When you are ready to sell your home, you are anxiously anticipating a quick process. We hope so as Kim Soper’s average days on the market is 18!
Your home pad is in the perfect location, has all the great amenities a buyer would want and is close to everything. But what would you say if numerous buyers walked into your home and walked out, without ever returning again, much less never deciding to write an offer on your home. But why is not a single buyer biting? What is stopping these buyers from snatching up your perfect little home?
Chances are your home is not perfect and they are probably zeroing in on flaws; big and small that are turning them off. Your eyes and a buyer’s eyes are not the same.
The truth is, what a buyer sees as important is probably a lot different then what you see in your own home. Maybe your own personalization of the home is killing it for a buyer. Or maybe it’s the little items that turn off the buyer, such as you have a dripping facet, the wood is rotting around your back patio door or the floor of your garage is covered with oil spots.
Most buyers walk into a home and know within 7 seconds if they will buy that home. Literally they do and I call it the 7 second rule. I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Why? Because a buyer friendly home talks to the buyer and convinces them this is the right place. It’s the place a buyer can’t live without!
So sellers, take off those rose-colored glasses and let’s get down to business to get your home sold. Look at it this way; remember after you returned home from a vacation, you probably walked into your home and saw things you didn’t like and wanted to change. That is because you had a fresh perspective on the home. That is the same perspective a buyer uses when seeing your place for the first time. Or think about when you visit a friend’s home and see their shag green carpet from the 1970's or the purple painted kitchen? Now, you know what it is like for a buyer.
This is a touchy subject for most sellers. But I try to ease them into the discussion before we get a home ready to hit the market. I like to personally walk into every room in the house with my seller and we discuss the pros and cons. In the end, they do appreciate the honestly and the house sells much quicker. So what are some of my helpful tips? Get your pen ready because here we go:
1. Go to the front door and stand and look at your house. What do you see? Clutter? If so, think less like a decorator and more like an architect. Decorators like to fill spaces and walls. Architects merely like to create space. So remember less is more, so get to decluttering!
2. Walk outside your home for a few minutes and when you come back in, what do you smell? Any smell of pets or smoking? Buyers are instantly turned off by these smells. And sometimes don’t even want to go inside the home. Try not to smoke inside the home. And clean often if you have pets. Click Here for more info on what to do when you have pets and it's time to sell.
3. Now walk in every room of your home. Do you see anything chipped, cracked or in need of repair. Are the toilets lose, does the sink drip, are the light bulbs out, are the corners of the walls showing off its chipped paint, are the baseboards clean. Or how do the floors look? Do the hardwoods need refinishing; is the vinyl or the tile in need of repair or replacement? Click here to learn more about how the Sight, Sound and Smell
have an impact on your home.
All of these small items add up quick to an entire checklist of repair items. Make it easier for the buyer to fall in love with your home by taking care of the little things. You, as the seller, will be glad you put in a little elbow grease before putting your home on the market. You will see shorter market times and more bucks!
For a complete list of things to look for as you walk in a buyer’s shoe, email or call/text me now and I will get you moving in the right direction!
**Your life is too busy without having to worry about the hassles of a real estate transaction. Focus on your job, family & life while I do my job as your Realtor. From Horse Farms to Homes, work w/ Lexington's Hometown Agent!**
Wishing you all my best! Reporting live here in Lexington, Kentucky! – www.KimSoper.com!
When you think of Lexington KY real estate, think www.KimSoper.com and let’s get started today!
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate www.KimSoper.com
Multi Million Dollar Producer
Relocation Specialist CMS Certified e-Marketing Specialist
Cypress Residential Group
153 Patchen Drive, Suite #51
Lexington, KY 40517
(859) 509-8008 cell
(859) 269-0065 fax
Brrr! Winter has officially hit here in the Lexington Kentucky real estate market. You definitely can feel those colder temps the minute you walk out your front door. But before it gets bone chilling cold here in Lexington, spend a few minutes walking around your house to troubleshot and winterize your home to prevent future cold weather related issues. Here are 6 ways from Kim Soper, your Lexington KY Realtor on how to winterize your home:
1. Remove all garden hoses and water equipment from all of the outside faucets to help prevent frozen spickets, pipes and possible water damage to your home.
