Spring is one of the best times to sell a house. The weather is getting better. People are out more.
Now is the best time to buy. With so many homes in foreclosure. The banks will want to sell them. The banks are slow to make a choice about if you can buy it or not. If you are doing this it does take some time. If you know that going in you will not get frustrated.
For the first time home buyer this is a good time to get into a home. Prices are lower now. Better for you. If you have good credit you can still get a loan. If it is not to good, it will be a lot harder to get that loan. Some tips before you start looking for the place that you will want to buy.
* Find out what you credit looks like now. You can get a credit report once a year. This is a good time to get it. Get things fixed before you go looking.
*Get pre-approved for your loan before you even start looking. This way you know how much they will get for your loan. You know what price of a home you need to look for. Conventional and FHA.
* Find a real estate agent, ask them the questions as if you are employing them ( you are). How long have you been doing this? What areas do you know best ( what parts of town? ) If they are expert in business buildings they might not be the right fit for you when you want to buy a house.
Have a great time house hunting. It is a buyers market. We would love to hear your comments.
copyright Dan and Deanna Finlinson "Marketing Unscrambled"
Showing posts with label real estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label real estate. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Kitchen Remodeling On A Small Budget Oh How Amazing It Looks Now
This is an example of something that my brother did in my mothers kitchen, they are some simple changes that make a big difference in the room. He sanded off the paint only from the raised part of the doors and put some clear varnish on the area that he sanded of. He also changed the hardware on the cabinets. The room was painted in a butter colored yellow. Look at how much brighter that it look by just a few changes.
If you are needing a change in your kitchen and you have a small budget to work with. Sometimes the simplest things that you can change are the best things to start with. It can bring a new look into the room. Start with the simple things first.
2. Changing the paint color in the room. This you can get from any paint department. It gives you ideas on how colors will look together. Look at the choices in this complementary colors with the walls and the furnishings. ( Look to the left bellow)
3. If your cabinets are in good shape and the counter tops look like the have seen better days. These are some things that you can do to make them look better without breaking the bank. If like in the image to the right, you have an island put the high end product like granite on the island. When you go to buy the piece of granite ask about remnant's, they might have just the piece for you with less of a cost. On the rest of the counter tops use something less expensive. Choose colors that are close to what is in the granite for the rest of the counter tops. Your eye will go to that island, you will think high end and the rest of the kitchen will look high end without all of the cost of granite on all of the counter tops. Something that is fun is you have small children is paint the lower cabinets with chalkboard paint. You can have new decorations every day. Or paint just one end of the cabinet with the chalkboard paint for a message center for the family to use. Maybe somewhere close to the phone. (above on the right.)
4. Change what is on the floors if they are in need of being changed. Hardwood floor are something that a lot of people are looking for now.
5. The ceiling is the fifth wall, do not overlook it. There are so many things that can help you draw the eye up. Decorative medallions enhances a plain ceiling (above.) Ceiling tins also add interest to the ceiling. (The can also be placed on the wall, they make a nice back splash. ) ( To the right.) Crown molding is a beautiful way to add elegance to any room. (Bellow and to the left.)
If you are needing a change in your kitchen and you have a small budget to work with. Sometimes the simplest things that you can change are the best things to start with. It can bring a new look into the room. Start with the simple things first.
These are a few more simple things that you can do to stay in a small budget:
1. Change the hardware on the cabinets. These are some choices that you could use. ( This is copied from the book Van Dyke's Restorers, it can also be found at http://www.vandykes.com/ .)(Look to the right)
2. Changing the paint color in the room. This you can get from any paint department. It gives you ideas on how colors will look together. Look at the choices in this complementary colors with the walls and the furnishings. ( Look to the left bellow)
3. If your cabinets are in good shape and the counter tops look like the have seen better days. These are some things that you can do to make them look better without breaking the bank. If like in the image to the right, you have an island put the high end product like granite on the island. When you go to buy the piece of granite ask about remnant's, they might have just the piece for you with less of a cost. On the rest of the counter tops use something less expensive. Choose colors that are close to what is in the granite for the rest of the counter tops. Your eye will go to that island, you will think high end and the rest of the kitchen will look high end without all of the cost of granite on all of the counter tops. Something that is fun is you have small children is paint the lower cabinets with chalkboard paint. You can have new decorations every day. Or paint just one end of the cabinet with the chalkboard paint for a message center for the family to use. Maybe somewhere close to the phone. (above on the right.)
4. Change what is on the floors if they are in need of being changed. Hardwood floor are something that a lot of people are looking for now.
5. The ceiling is the fifth wall, do not overlook it. There are so many things that can help you draw the eye up. Decorative medallions enhances a plain ceiling (above.) Ceiling tins also add interest to the ceiling. (The can also be placed on the wall, they make a nice back splash. ) ( To the right.) Crown molding is a beautiful way to add elegance to any room. (Bellow and to the left.)
