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Get ready! With the spring sale season just around the corner, now is the time to get your home ready to put on the market. As a Minnesota Realtor, I have seen many homes go on the market that simply are not ready. This decreases the amount a buyer is willing to pay buy thousands of dollars.

These are my 10 ten ideas for sellers to get their homes in top condition for a quick sale.

1. Make the Front Entrance SPARKLE!.

You need to make a great first impression! A coat of paint and a new brass kick plate or doorknocker says “welcome home”. Remove any personalized doorknockers or signs from the front of the home. Remember to trim bushes and shrubs and keep walkways clear. A blooming plant or festive wreath is a nice touch.

2. Organize the Kitchen.

Kitchens sell homesmake yours appear more large and inviting! Clean off counters and organize cupboards and drawers. Store or pack seldom used appliances and large pans. Consider replacing the counter if it is worn or has an unusual color. Repair or replace leaky kitchen faucets and dated florescent light fixtures.

3. Reduce Clutter Inside and Out.

Sort out E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! Throw away anything you do not need and organize the rest. Too much stuff? Consider an off-site storage facility during the move. Donate unwanted items to a local charity. Campers, boats and old cars should be parked at a different location.

4. Clean.

Your home should be spotless and smell clean too! Remember to give attention to the yard and garage too. Buyers want to see the size of your garage not where you dumped all the stuff from the house. If you have a dog, make certain that the yard has been picked up before every showing and it is completely free of debris.

5. Paint.

Light neutral colors make small rooms appear larger. That cute personalization you painstakingly painted on your child’s wall is a paint-over project to a new buyer. Do them a favor and paint over before the first showing. Remove dated wallpaper and borders and paint walls. Use premium quality paint and remember to patch holes properly and tape woodwork prior to starting. A sloppy paint job can be more detrimental to your bottom line than no paint job at all.

6. Update Bath.

If cleaning and painting cannot help a dingy bath, consider replacing vanity, counter and sink. Look at the faucets and light fixtures. If they are vintage, consider replacing. Also consider installing new flooring or buy nice plush floor mats to make the bathroom cozy. If the tub is nasty and stained, look into having it resurfaced.

7. Make Minor Repairs.

Tighten knobs, fix leaky faucets, oil squeaking hinges, replace dirty filters, repair cracked windows and holes in screens. If it can be fixed, fix it! Buyers do not pay top dollar for a “project house”.

8. Fix Roof Leaks.

One tiny water stain on the ceiling will cause a buyer to question the entire roof. Find and fix the leak at the source. This may be the time to call in an expert. Repair any ceiling damage. Disclose any information on repairs made to potential buyers.

9. Explain a Wet Basement.

Do what you can to make repairs but be prepared to explain all existing and repaired problems to the potential buyers. Never try to cover signs of a wet basement.

10. Exterminate.

Call a professional to get rid of the pests, repair any damage, and allow time for any pesticide smells to dissipate before showing. One bug, dead or alive, can make a bad impression on a buyer. If you have periodic mice, remove the traps and bait before showings. Again, disclose any pest infestations to potential buyers before the sale.

Copyright 2006 Teri Eckholm.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Teri Eckholm, Realtor
Keller Williams Premier Realty
http://www.terieckholm.com

Teri Eckholm is a native Minnesotan with nearly 20 years of sales and marketing experience. She grew up in a St. Paul suburb and working as a Realtor, she has serviced residents of the Twin Cities metro area for over five years. Teri has assisted hundreds of clients move from across town, across Minnesota and across the United States.

Utah county real estate is becoming more popular each year. Only recently have we begun to see housing prices rise to match the average national prices. Located 44 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah County lies in a valley beneath the Wasatch Mountains. Utah County is currently experiencing unprecedented growth. Founded in 1852 Utah County has a long history of being a wonderful community. It has consistently been ranked in the top twenty best places to live in the nation by Money Magazine and was ranked in the top twenty best places to do business in America by Forbes magazine. The County ranked 5th for the fastest growth of out all counties in Utah last year with an 8% percent increase. The total estimated population for the area is 398,056. Provo is the largest city in the county with a population of 153,600. Other cities of note are Orem, Pleasant Grove, and American Fork.

