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Selling your home? Make it more appealing to buyers

Posted on Nov 27, 2013

(BPT) – You’ve made the decision to sell your home – now you want to position yourself for a quick and successful sale. What’s the most important thing you can do to entice buyers?

“The most important thing you can do is to make your home look welcoming when people drive by,” says Kimber Powell, Realtor and sales manager for Coldwell Banker Mid-America Group in Altoona, Iowa.

“You want to invite them in. Make sure your front door looks nice. Trim and landscape your yard. Accent your entryway with a new door mat and pots of flowers that contrast with the color of your home,” she says.

Follow these tips to position your house for a successful sale:

Enhance curb appeal

A well-maintained house appeals to more buyers and can sell faster and may sell for a higher price, according to Realtor.com.

Maximize your home’s exterior appearance. Keep the lawn and landscaping edged, cut and watered. Inspect doors, windows, trim, foundation and siding for peeling paint. Repaint and replace items as needed. Clean out gutters and replace missing caulk and shingles.

Declutter inside

Make your home look bigger by removing clutter and storing personal items and extra furniture before prospective buyers arrive. Make repairs where needed, Powell advises.

“Repairs are ongoing maintenance needs that show your home has been well-cared-for and kept up-to-date,” she says. “Most potential buyers want turn-key homes that are easy to move into.”

Repaint dingy or stained walls with a neutral shade of paint. Repair cracks or holes in walls, ceilings, tile and woodwork. Replace broken items and consider updating worn-out cabinet knobs, dated curtains and battered bath and kitchen hardware.

Show lifestyle possibilities

Create a lifestyle story to help buyers envision themselves living in your home. Have a small kitchen but a big deck? Focus on outdoor entertaining by adding lights, comfy cushions and showcasing grilling areas, Powell recommends. If you love your neighborhood, highlight a front porch with wicker furniture and window boxes.

“You want to show buyers the ways they can use the entire home and yard,” Powell says. “If you don’t have outdoor furniture or decorations, work with a stager to borrow those items.” Or consider borrowing items from friends or family to get your home staged for sale.

Highlight quality brands

If your home features or you’ve replaced items with high-quality brands, like Pella Windows and Doors, include their names in your home’s sell sheet, Powell says.

“People are very conscious of name brands and high-quality products. They also want to know about energy-saving benefits and warranties that may transfer to them,” she says.

Windows, door replacement

Projects like window and door replacements can recoup more than 70 percent of their cost at resale, according to the National Association of Realtors and Remodeling magazine’s Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report.

Whether you’re preparing your home to sell, or updating it to live in longer, Pella offers low-maintenance, energy-efficient vinyl, wood, and fiberglass replacement windows and doors that can help improve your home’s curb appeal, and help lower utility bills.

“Stylish exterior doors that look like wood, with the minimal maintenance of fiberglass, are popular replacement options,” says Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella spokesperson. “Plus, fiberglass offers exceptional energy efficiency, weather resistance and outstanding durability.”

Pella fiberglass entry doors offer many prefinished options, as well as custom colors so you can design a door that truly reflects your home’s style.

Courtesy of BPT

Four simple steps to help DIYers get pro-level painting results

Posted on Nov 20, 2013

(BPT) – When it comes to simple, low-cost home improvements that can add value and completely change the look of a room, you just can’t beat painting. From giving a room a whole new look to protecting the walls and boosting the value of your home, painting delivers many benefits – all at a fraction of the cost of other improvements.

Tackle the job yourself, rather than hiring a professional painter, and you can save even more money.

“Any do-it-yourselfer can achieve professional-looking painting results when they follow the right steps and use the right painting tools,” says Arti Lyde, a product director with Wagner, manufacturer of painting products. “Painting can dramatically improve the look and style of your home.”

Follow these four guidelines and you can achieve professional-looking results with your own hands:

Prepping is paramount

Professionals know that properly preparing their work space is a key factor in achieving a good end result. Before you crack open that paint can, take these preparatory steps:

* Gather all the tools you will need in one place.

* Protect surfaces such as baseboards, woodwork and windows by taping off with a good quality painter’s tape.

* Completely cover carpets with a good quality drop cloth that will resist punctures and rips.

* Some jobs require a primer before putting the final color on the wall. Primer preps the surface and helps the final coat adhere better.

Pick the right paint

The quality of the paint you choose will directly affect how good the job looks when you’re done. For a good quality finish it is important to select quality paint, which adheres better, gives a uniform finish and will last longer. Also, look at the latest color trends and select a color that will meet your style.

Before you buy, research the brands available at your local home improvement store. Check out consumer review websites, giving particular attention to those that feature reviews from homeowners who’ve actually used the products. These independent, real-life reviewers can offer valuable insight into how well a paint might work.

