The Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Blog

Via Leesa L. Finley -Wake Forest NC REALTOR® Wake Forest NC & Raleigh NC Real Estate (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):

Showings Are "Hot" in The Summer - Is Your Home the "Cool" One?

 

If your home is currently on the market then this is a post for YOU!  While I am SURE your Realtor® prepared you for what to do when you have scheduled showings like lights on, soft music, etc there are some special touches that you can do for a showing in the summer that just might make your home stand out!

Summer conjures up memories of cookouts, swimming pools, lemonade and fireflies......so, why not get the buyer that will be previewing your home in the right frame of mind?

• Be sure you have some "punched up" flower power for when the buyer first shows up!  Whether it be some fresh new plantings around the mailbox or some bright potted flowers on the porch you just can't ignore the visual of flowers!
• Is your doormat fresh and clean?  If you have one that indicates you have pets - remove it.  Instead, opt for a crisp, clean straw mat in perhaps a summer color that coordinates well with other attributes of your exterior.  (shutter colors, front door color, etc)
• Open all the blinds so that buyers have a clear view of the front and back yards.  Let the sun shine in!  (don't forget to clean your windows!)
• Make sure your air conditioner is set to a very cool temperature!  Like my friend Pat Kennedy mentioned you want it CHILLY in your home for showings!
• If you have scents in your home you may want to go for a summer scent such as a citrus smell, a crisp herb smell such as basil or even a light honeysuckle scent.
• Offering a light snack?  Many sellers do!  If so, opt for a lighter snack such as a lemon cookie (instead of chocolate chip) and some small bottled waters or a pitcher of lemonade!  Don't forget to offer some napkins as well!
  
• Show off your deck and grilling area!  If you have a table on your deck be sure to have the umbrella opened and the table staged.  Yes, stage the table on the deck!  Outdoor serverware is perfect for getting the buyer to visualize what it might be like to sit on the deck and have a late summer afternoon dinner.
  
• Have a large yard?  Show it off!  You may want to consider a soccer net or a Bocce Ball area.  
• Do swimming pool?  If so, make sure it is crystal clear and stage the decking area with clean and well maintained chairs!
• Choose your music wisely.  It's always wonderful to have soft music playing in the background when your home is being shown.  Light jazz or blues is always a safe choice!

Show off your homes BEST assets and how comfortable it is in the hot summer months!  The more you can get a buyer in the mood and "living in your home" the better the chance you have that it will stand out when compared against others they have seen!

If you are considering putting your home for sale in Wake Forest NC I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you!  As a top real estate agent in Wake Forest NC I have the resources, network and skills to get your home sold in the quickest time frame with the least amount of stress and for the highest amount.  Feel free to visit my website, Wake Forest NC House Chick, to research me!  You can also call me at 919-649-6128 or simply send me an email - it's just that easy! 

To keep up with all the latest on the Wake Forest NC Real Estate Market you just can't miss my Facebook Fan Page - Wake Forest NC House Chick!

                        

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area!  I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home!  For more information regarding homes for sale in Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

• Leesa Finley- Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
• Wake Forest NC House Chick - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

I AM your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent of Choice......

Don't forget to check out Discover Wake Forest NC for all the latest new listings in Wake Forest, Home Buyers and Home Sellers Tips and the most up to date calendar of events in Wake Forest NC!

 

 

 

 

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Mesquite Nevada Homes for Sale - Lead Paint and Asbestos Risk in Older Homes

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Via Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty):

                                                                                                                                                  

In a very competitive Real Estate market one of the things that is vital to your success is how well your home shows in relation to the rest of the inventory for sale. There are quite a few simple things that you can do to improve your chances and maybe put a few extra dollars in your pocket at the same time.

Maybe you are not even thinking about selling your home right now. When the time comes, however these lost cost improvements could make a difference.

1st impressions are always important so you want to make sure the entry to your home shines. As the buyer approaches the front door the last thing they want to see is an old worn door with cob webs hanging from above.

Most buyers are going to assume right of the bat if the home is not well maintained on the exterior, the interior will not be much better.

The Entry Way

Painting the front door or even replacing it if it is beyond paint can make a real difference. A nice shiny door set always stands out as well.

If you have vinyl siding and you have not cleaned it in a while mildew, dirt and grime can accumulate. Giving it a quick spray can surprisingly make a big difference in the appearance.

Plant Some Color

When selling your home planting some flowers around the entry can really make your property come alive. Choose a variety of colors that really stand out.

Adding a few potted plants if you have a covered entry or a large enough stoop is always a nice touch as well.

 

 

 

Fix Up The Baths

While remodeling a bath is one of the highest returning home improvement projects it may not be in the budget at the moment.

If however, you still have your gold toilets and sinks from the 70's it may be time to let go and move on the something that 99% of the population would like better.

Have a gold shower too? There are lower cost alternatives to ripping out the shower. There are specially made bath fitters that are designed to be put over a shower. New faucets are another lower cost item that can make a difference. At the moment silver/nickel is back in and brass is less popular.

Changing towel ranks, toilet paper holders and shower heads are also nice touches for short money.

 

 

Paint Those Walls

Painting is one of the cheapest most effective improvements you can make in your home especially if the colors are not neutral to begin with. I know you love the pink entry way and purple bathroom but most buyers will not.

I know what your thinking painting is cheap...the buyer can just do it themselves. Most people think this way, however, there is a large part of the population that does not have any vision. They need to see it done.

Painting your home off white or if you want to be slightly more bold in earth tones, is the best way to go. When selling your home all decisions should be done to appeal to the masses.

