5 Home "Improvements" That Will Hurt Your Listing

Posted in Home Improvement, News You Can Use, Team Gale on Aug 17, 2016

There are a few DIY "ready to list" tips that you may have seen or heard that can actually work against you with prospective buyers.

The National Association of REALTORS magazine chronicled steps homeowners often take that can ultimately prove detrimental in the selling process. It is possible to overdo it in prepping for photos or a showing, and buyers will notice things that are "too perfect" or that are so starkly new it distracts from the homey-ness of the space.

1.     Do not exceed the recommended wattage on your lamps and lights. You want a well-lit home, but not at the risk of overheat...

Five Plants to Help Keep Away Mosquitoes

Posted in Home Improvement, News You Can Use, Team Gale on Jul 20, 2016

Are your once delightful summer evenings on the porch being interrupted by the obnoxious presence of mosquitoes?

Here's a few plants you can grow that will naturally repel these airborne pests...

Basil

Peppermint

Lavender

Catnip

Lemon Balm

For more info on natural repellents, visit Rodale's Organic Life.

Remodeling Returns

Posted in Home Improvement, News You Can Use, Seller Tips, Team Gale on Jul 06, 2016

Realtor magazine recently published an article that breaks down exactly what gets buyers excited about a property, and what sellers should be focusing on when they are jazzing up their houses before listing.

The study, or "Remodeling Impact Report," done by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) evaluated resale value and customer satisfaction regarding upgrades such as kitchen and bath renovations, master suite, basement and attic conversions, new or refinished flooring, and HVAC replacement, among others.

What to expect when ...

StarNews Predicts Luxe Amenities You Have to Have

Posted in Home Improvement, News You Can Use, Team Gale on May 12, 2015

StarNews Online compiled a list of 10 forward-thinking items that are trending in home improvement! Writer Paul Steven considered some of the luxe amenities to be seen at the 29th Annual Parade of Homes.

1. Gone are the days of ward-wired speaker cables snaking through the house! The Sonos Wireless HiFi system is highly sought after.

2. 3-5 foot wide Linear Fireplaces with gas hearths add a modern coziness to any room

3. Smart Climate Controls are the thing to have now. Adjust your temperature systems remotely with your phone, based on automatically transmitted "weather reports" from your hous...

Hot Properties of the Week!

Posted in Home Improvement, Team Gale, Wilmington NC Real Estate on May 02, 2014

Hot Properties of the Week!

Happy Friday! Aquatic locations PART TWO! This week's Hot Properties are those with an aquatic location! As summer is quickly approaching, who doesn't want a maritime oasis to call their home? Relax, tan, sip some lemonade, and dream (or make a reality!) as you check out some of our listings that are close to the water!

Don't see anything you like? Then search TeamGale.net for your dream home. (See something you do like? Click the more information link!)

Until next week,

Happy House Hunting! Team Gale Email Us! 910-663-5124 (Text Friendly!)

Interested in hearing abo...

5 Ways to Stay Healthy at Home This Winter

Posted in Home Improvement on Jan 15, 2014

5 Ways to Stay Healthy at Home This Winter

Written by Mary Beth Tice

We are blessed to live in Southeastern North Carolina. We have a fairly mild climate year-round that allows us to be outside enjoying the sunny days when most of the country is bundled up inside and trying to stay warm. That doesn't mean we don’t face the dreaded cabin fever or the problem of spreading the flu and colds to our friends, family and co-workers. Trying to stay healthy can be a bit daunting, but we have 5 tips to help keep the sniffles at bay at home.

1. Don’t Skip Regular Cleaning

Whether you are spending the...

Home Organization

Posted in Home Improvement, Seller Tips on Jun 04, 2013

Home Organization

Written by Mary Beth Tice

I recently moved out of my two bedroom townhome apartment in Wilmington and into a two bedroom apartment in Little River with my boyfriend. I have lived on my own for ages except for a brief time when I moved back home with the folks. And I have a lot of stuff to show for it, I mean A LOT of stuff. After all, I used to rent a 3 bedroom home in Leland and had it fully decorated and the 1 car garage stocked with all my outdoor equipment, extra books and a deep freezer. But because I know I can’t fill the new place with only my stuff but the bf’s as wel...

4 Hip Hues for 2013 & How to Use Them at Home

Posted in Home Improvement on Jan 02, 2013

4 Hip Hues for 2013 & How to Use Them at Home

This comes straight from houzz.com but was too good not to share!

The Smells of a Home

Posted in Buyer Tips, Home Improvement on Dec 18, 2012

The Smells of a Home

Written by Mary Beth Tice

I am a huge fan of candles and room fresheners that make my apartment smell like a home (and truth be told not like my two dogs). I have searched high and low to find something that speaks to me and when I smell it in a store, it immediately makes me feel at home. Recently I have become quite found of having a cup of tea to help me unwind after a long day or when I want something warm to drink and coffee feels too heavy. The smell that permeates throughout my kitchen when the boiling water hits the tea bag is just as relaxing and enjoyable as drin...

Need Thanksgiving Ideas?

Posted in Home Improvement on Nov 09, 2012

Need Thanksgiving Ideas?

Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away! If you are still wondering what to fix, how to fix it or what decorations to put up, pop over to our Pinterest "All Things Thanksgiving!" board now! We are updating it regularly, so be sure to check back regularly!

Happy Turkey Time!