Category: Spring and Magnolia Real Estate

Homes for Sale Spring Texas

Homes for Sale Spring Texas

The variety of homes available for sale in Spring Texas is wide and every homeowner will find a home that is satisfactory. Whether you are looking for a single family home, a luxury home, an inventory home or one in the planned communities, you are sure to find one that meets your very specifications.

Why Spring, TX

The town of Spring, TX has many things going for it and hence its appeal to homeowners. Situated to the north of Houston, residents of this town are able to access the city and enjoy its facilities. As it also borders the Montgomery County, Spring enables a dual city/country experience that is unbeatable. The amenities available in the Woodlands are also completely accessible to the residents of Spring. The Spring area is home to many fine golf courses among other recreation facilities.

Shopping facilities in Spring are also many and varied. There is a Wal-mart, a Kroger and Walgreens as well as a Palais Royal. The vibrancy of business in the town is perhaps best exemplified by the creation of a Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce. Below are a few locations where you will find homes for sale in Spring.

The Northcrest Village is a community of single family homes.  Each home is built on an area ranging between 1470 and 2600 square feet. These homes are themed on Esmart features and have been made with environmental conservation in mind. Not only is indoor air quality taken into consideration in the construction of these homes, energy and water conservation are also prime considerations. The neighborhood of these homes is awash with necessary amenities and facilities.  From the homes, you have quick access to the George Bush International Airport, shopping malls and a variety of sporting and entertainment facilities including the Houston Astros.

Another ideal place where there are new homes for sale in Spring Texas is Legends Ranch 50. Constructed with water and energy conservation as prime considerations, these homes are set in luxurious surroundings. They are located in the Woodlands and have excellent features including 24/7 guard. Recreation facilities include a clubhouse, walking trails and amenity lakes among others.

The Carlton Woods, which is part of the Woodlands, is a prestigious place and a place with many single family homes.  On 3 Rambling Springs Way, for example, there are recently constructed houses that are ready for sale. These five bedroom homes are two storied and built in the traditional style. They have five full and one half baths and a three car garage. As a resident in the Carlton Woods, you will have access to world class golf courses, an expansive country club with tennis courts, spa, pool and fitness center.  For the homeowner with school going children, the Carlton Woods has an elementary school (Coulson Tough), a middle school and a high school.

With so much going for Spring, it is not a wonder that it is the town of choice for many prospective homeowners. Whenever you are looking for homes for sale Spring Texas, it is always a great idea to consult a realtor who knows the place thoroughly.

Friends in The Woodlands, Spring, Magnolia, and Tomball…Time to Clean House. We’ve got Company coming! Exxon to be exact.

 

picture of new Exxon Corporate Campus

As I’m sure most of you have heard, the new Exxon Corporate Campus is in our midst and will be bringing upwards of 40,000 new residents to The Woodlands, Spring, Magnolia, Tomball, and Conroe areas.  Well, they are going to need a home.  And, our new neighbors are already moving in.

If you have been thinking about selling your house, NOW is the time!  If you are interested in selling, let me give you a free current market value report for your home.  If you’re interested in buying, I’ll set you up with a free customized home search website.  Both are courtesy of your favorite Realtor, Jutta “Utah” Burden.  Please feel free to share these links with your friends!

Now, if you ARE preparing to put your home on the market, I thought I would share some tips from my own experience helping homeowners like you sell their home.  In all honesty, I could show the same buyer two houses, the exact same houses, and if one has great curb appeal, is clean, and well “staged” and the other isn’t…. Well, you can expect that same prospective home buyer to exclaim “This house is gorgeous! I love it!” and “This is horrible. It’s so dirty.” about the two identical houses.  Most buyers don’t see “potential”.  They just see exactly what is presented to them.

