Brian Ripp's Blog

Presale Improvements & Curb Appeal

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:33:54 -0700

Making exterior improvements to your home before putting it on the market will draw more potential buyers once it is listed. This is known as improving your home’s ‘curb appeal’, and because first impressions are important, it may help ensure a quick sale. But the first thing you need to do is decide how much time and money you are willing to invest in presale improvements.

You can go as far as resurfacing the driveway or applying a fresh coat of paint. The good news is that you should be able to recover the cost of these larger improvements in the sale.

If you’d rather not invest so much time and money, smaller improvements can also do a lot to improve the curb appeal. Try adding colorful flowers to your landscaping or simply adding potted flowers to your doorway. Painting the front door an inviting new color may attract potential buyers. Even polishing your doorknob and putting out a new doormat can help make a favorable first impression.

Budget Crunching

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:54:20 -0700

If you’re wondering where all your money goes, you’re not alone. Financial services company along with credit card management advisors surveyed more than 1,300 working people on their spending habits during the summer of 2012. Here’s some of what they discovered:

Rent/mortgage payments were cited by 83% of men and women as one of their top three monthly expenses. (Homeownership is also the single largest source of wealth for most Americans.) Credit card debt was a major expenditure as well, named by 28% of men and women. Car payments, on the other hand, weren’t in the top three lists of either males or females.

Only 38% of participants in the survey said they follow a monthly budget. Less than half said they didn’t know how much money they have available each month for discretionary spending. Among those who could name a figure, men tended to have more discretionary cash than women: $1,180 per month for men and $631 for women

Remove your Mortgage Insurance;

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:59:50 -0700

If you are carrying mortgage insurance on your home loan, you may be wondering how long you will need to maintain this policy. Although you have some say in the matter, typically your lender determines how long you will be required to carry this coverage.

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is designed to protect lenders in case borrowers default on their loan. Borrowers who put less than 20% down on the loan are generally required to carry this coverage.

If you are carrying PMI, there are some precautions you can take to avoid paying premiums beyond the necessary time. The must obvious thing is to ask your lender what will be required before you can drop the coverage. Some lenders require the insurance for a specific amount of time, such as five years. Others, however, require that you reach a certain amount of equity.

Make sure you know the value of your home. Appreciation alone can account for some increase in equity. You also should keep track of your payment schedule and your mortgage balance. Even if you discount the appreciation of your home, equity is likely being built with each payment.

Cleaning Tile tips;

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:56:01 -0800

Tile is a durable, versatile addition to any home. But even the toughest tile can get spots and stains from time to time. Here are some ways to clean your tile:

Remove mildew and make tiles sparkle by sponging with a solution of ammonia and water.
For stubborn stains, apply a paste of scouring powder and water, and let it sit for five minutes. Scrub with a nylon scrubbing pad, rinse and wipe dry. Avoid using a brush with stiff bristles, which could scratch the surface of the tiles.
to keep the grout joints on tile clean longer, wash with a solution of 1 to 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach in one quart of water. Dry thoroughly, and then apply an acrylic sealer or three coats of lemon oil. Let dry one hour between coats.
If tiles have a dull film, wash them with a solution of vinegar and water. Polish with a towel.

Start your 2013 Budget

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:55:32 -0800

Creating a household budgetis hardly a fun exercise, but it is a necessity, especially in these tough economic times. Determining where monthly paychecks go can help rein in bad spending habits and create new, fiscally friendly ones.

To start, financial planners suggest you gather a year’s worth of bills and loan payments to create a complete picture of your expenses. Make a list and assign each to a category, such as groceries, utilities, mortgage, auto and entertainment. Be sure to note when your spending increases throughout the year, such as around holidays or annual vacations.

Next, determine fixed and variable expenses. Fixed expenses have little to no change each month, such as mortgage, car payments or cable bills. Variable expenses change monthly – groceries, gas or personal expenses such as morning coffee runs.

