Consumer E-Newsletter - 12/12/2006 (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
What’s Stopping You from Buying a New Home?
Quick Tips to Go From Selling to Sold
Top Five New Year's Resolutions for the Home
Enjoying a Hassle-free Holiday
The Feng Shui Approach to the Holidays
The Ranch House: American Pop Culture Icon
What's Aging in Place Anyway?
Zone Heating Can Save You Heating Dollars
Getting the Most from Your Design Center
The Final Frontier: Home Automation
Propane Tanks: A Hidden Asset
The Vernacular Architecture of the Gulf Coast
Photo Gallery: The Unique and Unusual
Maintenance Chart for Homeowners
Did You Know?
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Quick Tips to Go From Selling to Sold

As Ken Harney mentioned in this issue's lead article, for many people in the market for a new home, there’s a home of their own to sell first. Little improvements here and there can make a difference to potential buyers, bringing you closer to both closing day and your next home. Here are some quick tips to review when preparing to sell your home.

Remember, little things here and there can make a big difference to buyers.
1) Does the house have curb appeal compared to other houses in the neighborhood? It's important to maintain the lawn and shrubbery. Is the paint chipping on your house? If the house needs to be repainted, take this into account. Can you afford it or is this an allowance you plan to give in the selling of the home? If you are giving an allowance for painting, make sure it is stipulated in the agreement.

2) When they step into the house, will potential buyers see clutter and be turned off? Make sure the closets are not overstuffed. Remove personalized portraits. Buyers want to be able to visualize their belongings in their new home and make sure they can use the square footage of the home fully.

3) Are there spots on the carpet or is it in good condition? If buyers were to walk in your house and look at the carpet, would they frown or give an approving nod, knowing they would not have to worry about making an expensive change?

4) What appliances are staying with the house? If appliances are remaining in the house, are they in operating condition? All of these items could add up in the buyer's mind if they are not working properly.

5) Does the house smell like smoke or pets? It is very important that you get the home professionally cleaned so that it is odor free. This will definitely improve the likelihood of a buyer wanting to purchase your house.

6) Do a comparison valuation and make sure that your house is priced correctly for the market. Do not overprice your house or you’ll find it harder to sell. If you are using a realtor, have your realtor take you to other houses in your neighborhood that are for sale and find out why they are priced the way they are. If you are selling your home yourself, you can go to www.homevalues.com or www.zillow.com to see home prices in your area. Remember, these sites only give you an estimate for your area.

7) If using a realtor, does the agent have a flyer box in front of your home with high quality flyers? Furthermore, does your realtor include virtual tour Web sites? This will give a potential buyer the opportunity to see your home initially without coming to your home.

If you do only one thing, your highest priority should be to get someone you trust to walk through your home and give you honest feedback on what needs to be repaired or replaced. If the idea is to sell the house, then do the work that needs to be done. This way your home will stand out from the competition, and you'll be going from selling to sold in no time.