May Newsletter - Seller Tips: Make Your Home Current, Clean and Green! I have extensive useful tips for both buyers and sellers. I can be your greatest asset. …
Realtor Corner, Cris Epstein
May Newsletter - Seller Tips: Make Your Home Current, Clean and Green
With buyers scarcer, sellers must up the ante to convince them that their
property offers what many want most ” top value for dollar expended Here
are some helpful tips:
8 Quick Fixes to Increase Value
1 Buff up curb appeal This is not news, but its critical to get buyers
to want to look on the inside Be objective Look at your house as a
potential buyer will Look at it from across the street Check the
condition of the landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker,
windows, house number, and even how window treatments look from the
outside Add something special”such as big flower pots or an antique bench
” to help distinguish your house from the others that the buyers will look
at
2 Enrich with color Paint is inexpensive Colors that say welcome,
lead the eye from room to room, and show case the house Yellows and pale
greens are popular paint colors right now Tint ceilings a lighter shade
Check out the latest color trends to really get your home noticed
3 Upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms These make-or-break rooms can spur a
sale In addition to
making these squeaky clean and clutter-free, update
the pulls, sinks, and faucets In the kitchen, add a great appliance, such
as an espresso maker In the bathroom, hang a flat-screen TV to mimic a
hotel You are trying to get the buyers attention These little extras
are what will draw them to put an offer on your house instead of another
4 Add old-world patina Install crown molding at least six to nine inches
in depth, proportional to the rooms size, and architecturally compatible
For ceilings nine feet high or higher, add dentil detailing, small tooth-
shaped blocks used as a repeating ornament Its the details that make a
house a home And the details are noticed by would-be buyers
5 Screen hardwood floors Buyers favor wood over carpet, but refinishing
is costly and time-consuming Screening cuts dust, time, and expense What
it entails: a light sanding, not a full stripping of color or polyurethane,
then a coat of finish
6 Clean out, organize closets Your closets should be only half-full so
buyers can visualize fitting their stuff in
7 Update window treatments Buyers want light and views, not dated, fancy
drapes that darken To diffuse light and add privacy, consider
energy-
efficient shades and blinds
8 Hire a home inspector Do a preemptive strike, since busy home owners
seek maintenance-free living Fix problems before you list the home and
then display receipts This will put buyers more at ease with the idea of
putting an offer on your home
2008 Color Trends
Liven up your house using bold, vivid colors mixed with some earthy,
natural tones Paint, furnishings, and accessories are influenced by the
natural environment A few contrasting accents colors will have buyers
taking notice
Bring nature home Capturing the colors of the natural world is gaining
traction this year with handmade, undyed, and unbleached materials Off-
white, sandy, and linen colors mixed with rock and soil colors and brownish
greens are calling nature inside
Blue hues The environment also is inspiring sky and water blues to come
inside, even in livening up the kitchen Be on the lookout in 2009: A deep
navy blue that appears almost black and is inspired by the techno world
will pop up in more homes
Ethnic accents Color scheme influences from India, China, and Latin
America will be evident this year Moroccan reds and glowing oranges will
mix
with rosy pinks, sunny golden yellows, and turquoise For the ultimate
color punch, pair them with rich browns and neutrals
Subdue the shine Shimmery metallic finishes are still in, but chrome and
nickel are starting to be replaced by softer shades More homes are being
outfitted with copper and bronze tones and bringing more warmth to metallic
finishes
A Brighter, Fresher House
Let the sun in Make any room look brighter with clean blinds and windows
Mix a solution of one part white vinegar to eight parts water, plus a drop
or two of liquid dishwashing liquid, for a green window cleaner Spray on
and wipe with newspaper to avoid streaks Washing on a cloudy day also
reduces streaking Replace heavy drapes with lightweight sheers during
warmer months to give a room a brighter, lighter feel
Sniff out smells Check the drip tray underneath your refrigerator and wash
out any standing water from defrosting Remove inside odors by washing the
inside of the fridge with a baking soda and water solution Boil lemon
juice in your microwave and add it to your dishwasher to eliminate bad
smells Also, put the lemon rinds down the disposal Add activated charcoal
in the
fridge to keep odors at bay
Potential Hazards in a Home
RADON
This colorless, odorless gas can seep into the home from the ground and has
been called the second most common cause of lung cancer
What to look for: Basements or any protrusions into the ground offer entry
points for radon A radon test can determine if high levels of radon are
present
ASBESTOS
This fibrous material ” once popular in building materials because it
provides heat insulation and fire resistance ” was banned in 1985 It may
still be found in older homes insulation materials, floor tiles, roof
coverings, and siding If disturbed or damaged, it can enter the air and
cause severe illness
What to look for: Homes built before 1985 are at risk of having asbestos
within construction materials Home owners should be careful when
remodeling because disturbing insulation may cause the asbestos to become
airborne
LEAD
This toxic metal, used in home products for many years, can contribute to
several health problems, especially among children Exposure can occur from
deteriorating lead-based paint, lead pipes, or lead-contaminated dust or
soil
What to look for: Homes built prior to 1978 may have
lead present Look for
peeling paint and check old pipes To get a HUD-insured loan, buyers must
show a certificate that homes built prior to 1978 are lead-safe
HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS
Stockpiles of household items ” such as paint solvents, pesticides,
fertilizers, and motor oils ” can create a dangerous situation if not
properly stored or disposed They can cause illness or even death if small
amounts are ingested
What to look for: Make sure these items arent tucked away in corners,
crawl spaces, garages, or garden sheds You may not realize these products
can pose a danger and may forget youre storing them Please dispose of
them properly
Good Luck
Please call me at 818 269-4377 if you have any questions regarding
selling your house or buying a home I have extensive useful tips for both
buyers and sellers I can be your greatest asset I have the knowledge,
experience and background you need to have working for you in todays
marketplace
Take Care
Sincerely,
Cris Epstein
Source:moen.com
