Posts for Syndication

You bought a starter home that gave you entre into the world of home ownership, but now, your requirements have changed … you’ve added a spouse or children, you’ve moved your office home, that wasn’t as affordable so you had to use coupons from GetYourCouponCodes in order to buy all the furniture you still needed for the house and the office. Now, you want to sell your beloved home, but all the folks you know are looking for McMansions, or at least something bigger than what you’re selling.

How do you sell a smaller home? Who is your target market?

If you’re in the mode to enlarge your living space, it may surprise you to know that there is a movement afoot promoting downsizing to a smaller home. In fact, smaller homes appeal not just to “starter homeowners,” but to empty-nesters, retirees, and even families that are looking to live a simpler lifestyle.

How do your entice buyers to look at a smaller home?

Here are seven reasons why a small home may be a buyer’s best choice.

1. Uses less energy: a small home, properly insulated, is more efficient with both heating and cooling. A smaller home typically has fewer light fixtures, thereby requiring fewer replacements. And, if you change out regular incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs, you’ll be “greening” your home in more ways than one. If your buyers are interested in investing in a home that reduces their carbon footprint, a smaller home may fill the bill. From lower heating and cooling requirements to less water and electricity use, a smaller home on a smaller lot could be just what they’re looking for.
2. Less maintenance: whether re-roofing, replacing exterior siding or painting the interior, a small home costs less to maintain than a larger one. Downsizing can be just the ticket for a busy traveler, commuter or active family. The less time and money spent on housing upkeep, the more that is available for making memories.
3. Lower monthly bills: a small home typically uses less electricity so monthly power bills cost less, and a smaller mortgage and lower insurance costs can improve your bottom line.
4. Easier to keep: cleaning a large home can be daunting. Singles, Baby Boomers, busy small families and others will find that less home to clean is an easy tradeoff for the larger space. Minimizing and streamlining chores can relieve stress and lead to more organization and comfort.
5. Great investment: smaller homes make great rental properties. If your buyer does need to upsize later, a smaller home makes a great investment as a rental.
6. Avoid being “house poor”: a smaller, more affordable home leaves more money available for travel, entertainment, hobbies and other pursuits. It allows the owner to set aside money for investments, save for retirement, or upgrade other areas of your life.
7. A smaller home can lead to closer family bonds. The sharing, give-and-take, managing joint closet and storage space, and other cozy arrangements required to live in a smaller home often bring a since of cooperation and joint effort to daily life.

The bottom line is that we, as your professional real estate agents know how to reach the target market for your smaller home. There are many reasons a buyer will love your home: location, schools, curb appeal … and size!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Often, homeowners make changes and upgrades to their home without securing permit. In some cases, permits are not required, but in many cases they are. When you attempt to sell your home, investigations by the buyer’s real estate agent, inspector or legal representation may discover undocumented changes that could hinder the sale. The degree to which this causes difficulties greatly depends on the types of changes made to the original structure, and whether your buyer’s lender will give a loan on property with unpermitted changes.

Sometimes, the changes occurred even before you purchased the home. Since laws may have changed in your municipality over the course of your ownership, changes that did not matter when you bought your home may be questioned when you try to sell it.

If you believe your home has unpermitted construction, there are things you need to know about it:

• What was constructed? A patio? A second bathroom? A sunroom?
• When was it constructed? Before you bought the home? After?
• Was a permit required and is a permit in place that you are not aware of?

Safety is priority so a field level risk assessment is a must to spot hazards.

Grandfathering

A “grandfather clause” is an exception to a requirement, covenant or restriction that allows those already doing or having something to legally continue to so even if the new restriction would not allow them to do or have it. With regard to an unpermitted home upgrade, if the upgrade was added prior to the change in the law and the law does not require retroactive compliance, then the exception typically is allowed to remain. An obvious exception to this would be a change that posed a danger to anyone living in the home or on the property.

