Make Dollars out of Scents

Spruce up the Aroma of Your Home to Sell

When homebuyers walk into a home for sale all five senses are actively scanning the environment. The sense of smell can send a strong message to the brain while the brain is busy formulating a first impression.

Regardless of your home’s appearance, an unpleasant odor can turn buyers away. At the same time, pleasant aromas can invoke feelings of comfort, relaxation, happiness and peace.
Carefully selected scents can actually help you get more dollars out of your home when combined with other staging methods. We have experience in creating just the right setting to present your home for sale. Feel free to contact us for a no obligation consultation and tips to make your property even more desirable.

1. Dirt Stinks.

Let’s face it, no matter what kind of candle, spray or air freshener you use the fine scents will not cover up the smell of an unclean environment. The first smell to create is a clean smell. Don’t use overpowering industrial cleaners that leave strong scents behind. Even those scents are sometimes undesirable.
    •     Wash walls, baseboards, and floors
    •     Leave no dirty dishes in the sink or on counters
    •     Clean the garbage disposal regularly
    •     Keep trash cans empty
    •     Clean toilets regularly
    •     Eliminate all signs of mildew and mold
    •     Dust often
    •     Avoid smoking indoors
    •     Never leave dirty diapers in the house
    •     Keep laundry clean and put away
    •     Keep pets outside or keep litter box clean and fresh for indoor cats

2. People are Sensitive to Smells

Once your house is smelling clean and fresh, be very careful about the scents and methods of distributing those scents. Many people have allergies to spray air fresheners. Other people simply feel overpowered by the scent of a strong burning candle. Still others may associate certain smells with negative memories or experiences in their lives. Strong, overpowering smells may be offensive and may make buyers suspicious you are trying to cover up a bad smell.

3. Natural, Subtle Scents are Best

Play it safe by creating an atmosphere of natural scents and smells.

Place fresh, fragrant flowers in strategic locations throughout the home for a subtle, natural scent. Flowers from your own garden are wonderful! If not available, fresh flowers from the grocer will do just fine.

Consider whipping up a batch of fresh chocolate chip cookies as your guests arrive to create a homey feeling. Maybe you could choose the day of their visit to put a nice stew in the crock pot.
Creating just the right ambiance in your home when staging it to sell could net thousands more in the final sales price. Remember, don’t over do it. Natural is best.

5 home improvement ideas for under $5000

You may not necessarily be looking to buy a new home or sell your current home, but since your home is an asset, it’s important to occasionally spend some time and money on low-cost improvements. You don’t always have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a project to improve the enjoyment and increase the value of your home.

Here are 5 home improvement ideas that will cost less than $5,000.

1. Replace the carpet. Is your carpet old? Do you hate the color? Is it in poor condition? It will costapproximately $200-$300 per room to replace the carpet in your home. You could also replace the carpetwith hardwood floors for approximately $1500-$2000 per room, depending on the materials you use andthe size of the room.

2. Update your bathroom. You could spend around $15,000 for a complete bathroom remodel, or youcouldspend less than $5,000 by just updating one or two things in your bathroom to make it moremodern. The average cost of swapping out a regular tub for a jetted tub will cost between $1,500 and$4,000. You couldalso update your sink for around $1,500. Other low-cost ideas to improve yourbathroom:
    •    Add a new mirror and faucet.
    •    Replace the floor.
    •    Add shelves and sconces.
    •    Update your current showerhead.
    •    Install heated towel bars. These usually cost about $100 each.
3. Paint. One of the most affordable home improvement projects is a new paint job. It’s also a simpledo-it-yourself project. A new coat of paint can provide an updated look to any room. You can even pickyour color from designer swatches, but have the paint department in your local home improvement storemix a more affordable, custom mix for you.

4. Update your home technology system. Connecting your home systems to be controlled by a singleremote control used to be a lot more expensive than it is now. From approximately $500 to $5,000, youcan wire your home systems to:
    •    Remotely control lighting, air conditioning, and heating;
    •    Monitor your home via video and sensors for security purposes;
    •    Control your audio systems including your stereo, TV, and computer.

5. Organize your home. Organizing your home can make a big difference in its appearance as well asyour own sanity. Consider building organization systems in your closets, pantries, garage, or storage areascustomized to fit your needs. The price for this ranges vastly depending on how you decide to customizeyour organization systems, but it can be relatively inexpensive and will make your life much easier.

