Sad but true…
By Allison Jensen | April 22, 2008
A person was apprehended last week in Northern Virginia for stealing valuables from open houses. OK, so there are all kinds of people in this world, some of whom we can’t trust. The problem is, you usually don’t know who until it is too late. So, from a staging perspective, here are some reminders on what you and your home sellers can do to protect life and property during a sale…
- Remove anything from the home of value. Yes, this may be an inconvenience, but far less of one than if something turns up missing.
- Make sure all prescription drugs are out of reach.
- Remove anything that might be used as a weapon. Knives must be removed from counters, of course, but also from drawers in the kitchen. Place them somewhere easy to retrieve, but inconspicuous - we suggest in a bag in the garage.
- Many homes today have alarm systems. As you enter the home during a showing or open house, make note of where the alarm control pad is and what the emergency call buttons look like.
- If someone comes to an open house that makes you feel uncomfortable, ask another visitor to stay until the suspicious person leaves. Most people will be very understanding and be willing to help.
Topics: Home Staging, Safety | No Comments »
Important Questions to Ask Your Next Contractor
By Allison Jensen | April 21, 2008
People are always looking to improve their homes. It’s important to spend as much researching who does your project as what you want done with your project. The following can help you do your research and spend your pre-renovation time wisely!
- Can I see your state license?
- What associations do you belong to?
- How long have you been in business?
- Are you insured and covered by worker’s compensation? And can I get a copy?
- Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job?
- Have you done projects like this in the last 12 months?
- Who are your previous clients, and how can I contact them?
- How do you plan to approach my project?
- Will you be using subcontractors on this project?
- Are your subcontractors licensed?
- How do you figure costs and schedules?
- What happens if you go over time or budget?
- Will I be contacted about delays or changes in the schedule?
- Will my project require a permit?
- Can I get my estimate in writing?
Topics: Renovations | No Comments »
30 Minutes of Fame on House Hunters?
By Allison Jensen | April 9, 2008
One of my listings was lucky enough to be selected as a House Hunters house last year. By participating in the episode, I was able to meet producers who — would like me to do a House Hunters episode!!! Do you, or someone you know, want to be involved in this project? If you’re not familiar with it, check them out on HGTV.com. It is a couple of days of filming (with me) and in the end, you’ll be $500 wealthier, have a house and be a TV star! If you’re interested, give me a call or send me an email. They are always looking for all different price points and all different types of people!
Topics: Buying a Home, House Hunters | No Comments »
The Next “It” Space
By Allison Jensen | April 7, 2008
Buyers have come to expect upgraded kitchens, master bathrooms and outdoor living spaces - even in smaller homes. Builders are taking note of this and offering these upgrades as standard in starter homes. Builders are also trying to captialize on buyers’ wanting the latest and greatest and are vying to come up with the next big thing. Some of these trends are entertainment/billiard rooms, pocket libraries in hallways, upgraded utility/laundry rooms, organized (and finished) storage rooms, hobby/craft rooms and outdoor spaces with kitchens, fireplaces, stonework and ponds. We’ll see these trends seep into existing homes in the coming months and years!
Topics: Home Staging, Selling Tips | No Comments »
Elements of Good Design
By Allison Jensen | April 5, 2008
There are core principles of all good interior design that will be visually appealing to most any consumer. Keep these in mind as you view - or decorate - homes and you can maximize a home’s appeal.
BALANCE: Balance means using furniture and other objects to make each part of an arrangement roughly equal in visual weight so that one area harmoniously compliments the other. This can also be achieved through symmetry.
HARMONY: Harmony occurs when all parts of the arrangement - from furniture to accessories to wall color - combine to create a pleasing whole. An easy way to do this is through repitition in color, texture and shape. You can vary it up by using different shades of a color.
EMPHASIS: Every well designed room needs a focal point to draw the eye into the space. This can be done by using a fireplace, a sweeping view or a beautiful painting. Larger spaces may need more than one focal point. Without a focal point there’s no place for the eye to rest and it makes the space uninviting and unappealing. With the focal point you can respond to the aesthetics of the interior space.
Food for thought when you decorate!
Topics: Home Staging, Selling Tips, Spring Cleaning | No Comments »
Need help de-cluttering?
By Allison Jensen | April 4, 2008
Ah, spring cleaning - what fun! This is generally the time of year that my husband Erik hates. I go through everything - drawers, cabinets, entire rooms - and organize, throw away or recycle. Even though we still have a ton of stuff, it helps me feel that it’s better organized and that I can better find it when we actually need it. The internet provides a number of great ways to de-clutter or re-use those things you don’t need. Here are some of my personal favorites:
- www.craigslist.com - This website lets you post a description and pictures about any item you want to sell - from clothes to services to old TVs. It’s free and the only cavit is that it only stays active for 7 days before expiring. We sold several items last summer ranging from an old TV, computer monitors we didn’t need, golf clubs and even Erik’s old PS2. We netted close to $800 - cash. Beware of scams and always use pre-caution when arranging to meet people for the exchange. We always choose busy locations in the middle of the day (outside of Harris Teeter or Target) and it was as easy as 1-2-3. I’ve recommended this method of ‘getting rid of’ to many clients and friends.
- www.clothingdonations.org this non-profit, the Vietnam Veteran’s of America, allows you to schedule a pick-up online. They’ll come by your home at the appointed date and time and pick up unwanted used items. You get the tax write-off and they’re able to help support our veterans. A win-win!
