OnlyMark's Real Estate Blog

Free Home Staging Tips for a Faster Sale

2008-01-21T16:31:52Z

Even if you can't afford to hire a home staging expert you can still benefit from these free home staging tips. The key is to view your listed home through the eyes of the buyer.

1. First Impressions count!

Roll out the red carpet for potential homebuyers by sprucing up your entryways, especially the one on a lockbox. Welcome mats, planters filled with seasonal flowers, and clutter-free foyers and hallways set the stage.

2. Sell the space, not your stuff!

Remember that the goal of a successful showing is to make a prospect feel at home- like it's theirs, not yours. Put away your extensive personal collections. Less is more: open up your space so prospects can actually see what they're buying.

3. Paint and elbow grease work wonders!

Fresh paint and a thorough cleaning will give you the greatest "bang for your buck." Remember that neutral walls are your best bet when staging a home for sale. Check out lowes.com for fun tools like the Paint Visualizer http://www.valsparatlowes.com/coordinate-colors.html.

4. Go with the flow.

Arrange furniture for easy traffic flow. Consider placing a major piece of furniture at an angle, such as a couch or desk. Angles add interest and can create a more open feel.

5. See the light.

Move lamps to dark corners and arrange window treatments so that natural light floods your rooms. Brighter is better, and your rooms will look larger.

6. Go Green.

Live plants can add decorative flair, without spending a bundle. Adding a few plants or cut flowers have a way of warming up a room.

7. Don't forget the outdoors, especially this time of year.

If you have a porch, deck or patio, clean the furniture and replace worn cushions. Breathe new life into your deck with a fresh finish.
"Happy to help with all your Real Estate needs!" - Mark DeRousie, Associate Broker, CRS, ABR, GRI, derousie@olypen.com (360) 457-6600

8. Make the kitchen sparkle.

De-clutter the countertops by removing toasters, food processors and other non-decorative items. If you have a breakfast table or counter, put out a couple of table settings complete with place mats, napkins and dinnerware.

9. Warm up an empty home.

If you home is vacant, consider renting furniture for key rooms, but don't go overboard.

Patience and tidiness are the key elements when selling a home. De-cluttering may see overwhelming at first but just consider it a jump start on the packing.

Winter 2007 Newsletter

2007-12-14T15:20:11Z

Happy Holidays!
I hope you too were able to take sometime out over the Thanksgiving weekend to reflect on how thankful we all should be to live in our wonderful state, county, city.
Our Realtor Oktoberfest raised nearly $11,000 for the Food Bank & was a wonderful time to socialize with other Realtors & affiliate members. Thank you for your donations.
The Real Estate Market is slower in December-January with fewer homes on the market & many people just too busy to worry about buying or selling. Those who take advantage of this time can reap rewards on either side of the Real Estate transaction (sale). The weather, interest rates & stock market can all have huge effects this time of year. One constant is that prices will continue to rise over the term. A good buy today can be a great buy tomorrow. We have some great employment prospects lining up & we have ample inventory to house newcomers to our area.
Finally, Thank you!! You are the most important factor of our business. The pleasure we feel when a sale/purchase closes is very satisfying & to have happy customers is The Best.
A special thank you to Melissa as I feel confident you are being served when she assists you.
From our families to your families,
Thank you, Have a safe & Happy Holiday and Happy New Year!
~Mark DeRousie
"Happy to help with all your Real Estate needs!" - Mark DeRousie, Associate Broker, CRS, ABR, GRI, Coldwell Banker Uptown Realty,derousie@olypen.com (360) 417-2806

Fall Newsletter

2007-10-04T14:03:51Z

October brings scary times like Halloween and of course REAL ESTATE TAXES.

Some would think the Real Estate market could be scary but I think there is opportunity for buyers

and sellers alike. At this time while certain areas of the market continue with price adjustments the fact

is we have a great inventory. If you are "spit shined" and start off "priced right" you will outsell the competition.

Selling and buying in the same market place makes perfectly good sense. We constantly hear the target area of

growth continues to be the 2^nd home market. The "baby boomers" grow into "snowbirds" or year round get away

property buyers.

The Real Estate investment market- houses, duplexes, and 4-plexs will continue to grow as a place to put

investment dollars and property management will be a fact of life for boomers.

Our website growth continues as our best traffic area of advertising. We continue to pour $$ into this avenue.

Print advertising will be more useful to drive traffic to websites where the "real advertising" and info is.

Melissa & I have had a very busy year helping our customers and want to take a moment to thank you all for

your loyalty. We want and intend to spend our time with our existing customers first as you are the backbone

of our business. We appreciate your referrals. We continue to promise our hard work, creative/positive thinking,

and results that have become are our trademark.

"Happy to help with all your Real Estate needs!" - Mark DeRousie, Associate Broker, CRS, ABR, GRI, derousie@olypen.com (360) 417-2806

Summer Newsletter

2007-07-13T12:35:15Z

Thank you for your donations and support for the ACS Relay for Life. Another moving event at the fairgrounds raising over $$$$$$ for the war against cancer. The Realtors placed 3rd with their efforts collection $6,000

The Real Estate Market is ever changing with several false starts in February & April and now seems to be back in normal gear. The Port Angeles market is a good even market for realistic buyers and sellers. It continues with the best choice of new homes we have had available in quite some time.

