What do you want from an open house? Obviously, you want to attract a lot of potential buyers — and have at least a few of them become seriously interested in your property. So how do you make your open house as successful as possible? You probably already know the basics: make sure your house […]
To Paint or Not to Paint?
Painting the outside of your home traditionally takes more time and expense than a comparable area on the inside. You have to deal with ladders, more paint and, of course, the weather. So when preparing your house for sale, you don’t want to do any exterior painting unless it is really necessary. How can you […]
Staging the Outside of Your Home
You’re probably familiar with the term “home staging”. It involves cleaning, de-cluttering, reorganizing, and decorating specifically in order to make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Furniture stores do something similar when they “stage” a bedroom suite in a showroom. Most sellers focus their staging efforts on the inside of their homes. But the […]
Is it a Mountain? Or a Molehill?
There’s an old expression: Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. It refers, of course, to putting a problem or issue in the right perspective. Some things just aren’t worth worrying that much about – the molehills. However, there are other things that you do need to be concerned about – the mountains. What […]
It’s All About Personal Service
In Real Estate, it’s understood that personalized service really makes a difference. That’s why you are entitled to expect value-added, cost-free information and advice on real estate subjects that interest you. Here are a few examples of topics you might find worthwhile: Financial and market trends Neighborhood property activity Renovations and décor ideas Taxation and […]
5 Easy Tips for Making Your Home Show Better
Trash the Trash
In most communities, garbage day isn’t every week. So, if you show your house on day five or six, there’s going to be some accumulation! Here are some things you can do before a viewing to make sure this situation doesn’t trash a potential sale. If possible, make sure all garbage containers, including waste paper […]
When Choosing a Fixer-Upper Makes Cents
Some renovations can significantly increase the market value of a home. Others can cost more than you’ll ever get back. So, when choosing a “fixer-upper”, look carefully at the work that needs to be done. General painting, and bathroom or kitchen renovations typically increase the resale value of a house. “Invisible” repairs such as plumbing, […]
Get Your Home-Hunting Ducks in a Row
Getting Schooled on Local Schools
If you have kids, the local school will be a big part of your new home buying decision. That’s why it’s important to get a school’s “vital statistics”, such as: Safety record Curriculum Accommodation for special needs Awards Average class sizes Extracurricular activities. (sports, arts, crafts, technology, etc.) Scores on standardized achievement tests Daily schedules […]