Home Staging: Fragrance, Smells, and Odors from MichelleSellsFayetteville

Some of the most beautiful homes can sit on the market for extended periods of time. It’s not because they aren’t priced well, or other factors you might suspect. It’s simply because buyers are turned off by details that are often overlooked.  Some of the following tips are courtesy of my Mom and her wonderful Mom wisdom.

Nothing smells better than clean!

The source of the most common problem odors: pets, smoking, cooking, and mold or mildew.

A zippered pillowcase filled with cedar chips, placed under a pet’s pillow bed, will absorb most of the unpleasant odors.

Boiling an apple, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a few drops of vanilla on the stove will remove burnt smells in the kitchen. Add orange peels to make a simmering potpourri.

This one I use a lot to control dog smell in the Summer.  Sprinkle baking soda directly onto carpets, rugs, and sofas to eliminate odors—then let it sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming.

A bowl of vinegar placed in a room for a day or two will help neutralize smoke odors.  My mom used this when I was a kid.  She even used vinegar and water to clean pet accidents.

Small cotton balls with a few drops of your favorite perfume or cologne, tucked discreetly around the home, can freshen a room without being overwhelming like some room sprays.

As always, thanks for reading my blog.  Please feel free to contact me or stop by my website at http://MichelleSellsFayetteville.com.

Enjoy your day!

Michelle

 

 

Green Tips For Your Yard From MichelleSellsFayetteville

Okay, I have to admit I’m a city girl and have never really been good with plants, the yard (other than mowing it), and landscaping.  But, I think we all want our yards and gardens to be beautiful, green, and inviting, and also make them good for the environment too. Whether you have just moved in, or are looking to make your existing outdoor living space an earth-friendly place, here are a few tips that I got from some of my clients and also my father-in-law.

Expand your garden, shrink your yard. This never occurred to me until I saw it. Grass yards take a lot of time and resources to maintain; replacing them with wildflower gardens or gravel living spaces can reduce your water and fuel consumption. And if you live in the South, your water bill is probably through the roof right now as mine is. 

Again I had to be convinced of this one, but after making a smaller yard I finally decided to replace my gas mower with a reel lawn mower. They do take more work, buy it’s a great way to get in a workout! 

Purchase a rain barrel. Collecting rainwater and using it to water your yard and plants is a great conservation technique, and will reduce your water bill.  This is one of the simplest things that I’ve done so far and it is a great way to water the plants.

Compost. Maintaining compost will not only reduce your contribution to landfills, but gives you high quality, free fertilizer for your plants.

Plant a tree. Trees not only reduce the CO² in our environment, they also provide shade to your yard and home.

Create an organic vegetable garden. Vegetable gardens can provide you and your family with a delicious, healthy, and very inexpensive food source, and are a great addition to any garden.  With my father-in-law’s green thumb, I am now feeding several of my friends and their families with veggies.  This has also helped to cut down on my grocery bill.  I’m still not good at growing fruit yet, but I’m determined. 

Plant indigenous plants. Plants that are native to your location require a lot less maintenance and thrive in their natural conditions.

Eliminate harmful pesticides from your garden. There are a number of alternatives to the use of toxic pesticides, which pollute both our personal living space and the planet. Your local garden supply center can help you find an alternative that is right for your garden or yard and your pets.

I hope you’ve found this blog helpful and interesting.  As always if you have any comments or questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at MichelleSellsFayetteville@gmail.com.

 Best Regards,

Michelle

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Ways To Go Green In The Kitchen from MichelleSellsFayetteville

 

Start a garden. Whether you opt for a full-out vegetable garden or a small window of fresh herbs, the taste of freshness will be unmistakable!

 

Shop locally! Visit local farmers markets or choose locally produced produce whenever possible.

 

Bring your own bags when you visit the grocery store.  At first I felt a little akward about doing this but then I realized that I didn’t have to keep throwing away all of those plastic grocery bags.

 

Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs.

 

Save time and energy by cooking a double portion and setting half aside in the freezer for a quick meal at a later date.

 

Get energized and leave the appliances alone. Whenever possible, mix and beat ingredients by hand, cook multiple items at the same time, and avoid washing dishes unnecessarily. I personally have been using energy-efficient appliances such as the slow cooker or toaster oven, which can use up to 30% less energy. And, besides it makes dinner so much easier especially in the summer!

 

Ditch the wraps (such as saran wrap or foil) and make the switch to reusable containers for lunches and leftovers.

 

Put a lid on it! Did you know that cooking with lids could save up to three times the energy? Keep all that steam inside the pot for a more energyefficient (and faster!) meal.

