The DeLois Smith All Star Team

The Home of the Future

Reprinted from The Residential Specialist, July/August 2007 issue. Visit online at www.crs.com.

What will new homes look like in 2015? For starters, they'll be slightly smaller than they are today, according to architects, designers, and manufacturers surveyed by the National Associaton of Home Builders. The average size of a new home will be 2,300 to 2,500 square feet, slightly less than the 2,459 average for the first three quarters of 2006. Higher ceilings and upscale amenities will also become more common.

Issues driving the changes include accessibility for aging baby boomers, technological advances, green construction materials and environmental concerns. Other trends:

• Formal living rooms will shrink or vanish altogether, while family rooms will get larger.
• Ceilings in the average home will be nine to 10 feet; some luxury homes will have 12-foot ceilings.
• The family room will be the most important feature in the average home, followed by low-maintenance exteriors, design, location and two-car garages. In luxury homes, design will be the most important feature.
• Outdoor kitchens and second master bedroom suites will become more common in luxury homes.
• The average home will have two and a half to three and a half bathrooms.
• Recessed lighting and bold colors will be more common in both luxury and average homes.
• Demand for energy-efficient appliances, mechanical equipment and windows, and environmentally friendly green products will increase.
• Programmable thermostats, structured wiring systems and mult-line phone systems will be standard in the average home, while luxury homes will include just about every electronic feature that is available.

SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS

Selling Tip #3 - Freshen Up Inside

A home that shows exceptionally well arouses the prospect's emotional desire to buy more quickly at a better price. Here is the third and final tip in our series of market tested tips to help set the stage for a profitable and early sale.

Tip #3: Freshen Up the Inside

The emotions you are trying to stimulate are triggered by sensory experiences. Aim for the senses, especially touch, smell, and sight. Clean, fresh smelling homes will sell faster!

• Badly faded walls or worn woodwork reduce appeal; selective painting will help add a fresh look.
• Check all light bulbs.
• Detail all light fixtures.
• Make sure that the oven range and sink are clean and neat.
• Colorful curtains in harmony with countertops and floors add warmth to kitchens.
• Take things out of closets and cabinets that are not essential to your life and pack them away for storage.
• Remove unnecessary articles which have accumulated in basements, utility rooms, and storage areas.
• Clear stairways and hallways to open up the space.
• Too much furniture? Put it  in the basement or garage - or better yet, store it or sell it.
• Brighten dull basements and storage areas by painting the walls and using high watt bulbs.

Selling Tip #2 - Minor Repairs Make Sense

A home that shows exceptionally well arouses the prospect's emotional desire to buy more quickly at a better price. Here is the second tip in our series of market tested tips to help set the stage for a profitable and early sale.

Tip #2: Getting Ready...Minor Repairs Make Sense!

Correcting small items lets a critical prospect concentrate on major items. Don't make major changes (except for new carpeting in a neutral color, if needed). Many larger expenditures, though needed, may not be economically sound when selling your home. Check with your REALTOR® to see if the change is necessary. Here are some other repairs worth making:

• Dripping faucets lead buyers to question the plumbing system.
• Fix any loose doorknobs, sticking drawers and sticking doors.

Selling Tip #1 - Start Outside

A home that shows exceptionally well arouses the prospect's emotional desire to buy more quickly at a better price. Over the next few days, we will posting some of our market tested tips to help set the stage for a profitable and early sale.

Tip #1: Getting Ready...Start Outside!

Stand across the street and take a look at your home from a potential buyer's viewpoint.

• Are there too many cars parked out front?
• Is the lawn trimmed and edged?
• Is the flower bed cultivated? Is the mulch fresh?
• Is there refuse, leaves or clutter on the yard, sidewalks, and porches?
• Is the street clean for a home in each direction?
• Is the fencing straight? Does it need stain/paint?
• Does the gate open and close easily? Do the hinges need oiling?
• Is the front door fresh, clean, and scrubbed looking? This is extremely important!!!
• Are the windows and screens clean? If not, wash them.
• Are there cobwebs and dust around the outside of your home?
• Does the home need repainting?

If you are considering selling, these tips are a starting point for preparing your house. Even if you are not putting your house on the market for a few months, start now and save yourself the hassle! First impressions matter when selling a home, and you don't want yours to leave a bad impression.