FROM DECORATING TO STAGING

9/26/2017

From Decorating to Staging

Once you've decided to put your home on the market, you're looking to sell quickly for the best possible price. One tactic that can help sell your home faster is staging. At first, staging may seem like a real estate term that doesn't actually mean anything. Isn't staging just decorating? Well, not exactly…

Appeal to the masses

Your home is likely decorated to your tastes. It could be colorful and eclectic, or rugged and industrial. But when you're staging your home, rather than appealing to a specific decorating sense, you want to furnish your home in a way that appeals to everyone-and more importantly, doesn't turn anyone off who just isn't into your personal style.

Troy Erickson Realtor | Good Company Real Estate

Tone down the personal flourishes

Buyers want to be able see themselves in a home and imagine how they'd make it their own. Unfortunately, that means less of your own style as you're preparing for your move. Cut down on family photos, bold artwork, and unusual furniture. Do some major de-cluttering so the buyer can see all the space and storage opportunities. It may be sad to start removing the items that make your house a home, but it's an important part of the process.

Chandler Homes For Sale | Troy Erickson Realtor

Mass appeal doesn't mean “boring"

Your staged home can still be colorful, just stay away from extremes. If you paint, stick to whites, grays, or neutrals. Add flourishes of color with window treatments or accent furniture, but try to choose items that will appeal to both genders.

Best Realtor in Chandler | Troy Erickson Realtor

Call a pro

There are likely several staging companies in your area. If you need a recommendation, reach out to your trusted real estate professional.

Troy Erickson has been blogging about Arizona real estate since 2006. He is a residential real estate agent who specializes in helping home buyers, sellers, and investors in Chandler and the East Valley. He has been recognized for his local market expertise, and frequently volunteers within his community.

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PRIORITY TASKS FOR YOUR MOVE INTO YOUR NEW ARIZONA HOME

9/21/2017

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Priority Tasks For Your Move Into Your New Arizona Home

Moving into your new Arizona home is an exciting time, and you're probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first.

Change the locks

Even if you're promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can never be too careful. It's worth the money to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that no one else has the keys to your home. Changing the locks can be a DIY project, or you can call in a locksmith for a little extra money.

Tasks to perform when moving into a new Arizona home | Troy Erickson Realtor

First items to take care of when moving into your new home in Chandler | Troy Erickson Realtor

Steam clean the carpets

It's good to get a fresh start with your floors before you start decorating. The previous owners may have had pets, young children, or just some plain old clumsiness. Take the time to steam clean the carpets so that your floors are free of stains and allergens. It's pretty easy and affordable to rent a steam cleaner-your local grocery store may have them available.

Call an exterminator

Prior to move-in, you probably haven't spent enough time in the house to get a view of any pests that may be lurking. Call an exterminator to take care of any mice, insects, and other critters that may be hiding in your home.

What to take care of first when moving into a new Chandler home | Troy Erickson Realtor

Clean out the kitchen

If the previous occupants wanted to skip on some of their cleaning duties when they moved out, the kitchen is where they probably cut corners. Wipe down the inside of cabinets, clean out the refrigerator, clean the oven, and clean in the nooks and crannies underneath the appliances.

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Five Money-Saving Green Upgrades to your home

9/19/2017

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Five money-saving green upgrades to your home

Going green is great for the environment, but that's not the only benefit. When you make green upgrades in your home, it can also lead to some major savings.

1. Solar panels:
The upfront cost is big, but the long-term savings are huge. Solar panels will cost several thousand dollars to install, but ongoing maintenance costs are very low, and a typical system could save you hundreds of dollars per year. You can even sell your surplus electricity.

2. Wood furnace:
Wood-burning furnaces are relatively inexpensive, and though the yearly savings aren't as dramatic (about 10% on heating bills), it adds up over the long run.

3. Insulation:
There's a good chance your insulation isn't very efficient, especially in older homes. Look into installing floor, cavity, wall, and loft insulation to reduce your heating bills.

4. Rain barrels:
Rain barrels are extremely inexpensive, and provide gallons of free water to use when you wash your car or water your garden.

5. Geothermal system:
OK, so the price tag is scary at first. A geothermal system uses the earth's temperature to heat and cool your home, but can cost $30,000 to install. But tax credits allow you to get a lot of that money back, and the energy savings average about $1,900 per year. If you plan to be in your home for a decade or two, it's a great investment.

5 money saving green upgrades to your home | Troy Erickson Realtor

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