A huge thank Andy & Bonnie Terris (Glenn Terra, Inc.) for bringing quality, affordable homes to our marketplace. They have been very professional and at the same time down to earth, listening to Realtor and buyer comments. Melissa & I have enjoyed working closely with them.

Drive by curb appeal & a well maintained interior will continue to command best price and shortest market time for pre-owned properties.

Interest rates remain low and now there is talk about them increasing again.

Please fell free to call me anytime to view a property or just talk about the market. This is what we do for our good customers. You are our number one priority- taking care of existing & past customers & clients.

Enjoy your summer,

Mark DeRousie

Associate Broker, CRS, ABR, GRI, derousie@olypen.com (360) 417-2806

Got MOLD?

2007-05-22T13:18:41Z

Got MOLD?

There's no way to sugercoat it: Mold is an unwelcome guest in any home. Mold can show up without warning, even in the cleanest of homes. Mold is a type of fungus that grows from tiny spores that float in the air. It can grow almost anywhere there is moisture and a temperature of between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The most common type of mold, called mildew, is easy to spot. It's the black stuff you see in the grout lines in your shower, on damp walls and outdoors on the surface of deck boards and painted siding, especially in damp and shady areas. To test for mildew, dab a few drops of household bleach on the blackened area. If it lightens after one to two minutes, you have mildew. If the area remains dark, it's probably just dirt.

Besides being unslightly, mold can cause health problems, including hay fever-type symptoms such as sneezing, running nose, red eyes and skin rash. More seriously, mold can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allegic to mold.

To get rid of minor mold and mildew infestations, disinfect the area with a mild bleach and water solution, then seal with several coats of primer/sealer and repaint with washable paint. Improving the ventilation in damp areas of your home, such as the bathroom, will tend to minimize mold problems. For more extensive mold infestations, contact a professional who can help you determine the best way to deal with it.

"Happy to help with all your Real Estate needs!" - Mark DeRousie, Associate Broker, CRS, ABR, GRI, derousie@olypen.com (360) 417-2806

"Trendy"

2007-04-20T16:12:48Z

"TRENDY"

Everyone wants to at some point during homeownership to makes changes to their home. Why not think about future resale? Not everyone tastes are the same but a little forethought could make a difference. Trendy is good but as you know trends come and go. But these trends appeal to most people.

According to Case Design/ Remodeling, Inc., here are a few of the biggest trends to watch in 2007:

*Faucets. Personalized design is aimed at providing homeowners with a relaxing environment while they bathe or shower.
*Concrete and glass countertops. Concrete can take any shape, a plus for designers, and it is not as costly as some other natural stone materials. Glass--in all shapes, colors, thicknesses and textures--is also showing up in ultra-modern kitchen designs.
*Outdoor kitchens. Whether built from ground up or on an existing patio, outdoor kitchens boost resale value and offer limitless possibilities.
*Energy-efficient materials and appliances. Windows and doors, washing machines, dishwashers, ranges and refrigerators feature sleek designs, innovation and all the latest amenities to help homeowners become more energy- and resource- efficient and save money.
"Happy to help with all your Real Estate needs!" - Mark DeRousie, Associate Broker, CRS, ABR, GRI, Coldwell Banker Uptown Realty,derousie@olypen.com (360) 417-2806
Article from Your Home, March 2007

Open House & Privacy

2007-03-16T11:10:25Z

Open Houses & Privacy

An open house can be a great way to sell your house. It can also be an open invitation to prying eyes.

To keep your personal life, "personal" here are some steps you can take to snoop-proof your house when prospective buyers are around:

1. Clear away mail and paperwork from all surfaces (desk-tops, countertops, coffee table). Lock up extra-sensitive documents (bank statements, passport, social security card, etc.).

2. Remove diplomas and personal photos from your walls.

3. Store family heirlooms. You don't want your personal effects to distract buyers. A tidy and uncluttered space will help them imagine themselves in the home.

4. Organize closets. Some visitors have no qualms about opening closets and cabinets and peeking into other generally off-limit areas. Be prepared by making sure those hidden areas are in tip-top shape.

"Happy to help with all your Real Estate needs!" - Mark DeRousie, Associate Broker, CRS, ABR, GRI, derousie@olypen.com (360) 417-2806
(excerpt from March/April 2007, The Residential Specialist, P54)

Quick Fix [up]

2007-02-16T16:56:35Z

Here are five improvements you can make that may help your home sell faster in a cooling market:

Create a welcoming entrance. Make sure your front door is clean, polish the hardware (or replace it if necessary) and repaint the door if it is in poor shape. Finally, add a new doormat, update your mailbox, and place attractive greenery or flowers on either side of the door.
Remove clutter and put it in storage. Box up anything you won't use in the next few months (including holiday decorations, seasonal clothing or sports equipment, old toys, etc.) and send it to a storage facility.
Replace outdated window treatments with simple white mini-blinds or wood blinds cut-to-measure at a home center. This is fairly simple fix that can refresh your rooms in just one weekend.
Update your storage space with closet systems so the closet looks organized, not cluttered.
Have wood floors professionally cleaned and polished. If you have worn, dirty, or badly colored carpeting with wood underneath, tear it out and expose the wood.

Buying or selling a home can seem like an overwhelming task. As a CRS designated Realtor I can make this process easier. Visit my website at www.onlymark.com I am always "Happy to help with your Real Estate needs!"