Saturday, January 2, 2010

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE-SPEND A LITTLE…GET A LOT-SELLER TIPS PART 1

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE-SPEND A LITTLE…GET A LOT-SELLER TIPS PART 1


The” Spend a Little….Get a Lot” series will be very short articles with a few quick, inexpensive tips to help you get your home ready to sell, and to help you pocket more money .

 1.  Holiday displays, including Christmas cards, should be removed and stored by the first week in January.


    2.   Use degreaser and a razor blade to make basement windows crystal-clear.

     3.   Remember to put away valuables while showing your home. Expensive jewelry belongs in a safe  deposit box.

4.  Have long-stemmed artificial flowers to pack? Ask your local florist for a couple of boxes wholesalers use to deliver fresh flowers to florists.

5.  Even if your entire house doesn’t need to be painted, putting a fresh coat of paint in a new color on the door and trim may keep a couple thousand dollars on your sale price.

6. Don’t wait until the last minute to call professional painters because their schedules may be filled. Hire them as soon as you make the decision to sell.



HOW TO AVOID THE MOST EXPENSIVE MISTAKES THAT SMART PEOPLE MAKE WHEN THEY SELL A HOME…..

Basing their asking price on needs or emotion, rather than on market value.

Many times, people make their pricing decisions based on how much they paid for, or invested into their home. This can be an expensive mistake. Overpriced homes take longer to sell and eventually net the seller less money. Consult with a professional real estate agent. They can assist you in pricing your home correctly from the beginning.

Friday, January 1, 2010

SALEM OREGON HOMES 4 U - Tips for Selling Your Home-Part 2-The Bathroom



SALEM OREGON HOMES 4 U- TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME-THE BATHROOM PART 2
SALEM AREA HOME SELLER’S TIPS FOR GETTING YOU TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR HOME IN THIS SALEM, OREGON REAL ESTATE MARKET. THE BATHROOM PART 2.



Welcome to Part 2 of The Bathroom!! In Part 1 I talked about cleaning the vanity, cabinets and drawers, and also suggested some repairs that you may need to consider when selling your home. In Part 2 we are going to address some other tips to make your bathrooms sparkle and appeal to buyers.

Buyers will notice a filthy shower, and nothing turns a buyer off quicker. So, spend some time here.

Remove personal items – cleanser, shampoo and conditioner, shave cream, razor, body sponges – from the shower/tub area.

Discard items that are unnecessary and store the rest under the sink. Test the faucets and showerhead. Do the faucets turn off all the way? If not, change the washers. Is the water spraying freely from the showerhead? No? Then remove it and check to see if it’s clogged. If it still doesn’t work properly after cleaning, replace it.

Carefully examine tiles and the tub. Does the tub have chips and discoloration? It may need to be resurfaced or replaced.

How do the tiles look? Any loose pieces or chips? Are there cracks in the grout? Scrub the bathtub, tiles and grout until they are mold and mildew free. Regrout gaps between tiles. Scrape and replace discolored caulking.

When the shower and bathtub have been overhauled, top off your repairs with a new, crisp shower curtain or liner in a neutral color.

Take a good look at the ceiling and walls. Do you see any mold, mildew, fingerprints or grime? If so, scrub it with bleach. Cracking or curling paint should be scraped and repainted in a neutral color.

Here is a good rule of thumb: Place only three items on the vanity area. Many real estate experts suggest these include potpourri, a new or clean, filled soap dispenser, and a plant. It’s a good idea to keep the toilet tank top cleared as prospective buyers and inspectors may want to peek inside it.

After the big clean-up and repair job in the bathroom, it’s important to maintain the fresh smell and appearance each day the house is on the market. The space should be kept uncluttered, clean and sanitized. It should reflect well on the house of which it is a part and offer few glimpses of the personalities who currently live there.

At this point, a homeowner enters the sprucing-up stage. After cleaning every nook and cranny in the bathroom, it’s time to add the finishing touches. All dirty towels and wash cloths, bath mats and robes should be removed. A clean set of towels should be displayed before the house is shown. Trash baskets should be emptied and floors wiped daily. All personal grooming items – tooth brushes, make-up, combs and brushes, hair dryers, perfume, etc. – should be tucked away, preferably in a container and stored in a drawer or cabinet.

Now that you have your bathrooms sparkling, let's talk about something else that is important! CURB APPEAL!! That will be the subject of the next blog post in this series of Tips for Selling Your Home.

Wondering what your home may be worth in the current market? Request a complimentary market analysis from me. I will also include a copy of my "How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar, Fast".  You can also contact me directly at 503-931-1846 or email me at MelWagnerBroker@msn.com.