Use the right tools

Many professionals use paint sprayers to achieve smooth, fast results. Now homeowners can achieve professional results. Two new sprayers, the Flexio 570 and Flexio 590 from Wagner, are designed to help DIYers achieve the same speed and good looks as the professionals do. The sprayers allow you to cover an 8-by-10-foot surface in just two to six minutes, and they can be used inside the house or outside on decks, fences, sheds or any other surface you need to paint quickly and easily.

Because both sprayers feature nozzles that allow you to precisely adjust the flow of paint, overspray is minimal – meaning that since you’ve already prepped by taping and draping, you can use the sprayer indoors with confidence that you won’t get overspray on areas where you don’t want paint. Another bonus that makes these sprayers great for indoor use – they’re quieter than traditional sprayers, making about as much noise as a hair dryer. Finally, unlike other sprayers, the Flexio models don’t require you to thin the paint with water; thinning can hinder the performance of even the best quality paint. To learn more, log on to www.wagnerspraytech.com.

Pay attention to the details

Details such as painting baseboards, woodwork and ceilings are the crowning touch on any paint job. Professionals know it’s these finishing touches that pull together the look of a room.

With the right tools and professional approach, you can save money by doing your own painting – and enjoy the pride and satisfaction of a job well done.

Courtesy of BPT

Managing residential income property: One simple bit of timing can make a world of difference

Posted on Nov 13, 2013

Birdhouse Having been born and raised in SoCal, doing business there for over three decades, many of the lessons learned in nearly a decade of working in other states have been informative – an understatement if ever there was one. I’ll bet if you’re invested in a midwestern state, the thought of a last quarter vacancy freezes you in your tracks, pun intended. A November vacancy in San Diego is irritating, even a tad worrisome, but it gets filled. Instead of happening in a couple days or weeks, it might be a month. That’s an eternity around these parts. Yet that’s relatively overnight compared to dealing with having to rent up a unit in chillier climates, especially when it’s cold, wet, and holiday season. However, if escrow is closing on your latest acquisition in the winter, or you find yourself taking over units with leases rolling over then, what to do?

As usual – it’s all about planning.

It varies a little from market to market for local reasons, but there’s always a range of months when having leases roll over is preferred. Yeah, I know, Duh. Still, when closing on vacant units this time of year, or when taking over leases expiring now, it’s easy enough to eliminate the problem. Simply give new tenants or tell existing tenants they have a choice. They can sign say, a six month lease, or an 18 month lease. Either way you’ve eliminated the problem. The lease(s) will be timed to expire within the prime leasing season. But what if you own a couple dozen doors or more, maybe a lot more?

Do what builders and developers have been doing forever. Understand your market’s absorption rate. That is, the rate at which it can absorb vacant units – how many at a time? How many units can you or your management firm lease in 30 days? Is it a different figure just one neighborhood over? Maybe, maybe not. It’s almost a matter of sanity maintenance, isn’t it? Even if you’re in a market in which everything rents overnight with a 3 X 5 card on the front yard tree, having to mess with 10 new vacancies simultaneously isn’t any less of a pain. I know, because I’ve seen me do it.

Many members here talk about how they’ve learned to specialize in various markets for their long term investments. Using this method of staggering rollover times is, for most, a practical matter of self defense. By spreading out a bunch of leases over six months, you’ve created for yourself an orderly process in which you haven’t antagonized the local absorption rate. This also aids tremendously, your ability to plan various work projects around vacant units. Getting work done in the winter in potentially extreme weather is to be avoided when possible. By ensuring your vacancies will pop up during the prime rental season, and during reasonably decent weather, you’ve gone a long way towards eliminating logistical pains in the rear, not to mention your bank account. Also (Captain Obvious alert!!), by scheduling any vacancies for the best renting season, you’ve also virtually guaranteed yourself a far greater slice of the tenant pie. You think you don’t want dead of winter vacancies? Tenants aren’t exactly out in droves, looking for their next place right after finishing their second piece of pumpkin pie.

Now’s the perfect time to address this problem. Give your tenants notice that rollover time will mean a shorter or longer term lease. You’ll quickly find out that for the most part, they’ll be grateful for the change.

Author: Jeff Brown

Jeff’s Website: http://www.bawldguy.com

Pairing 101: Why care about the pair?

Posted on Nov 13, 2013

Food experts know that the right wine or spirit can enhance the enjoyment of any dish. The perfect marriage of the right wine and a flavorful meal creates a combination that celebrates and enhances the experience of both.

Navigating an extensive wine list or cocktail menu should be a journey in experimentation to find your favorite flavors – and never a daunting feat at the table. With a few basics and simple tips, you can ensure that you enjoy your meal to the fullest.

