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Updating Your Bedroom before Selling Your Home

August 6th, 2010

When you are putting your house on condo on the market you need to make sure that you understand what you is involved in updating your bedroom before selling your home. Staging the rooms is a vital part of creating a “buyer friendly” environment. You do not want people to come to an open house and be turned off because your rooms are uninviting.

It is all about attracting and maintaining the interest of prospective buyers. They need to be able to appreciate the amount of square footage available and they need to be able to visualize what each room will look like with their furniture, window treatments and paint choices. It is difficult for a prospective home buyer to see the possibilities if the rooms in your home are dusty, dirty and packed to the ceiling with boxes, books, photos and other personal items.

Here are some of the tips the professionals use that will help you update your bedroom and sell your home faster.

Clean your bedroom from top to bottom. Get rid of the clutter, dust and stale odors if you want to impress potential home buyers.

Make sure that there are no personal items in sight such as lingerie, family pictures and shelves filled with books. This will help you present your bedroom as a quiet, calming oasis that a new buyer could easily fall in love with.

Purchase crisp new linens and use these to give your bed a bright, clean appearance. White bedding is best, but other colors can work. New, fluffy pillows will add an extra bit of comfort to the appearance of the room.

Remove old, outdated window treatments and clean your bedroom windows until they sparkle. A colorful sheet that matches your new bedding can be draped so that it frames the window and serves as a temporary window treatment with a neutral style.

The bed needs to be perfectly made before any open house visitors arrive.

Remove any excess furniture so that there is only a bed, dresser and nightstand present. This will make the room appear much larger.

Consider removing the old carpet and replacing it with new carpet or an alternate flooring material such as hardwood or tile.

Paint the walls in a neutral shade such as khaki or sage green.

Add a new light fixture to the ceiling to replace the old one that may have been there for years.

Create a comforting, inviting atmosphere with some fresh flowers and greenery in an attractive vase.

Buy some candles and arrange a few of these on the night stand or dresser.

Updating Your Living Room Before Selling Your Home

August 3rd, 2010

photo credit: striatic

The living room brings life to the house. In many cases this is the first room most potential buyers see when they first walk into your home. Your living room offers a first impression into your home. It sets a tone for perspective buyers to take in the rest of the rooms of your home. Updating this room can be a vital step in helping you sell your home.

The first, and often most obvious, step in updating your living room is to paint. A fresh coat of paint can really give your living room life. When considering color options, remember not to personalize it because soon you won’t be living there anymore. For this reason, it would be a good idea to try painting your home a neutral color.

Adding new lighting, or updating the lighting you already have, can really make your living room stand out. Light has a tendency to make a room look bigger, so be sure to play on this added bonus if you have a smaller lighting room. Updating the light can mean replacing old light fixture, replacing windows, or even something as simple as changing the blinds.

Making little additions to your living room can really give your home a warm feeling. Things like a fireplace or a bookshelf can give your living room added value over other homes.

Flooring is an important factor in selling your home; it’s a good idea to refresh your flooring when trying to sell your home. So, if you have carpet considering getting them cleaned or replaced with new carpet, hard wood, or tiled flooring.

By investing in updating your home, or specifically your living room, your are more than likely to make a profit, or at least get back what you put in. The goal of updating your living room is to make a profit and having a greater chance of having your home sold. Updating your living room before selling your home does not have to be hard or expensive. Be sure to shop around for the best prices on flooring, lighting and so on.

Updating Your Bathroom Before Selling Your Home

July 27th, 2010

photo credit: axeldeviaje

Your bathroom can be a deciding factor when it comes to selling your home. To keep your home in sellable condition it is worth the time in money to keep your bathroom looking modern and make those necessary renovations. Even though the bathroom is not the focal point of the home, it can make the home look dated and can affect the overall appeal. The bathroom can become the most neglected room in the home when it comes to remodeling. Most people use the majority of their remodel budget on big ticket rooms like the living room and kitchen. The bathroom should be remolded in similar style to the rest of the house.

