GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR THE SPRING RUSH STARTS NOW!!!

There may be snow on the ground, but if you're thinking of selling a home this spring, it's not too early to start getting the house ready. Don't wait for all the snow to melt. Come spring, there are more people listing their home, creating a buyer's market, so your best bet is to list before the spring rush, which will improve your chances for a quick sale and a higher return on your investment.

One of the surest ways to speed a home sale is through artful home staging. Home staging is very important. It's a tough market and the quicker your house sells, the better off you are. You can't change the location of your house. The price and the condition of your home are under your control, so why not do it? Inexpensive techniques can bring a big return on your investment.

Simple staging techniques, such as cleaning and de-cluttering can return up to 10 times the investment. Even more expensive jobs, like re-painting rooms, can more than pay for itself in increased sale price and reduced time on the market. The top two priorities when staging a home for quick sale are fresh paint and like-new cleanliness.

If you are trying to get the most return on your investment, look at your home to see if any upgrades are necessary. Upgrades can mean repairing and restoring finishes and appliances or it can mean taking your existing finishes and purchasing higher quality ones. A vinyl floor upgraded to wood or standard appliances upgraded to stainless are examples of well worth it upgrades that you will see a positive return on your investment. It is amazing how much a little change can produce a major difference. Anything from upgrading lighting or new hardware can make a big impact.

Preparing your home for sale can be expensive and time consuming if you aren't prepared. Take the time to thoroughly assess what parts of the home you are going to tackle first. By planning how much money and time you can dedicate to your home renovations and preparations will help.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @ estephan0. Also, check us out on Youtube under Estephan Group Home Selling System to see how your home should be advertised to its maximum potential!!!

Make Your Home Look Its Best!!!

Not everyone has the luxury of waiting until the traditional Spring or Summer home-buying season to plant that “for sale” sign. While it’s true that in most areas you’ll probably have fewer buyers during the Winter, you will have less competition from other sellers.
Because of the time of year, making your home looks its best is very important. Be prepared to put a little effort into it.

1. Keep snow and ice at bay.
If the buyer can’t get in easily, the house won’t sell. That means keeping walkways and driveways clear. You want to make the house look like it’s been maintained.

2. Warm it up.
Think “warm, cozy and homey”. Adjust the thermostat to make it welcoming. If you have a gas fireplace, turning it on right before the showing can give the house a little ambience. 

3. Take advantage of natural light.
Make the most of the light you do have. Have the curtains and blinds cleaned and open them during daytime showings. Clean all the lamps and built-in fixtures. Ensure that all burned out bulbs are replaced. Before showings, turn on all the lights. 

4. Get the windows washed.
Buyers act on first impressions. Windows are the one thing that many sellers don’t even consider. In the winter, southern light can reveal grime and make it look like the home hasn’t been well-maintained.
 

5. Play music softly in the background.
Playing “soothing” background music tends to entice people to stay around a little longer and look a little longer. 

6. Make it comfortable and cozy.
Consider things such as putting a warm throw on the couch or folding back a thick comforter on the bed. Think of simple things that make you feel like you’re home to create a cozy atmosphere.

7. Emphasize winter positives.
Is your home on a bus route or some other vital service that means it’s plowed regularly in bad weather?

8. Set up timers.
Setting timers allows you to create a welcoming atmosphere whenever prospective buyers drive past. Look at the outside lighting around the front door. Is there enough illumination to make it inviting? If not, either change the fixtures or have new ones added. 

9. Make it festive.
Set out a plate of cookies for your “guests”.
 

10. Give the home a nice aroma.
The No. 1 favourite?...chocolate chip cookies!. Other popular scents are: cinnamon rolls, freshly baked bread, apple pie and vanilla. But don’t overdo it either. Scented candles in every room or plug-in air fresheners can leave buyers wondering what you’re trying to mask. Watch the bad smells too…pet smells, smoke and musty odours.

Here’s a great recipe that your family and friends will enjoy!
 

Shrimp Carbonara
What you need:
220g spaghetti, uncooked
4 slices bacon, chopped
1 lb. (450g) uncooked deveined peeled large shrimp
1 cup frozen peas
1 tub (250g) Philadelphia Herb & Garlic Light Cream Cheese spread
½ cup milk
¼ cup Kraft 100% Parmesan Light Grated Cheese

Make it:
COOK spaghetti in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet with slotted spoon, reserving 1 Tbsp drippings in skillet. Drain bacon on paper towels.
ADD shrimp to reserve drippings; cook and stir on medium heat 5 min or until shrimp turns pink. Stir in peas; cook 1 min. Add cream cheese spread and milk; cook and stir 4 min until cream cheese is melted and sauce is thickened. (Do not let sauce come to boil).
DRAIN spaghetti; return to pan. Add shrimp mixture and bacon; mix lightly. Top with parmesan.

Cooling Your Home Naturally

Now that Summer is upon us, keeping cool indoors when it's hot outdoors is a problem. Air conditioning is one solution, but it is costly to install and the electricity costs to run it can be high.

Staying Cool

An alternative way to maintain a cool house is the use of natural (or passive) cooling. Passive cooling uses non-mechanical methods to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. The most effective method to cool your home is to keep the heat from builing up in the first place. Dark coloured home exteriors absorb 70% to 90% of the radiant energy from the sun that strikes the home's surfaces. The primary source of heat buildup is sunlight absorbed by your house through your roof, walls and windows. Secondary sources are heat generating appliances.

Installing A Radiant Barrier

Radiant barriers are easy to install, but must be installed on the underside of your roof. Staple the foil to the bottom or side of the rafters, draping it from rafter to rafter. The staples should be no more than 2 to 3 inches apart to prevent air circulation. Use a caulking gun to apply a thin bead of construction adhesive to the rafters along the seams.

Windows

Roughly 40% of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home comes in through windows. The use of reflective coatings are one way to reflect heat away.

Blocking The Heat

Insulation and shading are two excellent methods to keep your home cool.

The attic is a good place to start insulating because it is a major source of heat gain. For most climates you want a minimum of R30. Effective shading can be provided by trees and other vegetation and exterior and interior shades.

Landscaping

Landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to shade your home and block the sun. Use plants native to your area. Trees that lose their leaves in the fall help cut cooling energy costs the most.

Cooling Strategies to Consider:

• lighten roof and exterior wall colour
• install a radiant barrier
• add reflective coatings to windows
• insulate attic and walls
• caulk and weather strip to seal air leaks
• add shade trees, bushes & vines
• add exterior awnings and shades
• add interior drapes and shades
• ventilate attic
• increase natural ventilation