Greater Louisville Real Estate Blog

60 EASY Home Staging Tips & Ideas (2024)

ngarrett@garrettsrealty.com (Nathan Garrett) — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 17:30:00 -0500

Staging a House to Sell Preparing your home and staging your home before selling is equally important. However, when you are staging your home, you are transforming your home so it is more appealing to a larger group of buyers and not one's specific taste. There are many different tips, tricks, and techniques for staging a house. Below we will go through some easy tips on how to stage a home. These steps will help you successfully get your home ready to sell. Statistics show that a staged home can have a positive outcome on the sale of your home, and can help you sell your home faster and for more money. With most home buyers finding their homes online, professional photography is also important. This is when the 'first' showing truly takes place. Below are easy-to-follow tips for staging a house to sell. Embed This Image On Your Site (copy code below):

Courtesy of: Garretts Realty Group

Living Room Staging Remove any unnecessary furniture throughout your home to help open up each area. Pull furniture away from the wall in certain rooms such as the living room to help create more space. To help freshen up a room, consider replacing dated curtains with newer ones. When hanging pictures, group smaller, like-kind art together. If you have cords and wires showing from TVs, receivers, lamps, or any other electronics. Consider tucking cords away so they are not visible. When staging a home, you likely hear the word de-personalize. One way to do this is to pack away any family portraits you have around the house. A lot of households have magazine racks packed with old editions that never get looked at. Pack them away or recycle them When looking for ideas to staging a living room, you will notice that walkways don't usually look bare. Consider adding a long narrow rug to fill in the space. When hanging art throughout the house, hang the largest artwork on the largest wall. After removing your old magazines, add a nice coffee table book in its place. STAGING COST: The median cost to stage a home is $675 for each home.* Back to top Staging a Dining Room Remove any extra table leaves and store them away to help make the dining room feel larger. Properly set the dinner table as if you are having guests over for a special occasion. Hang light-colored curtains from floor to ceiling. This will help give the perception of taller ceilings. Clean and open blinds to let in more natural light. For the time being, replace low-wattage light bulbs with 100-watt light bulbs to brighten up darker rooms. Add more life and color by bringing in different kinds of plants into the house. Add an extra lamp or two to bring in more light in dark areas that are hard to light. Add mirrors for more light and to help give the perception of an open area. Don’t hang art and pictures on every wall. Consider leaving some walls bare. When home staging, hang wall art at eye level. Back to top Kitchen Staging Ideas Clean and pack away most of the items that are usually stored on your counters. One old staging tip is to add a bowl of fruit to bring in more color. Staining or painting dated cabinets can be time-consuming but can easily transform a kitchen. After updating your dated cabinets, also consider replacing the old knobs and hardware. Another way to de-personalize when staging a house is to remove all items from the refrigerator. Spice up the kitchen There are many quick and easy ways to add a new backsplash to add more personality. Consider replacing that old, dated faucet with a brand new faucet. Loud and bold colors can be a quick turn off for home buyers. Consider repainting any rooms a more neutral color. One easy way to add more natural light is by simply cleaning all windows inside and out. Fix any leaking faucets. Plumbing issues are common things buyers look for when looking at houses. BONUS: Thirty-two percent of buyers’ agents believe staged homes increase the dollar value buyers are willing to offer by one percent to five percent.* Back to top Bedroom Staging Ideas Organize your closet by hanging clothes in groups and have them facing in the same direction. One way to make a room feel more relaxing is to remove TVs or any other entertainment items. Replace old bedsheets with new, white textured linens. Make a bedroom feel more inviting by making the bed and adding new pillows and throw pillows. In smaller bedrooms, it’s hard not to have the bed pushed into the corner. Consider pulling the bed away from the wall to help balance the room. Bookshelves tend to collect more than just dust over the years. Clear out all bookshelves and built-ins. Clean out and pack away half of the stuff in the closet. Homebuyers almost always look into the closets when looking at homes for sale. When cleaning out the closet, replace any un-matching hangers so they all match. Some homeowners have complete sports or princess themed bedrooms. It’s a good idea to transform these rooms into a more neutral bedroom. When transforming a playroom over to a neutral bedroom. Clean up and store away most of the toys. This will help when its time for moving. Back to top Bathroom Staging Tips Put away toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and any other toiletry items. Add new, white towels to the bathroom. Consider folding towels into thirds to take up less wall space. A commonly overlooked home maintenance task is old, moldy caulk. Remove and apply new white caulking around the bathroom. Hide or store away wastebaskets. Add one new bottle of nice hand soap on the bathroom counter. Roll small, light-colored hand towels and place in a basket on the counter. Make sure you thoroughly clean the bathroom. Including the bathtub and even behind the toilet. Hang a new, white shower curtain or clean the old one to make it look new again. This is a pet peeve for not only most real estate agents but for some homebuyers. Always keep the toilet seat lid down. Quiet doors will go unnoticed but a squeaky door will stand out to a homebuyer. Fix any squeaky doors throughout the home. Back to top BONUS: More DIY Staging Tips The lifespan of exterior paint can be around 7-10 years. Give the entrance of a home a new look by cleaning and painting the front door. One creative way to add personality to the entrance of a home is by adding new attractive house numbers. Pack away any shoes or coats that are usually kept at the front door. Replace that old, worn-out Welcome mat with a new one. Make sure all doors not only open and close easily but that they are also easy to lock and unlock as well. If you have pets or if you wear shoes in the house -- chances are that your carpet may need to get extra attention. Consider having it steam cleaned. When packing away items don’t just stick them in closets or in corners behind furniture. Get started early and be creative when decluttering your home. Remove any signs of pets so any visitors do not easily notice them. When househunting, homebuyers sometimes like to check to see if certain things are working. Make sure all windows open and close easily. When cleaning the house before a showing – make sure you clean and dust ceiling fans too. * 2015 Profile of Home Staging." www.nar.realtor. N.p., 27 Jan. 2015. Web. 23 May 2017.

