Find The Right Neighborhood
Get What You Want With New Construction
What Millennial Buyers Want In A Home
Insure It Before You Move It
What Buyers Want In A Kitchen
Five Reason To Buy Now Instead of Spring
Home Improvements Lower Utility Costs
Moving Tips When You Have A Pet
Great Photography Sells Home Faster
Use high quality photographs to sell your home faster. How much faster will it sell? Studies done by a real estate photography company claim that your home will sell 32% faster when you provide magazine-quality images as opposed to those taken with your cell phone. Work with your Mel Foster Co. agent to get lined up with a professional photographer who does it right. You can help the photographer get great photos of your home by being ready on picture day.
Declutter and clean
Start by taking everything in the kitchen off the counters like your toaster, blender and utensils. Place them in the pantry or cupboards to present a well-kept space. Deep clean every surface including your stovetop and floors. You’ll want the whole room to sparkle. If you have windows that provide natural light, be sure to open curtains and let the sunshine in.
Get creative with storage
It’s ok to box up your extra but necessary items and store them neatly in the garage or shed during open houses. Take your time when boxing things and label the boxes so you know where to find your special spices or blender. Leave the boxes in a spot that is easily accessible for when you need to use them. Some stacked storage is normal and looks best when it’s organized and tidy.
Stage it
The time to rearrange the seating in your family room is before you shoot the photos. Create inviting furniture groupings meant for conversation and comfort. Contact your interior designer friend or consider hiring a professional stager to ensure your photos will look as welcoming as possible. It is important to remove your personal family photos so potential buyers can visualize themselves living in the space.
Tell a story
You have to win buyers over with compelling photos online. A majority of buyers, 95% of them, start their dream home search on the internet, so you’ll only secure a viewing in person if they like what they see online. Place the photos in the following order when sharing online: the exterior, then the entryway, kitchen, dining room, living room, master bedroom, and then any additional bedrooms.
Find more selling tips, like what kitchen trends buyers want to see.
Moving And Forwarding Your Mail With USPS
Moving and aren’t sure how to get your mail to your new home without a lot of hassle? Start by changing your mailing address with the US Postal Service in person or online and keep these tips in mind.
Select the Right USPS Form
There are three forms on the USPS website; individuals, families and businesses. Be sure to fill out the right form. The service is free if you sign up at the post office, and is $1 when you fill out the forms online.
Plan Ahead
Forwarding service takes seven to 10 days. Count the days to be sure you’re living at the new address when the mail starts arriving. If you fail to fill out the forms with enough time for the postal service to set up the forwarding, they will collect and store your mail for up to 10 days. After this time, they’ll try to return it to the sender.
Know the Expiration Date
USPS address change forwarding generally lasts one year. For magazines and newspapers, the service only lasts for two months. Include magazines and newspapers in your initial list of who to notify of the change of address.
Who to Notify
Include your bank, the IRS, your doctors, credit card companies, insurance providers, DMV and of course your family and friends.
Find more tips including moving with a pet and how to prepare to sell your home on our blog.