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Massachusetts home staging

Massachusetts Moving and Storage With PODS

by Bill Gassett on July 27, 2010 · 9 comments

Pods moving and storage Massachusetts

If you are pretty observant like I am you may have  noticed a white container in a local yard that had in big bold lettering the word PODS and wondered what it was. PODS is short for portable on demand storage. More than likely a home owner who has one of these units is either moving or getting ready to move.

PODS offers service to over 200 million people in more than 20,000 cities in 58 states, provinces, and territories throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Whether you are moving across town or across the country PODS are a great alternative to large expensive moving companies. The way the PODS system works is they drop of a pod at your home and you are able to fill it up at your leisure. You are given the flexibility to pack at your own speed and do not have to worry about others touching your belongings.  When you are done packing and are ready to move your container, PODS will come and pick it up for you and deliver it wherever you need it to go.

De-cluttering and organizing a home

There is no question that PODS offer a convenient solution to moving. Working as a Massachusetts Realtor however, I have found that one of the biggest benefits is the fact that a pod unit helps de-clutter and organize a home. In a competitive Real Estate market you really need your home to look it’s best if you want to put the most money in your pocket. Home buyers have lots of choices and will look for homes that are in turn-key condition.

Part of a homes appearance that can be easily changed without spending a lot of money is the cleanliness and organization. The goal should be  to show off all the rooms in their best light. Staging a Massachusetts home is one of the smartest things you can do as a home seller. Buyers will be much more impressed by a home owner who clearly takes pride in the appearance of their home.

A home that shows well can mean the difference between  selling quickly or sitting on the market for months! In the link to the home staging article above I offer a number of tips to getting your home prepared for the market. When I meet with a home seller in the Metrowest Massachusetts area one of the things I am never afraid to do is give advice on how to make their home more appealing to the masses. Of course I know some people are very sensitive about their home but if I don’t make suggestions we both lose!

On a number of occasions I have gone into homes that are just loaded with “stuff”. Some people seem to be collectors and just don’t ever want to give up anything they have ever purchased. As home owners we all accumulate lots of things we don’t even realize we have. If you happen to be a pack rat and just can’t stand to think about throwing anything away the perfect solution is getting a POD.

Benefits of a PODS storage container

Massachusetts moving companies

  • PODS delivers a container to you so you can pack it and unpack it at your own pace.
  • PODS containers can be stored at your home or business for easy access. If you prefer not to have the container in your yard they can be stored in one of the companies dry and secure storage centers.
  • PODS storage containers come in 3 handy sizes: 8x7x7, 8x8x12, and 8x8x16 (sizes are approximate).
  • You don’t have to drive a huge truck around town, maneuvering in and out of tight spaces and fill it up with gas when you are done.
  • The PODS themselves remain at ground level for easy loading and unloading.
  • You’re not on any time constraints, so there are no late fees or extra charges for taking longer than you expected.
  • You are able to store your container for a few weeks or a few years.
  • A pod container can be delivered next day for loading.
  • You are the only one that has the key to your PODS storage container unit so you can be sure your property is safe.
  • PODS containers are weather resistant and have been tested to withstand a wind velocity of up to 110 miles per hour when partially filled.
  • PODS delivery trucks are equipped with a patented lift system that minimizes the shift of contents while in transit to one of their storage center facilities.
  • PODS Storage Centers feature sophisticated security systems.

If you realize there is  quite a bit of excess furniture and other items hanging around your home, think strongly about getting a PODS unit to change the visual appeal.

Are you a Massachusetts home owner and want to get a pricing quote on a PODS storage unit? Click the link….>> Get a Massachusetts PODS Storage Quote.

Related Real Estate articles:

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About the author: The above Real Estate information on Massachusetts moving and storage with PODS was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 24+ Years.

Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!

I service the following towns in and around Metrowest MA: Hopkinton, Milford, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Upton, Mendon, Hopedale, Medway, Franklin, Framingham, Grafton, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Northboro, Bellingham, Uxbridge, and Douglas.

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Massachusetts Home Buyer Turn Offs

by Bill Gassett on June 10, 2010 · 9 comments

Massachusetts home selling

Getting a Massachusetts home sold today is a lot more difficult than it used to be. The fact of the matter is that there are far fewer buyers that can qualify to buy a home today.  We all know that lending practices have tightened and rightfully so.

There are also millions of people that have lost their homes either via a short sale or foreclosure that can no longer think about being a home owner.

When the housing supply exceeds the demand it creates an environment that home sellers really need to be conscious of. When there is an imbalance in the market between the number of buyers and sellers, the process of selling a home becomes far more competitive.

The most important factor in getting any home to sell is to make sure the home is priced properly. Without the correct list price you will be in an up hill battle to sell your home. Besides a proper list price and a well coordinated marketing campaign, another top consideration is to make a good 1st impression on the buyer!

