How to Boost Your Curb Appeal this Summer!

How to Boost Your Curb Appeal this Summer

                With the summer selling season getting as hot as the weather, how do you keep your house in the running with buyers?  One great way is curb appeal. Here are some really easy and really fun tips to upgrade your curb appeal and get your house more attention than the rest.

Driveway & Entrance

Adding outdoor lighting to your walkway and driveway is not only chic, but it also provides safety and security. Adding some colorful potted plants around your porch and walkway is an easy way to add color and life to the front of your house without spending a ton of money or time.  Painting your front door, hanging a flag, and maybe adding some seasonal accents to your entryway are all great ways to grab attention and still leave your mark on your home.

Windows

Some well-placed flower boxes can make a ton of difference in your curb appeal.  Adding shutters are also a great attention-grabber for the front of your home. Just a simple touch like a solar powered candle in each window can really make people take a second look at your house.

Porch

If you have a covered porch, some hanging plants can really spruce things up.  Adding some inviting features like a bench or Adirondack chairs can really speak to a buyer.  If your porch is too small for a porch swing, a little chair and table with a nice potted plant or pretty tea set will all send the same message.

Yard

There are the obvious tasks: mowing and seeding the lawn, weeding and cutting back shrubs and bushes.  But there are some really cool ways to make your yard stand out but still look neat.  If you have a grass path to a back gate, lay some stone and create a walkway or outline bushes and shrubs with a border of stone or rocks.  You could always add a few fence posts to the edge of your yard and give it that picket fence feel. 

Remember, just like with the inside of your house, you don't want it to be too personalized as that will make it difficult for buyers to see themselves living there. You do, however, want it to stand out and be both different and inviting.  Good luck and happy summer!

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Summer Vacation and Your Home!

Summer Vacation and Your Home!

You found your perfect home, you bought it, you moved in and unpacked, and now you're ready for some well deserved R&R.  Whether it's just a few days out of town or a few weeks on a tropical island, there are some things you should do to prepare your home for your absence.

Preparing to Leave

Clean Out the Fridge:  Throw away anything that is or will be expired by the time you come back. Wipe down the shelves and door jams to prevent mold or mildew.

Shut off the water:  If a hose to a dishwasher or washing machine were to break, you could come home to a very large mess.  So turn off the water to at least those appliances.  You might want to run them and then leave the doors open to let them dry out so you prevent mold and mildew.  Also, getting the laundry and dishes done means no mess or extra work when you get home.

Prep Your plants and outdoor space:  Make sure all gutters and downspouts are clear.  Overflow could seep under siding and flood basements.  Mow and trim plants and hedges.  Ask a friend or neighbor to help or pay a neighborhood kid to mow and check on the house.

Leave on some lights:  Make it look like your home by leaving on some lights or have them on a timer if you don't want to waste money on your electric bill. Maybe pay the same kid who is mowing to turn on some lights at night. However you do it, it's important that your home look lived in even when your away.  Most criminals are opportunists; they will take the easy route every time.  So don't make it easy.

Unplug and reset thermostat:  Unplug all your appliances; they suck up energy even when not in use and no one wants their house to catch on fire because of a loose or crossed wire. In addition to that, reset your AC. You don't want to turn it off completely because it could get very musty, so set your AC to 85 and your house will stay cool and free of mildew.

Hold mail and newspapers:  A few quick phone calls and the post office and local delivery boy will hold all your stuff till you get back. Or you can give that kid a few more dollars and a key and he can take care of it for you.  

Preparing for your return

Food:  Make sure you have some non-perishables so when you get back, your first meal home is hassle free. (things like pop tarts, coffee, and soup are good to have.

Keep the house fresh:  Plug in an air freshener oooor you know that kid? Yeah have him open a few windows for a couple of hours a day.

Change the sheets:  There is nothing worse then coming home from vacation and having to do work.  Changing your sheets and maybe putting a dryer sheet in the blankets will insure a great night's sleep on your return home.

Tidy Up:  Sweep, Vacuum, Wipe down counters and any other stuff you know you won't want to do when you come home.

Happy vacation and don't forget to tip your neighborhood kid: he worked hard while you were gone!!

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Multiple Offer Market!

How To Handle Multiple Offers!

