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If there's one thing for sure, it's this - moving house is expensive. And the unfortunate reality is most of us just do not have the money to hire professional movers. Although it's never the best option, if you have to move everything by yourself, here are some helpful tips to ensure the relocation goes smoothly.
First off, no move has ever been free. Even if you move by yourself, it's going to cost something. So use our moving expenses budget planner to find out exactly how much you have and how much it's going to cost to move. You'll need to factor in a trailer or truck if you need to hire one, petrol, travel expenses and any packing materials at the bare minimum.
Planning your move is essential, especially when moving yourself. Use The Moving Checklist to start preparing for your move - at least 8 weeks in advance. That way you'll have enough time to pack and organise your relocation successfully.
If you're packing everything yourself, before you start you'll need to create an inventory of your household possessions. Use our packing checklist. This will give you a good idea of how much you own and how many boxes you'll need to pack everything. Also, it's a good idea to create an inventory of your goods every once and a while so you can update your contents insurance.
The average person out there can spare at least 5% of their old goods like clothes and bedding when they move. Instead of hoarding, now is a great time to go through your stuff and decide what you can afford to give away. You'll be helping those most in need and you'll feel a lot better for it.
Packaging materials are available from a wide range of stores but if you're on a budget you can always visit your local supermarket or liquor store. They usually have plenty of spare boxes and are more than happy to get rid of them.
Finally, after you've planned your move yourself and budgeted for everything, just get on with it! And remember. The earlier you plan and budget for your move, the less stress you'll go through. So start planning as early as possible, take your time and do a little more each week. That way, your relocation will be a lot less hectic and you'll have far less gray hairs by the end of it!
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Because of the size, delicacy and awkward shape, a piano or organ obviously isn't a typical musical instrument that can easily be picked up and moved. And because the lightest piano weighs in at about 300 pounds, weight is an issue too. As a result of all these factors, hauling a piano can be not only downright inconvenient but it also can be disastrous if not done properly. So to make sure you protect your piano or organ when you move it, your best bet is to get an experienced professional piano mover to do the job for you.
When you hire a piano mover, you're not just paying for men with muscles; you're paying for expertise and experience that will help ensure your piano or organ will be handled properly and arrive safely. That means it has to be expertly crated and uncrated or wrapped in enough moving blankets to protect it. It also means they have to know how to set up the piano or organ when it reaches its destination. You wouldn't want to leave this to a regular moving company, unless they happen to be experts in piano moving too.
Your best bet is to interview at least three professional piano movers, so you can identify one that is both qualified and reputable. This is especially important if you're moving to or from a multi-story building or if there are stairs leading from the street to the building's front door. Here are some questions to ask when you interview them:
• Do they have a valid Department of Transportation (DOT) license?
• Do they make it a policy to “keyboard” pianos when they move them? If they do, that means they would remove the keyboard so the piano can fit through tight spaces. This introduces a whole world of negative possibilities, so either pass on this vendor or at the very least, make it very clear you don't want your instrument to be keyboarded.
• Do they have enough insurance to replace or repair your piano or organ if it's damaged or destroyed? If not, contact your insurance agent to see if they will give you a rider to your policy during the move. If so, make sure to factor that into your cost comparisons.
• Will they come to your home to pick up the instrument? Sometimes long-distance or international movers want you to deliver your piano to a local piano dealer so they can pick it up from there to transport it. You'll obviously want to know this in advance as you compare prices.
Once you've chosen a piano mover and your instrument arrives at its destination, make sure they position it somewhere that doesn't have major shifts in temperature, such as near heating or air conditioning ducts, or doors and windows. Even small temperature changes can cause warping, which can affect the instrument's sound.
As you can see from all the variables above, you wouldn't want to trust the intricate task of moving a piano to cheap movers that aren't specifically trained for the job.
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The days are gone when you could just trust that any moving estimate you received would be above-board. Unfortunately, the moving industry is rife with “rogue” movers who are out to scam people when they’re most vulnerable – during a move. That’s why it’s important to get at least three moving estimates and know the right questions to ask movers. The answers to those questions could make the difference between being ripped off and paying a fair price to have your goods arrive safely.
When you call a company to estimate moving costs, make sure to keep this list of questions to ask movers handy:
• Do they do an on-site inspection before giving a moving estimate?
If the answer is no, don’t hire that company. Scam movers typically provide low estimates over the phone or the Internet and then refuse to unload your possessions unless you pay a lot more. A reputable company will have no problem with giving you an in-person, weight-based moving estimate that factors in your furniture and all your other belongings.
• Who owns the company?
Use this information to do Internet searches to determine if the owner has a history of past misdeeds. Try searching for the owner’s name by itself and then also by adding the word “scam” to it.
• What is the company name on the license?
Rogue movers typically have many company names. If the company name on the license is different from the company you’re calling, scratch them off your list.
