selling a house in Cincinnati Archives

Best Home Updates For Increasing Your Property Value

March 19, 2017 by Eric Lowry

If you are looking to have work done on your home in order to increase its value for a future sale, you need to make sure you are choosing the updates that will have the greatest impact. Not all improvements to your home will be reflected in its resale value. If you want to see a return on your investment, keep in mind these best home updates for increasing your property value.

Many homeowners who aren’t looking to have extensive work done choose to make simple updates to their home in order for it sell faster and for more money. These simple updates include a fresh coat of neutral paint, new carpets or flooring. However, if you’re looking to have more extensive work done on your home, consider the following options:

Kitchen Remodel
Average Return at Resale: Minor Remodel – 98.5%, Major Remodel – 91%
Update the cabinet faces, counter tops, appliances, fixtures, and flooring.
Bathroom Remodel
Average Return at Resale: Minor Remodel – 102%, Major Remodel – 93.2%
Replace the tub/shower, tile surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity, and fixtures.
Exterior Improvements
Average Return at Resale: 95.5%
Update/replace vinyl siding, paint, update the front entry, replace railings, etc.
Landscaping
Average Return at Resale: 100%
Lay sod if necessary, add flower beds and plant flowers for a pop of color, etc.
Basement Remodel
Average Return at Resale: 90.1%
Finish the walls and ceiling, add recessed lighting, add flooring, consider extras such as a wet bar or half bath.
Replacement Windows
Average Return at Resale: 89.6%
Replace old, drafty windows with new energy efficient windows.

Questions about selling your home for the most money?
Call or text Eric Lowry at 513-368-3751.

Will we save money if we sell our house without a Realtor?

March 16, 2017 by Eric Lowry

Q. Will we save money if we sell our house without a Realtor?

A. Studies have shown that if you list your home for sale with a real estate agent you get signficantly more money for your house than if you sell it without a Realtor or “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO). According to U.S. National Association for Realtors, for-sale-by-owner transactions typically result in a considerable cut in price–as much as 28% less than what may have been made by contacting a realtor, Eric Lowry and The Lowry Team for example. Saving a little bit of money on the real estate commission is actually costing thousands on the actual sale price.

In addition, if you list your own house for sale, you may be able to get a few buyers to find your house on the Internet or driving by. However, 88% of buyers are using a real estate agent. This means if you sell FSBO you are missing out on 88% of the potenial home buyers that are out looking. In order to get the best price for your home, you need to make your house available to as many buyers as possible.

Q. Why do homes listed by real estate agents generate more at sale time?

A. There are several reasons that Realtors are able to get sellers those higher sale prices. One reason is that they have immense access to current data regarding the housing market and accurate appraisal tools for assessing the home’s value. While most homeowners do at least some market research, they aren’t likely to have the access to the scope of information databases that Realtors do. Statistics show that without this information, many homeowners just aren’t asking enough for their property.

On the other hand, the opposite is also true. Many homeowners ask a much higher price for their home than it is worth in the current market. A real estate professional is an expert at advising homeowners about pricing strategies and can help make sure the home is priced right. Asking too much for a FSBO home typically results in the home sitting for a long time on the market and may not sell.

Finally, many Realtors are excellent marketers. They are experts are providing homes with the exposure they need to help generate the highest sale price and quickest possible sale. The yard signs and Craigslist ads that many for-sale-by-owners rely on are just not enough to produce a steady stream of potential buyers. Professional Realtors use a wide variety of means to generate interest in a home. A real estate agent’s day-to-day work with home buyers also provides them with a regular opportunity to show homes listed in their area.

The fact is that most home sellers are happy to pay their Realtor’s commission. Realtors have the tools to effectively market the home and the skill to manage open houses, showings, home inspections, negotiations, and much more. If you are thinking of selling your home yourself, you might want to reconsider and contact Eric Lowry and The Lowry Team. Call/text 513-368-3751.

6 Steps to Staging Your Cincinnati Home For Sale

March 10, 2017 by Eric Lowry

Preparing your home for sale properly can net you considerably more money at closing. Some rooms in your home are more important than others in the preparation process and some home improvements are a much better investment as you prepare to sell your home. However, don’t spend your money unnecessarily; consult with a Realtor who can help guide you. In the meantime, keep in mind these 6 steps to staging your Cincinnati home for sale.

The first step in staging your home is to maximize the curb appeal. This can be as simple as keeping your lawn trimmed and edge. The curb appeal of your home will provide the first impression to potential buyers. Make it a good one!

Next, you will want to remove any clutter from your house. Start packing up anything you are not currently using. Taking down family photos will help potential buyers picture themselves living in your home. Once you de-clutter, your house will appear larger, neater, and more organized. You are going to have to pack it up eventually anyway, so why not get started?

If you have transformed one (or more) of your bedrooms into something other than a bedroom, such as a sewing room or exercise room, change it back. If you are listing your house as a three bedroom, you want the home buyer to be able to easily visualize the three bedrooms.

Clean up and organize the counters in the bathrooms and kitchen. They should appear neat, clean and sparkly! Put items that are generally sitting out on the counter tops away out of sight; this will maximize the appearance of counter space.

