Look up!

As I tour numerous homes to assist the owners in preparing the house for sale, I'm always amazed at how many houses need work on the ceilings and other overhead areas.

But what is more surprising is the reaction from homeowners - "I hadn't even noticed that!" Even more perplexing is the reaction: "Yeah, we had that fixed." (Really? Because there is still a big spot on the ceiling.)

As we dwell in our own homes, we rarely look up...but that is usually one of the first areas of notice with buyers. Not surprising because evidence of damage or even potential repairs can send up a red flag!

"In the residential real estate business, a red flag refers to a condition affecting a property that might be a material fact that needs further investigation. A material fact is something that would affect a buyer's decision to buy or the price they would be willing to pay."

National Association of REALTORS, January 2, 2009.

When looking at your house through buyers eyes, be sure that all damaged areas have been repaired completely - and that means repainting! Take a tour of the outside as well to note any soffits, fascia boards and other exterior surfaces that need attention.

Look up! You might be surprised!

Is your house a tattle tale?

Oftentimes, a seller may not realize that they are sending signals about their home to potential buyers. When selling your home, you should be aware of several areas where you could be turning away buyers or giving the buyer ammunition to cause you to lower your price.

Big Turn-offs!

Pests! If a buyer opens your cabinets, will they find bug spray, mouse traps, roach motels or rat poison? Are any of these products out in full sight? If the answer is yes, you've just told potential buyers that if they buy this house, chances are they will inherit these same pest problems. ADVICE: Remove any pest control products before the house is placed on the market.

Have you heard the old adage to bake bread or cookies, etc. before any showing to influence a buyer? Hogwash! People know what you're doing! And buyers feel as if you are trying to trick them. Worse, they feel you may be covering up some odor. (The same with strong potpourri, etc.) ADVICE: Your house should smell CLEAN. Lemon scented cleaners will be the most pleasing scent for your buyer's nose.

Your refrigerator is talking! If a buyer looks into your fridge, the way it looks sends a big signal about how you have maintained the house. If it looks like a toxic waste dump, it says to the buyer, "This is the way everything in this house has been maintained." However, if it shows neat and clean, it will make a buyer think that the rest of the house has been maintained in the same fashion. ADVICE: Even if you are taking your refrigerator with you, it sometimes is a negotiating factor and buyers will look at the condition, so keep it spotless. That advice goes for other appliances as well. Don't forget to clean the water tank and the Heating/AC units.

Not enough storage! Know a quick way to increase the amount of perceived storage in your home? Remove 1/3 - ½ of contents in all closets and cabinets. When closets are crammed full, pantries are in disarray and cabinets are stacked to the gills, buyers cannot imagine how all their "stuff" could fit in. ADVICE: Since you are moving, take this opportunity to go through all storage places in your house and purge everything that isn't going to the new house. Then, pack all out of season clothing, holiday decorations, etc. and either move off-site or place neatly in the garage or out of the way area.

These are just a few of the ways your house could be "saying" negative things to a potential buyers. As professional Stagers, we have been trained to spot the things that could impact a swift and profitable sale for you. With a personalized property analysis report, you will know EVERYTHING that could help you sell your house faster and for more money. This is one of our most valuable products.

At Enhanced by Lance in Mobile, AL, we have staged millions of dollars of houses for sale. Let us help you too! Pricing gets you in the game....Staging gets you the offer! 251-377-2527, info@EnhancedByLance.com

Since the real estate market is starting to come back, I thought I would re-visit some advice that all homeowners should be aware of when their house is on the market. We all tend to think of our homes as a safe zone, which it should be; however while selling & showing, it becomes a different story. The safety & securty of our homeowners & REALTORS is a huge priority.

Oftentimes, we get so used to living in our homes that we overlook many common items that could be considered a safety hazard or a security issue when your house is on the market. When strangers start coming through, it's time to do a reality check in order to protect yourself, your privacy and the safety of the agent. Most of those that come through your home are bonafide potential buyers; however there is also the possibility that someone might have other motives. You should be aware of some differences in how you should live when your house is being shown.

