? Linda Craft & Team would love to help clear up any questions or concerns! Please contact us at 919-235-0007 to learn more about how we can put our decades of Triangle real estate experience to work for you.

February 28, 2020February 24, 2020

The #1 Reason to List Your Home Right Now

Real estate is all about timing. If you want to make a good profit when you list your home, it benefits you to time your sale for when there’s a lot of buyer interest—and there are not a lot of competing sellers. And right now is actually that perfect time.

High Demand + Low Supply = The Perfect Time to List Your Home

Seller success is all about supply and demand. That means you have to look at how many buyers are searching in your area (demand) versus how many houses are available to buy (supply). If there are a lot of buyers but not a lot of sellers, there’s going to be a lot of competition amongst buyers—but not sellers—which is what you want!

And recent 2020 housing data shows promising results for sellers.

Buyer demand is extremely strong

Data from ShowingTime, a firm that compiles data from property showings, shows that buyer property showings has increased in each of the country’s four regions for five months straight.

That means buyers aren’t just casually looking—they’re scheduling showings, too!

Housing supply is historically low

New information by Move.com shows that the number of homes currently for sale has declined rapidly and now sits at its lowest level in almost 10 years! In fact, in January, the national housing supply decreased 13.6%—the steepest year-over-year decline in more than four years.

Favorable financial conditions drive buyers

Contrary to expectations, high buyer competition and low housing supply haven’t daunted buyers. Other favorable conditions, like low mortgage rates and stable listing prices, have kept buyer demand strong even in the highly competitive and fast-paced market.

Now Is the Time to List Your Home!

The real estate climate is perfect for listing a home! Buyer demand is high (so you’ll have lots of interest) and housing supply is low (so you won’t face a lot of competition). It’s the ideal situation for a speedy list with a good profit.

Thinking of listing in Raleigh? Contact us!

If you’re thinking of selling a home in the Raleigh area, it’s time to contact Linda Craft & Team. We’d love to put our 350+ years of combined experience to work to value your home and price it competitively.

December 13, 2019December 13, 2019

5 Big Reasons You Should Sell Your Triangle Home This Winter

We know what you’ve heard—it’s almost impossible to sell your Triangle home in the winter. And if you do, then you can expect to make much less than you would if you had sold in the spring.

In reality, that’s simply not true. In fact, winter can be a highly lucrative time to sell your home! …If you play your cards right and work with an expert.

If you’re on the fence about listing, here are our top 5 reasons to sell your Triangle home this winter.

Demand is High

Sellers handing over keys after selling their Triangle home in the winter.

No one wants to buy a home in the winter…right? Wrong. According to the National Association of Realtors‘ latest Buyer Traffic Report, buyer demand is still strong throughout the entire country. In fact, many areas of the country are seeing multiple offers on the same homes!

You Won’t Have to Deal with as Much Competition

Two people shaking hands over selling a Triangle home this winter.

While buyer activity is high, inventory is low—actually, it’s under the 6-month supply necessary for a normal housing market! Since homeowners are starting to stay in their houses for a greater number of years than in the past, fewer homes are popping up on the market as a result.

Although that trend is starting to shift a bit, it’s still the prime time to capitalize on less competition.

Buyers Mean Business

Paperwork needing to be signed after selling a Triangle home in the winter.

In other seasons, you get a lot of “tire kickers”—you know, buyers who aren’t really serious about finding a home and just want to browse their options. If you sell your home this winter, you’ll benefit from a greater number of serious buyers. Many people are looking to relocate during this time of the year, and are often on a timeline. That means that when it comes to home shopping, they’re in the market to make an offer—if they like what they see, that is.

Now’s the Time to Move Up

Thinking of upgrading to a luxury home in the Triangle area? Now’s the perfect time. While inventory is low overall, it’s much higher on the more expensive end of the market, meaning you have more negotiating power as a buyer.

According to CoreLogic, however, prices are projected to rise by 5.6% within the next year. Moving into a high-end home now means big savings in the future—and the potential for a much higher sale price when you’re ready to list!

Don’t Put Off Starting Your New Chapter

We understand how intimidating this step can be—not just selling your Triangle home, but making the move that comes along with it. But are your worries valid enough to put off taking this big life step?

