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. 

The temperatures have been in the teens for the past few days.  This morning it was 16 degrees, but I didn’t have to scrape any ice of my vehicle so the air seems to be fairly dry.  However…..forecasters are saying there’s a likelihood of snow accumulation in the valleys of Eastern Washington.  

Two years ago, I came home from a long day at work to find my driveway running with water and a sheet of ice beneath.  As I clicked the garage door opener and watched the door rise, there was a cascade of water falling down across the white and blue checkerboard pattern, glistening in the light of the motion detectors.   A pipe, in the attic over the garage (un-insulated) burst when the temperatures were below freezing for several days.  With the low temps we experiencing here in the Tri Cities, I am making sure I am winter ready this year!   Are you? 

 Here are a few tips to stay safe and warm during snow and icy conditions.     

Let’s start with the most obvious…..Prevent Freezing Pipes!  Insulate your homes pipes with proper insulation or even newspapers and plastic and allow your faucets to drip a little during cold weather to prevent them from freezing. Even at a trickle of running water helps prevent frozen pipes. 

Be sure you know where your water shut off valve is located.

Avoid drafts and save on heating costs with a check of windows and doors.   How is the caulking and weather-stripping?  Does it need to be replaced?  Installing storm windows or cover your windows with plastic to keep heat in. 

Clean out rain gutters, repair leaky roofs and cut away tree branches that could fall on your house or outdoor buildings during a wind storm.

Be Safe: Avoid any fuel-burning equipment indoors.  Any fuel burning equipment should be vented to the outside.   If you are burning any fuel source, please keep a fire extinguisher close by.  A house fire can be devastating.

When driving, practice safety for you and your passengers.  Allow additional driving time so you are not rushing. 

Take it easy.  Slow your speed, braking and acceleration during your travels.  Don’t use the cruise control.

Don’t Tailgate.  The last thing you need to do is step on the brakes in the ice.  

Keep a blanket and some protein bars in the vehicle in the event of an emergency. 

 if you have any other tips to contribute, please comment below! 

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY JANUARY!

each week, Distinctive Properties compiles data and post the results on it’s website and this blog.  Here is out stats for 1-09-2012; http://www.distinctiveprop.com/files/files/01.09.2012RealEstateStats.pdf

1.  Make sure your contractor is properly registered.

2. Investigate the reputation and experience of the contractor.

3. Be wary of contractors who ask you to pick up the building permit.

4. Plan your project carefully, including detailed plans, if necessary.

5. Don’t compare apples to oranges when evaluating bids.  Make sure bids are based on identical project specifications.

6. Ask what inconveniences might arise.

7. Obtain a written contract.

8. Make sure you understand the terms before you sign anything.

9. Be cautious about paying for work not yet completed.

10. Put all change orders in writing.

11. Make frequent inspections and consult your local building department.

12. Avoid making final payment until you have received a lien releaase from suppliers and subcontractors.

Would you like to know what is happening in the Tri-Cities Real Estate Market this week? 

Check out our weekly stats here…..

http://www.distinctiveprop.com/files/files/8.22.2011Stats.pdf

Head down to Columbia Park July 29 – July 31 to view/participate in any of these Water Follie events:

Friday July 29
All Day Free Fries Fryday
8:15 AM Grand Prix West Testing
9:10 AM Unlimited Hydroplane Testing
11:30 – 1:30 HAPO Community Credit Union Over the River Air Show
1:50 PM Unlimited Qualifying – H1 Unlimited Fast Lap Friday
4:00 PM Vintage Unlimited Hydroplane Exhibition
4:40 PM Grand Prix West Challenge Race
5:10 PM Western States Insurance Unlimited Hydroplane Dash for Cash

Saturday July 30
8:15 AM Grand Prix West Testing
9:10 AM Unlimited Hydroplane Testing
11:30 – 1:30 HAPO Community Credit Union Over the River Air Show
12:00 PM Hydro Drivers Autograph Session
1:50 PM Legends Casino Vintage Heat 1
2:20 PM Babcock Services Grand Prix West Heat 1
2:30 PM Air Show Performer Autograph Session
2:50 PM Cascade Natural Gas Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1A
3:10 PM Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 598 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1B
3:40 PM AHBL, Inc. Grand Prix West Heat 2
4:00 PM Legends Casino Vintage Heat 2

Sunday July 31
8:15 AM Unlimited Hydroplane Testing
9:30 AM Grand Prix West Testing
10:15 AM Vintage Hydroplane Testing
11:00 AM Opening Ceremonies
11:30 – 1:30 HAPO Community Credit Union Over the River Air Show
1:50 PM Connell Oil Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2A
2:10 PM American Family Insurance Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2B
2:30 PM Legends Casino Vintage Heat 3
3:10 PM  Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 598 Unlimited Heat 3A
3:30 PM Cascade Natural Gas Unlimited Heat 3B
3:50 PM Atomic Screenprinting Grand Prix West Final
4:30 PM Lamb Weston Columbia Cup Unlimited Final
4:45 PM Awards Ceremony – ANG Stage

Air Show Schedule (Fri-Sun 11:30-1:30)
11:35 AM Bad Yak!
11:47 AM CAF B-17/B-25
12:02 AM USCG Rescue Deno
12:22 PM Bill Stein Airshows
12:34 PM John Klatt
12:46 PM Huey/Cobra Helicopters
13:05 PM ACC F-15E Strike Eagle
13:25 PM End of Air show

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE – CONTACT THE TRI-CITY WATER FOLLIES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION