Most important tip -- START EARLY! Everyone has more "stuff" than they think and people typically don't give themselves enough time to pack it all up. Boxing up old books, out-of-season clothes, old mementos when you first are putting your home on the market will pay off two fold; first, it will help declutter your space and second, it will save you time as you prepare to move.
One report stated that it takes 4-5 hours to pack up a dorm room. That should give you an idea of the time it will take to pack up your entire house! Create a calendar and plan by day when each room will be completed. Delegate duties to other household members and create inventory lists - what is going to the new home and what is being discarded/donated. Track your progress against your calendar and revise your plan if you start to fall behind.
An important first step is to choose a moving option: do-it-yourself, full service or a hybrid of the two. Sometimes hiring out is closer to doing it yourself by the time you get through adding up your time and the cost of feeding your friends!
With full-service moves, local moves are usually charged by the hour where out of state moves are charged by weight and mileage. Increasing in popularity is the hybrid - companies will drop off a large container at your home for you to pack and then take it to the next location for you to unpack. These types of companies frequently offer temporary storage options as well which is helpful when you are trying to "declutter" your home for showings.
When going through Nothnagle Home Services for your moving needs, you can be assured that all of our moving/storage service partners are insured and screened for quality.
One report stated that it takes 4-5 hours to pack up a dorm room. That should give you an idea of the time it will take to pack up your entire house! Create a calendar
Monday, August 9, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
5 Tips for Creating Curb Appeal
In a slower market, sellers must up the ante to convince buyers that their property offers what many want most — top value for dollar spent. The key is to create curb appeal so buyers want to look inside your home. To get started, view your home from the street. Try to be objective and look at it from a buyer's point of view. Is the landscaping neat? How does the paint, shutters, front door look? Can you see the house number? What about the mailbox?
Tip #1: Keep your lawn looking beautiful and well-tended. Regularly mow and then remove grass clippings. Nothing looks worse than clumbs of dead grass laying all over the yard. "Green" up your grass by applying fertilizer every 6-8 weeks and water it regularly, especially during dry spells.
Tip #2: Maintain your landscaping by regularly weeding, pruning trees and trimming bushes and shrubs. Flower beds add color help enliven otherwise plain areas like driveways and walkways.
Tip #3: Add outdoor lighting to your landscaping. Not everyone will drive by during daylight hours. There are many options for lighting, from professional installation to do-it-yourself kits sold at home improvement or garden stores. Highlight the items you want people to see, such as a mature tree or flowering shrubs.
Tip #4: Replace anything that looks worn, outdated or rusted such as your mailbox, house numbers, door knocker. The little touches will be appreciated by prospective buyers.
Tip #5: Add something special and unique to help differentiate it from others - a bench, big flower pots, a beautiful wreath. It will help buyers remember your property after touring several.
Tip #1: Keep your lawn looking beautiful and well-tended. Regularly mow and then remove grass clippings. Nothing looks worse than clumbs of dead grass laying all over the yard. "Green" up your grass by applying fertilizer every 6-8 weeks and water it regularly, especially during dry spells.
Tip #2: Maintain your landscaping by regularly weeding, pruning trees and trimming bushes and shrubs. Flower beds add color help enliven otherwise plain areas like driveways and walkways.
Tip #3: Add outdoor lighting to your landscaping. Not everyone will drive by during daylight hours. There are many options for lighting, from professional installation to do-it-yourself kits sold at home improvement or garden stores. Highlight the items you want people to see, such as a mature tree or flowering shrubs.
Tip #4: Replace anything that looks worn, outdated or rusted such as your mailbox, house numbers, door knocker. The little touches will be appreciated by prospective buyers.
Tip #5: Add something special and unique to help differentiate it from others - a bench, big flower pots, a beautiful wreath. It will help buyers remember your property after touring several.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Nothnagle Relocation - Moving You From Anywhere, To Anywhere
Nothnagle's in-house Relocation Department moves corporations and families to and from the Upstate region every year. Whatever your reason to move, you can count on Nothnagle REALTORS for a seamless transition. Whether it's across town, across the state, across the country or even around the globe, we can help. Our Move Managers can access information on over 10,000 communities worldwide, will help you pinpoint your exact preferences and then can carefully handpick an agent for you.
Nothnagle belongs to a network of brokers called the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. LeadingRE is a global network of 600 premier real estate firms with 5,000 offices and 150,000 sales associates in more than 30 countries around the world. Collectively, this group sold nearly 1 million homes worth $250 billion last year, more than any national real estate brand. When we place referrals through our LeadingRE network, we are confident that our partners will deliver the same quality service you've come to know and expect from your local Nothnagle agent.
For 2010 year-to-date, Nothnagle Realtors Relocation has closed 26% more referrals placed this year than in the same time period in 2009. These referrals were placed to areas all over the United States, Canada and several overseas countries.
Interested in finding out more about our services? Call 866-295-MOVE today, select our Live Chat feature or fill out our on-line Relocation form to get started.
Nothnagle belongs to a network of brokers called the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. LeadingRE is a global network of 600 premier real estate firms with 5,000 offices and 150,000 sales associates in more than 30 countries around the world. Collectively, this group sold nearly 1 million homes worth $250 billion last year, more than any national real estate brand. When we place referrals through our LeadingRE network, we are confident that our partners will deliver the same quality service you've come to know and expect from your local Nothnagle agent.
For 2010 year-to-date, Nothnagle Realtors Relocation has closed 26% more referrals placed this year than in the same time period in 2009. These referrals were placed to areas all over the United States, Canada and several overseas countries.
Interested in finding out more about our services? Call 866-295-MOVE today, select our Live Chat feature or fill out our on-line Relocation form to get started.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Home Staging Tips
Everyone understands the value of de-cluttering, cleaning and refreshing a home when putting your house on the market but today getting your home to "Sold" can happen faster if the home is properly staged to appeal to potential buyers.