• Do they have insurance?
If the answer is yes, ask to see documentation. If the answer is no, go elsewhere.
• Will they allow you to tour their premises?
If the answer is no because they don’t have a warehouse, don’t use that company. If the answer is yes, be sure to visit. A property that isn’t branded with the company name, or that looks disorganized, dirty or like they just moved in could be an indication of a rogue mover.
• Will they provide standard industry documentation?
If the mover doesn’t offer to give you copies of the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move brochures, and information about the arbitration program the company participates in, go elsewhere. These documents are required by law for interstate shipments.• Are they members of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA)?
Membership doesn’t completely guarantee the mover isn’t a rogue but if they say they’re members and you can’t confirm that with the AMSA, you should go elsewhere.
If the phone is answered with a generic greeting such as “movers” or “moving service” instead of a company name when you call to get a moving furniture estimate, don’t even bother with the rest of the questions and hang up. Scam movers often operate under multiple company names so they can stay ahead of the law. The lack of a clear company identity should be considered a definite red flag.
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If you aren't using professional movers for your relocation, you're probably planning to rent a truck to load and drive yourself. You will want to ensure your truck is loaded in the most efficient and safest way possible.
The first thing to do is get the right-sized truck. Make sure you get one that is about 10-15% larger than the space you require. If you need help figuring out which truck to get, ask someone at the rental place. He or she will help you find the right truck based on the number of rooms in your home.
Do a walkthrough of your home. Then, decide on a loading order. You can take it one step further by sketching out a floor plan for how the truck should be packed. After you read this guide, you'll have a good idea of what items should go where.
The best way to load is to start with the biggest and heaviest items, which will often be your large appliances - refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, dishwashers, etc. It should go without saying, but, when moving these items, make sure you have extra help. It would be incredibly difficult and dangerous to move such things yourself.
You should also borrow or rent a moving dolly, so you don't have to rely on your physical strength alone to move these appliances. Once you get the items into the truck, they should be placed against the far wall of the truck, closest to the cab. As you load, try to balance the weight in the truck by placing the heaviest things on opposite sides.
You can then load some of your other large items, like your mattresses, headboards, sofas, and table tops. These things should be placed along the sides of the truck. You should put them upright, which will help to save some space. Any moving truck will have panels on the sides, so secure these items in place by tying them to the panels. Make sure you keep any hardware that goes with these items clearly labeled or, more simply, put it into a bag and tape that to the item itself.
The next objects to put in the truck are your other furniture pieces, including:
• Dressers
• Bureaus
• Bookcases
• China cabinets
• Tables
• Chairs
Place these items in the middle of the truck, against your large appliances. You can make this a little easier on yourself by removing the drawers from your dressers. That way, you're just carrying the frame onto the truck. The drawers can then be placed back into the dresser and secured with string, so they won't fall out.
At this point, you can begin loading up all of your boxes. You should try to put some small boxes underneath or above your tables and chairs. Not only does this save space, but, by filling in any gaps, everything will be more compact and less likely to shift around during transit.
You can then bring the rest of your boxes onto the truck. Start by placing the largest and heaviest onboard first. Again, try to balance out the weight across the floor of the truck by putting the heavy boxes on opposite sides. Then, place your more moderate-sized boxes on top of the heavier ones. Finally, place your lightest boxes and those containing fragile items on the top level.
With the items loaded and packed properly, you can rest easy knowing that your things are better protected and more likely to survive the move without any damage.
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We want nothing for our homes but only the best to keep it refreshing and desirable to stay that is why we always do the remodeling job to preserve and enhance the beauty of our home.
However, despite of our wants to do the best that we can for the beauty of our home, we always do some mistake we are commonly unaware of doing. To keep us reminded and warned us not to do these mistakes once again, below are the listed common mistake in home remodeling that we should avoid.
With the excitement that we feel when remodeling, we tend to forget to locate the water cutoff, which will definitely be a problem in the future. One must keep in mind that before starting any remodeling job especially when it has to do with the water pipes like kitchens and bathrooms, it is important that we have located the water cutoffs first. In this way, overflowing of water can be easily avoided if ever something went wrong.
When remodeling, it is normal to do some demolition and this can be a messy thing. In order to minimize dust and debris, creating a small working area or work zone can be the best that we can do. Have our tools and supplies place inside and have it organize at the end of each work session for an easy access the following day. Get rid of your junk and debris easier with these dumpster rental services.
Being too much in a hurry to do the remodeling can sometimes cause hassle or probably harm. Yes, it would be an exciting thing to rip off those walls that we wanted to demolish. However, safe demolition must be kept in mind. Knowing the things attached to the wall you are suppose to demolish is an important thing to do. Turning off electricity and water supply is important as well. In this way, you can be sure that nothing will be damaged in case you rip off the wall you want to demolish.