 

Go fresh—say goodbye to excessively packaged foods, which are often produced using processes that are harmful to the environment. Cooking meals from scratch using fresh ingredients is not only healthier, it’s often less expensive and better for the environment.  And don’t forget that it just tastes so much better.

I hope this was helpful and informative!  As always if you have any feedback or questions please drop me a line at MichelleSellsFayetteville@gmail.com.

Enjoy your day!

Michelle

Top Eight Home Showing Tips

 

I know that some of you know what needs to be done when showing your ome, but I am reminded by my newest sellers that sometimes what seems so simple can actually be more difficult than I thought.

Showing your home is essential in the real estate business. After all, who would purchase a property sight unseen? When a potential buyer stops in, here are eight recommended tips to follow when showing your home:

 

Tip # 1: Welcome Your Buyers

 

Graciously greet your potential homebuyers and invite them to look around. Make sure that you instruct them to take their time and to ask any questions that they may have.

 

Tip # 2: Be Flexible

 

Many homebuyers are on a tight schedule, whether it be work, school or other commitments. Time is tough to come by, so try to be flexible about allowing potential buyers to tour your home.

 

Tip # 3: Climate Control

 

When a buyer comes into your home, they do not want to feel cold in the winter or overly stuffy in the summer. Make sure that the temperature is comfortable. Otherwise, your buyer may not spend as much time in the home as necessary in order to form an accurate opinion. The last thing you want is a buyer who’s in a hurry to leave.

 

Tip # 4: Quick Cleaning

 

If you have enough time before the buyer shows up, run the vacuum over the floors and make sure that any clutter is cleaned up. A clean home appears larger, while a cluttered one gives the appearance of being too small. If you really want to impress your potential buyers, place a plate of freshly baked cookies on the dining room table. When they walk into your home, they will be greeted by the wonderful smell.

 

Tip # 5: Animal Control

 

If you have pets, remove them from the home temporarily or place them in a contained space, such as a kennel, exercise pen or carrier. This will allow buyers to tour the home without being distracted by a nervous animal, which could result in a nervous buyer.

 

Tip # 6: Light The Way

 

Your home should appear open and bright, even if it’s a winter day, so open the curtains and turn on the lights throughout the home. Buyers will not likely be drawn to a dark, dimly-lit house.

 

Tip # 7: Educate Your Buyers

 

When someone is looking for a home, they are looking for more than the perfect floor plan. If you have recently had the home appraised or inspected, place copies of each report on the dining room table. Purchasing a home is a big step, and buyers will be drawn to a home that has everything out on the table, so to speak.

 

Tip # 8: Ask For Feedback

Boy, this one is a biggee and I can’t emphasize it enought.  Once the potential buyer has completed their tour, invite their feedback by placing comment cards in the home. The information provided could be potentially helpful during your next home showing, and it will make the potential buyer feel as though you value their opinion.

 

Please feel free to contact me at 919-986-2001 if I can answer any questions for you. I am more than happy to lend you my expertise and make myself available to consult with you at no obligation to you.

Thanks for visiting

Michelle

http://MichelleSellsFayetteville.com

 

CLEARING HOUSE CLUTTER THE GREEN WAY

So, I’ve been helping two sellers prepare their houses to put on the Market.  Whether it’s that junk drawer in the kitchen or a basement full of stuff we’ve been collecting for years, we all have a space in our homes that could use a de-clutter.

Here are a few great tips to clear out that messy space, and be environmentally-friendly at the same time!  Be sure you dispose of harmful products and chemical properly. Whether it is leftover paint or dead batteries, making sure that they don’t end up in our landfills can make a huge difference. Taking them all in one trip to a disposal facility will also make the job easier.

Donate unwanted clothes and household items. This is a great way to reduce the number of items we add to our landfills, and is also an excellent way to contribute to a local charity. Have a garage sale or sell items online. This is another great way to find a new home for your unwanted items, and will make you “greener” in more ways than one!

Fix broken items. Rather than replacing broken items such as tools or appliances by purchasing new ones, consider fixing them instead.

Find a new purpose for items. Whether it is craft supplies for the kids, or getting creative yourself, there are lots of ways you can find a use for most of your forgotten but once loved items.

Use green cleaning products. Once you have all the clutter out of the way, be sure that you use environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Also be sure to store your newly organized items in recycled storage containers.

I love to answer any questions that you may have in order to put your house on the Market.  Please feel free to contact me at MichelleSellsFayetteville@gmail.com.

