To Remodel? Or Not to Remodel? That is the Question

I am often asked "What should I do to prepare my home?"

1. Clean & Declutter. While most people have cluttered closets and dishes in the sink, now is the time to show the home at its best. The number one thing that I tell people is to thoroughly clean and declutter your home. Everything should shine. This is the cheapest most effective way to prepare your home.

If you are uncertain at what level to thin out your belongings, you can visit some open houses to get an idea. All counter tops should be cleared and closets should be organized.

If your rooms are crowded, you may want to remove over-sized furniture,opening up the room giving it a more open feel. Some people rent storage containers or storage units that they can move many of the items that you are not ready to part with.

Clean out the closets. When people look in your closets, they will be looking for space. If you are squeezing in your clothes, like most of us, it is time for thinning out the closets and making a run to the Salvation Army.

Don't forget to clean the carpet, windows, and the blinds. Buyers get distracted by personal photos, so best to pack them up.

2. Curb Appeal. While you are decluttering the inside, look at the outside and see if there isn't a bush that needs some pruning. Pull up the weeds and throw down some decorative bark in between bushes to give the yard a fresh look.

Right before the For Sale sign goes up. Add some color near the front door. Plant a hardy colorful plant that will make it through the next couple of months.

3. Got Pets? This can be a challenge. You will want to have all dogs outside, if possible or take them for a walk while the home is being shown. If your house has a pet or a cigarette odor, and you do not have the money to replace the carpet, then you will want to keep windows open and try a plug in deodorizer. I found some spray deodorizers that can help including Smell Be gone (http://www.smellsbegone.com/) and Fabreeze. Also if you have litter boxes, they must be cleaned out daily.

4. Paint. If it has been a few years since you have painted, it may be time for a fresh coat of paint or touch up. Definitely, patch up any holes and go with a neutral color. For those of you have been watching HGTV, beware of bold colors. When you prepare a home to sell, you should be thinking gentle colors with your furnishings and decor being the contrast.

5. Remodeling. Many people talk about remodeling their kitchens and bathrooms before listing. If you are not planning to move for a couple of years, this is fine. However, if you are doing in hopes of getting more money for the home, you may be disappointed. While remodeling kitchens and bathrooms definitely helps a home to sell faster, you may not recoup the money you put into it. According to most Cost to Value Reports, the average return on the investment for a minor kitchen remodel(average $25,000) is 83 percent and for an average bathroom remodel (average cost $18,000)is 78.1 percent. A lot of hassle and money to invest, when you may not recoup the full cost.

So when preparing to sell your home, it is best to keep it simple with these tips.

--Virginia Hall
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
DRE #01409760

6 Tips to Get Rid of the Cigarette Smoke Smell

Yes indeed, the vacant home was beautiful. It had a manicured lawn and yellow daffodils lining the home entrance. However, when I opened the front door a wall of stale smoke took my breathe away.

After roaming through each orderly, well decorated room, when I asked the buyer what they thought of the home, the buyer said, "It is absolutely beautiful." He hesitated looking at his wife, "But we can't live with this smoke smell."

While some odors are easy to fix, empty the trash and litter boxes, eliminating the smell of smoke can be more challenging. Here are 6 Tips to help. Always be sure to test any products mentioned below on small areas that you are cleaning, before proceeding forward to avoid damage.

1. Stop Smoking In or Near the Home and remove all ashtrays.

2. Clean All Washable Surfaces including windows, screens, counters, etc. with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. Change all air filters. For all those surfaces that can't be washed, a couple of products that you can find online that have been recommended by others for eliminating smoke odors are "Smells Begone" or "Vamoose!" .

3. Prime and Paint Your Walls. First prepare all walls, by washing them with vinegar water and allow to dry. Then use KILZ primer before painting the walls. The KILZ is known to conceal stains, and seal the odors from emerging after painted.

4. Professionally Clean or Change Carpet and Upholstery. If you are unable to change the carpet or furniture, read the manufactures cleaning instructions first to avoid damaging them or voiding any warranties you might have. Again after testing a small area, sprinkle baking soda on your carpet and leave it for three to four hours before vacuuming. Leave boxes of baking soda open in the rooms to help absorb. Then have your carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned.

