Although it may seem like a huge task and it is, de-cluttering your house can be relatively easy if you know how to do it right. Although there are a lot of tasks that you can do, there are three ways in which you can definitely make some headway when trying to de-clutter. Make sure you take note of them and use them well.

1. Segregate your home into segments – Every area in the home has its own set of typical clutter. Regardless of whether you live in a one bedroom apartment or you live in a studio apartment, you should make sure to segregate every area in your home for the clutter. For example, you can segregate by rooms or you can segregate even further by area. If you have a particularly large living room for example, you can segregate it by mantle, television area and so on. If not you can segregate by living room, dining room and so on. Segregating your home will make it easier to sort as you progress with de-cluttering. Make sure any items you find that don’t belong in one area are moved to another.
2. Create a checklist of thing to throw away, give away or keep – Once you have segregated your home, you can create a list of items which you need as well as items that you don’t. Having a checklist will remind you of the things which you will need to throw away or set aside. In addition, writing them down will ensure that you remember whether or not you have completed the task you are planning to do with the item concerned. This is essential for the next step.
3. Carry a set of two containers – Once you have created your checklist move around your home with three containers corresponding to the things to throw away and give away on your checklist of items. Place all the things to throw away or give in each container. This is psychological too because it prevents you from seeing items which you might be attached to but shouldn’t be keeping. This way you can forget that you are giving them away. Once you are done with your clearing you can give yourself a little treat by taking one item out of the giveaway pile.

De-cluttering your house isn’t just an art, it is also a skill. The more often you do it, the more you will find that you are on top of the amount of mess you are making. Remember, in order to keep your house uncluttered, every time you buy something you should get rid of something to ensure your things don’t pile up. As you progress, you will also find that it will get easier and easier and will eventually become a habit.

Today, the internet has simplified the way things are done and more advertising is not the answer to selling your home or other property. When a realtor displays your home on a website a lot of information is provided online. Interested buyers can view the house online and decide if that is what they are looking for. They see the exterior and the interior view of the house in full color. The living room, kitchen, dining, bathrooms and bedrooms are all displayed showing the floor, walls, ceiling, doors, windows and many other features. The garage doors, entrances, corridors, fireplace, basement and roofing are displayed to give the viewer a complete view of the home.

The exterior walls, roofing, doors and the landscaping is shown including flowers, shrubs, grass and trees and if this is someone’s dream home they will spot it right away and crave to see it and finalize the deal. That is why the internet is so effective in marketing and selling homes and other properties. The buyer will spot what they want to buy and take interest in those homes they like right away. Decisions are made faster than when they see a home on a newspaper or magazine and have to travel all the way before they make a decision. On the internet the buyer can take an online tour around the house in the comfort of their home or office without spending money on fuel to travel from one home to another. The internet saves the money and time for the buyer and seller limiting their inquiries to only the homes (for the buyer) and the buyers (for the seller) who are interested in that property.

If you want to sell your home just know that these days, newspapers rarely sell homes. The internet is a faster and more efficient seller of homes to a wider audience (even overseas), than local newspapers.

By: Marc Rasmussen – Sarasota homes

Getting your Home Ready to Sell

First, it is important to disconnect your emotions. Although you may have years of memories in the home, it will be the new home of another family, and you cannot get too emotional when you hear potential buyers considering tearing out a wall, or covering the wallpaper.

Go through the home and remove all the clutter. Clutter alone is a distraction and takes from the beauty of the home. Go through each room and get rid of everything that is not necessary. Also, box things up to give the home added space. Don’t take from the beauty of the home, but organize and de-clutter.

Give the walls of the home a fresh coat of paint. You would be surprised at how far a fresh coat of paint goes, and it freshens the home and makes it updated, and it is one of the least expensive projects that you can do to get your house attractive in appearance.

Clean the carpets in the home, and all floors, as well as window sills and so on. You might also consider some new hardware for the doors or cupboards in the kitchen or bathroom.

Make sure the outside of the home is clean and presentable. Consider power washing the outside of the home. Make sure the entry is inviting. Clean the outside of the door, sweep and place a potted plant at the entry to the home. Also, make sure that the lawn and landscape are manicured.