Can I Submit Multiple Offers on Different Properties

Many homebuyers find themselves trying to decide on multiple homes. Sometimes a home might be a short sale and the homebuyer knows that the process can take some time or the offer might even be rejected. Some homebuyers are afraid they’ll miss out on a property they love while waiting on a counter-offer on a property they REALLY love.

So, can you submit multiple offers on several different properties?

First, it’s important to note that the laws in each state are different. The first thing you’ll want to do is ask an attorney about the laws in your state.

Next, realize that if you are under contract to purchase a home, that contract is legally binding, and breaching that contract can have its ramifications. The liability for breaching a contract depends on the language of the contract. It is possible to submit offers that will not bind you legally by simply just making an offer. Just be fully aware and discuss your contract with both your attorney and your real estate agent. Many contracts offer a 10-day inspection period that allows a buyer to immediately cancel the contract if they disapprove of items discovered during the inspection period. While this isn’t merely a way for you to get out of your contract, it may be an option for you.

Be aware of any lender’s addendums, especially for bank owned properties. These may contain language that shortens or eliminates the inspection period.

If you happen to have multiple offers accepted and you can’t get out of your contract, you will be under contract to purchase more than one home. Keep in mind that it’s always easier not to write an offer than it is to cancel a contract.

Every situation is different, however. If you plan on purchasing a short sale, it’s likely you will submit multiple offers. Because the wait period can be so long to hear back from the bank on a short sale property, and the answer can likely be “no,” some homebuyers want to make sure they have options.

If you decide to make multiple offers on several homes, make sure you are working with an experienced, competent real estate agent that you trust. Look over the contracts carefully before signing anything and discuss them with your attorney when necessary. If you don’t, you could end up losing your earnest deposit on multiple homes or even worse, be legally obligated to purchase more than one home.

If you only intend to purchase one home, it’s best to make an offer on one home at a time and avoid any potential legal or ethical issues.

If you have any questions regarding the purchase of a new home, contact us today.

Should You Buy a Distressed Property

Many houses on the market right now are distressed properties. Distressed properties include those whose owners have defaulted or are about to default on their mortgages. In many cases, distressed properties can be less expensive that comparable homes for sale.

There are a number of different types of distressed properties:

    •    Short Sale. In a short sale, the homeowner can't afford to maintain the mortgage. Rather than foreclosing on the home, the lender agrees to the sale of the property for less than the balance of the loan. Short sales give both lenders and homeowners an option other than foreclosure.

    •    Foreclosure Auction. Banks and other lenders will auction off properties that have been repossessed from homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgage loans. Foreclosure auctions are usually held at public facilities such as courthouses. The auctions are generally best left to investors with cash available to spend. All bids have to be backed up with the money for the entire sale price up front. Also, houses usually purchased at an auction are purchased site unseen.

    •    REO (real estate owned) Foreclosure. When people describe a distressed property as a “foreclosure,” they are usually referring to an REO foreclosure. These are bank or lender owned properties that you purchase directly from the lender in a process that is similar to a typical home sale.

The advantages of purchasing a distressed property:

A distressed home will sometimes be priced significantly lower than it would be sold for if it were not a distressed property. That doesn’t mean all distressed homes will be cheaper than all other homes that aren’t distressed, however. If there are a lot of foreclosures in an area, prices of non-distressed homes tend to be lower, too. In some cases of distressed properties, you can offer to purchase the home for less than the asking price. There is little to no emotion involved with a seller on distressed properties since you’ll be dealing with the lender instead.

The disadvantages of purchasing a distressed property:

Distressed homes take more time and effort to purchase. They require a lot of paperwork, and you might end up waiting a long time just to have your offer rejected. Depending on the property, it may need many major repairs. Many distressed properties have been vacant for a while with no continuous maintenance. Lenders generally sell distressed homes as-is. There is often a lot of competition when purchasing distressed properties with other buyers and investors. More competition leads to higher prices.


If you have any questions about purchasing a distressed property, contact us today. We can guide you through the home buying process and help you determine if buying a distressed property is right for you.

Tips for Decorating Small Rooms

If decorated poorly, small rooms can seem claustrophobic and uncomfortable. However, there are many design and decorating tips that can make the room look bigger than it is and give the illusion of space.

