SPECIAL SECTION:
Real Estate
for luxury, but be sure to keep the colors
neutral.
10. SELLING:
Don’t spend earnest money!
Many sellers make the mistake
of depositing and spending earnest
money before closing day. If the
transaction doesn’t go through or the
buyer pulls out due to repair issues, it
is up to the seller to return the cash. It
is recommended to have a real estate
agent or broker hold the deposit. Most
buyers’ earnest money will be held in
an escrow account until the closing
day, allowing the money to remain
untouched by either party.
FUN FACT:
WAYS TO
PREPARE YOUR
HOUSE FOR SALE
In the market to sell
your home? Follow
these tips on how to
optimize the home-
selling process.
• Make sure your landscaping is
appealing to the eye and aligns
with the season.
• Add shrubs, plants or flowers to
line the front of your home to add
curb appeal.
• Use a power washer or a hose
attachment sprayer to clean the
exterior of your home.
• Clean out gutters and
wash windows.
• Make repairs to screens, leaks, and
broken windows where possible.
• A fresh coat of paint on the front
door, a new welcome mat and an
inviting entrance can give a great
first impression.
• Add or refresh house numbers to
make them visible from the curb.
• Make the entryway valuable by
adding a simple coat rack if there
isn’t a closet.
• Remove shoes, bags, coats and
excess furniture from the entryway.
• Make sure the view from
the entryway is clear into all
visible rooms.
22
724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
❘
• Remove oversized furniture
and organize remaining furniture
to make the room look as large
as possible.
• Leave just enough furniture in
each room to show the purpose
of the room.
• Depersonalize rooms by removing
photographs of family, personal
sayings and artwork.
• Open curtains and blinds to allow
as much natural light in as possible.
• Leave countertops clear of small
appliances and wipe them down.
• Clean out cabinets, refrigerator and
pantry to allow for a roomy look.
• Clean carpets and flooring before
showing your home.
• Clean mirrors, countertops and
sink bowls.
• Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
• Close your toilet lid.
• Hang fresh towels in the
bathrooms in neutral colors.
• Eliminate harsh odors with natural
scents or by adding fresh flowers or
baking a batch of cookies (Yum!).
• Paint rooms with neutral colors to
appeal to more buyers.
• Declutter closets by removing half
of your clothes, giving the illusion
of more space.
• Clear out the garage as much
as possible to leave extra
room for cars.
• Sit back and get ready for
some offers!
icmags.com
Get the name and numbers.
Just when you think you’ve checked
all the boxes for an easy sell of your
house, take a second look at your
address. According to Zillow, street
names and house numbers matter!
If you happen to live at 666 Fanny
Hands Lane, you may be out of luck
(however that particular street is in
the United Kingdom, so you should
be safe). Innuendo-laden street names
tend to not sell as quickly as something
more like Thunder Road. American
numerology says that 666 is bad luck
and could decrease the value of your
home by 2-3 percent. Also, steer clear
of the number four, considered unlucky
in Chinese culture. Stick to the number
eight, or include the lucky digits 316 in
your asking price!
Before entering the real estate market,
educate yourself. The more you know,
the better your chances are for nailing
down the home of your dreams! ■