Painting is a quick and fairly inexpensive fix that can give your home a new look. Here is a great article on DIY Painting!
For Your Clients: DIY Painting 101
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, August 28, 2010—Looking to spruce up your home, but don’t know where to start?
From molding to choice of color, there’s a lot to consider before dipping your brush in the paint. Does a room really look smaller with a darker color on the walls? Should your ceilings be white? Do you want to add an accent wall?
Here are some tips from Lowe’s on how to getting started:
Getting Started
• Size up your room. How you use color depends on where you use color. Each room has its own unique elements and function. First think about the structure of the room. Consider its shape and size. A lighter color can make a small room feel more spacious, while a darker color can help an immense room seem cozier.
• Take into account any architectural details, such as molding, trim, columns, and brackets. What's attractive and what's not? Varied intensities and hues can complement architecture, furnishings, and art. Remember, paint can accentuate a room's features or hide them.
• Your choice of color also depends largely on function. Will the main purpose of the room be eating, sleeping, working, entertaining, or something else entirely? A warm hue in the living room gives a more comfortable and inviting atmosphere for guests than a cooler color.
Selecting Interior Paint
• Before choosing your paint, think about where your room fits into the scheme of things. Where is it situated in relation to other rooms? Is it a high- or low-traffic area? Flat paint, for instance, is best suited for ceilings, walls, surface imperfections, and anywhere else that a muted low-reflecting surface is desired. Because it takes more effort to remove stains from this type of paint, a flat finish is best suited for the low-traffic areas of your home.
• Use low-luster, satin, and eggshell paint on areas where a sheen is desired. These paints are easier to clean than flat paint and hold up better under repeated washings. They withstand the wear and tear of high-traffic areas-hallways, woodwork, kitchens, baths, children's rooms, and playrooms-more easily than other finishes.
• Semigloss and high-gloss paint and enamel are best suited for banisters, railings, shelves, kitchen cabinets, furniture, doorjambs, windowsills, and any other surface you wish to accentuate. But be careful-the higher the gloss, the more it emphasizes any surface imperfections.
Choosing a Palette
• Having trouble deciding on your paint palette? Choose a design direction. If you've already chosen an interior décor or if you're working with a room that's already furnished, focus on a favorite fabric color, piece of art or furniture, or other object. If you still can't settle on a color you like, we offer free computerized paint matching and custom color mixing.
• Have color confidence-don't be afraid to paint bold and bright. If your room is unfurnished, a vibrant color can fill it until you can.
• Consider yourself above all. Paint color should reflect your mood and personality. What are your favorite colors? If you're having trouble selecting a color, try looking in your closet. The colors you enjoy wearing are the ones that make you feel good. You are the one who has to live with the color so live with the shades you love.
Making Your Purchase
• Water versus oil. When selecting an interior finish, try choosing a water-based enamel instead of an oil-based gloss paint. Water-based gloss enamels have less odor than conventional oil-based paints. They are much easier to clean up after, and they wear better over time.
• Don't purchase low-quality paint. High-quality paint performs better for a longer period of time. It's less prone to yellow as it ages, goes on smoother, and won't leave brush marks. It is also easier to wash and dirt resistant.
• Purchase test quarts to review your color and finish selections at home. Paint a piece of scrap material such as cardboard, or even a portion of your wall, to study the effects of various light conditions.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Real Estate Auction
I've already heard about Real Estate Auctions but had never been to one. That all changed on Tuesday!! One of my co-workers got asked to help write-up and read over contracts at a REDC Real Estate Auction that was going to be in Kansas City. They needed additional Realtors so I signed up. Not only was it a great experience, they paid us! :)
There were about 40+ homes that were being auctioned off mostly in the Kansas City area. REDC is a national company that travels from city to city auctioning off bank owned properties (mainly Fannie Mae). I'd like sometime to sit in the main room and see the properties and the actual auction process. I did get to take a quick peak at the begining while we were waiting for buyers to come into the back and sign contracts. Since there were about 10 of us and a little more than half of the properties sold, I only ended up writing up two contracts. REDC had this process completely streamlined and we did not even get the buyer until their financing (or bank statement since many of these were cash only) was approved. Once the buyers got to our tables, we filled out the contract and had them sign/inital where needed. There was no going over the contract - it was available online ahead of time - which definitely sped up the contract writing process a lot.
It was crazy how cheap some of these homes were being auctioned for! Many of the properties had been previously listed and the bank had refused higher offers! Of course all contracts we wrote as still subject to bank approval but the first buyer I helped may have saved an additional $10,000 from his highest dollar he would have offered the bank previously!
It was a great experience and I'm glad I got to be a part of it. I would definitely help out again (but bring things to do and have a fully charged cell phone since there was a lot of down time!) and hope to maybe help a client purchase cheap property to rehab!!
