The National Association of REALTORS® publishes a guidebook with a TON of great information to help sellers with the daunting process of selling their home. We’re posting some of our favorite articles here.

Interested in learning more? E-mail us for your own copy today! katie@movemetotx.com

• Remove clutter. Clear off counters and pack unnecessary decorative items. Put extra furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season items. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too.
• Let it shine. Cleaning windows and screens will help bring more light into your home. Replace burnt bulbs, and consider higher wattage in low-light areas. Clean the walls or brush on a fresh coat of bright, neutral paint. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones and show off your view.
• Keep it clean. A deep clean before listing your home will make upkeep easier. Consider hiring a cleaning service to help.
• Maximize comfort. In summer, shut A/C vents on the first floor so more air will get upstairs. Reverse the process in winter.
• Perform a sniff test. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate odors. Open the windows to air out the house. Consider potpourri or scented candles and diffusers. For quick fixes in the kitchen, cotton balls soaked in vanilla extract or orange juice can instantly make the fridge a nicer-smelling place. Boil lemon juice in your microwave, then add it to your dishwasher to eliminate odors. You can also run lemon rinds through the garbage disposal for a similar effect.
• Take care of minor repairs. Sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained.
• Tidy up outdoors. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. A pot of bright flowers near the entryway adds great curb appeal.
• Set the scene. A bright afghan or new accent pillows easily jazz up a dull room. Pretty dishes or a simple centerpiece on the tables can help buyers picture themselves living there. Try staging a chess game in progress. If you have a fireplace, lay fresh logs or a basket of flowers there.
• Make the bath luxurious. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight, along with old towels and toothbrushes. Add a new shower curtain and fancy guest soaps.
• Send the pets to the neighbors. If that’s not possible, crate or confine them to one room, and let the real estate practitioner know where they’ll be to eliminate surprises.
• Lock up valuables and medication. Agents can’t watch everyone all the time.
• Head out. It can be awkward for everyone if you’re home at the time of a showing.

  Coldwell Banker United, Realtors – Greenway Plaza
  MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
  2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
  Phone: 832.317.6006
  Email: katie@movemetotx.com
  Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

The National Association of REALTORS® publishes a guidebook with a TON of great information to help sellers with the daunting process of selling their home. We’re posting some of our favorite articles here.

Interested in learning more? E-mail us for your own copy today! katie@movemetotx.com

Executing a deep clean before putting your home on the market will not only help it shine, but it will make tidiness easier to maintain between showings. Here are some power-cleaning tips to try.

Clean windows make a huge difference.
Remove window screens and place them outside on a tarp or other clean, waterproof surface. Use a garden hose, an all-purpose cleaner, and a soft brush to gently clean the screens. You don’t need anything special to polish up window glass; just mix a solution of one part white vinegar to eight parts water, plus a drop or two of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Wipe with newspaper to avoid streaks. (Washing on a cloudy day also reduces streaking.)

The fridge is the most common source of kitchen smells.
Check the drip tray underneath your refrigerator and wash out any standing water from defrosting. Scrub the inside of the fridge with a baking soda and water solution. Activated charcoal in the fridge can help keep odors at bay.

Think outside the house.
It’s amazing the difference a sparkling entryway makes to your home’s curb appeal. Wipe down your front door, give the doormat a good shake/vacuum, and make sure dust and dirt haven’t collected on outdoor furniture. Use a pressure washer to give your driveway and garage floor a good cleaning. The acidity in dark cola drinks can help remove oil, rust, and grease stains, along with a little elbow grease.

Target the Bathroom.
For tile floors, apply your usual cleaner and then run a wet/dry vac, which will suck contaminants out of the grout. Pour a quarter cup each of baking soda and vinegar down the drains, leaving the concoction overnight, then flush with boiling water. Clean soap scum and mildew from plastic shower curtains by tossing them into your washer on the gentle cycle in cold water, with detergent and ½ cup vinegar (if mildew is present, add ½ cup of bleach instead of vinegar). Put a couple of large towels into the machine to act as scrubbers. Allow the curtain to drip-dry on the rod.

Make your bed better.
Vacuum mattresses and box springs, and then rotate and flip over. Do the same for removable furniture cushions. This is also a great time to wash or dry-clean the dust ruffle and mattress pad. Add new loft to a lumpy comforter by having two people vigorously shake the quilt up and down to redistribute stuffing.

Wash the walls.
Grease, smoke, and dust can adhere to walls and make even the best decorating look dingy. Resist the temptation to spot-clean since it will make the rest of the wall look dirtier. Mop walls using a general-purpose cleaner diluted with hot water. Start at the top corner of the wall to avoid drips. Don’t press too hard, and rinse the mop head frequently in clean water. Use melamine foam cleaner to erase scuffs and stains.

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors – Greenway Plaza
MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

The National Association of REALTORS® publishes a guidebook with a TON of great information to help sellers with the daunting process of selling their home. We’re posting some of our favorite articles here.