6. Lighting and electrical wiring are things that need to be planned in the beginning of your project. Because 
the walls or ceiling will need to be
damaged a little when adding new wiring and lighting. Above is task lighting for under the cabinets. To the right is a wall sconce. There are many styles and kinds of lighting. The kitchen is a place that the wiring really needs to be update. That is so that you do not trip the breakers all the time when you are trying to do what you need to do in the kitchen. You often have more than one thing on at one time. The kitchen is a place with a lot of power usage with big appliances. It is best to get an electrician to do this work. They know the building codes and the best place to put the lights, outlets and other electrical needs.
the walls or ceiling will need to bedamaged a little when adding new wiring and lighting. Above is task lighting for under the cabinets. To the right is a wall sconce. There are many styles and kinds of lighting. The kitchen is a place that the wiring really needs to be update. That is so that you do not trip the breakers all the time when you are trying to do what you need to do in the kitchen. You often have more than one thing on at one time. The kitchen is a place with a lot of power usage with big appliances. It is best to get an electrician to do this work. They know the building codes and the best place to put the lights, outlets and other electrical needs.
7. If your appliances are in good condition keep them until they need to be replaced. There are thing that you can do to make them look better in the room. There is paint that is made just for the painting of appliances. There is a material that looks like stainless steal. It has glue on one side of it, it sticks to the appliance and it looks like stainless steal without the cost of it.
8. Window treatment is another way to up date the look of the room. Other things that might have fabric on them are easy to change like the seat of the chairs and it instantly changes the look of the chair.
9. Stripping the paint or stain of the table and chair and changing the color of the stain or paint. They look just like new, with little cost.
10. Changing out the faucet or changing out the sink and the faucet. (If the sink is in good condition do not change it and just do the faucet.)
We would like to hear from you if you have used some of these things to make changes in your kitchen. Like in my mother's kitchen only a few things were done and what a difference it made to the kitchen. Not all of these things need to be done at one time. Start with electrical so that things can be patched and painted. Then go on to other things that you may choose to change. Have a plan of what the finished product will look like. That way it can be done in stages as you have the money to do it. That way you also stay out of debt. Have a great time redoing the kitchen. Most of the time the money that is spent in a kitchen or a bathroom you get most if not all of it back, if it is done right. The kitchen and the bathroom can make or break the sale of a home.
copyright 2009 Dan and Deanna Finlinson
"Marketing Unscrambled"
"Marketing Unscrambled"
Friday, January 23, 2009
Log Homes As A Great Choice For Your Home
Log homes can be as big or as small as you would like them to be. Would you like it for your main home? This one would be on the larger side. On the other hand maybe you are wanting a small place in the mountains to go enjoy nature or a log home by the lake.
What are your needs for a log home? What about a retirement cabin? How about a vacation home? What might you need a log home for?
It can be as large as a lodge with 100's of rooms to rent. You have seen one of them at Yellowstone. That beautiful old building is a testament to how well log buildings can be built.
A log home is something that could be built in the city or in the country. Have you thought of building a log home?
They are beautiful to look at. So many choices no matter what part of the country you live in there are log home companies to help you with floor plans and the materials that you would need. These are some of the companies that can help with the floor plans and what is needed for a log home.
* http://www.kuhnsbros.com/
* http://www.countrylogcabins.com/
* http://www.yellowstoneloghomes.com/
* http://www.realloghomes.com/
* http://www.customwoodcraftbuilders.com/
* http://www.applog.com/
* http://www.mmsloghomes.com/
* http://www.loknlogs.com/
* http://olde.homestead.com/
* http://satterwhite-log-homes.com/
What do you think of the choices that these companies give to you? If you have built a log home, we would like to hear from you.
copyright 2009 Dan and Deanna Finlinson
http://moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://www.see-click.com/
What are your needs for a log home? What about a retirement cabin? How about a vacation home? What might you need a log home for?
It can be as large as a lodge with 100's of rooms to rent. You have seen one of them at Yellowstone. That beautiful old building is a testament to how well log buildings can be built.
A log home is something that could be built in the city or in the country. Have you thought of building a log home?
They are beautiful to look at. So many choices no matter what part of the country you live in there are log home companies to help you with floor plans and the materials that you would need. These are some of the companies that can help with the floor plans and what is needed for a log home.
* http://www.kuhnsbros.com/
* http://www.countrylogcabins.com/
* http://www.yellowstoneloghomes.com/
* http://www.realloghomes.com/
* http://www.customwoodcraftbuilders.com/
* http://www.applog.com/
* http://www.mmsloghomes.com/
* http://www.loknlogs.com/
* http://olde.homestead.com/
* http://satterwhite-log-homes.com/
What do you think of the choices that these companies give to you? If you have built a log home, we would like to hear from you.
copyright 2009 Dan and Deanna Finlinson
http://moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://www.see-click.com/
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
16 Interior Design Ideas For Small Homes And Appartments
Here are some things that are good to do with smaller homes and apartments. ( If it is an apartment - get the landlords approval before building or doing fix up kinds of things. Pick the things that you can do for an apartment that will not get you in trouble with the landlord.)