2. Have your furnace checked and serviced prior to heavy use. It is extremely important to change or clean your filters every 3 months to receive maximum performance from your heating system. If you live in a new construction area where homes are still under construction, it is recommended you change your filter every month.
3. Close up crawl space vents during the winter. This cuts down on drafts and helps keep pipes from freezing.
4. Check attic insulation for settling or movement.
5. Adjust all door thresholds to prevent air leakage.
6. If you are away from home during extended periods of time, it is recommended to keep your thermostat set at 68-70 degrees. Turn off your main water values and check your sump pump to assure it is working correctly.
Remember we’re in Lexington, KY and the famous joke about Kentucky weather is if you don’t like it, it will change in 5 minutes. That is so true! So just remember when you finally think those cold temps are behind us, they can sneak right back up. Always strive to maintain your beautiful Lexington, KY home year around and you will be A-ok!
Contact me today to receive more winterization tips or to receive your free hot sheet for HOT new listings on the Lexington, KY real estate market. If you are looking in Versailles, KY, Paris, KY, Georgetown KY and Nicholasville, KY, I’ve got you covered too! Don’t miss out….the market is already hot this first week of January!
**Your life is too busy without having to worry about the hassles of a real estate transaction. Focus on your job, family & life while I do my job as your Realtor. From Horse Farms to Homes, work w/ Lexington's Hometown Agent!**
Wishing you all my best! Reporting live here in Lexington, Kentucky! – www.KimSoper.com!
When you think of Lexington KY real estate, think www.KimSoper.com and let’s get started today!
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate www.KimSoper.com
Multi Million Dollar Producer
Relocation Specialist CMS Certified e-Marketing Specialist
Cypress Residential Group
153 Patchen Drive, Suite #51
Lexington, KY 40517
(859) 509-8008 cell
(859) 269-0065 fax
You spend days or sometimes even weeks getting your home ready to show to potential buyers. You want your lovely abode to sparkle every step of the way. But remember, on rainy days, every step of the way may be a muddy mess! That is why it is so important to protect your home and the buyer from the very first step. Make sure you provide rugs at all doors to protect one of your most valuable features, your flooring. Check out this video to see how one Lexington Kentucky seller has gone a step further keep the floors sparkling clean!
Do you have any questions on preparing your home to sale in today’s competitive market? I have a 20 point checklist that I will be happy to send to you. Better yet, let’s do a complete walk thru of your home and determine a customized plan of action to get your home sold in record time. Call/text/ or email me today!
**Your life is too busy without having to worry about the hassles of a real estate transaction. Focus on your job, family & life while I do my job as your Realtor. From
Horse Farms to Homes, work w/ Lexington's Hometown Agent!**
Wishing you all my best! Reporting live here in Lexington, Kentucky! – www.KimSoper.com!
When you think of Lexington KY real estate, think www.KimSoper.com and let’s get started today!
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate www.KimSoper.com
Multi Million Dollar Producer
Relocation Specialist CMS Certified e-Marketing Specialist
Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty
2424 Harrodsburg Road, Suite #101
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 509-8008 cell
(859) 269-0065 fax
Real Estate is hoppin’! With historic low rates, an $8,000 tax credit, and great deals to be had, now is definitely the time to make a move! But a strong word of caution before leaping without looking – there are, unfortunately, corrupt individuals and organizations out there promoting what appear to be great real estate opportunities, when in fact, they are nothing but scams!
Case in point: By Monday afternoon, I had received 16 calls on just one of my listings. Sounds great for my seller…or was it? Turns out, all of these callers had one thing in common: They were searching for rentals on Craigslist and saw what appeared to be an incredible property listed at an incredible price. Now, let me digress by confirming that indeed this was a genuine property listed on Craigslist because I posted it! However, this property was NEVER for rent and in fact, had already been sold earlier in the week. Further research revealed that the content from my original listing (photographs, property information, etc.) had been taken and “reused” through a fake rental posting. As the Realtor of the original (and true) listing, my contact information was removed entirely. In its place, a generic email account was the only contact source available, requesting that those who were searching the site email them for more information. Once they did, then they would receive a letter from the fake “seller” based out of West Africa. This fake “seller” was conveniently unable to meet the potential renters right here in hometown Lexington, claiming to be traveling abroad for the purpose of bidding on petroleum land. In their absence, they requested that the renter hopefuls fill out a personal information sheet, submit it, and then they would simply mail them the keys to the property.