Clean surfaces must be protected by covering it with mask or whatever you think off as you do the remodeling. This will avoid the surface from being damaged. Surfaces to be covered include cabinets, countertops, walls, baseboards, flooring, and moldings.
There are many ways of decorating your living room to make it look pleasant and welcoming. However, there are some homeowners that are looking to go beyond just a fine look and they are in search of ways to make their living room look absolutely gorgeous and unique. If you happen to be one such homeowner then this article on living room decorating ideas will provide you with stunning and unique ways to achieving your goal.
You already have heard all the decorating tips on how to decorate your living room such as using a fresh code of paint and hanging portraits and mirrors. You have perhaps employed many of these living room decorating ideas in your living room decorating and although your living room looks great, you are still wondering how you can go further to achieve that marvelous look that is the true mark of a luxury living room. The trick to achieving this goal is to use stones or exposed bricks in your living room
Stones have a warmth look and can truly transform your ordinary living room into a very luxurious living room that will make all your visitors to comment on its beauty. Decorative stones come in various designs and colors therefore you need to see which will match the theme of your living room. You can flip through some living room decorating magazines or even online to see what kind of stones are used for interior decoration.
For larger living rooms you may be able to use stones for the entire face of a wall whereas for medium to moderate size living rooms you should use stones for just a small portion of the wall or above a center piece such above the fireplace. The location of the stone wall is also important. It should be such that it is visible from various angles so that your guests or relatives can easily see the wall. Bricks can be used for an entire face of the wall even if you have moderate size or medium size living room. However, be sure that it goes well with your overall themes.
Installing stones or bricks for the interior requires special skills. If you have never attempted such installation, you may want to hire a contractor to assist you with this project. Remember finishing matters and any interior work in the living room is very visible; therefore, be sure to hire a competent contractor so that the work is performed properly. Check references and follow the guidelines for hiring a home improvement contractor.
Remember decorating with stone is an important aspect of your decorating project however you must follow other tips and ideas mentioned before for decorating your room. The stone decoration is not a replacement for the previous tips on living room decorating ideas but an integral addition to make your house look unique and gorgeous. Therefore be sure to follow the tips mentioned in the previous post for decorating your living room. As always home decoration should be perceived and approached as fun project; thus plan in such a way that is a fun activity for you and your family.
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Practically nothing can transform the design along with the real feel of a restroom comparable to high-quality, in a position floor. Floor coverings which have yellowed as we grow older or perhaps cracked use detracts from improvements. Should you have built the effort to change your drain as well as faucet using kept up to date types floor coverings have to be the next thing.
Once as soon as the carpet inside the lavatory seemed to be stylish. Property owners liked the thinking behind walking rug rather than freezing ceramic tile during the evening. Decades later they might study ribbon and bow considerably bacteria obtained trapped between rug plus the sub-floor. Not just detrimental on your feet as well as the sub floorboards itself.
A better option with the toilet floors is definitely porcelain tile. It comes in small and big sizes, depending on the sort of style you would like. Some individuals could pick big, simple whitened roof tiles and after that adorn the restroom along with splashes connected with coloration in another place. Some other choice will be choosing floor tiles that produce some sort of pattern. An incredible thing about ceramic tile is it could be extensive in the shower area and offer continuity to help equal regions. The down side to this of hardwood could be that it really does need skill to slice as well as set properly, this is more costly compared to a number of solutions.
A less expensive choice is linoleum. This particular extremely resilient floor seemed to be invented by Frederick Walton in 1855. Such a flooring surface comes in a roll. It can be sliced to match nearly virtually any shape or size. Cost and relative ease will be the attributes of this sort of floor. It is extremely common and also utilized in numerous fresh properties, buildings and other commercial locations. Doesn’t necessarily seem nice seeing that floor tile really does, however. Although annually, fresh improvements help it become more and more difficult to share exactly what floors you are considering. Each year, linoleum became a lot more trendy.
Another option, which looks unproductive to the toilet, is solid wood. It’s just about the most high-priced yet certainly the prettiest too. Classic lumber useful for the floor is maple, maple as well as redwood. It truly is laid little by little inside a mouth and pattern technique after which it is nailed or stuck into place. The revolutionary product or service being useful for bathrooms and also living rooms everywhere is definitely bamboo bed sheets. That lumber can be used in water-filled locations. Although it will not withstand becoming quite underwater for longer intervals, lumber especially taken care of pertaining to floor may take care of the sporadic leak or even splash over.
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Refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers are examples of key kitchen appliances. They make cooking, cleaning, and food storage more convenient. Above that, they save you time and make life easier. A kitchen appliance is a machine that accomplishes a task in the kitchen, whether its purpose is to freeze ice, bake bread, or grind coffee beans. The majority of kitchen appliances run off energy, most often electricity, though there are still many gas ovens and pasta machines with hand-cranks.