- www.junkboysinc.com - this company specializes in junk removal! You can call and schedule them to come out at a certain time and they will remove any unwanted clutter for you - for a charge. They are friendly, efficient and make the process very speedy for you. They offer competitve prices, a clean and professional staff, excellent customer service, quick booking and a referral program (helpful if you know lots of people with junk!). Think big - they can do interior and exterior work and no job is too big or too small!
Happy cleaning!
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
100% Financing is a thing of the past
By Allison Jensen | April 3, 2008
A tidbit from Leanne today… 100% products have been taken away. Mortgage Insurance companies will no longer do mortgage insurance coverage at 100% financing. They will only give coverage to people borrowing 97% or less. So this means VA is the only product that people (militlary) can do 100% financing on.
Since it’s mortgage insurance companies, this means every mortgage company now has deleted 100% products.
There is one other option, FHA lends up to 97% but the sellers can give a 3% “Down Payment Assistance”…the only downfall is that the home must appraise at the higher sales price. Due to the declining market in Virginia, if someone goes this route, they must have two appraisals done and both must be marked “Stable” and not “Declining”. The lower appraisal of the two is the one that counts.
You probably don’t know this– but someone has a parent that is/was a Veteran and the parent never used the VA loan, they just have to write a letter stating they give permission for their son/daughter to use their VA loan.
Just some interesting information. If you have any questions about loans or loan products, feel free to call me or Leanne.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Home Decor Trends - what’s in and what’s out
By Allison Jensen | April 2, 2008
In:
- Reducing your home’s carbon footprint: buyers are looking for homes that are more eco-friendly and have less of an impact on the earth.
- Outdoor living: gracious patios and decks, along with outdoor kitchens and fireplaces that extend the seasons are drawing buyers.
- Fully concealed appliances: Making the appliances blend completely into the rest of the kitchen by hiding them behind cabinet doors is a new trend.
- Floating homes: These non-mobile homes are basically ranch homes sitting on stationary barges on lakes and rivers.
- Home elevators: Builders of mid-priced homes are catering to boomers wanting to age in their home.
- Pet showers: If you have a pet, you know it’s messy to wash them. Pet showers are popping up in garages and mudrooms.
- Freestanding bathtubs: The new bathroom centerpiece is replacing the jacuzzi tub.
- Bathroom suites: These rooms are becoming more and more of a space for living with mini-fridges and flat screen TVs. Soon you’ll never have to leave!
Out:
- the formal Living Room: it’s already ceased to exist in some homes as people just aren’t using them anymore.
- Voluminous ceiling heights: the look and waste of space is finally dawning on buyers.
- McMansions: buyers are realizing it’s just too big for a family to truly feel comfortable. Could it be that small is beautiful?
- Tiny balconies: who wants room for just one chair? These outdoor spaces must be a place for entertaining too.
(REALTOR, April 2008)
Topics: Home Staging, Selling Tips | No Comments »
Spring Cleaning Thoughts
By Allison Jensen | April 1, 2008
Even though it doesn’t always feel like it, spring is here! There is no better way to welcome in the change of the season than with a change around you. It can be overwhelming to think of all you have to (or in my case, want to do) so I’ve come up with some easy ways to focus your cleaning and maximize your impact!
1) Clean those windows and blinds! Many of the new tilt in windows make this job easier than ever before. Clean windows makes your house shine from the outside in. Walls look brighter, windows look bigger and other no-so-clean parts of the room fade into the background. To make a ‘green’ solution, mix one part vinegar to eight parts water plus a couple drops of liquid soap. Spray on and wipe clean with newspaper to avoid streaks.
2) Sniff out smells. Check under the fridge and wipe up any standing water left over from defrosting. Remove stinky fidge odors by mixing water and baking soda and washing the inside with the solution. Clean your microwave by boiling lemo juice - and then add the mixture to your dishwasher to clean that too. Putting used lemons and limes down the garbage disposal will freshen up your sink - and is also a ‘green’ way to dispose of them.
3) Make a better bed by vacuum your mattress and box springs, and then rotate and flip the mattress. In addition to extending the life of the mattress and box spring, you’ll also be doing your back a favor! This is also a good time to vacuum and clean your sofa cushions and wash your dust ruffle and mattress pad.
4) Improve your appliance efficiency by vacuuming grates, coils and condensers in the furnance, stove and fridge.
5) Wash the walls. It may seem silly, but over time smoke, grease and dust can adhere to wall surfaces and make them look tired. Wash walls with a general cleaner plus hot water - or use the wonderful Mr. Clean pads (we buy those in bulk!). This is especially re-energizing to kitchen, ball and hallway areas.
Happy cleaning!
Topics: Home Staging, Selling Tips, Spring Cleaning | No Comments »
An explaination
By Allison Jensen | April 1, 2008
Hi everyone - I realize there aren’t many of you reading this, but hopefully as I continue to blog and build up my posts, you’ll come to look at it as a real estate resource. I have no planned topics in mind. Some days it may be top 10 lists, some days articles, some days random thoughts. The common theme through all of these posts are to help you be the best educated consumer possible and to help you live better! If you have any topics you’d like to see addressed in the blog, please email me at ajensen@kw.com and I’ll see what I can do!
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »