When buying or selling a home, multiple factors influence the decision-making process. One crucial step that often needs to be noticed or understood is the home appraisal. A home appraisal is an independent evaluation of a property's value conducted by a certified professional. In this blog, we will discuss why a home appraisal matters and its significant role for buyers and sellers in the real estate market.

1. Accurate Valuation:

A home appraisal offers an unbiased and accurate property value determination. Real estate markets fluctuate, and the price set by a seller may not truly reflect the property's worth. An appraisal ensures that both parties involved have a reliable negotiation starting point. For buyers, it assures that they are making a fair investment, while sellers can confidently price their property based on market value.

2. Lending and Financing:

For most buyers, purchasing a home most often involves securing a mortgage or loan. Lenders typically require an appraisal to protect their investment. When a potential buyer applies for financing, the lender wants to confirm that the property's valuation aligns with the requested loan amount. It acts as security for the lender, ensuring the property is sufficient collateral per the loan value.

3. Avoiding Overpaying or Undervaluing:

A home appraisal prevents buyers from overpaying for a property, safeguarding their financial interests. The appraiser's comprehensive evaluation considers the property's condition, location, size, amenities, and market trends. It ensures that buyers are paying a fair price, steering them away from potential financial hardship in the future.

4. Negotiating Power:

A home appraisal empowers both buyers and sellers during negotiation. If the assessment reveals that the property's value is lower than the agreed-upon purchase price, buyers can use this as leverage to renegotiate with the seller. On the other hand, if the appraisal suggests a higher value than the purchase price, sellers can have confidence in defending their asking price. It promotes transparency and fairness in real estate transactions.

5. Investment Protection:

A home appraisal is essential for homeowners who are refinancing or taking out a home equity loan. By getting an accurate valuation, they can protect their investment. Knowing the current market value of their property ensures they don't risk borrowing more than the actual worth of their home. Moreover, an appraisal can help homeowners make informed decisions about renovations or improvements that can increase their property's value.

A home appraisal is a vital step in the home buying or selling process, providing buyers and sellers with confidence and protection. Its role in determining a property's market value, securing financing, and facilitating fair negotiations cannot be overstated. By understanding the significance of a home appraisal, individuals can make more informed decisions and navigate the real estate market with greater ease and assurance.

Suppose you're considering selling your current home and purchasing another. In that case, it is essential to partner with a professional, experienced local real estate agent with a proven record of success to ensure a successful real estate transaction. Put the triumphant Power of the Sandi Pressley Team to work for you! Contact us today here.

HOT PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

12 DUSTIN COURT, PLACITAS, NM

Magnificent VIEWS of the mountains & mesas!! Featuring an IN-LAW/GUEST SUITE! Lower-level walk-out game room/media room! Lots of natural light, wood beam ceilings, open plan, separate study/office. NEW HVAC (2021)! SILICONE ROOF RESTORATION (2022)! Living room features cozy Kiva fireplace & wall of windows w/mtn views! Formal dining rm & butler pantry. Beautiful kitchen has SW style cabinets, island, built-in oven, gas cooktop, bkfst bar & nook with banco. Primary suite features a sitting room/office, fireplace, sauna, tub, sep shower, huge walk-in closet & covered patio with views! Secondary bedrooms with Jack-N-Jill bath! 3 Car Garage, paved driveway & cul-de-sac location. Natural landscape, 2 waterfalls, covered portals & private courtyard!

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Organizing your garage can be daunting, but with a systematic approach, you can transform it into a clean and functional space. Here are the organizational steps you can follow to declutter and organize your garage:

1. Assess and Declutter:

- Start by assessing the contents of your garage and determine what you want to keep, donate, sell, or throw away.- Sort items into categories such as tools, sports equipment, gardening supplies, seasonal decorations, etc.

2. Set Up Zones:

 - Divide your garage space into zones based on the types of items you have, such as a workshop area, sports gear zone, storage area, etc.- Allocate space according to your needs and the amount of space available.

3. Invest in Storage Solutions:

- Evaluate what storage solutions would work best for each zone in your garage. Considerations may include shelving units, pegboards, cabinets, overhead storage, or wall-mounted racks.

- Purchase the necessary storage equipment to maximize space and keep items organized.

4. Establish a Floor Plan:

- Create a floor plan of your garage, considering the space available and the location of items within each zone.

- This plan will help you visualize and optimize the layout of your garage, making it easier to find and access items whenever needed.

5. Categorize and Label:

- Group similar items within each zone and label storage bins, shelves, or containers accordingly.

- Labeling all storage areas will help you effortlessly locate and return items.

6. Utilize Wall Space:

- Use the walls in your garage to hang tools, equipment, and other items.

- Install pegboards, hooks, or wall-mounted racks to keep frequently used items within easy reach.

7. Optimize Overhead Space:

 - If your garage has high ceilings, consider installing overhead storage racks to keep seasonal or less frequently used items off the floor.

- This will free up extra space below and maximize storage capacity.

What an exciting time! Your moving day is fast approaching, and your excitement level and anxiety is starting to run high. Instead of tackling the organizing, packing, and moving ALL of your belongings on your own, consider the services of a professional moving company. Here’s why:

1. Professional movers have the know-how, equipment, and efficiency needed to get the job done smoothly and on time. If you need assistance with packing items- especially fragile, collectibles, electronics, etc, they’ll be sure to bring all the necessary supplies to safely pack and secure these items for the move so that you’ll rest easy in knowing they’ll arrive safely to your new destination.
2. With years of experience and training on their side, professional movers not only have the equipment (dollies, ramps, lifts, and protective devices) to safely move all your belongings from house to truck and house again, they know how to navigate the larger items through narrow spaces, doorways, and trickier layouts of homes. They’ll also wrap larger items like furniture, mattresses, appliances and electronics so nothing is dented or scratched during the moving process.  Giving you much better protection for all your belongings.
3. Did you know that professional movers keep an inventory of all boxes, furniture, and items they are moving on your behalf? In the chaos of the moving process, it is very easy to lose track of boxes and items. Having a company accountable for your belongings takes a weight off of your shoulders…and you know it will arrive at your new home.
4. Save your health! That’s right. Do you know how many injuries have happened during the moving process? From sprains to pulled muscles, broken bones and more. Even the simple strain of up and down stairs and lifting heavy furniture can tweak your back or legs and put your out of commission. Why chance an injury or time off work when you can have the professionals handle things for you?
5. Movers will save you much valuable time and money. If you evaluate the amount of money spent on supplies needed to ready your belongings, truck rental, rental of dollies, lifts, and other accessories, and the sheer amount of time and energy that will go into moving on your own- not to mention the stress factor- you come out ahead using the services of a moving company.
6. Your family and friends will THANK YOU…and still invite you over for get-to-gathers! All joking aside, it can be difficult to call on family and friends to help with moving. While many will offer their help, or kindly answer YES, it is always a dreaded task for anyone. Plus, utilizing movers allows you time to get to your new home and ready it for the arrival of your personal belongings without the stress and exhaustion of having to do the move yourself.

Enjoy the process of moving into your new HOME! Don’t add in stress and anxiety by doing the entire move yourself. You deserve a break at this joyous time, so take it!

Looking for some great, trusted Moving Professionals in the Albuquerque area?  Reach out to our team.

HOT LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1340 CHIHUAHUA ROAD NE, RIO RANCHO, NM

Move-In Ready Custom Brick Home w/detached Workshop/Garage situated on half acre Rio Rancho lot! Custom built & lovingly cared for by original owners! Boasting amazing Sandia Mountain views and thoughtful architectural details throughout. Featuring a gated entry; raised ceilings; plantation shutters throughout; 2 Master Suites; 2 living areas with bonus Rec room; both formal and informal dining options; family room w/cozy fireplace opens to kitchen with eat at bar; huge east facing covered patio for cool summer evenings & ideal for outdoor entertaining. Roof re-shingled April 2023! RV parking with amp service adjacent to the 888 Sq Ft detached Workshop/Garage with single garage door that can easily tandem park 2 vehicles, & ideal for hobbyist, car enthusiast, or other possible endeavors.

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There are a lot of beautiful homes in Albuquerque for sale. So when you sell your home, you need to make sure it stands out from all the competition, especially these days. Your porch will be one of first things that potential home buyers in Albuquerque will see, so you want to make sure it welcomes them to their new home. Having an inviting porch is an important part of staging your home so that it sell more quickly. Here's a few ideas that will help your porch stand out and welcome guests and home buyers alike.

1. Plants in the Foreground

You can lead your guests right to your porch with plants and flowers that follow the path to your front door. Pretty flowers can really make a big difference in curb appeal. And for those sitting on the porch, it's also a relaxing scene to look at.

2. A Doormat

This step involves nothing more than replacing that tired old doormat. For a more custom affect, try layering a traditional coir doormat atop a larger striped outdoor rug.

