Showing your home--- Is it like DATING?

By: RE/MAX Complete

DRESS UP YOUR HOME WHEN SHOWING IT!

Article by:  Steve Perry in Deseret News.com  May 14,2011

We came across a great article in the Deseret News on May 14, 2011.   This article was written by Steve Perry, a principle broker.   We though you would enjoy his insight on how showing your own compares to going on a date!

*Photo Heyuguys.co.uk*

Home buying, it turns out, isn't all that dissimilar from dating.

If a potential buyer notices that your home is good looking on the outside, chances are they'll stick around long enough to see what's on the inside.

Think of your landscaping then as makeup, or nice clothing.  Dressing the part goes a long way toward making a house--or person, I suppose--attractive to anyone.  Part of that is good landscaping.

Green grass, fresh mulch and vibrant colors can bring buyers closer to the front door.  And then your updated appliances, new bathroom or smart layout can help seal the deal.

Often homeowners focus on interior accouterments like big home theaters, super-sized garages or multiple laundry rooms as big selling points and forget that the first impression your home will make is generally the one that buyers will see walking up to the front door.

It's a clever game they're playing, and you can score big if you know how to gussy up your outward appearance.

Trim bushes, maintain driveways and pick weeds.  

*Photo by Buzzle.com*

All of these seem to be no-brainers when it comes to keeping up your home, but how many times did you go out on a date and forget to brush your teeth?   It's the little things that can make a big difference.

And remember also to pay attention to the backyard as well.

If the kitchen is where friends visit first, then the backyard is where friends stay for a while.

Outdoor amenities help buyers visualize what life will be like in their new home--your home.

It's true that outdoor swimming pools and spas can be tricky when it comes to reselling, so it's best to consult US even if you're not selling your home to see if that makes sense for your price range and neighborhood.

*Photo by Prince William County of Virginia *

But adding a brick barbecue and other backyard fixtures could greatly enhance a home's appeal to prospective buyers.

* Photo Marathon Masonry *

Outdoor lighting too can help attract buyers to your home in addition to providing safety and comfort to your outdoor spaces.

When adding, taking away, or enhancing your yards, key in on architectural features of your home.

What would enhance the home rather than feel disconnected?  What's a smart investment for my neighborhood?  What kind of return can I expect when it comes time to sell?

All of these are good questions for a real estate expert to answer.

Making your home look good on the outside isn't nearly as complicated as dating, but it requires just as much preparation.

6 Simple Steps to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

By: RE/MAX Complete

We have all heard the saying:

First Impressions Make a Lasting Impression

By Mary Crotty

Making a GOOD first impression when selling your Home needs to be our first priority.   

So how can we make a great first impression and get serious offers to buy your house instead of all those lookers that come but never buy?

Here are 6 simple steps to get your house ready to sell:

The outside of your house is where the buyer gets its first impression.   So what are some things we can do to spruce up our front yard?

  Tooele County Real Estate Blog has some great tips:

Dress up your Front Door	--	A fresh coat of paint & a nice wreath on your front door goes a long way
Create A Container Garden	--	Bring your house to life with colorful & fresh greenery and flowers
Window Flower Boxes	--	Add character and dimension to your home

In a previous post we talked about our yards.   A well-watered and mowed yard goes a long way as far as curb appeal.  Take the time to tidy up your yards:  trim back overgrowth, plant fresh flowers, edge the lawns, put away all the kids toys.   

There is nothing worse than a cluttered home.   The first impression a cluttered home gives, is there isn't enough space.   Remove all personalized objects:   pictures, collectibles, excess furniture, overstuffed closets.   You want your home to look like a model home as much as possible, but still live in it!

You can find some great tips here

How does your home smell?   Does it smell dirty?   Do you have pets?    It's time to get down and dirty and do some deep cleaning.  

• Shampoo your carpets
• Clean your drapes
• Empty the trash
• Give those PETS a bathe!.

Diva Spot has some great advise:   13 things to make your home smell good here

Buyers expect everything in their new home to operate safely and properly.    Some of the things that need to be fixed before putting your House up for sale are:

• Leaky faucets
• Burned-out light bulbs
• Painted-shut or broken windows
• Broken Appliances
• Holes in walls, carpets, etc..