10 Tips: Getting Your Home Ready to Sell this Spring - INFOGRAPHIC

ngarrett@garrettsrealty.com (Nathan Garrett) — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 15:15:00 -0500

[Estimated read time: 6 minutes] Spring is often considered the best time to sell a home. With warmer temperatures and longer days, homebuyers have more motivation to be out looking at homes. When selling your home in the spring you will see a lot more activity and showings. That's why statistically, homes listed in the spring and summer tend to sell quicker and for more money. Being a popular time for families that are on the hunt for a new home to find something before the start of the next school year. 10 Tips for Selling Your Home in the Spring Typically you will see an increase of 15-20 more homes on the market in the spring and summer months compared to the winter months. If you are thinking about selling a home in the spring, you want to take the time to make sure your house is market ready and get caught up on any deferred home maintenance. Even though spring and summer months are great times to sell, you also have more competition. Let's take a look at ten tips that can help you succeed this spring. 1. Interior Paint When a Buyer walks into your home, you want the least amount of distraction caused by any personal items or the result of personal taste such as paint colors. A loud or bright-colored room can turn off a homebuyer. Even though there is nothing physically wrong with the room. A good way to keep your house inviting to a Buyer is by choosing a soft, earth tone paint color that is less distracting. Also, while you have the paintbrushes and drop cloths out. Go ahead and touch up the trim and baseboards throughout the house. Baseboards tend to take a beating from daily traffic and this is great time to touch them up and make new again. 2. Declutter As mentioned above, you want to minimize any possible distractions when selling your home in the spring. If you have plans on moving, why not go ahead and get started packing early? Go through the house and pack away out-of-season clothes, and personal items such as family portraits, trophies, and more. This will encourage a Buyer to walk through your home and envision their own personal items. Also, consider removing and packing away certain pieces of furniture. If you find that a room in your house is too cluttered. You will want to consider moving furniture around and staging your house appropriately. Even storing some furniture elsewhere to open rooms up and maximize floor space can make the house feel bigger. This can help make a room feel larger. Use only the necessary furniture that compliments the living room and bedrooms. 3. Kitchen Is your kitchen outdated or in need of some attention? Shedding new light on your kitchen can drastically help improve the sale of your home this spring. There are numerous, and cost-effective ways to help give your kitchen a whole new look. Consider giving outdated cabinets a new look with a brighter color. White cabinets with fresh new hardware is a budget friendly overhaul but can be a time-consuming task. However, it can give your kitchen a whole new look. Not sure where to start? There are many tutorials online on how you can reface your kitchen cabinets and how to properly paint them. Also, simply decluttering your kitchen can help open up the room and create more counter space. Pack away the majority of the items you have been storing on your kitchen countertops. Toaster ovens, crockpots, coffee maker and more. Remove the excess of magnets, school art, and pictures posted on the refrigerator as well. 4. Flooring How does the flooring look throughout the house? Do you have hardwood floors that are scuffed up and faded or stained carpet that is worn out from daily traffic? Depending on the condition of the flooring in the house you will want to evaluate and determine if any of the carpet needs to be replaced or at least professionally cleaned. If you have hardwood floors you may also want to consider hiring a local company to come out and refinish the hardwood floors to bring them back to life and make new again. Even though new flooring throughout can be costly, it is one of the top home improvements that can add the most value.. 5. Window Coverings & Blinds Adding or replacing new blinds can add up quickly Especially at $40 to $60 a window. Upgrading the window coverings throughout the house is one tip that you may want to consider when thinking about selling your Louisville home this spring. Also, be sure to always have the blinds open before every showing to allow as much natural sunlight into the home. 6. Exterior Paint Freshening up the exterior of your home can make a great first impression. Touching up any faded or chipping paint around windows and trim on the outside of your home can help make your home stand out. If you live in an older home you may already know that over time, even exceptional exterior paint, needs to be touched up. Doing so will help protect the bare wood over time. This will help prevent it from getting damaged or rotting from the exposure to the different elements. Also, consider brightening up your front door. Cleaning the front door and adding a fresh coat of paint and even a new door knob and deadbolt. 7. Clean Windows Your windows throughout the house can gather a lot of dirt and pollen over the years. Even if your windows don't necessarily need to be replaced, a good thorough cleaning on the inside and outside can make a huge difference. This is a small detail that at times may go unnoticed but surprisingly help let in more natural light. While cleaning the windows on the outside be sure to also clean the window ledges as well. Typically, there can be a lot of dirt and pollen that gathers and needs to be cleaned out. 8. Seal Your Driveway With a freshly landscaped property added with a newly sealed driveway - your home can now drastically stand out from the rest of the competition. Get rid of those old oil stains and make that faded driveway look brand new again. This weekend project will allow your home to be showcased in a better light and can increase the chances of selling your home for more money. Staining your driveway requires desirable temperatures in order for it to be done properly. Research online for an informative tutorial if you decide to take on the project yourself. 9. Landscaping Spending extra time and money on landscaping around the outside of your home is definitely a project you do not want to ignore. When selling your house in the spring, a professionally landscaped design around your home can help you obtain a larger sale price, offsetting the cost that was initially spent. A buyer does not want to see a bed of weeds, overgrown shrubs, and mulch that has been washed away. Take advantage of the weather that comes along with spring. Warmer temperatures and an abundance of rain is the ideal weather that can really make your landscaping stand out. 10. Stain Your Deck Replacing an old deck can be expensive. Try properly cleaning your old deck, replacing any damaged deck boards, and applying a fresh coat of stain to drastically improve the look. Be sure not to just go with the cheapest stain. Do your research on what brand and color of stain to go with. When doing this right, you will quickly discover that it is a long and tedious process. Conclusion Just like any other time of the year you want to successfully get your home ready to sell. This should be a well-planned out process that will indeed take time, energy and may cost a little money as well. Take pride and ownership in the sale of your home so you can truly maximize the market value when it comes time to sell.

10 Things to Remember When Selling Your Home in the Winter (INFOGRAPHIC)

ngarrett@garrettsrealty.com (Nathan Garrett) — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 12:20:00 -0500

