Jul. 5, 2008 - Solution for Vacant Houses

        There has been a lot of debate on home staging.  Is it worth it to a homeowner to pay a professional stagger to come in and make a home show ready?  Or can a homeowner just clear all their clutter and remove personal items to make a home in ready condition for buyers to come and look? 
     What about vacant homes?  With so many homeowners going into financial distress and either losing their home to foreclosure or just walking away.  What about the homeowner that just plain has to move, and with the market as it is can not sell their home fast enough?  So the home becomes vacant and vacant homes are largely unappealing.  Most buyers would rather see some furniture and a clean home for visualization purposes, than an empty somewhat dirty home. Vacant homes are being broken into and vandalized. 
    There was a crew of guys going around Las Vegas subdivisions with a van.  The van looked very much like a service vehicle, so the neighbors did not think too much about it. Well they were stealing air conditioners units and breaking in and taking all the appliances. Other homes are just getting broken into by homeless people and a lot of damage is being done to the interior of the homes.
     Well I have run across a company that may just have the solution for people that have to move and leave their home vacant while it is trying to be sold.  The company is called  Property Solutions of Las Vegas, LLC.    ( they have branches in a lot of area's of the U.S. not just Las Vegas)
      I was very excited when I ran across this company because it is at NO COST  to the homeowner or the Realtor® that is marketing the property.
   Property Solutions of Las Vegas,LLC   has teamed up with CareTakers of America who has been in business since 1985.  They have people who live in the home with their furniture and keep the home in show ready condition. The homeowner still makes their mortgage payments but there is no cost to have this service provided.  Think of the peace of mind the homeowner who needs to leave the area will have knowing their home is being taken care of.  The caretaker even pays the utilities. 
    Read for yourself all the materials provided on both websites and let me know what you think.  As far as I can tell it is a win/win situation for all concerned.

Sep. 25, 2007 - Fireplace Safety

There is nothing on a cool or cold winter's evening like a nice cozy fire.  How safe is your fireplace and when you go to sell is it going to be in good working order?

Keep furniture, curtains, and other flammables at least three feet away from your fireplace.

Don't let children stand to close.  They might get burned or their clothes might ignite.

Never burn garbage, charcoal or coal.  Also do not burn paper or cardboard as stray embers can cause indoor fires or fires on the roof.  Wrapping paper can cause toxin fumes to come out into the air.

Don't leave the fire unattended and keep a fire extinguisher handy.  Make sure the fires is out before going to bed or leaving the house.

Gas Fireplaces  should be checked by a professional annually they will clean the fan, clear any blocked vents and make any other adjustments that should be done.

Make sure the pipes connected to the fireplace are clear.

Turn the gas off completely when fireplace is not in use.

Keep the Chimney swept and the flue open.

 Wood-Burning Fireplaces  keep your roof clear of branches and anything that could block your chimney.

Always use a sturdy fire screen to keep sparks from coming out of the fireplace.

Open the flue before starting the fire and keep it open until the ashes have cooled.

Burn only properly seasoned hardwood that has dried for at least six months and doesn't appear green.

Don't overload the fireplace.

Use manufacture directions when burning artificial logs.

Soak ashes in water and store them in a tight fitting container. 

Jan. 23, 2007 - Selling Your House Part Two

Selling your home Part-2

Now that you have great curb appeal that will lure your buyers inside, you have to live up to their expectations.  There are plenty of easy fixes you can do to meet those expectations.  Cleaning is so very important.  Your windows, floors, and bath tiles should sparkle.  Make sure you have clean heating and air conditioner filters.  Shampoo dirty carpets, clean tubs and showers, fix dripping faucets and oil squeaky doors.  It may not seem too important but a peek into your oven may be the standard that buyers judge your home by.

