When is the Right Time to put your home on the market?

I've had a lot of people over the years ask me when is the right time to put their home on the market after the start of a new year? My answer: NOW!

We've had so much activity over the winter, it's been crazy busy! I've found that the motivated sellers who leave their home on the market are the ones that the buyers will choose to buy from!

But if you're thinking of putting your house on the market, interest rates are still very competitive, and there's lots of buyers looking, so get 'er done! Spring is typically a busy time, yet there are ebbs and flows all year long.

The most important thing is to make sure your house is ready to show. I would be glad to pop over anytime and offer curb appeal tips and perhaps some staging tips in preparation to marketing your home. First impressions count!

Tips for adding Curb Appeal and Value to your Home

The way your house appears from the street can make or break a sale. If it's attractively maintained and landscaped, it can add value to your house. But which projects pump up value the most? Some color goes a long way, as does some spit and polish!

Wash your house's face!

A bucket of soapy water and a long-handled, soft-bristled brush can remove the dust and dirt that have splashed onto your wood, vinyl, metal, brick, and fiber cement siding. Power washers (even if you have to rent one) can reveal the true color of your sidewalks & patios.

I recommend washing your windows inside and outas well! You'd be surprised how many houses need their windowsills dusted. Prospective buyers look at these parts too when they are getting serious. You want to make sure they think you've been taking care of all the little things as well...so swipe cobwebs from the eaves, and hose down the downspouts. Don’t forget your garage door, which was once bright and clean. If you can’t spray off the dirt, scrub it off with a solution of 1/2 cup trisodium phosphate—TSP (available at home improvement centers and hardware stores), dissolved in 1 gallon of water.

Freshen the Paint Job!

The most commonly offered curb appeal advice is to freshen the exterior paint job. Buyers will instantly notice it, and appraisers will value it (or not). Many clients have asked if they can just give a "paint allowance." My experience has been that you will sell the house for much more than the cost of doing the work if you can swing it. Even though the cost of the paint and supplies is "X," buyers will discount the price by "Y" often due to the lack of ability to visualize it as complete.

Neaten the Yard!

A well-manicured lawn with neatly trimmed bushes and freshly mulched garden beds will boost the value of your home. I recommend fertilizing the lawn to assure a full and healthy lawn and using a broadleaf weed killer on the lawn to rid it from dandelions, clover, and other fast growing lawn weeds. You may have to mow the lawn every 5 days at first, but this will make your house stand out from the competition! Ask my husband, a turf management graduate. He literally mowed our lawn prior to most showings for that clean, crisp appearance.

Add color!

Add a few potted plants with seasonal color to freshen up the outside look!

Spruce up the mailbox!

How about a fresh coat of paint on it? I see many nice homes in upscale neighborhoods with dingy looking mailboxes, often leaning one way or the other. While you're at it, put some fresh house numbers on the house and/or the mailbox. Make sure the size on the house meets occupancy code requirements, 4 inches in Moberly, MO. Hope these tips get you thinking on the right track...

Have fun with this colorful indoor teepee

I remember when my kids were young, how they loved to make indoor "forts!"  Take a look at this weekend project that involves no sewing...

Wouldn't it be fun to read books, play with your toys (for the young at heart), or have an indoor sleepover inside this?  Here's what it looks like with Christmas lights strung inside the teepee.

Here's a link to making this...

The Handmade Home

I have a cute listing in Moberly with a similar idea...a "book nook!" 

Here's how the owner transformed a simple closet into a fun kids' corner...

I hope this spurs new ideas for you and your family!
Here's where you can see this in Moberly:  http://www.flexmls.com/share/5jSz/939-W-REED-St.-Moberly-MO-65270

Country at Heart?

I meet so many people who want a place in the country, but for some reason can't find what they are looking for.  Often times it's price related!  Let's face it, there's only so much of America that is available, and they aren't making any more.  It makes rural properties more of a commodity.

Well, check out this recently transformed home...

It's got a huge backyard with views of country in back.  Plenty of room for the kiddos to play...room for a large garden, and whatever you'd like to do (well almost!).

One of my favorite rooms is the kitchen...it's one of the largest kitchens I've seen in this price range.  Room for all the furniture you'd dream of putting there.  I'd probably have a little "den" setup here...or maybe a spot for the kids to do their homework, where you could keep an eye on them.  What would you do with all this space?

And stainless steel appliances are included!

My other favorite room is the master bedroom...you could change your bedroom furniture around on all the walls!  It's HUGE!  Plus a very large walk in closet.  And did I forget to mention the nicely refinished wood floors?  Immaculate!

