Sell Your House

Posted in Seller Tips on Apr 19, 2011

Sell Your House

We have all seen the TV shows where the crew comes into a house that just won’t sell, parade a bunch of people through, make the owner listen to the snide remarks, fix up the home then like magic, it sells. Problem is none of the owners seem to realize exactly what the problem is until a stranger points it out. I often wonder if their agent says anything to them about the clutter, color or smell. I would hope my agent would speak up but then again, I hope I know better after watching many, many hours of these shows and years spent working in the real estate field. Question is- ...

Tips to Spruce up Your Living Room

Posted in Seller Tips on Apr 14, 2011

Tips to Spruce up Your Living Room

I was sitting in my den the other day only to realize that while it’s my favorite room in the house because of its coziness, it is in need of an update. I don’t have a lot of money to spend making over different rooms of the house and as a few of my readers know, since I currently live with my parents, I don’t think my mom would like me painting the kitchen, living room and den “just because.” What I can do is revamp what I have and add in a few inexpensive items to suddenly have a den that looks brand new. Here’s my game plan that you are welcome to use as y...

Going Digital At Home

Posted in Buyer Tips, Seller Tips on Apr 12, 2011

Going Digital At Home

Technology is the wave of the future. Going green is the wave of the future. How do you combine these two concepts into one and supercharge your home in the process? Thanks to modern marvels, it’s now easier than ever to use technology to help save the planet.

Books are a reader’s best friend, I should know as I own a great many books myself. Today’s technology allows us to now view our favorite books without using trees to create them. The Nook & Kindle are the most popular e-readers and each has apps that allow you to read your favorite book on your phone, computer or t...

Updating Your Fireplace

Posted in Seller Tips on Apr 05, 2011

Updating Your Fireplace

Prepping your house to sell can be a bit over-whelming. If you have a lot of little things that need a makeover, you might feel like you will never get them fixed and you are watching your profits go out the window. Don't fret. In a few short steps you can make almost anything look fresh and new.

The ideas below are straight from HGTV's website and Designed to Sell designer Lisa LaPorta.

Excerpt from "30 Can't-Miss Home Staging Tips"

Do you have an overpowering brick fireplace that sticks out like a sore thumb?

Here's an easy way to tone it down with paint. Use a rag or...

Spring Time Tips

Posted in Buyer Tips, Seller Tips on Mar 17, 2011

Spring Time Tips

Spring has sprung in the Port City dear readers and I for one am glad! Cold temps do nothing for me and right now I can enjoy the low humidity days without freezing my toes off. Now that you can open your windows and let the warm gentle breezes in (as I have done), here are a few tips straight from yours truly on how to bring a little Spring into your life.

Lighten up. Switch out heavy drapes for lightweight sheer curtains. These brighten up any room and allow the fresh air to pass easily into your home.

Add some color. Buy or snipe fresh flowers and place them in vases, old g...

Foreclosure Avoidance Options

Posted in Seller Tips on Mar 08, 2011

Foreclosure Avoidance Options

Foreclosure is one of the most devastating financial challenges that a family can face and one that many times can be avoided. The options available to residents for foreclosure are many, including but not limited to short sales.

Reinstatement

A reinstatement is the simplest solution for a foreclosure, however it is often the most difficult. The homeowner simply requests the total amount owed to the mortgage company to date and pays it. This solution does not require the lender's approval and will 'reinstate' a mortgage up to the day before the final foreclosure s...

Questions to Ask Before Listing

Posted in Seller Tips on Mar 07, 2011

Questions to Ask Before Listing

Choosing the right REALTOR® to sell your home can be difficult, especially when they all sound so convincing. The following list of questions will not only help you select the right REALTOR®, but will also help you get the very best from the agent you choose.

1.      How many properties did you sell in 2010?

• Team Gale sold 198, that’s closing a home every other day of the year

2.      How many properties did your company sell in 2010?

• Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty sold 3,656 properties

3.      How many major websites do you place your listings on?...

Top 10 Selling Mistakes

Posted in Seller Tips on Mar 03, 2011

Top 10 Selling Mistakes Are you serious about selling your home? Little mistakes that you might not recognize can cost you big in the end. Before you sign anything, read about these common mistakes that home sellers make

Moving Checklist

Posted in Buyer Tips, Seller Tips on Feb 24, 2011

Moving Checklist:

1. Give notice to landlord if renting
2. Contact all companies you do business with & provide new address
3. Contact all health care providers to get your medical records if you are moving to a new area
4. Deliver your medical records to your new health care providers
5. Contact telephone company and arrange for service & get new telephone number
6. Contact family & friends and provide new address and telephone number
7. Contact home insurance company for old address & terminate policy
8. Contact home insurance company for new address & arrange for appropriate amount...

Going Green Without Turning Green

Posted in Buyer Tips, News You Can Use, Seller Tips on Dec 21, 2010

Ever feel like you are overwhelmed by all the “green” products being shoved in your face? Or worse, feel a case of “green fatigue” coming on, forcing you to tune out all the information? I rarely pay attention anymore to “green” hype, suffering from my own self-induced permanent case of “green fatigue.” However, I recently came across a website that let me calculate my carbon footprint. Since I don’t pay the bills in my house and don’t know how many miles each car gets to the gallon or is driven per year, it was mostly guesstimation on my part but I am right there around the national average. OK, a little above it really, but can I help the fact I work a good 20 minutes from home or that a summer with 100% humidity and 90 degree days equals a constant need for AC?