Retroactive permits

If you discover upgrades, retrofits, additions or renovations in your home you should check city records to see if a permit was required for that type of work in the year(s) you believe it was completed. Then, search municipality records to see if permits were in place. If a permit was required, but you do not find one in place, you can either request a retroactive permit, or sell your home “as is” (see below). Many municipalities have a method in place to obtain retroactive permits. Check to see what the total cost of the permitting process will be. You may have to pay for permits, fines, inspections and other fees. The total cost of obtaining retroactive permits may be greater than the return on your investment.

Selling “As Is”

If you do choose to sell your home “as is,” you do not need to disclose to the city building department that you believe you have unpermitted construction. Therefore, until you are certain that you want to file a request for a retroactive permit, take care in your research not to disclose information when you communicate with municipal offices that might trigger an inspection.

On the other hand, in the selling process, fully disclose to your real estate agent items that you know about for certain—that is, upgrades or additions you initiated during your ownership. You do not want a sale delayed or to fall through because a lender requires a permit, and you want to make sure that an appropriate “as is” clause is written into the sales contract.

We can help you determine which items need permitting, which need disclosure and which are fine as they are.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make, and many times new buyers worry that they’ll make a wrong decision and then be sorry when it is too late to change it. What if I paid too much for the house? What if the neighborhood isn’t what I thought it was? What if I lose my job and can’t pay the mortgage? What if I hate my neighbors? What if a better house becomes available next week/month/year?

What-if? What-if? What-if?

Second-guessing is normal

First, you need to know that questioning your own decisions is normal. Hundreds of doubts and fears can run through your mind as you come up to the closing period during your home-buying experience. We know this expression of fear as “buyer’s remorse.” Some people have buyer’s remorse when they buy shoes, or a television, or that outfit they saw in the window. Other folks have buyer’s remorse when they purchase a car. So, if you experience buyer’s remorse for smaller purchases, expect the feeling magnify when purchasing something larger … like a car … or a house!

The grass is always greener

If your uncertainty is rooted in the idea that something better may come along next week or next month, you may never find a home to purchase. In actuality, if you create a list of your wants and needs, we can review it with you and help you find the home that fits the most important things on your list. When the uncertainty strikes, we’ll be able to review that list together to help allay your fears by reconnecting you with the reasons you chose this house in the first place. Analyzing both what you fear and what you want can help you sort through the feelings, thoughts and even doubts you’re having about moving forward.

Ways to avoid triggering buyer’s remorse

Sometimes, buyers set themselves up for experiencing doubts by falling into one of these scenarios:

• Choosing or staying with a real estate agent that does not offer guidance through the process. We answer your questions, walk you through the paperwork, explain the complete process, work out the timeline and myriad other things that help you know what to expect as your home closes. You should feel free to call your agent whenever you have concerns. It’s our job to handle those for you.
• Talking to family or friends. Of course they mean well, but sometimes family and friends can cause unnecessary doubts to creep in when they question the location, the price you’re paying for your home, the schools nearby, the type of loan you’ve chosen or any of a dozen other things. Unless they are professionals in the market you’ve chosen, their advice may be useful, but incomplete. So, take their questions to your real estate professional. We can address them based on the current market and location of the home you’re purchasing so you can buy with confidence.
• Keeping your options open. When you’ve made an offer on a home, unless there is a real chance that it will fall through (because of seller demands, loans not approved, low appraisal, problems uncovered by inspections, etc.) you should stop looking at other properties to purchase. Continuing to look is like continuing to date others after announcing your engagement.

Dealing with buyer’s remorse?

The best way to handle feelings of buyer’s remorse is to talk with your real estate professional. We can address your concerns and answer your questions. Finally, if we determine together that this isn’t the home for you after all, and we can work out the details of cancelling your contract and looking for the right home where you and your family will be happy.

Compliments of Virtual Results

A common question for prospective home sellers is “How can I increase my home’s value or get a higher selling price?” In our earlier articles on this subject, we discuss low budget and economical fixes and upgrades that can increase the perceived value of your home. In this article, we discuss those higher cost items that only give you a high return on your investment if you have high equity in your home or will lose more money if it doesn’t sell quickly.

Many buyers look for a home they can move into immediately. While the specifics depend on the age and condition of your home, here are the priority renovations that increase your home’s appeal and return on investment potential.

