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Hello everyone, this Carlos R Trevino with Access Real Estate in San Antonio Texas.  Today I would like to talk about all the struggles we are all facing with COVID-19, and how we are overcoming these challenging times.

My heart goes out to all the people on the front line, people in the medical field, people in the food industry (including my own daughter), and all who are putting themselves at risk to support their community. 

Thank you for all that you do, y'all are very important and all your efforts are very much appreciated.

These are hard times, so let’s all be safe and protect each other from this disease.

Now is a great time to help our neighbors and support the people who are most in need. Let’s continue to encourage each other to do what is right with patience. 

The San Antonio Real Estate Market had a strong start in 2020, but now COVID-19 is causing a disruption in our local market.  People are losing their jobs, and some people are delaying their decision to purchase or sell. Experts are saying that the economy will bounce back when people start returning back to work.

But with all that said there is still activity in the real estate market. Homes are still selling and buyers are still being aggressive. People are still finding creative ways to do business.

Even the government is making it easier for mortgage companies to make mortgage loans more available for people and mortgage rates are still at historically low rates.

Access Real Estate is taking every precaution and following CDC guidelines to ensure our clients are safe.  We are still open for business and are available to assist our clients and customers. 

We’re doing a lot of creative things to keep our customers safe, such as providing virtual tours of homes, substituting in-person consultations with conference calls, and replacing paper document with electronic documents to ensure that all of our clients can get the information they need while staying safe.

With interest rates near all-time lows, now is a good time to buy your dream home and we can help you negotiate a great deal while keeping you safe in the process.

And if you’re considering selling, there are still buyers out there ready to pull the trigger on their next dream home. 

Thank you for watching and if you found this information useful, check out my other videos with tips for real estate buying and selling. 

Clearing clutter from your home accomplishes two things: it makes areas of the house easier to clean and it neutralizes the space so prospective buyers can picture their own treasured items there.  So, if you begin cringing as you read the following suggestions, repeat this mantra after me: space sells.

Many folks find it easier to begin with clearing out the garage, an area where unwanted items often land.  Throw away worthless items you can do without and store important items in a warehouse or shed.

Many home sales experts recommend removing half your furniture from the house.  This is a good time to repeat, space sells!

Accent tables, extra chairs, and cabinets that hold huge collections are good choices for removal.  For example, a dining room table with chairs should be kept in the room while a corner china cabinet or shelf would be removed.  Bedrooms should contain just one double or queen-size bed. Extra beds should be stored. Take an inventory of those items you can do without for a while.  Make a note of where you plan to put each item when it’s removed. Store it, sell it or give it away. 

Depersonalize space.  Remove your teenage daughter’s poster of Orlando Bloom from her bedroom, your husband’s stuffed deer head from the study, and any partisan items like bumper stickers, books or magazines from the family room.  All spaces should be neutral zones so potential buyers can picture their own belongings in each room. Remind your family members that they can have these items back as soon as the house sells!

Keep in mind that nothing is sacred when a house is on the market.  Anything that can be opened in any room – closets, drawers, cabinets, shower curtains, pantry doors – will be explored by potential buyers.  Clean out and organize closets, drawers and the pantry. Keep the shower spotless and remove shampoo and conditioner bottles or any other personal care items. 

In the bedroom, remove half the clothes from each closet, put shoes on a rack and hang purses and belts on pegs or organizers.  Don’t forget to recycle all those newspapers you have stashed in the hall closet. Leave no cabinet door unopened or unclean.

Now that you’ve decluttered your house, what do you do with the items that you no longer need but are still usable?  You have several options. If you donate them to a charity, you may be able to receive an income tax deduction for the value amount.  Often these organizations will pick up donations so you can spend your time elsewhere.

Rented storage units are particularly convenient places to keep furniture, seasonal sports gear, holiday decorations, and patio furniture.

If clearing clutter seems like an overwhelming task, just remember two things.  First, reducing clutter makes each room easier to clean. There are fewer objects to move when dusting and vacuuming.  And don’t forget what’s down the road: The move. The more you clean out or box up, the easier it will be to prepare to move after your house sells.  Since you’ll have more important things to do at that time, doesn’t it make sense to get it done before your buyer looks at the house?

These simple tips can go a long way to ensure that you get the highest possible offer on your home. Be sure to read our other blogs with additional tips for sellers. 

In my 20+ years of real estate consulting, one of the most common mistakes I've seen sellers make is not having curb appeal. 

“Curb appeal” is real estate talk for the initial appearance, and the impression it makes, of the house as seen from the road.  It’s what the buyer sees and feels as she parks her car across the street, crosses the road, strolls up the front walkway and pauses to knock on the door.  Curb appeal includes the overall neighborhood, the house’s location on the block, condition of landscaping, the overall look of the house, and attention to details.

Most real estate experts agree that the most important steps to take in preparing a house for listing include fixing the driveway, landscaping the yard, painting the exterior, and painting or replacing the front door.

Improving the appearance of the driveway can be as easy and inexpensive as cleaning up oil spills, pressure washing to remove mildew or moving extra cars to another location. Landscaping and lawn maintenance create the backdrop for the house.  Like the scenery in a play, it showcases the main attraction.

For those with little spare time, it may be worth the money to hire a maintenance service to shape up your yard and keep it maintained as long as your house is on the market.

Want the most dramatic improvement in appearance for the best value?  Paint the exterior of your house, including trim, window frames, shutters, gutters and downspouts, mailbox and front door.  Opt for neutral shades of white, light gray, or pale beige, which are more universal.

If the existing paint on the outer walls is in good shape, consider touching up everything else in the list.  This will make the house look brighter.

Pressure clean the front steps, railings, and door.  Clean out light fixtures, replace burnt-out bulbs and fix the broken doorbell.  If the door is solid and in good working condition, give it a fresh coat of paint.  If it’s damaged, cheaply made or otherwise unsightly, invest in a new, hardwood door.

This sounds like a lot of work, I know, but doing these minor things will allow your home to sell for thousands of dollars more.

Access Real Estate is partnered with several local trades that can save you the hassle and get your home listing ready. From foundation repairs to those extra finishing touches, we do everything it takes to maximize your home's potential to sell for top dollar. Give us a call at 210-288-0181 to get started today!

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