Every Tuesday morning in Andover and North Andover the realtors  tour the homes which are new to the market.  This week upon entering the dining room in one of these homes, I said to myself, “gee, I’d like to stay for dinner.”   The home was in excellent condition, neat, clean and nicely decorated.  The dining room table was set beautifully–as if the homeowners were welcoming guests to an elegant autumn dinner party.  Of course we all knew there was no party scheduled….the room had been “staged” for showings.  It was staged to show potential buyers just how beautiful and comfortable the dining room is and to encourage potential buyers to linger and to imagine themselves welcoming their own friends and family to  a special dinner party.  Staging works!  It sells homes. It sells them quickly and it sells them for the highest price the market will bear.  Sellers, show your buyers the special features of your home—whether its a fabulous dining room, a cozy  fireplace or wonderful family room.  Help your buyers picture themselves enjoying their new home–not stripping wallpaper, scrubbing floors or polishing windows. For more tips on how to get the best price for your Andover or North Andover home contact me at REMAX Partners in downtown Andover and see what homes have sold in your neighborhood.

The Andover and North Andover real estate market may be improving but that doesn’t mean that selling real estate still isn’t  tough in today’s competive market. The key to successfully selling your home is to make it stand above the rest.  That’s why many real estate companies and home owners have hired staging companies to help market their homes.  Empty homes are often completely furnished by staging companies to allow the potential buyer to see the best features of the home.  While having your home decorated by a professional designer is often well worth the investment of time and money, professional home staging  may not be in your budget. So here are a few tips for getting your home ready to sell, staging it yourself:

• Remove clutter.  Clear off counters, clean out cabinets and closets.  Too much stuff lying around gives rooms, closets and cabinets a smaller feel.  You want the potential buyer to see space and room. You’re going to have to pack your belongings anyway, why not do it before you put your home on the market and improve the outcome of the sale at the same time?
• Remove personal items.  Photos, school items, political and religious material should all be removed.  By presenting a neutral space the buyer will be better able to see himself , not you, living in the home.
• Pay attention to the outside of your house.  A little landscaping and a freshly painted front door can go a long way.  You have only one chance to make a first impression.  Buyers often preview homes by driving by before scheduling a showing. It’s critical to present a good first impression.
• Clean, clean, clean.  Clean your floors.  If you have carpet get it cleaned professionally.  Make sure your walls are clean and your appliances smudge-free.  Clean everything….and don’t forget windows and light fixtures! 
• Arrange furniture in ways that make your rooms seem more spacious.  Use furniture to define spaces, create conversation areas and focus attention on your favorite features such as a sunny window or cozy fireplace.  Invite your buyer to linger comfortably.
• Have a home inspection.  Inspecting your home before you sell allows you to  make repairs in advance and thus help the negotiations move more quickly and more favorably.

When you are selling your home you want it to appeal to the potential buyer.  If you can help them fall in love with your home as you did you will likely see a quicker sale and more favorable terms. Did I mention CLEAN? 

Read more tips on how to  prepare your home for sale and see my Andover North Andover business directory for help with your projects.

Because I know the Andover and North Andover real estate market can help sellers properly price their homes.   As “Your Neighborhood Expert” I advertise and market homes not only to potential buyers but to other real estate professionals as well.  I help home owners present their homes in a way that will appeal to potential buyers. I negotiate contracts and make certain all the essential details are properly coordinated.

My knowledge of the local real estate market is just as valuable for home buyers. I know what homes are available and I know the community, its amenities and all that it has to offer.  I prepare contracts, negotiate offers, help arrange home inspections and coordinate all the steps required for a successful closing.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the Andover area, or know someone who is, I can help diminish the stresses involved with buying or selling real estate.  Contact me at ReMax Partners in Andover to learn more about my buyer and seller services.

One of the great benefits of living in New England, especially Andover and North Andover, is our proximity to great vacation destinations.  From the beaches and our shoreline, to the mountains of Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire, there are terrific opportunities to own and enjoy a vacation home. If you have fallen into the category of a second-home owner who is having financial difficulty and trouble selling it, there are things that you can do to try and save money.  

• Wait for rates to come down again and re-finance the loan.
• Hold off on any planned home improvements.
• Rent the property. You may rent your property for up to fourteen days before having to report the income to the I.R.S. This is a wonderful option if your property is near a popular annual event that brings in many out-of-towners needing places to stay for the event.
• Donate the home to charity. You can donate a week for a charity auction and then possibly deduct the fair market rental value from your income taxes. A home can be donated as a Life Estate, which gives the homeowner the right to live there until death and provides a large tax deduction.
• If you are ambitious you could hire a tax attorney and appeal your property taxes. Many property taxes were assessed on values at the peak of the market, and are now valued much lower.
• Write up a written agreement or family limited partnership to share the financial burden of the second home with a “partner”. This could be a family member, or not.

