Author: pamhoward2016

Spring Cleaning: 5 Things You Really Should Be Cleaning (but Probably Don’t)

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Spring is upon us! It’s time to open your windows, let some fresh air in, and clean out the nooks and crannies in your home that never get any attention. Below is a list of places throughout your home that could really use some love! All of these tips would also be great to do before you put your home on the market- especially the baseboards and cabinets!

Open the windows, turn up some tunes, and clean away!

  1. Ceiling Fan: Before you risk spreading the dust that has gathered on the blades of a ceiling fan all winter all around the room, it’s time to give your ceiling fan blades a good wipe down.  My favorite way to clean a ceiling fan is with a moist microfiber cloth, rinsing between each blade, but a dusting wipe will work just as well!
  2. Pillows: Make sure to follow the washing directions on your pillow- but in general wash in warm water on gentle and spin dry on low heat. Add in some wool dryer balls to make your dryer more energy efficient as well as to fluff them up!
  3. Washing Machine: Many washing machines come with cleaning directions, so make sure to follow those instructions! If you’ve misplaced the cleaning instructions, run your washer with Affresh Washer Cleaner. This should really be done every couple of months to keep your washer running efficiently! Also, keep your lid open while not in use to help prevent mold issues.
  4. Shower Head: Fill a ziplock back with white vinegar and attach to the showerhead with a rubber band. Let that soak for several hours and then scrub with a toothbrush or cloth.
  5. Baseboards & Cabinets: To clean your baseboards and cabinets, first wipe down with a wet cloth and let dry. Next, remove scuffs and crusted on stains with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. These really are magic!

Happy Spring!

4 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While On Spring Break

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Heading out of town for spring break? Here are 4 tips to keep your home safe while you’re gone!

  1. Don’t announce your vacation on social media. This is SO important. Even if you limit your account to friends only, you don’t know the privacy settings of all of your friends. It just takes one person who has your home address and travel schedule to make you a victim of home theft.
  2. Close your blinds while you are away and set timers to randomly turn on lights throughout the house. This will hopefully trick thieves into thinking you returned early or never left.
  3. Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and any packages that may be delivered. Burglars often target houses with mail and packages piled up.
  4. If your home is targeted burglars are most likely looking for big ticket items in a parents bedroom. Protect your valuables by moving them into rooms they might overlook like your kids’ room vs your room.

After you’ve prepared your house for spring break- enjoy your vacation!

The Five Most Expensive Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home

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Mistake #1:

Basing their asking price on needs or emotion rather than market value. Many times, people make their pricing decisions based on how much they paid for or invested into their home. This can be an expensive mistake. Overpriced homes take longer to sell and eventually net the seller less money. Consult with a professional real estate agent. They can assist you in pricing your home correctly from the beginning.

Mistake #2:

Failing to “showcase” their home. First impressions are the most important. Experience shows that for every $100 in repairs that your home needs, a buyer will deduct $300 to $500 from their offer. Thoroughly clean and prepare your home before you put it on the market if you want top dollar.

Mistake #3:

Trying to SELL their house when buyers come to see it. One of the biggest mistakes enthusiastic home sellers make is to follow buyers around and try to SELL them on the property. This can have a negative effect on the buyers. The best thing is to stay out of the way and let people look at their own pace. They’ll get a better feel for the property and whether the house is for them.

Mistake #4:

Choosing the wrong agent or choosing them for the wrong reasons. Many homeowners list their home with the agent who tells them the highest price. Or they list with the agent who works for the biggest company. You need to choose the agent with the best marketing plan and track record to sell your home.

Mistake #5:

Not knowing all of their legal rights and obligations. Real estate law is complex. The contract you sign when selling your home is legally binding. Small items that are neglected in a contract can wind up costing you thousands of dollars. You need to consult a knowledgeable professional who understands the ins and outs of a real estate transaction.

14 Low Cost/High-Value Updates to Prepare to Sell Your Home

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Here are 14 low cost / high impact things to focus on when preparing your home for sale that are sure increase the value!

I call these things the “wow” factor. My experience is that when a buyer is walking through your home and notices these things they will say “wow that’s nice” or “wow I like that…”. Keep in mind you do not need a $50,000 Kitchen remodel to get the “wow” factor. Here are several low cost / high impact things you can do to get some “wows” and increase the value of your home to a buyer.

  1. Your potential buyers will see the outside of your home first. Consider adding some landscaping. Add some color with new flowers; make flower beds look clean by adding some mulch. Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed.
  2. Seal coat the driveway to make it look pristine. It gives a nice clean look.
  3. Make sure your address is clean and visible from the street. Consider buying new house numbers if needed.
  4. Your buyers will stand and wait at the front door while their realtor unlocks it. This is the first impression for many of them,  so give the front door a fresh coat of paint or even replace it with a new one.
  5. If it’s dark out, you want the walkway to your front door well lit. Consider buying new light fixtures for the outside of your home, or give the ones already there a good cleaning.
  6. Replace any old, dirty or ripped screens on your windows. Make sure your windows open easily and don’t stick.
  7. Declutter! Start packing away anything your family doesn’t use. Consider replacing family portraits with artwork on the walls. Each room should have a focal point.
  8. Paint-choose neutral colors that will appeal to many different tastes. Consider off-white, beige or something light. Dark colors will make your rooms look smaller.
  9. Update / replace your kitchen and bathroom hardware. Also, updating / replacing door handles and hinges throughout (especially if they are brass).
  10. Stain or paint your kitchen cabinets if they are looking worn and out of date and replacing them is not in your budget.
  11. Replacing and upgrading the faucets and shower heads can give it a new look. Make sure to match the style throughout the home.
  12. Replace old and worn out carpet and refinish beat up hardwood floors. If replacing carpet isn’t in the budget, rent a professional grade cleaner and give the carpets a good scrub. Or have your hardwood floors sanded or buffed.
  13. Replace dated outlet switches and outlets throughout the home with new white ones so they all match. Also, replace or paint old vent covers.
  14. Replace the light bulbs in your home with higher wattage bulbs to makes your home look brighter.