Spring Home Maintenance Tips

It's that time of year!  Spring is right around the corner and we couldn't be happier here at Bluewater.  We know you're probably gearing up for spring cleaning, but have you also considered a spring maintenance checklist?

Following are some helpful tips to get your home in shape so that you can enjoy the beautiful weather on our Crystal Coast:

Exterior

• Examine your siding and replace and/or repair any damaged, loose or missing siding.  Now would be a perfect time to power wash or scrub the outside of your home.  Inspect for any visual signs of termite damage.
•  Look over your foundation for structural damage. 
• Ensure gutters are free of debris and are not loose or leaky.
• Examine your roof for debris and replace any missing shingles. 
• Inspect your concrete driveway or sidewalk for cracks.
• Clean your chimney and inspect the flashing.  
• Clean your dryer vent.
• Check for leaks around windows and doors.
• Inspect and repair your deck, steps and/or fences, if needed.
• Drain your hot water heater.  Sediment can form in the bottom over time and prevent the drain valve from working properly.
• Service your heat pump as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Trim tree branches that are hanging too close to your home.

Interior

• Test and replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Inspect your attic and ensure attic fans are functioning properly.
• Clean the inside or your fireplace.
• Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards.
• Check your fire extinguisher and ensure that it is operational. 
• Check and replace air filters, if needed.
• Vacuum refrigerator coils.

Tips for Selling Your Home with Pets

If you have a dog or a cat, it's hard to comprehend anyone not loving pets.  Not all buyers entering your home will be animal lovers.  The following tips will help you prepare your home for potential buyers that may not be keen on pets.

The outside of your home is the first thing people will see.  Fill in any holes that your dog may have dug and remove dog waste from your yard.  

People that do not have pets will most likely immediately smell if there's a dog or cat living in your home.  Our sense of smell has a huge impact on our emotions, so it is important to eliminate any all pet odors.  Remove odors by washing dog bed covers and blankets.  Have your carpets professionally cleaned and all stains removed. 

Repair any damage your pet may have caused, such as scratch marks and damage from chewing.  

It is best to remove your pet from your home during a showing.  Buyers may be allergic to or afraid of your pet.  Take your dog for a walk or to the park.  If you're working the day of the showing, treat your dog to a fun day at doggy day care.  If you aren't able to remove your pet from your home, place them in a crate or a designated area of the house that the showing agent is aware of. 

Before a showing, put away dog beds, toys and food bowls.  Pack up any cages or pet carriers.  Ensure that cat litter boxes are clean and out of sight. 

Selling a home with pets isn't always easy, but following these simple tips could make or break the sale of your home.

Staging Your Home for Sale

When placing your home on the market, presentation is key!  First impressions are of extreme importance when selling your home.  There are a number of simple and inexpensive things you can do to sell you home quicker.

Clean and De-clutter
First things first!  No one wants to see or smell a dirty home.  Clean blinds, ceiling fans, baseboards and under furniture.  Pack away knickknacks and de-clutter counter tops.  Steam carpets to remove dirt and pet odors and organize closets to utilize available space.

De-Personalize

When prospective buyers are looking at your home, they want to envision their family, not yours.  Remove all personal photographs, keepsakes and mementos. Paint your home neutral colors so that buyers can imagine their furniture and belongings in your home.


Curb Appeal
Don't neglect the outside of your home.  Trim bushes, power wash siding and sidewalks and wash windows.  Add a fresh coat of paint on your front door and purchase a new doormat.


Use Space Effectively

Rearrange furniture to maximize space and enhance your home's features.

Let There Be Light!

No one likes a dark, dreary home.  Open blinds to allow the sunlight to pour in. 

Entice Buyers' Sense of Smell

Bake cookies, bread or simmer spices prior to a showing.

Set the Temperature

You want prospective buyers to be comfortable and stay awhile in your home, right?  Now is not the time to worry about a utility bill.  Turn up the heat if it's cold enough to wear a sweater in your home.  Likewise, turn down the temperature if it is uncomfortably hot.