1. Hang the window treatments as high up as possible on the wall. From the ceiling down to the floor. This makes the room look taller than it might be and it draws the eyes upward, for a feeling of more volume to the room.
2. If you can add built-ins shelves (some with doors and some without ) this gives you much needed storage space without taking up floor space. It is a good place for your electronic, to hide all the wires ( tv, dvd player, stereo.)
3. When buying furnishing - look for things that might do double duty. Here are some examples: * End tables that also have a place to store things in as well.
* A sofa bed, for guests to sleep on if needed. A hide a bed is out of the way until it is needed, then it poles down when it is needed. Great for spare bedroom.
* An ottoman can be used for extra places to sit, to set things down on them. Some even open up so that you could store a blanket in (for when you get cold).
* A bench that has storage space in it as well. More seating and storage at the same time.
4. Open up one room to another. This makes both seem larger than they are. Some rooms still need to be private, like the bathroom and bedrooms. Here are some examples of how to do this:
* The simplest way would be if there is a door - take it out.
* Change the door form a solid door to one that has glass pains in it. This lets you see from one room to an other. This also lets the light from one room into the other to brighten both.
* If you can enlarge the doorway, make it into an archway. This opens up both rooms, but they still are defined as two separate spaces. It gives the illusion of having more space.
5. Extend the flooring from one room into the other. ( If it is hardwood floors, have the length of the wood go in the direction of the other room - it pulls the eye into that room as well.) This gives continuity to both rooms.
6. The paint color of the two rooms needs to be similar. One room lighter or darker in the same color than the other room -two different shades of green for example. ( On the paint swatch that you get from the store, they come with more than one shade of the same color. Pick one shade for one room then pick 1 or 2 shades lighter or darker from that one for the other room.)
7. Choose colors that are lighter for smaller rooms. If you get the rooms to dark than the room feels like it is closing in on you. Do not forget the ceiling, they can be painted the some color as the walls or paint them a lighter color than the walls.
8. These are some things that add a great look to any room.
* Crown molding - lifts the eyes up. Use stain or a crisp white to make them pop. If you are using the same color on the ceiling and walls this is a good way to give separation to them.
* Vertical striped also help a room look taller. It can be wallpaper or stripes that are panted on. The stripes that are painted on can be done in a bold way with using two different colors or a more mild way by using the same color but one is flat paint and the other stripe is a high gloss paint.
9. If you have a nice sized screened in porch, a patio or a sun room, then you have more living space. Treat them like an other room. Art on the wall (make sure that it is weather resistant if it is out doors ), chairs to sit on, table to eat on and do not forget lights of some kind. This adds value to your home.
10. Scale the furniture to the size of the room. If the furniture is to big for the room it will make it look cluttered and crowded. Use one larger piece of furniture in the room to give a little weight to the room. No wimpy rooms here.
11. Is there a focal point in the room? A fireplace, a bay window are good focal points. Make them stand out. Paint a different color on the fireplace or on the wall around the fireplace to make it stand out. The bay window use the window treatments to help it stand out. If you do not have these, make a focal point for yourself. Use the large piece of furniture like a sofa, put it in the place that you see it as soon as you walk into the room. In a dinning room - a very nice table and chairs.
These are the things that you should not do.
12. Do not overwhelm the room with to much furniture. Less is more when it comes to small spaces. It only makes the room look cluttered.
13. Do not forget to make your architectural detailing stand out. Crown molding draws your eye up, but only if it stands out. Using the crisp white or the nice stains do a good job with this. Chair railing, wainscoting, baseboards and other things like this should not be forgotten as well. These things add interest to the room. If they are not standing out then they add nothing.
14. Do not use to many patterns in a small room. Use them as accents, they will pop more without making the room to overwhelmed with patterns.
15. Do not let even an inch of space go without the best use possible. In the top of the closet or cupboard can you add an other shelf for more storage? The back of the door can be used for storage of shoes in the closet. Pantry door can hold more food stuff.
16. Do not forget to use closet organizers so that you can use every inch that you have. Go though the things that you have, weed things out so that you can have the room that you need (give things to charity or thrift stores, this helps others out as well as yourself.)
To summarize, find furniture that do double duty, built-ins that add storage. Find things that help you to organize closets, cupboards, pantry. Use all the space available to you in the best way possible. We would like to hear how you use your space to the best way possible. Others are looking for ways to do that for themselves. Let us have your comments that others might benefit from what you have done.
copyright 2009 Dan and Deanna Finlinson
"Marketing Unscrambled"
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://see-click.com/
1. Hang the window treatments as high up as possible on the wall. From the ceiling down to the floor. This makes the room look taller than it might be and it draws the eyes upward, for a feeling of more volume to the room.