There were about 40+ homes that were being auctioned off mostly in the Kansas City area. REDC is a national company that travels from city to city auctioning off bank owned properties (mainly Fannie Mae). I'd like sometime to sit in the main room and see the properties and the actual auction process. I did get to take a quick peak at the begining while we were waiting for buyers to come into the back and sign contracts. Since there were about 10 of us and a little more than half of the properties sold, I only ended up writing up two contracts. REDC had this process completely streamlined and we did not even get the buyer until their financing (or bank statement since many of these were cash only) was approved. Once the buyers got to our tables, we filled out the contract and had them sign/inital where needed. There was no going over the contract - it was available online ahead of time - which definitely sped up the contract writing process a lot.
It was crazy how cheap some of these homes were being auctioned for! Many of the properties had been previously listed and the bank had refused higher offers! Of course all contracts we wrote as still subject to bank approval but the first buyer I helped may have saved an additional $10,000 from his highest dollar he would have offered the bank previously!
It was a great experience and I'm glad I got to be a part of it. I would definitely help out again (but bring things to do and have a fully charged cell phone since there was a lot of down time!) and hope to maybe help a client purchase cheap property to rehab!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
As many of you know, I LOVE social media! That includes facebook & twitter among others. I have a lot of my accounts "streamlined" so that I'm not retyping the same thing in a bunch of places. A few people see things double, but I have different friends/followers on facebook & twitter so it's worth it. Some days I'm not as good about catching up on my twitter feed as other days. I currently use tweetdeck to rtack my accounts (yes, I said accounts! I tweet for myself, 1154 Lill Kansas City and my office. I have heard good things about hootsuite but had issues last week setting it up so I'll have to try again. For now, I'm happy with tweetdeck.
Here is an article I got from Lowe's (again, one of my favorite emails of the day!!). It gives you another way to track your favorite tweets! There ARE companies out there that send deals via twitter!!
4 Twitter Tips that Will Keep You Texting
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, August 24, 2010—As a real estate professional, you’re on the go all the time. As such, things like SMS text messaging have probably become second nature to you. So why not use this same technology to keep up with Twitter too.
Here are four texting tips from Twitter on how to maximize its technology and your use of SMS:
Fast Follow. Anyone in the U.S. can receive Tweets on their phone even if they haven’t signed up for Twitter. This is a simple way for people to get information they care about in real-time. For example, let’s say you want to get Tweets from New York City’s office of emergency management (@NotifyNYC). Just text ‘follow NotifyNYC’ to 40404 in the US.
Try it out the next time you see a Twitter @username at a restaurant or store, on a billboard or on TV, or if you hear one mentioned on the radio. If you want to appear in a user’s followers list or start to get followers, you’ll need to create a Twitter account. You can SMS by texting ‘signup’ to Twitter at 40404.
Fast Following without creating an account is currently available only in the U.S., but we're working with carriers to bring it to other countries.
Set SMS alerts: From your computer, wherever you see a user on Twitter.com, you can hover over their name or avatar, and click on the phone icon that appears in the hovercard. Whenever they tweet, you'll get it as an SMS message on your phone.
It's just as easy to set alerts from your phone. Send ‘on [username]’ or ‘off [username]’ to 40404 in the U.S.
Tell Twitter to be quiet. Turn text messages on or off by sending ‘on’ or ‘off’ to Twitter. You can also go to our settings page if you want to turn off text message updates during a certain time period.
Keep up with the latest Tweet. If you text 'Get [username]’, that user’s most recent Tweet will be sent to your phone, even if you don’t follow them. There are a bunch of other fun commands you can use with Twitter on your phone.
Here is an article I got from Lowe's (again, one of my favorite emails of the day!!). It gives you another way to track your favorite tweets! There ARE companies out there that send deals via twitter!!
4 Twitter Tips that Will Keep You Texting
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, August 24, 2010—As a real estate professional, you’re on the go all the time. As such, things like SMS text messaging have probably become second nature to you. So why not use this same technology to keep up with Twitter too.
Here are four texting tips from Twitter on how to maximize its technology and your use of SMS:
Fast Follow. Anyone in the U.S. can receive Tweets on their phone even if they haven’t signed up for Twitter. This is a simple way for people to get information they care about in real-time. For example, let’s say you want to get Tweets from New York City’s office of emergency management (@NotifyNYC). Just text ‘follow NotifyNYC’ to 40404 in the US.
Try it out the next time you see a Twitter @username at a restaurant or store, on a billboard or on TV, or if you hear one mentioned on the radio. If you want to appear in a user’s followers list or start to get followers, you’ll need to create a Twitter account. You can SMS by texting ‘signup’ to Twitter at 40404.
Fast Following without creating an account is currently available only in the U.S., but we're working with carriers to bring it to other countries.
Set SMS alerts: From your computer, wherever you see a user on Twitter.com, you can hover over their name or avatar, and click on the phone icon that appears in the hovercard. Whenever they tweet, you'll get it as an SMS message on your phone.
It's just as easy to set alerts from your phone. Send ‘on [username]’ or ‘off [username]’ to 40404 in the U.S.