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Moving On: Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Moving can be challenging and stressful, at best.  It can be difficult to remember everything that you need to do during this life-changing event.  Here are some useful tips to help you during the process!

Preparation

Write down the names and numbers of utility companies and make the transfers.  Give yourself at least a week, as many utility companies can't transfer service the next day. Change your address with the postal service at least a week in advance.

Finding Packing Supplies 

Boxes can be expensive.  Check with your local retailers, ABC stores and furniture stores.  When you're finished unpacking, advertise the free boxes on Craigslist so you won't have to dispose of them.

Packing

• Consider your move as a time to organize.  Designate areas for items to donate and items to sell at a garage sale.
• Pack the items you use the least first.  
• Dust items as you pack so that you won't have to dust when you unpack.
• Wrap small fragile items in brightly colored tissue paper so they won't accidentally be thrown away.
• Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.
• Color-code boxes by designating a color for each room.  Place a colored sticker on each box.  Be sure to mark boxes that are fragile.
• Use suitcases, baskets, hampers and clothes baskets in place of boxes.  Pack small kitchen items such as spices in large pots.
• Stack plates vertically to save room.  Plates are also less likely to break if stacked vertically.
• Use newspapers, towels and/or clothes instead of bubble wrap for fragile items to save money.
•  When disassembling furniture, place screws and parts in a Ziploc bag and tape to the base of the furniture so that it is easily accessible when time to reassemble.

The First Night

Pack one overnight bag or box with the bare necessities you'll need for the first night.  Chances are that you'll be too tired to search for these items after the big move.

Do you have any moving tips to share?  Please let us know in the comments below.

Benefits of a Home Inspection

 Think you don't need a home inspection?  Think again!

Whether you're a homeowner preparing to sell or have found your dream home and are ready to begin the sales process, a home inspection can save you unwanted grief.  A home inspection is beneficial to both buyers and sellers because it eliminates any nasty surprises for sellers and relieves potential doubts for buyers.

For buyers, home inspections may pay for themselves in savings.  A home inspector typically checks for issues with structural integrity, major defects, safety hazards and that major appliances are in working order. A home inspection enables a buyer to make an informed decision and feel more confident about their purchase.  Keep in mind there are certain things a home inspector cannot see, like the inside of walls or underneath floors. 

Sellers benefit from home inspections in that having a home inspection can eliminate last-minute negotiations.  Why wait for a buyer's home inspector to uncover unknown problems after you've already accepted an offer? 

Home inspections are a benefit to both buyers and sellers:  they remove unknown factors to help make the transaction as worry-free as possible.

Sales Agents: Implement Your 2015 Marketing Plan!

Successful real estate agents utilize marketing strategies.  Have you created and implemented a marketing plan for 2015?  Click here for a free marketing planning packet.

Here are some helpful tips to help you get started:

• Keep a weekly activity log of follow-ups, mailing sent, warm/cold calls and open houses.
• Communicate 4 ways:  email, phone, print/mail and social media.
• Plan a marketing budget.
• Tour local listings.
• Become more active in association activities and/or run for office.
• Attend office meetings.
• Develop a monthly newsletter.
• Conduct a buyer/seller seminar.
• Take classes:  Luxury Portfolio is available for all agents.  The next webinar sessions are March 12th and May 19th at 4pm.  Topics to be covered are:
• Luxury portfolio facts and statistics
• Customer communication tools
• Marketing materials and listing presentation resources
• Opportunities for additional media exposure
• A brief tour of LuxeXchange

 Click here to register for the March webinar and here to register for the May webinar. 

Are You Considering Contesting Your 2015 Tax Reassessment?

Carteret County recently mailed a letter to property owners with an updated tax value after reassessment.  State law requires that real property be assessed or revalued at least once every 8 years.  Carteret County has elected to reassess after 4 years.

According to the tax office, some property values will increase and some will decrease, but most will remain the same.

If you decide to contest your new assessment, the Board of Equalization will convene between the last week of April and the first week of May 2015.  The steps to make an appeal are included with the notification of your new property value.  Only data through January 2015 will be considered until the next reevaluation in 2019.