Price, location, and square footage are very important when selling a property. Beyond that, however, you can focus on these top 5 listing elements to turn your listing into a “must-see” property.

#1: Digitally Friendly Listing

Plenty of quality photos and a complete description that focus on the popular aspects of your listing are required. The Internet is your real 24/7 Open House opportunity. Use it wisely.

#2: Drop the Hysterics

It’s not the “MOST INCREDIBLE ALL-STAINLESS-STEEL kitchen!!!” It’s a “warm, modern kitchen perfect for family celebrations.” Lead with believable emotional benefits and descriptions, not hyperbole.

#3 Well-Maintained From Curb to Kitchen

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These tips will get you started on turning your house into a “show home”.  Even if you’re not moving, you will find these tips also make your home more relaxing and enjoyable to live in.

1. Walls:

Neutral colors are going to be best, although it does not have to be light beige. For the fall season, try painting your walls a rich shade of caramel or cream that’s neutral yet warm and inviting. Add pops of color with accessories in deep reds and oranges.

2. Art:

If you are unsure how high the art should be hung use this rule as a guild: 60 inches from the floor to the center of the art. In an occupied home if there is no decent art at all, take it out! It is better having empty walls than unappealing art. more…

By Nadia Huliai

Real Estate Marketing Expert

Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors

2011 opened as a strong buyer’s market so home sellers must be on their toes to give their homes maximum appeal. Not only should sellers complete the home repairs they know must be made, they should also hire a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate their properties.

If this inspection results in a fix-it list, review the list with your real estate professional to establish necessities and priorities. Depending on your budget and objectives, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to your property, such as a leaky roof. Ideally, the closer you can get your home to “move-in-ready” status, the more likely you are to attract today’s cautious and discerning buyers.

Among the most common repairs and enhancements yielding immediate buyer appeal include:

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You’re ready to remodel but you want to make sure you get the best contractor for the job. Here’s what to ask the candidates before you decide.

For all of the excitement of choosing plumbing fixtures, cabinets, and tiles for a remodeling project, the most important decision you make won’t involve color swatches or glossy brochures. It’s the contractor you pick that makes or breaks the job. That choice will determine the quality of the craftsmanship, the timeliness of the work, and the amount of emotional and financial stress the process puts on you. To make sure you’re getting the best contractor for the job, here are five questions to ask the candidates.

1. Would you please itemize your bid?

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If you are trying to decide which projects have the best return on investment, Remodeling Magazine

Cost vs Value report shows the top home renovations in 2010-2011 that might add  value to your home. They are:

BASEMENT REMODEL

MAJOR KITCHEN REMODEL

GARAGE ADDITION

ATTIC BEDROOM

WINDOW REPLACEMENT (VINYL)

WINDOW REPLACEMENT (WOOD)

SIDING REPLACEMENT (VINYL)

MINOR KITCHEN REMODEL

DECK ADDITION (WOOD)

GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT

ENTRY DOOR REPLACEMENT (STEEL)…

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by Prudential Fox and Roach

As the weather warms, so does the real estate market! What better way to kick of the season than learning about ways to better market your house when selling it?

Staging your house is a necessary step when selling it and many people tend to neglect it.  If done correctly, your house can look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer and, best of all, it makes a home buyer want to buy it!

Here are 4 tips to help you stage your home this selling season: more…

by Prudential Fox and Roach

Given today’s buyer’s market, it’s important for sellers to be aware of certain market trends in order to pique the interest of buyers.  In conjunction, it’s equally as important for sellers to be cognizant of their own home’s market value, a concern for many current sellers.  Whether planning to sell in a couple of weeks, months of years, value is crucially important.  If you have concern about your home’s assessment, there are plenty of ways to give it a swift boost before listing it on the market.

Refurbished rooms, such as basements, always go a long way n adding value to your property.  Most basements are empty storage spaces that are rarely seen to any non-inhabitants.  By turning the room into an entertainment area, bar or poker room, you add both value and character to the home — both traits that will be loved by buyers. more…

Even though the real estate market has slowed down in recent months, there are still plenty of homebuyers eager to make a purchase. Knowing how to prepare your home for sale, when to allow access for showings, and how you can offer buyer incentives will help you find the right buyer, even in a declining market. more…

Benefits for a First-Time Home Buyer

You should buy a home. That’s what you’ve been hearing from friends and family, right? So, by now you have likely already weighed the benefits and decided that home ownership was the best decision for you. That’s a major hurdle now passed. You are focused and certain. Good. more…