“I want to move up but I don’t know where to start.” This statement was presented to me by a buyer at an open house in Abilene recently. It made me think of myself in recent years as we made the move up to our dream home. My first response is, “Find a good REALTOR®!” That might sound silly but you need a plan, and a REALTOR® can give you a plan and a timetable to work towards your goal of movin’ up. If you're working with me, the first thing I'll do is schedule a walk-through of your present … [Read more...]
Home Staging versus Not
I see the value of the "staged property" even more by the educational information I received from my ASP Staging class. I actually went on a listing appointment the next day and I may have blown the clients away with information. This young couple had purchased the home from me ten years prior and they had very much lived in the property. They were newlyweds and childless when I met them, and now they are busting out at the seams with three beautiful children. The first thing I notice as I walk … [Read more...]
Home Sellers: First Impressions Are Vital
"What were you thinking!" is what I wanted to say to the seller when I brought my buyer through their home. Never mind that the beds weren't made but the smells coming from the kitchen were awful. Vinegar is a great all-purpose natural deodorizer and cleaner for most surfaces. Deodorize your garbage disposal by dropping a couple orange or lemon halves and a bit of baking soda in, run cold water and then the disposal for 5 seconds. Wait ten minutes to give the citric acid time to work and then … [Read more...]