2. If you can add built-ins shelves (some with doors and some without ) this gives you much needed storage space without taking up floor space. It is a good place for your electronic, to hide all the wires ( tv, dvd player, stereo.)
3. When buying furnishing - look for things that might do double duty. Here are some examples: * End tables that also have a place to store things in as well.
* A sofa bed, for guests to sleep on if needed. A hide a bed is out of the way until it is needed, then it poles down when it is needed. Great for spare bedroom.
* An ottoman can be used for extra places to sit, to set things down on them. Some even open up so that you could store a blanket in (for when you get cold).
* A bench that has storage space in it as well. More seating and storage at the same time.
4. Open up one room to another. This makes both seem larger than they are. Some rooms still need to be private, like the bathroom and bedrooms. Here are some examples of how to do this:
* The simplest way would be if there is a door - take it out.
* Change the door form a solid door to one that has glass pains in it. This lets you see from one room to an other. This also lets the light from one room into the other to brighten both.
* If you can enlarge the doorway, make it into an archway. This opens up both rooms, but they still are defined as two separate spaces. It gives the illusion of having more space.
5. Extend the flooring from one room into the other. ( If it is hardwood floors, have the length of the wood go in the direction of the other room - it pulls the eye into that room as well.) This gives continuity to both rooms.
6. The paint color of the two rooms needs to be similar. One room lighter or darker in the same color than the other room -two different shades of green for example. ( On the paint swatch that you get from the store, they come with more than one shade of the same color. Pick one shade for one room then pick 1 or 2 shades lighter or darker from that one for the other room.)
7. Choose colors that are lighter for smaller rooms. If you get the rooms to dark than the room feels like it is closing in on you. Do not forget the ceiling, they can be painted the some color as the walls or paint them a lighter color than the walls.
8. These are some things that add a great look to any room.
* Crown molding - lifts the eyes up. Use stain or a crisp white to make them pop. If you are using the same color on the ceiling and walls this is a good way to give separation to them.
* Vertical striped also help a room look taller. It can be wallpaper or stripes that are panted on. The stripes that are painted on can be done in a bold way with using two different colors or a more mild way by using the same color but one is flat paint and the other stripe is a high gloss paint.
9. If you have a nice sized screened in porch, a patio or a sun room, then you have more living space. Treat them like an other room. Art on the wall (make sure that it is weather resistant if it is out doors ), chairs to sit on, table to eat on and do not forget lights of some kind. This adds value to your home.
10. Scale the furniture to the size of the room. If the furniture is to big for the room it will make it look cluttered and crowded. Use one larger piece of furniture in the room to give a little weight to the room. No wimpy rooms here.
11. Is there a focal point in the room? A fireplace, a bay window are good focal points. Make them stand out. Paint a different color on the fireplace or on the wall around the fireplace to make it stand out. The bay window use the window treatments to help it stand out. If you do not have these, make a focal point for yourself. Use the large piece of furniture like a sofa, put it in the place that you see it as soon as you walk into the room. In a dinning room - a very nice table and chairs.
These are the things that you should not do.
12. Do not overwhelm the room with to much furniture. Less is more when it comes to small spaces. It only makes the room look cluttered.
13. Do not forget to make your architectural detailing stand out. Crown molding draws your eye up, but only if it stands out. Using the crisp white or the nice stains do a good job with this. Chair railing, wainscoting, baseboards and other things like this should not be forgotten as well. These things add interest to the room. If they are not standing out then they add nothing.
14. Do not use to many patterns in a small room. Use them as accents, they will pop more without making the room to overwhelmed with patterns.
15. Do not let even an inch of space go without the best use possible. In the top of the closet or cupboard can you add an other shelf for more storage? The back of the door can be used for storage of shoes in the closet. Pantry door can hold more food stuff.
16. Do not forget to use closet organizers so that you can use every inch that you have. Go though the things that you have, weed things out so that you can have the room that you need (give things to charity or thrift stores, this helps others out as well as yourself.)
To summarize, find furniture that do double duty, built-ins that add storage. Find things that help you to organize closets, cupboards, pantry. Use all the space available to you in the best way possible. We would like to hear how you use your space to the best way possible. Others are looking for ways to do that for themselves. Let us have your comments that others might benefit from what you have done.
copyright 2009 Dan and Deanna Finlinson
"Marketing Unscrambled"
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://see-click.com/
Friday, January 2, 2009
THE IMPORTANCE OF CURB APPEAL FOR THE SELLER OR THE BUYER
Curb appeal is more than just how the house looks from the outside. It is the neighbor hood - are the other yards and homes well taken care of or are they run down and not taken care of. Is it a busy road out front? Are you next to the freeway or a train tracks? Are there businesses next door or across the street - How do they look? Are they an eye soar, lights at night form a parking area of a business that will bother you, big trucks coming and going - what time do the come and go? All of these things affect the property that you are trying to sell or trying to buy.
