Brooklyn Park, MN

Every home should have it done. . . yet the majority pass it up to save a buck on the front end? . . .

What is Staging!

Before

After - (even without neutral paint - what a difference!)

I can't stand to see homes be put on the market without being staged. My philosophy in life is that if I don't like something - I should do something about it. Therefore, I am a home stager/redesigner in Brooklyn Park, MN. I am also a marketer and the philosophy of staging is so logical and (practically speaking) such a simple ROI calculation that I struggle to understand why it is not always done. Any corporate business would flip over the ROIs typically gained through staging. I can't understand why it is not a prerequisite for every seller before listing their home. A little marketing on the inside goes a long way to help the marketing efforts on the outside! Some of the homes I have seen in Brooklyn Park, MN really could benefit from a professional home stager.

I learned in the business world that the product with the most attractive packaging at the right price point usually sells first and for more (even if another product has more bells and whistles). For years I worked in consumer packaged goods marketing. We labored for hours over our package designs - making sure that every last detail was analyzed and scrutinized. Do buyers even notice? YES! Then, I realized that the product which we sell for the highest price, and for which we stand to see the greatest loss or gain based on the fluctuation in price (our home) - barely gets a once over! Other times, we package our home like it should serve as the 'generic' brand - (you know, the ones where decluttering is taken a bit too far). One home I visited for a staging consultatin in Brooklyn Park, MN had removed all signs of life. The only thing remaining was dated furniture and bad artwork. Where has all the marketing and beauty gone! Image is everything for a home!

I was told there are the three key areas to consider when selling a home - the product, the marketing to get buyers in to see the product, and the price. Staging goes so much further than adding a little fluff to a house - and making it look 'pretty'. It improves the way it sells. That is the product. There are so many homes on the internet with poor pictures - at least in Brooklyn Park, MN! And it is so easy to make a big impact. Truly, a little goes a long, long way. It impacts the perceived value and works hand in hand with the marketing. It creates a unique, desirable product, which buyers can fall in love with and then 'must have'. Marketing, then is less about selling, and more about filling a need. If the home is staged and demonstrates how it can 'fill a need' for a buyer, then the house sells. If the home doesn't feel right, it can't fill the need and the product remains 'on the shelf.' I am anxious to help improve the products out there today. I look forward to the day when all homes are staged (I'm committed to helping my neighborhood and Brooklyn Park, MN!) before listing. It is one way to counter the housing crisis!

Dryer vent cleaning is the number one prevention of clothes dryer fires. When dryer vent systems become clogged with lint, air flow is restricted, causing the dryer motor to labor. As a result, clothes take longer to dry and you will experience higher energy bills.

When a clothes dryer isn't functioning properly dryer vent cleaning cures the problem in most cases. There are other things that can go wrong with a clothes dryer, but lack of air flow is the number one problem with malfunctioning dryers.

On a recent job the customer had reported a heating failure. The technician replaced the element which solved the problem, but only for a very short time. The problem recurred after just a couple loads of laundry. Just before the failure, the customer stated that they heard a scratching noise coming from the dryer but the technician failed to find the cause.

Electric dryers are simple in design. They require an element to provide heat and blowers to provide air flow. If the heating element is not functioning properly it can overheat and cause a fire. When a customer complains that their dryer is not getting clothes dry, this is one of the first things an appliance repair specialist will check.

Since I was called to the customer's home soon after they had an appliance repair technician provide service, I told them I was going to check for a venting problem. I assumed a complete dryer vent cleaning was required. Part of dryer vent cleaning service is to clean inside the dryer too.

I took the drum out to check for the source of the scratching noise and noticed the bearings were worn, causing friction due to lack of lubrication. On this model, once the bearing has worn the back of the drum came into contact with the heating element causing arcing and breaking the new element.

The dryer worked fine after installing a new element and bearing kit. I cleaned up the metal shavings and lint, and then put the dryer back together. This took care of the heating problem.

Being in the dryer vent cleaning business, I informed the customer that they were lucky a spark didn't cause the lint inside the dryer to ignite. They were happy to allow me to perform a complete dryer exhaust cleaning to be sure the dryer was getting proper air flow to work efficiently.

This article was written by Carl Hein, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of St. Paul, Minnesota. DVW specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repair, installation and alterations, while educating consumers on dryer vent maintenance and fire safety. Carl services the Twin City Area of Minnesota. For more tips on dryer fire prevention visit http://dryerventcleaningstpaul.blogspot.com/

SHORT ON CASH? DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU.