Many of these renter hopefuls decided to go view the property – since coming from Craigslist it seemed fairly legit – and once they saw my contact information on the sale sign in the front yard, they called to ask about renting. When I repeatedly had to inform them that the house was for sale, not for rent, I knew something was up – the seller wasn’t from Africa and this was a bonafied scam!
Having heard of similar scenarios occurring in New York and Florida a few months ago, I knew immediately the actions that I needed to take:
1. I made sure all of the people that called on this property clearly understood this home was not for rent and to make sure they did not /would not send any personal information to this alleged “seller” in Africa.
2. I notified my sellers immediately and let them know what was going on. I strive hard to make sure my sellers are always educated regarding how the showing process works and to make sure they never show the home unless I’ve set up an appointment with them in advance.
3. I went to Craigslist to report the fake posting. I, in no way shape or form, tolerate any fraudulent activity regarding someone’s home – let alone stealing marketing information and photographs in an attempt to con others.
After doing this, I wanted to go a step further by trying to get the word out through this blogsite, so that others may learn about this possible pitfall and protect themselves and their family, whether they are buying, selling, or in this case – renting!
Often times for buyers, the “Real Estate World” can be very daunting in its own right, let alone with all of the new tricks con artists keep trying. Buying a home is the single, largest financial transaction one will make in a lifetime and one that can be very confusing and overwhelming. That’s why it’s so crucial to have the right people on your team to help you to achieve your goals and to look out for your best interests…always.
Here are a few quick tips to help you assess whether or not a property promotion or advertisement is “too good to be true:”
If you are potential buyer:
1. Look out for poor grammar and confusing syntax. Often times, British spellings for words can be a red flag, but it goes without saying that this isn’t always the case. Odd sentences with words misspelled or missing altogether can likewise be a dead giveaway! Think: “Not Local.”
2. If someone doesn’t provide adequate contact information such as a full name, business name, email, and phone number, be very leery. A legit business person will have most – if not all – of these items, especially a phone number.
3. If they can not meet you in person because they are traveling, etc. and say they can send you keys via mail, chalk this one up as a scam!
4. If they ask for personal information, bank account numbers, or they want you to write a check in excess of the required amount, again, stay far away from this!
5. If you are buying a home, connect yourself with a good, honest local Realtor who will have your best interests at heart and who is available to answer all of your questions.
6. Bottom line: If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!
If you are a seller of a residential property currently on the real estate market:
1. Make sure you never let anyone in your home that does not have a prior appointment to see your home.
2. Hire a Realtor. We are here to protect you, your home, and to make sure that all buyers coming to see your home are qualified, ready to buy, and are legit.
3. If someone knocks on your door, do not show them the home. Think: “Safety!” Tell them to call your Realtor to set up an appointment and that your Realtor will be happy to show them your home. Don’t ever fret when someone says they have to see your home now or they will walk away. A true, genuine buyer will understand. Do not let anyone ever pressure you to get in to see your home.
4. Always confirm! If someone comes to your home and presents you with a business card saying they are an agent, don’t automatically assume they are! Again, call your Realtor ASAP and confirm this information with them.
All in all, I hope these tips have helped and just remember that any true, honest, and reliable business person or company will NEVER ask you to submit detailed personal information over the internet. From Real Estate to Ebay, PayPal to banks, all of these companies will tell you that they will never ask for your password or personal information via online. The best rule of thumb: If you are suspicious at all, just call the company directly. If you receive an email alerting you of needed contact or personal information, never follow the links. Fraudulent companies and individuals have their cons down to a science, often mimicking the exact homepage of the original, true company and then emailing you to link to them. Just contact the company directly to confirm. Also, if at all possible, simply conduct your business matters with someone local. Even though technology has made it possible to communicate with others far away, having some good, ol’ fashioned ‘face-to-face’ time is the best way to go!
