Declutter! You'll Be Glad You Did

Decluttering is a topic we here at Roost think about often (see here, here and here). And it’s no wonder! Whether preparing to be a home seller or gearing up to simplify your space, eliminating extra stuff can be hard. When items feel too valuable to donate, not only is it time consuming to sell them (determining value, taking photos, marketing, etc.), but it can also be emotional. Recently, I decided to take the plunge and liquidate my collection of mid century modern goodies. The first to go was my most prized treasure, a beautiful pair of mid century sofas. It was kind of like losing a family member. That said, they’d been in my garage for months, so it was time to find them a new, loving home.

As listing agents, we take great pride in our work. This work includes (on top of many things) staging, which is just one of the ways we maximize client profit. This process of decluttering opened my eyes to what our clients may feel as we walk through their homes identifying possessions that must go (or get packed up) in order to make buyers swoon. You may ask: Is it really worth it? You bet. It’s just another reason why our listings sell 2% higher than the average listing.

Starting with the sofas was like ripping off a bandage; painful at first, but soon enough it was like it never happened. The end result felt great; less can be more! If you’re preparing to sell your home, here are a few simple ways to declutter, inspired by the folks at becomingminimalist.com:

1. Make it manageable. Give away just one item each day, every day. This will create momentum without overwhelming you away from getting started.
2. Turn it into a game. See how quickly you can find 10 items to toss, 10 items to donate and 10 items to put back where they should go. Enlist your family members to play!
3. See your home in a new light. We develop a blindness to our everyday surroundings. Take photos and evaluate your space objectively or invite someone new over to get their two cents. Simply preparing for their visit may spark changes!

For sale: 409 N 7th Street

We’re excited to share our newest listing at 409 N 7th Street in the trendy Emerson East neighborhood! Join us at the open house on Sunday, January 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. [slider] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="409 N Seventh Street" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMG_7941.2.jpg[/slide]

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Top 8 Reasons to Buy This Home:

1. Open, sun-filled floor plan
2. Super spacious foyer: plenty of room to stash jackets, boots, bags and accessories
3. Private backyard with extensive landscaping (just ask us for the landscaping sketches)
4. Vintage-y charm
5. Modern improvements (exactly where you want ‘em)
6. Next to one of Madison’s coolest parks - Demetral Park
7. In coveted Emerson East neighborhood
8. Within walking distance to a growing number of hip, locally owned hotspots

The details:

• $195,000
• MLS 1733859
• 1562 finished sq ft
• 2 bedrooms + an office
• 1.5 baths
• 1 car garage

Everyday is a bright and sunshiny one in this stylish bungalow! An ultra open living and dining room boasts plentiful windows while creating a warm, inviting space for all to comfortably gather and tinker. A fine balance of modern and vintage means charming wood floors, original doors and fixtures, and cool yet practical built-ins. A sleek new bathroom and modern kitchen adds a fun twist to an old classic, and the list does not end there with numerous updates that will put your minds (and pocketbooks) at ease.

Perfectly located in the urban and trendy Emerson neighborhood, you’re sure to appreciate the array of shops, restaurants, coffee shops and bars that are within a short walk. On top of that, you’re literally a hop, skip and a jump away from the popular Demetral Park and extensive bike path system.

Updates Include:

• Completely remodeled bathroom - 2011
  • Grohe, CB2, West Elm, and Ikea fixtures
• Completely remodeled kitchen - 2005
  • Kenmore refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher
• Finished basement - 2006
  • Sewing/craft space
  • Guest area
  • Enclosed bathroom
  • New Samsung high efficiency washer - 2013
  • Storage room with built-in shelving
  • New hot water heater - 2010
  • New water softener - 2013
• New garage roof - 2007
• New garage windows - 2012
• Insulated garage - 2012
• Backyard landscape design by FormEcology - 2013
• Front deck - 2007
• Front landscaping - 2010
• Blown-in insulation in walls - 2005
• New windows throughout house - 2005

Want to learn more, or schedule a showing? Just let us know.

For Sale: 158 Nautilus Drive

We have a fabulous new listing for sale in Madison's excellently located Faircrest neighborhood! 158 Nautilus Drive resides on Madison's west side in a beautiful lot. UPDATE: Accepted Offer. 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alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/24.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/SittingRm-Compressed.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/26.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/27.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/28.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/29.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/30.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Poarch-b-Compressed.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/32.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="1803 Keyes Ave." auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/33.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/34.jpg[/slide] [slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="158 Nautilus Drive" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/35.jpg[/slide] [slide 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• 158 Nautilus Drive, Madison, WI 53705
• $310,000
• 2,958 finished sq. ft.
• 4 bedrooms, 2 and a half baths
• 3 seasons porch
• Many updates (see below!)
• View the Virtual Tour

With so many of the unique and desirable features you're looking for, you will surely appreciate this Faircrest gem. An ultra-open floor plan and abundance of windows makes way for plentiful sunlight and summer breezes. An exceptionally designed floor plan provides plenty of space to entertain or retreat, both indoors and out. A beautifully updated chef's kitchen boasts maple cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas stove, wine fridge, and wood burning fireplace. Other drool-worthy features include newly refinished hardwood floors,  built-in book cases and shelving, and new windows, roof, gutters and more. An expansive lot lends itself well to all kinds of yard enthusiasts: a giant, sun-filled area and raised garden beds to satisfy any green thumb, a fenced-in dog run, plus plenty of privacy for outdoor entertainment. All this in a superb location, where the schools, pool, Owen Conservancy, shops and restaurants are all within a short walk -- and biking and busing to the university is easy as pie!

