Clutter

Once your home is on the market, it is, for all practical purposes, no longer your own. It’s important to de-personalize your space so prospective buyers can picture themselves in the home and not be distracted by your belongings.


Pack up personal photo frames, trophies, knick-knacks, books and your personal decorations like children’s artwork and team posters. The goal is to strike a balance of inviting and uncluttered. If you wouldn’t find it in a model home, go ahead and pack it up.


Remember, less is more. Get rid of extra magazines, candies, refrigerator magnets, blankets thrown over the couch, and any other items that are temporary decorations.


If you want to clear away the clutter and get honest, reliable advice on today’s housing market, call me. I specialize in marketing & staging homes and I welcome the opportunity to handle all your real estate needs.

Email: rhonda@rhondasrealestate.com

Web: www:RhondasRealEstate.com

Cell: 405-820-1740

Color is a Powerful Thing - Set the Right Tone

 

 

Like death and taxes, there is no escaping color. It is ubiquitous. Yet what does it all mean?

Why are people more relaxed in green rooms? Why do weightlifters do their best in blue gyms?

Blue

The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. People are more productive in blue rooms. Blue is often the chosen color by conservative people. Blue is so soothing that is a good choice for pajamas. Dark blue is the color of truth and moderation.

Fashion consultants recommend wearing the midnight hues to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty, while wearing the serene lighter shades soothes the person wearing it making the people around them feel at ease and party guests feeling comfortable in your presence. Studies even show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms!

Red

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It gets noticed but makes the wearer appear heavier. (Still my favorite color...who cares if it makes one appear heavier!) It is also the color of love. Since it is such an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red is the color most chosen by extroverts and one of the top picks of males. Men are attracted to women wearing the ruby hue. On the negative side red can mean temper or anger.

In decorating, red is usually used as an accent, but makes a great wall color as well...for those daring enough to do it...and do it right! Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it draws attention.

Purple

Purple is the color of good judgment. It is the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment. It is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind. Purple is a good color to use in meditation.

The color of royalty, creativity...a feeling of inspiration. Purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. Because it is one of those colors people either love or hate, wearing it sends the message that you're a self-assured free thinker. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial. Most children love the color purple. Purple is the color most favored by artists.

Black

Black is the most misunderstood color. It is the color of authority and power. It is also stylish and timeless. It's a color not often used on walls, but as accents. Black is not a color, strictly speaking. It is the absence of all color. When people speak of opposites, it is usually in terms of black and white.

Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. To take the edge off, choose something with a bit of embellishment, like lace or ruffles. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. A black tie dinner is very formal and elegant. Women can wear that "must have little black dress" to the black tie dinner.

Orange

Orange is fun! Orange is a power color. It is said to increase the craving for food. Orange means vitality with endurance. This exuberant shade isn't the best choice for a serious business meeting or jury duty. Because it is enthusiastic and inviting, you should wear it when you want to appear social, friendly, or approachable. People who like orange are usually thoughtful and sincere. If an orange outfit isn't at the top of your list, try a belt or a pair of shoes.

Curiosity is a driving characteristic of orange, and with it comes exploration of new things. If a change of any kind is needed in life, just burn an orange candle for 7 nights.

Green

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature, fertility, life. Grass green is the most restful color. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color.

It instantly brings about feelings of peace, happiness, and contentment. Geen symbolizes self-respect and well being. Green is the color of balance. It also means learning, growth and harmony. Green is a safe color, if you don't know what color to use anywhere use green.

People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients.  Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. Green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, desire to expand or increase. Balance and a sense of order are found in the color green. Change and transformation is necessary for growth, and so this ability to sustain changes is also a part of the energy of green.

White

White means kindness. Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors.

Strictly speaking, white is not a color, but the manifestation of the presence of all color - the complete energy of light. It stands for wholeness and completion. In many cultures it represents openness and truth. White has a cold quality. It can provide clarity as its energy is complete.

