Trent

How to Make a House Appeal to Pet Lovers

By Trent on Thursday, March 24, 2022

If you’re looking to sell your house, it’s important to make sure that you appeal to pet lovers. After all, many people consider their pets to be members of the family, and they will only buy a house that is pet-friendly. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how to make your house more appealing to pet lovers. Keep reading for more information!

One of the first things that you should do is make sure that your yard is pet-friendly. This means creating a space where pets can play and exercise without getting into trouble. You may want to consider installing a fence, or at least making sure that there are no harmful plants in the yard. Additionally, be sure to pick up any pet waste so that potential buyers can see that you’re taking care of the property.

Another important tip is to make sure that your home is clean and clutter-free. Pet lovers know that animals can be messy, so they will appreciate a clean house. Get rid of any pet hair, and make sure that there are no strong odors coming from the house. A clean and welcoming home is more likely to appeal to pet lovers than a messy one.

Finally, be sure to highlight any pet-friendly features of your house in your marketing materials. If you have a doggy door, for example, be sure to mention it in your listing. Pet lovers will appreciate knowing that they won’t have to make any major changes to the house in order to accommodate their pets.

By following these tips, you can make your house more appealing to pet lovers and increase your chances of making a sale. Good luck!

Market Value

How a Good Kitchen Increases the Value of Your Home

By Trent on Friday, January 14, 2022

The kitchen is often the most expensive room to update in a home, but it also offers the greatest return on investment. The National Association of Realtors found that an updated kitchen can increase the value of your home by up to 10%. This means one out of every ten dollars you spend improving your home will go towards increasing its resale value.

A good kitchen doesn’t just provide entertainment for cooking enthusiasts; it’s used by everyone who lives there and provides a space where family members gather together at meal times. A well-designed and functional cooking area increases livability for homeowners – especially those with young children or anyone living alone.

When considering a kitchen renovation, remember to keep these three tips in mind:

Functionality is key. Think about how you and your family use the kitchen and make sure to design it accordingly. If you like to cook, include features that will make cooking easier for you. If you’re short on space, consider using an island or peninsula instead of a traditional cabinet layout.
Stay up to date with design trends. Modern kitchens can be just as stylish and traditional ones, so don’t feel you have to settle for cookie-cutter designs.
Make sure your plan leaves room for expansion in the future. You may want another oven or a bigger refrigerator at one point, but making those changes during an initial renovation could add too much cost. Plan ahead and make room for these additions later on.

An updated kitchen can be an easy way to increase the value of your home, but it’s important not to forget about other parts of your house. Other rooms in a house also appreciates faster than others when you sell, so if possible budget enough money into projects that affect multiple rooms. Bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms are all key spaces in a home that can be updated to increase the overall value.

When it comes time to sell your home, remember that an updated kitchen is one of the top features buyers look for. A well-designed cooking area will make your home more attractive to potential buyers and could lead to a higher sale price.

Market Value

Will and Invisible Dog Fence Increase Your Home’s Value? (Know Benefits)

By Trent on Wednesday, May 20, 2020

The invisible dog fence is also referred to as an electric fence that is placed underground and it is known to offer the highest level of security for your pets. The installation of these fences will also increase the value of your home because potential home buyers are willing to pay higher money for the homes with electric fences. Hence, before the installation of these fences, you will need to find out the will and invisible dog fence increases your home’s value? These fences are designed for creating an electrically charged boundary for keeping your pet inside your property. It is connected digitally, to an invisible fence collar that is worn by the dog around their neck. It comes with adjustable controls for giving shocks to the dog whenever it is appropriate so that the dog will not create a nuisance in the neighborhood.

An invisible fence is considered as cheap, versatile, and adaptable electric barriers that will be used for preventing the dog from going out of your property. It encompasses the use of electric shock that is delivered through the battery-powered collar to dogs so that it will not create any issues. This is the best way of preventing your dog from getting hurt, lost, or straying in the neighborhood so that it will stay inside your property. These fencings are the most valuable addition to your property while improving its resale value and boosting its market value. These fences are very important for the safety of your pets so that it will not get lost and you will not have to suffer from any kind of pet-related issues. This electric home fence is an attractive addition to your property because the majority of the home buyers prefer buying a property with fences for their pets. When there is a hidden fence, the potential home buyers will not have to put in efforts and hard work for the installation of these fences. Moreover, since these fences are invisible, there is a special charm to your property because passerby will love the attractive and beautiful look of your property.

