Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

We’ve all heard it’s a buyers market, so your are competing with the other homeowners’s attempting to sell there homes in this market.  Your home needs all the appeal to get those potential buyers in there!  Unless your house is silver and shiny, you may want to shine it up a bit with these simple ideas can help show your home at it’s best.

Have your home pre-inspected.

When an offer is made, a home inspection must be performed. Reeling in a buyer, only to lose them to unseen problems with the house is one of the worst things that can happen.  Have your home pre-inspected to uncover any unknown issues.  Prices vary for home inspections ($250 – $500) and an agent here at Distinctive Properties can recommend a professional for you.

Check warranties and get estimates.

If the inspection turns up anything, get estimates for any repairs.  If they are affordable, repair them.  Check warranties on some items, such as furnace, dishwasher, and other real property that stays with the home.  

Make minor repairs.

Not every repair will cost you a lot.  Repair torn screens, squeaky doors, running toilets, etc.  Replace any rotten trim or other small items to increase the look of care to the home.

De Clutter.

Clutter can make the storage in the home seem small.  while you see years of perfectly fine living, other see a house that can’t hold it all.   Clear off the kitchen counters of just about everything.

Clean out closets.  Pack up lightly used items like summer clothes and camping equipment and toys.  You may want to invest in a small storage unit.  A small price to pay for curb appeal.    Store away any bulky furnishing and keep the home simple and basic.  Remember, people are looking at the home and want to picture their belongings in it.  That may be difficult with all the spaces cluttered up.  You basically want to ”depersonalize” your home by removing pictures and knick-knacks.  

Let the buyer see a blank canvas.  

Clean!

You’ve heard about first impressions and how important they are.   A buyer walks into a super clean home is left with the impression that the home is well cared for.   So clean the windows, air out the house to eliminate any natural odors from food, pets, etc.  Have carpets shampooed or steam cleaned and dust off blinds, and launder drapery. 

We hope these tips are helpful.  Visit us on our website at www.distinctiveprop.com for more information. 

In November and December, Realtors across the Tri-Cities will come together to participate in service of their communities by raising food and funds for 2nd Harvest. 

Bags will be dropped off  on their neighborhood doorsteps and bags and donations will be picked up December 2nd, 2011 and all donations will be be delivered to KNDU the morning of December 3, 2011.

The weather is great right now. All the better to view an open house or three dozen. Activity was on a roll during the sunny days and the weather is supposed to remain for a few days. Take advantage and contact the professionals at Distinctive Properties, Inc. to discuss your housing needs. The link below contains our latest weekly statistics for property listings in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Finley, Burbank, West Richland and the surrounding area.

http://bit.ly/cxnOGY

August means County Fairs. They’re everywhere. Enjoy the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo that’s just around the corner.  Another activity residents of the Tri-Cities engage in is finding just the right home.  Summer is the time of year for buying or selling, relocating, downsizing or upgrading.  Distinctive Properties offers solutions for the needs of clients living in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and surrounding communities.  Check out the website or stop in and visit with the agent of your choice.  Any of our professionals are happy to assist.  The link below will take you to our latest weekly statistics.

http://www.distinctiveprop.com/files/files/8.2.2010Stats.pdf

With the changing weather, comes changing plans, shaking and moving.  Summer is when people relocate, buy a new home, sell an existing property, downsize, upgrade.  Distinctive Properties has the answer for each situation.  The Tri-Cities is a great place to make changes.  Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and the outlying areas offer a diverse selection for whatever a person needs.  Stop by and visit with an agent of your choice.

Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, as well as outlying communities are gearing up for the influx of tourists arriving in the Tri-Cities to enjoy the Annual Hydroplane Boat Races.  Restaurants and Lodging facilities welcome those attending various activities surrounding the event for at least three days on the weekend of July 23rd, 24th and 25th. Tourists and residents of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland enjoy sidewalk art, timed trials, airshows and the main event on Sunday when the hydroplanes roar around the bouyed racecourse.  The river is lined with spectators on the Kennewick side and the Pasco side of the Columbia River.  The flourish of activities continue up the river and extend into the park in Richland.  Welcome one and all from Distinctive Properties, serving the residents of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland and those desiring to relocate to the Tri-Cities.