3. A Pair of Chairs

If there's room for it, having two chairs instead of one is more welcoming, as it paints the scene of family and friends spending time on the porch together. Some photos may show a chair on each side of a porch, but that doesn't make sense in real life, unless you want to shout back and forth across the porch. Put them together.

4. Thoughtful Color Coordination

Use the color of your front door or trim as a starting point for choosing a color scheme for your porch. You can then repeat that same hue in the accents, like pillows, cushions, door mat, and flower pots.

5. A Fan

Fans are a great way to deal with the bugs and warm weather, and as such make a great investment. A ceiling fan installed by a professional is an ideal choice, but you could also use a standing or tabletop fan as well.

6. Outdoor Curtains

If your porch is lacking in shade, you can add a set of outdoor curtains to diffuse the sun. You can open and close them as needed, just like indoor curtains. If you choose a color other than white, make sure it's a fade resistant fabric to make sure the colors stay vibrant.

With these tips, you'll be on your way to making your home in Albuquerque stand out from the rest of the pack.

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

60 SANDIA MOUNTAIN RANCH Drive, Tijeras, NM 87059  $575,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (1 full, 2 half) / 4255 Square Feet

Very special mountain home with incredible views, patios and balcony! Well designed floor plan with 3 wings. Master suite retreat with walk-in closet, jetted tub and connecting laundry. Two bedrooms in the second wing with bath and an office or 4th BDR in the third wing. Great room with cozy fireplace, formal dining room with private deck, gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops, SS appliances, wine fridge, gas cooktop, bar, recessed lighting, bkfst nook with amazing views! Special features include an elevator and approx 1500sf of living space; game room, exercise room, media room and workshop!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

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Many home sellers are understandably concerned about a looming recession and how it will impact their ability to sell their home in Albuquerque. But just because there may be a recession doesn't mean your home won't sell. It just means there are things to consider to make sure your home is as competitive on the market as possible. Right now, we are in what's considered a buyer's market, which means you'll need to do mare to attract buyers.

Here are 3 main factors to look at:

Pricing

Strategically pricing your home for sale in Albuquerque means the difference between making and breaking the sale. In a buyer’s market, getting the price right is critical.

While market value is based on the sales prices of similar homes in your neighborhood, in a buyer’s market it pays to be aware of your competition. This means looking at homes for sale in your area online. If you find one that is priced comparable to yours, you’ve found your main competitor. If it’s in far better condition than yours, you have two choices, upgrade your home similarly, or adjust the price of your home. We can help you decide which of these two choices would be more advantageous.

Flexibility

Due to new rules regarding social distancing, you will need to be more flexible when it comes to showing your home. No matter what, you home should always be kept clean. Photos will need to be taken to show your home online, as more people will be using our website to look at your home. And in the event that your home will be shown in person, you need to be able to make it ready to view and have arrangements to be safely away from your home during a showing.

Concessions

Home buyers can become unreasonable when they know they are in the driver’s seat. They may ask for personal property to be included in the sale, such as furniture or play equipment. They may ask for credit for carpet or vinyl replacement even if there’s not a thing wrong with the existing floorcovering except that the buyer doesn’t like the color or pattern.

There is no rule about how to handle these situations, since just about everything in a home sale is negotiable when it comes to concessions. If it will pave the way to a smooth and quick closing, many homeowners are more than happy to accommodate the buyers’ requests, as long as they’re reasonable.

Unfortunately, you may need to sell your home when the market is stacked against you. Get your price right, be flexible and have plenty of patience and you’ll get through it.

Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

10647 SUMMERCREST Drive NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114  $310,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 half) / 2820 Square Feet

VIEWS of the Sandia Mountains!! Beautiful 4BBDR/3BA/3CG home with 3 living spaces! Light, bright and open floor plan with living room, family room and large LOFT!! REFRIGERATED AIR! NEW ROOF! NEW CARPET! Updated flooring! Under stair storage! Kitchen features upgraded raised panel cabinetry with crown molding, granite countertops, LG appliances, tile flooring, recessed lighting, island, walk-in pantry & breakfast nook! Family room features cozy fireplace. Master suite features double door entry, walk-in closet with built-in shelving, dual sink vanity, sep shower and garden tub. Huge backyard with open patio and pergola covered outdoor space for entertaining! Terrific location close to Cottonwood Mall, shopping, restaurants, Rust Medical Center, schools and parks!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

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If you own a home in Albuquerque, at some point you will probably decide to sell your home. No matter when that time may come, it's important to keep your home maintained to make sure it remains in good condition. Good maintenance habits are not something you can just start at the last-minute before you sell your home, they are something you should start now.

What are some of the most important home maintenance habits to get into?