Take care,

Michelle

June Fayetteville Area Newsletter 2011

Michelle Corey MichelleSellsFayetteville/Keller Williams Realty 919-986-2001 639-100 Executive Place, Fayetteville, NC 28305 Phone: 919-986-2001 RE License #: 254391 JUNE -2011 Newsletter
Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, a real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, real estate radio, REALTOR.com local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®.
Michelle Corey Messages Welcome to the Greater Fayetteville Areas best source for all things Real Estate. View All Messages Disclaimer: The content, including any links contained within this Message Section, are the sole responsibility of the real estate professional or entity providing you this eNewsletter. The views, opinions, statements and/or ideas expressed in this Message Section are only those of such real estate professional or entity and do not reflect the ideas, policy, position, views or opinion of eFrogPond, Inc.   What’s Happening in Local Markets?   Local Market Reports *Local Prices & State Sales NC – Charlotte Region Real Estate Market NC – Durham Region Real Estate Market NC – Greensboro-High Point Region Real Estate Market NC – Raleigh Region Real Estate Market View Local Market Reports for 150 Metropolitan Housing Markets *Prepared by National Association of REALTORS® **Prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics Local Area Markets **Local Sales & Price Activity NC – Charlotte Regional Real Estate Market View All *Prepared by National Association of REALTORS® **Prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics http://UpdateVIDEO_Statistics.cfm http://ab157156.adbutler-zilon.com/adserve/;ID=157156;size=175×250;setID=133427;type=iframe;subdomain=michellesellsfayetteville.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/dispcontent.cfm?id=3249 What’s New National Real Estate Market April Pending Home Sales Drop After Two Monthly Gains Washington, DC, May 27, 2011 – Pending home sales fell in April with regional variations following increases in February and March, with unusual weather and economic softness adding to ongoing problems that are hobbling a recovery, according to the National Association of Realtors®. More… NAR Grants Help Make Home Ownership an Affordable Opportunity Washington, May 31, 2011 – Seventeen local and state Realtor® associations have been awarded over $60,000 through the Housing Opportunity Program Grants, a National Association of Realtors® grant program. The funds will be used by the associations to promote and expand affordable housing opportunities in their communities. More… Foreign Buyers Recognize Value of Home Ownership in U.S. Washington, May 18, 2011 – The U.S. continues to remain a top destination for foreign buyers as international purchases surged by $16 billion this year, one of the highest increases in recent years. More… National Real Estate Market Articles Source:NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. HouseLogic is a free source of information and tools from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® with content covering home improvement, maintenance, taxes, finance, insurance and even ways you can get involved in and enrich your community. This Month’s Consumer Articles Summer Safety Tips Summer safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site ( http://www.aap.org will keep your family safe this summer by following these tips. More… Create an Outdoor Resort in Your Backyard This summer many will be spending more vacation time at home instead of traveling to a distant location. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), with a few updates to your outside lighting, you can enjoy a mini vacation at home. More… Do You Need Hurricane Insurance? You have to investigate your policy details and how they relate to your location before making a decision on hurricane insurance. More… Home Improvements that Pay Off Today’s Buyers are Less Willing to Compromise The temptation is strong: Clean up the yard, de-clutter the house, and put it on the market without spending time and money sprucing the place up for sale. This is especially the case if you anticipate losing money on the sale. More… Swimming Pools: Alternatives to Chlorine Chlorine keeps swimming pools safe and clean, but there are alternatives to chlorine if you’re willing to pay the price. More… ZaZa Gabor’s Estate is Finally For