First and foremost, Curb Appeal!  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled up to show a home to home buyers and before I park the car, they say “Don’t stop. I don’t even want to go in.”  Keep in mind, they’ve already seen pictures of the inside of the home and wanted to come see it!  The plain truth is most home buyers decide if the listed house is a contender in their home search, OR NOT, before they even walk through the front door.

picture of home with great curb appealMake sure your home is freshly painted or pressure washed. While you have that pressure washer, use it on your driveway sidewalks, and wooden fences.  Put mulch in your flowerbeds and plant fresh flowers. Plant flowers with cool colors in the summer and warm colors in the winter. Trim your trees and shrubs.  Pull weeds, mow your grass, edge your beds and yard.  If this sounds like a lot of work you don’t have time for, hire someone.  It costs a lot less than most people think to have it done and makes a world of difference! Also, anything you have outside that doesn’t help sell your home (i.e. rusty or broken patio furniture, empty pots or ones filled with dead plants, lawn equipment, trash cans) needs to be put up out of sight. Last but not least, wash your windows. Save money on this with  (equal parts) distilled white vinegar and water mix.

What makes our house feel like our home?  Well, it’s all the family pictures, collectible knick knacks (you know what I’m talking about…”Mom loves “owls”…”angels”…”dogs”, etc.), homemade crafts and artwork, Dad’s mismatched college recliner with “just a little stuffing coming out…that stain draws your eye away from it anyway:,  and just that little bit of clutter that makes home feel…well, “homey”.

Unfortunately, when you are ready to sell your house, you need it to feel like THEIR home to them.  That means it’s time to carefully wrap and pack your special, sentimental treasures that label every room as YOUR home.  As I’m sure you’ve learned, if you’ve ever even turned your television to HGTV,  LESS is definitely MORE.  The more tastefully simple your house is decorated, the more clean, open, airy, and elegant it will appear to a potential home buyer.  It also allows the room sizes and architecture of the home stand out. Make sure all of your rooms, closets, and garage are clean and organized.  Remember, if your these rooms are “stuffed” with your stuff in them, it’s not going to appear big and roomy to a potential buyer. picture of beautifully clean and staged dining room

If you don’t already have plenty of room in your attic or an “extra room at your Mom’s she’ll let you use for storage”, it’s definitely worthwhile to rent some temporary storage.  These are small costs that will pay off big and quick at the closing table.

Now that you’ve done these things, it’s time to get down to some Spring cleaning.  Even in a relatively clean house, potential buyers notice things like smudges on the wall, mold or stains in the grout, toilet stains, doors with scratches or chipped paint, and calcium buildup on your stainless steel sinks (get that vinegar back out and use it at full strength for hard water stains).  Their mind tells them “Oh, this house hasn’t been kept up well.”.  Again, if you’re too busy, pay someone. All of the things I’ve listed could probably be done for around $500 and pay off in the thousands when your house is the best available on the market!

In short, pretend your husband’s or wife’s parents are coming for a visit!  Now, let’s show our Texas pride and give these Exxon folks a warm welcome!

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Should I move up?

If you’ve found your dream home, or if there are homes available in a neighborhood where you’d love to live, move up while the market is still tipped in your favor! Right now really is the PERFECT time to buy.

These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that you may be ready to move.

1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest, but if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.

2. Has your income or financial situation improved? If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving.

3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood? The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same neighborhood you want to settle down in for good. For example, you may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district.

4. Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on? Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. But if your property isn’t large enough, your municipality doesn’t allow it, or you’re simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option.

5. Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market? If your market is hot, your home may sell quickly and for top dollar, but the home you buy also will be more expensive. If your market is slow, finding a buyer may take longer, but you’ll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home.

6. Are interest rates attractive? A low rate not only helps you buy a larger home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.

7 Ways to Make Your Home Smell Nice

smell niceRather than spraying chemical-laden, store-bought air fresheners, choose one of these seven natural ways to make your living space smell a little delicious!

1. INVEST IN HOUSEPLANTS: Have your favorite plants and herbs growing in your kitchen, living room and bathroom in small pots. Green plants will help reduce indoor air pollution and keep clean air circulating in your space.

2. SAVE YOUR CITRUS FRUIT SKINS: Save the peels of oranges, lemons, limes and other citrus fruits. You can place them in boiling water to have a fresh aroma in the kitchen, or run them in your garbage disposal with boiling water. Also, put some citrus skins in your vacuum bag the next time you vacuum your carpet.

3. DILUTE ESSENTIAL OIL WITH WATER IN A SPRAY BOTTLE: You can spray your furniture and carpet to make the whole room smell a specific scent. To diversify, you can have different scents for different areas of your home. For example: lavender for the living room, sandalwood for your bedroom and peppermint for the bathroom.

