Month: October 2017

It’s no secret in the real estate world that the more attractive your home looks to potential buyers, the more likely it will be to sell quickly and for a good price. So, obviously, you want to do everything you can to ensure your home “shows” well.

But before you invest in a major renovation or other costly improvements – which may not be necessary – consider these low-cost tips first.

Paint. This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to make a room or other area of your home look bright and new.

Potted flowers. Flowers always brighten up a space. And if they’re potted, you can place them anywhere – in the foyer, outside the front door, even on the back deck.

New mats. Mats get worn and stained so easily. Place new mats at all entranceways.

Obvious repairs. A squeaky fence gate. A dripping faucet. A broken floor tile. People notice. Get these repaired.

Upgraded lighting. Improve the lighting in key areas of your home, such as the basement, which tends to be darker.

These tips won’t cost much and are relatively easy to implement. Yet, they can have a dramatic affect on how well your home shows.

Moving day is traditionally such a hectic and emotionally charged experience that there are even reality TV shows about it.

Does it have to be that way? Is it possible to ensure that moving day goes smoothly?

Picking a good moving company, or making similar arrangements to transport your belongings, is the obvious place to start. But here are some other tips you might not have considered:

Put pets in a kennel for the day. Pets may get excited by all the activity and tend to get in the way, or may hide where you can’t find them.

Have healthy snacks available. Vegetables, fruit, nuts, juices and water are all natural energizers.

Hire a babysitter for the kids. It’s going to be a long day for them.

Call your mover the day before. Confirm exactly when they will be arriving and be sure they’ll be bringing a large enough truck.

Clearly mark boxes that contain items you’ll need immediately. Think about the clothes, cookware, computer accessories, toys and other items you’ll want to find easily during the first week in your new home.

Plan ahead to make your moving day drama-free. Unless, of course, you want to be on a reality show!

When preparing your home for sale, you want to make sure every room looks its best. But pay particularly close attention to the kitchen. Many buyers will spend a lot of time determining whether or not it meets their needs. In fact, some buyers will even form an impression about the entire property based primarily on how they feel about the kitchen!

How do you make it look its best?

Start by making sure your kitchen appears as roomy as possible. Put away all countertop appliances, even the toaster and the coffee machine, so that the counter space is completely clear.

Check that your cabinets and pantry shelves aren’t stuffed with dishes, foodstuff and other items. While that’s normal in most family homes, it doesn’t promote the image of plentiful storage space. Clear out as much as you can. Make sure what you leave behind, especially food items, is stored neatly.
Got a junk drawer? We all do. Empty the contents into a box and stow it away.

Of course, you want to ensure that the kitchen is clean and shiny. The area in and around the sink is critical. There are some excellent specialty cleaners available that will remove even the most stubborn stains in a stainless steel sink. (Never use steel wool or other abrasive cleaners. They leave unsightly scratches.)

If you have a window over the sink – a great selling feature – make sure it’s especially clean. You can be sure that buyers will linger for a few moments to look through it.

And, finally, don’t forget the space under the sink. Make sure that the space is as clean – and empty – as possible.