When you meet with agents to sell the home, meet with at least three to get a good idea of what your home is worth. This not only gives you a good idea of what you can get for your home, it also allows you the opportunity to meet with various agents and listen to what they will offer you should they be your listing agent. It also gives you the opportunity to choose an agent that you feel the most comfortable with.

Getting top dollar for your home is essential and something that without taking simple steps to ensure its selling price, will cost you profit in the home.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FMCC) have agreed to delay foreclosures from December 19th through January 2nd of 2012. All of the legal and administrative work required for the evictions will continue during this time. But, according to a statement made by Fannie Mae, the physical evictions will cease. This will allow these families to remain in their homes until after the new year.

“No family should have to give up their home during this holiday season,” said Terry Edwards, an executive vice president for Fannie Mae.

Big Mortgage Lending Banks

Chase and Wells Fargo, major banks that offer home loans, are also allowing delinquent borrowers to enjoy their holidays in peace. Chase Mortgage has vowed to hold off on all evictions between December 22nd and January 2nd.

Wells Fargo has also agreed to not evict during that same time frame. But, this rule only applies to properties within their own portfolio. For loans that Wells Fargo services for outside lenders, foreclosures may still happen. That’s because these smaller lenders have not made this 2011 holiday season vow.

Bank of America, another big leader in the mortgage lending industry, has made a vow that is slightly vague. They said that they will, “avoid foreclosure sales or displacement of homeowners or tenants around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.” Although this statement does not give specific dates, it may help to give BofA’s delinquent borrowers a little peace of mind during Christmas time. Just a little…

Holiday Miracles

Halting foreclosures during the holidays could have a major impact on tens of thousands of homeowners. According to RealtyTrac, an average of 89,000 foreclosure auctions per month were scheduled for 2011. This is the final step in the eviction process before actual eviction occurs.

When we think about Christmas, we think about movies like “Miracle on 34th Street.” This is one of our all-time favorite Christmas movies because everyone wants to believe that miracles can happen. It’s the holidays. Miracles can happen. The foreclosure halts give homeowners a second chance to believe in miracles and the spirit of the holiday season.

You never know. You just may get the greatest Christmas gift ever, or scratch that perfect holiday lottery ticket. You just may get the miracle you need to save your home, because come January 2, 2012, the lenders will be getting back to business as usual.

When considering agents, there is definitely something to be said for those that have been around to see the neighborhood grow and change. The knowledge that they possess is priceless. But, have they kept up with the times? Even if they have not personally, do they hire somebody to take care of the ‘techy’ stuff for them? If you are getting pressured into interviewing your friend’s great aunt who has been in ‘the business’ for 30 years, make sure you ask specifically what the plan for your listing will be technology-wise. If she brings a booklet for her listing presentation or asks you to fax back your listing papers, she may not be the one.

Taking this a step further, my definition of tech savvy includes a wide variety of things. Having your home listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is really just scratching the surface. There are literally hundreds of real estate websites it could be syndicated to, but the highest priority ones are; Trulia, Zillow, and Realtor.com. But I am getting slightly ahead of myself. Let’s back up and talk about the photography. It is so critically important. It stands to reason, if the web is where most people’s first impression of your home comes from, it needs to look good. So, either the photos need to be done by a professional, or at the very least a high quality camera. It is still appalling, in this day and age, to see dark, blurry, or shadowy photos of a house on-line.

Being tech savvy is also more than having tools or gadgets. It is the ability to connect with today’s consumers via several different means; text, e-mail, and social media. Some experts have said that increasingly, consumers are searching Facebook first to find information. With the depth of personal data Facebook records, it is typically able to offer more accurate search results to the searcher. In addition, e-mail blasts to other agents or target audiences (apartment dwellers), can prove to be highly effective in getting the word out about listings. It is all about getting your property in front of as many people as possible. For a REALTOR® with a good Twitter following, tweeting is another way to do that Think now about your sign. An empty flyer box and generic phone number will not satisfy today’s buyer. They are looking for instantaneous information. To that order, a real estate QR code or text-for-more-info number can answer that need.

