Just a quick note to let you know I have found a solution to barking dog problems for your sellers and buyers.
Let me tell you the story.
My new renter has two mature English Retrievers, mostly calm and quiet, but the next door neighbor dog is an instigator! He barks at everything. So these two joined in and created a chorus that annoyed the whole neighborhood.
We decided that as opposed to losing our renter, who didn't want another call from code enforcement officers, we should do something ourselves.
After much research we came up with some options.
Bark Collars give the dog a zap when it barks for a certain length of time. While this would quieten the resident dogs the instigator could bark scott-free! And I have to say not a very humane solution to present to a renter either.
We choose a different option.
A dog bark device, it looks like a birdhouse hung in a tree and is powered by a 9 volt battery.
It covers 50 ft and quietens all barking dogs within that range.
It is humane and safe for the pets and the environment.
Most of all it restores peace to the neighborhood!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Try Before You Buy? At Least Analyze it.
As a buyer sometimes we so want to try before we buy. And some products do come with that kind of an offer.
Houses are not one of those products. Except for one long gone HGTV show based on this very premise.
More important than the house is the neighborhood. You can change the house, but you can get stuck with a location you really can't stand.
Let me share with you how my husband I have always bought our 'neighborhood' before we allowed ourselves to fall in love with a house.
The age of the homes dictate the search in an area. Once the area is chosen and a house identified we now start the 'showings'.
Don't misunderstand this is not yet about the house, but the neighbors and how they live in there homes. Are they well maintained? Are there grease spots on the driveways and on the street in front of any homes?
Sound silly??? If you can't stand it now you can't change it latter!
How does the neighborhood look when everyone is home and on the weekends.
We have even returned at 10pm and taken a walk in a neighborhood. Do you feel safe there not matter the time of day or night?
One lovely tree-lined neighborhood that was so desirable during the day had whole different vibe at night!
The streets were lined with cars, on top of these car were teenagers with the music so loud.
House and neighborhood no longer on the list we moved on to area #2.
We have never gone so far as to interview the neighbors but we always drop by our immediate neighbors with a treat as soon as we move in, just a "Hi there nice to meet you" can go a long way in establishing good relations and make problems easier to overcome latter on.
Before you fall in love with a house make sure you love your neighborhood.
Houses are not one of those products. Except for one long gone HGTV show based on this very premise.
More important than the house is the neighborhood. You can change the house, but you can get stuck with a location you really can't stand.
Let me share with you how my husband I have always bought our 'neighborhood' before we allowed ourselves to fall in love with a house.
The age of the homes dictate the search in an area. Once the area is chosen and a house identified we now start the 'showings'.
Don't misunderstand this is not yet about the house, but the neighbors and how they live in there homes. Are they well maintained? Are there grease spots on the driveways and on the street in front of any homes?
Sound silly??? If you can't stand it now you can't change it latter!
How does the neighborhood look when everyone is home and on the weekends.
We have even returned at 10pm and taken a walk in a neighborhood. Do you feel safe there not matter the time of day or night?
One lovely tree-lined neighborhood that was so desirable during the day had whole different vibe at night!
The streets were lined with cars, on top of these car were teenagers with the music so loud.
House and neighborhood no longer on the list we moved on to area #2.
We have never gone so far as to interview the neighbors but we always drop by our immediate neighbors with a treat as soon as we move in, just a "Hi there nice to meet you" can go a long way in establishing good relations and make problems easier to overcome latter on.
Before you fall in love with a house make sure you love your neighborhood.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Money-back Remodeling
Is this the year you will be selling your home?
Get started by writing the list of changes you would make if you were staying in the house.
Why spend money on a house you are gong to sell?
Well the changes you would make maybe just the thing to help you home sell faster and for more money.
The key is not to remodel so much that you cannot get your money back.
Here are a few numbers* to compare prior to taking the 'plunge'.
Minor Kitchen remodel-- 78.3% return
Basement remodel-- 75.4% return
Major Kitchen remodel-- 72.1% return
Bathroom remodel-- 71.0% return
I was surprised to see the basement remodel had a larger return than a bathroom remodel.
Of course each house is different. A 70's era bath would trump a basement in the same house that was finished in the year 2000!
I have always said never over remodel the kitchen for the best return on investment.
A fresh paint color can work wonders in updating a room. Choose a color in the 'food' range of colors and you can't go wrong. Never paint a kitchen blue!
Lighting and water fixtures as well as cabinet knobs are the next update.
Need more?
Well counters and flooring are up next. But now your hinging on a major remodel.
Cabinet replacement and reconfiguration throw you well into a major remodel.
To scale back consider refacing the cabinets if they are really dated or worn.
Need to scale back some more? Choose a flooring redo over the counters.
Pick a great neutral flooring that complements the rest of your home and let your buyers redo the counters themselves.
Just because your selling now is not the time to stop spending on your home.
Add value to your home with modest tasteful remodeling and watch your home sell over the competition.
*Statistic resource Remodeling Magazine, Cost Vs Value Report.
Visit www.remodeling-magazine.com for more info.