To earn more about possible tax advantages of second-home ownership go to Family Education.

The first impression really does count with potential home buyers. If your home is lacking basic curb appeal or is not sparkling inside, you could lose a potential buyer’s interest immediately - and never get it back! Here are some tips to avoid losing a potential buyer:

• Flowers, flowers, flowers. Nothing welcomes a potential buyer more to a home than colorful flowers.
• Keep walkways clear, trimmed and weeded.
• Patios must be power-washed.
• Windows should be sparkling.
• Dust everywhere. Even the baseboards.
• Since potential buyers look everywhere, make sure underneath your sinks and closets are clean, clutter-free and odor-free.
• Remove all personal items such as framed photos, awards and collectibles. Buyers need to be able to imagine the space as theirs.
• Paint any room that is a bright color, a neutral color.
• Remove any worn or outdated furniture.
• Repair any chipped or smudged paint, broken fixtures or squeaky doors.
• Toss worn carpets.
• Consider replacing dated hardware.

For more information about home staging go to Home Staging Information and for a recommendation for a local stager contact me at RE/MAX Partners in Andover.  I feel so strongly about the value of home staging and making a great first impression that I include an initial consultation with my stager FREE as part of my home seller service package.

Putting your house on the market is always a challenge in that you must look for ways to make it the most appealing it can be to potential buyers. Beyond the tried and true rules of emptying closets and keeping all rooms tidy and clean, here are some things you may not have thought of that can have major impact during a showing or open house.

• If you have a small room in your home that you would like to appear more spacious, paint it the same color as the room it is attached to. This will convey a more seamless, spacious feel. Another trick to convey spaciousness is to keep all window treatments in small rooms the same shade as the walls.
• Paint your sun room an attractive shade of green. It really does help to bring the outside in!
• If you have a narrow room, add wall shelving. This gives the space depth, without crowding out occupants.
• If you are upgrading to sell, choose Eco-friendly materials. Buyers are showing more interest in homes with these materials. For example, consider cost-efficient and “green” cork flooring instead of hardwoods.
• Consider breaking up a finished basement into “zones”. For example, furnish one area for reading, another area for a bar, one for games, one for a workspace with a desk and another for lounging in front of the television.
• If your kitchen is outdated and you do not want to renovate, replacing old appliances is highly suggested. Studies show that sellers recoup every penny spent on new appliances!  For help with these or other home projects visit my online business directory.  For the latest sales in your neighborhood visit MyHomeValueToday.com.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the thought of packing, moving and organizing your belongings perhaps you'll find some comfort knowing that you are not alone.  Every home seller I've met has expressed similar feelings. Many home sellers have lived and worked in Andover and North Andover for many years and have the full attics, basements and garages as proof!  Rest assured -- every home seller I've worked with not only has conquered the task successfully  but has told me that settling into their new home was worth all the effort. Moving to a smaller house requires going through your belongings and furniture with the goal of getting rid of some of it. Here are some ways to help you get started and to make the process more manageable.

• Plan Ahead - Don’t wait to start culling until someone has agreed to purchase the home you have had on the market. This could leave you with as little as a couple of weeks to sort through decades of belongings. Start going through your things and getting rid of stuff a month or two before you even put your house on the market. Not only will this give you ample time to decide what you really love and want to keep, but it will also make your house more appealing to potential buyers.
• Include the entire family - Certain objects and possessions mean different things to different family members. Holding onto an old piano that no one ever plays, only means more moving cost and excess unwanted furniture in your new home.
• Photos - Give yourself several days for the task of digitizing all of your family’s photos. Since they are one of our most valued possessions, why not take them out of those giant boxes, scan them and make a CD? This will cut down on a tremendous amount of clutter and it will keep your memories safe forever.
• Shedding basement objects first- Many people put things away in their basements, attics and sheds assuming that someday they may find a need for it again. Seriously consider which items you can live without and start getting rid of them by donating them or selling them.
• “Furnished Home For Sale” - If you are not emotionally attached to your furniture, consider selling them along with the house. This way you save on moving costs and you get to buy all new things for your new home. Not bad!

