Tip of the Week Listing
Sept 8 to Sept 15 2008
Details matter. Trim shrubs and trees on your landscape. Make sure things look sharp and neat.
Sept 1 to Sept 8 2008
Add color. Plant mums or other colorful plants that will thrive in the fall. This will give your landscape color and vibrancy when everything starts to fade from the summer.
Aug 26 to Sept 1 2008
Go green. Lawns tend to get greener after August when the nights get cooler. It's also a great time to seed your lawn if there are any bare spots or the grass is thin.
Aug 18 to Aug 25
Take advantage of natural light - If you show after work, you're totally in the dark. Make the most of the light you do have. Have the curtains and blinds cleaned and open them as wide as possible during daytime showings. Clean all the lamps and built-in fixtures, and replace the bulbs with the highest wattage that they will safely accommodate. Before you show the house, turn on all the lights.
Aug 11 to Aug 19 2008
Windows - are one thing that many sellers don't even consider. In winter that strong southern light can reveal grime and make it look like the home hasn't been well-maintained.
Aug 4 to Aug 11 2008
Emphasize winter positives - Is your home on a bus route or some other vital service that means it's ploughed or de-iced regularly in bad weather? Be sure to mention that to the buyers.
Curb Appeal - A perspective buyers first look at a house is from the street, make the first impression a good one. Clean up the yard, clean the windows and any dirt that is visible on the house. Add some potted flowers and a welcome mat. These are very simple items to add which gives the buyer the best "first impression." Make a focal point out of the front door it will give the buyer a hint of what is inside. Give it a coat of fresh paint or a polish, replace the hinges, handle and bell if they need it and make sure it doesn't squeak!
July 28 to Aug 4 2008
Curb Appeal - A perspective buyers first look at a house is from the street, make the first impression a good one. Clean up the yard, clean the windows and any dirt that is visible on the house. Add some potted flowers and a welcome mat. These are very simple items to add which gives the buyer the best "first impression." Make a focal point out of the front door it will give the buyer a hint of what is inside. Give it a coat of fresh paint or a polish, replace the hinges, handle and bell if they need it and make sure it doesn't squeak!
July 21 to July 28 2008
Storage - Clean out your closets and basement and de-clutter your shelves. This all important factor doesn't cost a thing but your time. A future buyer needs to see how much storage space their is in the house and it is not possible when the closets are overflowing.
June 30 to July 7, 2008
Furniture Placement - Place your furniture to compliment the architectural features of your rooms such as the fireplace or large picture window. Each room should have only one purpose; your kitchen should not double for your home office. Nor should your downstairs family room be equipped with dusty fitness equipment.
June 23 to June 30, 2008
Storage Space - Buyers are impressed by ample storage space. That means that if you're like most people, about 50% of items the items you have in your closets, cabinets and drawers should be boxed and stored away. Consider renting a storage locker or borrow space in a friend's garage or basement. Knickknacks and furniture should also be edited to make rooms appear open and inviting.
Thorough Cleaning - A deep cleaning to make every surface, nook and cranny sparkle and shine is required. A fresh coat of paint throughout the home is a very good investment. Fresh flowers, green plants and pretty accessories all pack a punch without breaking the bank account.
June 2 to June 9, 2008
Make repairs an essential priority - When making your list, remember to look up. Are your gutters sagging in some places? Could the Realtor receive an unwelcome shower while doing the all-important walk around the home?"
Front entry - Spend quality time cleaning and maintaining the front entry. You may want to scrape down the doorframe, add a new bead of silicone around the door, and oil the hinges. For added ambience, go for a fresh coat of paint on the front door and a beautiful pot of flowers on the front steps. Also, ensure easy entry by making sure the key will slide into the keyhole smoothly and the door will unlock with ease.
May 19 to May 26, 2008
Outdoor furniture- If you have a veranda or deck, consider adding some outdoor furniture - a couple of willow chairs and a complimentary side table evoke pleasurable images of evening relaxation or Sunday morning coffee and paper.
May 12 to May 19, 2008
Think curb appeal - What is the home saying on the outside? It's a fact that potential buyers often make up their minds in the first few minutes. How the home presents itself from the road can make or break the sale.
May 5 to May 12, 2008
Choose the type of home that meets your lifestyle - Do you like being close to downtown, or would you prefer living outside the city? Do you like or dislike the prospect of maintaining a lawn and garden? Where would you like your children to attend school? These are lifestyle decisions that play a large role in the new home buying process.
April 28 to May 5, 2008
Let the sun shine in. Buyers love light and airy living rooms, but dark and dingy isn't on their list. Open up your window shades to let some light in. Cheat some sunshine with a light-colored paint and lots of artificial lighting. You can never have too many lamps. Last, arrange the space with lightly colored furniture, and you'll have a living room that brightens your chances of a sale.
April 21 to April 28, 2008
Staging rooms to show off their true potential is essential when selling your home. Clear out clutter or other personal items that will distract buyers. Paint the walls a neutral tone, and furnish the space to show off how functional it is. When buyers come through and imagine themselves there, you can bet an offer isn't far behind.
April 14 to April 21, 2008
A nice outdoor deck can be a big selling feature, but an old one is a major liability. To give your outdoor space new life, first sand the wood. Cover it with a light-colored stain instead of paint to give it a rustic, grainy look. Furnish it for entertaining, and watch your open house turn into a party.
April 7 to April 14, 2008
Buyers love built-in bookshelves. There's a fine line between filling them with clutter and staging them to sell. The trick is to arrange neutral items in clusters. Make sure that no single accessory stands out too much. That way, you'll show off your attractive built-ins, and not your personal belongings.
March 31 to April 7, 2008
Need to dress up a window but don't want to shell out big bucks for window treatments? Here's a trick: use place mats. First, apply a hook-and-loop fastener to the place mats and attach them in a row to a basic curtain rod. Now that the place mats are attached to the curtain rods, pin them together at the bottom, and you'll have a stylish valance that only costs about $12.
March 24 to March 31, 2008
New kitchen appliances bring high returns from sellers. Studies show that new kitchen appliances bring high returns from sellers, so get rid of old appliances that make the rest of the kitchen look dated. Once you install the new equipment, it will scream "new kitchen," and you will see that spending a little money will make you even more.
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