Author: Cami Jones

6 Reasons to Buy Instead of Rent

If you’re fighting a fear of commitment when it comes to putting down your roots, renting can seem like an attractive short-term option. Unfortunately, short-term options can quickly turn into long-term solutions, and there are plenty of real benefits to buying a home instead of renting.Here are some of the most important reasons to buy instead of rent in 2019.

Why You Should Buy Instead of Rent

1. The freedom to make changes without asking

As a renter, you need permission from the landlord before you incorporate any real changes to the interior or exterior of the home.When you buy a home yourself, you are your own landlord. That means you can do whatever you want to your house. Make upgrades, repaint, or plant a garden, all without having to speak to a property manager first.

2. The home you buy can appreciate in value

When you buy your own home, you won’t just reap benefits in terms of making your own changes and upgrades; you’ll also experience some financial advantages. While a car depreciates in value over time, the home you buy will most likely appreciate in value.As this happens, it can accrue even faster than a stock would, because you get the appreciation not only on your cash down payment, but also see a return on investment when you decide to sell in the future.

3. Fixed mortgage payments

Rent can change, but mortgage payments are fixed for the duration of your loan. Since your mortgage is likely a big chunk of your monthly budget, this can be helpful in terms of setting expectations and maintaining budget stability throughout your lifetime.Of course, it is important to keep in mind that you could have other costs associated with owning a home that may fluctuate over the years, like insurance and property taxes, for example.Luckily, property taxes are tax deductible, making them a small nuisance in the grand scheme of things. If you were a responsible renter, chances are you were already paying renters insurance and this won’t be a new cost for you.

4. It’s an investment in your future

As a renter, it becomes easy to feel like you’re throwing money out into the abyss with each check you write to your landlord. It contributes to sheltering you for the month, but beyond that, you will never see the money again. When you buy a home, you can actually end up making money if you remain in the residence for a good number of years. You can walk away with even more money if you continue living in your home after it’s completely paid off.

5. Tax benefits

As with any loan, you’ll end up paying some interest on your mortgage. The good news is that there are ways to write that interest off as a tax deduction.Some experts suggest putting the money you get back from these deductions into a high yield deposit account, if possible. This is a great way to ensure your investment continues to pay off over the course of your lifetime.

6. Build your credit

Building credit can be a little intimidating at first, but building and establishing credit is an important milestone. This is because a good credit score is crucial when it comes to borrowing money for most of life’s large and important purchases.Owning a home is one way you can begin building your credit score. If you make your payments on time and remain financially stable, you’ll have an easier time borrowing money for large purchases in the future.Let our team help you find the perfect home in Kansas City. Give us a call today! You can reach our team at 913.521.8806. Want to come and see us? Our office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224

Should You Renovate Before Selling Your Home?

The decision on whether to renovate or remodel before selling your home can be a difficult one. On the one hand, any updates you choose to incorporate will cost money. With all the stress that goes into selling a house (along with purchasing and moving into a new one), it’s important to make sure you’re spending your money wisely and making strategic decisions. Any and all home renovations or upgrades should add to the overall value of your house.

Performing Renovations Before You Sell Your Home: 4 Things to Know

If you’re stuck on whether or not you should dive into some DIY projects and remodeling before you put your house up for sale, here are some suggestions that should help you make your decision.

1. Make Necessary Upgrades First

If you’re going to renovate, you should start with the must-haves. In other words, if there are things that absolutely need to be updated, get those things taken care of before you start any extra projects or cosmetic updates. These necessities could be anything from installing new gutters to replacing bad pipes. Make a list of anything that feels unsettling, or that could be problematic to explain to potential buyers. Cross these things off the to-do list first, and see where you stand when it’s all taken care of.

2, Renovate the Rooms that Sell

When buyers are looking at homes, there are certain rooms that will influence their decision more than others. Keeping that in mind, you won’t want to spend a ton of money on updating areas that won’t do much to sway a decision one way or another. Don’t spend a ton of time on the extra bedrooms around the house. These aren’t huge sellers. Instead, make upgrades in the kitchen, master bedroom, living room, and the exterior of the home. Updates in these areas show a good return on investment and thus, will likely be worth your time and money. To speak to this topic, consider replacing the siding, entry door, and garage door if they’re in need of it. These are smart updates that seem to pay off for most.

