TIPS FOR MAXIMIZING SMALL LIVING SPACES

Clutter driving you nuts? Did you move in with someone only to find you have duplicates of everything from headboards to can openers? 

Here are 7 tips to help you make the most out of small spaces:

1. Weed out the extras. A yard sale will alleviate some clutter and a trip to the local Goodwill even more. A good rule of thumb: Anything you haven’t needed in a year can go.

2. Bookcases are for more than books! Your walls are your vertical friends for storage, and good book shelving can include plants, valuables, artwork and more.

3. Wall-mount entertainment systems. Television / cable / DVD cabinets are so pre-2000! Free up floor space by going with sleek bolt-in mounts. (Just make sure they’re anchored properly!)

4. Don’t pile it, hang it! This is especially true in kitchens where you can use pot racks, hanging baskets, and even wall-mounted shelving units.

5. Maximize cabinets and closets with organizers. Poor use of cabinet space can easily waste more than 30% of usable “hidden” space. There’s great hardware out there to tune up the interior of your cabinets and closets.

6. Go below. A raised bed is a great way to free up storage space equal to the square footage of your bed. Using baskets and drawers can ensure the below-the-bed storage remains tidy as well.

7. Paint light. Dark walls make small rooms feel smaller. For those rooms that feel a little too close for comfort, dial up the brightness with a fresh coat of a light colored paint.

Remember: Organization and smart storage can turn a tiny home into a cozy abode.

Of course, if you’re ready to upgrade your home rather than squeeze the last few inches out of your existing space, get in touch! I’d be happy to help you search for a new home today.

You can write to me at: valerie@valeriemcconville.com or visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com

REDUCING THE DAMAGE OF DRAFTS

Can a draft through a window or door cause damage? It can. 

Damage to your bank account! A single, seemingly minor, draft through a window can increase your energy bill by as much as 3%. In addition, a damp draft can make a room feel colder than it really is, while a dry draft can cause dry throats and skin.

So it pays to pay attention to drafts in your home.

Drafts are most commonly found at windows and doors, but they can also occur through walls with poor or old insulation.

Ideally, a draft should be eliminated through a repair or renovation (such as replacing old windows.) When that's not possible, there are a variety of products available that will help you stop drafts in the short term – such as replacement insulation strips for doors.

Visit your local home improvement center. They can recommend products and solutions that can help your particular issues. 

IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOME?

Wondering when the time is right to buy your home? How about now? Low interest rates and affordable housing make it a great time to buy now. Call me today at (780) 700-8638 to get me started in finding the right home for you!

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER SHOWINGS

There is no doubt about it! Even if the weather is relatively pleasant, your home won’t show as well in the winter as it would in the summer, especially from the outside. Fortunately, there are many ways to make your home look more attractive and appealing to buyers during the winter season.

First, before showing your home to a potential buyer, clear your front walkway. Make sure fence doors and gates open freely. Also, clear off the backyard deck or patio area. You want buyers to be able to explore around your property without any obstructions.

In short, do everything you can to make the experience of walking up to your front door and around your property as pleasant as possible.

Second, clear away any boots, shoes and other outerwear from the front foyer. You want buyers to focus on your beautiful home, not a cluttered entranceway. Also, have mats on both the outside and inside of your main entranceway. This will give buyers – as well as you and your family – a chance to wipe their boots and shoes.

Next, adjust your thermostat. You want your home to feel warm, cozy and comfortable for potential buyers.

Finally, remember that in the winter, homes show much better during the day. In the evening, it may be too dark to fully appreciate your property. So work with your REALTOR® to schedule viewings during the day whenever possible. If you can, also have pictures of your property available that showcase what it looks like in the summer. That takes planning. So if you're even just casually thinking of the possibility of selling your home, take some good "summer" pictures.

Want more advice on how to sell your home in the winter? Call me today!

MAKING YOUR KITCHEN MORE ATTRACTIVE TO BUYERS

What's one of the most important rooms in your home? When it comes to selling your property quickly, and for the best price, the answer is clearly the kitchen. In fact, one of the most common explanations a particular buyer gives for not making an offer is, "I liked the house, but I wasn't too keen on the kitchen."