The total number of housing units in the county is 104,315. This number is increasing significantly each year. Several large developments are currently being underway in Lehi and American Fork. New construction can be seen everywhere. It is really an exciting time of growth for the Utah County. A majority of these units are owner occupied. Current estimates show that around 33,137 units are being rented. Utah County real estate is very popular among real estate investors due to the ease of renting in the area. There are several colleges, hair schools and dental hygiene schools in the area providing a large population of student renters. The 71,178 units that are owner occupied have an average monthly mortgage cost of $1,148. Due to the higher appreciation rates seen in other parts of the country those who relocate to Utah are able to buy a home that is much larger and newer than their pervious home. This is another reason for the amount of growth we are seeing in Utah County. Real estate here is a great buy.

Another reason Utah County real estate is so appealing is the low crime rate. An FBI report showed the Provo-Orem Area has the second-lowest rate of violent crime in the nation for the year 2000. Utah County is also very family-oriented. The average family size is 3.86, much higher than the national average. Large families and a high student population are responsible for the county’s low median age of 23.3 (the lowest county median age in the United States). This is a community of active young adults and young families.

Median income for a household in the county is $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. Over 12.00% of the population and 6.80% of families were below the poverty line. The poverty rate for the county is partially due to the large student population in the area. Also because of its younger population many haven’t been in the job long enough to receive raises. The lower income of the area makes buying Utah County real estate possible to everyone. Excluding Alpine City where the homes are large and luxurious. Alpine is know for its incredible real estate.
About 88% of Utah County residents are Latter-day Saints; this is probably the highest concentration of Saints in the world. The culture and lifestyle of the people here is unique and welcoming. Members of all faiths have found Utah County Real Estate not only a great buy and wise investment but also a cherished place to call home.

Mark Keller is an internet marketer for http://www.10xmarketing.com Learn more about Utah County real estate by visiting the http://www.lucidiagroup.com at http://www.lucidiagroup.com/Index.aspx

As a former real estate agent I have attended more home inspections than I can remember. During all of these inspections I encountered the same home inspector over and over again. Why him? Because I reccomended him.

This home inspector did at least 20 inspections for my buyers.

WHY him? For one reason – I was comfortable with him. He was the path of least resistance.

He happened to be the first inspector I ever used. As a rookie agent, buyers would ask me who do you recommend? I would always refer him. It’s all I knew and he did a decent job like most would.

So my point is this… If I were a home inspector I would concentrate my efforts on building relationships with new realtors. The last year I practiced real estate was 2004 and we had, on average, one new agent starting a week. Each one of these agents could equal 20 inspections like I did to my inspector.

As a realtor we would get tons of flyers and newsletters from inspectors and we would throw them all out. New agents are eager to learn. I would offer to come in and give new agents a starter course on the home inspection process. Build relationships with them, and they can be a huge source of revenue. And it won’t cost you a penny…

Kerry Mann runs a Milwaukee Home Inspector directory http://www.himilwaukee.com. He offers free listings for home inspectors…

http://www.himilwaukee.com

Experts are looking closing at the real estate market in Salt Lake City. Population trends for the area are indicating a strong future. The Salt Lake City metropolitan area has a total estimated population of 1.2 million as of 2003. Salt Lake City alone has a population of 181,743. It’s the central part of the Wasatch Front which in total contains 1.7 million. The Wasatch Front is roughly 80 miles long with Ogden approximately 40 miles north of the Salt Lake Valley and Provo approximately 40 miles south of the Salt Lake Valley. For a state boasting a total population of 2.5 million the Wasatch Front is home for a significant proportion of the population. The Salt Lake City real estate market is strong due to the areas highly favored location.