Yellow

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

Pure, bright and sunny yellow is the easiest color to see. People who are blind to other colors can usually see yellow. Yellow is full of creative and intellectual energy. Yellow symbolizes wisdom. Yellow means joy and happiness. People of high intellect favor yellow.

Brown

People who prefer brown are often conventional and orderly. The negative meaning of brown can be a repressed personality or a lazy person. Brown is the color of the earth and is associated with the material side of life.

Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful.

Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors. Brown is a warm neutral color that can stimulate the appetite. Brown represents wholesomeness and earthiness. While it might be considered a little on the dull side, it also represents steadfastness, simplicity, friendliness, dependability, and health.

When considering color, whether inside or outside your home, choose with meaning in mind. Your favorite color purple or pink is not the best choice for the exterior of your home, but done correctly inside a room, it can be powerful!

The Complete Home Buyers Handbook

Insider's Guide to Saving Money &

Eliminating Risks When Buying Your First Home!

 

Chapter 1 – Location Is Everything

One of the greatest factors in regards to overall costs of property is in the neighborhood or area itself. 

In real estate, location is everything and depending on what your personal preferences are, you should expect the costs of properties to change based on location, even when all other features and factors are similar.

For example, if you choose to live just outside of a city zone, a property of the same age and size could be as much as $50,000 cheaper than a property inside of a city zone.   

You will also want to consider what is available in different areas, based on what is most important to you.   Are there grocery stores local to the neighborhoods you are evaluating?  Are there late night conveniences?  Entertainment?  Doctors? Schools?

All of these factors will influence your decision to buy within certain areas, and if you have small children, you’ll also want to consider the quality of the schools in the same way that if you require regular medical treatment, you’ll want to make sure that there are medical facilities near your home.

For many homebuyers, location is the most important component when choosing a property and it’s also the key factor in which they spend the most time evaluating.   You want the conveniences that are of most importance to you! 

If you are considering purchasing a property outside of a city zone based on the savings, you’ll also want to make sure that the lower property rate is justified based on the costs to commute. 

On the other hand, if you are interested in living within city limits, you will want to pay attention to additional costs and factors such as metered water, sewage costs, pet restrictions and any by-laws that you may be affected by.

For example, in many cities there are bylaws preventing residents from having too many pets, and believe it or not, there are even bylaws that indicate what color you can paint your home! 

So be careful in choosing a neighborhood just based on cost alone. You will want to discuss any bylaws or restrictions applied to an area with your realtor before making an offer on a property. 

When considering different locations, you will want to try to spend some time in each area, so that you are able to get a personal feel for the neighborhood.

Consider staying in a nearby bed & breakfast or a hotel for a weekend, so that you can explore the area, walk through the neighborhoods, visit nearby attractions, restaurants, parks, and even speak with the locals. 

While many people overlook this simple step, it can really make a difference in helping you choose an area where you feel safe, relaxed and truly connected to.

If you have children, you will also want to include them in making your decision. Spend some family time around the different areas that you are considering so that there are few surprises when you move in. 

Pay attention the proximity of nearby schools, whether there are local events for your children based on their interests, whether you will be close to amenities or areas that you’ll visit frequently, and whether you can really see yourself living in an area for a long period of time.

When considering whether to purchase a home in the country, city or suburbs, weigh the pro’s and con’s of all three areas, to gain a better idea as to what is suitable for your family.

City living carries many different benefits, including:

• Quick & Easy access to local events.
• Extended business hours for many different amenities.
• More options for stores, restaurants and schools.
• Public transportation.
• Typically offers more cultural events, concerts, attractions.

Just the same, there are also cons to living in the city as well, including:

• Higher population.
• Less property.
• Higher housing costs.
• Higher taxes.
• Higher crime rate.
• Higher pollution rate.
• Limiting housing available.

If considering buying a house in the country, you will also want to weigh the pro’s and con’s including:

Pros:
 

• More property available.
• Lower tax costs.
• Less population.
• Not as many zoning issues or bylaws.
• Overall cost of living is lower.

