Sale by Design

For many buyers, visualizing a home beyond the owner’s decorative style or furnishings can be challenging — especially if the owner has a unique sense of style. At the same time, an owner may realize his leopard-print sofa or life-size picture of Elvis Presley may be a little intimidating or off-putting for potential buyers who, shall we say, do not share his whimsicality.

If you suspect your taste in home décor may be an acquired one, do yourself a favor and try a couple of these design tips that can go a long way to helping potential buyers see your home as theirs.

• Consider staging a room. Your agent can recommend a professional stager or suggest some inexpensive rental pieces if your furniture is more avant-garde than advantageous.
• Pare it down. An overabundance of knick-knacks, plants, books, pictures and furniture should be thinned out.
• Paint. The orange powder room that is bright and sunny in your eyes might appeal to more buyers if you give it a neutral coat of paint. Paint is an inexpensive way to neutralize any décor.

Remember, when selling your house, a neutral look is best. It may be boring, but a signed contract will be worth the extra effort.

This months joke:

Question:Why did pilgrims' pants always fall down?

The Comforts of Home

Home buyers want more space, and that extends to their garages too. According to NAR’s 2007 Profile of Buyers’ Home Feature Preferences, 57 percent of home buyers said an oversized garage with space for two or more vehicles was considered “very important” compared to 41 percent in 2004. Other desired features include:

• Air conditioning (75 percent)
• A walk-in closet in the master bedroom (53 percent)
• Cable-ready (46 percent)
• Hardwood floors (28 percent)
• Granite countertops (23 percent)

A VISUAL GUIDE TO HOME REPAIRS

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FREE programs from me to you, including "How To Buy A Home In Orlando" booklet

Question:Which agent is right for you?

Answer: Choosing a REALTOR® to help you sell your home may feel like an arduous task. With so many REALTORS® eager for your business, it can be difficult to know which one you can trust. One way to narrow down the field is to look for a REALTOR® with credentials that can help both you and the buyer feel at ease throughout the entire transaction.

An agent who is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is a proven leader in residential real estate. CRS agents are in the top 4 percent of agents in the country. They offer years of experience, demonstrated success and advice to help you make smart decisions about selling your home.

CRS agents have both a high volume of sales and high number of transactions, as well as advanced training in areas such as business planning, real estate investing, marketing and technology. As additional peace of mind, CRS agents must maintain membership in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and abide by its Code of Ethics.

The real estate market is tough, fast-paced and competitive, but with a CRS agent by your side, selling your home becomes an enjoyable experience.

Risa Saltman is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Have questions? email Risa at questions@risa.net or call her at 1-800-699-4901

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Special Thanksgiving card from Risa

Use This Moving Truck for FREE      

RE/MAX Town & Country Realty has a moving truck (pictured above) that our clients can use FREE for their local (inside the Metro-Orlando area) moves. When Risa helps you buy or sell a home, just let her know that you would like to use the RE/MAX Moving Truck. Then Ray, the Moving Truck Coordinator, will coordinate your reservation to use the truck for a 24 hour period and outline all of the details for the truck’s use. Tell Risa early on in your transaction that you’d like to use the truck to make sure that you can reserve the best time for your move! We’re glad to be able to offer this additional service to our clients. Risa Saltman wants to help make your moving process as smooth, enjoyable and efficient as possible.

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