3. Small upgrades make a difference

As we always say, the devil is in the details. Don’t underestimate the value of fresh paint and a little elbow grease. Small projects in the kitchen and bathroom like updating hardware, replacing handles, repainting and refinishing cabinets, as well as updating the wall colors can make a huge difference.

4. Discuss with your realtor what you can do to get the best price for your home

Regardless of what decisions you make about renovating on your own, you should always check with your realtor to see what suggestions they have about renovations for resale value. Even if you think you’ve got it covered, keep in mind that your realtor does this for a living. Don’t be afraid to utilize their knowledge and experience to get the best price possible for your home. And hey, you never know. They might be able to point out some small updates that are easy to incorporate, but which will increase your homes value more than you ever thought possible. Are you looking to buy a home in Kansas City or thinking of putting your home on the market? Give us a call today! You can reach our team at 913.521.8806. You can also come visit our office at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.

What Factors Go Into a Home’s Asking Price

Whether you’re house hunting or trying to sell your own home, trying to understand what goes into a home’s asking price can be a confusing endeavor. For those not well versed in real estate, trying to navigate these differences without an experienced guide can make the process of buying or selling a home more difficult.

The Factors that Go into a Home’s Asking Price

When it comes to a home’s asking price, there are a number of factors that will ultimately affect that final number. Here are a few of them.

The Current Market

In the world of real estate, things change quickly. The asking price of a home is largely determined by whatever is happening in the market at that exact moment.If there are a lot of homes listed for sale, you can typically expect asking prices to be very low. If houses on the market are scarce, call your real estate agent; it’s a great time to sell your house. If you’re buying, you may want to wait for the next shift in the market. You can expect the asking prices in this setting to very high.

Location, Location, Location

This one seems pretty self-explanatory, but it’s important to understand that this means so much more than just desirable neighborhoods and good school districts. Within the same area, two seemingly identical houses can actually be on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to asking price.Here are a few things to ask yourself to determine if the location is causing the price to fluctuate between two seemingly similar homes:

Is the home in an area with easy access to main roads and interstates?
Are there any parks or shops nearby?
Is there a railroad that runs by the house or loud traffic?

All of these things (and plenty more) can play a significant role in determining a home’s asking price.

Features and Updates

These are best thought of as amenities, or extra touches that go along way. You might not consider something like brand name appliances to be a huge factor when it comes to determining the asking price for a home, but for many buyers, these features can go a long way.Some other price-changers may include central air conditioning, construction updates and new renovations, larger rooms, high ceilings, and natural lighting.

Size and Condition

When it comes to pricing a home, looks can be deceiving, and fixer-uppers aren’t always cheaper.Sure, if a house needs some work, you can usually expect it to be cheaper than a brand new home. That being said, location still pays a factor. If you’re seeing an expensive house that looks like it should be a steal because of the condition, take into consideration where it’s located.You should also always check the square footage for homes when comparing them to one another. Although two houses may seem to be similarly sized at first glance, a little extra space can make a world of difference.

Style and Floor Plan

This can vary depending on buyer preference and lifestyle, but there are some floor plans that are more desirable across the board and thus, demand a higher price.For example, colonial style homes are generally valued higher than split-level homes. Inversely, split-levels sell for more than bi-levels.This is important to keep all of these things in mind when considering asking prices for your home, as well as what you should be paying when you’re in the market for a new place.

Thinking of putting your home on the market? Or are you looking for a new home in Kansas City? Let our team help you! Give us a call today! You can reach our team at 913.521.8806. Want to come see us? Our office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.

Figuring Out Your Real Estate Budget: 5 Things to Consider

Everyone dreams of buying a home. First, you figure out exactly how much house you can afford, then you save for the down payment. However, there are other cost factors that you must take into consideration when outlining your real estate budget. There will be additional expenses both when you purchase the home and every month after that. Some people refer to these as the ‘hidden expenses’ of homeownership.

5 Real Estate Budget Considerations (Beyond the Down Payment)

1. Mortgage Payments

This one is a bit obvious, but it is definitely one of the most important things to factor into your budget. When financing a home, you will have monthly payments – and there isn’t really a way around that unless you can buy your home in full with cash. Your mortgage is typically the most predictable cost of buying a home. However, many first-time homeowners mistakenly believe that the mortgage is just like a rent payment and will be the total they owe every month. However, on top of your mortgage payment are other costs.

2. Property Taxes

In many locations, taxes occur twice a year. However, property tax laws vary significantly by county and state. Your real estate agent will know the laws in your area and can let you know what these costs look like. Remember, local governments can often raise property taxes each year to cover a variety of municipal expenses. In addition, increases in your home’s assessed value that occur as a result of renovations or market conditions will also cause your property taxes to increase.

3. Closing costs

Any time you purchase a home, you will almost always have to pay closing costs which are the lender and third-party fees that must be paid at the close of the transaction.Closing costs typically include the following:

Survey expense
Appraisal fee
Underwriting
Origination fees
Wire transfers
Document preparation
Discount points
Title insurance
Credit report
Recording fees

Insurance

Insurance is a big part of homeownership. Here are the necessary insurances that you may be required to carry:

Homeowners and hazard insurance. The cost of homeowners and hazard insurance varies significantly by state and geographic location. Hazard insurance also focuses on the natural disasters that occur within your region. As an example, owners in California often need earthquake insurance, and in Florida, they require hurricane, wind, and flood policies. All of these must be considered in your monthly real estate budget.
Private mortgage insurance: If you do not put at least 20 percent down on your home then you will be required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) which is usually figured at up to one percent of the loan PMI insurance helps protect the mortgage lender. The payments for PMI are made each month and included in your mortgage payment. When your principal valance drops below 80 percent of your home’s value, then your lender will automatically cancel the PMI charges.

Extra Fees

Anytime you purchase a home in a planned development; you might be faced with monthly HOA (homeowner’s association) assessment fees. The fees help ensure that all landscaping, painting, guard shacks and other upkeep are maintained regularly.Utilities are another factor that new homeowners often don’t add to their total monthly expense spreadsheet. If you are moving into a larger home, then your energy bill may increase. You can request an estimate of the property’s monthly utility costs prior to buying so you can make sure that you can afford the bill.All of the above fees can add up to a hefty sum so you should always carefully evaluate your savings and real estate budget to guarantee that you can afford the home that you want to buy.Are you looking to buy a home in Kansas City? Let our team help guide you through the entire process from house hunting to negotiating closing costs. Give us a call today! You can reach our team at 913.521.8806. You can also come visit our office at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.

How to Find Your Dream Home in Kansas City

Home: It’s where you spend most of your time and where you’ll have first’s, last’s and experience some of life’s most significant moments.Keeping all this in mind, finding the perfect place to spend your life can seem like an impossible task. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be. If you’re on the search for your dream home in Kansas City, the experts at Cami Jones Collaborative know the city better than most. Here are a few tips for making the hunt as painless as possible.

Finding Your Dream Home in Kansas City

Find an Agent that Understands Your Wants and Needs

Find an agent that makes your wants and needs a priority. This person should make the house-hunting process easy for you by taking your budget, style, and other preferences into consideration. You have a vision in mind and finding an agent who can see that vision as clearly as you do will yield great results.

Find the Right Area

Anytime you’re looking at homes to buy; it’s crucial to do your homework. Find out what is most important to you in terms of neighborhood and which area of the city you want to live in.Prefer a location with a lot of character? You may want to look in a smaller neighborhood just outside of the city. If you have children, consider what school district you prefer to live in. You should also think about your lifestyle and if you would be happier in the suburbs or downtown.Last, but not least, consider your commute to work and any amenities you might want to have access to. Make a list and bring it to your realtor. They can help you decide what area of the city will best for your needs.View ‘Your Guide to Neighborhoods in Kansas City’ to learn more about the different areas here.

Figure Out the Size and Style of Home You Want

Are you often drawn to styles that exhibit classic elegance or do you prefer the sleek, industrial appeal of a modern condominium? How many bedrooms will you need? Bathrooms?Getting specific about your preferences in terms of style and what you need space-wise can really narrow down the scope of your search. If you’re set on any specific features, be sure to note those to your agent as well.All of these things will help make it easier to pick out which homes in Kansas City are worth looking at, and which homes simply won’t be a good fit.

Make a List of Pros and Cons for Each Home You Look At

After you have a general idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to get out there and look at some houses. By this point, you’re probably pretty excited, but try to keep a level head.Bring a piece of paper and pen with you on your house hunting journey. Look at each house as objectively as possible and make a list of pros and cons for each home you visit.Creating a house hunting checklist can be extremely helpful for this part of the process. Simply check off boxes for which features each home has (and doesn’t have) and compare notes later.

Make an Offer on the Home You Want

Find the home you’ve been dreaming of? Don’t waste time. Get together with your realtor and make an offer. They will work with you to make the best offer possible and negotiate a final price that fits your budgetIf it’s really the house of your dreams, you don’t want someone else to get their hands on it first!The experts at Cami Jones Collaborative know and love Kansas City. Our specialists are here to help you! Let our team help you find the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood. Give us a call today! You can reach our team at 913.521.8806. Want to come and see us? Our office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.

Fall in Love with Kansas City: 4 Fun Things to do in February

It’s that time of year again, and the last minute Valentine’s Day reservations are booking up fast. While we’re all for an opportunity to celebrate love, waiting hours to be seated in busy restaurants isn’t always ideal, so we wanted to give you some alternatives to the traditional Valentine’s Day date.

Fall in Love this February with Kansas City

Whether you just bought a new home in Kansas City or you have lived here for awhile now, there’s a lot to love about this town. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Kansas City during the season of love.

Head to an Antique Store

Go treasure hunting in one of the many antique stores here in KC. With so many places to choose from, you never know what you’ll find. Perhaps some unique items for your home or a gift for a loved one.Take someone you care about on your antiquing adventure and at the very least, you’ll make some pretty great memories along the way.A few of our favorites:

Attend an Awesome Brunch with your Significant Other (or Besties)

Let’s be honest, brunch is something you can and should do almost any time of the year. It’s also a great way to avoid the Valentine’s Day dinner-date rush.Whether you’re looking to get out of the house for some quality time with your SO or you’re in need of some bonding time with friends, you can never go wrong with brunch. Find one that sounds awesome and put it on your agenda for the month.Some of our favorite spots to do brunch:

Go on a Boulevard Brewery Tour

We all know and love the brand but have you ever seen where BLVD beer is made? Warm up with a tour of the iconic brewery and enjoy a few drinks for us while you are there.Tour options include:Brewery ToursFall in love with the Boulevard on a 45-minute brewery walking tour. Tickets for this option are only $5 and tourists will get to sample different beers at the end.Pro tip: If you go on a Wednesday, it’s free! Tours fill up fast though, so be sure to plan ahead and get there early.Smokestack Tour & TastingFor $25, you can enjoy an in-depth, two hour tour of the Brewery with guided food and beer pairings.Unfiltered TourTrue beer lovers should check out the Unfiltered tour, which includes beers along the way, brand new production stops, and a souvenir tasting notebook and glass.

Check Out One of the Art Galleries

February is a short month, but we still have a ways to go until spring arrives.If you’re feeling a little bit of cabin fever this month, head to one of the art galleries. If all else fails, appreciating some amazing art might help you forget the cold, at least for a little while.Galleries we suggest:

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (make sure to stop in the modern art building!)
Blue Gallery
Leopold Gallery

Just because it is chilly outside and you couldn’t get a reservation at your favorite restaurant doesn’t mean you have to stay home! Share new experiences with the ones you love and have a fantastic Valentine’s Day or Valentine’s month.The experts at Cami Jones Collaborative know and love Kansas City. Our specialists are here to help you! Let our team help you find the perfect home in this wonderful city. Give us a call today! You can reach our team at 913.521.8806. Want to come and see us? Our office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.

Noble Designs: Bring on the Color!

I don’t know if it’s the unreasonably cold winter we are having in Kansas City this season or my recent trip to Palm Beach, but I am craving color. Noble Designs has always been a firm that is not afraid to use color, but particularly right now I want to share some of my favorite “color” pops.

Bright Accent Chairs Offer a Great Pop of Color

Put it on a chair! It’s less commitment than a sofa (which I like a colorful sofa too), but a chair is a good way to add drama and make a statement in your house. No matter what you do most likely, you will be ready for refresh in your home in 15 years. So committing to color on a good piece of furniture is not like committing to marriage. It’s ok because you can enjoy the piece for years and then recover. Don’t be scared, go for it.

Taking Color to New Heights

Not able to paint all your walls kelly green, ok then do your ceiling! It’s a safer place, but the unexpected element of the ceiling being decorated makes it extra special. Do a bold color or wallpaper for a fun mix of colors and pattern.

Add Low-key Color with Accent Pillows

Can’t talk you into those bold moves – add pillows and throws. Now, these are not throw away items either especially if you find that special fabric but, it is a great way to add piazza without scaring the family. And it’s amazing what a few pillows and a few well-placed throws can do for a room.You may not have time to make significant decor changes or large home renovations before the holidays, but you can make a difference in your space. If you are feeling really stuck, get in touch with Noble Designs at saranobledesigns.com. You can also follow them on Instagram @nobledesigns.Thinking of putting your home on the market or purchasing a new home to decorate? Let the Cami Jones Collaborative Team help you! Give us a call today! You can reach our team at 913.521.8806. Do you want to come see us in person? Our office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.