4. PLACE BOWLS OF WHITE VINEGAR IN CORNERS OF THE ROOM:  The vinegar will neutralize and absorb any offensive odors.

5. PLACE FABRIC SOFTENER IN YOUR SHOES AND CLOSET:  It will take away any stale clothing smells. For another closet air freshener, place a cedar block at the bottom of your closet. Use sandpaper for a new layer once a year.

6. LIGHT SOY CANDLES INSTEAD OF REGULAR CANDLES:  Soy candles are longer-lasting, preferred for the environment and have a more robust smell. (They are also safer than carcinogen- emitting candles.)

7. BAKE BREAD OR COOK YOUR OWN MEALS:  Few things are as welcoming as the smell of freshly baked bread or the herbs of a home-cooked dinner.

Woodlands Real Estate Agent,

SellTheWoodlands.com

Spring Texas – Real Estate & Information

Spring, Texas is a unique shopping village located approximately 20 miles north of the bustling city of Houston. Originally established around 1745 as a trading station by the Orcoquisac Indians, Spring got its name from the railroad men who laid the train tracks to Houston in the 1870s. The winter before the men reached the town was a particularly harsh one, and the workers were anxiously awaiting warmer temperatures. As soon as they came upon what later became the Spring region, the seasons changed. In their excitement, the men called the area “Camp Spring.” Later, “Camp” was dropped from the official name, but “Spring” stuck.

Today, more than 250 years after the Orcoquisac Indians established it as a place to buy and sell fish, game, and a variety of goods, Spring remains a thriving center for trade. Though the name now applies to a relatively large geographic area reaching across northern Harris County and into southern Montgomery County, the original town of “Spring” was a fairly small area now referred to as “Old Town Spring.”

Shopping and Dining
Well known throughout the region for its annual festivals, historic buildings, and specialty shops, Old Town Spring boasts more than 150 antique stores, boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants, including Amish Barn, Ellen’s Café and Gifts, That Chic Boutique, and The Drunk Artist. Vamp Vintage Wear sells rare couture clothing from the 1950s as well as vintage resale.

For options from fine dining to casual, Spring has something to please the palate. The White Flamingo Restaurant serves up fresh seafood, elegant entrees, and extravagant desserts in an inviting atmosphere with live piano music. Founded in 1902 as a hotel and saloon, the Wunsche Bros. Café is a long-time favorite for classic American cuisine. A number of big-name chain restaurants, such as P.F. Chang’s and The Cheesecake Factory, are located just 15 minutes away in The Woodlands.

Parks and Recreation
Spring’s parks offer residents various ways to relax and rejuvenate outdoors. At 180 acres, Meyer Park has 26 soccer fields, two softball fields, a three-acre fishing lake, a duck pond, a basketball court, two children’s playgrounds, 15 exercise stations, paved walking/jogging trails, and one of the area’s most popular nature trails: Gourley Natural Trail. The half-mile long, asphalt trail connects Meyer Park with Collins Park. In addition to the standard children’s playground and athletic fields, Collins Park features a sand volleyball court, a skate park, a canoe launch, an amphitheater, and a natural-surface off-road bicycling trail.

The heavily wooded Cypresswood Golf Club features 36 holes spread across 800 acres. During the summer months, residents can cool down at SplashTown, Spring’s own waterpark. For enjoyment and cultural enrichment, the Spring Historical Museum and the Civil War Museum are both in Old Town Spring.

Living
Situated in the midst of the East Texas Piney Woods, Spring is a town of tree-lined streets and wooded parks. Famous for its unique shops, the town also hosts five popular festivals each year, including the Texas Crawfish and Music Festival.

Schools, Health, Transportation
More than 36,500 students attend the Spring Independent School District, which operates 38 schools in the area, including six middle schools; three high schools; one middle school that focuses on math, science and fine arts; an early college academy; and a high-school career academy. Eighteen of the district’s 38 campuses were built in the last decade.

Only 15 minutes from Spring, the Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands has been named one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation. The area also offers numerous dental and medical offices.

Spring is conveniently located off the Hardy Toll Rd. and very close to I-45. For air travel, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport are within 40 miles of Spring. Interstate 45 provides easy access to both The Woodlands and downtown Houston.

