Now that you (and/or your friends) have made your list and plan of attack. You are prepared to increase your curb appeal from “I don’t’ think so” to “Honey, stop the car!” Remember you do not have to spend a lot of money if you have a tight rehab budget, but these simple tips can help bring you a quicker sale and at top dollar to sell your home fast!

1. Trim tree limbs and overgrown shrubs, especially those that are hiding windows and the best features of your home

2. Mow, edge, water and get rid of weeds

3. If the house did not require fresh paint, pressure wash the house, sidewalk and driveway.

4. Clean window and gutters

5. Add color with low cost annuals and bark in a few flower beds

6. While remodeling is taking place, make sure you and your contractor keep unnecessary equipment and tools put away. The property should always be left tidy at the end of the work day.

7. An easy way to improve evening curb appeal is with lighting:
Add an attractive porch light or decorative street lamp
Add accent lighting to flowerbeds

That’s it?! Yes, that is it! Take before and after pictures and you will be amazed at the difference! You are now on your way to selling your home fast!

With so many homes for buyers to choose from, curb appeal and first impressions are more important than ever! Since most home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on curb appeal, you want to make sure they WANT to come inside. By spending time working on the exterior appearance, you can increase your chance of them stepping across the threshold.

Did you know that over 80 percent of today’s buyers get their first look at a house from a picture on the internet? Most potential buyers will not look any further if their first impression is unappealing. Most buyers cannot visualize what the house “could” or “will” look like. Most will not take a second look if their first look does not appeal to them.

So, ALWAYS budget for exterior and yard curb appeal. It won’t matter how many sizzle feature you have inside if you can’t get buyers through the door!

Where to start? Take this simple “Curb Appeal Test.” So you can sell your home fast.

1. Step across the street or far enough down the driveway to get a good view or your house and yard.
2. Park where a potential buyer would and walk toward the house. Look around as if it were your first visit.
3. Better yet, actually get a friend or fellow investor to do this for you. It is much easier for someone who sees it with fresh eyes to give you an objective “first impression.”

What are the best features of the property? How can you enhance them?

What are the worst features of the property? How can you improve them or minimize them?

Do your curb appeal test again at dusk. Potential homebuyers often drive through the neighborhood at different times of the day.

Make a list of the problem areas you (or your friend) discovered and tackle them BEFORE the property is listed!

Next, we will go over the “Clean Up and Chore List” to make your home more attractive so you can sell your home fast!

The Sacramento Business Journal published an article on January 7, 2011 that we thought we should share. I have been hearing reports that rates are up, rates are down…
Freddie Mac reported that interest rates moved higher the last week or 2010, but dropped sharply during the first week or 2011. As of January 6, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage is 4.77% and a 15-year fixed-rate averages 4.13%. However, the long-term mortgage rates have increased.

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