All Forum Posts by: Jessica Hood

Thanks Dory! I have not got a appraisal/BPO yet. We only had the real estate agent come out. I had suggested an appraisal to my parents, but they never did it. I think I will just have it done myself. Oh I know what it was... my parents said something about once you get the appraisal, they might raise your taxes on the property. So they didn't want to. Does that sound right? I think they were more concerned for the long term if the home doesn't sell for a long time.

The agent suggested we list the house for $103,900. The lower end homes about 4 or 5 blocks away don't go below $78,000. In a 3 to 4 block radius, we would be the cheapest list price. The higher end homes of similar make/age on this street and surrounding have been up around $115,000. For this particular area (a 2 block radius) seems to be a certain calibur of homes. Our home is in that calibur, but is one of the smallest homes in this area. So with our upgrades and size... that's how they chose that range.

I also noticed that nearly all the other homes in a 2 or 3 block radius were pricing quite a bit higher then what the auditor listed their home's value. Probably upwards of $10,000 more on some.

The auditor's current value is listed at $104,000 (it has increased over the last 4 to 5 months by about $300 to $500... can't remember exactly) and the last time anyone was in here to place a value on it was in 2002. We have since updated a lot of things. I personally think the value of this home should be more, but without that appraisal, I can't be too sure. Since I am no expert.

I haven't compared sale prices for several months so I will have to do that again.

Sorry if this is a silly questions, but what is "cumulative DOM"?

Nevermind, I found the answer. No family photos. :)

Thanks everyone! I don't expect anyone to help me out for free. I know how the world works. I'm hoping that maybe someone could use some help with things. Maybe a second person to run errands or even for labor that wouldn in exchange give me some useful info. I can pay in that manner, I just hate paying with money.

Thanks Jim. You are right. I am no expert and I may tend to get carried away when I am excited about a project. There are a LOT of houses for sale around here. Competition is stiff. I am a bit concerned about the amount of competition here. That's why I am putting so much effort into it I suppose. I don't have a ton of money though so you don't have to worry about me doing anything too drastic.

But hey, that's why I am here after all. To get opinions and ideas and make sure I don't screw it up.

Hey Dave,

All good advice, but I think I beat you to it. LOL! I actually do have experience hanging doors and using power tools. I bought 6 panel primed doors that do not have the holes cut (cheaper that way). Since the agent was here I have hung all new doors. It's really not that hard if you measure the original door to a T and make sure you cut right. Sand a little here and there and you should be good. But for someone who has never done it... yes, doors can be a real pain. Nothing in a house is ever really straight as it should be. Anyway, each door only cost $29 and new knobs were $8 each. Reused the hinges. I didn't even have to mess with the frames or trim. The reason I did that was because I have lived in places with 6 panel doors and without and there is just something classy about the 6 panel. I feel it gives more character. The old doors were just that... old.. flat... boring.

I have used a neutral beige color for the walls and a bright cream/eggshell color for the trim and doors. I've seen it used in the newer, more expensive apartment complexes with smaller spaces. This is a fairly small house so this color scheme works well. It makes it cozy without making it seem confined.

I layed down new linoleum (sp?) in the laundry room and kitchen. We are still working on the baseboards and quarter round. The house had carpet at one point, but we ripped it out (it was ugly) and it left a huge gap at the baseboards. We have lovely hard wood though so it was worth it.

Got a heck of a deal on mulch at Ohio Mulch (cheaper then Home Depot or Lowes). Took care of that. Bought some bright colored flowers/plants for cheap at Home Depot (got my doors there too). You have to love Home Depot! I love landscaping so my yard wasn't bad off to begin with. Spent some time hand digging the handful of dandelions that popped up (thanks to my annoying neighbor).

The majority of the homes in this area are outdated inside. The deco and style is just not what younger people are into. Unless you are going for that vintage look, but then you are probably looking for more of a Victorian style house. So i am hoping that the fresh new look will make this house stand out from the majority. There are a couple of houses that have been recently flipped in this area (I scoped them out) and they seem to have the same idea I do.

Hello everyone! I am preparing my personal home for sale and there's one thing that I am not sure about...

I have always kept family photos around the house to a minimum. I prefer artwork on my walls and tables. But I do have family photos in my living room. 3 small photos (1 on wall, 2 on big screen television). Is it better to take all family photos out and if needed replace them with a tasteful artwork or something? So there is less of me and the buyer can better invision themselves here?

Thanks Owen. Even though this house belongs to my parents, they will be splitting any profit with me since I have been taking care of and upgrading this home, as well as paying the mortgage, since they purchased it. So even though I didn't personally buy it, I am looking at this as sort of a long term flip for me. Trying to see what I can make of it and then learn from the whole process of actually selling it. I'm making sure to be very involved in everything.

We have done a lot to this home. New siding, windows, AC unit, and interior remodeling. I am all about designing for today's young families (in this house) since this home is more suitable for such and that seems to be the trend in this area. I have lived in many places, studied how people live, and I have always been very observant of changing trends and styles. I get a lot of compliments on my decorating sense. I am confident that I can produce something better. I just hope I am not just "full of myself". Ha!

I'm hoping the agent will come back and say... "wow! You really made a difference!" I guess we shall see!

Thanks NC. I am in a position where I can move if it would be in my best interest. So if it comes to that so I can do what will be more appealing to me, then so be it. You are right for sure. The market is going to vary per location so I will definitely do some research here as well. Thanks!

I went to the library today and got several books on selling/staging your home for sale. So far, what I have read is that the first impressions for each room and your curb appeal are very important and set the mood for the buyer. If someone comes in and sees things that need fixed or that look bad, the immediately have a feeling of "there's work to be done here". I guess because I am getting that feeling myself, then I am certain they would as well.

I could see where he wouldn't want to delay in listing, but it just doesn't seem right. Call it a gut instinct. He might think it's out of my comfort zone to things of that nature, but it certainly isn't. That's a good point though. I guess I am just one of those people that believes... if you are going to do it... do it right... and blow them away.

PS.... my forum sites are not related and I will not promote them here. No worries... I am not a spammer! LOL!