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Kitchen

No matter what the other advantages of your home, if the buyers do not like the kitchen, they are less likely to make an offer. So, if you’re planning major upgrades, head to the kitchen first.

• Paint, refinish or replace the cabinets. If your cabinets are dated, damaged or dark, consider replacing them or painting them with a lighter, newer version that still fits into the home’s style. If you’ve never painted cabinets, consider hiring a professional since they are more difficult than painting walls, and poorly painted cabinets actually decrease the appeal of your kitchen.
• Replace countertops. If granite is all the rage in your neighborhood and comparable homes have granite countertops, consider this upgrade. These kitchen countertops require professional installation to measure, cut and polish the rock correctly. A less expensive version, granite tile, is easier to install, but has less overall value. If you want a more expensive option, then you may consider installing quartz countertops.
• Add new appliances. New, matching appliances including ovens and stovetops or ranges, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves and refrigerators instantly update a kitchen.
• Upgrade lighting, fans and fixtures to match the style of your new cabinets and countertops.
• Kitchen floors with carpeting, vinyl or worn and broken tile should be replaced with new ceramic or other tile, wood, or another new product. Make sure you only replace kitchen floors with flooring that can handle the traffic, spills and constant cleaning that a kitchen requires.

Bathrooms

No new homeowners want to feel as if they are using someone else’s bathroom. Replace the vanity, sink and toilet. Use low-flow toilets, water-saving faucets and other green products. Replace the floor and shower surround with a neutral tile. If your bathroom has a built-in tub/shower replace it or have it professionally refinished to look fresh and new, you can add a hot tub from the Intex Pure Spa Inflatable Hot Tub Review.

Living areas

Carpets harbor dirt, dust mites and stains. Replacing the carpet in major living areas with hardwood increases the visual appeal of your home. As an instant upgrade, hardwood gives your home that updated look. By the same token, hiring commercial picture hanging professionals to decorate the home with attractive art makes a considerable and highly noticeable difference.

Heating, air conditioning and water heater

These major home appliances often are out-of-sight and out-of-mind, but a new buyer wants to know they’ll work when they need them.

Exteriors

To increase the value of your home, improve the “R” rating and make your home more economical, consider replacing the roof, insulation, siding and windows. If your home has hail or other storm damage, check with your homeowner’s insurance to see if they will cover the replacement. Using better quality, energy-saving products gives your home more curb appeal and buyers know they won’t have to worry about leaks and drafts when weather hits.

Let us help …

We can assess the potential R.O.I. for these and similar upgrades to your home. Call us for an evaluation of your home’s fair market value.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Ceiling fans aren’t just about moving air, they are an important part of creating the right atmosphere in your home. Before choosing a fan, consider what you really want it to do.

Smart ceiling fans

Being smart isn’t just for phones. Big Ass Fan company has developed smart residential fans that have motion sensors, can detect ambient air temperature and humidity, and even connect with the Nest Learning Thermostat. These fans are about keeping the temperature and atmosphere in your home at optimum levels using the least amount of energy. With five-ply bamboo blades and an automotive grade paint on its glass-infused composite finish, the Haiku fan works both indoors and outside on patios and gazebos.

Whole house fans

Older homes that don’t have central air-conditioning can be fitted with a whole house fan. These fans, typically installed in ceilings of halls or stairways and venting into attics, draw cool air from open windows throughout the home and can cool skin temperatures by up to 10°F and attic temperatures by as much 40°F. Newer designs offer quiet operation and tremendous energy savings. QuietCool suggests its fans can lower your energy bills and they’re good for the environment.

Attic fans

Different from whole house fans, attic fans vent hot attic air to the outside, but do not draw air through the living spaces. Typically installed near the gable vent, attic fans can extend the life of your roof by removing trapped moisture from the attic and releasing the buildup of heat that can warp the roof’s structural components. Solar-powered attic fans operate using only solar power and is a green alternative to a standard electric attic fan, but once the sun sets, the fan needs an alternate source of energy. The U.S. Sunlight solar fan compensates for this by allowing the fan to switch between solar and your home’s electrical power when sunlight isn’t available.