When you work with Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS®, we’ll do everything we can to ensure that your questions are answered, your worries are relieved, and your home is sold for top dollar.

Ready to Sell Your Triangle Home this Winter?

Then Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS® is here to help. Our team boasts over 350 years of combined real estate experience—so we know what it takes to successfully sell a home. Take some time to browse our resources—including our home evaluation and home score tools—and let us know when you’re ready to to put your property on the market.

November 20, 2019January 6, 2020

Buyer Demand is Growing—Here’s How You Can Take Advantage of It

Typically fall—and especially late fall—isn’t an active time for the housing market. Buyers slow down around the holidays, fewer sellers list their homes on the market, and there’s a predictable lull before the New Year.

But this year, that’s not the case. In fact, buyer demand has grown in every region of the country, with the South in particular boasting the second-highest percentage of increased buyer traffic! Here’s how the numbers break down, and how you can take advantage of it as a seller.

Buyer Demand is Up

An agent leading buyers on a tour of homes during the late fall, a period of high buyer demand.

For the second month in a row, buyer interest is up in every region of the nation, including the Midwest, the South, the Northeast, and the West. This is likely largely due to low mortgage rates that have been present for most of the year, which makes buying in general more attractive and affordable.

Here in the South, we’ve generated the second-highest level of year-over-year buyer traffic growth, coming in at 6.4%—the largest jump in activity since last spring! The Western U.S. dominated the race at 8.9%, while the Midwest was lagging, but still in the game, with a .8% growth. Nationwide, the activity increase averaged out to 4.6%! For late fall and winter sellers, this is fantastic news

Buyers are Motivated

Home buyers on a tour of homes for sale.

One of the best things about selling during this time of the year? You won’t have to deal with buyers who are causally shopping. Instead, you can expect that most people out hunting for homes are hoping to move in before the new year—which works in your favor.

Since buyers will be on a timeline, they’re less likely to want long, drawn out negotiations. While they will probably be a little pickier about the home they choose, that just means that you have even more leverage—inventory is low, and if they walk away from your home, it could take them weeks to find another that they like.

Competition is Low

While spring and summer typically boast higher prices and more activity, that also means that other sellers are looking to capitalize on those benefits, as well. But in late fall and winter, seller activity takes a dramatic dip—and the limited listings on the market suddenly become much more attractive for motivated buyers.

There will still be other homes on the market, however, so don’t take this as an excuse to slack off on staging or marketing. In fact, staging and marketing are even more important during this time of year, since buyers are more selective in the homes they choose to tour!

Want to Bring Buyers to Your Front Door?

Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS® can help. We have over 350 years of combined experience, which makes us perfectly suited to ensure that your home sells not only quickly, but also for the highest price possible.

Want to add your home to our list of over 10,000 successful sales? Take some time to browse our resources, learn more about what we have to offer our clients, and give us a call when you’re ready to take the next steps.

October 23, 2019January 6, 2020

The Numbers Are in… and Now’s a Great Time to Sell

This year’s real estate market has been shattering all sorts of expectations—and the latest numbers are no exception. While you might think that spring and summer are the most profitable seasons for selling, this fall has the potential to prove you wrong!

Here are the highlights from the National Association of Realtors’ latest home-selling report.

Buyer’s Market vs. Seller’s Market

A "For Sale" sign in the front yard of a home.

Before we dig into the numbers, it’s important to provide a little context as to what they mean.

Buyer’s and seller’s markets are primarily determined by the amount of inventory available. If there’s less than 6 months’ worth of homes for sale, then prices will go up, leading to a seller’s market. On the other hand, when inventory tops 7 months, price tend to depreciate and the market swings in the favor of buyers.

With that in mind, let’s get to the numbers!

Sales vs. Inventory

A key in front of a miniature model of a home.

While sales have gone up, the most important takeaway from the report is the inventory. At the end of August, the total housing inventory sunk by 2.6% to 1.86 million homes for sale.

Unsold inventory is lower than the 4.3 month figure recorded last August, which represents a 4.1 month supply based on the current sales pace. With increased demand and limited supply, sellers are benefitting in major ways—namely, price increases.