Cons:
 

• Fewer amenities available.
• Further commute to work and shopping.
• Fewer schools & businesses to choose from.
• Issues dealing with wells, septic systems, etc
• Less entertainment, cultural events.

Other Location Considerations

• Weather & Climate
• Road conditions
• Location of property in the neighborhood, and
• Room to expand

You should be thinking ahead in terms of the weather. If you are planning on living in the country, for example, you should pay attention to possible flooding, snow, and other weather that could affect you getting to work.

If the road is a dirt road, you should ask if the county will clear the road and how often they will do so. This is another advantage of living in the city because you could always use public transportation if you do not want to drive.

The location of the property is also important. If the property is located at the bottom of a slope, you may have flooding issues after a rainstorm. Also, as your family grows, you may need more room.

You should find property that can hold a home addition if necessary. Investing in a home requires a great deal of thought and planning. Even if you do not have a family, you should find a home that will allow you to grow as your interests change.

If you are planning on taking out a mortgage, you will find it difficult to move abruptly in the event you discover that an area isn’t quite what you expected, so the more time you spend personally evaluating the neighborhoods and areas you are interested in, the more prepared you will be to make an informed decision.


Another important thing to keep in mind is the crime rate of specific areas.  You can identify and potential problems or higher crime rates by researching areas online.  You can also talk to your realtor about any concerns you have over crime rates, and make sure to compare crime rates to other neighborhoods. 

You also want to pay attention to your ‘gut instinct’ and how you personally feel about an area, when it comes to choosing a property:  

Does a certain neighborhood give you a sense of calm? Does it provoke a positive feeling? Good memories?  Does it seem clean and friendly?

And depending on your lifestyle, you will also want to pay attention to other contributing factors including:

• Is there high speed Internet available?
• Is there cable television available?
• Are there ponds, rivers, lakes or oceans nearby?
• Are there 24-hour conveniences? (drug stores, grocery stores, etc)
• Is the neighborhood aesthetically pleasing?
• Is there garbage pickup?
• What is the average value of a home in that neighborhood?

All of these things will play a part in helping you to decide whether a specific property is suitable for your family, so take the time to research the different locations and start taking notes regarding your findings. 

Having this information readily available will provide you with a snapshot of the different properties and locations that you are considering, making it easier to come to a decision later on.

Next:   Chapter 2: Finding a Realtor
Be sure to follow so you don't miss the next chapters!

6 Ways to Improve Your Home's Value

When you’re getting ready to sell your property, you want to be able to get the best price possible for your home.  However, depending on how long you've lived at your current residence, it may require you to invest some time and money into improvements.

Many sellers may become wary of taking the necessary time to help spruce up their home’s appearance due to the cost associated with upgrades.  Yet, simple improvements to a property can make a big difference and won’t always cost thousands of dollars to accomplish. 

Here are some great ways to increase value and make the most impact:

1. Improve curb appeal:  You can achieve this in various ways.  You can simply fill in empty spaces and add some drought resistant plants or shrubs to your landscaping.  Or some flowers and potted plants near the front entrance can make a great first impression.  Adding a tree for additional shade and patching up a worn out lawn can work miracles to draw buyers in.

2. Space & Cleanliness:  There is nothing worse to a buyer than a cluttered or unclean home.  Take the time to remove unnecessary items from your closets, clean out the garage or carport, remove clutter or toys from the living areas, and make your floors shine!  Your home needs to be staged in such a way that your buyers can visualize themselves living there.  The way that you decorate your walls and ceilings will also affect how your buyers perceive open space.

3. Aim for an earthy appearance:  Many buyers appreciate materials and paint colors that tend to have more of an earthy appeal.  Each room will be different, so be sure to choose wisely.  Also, consider using ceramic tiles or wood flooring instead of carpets or linoleum.  Tiles in both the bathroom and/or kitchen could also make a huge difference.