Tell Twitter to be quiet. Turn text messages on or off by sending ‘on’ or ‘off’ to Twitter. You can also go to our settings page if you want to turn off text message updates during a certain time period.
Keep up with the latest Tweet. If you text 'Get [username]’, that user’s most recent Tweet will be sent to your phone, even if you don’t follow them. There are a bunch of other fun commands you can use with Twitter on your phone.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Tips for Selling Your Home
It's About the Basics: 7 Tips for Selling Your Home
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, August 23, 2010—Since the housing boom ended and the market began to shift, the phrase “going back to basics” has been tossed around quite frequently. From the way agents handle their business to the way they communicate with clients, the phrase has gotten quite the workout.
But what about consumers? They were caught up in the housing boom as well…with homes selling in a day, sometimes a few hours. Getting back to basics seems like something simple that sellers should look at as well. It might just mean the difference between selling within a month and selling within a year.
Here are some basic tips from State Farm on selling a home:
Set your price carefully
Too high and buyers may not consider it, too low and you're selling yourself short. Agents often give a free home market analysis if you ask. This gives you an idea of how your home compares financially with similar, recently sold homes in your area. The analysis may also include how much you might expect to earn after closing.
Don't do major remodeling
Don't break the bank preparing your home for sale. Pricey items such as a new roof may be big hits with buyers, but rarely does the buying price end up covering the payout for such costly home improvements. When possible, stick with the simpler (and less expensive) options rather than major remodeling.
Make a good first impression
Curb appeal is important. Keep your lawn and other landscaping neatly trimmed, weeded and watered. Check the exterior of your home for signs of wear and damage, such as peeling paint, foundation cracks or loose shingles, and fix what is needed. Clean the outside of the house, including windows. Many people suggest giving the front door a fresh coat of paint for that warm, welcome feeling. In addition, adding a few flowers in the spring and summer, or keeping the walks cleared of leaves and snow in the fall and winter can be inviting to potential buyers.
Clean!
The obvious seller's commandment: thou shalt clean. Remove all clutter from every room, including closets. Organize your basement and attic. Have a garage sale with all the stuff you don't want to move to your next home! Wipe down and paint walls and trim if necessary. Many people advocate repainting with a neutral color palette to appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. Clean all windows, light fixtures and ceiling fans. Bathrooms should always be squeaky clean. Inspect and make any necessary repairs to the plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems. Highlight the bath and kitchen by selecting some attractive new towels, curtains or cabinetry knobs.
And keep it clean
Maintain the new and improved interior and exterior of your home until you successfully sell. It's hard, but it's necessary. A professional cleaning service may be able to help maintain the new clean look with occasional visits.
Light it up
When showing your house, provide plenty of light and make your home a warm, welcoming place. Open the curtains to let in the sunshine. In the event of an evening showing, make sure you have ample lighting available in all areas. Fresh cut flowers make a nice addition, and a pleasantly scented house is very inviting.
Go away
Many agents and potential buyers would prefer that the seller not be present during a showing, to avoid limiting the buyers' conversation or making them uncomfortable. Children and pets should also be absent or out of the buyers' way during a showing, if at all possible.
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, August 23, 2010—Since the housing boom ended and the market began to shift, the phrase “going back to basics” has been tossed around quite frequently. From the way agents handle their business to the way they communicate with clients, the phrase has gotten quite the workout.
But what about consumers? They were caught up in the housing boom as well…with homes selling in a day, sometimes a few hours. Getting back to basics seems like something simple that sellers should look at as well. It might just mean the difference between selling within a month and selling within a year.
Here are some basic tips from State Farm on selling a home:
Set your price carefully
Too high and buyers may not consider it, too low and you're selling yourself short. Agents often give a free home market analysis if you ask. This gives you an idea of how your home compares financially with similar, recently sold homes in your area. The analysis may also include how much you might expect to earn after closing.
Don't do major remodeling
Don't break the bank preparing your home for sale. Pricey items such as a new roof may be big hits with buyers, but rarely does the buying price end up covering the payout for such costly home improvements. When possible, stick with the simpler (and less expensive) options rather than major remodeling.
Make a good first impression
Curb appeal is important. Keep your lawn and other landscaping neatly trimmed, weeded and watered. Check the exterior of your home for signs of wear and damage, such as peeling paint, foundation cracks or loose shingles, and fix what is needed. Clean the outside of the house, including windows. Many people suggest giving the front door a fresh coat of paint for that warm, welcome feeling. In addition, adding a few flowers in the spring and summer, or keeping the walks cleared of leaves and snow in the fall and winter can be inviting to potential buyers.
Clean!
The obvious seller's commandment: thou shalt clean. Remove all clutter from every room, including closets. Organize your basement and attic. Have a garage sale with all the stuff you don't want to move to your next home! Wipe down and paint walls and trim if necessary. Many people advocate repainting with a neutral color palette to appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. Clean all windows, light fixtures and ceiling fans. Bathrooms should always be squeaky clean. Inspect and make any necessary repairs to the plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems. Highlight the bath and kitchen by selecting some attractive new towels, curtains or cabinetry knobs.