Inexpensive fan options

Window fans fit within the window frame similar to a window air conditioner, but use less energy to operate. The most energy efficient way to use them is to use them at night when the outside air is cooler. This method allows for the delay or sometimes eliminates the need to turn on air conditioning during the day. It uses electricity during off-peak night hours too.

Other options include free-standing box, floor, tower or pedestal fans. You can move these portable fans from room to room throughout the day. Hi-end air movers, like the Dyson bladeless fan move air more quietly than traditional fans and consume even less energy, are safer around small children because they have no blades and offer remote control, variable speed and other options.

Fans aren’t just for summer

With winter just around the corner, some homeowners may think they don’t need fans. However, fans can reduce your heating bills just as well as your cooling bills. Make sure your ceiling fans are reversible (look for a switch on the motor housing on traditional ceiling fans). Hire residential electrical professionals to install new fans properly or have a ceiling fan repair. In the winter, operate your ceiling fan clockwise and the blades will push warm air back down into the room reducing the heating requirements. A window fan in lower story windows and be reversed to push cooler air outside and pull warmer air down from the ceiling. Using exhaust fans in bathrooms and laundry rooms during the winter can reduce the buildup of moisture that leads to mold and mildew growth.

When looking at houses, note the locations you can install fans to reduce your energy costs. We can help you find contractors to install whole house and ceiling fans to give your home the best atmosphere for your family.

Compliments of Virtual Results

A common question sellers ask is “What can I do to get the maximum selling price on my home?” Since each home and every market is different, we, as your real estate professionals, can give you specific advice on your home. In general, however, if you’re willing to spend a little bit on some minor upgrades, a higher return on your investment can be significant. We covered the “no-to-low cost” items in part 1 of this series and in this post we suggest some low to medium cost options for improving that selling price. One of the ways you can increase the value of your home is by installing a more energy-efficient cooling and heating system product. Energy efficiency has become a well-loved feature in modern homes.

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If you have a little money to spend, the next items on your list should be these easy improvements:

1. Paint. In terms of “bang for your buck,” paint is your best friend. Gone are the days when you should paint everything white, but covering smudged or dirty walls with a pretty neutral color (off-whites, grays, creams and earthy tones) brightens your walls, covers over a host of slight imperfections and freshens their look without breaking the bank. A contrasting color on trim and woodwork brings out architectural details. Add a new coat of paint on the ceilings — paint these white or a light off-white— to brighten and light up a room. Paint the front door, too! A bright, cheery front door adds a welcoming touch.
2. Update light fixtures. Ceiling lights, vanity lights and exterior carriage and porch lights are inexpensive items to update. Often, larger home-improvement stores offer “contractor packs” of multiple light fixtures for a lower price, so you can update all the rooms.

1. Change out electrical outlets and switch-plates. Simply updating outlets and outlet covers, light switches and switch-plates can give a home an updated appearance. As with light fixtures, electrical components often come in contractor packs. If you are not comfortable changing out the switches and outlets yourself and don’t want to hire an electrician, just change out the covers. You might also consider having electrical trenching with the help of licensed electrical contractors if you need to upgrade your electrical systems.
2. Replace bath fixtures. New faucets, along with towel bars, hooks and other matching pieces bring a brand new look to most bathrooms. Make sure your shower curtains are clean, fresh and neutral. If you have the extra money, changing out the toilet for a new water-saving low-flow toilet is an effective upgrade. Along the same vein, if your lavatory sink is cracked, stained or chipped, you may want to switch it out for a new one.
3. Kitchen hardware and faucet. Just as simply adding new fixtures improves the bath, a new faucet and fresh, updated hardware on your cabinetry can freshen and upgrade the feel of your kitchen. Make certain that cabinet latches are not broken and drawer glides all work properly. Re-paint painted cabinetry and clean and re-stain finished wood cabinetry.
4. Fix or replace your front door. Sometimes paint is not enough. If your pets have scratched your front door, or it has dry rot, is swollen, or the layers are separating, consider replacing your door with a new one. In moisture prone areas, or for safety concerns, consider using a steel door, perhaps one with a decorative window, composite back doors keep your home secure and looking modern.
5. Upgrade your garage door. Especially if your garage door is visible from the front of your home, consider painting or upgrading your garage door.