Major appliances include the more essential, larger ones, such as ovens, fridges, countertop stoves, and dishwashers. Seeing that so many washer and drying machines are appearing in kitchen closets, these can almost be cross-listed as laundry-kitchen appliances.
Of the standard major appliances found in kitchens, a dishwasher is probably the one not found in every kitchen. An oven with stovetop and a refrigerator with freezer are crucial tools. Although the microwave is an add-in, it usually appears more frequently in kitchens than dishwashers.
Selecting the right major appliances for a kitchen should depend on budget, kitchen decor and design, contemporary trends, efficiency, and lifestyle habits. For example, if a person lives alone and prefers eating out most nights, she does not need a large, fancy stove. Seeing that few dishes will be spoiled, she might prefer to wash dirty dishes by hand as opposed to loading a dishwasher and waiting days to load it. On the other extreme, if a person entertains frequently and can afford the space and money, he might consider installing two dishwashers in your kitchen.
Examples of small kitchen appliances include the following:
• Blenders
• Food processors
• Ice cream makers
• Garbage disposals
• Garbage compactors
• Bread machines
• Espresso machines
• Coffeemakers
• Electric mixers
• Toaster ovens
• Vacuum sealers
• Grills
• Waffle makers.
Small kitchen appliances are most often countertop ones. Used more for specialty purposes, these smaller appliances are not considered as essential to the kitchen as the major appliances. They are usually significantly less expensive and accomplish just about every type of task possible.
Regardless of the type, the newer major appliances should be energy-efficient. Efficiency can be determined by the appliance's Energy Star rating. Energy Star is a government-backed program focused on protecting the environment through efficient usage of energy. By choosing kitchen appliances with an Energy Star rating, you choose an appliance that consumes less energy and is less expensive while helping to protect the environment. For example, because of the advanced technologies Energy Star-rated dishwashers use, less energy and water is required. Among being energy efficient, these days there are a number of handy and convenient details on all appliances.
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Whether you are relocating for a new job, retiring to a smaller home, or moving to a larger home because of your growing family, moving can be extremely stressful. Whether you own your home or rent, plan to buy a new home, or lease, there are dozens and dozens of tedious details that, if forgotten, can cause stress, delays, and headaches.
There are ways to make moving less stressful. For example, new online applications that help keep you organized every step of the way, walking you through the process and allowing you to print out checklists. Because these applications are online, you can access your information from any computer, anywhere, even while on the road traveling to your new residence.
If you own a large quantity of furnishings, entertainment equipment, office equipment, and other things that make life pleasant, you will probably need a moving service to load your household goods into a large moving van and deliver them safely to your new home. To find the right moving service, you'll need to obtain a moving quote and specifics of what services are included in that quote from several moving companies. Jotting notes on scraps of paper is not a good way to keep this vital information organized. Instead, use one of these handy online applications to input, compare, and choose from your quotes to select the best moving service for the money.
Of course, you probably will not want to move every item in your current home to your new home. You probably have many items that could be donated to charity, given away, or sold to someone who wants these items. Remember that expensive set of golf clubs you purchased before you realized you don't enjoy golf? Someone really wants them and is willing to pay for them. You can create online checklists of items to move, discard, sell, donate, or give away.
A careful inventory of items to be moved is necessary to ensure that you know exactly what goes into the moving service's truck. If you do not have a clear, organized checklist, should a box be damaged or lost, you might have difficulty being reimbursed for the damage or loss.
You may want to purchase new furnishings for some areas of your new home. You'll find keeping track of what you plan to acquire as easy as tracking what you want to discard. You'll have lists of steps to take such as shutting off utilities and services at your old residence and having them turned on at the new residence. Today, many of these service transitions can even be accomplished online too, making the process quick and simple.
There is a lot of online help in selling your present home and buying a house at a new location. By filling in facts in response to simple questions, these online applications generate real estate fact sheets to help your realtor better understand the property being offered for sale. You can also generate a realtor information sheet using the same simple methods to help a realtor in your new city or town Find a home for you to buy or residence to rent or lease that is just right for you and your family. Many realtors today offer online tours of a home, either with room by room digital photographs or videos or 360-degree visual tours. You can save lots of time and reduce stress by choosing only a few potential residences to tour in person instead of spending hours viewing homes that simply cannot meet the needs of you and your family.
These next-generation online applications help so much in organizing and planning the logistics of a household move that you can actually enjoy those going-away parties in your old home and the housewarming parties in your new residence. Having organized your move with these new online applications, you can rest assured that none of the key moving tasks have slipped through the cracks.