Once you’ve sorted your expenses and calculated a monthly average, figure out your monthly income by checking your pay stubs and other sources of income. Ideally, your expenses should not be greater than your income. Your ultimate goal is to create a “zero-dollar budget” to see exactly where each dollar of your income goes. The money left over should be put into a savings account or used to pay down credit card debts.

When you’re through with this exercise, look for ways to build an emergency fund. Consider putting aside enough for three to six months’ living expenses. If this number to too daunting, set a goal for smaller amounts, like $1,000 to $3,000.

Mortgage Debt Forgiveness extended

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:11:41 -0800

Congress reached a settlement in the “fiscal cliff” negotiations. As a result, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act has been extended for another year. The measure will continue to exempt from taxation mortgage debt that is forgiven when homeowners and their mortgage lenders negotiate a short sale, loan modification (including any principal reduction) or foreclosure.

C.A.R. would like to thank the 26,296 California REALTORS® who sent messages to their members of Congress and made 1,862 calls in response to C.A.R.’s Call-for-Action.

Also under the agreement, so called “Pease Limitations” that reduce the value of itemized deductions are permanently repealed for most taxpayers but will be reinstituted for high income filers. These limitations will only apply to individuals earning more than $250,000 and joint filers earning above $300,000. The thresholds have been increased and are indexed for inflation so will rise over time. Under the formula, filers gradually lose the value of their total itemized deductions up to a total of a 20% reduction.

The reinstitution of these limits has far less impact on the mortgage interest deduction (MID) than a hard dollar deduction cap, percentage deduction cap, or reduction of the amount of MID that can be claimed.

Capital gains rates on the sale of principal residences will remain unchanged and continues to exclude the first $250,000 for single taxpayers and $500,000 for married couples.

from CAR website newsupdate

Kitchen Help

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 10:08:49 -0800

Pantries come in all shapes and sizes, from walk-in pantriesto slide-out drawers under your counters. Some homes feature a built-in pantry, but for those that don’t, creating one can be easier than you think.

For a makeshift pantry, consider converting a kitchen closet or cabinet into a pantry by adding shelves throughout the space. If you have an empty wall in or just outside the kitchen, consider hiring professionals to break through the wall and install shelves and a door.

Once you’ve figured out where the new pantry will go, organization is the key to making it useful and efficient. Start by thinking about your cooking habits, and place frequently used items on an eye-level shelf for easy access. Always making cookies? Put flour, sugar and mixing equipment on this shelf. If you entertain often, consider installing a wine rack on a side of the pantry with party necessities, such as a corkscrew, bottle stopper and rows of wine glasses.

Store dry items, such as rice, noodles or cereal, in labeled glass jars to keep them dry and easily visible. Other goods, such as flour or sugar, can go into large tubs with lids that can be stored either on the floor or o a shelf. For snacks, such as chips or popcorn, consider hanging a shoe rack on the outside of the panty door and putting the bags in the holders.

Holiday Hints

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:27:47 -0800

Selling your home during the holidays is tricky for several reasons. It’s not a popular home-buying time; homeowners often host out-of-town guests, which make it difficult to schedule showings; and agents and would-be buyers are busier than usual. But it is possible to make a sale during the holidays. Here are a few tips;

Keep decorations to a minimum. No matter your religious affiliation, it’s best not to show it off to potential buyers, who may not share the same views. If you have wrapped presents, consider putting them in a corner, away from view. If you must deck the halls, give in to your decorating urges with more neutral wintry pieces. Consider pinecones or snowflakes instead of garlands and colored lights.

Try not to plan open houses on or around Hanukah, Christmas or New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. When you do host an open house, make your home feel warm and inviting: Consider placing cookies and holiday-neutral drinks, such as hot chocolate or apple cider, out on a table for guests to take.

6 Tax facts Home Sellers should know

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:09:40 -0800

1. If you’ve owned and lived in your home for two of the five years prior to selling, you can generally exclude up to $250,000. of the gain from your income ($500,000. on a joint return, in most cases).

2. You are not eligible for this exclusion if you sold another principal residence within the past two years and excluded the allowable gain from your income.

3. If you can exlude ALL of the gain from the sale of your primary residence, you don’t need to reort the sale on your tax return.

4. If you have a gain on your principal residence that exceeds the allowable deduction, it is taxable.

5. You can’t deduct a loss from the sale of your primary residence.

6. Special rules may apply when you sell a home for which you’ve received the first-time home buyer credit. (see IRS publication 523, “selling you home” for details)

from CAR.org website

Make time for Flooring

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:18:40 -0800

You may not have time before your home goes on the market for all the home projects you’ve been putting off, but you should definitely make time for your floors.

Buyers looking at a home with hardwood floors want them to be in great shape, not warped, scratched or cracked. Home buyers will also notice cracked floor tiles in the bathroom, peeling vinyl flooring in the laundry room or stained wall-to-wall carpet in the bedroom. So it comes down to this: Start at the bottom and make sure your floors are in great condition. When it comes to tiles, go to your local hardware store for tubes of ointment that can lighten your grout. Your carpet might look much better with a professional steam cleaning, but if you have to replace it, choose a neutral color that will go with almost any type of decor.

Good Real Estate Advice

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:26:19 -0700

When shopping for a home, of course, you want to get the best property your money can buy. But sometimes, buying the best house on the block isn’t the wisest option. One smart real estate tip suggests buying the worst house on the best street. What does this mean and is it sound advice?

As a homebuyer, it’s a good idea to find a neighborhood that fits your needs – the right price range, close to work and schools, community activities, etc. For example, purchasing a home that is in need of some minor repairs, but is located in a desirable area may be a smart buy because as you make renovations or upgrades, the home will increase in value, like the other homes around it.

Finally, when buying or selling a home, it’s important to work with a knowledgeable and experienced real estate professional that will provide you with the information you need to make the right choices.

Healthy Landscaping

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:37:45 -0700

Trees and shrubs add visual appeal to any homeowner’s lawn or backyard – but only when they’re in tip-top shape. Better Homes & Gardens and HGTV offer some key maintenance tips.

Pruning

To keep plants lush and healthy, prune dead branches or leaves regularly. If a plant is already infected with a disease or pests, pruning can help prevent spreading and extend the plant’s life. Experts suggest dipping your pruning shears in bleach or rubbing alcohol in between cutes to further kill disease or pests.

When you prune depends on what kind of tree or shrub you have. The basic rule of thumb is to prune plants when they are not in bloom or are on the verge of blooming. For example, shade trees are best pruned in late fall, winter or early spring, when they’re typically leafless.

And keep in mind that while light pruning is OK to do on your own, it’s best to hire a professional if larger branches need to be cut.

Watering

Just planted a tree? If the tree is in its first two years, water it more frequently, since tree is expending energy to grow. Experts suggest 30 seconds with a steady stream of water from an ordinary garden hose. You can also add mulching to your regular routine to try and retain moisture.

One note of caution: be careful not to water trees as frequently as the grass. Too much watering can cause the tree roots to grow too close to the surface, which means that the water is actually suffocating the roots.

Pest Control

The most important thing you can do to maintain a pest-free environment is to check your plants thoroughly for insects and oddities – such as black spots on the leaves or holes in the wood – on a regular basis. Anything amiss could mean the plant has been infested with pests. Experts suggest periodically blasting leaves with a hose to shake off any clinging pests.

4 Common Pricing Mistakes

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:27:29 -0700

1) Pricing too high from the start.

Fix: Statistics show that homes priced correctly when they first hit the market sell closer to the asking price than homes that start too high, then have to adjust downward.

2) Using an odd list price, like $683,257.

Fix: Always price in round numbers. Agents search for homes using price categories, make sure your pricing makes sense when agent search a window of $250,000 – 350,000, for example.

3) Not basing your price on sold homes

Fix: Searching actual “Solds” is the only true pricing guide. A home can be listed for any amount – that doesn’t mean the home will ever sell for that amount.

4) Refusing to negotiate.

Fix: Your asking price should have some built-in flexibility. Otherwise, you’re bound to turn away and turn off some serious buyers.

Gutter Check

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:47:00 -0700

For most homeowners, cleaning the gutters is near the bottom of the to-do list. But keeping your gutters clean can really save you a lot of headaches; overflowing gutters can damage roofs and wreak havoc on your foundation.

Keeping the water flowing properly isn’t as big a deal as you might think. And if you clean your gutters every six months, you’ll save yourself time and money.

According to www.hgtv.com, you can tell if a gutter needs cleaning by looking up at the gutter’s top, outside rim. If it is discolored, there’s a buildup and water is not flowing as it should.

* To clean the gutters, use a ladder. Make sure to be safe and cautious around power lines. If you fell unsafe or uncomfortable, hire a professional.

* There are several ways to clean gutter. One is to simply put on a pair of gloves and dig the debris out by hand and rinse it with your hose. Or you can use barbeque tongs or make a scoop by cutting a plastice, two-liter soda bottle.

* To dispose of the debris, hang a bucket on the ladder with a bungee cord or lay a tarp on the ground to catch the falling debris. When you’re done, just roll up the tarp and empty it into the trash.

Home Owner Insurance on the Rise

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:30:04 -0700

Home insurance premiums rose 19% in 2011. In an analysis of 15,000 policies sold in the US in 2011, homeowners paid an average of $810 for their monthly home insurance premium in December 2011, up from an average of $682 in January 2011. On average, homeowners nationwide paid $128 more per year for new homeowners’ insurance than they did at the begining of 2011. However, some individual states fared worse. In Mississippi, Montana and New Mexico, new insurance policies in December 2011 had premiums that were 29% to 39% higher than those sold in January 2011. Consumers may be able to reduce premiums by shopping around and asking their insurance agent if they are eligible for discounts, such as a home-auto insurance package, which can provide substantial savings.

Protecting the American Dream

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:21:34 -0700

The National Association of Home Builders has launched a new website, www.ProtectHomeownership.com, to inform consumers about the various tax, legislative and regulatory policies under consideration by Congress that could change the structure of homeownership and inspire the public to take action to protect it. The site also documents homeownership’s importance to individual households and to local, state and national governments by providing various economic reports and data, poll questions and frequently asked questions. It offers multiple ways for consumers to help protect this aspect of American life, including signing an online petition urging policy makers to keep housing a national priority, participating in local community rallies, and getting involved in social media communities on Facebook and Twitter that are focused on protecting home ownership.

Top 10 Legal Mistakes Home Sellers Make

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:12:36 -0700

1. Accepting the buyer with the highest offer without regard to the other contractual terms.

2. Not properly handling multiple offer situations with multiple buyers.

3. Not properly handling back-up offers.

4. Entering into an agreement with no earnest money deposit from the buyer, or a very small amount.

5. Entering into an agreement before verifying the buyer’s financial ability to close escrow.

6. Not disclosing known material facts affecting value or desirability of the property.

7. Not providing the buyer with legally required disclosures.

8. Not obtaining the buyer’s written acknowledgment of disclosures.

9. Not considering whether to require the buyer to remove contingencies.

10. Not excluding items from the sale that the seller wants to keep.

A Guide to Homeowner Associations

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:39:27 -0700

Depending on where you purchase a home, you may buy in an area that has a homeowner’s association. These associations are formed to improve and maintain the quality of the area by enforcing mutually agreed upon regulations that affect residents within the community as well as such community-ownedpieces of property as ponds, pools, greenbelts, walkways and roads.

Managed by an elected board of volunteers, the association often oversees exterior structures, roofing and other building components. Services provided by the organization may include lawn care and driveway maintenance.

When you buy a home in an association-managed development, you’re subject to its written bylaws. You’re also obligated to pay a fee, which is determined by the association and typically paid monthly. As a homeowner, you will likely be encouraged to attend the meetings during which policies and issues will be decided, and you will be allowed to vote on amendments to the bylaws. In most cases, you may also attend board meetings to address a particular issue if arrangements are made in advance.