If you are selling, some of these things can not be changed - that makes it harder to sell. If you are thinking of buying - do you want to live by them. It makes it harder when wanting to sell?
These are some of the reasons that curb appeal is so important.
Now for the curb appeal of the house that you have to sell or the one that you are looking to buy. It is important as well. Is there a mixture of lawn, trees, bushes and flowers? Is it well thought out in the placement of the plants? Are trees to close to the house? Are they the kind of plants that will take a lot of water and you live in a desert environment? ( It might be best to change them out for plant from your area that are more drought tolerant.) If you can not see the house because the bushes that are next to the house are over grown - trim them back to let the beauty of the house show through.
Why is curb appeal so important? If you are trying to sell - it could be the difference between someone driving by without even looking at the house or coming in to look at the it.
If the house is in need of repairs - do them before putting the house on the market. People will offer less when they know that they will have to fix this and that when they buy it. You will not get top dollar for it if you do not do what needs to be done. That includes burned out light bulbs. The thought will be, "if they can not fix that what else will I need to fix when I move in here."
Does your house look just like all the other houses on the block? What can you do to make it stand out from the rest? Maybe it is as little as painting the front door RED. Add an arch way across you front side walk or a picket fence when the rest have none. For night time add out door lights to light up the side walk or drive way. Light up the address of your house to make it easy to find. Do not forget to add some color into the yard, if it is all green shade - grass, trees, bushes, add some colorful flowers to brighten it up.
Are there things about the outside of the house that make it look dated? Is it something that can be replaced or taken off the house, then do it. Are there things that night be an eye soar to look at in the front of the house? Can it be moved some were else? ( Like a window air conditioner) Can it be hidden behind a screen or something to make it look more pleasing?
Do yourself a favor when you think of putting your home on the market - go find the free home buyers magazine. In my area the names of a few of them are " Home choice magazine" or "Your next home magazine", they might be different where you live.You have seen racks of them at the grocery store and other places. Look at them, see the houses that catch your eye. What do you like about it? What makes it stand out to you? That some kind of thing is what is going to make your home stand out to someone else. Also notice the ones that you do not like? Why do you not like that one? If your house is pink - a man is not going to like it to much, you might want to think of a more neutral color that will appeal to more people. You like it but not everyone does. You want a good number of people to look at your home. Look at your home from the buyers perspective. Does your house meet the test. If it does not, it will sit on the market for a long time.
Once you have the outside in good shape, do not let them down on the inside. Have it be as appealing on the inside as the outside. If the house appeals to as many people as possible - you will get more people to look at it. It will sell faster and for a higher price. That is the goal is it not?
For the buyer, they want a good value for there money. They do not want to over pay for what they get. If they are looking for a fixer upper they are not wanting to pay top dollar for it when they are going to have to put a lot of money into it as well.
A real estate agent can give you some pointers about what you might need to change to make it look better and sell faster. They see a lot of house, they know what has been selling and what has not. Do the fix up things that you know need to be done, then ask a real estate agent.
I would be interested in how curb appeal help you sell your home. If you were buying how did it affect your choices on a house to see or buy?
copyright 2009 Dan and Deanna Finlinson "Marketing Unscrambled"
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://see-click.com
If you are selling, some of these things can not be changed - that makes it harder to sell. If you are thinking of buying - do you want to live by them. It makes it harder when wanting to sell?
These are some of the reasons that curb appeal is so important.
Now for the curb appeal of the house that you have to sell or the one that you are looking to buy. It is important as well. Is there a mixture of lawn, trees, bushes and flowers? Is it well thought out in the placement of the plants? Are trees to close to the house? Are they the kind of plants that will take a lot of water and you live in a desert environment? ( It might be best to change them out for plant from your area that are more drought tolerant.) If you can not see the house because the bushes that are next to the house are over grown - trim them back to let the beauty of the house show through.
Why is curb appeal so important? If you are trying to sell - it could be the difference between someone driving by without even looking at the house or coming in to look at the it.
If the house is in need of repairs - do them before putting the house on the market. People will offer less when they know that they will have to fix this and that when they buy it. You will not get top dollar for it if you do not do what needs to be done. That includes burned out light bulbs. The thought will be, "if they can not fix that what else will I need to fix when I move in here."
Does your house look just like all the other houses on the block? What can you do to make it stand out from the rest? Maybe it is as little as painting the front door RED. Add an arch way across you front side walk or a picket fence when the rest have none. For night time add out door lights to light up the side walk or drive way. Light up the address of your house to make it easy to find. Do not forget to add some color into the yard, if it is all green shade - grass, trees, bushes, add some colorful flowers to brighten it up.