Let us help …

We can assess the potential R.O.I. for these and similar upgrades to your home. Call us for an evaluation of your home’s fair market value. You can even give your steel door a wood look with a faux wood-graining kit.

Compliments of Virtual Results

It’s not your imagination that rent keeps going up. In fact, across the United States, from the end of summer 2013 to the end of summer 2014 rents increased over six percent … and in some housing markets rents increased by as much as 10%. Perhaps now is the time to make the move to home ownership but in case you are not resourceful enough, consider this alquiler mensual de propiedad.

Calculating the cost

There are different costs and benefits associated with owning versus renting, so a simple comparison of monthly payments might lead you to believe one is better over the other. To calculate the real differences, and therefore the real cost or benefit, you need to dig a little deeper. For instance, in this New York Times article, they used a $250,000 home as their example with a 9-year tenure, a 30-year fixed 4.34% loan with a 20% down payment. In addition to these basic costs, they factored in taxes, maintenance and fees (including estimated closing costs). Using the resulting monthly cost of $961, you can determine if buying or renting is better if you can rent a similar home for less than $961 (assuming the rent remains static for the nine years.

You can change the amounts in the calculator by moving the sliders so you can put in your own numbers. Remember, however, that there are extra fees associated with renting too: broker fees, security deposits, renters’ insurance and pet fees, among others. Additionally is the potential for rent increases at the end of each lease period.

One benefit of home ownership not taken into account in this model is the potential to reduce your income tax burden. A portion of your mortgage interest may be deductible as well as some of the points and property taxes.

Budgeting for hidden costs

Before buying, talk to us about the additional costs of home ownership. We can help you estimate maintenance expenses such as a new roof with Residential Seamless Gutters or heating and air conditioning installation, by helping you get a quote for a roof replacement. When we help you budget for your new house, we can factor in what you’ll need to set aside to cover these expenses.

Tax increases, levies for schools, roads and community improvements and other municipal costs can increase even in your first year of home ownership so when calculating what you can afford, add in a little extra for taxes too.

If you purchase a condominium or a home that is part of an association, you can expect association dues to rise annually unless the bylaws stipulate otherwise. Since one of the factors affecting association costs is insurance, expect your dues to increase, or to have a special assessment if your community suffers storm damage or liability costs. In addition, speaking of insurance, your premiums tend to go up each year as well. Consider these extra items as part of your overall housing cost.

Other expenses to figure into your budget:

• Lawn and garden care—including extra water costs if you have large grass and flower areas, equipment and fuel or landscaping services, new plants, mulch and fertilizer
• Insurance deductibles—if a hailstorm damages your roof, your insurance will replace it, but you’ll have to come up with the deductible to get the job done
• Liability insurance—as the homeowner, if someone is injured on your property you’re responsible. You’ll need to make sure your homeowners’ insurance includes liability. But if you are the one that got injured, hire a personal injury lawyer to get legal assistance.

We want you to be prepared

Buying a home is a long-term commitment. We want to partner with you to make sure you’re able to both keep and enjoy that commitment. Call us today and we’ll help you prepare for that move from renting to owning … eyes wide open, so that your purchase remains a lifelong joy.

Compliments of Virtual Results

When preparing to sell their home, a common question pops up. Homeowners want to know what they can do to get the maximum selling price on their home. Of course, the answer to “What can I do to increase my home’s value or get a better selling price?” is difficult to answer because each home has it’s own set of improvements, renovations or upgrades that might make the difference for it’s specific market. In general, however, potential improvements can be broken out by the amount the homeowner has available to spend and the return on investment, or R.O.I.