Interested in learning more? E-mail us for your own copy today! katie@movemetotx.com

• Trim bushes and branches so they don’t block windows or architectural details.
• Set a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch or front walkway.
• Install new, matching locks and knobs on your front door.
• Repair any cracks or holes in the driveway, and clean oil spots with degreaser and a steel brush.
• Edge the grass around walkways and trees.
• Stow your garden tools and hoses out of sight, and clear kids’ toys from the lawn.
• Buy a new mailbox.
• Upgrade your outdoor lighting.
• Purchase a new doormat for outside your front door.
• Clean your windows, inside and out.
• Polish or replace your house numbers.
• Mow your lawn. Also, turning on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before the showing will make the whole yard sparkle.
• Place a seasonal wreath on your door.

Consult the MOVEMETOTX Team for other curb appeal options when considering selling your home!

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors – Greenway Plaza
MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

The National Association of REALTORS® publishes a guidebook with a TON of great information to help sellers with the daunting process of selling their home. We’re posting some of our favorite articles here.

Interested in learning more? E-mail us for your own copy today! katie@movemetotx.com

Here are a few items to take care of before listing your home. This can make the sale process quicker and easier in the long run.

• Consider a pre-sale home inspection.
  An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.
• Organize and clean.
  Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and seasonal items. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.
• Get replacement estimates.
  Do you have big-ticket items that will need to be replaced soon? Find out how much it will cost to repair an older roof or replace worn carpeting, even if you don’t plan to do so. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and they’ll be handy when negotiations begin.
• Locate warranties.
  Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house. It may seem like this task can be left until closing, but you don’t want lost paperwork or last-minute scrambling to cause the deal to fall through.
• Spruce up the curb appeal.
  Walk out to the front of your home, close your eyes, and pretend you’re a prospective buyer seeing the property for the first time. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? What do you see framing the entrance, if anything? Is the walkway free of cracks and impediments?

A REALTOR® can help you with an estimate of your home’s value in the current market.  Considering selling?  Reach out to our team today.

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors – Greenway Plaza
MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

Last month, we focused on the home BUYER and re-posted some articles from NAR (National Association of REALTORS®) on the home buying process.  Thinking about selling?  Have no fear – we’re taking the month of July to focus on our home sellers.

The National Association of REALTORS® publishes a guidebook with a TON of great information to help sellers with the daunting process of selling their home. We’re posting some of our favorite articles here.

Interested in learning more? E-mail us for your own copy today! katie@movemetotx.com

These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, you may be ready to move.

Have you built substantial equity in your current home?
Check your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out how much you’ve paid down. Usually you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest. But if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.

Has your income or financial situation changed?
If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving. If your income has decreased, you may want to consider downsizing.

Have you outgrown your neighborhood?
The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same one in which you want to settle down for good. You may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district.

Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on?
Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. But if your property isn’t large enough, your municipality doesn’t allow it, or you’re simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option.

Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market?
If your market is hot, your home may sell quickly and for top dollar, but the home you buy will also be more expensive. If your market is slow, finding a buyer may take longer, but you’ll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home. Ask your real estate professional what they see happening locally.

Are interest rates attractive?
Low rates help you buy “more” home, and also make it easier to find a buyer for your current place.

Is the effort and cost of maintaining your current home becoming difficult to manage?
A REALTOR ® can help you decide whether a smaller house, condo, or rental would be appropriate.

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors – Greenway Plaza
MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

The National Association of REALTORS® publishes a guidebook with a TON of great information to help buyers understand what to expect during the real estate purchasing experience. We’re posting some of our favorite articles here.

Interested in learning more? E-mail us for your own copy today! katie@movemetotx.com

Increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive housing market.

Get prequalified for a mortgage.
You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and your offer will be more desirable to the seller.

Stay in close contact with your real estate agent.
Your agent will be on the lookout for the newest listings that meet your criteria. Be ready to see a house as soon as it goes on the market — if it’s a great home, it will go fast.

Scout out new listings yourself.
Browse sources such as realtor.com and local real estate listing sites (HAR.com). Set up alerts for the neighborhoods and characteristics you’re looking for. Drive through your target neighborhoods, and if you see a home you like for-sale, send the address and listing agent’s name to your agent, who can schedule a showing for you.

Be ready to make a decision.
Spend plenty of time in advance deciding what you can afford and must have in a home so you won’t hesitate when you have the chance to make an offer.

Bid competitively.
Your first inclination may be to start out offering something less than the absolute highest price you can afford, but if you go too low in a tight market, you will likely lose out.

Keep contingencies to a minimum.
Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move can make your offer unappealing. Remember that, if the market is tight, you’ll probably be able to sell your house rapidly. You can also talk to your lender about getting a bridge loan to cover both mortgages for a short period.

But don’t get caught in a buying frenzy.
Just because there’s competition for a home doesn’t mean you should buy it. And even though you want to make your offer attractive, don’t neglect inspections that help ensure the house is a sound investment.
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors – Greenway Plaza
MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com