And keep it clean
Maintain the new and improved interior and exterior of your home until you successfully sell. It's hard, but it's necessary. A professional cleaning service may be able to help maintain the new clean look with occasional visits.
Light it up
When showing your house, provide plenty of light and make your home a warm, welcoming place. Open the curtains to let in the sunshine. In the event of an evening showing, make sure you have ample lighting available in all areas. Fresh cut flowers make a nice addition, and a pleasantly scented house is very inviting.
Go away
Many agents and potential buyers would prefer that the seller not be present during a showing, to avoid limiting the buyers' conversation or making them uncomfortable. Children and pets should also be absent or out of the buyers' way during a showing, if at all possible.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Real Estate Goes to the Dogs!
I admit, when I was looking for a house one of my "pre-requisits" was that it had a nice fenced yard for Maddie (I didn't have Abby yet).
Real Estate Goes To The Dogs
RISMEDIA, August 13, 2010--Sending Rover to the doghouse is no longer the punishment it once was because many of today's pooches of panache live lifestyles of the woof and famous.
According to a recent review of properties by Move, Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVE) , a leader in online real estate, man's best friend today receives more than just bones for treats as many homeowners are rewarding their dogs with custom-built doghouses, deluxe dog runs, custom "doggy-doors", pet-friendly landscaping, private patios with personal fire hydrants, and other features that add value to their master's property with many buyers.
"Pets have become important members of the family, and their needs are often high on the list of must-haves for many buyers, sometimes even higher than priorities of the two-legged members of the family," says Eileen Healy at Prudential Rocky Mountain Realtors® in Colorado. "Calling out features or local pet-friendly amenities can make or break a buyer's interest in a particular property. If a buyer knows a home they love already has features the family dog or pet will also love, they'll be more inclined to give that home a second look and consider it more than others on their list."
While proximity to dog parks, doggy day-care centers, or pet fashion stores are often priorities for dog owners interested in city properties, suburban properties generally have ample space for seemingly unusual pet-friendly features. For the sophisticated canines, this Victorian dog house that matches this $10,995,000 home listed on Realtor.com in California is a must see. If country living is for you and your 'dawg' needs a warm place to chill after a long day of sheepherding on the prairie, consider a heated doghouse with a deluxe dog run listed on Realtor.com at $520,000 in Idaho. Or, for pooches in need of alone time or a quiet space, consider this secluded cottage on Realtor.com at $524,000 in Illinois.
While spaces customized to a dog's specific needs are not uncommon according to Shari Guess, a Realtor with Buy Wise Real Estate in Texas and active member of the Great Dane Rescue of North Texas, many dog lovers do go the extra mile when it comes to creating a pet-friendly environment at home.
"We have one particularly enormous Dane named Sampson, and we couldn't find a pet door big enough. So we made our own out of a semi-truck mud flap. It's a few years old now so we'll be duplicating our efforts and replacing it soon," said Guess. "We also put in a small outdoor patio so when it's muddy Sampson and our other dogs can go outside for whatever reason and come back into the house without us having to wipe 16 muddy paws! It has a short three-foot fence, pea-gravel with fire hydrant and can be accessed via the dog door from the dog room."
As the nation heads into the Dog Days of Summer, and in honor of National Dog Day on August 26th, Move celebrates man's best friend with information, tips and guides from pet experts and top Realtors specializing in pet-friendly homes. Whether it's building a pooch palace or installing a bone-shaped pool, Move offers advice on how to celebrate your canine and improve the value pet-loving buyers will give your property as they search for their next home. Interesting topics available now for pet lovers and home enthusiasts to explore on the Move Network include:
-- Properties for sale with fantastic pet-friendly features: As more people consider themselves "pet parents," Move showcases homes for sale perfect for adapting their lifestyles to their furry family members.
-- Dogs go green: Have you ever thought about your dog's carbon "paw print"? Find easy ways to go green with your dog, including using environmentally-friendly dog products like biodegradable toys.
-- Celebrity and presidential dog homes: Celebrities love to shower their dogs with love, affection... and doghouses. Heard about Paris Hilton's two-story kennel mansion built for Tinkerbell? Or what about Drew Barrymore naming her dog 'Flossie' in her property trust valued at $3 million?
-- Realtor tips on benefits of pet-friendly homes: Realtors share experiences in working with pet owners in the market for a home and explain that Fido plays a larger role in finding a home then one might think.
-- How-to build a doghouse: Want to build an abode for Fido on a budget? Here are steps required, tools needed, and instructions for building a doghouse for under $75.00.
-- Moving tips for your pet: Moving can be stressful for pets, so prepare a room for your pooch while you're packing everything up, ensuring hazardous materials are tucked away. Find a vet near your new home and a list of pet-friendly hotels in case you need to stay at one while getting settled into the new place.
