Central Ohio Real Estate Cafe'

Other than the fact we are in a difficult market here in the Columbus area as with much of the country there often are other factors that can  prevent homes from selling.  Believe it or not there are a couple of quick and easy fixes that can be done to enhance your homes sellability. 

Often times when folks think of selling they may do a little research online and determine that it is cheaper to go it alone and make the decision to stick a sign in the yard and post their home on a few sites.  They fail to fully understand that in this market it is often imperative to partner with a professional who can help you with the right help to help sell your home.  A couple of easy fixes include:

Spruce Up

Spruce up and keep it neat and clean are the first tips most agents will share with you. Noting will derail a real estate transaction quicker than a messy unkempt home.  It can be difficult and inconvenient to live in a property and sell at the same time, especially when there are children involved.  However, dollar for dollar nothing you can do will compare to the return that a little elbow grease and extra effort do for your bottom line.  There are tips that you can use that will help you to learn ways to clean your home quickly for those unexpected times that you will get the call to show your home in 30 minutes or less.

Good Images are Key

Newspapers and print materials used to be the primary place folks went when they wanted to began their home search.  Cost and space limitation generally limit newspaper and magazines listings to one photo.  The photo is usually small and may not highlight some of the best features of the home. 

Today most folks began that search online.  A full 80% of today's buyers start their online.  Research shows that the average buyers expect to see an abundance of online images.  The more the better and virtual tours are a plus.  There are lots of tips to help you if you aren't experienced at getting good room images that can highlight your home's assets but if necessary work with your agent to bring in a professional that can capture your home in a way that will enhance its marketability.  Basically, it is imperative that for your home to get maximum exposure, to the greatest number of buyers, your home needs to be online in as many places as possible.

In this market there are lots of potholes in the sales process.  You need to partner with a Realtor® who can help you maneuver around the potholes and assist you through a smooth transaction from start to finish.  Call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com.

LINKS:

Help to help sell your home:  http://www.statefarm.com/learning/life_stages/learning_lifestages_sellinghome.asp

Ways to clean your home fast:  http://www.ehow.com/how_2312344_clean-house-faster.html

Room Images: http://www.ehow.com/how_4516889_take-photos-house-sale.html

One of the surest signs of spring right up there with the time change and warmer weather is the return of Garage/Tag Sales.  Here are a few tips to help insure that you declutter while having the best sale ever just remember: HOM AD.

•·         Have everything clearly priced and affordable.  Garage/Tag sale shoppers are looking for a bargain keep that in mind as you determine prices.  Label items individually or decide on an easy pricing system.  Some chose to color code with stickers i.e..Blue items .25, Red .50 or Yellow items $1.00.

•·         Organize early.  Its best begin organizing weeks prior to your sell.  Start boxing up items for the sale.  Use the 1 year rule and ask yourself:  Have I used it, worn it or looked for it in the past 12 months.  It the answer is no it goes.  Provide original packing and instructions if possible. Pricing items early as you identify and pack them away will only help save time later.

•·         Make plenty of signs leading traffic to your Columbus area sale.  If they cannot find you they will not come.  Be mindful of rules but where possible post signs and attach balloons, streamers or what every will make your sign eye catching to passing motorist.

•·         Advertise your sale in local newspapers and online.  Advertising is the key element to whether or not you have a successful sale.  Ideally you want to have your ad run in local papers in the morning of your sale to catch those who start their day with a look through the paper.  There are numerous sites that where you can aadvertise your sale for free, one such site is Garage Sale Tracker and Craig's List.  Contact me if you would like to advertise your sale on my blog or website.

•·         Donate leftovers.  Make yourself a promise that no unsold items will be returned to your house. After your sale, box up all items and take them to a drop off box for charity.  You will be doing a good deed for others and keeping your commitment to declutter.

With these tips, you're well on your way to having your best garage sale ever.

Want more money saving ideas like this one?  See:

Drab Kitchen Make-Over...On a Budget

Your House Smells!!!

Quick-N -Easy Fix for Beat Up Woodwork....

Ready to buy or sell Columbus area real estate call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

Ready to sell your Central Ohio home, but the kitchen needs an update, and you are on a tight budget?  There are tons of things that can be done to bring your dead kitchen back to life. 

Clean:

Removing wallpaper and borders are quick ways to update the look of your kitchen a little elbow grease water and vinegar will do the trick. 

Wipe down walls that do not need painting.  Don't forget doors baseboards and switch plates.

Clean oven, refrigerator and degrease backsplashes and appliances.

