Real Estate Decoded

Image Source here It's a new month, and we observe a lot in April! Here's a brief description of each: NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH In remembrance of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968; sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); efforts to end housing discrimination KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL MONTH Celebrates all we can do to make our country a more beautiful and better place; three basic missions: reduce waste, prevent litter, beautify communities LAWN AND GARDEN MONTH The time we clean up our lawns and prepare it for summer NATIONAL DECORATING MONTH We focus on home decorating NATIONAL GARDEN MONTH Gardening improves our attitudes toward health and nutrition, kids perform better at school, community spirit grows Image Source here NATIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MONTH Efficient and creative design is recognized from walkways, playgrounds, neighborhoods, and roadways; use #WLAM2017 on social media wh...

Are you a visual learner? If you're selling your home or considering it, check out the link below from Realtor.com of before and after images of virtually staging a home. Staging a home can help buyers visualize what it would look like for them to live in your home. Realtor.com - What is Virtual Staging? A Way to Stage Your Home Out of Thin Air Image Source here If you're buying a home and aren't sure about how to arrange your furniture, consider using an app or online program to plan your layout ideas. My current go to program is floor planner , but the following two links have other programs I'd consider trying and using, like Autodesk Homestyle or Home Design 3D. Apartment Therapy - 10 Apps for Planning a Room Layout Image Source here Freshome - 10 Best Free Online Virtual Room Programs and Tools Image Source here And if you're not selling or buying a home, perhaps you want to refresh your space? I'm loving these " Quick Style B...

Spring is finally here! While we are in the spring real estate market, I thought you may want to review some housing terminology. As one source says, "Buying a home is like being in a different culture, complete with its own language." I recently heard the word, "elevation" come up while I was getting my hair cut. And then I was speaking to a Realtor ® , and she was speaking about elevations. When it comes to hair and when it comes to a home, the same word has two different meanings. Elevation in cosmetology terms: the level at which the hair is lifted away from the head Elevation in real estate terms: the exterior view of the home; the position of the home in relation to the grade of the land; an orthographic (non perspective) drawing of a property from the front, rear, or side that illustrates how the planned or existing structure is situated topographically Here are four sites with useful terminology and definitions: 1. Work Life - Real Estate Te...

We've mentioned before that the spring real estate market occurs from March through May, but could start as early as February and end as late as June.  Today, I'm giving you a recap of what we've mentioned before in regards to making a decision to list or not list, things to consider when selling your home, and things to consider when you're going through the buying process. Takeaways: To List or Not to List? Look at your current conditions and make a judgment call rather than gambling. Look at buyer behavior. Listing when buyers outnumber sellers could yield a profit. Image Source here Things to Consider When Selling Your Home 4 things to be aware of: Cost may equal value to you , the seller. Spring buyers are typically already out buying a few weeks before spring actually starts. Price your home based on what the market is indicating you can sell it for. There are several liability risks when you list your own home yourself. Image Source here ...

With spring being less than two weeks away, what are your exterior and outdoor plans for your home? As the temperatures get warmer, and the soil temperature gets warmer, it'll be time to start taking care of your lawn.  Make sure to check the condition of your lawn mower and sharpen blades, service motors, change the oil, etc. Below, I'm including some articles that may be useful or informative on lawn maintenance and a little bit about what the link or article covers. Image Source here Image Source here 7 TIPS FOR PREPPING YOUR RALEIGH LAWN FOR SPRING Test your soil's pH Consider aeration Do not put down insect control Go easy with the mower Now is the time for seeding! Get a jump on crabgrass Tune up your equipment Image Source here A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR MOWING YOUR LAWN (9 Common Questions Answered) When should I start mowing, aerating, and seeding my lawn? When should I stop mowing my lawn in the fall (or winter)? When should I resume ...

Happy first day of another new month! Spring is coming!  And we already have it confirmed via Sir Walter Wally .  What are your plans for your home this spring? If you're looking to refresh your space with color, I've been seeing a lot of decorating using greens and salmons as well as pastels.  For more color inspiration, here are  PANTONE's Top 10 Colors for Spring 2017 : If you're looking to freshen up your home in a cleaning sense, I'm loving these 8 Storage Tips to Help You Clean Better, Clean Faster from HouseLogic.  They suggest using tension rods to hang your cleaning spray bottles, hanging hooks inside spaces to hang things like gloves, and using a shoe caddy to organize also! If you like checklists, Realtor.com has a great list of home maintenance tasks to tackle monthly.  They have the task, a shortcut, and an estimate on how much it is if you call the professionals.  Here are the 8 they list this month: 1. Clean the g...

Hello again! Another week is here! Did you know the spring Real Estate market is here? Some sources say it can begin in March and run through June, and some say it begins as early as end of February. If you or someone you know is thinking of selling your home, I've gathered a few of my favorite staging tips from Houselogic . LIVING ROOM 1. Go for symmetry when arranging furniture or accessories. 2. Turn on lights to add warmth. 3. Help buyers imagine living in your home by displaying a board game or tea service on the coffee table. KITCHEN 1. Keep the countertops clear and uncluttered. 2. Empty all trash cans. 3. Clean the interior and exterior of your cabinets and appliances. BEDROOM 1. Go for a neutral theme in terms of colors and accessories. 2. Remove clothes you aren't wearing this season and consider using wooden hangers to create a sophisticated, boutique look. 3. Place valuables in a safe spot. DINING ROOM 1. Add place settings or set the table to...