Articles Tagged "For Sellers"

Spring is here, which means so is spring cleaning. You don't need a whole day to clean your home as there are tricks that shorten the cleaning time. Whether you want to get it done quickly so you can relax or you need to get ready for a showing fast, our real estate agents have some shortcuts to get your house sparkling in no time.

• Organize Clutter
  A clean house is characterized by clutter-free rooms. Don't wait until cleaning day to pick up toys and other items lying idle in the house. Instead, pick up clutter every day, so you have an easier time tidying up when cleaning the home. Another idea is to have storage areas for everything in the house. Laundry baskets and containers are some inexpensive storage solutions that shorten the tidying time.
  
  
• Use Vinegar on Hard Water Stains
  Hard water stains on tubs, faucets, and glass shower doors can be hard to remove. Luckily, vinegar has an amazing ability to remove these stains, and you can use whichever type you have, including apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or cleaning vinegar. Spray the vinegar on any surface with hard water stains and leave a rag doused in the solution on any stubborn stains.
  
  
• Clean Your Microwave with Lemon
  Cleaning the microwave is a daunting task, and many people procrastinate on cleaning it, giving grime more time to accumulate. However, all you need are fresh lemons to break down your microwave's gunk.
  
  Fill a bowl halfway with water and set it aside. Slice a fresh lemon in half, press the juice into the bowl, and drop both halves in the water as well. Leave the bowl in the microwave for about five minutes to let the lemon's acidity and steam loosen and dissolve the stains.
  
  
• Use Multi-Purpose Cleaners in Bathrooms
  If you use several products to clean your bathroom, you will be amazed at the amount of time you save by using multi-purpose cleaners. These cleaners eliminate limescale, soap scum, and bacteria from various bathroom surfaces, including tubs, showers, mirrors, and shower doors. The cleaners are budget-friendly and versatile as you only need one powerful solution for a fresh bathroom.
  
  
• Make Laundry Day Easier
  If you always dread laundry day because of overflowing hampers, try to do a little laundry every day or every few days to make things less overwhelming. This strategy works exceptionally well in busy households with children.
  
  Another tip is to use divided hampers, so you don't have to sort everything when you do laundry. Let family members know where to place dark and white pieces and delicates. Sock bags for each household member is another great idea if you don't want to sort through mismatched pairs.  
  
  
• Carry Cleaning Supplies in a Tote or Apron
  Running back and forth to get cleaners, brushes, and rags on cleaning day wastes time. Instead, wear a kitchen apron with pockets to carry supplies around and shorten the cleaning time. You can also buy a plastic tote to keep cleaners, cloths, disinfectants, and other cleaning supplies. Keep this tote in a locked cabinet to restrict access to children.

Learning how to clean and disinfect your home fast can make your life easier. Contact us today to explore sparkling clean Cedar Park homes for sale.

Selling a home while living in it can present challenges, especially if you have children. Potential homebuyers with kids may appreciate your special décor in the kids' rooms, but buyers without children may not relate. To attract more buyers, our real estate agents suggest home staging that removes personal touches and allows buyers to see themselves living in the home.

While it might be impossible to create a blank canvas in your kids' rooms, you can follow some staging tips that will interest buyers while they are looking at Lakeway homes for sale.

• Declutter and Organize
  Kids' rooms are usually filled with books, stuffed animals, and toys that cause the space to look cluttered and messy. While older kids may be better at picking up their toys and straightening up their rooms, young kids don't pay much attention to either. Whatever the age of your kids, it's essential to declutter and organize their rooms before you show your home.

• • Organize books and stuffed animals on shelves or bookcases

  • Place school supplies in baskets or colorful containers

  • Buy a toy chest for larger toys and large essentials

  • Store train sets, dolls, and action figures in clear plastic totes

  • Organize clothing in drawers and closets

  • Donate outgrown clothing and toys to a local thrift store

• Remove Theme Elements
  Many kids' rooms feature theme elements that can be overwhelming for potential buyers. Overloading the visual senses with things that don't appeal can send buyers right out of the room. Before you show your home, remove the Little Mermaid switch plates, Fairy Princess light fixtures, or Marvel Comic lampshades. Even if the potential buyers touring your home have kids, those kids might not have the same interests that yours have. If the room is painted with themed murals on the walls, consider painting over them or covering them with artwork or quilts that are less distracting to buyers.
  