Your garage, basement, and attic should be neat and tidy and uncluttered.  Put away anything that is very personal such as a lot of family pictures.  You want the buyers focused on imagining their selves in this house not looking at all of your things. If you have too much furniture in the space consider putting a lot of t in storage.  Take as much off the walls as possible and repaint a neutral color.  If people think they have hundreds of nail holes to patch it may turn them off.

Cosmetic changes do not have to cost a lot of money.  It is attention to detail that screams this home has been well maintained and will get the price you want.   

More to come

Oct. 2, 2006 - So You Decided to Sell Your Home

 Selling Your Home Part One

When you decide to sell your home, chances are you are caught up in a host of emotions.  You may be looking forward to moving up to a new dream home.  Or facing the uncertainty of a move across country.  You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new adventures.  Whatever turbulent emotions you may be feeling there are things that will need you attention.   Keep in mind the following considerations to help the whole process go more smoothly.

Over the next few days I will give several tips and ideas to make this move as painless as possible.  If you have a good strong agent that will be a plus.

• Check you Curb Appeal  

A home that is visually appealing and in good condition will attract potential buyers that are just driving down the street.  Use this checklist.  Drive up and down the steet looking  at your home through critical eyes of a stranger.  Stand across the street and evaluate every aspect of your yard.                                           

•   Are the lawns and shrubs well maintained?
•   Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways?
•   Does the driveway need resurfacing?
•   Are the gutters, chimney and walls in good condition?
•   Do the window casings, shutters, siding or doors need painting?
•   Are garbage and debris stored out of sight?
•   Are lawn movers and hoses properly stored?
•   Are all the toys, bikes and other items stored properly?
•   Is the garage door closed?

Strong curb appeal will lure potential buyers inside.  Stay tuned for Part Two            

Sep. 19, 2006 - Having an Open House?

Open House

      Having open houses can do several things.  It can help the neighbors get over their wondering.  Maybe they will leave the flyer's in the box alone if their curiosity is satisfied.  This may sound funny but true.  I know that it is said that open houses are for the agent to pick up more business.  While that maybe a by product of an open house, if you have an agent willing to do open houses....take it.  The more exposure your home has the better.  I sold a hope not too long ago as a direct result of an open house.    A neighbor actually came to the open house and thought it was perfect for a uncle who wanted to move to Las Vegas.  We sent him the virtual tour and we did the whole transaction by fax and email.  You just never know where the buyer for your house will come from.

Getting your house ready for the open house.  Make sure all toys are put away, beds are made and each and every room is free of clutter.  Have the windows washed and all of the blinds open to bring in as much natural light as possible.  Bake cookies to bring emotional responses from the buyers. 

Be sure to leave the house.  Buyers feel very uncomfortable when the owners are there.  Buying a home is a very emotional journey  they want to be able to visualize their things in the space and see theirselves living there.

Jun. 8, 2006 - Getting Your House Ready

Home buyers tend to be emotion driven.  It is not just a piece of real estate or an investment they are looking at.  It is a place where they will live, eat, sleep, raise their children, hold holiday gatherings, and spend special moments with family and friends.  It is very important that you show to buyers looking at your home a feeling of warmth and comfort.  You may know what your bedroom looks like with the blinds open but the buyer looking at your house does not.  Light tends to make a room look larger, more warm and that is what we want our home to portray.

Here are some thoughts:

Keep all drapes and blinds open,with windows clean inside and out.  If there is a corner that is not bright and sunny, turn on a light.

Remove, pack, and store as much "stuff" as possible.  This means furniture, wall hangings, and knick knacks.  While your things maybe heart warming and cozy to you,  may feel messy and cramped to a buyer.

Put pet things away and out of the general living area.  If someone is coming try to keep the pet out of the way also, just in case the buyers are allergic. 

If you have had a lot of things hanging on your walls, have the house repainted so the buyer won't think about all the nail holes they would have to fill.  Put away all personal pictures, the buyers want to imagine their family living there and do not want to look at your family.  Having a lot of things out that the buyers will stop and look at takes away from the focal point which is maybe buying your home.