Common Mistakes Sellers Make

Common Mistakes Sellers Make:

• Putting the home on the market before it's ready.


• Pricing the home based on how much the seller wants to net or pricing the home too high and not reducing the price with market conditions.


• Hiring a realtor based on friendship or a reduced commission agreement rather than experience and a proven track record.


• Not disclosing or trying to cover up known problems with the home.

Painting a room

Painting a room can dramatically change the mood and appearance of the entire space. If you need a change then paint is the easiest way to accomplish that.

If you think your room is boring, look at it in terms of the 60-30-10 rule that designers employ: Sixty percent of the color in a space generally comes from the walls; 30 percent from upholstery, floor covering, or window treatments; and 10 percent from accent pieces, accessories, and artwork. Translation: Liven up those white walls.

Don't be afraid of a little color. The best way to get over color fear is to start with a color you love -- a rug, painting, fabric. Then test it on the wall. If it's too strong lighten it or to tone it down by adding more gray.

There's no need to rush into choosing a new color. The best way to find a color you can live with is to paint a 4-by-4-foot swatch on the wall and live with it for at least a day or two so you can see it in natural and artificial light.

Also, don't forget the primer. When changing the color of a wall, primer (white or tinted) is vital to getting the actual color you picked out.

Just for fun...

What your favorite color might say about you:

• Orange: You probably get along well with others. You tend to be social and hate to be alone. If you're feeling down in the dumps, adding a tad of orange to your day can help.
• Yellow: You have a cheerful spirit and are inclined to be intellectual, idealistic and imaginative. The color yellow has been found to improve the thought process of young children.
• Green: You are an affectionate, loyal friend who is inclined to be frank and moral. "Green rooms" in theaters promote a clam, restful atmosphere.
• Red: You are impulsive, possibly athletic, sexy and given to mood swings. You are determined to experience life to its fullest. Red demands attention and helps create a cheerful atmosphere. Some studies have shown people become hungry around the color red.
• Blue: You crave harmony. You are capable, sensitive and make an outstanding friend. You are cautious in your manner of dress and conscientious at whatever you're working on. Its calming effects make it the color of choice for hospital nurseries.
• Violet: You may think your strong, sensitive, observant personality makes you quite unique. Chances are you are artistic and enjoy being creative and glamorous. Its lavish nature is seen on religious robes and smelled in expensive perfumes.

Top things buyers want in a house

Top things that Buyers look for/want when searching for a house:

• Welcoming feeling and nice entryway


• Hardwood floors


• Upgraded fixtures


• Beautiful clean bathrooms


• Stainless steel appliances


• Organized closet spaces


• Lots of lighting


• Built-ins are always a bonus


• Manicured landscaping

Biggest Decorating Mistakes

Too many colors or patterns - keep it simple
Improper lighting
Frames hung too high
All the furniture pushed-back onto the walls
Boring or no window coverings
Fear of color
Too many knick-knacks
Fake flowers - they look fake and collect dust
Too many photos
Lots of cables and cords showing
Lack of traffic flow
Furniture that doesn't fit - either too big or too small

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.