Selling Your Home

Local Knowledge - Global Reach

At The Real Estate Group we understand the importance of online exposure for your property which is why we've gone to great lengths to build an online presence that makes it easy for users to find exactly what they're looking for.

With clean, modern design we ensure that your property will never be held back by a confusing interface and a focus on imagery means that the unique details of your home are never lost in translation.

Whether you're a first time home buyer or you've been down that road time and again, you won't find a more reliable guide to navigate the Hampton Roads real estate market than a seasoned professional at The Real Estate Group.

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Selling in the Holidays

Selling in the Holidays

It might seem like the holidays, November through January, would not be a good time to sell or buy a home.  While it's true that the holiday season can be  stressful enough without added distractions, don't rule out the unique opportunities that the season provides.  Here are a few examples. 

Because the holidays are so hectic many choose not to sell during this time.  This provides a less competitive time to place your home on the market.  It can be a particularly good opportunity in a popular area or a hot market and give you a step-up in showing your home. 

Speaking of showing your home, the holiday season can be the best time to make yours feel warm, cozy and inviting.  The smell of the tree or fresh cookies baking can make visions of sugar plums dance in the heads of potential buyers.  Curb appeal can also be enhanced with candles, lights and tasteful decorations.  In fact your entire block will probably be at its best and make home shoppers fall in love with the inviting appearance of your neighborhood. 

Finally, many businesses transfer personnel at the end of the year and folks might have to find a place to live or sell their home quickly.  If you're in the market for a home you might find a great bargain from someone that has to move quickly, or conversely you might be able to get more from your sale from a someone that needs to find a home quickly.  
In any case, the Winter might not seem like the optimal time to be in the market at first glance, but it certainly does offer some unique opportunities.  If you simply give it some thought and confer with a professional, you can take advantage of those opportunities. 

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Why Using a Professional Photographer is Important When Selling Your Home

Why Using a Professional Photographer is Important When Selling Your Home

We live in a time where digital photos are everywhere.  Take Instragram, Snapchat, Facebook and of course Pinterest as prime social media examples of where photos are instant forms of communication.  It's because of these social networks that consumers demand a visually appealing online presence.

According to the National Association of Realtors, nine out of 10 home shoppers begin their search on the Web.  Due to this listing photos can play a major role in how quickly your home sells, the home price it's listed at and of course even if it  sells at all. "Photography is at the center of all your marketing," says Brian Balduf, chairman of VHT, ..."It's not just documenting that there is a house for sale. You want people to say, 'What a house,' " and be motivated enough to take action.

Research done by Redfin, a real-estate brokerage firm based out of Seattle, Washington shows that listings of homes with photos taken by professionals have about 61% more views than listings without—and that's across all price tiers.  In addition, research from the National Association of Realtors, indicates that 98% of home buyers who searched for a home online said photos were among the most useful features of real-estate websites.

"When people are searching for homes, they search by price range, location [and the numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms]. But then once they have the list, the visual piece becomes a larger and more important part of the decision," says Jani Strand, spokeswoman for Redfin. "Photos are the first impression, and can generate interest and excitement, which leads to good offers."

In a study across 22 markets, Redfin found that homes priced between $200,000 and $1 million sold for an average of $3,400 to $11,200 more than their list prices when professionally photographed...

Should You Buy or Sell Real Estate During the Holidays

Should You Buy or Sell Real Estate During the Holidays

The holidays are a fun and festive time, but what about buying a house?  Should you try to do that in November or December?  If you're not picky about the home you intend to buy, the answer might be yes.

Sellers tend to avoid the end of the year due to the short days, wintry weather and the conventional wisdom that says buyers are otherwise occupied. But for those who do choose to sell at year end are often under pressure and highly motivated to cut a deal and that's why it might be a smart time to buy. Determined househunters can take advantage of sellers' urgency.

The biggest downside is the limited supply of for sale homes, which occurs mainly because sellers are so uninterested, but a couple of things are working to your advantage. There will be less competition for any house you do find and fall in love with and less competition should translate into a bigger discount. Prices are typically at a 12-month low in December, according to Realtor.com. Less competition from other buyers during the holiday season might mean you'll be able to negotiate a favorable price for a home you want to purchase. Still, with fewer homes from which to choose, you might have to lower expectations.

If you're a serious buyer, don't be shy about intruding into sellers' homes at a time normally reserved for family and friends. If a home is for sale, presumably the owners want sincerely interested buyers to see it. Indeed, sellers willing to keep their house on the market in winter may be more flexible in negotiating the terms of an offer; extending the time to close or agreeing to other cconcessions.   ...