-- Streets named after famous dogs: Wondering how some streets were named? The famous dog Nipper in the RCA Victrola ads lived in Bristol, England, and visitors there will find a small road named "Nipper Alley."
-- Landscaping tips to create a pet-haven in the yard: Is your garden going to the dogs? Man's best friend can be a gardener's worst headache until you learn how to peacefully coexist with your canine companions.
-- The Top 10 Dog Parks in the U.S.: If you love to play at the park with your dog, you'll love Dog Fancy's list of top 10 dog parks. The Jackass Acres K-9 Korral in New River, AZ topped the list this year; it is completely green, and recycles dog waste to create other usable materials.
-- Pet friendly hotels: Traveling with your dog has never been easier, as hotels across the country are increasingly offering pet-friendly rooms and activities. According to www.BringFido.com, some of the most popular cities for pet travel include Myrtle Beach, SC and Santa Barbara, CA.
-- Pet friendly apartments: Finding an apartment that allows dogs is not always easy. Check out the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in your area, you'll probably find a list of local pet-friendly landlords.
In addition to offering expert advice on pet-friendly properties, Move, Inc., has partnered with top breeders at Breeders USA in California to provide facts and statistics relative to top breeds by city, and the most popular breeds in America.
"We're pleased Move is helping homeowners identify ways to transform a home into a pet-friendly environment because it's a great way to maintain a pet's health and vitality," said Daniel Hect, Master Dog Trainer and owner of BreedersUSA.com in California. "By identifying the needs of your pet while you're searching for your next home, whether it's with an outdoor play area or "doggy-doors," the property is not only enhanced esthetically, but the upgrades can also become a viable marketing feature when selling or buying a home."
As part of the campaign, Move, Inc is pawing to get a glimpse into the most luxurious doggy dwellings by asking pet owners to submit their favorite photo of their pets' home on the Realtor.com Facebook Fan Page and be entered to win $250 gift certificate for Petco. Visit Move.com, Realtor.com/blogs or join facebook.com/realtor.com for additional details on the Dog Days of Summer campaign!
Real Estate Goes To The Dogs
RISMEDIA, August 13, 2010--Sending Rover to the doghouse is no longer the punishment it once was because many of today's pooches of panache live lifestyles of the woof and famous.
According to a recent review of properties by Move, Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVE) , a leader in online real estate, man's best friend today receives more than just bones for treats as many homeowners are rewarding their dogs with custom-built doghouses, deluxe dog runs, custom "doggy-doors", pet-friendly landscaping, private patios with personal fire hydrants, and other features that add value to their master's property with many buyers.
"Pets have become important members of the family, and their needs are often high on the list of must-haves for many buyers, sometimes even higher than priorities of the two-legged members of the family," says Eileen Healy at Prudential Rocky Mountain Realtors® in Colorado. "Calling out features or local pet-friendly amenities can make or break a buyer's interest in a particular property. If a buyer knows a home they love already has features the family dog or pet will also love, they'll be more inclined to give that home a second look and consider it more than others on their list."
While proximity to dog parks, doggy day-care centers, or pet fashion stores are often priorities for dog owners interested in city properties, suburban properties generally have ample space for seemingly unusual pet-friendly features. For the sophisticated canines, this Victorian dog house that matches this $10,995,000 home listed on Realtor.com in California is a must see. If country living is for you and your 'dawg' needs a warm place to chill after a long day of sheepherding on the prairie, consider a heated doghouse with a deluxe dog run listed on Realtor.com at $520,000 in Idaho. Or, for pooches in need of alone time or a quiet space, consider this secluded cottage on Realtor.com at $524,000 in Illinois.
While spaces customized to a dog's specific needs are not uncommon according to Shari Guess, a Realtor with Buy Wise Real Estate in Texas and active member of the Great Dane Rescue of North Texas, many dog lovers do go the extra mile when it comes to creating a pet-friendly environment at home.
"We have one particularly enormous Dane named Sampson, and we couldn't find a pet door big enough. So we made our own out of a semi-truck mud flap. It's a few years old now so we'll be duplicating our efforts and replacing it soon," said Guess. "We also put in a small outdoor patio so when it's muddy Sampson and our other dogs can go outside for whatever reason and come back into the house without us having to wipe 16 muddy paws! It has a short three-foot fence, pea-gravel with fire hydrant and can be accessed via the dog door from the dog room."
As the nation heads into the Dog Days of Summer, and in honor of National Dog Day on August 26th, Move celebrates man's best friend with information, tips and guides from pet experts and top Realtors specializing in pet-friendly homes. Whether it's building a pooch palace or installing a bone-shaped pool, Move offers advice on how to celebrate your canine and improve the value pet-loving buyers will give your property as they search for their next home. Interesting topics available now for pet lovers and home enthusiasts to explore on the Move Network include:
-- Properties for sale with fantastic pet-friendly features: As more people consider themselves "pet parents," Move showcases homes for sale perfect for adapting their lifestyles to their furry family members.
