What a Buyer wants

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to share some insights about what the average buyer is looking for in a home.  

• What are the expectations for home features?
• A little humor about what a buyer doesn't want.
• What types of homes are selling quickly.
• What no buyer ever wants... fraud & ways you can protect yourself.

Please stay tuned...

Are you ready for Summer? ....summer camp that is...

As a parent I have always found the task of determining what to do with the kids during the summer a daunting one.  It's a balancing act between child safety, activities they will enjoy, activities that keep their minds engaged, their friends, and last but not least... a location I can get to on time.  (I'm not going to throw price into the equation.)

If you find yourself in the same situation here links to camps that I have either used, or friends of mine have used and would recommend.  

Burlington Community College

Fernbrook Farms

Handiwork Studio

Lake Liberty Day Camp

Mercer Community College - Campus College & Sports Camps

YMCA - Hamilton

Enjoy your summer!

Do you have another local area camp that you love?  Let me know and I'll add it to the list.  

Improve your curb appeal for less

The first sight prospective buyers see when pulling up to a property is the yard and exterior of the home and this first impression can have a big impact on whether a property sells. Many buyers will connect what they see on the outside of the home with how attractive the inside may be. Improving curb appeal is an important part of selling a home, and it's also one of the most simple and affordable actions sellers can take.

Spruce up the exterior

Over time, natural wear and weather can take their toll on the outside of a home, making it appear older and lifeless. Improving the exterior is a quick fix and homeowners can begin by washing the outside frame of their home to remove dirt and grime.  Replace door handles, house numbers, mailboxes, locks and frames to give the house a more modern and practical feel.  Make your home stand out by painting shutters and doors a different color than the home itself, check paint companies such as Benjamin Moore or Behr for color trends.

Yard work and landscaping

Pulling up to a home covered in leaves and dead grass is not the first sight most  buyers to see. Laying down mulch and conducting some basic landscaping can go a long way in making a lawn look healthier.  Make sure trees, bushes and shrubs are properly trimmed. Pull out weeds that are hindering flower growth, and consider adding new brightly colored annuals & potted plants to increase interest.  

Need more inspiration? ....Check this list of 20 Ways to add Curb Appeal from Better Homes & Garden's magazine.  

Prep your home for sale this spring

The spring season is a prime time for home buying, and owners who plan on selling a home can start making preparations early on to make the process go more smoothly. There are several actions sellers take when getting their homes ready, and making a checklist to follow can help make sure all their bases are covered.

Make it squeaky clean

One of the most common mistakes sellers make is not adequately cleaning their homes. A clean home generally looks more modern and spacious, and dirt, dust and grime that has been missed tends to stand out more to buyers. So it's important to go above and beyond when it comes to scrubbing a home down. Not only is it imperative to clean counters, walls and bathroom tiles, but it's also crucial to pressure wash backyard decks, power wash carpeting and organize closets and drawers. Buyers may want to look at every space in the home, so it's important that every nook and cranny is immaculate.

Add neutral upgrades

Many homeowners have decorated their home to their specific tastes, but when a home goes up for sale, owners should stop thinking of the home as their own and make upgrades accordingly. For example, bright walls and shag carpeting may have been the preference of the owner, but this style may not appeal to every buyer walking through the door. Instead, experts encourage sellers to neutralize their home, according to MSN Real Estate. First, sellers should repaint the walls. Not only will a fresh coat of paint make a home appear new and fresh, but it can also make rooms appear more spacious.

In addition, cracked floorboards, stained kitchen counters and old appliances can turn off buyers, so upgrading these features can help owners sell their homes more quickly. Individuals should also follow the neutral rule when making upgrades to make sure any improvements are in keeping not only with the home's particular character, but also similar homes in the neighborhood, MSN reports. For example, if all the houses in a community have granite countertops and upgraded kitchen fixtures, it may be a good idea to make similar upgrades to stay competitive with other properties that are up for sale.  The best way to know which upgrades make sense for your neighborhood is to talk with local Real Estate expert.