Tiffany & Tonya - Sharkey/ Peek Group

Drive-up appeal

While your home may be amazing on the inside, it won't help if you can't get a buyer through the front door. The most effective method for attracting buyers is to enhance your property's drive-up appeal. This is a prospective buyer's first impression of your home. Whether you are looking to sell or just want to spruce up your largest investment, here are four quick and easy projects to upgrade your Prosper or Frisco home and yard ...

Trim the edges. When walks and driveways lose their edge, creating a first impression of neglect, it's time to bring out the hand or power edger to cut back the grass. Creating a stark contrast between the sidewalk and the yard will give your property a well-manicured look.

Seal the driveway. Typically, a large portion of your property is the driveway, and a smooth black driveway can make the whole house look new. If your home's driveway is gray and weathered, consider recoating it with an asphalt sealer.

Clean out the gutters. Gutters clogged with leaves, debris, etc., cause water to leak out and stain the siding. This can definitely cause a home to look older than it actually is. Remove debris - leaves, twigs, pine needles, mud, gum wrappers, dandelion fuzz - at least three times a year.

Wash it. Clean away the dirt with a pressure washer. You can either rent one or buy one. A good pressure wash can take years off your home.CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY OR TONYA PEEK 214-356-4472 FOR MORE DRIVE UP APPEAL TIPS.

Do I have to disclose?

Intentionally withholding information about a property when you sell can have serious legal consequences. Talk to your Texas REALTOR® and attorney and make sure you understand your disclosure responsibilities. You don't want to inadvertently leave something out - and then deal with the expense, hassles, and possible legal consequences later. The TAR Seller's Disclosure Notice asks sellers to provide buyers with copies of inspections reports from the past 4 years.

Disclosure also applies to federal laws. For example, those selling homes built before 1978 must provide buyers with specific information regarding lead-based paint.

Don't be afraid to disclose information about your property. Disclosure laws were created to protect buyers, but they also protect sellers. If all the information about a property is revealed up front, you're less likely to be involved in disputes after the sale.CONTACT TIFFANY SHARKEY OR TONYA PEEK FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE QUESTIONS 214-356-4472.

Entice buyers with extras

If you're putting your home on the market, or if it has been on the market for a while without solid offers, you may consider including some appliances, furniture, or other extras in the asking price. This could help you attract buyers.

Nobody is suggesting that you part with valuable antiques or sentimental items, but you probably aren't that attached to your washing machine. Maybe you're moving to a home that won't be able to accommodate your outdoor furniture-if that's the case, you could offer your existing patio table and chair setup to your potential buyers. It might turn into the reason he buys your home instead of a similar place up the street. Also, not only will the buyer appreciate the extras, but if he accepts, you don't have to worry about moving or selling extra stuff.

This might also save you money and aggravation. If the refrigerator, washer, and dryer don't come with you, movers will be cheaper-or your back will be happier.

If you don't have the latest and greatest appliances, this can be a great chance to upgrade. Leaving items behind gives you a legitimate reason to buy new ones.

Downsizing is a common reason for many people to move. So if the home you're moving into is smaller than the one you're selling, this is a great opportunity to trim down your furniture inventory.

If you're allowing appliances to convey, provide any owners manuals or warranties that you still possess. Potential buyers will appreciate this gesture.

Enticing your buyers with extras is a good way to make your home stand apart. Look at this as a win-win situation. You reduce your moving burden slightly, upgrade your appliances, or downsize, while the buyer has a more complete home when he moves.CONTACT TONYA PEEK OR TIFFANY SHARKEY 214-356-4472 FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE QUESTIONS.

Coming to your senses

The more you do to prepare your home for market, the more money you can expect to pocket at the closing table. First impressions are critical to selling a home for the right price, and improving the sensory appeal is just one way you can stage your home to sell. Here are a few things you can do to capture the most interest in your property:

• Hire a professional cleaning crew to come in and make your home sparkle. Make sure to get your windows cleaned inside and out, too.
• Shine up your appliances, especially if they are old. Old and shiny beats old and dull any day.
• Clean out storage rooms and closets. Pack up your old figurines and tabletop collections, or have a garage sale. Let the buyer see the room, not just the stuff in it.
• Make sure pets are outside or, better yet, gone completely. As much as we love our pets, they can really distract a buyer's experience.
• Light a candle. Do not use a scent that's too aromatic, but a fresh clean scent should do the trick.
• Put some fresh flowers in the kitchen. Kitchens go a long way in helping to sell a home, so the importance of making your kitchen appealing can't be underestimated.
• Don't cook anything too pungent just before showing your home. Odors can be a huge turnoff during an open house.
• Turn off the TV and turn on (at a low volume) some soft music.

There are many ways to increase your home's sensory appeal. You can get some good ideas by touring model homes to see how they are staged to appeal to buyers. For more tips on staging your home to sell, talk to your Texas REALTORS TIFFANY SHARKEY OR TONYA PEEK 214-356-4472.

An inspection is a good investment

Whether you're buying or selling a home, it's crucial to include a thorough home inspection as part of the process. It's something consumers often overlook because, as we all know, buying or selling a home can get expensive and expenses add up quickly. While it might be tempting to ignore this piece of the puzzle, it's one of those investments that are a real payoff in the end. Here's why:

• Consumers can only see so much on pre-owned homes. A home inspection goes beyond the cosmetic to give buyers a clear look at what's behind the walls.

• From a new-construction standpoint, consumers often think an inspection on a brand new home is a waste, but things do come up that aren't found on a building or city inspection. For example, the hot and cold water indicators on faucets may have been inadvertently reversed. A minor fix, to be sure, but potentially dangerous for families with small children.
• From a seller's standpoint, offering an inspection to potential buyers goes a long way to ensure peace of mind.
• The cost of inspections hasn't increased by more than $50 in the last 10 years; total cost is about $250 to $300, so the expense is well worth it.

The bottom line is that a home inspection is the best financial investment consumers can make.CONTACT TONYA PEEK AND TIFFANY SHARKEY FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON GREAT HOME INSPECTORS 972-977-2254.