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Should You Still Buy or Sell

It’s no secret that the current housing market is more complicated than ever. Numbers alone do not tell the whole picture. We are still experiencing low inventory, and properties are selling – days on the market have not shifted significantly, but it’s important to price smartly. Buyers want to buy but are more risk-averse and less willing to reach past their comfort zone. The good news for buyers and sellers is we are in a market area that has traditionally been resilient. Although the 4th quarter may not see a price increase, we at CHS believe we will hold steady. Buying a home is not a short-term investment – even though this is a cautious market, we will have sellers who want to sell and buyers who need to buy. Things to keep in mind: Over the last year and a half we haven’t seen an increase in market price like this. In some areas the market is up almost 35%. So, as a seller it’s important to remember the value of your home today is already greater than it would have been at this time last year. As sellers voice concerns about missing the market window, we would say […]
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Preparing your Outside Spaces for Sale

Now that the warm weather is upon us, the exterior of a home is on full display to potential buyers. Here is our advice on a few small steps you can take to make sure your home “curb appeal” is at its best. Spruce up the landscaping The first thing potential buyers notice when they approach a home is the exterior. If your landscaping is overgrown and not maintained, it can hinder that “wow” moment. According to a 2019 study from HomeLight, a well landscaped home can sell anywhere between 1%-10% more than a home without landscaping. You can spruce up your simply by making sure your lawn is regularly maintained and mowed. Pruning your trees and bushes, along with adding some simple potted plants or planting some annuals are an inexpensive solution for showcasing your property.  Clean up the driveway/walkway Much like the landscape, a driveway or walkway is an important part of a home’s curb appeal. If these spaces are dirty, cracked, or have weeds sprouting up through cracks and crevices, it might be harder for potential buyers to see the beauty underneath. Simple solutions can go a long way. Try power washing to make the pavement shine, […]
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5 Ways to Stay Busy While at Home

Your home is the place where you should feel the most safe and comfortable. So, while we’re all doing our part to stay home, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to keep yourself and your family busy. 1. Clean out your junk drawer It’s the place you throw all the things that don’t have a home, but when was the last time you actually cleared out your junk drawer? Who knows, you may even find something you thought you had misplaced! Click HERE for a step-by-step how to. 2. Rearrange your furniture Now is the perfect time to switch things up! You never know what will work best until you try it. Here is a great article from Elle Décor that provides furniture arranging tricks to make your home feel bigger. 3. Hang pictures and art How many times have you thought about finally getting around to printing, framing and hanging those family pictures? There are plenty of ways to arrange and hang pictures and artwork as outlined in this Arch Digest article. 4. Learn a new home improvement skill There are plenty of small fixes around the house that you can do yourself. Keep your home […]
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The Clutter Isn’t Cute

We’ve talked about the importance of curb appeal — that you only have “one chance to make a first impression” with the exterior of your home. Well, the same can be said for the interior. And one of the first things buyers will notice in your home is clutter. Clutter can be unappealing to some and can also give potential buyers the impression that your house has inadequate storage. Now is the time to start chipping away at those organization projects you’ve been putting off. Here are some tips to help you get started: Visualize what you want the room to look like — Having a goal for a space will make you feel motivated to tackle those unsightly messes. Start with the most unorganized room in the house — If you can get through that room, you can get through anything! Take it one step at a time — Remember it’s not a sprint. Take it slow, take your time, and do it right. Even if it’s only 10-15 minutes a day. Every minute counts. So if you’re planning to sell your home, take some time to get organized and give the right impression, it makes a HUGE difference.
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You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression

We can always count on the New England weather to throw us for a loop. The combination of blizzards, bomb cyclones, and freezing rain this April has not only delayed spring but also shortened what is typically the busy season for the real estate industry. Now that we’re FINALLY starting to see some peeks of sun, it’s the perfect time to assess your home and edit, edit, edit. Exteriors took a real beating this winter. Painting, landscaping & yard work, gutter repairs, driveway improvements, front porch sprucing, and fence replacements are the most common damage that affects homeowners during the winter, and if you are trying to sell your home, it is crucial to make these projects a priority. The phrase, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” couldn’t be truer when putting your home on the market. So, think carefully about that first impression. It starts the moment someone steps out of their car — take a look at your home through the eyes of the buyer and ask yourself, “is this home well cared for?” “is it in good condition?”. That perception often starts on the outside even before a buyer has stepped through […]
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