[Estimated read time: 5 minutes] Is the thought of selling your home in the winter stressing you out? Don’t let it bring you down Before you list your home, there are a few things to keep in mind while getting your house ready. Below we share our best tips to help get you started and make sure that your place is looking bright no matter what time of year it. Tips to Selling Your Home in the Winter Here in Louisville, we always see a small slowdown during the winter months. As a potential seller, you want to take the correct steps to prepare your home so it stands out from the competition. Let's take a look at the helpful tips below. 1. Highlight Seasonal Photos Chances are you may have known for months in advance - if that is the case, consider taking exterior photos early to keep on file to showcase the exterior of the property with the grass, trees, and landscaping in full bloom. However, you don't want to necessarily use these pictures as the main photos because a buyer may see the out-of-season images online and think that the home has been on the market for months. Consider using those pictures towards the end, or even leave a photo album on the kitchen table with additional information about the property. 2. Limit Holiday Decoration When selling your home -- life doesn't stop. Holidays will come and typically homeowners will want to decorate accordingly. However, some homeowners tend to decorate a little more than others. If you believe that you may fall into that category, consider toning it down this year. Consider saving it for next year at the new home. You want to hold back on any distractions from the home. By lightly decorating you can still make your home inviting for holiday-themed showings but not cause a distraction to what your house has to offer. 3. Turn up the Heat Thinking about selling your house this winter? Depending on what region you are in the temperatures may start to get pretty cold. When you get that notification of an upcoming showing, consider turning the heat up just a little so it is nice and warm for guests coming in from the bitter temperatures. Also, remember to reverse the direction that your fan spins to help circulate the warmer air that may be higher in rooms with vaulted ceilings. This can also help you save on energy cost during the colder months. 4. Keep Walk Ways Clear As we move into the colder months and unfortunately for some, we'll start to see reports of snow. If you have your home on the market, it is important to keep safety in mind. Especially if there are any inclined walkways or steps. Always make sure they are clear of all snow and ice so nobody unexpectedly slips and falls. Shoveling your driveway is a good idea as well and will also make it look nicer. MUST SEE: Winter tips for Your Home INFOGRAPHIC 5. Daylight Savings- Add More Light Now that the clocks are rolled back it's getting darker earlier. Oftentimes buyers will schedule showings after normal work hours. Causing for a later, and darker showing. Sometimes showings may be after when the sun goes down Consider adding brighter bulbs throughout the home to brighten up living areas and bedrooms. Also, make sure that if you have any burnt-out light bulbs you replace them as well. 6. The Smell of Winter Set the mood Many people enjoy the certain aromas that come along with fall and winter months. Consider using some of these winter scents to help make your house more inviting. Such as cinnamon scented pine cones, fresh sage wreaths, gingerbread, or even fresh cut pine. Just remember not to overdo it. You don't want it to seems as if you are trying to cover up something. Also, look online for additional tips to stage your home in the winter. 7. Get Rid of the Leaves Depending on the weather, if you are towards the end of the fall season or even into the winter months. Clean up the yard and walkways. Rake up all the leaves or shovel the snow from the driveway and walkways. Having a layer of leaves blanketed across your lawn does not look good. Also, when people are viewing your property and walking around the outside of the home they may track leaves into the home. 8. Serious Buyers in the Winter During the spring and summer months, you may get buyers coming through your house that are not necessarily serious. Especially during an open house. Some first time home buyers just want to see what's on the market because they're thinking about moving in a year or so. However, during the winter months, if a buyer is out looking at homes. They are likely very serious. 9. Less Competition Just as there are fewer active buyers during the winter, there is also less number of sellers as well. This can be great for people who have to sell because that means there is also less competition. However, as a homeowner you still want your home to stand out. Spend the extra time and energy to make sure your home is ready to show. 10. Price Accordingly If you look at statistics for your local real estate market, you will find that the median sale price is higher in the summer months because of higher demand. Carefully price your home accordingly. Pricing a home to high is always a mistake. Homeowners tend to want to price their homes higher to allow wiggle room. This can be a huge mistake and leave the home on the market for too long and end up going stale. Conclusion Selling your home during the winter months can bring on challenges. Planning ahead and taking extra steps to prepare for the real estate market can help you achieve your real estate goal. Do you have any tips to share on how to get your home ready to sell during the colder months? Please share below.

16 Questions You Need to Ask Real Estate Agents

ngarrett@garrettsrealty.com (Nathan Garrett) — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:10:00 -0400