Sale Take a peak inside ZaZa’s French Estate listed for $15 Million. It’s 50% less than she and hubby, Frederic Prinz von Anhalt, had planned to list the property for before their REALTOR explained the market trends and their need for quick sale because of her medical bills. More… Dreaming of a Summer Escape to an Italian Villa? Check out this Italian Renaissance Tuscan Villa as your summer getaway. If you need 6 bedrooms, pool and an incredible view, it can be yours for $5.3M. More…     http://www.thefinancials.com/syndicated/frog/FROGc_MarketUpdate.html	http://UpdateVIDEO_Statistics.cfm Community Reports on REALTOR.com Enter a ZIP code to view a report. For a comparison report, enter a second ZIP. http://ab157156.adbutler-zilon.com/adserve/;ID=157156;size=235×115;setID=140239;type=iframe;subdomain=michellesellsfayetteville.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/dispcontent.cfm?id=3249   Compare Community Amenities Compare Community Statistics * Shopping and Groceries * Public Services * Places of Worship * Recreation and Leisure * Food and Drink * Population * Households * Education * Housing * Transporation * Income * Employment * Net Worth * Cost of Living * Climate Source: REALTOR.com National Housing Indicators Existing Home Sales (May) 4.81 million units* Existing Home Median Price (May) $166,500 Housing Starts (May) 560,000 units* New Home Sales (May) 323,000 units (April)* *seasonally adjusted annual rate Source NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. National Economic Indicators Homeownership Rate 1st Qtr 11 4th Qtr 10 66.4% 66.5% The homeownership rate in the first quarter 2011 (66.4 percent) was lower than the first quarter 2010 rate (67.1 percent). In the South and West, the homeownership rates were lower than a year ago, while the Northeast and Midwest showed no significant change from the corresponding first quarter 2010 rates. New Home Sales Apr 11 Mar 11     +7.3% +8.3% Sales of new one-family houses in April 2011 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 323,000. This is 7.3 percent above the revised March 2011 estimate of 301,000 Source U.S. CENSUS BUREAU Real Estate Sales Statistics April 2011 Existing Home Statistics Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Metropolitan Prices & State Sales View Prices / % Changes for 159 Cities & Metropolitan Areas View Single-family Home Prices View Condo/Co-op Prices   State Home Sales | Total Sales of Single-family and Condo/Co-ops   Housing Affordability Index | Click Here to view details   Mouse over the map to view Regional Definitions         National Home Sales   Homes 5,050,000 Single Family 4,420,000 Condo/Co-op 630,000 vs. last month: -0.8% -0.5% -3.1% vs. last year: -12.9% -12.6% -15.0% Click Here to view details National Sales Price of Homes   Homes $163,700 Single Family $163,200 Condo/Co-op $167,300 vs. last year: -5.0% -5.4% -2.3% Click Here to view details Regional Home Sales   U.S. 5,050,000 Northeast 740,000 Midwest 1,120,000 South 1,950,000 West 1,240,000 vs. last month: -0.8% -7.5% 5.7% -1.0% -1.6% vs. last year: -12.9% -32.1% -16.4% -9.3% 0.8% Click Here to view details Regional Sales Price of Homes   U.S. $163,700 Northeast $225,400 Midwest $133,200 South $142,800 West $203,400 vs. last year: -5.0% -7.3% -5.1% -4.1% -6.1% Click Here to view details Regional Single Family Home Sales   U.S. 4,420,000 Northeast 540,000 Midwest 1,030,000 South 1,740,000 West 1,110,000 vs. last month: -0.5% -8.5% 6.2% 0.0% -2.6% vs. last year: -12.6% -31.6% -15.6% -10.3% 0.0% Click Here to view details Regional Sales Price of Single-Family Homes   U.S. $163,200 Northeast $227,300 Midwest $133,200 South $147,500 West $208,800 vs. last year: -5.4% -8.8% -4.7% -3.0% -6.5% Click Here to view details Regional Condo/Co-Op Sales   U.S. 630,000 Northeast 200,000 Midwest 90,000 South 210,000 West 130,000 vs. last month: -3.1% -4.8% 0.0% -8.7% 8.3% vs. last year: -15.0% -33.3% -21.7% 0.5% 11.1% Click Here to view details Regional Sales Price of Condo/Co-ops   U.S. $167,300 Northeast $220,200 Midwest $133,500 South $104,100 West $157,200 vs. last year: -2.3% -3.1% -13.5% -14.6% -1.6% Click Here to view details Daily Real Estate Market Outlook Economists’ Commentaries provide an in-depth look at trends and current news related to housing and the real estate market. Click here
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Pros And Cons Of Selling Your Home Solo