As a homeowner, you control the single most important factor in selling your house - the condition of the property when it's offered for sale. Shrewd store owners and retailers know that in a buyer's mind it's presentation and perception that make up the majority of the perceived value of any product or service. In fact, corporations spend billions of dollars on marketing firms whose only job is to improve a product's image and its presentation, including its packaging and in-store shelf position. They spend this money each and every year to increase the product's value in the mind of prospective buyers. Your house is no different in this regard, in fact, the National Association of Realtors says that the average purchaser looks at a minimum of 18 properties prior to purchasing one.
Do you recall when you purchased your house? How many did you preview before deciding that it was the one? A smart seller knows that, regardless of how many properties are on the market, all buyers will always want the best-priced property that is in the best condition. This is the very definition of value. To sell your house for more money you are going to have to start thinking like a buyer.
If you examine the process of selling a property from a marketing perspective, you will begin to discover that you are selling more than just wood, brick, and mortar structure. What you are actually selling is the feeling of comfort, shelter, security, a place to make memories, a lifestyle, and to a certain extent, dreams of happiness. If this sounds a little too mystical to you, then consider how all luxury automobiles are sold. Over 90 percent of the sale and value of a luxury car is tied up in the illusion of the prestige that it gives its prospective owner. Let's face it, people buy luxury cars because it makes them feel great to be seen driving one.
More to the point, the single greatest factor that affects the end value of every property is its location. Location! Location! Location! No other single factor has a greater influence on the value of any property. The fact is that some neighborhoods are more prestigious than others, and the underlying reasons for this are really not as important as the fact that people believe that those neighborhoods are somehow better.
In the end, all people want the best for themselves and their families, and that feeling should be reflected in the way you present your house to prospective buyers. Your house should present itself to buyers as a good strong shelter that will provide them with years of comfort, security, warmth, and lifestyle. When a prospective buyer comes to your door to view your house, they are hoping to find the perfect home for themselves. As a Seller, if you've done your homework, then every room in your house will create a desire for the Buyer to want to stay. This means that the house should feel inviting, bright, and comfortable to the widest cross-section of prospective buyers.
Visit Becky Bauer The Realtor’s website to learn how you can have a smooth and hassle-free selling experience.
When it comes to staging a home, neutral interior colors do not mean boring and are not limited to white, tan, and beige. There is a wide range of colors that are considered neutrals in terms of staging. The determining factor is often not the hue itself, but the shade or tint.
A pale yellow can add just the right amount of warmth and light, while a strong, bold yellow would be overbearing. There are beautiful shades of blues and greens that are appropriate, such as sage.
Shades of orange, such as peach, apricot or terracotta, as well as varieties of brown like mocha and caramel, can be warm and comforting.
Avoid overly loud, brash, bright, or dark colors. However, not all light colors are appropriate. Some pastels are too taste-specific, such as cotton-candy pink.
This doesn’t mean there should be no strong colors in a home. Keep large items neutral, but add pops of color with pillows, throws, and accessories – items that are easily changed.
Certain items might turn off a large number of buyers and should be removed or altered. Textured walls, decorative paint treatments, wallpaper, and murals are taste-specific. Buyers envision the time, work, and frustration needed to remove them. Bright paint colors or rooms with each wall painted a different color should be repainted to a single hue. This applies to children’s spaces as well. Not all buyers will have children.
Very old appliances should be replaced – unless they are vintage items. If that isn’t possible, it is very inexpensive to buy appliance paint at the hardware store. This is especially effective if there is one appliance that doesn’t match the others. Most people are unaware that dishwashers often have reversible front panels. Get rid of any carpet that is either in poor condition or dated in terms of style or color. Any unique or elaborate fixtures should be changed.
It’s also important to address any odors. They need to be eliminated and not just covered with air fresheners. This is often a difficult task for sellers. People that live in a space get used to the smells. It’s often helpful to have a family member or friend assess the space. They will be able to detect odors that owners don’t notice. Two odors that are very difficult to remove are those of pets and cigarette smoke.
Many real estate agents and stagers suggest that sellers find temporary living arrangements for pets while a home is on the market. This is often unrealistic. Dogs can be taken for walks during showings or crated if sellers are not home. Litter boxes can be concealed, and some new litter box arrangements are quite stylish. There are many that are disguised as end tables. Also, make an effort to empty the litter box more frequently.
Buy a decorative basket or two to store toys. Arrange food items neatly in a drawer or cabinet. Organize leashes and collars on hooks or in storage drawers at the entry. Buy a stylish feeding stand. In summary, try to put away as many pet items as possible during showings.
Many sellers forget to address the home’s exterior. This is an important area, especially the entry. Get rid of lawn ornaments and statues, yard equipment, toys, and any personal items.
Neutralizing a home for sale can be so effective that sellers approach the design of their new home in the same way. There are articles and books popping up that show you how to “stage to live”. A neutral home is stylish, welcoming, and appealing to a wide range of potential buyers.