-- Dogs go green: Have you ever thought about your dog's carbon "paw print"? Find easy ways to go green with your dog, including using environmentally-friendly dog products like biodegradable toys.
-- Celebrity and presidential dog homes: Celebrities love to shower their dogs with love, affection... and doghouses. Heard about Paris Hilton's two-story kennel mansion built for Tinkerbell? Or what about Drew Barrymore naming her dog 'Flossie' in her property trust valued at $3 million?
-- Realtor tips on benefits of pet-friendly homes: Realtors share experiences in working with pet owners in the market for a home and explain that Fido plays a larger role in finding a home then one might think.
-- How-to build a doghouse: Want to build an abode for Fido on a budget? Here are steps required, tools needed, and instructions for building a doghouse for under $75.00.
-- Moving tips for your pet: Moving can be stressful for pets, so prepare a room for your pooch while you're packing everything up, ensuring hazardous materials are tucked away. Find a vet near your new home and a list of pet-friendly hotels in case you need to stay at one while getting settled into the new place.
-- Streets named after famous dogs: Wondering how some streets were named? The famous dog Nipper in the RCA Victrola ads lived in Bristol, England, and visitors there will find a small road named "Nipper Alley."
-- Landscaping tips to create a pet-haven in the yard: Is your garden going to the dogs? Man's best friend can be a gardener's worst headache until you learn how to peacefully coexist with your canine companions.
-- The Top 10 Dog Parks in the U.S.: If you love to play at the park with your dog, you'll love Dog Fancy's list of top 10 dog parks. The Jackass Acres K-9 Korral in New River, AZ topped the list this year; it is completely green, and recycles dog waste to create other usable materials.
-- Pet friendly hotels: Traveling with your dog has never been easier, as hotels across the country are increasingly offering pet-friendly rooms and activities. According to www.BringFido.com, some of the most popular cities for pet travel include Myrtle Beach, SC and Santa Barbara, CA.
-- Pet friendly apartments: Finding an apartment that allows dogs is not always easy. Check out the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in your area, you'll probably find a list of local pet-friendly landlords.
In addition to offering expert advice on pet-friendly properties, Move, Inc., has partnered with top breeders at Breeders USA in California to provide facts and statistics relative to top breeds by city, and the most popular breeds in America.
"We're pleased Move is helping homeowners identify ways to transform a home into a pet-friendly environment because it's a great way to maintain a pet's health and vitality," said Daniel Hect, Master Dog Trainer and owner of BreedersUSA.com in California. "By identifying the needs of your pet while you're searching for your next home, whether it's with an outdoor play area or "doggy-doors," the property is not only enhanced esthetically, but the upgrades can also become a viable marketing feature when selling or buying a home."
As part of the campaign, Move, Inc is pawing to get a glimpse into the most luxurious doggy dwellings by asking pet owners to submit their favorite photo of their pets' home on the Realtor.com Facebook Fan Page and be entered to win $250 gift certificate for Petco. Visit Move.com, Realtor.com/blogs or join facebook.com/realtor.com for additional details on the Dog Days of Summer campaign!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
10 Low-Cost Tips to Improve Your Home's Appeal
For Your Clients: 10 Low-Cost Tips to Improve Your Home's Appeal
By Paige Tepping
RISMEDIA, August 10, 2010--When selling your home, the goal is to sell it quickly for the highest price while investing as little as possible in renovations. With a limited budget and a little effort, you can greatly increase your home's appeal by focusing on what prospective buyers can see on their first visit. The experts at BuyOwner.com offer the following recommendations for preparing a house for sale and staging it for showings.
Tip #1: Refresh the exterior
First impressions count when it comes to selling a home. Most buyers won’t even leave their car if they don’t find the exterior appealing. The best ways to improve your home’s exterior include:
-Repairing and/or replacing trims, shutters, gutters, shingles, mailboxes, window screens, walkways and the driveway.
-Painting siding, trim and shutters and lamp and mailbox posts.
-Pressure washing vinyl siding, roofs, walkways and the driveway.
-Washing windows.
Tip #2: Spruce up the lawn and landscape
Home buyers associate the condition of your lawn and landscaping with the condition of your home’s interior. By improving the outside, you affect buyers’ impression of the entire property. The best ways to enhance the yard include:
-Mowing and edging the lawn.
-Seeding, fertilizing and weeding the lawn.
-Keeping up with regular lawn maintenance by frequent watering.
-Trimming and/or removing overgrown trees, shrubs and hedges.
-Weeding and mulching plant beds.
-Planting colorful seasonal flowers in existing plant beds.
-Removing trash, especially along fences and underneath hedges.
-Sweeping and weeding the street curb along your property.
Tip #3: Create an inviting entrance
The front door to your home should invite buyers to enter. The best ways to improve your entry include:
-Painting the front door in a glossy, cheerful color that complements the exterior.
-Cleaning, polishing and/or replacing the door knocker, locks and handles.
-Repairing and/or replacing the screen door, the doorbell, porch lights and house numbers.