4. Change outdated items: This can be as simple as replacing some old light and sink fixtures, doors, handles, or even windows.  These items can greatly impact the price of a home and don’t always require huge amounts of investment.  Additionally, maybe a new coat of paint or trim is all you need to fix up an otherwise “old” appearance.

5. Ask an expert:  Whether you need advice on decorating, how to improve energy efficiency, or would like to find some items that could use a little “TLC”, it could be worth a small one time investment to get another opinion.  This is a way to proactively make changes before you even consider listing your home.  And you may be able to even avoid bigger problems that could arise down the road.

6. Bathrooms & kitchen:  Finally, if you are able to make the extra investment, two areas that have the biggest impact on price are your bathrooms and kitchen.  Whether this requires replacing the floors, sinks, tubs, fixtures or appliances, there are many ways that you can astronomically boost your home’s appeal by making improvements to these two key areas.

Hopefully these tips prove to be helpful when the time comes for you to sell your home.  If you would like to receive an expert opinion from an experienced Realtor on how you can command top dollar for your property, be sure to contact me today.  Simply use the information provided below to schedule a free in home consultation today!

Email: rhonda@rhondasrealestate.com

Text or Call me Direct: 405-820-1740

How To Prepare Your Home For The Fall Season

It’s that time again!  The crisp cool air, countless beautiful shades of colors, and plenty of enjoyable evenings around the bonfire await us.  Yet, amidst all these great things, there are certain preparations that you need to be aware of when getting ready for the fall season as well.

As a homeowner, it’s important that you take certain steps in order to protect your home’s condition and also your wallet.  So here are 5 key areas that you ought to review over the upcoming weeks to be fully equipped for what lies ahead:

1. Routine furnace maintenance: Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment for your furnace.  While trying to juggle work obligations, kids, school, chores, and much more, this is one of those areas that can easily be overlooked.

But a couple hundred dollars now is much more reasonable than a few thousand later.  Keep your furnace in good working condition and make sure you’re prepared for the colder temperatures.

2. Clean off your roof: As the leaves begin to fall, it’s important that you protect your roof from unnecessary moisture.  Take the time to clean off any debris that builds up before the winter months and ensure that your roof is patched from any basic wear and tear. 

This will be especially vital when winter snow begins to accumulate.  Also, clear out your gutters and scan the area around your chimney as well.  If there seems to be any places where water could leak in than it may be time to call a professional.

3. Prepare Your Pipes: First of all, don’t forget to unscrew any hoses or nozzles attached to the outside faucets.  For those who are using underground sprinklers, take the time to push out any remaining water from the summer.  Also, cleaning your septic system may be beneficial before the temperatures hit freezing.

4. Basic Crack Repair & Landscape: For those who have minor sidewalk or concrete damage, now may be a good time to fill some of those areas with something like Quikrete to avoid further damage.  This can help to keep water and moisture out, especially once snow hits.  Also, make sure to clear out the areas around your house where leaves have fallen, and cut back any other trees or shrubbery.

5. Insulation & Energy Efficiency: This can be a huge money waster!  For those who are rarely at home and constantly on the run, you may want to consider investing in a programmable thermostat.  This can save you hundreds of dollars alone by cutting back on unnecessary energy costs.  Especially with the rise in most utilities costs, this should certainly be considered.

Also, are there areas around your windows, doors or elsewhere that may be allowing draughts to enter your home?  Consider either having these places sealed or maybe investing in some new materials.  Depending on how long you plan to live at your current residence, the cost could certainly be justified.

Hopefully you have found these 5 tips to be helpful & informative. If you need some assistance from someone in my rolodex that can assist you in any of these items, please feel free to email me so I can send them your way.

You've heard the saying "You never get a second chance to make a great first impression"?  If you are selling your home, or will be shortly, you need to take that little saying to heart. Let me share with you my top staging mistakes to avoid in hopes that you'll apply what you've read today and be on your way to a successful sale!

