Home Selling Tips—What do Sponge Painting and SpongeBob Have in Common?

Home Selling Tips Sponge/Textured Painting

Both SpongeBob and sponge painting were hugely popular and trendy a decade ago but are now passé. I know some people will argue that SpongeBob is still your kid’s favorite television show, heck the show was renewed for 9^th season in 2011. And, some people still love their sponge painted walls as much as the yellow cartoon character with the square pants. But if you want to sell your house in 2012, the sponge painting and faux texturing techniques that were very popular in the late 1990’s, must go!

My family does not have our Ham Lake home on the real estate market. However, after a decade of looking at rag rolled, sponged and textured walls, it was time to take down the dated wallpaper borders and paint our interior walls a neural, warm tone. We updated the kitchen and had new flooring put in a year ago and decided it was time to add a more trendy hip interior style to our home.  My husband and I are discussing a move in the next few years and we don’t want to have to update everything at one time. So in the same way teens across Minnesota kicked old SpongeBob SquarePants to the curb with like likes of Barney and the Power Rangers, sponge painting was out of the house.

I must admit when we began the project, I had a bit of trouble painting over all the sponging in my living room, laundry room, ½ bath and hallways. After all I had painstakingly selected the perfect two, sometimes three shades of paint to achieve the perfect look and match the wallpaper border. There was the neutral basecoat and then a light blue and tan for the laundry room. In the living room I used a special texture tool that looked like a dust mop to add a pale green texture to the taupe base. Every room was a thing of beauty when I finished it. Yet, that was well over a decade ago when my son started kindergarten. Since he is graduating and no longer wears cartoon characters on his t-shirts, it was time to have a different more up-to-date look to our house too.

One of a homebuyer’s biggest objections to this style of painting is the texture. Homebuyers will look at that bumpy surface and think that repainting will not be easy. Sure, it may take more than one coat of paint to cover over the myriad of shades that the multiple layers of sponge application provided, but it isn’t a huge project. However to a new homebuyer, getting rid of the sponge look will seem like a time consuming project.

I was very freeing to finally let go of the sponge-look….but I have a confession to make. The photo is from our master bath. It’s still stuck in the ninties but like I said we aren’t selling this year. But I guarantee that every trace of pink, gray and white will be long gone before the first potential buyer steps over the threshold!

Quick tips for selling your home

1. Paint over dated texturing and remove wallpaper.
2. Make any major/minor repairs.
3. Clean EVERYTHING!
4. Declutter and get rid of junk.
5. Can’t afford new kitchen appliances? Provide a home warranty. 

Copyright 2012 www.terieckholm.com

Home Selling 101--Did the Color Look Better on the Paint Chip?

About a decade ago now, some close friends built a new home in an Oakdale development. Our own home was just on the other side of Silver Lake in North St. Paul so we drove through the development several times during the construction. We monitored the new community as the first dozen or so homes were constructed in the new neighborhood. This development didn’t have extremely restrictive covenants regarding the exterior of the home. The resulting neighborhood was very eclectic with assorted styles of homes. The sidings were of differing colors and materials so each home was truly unique. One night we passed by a home that really was starting to take shape and we noticed the very bright PURPLE front door! The siding on the house itself was a totally different color palette as it was slate blue, but the door was a striking shade of purple. The PURPLE door had to be a mistake!

As it turned out, we discovered we had a friend in common with the homeowner of the house with the purple door. So I asked if that was the color they wanted or was it a mistake. Turns out, it was no mistake, the owners LOVE purple! Okay we live in Minnesota--Home to Prince and the  Purple and Gold Vikings...so the people like purple. But from that day on, whenever we drove by the house, we remarked, “It must have looked better on the paint chip”.

And over the years, this saying has become code between my husband and I when we see someone with a love for flamboyant or unusual colors in their decorating.

As a REALTOR® I have to view many homes. Every once in awhile I come across a “better on the paint chip” room, door or house. When marketing your home, it is essential to make certain your own personality does not prevent the buyer from seeing the details of your home. If a bright orange kitchen counter, hot pink bathroom or lime green playroom is the way you have made your home your own, I do think that is an awesome way to personalize your space. But, you are going to be moving and if your favorite colors choices are too wild, it could hamper your sale. Bold colors in internet photos could knock your home out of the running with many potential buyers. And in this slowly recovering real estate market, you don’t want to lose any potential buyers over something as inexpensive to update as paint.