How to Sell Your Home (Quickly)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Selling a house is stressful, and most people want the entire process to end as quickly as possible. In many cases, a speedy sale is imperative for a variety of personal reasons. Ideally, if you want to sell your home rapidly, then you are going to want to price it properly to be competitive. Remember, buyers are always the most interested in a house during the first few weeks that the listing hits the market, so you need to make sure all of your ducks are in a row so you can have a smooth and speedy sale.

How You Can Sell Your Home Fast

Here are just a few ideas on how to sell your home:

Consult With a Knowledgeable Agent

Avoid hiring an agent just because they are a friend of a friend or you know someone who used them successfully. Instead, you need to focus on the agent’s track record. Their past sales record will show if they sell homes quickly or not. Also, make sure that the agent is familiar with your neighborhood. A skilled agent should have an impressive resume and display confidence when they view your home. Always take the time to check the agent’s reviews. Also, look to see if they promote their properties using both online sources and old-school advertising. A superior agent will hire a professional photographer to take photos of your home to post on their site and social media.

Take Steps to Prepare Your Home

Before your agent sends a professional photographer to take pictures of your home, you need to prepare by doing the following things.

Clean: Your home needs to shine from top to bottom. You might want to hire a professional cleaning crew to come in and spruce things up.
De-clutter: Potential buyers want to see the bones of your home and not your stuff. This means that it’s time to put away personal photographs and other items that detract from the features of the home.
Staging: Yes, staging can be expensive, but if your home is empty then this is often the best way to present your house in its best light. Discuss the process of staging with your agent. Even if you are still living in the home, having a professional stager come in and arrange your existing items is often the boost your residence needs to catch a potential buyer’s eyes.

Create a Plan to Market Your Home

When you meet with your agent, you should both create a plan to market your home successfully. Here are just a few topics that you need to explore with your agent:

Professional Photos: Many consider professional photos a ‘must’ to get buyers through the door by appealing to them via websites and social media.
Postcards/Flyers: Many agents send out old-school notes to potential buyers to let them know that there is an awesome home available near them.
Social Media Sharing: Nowadays, social media sharing is a must. Your agent needs to be very active on social media to truly grab a client’s interests.

Schedule Showings With Your Agent

All showings must be handled by your agent and run by you first. Also, you need to be available at short notice for your agent to show your home. Many buyers come in from out of town and are keeping a tight schedule, so your flexibility when it comes to showings is essential to their success.

Prepare Your Home Before the Showings

If you have a showing scheduled, then it’s time to break out the vacuum and mop the floors. All bathrooms should be clean, and the kitchen should sparkle. Be sure to pick up toys, electronics, and personal items, remember, you want a potential buyer to be looking at your house and not your stuff.

Get an Offer and Close on Your Home

Go over the offer with your realtor to make sure that its a promising and firm offer. Do not hesitate to counteroffer or address any areas of concern. Finally, once both parties agree, and all inspections have cleared, it is time to celebrates as you close on your home. Hopefully, the entire process of selling your home goes quickly, and your home goes under contract in record time. To learn more about selling your home fast please contact Cami Jones Collaborative. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_button url=”https://www.camijoneshomes.com/contact/” size=”medium” align=”center”]Click Here to Contact the Cami Jones Collaborativey Team[/vcex_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Ultimate House Hunting Checklist

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You’re embarking on one of the most pivotal adventures of your life; finding a new house to call home. This process can be both thrilling and confusing. While you may think you know exactly what you’re looking for, the likelihood of finding a place that has everything you want is extremely low—at least without some help.This is why every house hunter needs a checklist. Visit a couple of different homes without one, and you’ll see what we mean. In the end, there’s a lot to consider and being unorganized costs valuable time.

The Ultimate House Hunting Checking for Home Buyers

To help you get through this process swiftly and efficiently, our team of top real estate agents at Cami Jones Collaborative has put together a guide to creating the ultimate house hunting checklist.

