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Attention to Details

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Your home is for sale and you’ve had plenty of showings, but no offers. You know that it is priced competitively, so, what could be the problem? It may be time to call in an expert, a staging professional, to help provide attention to the details in order to obtain a sale.

Staging a home goes deeper than de-cluttering and applying a fresh coat of neutral paint. It is also highlighting a home’s positive attributes and downplaying any potentially negative aspects of the home. Here are some staging details to make sure your home looks attractive to potential buyers.

Enhance the curb appeal. The potential buyer’s first impression occurs as soon as they drive up to the home. Make sure the front yard impresses them. All bushes, trees, and grass should be trimmed and maintained. Flower beds should be weed-free and colorful. If possible, plant annuals, like impatiens, to bring color to the yard. The potential buyer will be noticing the pretty flowers, not that the yard is small.

The front porch is another opportunity to create an inviting atmosphere. Make sure you have adequate front porch lighting for those night time showings. Also, the front door and porch railing should have a fresh coat of paint and be in good working order. Outdoor decorative elements made from metal or ceramic materials and plants in decorative containers can liven up the front porch space. Creating an outdoor sitting area is another special touch that potential buyers will surely appreciate. Additional space is important, even if it’s outside.

Create the wow-factor for the entry way. When a potential buyer enters the home, you want them to say, “Wow.” You can make a good impression by creating a focal point. One idea is to place a small table at the entry way. On top, you can place fresh flowers or a framed decorative picture (not of family members, but of scenery or an inspirational quote). Another suggestion for creating a dramatic entryway is to hang a large piece of art in the foyer. An enlarged photo in a powerful frame or an interesting painting can make the right impression on potential buyers.

Add special touches. If a bathroom needs updating, but it is not economically possible to renovate it before you sell, there are some inexpensive ways to improve the space. Updating the cabinet hardware, the fixtures, and the lighting can do wonders for the bathroom. Decorative accessories, like pretty towels, candles, and soap dispensers can help buyers from thinking, “This place needs updating,” to “Aww, those are pretty.”

Knoxville area home buyers and sellers turn to experienced Realtor Judi Starliper who works with a knowledgeable team, including a professional home stager who can help turn showings into offers.

My Husband Doesn’t Like Valentine’s Day

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My husband has an interesting way of celebrating holidays like Valentine’s day. He doesn’t like them so he doesn’t celebrate them. My thinking is that I like them and he should celebrate them for me. That’s the difference in men and women, I guess. I decided I’d just tell him what to do. So I said I wanted some flowers, candy, a card and a dinner out. Valentine’s Day came and the anticipation was so exciting. I woke up and went to the kitchen for coffee that day. There, on the counter, was a card with a sucker taped to it, a velvet rose that you can wrap around a pole or a chair and a gift certificate for me to have dinner at Smoky Mountain Market. Now folks, that definitely was not what I had in mind.

I’m a romantic and I believe life should be like a movie. But, my life already is like a movie. I have a wonderful husband who is such a good man. He stands for all things right and good. He’s a man of honor who loves his country, takes care of his family and always tries to do the right thing. He has a smile that will “knock your socks off.” He is the best of grandfathers and is always trying to teach the boys lessons for a lifetime. Our son is a product of Steve’s Christian upbringing and my comical way of looking at life. My Valentine really makes my life Valentine’s Day every day.  But sometimes I let the commercial things get in my way of seeing that. When you have someone that makes you want to be a better person, you don’t need a card to say I love you. Instead, I need to give him a card that says, “Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful.”

Happy Valentine’s Day-to LOVE!

Winter Fun in Knoxville

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The technical definition of “cabin fever” is irritability or listlessness resulting from a long confinement or isolation indoors during the winter. Fortunately, with so many fun activities and events in Knoxville, those with cabin fever need not suffer any longer.

Here’s a look at Winter fun in Knoxville.

The Knoxville Ice Bears. An Ice Bears hockey game is sure to be a hit for the whole family. The games are entertaining and feature special nights like Star Wars Night, Weiner Dog Races, Miss Ice Bear competition, and several vendor and fan appreciation games. Load up the family, grab tickets to the Fanzone, and see the Ice Bears in action along with Chilly, their mascot.

University of Tennessee basketball. During February, the UT men’s and women’s basketball season heats up with conference play. So, wear your “I Back Pat” t-shirt, grab your orange pom pom, and cheer the Vols on to March Madness.