Stage your home with neutrals to bring out the details and style of your home. You want the buyers to feel your home is welcoming and warm. That can be difficult as people are quickly often turned off a home by colors they view as a mistake.

Copyright 2012 www.terieckholm.com

Wordless Wednesday (Almost) What a Difference a Paint Job Makes!

BEFORE

AFTER

After lingering for months on the market with many showings but no buyer, my sellers decided to paint the exterior of this home. It sold in less than two weeks after the paint job and replacing the front and back doors. Does staging and updating work to get a sale? You betcha!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Staging to Sell--It Looked Better on the Paint Chip!

Years ago, my sister and her husband built a new home in an Oakdale development. We lived in a mile away in North St. Paul at the time so we drove by often and watched as several homes were constructed in the neighborhood. This development didn’t have restrictive covenants so there were various styles of homes with differing colors and types of siding giving the area a very eclectic look. As one home we passed by often was starting to look more like a home than a construction project, we noticed the PURPLE door! The house itself, mind you, was a beautiful slate blue, but the door was a striking shade of purple. We were certain it was a mistake!
As it turned out, we had a mutual friend in common with the homeowner of the house with the purple door. So we asked about the very unusual color choice. We were told that it wasn’t a mistake, the owner LIKES purple…Okay we live in Minnesota and it was the 1980’s, Prince was big at time and then there is the Purple & Gold Viking colors so whatever floats someones boat is okay with me. But from that day on, whenever we drove by the house, we remarked, “It must have looked better on the paint chip”.

And over the years, this saying has become code between my husband and I when we visit a friend’s home who has a love for flamboyant or unusual colors.

As a REALTOR® I have to view many homes and from time to time when I am asked to do a market analysis, I come across a “better on the paint chip” room, door or house. When marketing your home, it is essential to make certain your own personality does not prevent the buyer from seeing the details of your home. If a bright orange kitchen counter, hot pink bathroom or lime green playroom is the way you have made your home your own, I do think that is an awesome way to personalize your space. But, you are going to be moving and your favorite colors choices are too wild, it could hamper your sale. Bold colors in internet photos could knock your home right off many potential buyers’ favorite homes lists. And in this slowly recovering real estate market, you don’t want to lose any potential buyers over something as simple to change as paint.
Stage your home with neutrals to bring out the details and style of your home. You want the buyers to feel welcome in your home. That can be difficult as people are quickly often turned off a home by colors they view as a mistake.

Not sure if your home has a “better on the paint chip” colored room? Let me help you get your home picture-perfect ready for a quick sale. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet , Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Set the Stage for a Home Sale in a Buyer’s Market

Before the curtain is raised and the action starts with the first showing, the stage is set for the perfect home sale. Sure the market has changed but you want or need to sell your home! After reviewing websites all winter for the best of the best agent, you have called in the expert. The Realtor has reviewed the comps..actives, solds and expireds…and explained the perfect price point. A condition was noted: Get the home in picture perfect condition.

Here is where the storyline can change: Sellers chose to either embrace the suggestions of the Realtor or balk make excuses. Who will get a SOLD sign on their home first?

There is no magic to this market…Sellers MUST have their home prepared and set the stage for the sale. Homes are selling every day in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. And contrary to public opinion, price isn’t everything…Condition and preparation are essential pieces of the puzzle that get that SOLD sign in the yard!

In the past few weeks I have done several pre-listing market analysis plans for potential sellers across Anoka County. Some were home owners who tried to sell their homes last year with a different agent and failed. Others were ready to make their move in this year’s spring market. All were left with my analysis and checklist of what would need to be done to get their home SOLD. Pricing was the easy part...Preparing takes time.

Last year my listing to sales ratio was 100%.


Yep…I sold every home that I listed last year. Half of the homes were relists…homes other agents could not get sold. Many of these sellers were not properly prepared the first time.

My first step in working with a seller is a pre-listing consultation at the client’s home. If they have been listed previously, I have the MLS information and photos from the previous agent. Throughout the visit, I share with the potential sellers, tips and ideas on what is working and what is not from a buyer’s point of view. I arm the home owners with a laundry list of things to do to set the stage for a sale.

