Putting your home on the market involves some work. There may be repairs to make, cleaning to do, and perhaps some painting. But one of the first and most important things you can do before putting your home on the market is to de-clutter it as much as possible.

The objective is to make the home appear open and inviting when you are welcoming prospective buyers. The reality is a clutter-free home looks more spacious. Think less is more!

The first step is to decide what items are essential for everyday living. Once you’ve established that, you can begin to sort through the rest of your things. It helps to organize items into three categories, one to keep, one to sell and one to donate.

Having a garage sale is a great way to begin your de-cluttering process. After the sale, you may wish to donate any items that didn’t sell.

Once you have decided which of the items you are keeping, it is best to pack up and store off-site your personal items like collections and photos.

This allows the buyer to visualize the space being their own, and prevents them from being overwhelmed and distracted by your stuff.

De-cluttering your home can be quite a process, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get the job done right.

If you have a lot of things to get rid of it may be wise to consider a junk removal service. These companies specialize in residential cleanup and will remove unwanted items - from small items to old furniture, appliances, etc. - from your home. They do all of the loading and cleanup for one predetermined price.

If you are overwhelmed by the process, or have accumulated a vast inventory of items over the course of many years, you may want to check out The STACKS Organizational System. It is a step-by-step method for dealing with de-cluttering and organizing your home.

Whether you decide to tackle it on your own or with the help of a professional, begin the process as soon as you make the decision to sell your house and keep chipping away until you get the results you want. Not only will you be getting your house in perfect “show” condition, you will also be preparing to make your packing and moving experience a much lighter, organized and easier one.

You’ve received an offer on your home, now what? Remember once you accept an offer, that offer quickly becomes a legal binding contract to sell. So, before you accept any offer there are a few steps you should take to make sure the deal is in your best interest.

1. First find out if the buyer has been pre-approved for the mortgage loan. Many deals are either held up or get canceled because the buyer can’t obtain financing - thus wasting valuable time.
2. Find out if the buyers is expecting you to pay for repairs or agent commissions. Add these together and subtract that number from the offer they are proposing. This number represents the actual offer they are making.
3. Ascertain is what your absolute bottom line is. Make certain that you research your costs and do the math.
4. Once you obtain the balance of your mortgage, ask your real estate attorney to estimate closing and escrow costs you will be responsible for.
5. These numbers will determine whether you are going to profit or pay out of pocket to close the deal.
6. The offer will have an expiration date. Most buyers will give you enough time to consider the offer carefully. However, If the deadline you have been given is short, find out why. Most of the time, if the buyer feels there are other interested parties, the deadline will be shortened in hopes of getting their offer accepted first.
7. Alert any other serious, interested parties that you have an offer on the table. Multiple offers can lead to a bidding war and reward you with the best possible deal.
8. Above all, consult with the experts. Be sure to have your attorney review the contract prior to accepting it. He can fine tune it and make suggestions you may have overlooked.

All of the show’s proceed benefit the Saratoga Rotary and are distributed to community organizations, youth scholarships, and international humanitarian projects.

So with spring coming, this is a great event to get ideas for your Saratoga Homes and Gardens.

Dates, Time and Location - 2010
Friday, February 26, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday, February 27, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saratoga Springs City Center on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs

Admission

Adults $6; kids 5-12 $1; under 5 free

It is named for Amanda Hansen of West Seneca, New York who died while sleeping at a friends house on January 17, 2009 as a result of a carbon monoxide leak from a defective furnace.

The law requires that all homes in New York State that burn fuel which could result in carbon monoxide production must have a carbon monoxide detector.

The alarm must be installed on the lowest floor of the home having a sleeping area, and must be clearly audible from all sleeping areas with the doors closed.

Carbon monoxide is produced when any type of fuel burns incompletely. Depending on the levels in the environment, it can take minutes or hours to become deadly.

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless making detection of it in a home impossible without a warning device.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can mimic that of the flu. They include fatigue, dizziness, impaired memory and judgment, headache, nausea and vomiting eventually leading to nervous system damage, cardiac trauma, brain damage, coma and death.

By the time someone realizes there is a problem they are frequently too incapacitated to get out of the home safely and get the help they need.

Under the new law homes built before January 1, 2008 can have battery-powered CO alarms. Homes built after this date must have alarm systems hard-wired into the building.

Amanda’s Law also make contractors responsible for installing a CO detector in a home when replacing a furnace or hot water tank if the home is not already equipped.

Governor Patterson and the OFPC would also like to remind homeowners that in addition to installing a CO detector, they should take the following actions to ensure they are reducing their risks and keeping themselves and their families safe.

• Test / replace detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Have a qualified technician inspect and clean heating systems, chimneys, vents and flues annually
• Examine vents and chimneys regularly. Check for rust, soot and debris as well as improper connections
• Never allow a vehicle to run in an attached garage
• Never run a fuel powered motor indoors
• Never use your homes gas oven as a heat source
• Always use barbecue grills outdoors, not in a garage or house
• Don’t forget to install smoke alarms on every level of the house and near sleeping areas

The  program is part of the stimulus bill  created by Congress. It offers up to a $8000 tax credit to first time home buyers as an incentive to boost home sales.

I know from personal experience that when you’re purchasing a home for the first time, $8000 added to your budget can make a huge difference. In fact it could make the difference between deciding to purchase and feeling like you just can’t quite swing it financially.

The article sited 3 different people from different parts of the country who took advantage of the credit. In all 3 cases, the tax credit had a huge impact on their ability to purchase a home.

Rob Logan purchased his home in October 2009. “I wouldn’t have been able to afford my house without it, it was one of the main reasons I started looking”.

More good news! The original credit expired in November, but due to the popularity of the program has been extended to April 30, 2010. There is talk of a further extension as well.