  
• De-Personalize the Space
  De-personalizing the space is another way to help buyers see themselves living in your home. Put away personal items in your kids' rooms like family photos, school yearbooks, sports awards and trophies, and personal drawings and artwork. Pack these items in a box or clear container and store them in the garage. A buyer should be focused on the home, not on the people who live in it.
  
  
• Let in the Light
  If you're lucky enough to have several windows in your kids' rooms, open up the draperies or shades and let natural light into the space. Natural light instantly increases warmth and visual appeal in any room. If the room has small windows or no windows at all, consider adding a ceiling chandelier or pendant, wall sconces, or table lamps to increase brightness. Good natural or ambient light in a room makes the space feel larger, less cluttered, and more comfortable for daily activities.

If you're thinking about buying or selling a home in the area, contact us for available properties that fit your lifestyle and financial needs.

Whether you're getting ready to sell your home or just want to refresh your space for your own enjoyment, home improvement projects can be satisfying... but sometimes they come with an expensive price tag. If you can't afford a high-dollar renovation, here are a few suggestions from our real estate agents for home improvement projects that won't break the bank.

• Update Your Front Door
  Nothing adds to curb appeal like sprucing up your entry. If you don't have a lot of money to spend on renovations, one thing to focus on for sure is the front door. Replace it with a modern front door or at least update the paint on your existing front door so that it's clean, shiny, and bright again.
  
  
• New Interior Paint and Color Schemes
  New interior paint is by far one of the more expensive "cheap" projects you can do, but it's totally worth it, as it can overhaul your entire look. Don't worry about repainting trim if you don't plan on changing the color. If you plan on selling soon, opt for a neutral palette, as bright colors are too personal and Round Rock homes for sale do better when buyers can imagine themselves living there.
  
  
• New Curtains or Blinds
  Another way to overhaul your entire look is to replace your window treatments. Whether you hang new curtains or splurge for high-end blinds, it's an opportunity to totally upgrade your decor. Be sure to check out options like room darkening and energy-saving materials.
  
  
• Update Lighting Fixtures
  Nothing dates a home like old lighting fixtures. Brighten your space by upgrading your lighting fixtures and adding new lighting where possible. For instance, consider adding task lighting such as under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen. Ceiling fans are also a popular upgrade and can be a good investment if you plan on selling your home.
  
  
• Install Shelving
  Especially in areas that lack sufficient storage, such as an older kitchen, attractive shelving can do a double duty of adding to your functional storage and your decor. Open shelving is trendy, so don't feel like you need to build cabinetry, but do make sure your shelves are built of attractive materials and be mindful of how you use them.
  
  
• Replace Cabinet Hardware
  If your kitchen is looking tired and outdated, it may benefit from more than just a coat of paint. Replacing your cabinet hardware with something more modern allows you to update your kitchen's look and complement any paint scheme changes you've chosen. The same goes for your bathroom cabinets!
  
  
• Update Bathroom Fixtures
  Sometimes an entire bathroom renovation isn't necessary, just some paint and updated fixtures. Old bathroom fixtures tend to look drab and outdated, but that's easy and usually fairly inexpensive to remedy.
  
  
• Customize Your Closets
  Your closets may not be the first thing you see when you look around your house, but that doesn't mean they're not important. Plenty of closet space is one of the things homebuyers want when they browse Georgetown homes for sale. Maximize your home's storage space with custom shelves, bins, drawers, and multiple rows of clothing rods.

Home improvement doesn't have to mean big, expensive renovation projects. If you don't have much money to spend, look for little improvements to make a big impact. For more information about home improvement projects that will boost your home's appeal to buyers, contact us today.

An aging, cracking, or crumbling driveway is a problem that will gradually get worse the longer you wait to fix it. It's an eyesore that tanks your curb appeal and can also detract from your home's value. Sprucing up your driveway will protect your investment in your home, and you may be able to get the money back when you sell. Here are a few driveway improvement tips from our real estate agents.

1. Add Lighting
   If your problem isn't a broken driveway but just a boring one, you can make the old seem new by adding some cool new features such as lighting. Round Rock homes for sale that offer lighting alongside the driveways offer instant class and curb appeal. Solar-powered lights are fairly inexpensive, or spring for an electrician and get the system wired up so that you can control the lights with a switch or put them on a motion sensor.
   