If a home owner doesn’t want to do what I suggest, I won’t take the listing. I don’t want to waste a seller’s time or hurt my reputation. Most sellers do want their homes SOLD... so they listen intently, take pages of notes and we get the job done together!
Reasons Homes Don’t Sell
Inventory—Yes, there is a lot of inventory out there! If you decide to put your home on the market you will have a ton of high quality competition and you will need to take these homes into consideration. Depending on a buyer’s criteria for a home, there can be literally hundreds of homes for them to consider. How do you make your home stand out from the pack?
Price—Some properties will be priced lower for the square footage as there are many bank owned and distressed properties out in the market place. This can work to a seller’s advantage. Many buyers don’t have the stomach to deal with the problems and risk of buying a distressed home. Pricing a home to reflect the competition is essential. Your home doesn't have to be the cheapest home on the market to sell but it must appear to be a great deal!
Online Photos—There is a statistic being tossed around that estimates 80% of home buyers start their internet search online. In my opinion this is low. I would guess it to be more in the range of 90-95% of home buyers start the buying process online. Whatever the percentage, serious home buyers are scouring the internet and marking their favorites…from the PHOTOS! A bad photo will stop a buyer from viewing your home.

Staging—Some home owners just do not want to do the work to get ready. After visiting with a relisting client, their get ready for market“to-do” list can be just as long as a first time seller. I explain what needs to be done and why. Clean. Paint. Remove and pack belongings. Consult with a professional stager. These things must be done or the photos will look terrible. Since the internet photos are the core of today's successful marketing plan, it pays to do it right from the get go.

Exterior—Don’t ignore the entrance to your home! Add flowers…A wreath…A cute welcome sign…Dress up the entrance,trim back the foliage and clean up the driveway. Store the boat and camper in another location. Let me have a clean, clear, awesome shot of your home for that main internet picture!

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Featured Listing in Ham Lake, MN:
15139 E Vermillion Circle NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304

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Ready to set the stage to sell YOUR Twin Cities home and need help from a professional Realtor? Give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm 

Take the Home Off the Market or Stay the Course—What Should a Seller Do During the Holidays?

It is getting to be that time of year again. The holidays are upon us but the house hasn’t sold.

What should a seller do?
At first inclination most sellers opt to withdraw their home from the market believing that the preoccupation with the holiday season puts few buyers in the market. While there is truth to this belief, sellers can be ignoring another more important truth: Buyers looking at houses during the holidays are V-E-R-Y serious buyers.

There are not many tire-kickers running around with a Realtor when there are presents to buy and gifts to wrap. November, December and January showings are a seller’s opportunity as most homes that buyers visit at this time of the year are vacant. A buyer’s choices are down to model homes, empty relocation properties and foreclosures. A welcome home filled with the colorful sights, delightful sounds and wonderful aromas of the season give a unique opportunity for those wanting to sell.

Tips for Showing & Selling During the Holidays

1. Decorate! Tastefully of course. This might not be the year that you do the Griswold display of lights as in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but a decorated tree, candles and wreaths can add a special touch.
2. Bake and leave out a Christmas Cookie or two. Why should Santa have all of the extra calories?
3. Keep the home fires burning! Make sure the fireplace is burning bright, warm and welcoming!
4. Play holiday music. Leave out the barking version of Jingle Bells and go for instrumentals or uniquely Minnesota regional artists like The Blenders.
5. Shovel and salt the sidewalk and driveway if necessary. No one wants to spend the holidays in the emergency room with a twisted ankle.
6. Leave the front light on! Don’t forget it is dark out during those early evening showings. Make certain buyers and their agents are able to see their way to your front door and lockbox.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com

Top 10 Ideas to Get Your Home Ready to SELL!

Get ready! With the spring sale season just around the corner, now is the time to get your home ready to put on the market. As a Minnesota Realtor, I have seen many homes go on the market that simply are not ready. This decreases the amount a buyer is willing to pay buy thousands of dollars.
These are my Top 10 ideas for sellers to get their homes in top condition for a quick sale.

