| Buyer Resources: Connect Your Utilities:
This is a terrific site and a FREE service that allows you to connect all of your utilities with a few clicks or one simple phone call. You can get information on everything that is available to you based on your new home address from cable TV and satellite dish options, to local telephone and long distance carriers, to high speed internet providers, electricity and gas suppliers, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, appliance dealers, movers, and more! First Time Buyers, click here for your free 2008 Home Buying Guide!
Seller Resources: Home Staging:
Home staging is an area that can make or break a sale. I have personally helped clients stage their homes and made additional updating recommendations that turned "frogs" into "princes", resulting in sales of homes that previously sat on the market for months with other Realtors. Listed below are a few tips to help you get on the path to a better presentation. For a full scale staging consultation, please contact me directly at 763.257.9249. I will schedule a convenient time to visit with you and make a list of recommendations. INSIDE:
1. Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items. 2. Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen counter tops. If it hasn't been used for three months... put it away! Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, magnets and pictures. Less is definitely more!
3. In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from counter tops, tubs, shower stalls and commode tops. Keep only your most needed cosmetics, brushes, perfumes etc., in one small group on the counter. Coordinate towels to one or two colors only.
4. Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if necessary. As owners, many times we have too much furniture in a room. This is wonderful for our own personal enjoyment, but when it comes to selling we need to thin out as much as possible to make rooms appear larger.
5. Take down or rearrange certain pictures or objects on walls. Patch and paint if necessary.
6. Review the inside of the house room by room, and, if necessary:
- Paint walls and ceilings.
- Clean carpets or drapes.
- Clean windows inside and out.
7. If you need room to store extra possessions use the garage or rent a storage unit.
8. Leave on certain lights during the day. During "showings" turn on all lights and lamps.
9. Have soft background music playing for all showings to help create a soothing environment. Some freshly baked goods make it even more homey! Believe me, it's worth the trouble. Besides, when was having some fresh baked goods in the house a bad thing?
10. Clean, clean and clean again.
Most people can't live in a spotless environment all the time. This can be one of the more stressful aspects of having your home on the market— but it's worth the effort to sell your home for top dollar. You can hire a professional service to come in and deep clean everything; then take 20-30 minutes each day to maintain it.
Don't neglect hallways. They lead potential buyers through your home and should be bright and clutter free. Remember you're trying to maximize the feeling of space in your home!
Appliances should sparkle even if you're not including them with the house. After all, you might throw them in later as a negotiating tool. Counter tops, taps, sinks and bathtubs should be shiny and free of water spots.
If you have a pedestal sink, don't forget the dust that collects on top of the plumbing where it attaches to the wall. If the whole sink is spotless and the taps aren't dripping, it will look new!
Dust shelves and vacuum or "Swiffer" the floors. Naturally, all beds should be made. Remember clean windows let in more light and look newer. Hire a service if you have to— it's worth the investment.
Need a referral. No worries! I know who to call to get your home in sparkling shape. It's all part of my home staging menu of services.
If all this attention to detail seems over the top, remember that a very clean home leaves the impression that the house is well cared for. This helps put buyers at ease— especially a first time buyer who may be worried about the responsibilities of owning a house.
11. Don't forget fresh flowers.
You don't need to spend a fortune to have fresh flowers throughout your home. Even a daisy in a bud vase brightens a bathroom counter. Ask your florist which blooms last a week. You can also use potted flowering plants that are in season for a low-cost solution. Don't use plastic or obviously fake flowers, especially in an expensive home!
OUTSIDE:
1. Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., into the garage.
2. Check gutters for roof moss and dry rot. Make sure they are swept and cleaned.
3. Look at all plants... prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. "YOU CAN'T SELL A HOUSE IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT." Plants are like children -- they grow so fast!!
4. Weed and then mulch all planting areas. Keep lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove and dead plants or shrubs.
5. Clear patios or decks of all small items. such as small planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbecues, toys. etc. (Put them in the garage or a storage unit.)
6. Check paint condition of the house -- especially the front door and trim. Scrub your front door, porch, outside railings and steps. This is cheaper than repainting and makes a world of difference. Once the outside entrance is clean, decide if the paint really needs a touch up. "CURB APPEAL REALLY WORKS!" Best General Websites for all things house: Minnesota Department of Commerce Home Energy Guides Live Informed Disaster Safety Home Tips Angie's List Service Magic Home-Smart Call Before You Dig Click here to get my free market snapshot and find out in "real time" what's happening in your neighborhood. |