It often doesn't take much to increase the value of your home.  Experts agree that adding value to your home and property is not as costly as you may think. There are many simple ways to add value that you can even do yourself without the help of a professional. The first and most popular is paint. We all know how either the exterior of a home or an interior room can be magically transformed with the right shade of paint. If nothing else, it changes old and dingy to fresh and new. Replacing that dated or worn front door can make a tremendous improvement in the way your home looks from the curb. Changing old and worn light fixtures is another way to update and freshen your home’s exterior. Adding foundation shrubs, bushes and flowers is another smart and inexpensive way to boost your home’s value, while adding a whole lot of curb appeal. Inside the home, studies have shown that chrome fixtures are highly preferred to the more dated gold fixtures and that a fixed glass screen is preferred over a shower curtain. If you plan to add window treatments, simple blinds are the most popular choice. Consider changing your bathroom and kitchen drawer pulls and light fixtures with more modern choices - and see how it can transform the look of the room. Studies also show that upgrading your appliances to more energy efficient models will add great value to your home. For more information about adding value to your home go to HGTV.com. These simple projects will reap huge benefits not only in the price your home will sell for but the time on market as well.  For these and more tips on how to get your home sold in Andover, North Andover and the surrounding communities contact me at REMAX Partners. For real time information about recent home sales in your neighborhood check out my "Market Snapshot."

Many homeowners today are concerned about the quality of air in their homes, since we spend so much time indoors. Here are some ways that you can achieve superior air quality while improving your family’s respiratory health. This is what you can do, moving from room to room.

• Basement: Since the furnace is in this space, you must have it inspected and cleaned yearly to avoid leakage of dangerous gases. Also, many basements can be damp and therefore may grow mold. You must make sure your gutters are doing their job of keeping water runoff away from your home. Installing a dehumidifier or air conditioner can keep even the most moist basement dry.
• Garage: Install a weatherproof door between this room and the rest of your home. It will keep gasoline odors where they belong. Your lungs will thank you.
• Kitchen: If you have a gas range, you must have a hood fan that exhausts outdoor air. Turning on that fan, or simply opening a window while cooking will remove gas fumes. All fuel burning appliances must be professionally inspected yearly to prevent possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Family/Living Room: Dust accumulation can be simply eliminated with the reduction of clutter. Keeping toys, books and other items nicely stored away in closets is the way to go.
• Bedrooms: Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Dust mites and allergens are also greatly reduced by washing bedding in hot water. Choose area rugs that are easy to wash.
• Bathrooms: Ventilation is so important in this well-used room. Exhaust fans work to remove moisture and chemicals that you clean with. Change your cleaning products to ones that have no pesticides or toxic ingredients. See www.grist.org for a list of green bathroom cleaners.
• Attic: Have your duct work inspected if it runs through an uninsulated attic. Why? Because humid air condenses and can cause mold and rust. Consider having your attic insulated.

Throughout your home always leave doors between rooms open for better air circulation Opening windows from time to time is a no-brain er, but some forget to do it.     As we become more and more aware of the need to protect the world's environment, it's nice to know that there are simple things we can do right here in our own homes in Andover and North Andover to create a healthier and more comfortable environment for our families.  As is so often the case, sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference.  Remember, too, that if you're thinking about selling your home, these same small steps can help you sell your home for more money and in less time.

As everyone knows, spring is the most desirable time to put your house on the market as the weather seems to always cooperate and your landscaping’s appeal can be fully realized. But if you simply must list your home during the winter months, here are a few things that you can do to make the undertaking a little bit less challenging.  

1. Keep dead tree limbs picked up.
2. Keep driveway, steps and walkways plowed, shoveled and salted at all times.
3. Keep gutters clean - so no icicles can form.
4. Replace weather-stripping as needed to keep drafts away.
5. Keep all valves to outdoor spigots turned off to avoid burst pipes.
6. Holiday decorations should be put away as soon as possible.
7. Keeping a roaring fireplace during an open house this time of year is always a good thing.
8. Keep lists handy for all potential buyers of all of your home’s energy efficiencies, i.e. wrapped pipes, extra insulation, new windows, etc.
9. Keep all windows clean to let in as much light as possible. Remove all screens to storage and take down any heavy drapes. This will let in that extra light that so many potential buyers will be demanding this time of year.
10. Keep as many lights on as possible during showings. If you cannot be there, set lights on timers and add motion sensors to walkways. You may even consider installing motion detectors for walk-in closets.
11. Keep photos around your home showing the house in all seasons. A nice shot of your blooming flowers and lush green shrubs will help potential buyers understand what is under all of that snow!
12. Keep the indoor temperature at a comfortable setting.  You want potential buyers to linger and to see themselves relaxing at home.  A shivering buyer will be thinking more about getting back into a warm car than arranging their furniture in their new home.

Remember that home sales continue throughout the winter months...especially in Andover, North Andover and the rest of New England where winters are long and cold.  Buyers who are planning a move in the spring or summer months often begin their home search during the winter months so be prepared, follow these tips, and look for opportunities for selling your home during our New England winter.