Homes Are Lingering on the Market, But These Tricks Have Proven to Speed Things Up

 
 

Sometimes it’s as simple as a statement rug.

The sizzling real-estate market has simmered down, so much so that the median time for homes on the market is up 45 percent since last year, according to a recent report from Zillow. The data also revealed that nearly half (46 percent) of all listings are lingering for more than 60 days. As demand softens, it’ll take more than a “For Sale” sign in the yard to get the bids flowing, so the ball is back in the sellers’ court to woo prospective buyers. Fortunately, there are several ways to boost your space’s appeal and home value, starting with these three statistically supported upgrades.

Speed Things Up With Sustainability 

Thanks to more research from Zillow, we also know that listings with energy-efficient, eco-friendly details can help move a home off the market 10 days faster than expected. For West Coasters especially, features like having your property retrofitted for earthquakes may not only speed up the closing process by 19 days, it might also boost your house’s value by 2.4 percent. For the rest of the nation, having an EV charging station installed also topped the list, fast-tracking deals by a week and a half.  

Up the Timeline and Final Price With Staging 

Homes with a bit of professional sprucing sell 88 percent faster and for 20 percent more than ones that haven’t, according to a report from Realtor.com. Some of the easiest updates, according to seasoned stager and designer Kirsten Blazek, include adding a few statement rugs, unmounting TVs, and removing anything super-personal, which means you might want to stash your summer vacation photos away until you get moved into your new place.

Tempt the Senses With Aromas From the Kitchen

Turns out, sticking a batch of cookies in the oven just before an open house is no longer the key to convincing strangers your house can feel like their home.  A survey from GetAgent revealed that it might pay to skip the sweets. Out of 1,500 people polled, nearly 40 percent responded that they’d be more enticed to buy a place that’s filled with the aroma of just-out-of-the-oven bread. Fresh laundry and brewed coffee were also front-runners in the race to earn a “Sold” sign.

Get more tips like this on Domino.

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

8 Ways to Honor Veterans This Week

 
 

November 11th is a day set aside each year to honor those who have served and continue to serve our nation.

Veterans Day offers an excellent opportunity to remember the sacrifices service members and their families make year-round.

Below, you’ll find some ways that we will be honoring veterans. If you’d like to learn more about the history of Veteran’s Day, visit this link.

Organize a care-package packing party. If you don’t know someone currently stationed overseas, contact a nearby base or an organization like Blue Star Moms to identify troops in need. What do troops really want in their care packages? Things to occupy them during downtime (video games, board games, cards, movies, music, books, model kits), personal items (body wash, lip balm, mentholated topical ointment, pain-relieving topic cream, lens-cleaning cloths, small bottles of glass cleaner, baby wipes, sunscreen), snacks (hot sauce, water flavoring packets, beef jerky, sunflower seeds, a bottle of barbecue sauce from a local restaurant – must be non-perishable), and sentimental things (such as a handwritten letter or videos of family members/events on a USB drive).

Visit a veterans’ hospital. If you don’t have a local VA office, contact an assisted living or nursing home facility nearby. Chatting with elderly or injured veterans is a great way to brighten their day, plus you’re likely to hear some highly fascinating stories about their time in the service. Take flowers or an activity they could do in bed.

Wear a red poppy to show support for veteran and active duty service members. The American Legion Auxiliary distributes red crepe-paper poppies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day nationwide. The poppies are all handmade by veterans as part of their therapeutic rehabilitation, and donations received in exchange for the flowers go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities. Contact your local American Legion office to find out where you can get one in your community.

Take time out of the day to acknowledge veterans in your workplace. Consider an office-wide coffee break featuring patriotic-themed snacks. During the event, make sure to recognize each veteran employee. (Plan ahead to make sure you don’t miss anyone.)

Celebrate with service. Show service members your gratitude throughout the year with a home-cooked meal, thank you note or day of volunteering.

Support veteran-owned businesses. It’s not always easy to identify which businesses are founded or operated by veterans. Contact your local chamber of commerce to see if they have any resources.

Express thanks. Whenever you see someone in uniform, extend a simple word of gratitude or small act of kindness to show how much their service means to you.

Send a card. Start compiling a list of names and addresses of the Veterans you know and send them a thank-you card this year. Continue building out your list and make a tradition of sending these out each year. It only takes 10 minutes to send a welcome gift to a veteran or deployed service member.

Learn more.

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives Features the Crystal Coast

 
 

It’s been the talk of the town, but in case you haven’t heard, celebrity chef Guy Fieri recently visited the Crystal Coast to film episodes of his popular series "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."

Footage was collected from Yellowfin Pub, Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant, El's Drive-in, Floyd's 1921, Amos Mosquito's and Captain's Kitchen Food Truck.


Amos Mosquitos, Flody’s 1921 and Sanitary FIsh Market and Restaurant were chosen to star on the show, recently aired on the Food Network.’

