• Know your home’s value. A comparative market analysis with local sales and market information can help you and your agent determine the best price at which to list your home.
• Protect yourself and your valuables. If you are selling your home, don’t allow anyone inside unescorted. A serious buyer will be working with a real estate professional or should contact your agent to schedule an appointment. Also, lock valuables away before showing your home.

TIME FOR A KITCHEN UPGRADE?

Is it time to remodel your kitchen? Before you make any remodeling plans, assess your kitchen’s condition. Make a checklist of major and minor problems as well as features you like and dislike. Consider the following concerns:
• Space – Are you satisfied with the counter, cabinet and floor space? Is the refrigerator position or counter shape interfering with the room’s usefulness?
• Traffic flow – If you enjoy entertaining while you cook, you may want an open work space for more social interaction with your guests. If there’s more than one cook in the household, you may consider expanding the counter work space.
• Efficiency – Outdated appliances may be wasting energy and costing you money. Purchasing newer, quieter, energy-efficient appliances may save you money in the long run.
• Children – With a growing family, you may need to create a larger eating area or lower cabinets for easier access to canned goods.
• Location and design – Are you satisfied with the way your kitchen is laid out? Do you want to add a deck outside your kitchen, or bring more sunlight into the room? Is the kitchen too close to the bathroom? If so, you might want to create a hallway or a different entrance to the bathroom.

This months joke:

Question: What did the pencil sharpener say to the pencil?

Answer: Stop going in circles and get to the point!

Question: How can I make my house look larger?

Answer: Buyers like spacious, airy places. There are simple ways to make your house look bigger than it really is. Light neutral colors expand the feeling of a room, especially small spaces such as entryways and bathrooms. Tone-on-tone decorating with furniture, draperies, walls and accessories will create this same open feeling. Remove the leaf (and extra chairs) from your dining room table. Put extra or bulky furniture in storage, and clean off countertops and tabletops. Get rid of basement or attic clutter by having a yard sale — and make a little cash to boot!

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

September favorite links:

What is Rosh Hashanah
Happy New Year to all my Jewish friends and family

Special Labor Day Card from me to you

Burnham Institute coming to Orlando

The History of Labor Day

September Holidays

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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