Firearms, Knives (including the ones in blocks in Kitchen) and other weapons should be put away, out of sight. This is not only for your safety, but the safety of the agent. Unfortunately there have been some reports of attacks on agents in the national news. Let's do our part to keep the situation from happening on a local level.

Jewelry, laptops & other valuables should be placed away from view in a private place (such as a drawer in your furniture - not a drawer that stays with the house). I have been in many homes where the jewelry box is in a prominent place on a dresser. This is an open invitation to someone with sinister motives.

Prescription medications - unfortunately there is such a thing as pharmacy theft. All medications can be peddled on the street. Remove any prescriptions from medicine cabinets and any drawers or cabinets that stay with the house. Place in a drawer in a chest, etc.

Identity theft is a major problem in today's society. It doesn't take much information for these unscrupulous culprits to wreak havoc on your life. Be aware of any bills, invoices, credit card slips and anything with your social security number and/or birthdate written on it.

Personal photos and anything labeled with a name should be removed. This is simply a safety precaution to protect yourself and your children. With anything that has photos, calendar of events, addresses and names of the children (sometimes personalized on name plates, book bags, artwork, etc.) people will have all the information they need about your family, including the school district!

This list is not to make home sellers uncomfortable. Instead, it is to be prepared and stress-free during the marketing period.

For our clients, we guide you through all the ways you can sell your home, easier and faster! Enhanced by Lance, 251-377-2527, info@enhancedbylance.com

How Staging Can Help Sellers Lose Weight

Think that's a stretch? OK, stay with me here...

Would you agree that selling a home, especially in these economic times, is a stressful experience? There's usually lots at stake with money, time, energy and inconvenience. Who wouldn't feel a little pressure?


Stress causes people to lose sleep, overeat, and to manufacture an increase in the hormone cortisol, which is one culprit that causes people to gain weight, especially the dreaded belly fat. Bottom line: People gain weight when under stress.
Home Stagers can help relieve some of that stress. Your Stager takes the pressure off guessing what to do to prepare the house for sale. Their expertise and knowledge will assist sellers so they receive the highest return on their investment of time, money and energy.


Home Stagers also reduce the inconvenience factor. Reducing the days on market is a Stager's specialty! Selling quickly reduces the amount of times sellers have to leave their house for another showing. And admit it, it's exhausting having to keep the house in showing condition day after day after day! A swift sale helps sellers get on with their life and into the new house.

A house that is Staged historically sells for more than a comparable un-staged house. According to HomeGain, Staging can bring a 319% return on the investment. Also, according to IRS Publication 523, the investment of Staging is considered an "advertising fee" and can be subtracted from any gain on the sale of the house, along with the agents' commissions and legal fees. Please consult your accountant for tax advice; you can see the publication here: Publication 523.

So, home sellers, do yourself a favor (and maybe a few pounds)! BEFORE you list, consult a Professional Home Stager to make sure your house catches the buyer's eye.





Jane Ann Lance
Mobile Alabama's Property Presentation Specialist
251-377-2527 or visit our website! www.EnhancedByLance.com

Available for consultations, staging and furniture/accessory rental in the Mobile/Baldwin County areas. If you would like Jane Ann to address your group or office about Home Staging, please call 251-377-2527.

Cleaning for Dollars $$$ - Part 1

This is one of those posts that should be a no-brainer when selling your home. Unfortunately, many of us get so used to seeing our home day in and day out, that it is difficult for us to really see what our house looks like.

Intense cleaning of the house, inside and out, will pay for itself many times over. There are cleaning services that will do this for you, but with a guided plan, you can certainly do it yourself and allow you to put any investment dollars toward other items that may need to be addressed.

A Professional Stager can and will provide a plan of action, including anything that needs to be cleaned. These punch-list reports are your best bet to be sure that you have done everything you can to reap the most $$ for your house and a swifter selling time.