Take advantage of todays market. Foreclosed and bank owned homes are being sold at warehouse prices. Financing your repairs is easy and cost effective with FHA 203(k) financing.

$99,900 $132,900

Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 car garage 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 car garage

Bank owned foreclosure properties can now be purchased at wholesale prices. Turn these properties into "CASH FLOWING PROPERTIES" with minimal cash out of pocket.

FHA 203(k) Financing Eligible Improvements

The homeowner can use the 203(k) program to finance items like painting, room additions, anddecks, even if the home does not require any other improvements. Health, safety and energy conservation items must be addressed before completing general home improvements.

Required Improvements

(as noted from US Deparment of Housing & Urban Development)

All rehabilitation construction and/or additions financed with Section 203(k) mortgage proceeds must comply with the following:

A. Cost Effective Energy Conservation Standards

Rehabilitation of Existing Structure. To improve the thermal efficiency of the dwelling, the following are required:

a) Weatherstrip all doors and windows when existing weatherstripping is inadequate or nonexistent.

b) Caulk or seal all openings, cracks or joints in the building envelope to reduce air infiltration.

c) Insulate all openings in exterior walls where the cavity has been exposed as a result of the rehabilitation. Insulate ceiling areas where necessary

d) Adequately ventilate attic and crawl space areas. For additional information and requirements, refer to 24 CFR Part 39.

Replacement Systems

a) Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system supply and return pipes and ducts must be insulated whenever they run through unconditioned spaces.

b) Heating systems, burners, and air conditioning systems must be carefully sized to be no greater than 15 percent oversized for the critical design, heating or cooling, except to satisfy the manufacturer's next closest nominal size.

Smoke Detectors

Each sleeping area must be provided with a minimum of one (1) approved, listed and labeled smoke detector installed adjacent to the sleeping area. Carbon Monoxide Detectors may now be required, check with your local city/county authorities.

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS NOW QUALIFY FOR A TAX CREDIT UP TO $7,500 in addition to:

National Real Estate Stimulus Program

The National Real Estate Stimulus Program is now available to all buyers of real estate in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Now all buyers purchasing any property qualify to receive a cash bonus of one point seven percent of the sales price, up to a maximum of ten thousand dollars. A tax-free cashier’s check is mailed to the buyer after closing and upon receipt of proof of purchase and verification of identity. All buyers qualify for this stimulus program regardless of price range, income, type of real estate or financing. If you are thinking of purchasing a real estate property, you qualify for this real estate stimulus program. For more information on how you can receive your real estate stimulus program bonus, contact Renee Johnson of Exit Realty Executives. Renee Johnson may be contacted at 763-548-1408

Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC
for the period of July 1, 1007 through July 31, 2008.

Participant in the *National Real Estate Stimulus Program*

Buyers: Receive a CASH BONUS of 2% of the sale price up to a maximum of $10,000.00 after closing when you purchase a home with Patti Ann Kasper.

Sellers: Your home SOLD in 39 days or less GUARANTEED, or I'll pay you up to $10,000 after closing!

That's right, a tax free cashiers check is mailed after closing, upon receipt of proof of purchase, and verification of identity. Could you or someone you know do something with that?

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, call Patti Ann Kasper to find out how
you can receive your own National Real Estate Stimulus Program CASH BONUS!

For more information about my services, guarantees, or how I can help you
find your next home, sell your home, buy a business or investment property.
Just call Patti Ann Kasper today at 763-548-1418!

To view my interactive on-line real estate magazine with listings, select the banner below:

Touch the banner below to send this information to your friends or family!

Patti Ann Kasper, Your Minnesota, North Metro Twin Cities, and Lino Lakes Real Estate Expert!

© Copyright Patti Ann Kasper 2008 All Right Reserved.

Associates of Science Degree in Geographic Information Systems and Cartography
from Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.


Licensed in Minnesota


Equal Housing Opportunity

Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC.
For the period of January 1, 2006 thru December 31, 2007

It is a great time to buy a home and there are great deals in all price ranges available.
For more information about my services, guarantees or how I can help you find your next home,
sell your home, buy a business or investment property - Just call me today at 763-548-1418!

To view my interactive on-line real estate magazine with listings, click the button below: