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Posts in category Selling Tips

Virtual Staging Offers Cost and Time Effectiveness!

Nov06
2020
Written by mary.w

With the onset of Covid and a desire to make staging more affordable for sellers, virtual staging software is a new and exciting part of the staging industry. This allows sellers to upload photos of their vacant rooms to a computer program and then literally furnish those spaces like a model home.  If you would like to stage your home but have not done so due to the often very high cost of bringing in a staging company and paying rental on the furniture along with the labor cost of using a physical company. If this is something that you have been wanting to pursue, I’ve listed below several national company websites. You can also search online for local companies that offer this as part of their services.  Happy Selling!

https://stuccco.conm/virtual-staging

https://virtualstagingrenderinggroup.com

https://3dstagers.com/virtual-staging

www.padstyler.com/virtual-staging

Posted in General Information, Market News, New Features, Tips and Ideas
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Ceiling Fans are the Energy Efficient Way to Cool/Heat Your Home & Save $$$!

Jun26
2020
Written by mary.w

Did you know that the simple and fairly inexpensive process of installing ceiling fans will not only create more energy efficiency but will also save you $$$ on your utility bills! With even the lower end fans including remote operation, cooling your home and fattening your bank account is as easy as click click click!

Q: Can I use a ceiling fan instead of air-conditioning?Image result for Ceiling Fans
A: Not only can you, there are many benefits to doing so.

  • Ceiling fans are quiet. You don’t hear anything when you turn it on or off, or even when it is running constantly.
  • Ceiling fans save energy. They only use 50-75 watts of power. That is the same as a light bulb and less than one-tenth of the power it takes to run a medium-sized air conditioner.
  • Ceiling fans save money. Running a fan costs considerably less per month than running an air conditioner. Plus so many also have lights that you can add more lighting, including dimmer type, to your room for style and savings.    Silver Orchid Finlayson 52-inch Lighted Ceiling Fan with Reversible Blades

Q: How are ceiling fans beneficial in the summer?
A: Although a ceiling fan will not lower the temperature in your home, it will make a room feel cooler. When you open doors and windows, warm air is circulated from inside the room to the outside of your home. This action can make you feel up to eight degrees cooler! Inside tip: During the summer, run your ceiling fan in a counter-clockwise direction for maximum efficiency to lower electricity costs and to conserve energy.

Q: What kind of ceiling fan should I buy?
A: Energy Star fans are a good choice and boast being fifty percent more efficient than conventional fans!

Q: What size ceiling fan should I buy?
A: It is a grave mistake to install a huge fan in a big room or a tiny fan in a large room. Not only will it look awkward, but you might not get enough airflow.

  • Large rooms (15-by-15+): Use a fan with a blade span of 50 – 56 inches.
  • Medium rooms (12-by-12): Use a fan with a blade span of 42 – 44 inches.
  • Small rooms (8-by-8): Use a fan with a blade span of 32 inches.

Q: Where should I install a ceiling fan?
A: You should install ceiling fans in the rooms that get the most use. Once you choose the rooms, you should hang your ceiling fan in the center of the room, 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling. If the blades are too close to the ceiling, the air will not circulate.

NOTE: A great often overlooked benefit of ceiling fans is that by reversing the blade direction in the winter, you can help your furnace also be more energy efficient as well and keep your home comfortable while saving money!! In Image result for Victorian Style Ceiling Fans With LightsImage result for Ceiling Fansaddition, there are so many beautiful styles, now you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. Overall a good home purchase!

Posted in Decorating on a Budget, General Information, Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized
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Holiday Marketing Pros and Cons

Dec05
2019
Written by mary.w

The holiday seasons are upon us and inevitably, whether selling or buying, you may be asking yourself; “Should I continue to market my home/search for my new home from post-Thanksgiving until post-New Years. Review the pros and cons of both.