Invisible or electric fence is very important for your property so that your pet dog will not wander off your property that might be potentially unsafe for the pet. Moreover, with fence installation, your pet will be safe inside your property so that you will not have to worry about it getting lost. This is the reason why it is considered a sound investment that will help you enjoy a large number of benefits. While you will enjoy the aesthetics benefits of the electric fence, your pet will enjoy the functional benefits so that it will remain within the boundary. Even the cost of these invisible fences is very low as compared to the other kind of fences so that you will enjoy many benefits but at a fraction of cost. Moreover, your dog will not be able to destroy or damage the invisible fence because it cannot be seen or touched by the dog so that it will remain functional for a long period of time.

If you are thinking of availing one, This Electric Home gives you some information on what you need.

Agents

Reduce Overhead With A Modern Real Estate Office Layout

By Trent on Friday, November 8, 2019

As the world becomes more mobile and connected, the need to have a physical location for an office is slowly diminishing. In many of industries offices are vanishing entirely. It’s well known that being a real estate agent afford you quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to schedule and where you work, so it’s no surprise that these phenomenon are all the more true in our field.

Make no mistake, there are certainly benefits to having a physical office, even if you don’t spend the majority of your time there. It provides a place to collaborate with your team and ensure that everyone is on the same page. That said, as everyone is spending less time in the office you can reduce your overhead by operating out of a smaller space that’s outfitted only with the essentials. Design your office around these three essential elements to get the best bang for your buck:

Coffee and Snack Break Area

The need for a full-scale break room has long since perspired, as so many meals are had off site for client lunches or simply on the go to fit in with our busy schedules. You’re still going to need the basics though, things like a water dispenser, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a sink. Of course, for most real estate agents the single most important component will be a way to make coffee. Look into automatic espresso machines that make espresso, cappuccino, latte, and a slew of other drinks in addition to coffee. Your team will thank you. Not only will they save money on trips to Starbucks, they may even look forward to coming into the office for meetings.

Shared Office Space

The days of traditional desks are over. Hardly any agent works from a desktop computer anymore. Most likely they’re working on a laptop, but it’s not uncommon for agents to handle most of their work from tablets or phones either. Rather than dedicated desks for each agent, plan the office with wide, deep tables where agents can come and go as they please. This will allow them to spread their work out and comfortably collaborate when needed. Make sure to provide plenty of outlets so that you charge computers, phones, and other accessories, and spring for a fast internet connection that’s easily accessible by wifi. If you have a little extra space, adding a couple of stand-up desks can be a nice touch that allows people to stay on their feet.

Meeting Room

Some conversations need to be kept private, and particularly when meeting with clients it helps put them at ease when you’re behind closed doors. You don’t need a huge meeting room, but a closed off area with a table and four chairs will certainly do the trick. It’s best if you can keep it without windows, or at least out of view of the rest of the office. It will most likely be one of the least used places in the office, but when the need arises you’ll be happy you have it.

Keep it simple and keep it practical. Do it right and you’ll find that you can design a real estate office that not only get the most out of your rent bill, but also makes a more collaborative and welcoming environment for you and your fellow agents.

Curb Appeal

Great Ways To Give Your Open House That Special Touch

By Trent on Saturday, August 24, 2019

They say nothing sticks quite like a first impression, and as real estate agents we know this fact all too well. A prospective buyer will have made up their mind for the most part within the first 30 seconds of seeing a house in person. That’s why it’s so important to take advantage of every impression you can make if you want to get top dollar and interest for your newly listed property.

Everyone has their own tips and tricks, and of course there is on one-size-fits-all solution for getting buyers interested in your listing. With a bit of experience you’ll get a better idea of what works and what doesn’t, as well as which techniques you can employ to make an otherwise bland listing remarkable. Here are some things you can try, or simply use as inspiration for your next open house:

Beautify The Curb

The front yard and front of the house are the first things that a prospective buyer will see when they arrive at the property, this much is fundamental. If the curb appeal of the property you’re showing simply isn’t up to snuff then don’t sweat, there are things you can do to make it work better for you. A super quick fix is to put some potted plants near the front door, preferably with colorful complementary flowers. There’s no reason why you can’t bury some plants either, or install some temporary lighting if it’s later in the season.

Utilize Sense of Smell

As a prospective buyer walks through the door you can subconsciously make them feel more welcome by infusing aromas throughout the house. Subtlety is key here, a strong aroma can be downright offensive and headache inducing. Plus, if the odor is quite strong they might be wondering what you’re hiding. Opt instead for an oil diffuser or perhaps bake some cookies in the oven just prior to showing. This also gives them something to snack on – more on that in a bit.

