Popular New Year Resolutions

It's that time of year to make a fresh start in 2008 and for lots of people that means making a New Year Resolution or two. Here are some of the most popular resolutions:

• Lose weight
• Pay off debt
• Save money
• Get a better job
• Get fit
• Eat right
• Get a better education
• Drink less alchol
• Quit smoking
• Reduce stress
• Take a vacation
• Volunteer

One more I would add the list is:

• Love your house - either buy a new one or improve your current one!

Smell Helps Sell Homes

Smell is a very important factor in selling your home. If it stinks it probably will not sell quickly or for as much profit as you hoped. Here are some suggestions to make your home welcoming and smell wonderful.

• Bake cookies, but do not burn them!
• Bake an apple pie.
• Put vases of fresh flowers throughout the house.
• Warm a split vanilla bean or a couple of drops of pure vanilla extract in water on the stove top.
• Simmer cloves & cinnamon sticks in water or apple cider (ideal for around the holidays).
• Get rid of old carpet that can trap offensive smells, especially if you have animals.
• If you have animals make sure to wash their bedding and vacuum up the hair.
• Hide the kitty litter and make sure it's a clean box. Don't just mask those odors with air fresheners.
• Make sure to scrub your house top to bottom to get rid of any mildew. No one likes a musty smelling house.
• Don't smoke inside your house. If the home has been exposed to cigarette smoke run a HEPA air filter at the highest setting. This may help allergy sufferers and eliminate many more obvious odors, but sometimes more in-depth cleanings are needed to get smoke residue out of the carpets, curtains, beds and other places where fabric can collect cigarette smoke.
• Air out the house. Either open the windows up before a showing or run the central fan with clean air filters and set the temperature to an economic level that will keep the place feeling "fresh."
• If you use any type of air freshening/perfumed candles, sprays, oils, etc., use a natural scent. This may help reduce the negative reaction from buyers who are prone to allergies or scent-sensitivity.

Whatever you do make sure it's not overpowering so that buyers don't assume you are trying to hide something.

Safety Tips for Winter Weather

Winter brings bitter winds and dipping temperatures. But perhaps the most chilling result of wintry weather is the marked increase in home injury during this season.

Carbon Monoxide Precaution: Heating Systems and Gas Appliances
• Install at least one smoke alarm and CO alarm on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up central heating system and repair leaks.
• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted and serviced.
• Avoid using a cooking stove to heat your home.
• Never use a gas grill inside your home or in a closed garage.

Home Fire Precautions: Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
• Burn only wood- not trash, cardboard boxes, or Christmas trees because these items increase the risk of uncontrolled fires.
• Check the chimneys you use regularly every year for cracks, blockages and leaks.
• Keep all people and flammable objects, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing and pets, at least 36 inches away from fireplaces and wood stoves.
• Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
• Hire a professional sweep to clean your chimney at least once a year to prevent creosote build-up.

House Fire Precautions: Space Heaters
• Turn off space heaters before leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Supervise children and pets at all times when a portable space heater is in use.
• Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
• Avoid using space heaters to dry flammable items such as clothing or blankets.
• Keep all flammable objects at least three feet from space heaters.

Power Outage Precautions: Lighting Sources and Perishable Food
• Stock up on batteries, flashlights, portable radios, canned foods, manual can openers, bottled water and blankets
• Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid a possible fire hazard
• Run water at a trickle to help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting if outside temperatures are below freezing for an extended period of time and your home has no heat.
• Store perishable food outside in the snow or in an unheated outside building if power goes out.

Information For Sellers

Home Sales

• 2004/2005 - 43% of Buyers came from open houses


• 2007 - 3% of Buyers came from open houses, 80% of Buyers came from the internet and other Realtors

Prelist Home Inspection

Evaluates and identifies potential and actual problems, gives the seller time to repair or disclose to a buyer upfront to eliminate unpleasant surprises
5 areas mostly concerned with:

• Structural
• Roofing
• Plumbing
• HVAC systems
• Electrical

Creative Marketing with Mortgage Options

• Ameridream – Seller pays Buyers’ closing costs and downpayment *rule of thumb – 5.5% - 6.0% of sales price
• Seller Paid Buydown – 1 or 2 years of interest rate buydown
• Seller pays up to 6 months on Buyers’ mortgage payments (P & I)
• Combination of any

Appraisals and Value

Market values are changing constantly. Appraisers are having a more difficult time with appraising properties. Generally speaking, there are 10% more homes on the market now than this time last year. The number of sold homes is down by approximately 8-36% from last year this time. In addition, the dollar amount (home pricing) is down by 33%, which indicates pricing has gone down. The average days on market are 6-12 months. This is twice as long as last year.

