IS YOUR HOME READY TO SELL?

Facts:
A home buyer decides if they are attracted to a home within 8-10 minutes.

Only 10% of home buyers can visualize the potential of a home.

The U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports that sale prices of staged homes average 17% higher than un-staged homes.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals to help you get your home ready to sell.

Home Improvement Projects based on Cost and Return on Investment

1.Cleaning and de-cluttering this costs almost nothing and will increase the amount you receive on your house.
2.Home staging
3.Lightening and brightening
4.Landscaping curb appeal is important
5.Repairing plumbing
6.updating electrical
7.Replacing or shampooing carpets
8.painting interior walls
9.Repairing damaged floors
10.Updating kitchen
11.Painting out side of home
12.Updating bathrooms

The home improvement projects with the highest price increases to a home’s resale value are updating the kitchen followed by painting the outside of the home and home staging.

Inexpensive cosmetic home improvements and basic improvements greatly enhance the value of the home.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all your real estate needs.

Green Landscaping

Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a household’s energy consumption for heating and cooling. Computer models devised by the U.S. Department of Energy predict that the proper placement of only three trees will save an average household between $100 and $250 in energy costs annually. On average your investment is returned in 8 years

An 8-foot (2.4-meter) deciduous (leaf-shedding) tree, for example, costs about as much as an awning for one large window and can ultimately save your household hundreds of dollars in reduced cooling costs, yet still admit some winter sunshine to reduce heating and lighting costs.

Landscaping can save you money in summer or winter. Well landscaped areas can reduce surrounding air temperature by as much as 9°F. Air directly under trees can be as much as 25°F less then areas nearby. Shade can reduce air-conditioning costs by 15% to 50% compared to an unshaded home. And as much as 75% when comparing small mobile homes.

Windbreaks can keep you home warmer in the winter by shielding your home against the colder wind. Homes with windbreaks placed only on the windward side showed an average of 25% less fuel consumption then similar unprotected homes.

Call Jacque Lorang, Billings Real Estate Professionals 690-5277

10 STEPS TO EARTH FRIENDLY YARD

1. Do not overwater. Most people grossly overwater their lawns. Consider getting a free water audit if your water company offers one, or just turn the sprinkler off and observe the results. If your grass does not spring back when you step on it in the heat of the afternoon, it is time to water. Watering four times a week is too much in most parts of the country.

2. Water deeply. It is better to water deeply than frequently. Many lawns do well with 15 to 20 minutes at a time, once or twice a week. For maximum efficiency, give the water a chance to seep in: Water for 10 minutes, wait 20 minutes and then finish watering.

3. Get adequate coverage. If your sprinkler does not cover a spot, you end up with a dry area or an overwatered lawn.

4. Give the soil breathing room. Aerate your lawn once or twice a year in the spring or fall with a gas- or foot-powered aerator. This loosens the roots and lets water and fertilizers penetrate.

5. Try a lush look. If you keep your grass 3 inches high, it will shade out weeds, denying them the sun they need to grow and take over your lawn.

6. Reduce your lawn size. Less lawn means less watering. Consider a border planted with low-maintenance ground cover instead of grass.

7. Kick the chemical fertilizer habit. Do not pump too many nutrients into your lawn. One fertilization with an organic fertilizer in early fall is plenty.

8. Go natural. Insecticides with ingredients such as vinegar and orange oil are sold at many nurseries and boiling water kills weeds.

9. Keep grass clippings. Rather than removing them, rake them gently over your lawn. They’re free and rich in the plant nutrient nitrogen.

10. Consider low-maintenance grass. Ask your local university extension program or agriculture department to recommend a low-maintenance grass.

CALL BILLINGS REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS.

GREEN HOME IMPROVEMNTS

The top nine Green home improvements that real estate professionals recommend to home sellers based on cost and return on investment to the sellers include:

1. Plant trees and shrubs
2. Replace air filters
3. Green home staging
4. Weather strip and caulk doors and windows
5. Install programmable thermostats
6. Install low flow shower heads
7. Use auto turn-off power strips
8. Install CFL or LED lights
9. Paint with low VOC paint

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs. 248-4409

STAGING ADVICE

An absolute “must” for home stagers regardless of which demographic being targeted is color. Most sellers are instructed to use neutral colors when repainting. However, adding the right punch of color to accent walls can create depth, enhance kitchen cabinets, or bring a boring bathroom to life.

Homeowners can find color in simple accessories, like throw pillows, coffee table books, and decorative canisters. Neutral colors in flooring materials, upholstery pieces and window dressing work well because they enhance brighter accents.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for advice with selling your home
248-4409

First-Time Homebuyer Credit

You only have until April 30 to sign a buy-sell with closing by the end of June, 2010 in order to get the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit. There are now new rules on filing to get this credit. If you are working with one of our agents, contact your agent for up-to-date information on this. Give us a call at 248-4409