Bring In Staging Furniture

While it’s a bit on the costly side it can be incredibly helpful to bring in some staging furniture when you’re showing the house. Even if the previous owner loved their house the way it was, they probably don’t have the eye of a true interior designer. By bringing in a professional who knows how to make the interior look its best, you can really show prospective buyers the full potential of a property.

Offer Some Snacks

What better way to make people feel welcome in an unfamiliar home than to offer them something to eat and drink when they enter. Even something as simple as some bottled water will do the trick, but there’s nothing wrong with some snacks either. Cookies, small sandwiches, pastries, etc. are all great offerings. Avoid crumbly foods that may make a mess to make your life easier after the showing.

Make A Personal Connection

There’s nothing quite like a human connection, and even if your tired or stressed you can’t put off the important step of making a connection with any prospective buyers. Ask them about their search – what are they looking for, why they want to move, etc. Try to find ways you can match this property to their needs. Make sure to smile and make eye contact as always, and really make them feel comfortable with the house that they are in.

Agents

Real Estate Agents Love Nice Cars, But is Your Auto Sound System up to Par?

By Trent on Thursday, January 10, 2019

Real estate agents always enjoy driving in nice cars. It makes them look good and successful at the same time. Whenever they drive a nice car, one of the things that they will want to consider is the sound system. There are a number of nice cars that often have a sound system that may not be up to par. However, real estate agents who are looking to get a nice car will want to look into way to get the best quality sound system available. This will provide them with the sound they need to listen to MP3 files, make calls, receive calls and also listen to music on the radio. One of the benefits of seeking a nice car is to look for a sound system that includes a free air subwoofer. This will help enhance the sound system and provide the bass sound real estate agents want.

When looking to get a nice car with a top sound system. There are a few things to look for. One of the things that a real estate agent will want to look for is the subwoofer features. There are numerous subwoofer features that are available with a sound system. It will be beneficial to find a speaker system that has subwoofers that are up to 10 inches. This will provide the right size for the speakers. Real estate agents will also want to look for an adequate amount of watts. It will be important to find audio systems that have between 500 and 1,000 watts per speaker. Real estate agents will also want to get a speaker system that has a one year manufacturer’s warranty.

Another thing to look for is the amplifier features. Consumers looking to get an audio system for their car will benefit by getting a Class A or B Monoblock amplifier. They will also want to look for one that has a LPF of 40-300Hz and also a bass boost of +0-12DB. Real estate agents that are in the market for a top audio system will want to look for a system that has one pair of preamp outputs, and a high level of speaker inputs along with a 25A fuse.

When it comes to enclosure features, real estate agents will need to look for a dual 10 inch ported subwoofer enclosure. They will benefit by getting preloaded Belva subwoofers and also an audio system that is tuned perfectly to get the best bass from the BELVA subs as well.

The audio system for a car will also need to have amp kit specifications. Consumers will benefit by getting a complete 8 gauge amp kit with a 2 channel RCA cable. They will also want to get a high strand count for maximum flexibility. This includes a red 8 gauge power wire, an 8 gauge ground wire and also a remote turn on wire. Real estate agents who are looking to upgrade their vehicle sound system will benefit by getting one that has a 2 channel twisted pair noise and a Mini ANI fuse holder.

As a real estate agent, you will often want to drive in a nice car so that you can make a good impression on colleagues and clients. While the exterior of a car will impress others, it will also be important to get a car with impressive interior features as well. One of these features is the audio sound system. Whenever you are looking to get a nice car, it will be in your best interest to get a sound system that is of top quality. During the process of getting a top audio sound system for your car, it will be important to look for certain things. These include subwoofers, wires, cables and speakers with a high watt amount. All of these features will enable you to drive in a nice car that has interior features that are just as impressive as the exterior ones.

Market Value

Looking to Increase Your Home’s Value? Here are Some Tips

By Trent on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Are you thinking about putting your home on the market, but you don’t have a ton of money to spend to increase the value? Never fear because there are economical ways to accomplish this without breaking your wallet. If you’re ready to jump on the home selling bandwagon, here are some tips that will help increase your home’s value.

