7 ways to improve your home's sell-ability

In a tough real-estate market, it’s more essential than ever that your home stand out, but in the right way.

By Tisa Silver of Investopedia

7 ways to improve your home's sell-ability (© Simon Jarratt/Corbis)

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In this economy, houses aren't selling like they used to. If you have a house on the market, or are considering selling yours, there are some ways to improve your chances. Here are seven tips that will make it easier to sell your house and make a smooth transition from one owner to the next.

1. Maintain neutrality
This policy has worked for Switzerland, and it can also work in real estate. Customizing your home is great if you plan to stay there, but extreme colors and themed rooms can scare off potential homebuyers. If you have customized every room with extremely bright or dark colored paint, wallpaper or wall fixtures, you may want to consider toning it down a bit. Using neutral colors on the walls can help prospective buyers create their own vision for the house, and will also leave them with less work to undo if they buy the house.

2. Less is more
Even though you have not moved out yet, removing some of your furniture can help the house move off the market. If you take pictures for your listing, having less furniture can help the home appear more spacious. When potential homebuyers arrive, having less furniture can also provide clear walkways.

* Video: 5 tips to sell your home fast

3. That new house smell
Honestly, the new house smell isn't always the most pleasant, but at least it is new. In preparing to show your home, you should avoid strong smells. To avoid odors, make sure to take out the trash and clean the refrigerator regularly. It’s also good to be mindful of what you cook in the days leading up to a showing; certain foods have strong scents. If you have pets, keep an eye on the litter box. Any smell that is too strong could send potential homebuyers running out the door.
© Sami Sarkis/Getty Images

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4. Pay attention to the details
It’s not a good idea to make major renovations when you are ready to sell your home; you may not recoup your investment. If you never got around to starting or completing that total kitchen or bathroom makeover, then you can make some small, inexpensive changes to spruce things up. Replacing the hardware on cabinets is a quick way to improve the appearance of older looking fixtures. Upgrading small items such as light switch and outlet covers can add a nice touch.
$3 million home selling for $10
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5. Maximize your "curb appeal"
The front of your home is the first thing prospective homebuyers will see, so keeping it presentable is a must. If there is a yard, keep the grass to a reasonable height and, if there are trees, be sure to keep the branches under control. The path to your front door should be a clear and welcoming one, not an obstacle course.

6. Don't get too personal
Upon entering your house, everyone will know it is lived in, but they do not need to see all the evidence. Get rid of excess clutter such as newspapers, magazines and mail. Be sure to put away your laundry and shoes. It may also be a good idea to put away some other personal belongings, like pictures on the refrigerator or mantle. For you, the pictures may make a house a home or display your personal touch. For the new homeowner, it may appear too personal.

7. Take care of repairs
Waiting to make repairs until after you find a buyer can be tricky. Depending on the nature of the repairs, you may not be able to find a buyer. Depending on how fast the buyer wants to close on the house, you may not have enough time to make the repairs. Save yourself some time and potential trouble by making repairs before you list your home. The repairs will have to be made anyway, so it is better to get them out of the way sooner rather than later.

First impressions can make the difference between a sale or no sale. Keeping things simple can give you a leg up on similar houses on the market.

Obama Signs Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension

RISMEDIA, November 9, 2009—President Barack Obama has approved the first-time homebuyer tax credit extension which will extend the tax credit until April 30, 2010.

The extension is part of a $24 billion economic stimulus bill that will extend the $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers who are purchasing their first home from the current November 30 deadline and expands the program to offer a credit of $6,500 to homeowners who have lived in their current home for at least five years and are seeking to relocate.

The following details apply to the homebuyer tax credit expansion:

Who is Eligible
-First-time homebuyers, who are defined by the law as buyers who have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase, may be eligible for up to an $8,000 tax credit.
-Existing homeowners who have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight and are purchasing a home to be their principal residence (“repeat buyer”), may be eligible for up to a $6,500 tax credit.
-All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.

Income Limits
Homebuyers who file as single or head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full credit ($8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers) if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $125,000.
-For married couples filing a joint return, the combined income limit is $225,000.
-Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000, and married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit.
-The credit is not available for single taxpayers whose MAGI is greater than $145,000 and married couples with a MAGI that exceeds $245,000.

Effective Dates
-The eligibility period for the tax credit is for homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, and before May 1, 2010. However, home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010, will qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010.

Types of Homes that Qualify
-All homes with a purchase price of less than $800,000 qualify, including newly-constructed or resale, and single-family detached, townhomes or condominiums, provided that the home will be used as their principal residence. Vacation home and rental property purchases do NOT qualify.

Tax Credit is Refundable
-A refundable credit means that if the amount of income taxes you owe is less than the credit amount you qualify for, the government will send you a check for the difference.

-For example:
-A first-time buyer who qualifies for the full $8,000 credit who owes $5,000 in federal income taxes would pay nothing to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government. If you are due to receive a $1,000 refund, you would receive $9,000 ($1,000 plus the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit).
-A repeat buyer who owes $5,000 would pay nothing to the IRS and receive $1,500 back from the government. If you are due to get a $1,000 refund, you would get $7,500 ($1,000 plus the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit).
-All qualified homebuyers can take the tax credit on their 2009 or 2010 income tax return.

Payback Provisions
The tax credit is a true credit. It does not have to be repaid unless the home owner sells or stops using the home as their principal residence within three years after the purchase.

The www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com site is being updated. Check the site next week for more detailed information on the new tax credit.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org.

Gary Player's Cliffs at Mountain Park home

As custom home construction starts continue to be relatively strong amongst many of the Cliffs Communities developments across the Western Carolinas, we thought you would enjoy seeing a brief snapshot of one custom home project that is wrapping up and almost finished.

Gary Player’s new home in The Cliffs at Mountain Park is near completion. The Gary Player Group North American headquarters are based out of the Village at Mountain Park and now the most-traveled athlete in the world is about the put the wraps on his new home in the same community.

Click on the link below to see the news story along with a video of parts of the home and a picture slideshow! http://www.wyff4.com/news/21300044/detail.html

It is exciting to see such an ambassador not only of the sport of golf but also for the spirit of well-being and the wellness experience will soon be counted as one of the residences at The Cliffs at Mountain Park!

Biltmore Lake receives Association of the Year Award

Western North Carolina is flush with beautiful communities, so it comes as no surprise that one Asheville community was honored as the recipient of the Association of the Year award, which is given annually by the North Carolina Chapter of the Community Association Institute (CAI). Biltmore Lake, located minutes from downtown Asheville, received the prestigious award as a reflection of their past achievements and a look at what is to come. Biltmore Lake embraces the atmosphere of Asheville with its many outdoor amenities, including a 62-acre lake, miles of hiking trails, campsites, and athletic courts; and with its emphasis on the beautiful surrounding natural landscaping,” notes Bob Duffy, Vice President of Home Building for Biltmore Farms. “The community is home to several hundred families, and we look forward to remaining an important part of the region’s fabric in the years of come.”

Video of 2009 Fall Colors - Click PHOTO to play!

NC Mountain Realty Group participates in the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance Festival

The Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival was an excellent venue for NC Mountain Realty Group to reach buyers interested in Western North Carolina during its annual event held October 30 – November 1, 2009. The Asheville Chamber of Commerce and Biltmore Farms partnered with NC Mountain Realty Group for this event and invited the participants to visit Asheville in the near future. Over 10,000 people attended the events with approximately 70% from outside of the Hilton Head /Savannah area.

For additional information regarding the Concours de http://www.hhiconcours.com/

Tiger Visits The Cliffs at High Carolina® Golf Course Planned Opening in late 2011

Tiger Woods and Jim Anthony, founder of The Cliffs, give a walking tour of the golf course being designed by Woods at The Cliffs at High Carolina near Asheville. (John Fletcher/jfletcher@citizen-times.com)

SWANNANOA — The same competitive spirit that has enabled Tiger Woods to win 14 major championships and a total of 71 times on the PGA Tour is apparent when he discusses his work as a course designer.

Woods conducted a walking tour for selected members of the media on Saturday at The Cliffs at High Carolina, his first American design. While the project is still in its infancy, several areas have been cleared where fairways will be built.

He already has redesigned the ninth hole three times to take advantage of optimum sunlight. In the end Woods wants a course that players won't forget.

“You can create something that people will remember and want to come back to; that's the whole objective as a designer — to create something fun and challenging but something where people say, ‘Hey, I want to come back and do this again,'” Woods said Saturday morning after arriving at the top of the mountain in a helicopter.

“Not all golf courses are like that, but that's something I want to be able to deliver to all of my golf courses.”

Woods also emphasized the importance of having breathtaking views, which this course won't lack. At one point during the tour Woods stood in the middle of what will be the 18th fairway and looked at distant mountains.

“I keep saying I'm from L.A. and you don't see 50-mile views,” he said.

John Nachreiner, construction superintendent of High Carolina, said the scenery is very important to Woods.

“Tiger will do everything he can to enhance those views throughout the course,” Nachreiner said.

Woods' design company has routed the course 30 times so High Carolina has southern exposure on every hole, which would allow for earlier start times after a frost.

Jim Anthony, founder of the Cliffs Communities, accompanied Woods on his walk. The two later entertained prospective buyers in a covered tent just off the18th green. Anthony said he is still holding out hope for the course to be completed in fall of 2011.

Woods said building a course similar to links courses where players don't have to worry about long carries is important to him because it will appeal to players of all skill levels.