Why the Increase in Buyer Activity?

People shaking hands over a real estate transaction.

Typically, buying slows down during the fall and winter months, but with mortgage rates remaining at near-record lows, it’s been hard to resist taking advantage of them. In fact, The Existing Home Sales Report also shows that 49% of properties were on the market for less than a month when they were sold.

The bottom line? If you’re planning on selling, now’s the perfect time to capitalize on ready, willing, and able buyers—and likely for a better price than usual.

List Your Home with Linda Craft & Team REALTORS®

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to put off your home-selling plans until the spring or summer—the last few months of the year are shaping up to make for a stellar seller’s market.

Want to take advantage of these favorable conditions and sell your home before the end of the year? Then let Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS® help. With hundreds of years of combined local experience, we have the resources, expertise, and skill-set to ensure that your property sells for top dollar! Whenever you’re ready to get started, we’re just a phone call away.

September 18, 2019January 6, 2020

6 Key Real Estate Graphs that You Need to See

No matter what capacity you’re entering the Triangle area real estate market in—whether it’s buying, selling, or investing—it’s crucial to be prepared. By knowing all of the latest numbers on mortgage rates, median sales price, and average days on the market, you can gain a major advantage over your competition!

Since we want to ensure that each and every one of our clients is well-equipped to reach their goals, we wanted to give you a quick snapshot at all of the trends you need to know.

Here are the top 6 real estate graphs that you should study up on.

The Strength of the Current Market

Key takeaways:

Keeping an eye on the current status of the housing market is one of the best ways to make powerful and confident decisions when buying or selling a home.
Mortgage rates remaining near historic lows and houses selling in an average of only 29 days are just two key elements driving the strength of today’s market.
With the national data shown here, make sure to also determine what’s happening in your local market so you are fully informed when you’re ready to make your next move.

Navigate the Market with Linda Craft & Team REALTORS®

At Linda Craft & Team REALTORS®, we know the ins and outs of the local and national real estate market—and we’re more than happy to share that knowledge with you. Whether you’re buying and looking for a little help or selling and hoping for top dollar, our track record of satisfied clients shows that we have what it takes to lead you to success.

Ready to get started? Feel free to give us a call!

July 19, 2019January 6, 2020

Low Inventory & High Demand are Shaping the Raleigh Real Estate Market

A two-story brick home with a green lawn and a red "for sale" sign out front.

It’s safe to say that the housing market in Raleigh, and the rest of the country, has all but recovered from the last housing crash. Home values are on a steady increase, while the number of foreclosures and distressed property sales are at an all-time low.

Additionally, economists and market experts predict that the market will continue to stay strong for the remainder of 2019! This is great news for homeowners, especially those looking to sell.

Here’s the Breakdown

Right now, the real estate market is considered strong and healthy for both buyers and sellers. According to economists at the National Association of Realtors®, the only factor that might affect the market is a lack of inventory.

It’s common for buyer demand to increase during the summer, one of the most popular times to buy a home in North Carolina. However, our current inventory levels cannot keep up with buyer demand.

Many predict that this discrepancy will cause home prices to rise further.

Why Now is a Great Time to Sell

Fewer sellers are wanting to deal with the stress and time of selling a home in Raleigh. However, if you’ve long been considering selling your home now is the time to act!

With demand so high in key cities like Raleigh, you stand to make an excellent return on your real estate investment. Chances are, if you list now, your home will sell quickly and for top dollar. In fact, it’s not uncommon to receive multiple offers on your property in a short amount of time!

Looking for a Sign to Sell?

This is it. Allow Linda Craft & Team REALTORS® to help you make the most of the current real estate market! With our resources, expertise, and local knowledge we can sell your home within your timeline and for the most amount of money possible.

Give us a call today to begin exploring all your Raleigh home-buying options!

July 3, 2019January 6, 2020

Less Time, More Money: The Benefits to Having an Agent Sell Your Home

A real estate agent showing a couple a home.

With steadily rising home prices and strong buyer demand in Raleigh, now is a great time to sell your home. If you’ve long been considering selling your home, the hot market conditions may even have you thinking about foregoing a professional agent to try and sell it on your own.