Are there things about the outside of the house that make it look dated? Is it something that can be replaced or taken off the house, then do it. Are there things that night be an eye soar to look at in the front of the house? Can it be moved some were else? ( Like a window air conditioner) Can it be hidden behind a screen or something to make it look more pleasing?
Do yourself a favor when you think of putting your home on the market - go find the free home buyers magazine. In my area the names of a few of them are " Home choice magazine" or "Your next home magazine", they might be different where you live.You have seen racks of them at the grocery store and other places. Look at them, see the houses that catch your eye. What do you like about it? What makes it stand out to you? That some kind of thing is what is going to make your home stand out to someone else. Also notice the ones that you do not like? Why do you not like that one? If your house is pink - a man is not going to like it to much, you might want to think of a more neutral color that will appeal to more people. You like it but not everyone does. You want a good number of people to look at your home. Look at your home from the buyers perspective. Does your house meet the test. If it does not, it will sit on the market for a long time.
Once you have the outside in good shape, do not let them down on the inside. Have it be as appealing on the inside as the outside. If the house appeals to as many people as possible - you will get more people to look at it. It will sell faster and for a higher price. That is the goal is it not?
For the buyer, they want a good value for there money. They do not want to over pay for what they get. If they are looking for a fixer upper they are not wanting to pay top dollar for it when they are going to have to put a lot of money into it as well.
A real estate agent can give you some pointers about what you might need to change to make it look better and sell faster. They see a lot of house, they know what has been selling and what has not. Do the fix up things that you know need to be done, then ask a real estate agent.
I would be interested in how curb appeal help you sell your home. If you were buying how did it affect your choices on a house to see or buy?
copyright 2009 Dan and Deanna Finlinson "Marketing Unscrambled"
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://see-click.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
TWO THING TO PUT AT THE TOP OF YOUR RENOVATION LIST OF THINGS TO DO
Both of these things are things that sometimes get forgotten. But they should be at the top of the list of things to plan for.
1. Replacing the electrical wiring. If wiring is old it could start a fire, for safety it is best to replace it. So if you are renovating - plan it in up front for updating the wiring. If you are doing a kitchen and you do not update the wiring - with the big fridge, the dishwasher, other smaller appliances, can the old wiring handle it all or will you keep blowing the breakers all the time? It gets very frustrating when it happens all the time. Do you have enough outlets and in the places that you need them to be in that will work best for you?
2. Lighting is next on the list. The electrician will need to know for putting in the wiring for the lighting. There are three kinds of lighting for the room:
A. Main lighting
B. Task lighting
C. Ambiance lighting
If the lighting is not what it should be, it is like being in a cave. It is not very inviting to be in that room. Sometimes it even affects how you can function in the room.
Both of these things it is best to have an electrician do for you. They know what code for your area are and the best way to do things. This makes your home safer as well. Make sure that the cost is in the budget for the electrician. The placement of wiring and lighting is easier done without sheetrock up. So if you are renovating and the walls are down to the studs, this is the best time for doing both the wiring and lighting. It is best to get them worked out ahead of time so you do not delay the construction or have to redo it later after the other work is all done.
copyright 2008 Dan and Deanna Finlinson "Marketing Unscrambled"
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
1. Replacing the electrical wiring. If wiring is old it could start a fire, for safety it is best to replace it. So if you are renovating - plan it in up front for updating the wiring. If you are doing a kitchen and you do not update the wiring - with the big fridge, the dishwasher, other smaller appliances, can the old wiring handle it all or will you keep blowing the breakers all the time? It gets very frustrating when it happens all the time. Do you have enough outlets and in the places that you need them to be in that will work best for you?
2. Lighting is next on the list. The electrician will need to know for putting in the wiring for the lighting. There are three kinds of lighting for the room:
A. Main lighting
B. Task lighting
C. Ambiance lighting
If the lighting is not what it should be, it is like being in a cave. It is not very inviting to be in that room. Sometimes it even affects how you can function in the room.
Both of these things it is best to have an electrician do for you. They know what code for your area are and the best way to do things. This makes your home safer as well. Make sure that the cost is in the budget for the electrician. The placement of wiring and lighting is easier done without sheetrock up. So if you are renovating and the walls are down to the studs, this is the best time for doing both the wiring and lighting. It is best to get them worked out ahead of time so you do not delay the construction or have to redo it later after the other work is all done.
copyright 2008 Dan and Deanna Finlinson "Marketing Unscrambled"
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
Friday, December 19, 2008
EIGHT FINANCING TIPS FOR BUYING A HOME
1. Before looking for a home to buy this should be your first step. Get pre-approved for a loan. Make sure that you could qualify for FHA and conventional loan. That way you can go one way or the other.
A. This way you know that if the house that you like does not qualify for FHA loan you are ready with the conventional loan that you can use.
