YEAR END REVIEW


Another year has flown by. For me it was a good year: I closed on 20 houses, 9 of which were first time buyers. I worked with a bunch of new people and helped several past clients sell something old and buy something new. As usual I was all over the Twin Cities, houses sold in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Minnetonka, North St. Paul, Plymouth, Rosemount, Shakopee, Stillwater, White Bear Lake and Woodbury.

Next year is already off to a good start with several homes waiting to close and a number of new buyers and sellers wanting to get started after the holiday havoc.

If I can help you out with and Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

Time gets the best of us...

Sorry for the serious lack of updates: Holidays and a hard drive crash have kept me from posting. The plus side is that I have been very busy with new buyers and potential sellers. It's such a good time to buy right now - people are finding great deals.

So I've got to keep this short. Continuing on the selling your home theme, here are some helpful hits to get your house ready to sell.

HOME FIX-UPS CAN SPEED THE SALE!

The best way to sell a home is to sell it quickly. The first two weeks that a home is on the market are the most important. Here are a few tips that can help you sell your home faster. The money you spend to dress up your home for sale probably won’t hike up the price, but it will help you get a quicker sale.

OUTSIDE
Curb appeal sets the mood: shovel walkways, prune shrubbery, mow grass, re-paint or touch up peeling paint, clean the driveway, replace a rusted or dented mail box. Basically look at your house from the buyers prospective. A wreath of dried flowers or flowers in the yard add a nice touch as well. Buyers have usually formed an opinion of the home before they enter the front door.

INSIDE
Cleaning your house thoroughly is the cheapest and easiest way to make your home more appealing. Make walls and ceilings look clean and fresh by repainting. If you have wild or dated wallpaper, it’s best to remove it. Neutral colors (white or off-white) are best. If the basement walls and floor are cement, consider painting them.

Go through your house with an oil can and a screwdriver. Repair squeaky hinges, drawers, broken windows, re-caulk sinks and tubs, fix leaks, tighten door knobs, etc.

Some of the most important rooms are kitchens and bathrooms. Keep these rooms exceptionally clean and fresh. Scrub appliances in the kitchen. An inexpensive way to update cabinets is to invest in new cabinet knobs. Hide everyday items such as toothpaste, dish soap, etc. Counter tops should not be cluttered. Buyers tend to judge the cleanliness of the whole home on how the kitchen and bathrooms look. They should always sparkle.

Clear away all excess belongings. Pack them up and remove them to make the house look as big as possible. The idea is to create a feeling of spaciousness and an abundance of storage, more than they could ever need. Clean and organize closets.

If your carpeting is worn or dirty and you can afford to, replace it or have it professionally cleaned. Again, a neutral color such as light beige or off-white is best.

Get rid of all odors in the house, especially those form pets. Clean pet areas thoroughly.

During showings, open drapes and blinds. Fresh flowers set on a table are a nice touch. Keep pets in the yard, if possible. Leave on as many lights as possible, even during the day.

IN GENERAL
When selling a home, it can’t always be the way we live in it. Every home is competing with other pre-owned homes and new construction. It is important to make your home more appealing than the competition.





HOMEOWNERS CHECKLIST

Drive Up
* Doors, windows and screens secure, tidy and in good repair.
* Large obvious concrete gaps/cracks patched.
* Mailbox, fences and gates should be clean, neat and operate properly.
* Lawns, shrubs, snow removal all say to prospective buyers, “We’ve enjoyed living here. You
will too!”
* Gutters and downspouts secure and complete.

All Rooms
* Ceilings stain free, minor cracks patched and painted
* Doors, windows and hardware must operate properly
* Electric outlets and heat registers need to be cleaned or replaced.
* Walls: clean, patch (paint if necessary) – no loose wallpaper.
* Floor coverings in good condition or allowance made for buyer to choose new or replace.
* Closets and shelves uncluttered and orderly.
* All lights operate perfectly.

Kitchen
* Caulking clean and smooth
* Appliances spotless
* All items operate properly
* Unclutter counters, drawers, cabinets and the refrigerator door

Bath
* Caulking clean and smooth
* Tiles and grout tight and clean
* Shower doors and tracks spotless
* Towel bars secure
* Toilet lid secure
* Fixtures operate properly
* Ceiling fan: quiet and properly vented to the outside of the house.

Garage
* Steps and railings secure
* Doors and windows secure and operate properly
* Organize and uncluttered

Laundry
* Fixtures operate properly
* Tub clean and tidy
* Organize and unclutter

Basement
* Repair any problem with moisture
* Consider painting block walls and cement floors

CLEANING UP ALSO MEANS THROWING OUT! ALL REPAIR WORK SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF ADDING TO A “WELL MAINTAINED” LOOK AND NOT WITH AN EYE TO MAKING THINGS LOOK “NEW”