In essence, the number of different ways to use all the available technology is almost limitless. This is absolutely a more-is-more scenario. So, when selecting an agent to list your home, remember that marketing is that agent’s number one responsibility. Make sure that they have at least a handful of ideas that involve more than the typical MLS, sign in yard, and faded flyers. It only takes one good buyer to accomplish your goal of selling your home, so the more people that know about it, the sooner you’ll be home free!

For more information about marketing your Palm Springs home with a tech savvy Realtor, you can you can visit my La Quinta CA real estate website.

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts that will help you through the painting process:

• Avoid white – Many sellers automatically assume that white walls make the most sense; but, in reality, they are quite stark and do nothing to make your home more appealing. Instead of white, choose a warm, neutral color (think taupe or beige) that will appeal to the masses. Avoid bold colors, as they are often too subjective, and never wallpaper any room in your home. In fact, if you have wallpaper, it is almost always a good idea to remove it before listing your Boston property for sale.
• Choose a satin or semi-gloss – Flat paint will show the flaws in your walls and is difficult to clean, while a satin or semi-gloss paint is much more forgiving and easier to clean.
• Take your time – If there’s one thing that buyers will immediately notice it is a bad paint job. Take the time to properly prep your work area and make sure your paint job is neat and attractive. Freshly painted walls will get you nowhere if you’ve slopped paint on the floor or on the light switches.
• Don’t forget the front door – If you have a painted front door, take a moment to consider whether it would benefit from a fresh coat of paint. Because your front door is one of the first things buyers will see when they approach your property, it is always a good idea to make sure it looks beautiful.
• Your deck – if your deck has seen better days and is looking worn or weathered, it is probably a good idea to clean and seal it. A fresh coat of stain on your deck will immediately make it look fresh and new.
• Don’t forget the tri

Mistake #1: Asking Too Much

Many sellers get hung up on the amount of time and money they have invested in their home. As a result, they come up with an unrealistic asking price for their homes. Unfortunately, setting a price that is too high will drive away many potential buyers who will never give your home a second look. Furthermore, the longer a home sits on the market, the more difficult it is to sell. On the other hand, setting a price that is too low is likely to raise suspicion among potential buyers. For these reasons, it isimportant to discuss the price with a qualified real estate agent in order to come up with a price that is fair and reasonable. Some of the factors a qualified real estate agent will take into consideration when determining a price include the current market climate and neighborhood statistics. Don’t overlook the importance of this step in relying on an agent knowledgeable in your area – since we all know market conditions in Denver will vary greatly from those in Bethesda MD real estate.

Mistake #2: Failing to Realize the True Condition of the Home

As a homeowner, it is easy to grow accustomed to the flaws that you see every day. As a result, itcan be difficult to see the true condition of the home. Rather than focusing on the home’s highlights,concentrate on the problems and invest the time and money it takes to repair them. Otherwise, you willlikely need to reduce the asking price significantly. Remember, most buyers are not looking for a fixer-upper. Rather, they want a home they can move into right away and enjoy. Again, an experienced realestate agent will know what buyers are looking for and can help you make the necessary repairs andupgrades to get the home sold.

Mistake #3: Poor Marketing

Implementing a solid marketing plan is essential to getting a home sold. A professional real estate agent will create an aggressive marketing campaign that will get your home seen by those buyers who aremost likely to make an offer. In addition to guiding you through the process of staging the home so itwill be attractive to potential buyers, the real estate agent will hire a professional photographer who willtake pictures that showcase the home in the best possible light. When searching for a real estate agent,be sure to discuss his or her marketing plans before signing any paperwork. After all, the right marketing campaign makes a world of difference when it comes to getting a home sold.

If you’re looking to sell your home and you want to encourage the process along, take a few extra steps to make your home look more appealing to potential buyers.

Fix Your Flooring
If you have carpet in your home, it had better be brand new or look brand new. Buyers don’t ever want to walk into a home with dingy or smelly carpet. If you can, replace the carpet with an inexpensive new style. You don’t have to spend a fortune on the carpet, but being able to advertise that you have brand new carpet makes buyers more comfortable.

If you can, consider upgrading to hardwood or tile flooring. It’s a balancing act, however, when you upgrade your flooring. In certain areas, having new flooring will make your home sell much faster, but then you have to consider the cost of the upgrade to determine if you’ll be getting an advantage in fewer holding costs or increased sales price after paying more for installation.