After all of the steps are completed, do one last final clean up. Deep clean your house from top to bottom; yes, even the windows! Repair any nicks to the walls and cover them with a fresh coat of neutral paint.

Lastly, add a pop of color. For example, this could be some colorful towels in the half bath or fresh flowers in a vase in the entrance way. Add color outside by planting some flowers. Place a new welcome mat by the front door or add a splash of color with a pillows on a chair.

Homes that are properly staged sell faster and for more money than homes that are not.

Questions about selling your house? Call or text Eric Lowry at 513-368-3751.

Things to do for Mothers Day in Cincinnati 2016

May 2, 2016 by Eric Lowry

513-368-3751 to Connect with a Top Real Estate Agent in Cincinnati

Home Values	Hassle Free Listing	Contact Us
West Chester	Liberty Township	Mason
Monroe	Fairfield Township	Fairfield

Things to do for Mothers Day in Cincinnati 2016

This year Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 8th. So if you are looking for fun ways to celebrate and pamper your mom on Mother’s Day in Cincinnati, you’ve come to the right place! Check out this list of great events all around the Cincinnati area!

Cincinnati Museum Center Brunch – Enjoy a spectacular buffet with all your brunch favorites – including Cincinnati’s beloved goetta! After brunch, purchase discounted tickets to see the museum attractions and watch an Omnimax movie.

Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise – Cruise down the Ohio River with your mom and enjoy a delicious brunch on one of the famous BB Riverboats! There is a brunch cruise and a dinner cruise.

Mother’s Day at the Cincinnati Zoo – Every mom that comes to the zoo on Mother’s Day will get in for FREE!

Brunch at the Art Museum – Treat your mother to a very special Mother’s Day brunch buffet prepared by Executive Chef Luke Radkey, featuring quiche, fruit, crepes, salad, and other breakfast items. Reservations are required.

Butterflies of the Caribbean – Take your mom to see the beautiful butterflies and flowers of the Caribbean at Krohn Conservatory.

Mother’s Day at Cinebistro/Cobb – Take your mother to lunch and a movie at one of the new, luxury theaters at the Liberty Center in Liberty Township Ohio. The new Mother’s Day movie is showing at both Cobb Theater and Cinebistro.

Mother’s Day at Painting with a Twist – The studio offers two fun painting sessions especially for Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day Macarons – Attend a special Mother’s Day class on how to make delicious macarons! And of course, you get to take home everything you make!

Mother’s Day on the Cincinnati Dinner Train -Enjoy a unique meal experience with your mom on the Cincinnati Dinner Train. All moms will receive a flower upon boarding in honor of Mother’s day.

We hope this list of great events for Mother’s Day in Cincinnati helps you plan some fun for your weekend!

This list is provided courtesy of Lowry Team Real Estate.

Ten Tips for Selling Your Cincinnati Home

April 28, 2016 by Eric Lowry

Thinking of selling? Call 513-368-3751 for a Free Home Value Estimate; or click here for an automated home value estimate.

No matter if you are selling your first home or your fifth, selling a house can be a time consuming and stressful job. However, there are a few things you can do to make selling your Cincinnati home as painless as possible.

1. Set a realistic price

The fact is, it doesn’t really matter what you think your house is worth. What matters is current market conditions and what the buyer thinks it is worth. If you price it too high, you risk cutting your potential buyer pool significantly; or worst case, it may never sell. Recent Keller Williams research shows that a house priced right at market value sold in just half the time compared to homes priced above market value. In addition, homes priced at market value ended up selling for almost $4,000 more on average. A good Realtor can help you determine the best list price for your home; which brings us to…

2. Hire a fantastic agent

You want to make sure you are putting your home in the hands of a seasoned professional who will actively work to sell your house. Hiring a great Realtor is the single most important task you have as a seller. Do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Is the agent full-time or part-time? How much experience do they have? What is their performance history? Do you feel comfortable with them and trust them? etc.

A great agent will discuss your ideal time frame for selling your home, pricing strategies, tips to prepare for the market, as well as the net profit needed from the sale. Hiring an experienced real estate agent will help protect you and your best interests, and your potential equity in the sale of your home.

3. Reduce the amount of clutter

Start packing up anything you are not currently using. You are going to have to pack it up eventually anyway, so why not get started. Remove all clutter from kitchen and bathroom counters, shelves, tables, etc. Have a minimalist mindset with what you leave out. Your house will appear larger, neater, and more organized. You can also make your house look like it has an overabundance of storage by emptying closets and cabinets.

4. Make it light and bright

Lighting and brightness is very important when staging your home for sale. Replace any burned out bulbs. Move furniture away from the windows. Get rid of cobwebs and be sure to open curtains and blinds. Renew the look of the room by replacing old or dated light fixtures. Also, make sure to wash the windows both inside and out. Neutralize any strong or bright colored paint with neutral tones such as light taupes, beiges, or greys. Light, clean rooms also seem larger and more updated than rooms that are painted strong colors. These small steps will leave your house looking bright, inviting, and spacious to potential buyers.

