Vanessa V. Simmons~Realtor

Recently I went to on a pre-listing appointment and found a lovely home that looked beat up because of the scratched and damaged woodwork around the doorways and the baseboards. The client has two dogs that have really done a job on the natural woodwork. Since everyone is looking to save a buck I have become the queen of low cost fixes. I shared with him a tip I received a few months ago from a handy man.

First, buy wood putty for the deep gashes, my handy man suggested Minwax. Then you will need a wood stain with a drying agent. Water based stains provide a wide range of colors and they blend will with existing treatment. Water base stains are less toxic and clean up easily.

Start by applying the putty to the deep gashes and you can follow the instructions for applying and drying time. After the area is toughly dried use a clean, dry, lint free cloth to apply the stain. Again follow the application instructions by it is as simple as wiping one and wiping off. Allow 8 hours drying time and you should have a new look to that beat down woodwork.

I have lots of low cost tips for preparing your home to get the maximum return. When you are ready to buy or sell call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com.

No matter how we may want to dance around the subject, the truth is, one of the first things people notice when they enter your Central Ohio home is the way it smells good or bad. Everyone will agree that each home has its own unique smell. As residents we often become immune to the smells in our own homes, however, when a seller is looking to impress perspective buyers it is critical to be aware of potentially offensive smells. Below are a few tips on how common household occurrences like pet stains and musty odors can be eliminated.

Identify Were the Smell is coming from:

•1. If the smell is coming from an identifiable source clean the area with warm water and baking soda.

•2. Sprinkle a little baking soda on the area and allow sitting and vacuuming or cleaning up after an hour or two.

•3. Spray a little vinegar and water mixture on the source and dab away excess

Unidentifiable Source:

•1. Open a box or two of baking soda and place in areas where they will not be disturbed (behind furniture, up high in a room)

•2. Place charcoal briquettes in a container with holes in the top (good for absorbing pet smells, cigarettes smoke smells, and musty smells also helpful in absorbing moisture)

•3. Utilize kitty litter to help eliminate unidentifiable sources of odor. Place in containers under furniture of in out of the way areas.

Other Items that can be used to neutralize odors are:

•1. A mixture of lemon juice and water use to spritz base boards.

•2. Coffee beans to absorb kitchen smells.

•3. Citrus fruits to deodorize garbage disposals.

If you are looking for more cost effective tips to help your home sell call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

Baking soda: http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/154/1/30-baking-soda-tips.html

Vinegar: http://greenliving.lifetips.com/cat/63666/alternative-green-lifestyles/index.html#tip-118349

Charcoal: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/heloise/odors/basement-deodorizer-oct01

A bathroom renovation is one of the best things you can do to help sell your Central Ohio home. But, remodeling a bathroom is an expensive project, and in today's market it is not likely that the return will be worth the investment. As a realtor I am always open to looking for budget friendly ways that I can help my seller boost the bottom line. So, here are a few inexpensive changes that can be made to spruce up the bathroom in your Central Ohio Home for sale:

Paint

A fresh coat of paint is a good way to improve the overall look of the bathroom. Choose paints in a light, neutral color to make the room seem more spacious.

Fixtures

Most buyers will notice if the fixtures in the bathroom are old, and it can have a negative effect on their view of the home. Buy a set of bathroom fixtures at a home improvement store. Most stores have matching towel racks and bathroom tissue holders, too. There is a good selection of stainless steel, wood or ceramic fixtures available at most stores.

Floors

If your bathroom floor has tiles, it's a good idea to add fresh grout to brighten it up or at least clean the grout so it looks new. Scratched and or damaged linoleum will need to be replaced. You can buy rather inexpensive flooring that is easy to install in a variety of patterns and colors. Look for remnants.

De-Clutter

You want the prospective buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in your home. It's easier for them to do that if your home is free of clutter. This is even true in the bathroom.

Clear out your medicine cabinet. (Yes, many buyers will look in there.) Leave only essentials like toothpaste and hairbrushes. Don't forget to de-clutter and organize under the sink.

Clean

Nothing is a bigger turn off to prospective buyers than a dirty bathroom. A little time and elbow grease will yield big returns.

Making a good impression on buyers can be easier when you've redone your bathroom. You really don't have to spend a lot of money to increase the value of your Central Ohio home for sale.