How To Keep Your House Clutter-Free

• Tackle messy rooms one room at a time.


• For every new purchase, get rid of something old.


• Have the kids get involved by making cleaning up fun.


• Imagine what the room looks like clean and it will help you acheive the goal.
  Teach your kids how to sort.


• Go through mail when you get it and throw out the "junk mail" right away.


• If you haven't used it in year, you probably don't need it.


• Ask yourself if you really need something. If you hesitate, you don't.


• Keep the items you use most in the kitchen in easily retreivable places.


• Organize your garage into storage bins by items and holidays (baby clothes, Christmas decorations, etc.)

Air Quality in Your Home

The air quality in your home can play a major role in your overall health. Here are some suggestions to make your home healthier:

• Get rid of fumes and particles trapped inside your home by regularly opening the windows.


• Remove your shoes to avoid tracking pesticides and lawn chemicals inside.


• Use glass or other microwave-safe containers when microwaving food. Don't use plastic containers or plastic covering that could leak the plastic into the food.


• Use non-toxic cleaners like baking soda and white vinegar instead of toxic chemicals to clean your home.


• Take your clothes out of the bags after dry cleaning and let them air out for at least a day before wearing.


• Place a dehumidifier in the garage to cut down on potentially toxic mold.


• Store old paint and varnish as far from your living area as possible in a well ventilated area.


• Put plants like spider plants, golden pothos and philodendrons in your home. They are execellent at converting carbon dioxide to oxygen.

Most Important Features Buyers Look For

Central air conditioning 74%
2 car garage or larger 57%
Walk-in closet in master bedroom 53%
Backyard/play area 50%
Cable/Satellite TV ready 46%
High-speed Internet access 40%
Separate shower in master/main bath 36%
Patio 36%
Fencing 36%
Home less than 10 years old 33%

• Source: 2007 NAR Profile of Buyers' Home Features Preferences

Benefits of Buying vs. Renting

Equity: Equity is the difference between the value of your home and the amount you owe on the mortgage. As you make payments on the house, the equity increases. Typically values increase over time and your equity also increases.

Savings: Money you pay for rent is gone forever. Purchasing a home is an investment. The Federal Reserve Board estimates that home owners have a net worth nearly 36 times more than that of renters.

Tax Benefits: You may be able to deduct the interest paid on your mortgage, property taxes, and even some of your closing costs from your yearly income taxes.

No Landlords: You have the ability to remodel, decorate, paint, garden and have pets without permission. It's your house!

The Facts About FSBOs

Each year some ambious home sellers try to sell their home without the assistance of a licensed real estate professional. It often turns out to be an experience they find less than gratifying. The numbers tell the true story.

Last year 12 percent of sellers decided to sell on their own (For Sale By Owner: FSBO), down from 13 percent the previous year. This is down from about 20 percent in 1987. 40 percent of all FSBOs sold their homes to someone they knew prior to the transaction. This means that only 7 percent of all home sales are open market FSBO transactions. The rest are simply unrepresented sellers in private transactions.

As for saving money by not hiring a Realtor — after all is said and done, FSBOs don’t always come out richer. Homes sold with the help of a Realtor in 2006 sold on average 32% more than FSBO sales. The median FSBO selling price in 2006 was $187,200, compared with $247,000 for agent-assisted transactions.

