Preparing YOUR Home for Sale

I hosted a FREE seminar about Preparing Your Home for Sale in Reston, VA. There are always “First-time Buyer Seminars” being offered but there are very few for Sellers! I wanted to educate Sellers on today’s buyer and emphasize that price and how the home shows are really the only 2 factors they can control!

The seminar featured several topics such as the “New Neutrals” in paint colors, Curb Appeal, Today’s Buyer and Updates that Provide ROI! Some tips and tricks of the pros were offered. Handouts were provided to the attendees as well as coupons and information from local businesses.

I am passionate about and can vouch for the importance of Staging® – especially in the challenging market! My designations as an Accredited Staging Professional™ (ASP™) and Certified Interior Decorator (CID) prove expertise in preparing a home for sale! Homes that are Staged®, or prepared for sale, by an Accredited Staging Professional™ look better than other homes on the market by being clean, clutter-free, and ready to show to prospective buyers. Homes for sale MUST stand out and be MEMORABLE to buyers.

For more information, please contact me at 703-679-1712.

Here are a few before and after photos I've taken. Staging DOES make a difference!

















Sharon Goetz
Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator
Keller Williams Realty
www.kw.com

SELLING HOMES!...by design®
• Staging® services designed for YOUR home
• A choice of 3 commission plans designed to fit YOUR needs
• A satisfaction guarantee designed with YOU in mind

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com

Reston, VA 20191

Reston, VA 20191
Market Statistics for June

Here is a recap of the detached homes,
townhomes and condos that SOLD in the month of June:



Detached Homes: 16 sold
Average Sales Price was $536,423.
Average Days on Market – 64
The majority of these homes have 4 bedrooms,
3.5 baths, 1 fireplace and a 2 car garage.



Townhomes: 28 sold
Average Sales Price was $378,000.
Average Days on Market – 41
Most of those homes have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a fireplace.



Condos: 18 sold
Average Sales Price was $179,000.
Average Days on Market – 45
The majority of these have 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.

Residents in 20191 are near great schools, shopping centers, the Reston Community Center,

Vernon J. Walker Nature Center, 2 of Reston lakes, the Toll Road, the proposed Silver Line Metro Station, Fairfax County Parkway and Reston Town Center!

As a 20191 resident since 1990 - I am here to help you or someone you know prepare for a moving experience!

Sharon Goetz: 703-679-1712

Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator

Keller Williams Realty
SELLING HOMES!...by design®



* Staging® services designed for YOUR home
* A choice of 3 commission plans designed to fit YOUR needs
* A satisfaction guarantee designed with YOU in mind

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com

BEACH HOUSE!

Ahhh...a Beach House!

Wouldn't you LOVE to be spending these sunny Summer days at YOUR beach house?

My go-to vacation spot is usually the Outer Banks in NC. These days, its stunning natural beauty is dotted with some beach mansions - particularly on the north end.

Still - it's a place where you can do everything - or simply nothing at all!
I thought about purchasing a tidy little bungalow more than once...one that comes with a quirky house name like: "Fan-ta-sea", "Duck n' Work", or maybe "Conch Out"! -- These are actual names of current rental homes, OK?

The historically LOW interest rates make NOW a great time to think about purchasing a vacation home. Just out of curiosity, I looked up some "Just Solds" in OBX.



This one went for a whole lot of wampum: $1,750,000. Description said it is a "Rental Machine"!!

Then, there was this little cottage:


This one went for $845,000.

And:


SOLD for $580,000.

Hmmmmm - I'm thinking it's much more cost effective to have FRIENDS with a beach house! I'll even pick up the grillin' supplies at the Harris Teeter in Corolla!

The Reston Community of Deepwood

The Deepwood Community is a close-knit one of 343 townhomes and 6 single family homes, one of only a handful of independent communities in Reston, Virginia. Here, you will find a recently renovated pool, tennis courts, several tot lots, and of course the best neighbors in town. It’s a place I called “home” for nearly 17 years. My townhome backed to woods where I enjoyed seeing deer, foxes, raccoons and many types of birds on a regular basis.