As a Seller you have many options when it comes to staging. There are professional stagers for hire, your agent will likely offer you some advice and suggestions or try some simple updates that can help you achieve an updated look and feel that buyers are looking for.
Tip #1: Do a technology overhaul. Old technology will date your home. Flat screen TV's, lap top computers and wireless technology have eliminated the need for large bulky entertainment centers or massive desks. Remove the bulky stereos, TVs and furniture.
Tip #2: Appealing to singles. Sleeping spaces and the living room are the important areas that singles will be looking at as reports indicate that they view these rooms as their sanctuary from the outside world. Make the rooms inviting - candles, clean lines and soft, soothing colors.
Tip #3: Appealing to Families. Young families tend to revolve around children. Items that help this demographic envision themselves living in the space include age-appropriate bedding, linens and towels, a bright rug near play areas, and strategically placed toy chests with open tops. Since kids often play or watch TV on the floor, eliminate the coffee table to create a living room that appears larger and more inviting.
Tip #4: Appealing to Empty Nesters. Empty nesters tend to seek an upgrade in quality features. Upgrading bath accessories like towel bars and toilet paper holders or decorative hanging lights to a better quality and newer style will make an impact. If the budget allows, upgrading the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher can draw in a buyer. Lighting is also a key feature for this group. Try to maximize natural light. It’s important to open heavy blinds or window coverings when showing the home.
Tip #5: Regardless of the demographic, color is a key staging component. Most sellers are instructed to use neutral colors when repainting. However, adding the right punch of color to accent walls can create depth, enhance kitchen cabinets, or bring a boring bathroom to life. Sellers can find color in simple accessories, like throw pillows, coffee table books, and decorative canisters. Neutral colors in flooring materials, upholstery pieces and window dressing work well because they enhance brighter accents.
When choosing colors, be aware of their sensory impact:
- Red is stimulating and encourages self confidence
- Orange promotes happiness and celebration
- Yellow is uplifting and light-hearted
- Blue is calming in softer tones and promotes clarity in deeper tones
- Green is the color of nature—it feels fresh and rejuvenating
- Pink is gentle and sweet
- Purple tones bring out a sense of compassion
The key to home staging is to experiment and put yourself in the shoes of the prospective home buyer. Ask a friend or relative to give you an honest opiniong before and after you start staging. You may be surprised how little changes can make a huge difference and improve the "showability" of your home.
Looking for an agent with a staging designation? We have them! Several Nothnagle agents recently completed the Accredited Staging Professional course and earned their designation.
As a Seller you have many options when it comes to staging. There are professional stagers for hire, your agent will likely offer you some advice and suggestions or try some simple updates that can help you achieve an updated look and feel that buyers are looking for.
Tip #1: Do a technology overhaul. Old technology will date your home. Flat screen TV's, lap top computers and wireless technology have eliminated the need for large bulky entertainment centers or massive desks. Remove the bulky stereos, TVs and furniture.
Tip #2: Appealing to singles. Sleeping spaces and the living room are the important areas that singles will be looking at as reports indicate that they view these rooms as their sanctuary from the outside world. Make the rooms inviting - candles, clean lines and soft, soothing colors.
Tip #3: Appealing to Families. Young families tend to revolve around children. Items that help this demographic envision themselves living in the space include age-appropriate bedding, linens and towels, a bright rug near play areas, and strategically placed toy chests with open tops. Since kids often play or watch TV on the floor, eliminate the coffee table to create a living room that appears larger and more inviting.
Tip #4: Appealing to Empty Nesters. Empty nesters tend to seek an upgrade in quality features. Upgrading bath accessories like towel bars and toilet paper holders or decorative hanging lights to a better quality and newer style will make an impact. If the budget allows, upgrading the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher can draw in a buyer. Lighting is also a key feature for this group. Try to maximize natural light. It’s important to open heavy blinds or window coverings when showing the home.
Tip #5: Regardless of the demographic, color is a key staging component. Most sellers are instructed to use neutral colors when repainting. However, adding the right punch of color to accent walls can create depth, enhance kitchen cabinets, or bring a boring bathroom to life. Sellers can find color in simple accessories, like throw pillows, coffee table books, and decorative canisters. Neutral colors in flooring materials, upholstery pieces and window dressing work well because they enhance brighter accents.
When choosing colors, be aware of their sensory impact:
- Red is stimulating and encourages self confidence
- Orange promotes happiness and celebration
- Yellow is uplifting and light-hearted
- Blue is calming in softer tones and promotes clarity in deeper tones
- Green is the color of nature—it feels fresh and rejuvenating
- Pink is gentle and sweet
- Purple tones bring out a sense of compassion
The key to home staging is to experiment and put yourself in the shoes of the prospective home buyer. Ask a friend or relative to give you an honest opiniong before and after you start staging. You may be surprised how little changes can make a huge difference and improve the "showability" of your home.
Looking for an agent with a staging designation? We have them! Several Nothnagle agents recently completed the Accredited Staging Professional course and earned their designation.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
We're Offering 8,000+ Incentives to Buy a Home Now!
The tax credit may have ended but our sellers are keeping the momentum going! Our participating sellers have REDUCED their homes by $8,000 or more and they are priced to sell! Don't delay, this is a great opportunity and these properties won't last long at these prices.
What's the catch? Nothing! No income limits, no additional paperwork, no additional eligibility requirements.
Click here to see our list of featured properties. Check back often as our list gets updated frequently.
What's the catch? Nothing! No income limits, no additional paperwork, no additional eligibility requirements.
Click here to see our list of featured properties. Check back often as our list gets updated frequently.
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