Paint:

Paint is always an inexpensive way to liven up a tired kitchen.  As always you want to stay with neutral colors and perhaps try out some of the new "Green "paint products.

Cabinets and Counter tops:

Change hardware on drawers and cabinets.  Replace hardware or consider removing and painting for a truly inexpensive update.

To update stained or damaged countertop try laminate sheets.  These sheets come in a variety of colors and styles and are inexpensive and easy to install.

Remember to keep the countertops as clutter free as possible.  Anything that is not in use should be removed.

Floors:

A quick easy fix for tired kitchen floors in your Central Ohio home are self adhesive vinyl tiles.  These tiles can be installed over existing linoleum flooring.

Appliances:

Can't afford the popular stainless steel or have miss-matched appliance consider painting them.  Painting appliances can be an expensive fix for problem appliances.

Faucets:

If you cannot replace the entire sink replace faucets for a quick fix.  Faucets come in a variety of colors and styles.

Backsplashes:

Backsplashesare a forgotten area that, if taken advantage of, can allow creativity and flare.   Backsplashes can be installed quickly and easily and makes a dull kitchen look finished and polished.

If you are looking for more cost effective tips to help your home sell call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

Neglected and abandoned properties are not only an eye sore they can be havens for rodents and vagrants.  Properties allowed to go uncared for has a tremendously negative impact on surrounding property values in neighborhoods.

CNN reported  about a new website, called Lender Offender, which allows anyone to post pictures along with addresses of the neglected and abandoned, lender owned homes.  Several lenders who own these properties have taken care of the problems just to avoid the embarrassment.  Please use this site and pass it along.

If we get lucky this could have a side benefit of forcing the lender-offenders to move more quickly to move these properties versus locking the banks into long term maintenance programs.

If you are looking for Central Ohio Real Estate help please give me a call at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

Recently I went to on a pre-listing appointment and found a lovely home that looked beat up because of the scratched and damaged woodwork around the doorways and the baseboards.  The client has two dogs that have really done a job on the natural woodwork.  Since everyone is looking to save a buck I have become the queen of low cost fixes.   I shared with him a tip I received a few months ago from a handy man.

First, buy wood putty for the deep gashes, my handy man suggested Minwax.  Then you will need a wood stain with a drying agent.  Water based stains provide a wide range of colors and they blend will with existing treatment.  Water base stains are less toxic and clean up easily.

Start by applying the putty to the deep gashes and you can follow the instructions for applying and drying time.  After the area is toughly dried use a clean, dry, lint free cloth to apply the stain.  Again follow the application instructions by it is as simple as wiping one and wiping off.  Allow 8 hours drying time and you should have a new look to that beat down woodwork.

I have lots of low cost tips for preparing your home to get the maximum return.  When you are ready to buy or sell call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com.

No matter how we may want to dance around the subject, the truth is, one of the first things people notice when they enter your Central Ohio home is the way it smells good or bad.  Everyone will agree that each home has its own unique smell.  As residents we often become immune to the smells in our own homes, however, when a seller is looking to impress perspective buyers it is critical to be aware of potentially offensive smells.  Below are a few tips on how common household occurrences like pet stains and musty odors can be eliminated.

Identify Were the Smell is coming from:

•1.        If the smell is coming from an identifiable source clean the area with warm water and baking soda.

•2.       Sprinkle a little baking soda on the area and allow sitting and vacuuming or cleaning up after an hour or two.

•3.       Spray a little vinegar and water mixture on the source and dab away excess

Unidentifiable Source:

•1.        Open a box or two of baking soda and place in areas where they will not be disturbed (behind furniture, up high in a room)

•2.       Place charcoal briquettes in a container with holes in the top (good for absorbing pet smells, cigarettes smoke smells, and musty smells also helpful in absorbing moisture)

•3.       Utilize kitty litter to help eliminate unidentifiable sources of odor.  Place in containers under furniture of in out of the way areas.

Other Items that can be used to neutralize odors are:

•1.        A mixture of lemon juice and water use to spritz base boards.

•2.       Coffee beans to absorb kitchen smells.

•3.       Citrus fruits to deodorize garbage disposals.

If you are looking for more cost effective tips to help your home sell call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

Baking soda: http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/154/1/30-baking-soda-tips.html

Vinegar:  http://greenliving.lifetips.com/cat/63666/alternative-green-lifestyles/index.html#tip-118349

Charcoal:  http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/heloise/odors/basement-deodorizer-oct01