How to think like a buyer when getting your property ready to sell

The house is finally done after a whole lot of "blood, sweat and tears", and now it's time to get your wholesale flip "retail buyer ready". Real estate investors all have the same question at this point; how can I make my house stand out from the other homes for sale in the neighborhood? The answer is quite simple. Your home has to make a better first impression than your competition. Your potential buyer has to want to come inside from the moment they drive up to the house. So how do you do that?



Learn to think like a buyer!



Curb Appeal Is Everything!



Pay special attention to the landscaping and keep the grass cut and trimmed while your house is for sale. If you are selling during the summer months, extra watering may be needed to keep the lawn in tip top shape.



Give your yard a manicured look. It will really pay off to spend a few dollars to have the plants neatly trimmed, the planting beds weeded, and fresh mulch put down. A great touch is to put brightly colored flowers near the front of the house. You might even want to add a couple of pots of flowers at or near the front door well give it an extra touch. Be sure to pick plants that don't need daily watering.



All your windows should be sparkling clean on the exterior as well as the interior.



Take a good look at your front door. Does it need a fresh coat of paint or maybe just a good cleaning?



Spend a few dollars and replace your old mailbox, then add some attractive house numbers. These simple things will give your house a polished look.



Make sure your deck or patio in the back yard is neat and inviting. You want your buyers to be able to imagine entertaining or just relaxing in this space at the end of the day. A power washer can be rented for about $40-$50 dollars if heavy duty cleaning is needed. Go ahead and power-wash any siding on your house at the same time.



Store all garden equipment and trash containers out of sight.



Look at the interior of the house through "buyer's eyes"



Have a professional do a thorough house cleaning when the house is finished, paying special attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms. Remember these are the rooms that sell houses!



Make sure all floors have been cleaned and are in good condition. This also applies to any carpet that hasn't been replaced.



Give the house the "sniff test". Does it smell good?



Buyers don't want to have to paint before moving in, so be sure the house is painted in neutral colors. Painting the trim a crisp white makes the home look modern and inviting.



Home staging always pays big dividends! Consider doing some simple home staging so that prospective buyers can imagine what the home will look like with furniture in it.



Does the basement have a "musty" smell? Figure out what the problem is and correct it.



Does everything in the house function properly? Make sure all the light bulbs are working, and all of the cabinet handles and doorknobs are securely attached. Walk through the house and give it the same scrutiny that a buyer will, double checking the smallest details in the home.



Be sure to change your filters. If the furnace or AC filter hasn't been replaced during the rehab, clean or replace it.



Author: Sharon Vornholt



Sharon's Website: http://LouisvilleGalsRealEstateBlog.com

1136 Redstone LN Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/H37A6F/1136-Redstone-LN-Pleasant-Hill-IA-529695

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,056

Price: $106,000

For more information about this property, please contact Bonnie Christensen at 515-971-9973 or bonniechristensen@remax.net. You can also text 4032372 to 67299.

See more listings at: bonniechristensen.remax-central.com

MLS ID: 529695

Style is not lost when it comes to choosing solid oak furniture

There is a school of thought amongst consumers that solid oak furniture offers less in the way of style than furniture made of the lighter woods available. It's an idea that is based on the notion that solid wood is thick, hard and heavy, like slabs, and are fixed together to make weighty chests of drawers, immovable wardrobes and coffee tables that require almost the whole family to lift. This, of course, is not true.



It is true that solid furniture is generally heavier than something like solid pine, which is somewhat less weighty than its oak counterpart. Solid wood is less susceptible to damage from the elements, with most needing only to be treated from time to time to protect it from damp or heat. Furniture that is not solid can see its veneer covering lift as dampness gets underneath, while cracking and warping from heat are also types of damage that can destroy the look of the piece. Of course, chipping is always possible in both solid and veneer furniture, but in solid furniture the same wood is exposed, making simple repairs possible.



But it's not just about damage, it's also about the furniture styles and ranges that are available in solid oak. There is no shortage of quality solid oak ranges about, with Hereford Oak furniture collections a leader amongst the list that includes Aquarius Oak, Cambridge Oak, Lyon Oak and Vancouver Oak, amongst many. These ranges comprise a variety of furniture pieces that are distinctive because of the design, color and finish each have. From oak wardrobes and oak dining tables to elaborately carved oak cabinets and oak kitchen units, these pieces can match the interior decor of any room or home.



Style is imperative for any product in a competitive industry, and the furniture industry is no different. In fact, the more charismatic the design, and more striking the visual effect of the furniture piece, the more likely it is to sell. That's why the variety of furniture designs is vast, and it is no less the fact for solid furniture with finishes and effects used to beautify the pieces.



Oak is an ideal wood when it comes to staining, with colors ranging from a refreshing harvest gold to a more earthy dark red hue. A rustic finish allows for the natural grain and knot structure of the solid piece to appear aged, giving the piece an almost vintage look. However, a more distressed look, such as those mimicking steel brushed or chipped surfaces, is also attractive as it lends a sense of worn legacy.