Buying and selling property and homes is a massive financial and often personal undertaking. Depending on which state you live in, the process can vary in how easy or difficult it may be. But what remains the same regardless of your zip code is how great of an asset working with a qualified real estate agent can be as opposed to navigating things all by yourself. Some real estate agents do a great job of marketing themselves through television, local ads, and the radio, but that does not mean that they are necessarily the most qualified or most skilled for the specific transaction you need them to assist you with. When looking for the best realtor for you, it is critical that you approach them very similar to how a prospective employer approaches a potential hire. After all, you really are the employer in this scenario, and they are looking to convince you that they are the best person for the job Before getting into the specifics of what you should consider asking, it's worth considering what a trained and qualified real estate agent does, and if you could benefit from their services and skillset. Before Hiring: What to ask your Real Estate Agent A real estate agent is going to represent their client and their best interests throughout the entire real estate transaction. Whether it's helping them target and put an offer in on a home, market and sell a property, or help with the sometimes overwhelming paperwork that is associated with a real estate deal, a REALTOR is there for their client every step of the way. Many people believe that they can find every home available on national real estate websites, but real estate agents have access to multiple listing services that serves as an inventory of all available homes that include details not available to the general public. In short, a real estate agent wears many hats, but they all involve working in the best interest of you, their client Every transaction is a bit different when it comes to real estate, so interviewing prospective agents before deciding upon one is a great idea. Going into the first phone conversation with a full deck of questions is a great way to figure out who is going to be the best fit for your situation. How Long Have You Been an Agent? There's no question that less experienced and/or younger agents can bring a certain dynamic that more experienced and/or older agents do not. However, real estate is one arena where experience plays such a crucial role between you getting the best deal possible or missing out entirely. Knowing how experienced your agent goes a long way in figuring out if they are the best candidate. Do You Work with Buyers or Sellers? While it is true that many agents work with both buyers and sellers, many work more predominantly with one than the other. When a real estate agent possesses a heightened knowledge of selling properties, it may be a better choice than one who usually works with buyers and home seekers. Do You Work Full-Time or Part-Time? There's no difference in how capable an agent may be based off of the answer to this question but knowing how much dedication they put into real estate versus another job can be telling. Some prefer to work only with full-time agents who they know will be putting all of their time and effort into their real estate dealings. Are You with a Team? Agents often work with a team of other agents to help with all aspects of a deal. If working solo with your agent is important to you, as opposed to multiple agents, knowing the answer to this question is an absolute must Do You Have References? Real estate agents will often have testimonials and reviews readily available on their website. However, asking the agent personally for a list of their references is a great way to gain a more personal sense of how others felt their experience went. If there is no list available, chances are that something is amiss. How Many Clients Are You Working with Currently? A general rule of thumb is that if an agent tells you they are currently representing ten or more clients, they may not have the time to dedicate to you that you are looking for. While many clients point to success, it's a pretty double-edged sword. Fewer clients mean more availability but can also point towards sub-par results. When in doubt, feel free to ask a realtor with fewer clients if there is any specific reason. When Are You Available? One of the trickiest things about being an agent is setting concrete hours of operation. The job necessitates a certain level of constant flexibility, so the best agents will often be available when you need them. Most house showing occur on the weekends, so if the agent says they do not work on those days, that may be a reason thing may be a better fit elsewhere. How Are You Paid? Some people go without an agent because they don't want to pay for their services. In most cases, only a seller is going to “pay” their realtor, although that cost is usually rolled into the price of the property. In most traditional transactions, the buyers do not pay their realtor anything, and instead the seller will pay their realtor a fee that is split with the buying agent. Knowing how this will all work is a great way to minimize any surprises later on. Questions for Buyers If you are in the market for a property, knowing what to ask your agent that specifically pertains to buying a property is a must. How Many Homes Have You Closed on Recently? Whether six months or a year, working with an agent that is successful in the short and long-term is important. Working with a real estate agent that has a proven track record of success instills confidence and heightens the probability that you'll have success with them, too. Are You Skilled at Negotiating (Ask for Proof) A great way to tell how skilled a real estate agent is with negotiating is by asking to see their list-to-sales price ratio. What this will tell you is how much their clients paid versus how much the asking price had been. Whenever their clients are paid lower than ask supports the notion that you'll be working with an expert negotiator. How Can You Help Set Me Apart? There are many things that an agent can and can't do for you in regard to helping you stand out. Due to the Fair Housing Act, agents can't divulge personal information about their client to help sway a seller. But experienced agents will have their own set of methods that have worked in the past to help move their buyers' offers up the pile. Questions for Sellers Selling a property might seem like it's as easy as putting up pictures and waiting, but it can be just as stressful as buying. It may be enticing to try to do this on your own, but the amount of work a real estate agent can take off a seller's plate is often worth every penny. How Do You Market? Understanding how your property is going to be presented is key. Down to the quality of the photos that are taken, you need to know that an agent is going to do everything they can to present the best image of your property to the public. With the pandemic still going on as of fall 2021, many have become well-versed in virtual