Maria Jimenez

DRE: SA650638000


(480) 220-2365
(602) 230-7600 (Office)

Real Estate Tips

 Selling a Home

Selling Your Home?

When selling, it's important to look at your home from a different perspective...the buyer's perspective. These home enhancement tips provide you with insight and direction on how to get the most money and quickest sale for your home by making minor changes and repairs.

Tidy Up!

When a home appears cluttered, buyers can't "see" the home or its potential. By storing items you don't need or use, your home will feel more inviting to potential buyers.  When selling a home, less is more! 

       Exterior:      * Mow the lawn and trim trees and shrubs away from the house

                            * Rake leaves, pull weeds and dispose of dead plants, flowers and shrubs

                            * Store tools and other equipment neatly in the garage

        Kitchen:      * Clear extra gadgets from all kitchen countertops

                            * Remove all messages, pictures and magnets from the refrigerator

                            * Clear away any papers, mail or newspaper that may have accumulated on countertops

                            * Clear sink, stove and countertops of all dishes, pots and pans

        Bathroom:   * Remove any unnecessary items from the countertops

                            * Organize linen closets, medicine cabinets, etc.

Clean Up!

A clean home gives the impression that it has been well cared for. Strive to make your home visually and aromatically appealing.  Remember: Paint in the can is worth $20, but it's worth $1,000 on the wall!

        Exterior:      * Wash windows, inside and out

                            * Sweep all sidewalks and driveways

        Kitchen:      * Wipe down cabinets and polish sinks

                            * Clean all appliances, inside and out

                            * Wash kitchen floors

                            * Air out garbage area with a deodorizer and/or air freshener

        Bathroom:   * Clean sinks, toilets, bathtubs and showers, and make sure they are mold-free

                            * Polish mirrors and bathroom fixtures

                                    * Wash bathroom floor

Patch Up!

Minor repairs often become major stumbling blocks for potential buyers.  Take away those distractions by fixing minor issues before they become major. 

        Exterior:      * Repair doors and windows

                            * Repair major cracks in sidewalks and/or driveways

                            * Repair roof shingles, shutters, gutters, windows, siding and fencing

                            * Clean up the front/back yards with new sod, plants, flowers and mulch if needed

        Kitchen:      * Repair any faucet/sink leaks

                            * Repair any broken appliances

                            * Repair any non-working kitchen cabinets and drawers

                            * Patch and paint walls and ceilings, if necessary

        Bathroom:   * Repair any faucet, sink and/or toilet leaks

                            * Caulk and grout tile, if necessary

                            * Patch and paint walls and ceilings, if necessary

The Finishing Touch!

The little "extras" make a home feel special. Remember your home is competing with others in your neighborhood. Make your home stand out!

        Exterior:      * Add a doormat at the entrance

                            * Add a potted or hanging plant

                            * Add new house numbers

        Kitchen:      * Add a new throw rug

                            * Add a plant

          Bathroom:   * Add a scented candle

                            * Add coordinated towels and accessories

                            * Add a new shower curtain


_____________________________________________________________________________________

Buying a Home

 

Buying a Home?

 Avoid House Hunting Drama

Moving is one of the most rewarding but also one of the most stressful situations.  To make the house-hunt a little less stressful, real estate pros offer the following tips:

1.   Determine what you want upfront, and stick to that criteria.

      What are your non-negotiables? What location do you desire? What educational opportunities

      are important? What do you want your daily commute to be? And what price are you willing

      to pay? The first step to avoid house-hunting drama is to really sit back and think about what is

      most important to you, This will narrow down your scope so you are not looking at hundreds of

      homes, just the ones that fit your criteria. Looking in an area that's not going to provide the home

      type that you want is going to cause frustration.

2.   Get pre-approved for a mortgage,

      Avoid delays once you do find a home by getting your loan pre-approved.  If there is any issue,

      it is identified early on in the process and not the moment you're trying to submit a contract on

      the property.  Also, you'll know your numbers and how much to expect on a monthly payment

      to make sure you're house-shopping within your price range.

3.   Communicate.

      Share with your real estate agent the biggest stressors and fears you have in the home-buying

      process.  The more open you are with your agent, the less drama is going to present itself in

      the transaction.  You have to trust your agent and relate to them as a confidant, as an ally.

4.   Don't linger too long.

      Procrastination causes drama.  For home buyers on a deadline, begin four to six months ahead

      of time to start learning more about the market.  Plus, with mortgage rates forecasted to move

      higher this year, buyers who wait too long may find what they can afford lessen.  Have the right

      expectations, or else you're setting yourself up for frustration.