5. Replace, Wash or Dry Clean fabric window coverings.

6. Open Windows and Place Boxes of Baking Soda around the room and leave them for several days. Baking soda should absorb any lingering cigarette smoke odors. You may need to repeat this process several times to completely get rid of odors.

When buyers are looking at homes to purchase, they use not only their sight but they also their sense of smell. So don't let your home be remember for its cigarette smoke odor.

Virginia Hall
ABR®, CRS®, e-Pro®, GRI®
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Direct (619)258-8585
DRE License #01409760

Raze the Roof

From painting and HVAC to organizing and yard upkeep, there’s so much to think about when it comes to home care that it’s easy to overlook the one thing that protects it all — until it starts to leak.

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your house, and it also happens to take the biggest beating, thanks to the elements and general wear and tear.

A new roof is a hefty investment — it can cost $6,000 to $20,000 or more — so how do you know when to replace it or just repair it? Here are some tips for knowing when to patch and when to overhaul:
• As a general rule, roofs usually last 12 to 20 years, depending on the climate. If your roof is approaching the 20-year mark, shingles are more likely to be worn out, and flashing around chimneys, eaves and skylights might have decayed, leaving your roof prone to leaks.
• If there are a lot of missing or torn shingles, as opposed to just a few, then it’s best to replace the roof. Shingles also curl up and crack as they age, making them unable to resist water and exposing your home to leaks and interior damage.
• Inspect the interior walls that touch the roof. If paint is missing, they are moist to the touch or there are water stains in the house, it’s clear that water has seeped in, and the roof will most likely need to be replaced. But finding one or two leaks in a specific location could mean that a roof patch will be enough to stall any potential damage.
• Extreme weather can wreak havoc on your roof. If prolonged conditions such as rain, hail and direct sunlight have exposed parts of the house from the top, a minor patch will not be enough to protect the interior, and the roof will need to be replaced.
Keeping your roof clean and in good repair should prevent costly replacements for years to come. But before attempting any patch or replacement, talk to an experienced roofer.

Sources: DIYLife.com, ExtremeHowTo.com

Price Wars and Beauty Contests--8 Simple Tips to Win!

Buying a home is an emotional decision. Buyers are making multiple offers on homes that may need new plumbing or furnaces; but the floors are swept, the bathrooms shine, the fragrance of muffins linger in the kitchen, the beds are wrinkle free made with simple but stylish bed spreads, light flows through clean windows, and the counters are clutter free with a few designer touches.

While lower prices and good photos on the internet are getting people into the home, the Sellers who stage their home with a few simple moves will appeal to all the Buyer's senses and will get multiple offers. Buyers driven by their desire to have that particular home are getting into bidding wars. The sellers are ending up with thousands of dollars above where they started.

8 Simple Tips:

1. Clean up the yard. Weed and cut the grass. At the last minute, add a few plants that are in bloom for color.
2. Remove Clutter. Removing clutter makes the rooms feel bigger.
3. Deep cleaning is a must. Floorings must be cleaned. Kitchens and bathrooms must sparkle. Kitchen counters tops must be cleared. Trashcans must be emptied. Remove litter boxes to the garage or clean everyday to reduce any odors.
4. Simple Stylish Decorating. Open up the room by reducing excessive furniture. Freshen up the home with neutral colored paint. Remove all personal items and photos. Set a beautiful inviting table. Play soft music for atmosphere. More decorating ideas can be found on Better Homes and Gardens (www.bhg.com).
5. Let the Sun Shine in. Open window blinds and drapes or turn on lights for a bright cheery home.
6. Simple Repairs Can Make a Huge Difference. Loose knobs, dripping faucets, burned out light bulbs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from the home value. Have them fixed.
7. Safety. Keep stairways clear. Remove throw rugs on slippery surfaces. Tack down any loose carpets or protruding boards. Dogs must be kenneled or restrained.
8. Clear Out Closets. Neat, well-organized closets make them look bigger and show that space is ample.

With the advice of an experienced Realtor®, who can give you more staging tips, will make all the difference in how easily and quickly you sell your home--to win the beauty contest!

--Virginia Hall