Utah’s population growth of 29.6% more than doubled that of the nation (13.2%). Utah’s growth is attributed to natural increase (88%) rather than net in-migration (12%).Net in-migration occurred for the 13th straight year. Salt Lake City real estate is a growing market attracting more national attention than ever before. The large homes and the low prices are attracting home buyers from the rest of the country. Utah is one of the fastest growing states in the country and ranks 35th in the nation for population growth. The state’s rapid growth is attributed to both the area’s high birth rate and to in-migration. Utah’s population reached 2.5 million in late 2005, positive increases every year since 1990. The State of California continues to be the major source of the flow of migration to Utah. Employment-related migration accounts for the majority of population movement to and from Utah.

Overall, Utah is expected to continue to have the youngest population in the nation. Utah’s median age during 2005 is 27.1 years, well below the national figure of 35.2 years. Utah’s population is younger (27.1), lives longer (77.7), has higher fertility rates (2.68) and more persons per household (3.13 persons). Utah is number one in the nation in the number of persons per household at 3.13, compared to the national average of 2.62. In addition, Utah’s number of people per family is 3.67, compared to the national figure of 3.16. This is attributed to the Church of Jesus Christ’s belief in and support of large families!

Currently the median home price for available homes is $300,000 with homes ranging from an affordable $69,900 to $5,000,000. Salt Lake City real estate is a good buy. The average home price is $184,756. The average condo price in Salt Lake City is an affordable $132,979. Utah recently ranked among the leaders for appreciation. Due to the State’s new found popularity property is becoming a high demand asset. Local realtors say the key to buying Salt Lake City Real Estate is to buy early when rates are low and appreciation will still likely occur. Now is a great time to get involved with real estate here because home values are steadily increasing. If similar patterns are followed as in other states around the country there will be large increase and it will happen soon. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to jump start your real estate investing career or to find your dream home. With the help of a realtor in the Valley I recently purchased a town-home for $159,000 and now it is worth over $176,000. That appreciation happened in less than 5 months.

The population trends, the quality of the area, and recent history all indicate Salt Lake City real estate is ready to flourish. Acting now could save you thousands. Salt Lake is a great area with beautiful mountains and very family centered communities. Buying real estate here will be one of the best decisions you have made.

Mark Keller is an Internet Marketer for http://www.10xmarketing.com Learn more about Salt Lake City real estate by visiting the http://www.LucidiaGroup.com at http://www.lucidiagroup.com/salt-lake-city-real-estate.aspx

1. Make yourself an informed educated buyer. There is so much information at our fingertips. Use the Internet to research neighborhoods, prices and the home buying process in general. Checkout the website of the city your researching.

2. Find a realtor. Feel free to research online, but use a realtor. They will provide you with an invaluable insight to the process. If you are buying a home the seller ends up paying your realtor. You pay them nothing.

3. Get pre-approved for your home loan. The biggest mistake buyers make is starting to look for a home before their financing is in place. Its free to get pre-approved and it will allow you to plan better ahead of time.

4. Budget. Now you are preapproved, which is great, you know what price range to search in. But this means nothing if you dont have a budget in place. Plan out ahead of time what your mortgage will be, living expenses etc. to determine for yourself if you are looking in your right price range.

5. Determine your housing needs and wants. Determine the functionality required in your new home. There are plenty of “cute” homes in Milwaukee were I am from- but if its not close to work, or too small it means nothing.

6. Determine your ideal location. Verify proximity to work, shopping and schools. And search within this range.

7. Don’t make quick uninformed decisions. it’s easy to do, especialy if you have looked at a ton of homes and are ready to move. If you are unsure about an aspect of buying your house don’t be pushed until you are clear.

8. Do a pre-inspection home inspection. There is a great article about this at my website http://www.himilwaukee.com/
in the forum section.

9. Now that you found your home, sit down and review all aspects before writing an offer. Pros and cons, and items listed above.

10. Meet with your realtor and write an offer. Be sure to get a home inspection preferably by a reccomended certified home inspector.

Kerry Mann is a former real estate agent from Milwaukee Wisconsin. He also runs home inspection Milwaukee website. It is a direcotry of local home inspectors from Milwaukee and Wisconsin. http://www.himilwaukee.com