SELLING PROS:

  • Many other sellers remove their homes from the marketplace during this time which reduces your competition. Lower inventory means that you can stand out to those that are shopping and possibly be rewarded with a higher price.
  • The fact is that regardless of the season, there are always buyers in the market to purchase due to job transfers, divorces, end of leases, seasonal closing on their own home that they’ve sold and people who want to take advantage of the current low interest rate before it goes up.
  • As long as you don’t go overboard, the sights, sounds and aromas of the seasonholiday-dinner cause buyers to imagine what it will be like to enjoy their own holiday gatherings in front of your roaring fire and beautifully displayed Dining Room table.

SELLING CONS:

  • The number of buyers shopping during the holidays is smaller than in the more active spring season.
  • If you live in an area that experiences extremes of cold, snow and ice, you have the added task of making sure your exterior areas are clear and safe to travel. You also need to prepare yourself for the frustration of no shows and reschedules in the event of inclement weather.christmaslights
  • If you do a lot of entertaining, you might have to be more diligent with regard to keeping your home “show ready”.
  • In many areas affected by the time change, it gets dark a lot earlier making evening appointments more challenging thus you should prepare yourself to be doing more weekend showings.

BUYING PROS:

  • The reason someone may have their home on the market during the holidays is because they have a “need to be sold by” deadline ie: starting a new job, moving to help out with a family situation, downsizing due to a job loss or reduction in income, etc. This may provide a great opportunity to purchase your dream home at a reduced price.
  • Due to less homes being sold during the holiday season, title companies may have a more open schedule to ensure the closing date you prefer.
  • Like the “Greek restaurant dilemma” of a menu that is so large it’s hard to make a decision, by having fewer homes to choose from, your shopping process may be far less stressful and more effective.

BUYING CONS:

  • Since many people take their homes off the market at this time, you will have less inventory from with to choose.
  • Due to holiday entertaining, viewing appointments may be more difficult to schedule BUT keep in mind if someone is choosing to sell during this season, they will most likely work with you to find a convenient time.
  • If you live in an area with inclement weather, getting to and from appointments might be more challenging.
  • In many regions, with the time change, it gets dark a lot earlier making evening appointments more difficult (hard to see addresses, hard to see exterior negatives about the home) which means you will most likely want to schedule viewings for the weekend, which can be more difficult. That said, if the seller is motivated, they will understand the local weather impediments and most likely be willing to be accommodating.

Whether you’re selling or buying, you can take advantage of the holiday season to achieve your desired result and toast in your Happiest New Year!!gift

Posted in Buying Tips, General Information, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized
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You Can’t Sell in the Winter! Or Can You? Should You?!

Nov17
2019
Written by mary.w

Depending on where you’re located, winter might seem like the worst time to put your home up for sale. The air is cold, the ground is covered with snow and daylight hours are shorter. But selling your home during the winter doesn’t have to be an impossible task and in actuality can be the best time to find Your Best Buyer. People who shop for homes in cold, snowy weather are deadly serious buyers who have a strong reason to buy NOW. Perhaps a job change, end of a lease and not wanting to sign on for another year, family necessities,etc. You can use this season as an opportunity to set your home apart from all the others. As an added plus, lots of people take their homes off the market through the winter and holidays so there is also less competition if you do choose to offer your home through this season. Here are a few ideas to help you achieve success!

Create a Safe Environment Free from the Weather

Make sure that walkways and driveways are salted and snow is shoveled. Nothing makes for a worse first impression for potential buyers than if they slip on the ice and injure themselves. They’ll be sure to remember your home, but probably not in the way you want them to. Also keep these areas well lit!

Minimize Your Holiday Decor

For most people, winter is a time for holiday decorations. But while your home should look festive, you will want to keep your decor attractive without becoming christmaslightswithout becoming overwhelming. A few well-placed lights will accentuate your home’s natural curb appeal, but maybe you should save the giant blowup doll for next year.

Cleanliness is Crucial

Winter is a difficult time to really show off the exterior of your home, so you should instead concentrate on accentuating the interior. Winter visitors are more likely to notice dirt and clutter because they are not distracted by the exterior of the home, so make sure it is absolutely spotless inside. Kids and adults coming in and out during this time can create messy floors and closets so try to keep a strong focus on those items.