Bring your home to LIFE.    If you ever wanted to take up BAKING, this is the time to do it!   Nothing feels more like home than something sweet cooking.   Take the time to make a batch of cookies, an apple pie, or fresh homemade bread.   The sweet smells makes you feel relaxed and cozy.

Set the mood:   Put a log in the fireplace, turn all your lights and lamps on.   Make your home shine!   Set your dining room table, put out your nicest towels in the bathroom and make sure your beds are made.   

Its time to have another set of eyes!   Have someone you know that will be critical of your home.    You need another set of eyes.   We all LOVE our home and we see our home through rose colored glasses.   Get a new prospective.

Are you ready to sell your home?    Contact us -- we would love to help you!

CS on Curb Appeal—Island vs. Peninsula

By Lori Cartwright

*Image from Better Homes & Gardens

Hopefully you have a good start on Lawn Care and you are ready to move on to some new curb appeal projects.  A great way to add impact to your landscaping and bring buyers inside your home is to add planting beds for shrubbery and flowers.  Beds that line your house and sidewalk are an obvious choice, but what about landscaping beds known as islands and peninsulas?

According to Utah Garden Blogs, a landscaping island is a big DON’T for several reasons:

“Landscape islands are psychologically uncomfortable and often improperly scaled or illogically placed. They go against your natural instincts and often camouflage the architecture landscaping is supposed to enhance. Sometimes, in an effort to avoid hiding the house, they are pushed to the edge of the yard, leaving bits of unusable grass that nevertheless requires a lot of water and maintenance.”

Instead of an island, consider creating a landscaping peninsula.  What is the difference?  An island is surrounded by grass, whereas a peninsula may be surrounded by grass on most sides, but is anchored to something like a sidewalk or driveway, like this:

*Image from Utah Garden Blogs

Here are some more great examples from Better Homes & Gardens.

If you already have a landscape island, consider the possibility of converting it into a peninsula by anchoring the island to the nearest solid-surface you have.  This may require some grass removal and additional plantings, but the initial effort will pay off in easier maintenance and increased curb appeal.. 

Curb Appeal—Spring Lawn Care

By Lori Cartwright

*Camp to Camp Images

 

As you leave winter behind, and look forward to warmer months, it is time to evaluate your home’s curb appeal.  This is especially important if you are trying to sell your home.  If your home looks great on the outside, potential buyers will be more excited about viewing what is on the inside. 

There are many ways to boost your curb appeal, but one of the best is beautifully manicured grass.  A nice lawn conveys the idea that your home is well-cared for, inside and out.  A nice lawn increases the amount of usable space for your home by providing an area for children to play, pets to explore, and families to gather.  A nice lawn is an invitation to potential homebuyers to take off their shoes, have some lemonade, and stay awhile…exactly what you want if you’re selling or staying yourself.

As you hear the sound of lawn mowers firing up over the next few weeks, review these tips from Better Homes & Gardens to get the most out of your lawn this year.

 
Mountain-West Lawn Care:  Spring
1.  Service your lawn mower and sharpen the blade.  Click here for a step-by step tutorial for self-
    sharpening.

2.  Apply a pre-emergent herbicide.  A good time to do this is when forsythia blooms begin to
    drop.  If you don’t have a forsythia shrub, this is what one looks like.  Now, find one that you
    can watch so you will know when the blooms are dropping…and this fall plant one of your
    own.  They are a beautiful way to announce spring and they grow well in our mountain-west
    climate.

*Forsythia image from greengardenista.com

 

 

3.  Make sure your aerate!  Hard, compacted soil is an obstacle that many Utah home owners
     live with.  Aerating will help alleviate this problem and give your grass more room to spread its
     roots. 

 

*Image from nutrilawn.com

 

 

4.    Mow your lawn when the grass is about 3 inches long; take off about 1 inch to avoid
       stressing your lawn.

 

5.   Give your lawn a light application of fertilizer just when it is time for the first lawn mow of
      the season.  Your lawn will love your for it.

 

Does this get you excited for lawn care this summer?  Well…maybe not lawn care, but doesn’t it sound fun to get out on your lawn for backyard baseball games, barbeques, sprinklers, star-gazing, parties, and all other pleasures that come from a great lawn?  We think so.  Now, please excuse us while we sharpen some lawnmower blades.