Jolynna McCune, Affiliate Broker

Believe it or not, your garage is not only made to house your automobiles. In fact, you can use it for storage or even a work area for small household projects. Whether you decide to keep tools, lawn care equipment or other accessories in the garage, organization is a must.

If you use the garage for small woodworking projects or other chores that require a sturdy surface, consider installing a fold-down table on the interior wall. When not in use, you can simply lift the table back up and into place. This is a terrific idea for those who have a small garage or simply enjoy making the most out of their workspace.

If you have any items that are broken, outdated or simply unusable for any reason, toss them out. One of the first steps to organizing your garage is to get rid of the things that you no longer need or can use.

If you have tools that are rarely used, put them away so that you can place the most commonly used tools in the forefront. As a general rule, your garage will be more efficient if the things that you need on a regular basis are easily accessible.

When it comes to organizing any part of your home, including the garage, properly categorizing your items is essential. This will help you to locate everything quickly and efficiently. You can use storage bins, shelves and even clear drawers for sorting your items.

Storage Solutions for Your Small Items

If you typically use your garage to store hardware, such as nails, bolts and other small items, try organizing them in a clear glass jar instead of leaving them lying loosely in a toolbox. Not only is the proper storage safer, but it also allows you to easily view and retrieve the items as needed. Used baby food jars are ideal for this purpose.

If you or your children own a bicycle or you need to find the perfect spot for your ladder or large tools, consider mounting them on the wall using the proper hook or other support. It's important to note that larger items should be within reach to avoid injury while trying to retrieve them. Mounting your large items on the garage walls will save on both yard and garage clutter and it's also a wise way to protect your items from being stolen.

For more tips, or to keep up with what's selling in your neighborhood, please subscribe to my free e-newsletter at www.jolynnashomes.com.

I'm in Your Neighborhood

Before you put a sign in the yard, make sure your home is in tip-top condition.  Don't underestimate the importance of this very first step..  In today's market, there is a lot of competion and to get the best price, your home should be as nice and appealing as you can possible make it. The paint should be fresh, and preferably a light and neutral color and any dated wallpaper should be stripped.  If you have carpets, have them professionally cleaned to remove any and all signs of stains and pet odors.  All the surfaces in your home, especially the kitchen and bathrooms should be spotless and gleaming as these are the two most important areas in a home to the majority of buyers. Really put the extra effort into making them shine.  Don't forget that buyers touring your home will open closets and appliances and even go into your attic and garage to inspect, so don't forget to clean those areas too. Organize and remove clutter. Finally, remember that the outside of your home is the very first thing people will notice, so make sure your lawn is manicured and free of weeds. Your hedges should be neatly trimed and your beds mulched. Add some colorful annuals for a bit of color and visual appeal. 

Consider hiring a professional stager.  It's not always easy to see your home through the eyes of buyers and what may look nice to you, could be a deterrant to others.  A stager can come into your home and make changes to your             furniture placement, lighting and accessories to really showcase the best features of your home.   Prices vary, as do the services offered, so shop  around and get some referalls before you hire someone.  A good stager should have testimonials and plenty of before and after photos to show their work.

Once your home is on the market, make sure you are prepared to keep it in show-ready condition.  Buyers very often call at the last minute as they drive past your home.  You won't always have a window of time to prepare and those buyers may not ever call again. An opportunity could be lost.

Prepare a marketing budget.  Just like a good REALTOR, you should have a plan to market your home to buyers. Advertising is very key in getting your home the number of showings it takes to make the sale. In a tough market, it is simply not enough to stick a sign in the yard and run an ad or two in Sunday's classifieds.  One important fact to note, is that over 70% of buyers find their homes on the internet.   As an agent, that is where I spend the majority of my advertising dollars. That is where the buyers are.  

Take fantastic photos and lots of them!  It's true that a picture is worth a thousand words.  When it comes to marketing a home, it's worth thousands of hits on your online ad and thousands of dollars when you sell your home.  Consider hiring a professional photographer to come and take the photos.  Or at the very least, make sure the photos you take yourself are high-quality, with good lighting and clarity.  If you don't have a good camera, buy one or borrow one.  You want the photos to showcase your home to potential buyers and entice them to see more.

I have two of the most adorable little pups in the world. Sophie and Molly, my Westies and my best little pals. Of course, as a dog-lover and pet owner, I am always ready to show them off! But as much as I love and adore them, I have to understand that other people probably just don’t feel that way. When we have pets, they quickly become a part of our family. But when it comes to selling your home, potential buyers may not be impressed by the presence of your four-legged family member. Whether it's due to allergies or a simple case of not being a lover of animals, many buyers shy away from a home with pets. The good news is that there are strategies you can employ to sell your house without a ruff time.

A Foolproof Solution

If you worry about potential homebuyers being scared off by the presence of your pet, find an alternate location for them while you are showing the home. Perhaps a neighbor, family member or friend could watch your pet for a few hours. Otherwise, consider boarding your pet temporarily. Without the discomfort of an unfamiliar animal, buyers will be free to tour your home and envision their own belongings in it without having any distraction.

If All Else Fails . . .

If you cannot find a way to temporarily relocate your pet, place him/her in a pet carrier when buyers are touring your home. Animals should not remain in this type of unit for more than two hours at a time, but this should give buyers enough time to see the home and ask any questions. If you have an outdoor kennel or exercise pen, your pet may be satisfied here until the tour is over. Your main focus is to keep him/her from interfering with the tour and/or disturbing your potential buyer.

What's Left Behind

As every pet parent knows, animals often leave little surprises in some unapproved places. If you find yourself with carpet stains or pet odors, hire a professional cleaning company. If this fails, replace the carpet or consider installing hardwood floors. Buyers will see stains or smell the presence of an animal and may form an early opinion, which isn't likely to be favorable, before even giving your house a chance. Once your pets are out of the house, remove their litter box or training pad(s) and clean the area thoroughly.

Staging

Picture Perfect

When you sell a home, your REALTOR® will take photos for the listing. These images may appear in advertisements and/or on the REALTOR'S® Web site, which means they should represent everything that is wonderful about your home. Avoid any photos that show your pet, his/her toys or bed. Buyers are not looking for a pet, but rather a house that they can call home.

Legal Matters

Your local law may require that you inform potential buyers that a pet lives in the home. Nobody likes to see pet hair on the carpet or see a dirty litter box, but they do have the right to know everything about the house, including any pet presence.