Expert Contributor
Let the Selling Season Begin By Linda Kralik, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Resident Since 1984
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h yes, it is almost Valentine’s Day, the perfect day to begin the spring selling season for your home. Most of the country is still blanketed in snow or waiting for the flood waters to recede. Here in California, we are blessed with more moderate winters, although at times it doesn’t seem as true. But for our purposes, let’s just presume the veracity of the statement and move on. Our more mild climate gives us an early start on the selling season, and I, for one, have always felt that Valentine’s Day marks the beginning of the real estate market. Christmas is over, the holiday decorations have been stored away, the days are starting to get longer, even warmer in some areas, and it is time to begin making the necessary changes if you are thinking about selling your home this year. Here are a few hints and ideas for both preparing you home for market and then getting ready for showing your home, once it is on the market. Preparing for Listing: 1. DE-CLUTTER!!!! As much as you can, remove all personal items (family photos, collectibles, object d’art, etc.) Streamline to the point of severity. You can always bring back a few items if the look is too lean, but better to bring back then to
have to remove more. Be brutal with yourself! The two most important rooms to keep uncluttered are the kitchen and the formal rooms (Living room and Dining Room.) Remember to make the bathrooms look larger by clearing the countertops as much as possible 2. RE-ARRANGE furniture to make cozy reading areas or family fun areas. In bedrooms make for larger foot space by moving beds and dressers. 3. REPLACE old and tired furnishings. For instance, new bathroom mats that color coordinate to new bath towels, etc. New welcome mat!! Make the prospective buyer WELCOME! New towels for kitchen and maybe a throw rug. For the bedrooms, new bedspread in the latest colors. These items will really enhance your home and the best news is you get to take these with you to your new home! 4. LET THERE BE LIGHT by replacing all of the light bulbs in your home. The days can still get dark very early, so buyers who come after dark will be disappointed if your home does not fill the night sky with lights.
Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning specializes in Estate Planning and Elder Law. As a Registered Nurse for over 20 years, Julie Fiedler has seen the consequences of accidents or illness that can happen at any point in life. Julie has tailored her practice to provide the highest level of quality in pre-planning for long term illness or accidents as well as protecting clients from Conservatorship and Probate. We offer a unique perspective in pre-planning that most estate planning attorneys do not. We look at estate planning as a part of our life plan. Call us today for a free consultation and review of your existing estate plan.
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Julie Fiedler is a Registered Nurse, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Masters in Elder Law, accredited by the VA serving in the health care and legal industries for over 30 years.
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FEBRUARY 2019
