one Hire a real estate agent

It may be tempting to list your home on your own to avoid paying a sales commission, but selling your own home is a full-time job itself.

A real estate professional represents the best opportunity to earn the maximum amount from your home’s sale. An agent will recommend the best listing price, market your home effectively and show your home to buyers. An agent also recognizes what buyers are looking for in a new home.

two Get your home inspected

You are required to disclose any problems with your property to prospective buyers. Failure to do so will lead to further complications, even if you weren’t aware of the flaws ahead of time. Hire a professional inspector to identify and document any problems with your property. Also, make sure your home has a clean bill of health from termites.

three Make repairs ahead of time

A long list of necessary repairs is a major put-off for most buyers, who may decide to move on rather than deal with the headache of fixing up the home. Do as many repairs yourself as possible, then hire a contractor to complete the rest. If you decide not to make major repairs beforehand, hire a reputable professional to provide cost estimates that you can show to any interested buyers to put their minds at ease.

four Showcase your home

Curb appeal and first impressions are valuable assets when selling your home. Clear unnecessary items from your yard and maintain the landscape to welcome visitors. Keep the interior of your home clutter-free to maximize your home’s livable space. Staging your home is a great option to really make your house stand out in the crowd.

five Price it right

The original asking price of your home has a huge impact on the ultimate sales price. If you price it too high, buyers will look for better values and your home will remain on the market longer. The longer your home is on the market, the less desirable it becomes to buyers—even if you eventually lower your asking price— because most buyers will avoid a home that others are avoiding. Conversely, pricing your home too low may result in a quicker transaction but will yield you less money in the end.

Not sure how to do these things? Ask your realtor to help! Remember I’m an expert and can help you to sell your home quickly and for the best possible price.

I’ve lost track of the number of homes I’ve shown that were littered with dirty laundry, coated in dust you could write your name in, and were odoriferous nightmares! Not surprisingly, these homes rarely sell…sadly, many of these homes become yet another foreclosure statistic. The inventory is simply too high right now not to stage your home to sell. If buyers don’t like your home, there are plenty more for them to choose from…so why not take a few extra steps to ensure that your home shows better than any of the other comparable homes on the market?

Staging your home to sell is very different than decorating your home to live in. When you stage your home to sell, you depersonalize the home so that potential buyers can envision themselves living in the home. When you decorate the home, you do the exact opposite, you personalize it! Staging really does make a difference…whether you’re living in Granite Bay, Folsom or El Dorado Hills; whether you’re working on a shoestring budget or have unlimited resources; whether you have an eye for color or not, if you are considering selling your home, staging it will make a difference!

Take for example, some clients of mine who tried to sell their home off and on for several years. They had children at home and really didn’t want to disrupt their “world,” so they made the decision to list their home “as is,” hoping to sell it “as is!” Not surprisingly, the home didn’t sell…it was listed three times prior to my meeting with them. Over the course of the last three listings, they came to realize that they were disrupting their children’s world more by having potential buyers traipse through their home on a regular basis only to be told once again that the home “didn’t suit their tastes” or “didn’t meet their needs,” or “didn’t work with their décor.” They agreed to give staging a try, and they diligently followed all of my advice and the advice of Mary Tcarzy, a professional stager that I work with often. They painted walls, moved furniture, packed boxes, moved unnecessary furniture and toys to a storage unit…they even cleaned and painted the inside of their garage! Guess what? Their home sold after being on the market for less than a week…it helped that it was priced right, too!

If you’re considering listing your home, I’d love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss how we can sell it! Staging just might be the answer you’re looking for.

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL

Make the most of your home’s appearance without breaking the bank. You can add value and appeal to your home with just a few simple ideas. While repainting your whole house may be out of the question, painting the door and retouching the trim can give your entire house a face lift.

You don’t have to go crazy with landscaping to add appeal to your yard. Simply cut back overgrown shrubs and bushes and remove old patio furniture. De-cluttering and cleaning the yard can make a big difference.It is also a good idea to thoroughly clean patios and walkways of dirt and debris. Renting a power washer from your local hardware store or using a diluted bleach solution and a scrub brush  can make your patio and walkways look refreshed. Go a little further and plant a few colorful flowers to add value and appeal to your home without spending a lot of money.

Missed a day? Look back on all the great, money-saving ideas to give your house a face lift you can afford!

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

Day 2: MAKE A MEMORABLE ENTRANCE

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Day 4: LET THERE BE LIGHT

Day 5: MAKE THE OLD LOOK NEW

Day 6: DE-CLUTTER AND CREATE STORAGE

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL

Old and historic houses are notorious for their lack of closet space. If you have cramped storage areas, add do-it-yourself wire and laminate closet systems to bedrooms, pantries and entry closets. Companies such as ClosetMaid allow you to measure and redesign your closets online. You can also get design details and parts for these systems at many large home-improvement stores, like Home Depot. Most closets can be updated in a weekend or less. In the end, your closets will be more functional while you’re living in the house and will make your home look more customized to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

Day 2: MAKE A MEMORABLE ENTRANCE

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Day 4: LET THERE BE LIGHT

Day 5: MAKE THE OLD LOOK NEW

Day 6: DE-CLUTTER AND CREATE STORAGE

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL

New paint makes everything look clean and bright again and, thanks to “oops” paint, can be as affordable as a dollar a can. “Oops” paint is paint that was purchased and returned because it was the wrong color is available at both Home Depot and Lowes. If you don’t find a color you like, return the next week for a completely different selection. Even painting the trim a contrasting color or creating a contrast wall can make a big impression with just a little effort and money.