I have many more tips like this to inexpensively prepare your home so that it sells faster and for the most money. I'd love to share them with you. Give me a call today at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

KEYWORD: Columbus, Pickerington, Canal Winchester, Gahanna, Worthington, Blacklick, Reynoldsburg, Ohio homes for sale

LINKS:

1. Fixtures: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/UpdateBathroomFittings.html

2. Paint: http://www.swatchbox.com/paint-interior.asp

3. Clean the grout: http://video.about.com/housekeeping/How-to-Clean-Grout.htm

If you lost your Central Ohio real estate because of foreclosure, you probably haven't given up on your dream of owning a home. You may be scared to try for financing - afraid you'll be turned down and embarrassed in the process.

There are few guidelines that lenders follow to determine when you'll qualify for financing after foreclosure. Arming yourself with this information will help you overcome your fears and qualify again for a mortgage.

Foreclosure With Extenuating Circumstances
Generally, lenders will take into consideration any extenuating circumstances surrounding the foreclosure on your Central Ohio real estate. Was there a death or illness that prevented you from earning money to pay your mortgage? Did you have a job transfer that came with a steep pay cut? Were you severely injured and temporarily disabled as a result?

You can add a memo to your credit report that explains any lapses in credit worthiness to potential lenders. This report can be up to two hundred words and will be shown to all who look at your credit report.

Many lenders will shorten the waiting period for documented extenuating circumstances. The customary waiting period after a foreclosure is at least seven years. But with documentation, the waiting period can be shortened to as little as three years.

Deed-in-Lieu Of Foreclosure and Short Sale
You may be wondering what the waiting period for financing is for deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or in the case of a short sale. Fortunately lenders aren't quite as strict if you were able to avoid an actual foreclosure sale.

The waiting period for a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure is four to seven years. If there were special circumstances surrounding the deal, you may be able to qualify in as little as two years. The lender may require a certain down payment or credit score as a condition of approval.

Getting financing after a short sale is the easiest. Generally the lender will only require a two year waiting period before they'll approve financing.

The good news about financing after foreclosure is that it is possible. Your dreams of owning [Central Ohio] real estate don't have to end because you've had a foreclosure in your past. You may just have to be a little more patient.

Whether you're ready to buy your next home or simply have a question about Central Ohio real estate, I'd love to help. Give me a call today at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com.

KEYWORD: Central Ohio, Columbus Ohio, Pickerington Ohio, Reynoldsburg Ohio real estate

LINKS:

1. Foreclosure: http://www.hud.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm

2. Deed-in-lieu: http://www.nolo.com/definition.cfm/Term/3DEC1C75-225E-4AF0-8CB7B778DB615B27/alpha/D/

3. Short Sale: http://www.nolo.com/definition.cfm/Term/51715E63-5BC5-4DCE-B5E96F71DFF3D5AB/alpha/S/

Are you considering buying a fixer-upper in order to get a great deal on Central Ohio real estate? With the vast number of Short Sales, HUDs and REO's in the area there is quite a selection to choose from. If you are able to make a few home improvements yourself, you may be able to save thousands on the purchase price of investment property.

Several things are important to think about before you buy that fixer-upper. The first is the condition of the house. Some repairs are so expensive and difficult to make that you might not be able to recoup your initial investment. Basic repairs that you can reasonably expect to complete are:

•· Removing old wallpaper, patching the walls and painting the interior and exterior.

•· Replacing worn-out flooring and carpet.

•· Repairing any broken windows or light fixtures, including ceiling fans.

If you venture too much farther into home improvement territory, you may find that you bit off more than you can chew. As a rule, heating and central air conditioning repairs are expensive. Similarly, foundation repair and re-roofing are usually too much for the average handyman to tackle.

Other projects that are often not cost-effective are complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling and replacing the main plumbing of Central Ohio real estate. With the harsh winter we are having here many vacant properties without heat, may have busted pipes. Any improvement that involves building an addition or tearing out walls probably won't have a good return on your money.

After you find that fixer-upper in just the right state of disrepair, too derelict to catch anyone's attention, but without any repairs beyond your abilities, you'll want to make sure that the location is good. If the Central Ohio real estate you're considering is near a busy highway or close to a rail yard, you may have trouble finding a buyer after you've fixed it up.

To get the best return on your investment, you need to find a fixer-upper with the right combination of location and condition. If you're interested in finding a great buy on investment property, call me today at 614-273-6406, or email at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

KEYWORD: Columbus, Pickerington, Gahanna, Worthington, New Albany, Canal Winchester, Reynoldsburg, Ohio real estate

LINKS:

Investment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investment

Ceiling fans: http://www.ceilingfan.com/

Bathroom remodeling: http://www.bathroom-remodeling-hints.com/Bathroom_Remodeling_Ideas.html