Most buyers today have the option and will take advantage of looking at lots of homes. As a seller you want to make sure your home stands out from the competition and I don’t mean in a bad way! Here is some simple advice on what NOT to do when selling your home:

Wet Basements and leaky roofs

Water in Massachusetts basement

One of the biggest obstacles any Massachusetts home seller faces is the threat of water in their home. There is nothing that will turn off a home buyer more than dealing with a water problem.

Any buyer that has ever dealt with a water issue will certainly cross your home off the list no matter high nice it is. The thought of water penetration scares even the most hardened buyer.

My advice is simple! Make sure you get it corrected before the home ever hits the market. Don’t wait for the home inspection to take place and have the inspector inform the buyer that the home takes on water. If  the water is entering the basement invest in a sump pump and a dehumidifier when it is an older home. If the the property is a younger and the basement has the potential to be finished, you are going to want to make certain that it is bone dry. This could include getting a B-Dry system if necessary. If you don’t correct the problem you will be rendering the lower level useless to a buyer.

Think you want to hide your water issue from the buyer? Think again! This is a Massachusetts property disclosure issue that you could easily get sued on. Always disclose what you know especially if you do not intend to fix the issue.

Your home stinks

Massachusetts home with bad odors

Strong odors in a home are clear turn offs to buyers. Whether the smell is from smoking which by the way you are probably so accustomed to you don’t even notice or to pet odors you want to make sure they are gone by the time the for sale sign hits the lawn. Another common pitfall occurs from strong cooking odors.

While you may not find the odors offensive, you are not buying your home – someone else is! Sometimes getting rid of such smells as smoke, pet odors, mildew, and others can be difficult. If you find that standard house hold cleaning items do not do the job, I would recommend getting an ozone machine. A powerful ozone machine can do wonders for removing home odors.

Let the light in

sunny Massachusetts home

Buyers are attracted to clean bright homes where there is an abundance of natural light. One of the easiest things to do is to make sure all the blinds in curtains are drawn in your home.

I can not tell you how many homes that I go into that are not staged properly. Letting the light into all the rooms in your home is one of the most cost efficient home selling tips.

Due to the positioning of some homes there will be rooms that will be dark whether of not the curtains are drawn. In this instance you want to make sure you have some lights that are on timers during the day. While natural sunlight is preferred a few well placed lamps is better than nothing!

Outdated decor and too much stuff

messy bedoom

Most home sellers incorrectly assume that every buyer should be able to see beyond the orange shag carpets, yellow toilets and checker board dining room wall paper. Sorry folks they don’t. Most buyer do not have that sense of vision.

Even if you find one that does you can be sure they will be discounting their offer less than what the actual cost is to remedy the problem. Making these kind of improvements to a home can go a long way in assisting the saleability.Replacing carpets, painting and removing wall papers are simple and inexpensive fixes.

If you just have too much “stuff” that has accumulated in your home over the years you may want to think about getting storing some of it in the garage or basement if you have the room. If not you should give serious consideration to renting either a POD or storage facility. To really make your home stand out from the crowd you could always consider hiring a professional stager. I have also put some tips together about staging a Massachusetts home for sale. Lastly, your stuffed moose head on the wall and the flashing neon bar sign are only impressive to you.

Don’t hang around the home

Seller staying at home during showing

This is Real Estate 101. Over the years I have met some sellers who are extremely prideful of their place. There is certainly nothing wrong with that but you don’t want it to get in the way of your sale.

It is rare that a buyer is going to want a guided tour of your home. This is the Realtors job. Your home is going to sell itself. If the buyer is emotionally connected to your home you have nothing to worry about.

Unfortunately, your pride and the tour are not what will be the deciding factor if they decide to purchase. More often than not, the buyer and their agent are not going to feel comfortable if you remain in the home. The same holds true for sellers who believe accompanied showings help sell homes. They do not!

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About the author: The above Real Estate information on Massachusetts home buyer turn offs was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 24+ Years.

Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!

I service the following towns in Metrowest MA: Hopkinton, Milford, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Upton, Mendon, Hopedale, Medway, Franklin, Framingham, Grafton, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Northboro, Bellingham, Uxbridge, and Douglas.

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Staging and Preparing a Massachusetts Home For Sale

by Bill Gassett on May 6, 2010 · 5 comments

Massachusetts home for sale

Back in the boom times of the Real Estate market from the mid 1990′s until the mid 2000′s getting a Massachusetts home truly ready for the market was far less important than it is today. Every home seller today is in stiff competition with the next guy down the street with far less buyers in the market place.

