Flash Player 10 or Later is Required to View This Content.

Posts Tagged ‘clean’

Your Unused Stuff.

We all have rooms, attics, basements, etc full of things that we are holding on to because one day it might become useful.

Here’s the thing….you know just as well as I that those items are not going to get used.  Well “It has sentimental value.” Here is the question to ask yourself……if it has sentimental value, why is it being hidden?  Put it out on a counter, shelf or display of some sort.

I do it too.  There are things sitting in my attic that I have not even touched since I moved into my home.  I need to come to the reality that I DO NOT NEED IT!

So instead of pitching it to go and sit in a landfill try these tips.

1) Consider renting it out.  Your power tools & equipment, sporting equipment, dvd, books, video games, etc can all get put to use and you get paid for it.  Why not make your money back on items that you use only once in awhile.  There are many online sites that allow for buy, sell, trade of items.

Here are a few:

Power tools: zilok.com, rentcycle.com

Sporting Equiqment: snapgoods.com, neighborgoods.com

Clothing: i-ella.com

DVDs, Video games, books: murfrie.com, swap.com

Backyard Garden: sharedearth.com, yardshare.com

Parking & Transportation: relayrides.com, parkatmyhouse.com

“One Man’s Trash…”: freecycle.com, ILoveFreegle.org

2) Goodwill/Salvation Army- Everyone has one that they prefer over the other.  You can take your stuff there (or better yet call them to have your stuff picked up) and they will give you a receipt you can use to write off for your taxes- contact a tax professional to verify.  First, you will want to make a list of all the items and the estimated value you could have sold them for.

3) Consignment Stores-  These stores are perfect for your gently used clothing.  You can take your clothing in and receive money back.  INSTANT GRATIFICATION!  Take that money and put it towards that vacation you have been saving up for.

You can’t afford to not look into these great options.

By: John Geha

They say a picture paints a thousand words and when it comes to selling your home, you want those words to end with “sold.” It’s no secret that better-presented homes get more traffic and more buyer interest, therefore selling faster.

That’s why it is essential that you showcase your home through images in the best way possible.

According to the National Association of REALTORS^®, nearly 90% of all homebuyers begin shopping for homes online. Many flip through photos of the homes and send a list of those they want to see to their agent. In fact, homes with few or no photos are often passed over simply for that reason, even if the home’s description matches a buyer’s ideal listing.

Many agents believe that apart from staging, no other marketing investment is as important as professional photography in marketing a property effectively. So, to generate more buyer interest, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of professional real estate photographers in the past few years.

The best photographs are most likely to come from someone who has an eye for the underlying beauty of the home’s structure and spaces; has specialized equipment and techniques for lighting and perspective control; and uses workflow processes for post-processing of the images for use on the Web and in publications.

Let’s face it, as much as we all like to think we take great photos, a professional has an eye for seeing the best vantage points and lighting options and also has better equipment to make the photos bright, clear and sharp. A professional photographer will most likely use a 10mm lens that can capture up to 85% of a room and lighting that can illuminate the entire room.

The same holds true with taking video of your home to add to a website listing. An amateur can show what each room and yard looks like, but a video professional will make the strongest elements stand out and provide a much better video narrative of the home. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any shakiness or dullness that someone not that experienced with a video camera may give you.

Before bringing in someone to photograph or video your home, it’s essential that it is clean and de-cluttered so the pictures entice a buyer to want to see the home in person. You don’t want clothes, pets or anything else distracting people from the photo at hand.

Indeed, homes showcased with the best photographs and videos will attract more sellers and help speed the home-sale process to a successful conclusion.

John Geha can be reached at 573.424.3300. Prudential Vision Properties is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin. 

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?

Click Here to Search ALL Homes in Columbia's MLS

By Dave McConnell

A sale can be made or lost as a direct result of your home’s curb appeal. When it comes to selling your home, the first impression is probably the most important impression. If the outside of the property doesn’t create interest or appear well-maintained, a buyer may choose to not even come inside the home. Here are five ways to create curb appeal.

Read the rest of this entry »