Knoxville Museum of Art. See the “After the Fall” exhibition before in ends in mid-February. Also, the museum hosts Alive after Five which features live music, a beer and wine bar, and light food. Be prepared to be wowed by the art and the entertainment at the KMA.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. This Knoxville treasure is the only museum devoted to honoring all levels of women’s basketball and the amazing stars who play and coach the sport. All members of the family will enjoy the presentations, the artifacts, and the basketball courts.

The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge. February is Sweetheart Month at the Titanic Museum and 2012 is the Year of the Titanic. This interactive museum brings to life the stories of those who were aboard the Titanic.

Mardi Growl. In early March, the Mardi Growl is a parade for our furry, four-legged friends. There are several costume categories, so start stitching that perfect pet costume that displays your furry friend’s personality. The proceeds from the event benefit Young Williams Animal Center.

For more winter fun inspiration, check out the resources on Knoxville area Realtor Judi Starliper’s website.

Creative Fixes for Challenging Spaces

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Natural light brightens any room

Most homes have some sort of design challenge, like a small room, or a room that doesn’t get enough natural light. When listing your Knoxville home, it’s important to tackle these design challenges and make the most of the space.

Here are some design tips to improve common problems:

For a small room, furniture placement, paint color, and lighting are important.

Home staging experts suggest to scale the size of the furniture to the size of the room. This means that in a small room, large bulky sofas or chairs should be avoided. Also, furniture should never block walking pathways. Placing the furniture against the wall allows visitors a clear visual into the next room, which also helps to make a room look larger. If you don’t like the all the furniture against the wall, try placing it at an angle. This creates a diagonal line, which seems longer, thus creating the illusion of a larger space. For table suggestions in a small space, try a glass tabletop. This provides an open feeling to the space.

Natural lighting really opens up a space. Make full use of light from windows to make a small space appear larger. Sheer curtains or pulling back the drapes will bring the outside view into the room, which will make the room look more spacious. If the view is less than desirable, a hanging plant will divert the attention.

Natural light and a plant opens up this space

A common misconception is that small rooms must be painted white to appear larger. Some design experts suggest bold colors for a small space. However, if staging a home to sell, a sunny or warm shade may be the right choice.

For rooms that seem dark and cave-like, paint color should be selected wisely. Contrary to popular belief, pale paint colors do not necessarily brighten a dark room. Design experts suggest mid-tones which are the colors located on the middle of the paint sample. To brighten up dark rooms, light and neutral-colored furniture and accessories will also help. For example, if it’s a bedroom, light linens will bring pizzazz to the space.

For more tips on how to sell your Knoxville home, contact an experienced Realtor like Judi Starliper and the J-Star Team. The website offers many Buyer/Seller Tips.

Necessary Repairs to Sell Your Home

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In this Knoxville home market, buyers are expecting the property to be “move in” ready. In order to sell your house in this competitive market, these repairs should be made before you list your Knoxville home for sale.

Repair and clean the gutters. Loose or hanging gutters are a huge red flag that the property hasn’t been maintained.

Fix cabinet doors that are askew. Make sure all cabinet doors can open and close easily.  Cabinet pulls and hardware should be updated and installed properly.

Replace chipped tile and re-seal grout. A cracked or chipped tile will stick out like a sore thumb to potential buyers. It leaves an impression that the home will require a lot of work before moving in.

Repair leaky or dripping faucets. You might not notice a drippy faucet, but a potential buyer will.

Patch nail holes. A little putty and paint and potential buyers will never know where pictures or posters used to hang.

Eliminate odors. Candles or potpourri can’t mask powerful kitchen odors or the smell of smokers living in the home. Cleaning can usually eliminate most kitchen smells, but certain deep fried cooking aromas can permeate the cabinets, ceiling, and walls. A more thorough, deep scrubbing might be necessary. For smokers, cleaning might not be enough. Removing carpet and painting the walls may be the only way to eliminate the smell of smoke.

Clean the baseboards. Dust and grime accumulate along the baseboards and in corners where the vacuum and mop can’t reach. Spend some extra time getting those hard to reach places.

Remove peeling wallpaper. Outdated, peeling wallpaper represents a headache to a potential buyer. Remove the wallpaper and go with a neutral paint color.

Making all these necessary repairs will give you an advantage when trying to sell your Knoxville home. If you have any questions about listing your house, then contact an experienced Realtor, like Judi Starliper and the J-Star Team.