Don’t Ignore the Outside

Curb appeal is no joke. The very first thing a potential buyer is going to notice and assess is the outside of your home. Is it pleasing to the eye? Does it have nice landscaping? Are the sidewalks, driveway and entrance in good condition? If there’s a fence, is it in good shape? Are the trees and shrubbery healthy? Some, or all of these items will be selling points for your buyer, so they should be taken into consideration. Make sure the outside is presentable and clean. Because if the outside looks shabby, a buyer will equate that to what the inside might look like as well.

Give Your Walls a Face Lift

It’s amazing what a can of paint can do. If you think a buyer will love your orange walls as much as you do think again! One of the best ways to add value to an interior is to recreate its blank slate. So grab a brush and a can of paint and open up your space. Removing loud or dark colors will give the buyer an immediate visualization of they can personalize the space to their liking.

Less is So Much More

Removing clutter and organizing your space can breathe new life into your home. Make it a fun activity by creating three piles for Keep, Throw Away, and Donate. If you’re having a hard time figuring out what to put into each pile, hiring an organizational expert would be money well spent. They can help remove the emotional toll out of this daunting task.

Small Improvements Can Go a Long Way

After sprucing up your outdoors, adding a coat of fresh paint, and de-cluttering, consider small DIY fixes that won’t require a contractor. If you have carpet and can’t afford to replace it, have it professionally cleaned. There are an assortment of reliable products on the market that will remove scuff marks from hardwood floors. Replace outdated door knobs, kitchen, and bathroom hardware with newer updated fixtures. Add new window treatments that allow natural light to enter your rooms and make sure all the windows are clean. Update your lighting with new lamp shades, pendants, or can lights, which will further brighten your space and make it look new again.

Invest in a Certified Inspector

While making minor improvements to the curb appeal and interior are excellent ways to add value, also seriously consider having an inspector walk through your home. They can identify any major problems that will need attention. The last thing you want is to lose an offer because of an unforeseen issue that could have been taken care of before going into contract.

Give Yourself Time

Be honest and realistic with yourself. Adding value to your home takes time and patience. So if this is your goal, then set a reasonable time frame and take things slowly. The more time you spend, the better your rewards will be.

Curb Appeal

How To Plan Your Front Yard To Wow

By Trent on Wednesday, December 5, 2018

There are several tips that you can use when you plan your front yard to wow.

Walkway

The first tip is to make a walkway. Basically, this is how your guests are going to be able to get to your front door. Sometimes this is going to be in the form of stepping stones. But if the stepping stones are too small and set too far apart. Therefore, they are not going to be very comfortable to step on. This means that it is going to be better for you to create a whole walkway so that all of your guests are going to be comfortable when entering into your home.

Space

The second tip is to create an outdoor space that is inviting to all of your guests. Make this the place where you are going to be able to entertain all of your guests or a place where you can just relax when you want to. You can plant a bed full of beautiful trees, perennials, and flowering shrubs. These are things that are going to grow throughout the year. It might also be a good idea to add some accents to your garden with some annuals. All of these things are going to make your outdoor space look inviting to everyone of your guests that come to your home.

Scale

The third tip is to create some scale. This can be done when you plant some flowering beds in your garden. You want to make sure that they are going to fit the size of your home because you don’t want it to overcome the home. You can start with a small yard and go from there. But you are going to need to find a space where you are going to be able to plant a variety of plants in the garden. This is the best way that you are going to be able to create your garden on a larger scale.

Interest

The fourth tip is to create interest in your garden that is going to last all year. You can choose from a wide variety of plants that are going to bloom throughout the year. Therefore, you are going to need to come up with a plan for all of your plants. You can start off with the spring bulbs and then transition to the perennials that are going to work great during the summer months. Some of the favorites during the fall are going to include grasses and mums. It is also a good idea to plant some trees and shrubs that are going to work in the winter months so that during the winter, your garden is not going to lose interest.

Annuals

The fifth tip is to add accent to your garden with annuals. This means that you are going to need to leave some space in your garden to celebrate all four of the seasons. If you are wanting to add a lot of interest in your garden, then you plant some tulips in the spring, daises in the summer, and peppers in the fall. Plus you can change the colors of these each year so that you never have to worry about your garden ever losing interest.

Surfaces

The sixth tip is to create some soften hard surfaces. The best way to do this is to plant up some containers on your patio, along the stone walls, or on your front stoops. The containers are going to be very welcoming when they are on your patio or the stoop. This is going to be especially true when it comes to your driveway. This is because it is going to allow your driveway to reach your home in a more inviting way.

These are the top six tips that you can use when you are trying to plan out your front yard so that it is going to have a wow factor.

