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Preparing Your House for the Market

By Karl Peidl

Mortgage and Lending

December 29, 2008 03:37 AM

If you're selling your home, make sure your home has "curb appeal." Remember, you can't change a first impression. If your home looks like a diamond in the rough, think about putting a small investment into cleaning up the outward appearance.

Imagine that you are seeing the property as a potential buyer. You'll want to do a little yard work - clear away dead shrubbery, and trim your trees and lawn. Weed the flower beds or plant some flowers that will bloom in season. Make sure the driveway is not stained, and if you can't afford to paint the home entirely, at least make sure the front door and immediate entryway is immaculate.

Fresh and clean are still the keywords to making a good first impression once the potential buyer walks through the door. Unless a particular window is facing an eyesore or a neighboring building, open the drapes and let the sun shine in! Put your dog in the back yard or garage so he's not jumping on the new people who just walked in.... they might have allergies! There is much you can do to improve the look of your home, without investing a great deal of money.

Call me to get a copy of my pamphlet, "33 Ways to Sell Your Home Fast." I'd be happy to share more tips with you and assist you in obtaining financing for your next home as well.

Mortgage Interest Rates*

Rates as of Monday, 29th December, 2008:

	Conforming	APR	Payment per $1,000	Jumbo	APR	Payment per $1,000
30-Yr. fixed	5.000%	5.131%	$5.37	5.625%	5.716%	$5.76
15-Yr. fixed	4.875%	5.101%	$7.84	5.250%	5.402%	$8.04
7-Yr. fixed ARM	5.375%	5.509%	$5.60	5.375%	5.465%	$5.60
5-Yr. fixed ARM	5.000%	5.131%	$5.37	5.125%	5.213%	$5.44
3-Yr. fixed ARM	4.750%	4.879%	$5.22	5.125%	5.213%	$5.44
5-Yr. Interest Only	5.250%	5.383%	$4.38	5.375%	5.465%	$4.48

*Rates are subject to change due to market fluctuations and borrower's eligibility.

Superior Home Mortgage Corp. licensed in DE, FL, GA: Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee #14511, MD, MI, NY: Licensed Mortgage Banker - NY State Banking Department, NC, PA, SC, VA: Virginia State Corporation Commission License # MLB-566, & DC. Superior Mortgage Corp. licensed in CT, MA: Mortgage Lender License # MC3208, NJ: Licensed Mortgage Banker - NJ Department of Banking, RI: Rhode Island Licensed Lender & Broker, & TN. SHM Mortgage Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department

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Elayna Fernandez

the Positive MOM - Fort Worth, TX

BE Positive and You'll BE Powerful!

Hi Karl. I agree. Thank you for the post. Is there any way I can get the pamphlet? You can e-mail it to elayna@designed2impress.com

Thank you!

Dec 29, 2008 03:57 AM

Karl Peidl

Moorestown, NJ

Accredited Loan Consultant

Hi Elayna,

Thanks for visiting. I sent you a few pamphlets to your email that I hope you will find helpful.

Dec 29, 2008 06:26 AM

Cat Zwicker, CRS

Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR

Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!

Hey Karl, you can email me the pamphlet, though I bet if you broke it into a three part blog... with 11 tips per post you'd get a loyal following. Back to Blue skies and the occassional flurry here, but temps are over 32 so snow is going away.

Dec 30, 2008 05:34 AM

That's a great idea. I'm going to do the three part series (but will still email you a copy). Sorry to hear that you are losing your snow. At least you got your White Christmas.

Dec 30, 2008 05:41 AM

Karl, I loved the report. I would have never thought about "Baking Fresh Cookies". Thank you for the bonus reports as well. I added you on Facebook. Have neglegted it for a bit but will be back after the Holidays.

Hug

Dec 30, 2008 05:58 AM

William "Bill" and Karen Farragher

EXIT Blue Water Realty, Matawan, NJ 07747 - Matawan, NJ

SFR

Thanks for the ideas, these seem like things we should do anyway, but sellers sometimes forget to. Sellers do need to see their house as a "buyer" will and then they will see the things that need imporvement.

Dec 30, 2008 06:12 AM

Hi Elayna - Baking fresh cookies is my favorite tip, though I would probably eat them all myself. I did see you confirmed my Facebook request. My hope is that AR and FB will become my two biggest lead sources.

Dec 30, 2008 06:14 AM

Bill - I also encourage sellers to go to open houses in their own neighborhood. It makes sense to know your competition.

Dec 30, 2008 06:18 AM

Anonymous

Sue Odell ASP

Hi Karl, Love your post on preparing your home for sale. I am an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP). Would love the opportunity to discuss more staging ideas with you! Thanks- Sue

Jan 07, 2009 04:43 AM

Sue - If you'd like to get a copy of my pamphlet, "33 Ways to Sell Your Home Fast.", just let me know where you'd like me to send it.

Jan 08, 2009 09:15 AM

David Width Jr.

Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Good post. Seller's don't realize how important curb appeal is sometimes.

Jan 09, 2009 04:24 AM

It is very hard for most seller's to look at their own home the way a buyer would. Often times their memories and emotions are just too strong.

Jan 14, 2009 06:20 AM

Preparing Your House for the Market

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