Get started by writing the list of changes you would make if you were staying in the house.
Why spend money on a house you are gong to sell?
Well the changes you would make maybe just the thing to help you home sell faster and for more money.
The key is not to remodel so much that you cannot get your money back.
Here are a few numbers* to compare prior to taking the 'plunge'.
Minor Kitchen remodel-- 78.3% return
Basement remodel-- 75.4% return
Major Kitchen remodel-- 72.1% return
Bathroom remodel-- 71.0% return
I was surprised to see the basement remodel had a larger return than a bathroom remodel.
Of course each house is different. A 70's era bath would trump a basement in the same house that was finished in the year 2000!
I have always said never over remodel the kitchen for the best return on investment.
A fresh paint color can work wonders in updating a room. Choose a color in the 'food' range of colors and you can't go wrong. Never paint a kitchen blue!
Lighting and water fixtures as well as cabinet knobs are the next update.
Need more?
Well counters and flooring are up next. But now your hinging on a major remodel.
Cabinet replacement and reconfiguration throw you well into a major remodel.
To scale back consider refacing the cabinets if they are really dated or worn.
Need to scale back some more? Choose a flooring redo over the counters.
Pick a great neutral flooring that complements the rest of your home and let your buyers redo the counters themselves.
Just because your selling now is not the time to stop spending on your home.
Add value to your home with modest tasteful remodeling and watch your home sell over the competition.
*Statistic resource Remodeling Magazine, Cost Vs Value Report.
Visit www.remodeling-magazine.com for more info.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Year End Donations
Well, here we are already at the end of another year!
A couple of declutter ideas to leave you with as we head into 2011.
CLEAN OUT
Take a quick glance in the toy box, while the kids are asleep of course, and clean out the broken or seldom used toys. When the new additions arrive the old ones will be forgotten.
How about your toy box? Did you get a new updated or upgraded item. Clean out the old and make room for the new.
DONATE
Anything in good working order can be donated. The donations are tax deductible. Be sure to get a slip to fill out for taxes.
The idea that when something new comes in something old goes out is a good way to live. It cuts the clutter and can be a way of re-purposing through donation.
If a home sale or purchase is in your future this simple act will make packing and moving a little easier.
A couple of declutter ideas to leave you with as we head into 2011.
CLEAN OUT
Take a quick glance in the toy box, while the kids are asleep of course, and clean out the broken or seldom used toys. When the new additions arrive the old ones will be forgotten.
How about your toy box? Did you get a new updated or upgraded item. Clean out the old and make room for the new.
DONATE
Anything in good working order can be donated. The donations are tax deductible. Be sure to get a slip to fill out for taxes.
The idea that when something new comes in something old goes out is a good way to live. It cuts the clutter and can be a way of re-purposing through donation.
If a home sale or purchase is in your future this simple act will make packing and moving a little easier.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Going Home
Visiting the home where you grew up is always like going home.
As a stager that is a whole different experience.
If my folks where moving tomorrow, I will be blunt, it would be a tough sell!
They have land and location on their side but the design of the house is awkward and in need of many updates.
Let's start with cabinets, which the builder of the house made himself, out of plywood!
The homemade 'Lazy Susan's' in the corners are such a practical feature my mother can not imagine life with out them.
She does however realize the counter tops are in need of a huge update but I have a hard time visualizing new nice counters on those old cabinets. Maybe with a fresh coat of glossy white paint!
Mind you I only had this conversation because mother asked what counters she should get.
I proceeded to tell her to knock out the wall between the dining and the kitchen and make her whole space larger.
Too much money, too much work! New counter tops only.
Now on to the decor.
My parents set up house in the early sixties. While many things have been updated so many things are stuck in a time warp!
Sofa okay, the bedroom dressers not so much!
The clock on the living room wall is some sort of guitar/mandolin looking item from the 50's, a leftover of my grandmother's decor.
Oh, for that Pottery Barn look, how to tell the folks!
As a stager that is a whole different experience.
If my folks where moving tomorrow, I will be blunt, it would be a tough sell!
They have land and location on their side but the design of the house is awkward and in need of many updates.
Let's start with cabinets, which the builder of the house made himself, out of plywood!
The homemade 'Lazy Susan's' in the corners are such a practical feature my mother can not imagine life with out them.
She does however realize the counter tops are in need of a huge update but I have a hard time visualizing new nice counters on those old cabinets. Maybe with a fresh coat of glossy white paint!
Mind you I only had this conversation because mother asked what counters she should get.
I proceeded to tell her to knock out the wall between the dining and the kitchen and make her whole space larger.
Too much money, too much work! New counter tops only.
Now on to the decor.
My parents set up house in the early sixties. While many things have been updated so many things are stuck in a time warp!
Sofa okay, the bedroom dressers not so much!
The clock on the living room wall is some sort of guitar/mandolin looking item from the 50's, a leftover of my grandmother's decor.
Oh, for that Pottery Barn look, how to tell the folks!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
My working vacation...
When my hubbie announced that we were to visit Mesa Verde near Cortez Co as part of our fall foliage trip I was less than excited. I mean really, looking at houses is my business, do I really have to do the same on vacation??
