Mark Despain

Good advice from the first 3 responders.

To summarize, if you are sure where you want to live and are staying here for AT LEAST 3 years, then buy now. If you don't know the area very well, then get an agent to help familiarize you with neighborhoods that would work for you - and show you some homes in those areas.

Whatever you do, make the decision based on your personal financial and employment situation. Do not try to cull predictions about the market from experts because nobody knows what is going to happen. This new territory for even the expert economists.

I think Ben (the home buyer in New York) is mistaken about why Keith got the thumbs down. Usually the agents that post here get a thumbs down when they are asking for business or asking the questioner to contact them (I've been guilty too), not for giving prudent or contradictory advice.

Best of luck M - Thu Jul 24 2008, 09:05

This is a very hard question to answer without seeing the space, the house and the rest of the front yard. I am not an expert but when planting to sell you should treat it like staging the house, only are staging for curb appeal.

For instance, if the entire yard is grass then you probably would want lots of colorful flowers. But size and height may me important to add some texture. If there are no shrubs in the yard a couple of large pots (either tall or wide or both) brimming with flowers may be better than a single row of immature (small) flowers.

I would start with Mary's suggestion below and take pictures of the entire front yard and consult with at least 2 or 3 nurseries.

Good luck! - Tue Jul 15 2008, 09:46

Agents are supposed to be careful to avoid "steering" clients to or from specific neighborhoods for legal reasons. However, a good agent will provide an abundance of information and statistics about any neighborhood being considered so that the buyers can form their decision on whether it is suitable for them. That is the theory at least. In practice, it is the agent's job to avoid properties in which you are not interested.

If your agent is not providing an abundance information, i.e. weblinks, spread sheets, graphs, etc. it is probably due to lack of experience or lack of knowledge or both. Ask her to provide statistics on crime, schools or any information that is important to you.

Ask yourself if she really knows what you are looking for or if she is just sending you listings based on price and location or minimal parameters. A responsible agent will do their best to preview every listing prior to bringing you there so that they can answer your questions about location, condition, etc. And to be sure they know where it is and how to get there (it sounds like you're covering a big area). They also ask a lot of questions - a lot of questions - so that they can hone in on what you are really interested in.

Consider how you met the agent: did you interview at least three agents before deciding? did you get any referrals from past clients? Bryan makes excellent points below. No one wants to see an agent fired. Address your concerns with her (if you haven't already) and if she stil isn't performing, move on.

Best of luck in your search for a new home.

Mark - Wed Jul 2 2008, 12:07

The short answer is "no." Homes that are professionally staged will, first of all, attract more attention through the photos on line. They also stimulate the potential buyers' imaginations and their lifestyle desires.

I would recommend touring the competition in your area to see what they look like. Have your agent show you the comps in your area. Were the ones that sold quickly staged? Are the ones currently on the market staged? If most of the other houses are staged, you need to be competitive. And it is all about price, first, and then presentation.

Best of luck! - Wed Jul 2 2008, 10:41

Alison,
You have gotten some great answers here. But keep in mind that there are many factors to consider beyond generalizations of what buyers "want." It is also a matter of what buyers can afford. I would ask first what improvements the house and the neighborhood market will support.

For instance it is a pretty safe bet that most buyers want a second bathroom but that isn't always feasible in small, older houses without a lot of space to begin with. And that goes for expanding the kitchen, as well. If you are in a neighborhood of 2 bedroom/1 bath homes, you may be creating a higher sales price than the potential competition. And if you are considering selling in the current market (that is within the next year or so) the lower the asking price, the more potential buyers you will attract, e.g. the more buyers there will be that can qualify for the loan.

I always thought of "sweat equity" as things that most every unskilled homeowner could do themselves: yard work, interior and exterior painting, vinyl flooring, and maybe some light carpentry, etc. But when you start considering adding rooms or modernizing kitchens and baths, that is renovation and usually best left to the professionals. And using professionals really drives up the costs.

I have included a link that has some great generalizations for professional remodeling costs vs. value.

http://www.costvsvalue.com/seattle.html

Good luck! - Wed Jul 2 2008, 10:21