Maintain Your Filters

If you have an AC system, it's important to keep up with changing the filters. When your filters are clogged, your system has to work harder to push air through the house, and this causes more wear on the system over time.

When buying a filter, pay attention to the rating of the filter you are using, as some are rated to last longer and need replacing less frequently.

Inspect and Clean Your Furnace or Boiler

Along with changing filters in your cooling system, it's also important to keep your heating and cooling system itself clean. Dust and condensation can build up over time, leading to degradation of the unit. Maintaining your cooling and heating system can extend its lifespan by years.

Check Your Water Heater

Water heaters are the unsung heros of home life. We just expect them to work forever unchecked. Then when they go out, it's time to panic.

As you no doubt guessed, you can save yourself some grief and get more life from your water heater with some simple maintenance. It's recommended that you check your water heater every year for issues.

Seals can fail and drains can clog, especially if you have hard water. If you notice even a minor leak or scale build up, have a plumber or water heater repair company take a look to make sure there isn't a bigger issue that could lead to a flooded basement.

Check Your Toilets and Faucets

Your toilets and sinks will be inspected when you sell your home, so make you inspect the plumbing fixtures every six months. If you do find any leaks, you can replace the faulty seal yourself. If the leak ends up being larger, then you may need professional help.

Vacuum Refrigerator Condenser Coils

Refrigerators are another appliance that most people don't think about checking. But the condenser coils on the back can collect dust, and this can affect performance. 

All you need to do is pull the fridge out and clean off the dust. Then you can also take the opportunity to clean behind it and the floor where it sits.

Clean Your Exhaust Hood

Exhaust hoods can get quite dirty, especially if you love to cook. That grease and grime can lead to a fire hazard, so you should make a habit of cleaning it and replacing the filter if it has one.

These are just a few of the things in your home you should keep maintained and in good order before you sell your home in Albuquerque. Visit our blog regularly for more real estate advice and tips on how to sell your home faster and for more money in Albuquerque.

Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1004 El Paseo Street NW, Rio Rancho, NM 87144  $215,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 half) / 2053 Square Feet

Camino Crossing! 4BDR/2.5BA/2CG. Light, bright & open! REFRIGERATED AIR & SOLAR PANELS! Huge great room opens for entertaining to the kitchen with breakfast nook, pantry, gas stove, tile flooring, granite countertops & beautiful cabinetry! Large secondary bedrooms and laundry room upstairs for convenience. Master suite features a garden tub, separate shower, dual sink vanity & walk-in closet! Gardener? Enjoy the established outdoor garden with fruit trees of Apple, Peach, Nectarine, Fig, Plum, Pear, Asian Pear, Jasmine among lots of other vegetables!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

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If you're deciding whether to build a fence for your property, be it a wood, wrought iron, vinyl or chain link fence, they can be expensive. So it's a good idea to decide what your needs are and if a fence is worth the cost. You need to consider the pros and cons of fencing your yard.

Since fences are so prevalent, the pros certainly outweigh the cons. Here's a few points to consider.

PROS

Privacy

Privacy is obviously the main benefit of having a fenced yard. Having a fence not only reduces the disturbance to your neighbors, but to your family as they play in the pool, garden, sunbathe, etc. Having privacy in your yard can play a vital role in making sure your time outside with family and friends is protected from prying eyes.

Safety

Safety is another key reason people decide to fence their yard. If you have a swimming pool, it's especially essential to have a fence that will protect your family. It's also a great way to keep out the critters you don't want in your yard, as well as letting your dog run free.

Noise Reduction

If you live near a busy street, noise may be an issue. Building an 8 ft high solid fence can reduce noise by up to 10 decibels. Acoustifenc is a product that has been used to reduce sound along highways and mass transit lines. You can now use it in residential settings, and it's reported to reduce noise by up to 5 percent, depending on fence height, elevations and noise frequencies.

Design Element

A well built fence can add a great deal to your home's overall appeal. Picket fences are a great example of how a fence can add to the attractiveness of a property, as well as define the property boundary.

The biggest cons in building a fence are often overlooked. Months or years after building a fence consumers may feel like they made the wrong decision.

CONS

Maintenance

A fence well cared for will add to the appeal of your home for years. But if you don't keep them up, they can deteriorate over the years, especially wood fences. Wood fences, specifically, require occasional cleaning, staining, sealing or painting and can warp and rot over time.

Expense

Fencing an an entire property, or even part of one, is expensive. The price can vary a great deal depending on materials and length, number of gates, and labor.  A wooden privacy fence now averages $17.31 to $23.13 per linear foot – that’s $2,596.50 to $3,469.50 for a 150-foot-long fence.