Learn more about the Faircrest neighborhood here.

Numerous updates have been made recently, making this home truly move-in ready. Updates include: 

• 2013: New hot water heater, installation of soffit vents and soffit baffles, blown-in insulation in attic, new solid bathroom vent duct installed on main floor.
• 2011: New roof, high capacity gutters and downspouts, Leaf Guard on gutters, and window wrap.
• 2010: Samsung washer and dryer.
• 2008: Stand up Frigidaire freezer.
• 2006: Amana refrigerator, Danby wine refrigerator, Maytag range/oven, Maytag dishwasher, Maytag microwave, maple cabinets, solid surface countertops, Anderson and Pella high-quality windows and patio doors.

Showings begin on Sunday, June 8. Don't miss this one!

Want to learn more, or schedule a showing? Just let us know.

158 Nautilus Dr. Madison, WI 53705 from Media Cue Productions on Vimeo.

FSBO: Weighing the Pros and Cons

You're about to list your home for sale, and you want to keep as much money in your pocket as possible once the transaction is done. Often, home sellers come to the conclusion that selling their homes themselves -- For Sale By Owner -- is the best way to go.

Sometimes, going the FSBO route can work out well. But for many home sellers, it's often fraught with some surprising challenges. We frequently work with home sellers who attempted FSBO and then decided to list their home with a Realtor when their homes didn't sell. And we've heard from others who sold their homes as FSBO but weren't completely happy with the end result.

Here are the lessons we've learned, about the pros and cons of going FSBO.

Selling your home as a FSBO might make sense for you when you have...

• a lot of time. Selling a home takes time -- from staging, to showings, to open houses, to answering follow-up questions from potential buyers and showing agents, etc.
• a thorough understanding of the real estate market. What does current market data suggest about the fair market value of your home? Choosing a reasonable listing price requires examining a whole host of data -- you need to know where to find it, how to interpret it, and how to use it when making the case with buyers that your home is worth that value.
• top-notch writing, photography, and marketing skills. You want your home's photos and description to shine -- these are the first things most buyers see, and it's essential that your marketing materials make a strong first impression!
• a wide network, and a willingness to use it. Selling a home requires more than posting an online ad and plopping a for-sale sign in the yard. You need to actively recruit potential buyers. Do you have the time, interest, and ability to network with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, to generate interested foot traffic?
• strong negotiation skills. Getting top dollar for your property requires knowing how to negotiate with buyers. And knowing what buyers will pay a premium for requires a depth of knowledge about the real estate market in your city and neighborhood!

If you read the list above and think, "check, check, check!", then congrats! Selling your home as a FSBO might be a good option. But for many people, going FSBO soon leaves them feeling like their in over their heads. If that describes you, here's why working with a Realtor might be a good idea.

Listing your home with a Realtor...

...saves you time. A lot of sellers are surprised by the amount of research, preparation, and constant communication involved in listing a home. An experienced Realtor can make it look simple, but the truth is, there are a lot of moving parts involved! If you don't have the time to manage them all, it might make sense to list your home with a professional.

...saves you peace of mind. Your Realtor handles the hassles -- the phone calls, the emails, the back and forth with other agents. And your Realtor handles the checklist of legal documents and deadlines that come along with selling a home -- so you never need to worry about missing paperwork, missed deadlines, or other slip-ups that can derail an otherwise solid sale.

...instantly widens your network. We're constantly in communication with other Realtors, networking our listings to see if they match the needs of other buyers. This is the kind of highly customized exposure that an online ad and yard sign will simply never be able to attract.

...makes you more money. The most common reason sellers choose FSBO is to save commission fees. But an examination of local real estate data shows that FSBO sellers often walk away with less money than their homes are worth -- sometimes up to 13% less money! That's significantly more than they would have paid a professional Realtor in the first place. It's shocking and sad to see how much money FSBO sellers can leave on the table simply because they don't know any better.

...gets the job done right. Why do Realtors make you more money? Because a good Realtor knows the market inside and out. She can use her knowledge and experience to suggest the best possible listing price for your home, to market your home successfully and aggressively -- and to negotiate at top dollar.

And finally, an important note about contracts and negotiations...

Many FSBO sellers don't have a complete grasp of the contracts used to execute a sale. This can result in oversight regarding their contractual rights and obligations. This can mean wasted time, less profit, and unforeseen expenses, as well as missed opportunities for re-negotiations.

Most buyers and sellers aren't experts in the ever-changing world of lending and mortgages. Without the help of a professional, they don't always ask the right questions or require the proper documentation from the other party. One of the most common complaints we've heard from homeowners who've tried selling FSBO is that their deal fell apart because of buyer financing issues. Most of these scenarios could have been avoided with proper due diligence up front.

On a similar note, many sellers typically don't understand the implications of various loan programs, which can lead to deals falling apart far too often. Some loan programs simply do not match with some types of properties -- this is critical information for every buyer and seller to know.

So -- at the end of the day, is selling your home as a FSBO the right choice for you? It's smart to weigh the true pros and cons before making such a big decision. We'd be happy to answer any of your questions as you decide the best path for you, your family, and your home!