If you have any questions about anything real estate in general, I will be happy to assist you. Call/text me and please visit my official website for all things Lexington KY Real Estate at www.kimsoper.com.
**Your life is too busy without having to worry about the hassles of a real estate transaction. Focus on your job, family & life while I do my job as your Realtor. From
Horse Farms to Homes, work w/ Lexington's Hometown Agent!**
Wishing you all my best! Reporting live here in Lexington, Kentucky! – www.KimSoper.com!
When you think of Lexington KY real estate, think www.KimSoper.com and let’s get started today!
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate www.KimSoper.com
Multi Million Dollar Producer
Relocation Specialist CMS Certified e-Marketing Specialist
Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty
2424 Harrodsburg Road, Suite #101
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 509-8008 cell
(859) 269-0065 fax
You’ve cleaned for days, boxed away all those items you still haven’t used from your family holiday gift exchange and now you’re getting settled on the couch. Whew! Your hard work is done and now you are anxiously waiting for your Realtor to call and say a buyer wants to see your home!
On Sunday, they call! After hanging up the phone, you excitingly straighten the room for the 100th time and grab your cute little Bassett Hound pup Snoopy and hit the great outdoors. Out you go for a walk as your future buyer walks in your door! You Mr. & Mrs. Seller did great! A+ on your job of getting you and Snoopy out the door!
Now it’s a workday and your Realtor calls and you are at work till 6 and a buyer wants to see your home at 4? Do you run home and crate your pup or do you just let them look, while the buyer and your dog wander throughout the house TOGETHER????
After all, your friendly dog would never hurt a fly and loves people and kids!
Guess what? If you don’t crate your sweet little pup or remove the dog from the house during the showing, my buyer and I will not enter your home no matter how cute your pick-of-the-litter is!
I am not being rude, I am being safe! No matter how friendly your dog is, we are still strangers in their home and even the friendliest dog is protective of their owner’s home! The last thing I would ever want to occur is taking a risk that my buyer is in any sort of danger of being bit or attacked. Two things could occur: 1. they will never buy your home, 2. you may also see a lawsuit. And third, what if your dog accidentally ran out the door, down the street. My buyer or I would never want to lose your dog!
I ran into this situation last week here in the Lexington real estate world. I called the seller’s agent to setup a showing for my buyer and I. The agent informed me that the dog would be in the home and “the dog is old and would just follow us around, no big deal” he said! “Go ahead and show it..the dog does not bite.” he added. I explained to him that we would not show the home unless the dog could be removed or in a crate. So after discussing this matter with him, he finally came around to our side and said he would see if the seller could get the dog.
A few minutes later, the agent called and said the owner would be coming to remove his dog. It just so happens my buyer and I arrived at the home about 5 minutes early and we saw the seller as he carried his dog out of the house. Guess what? The dog bit the owner on the arm! My buyer and I watched in shock as the owner gently (as much as he could muster with his dog biting him) laid the dog on the ground to stop him from biting.
Interesting huh? And we were told it was a friendly dog! He was biting his owner, so of course my buyer and I, the complete strangers to the dog, could have been in danger. There is a great chance the dog probably would not have had any issues with getting a little territorial with us in his home.
Bottom line: pets are great and make the best companions one could have. But pets need to be protected too. When you’re home is on the market and being shown by agents, remember to cage or remove your pets. The last thing we would ever want to happen is an unfortunate accident.
If you have any questions about pet safety while selling your home or any other questions, I will be happy to assist you. Call/text me and please visit my official website for all things Lexington KY Real Estate at www.kimsoper.com
**Your life is too busy without having to worry about the hassles of a real estate transaction. Focus on your job, family & life while I do my job as your Realtor. From Horse Farms to Homes, work w/ Lexington's Hometown Agent!**
Wishing you all my best! Reporting live here in Lexington, Kentucky! – www.KimSoper.com!
When you think of Lexington KY real estate, think www.KimSoper.com and let’s get started today!