Now that you know how to make your home appealing to buyers, the next step is to hire an experienced realtor for a stress-free experience selling your home. Visit Becky Bauer the Realtor to learn more.
Cleaning and decluttering are the two most overlooked tasks when preparing a home for sale. Home Staging Resources conducted a study on the costs and benefits of staging and found that spending just $200 - $300 on cleaning and decluttering alone resulted in an increase of $1,500 - $2,000 in the sale price. That translates into a 578% return on investment.
Does the process of selling your home stress you out? Hire the right realtor to ensure a worry-free selling process so you have time to handle the things that matter. Visit Becky Bauer the Realtor to find out how. In the meantime, here’s our advice for the simple things you can do right now to prepare your home for staging.
Why does it matter so much? In addition to being turned off by the condition of the home, potential buyers see a dirty house as evidence that the owners don’t maintain the home. If visible areas are in this condition, what do hidden areas look like? Are there major defects? What about deferred maintenance?
The condition of a home is especially important during a seller’s market, which is when there are more homes available than there are buyers to purchase them. Buyers have a wide choice of homes and can afford to be discriminating. Messy homes make buyers think about all the work they will have to do when they move in. Moving is stressful enough.
In order to give buyers this relaxing feeling, sellers must do a thorough cleaning. If this is really an issue, it is worth the money to hire a professional cleaning company just before listing the home.
A thorough cleaning includes the basement, garage, outdoor spaces and all those places where people tend to hide things, such as under the bed or in the closets. No shortcuts here. Buyers will notice! Get behind and under furniture and appliances. And don’t forget the windows – clean windows let in lots of light. While cleaning, make sure to wash draperies and carpets. Get rid of any excess window treatments to allow lots of light into rooms.
Cleaning and decluttering go hand-in-hand. The way a home is sold is very different from the way in which most people live. As spaces are cleaned, items can be thrown away, set aside for a garage sale, or packed away. Store those items that aren’t essential for living over the next couple of months, such as next season’s clothes or duplicates of everyday items.
Remove all unnecessary items from surfaces, especially the kitchen and bathroom counters. A good rule of thumb is to clean the kitchen surfaces of all small appliances, except the two that are used most often. Clean out cabinets and the pantry. Remove about one-third to one-half of all contents in these areas. Getting rid of broken items and expired food products will go a long way to reducing the number of items in kitchen storage spaces. Pack the rest.
In bathrooms, only display decorative soaps or towels on counters. If everyday items must be left out, such as Q-tips or cotton balls, make sure they are stored in decorative containers. In the rest of the home, all collectibles, valuables, and anything and everything that is personal, political, or religious must be packed away. Also, consider removing items that are too style-specific.
Next, take a good look at the amount of furniture in each room. If the space feels crowded, has poor traffic flow, or contains furniture that’s not in scale with the size of the room, remove or replace items. For example, in an average-size living room, a loveseat, chair, coffee, and end table should be more than sufficient. One place that tends to attract clutter is fireplace mantels. Eliminate all but a few items, such as a mirror or picture flanked by 2 candles.
Be careful not to go to the other extreme and make the home cold and bare. Vacant homes need staging too. If possible, leave some pieces of furniture behind until the home sells, borrow furniture and accessories from friends and family, or use a company that specializes in furniture rental. It isn’t as expensive as most people think.
For excess furniture, consider renting a storage unit or borrow basement space from family and friends. A properly staged home will sell quickly and won’t result in months of rental or storage fees. The improved sale price will more than cover the costs. If storage is just not possible, the last resort is to pack belongings in boxes and store them neatly in one section of a basement, garage, or spare bedroom.
Spending a day or two making sure the home is as neat, organized, and as clean as possible results in peace of mind for buyers, and more money, and a quicker sale for sellers.
Houses are getting smaller. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average square footage of a new home dipped slightly in 2009 for the first time since the recession of the early 1980s. But have you ever wondered “My place is so tiny, how will I ever manage to sell my house?” In an interview with Suite101, realtor, Katie Arthur of Prudential Northwest Properties says she has noticed a consumer trend towards purchasing smaller homes, "People just aren't buying the big houses these days."
While the advantages of owning a small home include lower price, reduced utility bills, less maintenance, and more family togetherness, disadvantages may arise for the owner when it's time to sell. Because buyers have to envision themselves living in a small home, a staging strategy is necessary to make the house seem as big as possible.
Realtor, Barbara Schwartz originated the term, "staging" in the 1970s when trying to sell homes. She advises, "Try to look at your house through the buyer's eyes, as though you've never seen it before." Look for evidence that a room is doing double duty, such as a combination dining room and home office. Lessen the concern in the buyer's mind that there won't be room for his belongings by stowing computers and office supplies so that the room appears to be single-use.
