Spring is around the corner and for some this means putting your existing home on the market. Take the time now to make a punchlist of the things you need to focus on to improve your home's value. Here is a list of 5 things you can do to win the hearts of future buyers.
- Paint-One fresh coat wipes out the scuffs, chips, cracks and other damage that clearly convey wear and tear.
Make your first priority the front door, where everyone from visitors
to potential buyers lingers. Next, go inside; don't forget to freshen up the baseboards, doors and ceilings after you tackle the walls. Cost: about $60.
- Basic Maintenance-A common mistake: making aesthetic upgrades while ignoring basic maintenance. If you don't address these problems before putting your home on the
market, it'll cost you. Buyers traditionally negotiate a $2 discount
for every $1 in damage that turns up in a home inspection, according to
home inspection service HouseMaster. Not sure where to start? Hire a home inspector to point out which areas would be problematic were your home on the market. Cost: about $250.
- Energy-efficient Upgrades-Energy-efficiency projects such as installing Energy-Star windows or swapping for a high-efficiency furnace or A/C unit are one of the few upgrades that hold their value in a down market. Not only will such improvements cut your energy bills, but they'll also
be more attractive to buyers who are hunting for more earth-friendly
homes. Add insulation in the attic, garage and around your water heater and take the time to seal up all air leaks. Replacing your light bulbs with energy saving CFL's can also provide added value. Cost: about $100-$5,000.
- Install New Fixtures or Hardware-Giving a room a more modern look requires little more than a screwdriver and some new fixtures. New drawer handles or knobs can be had for as little as $2 each. You might also try swapping out ceiling-mount light fixtures or doorknobs.
- Landscaping-Your carefully groomed landscaping — or, in contrast, weed-overgrown
jungle — is one of the first things a potential buyer notices. You'll score
more points with a yard that was obviously fixed up long before you
listed your property. Drought-resistant shrubs require less water, while perennials won't
require repeat plant purchases in coming years. Leafy deciduous trees
shade your home from the hot summer sun, and allow maximum heat
transfer inside during cold winters.
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With the recent drop in Interest Rates we have experienced an upswing in buying interest. One of the situations we are seeing buyers being confronted with is the sell of their existing home. Here are some tips we found from Smart Money.com on mistakes home sellers make.
- Asking Too Much-Now is a difficult time to set the price of your existing home. You don't want to give it away, but you also want it to sell. Most real estate agents will provide a CMA (competitive market analysis) for your existing home for free. If your home is currently on the market and you're getting phone calls but no showing traffic, your price is too high.
- Questioning the First Offer-The reality is that in any market a home's first offer is often its best, says Elaine Clayman, a real estate broker with Brown Harris Stevens. Typically, educated buyers will seize on a
property they like — with a competitive bid — as soon as it comes onto
the market, she says. Of course, given the glut of houses on the
market, sellers should expect to receive some low-ball offers. Just
don't assume that you'll get better bids the longer you hold out. As
Clayman warns, the more time a home sits unsold, the greater chance a
seller will have to reduce his price.
- Failing to Respond to All Offers-What if you get an offer that's simply too low? Don't reject it
outright. See if you can negotiate. First of all, you can't blame
someone for testing the market — after all, in today's market, many
buyers are confident that they have the upper hand. Secondly, by
entering into negotiations with one party, you'll gain leverage with
other potential buyers.
Good Luck on selling your current home.
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The New Year always brings new commitments. Here are three ways to help you have great success with your 2009 resolutions. These suggestions were provided by WomensHealth.gov.
- Be committed. You must think through what you want to change
and commit yourself to the long-term process it usually takes to
achieve change. You then need to come up with a realistic plan to help
you reach your goals, Davidson said in a statement. For example, if you
want to shed some pounds, create a weight-loss schedule and an
achievable diet and exercise plan. If your family and friends are
supportive, tell them about your goals. They can provide encouragement
and reinforce your commitment to change. If necessary, seek
professional help to assist you.
- Be prepared for setbacks. Don't think of them as complete
failures, don't dwell on them, and don't let them make you give up your
goals. After a setback, try to get back on track to reach your
objective. Plan ahead on how you'll deal with setbacks. For example, if
you do have a cigarette when you're trying to quit, your plan may
include calling a supportive friend to talk about it. Or you may want
to review all the reasons you listed for wanting to stop smoking and
why reaching that goal will make you happy.
- Track your progress. Motivate yourself by celebrating your
successes and by getting positive feedback from supportive family and
friends. A good approach is to evaluate yourself every week or two
weeks. However, don't over-monitor yourself by doing a self-assessment
every day. That's just likely to end in frustration. Don't compare
yourself to others. Accomplish your goal in a way that's best suited to
you.
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We hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year! It's great to have 2008 behind us and even better to see the hope and optimism of 2009. Here are some questions for responses. What was the biggest story of 2008? What are you happy to see go out with 2008? What are your big plans or resolutions for 2009?
University of Utah Football, tonight at 5:00. #6 ranked Utes will be taking on the #4 ranked Crimson Tide of Alabama. This game will be broadcast on Fox 13. Good Luck Utes and enjoy the big game.
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