When considering a bathroom remodel, you need to focus on the positive effects that is will have on the value of your home. Some things to concentrate on are the luxuries that a bathroom can provide. Think beyond the shower and tub, toilet, and sink. Modern bathrooms now boast whirlpool tubs, custom bathroom mirrors, and a variety of sinks and countertops can make your home the star of the block.

Update the cabinets with a fresh coat of paint and new cabinet pulls can transform a bathroom in no time. Rather than replace the floor an option can be to paint the vinyl flooring. Tile accents around the tub can also make your bathroom pop. Make sure that the faucets are stylish and modern. Update towel racks and toilet paper hardware. Updating the lighting is easy to install by using the existing wiring. The main feature that home buyers look for in a bathroom is the lighting. A stylish and well thought out bathroom can make your home stand out from the competition. The trend in bathroom remodels today is to make the space more relaxing as if you are in your very own private spa.

Don’t forget the accessories. Simply by adding some color coordinated plush towels and designer soaps you can immediately catch the eye of prospective buyers. Find some nice pieces of artwork or photographs to hang on the wall. Window treatments and a shower curtain can also help to pull the room together.

Updating Your Landscaping Before Selling Your Home

July 20th, 2010

photo credit: taberandrew.

So it’s time to sell your home and you?re not sure what you can do to increase your property value and increase your chances of making a sale? The first thing you should consider is an update to your landscape. The landscape is the first thing a potential client sees when they visit your house so it?s important to make the first impression really count.

The first thing you’ll want to do its consider hiring a landscape architect. If you have the budget for it these professionals can really make a lot out of a little. Sometimes it?s worth the extra money just to do a quick overhaul of your landscape to make a dramatic increase in the curb appeal of your home. When looking for a landscape architect it?s important to ask for references and ensure they have insurance.

If the architect is a little out of your budget or just plan to much you can always to the obvious and do it yourself. You should start any project like updating your landscape with a plan to ensure that you budget properly and you have a coherent vision for your project. Most any of the home improvement stores have tons of literature on landscape improvement which can give you plenty of ideas on what to do with your current yard.

If nothing else and budget is limited sometimes just a quick tidy up is the trick. Spend some time weeding and pruning all of your flowerbeds and trees. A little extra water on the yard can increase the green hue of your grass and a fresh bag of mulch for the flower beds can really make a tremendous difference.

Whatever avenue you as a homeowner take in updating your landscape it?s important to remember that this is the first thing that your potential home buyer sees and can make or break the overall impression of the entire property. Whether you hire an architect, make a detailed plan or just tidy up any little bit of effort can go a long way when it comes time to sell your home.

10 Popular Beach Communities To Buy a Home

July 14th, 2010

photo credit: The.Rohit

The first beach comes to us from North Carolina. Nags Head Beach, The Outer Banks to be exact. This beach is a 130 mile string of barrier islands. This beach has immaculate beaches, vast fishing, and some remarkable history as well as sight seeing.

St. George Island State Park Beach, St. George Island, FL will be our second beach. This beach can be found in Florida?s panhandle with the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay on each side.

Glorietta Bay Beach, Coronado, CA. is in third place with year round humid weather, a calm surf area, and a place to have a nice family picnic with tables and a park.

Bowman?s Beach, Sanibel Island, FL is our next top spot. Being located on the gulf side of FL, with an impressive place for shelling, low waters, and white sandy beaches.

Hilton Head Island Beach, Hilton Head, South Carolina will be our fifth spot. This popular little island has 12 miles of beach and ample room for whale watching.

Indiana Dunes State Park Beach, Michigan City, Indiana is 6th. You?ll have 3 miles here to wander around the soft sand and vast in the sun.

Our 7th beach is Bathtub Beach, Stuart, FL. If you are looking to find a place that is great for surfing, this would be it. The surf can get big here and the reef offshore produces a lagoon like result of shallow, calm water.

Stewart Beach, Galveston, TX is next with a lot of beach options. Volleyball, sand castles contests and concerts for the entire family.

Higbee Beach, Cape May, NJ is ninth. Great place for bird and whale watching during the season. However, this beach is also a clothing optional beach.