Let's face it, getting multiple offers is definitely not the worst case scenario if you're trying to sell your house.   Now that the offers are there, what do you do?  First, keep in mind that for properties with a single offer, the fallout is 10%, but for properties with two or more offers, the fallout rate increases to 50%.  The reason for the difference is buyers often feel they were unduly pressured by the multiple-offer situation and now feel it's too much to pay.  Here are some tips on how to handle a multiple offer situation.

Listen to your agent.  You hired them because you believed in them and trusted them with selling your home.  Trust them now.  Your agent wants you to get the best deal and still be fair and ethical, so take their advice.  You will be glad you did.

Price isn't everything.  Make sure you review the terms of the entire contract and don't just see dollar signs.  The highest offer, although tempting, isn't always the best offer. Are the buyers pre-approved for that amount? What kind of loan is it? Are you going to have to pay closing costs or other costs associated with the buyer's loan?  Sometimes a lower more stable offer will save you a lot of headache at the closing table.

What is your home really worth?  If the buyer you choose orders an appraisal and that appraisal comes back less than the offer price, the buyers' lender may not approve the mortgage.  Unless that buyer is willing to come to the table with cash, you may be stuck putting your home back on the market.

Review closing periods.  A buyer who's willing to close within weeks is more attractive than one who needs or wants months to do the deal.  It is also less likely they will back out of the contract. 

 

It's the sellers' house and it's the sellers' decision.   You decide which offer you want to accept or if you want to counter all the offers.  Remain sensible and be fair.

If you are selling your home in today's market, there is a good chance you will get multiple offers and it can be overwhelming.  It's not a race. Take your time, read the contracts and listen to your agent's advice.  If you follow these tips, you will pick the best offer and run less of a chance of having to sell your house twice.  Good luck!

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Selling in Spring

Selling This Spring

This spring is gearing up to be one of the craziest in the realest market we have seen in a long time.  It is for sure right now a sellers market.  The inventory is low which is driving up prices and making it very competitive for buyers.  So how do you get you house seen in a market like this knowing your going to be one of MANY?  Well color is a great start.  Paint your door a pretty bright color.  Red is always nice.  Plant some colorful flowers in the front or put on some nice window boxes if you can.  Curb appeal is big.  The outside of your house is the first thing people see so make it stand out but in a good way, not a why would anyone do that kind of way.  Clean the yard, mow the lawn, trim the hedges and paint the fence.  If you get some buyers, and in this market you will, to come look inside you want them to see themselves living there so depersonalize and declutter the space.   Open the curtains and the blinds so the space is bright and open.  If you have cool things like surround sound or central vacuum highlight that stuff when you have showings.  Most important of all hire the right person to list your home.  Make sure they know what they are doing by asking the right questions like:

♦ How long have you been selling real estate?

♦ How many homes have you sold?

♦ What do you know about the market in my area?

♦ Where is the market data to prove the  value?

♦ What educational designations have you achieved?

♦ What is your average market time vs the rest of the market?

♦ What is your list price to sale price ratio vs market?

♦ How much are you willing to spend in marketing? Where will  be marketing?

♦ Are you a part-time or full-time agent?

♦ Do you have a personal assistant  and staff to help with details?

♦ May I see your resume or personal brochure?

♦ Will you stage my home after it is listed and suggest any repairs or changes that will make it more marketable?

♦ How will you position my home professionally

 Now go get to work and good luck.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Home Inspections!

The Big I Word.  Inspection DUN DUN DUNNNN

Home inspections are a big deal for everyone and although there are buyers that choose not to have an inspection done it’s not a good idea.  Even if you’re buying new construction you should have an inspection, builders and contractors make mistakes too. I can hear you asking the questions now. So what exactly does a home inspector do? Why do I need a home inspection? What do I do with the report once it’s done? What should I look out for when hiring an inspector?  All good questions and I am going to try and address them briefly in this blog.  First off, home inspectors are not required to be licensed in many states; however inspectors can be certified by a home trade association such as National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.  You also want to make sure they have a toxic and pest License.  There is specific license required to identify pests like rodents and mold, and toxic elements in your house such as asbestos, lead , radiation.  When hiring defiantly do your homework.  This is your future home now is not the time to skimp.  Some things to beware of are inspectors that say “I can repair that for you.” I would avoid any inspector who is advertising his repair service in conjunction with his inspection service. As a matter of fact in some states they are not allowed to work on a home for a year after inspecting it.  The other thing to look out for is an agent push one inspector over others.  It is one thing to recommend it’s another to require you to use their inspector. Again make sure you do your homework. 

