Home Selling Tips

Crank up the curb appeal Pull weeds, rake leaves and trim overgrown shrubs, especially if they block windows

 or the path to your front door.

Paint
It's important to make your house generic. A fresh coat of neutral paint will make your home appear larger, brighter and more appealing to potential buyers.

Make repairs
Fix things like leaky faucets and sticky cabinets, and replace old screens. They may seem insignificant, but minor repairs add up in the mind of a potential buyer. They tend to overestimate how much repairs cost. You don't want to give them any reason not to put in an offer.

Rearrange
Make sure your furniture placement allows for easy traffic flow and shows the purpose of each room. If you have too much furniture, rent a portable storage device to hold things until you are ready to move into your new place. If you don't have enough furniture, borrow or rent.

A clean and uncluttered kitchen is a staple of home staging.

Pack up
This includes personal photos and portraits. Less is always more. The less clutter and knickknacks you have lying around, the more potential buyers will be able to see your home and what it offers. Remember, you are selling your house, not your stuff. Plus, getting a head start on packing will eliminate some stress down the road.

Organize
When your house is meticulously organized, buyers will envision themselves living a stress-free life in your home.

Clean
Clean every inch of your house, and don't forget to make your windows and floors sparkle. If your carpet appears old and stained, think about replacing it. Also, make sure there are no offensive odors. Purchase an air-neutralizing spray that will help remove odors without creating an overwhelming masking odor. Clean homes sell!

Lighten up your home with natural tones and a neutral dose of style.

Lighten up
Let the sun shine in, and turn on the lights. Open all blinds or curtains, and make sure the house is well lit.

Temperature
Be sure potential buyers are comfortable when touring your home. If it's freezing outside, leave the heat on, and if it's summer, turn on the air conditioner.

Keep it ready to show
It may be a little inconvenient, but until you accept an offer, keep your home in tip-top shape at all times. What this means is that each room should have a clear purpose, nice flow and be clean and clutter-free. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves and their things in a room, and taking these steps will help ensure that.

House Cleaning and Organization Tips for a Tidy Home

HOUSE CLEANING AND ORGANIZATIONS TIPS FOR A TIDY HOME!

In the busy home of an active family, messes can become hazards. Toys end up scattered across the living room floors, dishes build up in the sink and clutter accumulates on the counter. A messy house can feel like a nuisance, but consider this: did you know that a mess can sometimes create dangers to your safety, health and well-being? Household messes are more dangerous than you think; consider these household cleaning and organization tips for keeping a tidy and safe home:

• Keep escape routes open. If a fire, earthquake, flood or other emergency strikes, every second counts. Keep main escape routes in your home accessible at all times. Remove clutter that may be hindering easy movement around doorways and windows in your home, and pick up toys, shoes, and other belongings each night to leave an unobstructed pathway for your family.


• Remove fire hazards. Clutter, like stacks of newspapers, or mail, can turn into a fuel for fire if stored too close to a stovetop. Ensure that any flammable items are stored at a safe distance away from sources of heat like your hot water heater, fireplace or oven.


• Watch for mold. This potentially harmful fungus thrives in damp, warm environments. Clutter holds in moisture and prevents you from seeing signs of trouble. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when mold spores settle on wet surfaces like paper, cardboard and wood, the mold settles in and grows. Health impacts can range from nasal congestion and irritation to pulmonary fungal infections. Cut down on mold risks by tossing the clutter under your bathroom and kitchen sink. Keep an eye on your basement and garage too, these areas tend to accumulate clutter, and the humidity in these spaces can cause mold.


• Don't make pests feel at home: Bugs and pests can be sources of disease that can harm your family. The National Center for Healthy Housing warns that even dead cockroaches or roach droppings can cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illness, as well as cause asthma flare-ups in those susceptible to allergies. Old paper bags and cardboard boxes are favorite nesting spots for pests, so clear these out of your home. Wash the dishes and take out the trash daily. Remind family members to empty bedroom and bathroom trash receptacles and rinse dishes well before placing them in the dishwasher.


• Know what you have: In a disorganized home, it's hard to know what you have. Get your family to pitch in and help clean up, then photograph and catalog your belongings with the Liberty Mutual Home Gallery App. The easy-to-use app makes record keeping a breeze, and can help simplify the process if you ever find the need to claim losses due to theft or damage.

Day-to-day living brings a bit of disorder to every home. Active families and busy schedules don't always leave a lot of time for cleaning. Take just a few minutes each day to clear away the mess, and keep your family safe from potential harm.

Why Should a seller list with RE/MAX?

