Are you Thinking About Selling?

Are you thinking about selling your home? If and when you are, there are several things that will not help you sell your hme.

Don't over improve.
While you're sprucing up your home for sale you will make a greater return on your investment if you do make some changes like updating appliances or replacing broken cabinets in a bathroom. Remember to not over-improve however. Finishing a space to your taste with color or function will probably not bring bring the return that you're looking for.

Don't over decorate,
Choose neutral colors and schemes, to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers. Pink and lace may not make the impression that you would like.

Don't hang around.
You will want the buyers to imagine themselves living in the space so don't hang around when your home is getting shown to potential buyers. Leave and take the dog and the kids with you! You'll make buyers uncomfortable if they think you're watching and making judgements while they're in your home.

Don't take things personally. 
Remember that selling a home is personal for you but real estate is a business. Don't be offended when you get a low offer or the buyer asks for money to replace carpets.

If you would like to talk more about getting your home ready to sell, please give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to chat!

Fire Safety and Property Protection

At this time of year we usually don't have much rain and the ground and trees are dry. This increases the chance of fires. For the last couple of years, we also have been plagued with smokey skies and poor air quality. It's a reminder that we need to be vigilant and do what we can to protect our property.

One of the most important items on your checklist will be what wildfire protection experts call a "defensible space" in order to create the most protection that you can during this dry season. Brush and debris are a hazard at this time of year so using a zone system will help you create a safer place.

Zone 1

30 feet from any structure is the first zone of protection. Remove all dead vegetation, dry leaves and pine needles and remove any branches that hang over your roof.  Clean your gutters and have your trees pruned regularly to keep all branches at least 10 feet from other trees. Remember to clean under decks and keep foliage away from your house.

Zone 2

Within 100 feet of buildings, cut or mow the grass down to four inches or shorter. Remove fallen leaves, branches, cones and bark. On trees, remove branches at lease six feet from the ground.

Smoke Alarms

Make certain that all smoke alarms are in working order.

Fire Escape Route

Have an escape plan in place. Know how you're getting out and review plans with all family members including young children.

We all hope that we never have to deal with fire in our lives but being prepared, will make for the best possible outcome if we do have a fire.