In a very competitive Real Estate market one of the things that is vital to your success is how well your home shows in relation to the rest of the inventory for sale. There are quite a few simple things that you can do to improve your chances and maybe put a few extra dollars in your pocket at the same time.
Maybe you are not even thinking about selling your home right now. When the time comes, however these low cost improvements could make a difference.
1st impressions are always important so you want to make sure the entry to your home shines. As the buyer approaches the front door the last thing they want to see is an old worn door with cob webs hanging from above.
Most buyers are going to assume right of the bat if the home is not well maintained on the exterior, the interior will not be much better.
The Entry Way
Painting the front door or even replacing it if it is beyond paint can make a real difference. A nice shiny door set always stands out as well.
If you have vinyl siding and you have not cleaned it in a while mildew, dirt and grime can accumulate. Giving it a quick spray can surprisingly make a big difference in the appearance.
Plant Some Color
When selling your home planting some flowers around the entry can really make your property come alive. Choose a variety of colors that really stand out.
Adding a few potted plants if you have a covered entry or a large enough stoop is always a nice touch as well.
Fix Up The Baths
While remodeling a bath is one of the highest returning home improvement projects it may not be in the budget at the moment.
If however, you still have your gold toilets and sinks from the 70's it may be time to let go and move on the something that 99% of the population would like better.
Have a gold shower too? There are lower cost alternatives to ripping out the shower. There are specially made bath fitters that are designed to be put over a shower. New faucets are another lower cost item that can make a difference. At the moment silver/nickel is back in and brass is less popular.
Changing towel ranks, toilet paper holders and shower heads are also nice touches for short money.
Paint Those Walls
Painting is one of the cheapest most effective improvements you can make in your home especially if the colors are not neutral to begin with. I know you love the pink entry way and purple bathroom but most buyers will not.
I know what your thinking painting is cheap...the buyer can just do it themselves. Most people think this way, however, there is a large part of the population that does not have any vision. They need to see it done.
Painting your home off white or if you want to be slightly more bold in earth tones, is the best way to go. When selling your home all decisions should be done to appeal to the masses.
Address the flooring
A little more expensive but one of the better returning investments especially if you are still hanging on to the orange shag.
Even if you have more modern carpet but just don't have enough in the budget for new carpeting, a good cleaning by a professional can help out dramatically. The same can be said for wood floors as well.
A good scrubbing can go a long way.
Clean Your Windows/Treatments
Cleaning your windows can really spruce up your home especially if they have not been done in a while.
A bright home always shows far better than a dungeon. Removing heavy drapes and curtains can help as well, especially if they are out of date.
It is far better to have nothing than to have a pattern that was popular in the 80's.
Change Old Lighting
Lighting is one of those things that are subtle but believe me a buyer will notice if the lighting is really dated.
There are some great lights that can be purchased rather cheaply in many lighting stores especially if they are looking to restock their shelves with the latest model.
Even little things like upgrading to brighter bulbs can help. Most home buyers are turned off by dark unlit rooms.
Although a little more expensive to add, recessed lighting can really change the level of lighting in a room. Recessed light work really well in kitchen and baths.
Declutter Your Home
This one can really go a long way. Buyers like spacious rooms that they can envision their own belongings in. Getting rid of things that you know you will not be taking with you can really change the appearance of your home.
Hold a yard sale for those items that still hold value. Have other things you know you want to take with you but know they spoil how well your home shows? Get a PODs (portable storage on site) or even consider putting your stuff in a short term storage facility.
Not every improvement has to be expensive. Sometimes it is the small things you do that make the biggest difference in a buyers mind.
The Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has helped families and individuals receiving Section 8 achieve the dream of homeownership thru their Assets for Independence Program (AFI). Assets for Independence is now expanding eligibility to include not only Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher clients but all income-eligible New Yorkers. This will provide up to 400 low-income families with closing cost assistance and create regular savings habits with AFI consumers.
The AFI program provides homeowner education and financial training as well as a matched-savings plan that helps families buy and keep their own home.
AFI motivates clients to commit to a monthly savings plan with a one-to-four matching grant, up to $7,500, toward real estate closing costs. Savings plans are offered for any duration between 12 and 24 months and deposits are adjusted accordingly. For the maximum match in a savings plan of 24 months, participants would need to deposit $78.13 each month in their AFI account.