However, choosing to sell your home by yourself (otherwise known as For Sale By Owner or FSBO) has a lot of hidden pitfalls. The truth is, when you sell your home on your own you’re likely going to make less money and be using up a TON of your time.

Here’s why.

Selling a Home is Tough

Even in a market as seller-focused as ours, the mechanics of selling a home are still challenging to anyone without a lot of experience. Even if you’ve sold a home in the past with an agent, you likely weren’t seeing 100% of the things they did to sell your home.

The biggest challenge to selling a home? Negotiating. In order to sell your home for the best possible listing price, you have to be a highly skilled negotiator.

After all, you won’t just be negotiating with the buyer. In fact, here’s a list of everyone you may need to negotiate with to sell your home.

The buyer’s agent
The home inspection companies based on their findings
The buyer’s lender
The appraiser (if the value of your home is questioned)
The title company

Why Working with a Professional Agent is Worth It

Happy older couple standing in front of their home.

The right real estate agent will handle your home sale flawlessly—without letting you experience any of the stress or hard work typically associated with selling a home.

Additionally, your agent will be able to price your home competitively based on up-to-date market research, assist you in staging it and getting it ready to show, and handle all those home showings. Showing your home to potential buyers can be awkward when you’re the current occupant of the home. Plus, your real estate agent will have a lot of experience handling some of the tougher questions buyers typically pose during the home tour.

How Linda Craft & Team REALTORS® Makes All the Difference

Here at Linda Craft & Team REALTORS®, we have years of experience helping home sellers throughout the greater Raleigh area sell their properties for a tremendous profit.

We’ll take the burden of selling your home off of you completely. Depending on your plans, we can even provide you with an instant cash offer for your home.

Interested in learning more about our home-selling services? Please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

June 15, 2019January 6, 2020

A New Kind of Home Buyer: Tips for Marketing Your Home to Millennials

Millennials get a lot of flack, but they’re an important part of the real estate market. In fact, they make up the largest generational percentage of home buyers right now!

So, if you’re planning on selling your home soon, it’s important to keep the average millennial home buyer in mind. This generation is unlike any that’s come before it, and the way they buy everything (from laundry detergent to life insurance) is unique.

When it comes to catching the eye of the discerning millennial home buyer, here’s what you need to do:

Create a Strong Internet Presence

It goes without saying that millennials rely on the Internet for, well, everything. This isn’t unusual: the Internet makes every kind of shopping easier and more accessible.

As such, giving your home an effective online presence is key. It needs to be easy to find via the most popular home-buying networks, and it has to look great no matter the screen size. After all, more home buyers than ever before are using their smartphones to find their dream home.

Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Professional Listing Photos

Because millennials rely on the Internet to search homes for sale, your home’s photos have to stand out in a big way. After all, with the right photographer even the smallest home can look like a palace.

So, don’t skimp on this expense! Great photos could be the difference between a home selling within hours, and a home languishing on the market for months.

Show How Your Home Will Improve their Lifestyle

Millennials are looking for homes that will improve their lifestyles and be close to wherever they need to be during the week. As you market your home online, be sure you’re highlighting both its features and location in your listing description.

Tell an exciting story of how much better their life will be once they buy your home! Craft your listing description to carefully touch on all the best parts of your home and its surroundings, and let buyers know exactly why they need to buy it.

Know What Millennials are Looking for in a Home

A pair of hands typing on a smart phone.

So, what are millennials looking for anyway? Market research finds that millennial buyers are attracted to affordable homes with eco-friendly and smart features. If your home has any green features or environmentally friendly add-ons, you’ll definitely want to highlight them.

In addition, if you’ve outfitted your home to accommodate any smart features that use technology—like a Nest thermostat or other Smart Home appliances—be sure to mention that in your listing description and social media promotion.

Use a Pro to Market Your Home

The easiest way to market your home to millennials? Work with a real estate specialist who understands this unique market—and how to best target real estate’s next generation of buyers.

Here at Linda Craft & Team REALTORS®, we have an in-depth understanding of the Raleigh real estate market. Allow us to market your home and sell it for top dollar within your timeline.

Give us a call today for more information about selling your home to millennials!