4 Staging Tips That Have Universal Appeal

Posted on Jan 21 2022 - 3:02pm by Housecall

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By Meghan Belnap

When you're selling your home, you want to do all you can to ensure it sells as quickly as possible and for the highest possible price. While the home itself will be the main attraction, it's still important to consider the small details that buyers will inevitably notice.

Related: Winter Home Staging Tips That Promote Safety and Sales

Some people choose to forego the staging process, thinking it's a waste of time, but it can greatly increase the number of offers you receive. Here are four approaches to take that'll make your home look great when potential buyers come through:

Remove Personal Items

The first thing you want to focus on when staging your home is to make sure to remove any personal affects. Pictures, kids' drawings, certificates or anything else that might identify you needs to be taken down. While there are safety benefits to taking this step, the main reason you want to depersonalize your home is so that any potential buyers can visualize themselves living in your home. If you can capture their imagination, you've already won half the battle.

Go for Neutral

Although you may have a very bold decorating personality, it might be best to mute that somewhat when you're trying to sell your home. Again, buyers want to be able to visualize themselves living in your home, but if your decor is too far from what they enjoy, you might cause them to miss the underlying beauty of your home. This isn't to say, of course, that you can't have a few fun pops of color throughout your home. Instead, just make sure that everything matches and isn't too distracting.

Keep It Simple

When REALTORS® show a home, it makes a world of difference if they can easily explain what a room can be used for. That's why it's important to simplify your decor as much as possible. Try to have only a few main pieces of furniture in each room, and make sure to remove any clutter that makes your home look smaller. This will help potential buyers "catch the vision" of how they can use certain rooms as they tour your home.

Appropriate Exterior

Staging a home starts with the exterior. An attractive exterior will create a strong first impression, making it easier for buyers to overlook other small flaws in your home. Try to coordinate your landscaping with the season, having mums in the fall, flowering plants in the spring and summer, as well as simple, tidy landscaping in the winter.

If you're having trouble figuring out how best to stage your home, it's worth it to ask an expert. Even a few simple tips can help you significantly increase the perceived value of your home. Selling a home is a major financial transaction, so make sure that you don't leave this transaction to chance!

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being outdoors and researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. Belnap recommends working with real estate professionals like those at the BHHS Towne Realty for your home listing needs.

Appliance Maintenance for New Homeowners

 

A Guide to Appliance Maintenance for New Homeowners

Posted on Jan 5 2022 - 4:29pm by Housecall

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By Meghan Belnap

Buying home appliances is expensive. From dishwashers and refrigerators to espresso machines and water heaters, once they're fitted into a home, the responsibility of making sure they operate efficiently lies on the homeowner.

Related: How to Avoid Dust Buildup in Household Appliances

Although it may seem like a daunting task for new homeowners, with the right repair tools and regular maintenance, you'll not only prevent the appliances from breaking down, but also keep your home looking its best. Here's a new homeowners' guide to proper and efficient appliance maintenance:

Clean the Dishwasher

As a new homeowner, one of the main appliances you'll use regularly is the dishwasher. While it is a cleaning machine in and of itself, keeping it clean will help it properly do its job. Maintaining your dishwasher ensures that your plates are clean and free from odors, smudges and bacteria. Start by cleaning the spray arm nozzles. Also, if the filters aren’t self-cleaning, be sure to clean them with vinegar, lemon juice or other recommended acidic solutions.

Inspect the Air Conditioner

We all know the value of a working home air conditioner. Unfortunately, AC units require regular maintenance. Occasionally, you'll need to check the air filters and ensure they're cleaned to get rid of clogging and dirt. Clogged filters can cause inefficiency and reduce the lifespan of your appliances. You’ll want to change out these filters several times per year for the best results.

Maintain the Water Heater

Water heaters also require a lot of maintenance. First, confirm that the pressure relief valve is working efficiently by trapping excess pressure created by hot water. Also, check any clogging in the waterway that may be caused by calcium buildup. Most importantly, develop the habit of draining water completely out of the heater tanks to release any settled sediments. If your water heater has technical problems, you should contact a professional water heater repair technician.

Clean the Refrigerator Coils

Refrigerators can be expensive to purchase and repair. Therefore, the last thing you would want is to have them break down. As a homeowner, you need to ensure the refrigerator coils are cleaned regularly and water filters changed to increase the cooling efficiency. Usually, you'll find the instructions for cleaning coils and changing filters on the manual pamphlet.

Oven and Stove Maintenance

You don't have much to worry about when it comes to oven and stove maintenance. The only responsibility you have is to ensure they are properly cleaned. This is particularly true on stove igniters which can be affected by food spills. You should also confirm that the oven doors are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency and faster cooking.

Conclusion

Proper maintenance of your home appliances goes a long way in improving their efficiency and lifespan. As a new homeowner, the above-mentioned tips will ensure your appliances serve you best and for an extended period. For more technical maintenance, you can always contact experts in your area.

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being outdoors and researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. Belnap recommends working with professionals like those at the Plumb Doctors for your water heater repair needs.