Staging Mistake #1:  BAD MLS Photos

Did you know that over 85% of buyers are looking on the Internet first to find a home? First Impressions start here folks! How do your photos look?  I am amazed when working with sellers that have had their home on the market with another Realtor®  that they hadn’t even bothered to take a look at their pictures online, or that their Realtor®  didn’t even show them! I think it didn't even occur to them that this is a critical marketing tool that pulls those buyers in.

I see poor photos all the time. Blurry. Tilted. Dark. Cluttered. Busy. Boring. The worst is only seeing a small portion of the room. Buyer’s don’t care what the sellers BED looks like...what about the room? They want to see everything in the room in one shot.

GREAT PHOTOS are a must! Professional Photography makes all the difference in capturing buyers attention and getting them in the door. Great photos capture ALL of the room, have good color and clarity and show interesting angles of each room. Make sure YOU have at least 15 photos advertising YOUR home on the Internet/MLS.  Buyer's really want to see as much of the home as possible.

Staging Mistake #2:  Disappointing Curb Appeal

When selling your home, don't disappoint your buyer!  When they pull up to the front of your home, they carry with them their hopes and dreams that this home could be the one!  Shouldn't you do whatever you can to impress these buyers so they will want to come in for a closer look?

It's amazing how a freshly cut green lawn, trimmed trees, new mulch, shiny new fixtures, seasonal potted plants, and a fresh paint job on the front door can sing "Welcome Home" to your potential buyers. Doing these basics make all the difference! And don't forget a new “Welcome” mat and doorbell too. Believe it or not, these items get overlooked all the time.

 

Staging Mistake #3:  A Dirty, Cluttered House

 “The way you live in your home and the way you sell your home are two completely different things.”  Sellers can throw up their hands and say, "But I have to still live here!"  so remember...you're house is not YOUR home anymore.  

When you put your home on the market, it became a PRODUCT. In order to sell a product, it has to be packaged beautifully so it sells! Buyers expect to see an immaculate home with no visible signs of dirt, dust or hair.

It's no different when you go on vacation and you've decided to stay at a very nice hotel. You expect that when you walk into your room that the bed is made to perfection, everything is sparkling clean and they've even left you a little something that says "Welcome", right?  What if you walked into the bathroom and you spotted hair in the sink and you couldn't tell if the towels were used or not?  We’d be calling the front desk and demanding a new room!  

Buyers are really no different. Dazzle them with a sparkling clean and clutter free home to buy!  Clear away all your clutter so that the selling features in each room are highlighted and your home becomes the STAR, not the people that currently live there.

Staging Mistake #4:  Making Your Buyers Feel Like A Guest

When we walk into someone else's home and look around, we see their family photos and decor, and it is apparent that this is "their" home. Their personality is in every room and even if you squeezed your eyes shut and tried really hard to imagine living there, you just couldn't do it.  Trying to imagine your stuff over all their stuff is just impossible to do. This is how potential buyers feel when they walk into a home that is full of family photos and taste specfic decor. They immediately feel like a GUEST in your home and this is one mistake you don't want to make!

That’s why it is so important to pack away your family photos and neutralize each room to appeal to a broad range of buyers. This also includes collections, religious items, personal awards and trophies, your family calendar and those fifty million magnets, invitations and "TO DO" lists from the refrigerator.

Don't forget your taste specfic decor as well. You may LOVE your kitchen bright yellow because it goes so well with your sunflower collection but it has got to be neutralized so buyers can SEE your kitchen with its 42" cabinets and corian countertops. They need to be able to visualize themselves cooking and entertaining in there!  

Staging Mistake #5:  Decor That Fails To Connect With Buyers

A homeowner has lived in their home for the past 15 years and the last time it was decorated was when they first moved in 1994. Outdated furniture and dried flower arrangements. Dated decor, empty rooms and random furniture pieces scattered throughout can make any house, no matter how nice the selling features, feel TIRED, DATED and OLD.