Here's a floor plan image of the main level, the office could be a small bedroom if you'd like. Upstairs are two bedrooms and another bathroom.

 Here's the transformed bathroom.  A nice cedar lined linen closet too...

The living room ...

If you'd like to see more, here's the listing:  http://www.flexmls.com/share/5dze/700-ST-CHARLES-St.-Moberly-MO-65270

Thanks for stopping by!

What does the color of your front door say about you?

The color of your front door can be a real attention-grabber... or not.

Sometimes an easy coat of fresh paint can make a difference in getting people through your front door when selling.

Front doors should be an accent color. In other words, they should be a strong, dramatic, bold shade.

Purple is a new color for me, but on this door, I think it works!  They say your front door color should not be repeated anywhere else on your house although I have seen some exceptions to that rule.

What do you think about red?  Red conveys passion, excitement, & energy!

I love this brownish-black door framed by the greenery.  Black projects power, strength, and authority.

Green projects health, tranquility,and harmony.

Blue conveys a place of refuge or retreat...

I'm not sure I can pick a favorite...maybe I'll paint my front door come spring!

Fascination Disney!

I had a wonderful opportunity last week to attend the National Association of Realtor's Convention & Expo in Orlando, FL!  Of course, I made a few new friends...

If I didn't know I was at a REALTOR conference, I'd swear they were just normal people!  All joking aside, it's fun to get away from the crowd back home and just learn and absorb new knowledge.  I was bound and determined to put this time to good use and I did.  So here's what I learned (among other things)--

Learned about a "fascination" technique...about making a good first impression during the first few seconds.  Our websites, especially our mobile websites have to capture someone's attention to keep them there.  This also pertains to greeting someone in person.   I remember this saying..."if them liking you was going to determine if your kids ate next week, would you greet them differently?"  Boy, we can all relate to this one!  I learned years ago to smile (or at least put a friendly look on your face) when you go anywhere, and people smile back at you! 

Every day is sunny...some days it just depends on the cloud cover.  That might be a good Facebook post! 

Learned some cool photo taking techniques.  It's odd that there are so many poor quality photos on our real estate sites these days...what with programs that can touch up your photos.  I always wonder if the seller is seeing their listing online and approving.  I learned how to have that blue sky in the background behind the house!  Pretty awesome stuff! 

I've learned that technology tools change frequently and to learn to use what works.  In 5 years we will probably rely on technologies that have yet to be invented!

We (at Advantage Real Estate) invest in technology to promote our listings in the best light...Would a Virtual Tour/Floor Plan help sell YOUR home?  We have had the opportunity to help put many buyers into a new place to call home that have told us it was BECAUSE of the floor plan/tour that they felt confident enough to purchase the home.  They got the support from loved ones back home, from their spouses deployed overseas, etc. 

Had some fun eating out too!  Went to a restaurant in Tampa (while visiting my sister) that was featured in "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!"  Universal Studios one night too.  Always good to come back home!  There's no place like home!

Your chance to own a piece of history...Moberly, MO

 I had a wonderful opportunity years ago to help try to sell a turn of the century 3 story Victorian home in Moberly, MO.  It was used by a former owner as a bed and breakfast!  Built in 1876, there were lots of stories of it's past...there were rumors about an "underground tunnel" connecting the house to the former barn during slave days.  You see, Moberly was built around the railroad and being not far from the tracks, it makes sense that this could have happened.

Here's what the house looked like around the early 2000's.

 In 2008, when I listed it, the house had some deferred maintenance, but it was quite the showpiece still!  The property included 3.02 acres, a 40 x 40 detached shop (which I've heard a former owner used to run a carpet business out of his home).

This is what it looked like in 2008 when I listed it. 

Large w/ bay window. Closet has quaint transom
window. Wood burning fireplace.

 Third floor bedroom with custom crafted mahogany
 & tin tub - a favorite of guests!

12 ft ceiling, fireplace, operable pocket doors. The hutch was original
to the house and has bins instead of doors in the front.

Well, this owner had a series of unfortunate incidents happen, and much to her dismay, was not able to continue making payments to the bank.  As time went on, the roof leaked.  Yes it leaked from the third floor to the second floor to the first floor.  It was so sad watching this happen...The property was not sold.

Later, the house was foreclosed and more time passed, the roof leak worsened.  Black mold was throughout.  I was fortunate to have an interested buyer who hired a mold inspector from the big city.  They were not intimidated; this couple purchased the property with grand plans to restore the house to its former glory.


He installed a new roof, installed a drain system to prevent the basement from flooding when it rained, and began the process of removing the plaster and sheet rock (used to patch the plaster by former owners).  Much to his dismay, when removing the wall paper and wall coverings, the mortar pulled out from between the bricks!  You see, the gutters had not been properly maintained through the years, and water had not been drained away from the walls properly.