-Placing a new welcome mat and a group of seasonal potted plants and flowers by the entry.
Tip #4: Reduce clutter and furniture
A buyer cannot envision living in your home without seeing it. A home filled with clutter or even too much furniture distracts buyers from seeing how they can utilize the space your home offers. If you have limited storage space, you may want to consider renting a temporary storage unit to place items you wish to keep. The best ways to declutter your home include:
-Holding a garage sale to prepare for your move, getting rid of unnecessary items.
-Removing clutter such as books, magazines, toys, tools, supplies and unused items from counter tops, open shelves, storage closets, the garage and basements.
-Storing out-of-season clothing and shoes out of sight to make bedroom closets seem roomier.
-Removing any visibly damaged furniture.
-Organizing bookshelves, closets, cabinets and pantries. Buyers will inspect everything.
-Putting away your personal photographs, unless they showcase the home. Let buyers see themselves in your home.
-De-personalize rooms as much as you can.
Tip #5: Clean, clean, clean
The cleanliness of your home also influences a buyer's perception of its condition. The appearance of the kitchen and bathrooms will play a considerable role in a buyer's decision process, so pay particular attention to these areas. The best ways to improve these areas include:
-Cleaning windows, fixtures, hardware, ceiling fans, vent covers and appliances.
-Cleaning carpets, area rugs and draperies.
-Cleaning inside the refrigerator, the stove and all cabinets.
-Removing stains from carpets, floors, counters, sinks, baths, tile, walls and grout.
-Eliminating house odors, especially if you have pets.
-Considering air fresheners or potpourri.
Tip #6: Make minor repairs
The small stuff does count, especially with first-time home buyers. Without dismissing the importance of repairing major items such as a leaky roof or plumbing, you do not need to spend money on replacing these items. Instead, focus on the minor repairs that will make your home visually appealing. The best ways to improve your home include:
-Repairing ceilings and wall cracks.
-Repairing faucets, banisters, handrails, cabinets, drawers, doors, floors and tile.
-Caulking and grouting tubs, showers, sinks and tile.
-Adding fresh paint to ceilings, walls, trim, doors and cabinets.
-Tightening door handles, drawer pulls, light switches and electrical plates.
-Lubricating door hinges and locks.
Tip #7: Showcase the kitchen
The heart of any home is the kitchen. If you are going to spend any money on renovations, this is the one area where you will see the greatest return. Even with a modest budget, focusing on a few key areas can make a great difference in getting the asking price for your property. The best ways to showcase the kitchen include:
-Replacing cabinet doors and hardware.
-Installing under-cabinet lighting.
-Replacing light fixtures.
-Replacing outdated shelving with pantry and cabinet organizers to maximize space.
-Baking cookies or cupcakes for a showing, to create a homey smell.
Tip #8: Stage furniture
Furniture placement can enhance the space of your home while giving buyers an idea of how to best utilize the space with their own belongings. Take some time to rethink how different areas in your house could be used. Some ideas to think about include:
-Moving couches and chairs away from walls in your sitting and family rooms to create cozy conversational groups.
-Creating a reading corner in the master bedroom.
-Clearing an empty room to set up a reading space.
-Turning an awkward space into a home office.
-Setting the dining room table with your best china.
-Set wine glasses in front of the fireplace or next to a Jacuzzi tub.
Tip #9: Light up the house
Create a sense of openness and cheerfulness in your home through its lighting. To improve the lighting try:
-Opening shades and drapes to let the sunshine warm and brighten rooms.
-Installing brighter light bulbs in rooms that tend to be dark.
-Adding additional lamps for ambient lighting.
-Turning on all the lights for a showing.
Tip #10: Add fresh touches
You can easily add color and style to your home by adding fresh touches throughout. Some ideas to consider include:
-Placing fresh floral arrangements in the entry and master bedroom.
-Placing bowls of bright-colored fruit in the family room and the kitchen.
-Filling an empty corner with a potted leafy plant.
-Setting new hand soap in the bathrooms.
-Displaying fresh towels near sinks.
By Paige Tepping
RISMEDIA, August 10, 2010--When selling your home, the goal is to sell it quickly for the highest price while investing as little as possible in renovations. With a limited budget and a little effort, you can greatly increase your home's appeal by focusing on what prospective buyers can see on their first visit. The experts at BuyOwner.com offer the following recommendations for preparing a house for sale and staging it for showings.
Tip #1: Refresh the exterior
First impressions count when it comes to selling a home. Most buyers won’t even leave their car if they don’t find the exterior appealing. The best ways to improve your home’s exterior include:
-Repairing and/or replacing trims, shutters, gutters, shingles, mailboxes, window screens, walkways and the driveway.
-Painting siding, trim and shutters and lamp and mailbox posts.
-Pressure washing vinyl siding, roofs, walkways and the driveway.
-Washing windows.
Tip #2: Spruce up the lawn and landscape
Home buyers associate the condition of your lawn and landscaping with the condition of your home’s interior. By improving the outside, you affect buyers’ impression of the entire property. The best ways to enhance the yard include:
-Mowing and edging the lawn.
