THE MENSER REAL ESTATE GROUP BLOG
Seal the Deal With a Letter
After all the house hunting, after applying for a mortgage, and after figuring out how much you want to spend on a house, you know what can make the difference and convince the current owners to accept your bid?
A letter.
That’s right. Even in this age of high-tech, a hand-written letter explaining why you want to live in a home can actually convince people to sell to you as opposed to someone else; even if the other person’s bid is slightly higher. So here’s how to put pen to paper and write a perfect note to the people who are selling the house you want to live in.
Make it Personal
Tell the current owners a little about yourself. If you’re a young couple starting out, write about how this house is the perfect place for you to start your life together. If you have kids, tell them how much you love the neighborhood and school district. And if you’re a retiree, write about how you look forward to spending special time with your grandchildren there.
Mention the House Itself
Think about the things in the home that you truly love, the aspects that made you say, “I want this house.” Maybe the kitchen window leads to a beautiful view you want to enjoy as you drink your morning coffee. Or perhaps there’s a swing set or pool you picture your kids playing in. If the home has a beautiful garden, tell them you look forward to keeping it beautiful and thriving, they’ll appreciate knowing that their years of hard work will be built upon.
Praise the Neighborhood
While looking for your dream home, you’ve done your research into the neighborhood. Tell the current owners how much you love their town and mention specific parks, shops, or attractions. Perhaps they suggested a restaurant to you. If you went there, tell them how much you liked it and look forward to enjoying many meals there.
Most importantly, be sincere. The more honest and heartfelt your letter is, the more effective it will be.
4 Interior Designers With Must-See Furniture Collections
After you buy a new house, that usually means it’s time to do some furniture shopping. Finding just the right pieces to fill out your new space can be a challenge, though, that’s particularly true if the home dictates a specific style, like contemporary or rustic. Following are a few of today’s top interior designers with stunning furniture collections that are sure to inspire.
Bunny Williams Home
Bunny Williams knows how to stay at the forefront of style and her home collection stands as a testament to that. With everything from garden furniture to bamboo bed frames, the design legend’s trademark elegance certainly extends to her home décor line. You’ll find original designs and inspired reproductions that will instantly give your new home a refined ambience.
Timothy Corrigan & Perennials Collaboration
Timothy Corrigan is renowned for projects that capture European elegance without compromising on comfort, so it’s no wonder that high-end fabric brand Perennials decided to team up with him. This collaboration yielded a breathtaking array of performance fabrics and rugs that are all resistant to stains, mildew, and UV-fading, which means there’s no cause for concern if someone spills a glass of red wine at your housewarming party.
Marmol Radziner Furniture
Marmol Radziner is an internationally recognized design-build firm with a list of noteworthy clients that includes Tom Ford, Ellen DeGeneres and Bradley Cooper, to name a few. The firm may not have designed your new house, but you can incorporate their sophisticated style with Marmol Radziner Furniture, which consists of pieces that were originally created for custom homes.
Kelly Wearstler Furniture
Another designer to the stars, Kelly Wearstler’s iconic furniture line is energetic and borderline eccentric with pieces that are sure to make for a memorable abode. If you want to try out maximalism or transitional style in your new home, this collection will certainly steer you in the right direction.
Is an Outdated Kitchen the Reason Your House Hasn't Sold?
For many prospective homebuyers, an outdated kitchen is a deal-breaker.
Some inexpensive upgrades may help you sell your house.
Repair damaged countertops or replace them with granite ones.
Replace an old sink and faucet and install an attractive backsplash.
If your kitchen has vinyl flooring, replace it with something more modern.
Install new appliances if necessary. If the existing appliances work, but just don’t look good, install new face panels.
If your cabinets are outdated but in good shape, repaint them and replace the hardware.
Improve lighting in the kitchen.
Ask your real estate agent for advice on kitchen upgrades that could help you sell your home.
We helped our client purchase this Serrano home at a favorable price after it had been on the market for several months. When her relocation plans changed, she needed to sell without being here to manage the process.
The Menser Real Estate Group handled the preparation, staging, marketing, and negotiations, coordinating the details locally for our out-of-area client.
Our listing received two offers in just two days on the market. Approximately five months after her purchase, the home sold for $100,000 more than she had paid.
From purchase to resale, our team provided the local knowledge and hands-on support she needed as her plans changed.