Brentwood Parks and Recreation Daddy Daughter Dance

Ten things to remove before listing...

Everyone has heard rumors of de-cluttering when it's time to sell your home. But, what does that really mean?  Before going hog wild and moving out... here's a few of the most important things to consider removing before you list your home for sale.

10. Personal photos. I don't always recommend removing photos of the 'family' but if you have hallways filled with photos or photos on every end table it is probably necessary. Buyers really DO get distracted by them. They will take them all in as they walk down the hall. Not only do they take away from the home, but it's really disturbing when a buyer is excited to 'know' the sellers. And, the buyers do look at them.

9. Bills and personal papers. I understand that you cannot remove these document from the home all together, but please take the time to organize them, box them up and put them out of sight. If you have bills laying out on the counter or kitchen table it's like an invitation for the buyers to 'peek' at them. Believe me - I discourage it - but it still happens. And as a seller you just don't want to leave the temptation behind.

8. Money. I would love to say that every buyer (and Realtor) going through every home is honest, but I really don't want to test those waters. If you have cash, cash boxes or coin jars sitting out in the open... put them away. It's just better for everyone if it's out of sight. As Realtors we do what we can to protect your home, but your help makes a difference!

7. Valuables. Jewelry, watches, valuable antiques.... anything that might be worth a bit of money that you wouldn't want to lose. Out of sight, out of mind. If buyers don't know they are there they won't think about it. I can't tell you how many homes I've been in where the jewelry is left on the dresser.... somehow it's uncomfortable. At least put it away.

6. Guns and ammo. I don't care if they are in a case or out laying around or under a bed. It's better if you just plain old remove them from the home prior to listing. For some reason they make buyers (in my experience) feel really insecure.

5. Shoes! If you have a pile of shoes at the door... ask yourself why. A pile of shoes gives a buyer two impressions. The first? That there isn't enough storage in your home. 2. That there are too many people living in the home. So, in order to avoid wondering on the part of the buyer... just put them away.

4. Medicine. Take it out. Don't store it on the counter. Don't store it in the cabinet. Don't store it in the bathroom. Remove it. There have been many complaints over the years of potential buyers 'stealing' the medicine out of the cabinets. I have never had it happen on my time clock, but to avoid any trouble it's best to simply remove it.

3. All things on your kitchen counter. Everything? Really? Yup. The cleaner you can leave the counter, the more buyers dream of being in there. Have you ever been in a cluttered kitchen? Does it feel inviting? How about a cleaned up kitchen? Does it make you wanna spend time there? Also, if you store things on the counter it gives the appearance that you do not have enough storage space.

2. No more junk drawers. Seriously. Clean 'em out. There is nothing more tacky than a potential buyer opening the cupboards and drawers and having things sticking out everywhere. Box up all the notes, pens, tacks, and odds and ends and put them away. Chances are you don't dig in the drawer often anyways.

1. Nothing but magnets.... and maybe not even that. Take a photo of your fridge, take everything off, wash the front (and side), and take another photo. It is really refreshing to walk into a home that has a clean fridge. The kids pictures are beautiful (believe me... my fridge is covered in them) but buyer's can't imagine their own children's drawing on there if it is covered with yours. And, the magnets... If they aren't decorative (and even then) they are generally more of a distraction to the room than a help. Consider it.

There are many more ways to declutter a home for sale... but these are some important things to consider. For more information on selling your home in Minnesota... give me a call.

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                 In the meantime... if you are looking to move into the area... I'll wait for you to call!

Selling Real Estate in Minnesota!

If you are looking for professional real estate services I am only a ring away! I am looking forward to working with you. And, please feel free to share my name with anyone that you know who needs assistance buying or selling a home ~ I love referrals!

                                                   Lindsey Hasford, REALTOR
                                                        Coldwell Banker Vision
                                             231 Main Street - Elk River - MN 55330
                                          763-241-5488 (office)  763-218-1347 (cell)
                                           lindseyhasford@coldwellbankervision.com
                                                  http://www.hasfordhomes.com

Kirkwood's SUNSET 44 BISTRO

Garbage disposals. Do you have one. Do you know how to use it correctly?

Garbage disposals. Do you have one. Do you know how to use it correctly?

There are a lot of home out there with garbage disposals.

And there are a lot of home owners who don't know how to use a disposal the correct way.

Routinely, while conducting inspections of the kitchen appliances and plumbing piping at the kitchen cabinet, I will run the garbage disposer and check the hot water control location (left) simultaneously.

A homeowner recently became very concerned when she observed me conducting this ritual. I politely asked if something was wrong and she replied, "I've always been told you never run hot water into your garbage disposal."

Well, while there is some merit to what she was alluding to, it deserves further explanation.

Here's the short list of when to use cold water or when not to use hot:

• DO grind food waste with a strong flow of cold water. It will cause any grease or oils to solidify, making them 'choppable', able to be cut up before reaching the P-trap.

• DON'T use hot water when grinding food waste. Hot water causes grease and oils to liquify and accumulate, causing drains to eventually clog.

• It is OKAY to use hot water when cleaning the disposer. We have detailed previously about using equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda, then flushing with boiling water. Also, a sink full of hot water and dishwashing soap (free of food debris) released into an operating disposer is acceptable for cleaning.

• There is no issue with running hot water into an operating disposer, if not grinding food wastes.

 

Clint  McKie

Owner of Desert Sun Home Inspections Carlsbad, New mexico. Serving all of South East New Mexico

When it comes to Quality home inspections. Simply put, we are the best.

1-575-706-5586   www.carlsbad-home-inspector.com Call me for the latest specials.

               

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