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate www.KimSoper.com
Multi Million Dollar Producer
Relocation Specialist CMS Certified e-Marketing Specialist
Cypress Residential Group
153 Patchen Drive, Suite #51
Lexington, KY 40517
(859) 509-8008 cell
Welcome! Over the course of this year, I am going to touch on many topics relevant to home selling, home buying and staging. That is just for starters! There is mortgage, foreclosures and special features that will be coming your way! One of the biggest questions I am asked daily is how to get a home sold quickly, while achieving the best price obtainable, all in the shortest period of time. Of course, who doesn’t want to achieve that? Last week, I listed a beautiful home in the Lexington Kentucky real estate market, specifically in the Kennawood neighborhood. Two days later, my sellers were thrilled to have a contract – signed, sealed and delivered to me, their agent. As I went over to meet with the appraiser yesterday, he asked….what made this home sell so quickly? He wondered if the seller’s just bottomed out to an unheard of low asking price. As I unlocked the door to let him in, I didn’t have to say a word! He saw what I did and what the new buyers did! It was a home, well prepared by its owners and eagerly awaiting a “Sold by Kim” sign in the front yard. So how did they sell their home in just Two days? Bottom line: their home appealed to a buyer’s Four senses. I am going to touch on those Four important senses. Follow my guide and start packing because you are moving!
1. Light /Sight: It is a proven fact that buyers react more positively to a property shown under bright lights than darkness. Strive to maximize light in every room!
*Replace the light bulbs
*Use table lamps in combination with overhead lighting
*Open drapes and blinds
*Use light paint colors
*Make sure your windows are clean
*Mirrors are great to magnify the space and the feeling of light
*Try to turn on the lights before the buyer/agent arrive
2. Color: Don’t use every color in the box of Crayola!
*Neutral is your best bet! Stick with buyer friendly colors such as a beige, white or gray on the outside
*The safest color choice for the interior is white, off-white, a light beige or very soft pastels (and so soft they *still appear nearly white*).
*Try to avoid wallpaper at all costs. I recommend eliminating any and all wallpaper from homes, especially in kitchen and bathrooms.
*Keep walls very neutral but spruce up a room with bright colored rugs, towels and shower curtains.
3. Sound: Sellers usually overlook this area, but listen up and pay close attention here!
*Peace and quite are the best sounds to experience when looking at a home. This allows a buyer to truly focus on picturing themselves living in your home.
*Before a showing, the seller needs to make sure not to run the dishwasher or leave on a TV. Trust me, even the quietest dishwasher talks and do you really want the buyer to flop themselves on your couch to catch the last few minutes of a ballgame? Keep their attention on your home!
*Make sure there are no sounds such as a dripping in the tub or sink, or mechanical problems like banging pipes.
*If you insist on a sound to set the mood, go with a classical or instrumental sound. Get the buyer in the mood to look around and explore all your home has to offer. Ever noticed the music that is played at the grocery store? It’s usually fun and upbeat…it makes you want to shop and buy more! There is a strategy behind that! Have a strategy behind the sound of your home.
4. Smell: This one sense will make or break you within the first few seconds after a buyer walks into your home! Think about a model home -it’s new, fresh and clean…strive to create those features.
*Bottom link: think CLEAN!
*Clean your home frequently. Lemon oil can have a long lasting scent, so use it!
* Painting your walls, having the carpets cleaned, adding a fresh coat of polyurethane to wood floors will give you the smell of new.
*Place special cleaning emphasis on areas where your pet stays.
*Try to not cook shortly before a home showing. A cooking smell can be a major turnoff.
This may seem like a lot to worry about. But just service your home room by room and you will have your place show ready in a matter of no time. For more information and more tips, email me and I will be happy to answer questions, provide you with additional tips or even stop by for a personalized home consultation. If you correctly set the mood, your work will pay off. Are you thinking of buying another home? You better be because your home is about to fly off the market to a sold position. Let me guide you on exactly what to watch out for. I am ready to go to work for you.
**Your life is too busy without having to worry about the hassles of a real estate transaction. Focus on your job, family & life while I do my job as your Realtor. From Horse Farms to Homes, work w/ Lexington's Hometown Agent!**
Wishing you all my best! Reporting live here in Lexington, Kentucky! – www.KimSoper.com!
