A beautiful lawn can make the difference in your home's curb appeal

When it comes to selling a home the first impression counts.  In a competitive seller’s market, where inventory is up and pricing is competitive, first impressions can mean everything.  The exterior of a home is what catches the buyer’s eye first and before the he even reaches the home it might just stop on the grass.  If you want to draw a buyer in take a good look at your lawn.

Keeping a lawn green and perfect can be difficult in certain situations.  Climate and animals are two culprits that add to the difficulty of lawn maintenance but both issues can be faced.

Dry, arid climates make irrigation necessary.  If you are trying to conserve water and don’t mind a dry, brown looking lawn that is one thing,  if you are trying to sell your property you will need to step up the irrigation.

Dogs, whether they belong to you or a neighbor, are another culprit for lawn damage.  The ammonia in a dog’s urine tends to burn grass.  If dealt with immediately by saturating the urine spots with water, the ammonia is diluted and less likely to cause the spots.  For spots that already exist there are a variety of products available to revive the grass and make it green.  There are also grasses that are heartier and more resistant to burning from the ammonia in the urine.

Short of rolling out beautiful, fresh sod, there are more economical alternatives to greening up your lawn and making a great first impression on potential home buyers.

Click here for an article about the importance of green lawns from Realty Times.

Staging a home prepares it for the potential buyer's eye

There is no doubt that selling real estate is a tough and competitive market today.  The key to successfully selling your home is to make it stand apart from the rest.  Many real estate companies have turned to staging companies to put the best foot forward for a home that is for sale.  Empty homes are often completely furnished by staging companies to allow the potential buyer to see what can be done with the house.  Staging is, in essence, getting a house decorated/designed by a professional.  If you or your Realtor are not going to spend the money on staging, here are a few tips for getting your home ready to sell, staging it yourself:

• Remove clutter.  Clear off counters, clean out cabinets and closets.  To much stuff lying around gives rooms, closets and cabinets a smaller feel.  You want the potential buyer to see space and room.
• Get rid of personal items and leave neutral feel.  Photos, school items, political and religious material should all be removed.  The buyer needs to see himself living in the house, not you living in the house.
• Pay attention to the outside of your house and how it presents itself.  A little landscaping can go a long way.  There will never be a second chance to make a first impression.
• Clean, clean, clean.  Clean your floors.  If you have carpet get it cleaned professionally.  Make sure your walls are clean and your appliances smudge-free.
• Move furniture around to make your rooms seem more spacious.  Also use furniture to define spaces.  Make your home as inviting and roomy as it can be.
• Have a home inspection done.  By having your home inspected before selling it you can fix many of the issues that may arise and make a deal more complicated.

Remember, when you are selling your home you want it to appeal to the potential buyer.  If you can get them to fall in love with your house then you will likely get the money you are asking for it.  Keep your home clean, your furniture well-placed and everything clutter-free until you sell your home.

A Realtor can be an invaluable tool when buying or selling real estate

An often perused question is: Should I use a Realtor or not?  People often underestimate Realtors and their importance in a real estate transaction.  On both sides of a deal a real estate professional can be an invaluable asset, helping to keep deals together and run more smoothly.

For sellers Realtors are valuable in a number of ways.  Realtors know the local market and how to evaluate the price your home should be sold at.  A real estate professional will advertise, market and expose your home to other real estate professionals as well as the community at large, not to mention the large customer base that they may already have.  A Realtor can help you set your home up for success by helping you present your property in a way that will appeal to potential buyers.  Realtors are indispensable when it comes to contracts and making sure each step is carried out to the seller’s best interest.

For buyers a real estate broker can be an incredibly helpful tool when looking for real estate.  Not only does a competent Realtor know his local real estate market and what is available but he also knows the community, its amenities and all that it has to offer.  A Realtor will write a contract when a buyer has found his ideal property and will help the buyer follow through with each step until closing.

In a nutshell, Realtors are incredibly helpful in diminishing the stresses involved with buying and/or selling real estate.  Contact an experienced Realtor in the area you are thinking of buying or selling property in today.

Paying attention to how your home will appear to others will help you sell your home

If you are trying to sell a home in today’s market there are a few things to keep in mind that will help your home stand apart from the pack.  Prioritize and analyze what will fit in your budget and take the steps necessary to make your home show well and appeal to prospective buyers.

• Fresh & Clean: Inspect your home inside and out. Does it need a coat of paint? A fresh coat of paint will always be recouped in the sale of a home and is well woth the cost.  Does it look clean and tight?  Pack up the mess, the more clutter free a home the better it will show.  Likewise an empty house shows better.

• Curb appeal: Pay attention to your home as if you were a potential buyer.  Is it inviting?  Clean?  Shore up your landscaping, make sure that your lawn is green and well-kept, that your flower beds are weeded and mulched, and that the exterior of your house is clean and respectable.

• Inspection: There will be a home inspection completed by the buyer be prudent and do one yourself.  Attend to items that could possibly hold up the sales process.

• Best areas of a home to update and remodel? The Master Bathroom and the Kitchen.  Don’t spend the money to gut and redo your entire home but remodeling the master bath and kitchen areas of your home will make your home more appealing and grab a buyer’s eye.

• Evaluate: Are the remodel/updates going to net you more than you are putting into them?  It is very important in the ned to pay attention to your local market and make the improvements that will help you not hurt you.  If you are not going to get the money back that you are intending to put into your home don’t do the changes.  Do the low-cost improvements and make do by making your home clean in its appearance.

Check out YahooRealEstate.com for more information and ways to sell your home.