This makes it far more critical for your home to be polished when the for sale sign gets placed on the lawn. In a buyers market those that are looking at your home are far less forgiving. It is easy for buyers to be choosy because there are so many more homes for them to look at. Massachusetts homes that are not in good shape can take a severe price beating in this environment. Most buyers are looking for turnkey properties. Far fewer buyers are interested in spending the time and energy of fixing up a sellers headaches.

One of the things you hear talked about a lot in Real Estate circles is “curb appeal”. 1st impressions are an important factor when you are selling a home. Since the 1st thing a buyer looks at when they visit your property is the yard and the exterior of the house, you want to make sure that at the very least it is presentable.

Here are some tips for minimal money that will help to facilitate a more timely sale:

EXTERIOR HOME SALE TIPS

  • Clean up all debris from the winter months including any tree limbs, branches, and left over leaves.
  • Clean the driveway and walkway of any sand and other debris.
  • Pay careful attention to have all your landscaping beds raked and weeded out. Adding a fresh coat of mulch always goes a long way.
  • Trim the bushes if needed. Pay attention to keeping them a few feet back from the home allowing for proper ventilation.
  • Consider planting some hearty Spring flowers that have lots of color.
  • Assess your driveway and get it seal coated if it looks old and worn. Seal coating is fairly inexpensive and really does wonders to give your home a new and appealing feel.
  • Clean out your gutters. Leaves hanging out of gutters creates a feeling that the home is not well maintained.
  • Hose down your deck and consider seal coating the surface if needed.
  • Look for any rotted trim and replace as needed.
  • The entry way to your home should sparkle! A fresh coat of paint on the front door always looks great. Make sure you remove any cob webs.
  • Consider adding a few potted plants at the entry with some vibrant flowers.
  • Use a garden hose and spray down any areas of your siding that may have mold or mildew build-up.

Before visiting some tips for sprucing up the interior of your home please keep in mind that a buyer almost ALWAYS estimates higher than the actual cost to make necessary repairs and or improvements. It will cost you far less money to do these things than letting the buyer deduct an appropriate credit in their mind.

INTERIOR HOME SALE TIPS

Massachusetts home sold

  • The 1st thing any home seller should consider is taking any unnecessary possessions and remove them from the house. You want to make your home feel as large and airy as possible. De-cluttering old furniture, boxes, and nick knacks go a long way in making a home presentable. I would consider a local storage center in your area for these things, as it is well worth the money spent. This of course is if you don’t have the space in a basement or attic.
  • If there is not a local storage facility, I would suggest renting a storage unit from PODS (portable on demand storage).
  • Once the clutter has been removed a major Spring cleaning should take place. The bathrooms and kitchen should be spotless! These are the rooms that buyers will pay the most attention to. These rooms are the most costly to upgrade so buyers will be much more picky here.
  • Clean out all the closets in your home. Buyers are always looking for closet space. Having the closets neatly organized is important.
  • Wash down all the windows. Homes always show better when there is plenty of natural light. Don’t let years of grime and dust get in the way.
  • Touch up painting is essential in any home sale. Concentrate on high traffic areas where scuff marks and worn paint are easily visible.  Homes that have painting issues really stand out but in a bad way!
  • Always paint or bleach any old ceiling stains away. For example, if one of your kids took a shower without the curtain fully closed and there is a large stain in the kitchen ceiling below the bath above get it fixed! The fact that it looks awful is reason enough but buyers will also assume you have a plumbing issue.
  • Clean out and organize the garage. A spacious garage will be a consideration for many Massachusetts home buyers.
  • In areas of your home where natural light is not the best make sure you have lamps with higher watt bulbs. In addition make sure they are on for showings. There is nothing worse than a dark home.
  • Clear your kitchen counters completely of everything but the bare bones essentials. Buyers love to see spacious counter areas.
  • Clean all faucets,mirrors,lights, and ceiling fans. There should be no visible dust bunnies!
  • Re-caulk any tubs, showers, sinks, or tile work that has loose grout.
  • If you have leaking faucets make sure they are corrected before placing your home for sale.

Watch the terrific Howcast video below that does an excellent job of pointing out the things that are necessary to prepare a Massachusetts home for sale. Staging a Massachusetts home is an important factor in improving your chances for a timely sale.

While getting your home to look outstanding is an important piece of the home sale puzzle don’t forget that the right price and picking a top producing Realtor to work with should be the two most important considerations.

Best of luck with a timely sale!

Related Real Estate articles:

_________________________________________________________________

About the author: The above Real Estate information on staging and preparing a Massachusetts home for sale was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 24+ Years.

Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!

I service the following towns in Metrowest MA: Hopkinton, Milford, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Upton, Mendon, Hopedale, Medway, Franklin, Framingham, Grafton, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Northboro, Bellingham, Uxbridge, and Douglas.

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