It’s wise to request a copy of the bylaws before purchasing a home in such a community, and read them carefully.

Top 10 Home Safety Tips

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:50:57 -0700

Make sure your home is a safe and happy place for you and your family with these ten tips from the Home Safety Council:

Prevent Falls:

1. Keep stairs and walkways well lit & clear of obstacles.

2. Install grab bars & non-slip mats in your bathtubs & showers.

Prevent Poisonings:

3. Keep cleaners, medications and any other possibly toxic materials in a secure place where children can’t reach them. Use child safety locks.

4. For Poison Help, call 1-800-222-1222. Post this number & other important numbers near every phone in your home. Teach children to dial “911” and what to do in case of an emergency.

Prevent Fires & Burns:

5. Install fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Check batteries at least twice a year and practice fire drills.

6. Use caution when burning candles and while cooking. Never leave an open flame or heat source unattended.

7. Set your water heater to 120 degrees to avoid scalding.

Prevent Choking & Suffocation:

8. Don’t put pillows, extra blankets or toys in a baby’s crib.

9. Anything that can fit in a child’s mouth is a potential choking hazard. Keep small items out of reach.

10. Always watch children carefully when they are near water. Even a few inches of water can be dangerous.

Sellers Happy in West Coast Markets

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:12:33 -0700

Eight West Coast cities are among the top 10 sellers’ markets in the country, led by San Jose, Calif., San Francisco and Las Vegas, according to Zillow. In sellers’ markets, homes tend to sell close to the asking price and listings spend less time on the market. At the other end of the spectrum, Midwestern cities Chicago, Milwaukee and Cleveland are the top buyers’ markets, with homes taking longer to sell and buyers receiving average discounts of 5 percent off the asking price.

Zillow analyzed data based on sale-to-list price ratio, number of days on market, and percent of homes on market with a price cut. Then Zillow ranked the 50 largest metro areas to determine whether buyers or sellers have more negotiating power in a given market.

“It’s refreshing to see some markets swinging back in favor of sellers, with asking prices being met and listings spending fewer days on markets,” says Zillow chief economist Stan Humphries. “The housing recession has been long and rocky, and we’re seeing more balance during this summer selling season. Of course, many markets are still firmly in favor of buyers, and we expect that to continue until the recovery takes more of a hold nationwide,” Humphries says.

National news from my CRS Connect on-line newsletter

Home Improvements:

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:09:21 -0700

A growing number of homeownersare focusing on using their home space more efficiently and personalizing it to suit their lifestyle, according to a survey by Better Home & Gardens. More than one-third of homeowners (38%) surveyed say they are spending more time planning design changes for their home, up from 33% a year ago, while 42% say they shop around for more deals and bargains before committing to a project, up from 40% who did so in 2011.

The survey finds that social media site such as Pinterest play a key role in the planning process for many homeowners who look to such sites for design inspirations, product reviews, creative ideas and solutions for using space. Consumers say they prefer a home with median square footage of 1791 square feet, down from 1,846 sq.ft. a year ago. Bonus rooms and media rooms are no longer as popular unless they have a multifunctional purpose.

More than half of homeowners (55%) as focusing their next home improvement project on style upgrades for countertops, flooring, faucets and fixtures, up from 50% in 2010. Projects to expand storage space and remodel the bathroom and kitchen also rank high.

(from May/June CRS magazine)

Home buyers looking toward foreclosures

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:04:38 -0700

The stigma attached to buying a foreclosure seems to be fading. According to a new survey released by Realtor.com, nearly two-thirds of homebuyers (64.9 percent) say they are likely to buy a foreclosure compared to 25.3 percent who said the same in October 2009. A majority of buyers (92.1 percent) say they plan to live in these properties rather than use them as investments. Realtor.com attributes the increased demand for foreclosure properties to reduced supply of homes on the market, expectations of rising home prices and changing attitudes toward foreclosures.

However, many Americans remain concerned about the large number of foreclosures on the market. More than half (55.7 percent) worry that the 1.5 million backlogged foreclosures expected to be released by major lenders will drive down home values in their local markets. Midwesterners (62.2 percent) are more concerned than residents in the nation’s other three regions.