It’s amazing what a few key decorative items can do for a room too. You want buyers to have that same reaction...their eyes lighting up as they view the room… becoming more impressed as they tour the home.

One of the biggest misconceptions about staging is that you need tons of new furniture and decorative items to make your house look like a model home.  You can relax now when I tell you that it isn't true.

If you are living in your home while it is on the market, work with what you have, plus maybe a few new items with a minimum investment. That’s all you need. 

Consider working with a Professional Stager. They are experts at working with what you have using their creativity to re-purpose it and sometimes blending it with a few newer items. This gives older furniture and decor a fresh new look and feel. A few key accessories can make all the difference in highlighting a selling feature and breathing new life into a room!   Slipcovers, new pillows that pop color, updated lamps, a rug or some inexpensive window panels might be all that is needed to turn unimpressive decor into a fabulous new room that your buyers will love and connect to!

If your house is vacant or you have empty rooms because you never got around to buying that dining or living room set, you will want to consider options like renting furniture. Most Professional Stagers carry beautiful furnishings you can rent and will work within your budget.

Stage For A Successful Sale
Selling your home and getting it ready can be a pretty overwhelming task. That is stressful in and of itself. Did you know that working with a Professional Home Stager can take that stress away and let you focus on the other important things about your move like finding YOUR dream home?  They can create a staging plan for you that is unique to your property. You can have complete confidence in knowing that you will not be making any major staging mistakes with a Stager on your team while you sell your home!

If you would like a recommendation for staging your home,

please feel free to contact me: rhonda@rhondasrealestate.com.

Get The Best Price On Your Next Home Purchase!

One of the most important aspects to buying a home is to ensure that you purchase for a fair price.  Since there are certain key steps that you must follow in order to make a sound decision, it pays to have a knowledgeable Realtor on your side who will be able to help obtain the best and most realistic asking price for a property.

Determining Market Comparables

For example, one of the first ways that your agent will discover the price of a home is by researching local market comparables.  In most cases, they will be able to bring up a list of properties sold over the last 6 months within a 1 mile radius.  Properties should also not be bigger than 20% of the subject size.

Additional features to consider would be the neighborhood each home resides in, structural differences, bedrooms and bathrooms, overall condition and other amenities such as a pool, a/c, or garage.  Other factors, such as if a particular home sold for much lower due to foreclosure is something your agent can uncover as well.

Houses That Have Not Sold

Next, many homes could be on the MLS for 6 months or longer without ever selling.  Others that are comparable could have been taken off the market after not getting enough offers or being listed for too high.  This is valuable information, because you may be able to get a particular property for a substantial discount or it may not even be worth pursuing. 

Neighborhood Reputation & Appreciation

When it comes to buying a house, this is one of the most important reasons to work with a Realtor.  Since your agent will have a familiarity with various local market trends and statistics, you will be able to learn what makes a particular neighborhood desirable and also which areas to avoid.

A lot of things can affect a home’s value such as the school district, crime levels, or even other properties located nearby (such as those burnt in a fire or properties that were a bank sale).  In fact, sometimes these factors can even differ from block to block!

Your agent will also help you to assess the appreciation rates for various neighborhoods and future development plans that could affect home prices, so that you can get a decent indication of what to expect down the road.  This can be extremely valuable information dependent on how long you plan to live at the said property and the length of time the home may need to sit on the market.

Appraisals & Inspections

After you place an offer on a property, you will have the opportunity to get an appraisal and home inspection as further due diligence.  Even with an agent, there are sometimes issues that may arise with a property that could affect the home’s value that you were not even aware of.

Some of these problems could include structural issues, plumbing or electrical, termites or insects, mold or even water damage to name a few.  Obviously many of these things could impact the price significantly and would either have to be fixed by the seller or renegotiated to get a fair price.