When the current owner removed the kitchen cupboards (as part of the mold remediation step), this is what the interior kitchen wall looks like.

You can see under the window where the bricks are no longer supported. 

View of kitchen wall from the outside. 

It's so sad to see a piece of history in this sad shape...

This is the former laundry room and main floor bathroom
outside the kitchen area. 

View of back of home today.

Now it's being sold once again, this time as a beautiful 3.02 building site.  The current owner considers the highest and best use to be to bull doze this property and start again.  There's a 40 x 40 detached garage/shop that is part of the sale.  Unless we find a history loving buff who has deep pockets and is able to restore this gem!

See it online for sale here:

http://www.flexmls.com/share/48pl/516-W-Urbandale-Dr.-Moberly-MO-65270

Have you ever wanted to live on the Lake?

Have you ever wanted to live on the Lake?  Well take a look at this unique home!  It's been restored and updated for a modern lifestyle...It sits on almost an acre at Holiday Acres Lake in Cairo, MO and you can make it yours for $259,950.  There's 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, an open living area with expansive decking. 

Here's the view of the lake.  You can use jet skis and a skidoo.  Or maybe a pontoon boat is more your style...

A gorgeous kitchen with most every conceivable amenity!  Awesome wood flooring that's immaculate!

An open living room which exits onto the deck and the sunroom (which leads to the screened in hot tub area...)

Here we're looking down from the master bedroom loft...

Imagine waking up to this view from your master bedroom window in the morning...

Located in a 4-season vacation land, you’ll get a world of quiet pleasures and glorious sunsets! Views from the upstairs master bedroom seem a part of the living space… the tranquil waters of Holiday Acres! This home has been thoughtfully planned to provide the ultimate lifestyle for those accustomed to the very best. You’ll love entertaining family & friends on the multi-level deck, the screened in area with hot tub or taking them for a spin on the lake. Dock is complete with slide, ladder,& boat slip. 3 car detached garage plus 24x20 storage building for your ''stuff!'' Seller says there is wooded acreage for association members to hunt on.

The "kids" will enjoy summer fun...bring on the BBQ!

For more information, Advantage Real Estate in Moberly, MO would love to tell you more.
Here's a link (until March 12, 2012). http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?wvnb6rxyni4,4,1
Or go to http://www.askadvantage.com/ and look under "virtual tour  317 Shoreline Drive." 

Sweet Storybook Tudor Cottage



 I smiled when I first saw the picture of this home...what's not to love?   We have several in Moberly, MO (where I'm from) that remind me of this.  See that brick sidewalk...gently curving toward the front door?  Oh, and I can hardly wait till spring, to start sprucing up the yard.  This gives us hope!  Now, let's take a peek inside...

love this white kitchen...

Here's another angle of the kitchen...would you add color?  What's your favorite for this kitchen?

I'd spend all my fair weather evenings out here...imagine having your friends over for cookouts, just enjoying life!

Well, it you're interested, it's for sale in Oakland, CA for only $699,000.  See the details here... http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-932-4336986/storybook-cottage-oakland-ca-94610

The listing says it's a 1 BR 1 Bath with 3 square feet.  Did someone forget to proofread?  :)

Real Estate Investing has options

Many have made the transition from stock market investing to real estate.  But real estate investing is not for the faint of heart.  I've met some wanna-be landlords who fall prey to the "I don't have money for my kids' Christmas and can't pay the rent" saga.  Others let tenants move in with the "I promise to pay my deposit in 3 monthly installments."  You ought to sit down with me some time.  I have lots of stories to tell!  Some of them legal...

The biggest pitfall I've observed is renting to the first person who can fog a mirror.  Be sure to check out the potential tenant's references and credit history.  Maybe even go two landlords back - they have nothing to lose by telling you the truth.  The current landlord may want to get rid of them or else they'll be surprised to hear they've made an application with you.  I've known people who will even check with the local sherriff's department to see if the applicant has a history of passing bad checks.  All good things to check out.

But don't get me wrong...choosing the right property, and the right place and time can be a good investment.  I have learned lots of tips from working with investors through the years...There are some bargains out there with some foreclosures, but be sure you know what you're getting into.  Sometimes it may be worth more to pay more for a property with major improvements already in place.  It's hard to find those that only need carpet and paint...usually if it needs carpet and paint, it needs roofs replaced, ceilings repaired, frozen water lines repaired, etc.  You get the idea.  Working with a Realtor who knows the market can prove invaluable.  I'd love to teach you what I've learned!