Last but not least is Mayo Beach, Cape Cod, MA. Here you will find plenty of fishing to do. A playground for the kids across the street and calm waters to relax you while you bath in the sun.

10 Popular Winter Communities To Buy a Home

July 9th, 2010

photo credit: Poldavo (Alex)

Winter Haven, Florida
Dubbed the “chain of lakes” city because of the canal connected fresh water lakes that run through the area. The 2008 reported population was 26,487 and is now over 33,000.

Yuma, Arizona
The area boasts clean air, mountain views, and riverside attractions. As a popular and fast growing community, the people of Yuma put their focus on “A Commitment to Community” and maintaining a focus on citizens needs.

Indio, California
Another fast growing popular area, Indio, California, has a 2010 reported population of 84,393 with an additional 8,800 people choosing Indio as their winter home destination.

LaQuinta, California
As the “Gem of the Desert”, LaQuinta was dubbed by Robb Report in its 2003 Best Places to Live issue as “America’s Ultimate Golfing Destination”. LaQuinta, with its mountain views and multitude of amenities is another fast growing winter community.

West Palm Beach, Florida
Known for its amazing golf courses, rich arts and culture and beautiful weather this highly populated area had to be among our 10 popular winter communities to buy a home.

Jekyll Island, Georgia
Located just off the coast of Georgia, in Glynn county, this island boasts beautiful beaches and a rich history. A wide variety of wildlife also resides within the islands inland marshes.

Laughlin, Nevada
Known by many in the southwest to be the preferred destination over Las Vegas, Laughlin is comprised of venues for top entertainers, golfing, boating, shopping and much more. Laughlin is a growing winter home community.

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
As the water wonderland of New Mexico, the city of Truth or Consequences has geothermal hot springs, lakes, and rivers and also boasts clean air and mountain views.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Bursting with amenities like 60 miles of sandy beaches, savory restaurants, exciting night life, shopping, cultural activities, historic sites and much more.

McAllen, Texas
As tropical paradise, McAllen offers everything from birding and nature tourism to fine dining, shopping, and exciting sporting events. Just cross the boarder from Mexico, and you will find bargain shopping, sightseeing and cultural dining. All these factors help make McAllen one of our 10 Popular Winter Communities To Buy a Home.

10 Family Friendly Communities in Which to Live

July 7th, 2010

photo credit: christine592

There are many reasons why families desire certain towns. Here are some of the best and why the residents love them.

10. Mukilteo, Washington.
The high tech jobs, low unemployment rate, low taxes on property, better than average schools, and the amazing views make this city one of the best places to raise your family.

9. Lake St. Louis, Missouri.
This private community on two lakes has many parks and golf courses. There is a fee to enjoy the amenities of the community, but its low crime rate makes it worth a little extra.

8. Peachtree City, Georgia.
This Atlanta suburb is a favorite because of its amazingly low crime rate and enviable school district. Two stable companies are growing resulting in more jobs; therefore, decreasing the unemployment rate.

7. Keller, Texas.
The rising home sales, extremely clean park system, and growing economy make this town a major player on the list as many communities are struggling in tough times.

6. Warren, New Jersey.
Great schools and great recreational opportunities, as well as its rural environment make this one of America’s best cities for families.

5. Milton, Massachusetts.
The very low crime rate, excited parents at high school ball games, rising home prices, low unemployment rate, and access to public transportation make it a favorite among its residents.

4. Middleton, Wisconsin.
The University of Wisconsin jobs in nearby Madison, above average schools, and its amazing park system make this town a great place to live.

3. Papillion, Nebraska.
The low housing prices, major employers, and its wide open spaces make this town a very family friendly community.

2. Chanhassen, Minnesota.
The low unemployment rate, low property taxes, rising home values, and small town feel of this town make it a desirable city in which to live.

1.Louisville, Colorado.
The low unemployment rate due to its high tech jobs and its proximity to the outdoor activities of the Rocky Mountains lead to its top position.