Amos Mosquitos, opened in 2003 is located at 703 E. Fort Macon Road in Atlantic Beach. Open six nights a week and serving an eclectic menu of shrimp and chicken pesto alfredo, Jamaican jerk roasted chicken, southwest style tuna, roasted garlic pepper rubbed ribeye steak, a wide range of sushi and much more.
Floyd's 1921 Restaurant Bar and Catering, opened in 2005 is located at 400 Bridges St. in Morehead City and specializes in southern dishes, steaks and seafood. Open six nights a week, the restaurant's menu is crafted by "culinary magician" Floyd Olmstead and features items such as fried oyster and mango spinach salad, mahi over spaghetti squash and Thai shrimp burgers.
Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant, opened in 1938 by the Garner family is located at 501 Evans Street In Morehead City. Sanitary has been a staple to the Morehead City Waterfront. Open daily, serving fresh seafood caught by local fishermen such as seared tuna, fried or broiled fish, soft shelled crab, shrimp parmesan, grilled steak and marinated grilled chicken breast.

For more local happenings, contact Gray!

Related Links


If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Find a Dog a Home: Meet Cassie

 
 

Hi! I’m Cassie and I’m looking for my next home!

Meet this pretty girl named Cassie! She is a great sized pup and just beautiful inside and out. She came into the shelter September 3, 2022 when her owner could no longer keep her because she and some other animals were not getting along. So sad for Cassie but she will find a perfect loving home hopefully sooner than later. She is 6 years old, current on shots, and just a love. She was a little shy initially but you can’t blame her with nothing familiar to her and all new people, noises and other animals. She walks very easy on the leash and seems super loyal. Would love a calmer more laid back FOREVER home. Maybe you have the perfect place for Cassie?! Visit with her today and see what a sweetheart she truly is!

If you have another dog and are interested in meeting another potential new furry member please bring him or her to the shelter and meet on neutral ground before adopting. No need to shuffle the animals around any more than necessary. Please know that 1 mosquito bite can create heart worms and they can be fatal if not treated. It is VERY important to keep your pets healthy and protected by keeping them on a once a month heart worm and flea/tick prevention. These animals are counting on you as their owner to provide them with lots a love and the proper health care so PLEASE make sure you are aware and prepared before adopting. Owning a pet is an extra expense and responsibility but is so worth every minute and penny you invest in them. They will add lots of joy and unconditional love if given a fair chance.

The shelter is open Mon.-Fri. 10-1, 2-5, Sat. 10-4. Adopt a homeless pet and save a life. If you can not adopt right now come out and volunteer and make a difference in the lives of these animals while they await their FOREVER home.
In order to adopt any of our "bully breeds" there is special paper work that will need to be collected and approved prior to the adoption. We love all of our dogs and want to make sure to place our "bully babies" in homes best suited for them.

Cassie will be at the Olde Beaufort Farmers Market with the Humane Society from 9am-1pm with several other dogs who need homes!

Contact Gray Blount Busch, Cassie’s foster parent, to learn more.


If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

West + Main Homes Announces Minnesota Expansion

 
 

Twin Cities Metro, Minnesota

For immediate release:

West + Main Homes, Inc. is happy to announce its expansion into Minnesota. We will now be serving the Twin Cities Metros + surrounding areas. West + Main Agent and Minnesota native Allie Carlson will serve as the branch’s owner + employing broker. Carlson is a member of West + Main Homes Managing Broker program, and leads the New Agent Mentorship Program.

“I’m thrilled to bring the culture and ingenuity of West and Main Homes to the Minnesota real estate market,” said Carlson. “As a Minnesota native, my roots run deep and I can’t wait to share this real estate experience here.”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have one of our first + most established agents, Allie Carlson, starting the Minnesota branch of West + Main Homes,” said Stacie Staub, CEO of West + Main Homes. “Allie embodies everything that we love about the West + Main Homes brand. She cares about her clients, is passionate about serving her community, and loves educating other agents so they can be the best version of themselves.”

West + Main Homes is excited to bring a fresh update on the traditional real estate brokerage, with a culture that celebrates collaboration, education, thoughtful + intentional marketing and excellent service to the Minnesota market.


 
 

About Allie Carlson: As a long time fan of people and exceptional experiences, I have found the harmony of both of those things in real estate. For me, being a part of a real estate experience with my clients is more than simply closing on a home – it is a life experience that deserves the utmost care and attention. With savvy market knowledge, and clear + consistent communication, my clients find comfort in knowing that I’ve likely seen it all – and if I haven’t, I know where to find the answers.

Having grown up in Minneapolis, and the southern suburbs, my passion for the Twin Cities area runs deep. I am thrilled to bring my real estate experience from the Denver Front Range to the cities I love so much. Clear client understanding, cunning negotiation skills, strong anticipatory strategies and continual market education are just a few of my favorite things.

My biggest passion of all is laughing and adventuring with my husband, our 2 sons, and bulldog. We love cozy fires during a snow storm, and backyard barbeques on those perfect Minnesota summer nights. We’re always ready to try a new restaurant, or enjoy a fun nature walk. Looking for playground recommendations in your neighborhood, or need help picking finishes for your investment property? I'd love to assist!

About West + Main Homes: Founded in 2017, West + Main is an independently owned and operated boutique Real Estate brokerage specializing in residential and commercial properties in Downtown Denver and across Colorado’s Front Range, as well as greater Oklahoma City, and Oregon.


 
 

We're hiring new and experienced agents!

Let us tell you how West + Main Homes can help you transform your real estate business.

Contact Allie

 
 

Ready to start your home search?

Let's talk about how we can make your real estate dreams come true.


Get the latest real estate news