1. Make the Front Entrance SPARKLE!
You need to make a great first impression! A coat of paint and a new brass kick plate or doorknocker says "welcome home". Remove any personalized doorknockers or signs from the front of the home. Remember to trim bushes and shrubs and keep walkways clear. A blooming plant or festive wreath is a nice touch.

2. Organize the Kitchen
Kitchens sell homes—make yours appear more large and inviting! Clean off counters and organize cupboards and drawers. Store or pack seldom used appliances and large pans. Consider replacing the counter if it is worn or has an unusual color. Repair or replace leaky kitchen faucets and dated florescent light fixtures.

3. Reduce Clutter Inside and Out
Sort out E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! Throw away anything you do not need and organize the rest. Too much stuff? Consider an off-site storage facility during the move. Donate unwanted items to a local charity. Campers, boats and old cars should be parked at a different location.

4. Clean
Your home should be spotless and smell clean too! Remember to give attention to the yard and garage too. Buyers want to see the size of your garage not where you dumped all the stuff from the house. If you have a dog, make certain that the yard has been picked up before every showing and it is completely free of debris.


5. Paint
Light neutral colors make small rooms appear larger. That cute personalization you painstakingly painted on your child’s wall is a paint-over project to a new buyer. Do them a favor and paint over before the first showing. Remove dated wallpaper and borders and paint walls. Use premium quality paint and remember to patch holes properly and tape woodwork prior to starting. A sloppy paint job can be more detrimental to your bottom line than no paint job at all.


6. Update Bath
If cleaning and painting cannot help a dingy bath, consider replacing vanity, counter and sink. Look at the faucets and light fixtures. If they are vintage, consider replacing. Also consider installing new flooring or buy nice plush floor mats to make the bathroom cozy. If the tub is nasty and stained, look into having it resurfaced.


7. Make Minor Repairs

Tighten knobs, fix leaky faucets, oil squeaking hinges, replace dirty filters, repair cracked windows and holes in screens. If it can be fixed, fix it! Buyers do not pay top dollar for a “project house”.


8. Fix Roof Leaks
One tiny water stain on the ceiling will cause a buyer to question the entire roof. Find and fix the leak at the source. This may be the time to call in an expert. Repair any ceiling damage. Disclose any information on repairs made to potential buyers.



9. Explain a Wet Basement
Do what you can to make repairs but be prepared to explain all existing and repaired problems to the potential buyers. Never try to cover signs of a wet basement.

10. Exterminate
Call a professional to get rid of the pests, repair any damage, and allow time for any pesticide smells to dissipate before showing. One bug, dead or alive, can make a bad impression on a buyer. If you have periodic mice, remove the traps and bait before showings. Again, disclose any pest infestations to potential buyers before the sale.


If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in Forest Lake and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties real estate in Minnesota.


Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com

Something Smells Funny! Is YOUR Pet Destroying Your Home?

We Americans LOVE our Pets. Dogs, Cats, Bunnies, Monkeys, Rats…you name it. We let them sleep in our beds and eat in our kitchens. We buy and cook them special foods. We dress them up and treat them like the members of the family that they are. But have you ever considered the damage pets can do to your most important investment, your home?

As a real estate agent working in Minnesota, I have seen some strange pets inside of some homes…everything from pot-bellied pigs to monkeys and bunnies with the run of the house. Oh, yeah and then there are the people who have dogs and cats too. Many homeowners take great measures to protected their homes and property but some do not.

I have walked into vacant homes and had potential buyers pick out the exact location of where the previous owner had the litter box. I have seen puppy’s teeth marks on the sides of oak cupboards and cedar decking and claw marks on wood floors. I have walked through extensively landscaped yards destroyed by holes dug by chained dogs. I have witnessed a family whose cat jumps up and hangs on screens to notify their owner that they want to come inside. One seller had a sign posted in the furnace room on a terrarium full of large, noisy crickets announcing that it was food for the lizards and snakes that were kept in the bedrooms and family rooms of the home. And then there was the family that let the horse wander in the front yard and let the bunny have the entire house to roam…you can just imagine the damage left behind on that one.


While amusing to read about, pets can be hard on your home. When you go to sell, you could have to make extensive repairs or discount your selling price to reflect the condition.