B. You know before looking the price range that you would qualify for. Buyers like this they know that you are ready to buy now not just looking, to be looking.
2. Also find out about insurance for a home in this price range. You will know how much it will cost you. The bank will want to know that it is insured. If you do not they will tack it on ( that could cost you a lot more than getting it yourself.)
3. Expect the unexpected when it comes to getting the money for a house.
4. Have extra money saved up for add on things that might come up.
5. Get a copy of all the paperwork that you will be having to sign, they should let you have that the day before. Read them over, so that you know what you will be signing. If you have questions make note of them.
6. Make sure that all your questions are answered before signing the papers.
7. Make your appointment early in the day. It will take sometime to get everything signed. You do not want to be rushed, because it is 4:00 and they want to go home. Everyone is tired at 4:00 in the afternoon. That is why I say early in the day.
8. If you know that the windows will need to be replaced. Get estimates on how much it would be. (this is an example) This could be something that is added into the loan up front. Get the estimates and ask up front before starting the loan process. Do not wait till the day of the signing and ask, it probably will not happen then. (Replacing the windows adds more value to the house, so there is a greater chance that they will say yes to that as well.)
copyright 2008 Dan & Deanna Finlinson "Marketing Unscrambled"
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://www.see-click.com
A. This way you know that if the house that you like does not qualify for FHA loan you are ready with the conventional loan that you can use.
B. You know before looking the price range that you would qualify for. Buyers like this they know that you are ready to buy now not just looking, to be looking.
2. Also find out about insurance for a home in this price range. You will know how much it will cost you. The bank will want to know that it is insured. If you do not they will tack it on ( that could cost you a lot more than getting it yourself.)
3. Expect the unexpected when it comes to getting the money for a house.
4. Have extra money saved up for add on things that might come up.
5. Get a copy of all the paperwork that you will be having to sign, they should let you have that the day before. Read them over, so that you know what you will be signing. If you have questions make note of them.
6. Make sure that all your questions are answered before signing the papers.
7. Make your appointment early in the day. It will take sometime to get everything signed. You do not want to be rushed, because it is 4:00 and they want to go home. Everyone is tired at 4:00 in the afternoon. That is why I say early in the day.
8. If you know that the windows will need to be replaced. Get estimates on how much it would be. (this is an example) This could be something that is added into the loan up front. Get the estimates and ask up front before starting the loan process. Do not wait till the day of the signing and ask, it probably will not happen then. (Replacing the windows adds more value to the house, so there is a greater chance that they will say yes to that as well.)
copyright 2008 Dan & Deanna Finlinson "Marketing Unscrambled"
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://www.see-click.com
Saturday, November 22, 2008
STAGING A HOME FOR TRYING TO SELL YOUR HOME.
What is staging? You hire someone to come in with furniture, art and accessories. The things are placed in a way that makes the best of each and every room. Since they are professionals they know how to help you bring out the best in each room.
Make sure that you give them enough time to do what they need to do. Then plan for the open house after they are done. If you invest in staging, it could help you sell you home for the most that you can get.
It does have a cost, so make sure that it is really going to benefit you. The bigger cities have this service more than the smaller cities. It might not be available in all areas.
This can help to sell the house faster. It is harder to sell an empty house. It is harder for the buyer to envision what the house would look like with out furniture in the house. That is why staging the home is important.
If you think that you would like to learn how to do staging. Check out this website: www.haverhill.com .
If you like watching tv and need some ideas on what to do with your home, watch HGTV they have all kinds of different shows from buying a home, up dating a room or more, ect. They also have a website go to: http://hgtv.com
copyright 2008 Dan and Deanna Finlinson
moonlight1458@gmail.com
www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
www.see-click.com
Make sure that you give them enough time to do what they need to do. Then plan for the open house after they are done. If you invest in staging, it could help you sell you home for the most that you can get.
It does have a cost, so make sure that it is really going to benefit you. The bigger cities have this service more than the smaller cities. It might not be available in all areas.
This can help to sell the house faster. It is harder to sell an empty house. It is harder for the buyer to envision what the house would look like with out furniture in the house. That is why staging the home is important.
If you think that you would like to learn how to do staging. Check out this website: www.haverhill.com .
If you like watching tv and need some ideas on what to do with your home, watch HGTV they have all kinds of different shows from buying a home, up dating a room or more, ect. They also have a website go to: http://hgtv.com
copyright 2008 Dan and Deanna Finlinson
moonlight1458@gmail.com
www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
www.see-click.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
SOME WAYS TO UP DATE A SMALL BATHROOM
When it is time to update a small bathroom. What is in good condition? What needs to be replaced? How much can you keep out of the land fill by reusing? Starting with the flooring - it is a small space, even if you are wanting to use more expensive tiles. It will not break the bank to make it look nice.
