It’s the season to fall in love with a new home

February’s cold weather lends itself to warm blankets on the sofa, binge watching a new series, or starting a new book. If you are buying or selling a home this year, February is also a great time to begin thinking about your next steps.

Just like the weather, the market tends to cool over the holiday months, and begins to warm with the temperatures. By April, there are many more homes for sale, meaning more competition on either side of a home sale.

Photo by Nachelle Nocom on Unsplash

Most home buyers start their search 6-18 months before they take action. This means online searching, going to open houses, and driving through neighborhoods, all to help you determine the characteristics of the home you hope to find, when the time is right. If you have had a consultation with a realtor and/or a lender, then you are well on your way. At this point, it is important to stay on track with your financial goals to facilitate your purchase.

If you are selling your existing home, maximizing your profits is likely your top priority. You need a negotiator in your corner - a capable realtor that is diligently working towards your goals with you.

The best outcomes result from a strategic approach that maximizes each factor in a sale: location, condition, and price. Your location is outside of anyone’s control, so the value of your home is at least partly fixed.

Staging to Sell and Value

Condition is where you, the seller, can have the most impact. Some items to consider with regard to staging your home:

  1. Thoroughly deep clean the entire home, including ceiling fans, baseboards, oven, and closets.
  2. Fix any nicks, cracks, or holes in the walls. Repaint, if needed, with neutral colors only, such as beige, cream, or light gray.
  3. Take down all personal photos and any personal items.
  4. Remove all valuables, including medications and jewelry. Password protect any electronics in the home. Don’t leave anything of value in plain sight.
  5. Make sure all light bulbs are working and place the highest wattage bulbs you can safely place in each lighting fixture. Add lamps to any room without adequate lighting.
  6. Declutter, declutter, declutter. Your home should no longer look like a home. It should look like a hotel or model home. At this point, it is no longer your home. It is the future buyer’s home.

Finally, price your home based upon the competitive market. Look at your home through a buyer’s eyes. What would you be willing to pay for your home if you were buying it today? Your realtor will be able to give you a price range based on homes like yours that have recently sold. Having done all of these things, your realtor can reach the largest pool of potential buyers, so your home will sell quickly and with the best terms.

Focus on the Search for a New Place

When looking at what you want to buy, your search will vary, depending on whether you are upsizing, downsizing, or moving to a different part of the city, or even out of state. After your initial consultation with your realtor, get set up to receive automatic emails based on your desired search criteria.

When that (MLS) email comes, check it daily. Mark properties “interested” for those you want to see, “maybe” for properties you want more time to think about, and “not interested” for ones you definitely don’t like.

If there is something you love and want to see as soon as possible, connect with your realtor right away so a showing can be set up. In a normal market, plan to provide 24-48 hours notice prior to a showing, as it’s rare to be able to see a house or condo the same day. Properties usually are available to be seen Monday - Friday between 9 am - 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am - 6 pm. Sometimes sellers will allow showings outside of those hours but it is up to the individual seller.

In a hot market, properties can sell as quickly as one day. Your realtor will know if your price range, terms, and location require more immediate showings so you don’t miss out on those properties. Clear communication is essential so your expectations are met during your home search.

Keep reviewing the MLS emails. Your agent is also networking to find out about properties coming available that also meet your criteria. When you are able to see these properties early, you can get in front of the masses, which is critical in a hot market like Nashville.

This year, help your Valentine get sweet on a new home! Now you have the tools to win their heart for it.

About the Author

Emily Benedict

Emily Benedict (ebenedict@villagetn.com) is a Realtor working with buyers, sellers, investors, and developers throughout Middle Tennessee.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less