The smells are the worst. People who keep pets in carpeted rooms even in cages or kennels can have serious problems. Often the odors will not be removed with a simple steam cleaning. In most cases, I recommend that the carpet be replaced. But homeowners with serious damage find that they are not only replacing the carpet, the padding and sometimes even the sub-flooring needs to be removed to eliminate the smell.

It is possible to have your beloved pet and to protect your home.

• Keep your pet well groomed to reduce odor, hair and nail damage.



• Get a pet bed for your dogs and cats. (Several are available at www.olddogpaws.com). Our dog loves the extra comfort and it keeps dirt and sweat from his coat from going into the carpet fibers. We will move his from room to room during the day so he can stay with us. If this is too much trouble, buy several. They are considerably cheaper than replacing carpet. Our cat uses his bed daily too. It is positioned for his easy access in front of his favorite window so he doesn’t jump and leave marks on the woodwork.



• Have a proper sized kennel or cage for exotic pets and clean often.



• Clear all accidents immediately. Use special pet cleaners to remove odors and stains.



• Cover all exposed woodwork especially around windows. Pets love to jump up and look out windows. Use gates to limit your pet’s access to soft wood floors like birch or cherry wood. Nail marks require the floor to be completely sanded down before refinishing. It can get very costly.



• Don’t chain your dog to the side of your house. Chains and bolts can cause both cosmetic and structural damage to your home.
  

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in Forest Lake and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties real estate in Minnesota.


Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com

Home Staging Tips to Help YOUR Home Sell in a Slower Market

Let’s face it; many real estate markets are experiencing a slow down the likes of which we haven’t seen for years. For a home seller this means setting the price right. But equally important is the concept of home staging. The first step is back to the basics: unclutter, fix and clean! But what is the second step and third?

In the Twin Cities market buyers have on average 25-50 homes that will meet their needs. A typical showing day with buyers will mean visiting 7-10 homes and buyers do get confused. As the day wears on, buyers start to distinguish homes by their characteristics. Some descriptions are not flattering. Recently I was with a buyer who was remembering homes as “the lizard home” and “ one with the Nasty bathroom”. That day there was also the house with “neon green room” and the ever, unpopular “retro house with the orange counters”. So what can you do to make your home memorable for the right reasons?
Paint ProperlyIf adjoining rooms are painted in the same color palette, hour home will appear more spacious. Don’t take short cuts. If you don’t have time or patience to properly tape trim and ceilings, hire a professional. Painted woodwork and ceilings are noticed and sometimes worse than not painting at all.

Go Luxurious
Invest in accessories to accent your home. Big, fluffy coordinating bathroom towels and mats warm up the bath. Fresh flowers on a beautifully set dining room table look inviting. A color-coordinated rug in the foyer will make a wonderful first impression.

Cush-up the Carpeting
Don’t replace the carpet on the cheap. Invest in the BEST padding you can find. Buyers will in most cases have to remove their shoes when walking through your home. In their stocking-feet, they will feel the difference!

Make it Match
Slipcovers are a quick and inexpensive way to update and coordinate mismatched furniture. Put away the old blankets and cozy up the room with a beautiful accent throw and a few pillows.
Empty the ClosetsMake certain the closets are neat and organized. Replace and paint any shelves and organizers that appear dingy.
Replace Handles, Knobs and SwitchplatesInexpensive yes; but often overlooked. Handles that are outdated or missing and switchplates that are dirty or worn send the wrong impression. If they are replaced to look new and shiny, it shows that you pay attention to the details of your home.

Pack the Personal Items
The Elvis collection has to be packed! Likewise, take down the annual school photos of Junior from age 5 to 18. Use the “3 in any direction” rule. No more than three accent pieces should be able to be seen in any direction. Anymore than three is a distraction. If your photos or collection was on the wall, remember to patch the holes and repaint.

The Sun Shines When Windows Sparkle
In feng shui teaches that windows are consider the “eyes of the home” Make sure your windows are sparkling clean inside and out. Avoid the use of vinegar as a cleaner, as the smell may linger.

Before you scoff at spending money on a home you no longer plan to live in, remember this...It is still your home until it sells. It is in many cases your biggest financial investment. Consider it as a small investment for a big pay off or in this case, sale, in the end.