ROLL OUT THE WELCOME MAT

The last thing you want to do when selling your house is to clean it before — and after — an open house. Keeping your house in top shape is important when showing it to potential buyers, but seasonal rain, snow and mud can wreak havoc on your spit-spot floors and recently cleaned carpeting. Instead of letting potential buyers bring the outside in, keep it tidy and save cleaning time by following these simple tips:

• Plow your driveway as soon as possible after a snowstorm. Sprinkle salt, sand or birdseed on the ground to keep it clear and prevent guests from slipping.

• Keep muddy footprints at bay by offering a welcome mat at the front door. This will prompt potential buyers to wipe their feet before stepping on your newly cleaned carpet or floors.

• Offer potential buyers an umbrella stand near the front door for wet shoes, umbrellas and bulky coats.

• If all else fails, a friendly sign on the door reminding guests to wipe their feet may be just the ticket.

2006 Risa's "Thank You for Being my Client" party pics are up and GREAT. Visit them by clicking here
Hope to see you next year at THE PARTY!

This months joke:

Question:What do snowmen eat for breakfast?

Answer: Frosted flakes

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

PLUG THE ENERGY LEAK
You may have noticed that energy bill creeping higher and higher lately. If you live in a larger or older home, your energy costs could be pushing your budget to its limits. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to reduce energy waste.
Warm air leaking into your house in the summer and out of your house in the winter can waste a lot of your energy dollars. New windows, while an investment, are the best way to cut your energy costs. Storm windows with double panes minimize airflow to and from your house. Also look into specific coatings on windows. A gas-filled window with low-emissive coatings reduces heat loss; spectrally selective coatings reduce heat gain.
Next, check on your home’s insulation. Topping off your insulation can be a fast and cost-efficient trick to reduce expenses. Inspect the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and interior walls, floors and crawl spaces. If you find an opening or crack to the outside, you can caulk, seal and weather-strip all of the gaps.
If you panic when the energy bill arrives in the mail, don’t just take it — take action. Keep these tips in mind and successfully ensure your house gets the most out of the rising energy costs this year.

Question:Do we take it or leave it?

Answer: Lighting is a major factor in how potential buyers feel when they enter a room. Before showing a property, agents usually turn on most of the lights throughout the home to make each room more inviting. However, sellers should note: Any light fixtures they want to keep must be taken down before the potential buyers’ arrival. By contract, a buyer has rights to anything that is permanently attached to the home (including lighting). Often sellers make the mistake of leaving up an expensive lighted wall sconce or chandelier. Buyers will assume those objects come with the home. The easiest way for sellers to prevent this is to take down anything that they want to keep before putting their home on the market. Objects such as lighting fixtures can be easily and inexpensively replaced at the sellers’ local home store. Sellers can also consult with their listing agent and note in writing which items stay with the house. Be sure to list those items that you want to take (or leave) in writing before the contract is signed. Some other commonly overlooked objects are: curtains and shades; built-in-pieces of furniture (like a couch or banquette in the kitchen); a garden swing that’s attached to the roof of the home or enclosed back porch; and a grill that’s attached to a gas line.
Remember, if you love it, take it down, because the buyer just may love it too.

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

December favorite links:

December Interesting Features for Kids

Special Holiday Card from me to you

December Holidays Fact Hunt

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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