• Data and stats compiled from the National Association of Realtors, NAR's 2006 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

The Importance of Staging Your Home

The market is flooded with housing inventory and if you want to sell your home you want to make your home stand out. Staging or redesigning might be the answer.
More often than not, effective staging can be achieved by decluttering and relocating existing furniture and accessories throughout the house to achieve elegant simplicity. Removing heavy curtains can let in more light and make the home seem larger and brighter. Cleaning up the yard and adding some "curb appeal" can make a big difference.
Just like a car needs certain preparation before selling (a good cleaning, removal of trash and personal belongings, or a tune-up), a house is very similar.
Staging is crucial. A home has to be perfect from the start, because we only have one shot to make a good first impression. Your home reflects your personal style and taste, staging does just the opposite. Staging depersonalizes a room. Often personal photos or collections are removed so they don't distract prospective buyers. Buyers need to be able to admire the architectural features of the home, instead of what's in it.
If you're trying to sell a house in today's market, and it has something buyers see as a challenge or defect, you may be stuck with a house that won't move. If improvements and changes are done properly, before a house goes on the market, 'problem homes' may not be problems at all.
Buyers have so much to choose from and negatives of any kind will not be overlooked by today's discriminating shoppers. Sellers must work harder to attract buyers and that's where home staging comes in. Generally staged homes, on average, sold in half the time that the non-staged homes.
Staging is quickly gaining consumer awareness. It has shows dedicated to it like HGTV's "Designed To Sell" and other popular shows have dedicated segments to staging - ABC's Nightline and The Oprah Winfrey Show to name a few. Stories have been published in USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Money magazine, Business Week, and aired on CBS Market Watch and CNN Radio.
Some of the staging shows on cable have done a disservice by giving the idea that lots of money must be spent in order to change the look of a room. That is just not the case.
The most common problems are that most homes have too much "stuff" in them. Editing and depersonalizing is the first and most important task. Another challenge in today's market is the empty home. With properties sitting on the market longer, it's more likely that the homeowner will need to move - with the furniture. Furnished homes show better. The solution lies in planning long before the move. I can recommend what to leave in the house and what to move to the new location. Professional staging is becoming an indispensable part of the home-selling process.
Since I am a Certified Interior Redesigner and Real Estate Stager myself I can help you set up your home for maximum profit and exposure.

Helpful Cleaning Solutions & Mixtures

*Stove: Cream of tartar & vinegar paste
*Weeds: Vinegar & lemon juice
*Carpet stains: 3 tablespoons dish soap, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon ammonia, 3/4 cup water, mix to foamy consistancy and use only the foam on carpet
*Clothing stains: automotive hand cleaner (white)
*Silver: 1 tablespoon water softner, 1 tablespoon salt. Mix in hot water in either a foil pan or place in glass pan with foil on the bottom. (Foil must touch the silver)
*Flies outside: Mint oil, chewing gum or crushed mint leaves
*Ink on clothes: Spray heavy with hair spray (soak) then rub with bar soap and rinse in cold water
*Scuff marks on the floor: Toothpaste
*Markers: Spray with hair spray heavily and wipe up
*Sneakers: Ammonia in spray bottle, spray on sneakers and wipe off
*Grass stains on clothes: Spray ammonia then rub with toothbrush and rinse in cold water
*Pet Hair: Rub with rubber glove
*Faucets: Wet cloth with vinegar
*White patio furniture: Bleach and dish soap
*Storage: Fill black trash bag, wrap end tight around vacuum and suck out air
*Tubs: Make a paste of cream of tartar with hydrogen peroxide and clean stains out of tubs and sinks

Tips to Help Sell Your Home This Fall

Make a good first impression
Your entryway sets the tone, so clean the front door and polish the brass door knocker. If your welcome mat has lost its luster, replace it with a new one.

Wash the windows
On sunny days, the strong southern light can reveal dirt and grime you might not have noticed. Sparkling clean windows suggest to potential buyers that your home is well maintained.

Warm it up
Give your home that “cozy” feel by keeping the room temperature warm and comfortable during showings. Build a fire or turn on the gas logs – but only if you plan on returning home right after the showing.

Add seasonal touches like warm throws and fall floral arrangements. Update your planters
with fall favorites such as pansies and mums.

Give your home a nice aroma with a cinnamon candle, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies or a faint pine scent. But don’t overdo it, as buyers might wonder what you’re trying to cover up.

Turn on the music
Create a relaxed atmosphere by playing classical music or soft jazz, but keep the volume low.

See the light

Shorter days means less natural light, so make the most of your indoor and outdoor living spaces with lighting solutions like accent lamps and installed indoor and outdoor lighting.

Clean gutters

After the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters before freezing rain set in. Clogged drains can cause back ups, resulting in visible water damage that could scare buyers away.