Clutter makes a house seem smaller by breaking up clean lines. Storage is the key to staging a small home. Remove all small appliances from the kitchen counter to avoid a crowded look. If the closet is full, remove up to half of the clothing to make it appear larger. Remove and store personal items from bathroom countertops and the shower. If the living room or dining room furniture is either over-sized or too abundant, store the pieces that make the room feel too crowded.
Avoid loud and high-contrast colours for ceilings, walls, floors, and between rooms. While home sellers should not be afraid to employ colour, they should be aware that potential buyers may not share their taste. Blending medium tones from ceiling to walls and from room to room will make the house feel bigger. Accessorize with complementary colors in the living and dining rooms, and choose one or two medium-toned towel colors for the bathroom.
The use of lighting can increase the illusion of space in a small house. Prune bushes and trees outside windows to maximize sunlight entering the house. In addition, a corner lamp that casts light upward creates an impression of more square footage.
Small houses have many economic advantages but may hit a roadblock when it's time to sell. But with low or no-cost staging strategies such as stowing clutter, painting, adding crown molding, or planting flowers outside, little houses can be perceived as valuable. And whether the owner has plenty of time to sell or if the property is a short sale, the likelihood of success is increased by staging efforts.
In today's challenging real estate market, it's important to do everything possible to make a house stand out from the competition. How to sell a house quickly: Stage the home to attract buyers. Professional stager Donna Caselden offers advice on how to get a house ready to sell.
Home staging simply means preparing a home for sale to show it off to the best advantage. "Buyers have a hard time visualizing how beautiful a home can be. They can't see the home's true potential. This is where staging comes in," Caselden explains. Homeowners can do it themselves, or hire a professional to stage their home for sale. Professional stagers are hired by the homeowner or the realtor.
Staging is becoming a popular tool for home sellers. Most likely, "You will be competing against homes that have been staged, so you want to make sure yours looks as good, if not better than other homes that are in the same price range as yours," Caselden explains.
Also, buyers are now shopping for homes through the internet. Un-staged homes typically don't photograph as well as homes that have been prepped and glamorized. "You wouldn't have your portrait taken without fixing your hair, and wearing a snazzy outfit," Caselden says. "The same thing applies to your home. You need to make a great first impression."
Here is our list of top ten things to do to sell a home quickly.
"We try to make the decor neutral, but that doesn't mean blah, or all-white," Caselden says. "The intention is for the home buyer to fall in love with the home, with tasteful, updated decor. If it's a starter home in a young neighborhood, keep the look hip, young, and Pottery Barn-ish. If it's located in an over-55 community, go with a more traditional style."
"Many times, buyers will think, 'Let's just put it on the market and see if it sells. If it doesn't sell, then I'll stage it.' Wrong, wrong, wrong!" Caselden says. "Those buyers who came during the first two weeks the house was on the market are gone forever. They're never coming back. Get your home looking its best from the very beginning, and you boost your chances for making a sale."
Another thing that turns off potential buyers: Keeping the house too personalized, full of family photos, kids' artwork, trophies, and so on. "When buyers walk in, they'll think about the family living there if it's full of personal mementos," Caselden warns. "What you want is for them to visualize themselves in the home, not you, and think about how they would use each room."
While living in a home, "you don't see what other people notice, so it can be helpful to have a fresh set of eyes," Caselden says. Also, professionals know what is important to accentuate in a home to make it attractive to buyers, including features such as hardwood floors, fireplaces, decorative moldings, and so on.
If the home is furnished, a home stager will do an initial consultation at the home, walking through the property with the owner from curbside to attic. The stager will offer advice on how to prepare the home, with detailed recommendations.
It's up to the homeowner to implement these improvements, such as paint color, furniture placement, and storage of items. Once that happens, the stager will return to the home and conduct hands-on staging. This may include furniture rearranging and adding accessories.
If the home is vacant, home stagers supply all the furniture and accessories necessary to give the home a designer look. These items are rented on a monthly basis.
Staging a home for sale is a popular way to make it attractive to buyers, especially during a tough real estate market. The same principles apply whether the homeowner handles the staging process or hires a professional to do it. A house that looks its very best will entice buyers to imagine themselves living in it, the first step to making the sale.
Once you’ve got your house looking its best, hire Becky Bauer the Realtor to make your home selling process quick, easy, and convenient.
Home staging is a proven method for preparing your home for sale, and it's particularly effective when you need to sell your home quickly. A study of 2,772 properties revealed that staged homes clear off the market twice as fast as non-staged ones... and can fetch up to four times the price!
While the results of home staging are somewhat magical, fortunately for home sellers, the process is not. Former president of the Vancouver Real Estate Board Glenn Temes defines home staging as anything you can do to make your home seem cozier and more livable--in short, anything that helps home buyers picture themselves living there.