Deepwood has Williamsburg charm and a certain village ambience.
There are 4 colonial townhome models – all built in the mid to late 70’s. A few have classic wood burning fire places. The homes are all 3 levels, some with walk-out basements. All have at least 3 bedrooms on the upper level. The number of baths depends on the model and any renovations that have been done.
And…some renovations have been extensive: removing walls, installing gourmet kitchens with all the bells and whistles and adding elaborate closet systems fit for any estate-sized home!

Although there are still some original homeowners in the neighborhood, more young families have moved in. Strollers and tiny bicycles abound on some courts. This has sparked a very active mommy’s network. They often meet at tot lots or the pool and organize fun activities like the “Spring Swing”.





The neighborhood is surrounded by mature trees. Many homes have treed views from all 3 levels. Snake Den Creek (part of the Reston’s Stream Restoration Project) runs through the back of the community.



Deepwood remains a desirable area due to its strategic location. Take a stroll on the path for your morning Starbucks coffee, dinner ingredients at Safeway, some sushi at Ariake or a sweet treat at Dairy Queen. The Reston Community Center and Hunters Woods Elementary, a magnet school for the Arts and Sciences, are also walking distance. For a change of pace, visit nearby Vernon J. Walker Nature Center or take a brisk walk along Lake Audubon which also has a public boat ramp.
Reston Town Center, the proposed Wiehle Ave. Silver Line Metro stop and Toll Road are all close by!

There are currently 3 active listings with an average price $343,000.
6 are under contract with an average price of $369,000.

Interested in knowing more about this community – please contact me:
Sharon Goetz 703-679-1712
Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator
Keller Williams Realty

SELLING HOMES!...by design®
• Staging® services designed for YOUR home
• A choice of 3 commission plans designed to fit YOUR needs
• A satisfaction guarantee designed with YOU in mind

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com

Reston Real Estate - Detached Homes in 20191

Real Estate in Reston:

Focus: Detached Homes

Active Listings: Currently, there are 28 detached homes in 20191 on the market with an
average list price of $577,939 – with an average of 4 bedrooms,
3.5 baths, 3 levels, 1 fireplace and a garage.

Under Contract: There are presently 23 homes under contract with an average list price of $473,467.

Sold: Thus far, 9 homes have sold in June with a average price of $593,311.

The Reston Association annual fee is $515 and offers the amenities of 55 miles of walking paths, 14 pools, 48 tennis courts, 4 lakes – all with public access, several tot lots, basketball courts and soccer fields.

As a resident of 20191 since 1990, I feel the mature trees and natural settings make this part of Reston more park-like than any other. Sightings of deer, owls, foxes and raccoons are common. This area truly offers serenity among the trees!



For homeowners considering a move, Selling Homes by Design offers a successful Client Experience centered around your goals, and a unique consultative style that caters to your desired outcome. Communication is paramount in developing a winning relationship.

SELLERS experience expert guidance for the process of preparing the home for sale. Professional marketing strategies (efforts begin even before the house is on the market) and negotiation tactics work in tandem to achieve the final result of SOLD. Proven Staging techniques maximize the home's best features and make it memorable to the buyer.

Call today to schedule your consultation with Selling Homes by Design AND ask about our SUMMER INCENTIVE for HOME SELLERS!



Sharon Goetz

Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator

Keller Williams Realty

Sharon.G@kw.com

703-679-1712

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com

Preparation / Presentation !

If you've ever entertained, you know that preparation is just as important as presentation. I mean you can’t have Williams Sonoma (preparation) without Pottery Barn (presentation). Same is true if you are planning to sell your home.

Preparation is all that behind the scenes work that can ensure you get top $$ for your house. Savvy buyers want turn-key - make it turn key.



Repair anything that’s broken – this shows your home is well taken care of. Make sure all windows operate freely, replace any worn locks or torn screens. Clean carpets, use wood cleaners / conditioners on wood floors and wood kitchen cabinets. This restores the natural beauty. Fix any plumbing issues. Tighten loose handrails. Know the age of your furnace, your roof. Clean the gutters. Do all the lightbulbs work – a buyer won’t know if it’s just a burned out bulb or an electrical problem.



