First impressions are the most important and you never get a second chance to make that first impression. Even though I have touched on this topic before, it never hurts to remind sellers again.
Staged homes generally sell faster and at a higher price. Here is a short list of ideas that can help you stae your home for a more rapid sale. In this market you need every advantage:
1. Curb appeal
The front of your home, including the courtyard should be free of clutter. It couldn't hurt to power wash and repaint the exposed wood areas, including the door. If the hardware on the door is worn or tarnished, you should consider replacing it. You might need to trim or remove some of the existing landscaping--plants get tired looking after many years. Remember that within the first 30 seconds, buyers for their first impressions.
2. Unclutter and Unstuff
Overcrowded rooms create negative inspiration. If you plan on discarding furniture, do it before you show your home. Closets should be only half-full and the floor of the closet should be visible. If the closet is crammed full of your stuff, potential buyers will feel there is not enough closet space.
3. Light Rules
Clean windows and screens inside and out and open drapes and blinds. Allow as much natural light as possible. The more light, the more "homey" the room feels.
You may find areas that need repainting. Don't scrimp...repaint the entire room. When selecting a paint color light and natural should be the rule of thumb.
4. Textiles
Put out the GOOD towels, both in the kitchen and baths. Make sure throw rugs and runners are in good shape and clean...particularly in the entry way. Make sure your entry is attractive, bright and clean.
5. USE FLOWERS
I can't emphasize this enough!!! In season or purchased from the florist, real flowers--don't use artificial--add charm and warmth to any room. Pots of seasonal flowers on the front porch and hanging baskets on the back porch bring life and energy to the home. A simple market bouquet can brighten any home. I learned this from experience: When we sold our home in Phoenix in 1991, it was a market like this one. I hired a flower expert and spent $500.00 for pots of brightly colored flowers--We sold within a week and buyers told us it was the FLOWERS.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sun City Stats for January 08
There are 219 active lisings as of Jan 29,08, from $229,000 for 1283 sq. ft. to $989,000 for a Provence on the Golf Course.
There have been 16 pending sales this month ranging from $259,000 for a Lanai (1213 sq. ft) to $815,000 for a Portofino on the Golf Course. Of these: 5 were under $300,000, 4 between $300,000 and $400,000, 2 between $400,000 and $500,000, 2 between $700,000 and $800,000 and 1 over $800,000.
6 homes closed escrow this month from $280,000 for a Cayman (1632') to $855,000 for a Portofino on the golf course.
The trend seems to have changed. Where in the previous few months most of the sales were in the high two's and three's. We now have seen the sales are more vigorous on those over $300,000. That is certainly good news. Open houses have been busy and agents are once again writing offers.
There have been 16 pending sales this month ranging from $259,000 for a Lanai (1213 sq. ft) to $815,000 for a Portofino on the Golf Course. Of these: 5 were under $300,000, 4 between $300,000 and $400,000, 2 between $400,000 and $500,000, 2 between $700,000 and $800,000 and 1 over $800,000.
6 homes closed escrow this month from $280,000 for a Cayman (1632') to $855,000 for a Portofino on the golf course.
The trend seems to have changed. Where in the previous few months most of the sales were in the high two's and three's. We now have seen the sales are more vigorous on those over $300,000. That is certainly good news. Open houses have been busy and agents are once again writing offers.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
New Exercise Guidelines
From the American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine:
Moderate aerobic exercise 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or vigorous aerobic exercise 20 minutes a day, three days a week .... and strength -training twice a week. People age 65 and older also should do exercises to improve or maintain balance three times a week to minimize their risk for falling.
Moderate aerobic exercise 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or vigorous aerobic exercise 20 minutes a day, three days a week .... and strength -training twice a week. People age 65 and older also should do exercises to improve or maintain balance three times a week to minimize their risk for falling.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Did you know?
Familiar household product WD-40 has more than 2,000 uses, including cleaning stainless steel appliances, keeping metal wire screens rust-free, removing grime from tile-floor grout and more.
Feng Shui
With homes remaining on the market for longer periods of time, sellers need to explore and consider using a wider variety of tools and strategies to help get their homes sold. One of the tools to consider is Feng Shui (pronounced "fung shway").
Feng Shui is not a religion,philosophy or superstition. The Chinese Feng Shui character literally means wind and water. Feng Shui works with the energy in your environment, just as acupuncture works with the energy in your body.
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese specialized body of knowledge that is part science and part art.. It works to improve our lives by balancing and harmonizing, through purposeful placement, the "chi"that flows in our environment. The mission of Feng Shui is to seek out that balance in each room so that y ou can help yourself feel grounded or centered in your living environment.