Carpeting is another detail that can quickly update a home and make it look cleaner. A professional carpet cleaning is an inexpensive investment, especially if your rugs are in good shape and are neutral colors. If your carpet is showing serious wear, cover it with inexpensive, strategically placed area rugs.

Slipcovers can also easily cover furniture that is worn or discolored. Don’t be afraid of slipcovers; they’re not the same as ten years ago when they looked like a loose blanket awkwardly hugging your sofa. There are many slipcovers now available that fit and stay in place.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

Day 2: MAKE A MEMORABLE ENTRANCE

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Day 4: LET THERE BE LIGHT

Day 5: MAKE THE OLD LOOK NEW

Day 6: DE-CLUTTER AND CREATE STORAGE

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL

Changing the lighting in your home can both update and make your house appear bigger and more open.

Adding accent lighting and spotlights that plug into existing outlets can direct light to features you want to emphasize, like art or plants, while giving your home overall ambient light. If you have a ceiling fan, you can also buy replacement fan blades to update the fixture’s look at a much more minimal cost than replacing the entire fixture.

Outdated lamp shades can make a room feel stale and are easy to replace. For a more modern feel, replace your pleated shades with simple drum-shaped ones. They’re not only more modern looking but also easier to keep clean and dust-free. Replacing traditional lighting with statement lighting, such as a chandelier in the bedroom, can quickly update the entire room and change its level of sophistication.

Using mirrors to expand and reflect light is a great trick to add light to dark rooms and make small rooms appear larger. Hang a mirror where it reflects light from a window and your whole room will light up with natural light. Using lighter and warmer colors and fabrics also make your room appear much brighter.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

Day 2: MAKE A MEMORABLE ENTRANCE

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Day 4: LET THERE BE LIGHT

Day 5: MAKE THE OLD LOOK NEW

Day 6: DE-CLUTTER AND CREATE STORAGE

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Next to the kitchen, bathrooms are often the most important rooms to update. Simple things that are relatively easy to install, like a new toilet seat and a pedestal sink, can make a big difference.

Refinishing the cabinets can update a dated bathroom, as well as adding new hardware to the drawers and doors. A new sink faucet easily serves as a focal point that adds a more modern feel. Replacing old, dated light fixtures can be done relatively easily and can change the whole look of the bathroom.

You can replace an old bathroom floor with easy-to-apply vinyl tiles or a sheet vinyl for very little cost and minimal effort. If your tub and shower look dingy, consider regrouting the tile and replacing any chipped tiles. A more complete make-over is a prefabricated tub and shower surround. While these one-piece units often require professional installation, they are still usually cheaper than paying to retile the walls and refinish the tub.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

Day 2: MAKE A MEMORABLE ENTRANCE

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Day 4: LET THERE BE LIGHT

Day 5: MAKE THE OLD LOOK NEW

Day 6: DE-CLUTTER AND CREATE STORAGE

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL

First impressions are important, especially when it comes to your home. Your entryway is the first thing you and your guests see when entering your home. With a little money and effort, you can spruce up your entrance and help your home make a great first impression!

The front door is the focal point of your entrance and can be inexpensively made to look new with a new coat of paint or easy refinish. Replacing the worn, flimsy knob with a more substantial (and secure) handle-and-lock set gives the entrance a polished feel.

Consider adding two large planters on either side of the door filled with plants of a variety of heights and textures. For a great year round look, mix perennials and  annuals. If you want to add another personal touch, hang a coordinating wreath on your front door.

Don’t have a penny to spend? You’ll be amazed how much of a difference an hour of cleaning can make to the look and feel of your entry area. Getting rid of winter’s dirt and twig remainsdeclutters and brightens up your space to give it a more inviting feel.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

Day 2: MAKE A MEMORABLE ENTRANCE

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Day 4: LET THERE BE LIGHT

Day 5: MAKE THE OLD LOOK NEW

Day 6: DE-CLUTTER AND CREATE STORAGE

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Updating the hardware on your cabinets can modernize your kitchen while keeping costs down. For only a little more, a new, coordinating kitchen faucet set and new light fixtures can transform the look and feel of the entire kitchen.

Rather than replacing, consider resurfacing your cabinets. A fresh coat of paint or lacquer can bring old cabinets back to life. If you’re looking to spend a little more, many companies will refinish the cabinet boxes and replace the doors and drawers from the cabinets for substantially less than new cabinets.

If your kitchen appliances don’t match, don’t replace them. Instead, order new doors or panels from the manufacturer. Many dishwasher panels are white on one side and black on the other, so it may be as simple as removing the screws and flipping the panel.

Check Back Tomorrow for…

Day 1: GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN

Day 2: MAKE A MEMORABLE ENTRANCE

Day 3: UPDATE THE BATHROOM

Day 4: LET THERE BE LIGHT

Day 5: MAKE THE OLD LOOK NEW

Day 6: DE-CLUTTER AND CREATE STORAGE

Day 7: CONSIDER CURB APPEAL

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

“St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time – a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.” -Adrienne Cook

As winter turns to spring, it’s the perfect time to dress up your home…make it sparkle and shine! Whether you’re planning to stay in your home for years to come, or are getting ready to put it on the market, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of a “dressed up” home! It’s also the perfect time to turn your dream of homeownership into reality! The homebuyer tax credits are about to expire…you have until April 30th to take advantage of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, or the $6,500 credit being offered to move-up buyers. Call me today, and put my experience in staging and selling homes to work for you… I’m looking forward to helping you transform your winter dream into summer magic!