5 To Dos Before Marketing Your Home

1. Flower up curb appeal. 
Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Could it use more? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks? Does it smell like blooms or manure as you approach the front door? Are the windows clean? Is the paint peeling? Is the grass healthy? Weeds are green, too, you know, so by healthy I not only mean green, but I also mean no weeds. Does your front door have a fresh coat of stain or paint? Curb appeal can be a chore or a fun family event. Either way, it has to happen before the sign goes in the yard! And, by the way, continue it 'til the closing. It's just the right thing to do.

2. Have a pre-sale home inspection.
Be proactive. An inspector will give you a good indication of what will stand out to potential buyers.

Staging your home for the holidays!

The rule of thumb is do not go overboard or add a lot of overtly religious overtones - it may put off some buyers.

Simplicity is key! Try nicely decorated wreaths, pinecone centerpieces and festive candles.Make sure it goes with your current decor. If you use earth tones, keep earth colors. It you use a lot of blues, try blue ornaments and silver bells. Draw attention to your beautiful fireplace with garland and simple stockings. Lastly keep in it proportion! Don't overtake the living room with a huge tree. The simpler, the better.

One last idea - a pot of cider simmering on the stove or a warm batch of cookies can create a warm and festive feeling in your home.

Planning on staying in your home for awhile?

I thought I would talk about some ways to keep the value of your home, and even make improvements, when you are planning on staying for awhile.

A great way to stay on top of things is to periodically have a home inspection. A certified home inspector can pinpoint areas of concern and areas where improvements can be made. Many of our homes show some wear and tear over the years, many are obvious, while some are "hidden", while others are things that we might never think to look for. A home inspector checks your home top to bottom, and with your permission as the home owner, can even open up walls to check for insulation and water damage to name a few. They provide a full report outlining the areas that may need immediate attention, and also those that you can get to when you're ready.

If you need the name of a reliable home inspector, give me a call. I have a list of inspectors who I'd be happy to refer you to.

Fall Cleanup - ways to improve your curb appeal this fall

One of the first things you can do to help with the clean up is to give your tools a good tune up. It's make your clean up go more quickly and it'll be a little easier on your back. 

Go for the obvious:

• Keep those leaves racked
  
• Weed and thatch to keep things looking fresh
  
• Pick up the poop - need I say more?
  
• Clean out your garden
• Add planters with bright flowers like mums to represent the season
  
• Paint or stain the deck. Not only will it spruce up the deck but it will also help protect it during the winter months

Enjoy the crisp fall air while getting a little exercise and enjoy your newly cleaned up yard! Potential buyers will be more apt to want to see your home if the exterior is looking it's best.

Home Staging 101

One of the most important things a home owner can do is to make their home as attractive as possible to buyers. One of the simplest ways is through home staging. I plan on leaving lots of tidbits here on home staging! It's a fun topic and a very hot topic in real estate these days.

So, some basics with the interior to start with:

Remove clutter in all areas of the home
Remove personal items or wall hangings that might distract buyers' attention
Re-arrange furniture to create more space or draw the buyer in
Add or replace furnishings
Lighting changes to make rooms brighter or accent items
Painting rooms with neutral colors

Frontdoor.com

Such a fun site to learn a ton about the market, what you need (and don't need) when buying a home and about the cities and towns across America.

One of the featured sites that Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage places it's homes for sale.

Come and take a gander at Dover, NH! http://www.frontdoor.com/city-guide/DOVER-NH-USA

Interested in learning more? Give me a call, I'll be happy to show you around the neighborhood!