Foreclosure data varies considerably from one study to the next, but according to Realtor.com, foreclosures have declined 34 percent nationwide in the past 12 months. Still, most Americans say they have not seen improvement in foreclosure activity in their local markets. Nearly half of those surveyed believe the foreclosure situation is about the same today compared to a year ago. While 34.9 percent of Americans are concerned that they or someone they know will lose their home to foreclosure within the next year, that figure is far below March 2009 when 52.5 percent of Americans expressed this same concern.

(from my CRS Connect on line newsletter)

Be Nice

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:41:38 -0700

In sometimes-complicated relationships between residents and their condo or homeowner associations, neighborly love can go only so far. When it comes to association decorum, the more you know about the CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions), the better. It’s the homeowner’s job to reinforce these governing rules and regulations, which can easily pit residents against association members. Here are a few hot-button issues that, according to Realty Times and Condobenefits.com, are important to keep in mind:

Pets. Many condominiums restrict the permitted size and number of pets, if they allow them at all. Check in with the head of the association before bringing any four-legged friends home, and take note of any restrictions–such as the proper way to clean up after your pets and whether they’re allowed to stay outside for any period of time.

Parking. Take note that beyond your four walls, the land is not all yours–including your driveway. What are the parking restrictions for residents? For guests? Have the conversation before guests arrive to ensure that vehicles are out of the fellow residents’ way. Keep in mind that many condos limit the number of cars to reflect the number of residents in the home.

Maintenance. There are two areas to consider: What does the association take care of, and what is your responsibility? Typically, condo owners can rely on workers hired through the condo association t help maintain the exterior of their home, including painting, roof repairs, lawn maintenance and trash collection. But depending on association rules, sweeping your porch by Tuesday afternoon each week or setting the trash on the curb (not the end of your driveway) before Monday morning might be mandatory. Find out the specifics to avoid future headaches.

Fees. All associations have monthly or annual fees that residents must pay. But dig a little deeper and find out what happens if you accidentally break a rule. The last surprise you want is a letter stuck to your door telling you to pay up or risk eviction. Additionally, keep in mind if your building is due for a code upgrade–every five, 10 or 20 years, condo associations can charge residents large fees written into the minutiae of the CC&Rs.

The benefits of working with a Real Estate agent

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:45:40 -0700

If you are considering buying or selling a home, you may think you will “save some money” and do it yourself. But did you know that by using a knowledgeable real estate professional, you are more likely to save not only money, but also valuable time and energy? With the many tasks you are currently trying to juggle, do you have the sales skills – not to mention the contacts and resources – to do it on your own? Instead of trying to take on more work for yourself, think about what a real estate representative can do for you.

As buyers, you know what your financial reserves are and what your future earning potential may be. You can give your real estate professional information about your income, saving and current debt. Then, your agent can take that information to help you make a choice about which homes best meet all of your needs, and to offer you objective information about homes that are on the market.

If you are selling property, a real estate representative will be aware of ways you can significantly increase the salability of your home. In addition, a real estate professional knows how, when and where your property should be advertised.

As a real estate professional, I can help with all of your buying and selling needs

6 worth-the-price fix ups for your home

Brian Ripp, Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty) — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:00:06 -0700

Simple and affordable do-it-yourself projects can greatly increase a home’s resale value, according to HomeGains annual home improvement and staging survey. The marketing company surveyed nearly 600 real estate professionals to discover which DIYhome improvement projects five sellers the biggest return for their buck.

Here are the six projects under $1,000 (approx.) that made the list.

Cleaning and decluttering. Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and make the home sparkling clean.
Brightening. Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
Smart staging. Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, incorporate artwork, and play soft music in the background.
Landscaping enhancements. Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and back yards by adding bark mulch, bushes, and flowers and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared and manicured.
Repairing electrical or plumbing. Fix leaks under the sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition.
Replacing or shampooing dirty carpets. Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any floor creaks.