When determining whether to build a fence or not, it is important to weigh the pros and cons. Typically, the pros will outweigh the cons.

Looking to sell your home for the right price in Albuquerque? Let us help you sell your home in Albuquerque and get the right price. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

8000 Oso Loco Road NE, Albuquerque, NM  $288,000

3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 0 half) / 1879 Square Feet

Excellent opportunity to own in Far North East Heights neighborhood! This beautiful home is close to in shopping, bike paths and highly desirable schools. Open and bright floor plan with custom Southwest touches throughout; ledges; arched doorways and more. A custom Kiva fireplace with built-in Bancos grace the family room that opens to the sunny kitchen with breakfast bar; kitchen island; lots of cabinets and pantry for storage. Separate formal dining room. Master Suite w/access to patio and ample spa like en suite with walk-in closet that includes a custom closet system. Low maintenance front and backyard landscaping w/ lush shrubs and trees & cool covered patio for warm summer evenings.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

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Are getting ready to sell your home in Albuquerque? If so, you already know there’s a lot of things to consider.  But there are some basic things to keep in mind to make sure you get more money from the sale of your home as well as sell it faster. Here’s a few things you can do right now.

Get Storage

Don’t think you can declutter your home by shoving things in the closets. Buyers will look in your closets and see a mess. Instead, rent a storage unit and store things that you won’t need when you home is on the market.

Depersonalize

One of the main goals of selling a home is to make the buyer see it as their home. That’s harder to do if your photos are all over the walls. The same goes with artwork.  You may appreciate the art, but the buyer might not.  Try to make the interior as neutral as possible in the way of personal affects.

Lighten Up

Light can make all the difference when it comes to making the home more appealing.  Get as high of a wattage bulb as your fixtures will safely allow.  And open the blinds and curtains.

Curb Appeal is Real

The first few seconds are critical when a buyer comes to your home.  They will almost always judge a book by its cover. So tidy up the yard.  Trim the hedges, put down new mulch, edge the lawn.  Hire a landscaper if you need to.  Freshen up the exterior paint. Powerwash the walkways and driveway.  Every little thing does matter.

If you follow these few steps, you'll almost certainly sell your home faster and make more money in the end.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

11 Calle Cienega, Placitas, NM   $525,000

4 Bedrooms/ 3.5 Bathrooms/ 3384 Square Feet

An incredible Placitas Custom 4 bedroom home with unobstructed views and great room with raised ceilings and sculpted vigas!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

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It's a phenomenal time to sell your Albuquerque home!  If you've decided to sell, make sure you've prepared your home for the market before advertising. You get one shot at making a great first impression and introducing your home to the market...so make it count!

Many home buyers today want to move-in their new home as quickly as possible. Making sure you've crossed all the 'T's and dotted all the 'I's will insure your home sells quickly and for top dollar.

Here are 6 great tips to get your home prepared:

1. Get a Home Inspection.  Why you ask? By being proactive and ordering your Home Inspection upfront, you'll be notified of any potential troubles that could make your potential buyers balk. You'll still need to disclose what the home inspection finds, but you'll have time to make repairs. 

2. Gather all your Warranties for items staying in the home. This gives your potential home buyers confidence in you and your home. Warranties should include any appliances, etc that will be part of your home sale.

3. Make all Minor Repairs! It's critical to walk through your home with an eye for detail. Each room should be evaluated for any minor fixes; including patching of holes or cracks, painting, floor replacement, windows, closets, outlets and more. Once you've identified all repairs to be made in each room, make the ones you can...and be ready to negotiate the others.

4. Clear out Clutter. You've probably heard this a dozen times or more, but it bears repeating. A cluttered home shows poorly and commands a lower selling point. 

5. Sparkle and Shine. Make sure you do a 'white glove' cleaning of every aspect of your home!  Remove all signs of pets, including deodorizing your home. 

6. Stage your Home to Sell! If you haven't thought of Home Staging, you may want to consider this service. Home Stagers are experts at presenting your home's best assets and hiding those that are not. They also create the best light and flow to showcase your home. 

For more Home Selling Tips, visit our website or give us a call for a personal evaluation.

HOT PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

3813 Tierra Vista Place NE, Rio Rancho, NM  $359,000!

4 Bedrooms/ 3 1/2 Baths/ 3420 Square Feet

Welcome to this Meticulously Maintained Home delivering 3400+ sqft of optimal living.

Contact the Sandi Pressley Team for more details!

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