Secrets Lenders Don’t Want You to Know! Read This 11-Point Report Before you Sign Anything!

surprised-monkey

Special Report From Jutta “Utah” Burden

The right or wrong decision when signing your home mortgage can mean thousands of dollars difference in interest paid. There are very important considerations to evaluate before you commit to a 15 or 30 year note. For many of us, our mortgage payment is the most important financial decision we’ll ever make. Doesn’t it make sense to know as much as possible about the financing of our home? Take the time to thoroughly investigate all of your options!

Unbelievably many of us sign the first mortgage placed in front of us. Typically the excitement of the new home purchase reduces the mortgage to not much more than an afterthought. What you read here could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Your real estate professional has established relationships with the top lenders in your area. By aligning yourself with a professional agent you ensure all the financial steps are taken care of properly and economically.

1. Utilize a Lender With Established Ties to an Agent- Lenders are much more flexible with the real estate agents who have done business with them previously. Their relationship establishes them as a team member. The lender and agent work effectively together. That’s why a good agent can make substantial difference in setting up the most economical financing. And the right financing can, literally, save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan!

2. Don’t Attempt Paperwork Alone- All the paperwork required to complete the purchase of a home can be quite intimidating and frustrating for a home buyer. Make sure you have your lender help you with all the paperwork. Get help from your team, your lender and agent. Their expertise will help alleviate the stress and it will prove to be invaluable before you sign your mortgage.

3. Look at All Your Options- Make sure you see at least 3 loan programs for your mortgage. Lenders have at least 5-7 programs and should work with you and your agent on deciding what is best for your circumstances. Evaluate all your options. After all, it’s your money you’re spending – not theirs!

4. Demand Service- There is little difference between a bank, savings and loan, or a mortgage broker when it comes to the competitiveness of their loan rates. The difference is in the service they provide. It is their job to serve you! You want to get the loan approved and move into your new home as quickly as possible, but don’t overlook the fact that you are the one spending the money and they are the ones who should cater to your needs. Don’t let the process become so intimidating that you lose that understanding.

5. Stay in Complete Touch- You should receive a written report from your lender concerning every step. This will ensure that no details are overlooked and there will be no surprises.

6. Negotiate a Flexible Loan- Don’t just accept the terms they lay down in front of you. Lenders are in the business of loaning money and they want your business. Make sure you examine every option available to you. If you negotiate a variable rate loan, many lenders have the ability to move you into a fixed loan if rates start going up. Make sure that you understand whether or not that is an option in the package you are looking at.

7. Don’t Give Up on the First No- Initial decisions are not always final decisions. Going to a higher authonty can sometimes get you the loan, but do so with the assistance and compliance of your lender and agent. Many times, special circumstances, when explained properly to the person in charge, will win you the loan.

8. Don’t Wait for the Bottom of the Market- The odds of your hitting the bottom of your market are about like the odds of you hitting your state lotto! You will almost never hit the bottom of a market. And trying to time it exactly right is often costly. It usually causes a person or family to miss out on the opportunity to purchase a very nice property. You’re better off simply negotiating the best rate and terms you can at the time you find a property. If interest rates go down, you can refinance. This is a much better approach because you won’t miss out on the property you’ve spent so much time locating.

9. Be Honest With Your Lender- Your lender wants to help you with your loan. The only time they get paid is when you get approved. The more information (good or bad) you provide your lender, the easier it will be for them to get an approval. It helps them present the loan in the best light. This in turn helps the loan get the highest approval rating.

10. Become Completely Educated- Pick your lender’s brain. Lenders will teach you all about your various options, even if you haven’t found the right property yet. They will be very patient with you while you are looking, especially if you have aligned yourself with the right agent. They understand all the up- front work will pay off in future business. Your agent will then continue to refer people to the courteous and service-minded lender on down the line.

11. Get Pre-qualified- Lenders will provide you with a certificate of pre-qualification. By getting pre qualified, you know exactly what financial parameters to stay within. Your agent and lender will consult with you and help you get qualified for the loan that best fits your needs. Many times, they are able to get you a larger loan than you may have thought possible.

Getting approved for a loan is often times much easier than you might think. I sincerely hope this brief report has been a help to you. If you would like a free, no-obligation consultation, contact me!