If you already have hardwoods, consider refinishing the floors to give your home a brand new shine that accompanies sanding and resurfacing.

Update Paint and Fixtures
Look at your doorknobs. Do they look old and dated? Check out your light fixtures and ceiling fans – do they belong to a past decade? New buyers want to move into a home that is updated and truly move-in ready. New fixtures like door knobs and lights can be reasonably priced and easy to replace. While it’s not in your best interest to spend thousands on new lighting in your home, it can be worthwhile if you have fixtures in your home that are obviously dated and make your home look uncared for.

The same can be said for paint in your home. If your walls are scuffed and dingy, repaint them. If your trim paint is nicked, scratched and flaking off, fix it. Selling your home can be a lot of work, but it’s far better to invest the time now and get it ready for the market properly than waiting for it to sit on the market for months before you start actually trying to make it more appealing to buyers.

Remove Clutter and Stage Your Home
When buyers walk in, they should be able to imagine your home as theirs. Take down all of the pictures of your family and remove the collections and personal items that are so uniquely yours. Leave only the bare essential decorations and the pieces of furniture that distinguish each room. For example, in your bedroom, all you need is a bed and perhaps a dresser.

You want your rooms to appear large and spacious. Filling them with bookcases, chairs, toys and boxes makes your home appear messy, small and unattractive to buyers. It can be a challenge to do without many of your favorite things for a few months, but packing up as much as possible before trying to sell, makes it easier for buyers to see the beauty or charm of your home, not your messes.

While I’m working in the Houston real estate market, the same can be said elsewhere, selling a home requires a greater investment on your part. Fortunately, you don’t have to invest much money if you’re willing to invest time and energy instead.

Leaving a puddle of liquid on your hardwoods for any longer than necessary is not a good idea. The cracks between the hardwood can absorb the moisture and swell. Any amount of liquid that happens to be spilled, even in a small area, can still become damaging should it stay there for any lengthy period of time.

If you spill something on your hardwood floors, clean up the fluid immediately. Use a damp mop only when you clean your hardwoods. There are floor cleaners that are specifically formulated for hardwoods that you can use. Whichever route you go, use the minimum necessary to keep your mop damp.

Dents and scratches can occur to hardwoods over time. For some types of flooring, especially softer woods, high heels can leave indentations – you might contemplate taking them off and leaving them at your door to reduce wear. Over time the legs of your furniture can also damage the floor. A smart idea is placing area rugs underneath the furniture in order to protect the floor, or placing felt underneath the furniture legs. You may also want to add area rugs in any areas that are highly traveled in your home.

Some homeowners can appreciate the character that scratches and dents give to their wood floor. If you’re not one of those individuals and you have lots of dents and scratches, then one good option is to get them refinished. If you have your wood floors refinished every decade and stay on top of protecting them, they can stay in great condition throughout your entire lifetime.

About the Author – Josh manages an Austin real estate website, where users can learn about the Austin market, look at current market statistics, and search all active listings, including Rosedale homes for sale.

All counter tops and dining room tables need to be kept clear. Think of a model home you walk into, you don’t see any clutter or personal items. Everything is clean and clear of all newspapers, magazines, knickknacks and food items. No dirty dishes in the sink. A cluttered home makes the buyer feel uncomfortable and will potentially push them out of the showing quickly. It also sends a message to the buyer that you may not be taking care of the rest of the home if you can’t keep it clean – what else is wrong with the home?

As part of de-cluttering, don’t forget the closets and kitchen cabinets. Buyer’s love to open up closets.  Make sure shoes are nice and neat and boxes are not stuffed to the ceiling – nothing makes a closet look smaller than boxes from floor to ceiling. Kitchen cabinets should be nice and neat as well, rearrange and straighten food items, dishes and glassware. Think of how a buyer would feel coming into a sparkling clean and neat home. They want to live there!

About the Author: Eric Miller is a broker associate /owner with Keller Williams Realty in Fort Lauderdale with over 10 years of experience. Eric Miller and Associates is an award winning team of Ft. Lauderdale realtors and can be found online at FortLauderdaleGroup.com, where you can view every Fort Lauderdale condominium listed for sale.