-Seeding, fertilizing and weeding the lawn.
-Keeping up with regular lawn maintenance by frequent watering.
-Trimming and/or removing overgrown trees, shrubs and hedges.
-Weeding and mulching plant beds.
-Planting colorful seasonal flowers in existing plant beds.
-Removing trash, especially along fences and underneath hedges.
-Sweeping and weeding the street curb along your property.
Tip #3: Create an inviting entrance
The front door to your home should invite buyers to enter. The best ways to improve your entry include:
-Painting the front door in a glossy, cheerful color that complements the exterior.
-Cleaning, polishing and/or replacing the door knocker, locks and handles.
-Repairing and/or replacing the screen door, the doorbell, porch lights and house numbers.
-Placing a new welcome mat and a group of seasonal potted plants and flowers by the entry.
Tip #4: Reduce clutter and furniture
A buyer cannot envision living in your home without seeing it. A home filled with clutter or even too much furniture distracts buyers from seeing how they can utilize the space your home offers. If you have limited storage space, you may want to consider renting a temporary storage unit to place items you wish to keep. The best ways to declutter your home include:
-Holding a garage sale to prepare for your move, getting rid of unnecessary items.
-Removing clutter such as books, magazines, toys, tools, supplies and unused items from counter tops, open shelves, storage closets, the garage and basements.
-Storing out-of-season clothing and shoes out of sight to make bedroom closets seem roomier.
-Removing any visibly damaged furniture.
-Organizing bookshelves, closets, cabinets and pantries. Buyers will inspect everything.
-Putting away your personal photographs, unless they showcase the home. Let buyers see themselves in your home.
-De-personalize rooms as much as you can.
Tip #5: Clean, clean, clean
The cleanliness of your home also influences a buyer's perception of its condition. The appearance of the kitchen and bathrooms will play a considerable role in a buyer's decision process, so pay particular attention to these areas. The best ways to improve these areas include:
-Cleaning windows, fixtures, hardware, ceiling fans, vent covers and appliances.
-Cleaning carpets, area rugs and draperies.
-Cleaning inside the refrigerator, the stove and all cabinets.
-Removing stains from carpets, floors, counters, sinks, baths, tile, walls and grout.
-Eliminating house odors, especially if you have pets.
-Considering air fresheners or potpourri.
Tip #6: Make minor repairs
The small stuff does count, especially with first-time home buyers. Without dismissing the importance of repairing major items such as a leaky roof or plumbing, you do not need to spend money on replacing these items. Instead, focus on the minor repairs that will make your home visually appealing. The best ways to improve your home include:
-Repairing ceilings and wall cracks.
-Repairing faucets, banisters, handrails, cabinets, drawers, doors, floors and tile.
-Caulking and grouting tubs, showers, sinks and tile.
-Adding fresh paint to ceilings, walls, trim, doors and cabinets.
-Tightening door handles, drawer pulls, light switches and electrical plates.
-Lubricating door hinges and locks.
Tip #7: Showcase the kitchen
The heart of any home is the kitchen. If you are going to spend any money on renovations, this is the one area where you will see the greatest return. Even with a modest budget, focusing on a few key areas can make a great difference in getting the asking price for your property. The best ways to showcase the kitchen include:
-Replacing cabinet doors and hardware.
-Installing under-cabinet lighting.
-Replacing light fixtures.
-Replacing outdated shelving with pantry and cabinet organizers to maximize space.
-Baking cookies or cupcakes for a showing, to create a homey smell.
Tip #8: Stage furniture
Furniture placement can enhance the space of your home while giving buyers an idea of how to best utilize the space with their own belongings. Take some time to rethink how different areas in your house could be used. Some ideas to think about include:
-Moving couches and chairs away from walls in your sitting and family rooms to create cozy conversational groups.
-Creating a reading corner in the master bedroom.
-Clearing an empty room to set up a reading space.
-Turning an awkward space into a home office.
-Setting the dining room table with your best china.
-Set wine glasses in front of the fireplace or next to a Jacuzzi tub.
Tip #9: Light up the house
Create a sense of openness and cheerfulness in your home through its lighting. To improve the lighting try:
-Opening shades and drapes to let the sunshine warm and brighten rooms.
-Installing brighter light bulbs in rooms that tend to be dark.
-Adding additional lamps for ambient lighting.
-Turning on all the lights for a showing.
Tip #10: Add fresh touches
You can easily add color and style to your home by adding fresh touches throughout. Some ideas to consider include:
-Placing fresh floral arrangements in the entry and master bedroom.
-Placing bowls of bright-colored fruit in the family room and the kitchen.
-Filling an empty corner with a potted leafy plant.
-Setting new hand soap in the bathrooms.
-Displaying fresh towels near sinks.
Kansas City All-Star featured in People Magazine!
Check out this Kansas City All-Star who was featured in People Magazine!!! Dustin Miller is Royals stadium chef.
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