Potential first-time homebuyers will learn how to achieve economic independence in the required financial counseling, which focuses on the important transition from debt reliance to savings and the wise use of credit. Homebuyer education classes will inform clients on how to shop for affordable mortgages, and how to work with a realtor or professional home inspector.
Section 8 clients can use the AFI matching grant toward the purchase of a single-family home, condominium or cooperative apartment. All other income-eligible New Yorkers can use AFI moneys for downpayments on one-to-four family homes which must be owner-occupied.
At no cost to clients, AFI accounts are opened with Chase Bank, however clients are not obligated to secure mortgages with Chase Bank and may shop for other affordable mortgage products in their area. DHCR will monitor monthly deposits to ensure program compliance.
If you are interested in more information, please contact me.
Open House
Sunday, March 29, 1-4 pm
GiGi's Italian Kitchen & Catering
Last night something pretty cool happened to us.
Every Saturday evening, my husband and I go out to dinner. I like to try to go somewhere new every week, my husband would go to the same restaurants over and over.
Last night we decided to try a new restaurant, we wanted Italian. So, we opened our Rochester coupon book and decided to try LaTrattoria in Irondequoit. When we got there, it had been completely renovated & there was a sign on the front of the building that said GiGi's Italian Kitchen & Eatery. A door in the front, the entrance is actually on the side, said that the hours were 10-6. Guess what, it was 6:05 pm. So, we went to our second choice Italian restaurant, also in Irondequoit. When we got there, there were 8 empty tables. Cool-no wait! But then the hostess told us since we didn't have a reservation, they didn't have a table for us. What?!? They didn't even offer to let us wait for a table. It's 6:15 pm and 8 empty tables, but they won't serve us. Well, we won't be returning to that restaurant by the bay.
In the meantime, we were trying to decide where to go. My husband thought we should go back to LaTrattoria, maybe they just didn't have their sign back up. There were a lot of cars in the parking lot & someone was walking into the building when we left the 1st time. So we went back. We told the lady that greeted us that we had a coupon. She told us we didn't need it. Last night was GiGi's Italian Kitchen's "trial run" for friends and families of the employees. And she invited us to eat for free! (my husband didn't believe her).
Wow! We show up at the wrong restaurant, after they are closed and we get to eat for free! Who does that happen to? And we ate good! We had mozzarella sticks for an appetizer & bread with their extra special extra virgin olive oil dip. For dinner I had their manicotti - 2 shells have their red sauce & one shell had alfredo sauce. I also had meatballs with it. The meatballs were spicy & had a very good flavor. My husband had gnocchi with red sauce. We couldn't finish our dinner & had to bring some home because we were so full. Then we were told we weren't done yet. Oh boy, I didn't think I could eat another bite. Until they brought out a plate of cannoli's and some delicious Italian cookies. Mmm! My husband and I both managed to fit some of those in as well. I don't really care for canoli's, but I was obligated to try them. These cannoli's were excellent!
After that, we got to guess how many shamrocks are in the pot of lucky charms. How great would that be if we are the lucky winners of a dinner for two!
GiGi's Italian Kitchen & Catering is in a cute little building at 1770 E. Ridge Rd in Irondequoit. The door we entered through opens onto a cozy room with tables and a small bar. There is another larger room where we actually ate. The interior is decorated very nicely. They have candles on every table & little Italian flags. If you need someone's attention, you just need to place the flag on the corner of your table & any one of the employees will stop & assist you. Yep, I had to try it out. It only took 16 seconds for someone to come to our aid.
Everyone there was very professional, yet friendly & helpful. Yes, this was their trial run, 1st impressions are important, but they did a great job. I will definitely go back as a paying customer. And I would recommend that you do too. Let them know that Amy & Keith sent them.
They are currently serving lunch. On Tuesday, they will be opening for dinner. They will have corned beef and cabbage in honor of St. Patrick's Day as well as their full menu.
To the owners Ken & Patti, the manager Ben Ryck & all of the other staff... Thank you so much for your hospitality! Little things like last night can certainly make your weekend!
Online Document Management
I am excited to offer another great new feature for my clients!
All clients, whether Buyers or Sellers, will now have online access to all documents involved in their active transaction via a password protected website. Your contracts and other forms will now be available with just a click of a button! The documents will also be available to your service providers, including your loan officer, attorney and anyone else who requires access to these documents. I will limit the service providers access to only those documents they need to access.
This system will allow for less standard fax transmissions which ensures contracts that are readable throughout the entire transaction. This system also allows me to have paperless transactions.
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this great new service.
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