In conclusion, there are a lot of areas to consider when choosing a home and getting a fair price on a property.  Since this is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make, it is crucial that you protect your interests and ensure that you are getting the best deal possible. 

Be sure you are working with a Realtor! 

Seller Showing Tips

You just listed your home for sale...now what? You've sold a home before...you should know how to do this, right? I never want to assume my seller knows what to do to get a home ready for showings because clearly they are attached to the home and its furnishings in some way so I don't want to insult them.

Here are just a few ideas:

1. Lighten up! Some people live in their home where the shades or blinds are always closed. While I realize in this heat it can keep the home cooler, when you have your home on the market, as a Realtor we don't always have time to open and close all your shades, flip on lights, and truly show your home in its best light...no pun intended! If you have enough advance notice of a showing, open things up, flip on the lights, and make it memorable for us!

2. Size up the competition. You are looking at homes now as well because you are moving. What things draw your eye? Go to a few model homes and get ideas of how the placement of furniture makes a difference. How does staging a home and removing all personal items help you see your furniture in this home? That's how we want to present your home to potential buyers. Now go home and spruce your home up!

3. Define the space. If the room is a dining room, it should be staged as a dining room. Renting or borrowing a table and chairs may just make the sale! Not everyone will use a secondary bedroom as a workout room with mirrors and padding so purchase an air mattress and fix it up to be seen as a bedroom.

4. Storage. Clearly a lot of us move because we have run out of space or have too much space. If you have accumulated too much stuff and have it setting on top of the fridge or dryer, it screams to the buyer that there isn't enough storage in this home. It doesn't matter that it's convenient to have the cereal box on the fridge, it just means that you don't have room for things.

5. Add simple curb appeal. Inexpensive plants can go along way to add color and make someone want to see what else you have that is fabulous. You may think that it's money you shouldn't have to spend, but it may just be the simple ticket to a sale! Every landscaping detail proves that you care inside as well as outside!

10 Simple Tips to Take the Stress Out of Home Buying Process - Focus on the Positives!

Tip 5: Physical Aspects of Your Home

Now that we've figured out what type of home fits your lifestyle, we need to think about some important issues and not get caught up in the physical aspects of the home. It's easy to walk into a home, fall in love, and completely forget that this was not an area you wanted to live in. Keeping an open mind and not being rigid is a welcome thing, but here are some things to keep in mind.

Noise Level

It could be the home sits right next to a busy interstate or main street through town. The home might be next to a train track, or even in a flight path. Maybe the neighbors have dogs that bark just because they hear the wind. Inside the home you don't hear anything, but unless you go outside to the backyard, or sit on the front porch, you never realize how loud things could be. Not paying attention to these things could end up frustrating you, and instead of loving the house, you begin to hate it.

Distance

Maybe it fits what you are looking for, but it's too far away from all the amenities and activities your family enjoys. Driving to the home you really like during different times of the day or week will definitely help you see what traffic is like, how long it may take you to get to work or outside activities. Remember distance could mean less time maintaining the home you love because you spend it on the road instead. If you need the time to wind down after work, the distance may be what you need to shut your brain off so you are ready for the family that waits for you.

Neighborhoods

It may be that you see the house during the week when people are at work, kids are at school, and you don't know what goes on at different times of the day or on the weekends. It may be you don't like cars parked up and down the street, kids riding their bikes in your driveway, the loud hot rod or motorcycles engines being warmed up. Pay attention to the houses next door, what their landscaping looks like, and how the neighbors keep things. This will definitely have an impact on this home when and if you ever would decide to sell...if you ended up buying this home.

Hopefully these are things you have thought about and shared with your Realtor. As a professional, with this kind of financial investment, your Realtor has been hired to keep you on track, reminding you of what you have shared, listened to you and taken notes. You will be grateful you bought what you were looking for and not talked into making a purchase just because. Hire the Realtor that cares about you and your needs and not their paycheck.

Next...Tip 6: When is the Right Time to Buy...When is the Right Time to Sell?