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Low cost improvements make a big difference when your home is structurally sound, but appears a little lived-in. Number one and two on this list are:

1. Clean, clean and then clean some more. A home that is not clean gives buyers the impression that your home also is not cared for. Dirt and grime on the surface makes them wonder about hidden mold, termites or other less visible problems. Wash walls, scrub bathrooms, make those windows sparkle, deep clean or at least spot clean the carpet. Be sure to dust ceiling fans and light fixtures, clear out cobwebs from corners and polish wood railings and floors.
2. De-clutter, remove and store. Buyers typically look for space, extra room and plenty of storage. Many potential purchasers do not have the ability to “feel” the size of a room when it is overfilled with furniture, toys, stacks of books or magazines and other collections of items common to an occupied home. They need you to remove as much clutter as possible so that they can visualize their own furniture fitting in that area.
3. De-personalize. Along with de-cluttering, removing family photos, children’s art, trophies, taxidermy, golf ball collections and other personal or less ordinary items gives your home the opportunity to appeal to a wider group of buyers. When your home appears to be a bachelor pad, a family or couple may be less inclined to see themselves in it, and when a house appears only family oriented, it may have less appeal to a work-from-home entrepreneur looking for extra office space.
4. Clear the yard. Remove any junk, broken patio furniture, play equipment and other debris from the exterior. You don’t know if a buyer is looking for a house or is looking for a yard for their children to play in, or a place for outdoor entertaining. A cluttered yard gives a first impression that is difficult to overcome, no matter how much you do to the interior. In addition, you should also pay attention to your landscaping.
5. Fix broken things. Broken outlet covers, screens and other items give buyers the notion that your home may need too much work. Make sure to have professional leak detection services spot leaking fixtures or pipes that may cause bigger problems in the future. Simply fixing that leaky faucet or running toilet, replacing a broken tile or piece of wood trim or otherwise repairing simple items boosts your home’s appeal. Make sure as well to check your roofing if it needs roofing replacement or repairs. This is the Best Roofer Nearby we have hired.

Call us …

Give us a call and we’ll walk through your home with you to give you ideas on the simple things you can do to improve your home’s value.

Compliments of Virtual Results

You walk into a home that potentially has the perfect layout, although the kitchen is dated, the floors need upgrading, the bathrooms are awkward … but the price is right and you’ve always wanted to customize a home … so you buy it with renovation in mind. How hard could it be? After all, those television shows kitchen remodeling an entire home over the course of a weekend.

You can live in the mess for a couple weeks, right?  with Loft Conversion Experts Cardiff the mess is the last thing you will be thinking when you see your space finished and ready. It is really important to hire professionals for your house or apartment renovation so you can transformed it the right way, make an improvement and make it more valuable and beautiful as you wish.

Adjust your timeline

If you’ve never lived through a renovation, you’ll be tempted to underestimate how long it will take. It is a mistake to think of renovation time in terms of how much labor you think it requires. For many projects, labor time is the least amount of time spent on the project.

Say what?

That’s right, a large number of projects like residential home, condominiums, knock down rebuild projects, etc. require far more non-physical-labor time than the actual construction work. There are approvals, plans, permits, shipping time for materials, weather delays, insurance certificates and myriad other preparations required far in advance of taking a hammer to the wall.

Hidden delays

Once you have all your plans and approvals in place, the next potential delay may come sooner than you think. Especially in kitchen and bath renovations, the possibility that plumbing or mold problems may upset your timeline increases and the need for a Plumbing System Repair might also be considered. No matter how old the home, broken pipes or seepage can cause massive problems that lay hidden behind the walls, fixtures and cabinets. Once you’ve opened them up, plumbing must be repaired. To handle all your bathroom plumbing issues, you may need the help of your local bathroom repair services.

Older homes may also need new wiring and other electrical upgrades to bring the renovations up to code. Don’t skimp on these areas just to hurry up the process. When the inspector reviews the work, you may end up with more delays having work torn out and redone to meet code. If your home’s renovations do not meet code requirements, you will find it difficult to sell your home later.

According to companies that offer ARLA | Asbestos Pipe Removal, Asbestos Roof Removal, depending on the age of your home, your renovations may expose lead or asbestos. The cleanup for either requires special certification in asbestos abatement and lead paint removal. Disposal requirements for either element may increase your bottom line as well, so plan for that contingency.