The average return on value for a remodeling project declined from 87% in 2005 to 64% in 2009. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure the maximum return on your remodeling investment.

1. Repair rather that upgrade:
Having many upgrades in your home can enhance the enjoyment of the home as well as attract buyers. However, defects caused by improper maintenance of your home can quickly become a major financial burden for you in addition to eliminating the interest of any potential buyer. No one wants own or purchase a home with issues.

By neglecting to disclose defects to your potential buyer, you are putting yourself at risk to pay a penalty. This, in addition to having to foot the bill for the repair, will only add to the time and expense of closing a potential deal.

If need be, have a home inspection. Address any problems that the report reveals. By performing routine maintenance you will ensure the comfort and safety of your home as well as making it more attractive to buyers.

2. Remodel existing space rather than adding square footage:
The current trend in real estate favors quality over quantity. A multi-use great room for example, is more desirable than a formal living room and separate family room.

Consider finishing a basement or attic. Keep an open floor plan idea in mind as you visualize reconfiguring the space you use now into more user friendly square footage.

3. Don’t over-remodel or upgrade:
When planning a project, keep the neighborhood in mind. Your amenities should be comparable to the other homes on the block, especially if you are planning on selling.

If your plans are to stay in your home for more than five years, now may be an excellent time to consider doing that home improvement project you’ve been putting off. Home improvement contractors are hungry for work and are willing to offer more competitive pricing just to keep their workers busy. Getting multiple bids may translate into a real bargain for you. But, as always, don’t base your decision solely on price. Always ask for and check references.

If you plan on moving within 3 to 5 years experts agree that you should not take on the expense of a major project. The risk is just too high that your investment, aside from necessary repairs and cosmetic work, could be lost while the real estate markets continues to struggle.

4. Think Eco friendly and Tech infrastructure:
Green features save you energy and money, as well as making the home more desirable to todays eco-friendly home buyers.

Take advantage of federal tax credits, plus local rebates and tax incentives (see dsireusa.org) by replacing worn appliances with new Energy Star appliances and adding extra wall insulation.

If you do open a wall for a construction project, consider adding extra cable and Ethernet ports. At a cost of about $80 per room, you will ensure your home will have the capability to utilize new technologies that come along.

Do some research and carefully consider your goals when planning a remodel project. Make an informed decision in order to benefit your individual situation and maximize the return on your investment.

November sales this year also beat November sales from last year.

The news was especially good because speculators had predicted a slump in December. This prediction was based on the premise that the federal tax credit for buyers was due to expire at the end of November.

The $8000 rebate, speculators feared, was a huge factor in artificially boosting November sales. They feared December numbers would crash. However, the tax credit was extended and even expanded and helped keep the local numbers balanced for December.

According to Greater Capital Association of Realtors there is evidence to suggest that the local market is stabilizing. However it does remain a buyers market, with prices flat or down slightly.

The Capital District area has been largely unaffected by the worst recession in decades and remains a good place to live and work.

The event is scheduled for this Saturday,  February 13 and will include both indoor and outdoor activites. Bring the family. There is sure to be something for everyone!

For more information see:
Clifton Park Winterfest

I recently drove by a Guilderland home for sale by owner. I instantly knew the house was for sale by owner because of the sign by the road, so in that respect it did it’s job. But the sign was bent over and nearly touching the ground and I really had to struggle to read the hand-written phone number of the home seller. In addition, there was no flyer box attached to the sign for a potential buyer to pick up detailed information about the home. I remember shaking my head thinking to myself “What kind of impression does this convey about this home? Are they even serious about selling?”

This isn’t an isolated scenario. I see it all over. It’s seems that many homeowners just don’t seem to get the importance of professional signage when selling a home. Here are some guidelines to make sure your drive-by traffic is getting the best impression of your home.

Yard signs should be easily visible from the street, and have a contact phone number clearly displayed.

Directional signs should always be used if you live off the beaten path. Place them at the end of all streets leading to your house. Write your address on them. They will have an arrow pointing the way to your home.

If you’re having an Open House, use directional signs specifically made for this purpose. You can also add an Open House attachment to your yard sign that will specify the day and time of your Open House.

Put a flyer box out in the yard (preferably attached to the sign), and keep it stocked with flyers. The flyers should  include the following: a description of your home, the asking price, a contact phone number or email address, or both, and multiple photos of the home.

Our FSBO Albany sign package includes everything you need to attract that drive-by traffic! A professional and easily visible 18×24 yard sign with the photo flyer box attached, a phone number set for the sign, and directional signs.

When you place an ad with us, you will have the ability to print photo flyers from your ad on our website. The flyers include your full ad description with contact info, price and up to 8 photos…perfect!

When marketing your home, don’t underestimate the power of signs and flyers. Taking an all-inclusive approach to your marketing strategy will ensure that your efforts are rewarded with success! Good luck and Happy Homeselling!

Time and time again property ads that don’t feature photos get overlooked by prospective buyers in favor of ads that are really able to showcase the unique features of the home.

Not only do buyers favor ads with photos, they often times feel a seller is being deceptive by not using them. The consensus is that if a seller isn’t showing the home, there must be something to hide!

The quality of the photos you choose for the ad is extremely important. Use a good camera. A slightly overcast day is great for outdoor shots. A bright sunny day is best for interior shots.

Concentrate on taking quality photos of the features a buyer would be most interested in. Encourage them to imagine cooking in the beautiful gourmet kitchen, cozying up to a  family room fireplace, or splashing in a sparkling in ground pool.

Help peak your buyers interest and motivate them to call by showcasing your home in it’s best light. A well written ad featuring multiple quality photos will be your first step to initiating a successful and rewarding marketing campaign for your home.