tours to help generate virtual traffic and interest. With no plan, the quantity and quality of offers will suffer. Are You Familiar with This Area? An agent that knows your area and has had success in your market before can provide you with peace of mind that they know exactly what to do. A deeper understanding of your neighborhood and area can help with any type of marketing and when open houses occur. Where Do Your Listing Prices Come From? Any experienced agent will tell you that they have conducted a thorough comparative market analysis on your property and/or looked at sales of similar properties in your area. Many agents will conduct a complimentary CMA for you prior to any type of commitment to work with them. How Many Homes Have You Sold Recently? A pretty straightforward question to ask here. Knowing an agent's track record with sales is a strong indication of their overall quality. What Do I Need to Do? The best agents will be able to give you quite a few assignments to get your property ready for the market. Whether it's painting a railing that you've been neglecting or cleaning up the place before photos, there are always several things that a prospective seller needs to do to help get the best deal possible for their property. The Bottom Line Real estate transactions can definitely be stressful and time-consuming. Working with a strong real estate agent that has a proven history of success and experience can go a long way towards making the process as easy and rewarding as possible. If an agent has strong answers to the above questions, there's a great chance that they could be the best choice for your situation

How to Price Your Home Correctly [INFOGRAPHIC]

ngarrett@garrettsrealty.com (Nathan Garrett) — Mon, 28 May 2018 10:15:00 -0400

[Estimated read time: 4 minutes] Pricing a home can be tricky and can cost a homeowner thousands if not done correctly. Below we will quickly highlight some strategies to help you get started to help you understand how a professional may price your home correctly. From searching for good comparable properties to using a specific pricing strategy. There are many different ways to find the market-based value of a home. Most homeowners do a pretty good job at keeping up with the activity in their neighborhood. Here's how you can effectively price your home like a pro Embed This Image On Your Site (copy code below):

Courtesy of: Garretts Realty Group

Getting Started: Home Pricing Strategies Below is an easy-to-follow guide to help you find solid comparable homes. However, since you may not have access to the local MLS and all sold data, it is important that if you want to truly get a good accurate value on your home you should contact a local Real Estate Professional in your area. 1. Find Nearby Sold Properties First, you want to find sold properties within a one or two-mile radius of the subject property. Ideally, depending on the neighborhood turnover rate, there may be enough activity within the subdivision itself to get started. If there are 12-16 homes that have sold in the last 12 months this is a great start. Some of these homes will be filtered out once you narrow down similarities and certain features. However, if you are in a more rural area with little turnover - you may need to expand your search a little more in order to find more comparable properties. 2. Sold in the Last 3-6 Months Now that you have pulled in all the sold data within a close distance of your home. You will want to narrow it down to homes that have sold within the last 3-6 months. Since the real estate market is constantly adjusting if you go back further than 6 months. You may not get a good comparison to the current market value. 3. Similar Style of Home Your list should be getting smaller and smaller as you start to narrow it down. If you look closely at each property, you will notice that there are different styles of homes. If you are wanting to find the true market value of your home, it's important that you only compare to similar style homes. Cost of construction on a 2,000 square foot home can be different from a traditional 2-story home compared to a ranch style home. 4. Look at Age of Home Compare your home to other properties that are within the same age. This doesn't have to be the exact age but within a 10-year span would be key. Of course, the condition can play a big role in age as well. One home maybe 40 years old that was recently updated versus one that has not been updated and is completely original. 5. Size of Comparable Homes The size of the home is very important when looking to find out how much the price of your home is. Compare your property to other homes that are within a 10-15 difference in square footage. If your house is 2000 sqft. Filter out homes that don't fall in between 1800 sqft - 2200 sqft. Bedrooms-Is the homes similar in size and have the same number of bedrooms. Bathrooms- How many bathrooms or half baths compared to the subject property. Basement- Be sure to look to see if the home has a basement. Finished or unfinished? Garage- Does the comparable homes have an attached or detached garage. Quick tip: It's important that you concentrate on finding the best list of comparables as possible to help you price the home correctly. Finding the Market Based Value of Your Home Now that you have narrowed your search down to three to six properties, you need to determine a pricing strategy. There are multiple ways to do this. We will highlight three ways to help you achieve this. Some professionals will even use a hybrid approach by using the Qualitative analysis added with the Quantitative analysis. Ranking Strategy Arrange sales from lowest to highest price and determine where your property falls to find the approximate market based value. This can be a similar approach to the qualitative analysis below. Look at each comparable property, and by using your judgment determine which house has superior features that are important to Buyers in your market. Then decide where your home falls within the list. Qualitative Strategy The qualitative strategy as mentioned above determines the market value by using judgment. Determine what features are the most important to Buyers currently in your market and grade each one accordingly. Quantitive Strategy A more precise measurement is the Quantitive analysis, this strategy determines the market value by making mathematical adjustments by using a dollar amount or percentage for different features and upgrades. This is more if an advanced approach when pricing a home. Conclusion This is a do-it-yourself approach to help you get a general idea of the price of your home. When trying to price your home on your own, it can be very easy to make mistake resulting in an inaccurate valuation. It is important that if you want to truly get a good accurate value on your home in today's market you should contact a local Real Estate Professional in your area. Some real estate agents will provide you a free, no obligation CMA report or you can contact a local Appraiser as well which is not free but can be more thorough.