Why should a seller list with RE/MAX? Because even though real estate is local it attracts international buyers and RE/MAX is GLOBAL!
http://rem.ax/1nXkEd3

30 Days of Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate for sale, sold, and more. 

 This is for the Oconomowoc Wisconsin market activity and is for the period of 5/29/2014 to 6/29/2014 and is for the entire MLS content for this period.

  In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market 37 homes sold; 13 were list and sold by the same company, and 24 were sold by co-brokes.

In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 127 new listings.

In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 21 pending listings.

In the Oconomowoc  Real Estate market there were 1 withdrawn listings.

In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings.

In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 43 expired listings.

In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 10 back on market lstings.

In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 33 extended listings.

In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there are 417 currently active listings.

If you are looking to buy or sell your home contact me at 262-490-3696 / guzanick@gmail.com

or check out my web site at.   www.homeswithstacey.com

Have a productive day!

Silver Lake Home for Sale with Spectacular Views

Beautiful home for sale on Silver Lake in Oconomowoc WI 53066
5 Bedrooms 3 full baths.  Lower level walks out to 180 feet of hard sandy lake.  

4 Ways to Make a Great First Impression When Selling Your Home

4 Ways to Make a Great First Impression When Selling Your Home

When selling your home, first impressions matter. Just because your home is listed and the “For Sale” sign is firmly planted in the front lawn does not mean it will attract buyers.
A home needs to be visually appealing to encourage a sale. Even in a market where homes are selling quickly and at full asking prices, it is still crucial to spruce up your home and prove that it is worth every penny you are asking for it.
Here are four tips to help your home make a good first impression that beckons potential buyers:

1. Make an Enticing Exterior
The walk-up to your house should be inviting, not forbidding. Stay on top of your lawn mowing and driveway maintenance, and tidy up your front landscaping. This includes:

• Moving all toys, bicycles and scooters away from the front of the house
• Cleaning windows until they are sparkling
• Making sure address numbers are in place and polished
• Giving your front door, garage door and gutters a fresh coat of paint
• Adding a few embellishments like a colorful welcome mat, a wreath for the door or a big potted plant to the side of your front door
• Checking the roof to see if it needs repair, even if it’s cosmetic.

2. Shape Up the Interior
Once the exterior wows potential buyers, you can continue to make a great impression as they make their way inside.
For starters, clear any clutter. If you have too much furniture, put some of it in storage. Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops as clear as possible. Closets and shelves should be well-organized and give the impression that they are spacious.
Remove excess knickknacks or family photos that make the house feel like your home, instead of allowing potential buyers to picture themselves as the residents.
Clean the inside of your home from top to bottom. Dust and open all your blinds and curtains to let light in. Wash away smudges from walls and touch up the paint as necessary. Wipe down the inside and outside of your appliances and microwave. Remove ash from your fireplace. Get your carpets cleaned and vacuum your floor each morning before potential buyers view your house.
Addressing aesthetics can leave a lasting, favorable impression. So, hang fresh, clean towels in the bathrooms. Position a beautiful centerpiece in the center of your dining room table and a few potted plants in decorative containers throughout your home. Consider placing potpourri in key spots, especially if you need to eliminate pet odors or if you have a smoker in the house.

3. Check on Evening Appearance
Even if you’re positive your home is presentable during the day, double-back to the exterior and interior areas at dusk to gauge your home’s ambiance in the evening.
Ensure that the walkway is well-lit and house numbers are visible, and that outdoor lighting enhances the home’s appearance.
Inside, make sure to replace nonfunctioning light bulbs in fixtures and vanities, and leave key decorative or track lighting turned on so that the home doesn’t seem dark upon entering.

4. Make Necessary Repairs
Repair anything that is broken. Cabinet doors should close properly. All your faucets should be drip-free.
Remember, you are trying to present a simple, clean, attractive, problem-free home that exudes potential—an empty, yet enticing palette for your home’s next owners.
Taking time to create a great first impression sometimes is all it takes to quickly send a offer your way.
This article is updated from a previous version by Michele Dawson/Realty Times.

This article is updated from a previous post by:

 RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin 

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Lake House for Sale in Oconomowoc Wisconsin / Silver Lake

Lake House for Sale in Oconomowoc Wisconsin / Silver Lake

37200 Forest Dr
Oconomowoc WI 53066

Private and secluded Lake home. 5BR, 3BA Exposed Ranch. 183' hard sandy lake frontage, 4 car garage, 9.3 acres. Vaulted timber framed ceilings in the oversized LR, GFP with amazing natural stone floor to ceiling. Sliding glass doors leading to large deck. Spacious kitchen with rustic oak custom cabinets, natural counter tops and island with a raised snack bar. Master BR suite, Jacuzzi tub. Lower level, 2 BR, updated bath with heated floor. Family room w/GFP and a rec room with bar, 2nd updated full kitchen.