If all that is needed to up date the sink area is a new counter top and faucet, then replace only that. You could even get granite for such a small counter top. They might have remnants for a lot less money so do not forget to ask at the store. Re stain or paint the cabinet and add new hardware to the doors. and it looks like new.
Replacing dated lighting and the mirror can be spiced up by framing it like a picture. Use molding like for base board that is a nice touch.
If the tub looks bad leave it in place and use an insert to cover it up and make it look new. That keeps the tub out of the land fill and is less expensive. What does the tile look like? Is it in good condition but you do not like the color.There is special paint that works on tile paint it the color that you want. This again keeps it out of the land fill.
Now for the walls. Paint is always a good choice. Keep the color light in the small bathroom, it will feel bigger. Do not forget window treatment to set it all off.
I would like to know how it turns out. Please leave your comments.
copyright 2008 Dan & Deanna Finlinson
Marketing Unscrambled
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://www.see-click.com/
If all that is needed to up date the sink area is a new counter top and faucet, then replace only that. You could even get granite for such a small counter top. They might have remnants for a lot less money so do not forget to ask at the store. Re stain or paint the cabinet and add new hardware to the doors. and it looks like new.
Replacing dated lighting and the mirror can be spiced up by framing it like a picture. Use molding like for base board that is a nice touch.
If the tub looks bad leave it in place and use an insert to cover it up and make it look new. That keeps the tub out of the land fill and is less expensive. What does the tile look like? Is it in good condition but you do not like the color.There is special paint that works on tile paint it the color that you want. This again keeps it out of the land fill.
Now for the walls. Paint is always a good choice. Keep the color light in the small bathroom, it will feel bigger. Do not forget window treatment to set it all off.
I would like to know how it turns out. Please leave your comments.
copyright 2008 Dan & Deanna Finlinson
Marketing Unscrambled
moonlight1458@gmail.com
http://www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://www.see-click.com/
TEN THINGS A FIRST TIME HOME BUYER NEEDS TO KNOW
1. Every thing takes longer than you think that it will and expect the unexpected.
2. Figure out what the budget is. ( about 1/3 of your income.)
3. Get pre-approved, that way the seller knows you are ready to buy and you know the price range to look in. That way you do not find your dream home and you can not get the money for it because it is to much.
4. Have money saved up for the down payment, closing cost, extras or the unexpected things that might come up.
5. Make a list of the things that are the needs, for example: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a big kitchen and dinning room, an office (because we work form home and have a big family).
6. Make a list of the the things that wish it would have, but if they are not there it would not be a deal breaker. The example might be a swimming pool, game room, theater room.
7. When looking remember it is not the furnishings and how nice they look, it the house and what condition it is in that you are looking at. How does the house flow? Will it work for your needs and some of your wants.
8. Think 5 years in the future will it still work for you. If you are single, what would it be like having an other person in the house? Are children in the future? Would there be room for them? Are the children growing up and moving out, now it will be to much room?
9. See a place more than one time before you make an offer. You might have missed things the first time around.
10. Once you have found the place that will work for you, go back at different times of the day. You might be amazed at the differences that you find. How would it be to get to work from there, how is the traffic? Are the dogs out and barking? Parking at night.
Have a nice time house hunting. I hope these tips help. I would like to hear from you. Tell me how you did?
copyright 2008 Dan and Deanna Finlinson
Marketing Unscrambled
moonlight1458@gmail.com
www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://www.see-click.com/
2. Figure out what the budget is. ( about 1/3 of your income.)
3. Get pre-approved, that way the seller knows you are ready to buy and you know the price range to look in. That way you do not find your dream home and you can not get the money for it because it is to much.
4. Have money saved up for the down payment, closing cost, extras or the unexpected things that might come up.
5. Make a list of the things that are the needs, for example: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a big kitchen and dinning room, an office (because we work form home and have a big family).
6. Make a list of the the things that wish it would have, but if they are not there it would not be a deal breaker. The example might be a swimming pool, game room, theater room.
7. When looking remember it is not the furnishings and how nice they look, it the house and what condition it is in that you are looking at. How does the house flow? Will it work for your needs and some of your wants.
8. Think 5 years in the future will it still work for you. If you are single, what would it be like having an other person in the house? Are children in the future? Would there be room for them? Are the children growing up and moving out, now it will be to much room?
9. See a place more than one time before you make an offer. You might have missed things the first time around.
10. Once you have found the place that will work for you, go back at different times of the day. You might be amazed at the differences that you find. How would it be to get to work from there, how is the traffic? Are the dogs out and barking? Parking at night.
Have a nice time house hunting. I hope these tips help. I would like to hear from you. Tell me how you did?
copyright 2008 Dan and Deanna Finlinson
Marketing Unscrambled
moonlight1458@gmail.com
www.powerpointerspage.com/152893/
http://www.see-click.com/
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