Chi can be divided into five essential elements which characterize all matter: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The five elements can be associated with colors, times, seasons, directions, planets, body organs, etc. The key to this principle is to understand your environment's dominant elements and then to balance those elements when building, renovating, remodeling, designing and decorating.
When putting your home on the market, it is crucial that prospective buyers get a good feeling when they approach, enter and exit your home. The objective is to create an environment that is warm and welcoming and where prospective buyers feel a strong enough connection to your home that they envision themselves living there and want to buy it.
For example, your bathroom----should not feel divided,. Ideally, the bathtub should be placed near a window so you can peer into nature while soaking. The looking in and out of the bathroom should be appealing and the toilet area should be kept hidden from the doorway.
Other suggestions include using neutral colors such as sand, taupe, brown, gray, sea green and black for a feeling of serenity. The materials you use in your bathroom should balance the five elements of fire, earth, water, metal and air. Blend copper faucets and stone sinks with rice paper screens. Bamboo laminate countertops and teak wood add a touch of Zen and don't require major remodeling. In fact, you can simply add a teak stool to the shower and teak floor mats outside the tub.
Explore and enjoy Feng Shui.
Feng Shui is not a religion,philosophy or superstition. The Chinese Feng Shui character literally means wind and water. Feng Shui works with the energy in your environment, just as acupuncture works with the energy in your body.
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese specialized body of knowledge that is part science and part art.. It works to improve our lives by balancing and harmonizing, through purposeful placement, the "chi"that flows in our environment. The mission of Feng Shui is to seek out that balance in each room so that y ou can help yourself feel grounded or centered in your living environment.
Chi can be divided into five essential elements which characterize all matter: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The five elements can be associated with colors, times, seasons, directions, planets, body organs, etc. The key to this principle is to understand your environment's dominant elements and then to balance those elements when building, renovating, remodeling, designing and decorating.
When putting your home on the market, it is crucial that prospective buyers get a good feeling when they approach, enter and exit your home. The objective is to create an environment that is warm and welcoming and where prospective buyers feel a strong enough connection to your home that they envision themselves living there and want to buy it.
For example, your bathroom----should not feel divided,. Ideally, the bathtub should be placed near a window so you can peer into nature while soaking. The looking in and out of the bathroom should be appealing and the toilet area should be kept hidden from the doorway.
Other suggestions include using neutral colors such as sand, taupe, brown, gray, sea green and black for a feeling of serenity. The materials you use in your bathroom should balance the five elements of fire, earth, water, metal and air. Blend copper faucets and stone sinks with rice paper screens. Bamboo laminate countertops and teak wood add a touch of Zen and don't require major remodeling. In fact, you can simply add a teak stool to the shower and teak floor mats outside the tub.
Explore and enjoy Feng Shui.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Latest News from Palm Desert
First the frustrating news: Nordstrom's is not expected until 2011.
New on El Paseo: Gucci, Burberry, Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt, Randy Williams & Co. ( a high end men's boutique), Mangtree ( Italian gelato and yogurt).
Closed at Westfield mall: Steve and Barry's and Bombay.
New on El Paseo: Gucci, Burberry, Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt, Randy Williams & Co. ( a high end men's boutique), Mangtree ( Italian gelato and yogurt).
Closed at Westfield mall: Steve and Barry's and Bombay.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Home Improvements
According to Bottom Line, the following renovations are the most wanted:
In the kitchen:
l. Kitchen recycling centers-typically a concealed area under a kitchen countertop.
2. Natural stone such as granite or concrete countertops. Natural soapstone is gaining in popularity.
3. Restaurant-look appliances : stainless steel -trimmed cook areas, refrigerators and other appliances.
4. Wine fridges.
For the bath:
1. Two of everything
2. Radiant heat in bathroom floors.
On the decline:
1. Whirlpool tubs--homeowners say they take up too much room and are hard to clean
Additional features desired by homeowners:
1. Home offices
2. 3-car garages
3. Open floor plans
4. Locations close to urban centers.
In the kitchen:
l. Kitchen recycling centers-typically a concealed area under a kitchen countertop.
2. Natural stone such as granite or concrete countertops. Natural soapstone is gaining in popularity.
3. Restaurant-look appliances : stainless steel -trimmed cook areas, refrigerators and other appliances.
4. Wine fridges.
For the bath:
1. Two of everything
2. Radiant heat in bathroom floors.
On the decline:
1. Whirlpool tubs--homeowners say they take up too much room and are hard to clean
Additional features desired by homeowners:
1. Home offices
2. 3-car garages
3. Open floor plans
4. Locations close to urban centers.
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