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 Beautiful Rivers of the Tri-Cities…

1. Go on a limousine ride through the heart of Washington’s wine country and visit any of the 150 wineries in Pasco, Richland, Benton City, Kennewick and more

2. Come experience the majestic beauty of the 276-acre Chamna Natural Preserve in Richland

3. Taste delicious sweet breads from a real Mexican bakery in Pasco

4.Take a bike ride on the Sacagawea Heritage Trail in Kennewick

5. Let your tastebuds experience the flavors of fresh produce from Washington’s largest open air Farmer’s Market in Pasco

6. Walk back into history at the Franklin County Historical Museum in Pasco

7. Catch a jet boat ride in Richland and enjoy an exhilarating tour of the Columbia River

8. Cultivate your spicy side at the Fiery Foods Festival in Pasco

9. Take a ride on the J & S Dreamland Express in Kennewick, WA

10. Try your luck at one of the great casinos in Kennewick and Pasco

11. Travel across the first major cable stayed bridge built in the US in the Tri-Cities

12. Come to the Tri-Cities and follow the trail that Lewis and Clark traveled

13. Get your fill of savory, authentic tortas, tacos from a “taco wagon” in Pasco

14. Sample wines at one of the many wonderful wineries in the Tri-Cities

15. Explore the barrel caves that were used for wine aging at Terra Blanca in Benton City

16. Go on a romantic dinner cruise on the Columbia River with the special someone

17. Play 9 or 18 holes of golf at one of 10 golf courses in Kennewick, Richland and Pasco

18. Watch the excitement of the hydroplane races on the Columbia River in Kennewick during the last Fall weekend in July

19. Be sure to stop in and visit the Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science and Technology in Richland

20. Take a hike to the Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve and look out over the spectacular view of Kennewick and Richland

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Over the course of 24 years, the Ye Merry Greenwood Faire and its players have grown in dimension, numbers and types of performances. With their beginnings in 1986 having only 17 vendors to the present where they boast 70 vendors, 8 stages and 30 professional acts; the Greenwood Players have brought joy, merriment and a bit of fantasy to a generation of Tri-Citians.  There couldn’t be a more fitting venue for this Faire than Howard Amon Park in Richland with the beautiful shade trees, the sparkling waters of the Columbia River and the lush green grasses of the park. All this adds to the ‘feel’ of being in another space in time where fair ladies, court jesters, jousting knights and strolling musicians brought life to an otherwise dreary existence for the “common folk”.  The Greenwood storytellers are such fun to listen to as they entwine you into their tales with exceptional performance skills and antics. The merriment begins at 9:30 a.m. on June 26 and 27th and ends around 5:30 p.m.  For more information go to www.yemerriegreenwoodfaire.org.