Moving Tips: 36 Easy-to-follow Tips & Ideas [INFOGRAPHIC]

ngarrett@garrettsrealty.com (Nathan Garrett) — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 09:45:00 -0500

[Estimated read time: 6 minutes] How to prepare for a successful move? Moving can become hectic and stressful fast Be sure not to procrastinate and get the process started as early as possible. The average real estate transaction can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. To help, we wanted you to get a head start Below is an easy to follow infographic to use as a guide so you can have a successful moving day. Embed This Image On Your Site (copy code below):

Courtesy of: Garretts Realty Group

8 Weeks Out INVENTORY: Before getting started you need to know what you got. Take inventory of all of your belongings. Go through everything and sort by importance first. The less important things that you can go without for a while...start packing these items first. ORGANIZE: It will get very overwhelming fast. Take your time and create a good filing system for all of the important documents. Make sure they are securely packed and labeled important. If you are fearful of the box(s) drawing too much attention, use a 'code' word. Be sure to keep all receipts from moving too. DECLUTTER: It is always a good idea to declutter before selling your home but also before you move. This is a great time to donate or get rid of any unwanted items that you no longer need. MOVING COMPANY: When looking for a moving company be sure to do research fully to find a trusted moving company. There have been plenty of horror stories about moving companies, some real estate agents choose to stay away from referring any companies specifically. Be sure to do your own due diligence. SUPPLIES: You will need plenty of packing supplies. Stock up on all of the needed packing material so everything is packed properly and securely. 6 Weeks Out DOCTOR: Over the years you may have grown to have a relationship with your family doctor. Ask for a possible referral to a new doctor your new hometown. Also, search local online open forums like Reddit, CityData or even Facebook groups for recommendations. Again, be sure to do your own due diligence. YARD SALE: After you have gone through most of your belongings and are purging stuff. Have a large yard sale to get rid of unwanted things. Putting together a successful yard sale can also help pay for the move. Be sure to donate any items that don't sell. LABEL EVERYTHING: While packing everything into boxes, be sure to label everything so it will be easy to locate once you have moved. A great moving tip is to organize by room or even color coordinate labels so they can be easily spotted when everything is together. SCHOOLS: Contact kids current school and gather any school documents that will be needed for the new school. 5 Weeks Out FOOD & DRINKS: Start cleaning out the pantry and the refrigerator Also, start cutting back on groceries as well. The last thing you want is to throw out a bunch of food or try to pack it all up and take it with only to go bad. PACKING HACK: When packing small items, you'll find that they will quickly take up more space than you expect. Fill larger items like a crockpot with small things like spices or even medication to better utilize the space. ANTIQUES: Have valuables and antiques appraised just in case any accidents occur during the move. Check with your insurance to see if they cover accidents as such during a move. MECHANIC: Before hitting the road, have your car serviced so it is ready to make the big trip. Also, a good idea just in case you don't have a reliable mechanic in line already in the new city. This way you have enough time to settle in and get unpacked before you have to worry about finding a reliable mechanic. INSURANCE: If moving to a totally new area or state, you will likely have to find a new insurance company. Many homeowners bundle all their coverage all with the same company to get better rates. Find a local insurance company in your new hometown to start shopping great rates. 4 Weeks Out ONLINE ACCOUNTS: Be sure to update the contact information for online accounts. Things like billing, banking, retirement accounts, and anything else of importance so it will be mailed to the new address. Also, update e-commerce sites that you use frequently so they don't accidentally ship to the old address... GOVERNMENT: Notify places like the DMV, Social Security offices, and IRS of your change of address. VETERINARY: If you have pets, gather any information needed to transfer veterinary records to your new pet doctor. Ask for a referral to a new veterinary as well if you don't have one. POST OFFICE: Submit for a change of address at the post office so mail is sent to the new house. BANKING: Depending if you are changing banks, consider preordering new checks with the new address on it. 3 Weeks Out HAZARDOUS ITEMS: Properly dispose of hazardous items that you will not be taking with you. Used oil, gas, paint, etc... CLEANING SUPPLIES: Leave out cleaning supplies so you can properly clean the house after all packing and moving is done. Also, take these items with you just in case you need to spot clean the new house. LABEL EVERYTHING: Again, make sure everything is labeled & numbered. This will help keep better track of all your belongings. (Box 1 of 42). COMPUTER FILES: Consider backing up all important files on your computer and pictures too. Store on a portable hard drive. Don't forget to take pictures of the move too. PRESCRIPTIONS: Depending on if any family members are taking any medication, it is a good idea to stock up on any medication and make sure prescriptions are filled prior to moving. 2 Weeks Out JEWELRY: Pack away jewelry and any other valuables separate to be moved with you personally on moving day. DOCUMENTS: Create a folder that will stay with the old house with all receipts, copies of warranties, and manuals. NEWCOMERS GUIDE: Contact the local chamber of commerce in your new city and request for a newcomers guide. These guides are usually packed with great information. UTILITIES: Schedule the disconnect date for all of your utilities. If unsure, ask your real estate agent. Usually set the disconnect or transfer for the day after closing. Also, call and schedule to have the utilities for the new home transferred over to your name when you expect to close. PACKING TIP: Moving is hard work and can be exhausting. Especially the heavy lifting. Consider packing heavy things like books in a suitcase with wheels to make for easier hauling in and out of the house. 1 Week Out REFRIGERATOR: Unplug the refrigerator two or three days before moving so it can fully defrost. Once it is fully defrosted, clean the inside and outside of the fridge, stove and microwave. PACKING TIP: Shrinkwrap furniture to help prevent scratches and damages during the move. LAUNDRY: Make sure all dirty laundry is done so you have all clean clothes when you unpack TV MOUNT: Today a lot of homeowners mount their TV's to the wall. Before removing the mounting hardware, ask your real estate. It might have to stay since it is attached to the property. Moving Day WALK THRU: You've made it Congratulations Walkthrough the house to make sure everything is packed and moved. Check closets, attic, crawl space and any other crack and crevices. NEW ADDRESS: A small moving tip is to leave your new address on the fridge or counter, so the new homeowners can forward you any mail. OLD KEYS: Just before leaving make sure all copies of keys and garage door openers are together for the new homeowner. BONUS: Don't forget to take the last picture in front of the home before you hit the road. Conclusion Typically buyers are not just buying a home but also selling a home at the same time as well. Which can make for a lot of moving parts. During this time buyers have plenty of questions. When there are contractual deadlines to meet and you are in the middle of two transactions, a lot can happen. Hopefully, this moving guide will help you have a more stress-free move.