Maintenance

Make Sure To Stay on Top of These Home Maintenance Tasks

By Trent on Thursday, November 29, 2018

There are several home maintenance tasks that you should stay on top of.

Pipes

The first task is to prevent the chances of getting frozen pipes. Even though you might not be able to control the weather, you can control how the cold weather is going to effect your pipes. Therefore, you are going to need to do a few things when you know that the temperature is going to be freezing. The first thing is to let your faucets drip a little bit. The second thing is to set your thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees. The third thing is to open the cabinets under the sink to let warm air circulate around the pipes. The fourth thing is to wrap out the pipes that are exposed with electric tape.

Detectors

The second task is to make sure that you install some smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. There is a lot of property that is lost each year because of a house fire. Therefore, you need to make sure that you have the detectors installed and that they are working correctly. This is the best way to make sure that you are going to be able to make it out of your home if it catches on fire or if there is a carbon monoxide leak.

Clean

The third task is to do a deep clean when you have had repairs done to the home. This is because debris and dust left in the room once the repairs are done. When there is a lot of dust inside of the home, it is going to cause your allergies to flare up, which is something that can be avoided with a deep clean. It is also going to be a good feeling knowing that your home is going to be cleaned once you have had some renovations done to the home instead of having a dirty home.

Schedule

The fourth task is to establish a home maintenance schedule. This is going to include preventative tasks to make sure all of the things in your home are going to run efficiently. This is also going to help to make sure that you are not going to have a lot of expensive repairs since the things are going to be fixed before they become a big problem. Some of these things include draining the water from the water heater once a year, cleaning out the duct in the dryer, and trimming the scrubs in your yard. It is also a good idea to replace your air filers at least four times a year.

Projects

The fifth task is to do all of your big repairs and renovation projects during the winter months. This is because the companies are not going to be as busy during this months. This means that they are going to give all of the projects that you need done their full attention. This also means that they are going to give you the best prices compared to another time of the year. The best part is that your project is probably going to get done a lot faster since they are only going to be working on your project and not a lot of others at the same time.

Home Systems

The sixth task is to prevent the severe damage to your home systems with the surge protection. This means that you need to plug in all of the valuable appliances that you have into a surge protection strip. Some of the appliances like the computer, entertainment center, home phone, dryer, washer, and refrigerator are the things that need to be plugged in. This is one of the best ways to protect your home if it is strike by lightning and you will be able to save thousands of dollars in damage to your home but it is also going to be very cost effective for you.

Property

How To Know If You’re Getting a Fair Deal on Real Estate

By Trent on Wednesday, November 21, 2018

The real estate market can be a competitive industry. Therefore, it is best to know where to look to find the right deals that will work best for you and your family. The following brief will give you a few insights on how you will know if you are getting a fair deal on the real estate.

Research

When you are in the market to find the perfect home, it needs to be understood that the more research you perform will only help your cause in getting a fair deal. You can take a look at the different homes in the area of your choice and do a comparison. You will also want to know if the home has recently been sold to know if the house would be an ideal pick for you. The best way to getting this research is to talk to your realtor about the area, as they have been in the industry for a long time and are the best at researching homes. Before you make your final decision, get as much research as possible as it will only help you get the best and fairest price on the home of your choice.

Compare Prices

Another great tip to getting a fair price on a home is to compare the prices of each house. Not only will you want to get the price of the home you are looking at, but also of those in the same area. This will help you know if the home you are considering is fairly priced to similar homes in the area.

Consider Market Fluctuations

The real estate industry is always changing, therefore in order for you to get a fair price is to consider the past and potential future market fluctuations of the home. You will want to make sure that over time, your home will be a smart investment if you decide to sell it in the future. Obtaining a home that has slowly increased in value over the past few years may be a good choice for future decisions. However, the realtor will know the knowledge on each home and can assist you in this process the best.

Use A Realtor

Since a realtors job is to help those looking to buy a home or sell them, it is smart to talk to one and have their help when choosing the perfect location. They will also help you get the best fair price on the homes and will be there every step of the way during your home buying or selling process. Find a realtor that you can trust and who has all the correct credentials to help you. They are professionals and have made a career to help people get the best prices on homes, therefore make sure to talk to one to see how the can help you.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, getting a fair price on a home is simple when following the tips given above. The most important tip is to find a realtor, as they care about you and your family’s well being. They will know the market they are working in, thus making a home buying or selling decision easier for you to accomplish. Therefore, do not be afraid to seek out the information on getting a fair price on a home, as it will only work out in your favor in the end.