Lit Up? May 1, 2007

Is your house very well lit outside when it is for sale? Lighting on the exterior of your house is crucial for letting animals outside after dark in your yard but outside lighting becomes even more crucial when you have listed your home for sale with a real estate professional.

Consider this scenario…a prospective purchaser of your home cannot tour your home until after it is already dark outside and they want to be able to see the outside of your home clearly and even walk around outside in your yard. If your home does not have extensive outdoor lights around your property away from your house and around the outside of your home, then your home will be at a disadvantage when compared to other homes after the sun has set.
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A better option for a home seller is when your home has more than ample outdoor lights then your home will have a major advantage over your competition, the other homes for sale in your price range and located near your home. Written by Sherrie Hartzell All Rights Reserved and copyrighted 2010. 540-903-0212 Coldwell Banker Elite-Locust Grove, VA licensed real estate salesperson

Replace April 6, 2007

switch covers for light switches and outlets that are rusted or cracked by purchasing new, neutral colors at your local home store. Why bother? A buyer might translate a lack of minor repairs into a question as to whether the seller has done any needed major repairs on your home. This lack of attention can be enough to send buyers out your door to other homes in your neighborhood listed for sale. At this other home, the sellers paid less than $100 to replace worn out light switch and outlet covers, so buyers would realize their attention to detail as homeowners. Buyers have numerous choices in the real estate marketplace, so do some simple things to increase the likelihood that buyers will want to buy your home instead of a competitor’s home.
Written by Sherrie Hartzell All Rights Reserved and copyrighted 2010. 540-903-0212 Coldwell Banker Elite-Locust Grove, VA licensed real estate salesperson

Gutter March 12, 2007

cleaning is an extremely important activity for any homeowner. You can hire a professional or do this yourself. Falling off the ladder is a definite possibility, so consider ladder safety (call a home improvement or hardware store if you are not sure about this) before deciding to clean out your home’s gutters with the help of a family member or friend.

If you do not like heights, then hire somebody else to clean your gutters. Sometimes companies that pressure wash also clean gutters, so check around your area. This would be a way to utilize the same company for both services and would be an efficient use of your time and theirs. If you do clean them out yourself, make sure you are wearing thick, waterproof work gloves, work with another person who holds your ladder, and take frequent breaks off the ladder as needed. How frequently to clean your gutters? This depends upon many factors, but do so at least once per year after the leaves fall. Remember that you gutter clean at your own risk and Sherrie Hartzell is not responsible for any injuries as a result of following this or any other advice.
Written by Sherrie Hartzell All Rights Reserved and copyrighted 2010. 540-903-0212 Coldwell Banker Elite-Locust Grove, VA licensed real estate salesperson