What Does a Listing Agent Do When Selling a Home? [INFOGRAPHIC]

ngarrett@garrettsrealty.com (Nathan Garrett) — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 06:25:00 -0400

[Estimated read time: 8 minutes] We can all agree that a lot goes into the process of selling a home. From start to finish it could easily take four to six months In order for a homeowner to truly maximize their profits, there is a lot of time and energy that is also required from the seller. Some sellers may wonder...what does a REALTOR® do to sell a home? We decided to dig deep into the question and uncover some of the tasks that may be involved when it comes to selling your home and what your local Louisville real estate agent will do throughout the real estate transaction. Add this Inforgraphic to your Site. (copy code below):

Courtesy of: Garretts Realty Group

What Does a REALTOR® Do When Selling a Home Here is the complete breakdown of the many different jobs a real estate agent will take on when selling your home. 1. Schedule Appointment When a seller decides to hire a REALTOR® to sell their home a local real estate agent will schedule a time to meet with all of the decision makers who will be involved. It is important that all are present during this first initial appointment. 2. Pre-Listing Appointment Your first appointment may be referred to as a 'pre-listing appointment'. This is when your local real estate agent will come out and do a walkthrough of the property and take notes about any upgrades or issues that may need to be addressed in order for you to get your home ready to sell. As a homeowner, this could be a good time to point out any issues or ask any questions about getting the home ready. 3. Research Comparable Sold Properties A market research will be conducted following the appointment by using the data available in local MLS. The main focus is to find nearby comparable's (like kind properties) that have sold within the last six to twelve months. 4. Research Comparable Days on Market Your REALTOR® will determine what the average DOM (days on market) should be for the home by using data from past sold properties by using the same search parameters that were used above. 5. Local PVA Data Research and verify information available on the local PVA website to ensure proper recording and data information. This data could reflect on the price of the home. 6. Draft CMA Report An agent will prepare and finish a CMA report for a follow-up listing appointment and discuss the research that was found and what you should expect as a seller in the current market. 7. Pricing Strategy What is good pricing strategy? Discuss your goals and expectations in order to sell your home for more money and in the least amount of time 8. Marketing Strategy A REALTOR® will discuss their plans and marketing strategies that they use in order to produce results for their clients when selling their home. 9. Online Marketing Strategy It is important to have a well planned out marketing strategy that is strictly online focused. Properly utilizing social media advertising is a must and can make an impact when selling your home. 10. Screening Buyers Learn about the importance of qualifying buyers and how showing agents have their buyer's pre-approved before showing them property. This is an important practice that benefits the Seller because it prevents unqualified buyers from wondering through your home. 11. Agency Relationships Understand the different in agency relationships and how they work. Some states allow dual agency relationships. 12. Current Mortgage What is the current mortgage and pay off on the home. This is important and will help you understand what your net profit is. 13. HOA Information Verify any Homeowners Association information and copies of restrictions and bylaws and also gather any contact information available. 14. HOA Annual Fees Verify the Homeowners Association annual fees and where they will be paid or the address that they will need to be mailed to. 15. Local Utilities Discover all of the available utility companies in the area and their contact information. 16. Average Electric Bill Find out what the average monthly utility bill is for the last 12 months. This is a very common question for interested buyers and is good information to have readily available for showing agents. 17. Recent Upgrades Verify all of the property's amenities and any recent upgrades. If there has been any recent upgrades-are there any warranties that are conveyed to the new homeowner? 18. Home Warranty Go over the importance of offering a one-year home warranty for Buyers. Some home warranty companies even offer a Seller's coverage during the time of the listing until it closes. 19. Seller Disclosure Your REALTOR® will help get you started on filling out the Seller Disclosure form. The Seller Disclosure form is a report that helps uncover any defects or issues with the home. 20. Listing Contract At this time your real estate agent will have you review and sign the listing documents and disclosures. 21. Seller Copies You will receive copies of all listing documents for your records (or complete access to the documents on a transaction management software). 22. Additional Information Obtain any additional documents about the house that you think could be helpful to a Buyer or showing agent. 23. Property Size Your real estate agent will measure the house to verify the square footage or may use the data available on the local PVA website. 24. Room Measurements Individual room measurements will be recorded and will submitted with the listing. 25. Copies of Key Make a copy of the key that will be used for the front door and will be stored safely in the electronic Lock Box. ⇩ Add to the List-Comment Below ⇩ 26. Professional Staging Schedule or discuss any proper staging recommendations that may be needed to help showcase the home. 27. Professional Photography A professional photographer and videographer will be scheduled to come out and take pictures of the home to showcase it in the best light. 28. MLS Data All data and information will be verified and entered into the MLS for the home. 29. Showing Instructions Discuss and prepare showing instructions for buyers and showing agents. 30. Financing Available Another thing a real estate agent will do for you is find out if there is any financing that is not available for the property. For example, some condominiums are not FHA approved. 31. Checklist Review listing checklist and proofread and correct any errors before turning in the listing. 32. Listing is Ready to go Live At this time the home will be turned in and uploaded to the local MLS and added to the list of homes for sale in Louisville, KY. 33. For Sale Sign Now is the time for the yard sign to be placed in front of the home. Directionals may be put out at any nearby intersections as well if needed. 34. Property Flyers At this time flyers for the new listing will be designed and printed out to and will be added to the 'more info' box on the for sale sign. 35. Lock Box An electronic lockbox will be installed on the front door of the home with a copy of the key to inside. 36. Double Check Accuracy Your real estate agent will proofread and double check the live MLS listing to verify all information is correct. 37. Just Listed Just Listed flyers and/or postcards will be delivered and mailed out to the neighborhood. 38. Social Media Ad A targeted Social Media ad will be ran to highlight the new listing in hopes of attracting any interested buyers. 39. Showings Accommodate and coordinate showings with any buyers and/or buyers agents so the home is easy to show. 40. Feedback Send email to showing agents to request feedback on their recent showing. 41. Share Feedback Discuss feedback to determine if a different approach is needed to get the property sold. 42. Weekly Updates Touch base with seller weekly to discuss marketing and pricing adjustments that may need to be put into place. 43. Open Houses Depending on the property and it's location, an open house may need to be scheduled for the upcoming weekend. 44. Incoming Offers Evaluate and deliver any and all offers to the seller. 45. Present Offers Your REALTOR® will present and any and all offers and will explain all terms and conditions that are mentioned in the offer. 46. Negotiate Offers Negotiate all offers on behalf of the seller and work towards getting an accepted offer. 47. Counteroffers Submit any counteroffers back to Buyer's agent with a set deadline. 48. Pre Approval Obtain a copy of the buyer's pre-approval letter and verify the approval with the lender that is involved. 49. Good Faith Check Request and receive a copy of the good faith check and deposit it into your office's Escrow Account. 50. Pending Listing At this time the contract will be turned in and the listing will be updated as 'Sale Pending' in the Local MLS. 51. Home Inspection Accommodate for the scheduling of the buyers Home Inspection. 52. Repair Request The repair request will be delivered from the buyer's agent and you will have a short time frame to review and respond. 53. Negotiate Repair Request Repair request will be addressed and negotiated on behalf of the seller. 54. Licensed Contractors Your real estate agent will assist you with any contacts of licensed professionals and scheduling for the repairs that are needed. 55. Appraisal Make sure the Appraisal has been ordered at this time to keep the closing on track. 56. Meet Appraiser Provide a packet at the home for the Appraiser. Including past comparable sold's that may be helpful to validate the proper sale price of the property. 57. Appraisal Report Deliver under appraised report to the seller and come to a resolution if needed. 58. Contact Lender Your real estate agent will contact and follow up with buyers lender to ensure the clients processing of the loan is a priority to prevent any delays. 59. Closing Scheduling Coordinate closing between both Seller's agent and Buyer's agent. 60. Closing Attorney Follow up with closing attorney to verify that all documents have been received. 61. Title Issues? Resolve any title issues that may arise just before the closing. 62. Walk Through Accommodate for Buyer's final walkthrough of the property. 63. Closing Documents Carefully review closing figures for complete accuracy. 64. Closing Your REALTOR® will attend the closing with you on your behalf and is available if any issues may arise. 65. SOLD Congratulations on the closing Conclusion: What does a Listing Agent do? If you are thinking about selling your home in Louisville, it is a good idea to get familiar with the local real estate market and find out what is currently going on. Learning that you are in a strong seller's market can help validate your decision on selling your house. One way to get a good pulse on the local real estate market is to talk to a local Realtor®. They research the data on a daily basis and can notice any trends that are happening in your local area. Are you a Real Estate Agent? Let's Add to the List⇩ Comment Below ⇩

