1. Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too.

2. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of the home.

3. Keep everything extra clean. A clean house will make a strong first impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been well-cared for. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. It’s worth hiring a cleaning service if you can afford it.

4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows to air out the house. Potpourri or scented candles will help.

5. Brighten your rooms. Put higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to brighten up rooms and basements. Replace any burned-out bulbs in closets. Clean the walls, or better yet, brush on a fresh coat of neutral color paint.

6. Don’t disregard minor repairs. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Add a touch of color in the living room.  A colored afghan or throw on the couch will jazz up a dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa.

10. Buy a flowering plant and put it near a window you pass by frequently.

11. Make centerpieces for your tables. Use brightly colored fruit or flowers.

12. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture living there. For example, in the basement you might display a chess game in progress.

13. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show off the view if you have one.

14. Accentuate the fireplace. Lay fresh logs in the fireplace or put a basket of flowers there if it’s not in use.

15. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new towels, and fancy guest soaps. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight.

16. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (ideally in the basement), and let the real estate practitioner know where they’ll be to eliminate surprises.

17. Lock up valuables, jewelry, and money. While a real estate salesperson will be on site during the showing or open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time.

18. Leave the home. It’s usually best if the sellers are not at home. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.

Reprinted from REALTOR magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag) with permissionof the National Association of REALTORS. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved

This big 3.75 acre lot for sale in Anderson South Carolina has room for privacy right in town. Wooded lot in Hanna District. Underground utilities curbed street, protective covenants. Almost at the end of cul-de-sac with nice homes all around. One of the few lots left in Kings Grant. Asking $54900

Well by now you may have put the Halloween decorations up and hopefully eaten the last remnants of the candy. I am sure you have seen some of the retailers putting their holiday displays out as soon as the Halloween display was taken down. It bother me to see retailers because they are doing this just to make money.

But one local Anderson tradition that is about not making money but raising money is only weeks away. I hope if you have never seen the Anderson Lights of Hope that you will take the time one evening to check them out.

Some of the great organizations that will benefit from the donations at the gate this year are:

• Anderson/Oconee Speech & Hearing
• Cancer Association of Anderson
• Hope Ministries of Oconee County
• Living Without Limits
• The Free Clinic-DCEC Circle of Friends
• Habitat for Humanity-Anderson/Clemson
• Toys for Tots
• Awareness for Inclusion-Womens Shelter
• Clemson Food Bank
• Anderson Interfaith Ministries

The event is located really close to I-85 and super easy to find. It is at Darwin Wright Park, which is off Liberty Highway at exit 21. Just get off I-85 at exit 21 and head towards Anderson. You will turn left at the redlight before you cross over Hartwell Lake. The Lights of Hope will be opening on Thanksgiving Day 2009 at 530pm.

This fantastic charity event is run by an all volunteer staff and your donations at the gate are going to many great local causes. Please do yourself a favor and drive down!

To find out more or if you have any questions please visit their website at Anderson Lights of Hope

Bring the horses! Incredible chance to buy 7.47 acres of land in a restricted neighborhood of fine homes. Only minutes from downtown Anderson. Large white oaks and a creek in the back of the property. Asking $52000

Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are big factors in determining whether you’ll qualify for a loan and what your loan terms will be. So, keep your credit score high by doing the following:

1. Check for and correct any errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management.

2. Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. Transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score.

3. Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.

4. Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You’re penalized less for problems after a year.

5. Don’t order items for your new home on credit — such as appliances and furniture — until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt.

6. Don’t open new credit card accounts before applying for a mortgage. Too much available credit can lower your score.

7. Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications can lower your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are counted as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time.

8. Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest is high and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit management.

This information is copyrighted by the Fannie Mae Foundation and is used with permission of the Fannie Mae Foundation. To obtain a complete copy of the publication, Knowing and Understanding Your Credit, visit www.homebuyingguide.org.

I hope you will all plan to start your Christmas shopping early with 27 local and regional artisans at the Mistletoe Market at the Anderson County Museum.  The Friday's "Sip and Shop" is from 4-8 p.m.  Get an early start on Saturday at 9 a.m. and shop until 5 p.m.  All the vendors look forward to seeing you this weekend.  While you're at Anderson County Museum, check out the new exhibit Trade Street while shopping at the Mistletoe Market.  Admission is free, but artisans hope you find lots of treasures to take home. 

Also I read that Tom Craig, author of Upcountry SC Goes to War will be signing his book on Sat the 7th from 1-3pm.

You can also help someone in need when you come by bringing non -perishable food items.  The Museum will deliver all the donations to the Good Neighbor Cupboard. There will be free admission, free parking and plenty of wonderful items to help you get a head start on your holiday shopping!

For more information call the Anderson County Museum at 864-260-4737

I just found out that the Foothills Playhouse in Easley is going to be presenting the wild and crazy comedy "They Came From Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in Time for the Townswomen's Guild's Coffee Morning."  It sure is a long title, but it sounds like a funny story.

The story is about a group of Farmsdale Avenue ladies attempting to put on a unique production of a sci fi thriller. High tech effects going awry and the limited talents of some of the Dramatic Society ensure laughs as the the cast struggles to perform. The tear jerking culmination has hysterical audiences on the edges of their seats.  Call 864-855-1817 to make reservations or visit their website at www.easleyfoothillsplayhouse.com.

Performances on November 6 and 7 are at 8 p.m. with the November 8 matinee at 3 p.m.

Foothills Playhouse is located in the Old West End Elementary School at 201 S. 5th Street in Easley.

• Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks ahead of the move. 

• Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of your change of address.

• Create a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified about your move.

• Arrange to disconnect utilities and have them connected at your new home.

• Cancel the newspaper, or change the address so it will arrive at your new home.

• Check insurance coverage for the items you’re moving. Usually movers only cover what they pack.

• Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.

• Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.

• Check with your condo or co-op about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits for moving. 

• Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.

Plus, if you’re moving out of town, be sure to:

• Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets.

• Get copies of children’s school records for transfer.

• Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your new neighborhood.

• Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.

• Let a friend or relative know your route.

• Empty your safety deposit box.

• Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you’re moving in cold weather.

This handy checklist is reprinted with permission from REALTOR magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag) with the permission of the National Association of REALTORS Copyright 2008. All rights reserved

Great Business Location in Sandy Springs SC

This building for sale in the Sandy Springs area of Pendleton SC is a great location for any business. The building is in great shape and in a high traffic location right off Hwy 76 between Anderson & Clemson. Owner will consider owner financing with 10% down to qualified buyers. Surrounded by stores and other businesses, this is a great opportunity! Asking $225000

Property marketed by Mark Brian, Realtor @ Silver Star Real Estate 864-353-1253 To see more pictures and details of this property please visit Pendleton SC Commercial Building for Sale