Stay or go

Homeowners sometimes fail to fully consider the ramifications of not having a bathroom or kitchen for weeks at a time. No only does it affect everyday life, it can pose a danger for children and pets. Not only can exposed asbestos or lead cause illness, but displaced tools, nails and other sharp objects may injure unsuspecting family members. During construction, expect a considerable amount of dust and debris. Clothing, dishware and other personal items may collect drywall dust. Breathing in dust, mold, and other detritus from construction can trigger respiratory illnesses.

You may need to plan for temporary shelter to keep family life running smoothly.

Hidden costs and other options

All of these delays can affect your bottom line. In fact, underestimating and not planning for contingencies can derail your renovation before it’s completed. In fact, underestimating construction costs is such a common problem that many contractors routinely factor in an additional 20% to 30% to protect their ability to realize a profit. If you’re doing the work yourself, these additional costs and delays can strain both your bank account and your patience.

If we know what you want, we may be able to find a home where someone else has done the renovating, or we can suggest contractors that will be helpful in working your way through potential upgrades and renovations before you move in.

For any home-related or construction needs and concerns, check out online sites like Silicon Bronze Machine Screws, machine screws are with a round, flat, or oval head. You can also find here nuts, bolts, washers, machine screws and more. Visit them now!

Your home is newly on the market this and you want to have an open house, but you don’t know how to show it best in the shorter autumn days. As the weather turns toward fall and winter, consider these ideas for making your open house bright, warm and welcoming.

Curb appeal

In the spring and summer, it’s easy to make the exterior of your home appealing by keeping the lawn green and trim, adding showy blooms to your flower beds and trimming the hedge. If your lawn is the type that goes dormant in the winter, you know it won’t look its best, but you can make sure it receives a final trim and has clean edges. Keep the leaves raked and bagged, and add fresh mulch to your flowerbeds and the bases of your trees.

To bring some color to your exterior, add some potted chrysanthemums—they come in a multitude of beautiful colors that can display your architecturally interesting porch, fill in blank spaces in your planters or hide pruned bushes. You can even add a little lawn decoration with hay bales, pumpkins, squash or gourds, mums and marigolds, and brightly colored foliage such as crotons. Avoid gaudy or garish decorations, however, as they can be a distraction.

Prepare for inclement weather

All the meteorologists in the world cannot predict with complete accuracy what the weather above your home will be on the day of your open house, so you need to plan for multiple contingencies. That means protecting your entryway from the mud and leaves that an unobservant guest may track in, having places for coats or umbrellas and other weatherproof gear. Here are some options to help:

• Place a welcome mat outside both the front and back doors especially designed to remove dirt from shoes and boots like this one from LLBean.
• Designate a place for wet outerwear. When potential buyers arrive during a downpour, it is important to let them know you have planned for them. Have empty hooks, or an empty coat closet available for their wet coats, scarves and hats.
• Place an umbrella stand just inside the door. If you have room, you can use a combination coat rack and umbrella stand. This decorative rack from the Home Depot has room for both in a stylish but heavy-duty construction.
• Once winter weather sets in, make sure your sidewalks are swept or shoveled, and that you have removed any ice from pathways and steps.

Create a warm and cheery environment

When it is cooler outside, buyers want to know that the furnace or radiators function. Avoid overheating your home, which can make it uncomfortable for buyers that keep their coats on. Aim for about 70°F. Be sure that windows are caulked and that there are no obvious drafts. If you have a gas fireplace, consider turning it on to add a cheery glow, but if your fireplace is wood-burning, consider using candles inside the fireplace instead since some buyers may be allergic to wood-smoke.

Finally, make sure your windows are clean and sparkling. Open drapes so buyers can see the view, and turn on lights in every room to chase away any dark shadows. You can add seasonal interest with a pretty wreath on the door and pumpkin or spice scents throughout the home.

We can help

When preparing your home for a fall open house, we can help you determine the best way to display your home’s special features.

Compliments of Virtual Results