 

 

 

Address the flooring

A little more expensive but one of the better returning investments especially if you are still hanging on to the orange shag.

Even if you have more modern carpet but just don't have enough in the budget for new carpeting, a good cleaning by a professional can help out dramatically. The same can be said for wood floors as well.

A good scrubbing can go a long way.

 

Clean Your Windows/Treatments

Cleaning your windows can really spruce up your home especially if they have not been done in a while.

A bright home always shows far better than a dungeon. Removing heavy drapes and curtains can help as well, especially if they are out of date.

It is far better to have nothing than to have a pattern that was popular in the 80's.

 

Change Old Lighting

Lighting is one of those things that are subtle but believe me a buyer will notice if the lighting is really dated.

There are some great lights that can be purchased rather cheaply in many lighting stores especially if they are looking to restock their shelves with the latest model.

Even little things like upgrading to brighter bulbs can help. Most home buyers are turned off by dark unlit rooms.

Although a little more expensive to add, recessed lighting can really change the level of lighting in a room. Recessed light work really well in kitchen and baths.

 

Declutter Your Home

This one can really go a long way. Buyers like spacious rooms that they can envision their own belongings in. Getting rid of things that you know you will not be taking with you can really change the appearance of your home.

Hold a yard sale for those items that still hold value. Have other things you know you want to take with you but know they spoil how well your home shows? Get a PODs (portable storage on site) or even consider putting your stuff in a short term storage facility.

Not every improvement has to be expensive. Sometimes it is the small things you do that make the biggest difference in a buyers mind.

 

 

Have an interest in knowing what some of the more expensive home improvements return on your investment? See:

Best remodeling projects cost v.s value for your home

Getting ready to put your home on the market? Here are some other important articles that discuss the home selling process and how to increase your chances of success:

Preparing your Massachusetts home for the Spring selling season

Top ten mistakes to avoid when selling your Massachusetts home

Selling your home in a buyers market

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About the Author: The above Real Estate information on Low cost improvements when selling a home was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356. 

Have a home to sell in Metrowest Mass? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise! 

For Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate and homes see Metrowest Mass Real Estate. Want to have MLS access to beat other buyers to your dream home? Sign up with no obligation at my MLS Property Finder Site.

I service the following towns in Metrowest Massachusetts: Hopkinton, Milford, Upton, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Mendon, Hopedale, Medway, Grafton, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Franklin, Douglas, and Framingham MA.

Click here to view Bill Gassett's Real Estate profile.

 

 

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Via Michelle Minch Home Staging Pasadena & Los Angeles, CA (Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA):

Are you getting a lot of "lookers" but no "takers"? A lot of showings but no offers (or mostly low ball offers)? Your home probably needs the help of a Professional Home Stager.

Preparing a home for sale is a lot like getting ready for a first date. When preparing for a date you may ask yourself "Do I look good?", "Do I smell good?" "Will he/she like me?" "Could this lead to a long term relationship?"

It is the same with putting a home on the market. Ask yourself:

Have I done everything I can possibly do to get a potential buyer to like the home enough to lead to a long term relationship (aka a sale)? Does my home look good? Does it smell good?

 

Santa Monica kitchen after staging by Moving Mountains Design Home Staging

 

 

 

 

 

As with dating, sometimes it takes an objective   observer to tell you if your home is ready for it's first date with buyers. Thats where a professional home stager comes in. Home stagers are trained to inspect your home with "buyer's eyes". They can spot all the small and large items that need to be addressed so that your potential buyers are not turned off by the condition or appearance of your home. For less than $500, in most cases, a professional home stager will prepare a comprehensive staging report that will act as a road map for preparing your home for sale.

Some of the questions that might be addressed in a comprehensive staging consultation are:

Is the home sparkling clean? Really? What about those mineral deposits on the shower door or that pesky mildew stain on the grout?
Does the home smell good? Really? Do you have a cat? Did you make curry for dinner last week? If a home stager can smell it, so can a potential buyer.
Is there a working lightbulb in every lamp and fixture? What about the missing light bulb in the patio light?
Do the hinges squeak? Do all the door knobs work?
Has that leaky faucet been repaired?
Has all the dog poop been picked up in the yard?
Do the walls or trim need to be painted? Does the wall paper need to be stripped and the rooms freshened up?
Are your walls painted a color that will be attractive to most potential buyers, or just buyers that share your particular taste?
Is your furniture arranged in a manner that makes your rooms seem larger than they are?
Is there too much furniture? Too much clutter? Too many personal items?

 

 Pasadena Craftsman before staging

 

 

 

 

 

 A home stager can also help you find a handyman, professional painter, carpet installer, cleaning service and mover. Don't forget, experienced home stage have helped many home owners prepare their homes for sale. They have a lot of tricks up their sleeves that will make your move easier.

Most home stagers offer a full menu of staging services to suit almost every home seller's needs. Once you have your comprehensive staging report in hand, you can then do the suggested work yourself, do some of the work yourself and hire the stager to do the balance or hire the stager to do all of the work.

 

 

Pasadena Craftsman after staging by Moving Mountains Design Home Staging

 

 

 

 

 Professional home stagers are trained to help you take the guess work out of preparing your home. We help you make your home more appealing to the greatest number of potential "lookers" so they become "takers". For a faster sale at the best price, call a Professional Home Stager today.

Moving Mountains Design was recently featured in the Sunday Los Angeles Times Real Estate section in an article about the benefits of staging a home. Don't settle for second best and don't trust the sale of your home to just anyone. Choose the Los Angeles home staging company with the experience and knowledge to help you get your home sold faster and for the best price. Call us today at (626)441-8975 or visit our Los Angeles home staging website.