It has gotten so proper staging of homes for sale is almost crucial for a speedy sale, and top dollar. Staging might mean working with your own furnishings, or it might mean renting furnishings for a vacant house. In any case, well-staged homes often net 5% or more and sell quicker. The photos online are more appealing, for sure!

Many are asking… “What is the state of our current local market?” Although I am seeing the average and median prices up-tick slightly, and properties selling at a healthy rate, the market is not crazy-good. It is simply much stronger and consistent than in recent years. If you are selling, and you price right and stage well, you should sell well. If you are buying, be prepared to pay near asking prices for homes well-priced!

For the last few years many who wanted to sell their house either elected to wait, or simply could not sell, due to the market downturn. This spring I am seeing a healthy amount of new listings coming to market. My phone is ringing once again with sellers getting gearing up. This is good news! Hopefully buyer demand will maintain, and indeed 2014 will be a strong year for our local real estate economy.