Monday, May 31, 2010

Now for the inside

Hopefully now the outside of your home has great curb appeal! It is now time to spruce up the inside of your home. Let's make certain that your home makes a lasting impression on potential buyers and their real estate brokers.

Understand that buyers are looking for a house and are not buying your decorating style, emotions towards the home or lifestyle. It is time to prepare your property so that it has a clean, clear appearance in which a buyer can envision their life within the bounds of your property.
  • Remove personal items such as family photos and collections. Buyers need to imagine their items and not be distracted by wondering what type of people live there now.

  • Ask your broker what the difference is between personal property and fixtures. If you want to take your chandelier or built in cabinet with you, then you should consider removing them prior to showing your property.

  • Consider removing curtains that block natural light.

  • Clean out your closets and organize them. This is a great time to get rid of those items you don't want to move!

  • Minimize the number of items on your kitchen and bathroom counters.

  • Make all minor repairs. Having a leaky faucet or a light that doesn't work suggests that you might not take good care of your property.

  • Repaint any rooms that have a loud non-neutral color.

  • Toilets... Close the lids for showings. If you have water with high iron/mineral contents use an iron out product and make those bowls their intended color.

  • Removing extra furniture will make a room appear larger and will invite buyers to walk around and linger longer in each room.

  • Consider renting a storage space. Get those extra boxes and pieces of furniture out of the house so that buyers can move around.

  • And lastly, clean clean clean. Make every room sparkle.

If you have doubts about what to remove or update in your home to give your home greater appeal then ask your Jaret & Cohn Broker. Another option is to hire a professional stager to come in and make the changes for you. We can refer you to several Midcoast Maine home stagers and cleaners that can assist you. Just ask, we are happy to help.

Monday, May 24, 2010

First Impressions

You placed your house on the market. You want for it to sell fast, sell it for top dollar, and you want home buyers and real estate brokers to love your home enough to tell all their friends and colleagues about it.

Chances are potential buyers will drive by your home before they schedule an appointment to see the inside. Stand on the street and look at your property. What do buyers see?

Give your property greater curb appeal with these tips:
  • Is your street number visible? Buyers need to see they are looking at the correct property.
  • Mow and edge your lawn regularly. (Don't forget to take your for sale sign out of the ground before mowing.)
  • During winter keep your walkways free of snow and ice.
  • Trim any shrubs and trees that are blocking windows and architectural features. (Extra bonus - this will increase the natural light coming into your house.)
  • Remove the weeds from any planted/landscaped garden areas.
  • Keep your yard and drive free of debris, toys and trash. If you do not have outside storage, organize these items in a place out of street view.
  • Repaint any peeling or flaking house trim.
  • Sweep and/or wash porches, decks and walkways.
  • Repaint, stain or weatherproof any tired steps, porches or decks.
  • Place potted flowers, hanging pots or wreaths near your door to create an inviting and welcoming entry.
Lastly, ask your Jaret & Cohn real estate broker, friends and family to drive by your home. Ask them for any suggestions for ideas on how to make your home exterior showing ready. After all you want your property to give buyers a lasting first impression.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Jaret and Cohn 2009 Top Producers

Congratulations to the
2009 Jaret and Cohn Real Estate Top Producers!


From left to right:Leonard Maxwell, Sheryl Schwab, Pamela Gushee, Dawn Harlor, Carleton Johnson and Nancy Hughes (not pictured Wes Reed)

Jaret & Cohn Real Estate Company Wide Top Producer
Nancy Hughes
Phone: 207-542-2805

Belfast Office Top Producer
Sheryl Schaub
Phone: 207-323-0264

Camden Office Top Producers
Dawn Harlor
Phone: 207-542-4724
Email: dharlor@jaretcohn.com
 Nancy Hughes
Phone: 207-542-2805

Island Group Top Producer
Wesley Reed
Phone: 207-863-2554
Email: wreed@jaretcohn.com

Rockland Office Top Producers
Pamela Gushee
Phone: 207-542-3737
Carleton Johnson
Phone: 207-592-1175
Email: cjohnson@jaretcohn.com
 
Waldoboro Office Top Producer
Leonard Maxwell
Phone: 207-542-8797