10 Tips for Buying A Beach House

June 18th, 2010

photo credit: antonious (www.anthonyaphoto.com)

Few things are more satisfying than a vacation spent at the beach. Thanks to the current real estate market, beach houses are more affordable than ever. Here are some tips for buying a beach house that will provide your family with great memories for years to come.

1. Become familiar with the areas you are considering. Spend enough time to know whether the lifestyle and attractions fit your family’s needs.

2. Make a list of what you require in a beach house. Think about number of bedrooms, full kitchen, etc..

3. Talk to people who already live in the area. Get a feel for the locals, since they are your potential neighbors. Ask people who have lived in the area for a few years what they like and any concerns they have.

4. Speak with local real estate agents. They have the knowledge to help you find the perfect beach house.

5. Find out the costs of taxes, insurance and other additional costs, so you can make an informed choice.

6. Have any potential house inspected by someone who is familiar with the unique challenges facing a house built close to water, such as flooding.

7. If you will be using the home seasonally, plan the cost of having someone local maintain the grounds. You may also want to install a security system that contacts a local friend in the event of a problem.

8. Make sure there’s enough to do. Staying in a beach house is fun, but what about when the novelty wears off and the kids need an outlet for their excess enthusiasm?

9. If you are only planning on staying seasonally, consider the potential revenue if you rent the house when you aren’t there. Also discuss any insurance costs related to this option.

10. Make sure there’s enough room for any “toys” such as boats, jetskis, kayaks, etc.. It’s helpful to have a garage available to store these items, rather than having to pay for seasonal storage.

10 tips for buying your first investment property

May 19th, 2010

photo credit: Seven_Null7

When it comes to purchasing the first investment property, a smart investor will study up, and research the market. These 10 easy tips for buying the first investment property in one’s portfolio will give all the necessary indications to finding the right property, the right time to buy, and the right time to sell.

1) Where is it located?
A prime location is near good schools, landmarks

2) Is the property dividable?
If there isn’t already a home built on the land, the investor may wish to rent out a house or duplex on the property. To do so, dividing the property may be a prerequisite. Especially in the case where two homes are to be built on the same property. If there is not enough allotted space for construction, the permission will be denied.

3) What is the yearly property tax? Knowing the exact year-by-year cost will save an investor a lot of bookkeeping time.

4) Check a lot of different mortgage offers from banks. Some will be great opportunities, others will rip off the investor..

5) Get the loan pre approved.

6) Prepare a 5% deposit, as this is a standard practice in property purchases.

7) Start saving for the property. Using a CD, or other savings method is a great way to be prepared for the purchase and various fees that are involved.

Prepare the proper documentation.

9) Look for the property using newspapers, craigslist, and other resources available to investors and future home owners.

10) Purchase a property that is within a comfortable price range. Take into account the future of the family, other business ventures, and how much risk one is willing to undertake.

For the smart investor, it pays to be cautious when making that first investment property purchase. So keeping in mind the location, future prospects that are indicated by the property’s amenities, whether or not the property is dividable using government forms, and the cost of year-by-year property taxes the smart investor will make the right choice with confidence.

Investing in Vacant Land Instead of Homes

March 26th, 2010

There are lots of choices when you are considering making a real estate investment – will you buy a family home, a condominium, a vacation rental property – or even a vacant block of land. Buying land is probably the least common alternative so it’s good to consider the pros and cons of this kind of real estate investment.

Some advantages of buying vacant blocks include:

If you don’t have a lot of money to make an investment with, vacant land may be one of the cheapest ways of getting into the market.
You might be able to decide later whether or not you want to build a home there – or just sell it off at a profit – but if you decide to build, then you’ve already paid of part of the block value.
Paying less for your investment than you would for another kind of property means you are at a lower risk from falling prices, and at a lower risk of foreclosure or a forced sale.

On the other hand, disadvantages of buying vacant land might be:

There is no income on your vacant land – nobody will pay rent to use an empty block.
Some land releases will have particular rules about keeping the block tidy, leading to maintenance costs for you, or there may be rules about a time frame within which something must be built on the block, which may not fit your schedule.