5. Evaluate your kitchen and bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms tend to be the most important rooms to buyers, and can absolutely make or break a sale. With that being said, you don’t need to gut your kitchen and do a complete renovation. However, you can make a big difference by doing things such as updating cabinet hardware, painting the walls a neutral color, and replacing outdated faucets and light fixtures.

6. Tackle the projects you’ve been putting off

We all have that to-do list of things we’ve been putting off around the house. Before you put your home on the market you’ll want to tackle that list. Start with the small things like fixing a leaky faucet, and work your way up. Potential buyers want to see that you have been keeping up with home maintenance. Your Realtor will be able to go over your list with you, and advise you on which items need doing and which don’t.

7. Make a great impression online

The listing photos of your home online provide the very first impression buyers will have of your home. You want them to be impressed enough that they want to schedule a showing. If you prepare your house for listing photos, it can definitely help improve the quality of the photos and sell your house faster. You’ll also want to make sure your listing is complete and optimized for online viewing, especially on phones and tablets. This is why you need a tech-savvy agent with good photography skills. If your home really pops online, you will impress more buyers, and ultimately sell your house faster.

Related: Sell Your House Faster – Prepare Your Home for Listing Photos

8. Pack away the personal stuff

Before you put your home on the market be sure to remove personal photographs and pack up family heirlooms. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on display, and they can’t do that if yours are there. Don’t forget to remove your papers and pictures from the refrigerator as well. Also make sure shelves, counters, and tables are clean and uncluttered. Keep a minimalist mindset, and give the buyers a blank canvas so they can envision themselves living in your home.

9. Improve the curb appeal

Your home’s curb appeal provides the first impression to potential buyers, so you definitely want to make it a good one! Improving your home’s curb appeal can be as simple as keeping your lawn cut, trimming the bushes, and planting some colorful flowers. You want the buyers to be so impressed by the outside, that they can’t wait to see the inside!

Related: Sell Your House Faster – Easy Ways to Increase Curb Appeal

10. Always be ready

In a hot market, you will need to be ready for a home showing appointment at a moment’s notice. Make sure you keep your home clean and “show ready” at all times. Homes that are staged sell faster and for money than homes that are not. Keep in mind there is only one chance to make a good first impression on potential buyers.

Follow these ten tips, and your home will sell faster and for more money.

Questions about selling your Cincinnati home?
Contact The Lowry Team today!
Call or text 513-368-3751

Eric Lowry, CEO and Listing Specialist for The Lowry Team, has over 18 years experience selling homes in the Cincinnati area, and his listings sell for around 1% more than the market average – that could mean thousands of dollars more in your pocket.

We, at The Lowry Team, go above and beyond to market your home using all the latest advancements in technology, social media, and publicity strategies to ensure your home reaches the maximum number of potential buyers. In fact, we are 100% confident that NO ONE can expose your home to the masses like we can! We are so confident that we will GUARANTEE the sale of your home. Your home sold in 88 days, or we’ll sell it for FREE! Call Eric Lowry at 513-368-3751 for more information.

Sell Your Home Faster – Easy Ways to Increase Curb Appeal

February 16, 2016 by Eric Lowry

513-368-3751 to Connect with a Top Real Estate Agent in Cincinnati

Home Values	Hassle Free Listing	Contact Us
West Chester	Liberty Township	Mason
Monroe	Fairfield Township	Fairfield

Easy Ways to Increase Curb Appeal

Your home’s curb appeal provides the first impression to potential buyers, so you definitely want to make it a good one! Here are some easy ways you can greatly improve your home’s curb appeal…

Freshen Up the Paint – Touch up the shutters, trim, garage door, and front door paint.

Power Wash – If your siding is looking dirty, consider giving it a good power washing to brighten it up. Don’t forget to power wash the driveway, front porch steps, etc.

Wash the Windows – Let the light in! Homes that are brighter inside sell faster, and clean windows definitely look better on the street.

Clean Up the Landscaping – Make sure you are keeping the lawn trimmed and edged, and trim the bushes and trees. If it’s fall, make sure the leaves are being raked frequently.

Add a Pop of Color – Plant some brightly colored flowers in the flowerbeds.

Upgrade Your Mailbox – If your mailbox is looking shabby, consider buying a new one. You can even plant some flowers around your mailbox to add a pop of color.

Replace Exterior Light Fixtures – Get rid of any outdated or shabby light fixtures. Replace them with new lights that compliment the style of your home.

Update Door Hardware – If your home still has the original brass door knob and lock, consider upgrading.

Add New House Numbers – If your house numbers aren’t easy to see or if they’re dirty and dingy, replacing them can make a tremendous impact.

Questions about selling your house? Call or text Eric Lowry at 513-368-3751.
Don’t forget to ask about The Lowry Team’s Sale Guarantee…
We’ll sell your home in 88 days, or we’ll sell it for FREE!

Selling a House in Cincinnati – 6 Steps to Selling Your Home

Prepare Your House to Sell – The Ultimate Home Staging Guide Checklist

Why Use a Real Estate Team Instead of a Single Agent

Sell Your House Faster – Stage Your Home With Color!

Sell Your House Faster – Prepare Your Home for Listing Photos