Such effects and designs are not limited to tables for the dining room or living room, but extend to all products to allow everyone to have the style they wish in any room in the home or office. Casual units, like bookcases, nests of tables, TV units and telephone and hall tables, range in size and finish. Even for the student or home office worker, desks are designed to suit their practical needs as well as the spatial restrictions of the room they are studying or working in.



Leading brand names, such as Hereford oak furniture, offer ranges that appeal to the complete spectrum of consumers, from those who like the contemporary styles to those who would rather the old-world, vintage affects. Even the minor details, like the type of handle on drawers or cabinet doors, are specifically tailored to complement the tones of the stained oak wood itself.



The stereotypical solid oak dining table, for example, can have a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from the square-cornered rectangular table to the oval model for four that extends to sit double that. The ability of extend in length might be a practical aspect of its design, but its style is never compromised, retaining the same finish seamlessly throughout.



It's a fact that solid does not have to mean boring. These examples show just how varied the design and appearance solid oak furniture can be. They are not cumbersome items to be avoided, or so bland that they fail to excite, but boast innovation and even elegance along with their reputation for durability and value.



By: Kathryn Dawson



http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7222.shtml

206 SW Westlawn DR Ankeny, IA 50023

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/7DGDDJ/206-SW-Westlawn-DR-Ankeny-IA-529529

Fantastic 3 bedroom ranch home tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. This home features 2 bedrooms on the main level plus a dining area. Lower level offers 3rd bedroom with egress window (possible 4th bedroom), 3/4 bath, family room and former kitchenette. Features include newer windows, sliding door to deck and newer siding (2005), remodeled lower level 3/4 bath (2009), remodeled main bath (2011), hardwood floors (even under the carpet). Back yard is partially fenced and includes large 2 car garage (24x30). Furnace and AC were new in 2013. Approximately 2 blocks from Sunset Park. Definitely a home to check out. "Bring it all together" in Ankeny.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 960

Price: $147,900

For more information about this property, please contact Gregory Ploeger at 515-314-3461 or gregploeger@remax.net. You can also text 4027114 to 67299.

See more listings at: gregploeger.remax-central.com

MLS ID: 529529

59737 210th ST Nevada, IA 50201

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/76Q3WY/59737-210th-ST-Nevada-IA-529489

Incredible opportunity for this beautiful log home on over 3 acres! The acreage is located in rural Nevada only miles from highway 30 and a short commute to Ames! Tons of storage with a large 2 car detached metal garage by the house, another 2 car detached garage on the property and a large 40x96 steel shed! The home has been freshly stained on the outside and painted on the inside. Beautiful woodwork, flooring, lighting and a second bedroom was just added to the upstairs loft area! Also a wood burning stove if you would choose to use it and so much more that this property has to offer! Check it out today before its gone!

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,792

Price: $399,000

For more information about this property, please contact Angie Robinson at 515-230-3683 or angie.robinson@remax.net. You can also text 4022730 to 67299.

See more listings at: angie.robinson.remax-central.com

MLS ID: 529489

1291 Amos AVE Des Moines, IA 50315

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/XNYBLQ/1291-Amos-AVE-Des-Moines-IA-529396

Three bedrooms and all remodeled!! This home has had a nice remodel and looks like new. There are hardwood floors in the living room and the three bedrooms that are on the main level. You will enjoy the eat in kitchen with all the cabinets. The stove, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher will stay with the property. The bathroom has also been updated. The full basement could be easily finished to add to the living square footage if needed. This home is in "move in ready" condition.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1

Square feet: 936

Price: $114,900

For more information about this property, please contact Marlene Thatcher at (515) 770-9331 or marlenethatcher@gmail.com. You can also text 4020900 to 67299.

See more listings at: marlenethatcher.remax-central.com

MLS ID: 529396

229 Hillside AVE West Des Moines, IA 50265

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/6QXQD7/229-Hillside-AVE-West-Des-Moines-IA-529361

Five bedroom (1,785 sf)! Great location within walking distance of Historic Valley Junction with its attractions of shopping, dining and farmers market. Just a block from Legion Park. This home features 3 bedrooms on main level (one not noted on Assessors page) and two bedrooms and bath on upper level. Over 1,700 sqft of finished living area, plus over 1,200 sf of unfinished basement. One upstairs closet includes a smaller cedar closet. Dart bus stop is nearby. Homes in the neighborhood qualify for NFCs forgivable financing of up to $10,000 for certain improvements.

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,785

Price: $140,000

For more information about this property, please contact Gregory Ploeger at 515-314-3461 or gregploeger@remax.net. You can also text 4019069 to 67299.

See more listings at: gregploeger.remax-central.com

MLS ID: 529361