Keep walkways clear

Make sure your home is easy to show by keeping walkways and driveways free of debris. A treacherous path to your front door can keep potential buyers inside their cars!

Paint works wonders

If your walls need a fresh coat, try a fall color trend. Remember that neutrals work best when selling a home, but you can use throw pillows and small area rugs to bring the autumn colors to life.

Lawn Tonic for a Greener Lawn

This formula was created for areas with water restrictions and water shortages, but lawns anywhere will love it. It's just another way to get the nutrients to your lawn and keep it growing strong and green. The secret formula is actually just a mix of common household ingredients. All mixed into a 10-gallon hose-end sprayer. Each ingredient does something different, it feeds the lawn, penetrates the roots and promotes growth, and even kills bugs and grubs.

Recipe

• One can of soda - not diet


• One can of beer - not light
  
• 1/2 cup liquid dish washing soap (don't use anti-bacterial soap!)
  
• 1/2 cup mouthwash
  
• 1/2 cup household ammonia
  
• Mixed in a 10 gallon hose end sprayer
  
• *Apply every 3 weeks
  
• Mow lawn in evening then make application

NOTE: A ten gallon hose end sprayer does not contain ten gallons of liquid. It is a sprayer with a reservoir that attaches to your garden hose, and when the reservoir is full, mixes evenly with ten gallons of water that flows through the hose.

Easy Ways to Add Curb Appeal

Create an instant garden
Container gardens add a welcoming feel and colorful appeal to any home exterior -- quickly and affordably. Window boxes offer a fast, easy way to bring color and charm to your home exterior. Choose boxes made from copper or iron for a traditional look, or painted wood for a cottage feel. Mix and match flowers and plants to suit your lighting conditions and color scheme.

Replace old hardware
House numbers, the entry door lock set, a wall-mounted mailbox, and an overhead light fixture are all elements that can add style and interest to your home's exterior.

Renew planter beds
Get garden beds into shape by pruning growth, pulling weeds, planting flowers, and adding new mulch to restore color that was taken away by sunlight and harsh weather. If stone or brick borders your bed, consider cleaning and resetting any pieces that are soiled or dislodged. If your border is old or tired-looking, try upgrading to stone or a decorative cast-concrete edging system.

Install outdoor lighting
Low-voltage landscape lighting makes a huge impact on your home's curb appeal while also providing safety and security. Fixtures can add accent lighting to trees or the house or can illuminate a walking path. If you aren't able to use lights that require wiring, install solar fixtures.

Dress up the front door
Your home's front entry is the focal point of its curb appeal. Make a statement by giving your front door a blast of color with paint or by installing a custom wood door. Clean off any dirty spots around the knob, and use metal polish on the door fixtures. Your entry should also reflect the home's interior, so choose a wreath or door ornament that reflects your personal style.

Add shutters or accent trim
Shutters and trim add a welcoming layer of beauty to your home's exterior. Shutters also control light and ventilation, and provide additional security. Exterior shutters can be made out of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass. New composite materials, such as PVC resins or polyurethane, make trim details durable and low maintenance.

Create a new planting bed
Add contrast and color to your home exterior with a new planting bed. Prime spots are at the front corners of the yard, along driveways or walkways, and immediately in front of the house. When creating a new bed, choose features that will frame your home rather than obscure it. Opt for stone or precast-concrete blocks to edge the bed. Include a mix of plant size, color, and texture for optimal results.

Renew paint, siding, and trim
An exterior face lift (new paint, siding, or trim details) automatically transforms the look of a home. Periodic maintenance of that exterior surface is the surest way to keep your house looking its best. Any obvious defects, such as cracked or rotting material, can downgrade the aesthetic and quickly turn away potential home buyers. Once defects are repaired, look for ways to add personality with color, trim, or shingles.

My Navy Background

I am proud to tell you I served 20 years in the United States Navy. 10 years active duty and 10 years Reserves. I recently retired on August 1, 2007. I was in the electronics and administrative fields. I have been stationed overseas as well as the east coast of the US. My husband is retired Navy also. I love being a realtor and believe my Navy experience really helped me in becoming one of the top ranking realtors in Jacksonville. I am definitely very familiar with the challenges of moving and packing every couple of years!