That doesn't mean you must do a major renovation. However, you should do what you can to make the kitchen as attractive as possible to buyers.

Here are some ideas:

First, clear the counter tops. Put away the toaster and other items. You want to make the entire counter top area seem as spacious as possible.

If the cabinetry is old, you can spruce it up by installing new knobs, handles and other hardware. A fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling can also make the kitchen look like it has had a major renovation – and it will only cost you a few hundred dollars. According to an article on the website HDTV.com, "The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware."

Replacing the counter tops is a more expensive renovation, but it may be worth it if the current counters are old and worn.

Finally, when preparing your kitchen for a viewing, make sure it's clean and tidy. The garbage and recycling bins should be empty. Buyers will open cabinets so make sure items on shelves are neatly organized with the front labels facing forward.

There are many other ways to make the most important room in your home look great to potential buyers. Contact me for more ideas.

FIVE WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY IN THE COLDER MONTHS

November is a great month-the holidays are fast approaching, we get to visit more often with family and friends, and colder weather makes us feel like getting cozy in our homes.  

Since you'll want to keep warm in the coming months, I'm including a list of tips for you this month that will help you to save money on your energy bill, while still staying warm and cozy!

Set the timer: Program your thermostat to reach lower temperatures while you're sleeping or out of the house.  This simple action can save you a lot of money-and will ensure that your house stays at a comfortable temperature at all times.

Open and shut: During daytime hours, keep your blinds, draperies and other window coverings open.  This will enable your home to absorb the warm afternoon sunshine and will effectively add heat to the entire house.  Close all window coverings at night to keep the heat in!

Installation time: If you have a window or two that feels drafty no matter what you do, consider installing tight, insulating shades to those particular windows.  You'll be surprised what a little bit of extra insulation can accomplish!

Light a fire: A fireplace is an easy solution to add extra heat to your home without adding to your energy bill.  Capable of warming the entire room, you and your family can relax at home while keeping the thermostat at a lower temperature.

No leaks allowed: Check doors and windows for drafts and places where air might escape.  Weatherizing windows and doors is a simple task that you can perform; your local home improvement warehouse will have all of the materials you need!

I hope these tips help you as much as they've helped me.  If you have any home or real estate questions, please feel free to call me at (780) 700-8638 at any time or visit my Web site at www.valeriemcconville.com!

BUYER BEWARE: 3 HOME BUYING MISCONCEPTIONS

I’m here to save you pain, buyers. There are myths about the home shopping experience that must be addressed. I like to make the home buying experience as stress-free as possible, so please hear me out on these three big myths about home buying:

Myth #1: “That house has been on the market so long I bet we can work the seller down easily.”

Not necessarily. Exceptionally high days on market could mean almost anything. The seller could be bullheaded about their price. The seller may not be particularly motivated to sell for emotional or other personal reasons. Don’t forget: A sales-weary seller isn’t likely to respond to your host of rational reasons why their house should be a bargain.

Myth #2: “I want to look at foreclosed homes because they’re a real bargain and the banks need to unload them.”

Banks, like entrenched sellers, don’t always make decisions which seem rational based on obvious information. You can have a hard time divining the reason a bank chooses to reject an offer for a foreclosed or distressed property, and their decision may be based on financials which seem counterintuitive. The truth is, many distressed sales can be longer and more fraught than regular sales.

Myth #3: “I liked this house a lot, but with this market, I bet it will still be there if I decide to buy it.”

It’s very, very painful to see a client love a home but fail to make a move to purchase that home. If you fell in love with it, why wouldn’t someone else? Just because a property has been on the market a little while doesn’t mean it will stay on the market. The bonus myth in this one? Your “perfect” home is probably going to be a home with some small compromises. If you don’t make an offer on a home, you’re effectively saying, “I’m comfortable losing this home.”

My job as an agent is to represent your interests and do my best to protect you along the way. If you’re pursuing a home purchase in the near future, please get in touch. There are many other ways I can lower your stress and help you find a great home.

For more information, you can contact me

by clicking here: http://www.valeriemcconville.com/contact.html