When you think of Lexington KY real estate, think www.KimSoper.com and let’s get started today!
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate www.KimSoper.com
Multi Million Dollar Producer
Relocation Specialist CMS Certified e-Marketing Specialist
Cypress Property Group
153 Patchen Drive, Suite #51
Lexington, KY 40517
(859) 509-8008 cell
(859) 269-0065 fax
It’s time to come home for the holidays! But is your home ready for the holiday sell season? Just because people are busy shopping, planning holiday parties, baking and spending time with family and friends, does not mean they are too busy to purchase a new home for the holidays! That is definitely good news for you sellers! There are thousands of buyers nationwide who will be buying a home during the holiday season. These buyers are highly motivated due to job transfers and some will be relocating to the Lexington Kentucky real estate area and to the City of Lexington. These transferees can not wait until the spring to find a home. Chances are, if they look at your home and like it, they will be quick to bring an offer to purchase. Here you will find the Top 10 tricks of the trade to get your holiday home sold!
1. First impressions count year around. But with the cold weather here, those impressions are more important than ever before. Keep the driveway, sidewalks and entry ways to the home clean from snow and ice. You certainly don’t want to be known as the home where the buyer slipped and fell before making it inside. Trust me, buyers see a lot of homes and they will remember you as that home. So throw on your winter coat, gloves and put in a little elbow grease in beforehand and I promise you, your hard work will pay off!
2. Having doormats are key. Place a mat outside the front entry, inside the front entry and in the garage. Don’t forget the basement door and patio door. This will save your floors and keep them clean longer.
3. Leave lights and blinds open. Do not use candles that will be unintended. It is simply too dangerous. Same goes with a fireplace. Looks nice, but it will be unintended. I love going into homes that have a combination of overhead lighting and lamps because it gives the rooms a very warm feeling. Bottom line: use every light source possible.
4. Yes, you want to project a bright and airy home, but turn off those holiday lights. You don’t want buyers to focus on your decorative décor. You want them to see your home and its benefits. Colorful holiday lighting is too distracting even to the most focused home buyer.
5. Keep holiday decorations to a minimum. You may have a lot of homemade ornaments, but go ahead and just pack them away to use at your new home next year. Pack now and have less to do when you move. You will be very thankful later!
6. Remove all religious items. It may offend someone if they have different religious beliefs.
7. Make sure you don’t have presents under the tree. This may sound silly but presents can sometimes be too tempting for children and even adults.
8. Scents are important and will lure buyers through the house. A nice cinnamon, vanilla, or pumpkin scent reminds buyers of holiday gatherings. Just don’t over do it. Febreze has a new dual scent plug-in that will rotate between two scents. Try it! Or fresh flowers on the table will work just as well.
9. Make sure to de-clutter your home. During the holidays, we sometimes like to stuff even more in our closets. Go ahead and clean them out and use a storage facility to hold those extra items. Better yet, donate those unused items to a local charity or a shelter. They will be grateful for your donation.
10. Try not to delay a buyer from seeing your home. If you are having a holiday gathering, make sure to let your agent know in advance. If you must delay a buyer, try not to for too long. This may be the only chance the buyer has to see your home. Again, buyers this time of the year are working on tight deadlines. So remember, if a buyer calls just a few days before the holiday, they are a very serious buyer! It just takes that one special buyer who sees your home as the ultimate present! I must say most sellers in the Lexington Kentucky real estate market are great about getting a buyer into see the home.
Those are just 10 tips for selling during the holiday season. For more valuable selling tips and seller insights, visit my Lexington, Kentucky Real Estate website. Of course, I would also be happy to make a visit to your home and give you a more personalized overview. Contact Me anytime via phone, text or email. And to find your new dream home, check out my dream home finder.
**Your life is too busy without having to worry about the hassles of a real estate transaction. Focus on your job, family & life while I do my job as your Realtor. From Horse Farms to Homes, work w/ Lexington's Hometown Agent!**
Reporting live here in Lexington, Kentucky, your LexVegas Blogger, AKA www.kimsoper.com!