In this and in subsequent posts, we will outline some of the places in your home to clean and shine that will impress the Buyer!

Kitchen

Range - If you have drip pans, replace these. They can be found at Home Improvement Centers and are very reasonable in price. If you have a glass top, clean with an appropriate cleaner. No matter which one, this should shine!

Oven - Clean thoroughly, including window and replace the oven door seal (looks like a white cord) if it is stained. Replacement racks are also available if yours are rusted, etc.

Dishwasher - Wipe around the inside door - this area gets clogged with soap. If there are any splits in the dishwasher rack, these can be mended with Dishwasher Repair Solution. For the prongs, you can also find caps that fit over the existing prongs.

Disposal - Pull out the stopper and clean thoroughly with a scrub brush. When showing the home, run a lemon through the disposal before the showings. This gives a nice, fresh, clean aroma to the kitchen.

Refrigerator - You may not be planning on leaving your refrigerator but this appliance is still in the house and if a potential buyer is interested, it will be opened and inspected. Many times appliances are written into the offer. Be sure and remove anything on the outside or on top of the refrigerator. If this area currently serves as Grand Central Stations for all appointments, calendars, and Art/Homework Gallery, you can consolidate this into a folder when you have showings.

Clean out the entire inside of the refrigerator, using warm soapy water and replace only the necessary items. Continue to monitor this appliance for spills, etc.

Trash Cans - Well, to be honest, you don't really want to have your trash can showing when the house is being viewed. What to do? Just place it in the garage. If the trash can is under a cabinet, be sure that it is empty for showings.

Cabinets - These should be no more than 2/3 full. If your cabinets are completely full or overflowing, this gives the impression that there is not enough storage. So, this is the time to go through and remove everything that is not being used on an every day basis. Pack these items for the next house. Go through the pantry now and discard anything that isn't going to make the move. If there are unopened items, you can donate these to your local food pantry. Face and group all remaining items, but leave some blank spaces here and there.

Check to see that the cabinet under the sink is clean and not in disrepair. Sometimes this area gets damp. Make sure that any leaks are repaired and if necessary, paint the bottom of the cabinet. A waffle weave cabinet liner can also be effective.

Woodwork - Go over every piece of wood in the kitchen, including cabinet doors, with a gentle cleaner, like Murphy's Oil Soap. Then, depending upon the wood, you may need to pay attention to some touch-up paint, or use the Howard's line of wood products for wood-stained cabinets. Howard's can be found at Ace Hardware.

Lighting - Check that all bulbs are at the highest wattage available. Dust bulbs that are exposed. Florescents get darker with age. Replace if necessary.

Tile - If your kitchen contains tile, check to make sure the grout isn't stained or dirty. If it is, a professional carpet cleaning company can restore the grout to it's freshest appearance. There are some grout paints on the market as well.

Countertops - If you have Formica in a Granite subdivision, you should seriously consider replacing your countertops with a solid surface material. Being aware of your house's competition is very important. However, there are times when keeping the existing countertops makes sense. Contact your REALTOR or Accredited Staging Professional for their advice.

Sometimes Formica countertops get a chip on the edge. These replacement edges are very economical and can be purchased at Home Improvement Stores. They are applied with heat and will improve the appearance of your counters. Formica can also be painted, but should be done by a professional for the best results.

Look for our other Cleaning for Dollars $$$ Posts coming soon! And always remember that you are investing time, energy and $$ that will bring you a great return!

Do you need help preparing your home for the market? Do you know what will bring a great return on investment? We are experts in helping you get you the greatest return on your investment. From a complete analysis with recommendations for the do-it-yourselfer...or all the help to get it done for you. We can do as little or as much as you need. Our personalized packages fit every budget and timeframe. Call today to find out more! 251-377-2527

Jane Ann Lance, Enhanced by Lance, 251-377-2527

Visit our website! http://www.enhancedbylance.com/