EXTRA Yardage

It's how you use it that counts

Want to make better use of your outdoor space without spending a lot of money? Try these three simple tricks that can make all the difference between using your backyard and just looking at it.

 ❶ Romantic lighting can really add drama and whimsy to an otherwise dull outdoor space. Try stringing lights over a patio for a look that recalls street cafés and romantic restaurant patios. If you don’t have natural hanging spots for your lights to hook onto, install a simple, wood pole with a loop or hook screw on top. You can install the poles directly into the ground, or attach them onto your pre-existing railings or a heavy base.

❷ Potted trees and bushes can divide designated areas, provide shade in the summer heat and create privacy. Consider ‘Skyrocket’ juniper trees, bamboo or arborvitae to start. You may want to ask your local plant center for ones that grow well in your area of the country and how they survive winter, if that is a consideration.

❸ Add a chimenea. If you live in a climate where it’s cooler at night and you want to extend the life of your patio past summer, add a simple, small chimenea. These are fire pits with a round, open belly and a thick pipe on top. The fires start quickly, don’t get too hot or too big, and are more easily controlled than a traditional open fire pit.

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

Flowers Everywhere

Early Spring in The Garden

Here are a few tips to help you get a head start on your spring gardening:

• Finish up your seed and plant orders.

• Keep an eye on houseplant pests.

• Get your garden tools in order and your mower back in shape.

• Prune trees and shrubs, both ornamentals and fruit.

• Use an acid-type rhododendron, azaleas and camellias

• Use an all-purpose fertilizer to feed roses and other deciduous trees and shrubs.  If using dry-type fertilizers, water them in thoroughly.

• Check flower beds for plants that may have heaved.

• Cut some branches for forcing indoors.

• Rejuvenate holly bushes with a hard pruning.

• Check evergreens for signs of desiccation.

• Start seeds of cool-season vegetables and flowers.

• Start to rejuvenate annual flower beds.

• Harvest winter crops before they bolt.

• Trim back any branches that were damaged by the ravages of winter.

• Apply dormant oil fruit spray.

• Take notes and buy some shrubs and trees that you would like to see in your winter garden next season.

For more information on Gardening please go to http://gardening.about.com

Thank you CW title and Escrow for the Tips

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