Jutta “Utah” Burden

Keller Williams Realty

Email: Utah@UtahBurden.com

Find more crucial buying tips at   http://www.utahburden.com/Buyer-Resources/Buyer-Suggested-Reading

How to Guarantee You’ll Get Your Home Sold This Time!

how to sell your home fast

Answer:  Focus In On The Major Key Issues And… Ask The Really Tough Questions When You Interview Your Next Agent! When You Do,You’re Guaranteed To Sell Your Home Faster And For More Money!

So, your listing has expired and you’re wondering: “What am I going to do?” You need your home sold!

The most important thing you can do right now is ask, “where did I go wrong?”

You see, marketing a home takes more than just sticking a sign in your yard and putting your property up on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).., any agent can do that! It takes aggressive, innovative marketing to sell your home in today’s market place!

What do I mean?

Well.., in today’s market place there are only so many buyers out there who are ready and able to purchase a home. So, if you want to sell your home this time, your new agent has to aggressively identify these potential buyers before other agents “get their hooks into them” and guide them into a different property

The fact is, when you enter the market to sell your home, you enter one of the most competitive businesses in existence… anywhere! Competition is fierce and if you’re not ready for it… your home just sits on the market. So, the first major key to effectively market your home is to identify potential buyers.

Remember, there are only so many buyers to go around… and your agent has to find those buyers first… before one of the hundreds of other agents out there reaches them and guides them into a different property!

So, how does an agent identify these “hot” prospects before the competition? This is where the “rubber meets the road”! This is what separates the weak agent from the shrewd, business-minded marketing professional you want to hire.

Your Agent Absolutely Must Have An Aggressive Marketing Strategy!

The best agents use eery available marketing tool, technology, approach, contact or potential avenue to generate prospective buyers for your property!

One key element is they understand the value of “effective” advertising! They realize that in today’s competitive market they have to create ads that generate a response. They can’t just splash their name out there and expect people to call.., they have to craft their ads… and give prospects a compelling reason to call.

Advertising is a crucial factor in the success of marketing anything! Your home included. So, how does the agent you’re considering separate him or herself from competitors? All their ads look virtually the same. So, what’s unique about your new agent that’s going to grab prospects and get them to pick up the phone and call?

In today’s market place, it’s tough! Potential buyers have been harassed, high-pressured and pushed around so much… it’s no wonder that it’s hard to get them to call! I’m tired of pushy salespeople too… I can relate!

They use razor-sharp strategy & cutting-edge technology as THE ADVANTAGE!

The best agents overcome this huge obstacle with a razor-sharp marketing strategy, combined with cutting-edge technology, to generate buyer after buyer!

Remember, the major key to generating a buyer for your home is to reach your prospect first ! And… with the soft, gentle, service-minded way I follow up… people simply love it! So, don’t worry about that part… again, the professionalism of your agent makes all the difference!

With more potential buyers, it only makes sense… you’ll sell your home faster and for more money! It’s supply and demand… plain and simple.

So again remember, the first one to reach your prospect wins the sale. So, if you want to get your home sold this time… don’t settle for anything less!

The first two questions then are: 1. How are they going to make the phone ring with lots of new prospects for your home? 2. What’s going to give them the edge and get thçm to the “starting block” first?

Then comes the next question. How sharp are your agent’s negotiating skills? What kind of results have they produced for past clients? This is so crucial!

Most people think that selling a home is like being a tour guide. Show the prospect around, ask if they like it and write up the paperwork. Well, if that’s all there was to it, your former agent would have closed on your house already!

Your Agent Absolutely Must Have Strong Fundamental Negotiating Skills!

If you want to get your home sold this time, your next agent absolutely must have a deep understanding of “The Art of Negotiating”. These skills are vitally important! Without these skills, you could lose big! With these skills, your agent will ensure you get the highest possible price for your home.

So, how do you find out about your prospective agent’s negotiating skills? Investigate! Check references. At the very least, call two or three of your agent’s most recent clients. In fact, call at least one or two of your agent’s cun clients. See what kind of effort he or she makes to get the job done!

So, in conclusion, really think these things through! This is such an important decision. Get prepared! Really fire away with questions when interviewing an agent. Make them stand the test of fire… the best agents thrive on it! They can’t wait to tell you all about the innovative methods that separate them from the agent that’ 11 poke a sign in the ground and act like that’s enough! In today’s market, it’s most definitely not enough!