 

Illuminate

To counter the dreary winter weather,  make your home as bright and airy as possible. Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light, and keep the lights on throughout your entire home (including closets and basement) when showing it to potential buyers. This creates an inviting atmosphere while also highlighting the great features of your home.

Cozy & Comfy

Raising the thermostavisual-interestt a couple notches will set a warm, welcoming atmosphere and provide a great first impression. Serve hot chocolate, hot cider or tea and coffee with holiday cookies if it’s close to Christmas.  A fire burning in the fireplace says, “Ahhh”. You can even play some soft background music to set the mood.

Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words

Displaying either individually or in an album, spring, summer and autumn photos will allow prospective buyers to see the home’s full potential and to visualize themselves living in the home beyond this season. Create a takeaway brochure of photos from all 4 seasons so the buyer will remember your home and all it offers once they have left and are considering all the homes they’ve seen.

Posted in General Information, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized
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Autumn Flowers Add Color and Life to Your Curb Appeal

Aug28
2019
Written by mary.w

As we move into Autumn and our summer flowers are starting to wither into dormancy or just outright dying, adding the deep oranges, rusts and mustard yellows to your landscape can give your curb appeal the boost it needs.  Mums are a great choice because you can get several different rich colors and types to blend into a dynamic foray of Autumn colors. If you don’t have the time or style of landscape to plant the mums, use potted ones just as effectively, either individually or grouped together.

If you’re selling, try to keep what you’re adding seasonal but not “holiday focused” such as halloween decorations. If you are a die hard Halloween decorator, keep it limited to the day before and only on Halloween. Then pull it down and focus on getting sold!

If you’re lucky enough to have nature screaming autumn around your home and you’re How-Much-Is-A-View-Worththinking of selling, DO IT NOW!! The most effective and cost effective landscaping you could hope for!

Posted in Decorating on a Budget, General Information, Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized
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Transition from Christmas/Holiday to Winter Decor with Ease!

Jan10
2019
Written by mary.w

So you did a lot of Christmas decorating and now want to sell your home but haven’t had time to put away all your decorations or like the wintry look if only they didn’t look so much like the holiday. Here are a few ideas to help you transition your home for showing while it’s still winter without dating your listing by having Christmas hanging on.

  • Take berries and Christmas ribbons out of your front door wreath and replace with deep winter colored ribbons and winter faux flowers.
  • Do the same with Christmas plants so you can still enhance your home with live greenery. Remove the holiday wrapping around a pot and if the pot is great on its own, perfect. If not, replace the holiday wrap with winter toned fabric or paper or for an even quicker change, simply drop that pot into a larger pot that matches your home’s decor.
  • Holiday candles can blend beautifully with your home’s winter theme if they are winter hues with evergreen, cinnamon or spruce scents. If the candle’s label (ie: yankee candle or other well known companies) screams Christmas, soak it with sudsy water and simply remove the label. Same with the candle holder. If it looks like a poinsetta, Christmas tree or other holiday decor, take out of that stand and put in one of your own.
  • Downgrade your holiday table setting from holiday to winter by simply changing up the placemats, tablecloth, runner or napkin rings. Quick, easy changes that still maintains the beauty of the winter season.
  • Replace your holiday blankets thrown over  chair or couch with  rich, soft, winter white, cream or deep toned blanket that blends with your decor.

Since winter and winter holidays share so much in beauty, decor and presentation, take advantage of all it offers while easily and swiftly transitioning your holiday decor to a warm, inviting winter ambiance and show your home confidently as a new addition to the marketplace.

Posted in Decorating on a Budget, General Information, Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas
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The Season Has Changed So Update Your Strategy!

Sep23
2018
Written by mary.w

Today is the week of Autumn. If your home has been on the market through the summer, here are some simple steps you can take to bring your marketing campaign into the new season.