How to Sell Your Home for More Money [INFORGRAPHIC]

ngarrett@garrettsrealty.com (Nathan Garrett) — Mon, 02 May 2016 06:19:00 -0400

[Estimated read time: 7 minutes] - UPDATED: January 22nd, 2019 It's that time to make the big move Chances are you have lived in your home for five, ten or even fifteen plus years. There has probably been a lot of changes over the years...maybe even some wear and tear along the way. With a quick guide for ten easy tips, you could drastically help increase the amount of money you can make on the sale of your home. Chances are you have started your search for Louisville real estate online, or even walked through a couple of Open Houses. But now is the time to focus and invest a little time and money and learn how to sell your home for more. How to Make More Money Selling Your Home 1. Price Below Market Value One way to sell your home for more money is to list your Oldham County home for sale below the current market value. Maybe even 5-10 below the current value As a homeowner, this may sound crazy or nuts. You may even be reluctant to try this approach -- but the results may surprise you. This can be highly effective and may drive in, even more, offers and buyers than you have ever imagined. Pricing your home slightly below the Market Value can create an urgency to active buyers who know the market. Doing so, can increase the odds of countless showings and hopefully a bidding war of multiple offers. Buyers who are very active online know the current housing market extremely well and are willing to pay top dollar for a turn key ready home that is priced accordingly. Getting the pricing just right is one of the most important tips when getting your home ready to sell. Setting the correct price in the right market...can make a big difference Don't fall trap to pricing your home too high. Today buyers can spot a home that is overpriced very easily. Remember. Just because you price your home below market value does not mean you have to accept a low offer on your home and potentially lose thousands of dollars. This can be a great technique when selling your home for more money and a great way to create a buzz and attract a lot of buyers. 2. Add More Light One of the most common staging tips to help get your home sold is to bring in as much natural light into the room as possible If you can't remember the last time you cleaned the windows in your house, now is the time to clean them. Inside and out Also, make sure all of your windows and window treatments are functioning properly. Replace any burnt out light bulbs throughout the house and if there are any rooms in the house that are poorly lit, bring in an extra lamp or two. Keep the light balanced though...you don't want to overdo it. If there is a dimmer switch, make sure the dimmer is set at a good balance for the room. 3. Clean Out the Closets It is hard to try and maintain a clean and clutter free closet for the majority of the general population. None the less, this is a good time to do some straightening up. Basically, open up the closet doors and pull everything out and go through it. If winter has passed and you are in the middle of spring, pack away all of your winter clothes. If all goes well, you won't be needing them until long after you have moved into your new home Also, it is an ideal time to make donations. Go through your clothes and donate your old clothes to a local charitable organization or any nearby donation center. Your goal should be...to get at least 50 of the clothes and belongings out of your closet Why? So when a buyer opens up the closet doors, they see the available closet space. Not an unorganized, overstocked storage area. 4. Paint the Front Door Make your front door look good This is the main point of entry. Depending on the age of your home or how much of a beating the front door has taken. It may need to be replaced. But, we want to try and keep the cost down. Take the proper steps when preparing your door for paint. Remove the door from the hinges, clean the door of all dirt and debris and then lightly sand it. Picking the right color. Give your home a boost. Painting the front door can make a home feel more welcoming. By carefully choosing the right color for the home, you can unexpectedly make your house stand out from all the rest. Don't let an old, weathered door be a buyer's focal point. Make it look good 5. Enhance the Landscaping To sell your home for more and faster it helps to give your home a great boost of curb appeal by sprucing up the landscaping around the front of your home. By carefully planning and doing your homework you can achieve a nice upgrade on a small budget. Doing this correctly can help yield a higher return on your money and drastically help you increase the amount of money when the house sells. It is important to take the proper steps when getting your home ready to sell for the spring or summer market. 6. Stain Deck and Driveway Staining your deck and driveway is a cost-effective way to prolong the life of an area that takes a beating from the weather as well as heavy foot traffic. Before getting started, make sure you follow the correct steps. Clean your driveway Give it a thorough cleaning. Using a garden hose, you can spray off all loose debris. Apply degreaser to better penetrate any oils or stains. Stain your driveway Wear the proper clothes when applying the stain. Long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and protective gloves. Apply the stain using long, even vertical strokes. Apply Sealer Give your driveway an added layer of protection. After the stain has completely dried you may add a layer of concrete sealer. When you seal your driveway, update your landscaping and paint your front door. You are leaving a lasting impression on any buyer that is taking a look at your home. Your home will give the buyer a comforting feeling, knowing your home has been properly maintained. 7. Paint Walls Neutral Colors Don't let the color of your walls be the focal point of a room. After living in a home for quite some time, chances are you have a painted the rooms in your house multiple times. Depending on the current color of the walls in the rooms, you may want to think about re-painting. It will be easier for a buyer to relate to a neutral color that is the backdrop of a room and not be distracted by a room that is bold and loud. Here are some examples of popular colors that would be great to use when painting a room: 8. Clean. Clean. Clean. Once you have finished doing all of the maintenance and updates throughout the home. Now is a good to do a deep cleaning. IMPORTANT: Do not show a dirty house to a prospective buyer. You wouldn't go to an interview in the clothes that you wore while working in the yard over the weekend….would you? Spend a long weekend cleaning your house from top to bottom. Have the carpets steam cleaned, clean all windows, inside and out. Don't forget the window sill too. Deep clean the corners and crevices that may not have been touched in years. Clean the cobwebs that are out of reach in the foyer. Don't forget the baseboards too. Get down on your hands and knees and wipe them clean. 9. Pack Away Picture Frames It is important that when you are selling your home, you depersonalize your space. Minimize any distractions so the buyer(s) focus on the features and details of the home. Pack away all pictures, trophies, and awards that you have gathered over the years. You want your home to be neutral and appealing to the buyer, make it easy for them to picture their pictures and personal belongings throughout the house. 10. Kitchen Improvements Kitchen improvements can yield high returns if done properly. Earn more money on the sale of your home by carefully planning the right upgrades for your kitchen. Depending on the improvements, it may not be a bad idea to consult with a professional contractor. Especially if you are considering any kind of demolition. You can easily transform your kitchen on a small budget and still have lasting results. These 3 small updates can be very manageable and cost-effective too: Kitchen Cabinets Reface your cabinets. Simply remove the cabinet doors, prep, and paint. You will be surprised at the difference this can make. Countertops Are your countertops dated? Look into replacing them with new countertops to really make your kitchen stand out. Backsplash Adding backsplash to your kitchen can make a big difference and it is very manageable for any amateur DIY'er... Final Thoughts It is important to do your homework and take the proper steps along the way to avoid making any mistakes when selling your home. If you have any tips that could help a homeowner sell their home for more money, please share in the comments below.

6 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

ngarrett@garrettsrealty.com (Nathan Garrett) — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 09:35:00 -0500

When it comes to selling your home it is important to take the time needed to get things in order. It is recommended to get a jump start on the process and get started at least 6 to 12 months before hand. That way it gives you, as a homeowner, more than enough time to get your house in order and ready for the market. Below is an easy to follow infographic to help you get started. 1. Paint When entering a new home for the first time a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference to a potential home buyer. We recommend that when you are choosing colors to paint; that you decide on a neutral color. Examples: Linen White Driftwood Grey Grant Beige Also, take the time to paint the baseboards and trim around the house. Using a white satin or semigloss paint is encouraged. 2. De-clutter Now that you have decided to get your home ready to sell it is a good idea to start packing-now Go through personal items such as family photos, awards, trophies and anything else that you may not need in the coming months. This is a low cost tip that help get your home ready to sell. Box these items up and get them ready to move. Doing this will help prevent from any distraction to a buyer when they are previewing your home. Clean, declutter, and depersonalize Pack away these personal items, photos, and memorabilia. 3. Windows Usually this chore doesn't receive much attention; until now. This may be time consuming depending on how many windows you have, but cleaning both the inside and outside of your windows. This will help brighten every room. Dust and clean the blinds and window trim and window sills too. Check Out: 5 Tips to Help Sell Your House Faster Than Your Neighbors: by Andrew Fortune. 4. Landscape Enhance your curb appeal. Landscape: trim overgrown bushes, repair patchy grass, add mulch and more Curb appeal is important when trying to get more money when selling your home. As a potential home-buyer approaching your house they are experiencing a first impression on your home. Take advantage of this moment by grabbing their attention-this will also help when it comes time for pictures. Present a professional online "profile" picture to the audience on the web. This is what online buyers will see as they browse the web for the many homes for sale. So take the time and money and refresh and spruce up the landscaping around the outside of the house to grab their attention. 5. Driveway Your driveway has had a lot of traffic through the years of owning your home. Wear and tear from the Oldham County Ky four seasons and the oil stains from the old family car can make the driveway look pretty bad. It is a good idea to power wash the driveway at this time and apply a fresh coat of stain. Also if needed-clean and stain the sidewalk and entry way to the front door. 6. Kitchen Being one of the most sought after rooms in the house, for many reasons. Buyers are looking for kitchens that apply to their needs and wishes. Clean up and declutter the kitchen counters and remove all of the stuff on the fridge A buyer is not interested in the achievements hanging on the fridge or next weeks grocery list. Bonus Tips: Stage the home – set a good first impression and keep your home show-ready at all times Do pre-inspection repairs -before selling your home if you know it’s broke go ahead and fix it first to save money later… a home inspector will find it - leaky faucets, electrical, to chipped paint on the baseboards Price it right from the start - If you price too high and have to lower your price, it will hurt you more than if you just price it right the first time.