Well, I determined whining would not do, just suck it up and get it done became my motto.
Gladly these ancient dwellings were quit fascinating.
The Anasazi were a matriarchal society so it is not wonder then had so many wonderful amenities!
Natural refrigeration for food storage, a wonderful heating system for the winter and a short commute to work up a short series of hand and toe hold grooves cut in the rock face.
The real design challenges I saw were the Kiva's round design. Furniture placement is a bit difficult in a round room, but since the tribe probably sat on the floor for ceremony's and education sessions that were held there it was no problem!
All said and done I got some exercise climbing up and down the ladders to get to the cliff dwellings and kept up my 'design skills' while vacationing..... I wonder if this part of the trip would count as a business deduction?
Well, I determined whining would not do, just suck it up and get it done became my motto.
Gladly these ancient dwellings were quit fascinating.
The Anasazi were a matriarchal society so it is not wonder then had so many wonderful amenities!
Natural refrigeration for food storage, a wonderful heating system for the winter and a short commute to work up a short series of hand and toe hold grooves cut in the rock face.
The real design challenges I saw were the Kiva's round design. Furniture placement is a bit difficult in a round room, but since the tribe probably sat on the floor for ceremony's and education sessions that were held there it was no problem!
All said and done I got some exercise climbing up and down the ladders to get to the cliff dwellings and kept up my 'design skills' while vacationing..... I wonder if this part of the trip would count as a business deduction?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
What to do with the neigbors?
Well your selling your house, it's updated, fresh and ready for the first showing.....but the neighbors house is another story.
Maybe it needs paint, the landscape is shabby or maybe the dogs bark like mad everytime a squirrel runs up a tree. What are you going to do to get your house sold?
I will tell my story.
In 2005 our house was going up for sale. We had purchased the 'ugly duckling' of the cul-de-sac and turned it into the 'swan'. Curb to back fence, room by room it was fabulous.
The neighbor's house was a hot mess! It had not been painted in 15 years plus. Some of the fascia trim was rotten and the over grown shrubs had been removed leaving the house with not one bit of curb appeal.
We wanted top dollar and a quick sale. What were we to do?
My very wise husband approached the neighbor about our painting her house. I will add this piece of information, she was a single mother of 4 children who was in terrible financial distress.
We rallied the other neighbors for their assistance, bought the paint, some wood trim and got busy.
In one weekend that house was transformed. Was the investment in material and time worth it? Absolutely!!! The neighborhood was thrilled to have that house painted.
The single mom had a new lease on life, and even scraped together enough cash to mulch her flower beds and plant a couple of flats of annuals.
Best of all when our house went on the market it sold in 10 days!
I would encourage sellers to help the neighbors improve their curb appeal when you can, mow their front lawn when you mow yours. Offer to weed the flower beds, buy them some fresh mulch when you buy your own.
Ask if they can park their trailers, campers and such off-sight during the sale of your home. Maybe you can provide inexpensive ideas for that or spring for the storage yourself for a month or two.
Barking dogs...can you offer to walk the dogs during your showings so they are not disturbing the buyers? Can you pay a neighbor kid to be the dog walker? Can you treat them to a little doggie daycare?
Never over estimate the power of food. If you need your neighbors help, a few homemade goodies may just do the trick in getting their full cooperation and you a quick sale!
Maybe it needs paint, the landscape is shabby or maybe the dogs bark like mad everytime a squirrel runs up a tree. What are you going to do to get your house sold?
I will tell my story.
In 2005 our house was going up for sale. We had purchased the 'ugly duckling' of the cul-de-sac and turned it into the 'swan'. Curb to back fence, room by room it was fabulous.
The neighbor's house was a hot mess! It had not been painted in 15 years plus. Some of the fascia trim was rotten and the over grown shrubs had been removed leaving the house with not one bit of curb appeal.
We wanted top dollar and a quick sale. What were we to do?
My very wise husband approached the neighbor about our painting her house. I will add this piece of information, she was a single mother of 4 children who was in terrible financial distress.
We rallied the other neighbors for their assistance, bought the paint, some wood trim and got busy.
In one weekend that house was transformed. Was the investment in material and time worth it? Absolutely!!! The neighborhood was thrilled to have that house painted.
The single mom had a new lease on life, and even scraped together enough cash to mulch her flower beds and plant a couple of flats of annuals.
Best of all when our house went on the market it sold in 10 days!
I would encourage sellers to help the neighbors improve their curb appeal when you can, mow their front lawn when you mow yours. Offer to weed the flower beds, buy them some fresh mulch when you buy your own.
Ask if they can park their trailers, campers and such off-sight during the sale of your home. Maybe you can provide inexpensive ideas for that or spring for the storage yourself for a month or two.
Barking dogs...can you offer to walk the dogs during your showings so they are not disturbing the buyers? Can you pay a neighbor kid to be the dog walker? Can you treat them to a little doggie daycare?
Never over estimate the power of food. If you need your neighbors help, a few homemade goodies may just do the trick in getting their full cooperation and you a quick sale!
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