Make a Wish List

First thing’s first: Decide which amenities are most important to you.If your wish list is seemingly endless or too vague, you won’t have a logical place to start from when you start looking for houses. This is likely to result in you viewing houses that are out of your budget or simply not at all what you want, which can leave you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.Narrow down which amenities are most important to you. Start with the necessities and follow up with a few wants. Use this wish list as a guide, deciding which houses to visit based on which boxes they check off.

Do Your Research

A house may have all the features you want, but if it will make your commute to work or school unbearably long or difficult—is it really worth it? That is a question only you know the answer to, but it’s something you should look into prior to viewing a home.Before considering the house itself, these are a few things to cross off your house hunting checklist.

Is the home in your desired area?
What is the average home value in that neighborhood?
Are there any homeowner association fees in the neighborhood?
What about trash pick-up or other miscellaneous fees?
How close are you to school and work?

The answers to some of these questions might be difficult to find—even if you already live nearby.Find a real estate agent that is familiar with the area. These local experts can help you narrow down which homes make the most sense for you to check out based on your personalized house hunting checklist.

Interior House Hunting Checklist:

What features do you want the interior to have? Here are some of the most important aspects to consider.

# of bedrooms and bathrooms
Is everything is up to date and in good condition? (unless you plan on renovating)
Is there enough storage space? Closet space?
If there is a basement, are there any signs of water damage or mold?

Exterior House Hunting Checklist:

What about the exterior of the home? Consider these common examples, along with any necessities from your wish list.

Is there enough garage space?
Do you want a pool?
Does the foundation look intact?
What about the patio and deck? Does it look stable?

Other:

Ask about the home’s history and any known damages.
Check out the surrounding homes and if possible, meet the neighbors.
Take plenty of photos when visiting prospective homes.
Stay within your budget.
Take notes and don’t forget to bring your house hunting checklist!

If you’re house-hunting in the Kansas City area and needing some assistance checking off the boxes on your house hunting checklist, the team at Cami Jones Collaborative would be happy to guide you on your journey to finding your next home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_button url=”https://www.camijoneshomes.com/contact/” size=”medium” align=”center”]Click Here to Contact the Cami Jones Collaborative Team[/vcex_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Sell Your Home Fast: 5 Tips From the Pros

Ready to get your house off the market? We’re here to help. As industry leaders in Kansas City real estate, we have some insight as to what potential buyers are looking for. In short, we know what helps homes sell faster.

Pro Tips to Sell Your Home Fast

Follow these five tips to give yourself the best chance of selling your house fast.

1. De-Clutter Your Home

You may have guessed this one on your own, but clutter isn’t great for keeping prospective buyers’ eyes on the ultimate prize: your home. Remove personal items and toys from your home, including any family photos. Rent a storage unit to store your extra belongings. During an open house, buyers need to be able to picture themselves making their own memories within those walls. If there are pictures of other people floating around the house, it could make it more difficult for them to develop that emotional connection.

2. Invest in Home Staging Services

If you’re just ready to settle on a deal and move forward from this experience, consider hiring a professional to help you stage your home. An expert will know from experience what homes that sell look like on the inside.

3. Find the Right Agent

Do your research and find someone that really knows the area and the business. Look for a real estate agents with a successful track record. Is this person able to walk into your home and immediately pinpoint problem areas — as well as selling points?In the age of social media and the internet, it’s always a good idea to check online reviews. Finding out what other people are saying is a great way to get an idea of someone’s track record. When it’s all said and done, try to find an agent you can get along with that understands your needs, but also has a great track record in areas of both testimony and numbers.

4. Make Small Upgrades

Now is not the time for a full-blown renovation, but there are small things you can do to improve the condition and appearance of your house that are fairly cheap to execute.Change hardware on your cabinets for a fresh look or get a new sink for your kitchen or bathroom. Even incorporating fresh, coordinated linens, toothbrush holders, soap dispensers, and the like can do a lot to transform your space.

5. Add Some Curb Appeal

One of the most important aspects of selling your home is what we like to call curb appeal. If things are looking particularly bland or shabby as far as the outside of your home is concerned, potential buyers are unlikely to even want to look at the inside. Be sure to keep the exterior of your home looking as nice as possible. Keep hedges trimmed and consider power washing the outside of your home. Wash windows and doors, and add flowers, depending on the time of year.When you decide to sell your home, calling in the professionals is always a great way to take some of the strain and stress away. At Cami Jones Collaborative, we know how important it is to move on to the next journey of your life, and we are here to help.If you need to sell your home fast, let us help you! Contact us today! Want to come and see us? Our office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.