Presentation is of course the eye candy - and that's where Staging becomes KEY. If you're selling, you're moving, if you're moving - start packing! This is a double-duty task. It declutters the house you’re selling and readies your belongings for their new space.



In every room, stand in the doorway and look thru the eyes of a buyer. What do you really see – pack everything you can live without while your home is on the market. This includes any family photos, collections of any kind, guns, swords, hunting trophies and religious and political items. The buyer needs to “picture” himself living there, with his things.



Even the proper furniture placement can have a huge impact. Does your furniture have a “titanic effect” in a particular room? Meaning too many heavy pieces on 1 side of the room. That can be easily addressed. It’s always better to “float your furniture” – never have all your pieces placed around the perimeter of the room. Floating the furniture gives a cozier feeling and shows off your space better. Trim-work and architectural features stand out more in a carefully arranged room.

An Accredited Staging Professional will create a sense of calm in a room. Colors should be limited to 2 major shades. Any strong color is reserved solely for accessories or accent walls.

Solid fabrics work best for upholstered pieces when showcasing a room. Slipcovers are always an affordable option to give patterned pieces an updated look. When the house is on the market, leave lights ON and blinds or drapes OPEN – more light, whether natural or artificial, makes a space seem larger.

Truth is, buyers lack imagination. “They only know what they See, not the way it’s going to Be!” That is why each room must have a defined purpose, must be clutter-free, “Q-Tip clean” and rid of excess furniture and personal items.
Show off all the space in your place!



Now take a good hard look at your efforts! Ta-da! You have a product that's appealing and ready for "showtime"!

Selling or Staying: Tips for Bathroom Make-overs!

The HGTV adage of "kitchens and baths" sell houses really IS true!
If you're planning a move sooner or later - it's time to re-evaluate your bathroom(s). Yours probably isn't quite as glamorous as the one above - however; a little sprucing up can go a long way!



Today's buyer is looking for a spa-like feel. Try taking a photo of your bathroom from the doorway - that's your prospective buyer's first impression.

Here are a couple of Staged baths courtesy of Staged Homes.com and SmithStaging.com:









Carefully evaluate the condition. Exhaust fan - is it dirty or dated? Does the grout in the tile floor need to be cleaned or repaired? Next take a hard look at the vanity - consider replacing it with a new one for an instant makeover. Is the sink chipped, are the faucet handles loose or dated? 70's faux marble counters need to go! They give the impression your home hasn't been maintained / cared for / updated. The big box home improvement stores provide lots of cost effective options and will prevent your buyer from subtracting serious $$ from his offer if he doesn't have to do these updates!

If your mirror is not framed - painted mitered molding strips add a finished touch. Replace those old hotel style light fixtures for an instant improvement. Clean, clean, clean - Barb Schwarz (founder of the Staging industry) says your home MUST BE "Q-Tip Clean" -- nothing less will do. Next hide the evidence...Put AWAY all personal care items like toothbrushes, hairdryers, get rid of messy bar soap. Keep bath / shower products to an absolute minimum. Buyers are NOT interested in your choice of health and beauty aids. Clean out your medicine cabinet and vanity - buyers DO look.

Get rid of anything fuzzy! No fuzzy toilet lid or tank covers! No little fuzzy rugs in front of the toilet!
Now comes the fun stuff. Invest in the most luxurious towels in a neutral color that you can afford. Neatly put them on towel bars, roll a few to place near the tub or shower. We're thinking spa-ahhh here.



If your shower or tub has a curtain - you can use a pre-made drapery panel for a real lux look. This has a much richer, custom appearance than the plastic shower curtain. Try Target or Pier 1. I used this chocolate drapery panel with suede-like trim. It has a great texture you wouldn't find in a typical shower curtain!
Just use a plastic or vinyl shower liner behind the drapery panel.



Have suggestions on giving a bathroom a makeover? Please share!!