"Having a house that has a lot of curb appeal--from the outside and from the inside--is going to help you get top dollar when you go to sell," Temes said in a recent CBC interview.
What creates curb appeal from one home to the next can vary widely depending on its location, type of building, or neighborhood. But home staging is based on some universal selling principles that can be applied across the board. Create curb appeal in your home with these staging principles...
Once you've made the decision to sell, you need to make the mental shift from homeowner to the home seller. Your home is a product. Thinking of your house as a product, not your home-sweet-home, allows you to think objectively about your home's features. Home staging highlights the best and downplays the worst. Keeping drapes open to highlight great views, for example, or creating an attractive alternative focal point to detract from poor ones are key examples of using staging to flatter and sell your home quickly.
If you've already left the nest or are selling off a vacant investment property, furnishings and accessories are critical to creating a warm and welcoming feeling. Most buyers need a little help visualizing how an empty space can be filled. Staging an empty house with rented furniture and accessories does just that -- and helps create a cozy feeling they can connect with emotionally.
Just how important is creating an emotional bond with potential buyers? According to Harvard Business School Professor Gerald Zaltman, 95% of purchasing decisions happen in our subconscious. A carnivorous empty space doesn't exactly create a warm fuzzy feeling.
Need more proof? According to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), once vacant homes sold 85% faster than their non-staged counterparts.
Effective home staging aims to appeal to ALL senses: from inviting furniture layouts to the smell of freshly baked cookies during an open house to the sound of soft music played during a viewing. These home staging tricks of the trade are all designed to engage your buyers' senses.
Most of the time, this means keeping your home furnishing and finishes neutral. Not everyone is going to share a penchant for purple paint or your New-in-Box Transformers collection. Selling your home is a numbers game. The more people your house appeals to, the more quickly it will sell.
Because a staged home has been proven to sell faster for significantly more money, home staging professionals are cropping up all over the world. There are a number of advantages to hiring a professional to stage your home for you, not least of which is speed. According to John Carter, co-founder of Dekora Home Staging, an entire house can be transformed in just two to four days.
The cost of staging your home varies greatly, ranging from just a few hundred dollars up to about 2%-3% of your home's list price. The great news is you can expect a 350% return on your home staging investment when you sell your home (HomeGain.com's Prepare to Sell Survey, 2007).
But what if you're completely strapped for cash? If you can, pay for a consultation with a professional and then do whatever you can yourself. Then, click here to get in touch with a real estate agent who can help you sell your newly-staged home.
No matter how it's accomplished, staging your home for a sale is a must if you want to sell your home quickly and maximize your greatest investment.
How many months are you prepared to wait for an offer on your home? Here are some quick tips to help you quickly find out what is preventing your home from selling quickly.
Private parties and real estate investors interested in selling their homes quickly may be in for a surprise. Your real estate agent may accept your listing, but not mention anything that needs to be updated quickly for your home to sell. Your best home improvements may not be enough. Before you spend months waiting for the perfect offer, start improving the property. Start by asking different questions.
Ask an unbiased party to point out to you the key selling points in your home. They may love the updated feel of the kitchen and bathrooms. However, the bedrooms in your home may be in dire need of an update.
Choose someone who is not emotionally attached to you or the home. If your budget allows hiring a professional to guide you in the right direction. Another professional that can help you is a realtor that is very experienced with real estate in your area. This does not have to be the same real estate agent that your home is listed with. You can hire this professional as an added resource. A realtor we highly recommend is Becky Bauer.
Real estate staging can be done on a tight budget, or with a lavish budget that includes several thousands of dollars. Here are some inexpensive tips to help you save costs while home staging.
Even if your house is priced properly, you may be unknowingly chasing buyers away. If your home has been on the market for many months without any serious offers, rethink how you are presenting the home. Are your walls stark white? Perhaps each room has its own color theme.
The color choices may perfectly match your current home decor, but they do not give the prospective buyer anywhere to go design-wise. Give people a foundation to dream upon. A potential buyer who views your elegant living room furniture against neutral paint colors; may be able to imagine themselves building upon those colors. Paint the walls a warm neutral tone throughout the entire house.
Change the floor plan of the house. Study feng shui principles to properly place the furniture throughout the house. Your current placement of furniture, house plants, and knick-knacks may be keeping buyers away from making an offer. Order a feng shui book, feng shui dvd, or take home staging classes. This will give you a good foundation on some of the improvements you can do yourself to offset costs.
If you choose to hire a full-service home stager to expedite the sale of your home, relax. Take their professional advice. Their viewpoint and design ideas may be very modern and they will have more insight into what the consumer wants.
The cost of hiring a professional to help you is money well spent. Just think of how many extra months your home may be on the market without this help. Use these tips to help you decide how you will use home staging to add to the successful sale of your residence or investment property.