   
2. Use Bricks or Pavers
   Another perfect upgrade for a boring driveway is a border. Use bricks or pavers to create an attractive border along the edges of your driveway. As an added bonus, the border creates a segway into your landscaping and may even serve to hold back dirt, mulch, and overly enthusiastic plants. Stepping stones and crushed rock set alongside your driveway can also boost curb appeal, not to mention provide a pathway for visitors to travel on the way to your front door.
   
   
3. Repair Minor Damage
   Sometimes the damage to your driveway is minor, and you can get away with just doing a few repairs to preserve the original driveway. If you're unsure whether your driveway can be repaired, it's best to contact a driveway paving contractor and get an expert opinion. If you're planning on selling your home, you'll probably want to spend the least amount of money that will produce a return on your home's value, so sometimes repairs can be cost-effective.
   
   
4. Cover with Stamped Texture
   If you don't like the look of a patched or repaired driveway, there are various ways to cover the imperfections and make your driveway look new again. One way is by covering it with a spray treatment and adding texture. The result can be attractive and classy and gives the driveway a newer, more upscale look without redoing the entire thing.
   
   
5. Add a New Layer of Concrete or Asphalt
   If your driveway is damaged beyond repair, the easiest way to get a whole new driveway is by patching any cracks or breaks and adding a layer of concrete or asphalt on top of the original one. This is easier and less expensive than bulldozing everything and starting over. You can even add on to your driveway while you're at it, widening or adding a parking area or turnaround since the new pavement will match.

One of the first things someone sees when arriving at your home is your driveway, making it a crucial part of your curb appeal. An attractive driveway is as much a part of that first impression as your landscaping or your front door. For more ideas on how to improve curb appeal, contact us today.

Achieving just the right look in your home can be a delicate balance. Whether you're entertaining, staging your home to be listed among Round Rock homes for sale, or just want a beautiful home to relax in and enjoy in your free time, the right decor will help to pull it all together. Or will it? Here are five common interior design mistakes you don't want to make.

1. Not Providing a Focal Point
   A focal point is what draws the room together. For instance, in the family room, the TV is more than likely the focal point. That one is easy! In a living room or sitting room, perhaps the fireplace is the focal point, and in the bedroom, the bed. All of the furniture and decor in a room should be arranged to emphasize, support, and draw the eye to the focal point.
   
   
2. Making Everything too Matchy-Matchy
   When browsing furniture and decor, resist the urge to buy out the entire collection and make everything in the room match. What looks good on the showroom floor won't necessarily look good in a room that is lived in, or that is meant to look that way. It's the way you pull together coordinating but different pieces that will give your home a warm, unique, and totally personal feel.
   
   
3. Forgetting to Take Scale into Account
   Have you ever seen a small room dwarfed by huge furniture? Most likely, that room felt cramped and uncomfortable. The opposite can be true, too: Large rooms with small furniture can feel unfinished and awkward like they're still waiting for something. Your furniture should fill the space adequately while still leaving generous walkways through each room. This is especially important when staging a home to sell!
   
   
4. Adding the Wrong Rug
   Rugs should usually be chosen after the furniture since the choice and layout of the furniture can impact the size and appearance of the rugs you choose. In many ways, a rug is your finishing touch. For instance, you can tie a sitting area together and make it seem cozier with a medium-sized rug that ends underneath the couch and chairs or use a smaller rug as an accent by positioning just the coffee table on top of it. A large rug that fills the entire room, on the other hand, will create a sense of luxury.
   
   
5. Plan Your Lighting
   Planning the lighting in a room is just as important as planning the furniture, paint, and decor. Settling for overhead lighting can be disastrous as the unflattering glare will wash everything out. Having a main light source is important, but you'll also want to layer other levels of lighting throughout the room. Soft lamps are great for mood lighting, and you'll want more focused light, known as task lighting, too. Think of reading lights by the bedside or your favorite chair or under-cupboard lighting to shine on prep space in the kitchen. If you are selling your home, our real estate agents know that well-lit homes show best!

Sometimes noticing and fixing mistakes like these can make all the difference, whether helping your home to show better or just enabling you to enjoy it more. To talk with an agent about other staging tips, contact us today.