Wendy Benedict ~ Lehigh Valley, PA Real Estate

Looking to make your Bethlehem home stand out against the competition, but have limited funds or time for remodeling projects? Here are some low to no cost/high impact ideas that will score big with the buyers and turn that 'FOR SALE' sign to 'SOLD!!'

1. Make a good first impression. No one is impressed if the exterior is messy. Sweep the front porch, dust for cobwebs and clean the windows. Paint the front door an eye-catching color and make sure the lock does not stick! If it's difficult to get in, the buyer is forming a negative opinion before they even get inside. If your front door is dated and funds allow, consider replacing the front door with a new energy efficient one. There are currently tax credits for certain energy efficient upgrades. You can also infuse a little color with a new exterior door mat.
2. Clean, Clean, Clean! From the ceiling to the floors, make the interior shine. Dust for cobwebs, clean the baseboards, dust the ceiling fan blades. Clean out your closets. A clean closet looks much larger than an overstuffed one. Have the carpets professionally cleaned.
3. A little paint goes a long way. Paint the walls and trim for a fresh new look. Stick to neutral shades to appeal to the largest percentage of buyers.
4. Recondition or paint worn looking kitchen and bath cabinets and add new hardware for an updated look.
5. Add roll-out trays in the kitchen cabinets. Buyers do open kitchen cabinets and the additional, efficient organized storage scores big with potential buyers!
6. Granite countertops are hot with potential buyers! While granite slab is costly, granite tile is a fraction of the cost. 12-inch granite tiles will cost a homeowner several hundred dollars in materials.
7. Replace old flat interior doors with new modern paneled interior doors. Bright new doors give an updated modern look to the home and impact every room.
8. Fix small everyday nuisances. Make sure all lights have working bulbs, none of the faucets have drips, none of the toilets continue to run, and the doors do not stick. Small annoyances that you live with everyday will have potential buyers deducting dollars off their offer or worse yet, they will select another home!
9. De-clutter and de-personalize. You are moving anyway, so pack up family photos, treasures, kids toys (at least some of them!), and collections. Remember less is better. You want potential buyers to be able to visualize themselves and their belongings in the home. Another added benefit is that your home will appear larger.
10. Freshen the basement. Give a fresh clean look to an unfinished gray basement with paint. You would be amazed at how painting the gray walls and floors of an unfinished basement completely transforms and freshens the space.

If you are looking to sell your Bethlehem home, I can help! Call me for a free, no-obligation market analysis. Visit my website for more information: www.mrslehighvalley.com

Families are coming back together again! Experts say with life expectancies increasing, baby boomers retiring, and the shift in the economy we are seeing a nationwide shift in the reuniting of extended families. Many people are faced with the rising cost of caring for aging parents and/or childcare for dual-income homes. Healthcare costs are rising and many retirees simply do not have enough saved for retirement and private living. In addition, '20-somethings' are living home longer or boomerang back and forth.

I am currently seeing the trend in my own business as I am working with both buyers desiring such an arrangement and sellers who have successfully consolidated households.

While this living situation may not be for everyone, many are exploring the option. Those who have made the shift are benefiting from many positives such as stronger family bonds, generations caring for one another, and shared living expenses easing financial burdens.

www.NewburgNeighborNews.com is an interactive community website created for all of my neighbors linked by walking paths to our elementary school, Lower Nazareth Elementary School. If your home is designated as a 'walker' to the elementary school, then this site is for your use and information (whether you have elementary-aged children or not!).

If you have a business, specialty, or service you would like to advertise, please do! Use the site! If you are not sure how-- call me or send me your info and I will do it for you! Feel free to post garage sales, favorite recipes, neighborhood photos, block party announcements, etc... It's FREE!

What better way to help our local economy and establish a stronger sense of community than to support your own neighbors?

Make www.NewburgNeighborNews.com your homepage or visit often as I will be adding/changing content frequently. Monthly, I will be showcasing a local restaurant in Wendy's WhereToDine, and weekly, I will update the real estate section with the latest Lower Nazareth activity in addition to local township and neighborhood news that may be of interest. There are also links to the Morning Call for local news in addition to USA and World News links.

As always, if you have any questions concerning real estate...just call me! Referrals are always appreciated! Your family and friends can always expect the highest level of care, expertise, and professionalism!

Have a fine 2009 and don't forget www.NewburgNeighborNews.com !

Believe it or not, I found this handsome little man at the local animal shelter. He captured my heart and is now the newest addition to our family!

Another unfortunate side effect of the decline in the housing market and economy is the number of family pets that are being left behind in shelters or hard to imagine in vacant homes and on the streets. I have dealt with several foreclosures over the last year and fortunately have not found any abandoned animals in these homes.

There is a misconception among some people that the only animals you find in the animal shelters are nasty and aggressive...but this is really not true. Since I brought Jingles home, he has brought so much delight into our home! He is my faithful companion staying close by my side while I work in my home office. He follows me everwhere! My girls love to hold and brush him, and he is more than willing to sport whatever outfit they decide to dress him in! Even my husband and cats have warmed up to him!

If you are thinking about a family pet, please first consider one of your local animal shelters. They are filling up and would love to hear from you! Search online, as pictures of new arrivals are published frequently along with descriptions and types of homes the animals are most suited for. The shelters evaluate the animals and give you an accurate assessment as far as temperment, age, training, good with small children, how they get along with other animals, etc...You can find the shelters in your area by searching on www.petfinder.com

Give it a try...you'll be happy you did!