Some of the things the inspector will check are:

Structural Elements, like walls, ceilings, floor, roof and foundation.

Exterior Evaluation such as wall covering, landscaping, grading, elevation, drainage, driveways, fence, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, windows, lights and exterior receptacles.

Roof and Attic, framing, ventilation, type of roof construction flashing and gutters.

Plumbing including identification of pipe materials used for potable, drain, waste and vent pipes. Toilets, showers, sinks, faucets and traps.

Systems and Components like water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duck work, chimney, fireplace and sprinklers.

Electrical main panel, circuit breakers, types of wiring, grounding, exhaust fans, receptacles, ceiling fans and lighting fixtures.

Appliances such as dishwasher, range and oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal and yes even smoke detectors.

Garage including slab, wals, ceiling, vents, entry, firwall, garage door, openers, lights, and roof.

Once the inspection is done you will receive a report.  If you hired an inspector worth his salt the report should note every item that’s defective or needing service. At this point you have some decisions to make?  How many and how sever are the repairs that need to be made.  Are you going to ask the seller to make the repairs or walk away from this home? Are the repairs minor enough that you will buy the home anyway and make the repairs yourself?  If there are major repairs that need to be made it is not a bad idea to hire a contractor and get an estimate. 

Remember no house is perfect no matter how well maintained or new it is.  Every home will have issues flagged even new homes.  Good Luck and Good Fiday.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Are You Really Ready to Sell

Spring Has Sprung.

Now that the weather is getting warmer lots of buyers are out looking for their next home.  There are some things you can and should do to make it easier to sell your weather you want to sell now or in the future you should do these things every spring.

Clean your gutters

Gutters do their job best when clean.  The raint season is a prime time to ensure all drainage areas remain unblocked by leaves and/or debris.  Trapped moisture can leave a house susceptible to mold and mildew and cause major damage to your roof and walls.   

Check Your Roof

Be diligent about roof maintenance.  Ask a licensed professional to inspect your roof for wear and tear.  If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, it’s time to replace the roof. 

Check your Paint

The worst thing you can do is leave wood exposed, because that’s when it will begin to rot.  Sand it down so there are no rough edges, prime the bare wood surface and paint it with high quality paint product.  Don’t wait until siding accumulates too much dirt.  Brighten up the house with a good power washing.

Cut Overgrowth

Trim overgrown trees and hedges away from your home to discourage the growth of mildew and moisture.  Branches should be at least 7 feet away from  the exterior of the house.  Get rid of out-of –control vines, as they can help crack siding and allow moisture and pests entry into your home.

Love Your Lawn

Rake up leaves, Pull up weeds, and remove foliage from the lawn, shrubs and any plants.  Pull up dead flowers and replace them with a low maintenance variety such as pansies, begonias or mums.

Keep the Air Fresh

You should be changing air filters monthly, but if not start now.  A unit free of dust and dirt runs more efficiently saving you money on your energy bill.  Also check hose connections for leaks. 

Watch for Leaks

Investigate all doors and windows for leaks and drafts, which can signal water intrusion.  Seal any open areas between the frame and the wall to keep out water which can deteriorate building materials. 

Control Pests

Keep garbage and debris under control around the exterior of your home.  Do what you would inside, and get rid of junk.  Seal cracks, even if you just did so in the winter.  Mulching the yard this spring? Use a liner underneath. 

Peek at the Plumbing

Check for leaking faucets or sweating pipes, clogged drains and faulty water drainage systems.  On laundry day, look at the washing machine hoses for bulges, cracks or dampness. Check under the kitchen sink for leaks and make note of wetness around dishwasher, Inspect your water heater for leaks and corrosion.

Clean Decks, Driveways and Fences

A pressure washer makes this job easier.  While cleaning inspect for damage and make repairs before they become big jobs.

Clean Coils

Coils on your fridge conduct the hot air from outside the unit.  If they are coated with dust they do the job less efficiently coasting you more money.

Smoke Detectors

Test and change batteries in your smoke detectors.  Also find outa if you need and were to put Carbon monoxide detectors.

 

  

Drain Your Water Heater

By doing so you will prolong its life and reduce your electric bill.

By doing all these things now before you put your home on the market you will save yourself a lot of time, money and headaches as well as making the your house look great for potential buyers. 

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com