Thanks for taking the time to read this information. I hope you found the ideas thought provoking and beneficial.

My entire aim with this report is to help point you in the right direction and give you some common sense guidelines to help you make the right decision this time.

If there is ever any way I can be of service to you or anyone you care about… please give me a call.

Your initial consultation is always under no obligation and completely free of charge. We’ll sit down for 15-20 minutes and I’ll show you the latest strategies and technology for selling your home. No high-pressure, just plain honest talk about what it’s going to take to get your home sold this time.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Warmest regards,

Jutta “Utah” Burden

Keller Williams Realty

Email: Utah@UtahBurden.com

Read more important information for selling your home at http://www.utahburden.com/Seller-Resources/Seller-Tips

 

How to Get Every Dollar You Deserve… by Getting the Full Value of Your House!

Get More Money for Your Home!

Special Report From Jutta “Utah” Burden

The ability to reap additional profits on the sale of your home can be accomplished easily enough, if you make the ‘ improvements. Many changes can provide the prospective buyer with enhanced feelings about your home. Feelings of more space, more light, more rooms, more closet space, greater privacy, warmth and security. Basic, simple and inexpensive improvements can provide an improved emotional response in a potential buyer.

An example could be something as small as a crack in the paint on a wall. By simply applying some plaster and touch-up paint, you eliminated what may be an unstated concern that your home was poorly maintained. Though the feeling may be unconscious, it’s just as important that the potential buyer feel an overall sense of emotional desire for your home. If you are working with a small budget, these simple techniques will work absolute wonders.

1.         The Magic of Mirrors!

Mirrors can provide a greater sense of space and elegance when properly placed. Be careful not to overdo it, but when placed properly throughout your home, each area will seem larger to the potential home buyer. Try looking in your attic or basement for any old mirrors, but be sure they have a nice frame or at least give the frame a new coat of paint. You may also want to visit a local flea market or garage sale – you can often find a great deal on an old miror or two. Putting one- foot square mirrors on a closet door home in the master bedroom is always an attractive touch.

2.         Adding Additional Closet Space

One of the biggest complaints heard from potential buyers is that there just isn’t enough closet space! Simply purchasing an inexpensive closet organizer and installing it in any or all of your closets can make all the difference. You can also try putting a rod across one corner of a bedroom, for hanging clothes, further out put another rod higher up. From this rod hang a clothes-hiding screen made from a variety of choices. The screen could be matching material of the bedspread, drapes etc.. The idea here is to be creative so that the “fake closet” looks as though it was a part of the room

3.         Make a Bare Wall Beautiful

Wallpaper is inexpensive, quick and easy to do! The right wallpaper can brighten the room or hallway and bring it back to life. Be careful to choose something with a neutral design or pattern. Remember, you’re trying to move out!

4. Bring Old Floors Back to Life!

Nothing turns off a potential buyer quicker than dull, dingy, disgusting-looking floors. Whether you have wax, wooden or tiled floors, do whatever you can to make them shine again! For wax floors, either rent a

 

floor machine and do it yourself, or hire a professional if it’s in your budget. Have a professional give you an estimate and explain exactly what they would do to bring your floors back to life. If you have them explain what they would do, it may be just as easy to do it yourself. If you have carpeted floors you should either have the carpet steam-cleaned or, if it’s in your budget, install new carpeting. This may sound expensive, but new carpeting can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home.

5. Bring in Some Plants

Having plants in the house is not only healthy for you but you create a warm feeling with them. Ficus trees have become very popular and they can be purchased inexpensively. Attractive pots such as ceramic, brass or even designer plastic will add a designer flair to your home. Hanging plants such as Boston ferns are inexpensive, easy to care for and would go great in your new home wherever you move.

6.         Adding a Room Without Calling in the Contractor!

This simple but seldom-used technique can give a buyer the feeling there are more actual rooms in your house. Floor-to-ceiling room dividers are inexpensive and simple to install. When a buyer walks through your home, they will generally count the rooms in a subconscious manner. Each room will present an emotional response as they walk through your home. By dividing and designing each side of your room, you create a ‘separate room” feeling in the potential buyer. It may sound crazy, but it works.