  • Pull up the remainder of your dying summer flowers and replace with autumn specific plants or plantings such as mums, sunflowers, autumn crocus, goldenrod and others (do an online search for autumn blooms for your specific area). Mums are an inexpensive option in small, medium and large containers for quick landscaping changes at a minimal cost.
  • If you home is wrapped in fall colors and landscapes, update your photos highlight the season.
  • Use pumpkins or squash varieties to create autumn displays near your entryway. BUT Don’t go over board and create such a massive display that it’s all your buyers can see.Image result for Fall Decorating Ideas
  • On a tight budget? The Dollar Tree or other such stores have a wide variety of items you can use to create season specific decor without breaking your bank.
  • Change the wreath on your front door to more fall specific color tones than what you may have had on there for summer (or spring if you never changed it in June…wink wink).
  • Put pumpkin scented waxes or candles around your home to update your aroma to a scent that reminds everyone of the fall and thanksgiving.
  • Having an open house? Instead of putting out chocolate chip cookies, replace them with pumpkin spice yummies instead.
  • Aromas have a very strong effect on people so put a pot of simmering hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks on the stove. Feels like coming home!

Key: Try to avoid being holiday specific such as halloween or thanksgiving decorations. Promote the season not the holiday.  Keep your advertising Image result for Fall Decorating Ideascurrent but NOT overwhelming to reap maximum results.

Posted in General Information, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized
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WHAT YOUR HOME MAY BE SAYING THAT’S COSTING YOU $$!

Aug15
2018
Written by mary.w

CLUTTER SAYS:  There’s not a lot of room in this home and very little storage. Keep in mind that what you see as “collectible” others see as clutter. Purge BEFORE you put your home on the market so you don’t lose valuable time fixing this issue too late. Fill and store Clutter-is-OUTbins with the off season clothing, boots, big blankets…whatever you can remove that will make your closets look roomier and storage appear ample.

FULL MIRROR WALL/WASHED OAK CABINETS/BRIGHT BRASS FIXTURES/PSYCHEDELIC WALLPAPER/POPCORN CEILINGS, etc SAY: This home hasn’t been updated for a very long time and so you should get a great deal on the price. These items can actually be updated at reasonable costs so consider doing so BEFORE you hit the market. Disclaimer: If your decor deliberately displays Retro decor, embrace it fully and sell as such which will bring you a great price with the Retro seeking buyer…and they are out there!

DIRTY BASEBOARDS/TRIM/WINDOWSILLS/MESSY ROOMS SAY: If you think this is dirty, wait until you pull out the refrigerator and stove! Even if you are comfortable living in a less than pristine environment, it’s important to market your home to the masses who most often are seeking to not find hidden schmutz after they move in. You can typically hire a cleaning crew to do a “Spring Cleaning” for $250-300. This will be money highly multiplied in its return when you sell.

Keep in mind that you are marketing your home to your buyers not to yourself. If necessary, have a good friend that you trust to be honest help you evaluate what you should consider doing before selling and then do what you can afford prioritizing the items by what will maximize your profit. Then fix and sell!!

Posted in General Information, Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized
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Increase Your Kitchen’s Value Without Decreasing your Bank Account!

Jul05
2018
Written by mary.w

The following affordable Kitchen upgrades can increase your value while being mindful of your pocketbook.

1.Update your cabinets by painting them and installing new hardware. Of course this is less costly if you do the work yourself BUT if you’re not great at diy projects, you might KITCHENwant to either hire someone to do the work OR reach out to a friend or family member who has proven themselves to be very handy and a good diy-er. If your cabinets end up looking repainted instead of looking like new, you can actually decrease instead of increasing the value of the ‘upgrade’. Changing out the hardware will be easier if you choose new hardware that uses the same number of holes as the old. Then you can simply unscrew the old and install the new. Maybe your cabinets don’t need painting but look like builder grade. Adding crown molding will immediately upgrade the look of your upper cabinets. Simple and effective upgrade!!