 

We’re all looking for ways to save money in today’s economy. For some, that may mean considering selling their homes themselves in an effort to save the commission paid to a professional REALTOR®. Although some people do sell their homes without a real estate agent, those who are successful are the exception rather than the rule, and are typically either very experienced in selling homes or are completing less complex transactions such as transferring ownership to a child or tenant.

For most homeowners, selling a home without professional assistance is simply too time-consuming and too risky. As a result, four out of five homes sold in the United States are sold by a real estate professional. As with any financial decision, it is important to consider the pros and cons before making a final decision.

 

Selling your home yourself may work for you if: 1) the current real estate market favors sellers, 2) you aren’t in a hurry to sell your home, 3) you have the time and motivation to take on a part-time job, including the time and effort required to learn the process, respond to phone calls and other inquiries, show your home, and negotiate with potential buyers, 4) you can emotionally detach yourself from your home and conduct a market analysis to establish an appropriate selling price, and 5) you have a good real estate attorney who can protect your interests in the legal aspects of advertising and selling your home.

 

Acting as your own real estate agent is probably a bad idea for you if you: 1) are in a hurry to sell your home, 2) have difficulty dealing with tension, negotiations, or rejection, 3) are concerned about the security risks involved in showing your home, 4) do not have the budget or skills for effective advertising and marketing campaigns, 5) do not have the resources to establish an appropriate selling price, 6) don’t know how to ascertain whether or not prospective buyers are qualified, and 7) are not well-versed in disclosure requirements and the other legal aspects of selling a home or do not have a real estate attorney.

 

If you decide that selling your home alone is not the best choice for you or would like additional information on the benefits of using a professional REALTOR®, please call me at 919-986-2001. I would be happy to schedule a noobligation meeting to share information about MichelleSellsFayetteville/Keller Williams and the services we provide.

 

Warm Regards,

Michelle

 

The Biggest FSBO Mistake

 

Did you know that the biggest and potentially most costly mistake people make when selling their home themselves is not establishing an appropriate asking price. The right price tag is perhaps the single most crucial factor in selling a home. To overprice is to risk scaring off potential buyers and even being unable to sell the house. Even if you subsequently lower the price to a more realistic range, the novelty of the home’s appeal is generally lost after two to three weeks of showings, and demand and interest wane after 21 days. Although underpricing may bring more traffic and offers on your home, you will be selling the home for less than it is worth.

 

REALTORS® specialize in basing the price on the home’s worth or value in the current market and to prospective buyers. Determining the price is part science and part art, and involves a thorough analysis of a number of variables. First, a professional agent will evaluate comparable listings and sales taking into consideration the location, neighborhood or other physical dividing lines, size, age, type of construction, and other factors. The next evaluation involves “sold comps,” which includes comparing original list price and final sale price to look at price reductions, determining ratios of final sale prices to actual sold prices, and making adjustments for differences in lot sizes, configuration, and amenities. A history of expired and withdrawn listings is pulled to determine why those homes did not sell and analyze for any patterns or common factors. Other factors evaluated and considered include pending sales and histories, active listings, average days on the market, square foot comparisons/price per square foot, and market dependent pricing (buyer’s market, seller’s market, balanced/neutral market).

 

And, this is a big one; it can be difficult for homeowners to determine an appropriate price range, in part, due to the emotional connection to their home (as opposed to a REALTOR’S® objective assessment of the house itself). The custom walnut kitchen cabinets you designed and had built may have significant value to you, but will be much less valuable to a buyer who isn’t particularly fond of walnut, for example.

If you have questions about selling your home please feel free to contact me at (919) 986-2001.  I am glad to help.

Michelle

 

Will You Qualify – What You Need To Get A Mortgage in Today’s Market

 

If you are a first time homebuyer, navigating all the new information about homeownership, the home buying process, and mortgages can seem overwhelming. If you are beginning the mortgage shopping process, but have no clue as to what information you’ll need and whether or not you’ll even qualify, here is some information that may make the process a little smoother.

 

Will I Qualify For A Mortgage?

 

There are essentially three things that lenders look at to determine whether or not you qualify for a mortgage.

 

Income Verification

 

When purchasing a property, all income of a homebuyer must be validated by a mortgage underwriter in order to receive a loan. Income verification can be done using several types of documents such as a W-2 statement, paycheck stubs, or income tax statements that show proof of income. These documents usually will have to span a period of two years or more to show you have a history of a steady income. Income proof can include such things as child support payments, disability payments, or income from the Social Security Administration. These additional monthly payments can increase your potential to qualify for a mortgage, as well as the amount you will qualify for, but like regular income, must be validated in order to count.

 

Debt-To-Income Ratio

 

Another important factor in getting a mortgage will be your debt-to-income ratio. This involves looking at your total debt load and monthly payments, including car payments, credit card debt, and any student loan debt. If the ratio of debt exceeds 40 % of your income, you will likely have to pay off some debt before you will qualify for a loan. In this case you may want to seek out the advice of a financial advisor to help with this process.

 

Credit History

 

The final consideration that lenders will take into account in determining whether you qualify for a mortgage is your credit history and score. They will not only be looking for a strong history of on-time payments for all your debts, but also that you have already established credit. You can arm yourself with this information by getting your free credit report from sources such as Equifax, so that you are able to check that it is accurate and up to date.

 

When getting a mortgage, being prepared with a little background research and all required documents will make the process simpler and less stressful. Armed with this information, you will be able to get the best possible deal with a lender who is right for you.

As always, please feel free to contact me with questions about buying a home.  I can be reached at (919) 986-2001 or MichelleSellsFayetteville@gmail.com ,

Enjoy your day!

Michelle