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Preparing your house for real estate showings can be both exciting and stressful. Since every prospect could be the one buyer you're waiting for, you'll want each showing to go as smoothly as possible! Unfortunately, perfection is a difficult standard to achieve, especially if your home is being shown several times a week! What makes it even more challenging is the fact that everyone defines perfection differently. What's considered a "deal breaker" by one family may be viewed as insignificant or even desirable by another. So what can you do to make the best impression on the most number of people? The answer boils down to three things: Be systematic and methodical; keep your home clean and organized, and consult with an experienced real estate agent for guidance and advice. While home staging, alone, is not a panacea when it comes to attracting offers, it can play a key role in swaying potential buyers. There are so many variables in winning over prosp...

Homeowners looking to get top dollar for their house often invest in improvements to make their home more appealing to prospective buyers. Sure, they can slap up a coat of paint and make other minor cosmetic improvements, but these won’t necessarily increase their home’s value. In a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors®, eco-friendly homes and energy-efficient products are in high demand with 59% of realtors® responding homeowners were “very” or “somewhat” interested in sustainability. Agents also indicate promoting energy efficiency in their listings increases buyer response. Adding Energy-Star rated appliances is a great start—here are other top green features you can consider adding to your home. 1. New Windows and Doors Older windows and doors allow drafts, burning extra fuel and electricity for heating and cooling. Installing Energy-Star rated (or triple-pane, glass, insulated) windows and a high-quality door promote energy efficiency. As a bonus,...

Want to reveal that hardwood under your carpet? Or maybe you're ready to lay down new flooring? In either case, carpet removal by a professional adds significant cost to the project. Fortunately, removing carpet is something you can do yourself with minimal cost. It does require a little upper body strength and some patience. So be ready to put your back into it.  And know that carpet removal is a "no harm; no foul" kind of job. If you find it's more than you can complete, professionals aren't going to charge you more because you did some work before they got there. What you'll need Duct tape  Utility knife  Dust mask Work gloves (on the thicker side) Old towel and vacuum for cleanup Empty trash bin or rental dumpster for disposal Set aside at least two hours per room. But if you're new to a home project like this one, it might take longer. Step one: pick a corner If the carpet is coming up in a specific spot like next to the doo...