Here are some decorating tips and tricks to making a small room look bigger:

    •    Choose light colors. Light colors make rooms look bigger and maximize the effect created by natural light. Dark colors make rooms appear smaller because they absorb light.

    •    Use multi-function furniture. Multipurpose furniture such as sofa beds, chest of drawers, beds with storage drawers, and extendable dining tables can all save space and help keep small rooms looking clean and organized.

    •    The more light, the better. If you can let natural light in, it will open up the room a lot. Make sure that any window coverings are sheer and/or pulled back. If there isn’t a lot of natural light in the room, adding more light fixtures will give a similar effect.

    •    Keep the room organized. Having too much clutter will make a room feel and look very cramped. Don’t cover walls with a lot of pictures. Limit the number of accessories in the room as well.

    •    Add mirrors. Mirrors give rooms an illusion of depth. Use a focal point and angle the mirrors toward it.

Debating between a townhome and single-family home

When buying a home, one of the fundamental questions you will ask yourself is whether you want a townhome or condo or a single family home. There are advantages and disadvantages to both and depending on your needs, one may be a better option for you than the other.

Consider the following when trying to decide between a townhome/condo and a single-family house:

•    Budget – Generally, townhomes and condos are less expensive than their single-family home counterparts. Because single-family houses are generally bigger than condos and townhomes, the heating and air conditioning bills will most likely be bigger as well. Determine your budget to help you decide what will be best for you financially.
   
•    Location – Do your research to make sure the location and neighborhood you’re looking at is safe and worth your investment. If you want to live in the heart of the city, a condo may be your best option.
   
•    Yard and Home Maintenance – Do you want a yard your children can play in with a garden you can maintain? Or would you rather not bother with a yard at all? When you own a house, you will be responsible for all the maintenance, so make sure that’s something you’re willing and able to take on. The bigger the property, the more it will cost to maintain.
   
•    Privacy – In a townhome or condo, there’s a good chance that you will occasionally hear your neighbors, and they’ll occasionally hear you – no matter how well the home is built. You may have to share a hallway or back or front yard as well. If you want complete privacy, a single-family home may be the best option for you. However, if you find comfort in having close neighbors, consider a townhome or condo.
  
•    Homeowner Associations – Homeowner associations include fees and shared decision-making. They help keep neighborhoods clean and help maintain home values in the neighborhood. Most of the time, townhomes and condos are part of homeowners associations. You’ll need to decide if you’ll use the amenities you pay for with your HOA fees. If you want complete control of the decisions regarding your home, consider a single-family home.
   
•    Family Lifestyle – If you don’t have any children, or don’t plan to have children for a while, a townhome or condo can simplify your life and limit maintenance you’ll have to do on the home. If you want pets, many condos and townhomes don’t permit them, so do your homework.


Cobblestone Realty, Providing residential real estate services in Jupiter, Tequesta, Juno Beach, Palm Beach Gardens and the greater Palm Beach and Martin Counties

Spring Cleaning Checklist

The arrival of spring brings with it many new projects and the time to tackle annual spring cleaning.

Here is a spring cleaning checklist that will help keep your home in great shape:

• Clean out your attic, garage, storage room, and closets. Throw away or donate unwanted items.
• Put away winter items such as gloves, boots, coats, pants, etc. to make room for a warmer wardrobe.
• Power wash the exterior of your home, windows, porch, deck, patio, driveway, and sidewalks.
• Clean outdoor furniture and light fixtures.
• Clean out gutters.
• Put a new coat of stain on wooden decks and sheds.
• Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Wipe down doorframes, walls and baseboards.
• Clean out sliding door tracks.
• Lubricate all door hinges.
• Deep clean carpets or have the professionally cleaned.
• Clean under furniture and appliances.
• Dust and clean blinds and shutters.
• Dust indoor light fixtures.
• Clean out the refrigerator and freezer.
• Clean out your pantry, cabinets, and drawers and discard expired spices and other food.
• Reseal and repair grout in bathtubs and showers.
• Go through medicine cabinets and safely discard any outdated medications.
• Wash and dry shower curtains and liners.
• Rotate and/or flip mattresses and clean comforters, bed skirts, and pillows.
• Wash or dry-clean rugs.

 

@Cobblestoneinfo #CobblestoneRealty #Southflorida #Realestatetips #Springchecklist #Springcleaning