2. Change your sink and faucet. Stainless always a good choice but certainly if your home’s design warrants, farm sinks are very popular and stand the test of time because they are considered as trendy as they are retro.  Faucets should also reflect the style of your home. Big box stores along with home bargain outlets have great options at surprisingly minimal costs.  If you don’t know how to install a sink or faucet, again, don’t be afraid to ask for help or shop around for a local handyman who comes with great references for quality of work and cost to value!

3. Update or add a backsplash that blends with your countertops (if you have granite, try to match the tones with glass tiles so it looks like it was all done at that same time!) There are so many great and affordable backsplash options right now that for the minimal work involved, the value can be strong.

4. If you have old, dingy, linoleum or vinyl floors, replacing them with newer flooring or upgraded options like ceramic tile (which can be very very affordable and one of the less difficult diy projects). There are even fabulous new ceramic tiles that when installed, look like hardwood floors! Refinish hardwood floors instead of replacing but if they are too far gone, you might even consider scraping and painting them. There are sooo many great flooring ideas online. Take time to look at several and choose the one you believe you can do yourself or with a friend that will enhance your room and your pocketbook!

NEW Kitchen Appliances5. Get rid of the countertop microwave and old fashioned over range vent and replace it with a built in microwave. This can be done for under $400 and will immediately update the look of your kitchen. OR if you already have a built in microwave but an old fashioned hood, install a ductless range hood (will keep your costs down by not requiring you to add new venting). This will definitely create the look and feel of a gourmet kitchen. Anytime you’re adding or changing a hood, make sure that the height from your range to vent will fit before you do all the work and then discover you won’t pass inspection. Simply read the box before you buy and adjust accordingly.

6. If you’ve already made lots of updates and are wanting to take it to the next level of upgrade, replace your ceiling light with recessed lighting. This can certainly be more costly if you don’t know someone who can do the work, but if you do, this can certainly improve the wow factor. If you can’t afford to install recessed lighting and you have outdated or a blah overhead fixture, replace that fixture with a more current and upgraded look. Again, big box stores and outlet stores have great options at surprisingly affordable prices.  If you have a high ceiling, consider installing a fanlight!

7. Last but certainly not least, upgrade your countertops. This is a definite shop around for your best options and deals.  Granite tiles are cheaper than a slab of granite so if you want See the source imagegranite, this might be an option you’ll consider. Cement is certainly popular right now and not surprisingly butcher block is back in style. Again, shop online and then in person. Take your time!

 

The key to all of this is to set a budget and work to stay within that because it’s very easy to get wooed by the more expensive options. Doing so can possibly eliminate any value that you might have derived from all your hard work. And again, don’t hesitate to draw on friends and family that you know have the expertise to help you. They most likely will be happy to do so and possibly offended if you didn’t even give them the opportunity to assist you with your projects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Decorating on a Budget, General Information, Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized
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FLING INTO SPRING!

Feb16
2018
Written by mary.w

Spring is just around the corner…no really! Spring officially kicks off in around HomeGarden30 days! So what are you doing to get your home ready?

Spring is typically considered the best time to market your home. Flowers start to bloom, trees turn green, curb appeal is greatly improved and the kids will shortly be out of school for summer break. BUT with the melting snow comes the realization that all that snow shoveling had scraped away what was your freshly painted or stained deck and the plow did a number on your driveway and mailbox. So now what?

Get a jump on the end of winter and move confidently into spring by taking advantage of periodic warm-up days and sunshine to take inventory of damage that will need repairs. Make a list, get the supplies you need and be ready as the weather improves to fix the most obvious eye sores first and then continue through the hidden but necessary repairs.

Consider putting your home on the market before the “Spring Rush” so you can capture the attention of active buyers now before your competition increases.  It’s true that there are more buyers in the spring BUT there are also a lot more sellers. Be diligent with getting your repairs and refreshments completed and be one of the first homes to hit the pre-Spring market!

Posted in General Information, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized
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