Real Estate Blog

I just finished reading the 2016 Williamson County Trends Report and I couldn't wait to share it with you! The report, created by the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce, highlights our changing demographics, business climate, top performing public school systems, transportation, health, housing, charitable giving, diversity and workforce.

Here are a few numbers I found most interesting:

• The average size of a Williamson County home is 3,139 Sq Ft.
• Property taxes continue to be low compared to the other areas of the country at an average of $1,879.
• ACT scores are among the highest in the state.
• 54% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher.
• The top six areas residents have relocated from are: Orlando, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Lewisburg, WV; Tampa, FL; Muncie, IN; and Atlanta, GA.
• Average cost of living remains low relative to other US metropolitan areas.

It's clear that Williamson County continues to be one of the best counties in the country to live and do business!

Click here to read the entire report.

Spring is a hot time in real estate, so if you're thinking about putting your home on the market, you want to make sure you make an excellent first impression as potential buyers begin their quest for the perfect home. There are many factors in the selling process that can seem out of your control, so it's important to do everything you can to reach buyers with the things you can control.

I've spent years walking buyers through homes, so I've observed their reactions and listened to their comments as they've encountered common turnoffs that have ultimately led to them skipping over the homes in question. Don't make these five mistakes!

1. Odors. This might surprise you, but strong odors are probably the #1 turnoff that buyers complain of when they visit a home. There is a lot of research about how odors stir up memories, good and bad, so it's probably best to neutralize the air as much as possible. If you go for deodorizer sprays, plug-ins, or diffusers, choose soft scents and not overpowering ones. Trying too hard to create a clean smell can backfire. One way to freshen up your home is to paint your entry way inside and out. Not only will it look nice, but it will trigger smells that are similar to a new-car smell.

2. Clutter. Coming in a close second place in the list of turnoffs is clutter. I cannot say this enough: Clutter is distracting. It keeps people from seeing the true value of your home.

3. Crammed Closets. Speaking of clutter, cramming it in closets is a bad idea. It's much better to box up and store the clutter than it is to shove it in a closet. Make sure people are able to see the full potential of your closet space. Clean out the stuff you don't need, and use organizing bins and other tools to arrange the things you do need. People love storage space, so show them what you've got!

4. Overgrown Yard. If buyers pull into the driveway for the first time and see an overgrown or completely bare yard, they sometimes have the urge to keep driving. The assumption is that if you don't care for the outside, you might not take care of the inside either. Keep the yard mowed and trimmed at all times. Don't feel like you have to spend a fortune on flowers and plants. Simply adding a splash of color to the front walkway and porch goes a long way to give people the warm fuzzies they're looking for.

5. Non-neutral walls and décor. You might also be surprised how many times clients want to walk away from a home simply because of outdated wallpaper and non-neutral paint colors or other cosmetic reasons, but it's really difficult for some people to get past those things. Do what you can to create more of a blank slate for buyers and your home will sell much more quickly.

If you allow me to step in and help you see the things that need to be addressed in your home before you list it, I will help you get it ready and sold quickly! Call me today and let's get started.

Jarod
jarod@realtracs.com
615-669-8265

Photo credit: Pixabay by Robert Chlopas