“Whether you’re dining out or cooking at home, the trick to a satisfying pairing comes from understanding the fundamentals and understanding your personal palate,” says Leigh Merritt, director of bar innovation for Bonefish Grill restaurants. “Keep in mind that pairing isn’t an exact science, and personal preference is always most important. When you drink what you enjoy, the entire meal comes together.”

Here are Merritt’s top tips to consider when creating a great pairing:

Understand wine flavors

Three factors influence the taste of wines: the type of grape, where that grape is grown, and how the wine is processed and handled will affect the flavor notes. The same species of grape grown in California will have different characteristics than one grown in Chile. Grapes fermented in oak will differ from wine in stainless steel. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when purchasing spirits or ordering drinks at a restaurant, and enjoy learning about the flavors you like.

Assess the whole dish

In general, light-styled wines do pair better with lighter styles of food such as shrimp or scallops, as their delicate flavors harmonize better. However, it’s important to pay attention to all the ingredients on the plate. For instance, grilled shrimp may have a subtle flavor by itself, but when served with the bold flavors of a Chimichurri sauce, the dish takes on a different profile that can taste great with a richer, deeper wine.

Why care about the pair?

A good wine and food pairing will work together to bring out the best flavors in each. The wine shouldn’t overpower the food, nor should the food overpower the wine. This delicate balance can be achieved by using either complementary or contrasting flavors.

Complementary flavors

Some pairs come naturally, like fresh seafood and lemon, or fresh sashimi and wasabi. The similar flavors work together to create a classic duo. When dealing with libations, complementary flavors similarly yield a symbiotic, balanced result. This strategy brings wines together with dishes that share similar notes, such as an earthy pinot noir and robust Chicken Marsala or Fontina Chop. The combination of tastes has a lot of synergy and smooth transition from food to drink.

Contrasting flavors

Wine can also have a cleansing effect on your palate, and using contrasting flavors can make a meal very exciting. To create a good contrast, remember that opposites attract, and pair foods and wines that have divergent traits, such as a crisp sauvignon blanc and a fresh Grilled Grouper with a Lemon Butter sauce. The crisp acidity of the wine cuts through the creaminess of the sauce and gives a different, refreshing sensation for the palate. Another example of this contrast effect would be a sweet wine, like gewürztraminer with fiery Bang Bang Shrimp or Diablo Shrimp Fettuccine.

Several restaurants will even let you sample wines or explore half-pours to expand your oenophile experiences. Remember to have fun and experiment with your food and drink pairings to find your own personal preference. You may be surprised by the different flavors of food and wines that work well for your palate, creating a great experience every time.

Courtesy of BPT

Revive your bathroom quickly, easily and affordably

Posted on Nov 6, 2013

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Remodeling projects have increased in popularity over the past few years as homeowners have decided to improve on what they have, rather than take a risk in the real estate market. Whether you’re hoping to sell your home or create a more enjoyable living space, tackle home improvement projects that make a big impact and add value.

One of the top return-on-investment remodeling projects is updating a bathroom. Bathroom updates even outweigh kitchen projects in terms of getting back what you spend, according to CNN Money. And, if you take a cost-conscious approach and do the project yourself, your investment return will be even better. Renting tools is a key way you can cut costs and bring new life into your bathroom.

There are plenty of remodeling tasks that are easily accomplished by renting tools, versus the cost of buying expensive tools or hiring someone else to do the work. Visit www.rentalhq.com to find an American Rental Association member rental store in your area.

Bring new life to your bath with these tips:

* Replace old tile. Outdated tile is a common problem that makes bathrooms look old. Replacing it with fresh new tile that is in style will instantly give the room a modern look. Tiling is a DIY project that anyone can tackle, with the right tools. Rent the necessary items like a tile stripper, a tile saw and a mortar mixer to keep your project costs down.

* Refresh the ceiling. Ceilings can become dingy over time, and you might not suspect them as the culprit that’s making your room feel dull. You’ll notice a dramatic change if you liven it up with fresh new texture and paint. Texture sprayers are an unusual tool for most DIY warriors to own, but you can easily rent one to make the job quick and inexpensive.

* Add personality with paint. Another simple fix that can be done is adding a new paint color. It’s an easy, quick and cheap project and can totally change the look and feel of the room. Opt for one of your favorite colors or scour interior design websites and magazines to find a trendy color that gets your attention.

* Change hardware. Some faucets and cabinet hardware clearly show their decade of origin. Switching out old hardware is relatively simple and a great way to make a dramatic change in the look of your room.

These projects set the stage for creating a new feel for your bathroom. Make the revived space a reality by choosing a decorating theme and accessories that complement it. Items like window treatments, throw rugs and wall art make the room feel more complete and stylish. To get your project started, visit www.rentalhq.com.

Courtesy of BPT