7.         Clean Up the Bathroom

We’ve probably all heard that phrase a hundred times growing up as children! Well guess some what? It’s still valid. Give your bathroom a face-lift if needed. Fresh paint, decorative moldings, tile grout, new designer faucets are attractive eye catchers.

8.          What is That Smell?

People don’t like to admit it but, everyone’s home has a certain smell to it. We just never notice because we live with it day in, day out. Strategically placing fresh scent devices throughout the home will be pleasant to the nose of any potential buyer. As a matter of fact, an old Realtor® trick is to pop some cinnamon rolls in an oven 5 minutes before a showing. I bet you thought all Realtors just had a sweet tooth!

My hope with this report has been to help you make simple changes that can add thousands of dollars to the ultimate selling price of your home. I hope you found the ideas useful and if there is ever any way I can be of service to you or anyone you care about, please contact my office. Your initial consultation is always completely free of charge and you’re under no obligation of any kind. We’ll sit down for 15-20 minutes… no high pressure, just plain, honest talk about what it’s going to take to achieve your personal goals. Go ahead, pick up the phone and give me a call. I’d love to hear from you!

Jutta “Utah” Burden

Keller Williams Realty

Email: Utah@UtahBurden.com

How much is your home worth? Find out at http://www.magnoliamarketvalue.com/

Staging Your Home for an Optimal Sale

clean homeWhen it comes to selling your home, every little thing you do to enhance the appearance of your home will have a positive effect on a potential buyer. Buyers notice and register things such as whether the flowers are in bloom or weeds are sprouting between the cracks in your driveway. Take advantage of small details to boost your chances for making a good impression.

To set up your home for quicker sale at a great price, you will need to set the stage. First, take care of all crucial things that your realtor recommends and then plan on keeping your home neat and tidy for the duration of its listing.

Curb appeal is a must. A neat lawn and a fresh coat of paint make a great first impression. A bowl of colorful seasonal flowers neat the front entry is always a nice touch.and always keep it swept and cleared of debris.

Next, step away emotionally from your home and realize that it’s no longer just your home but rather a commodity. While you may love and get comfort from all the knick-knacks you’ve collected over the years, your hallway filled with family pictures and the various nostalgic items scattered all around, your buyers will see only clutter.

When buyers see clutter, they think the house is too small or doesn’t have enough storage space. Do yourself a favor and clear it away. Rent a small storage unit and pack your knick-knacks, photos, collections and other items that are taking up counter space, away while your home is on the market.

Patch the nail holes in the walls and repaint. This isn’t to say you should keep the walls completely bare. A well placed framed mirror adds beauty and gives the illusion of more space.

Closets are another good spot to clear out. If you think no one would dare look inside something so personal, think again. Buyers want to know where they’ll be storing their own clothes, shoes and sports equipment. Get busy and clear out your closets. Store your off-season clothes in a storage unit and gain quite a bit of closet space.

While you’re clearing away the clutter, separate items into throw away, donate and storage boxes. Throw away the junk, donate items to charity and haul the rest to your storage unit. This will give you a head start when it’s time to move out.

Stay on top of the household laundry and keep your laundry room cleared of piles of clothes. You want the area to look clean, pleasant and efficient.

Now that the clutter is gone, go for some carefully selected touches that will dress your home up just enough to show its charm but not distract. Walk through a few model homes to get an idea of how their designers set the stage. Notice the lack of clutter? Notice the carefully selected items that keep the home feeling warm? That’s the effect you want to achieve.

Create a homey focal point for each room. Fresh flowers are wonderful so long as you are committed to keeping them fresh. Wilted or dead flowers have the opposite effect. A cozy throw on the couch near the fireplace and a well placed bottle of wine might suggest how romantic this room can be. A bowl of fresh fruit in the kitchen is fragrant, beautiful and homey.

Finally, don’t overlook lighting. Let the light shine in! Wash all windows, inside and out and open blinds and drapes to let as much natural light in as possible. Turn on key lights such as track lighting or wall sconces. Create a bright, inviting environment.

You want the buyers to be able to picture themselves in your home and to picture where they’ll hang their own precious photos. Help them see the home you fell in love with by presenting it in all its glory.

 

Jutta “Utah” Burden

Keller Williams Realty

Email: Utah@UtahBurden.com

Get your home ready to sell! Find more information here:  http://www.utahburden.com/Seller-Resources/Seller-Reports

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