Improve to Move - How Cosmetic Improvements Sell Homes Faster & For Top Dollar

Improve to Move - Don Johnson Real Estate Team Signature Services

How Cosmetic Improvements Sell Homes Faster & For Top Dollar

Sometimes a small upfront investment can yield a big return when selling your home.  Most buyers do not have extra cash, or the desire, to fix little things after they move in.  The vast majority of buyers want move in ready homes - unless they are getting a great deal below market value.  If you want top dollar for your home, you need to get it show stopping ready.  Many move in ready homes in today's market are receiving multiple offers!

The Don Johnson Real Estate Team specializes in getting homes show ready.  Whether your homes needs major upgrades or just some simple paint and design style, we can help.  Don is a licensed General Contractor and has an in-house professional staging consultant on his team.  Our Team can help you Improve to Move and get top dollar for your home fast.

If you are considering selling your home in Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Morrisville, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas, give us a call first.  We will be glad to walk through your home and property and give you honest feedback of what needs to be done to attract buyers and get the highest possible price in today's market.  It can be done, and we have proven it time and again!

Take a look at how home staging sells homes fast.

Sometime simple staging is all that is needed.  Home Staging is proven to sell homes faster and for top dollar.  Stage to Sell techniques include new paint, sprucing up the curb appeal, packing away personal belongings and making the home show ready. Here are some homes we recently Staged to Engage.



Please contact us for Staging Services in Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Morrisville, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas.  Our Client Services Team is ready to assist you.

The Triangle Continues With A Strong Real Estate Marketing Trend

The Triangle MLS reports that in April the Triangle continued showing a strong Spring Real Estate Market.

Its all good news for the Real Estate Market through April 2013.

Closed Sales through April were up 37% on the same period last year, keeping the upward trend while the pending sales (those under contract and not yet closed) were up 36% on April figures for 2012.

New Listings increased 17% with the same period last year and the total inventory levels diminished by 12.1%. Housing prices continued improving in April and the average sales price rose by 3.5% to $231,914. The days on the market decreased by 107 days from the same time last year which is the shortest period of time since September 2010 when the federal tax credits were stimulating sales.

The Housing Affordability Index was also up 3.2% in comparison with last year set at 199. The index measures affordability which means the household income increased more than was necessary to qualify for the median-priced home under the current interest rates.

 Ray Larcher, President of the Triangle MLS said "“While new listings increased in April over last year inventory remains low which is creating bidding wars in popular areas and price ranges.”  He continued “Despite the competitive landscape for buyers, housing remains one of the brightest lights in an otherwise subdued economic recovery” 

This is all good news for the Real Estate Market in the Triangle. If you are possibly considering purchasing a home or would just like to have a look what is available, please use our search tool to see what is available in the market place.

Communities Served

• Apex Homes for Sale
• Brookhaven Homes for Sale
• Carrboro Homes for Sale
• Cary Homes for Sale
• Chapel Hill Homes for Sale
• Durham Homes for Sale
• Fuquay-Varina Homes for Sale
• Holly Springs Homes for Sale
• Kitts Creek Morrisville
• Lochmere Homes for Sale
• Morrisville Homes for Sale
• Raleigh Homes for Sale
• Wake Forest Homes for Sale

Staged - Listed - SOLD

Staged - Listed - SOLD by the Don Johnson Real Estate Team

Take a look at these before and after videos of two of our recent listings.  Eden Park was staged, listed and SOLD in just 23 days at 98% of original list price.  It has been proven time and again, a little upfront investment in preparing a home for sale, will yield a speedy sale and a great offer!

Staged to Engage - Eden Park Drive



This beautiful listing on Highcroft Drive also sold for top dollar.

Staged to Engage - Highcroft Drive



Contact our Team today for a no-obligation consultation.  We will be happy to preview your home and tell you what would be needed to prepare your property for sale in today's market.  Many improvements just take a few weekend projects, a little elbow grease.  Larger projects can be handled by our team of trusted professionals.  Don is a licensed General Contractor so he can manage the pre-listing project for you.  Our Team makes the process stress free and profitable for you.

The large majority of buyers are not looking for a "fixer".  Even a home that only needs cosmetic improvements, can turn off many buyers because they just see dollar signs and many "honey do's" in their future.  We help remove all concerns by delivering a product we know buyers want.  We work with buyers everyday too, so we know what is important to them.  Value - not just price.

Good News. Bad News. Market Conditions March 2013.

Good News.  Bad News.  Market Conditions.

Good Market News

• National unemployment rate falls to 7.6% in March
• NC Unemployment drops to 7.5% from 8.2%
• Median home prices are up 4.3% nationwide
• Days on Market down 16.4% to 112 Days (Cary Market)
• March closings increased 28% in Wake County 

Bad Market News

• US retail sales dropped in March by the most in 9 months
• US Foreclosure activity is increasing
• US new home sales dip despite low supply
• US new home inventory decreased by 20%.
• US re-sale home inventory decreased by 24%. 

What does all this mean for you?  It depends. Each home, each buyer, each seller, and each situation presents its own set of unique circumstances.  Home sales are extremely localized and have to be analyzed individually based on the goals and circumstances of the buyer and the seller.  When both parties get what they want a sale is made.  It's the job of the Realtor to bring those two parties together to make it a win-win.

Local Housing Stats - March 2013

With low interest rates, homes are more affordable than ever.  Keep in mind, when rates go up, so does the monthly cost of owning that home.

When Should I Put My Home On The Market?

When Should I Put My Home On The Market?

I get asked this question all the time. "Don, when is it the best time to put my home on the market?"

There is no perfect answer to this question. The best time to sell depends completely on the circumstances relating to your sale.

If you have to sell you home quickly, then we need to price the home perfectly, get it staged and get it onto the market as soon as possible. In order to get the best possible price with the least amount of hassle you need to make sure that the garden is manicured and tidy, the house is in good showing condition and is uncluttered and presentable. A good rule of thumb is to go and stand in the street and compare your curb appeal with the homes around you. Get rid of any unsightly objects, pots with no plants in them, old lawn furniture, etc.  Plant some annuals and rid the garden of leaves and branches and let your home get the appeal it deserves.  On the interior, put away all personal effects, get rid of unwanted items, and store what you do not immediately need.

If you do not have to sell quickly and you want to relocate, the Spring time is always a good time to get your home on the market. There is always renewed interest in the market place when the weather warms up and the leaves return to the trees.  The yard will show better.  If you need to sell before the end of Summer then it's good to ensure your home is presented at the beginning of Spring.  Always allow for the average days on market in your area at minimum.  Depending on your pricing, it may take more or less time to sell.

As a Realtor, I would be so happy to come and meet with you and discuss marketing possibilities with you. We can take the time to plan your move and discuss what can be done to maximize your price.

Contact me for a no obligation consultation.