Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Not so hunky dory

Sorry for the lack of posts but the last week and half has been nuts.  I went home to NC to see my people which was hectic.  I visited a lot of family and managed to remain healthy although my folks were sick.  I celebrated my birfday and received some kick ass gifts like the new Jonathan Adler books and a really cool digital Harinezumi camera/recorder.
Work has been crazy which is unusual for this time of year...but welcome!  My listing on 11th St. is closing today (fingers crossed as the lender package STILL isn't there and we're supposed to close at 3) so work is good.

I also got a shot to the spine today.  Remember my post about my bad back?  Unfortunately, it's persisted.  Today, I went to a "pain management" clinic.  Let's just say this hasn't been the best day and yea..I'm not so hunky dory.  Hopefully in the next couple of days, I'll rebound and have more positive things to report. 

Friday, November 19, 2010

Holy Shmoly! 3 Bedroom Condo for $549,900

2827 15th St, NW #210 is a steal for a 3 bedroom in DC.  It's 1524 square feet  (ginormous by DC standards) and has parking.  It's also a 5 minute walk from the Columbia Heights Metro, Target and multiple restaurants.  For $361 a square foot, a smart buyer will grab this one asap.  Click here for the rest of the details and pictures.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Before and After

I see dated kitchens, like the one pictured above, all the time.  I spend a lot of time telling potential buyers "well..it's not exactly what you want but it does have potential.  Kitchen renovations can cost $5,000 or $50,000.  It depends on what you want and how you do it."

I was reading one of my favorite blogs Nothing but Bonfires and came upon a great example of "Before and After."

I am constantly amazed what a little elbow grease and a lot of white paint can do for a bad kitchen.  Check out their amazing results. 

Friday, November 12, 2010

Another DC "Mid Century" Modern??

It's described as a "mid century modern" but it's really a rambler with some wonderful period details.   This is 4432 Sedgwich Dr., NW.  It's 2 bedroom with a possible 3rd if you throw in an armoire and 2 full baths.  It's 779K.  I love the original sunburst lighting fixtures in the entry and dining room.

I also love the Haywood Wakefield Eames furniture they have in the dining room.  Of course I'm partial since it's *just like mine!*  

Happy Friday!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Hubba Hubba

This is house porn at it's finest.  1300 Fairmont St, NW has 5 bedrooms and 6.5 baths.  It's listed for $1,599,000.  It's 5000 square feet and has 3 parking spots.  Yes, it's expensive but look at the pictures!!  This is the finest restoration/updated house I've seen in a long time.  I love the mix of original details and modern features.  Will it sell for this much in Columbia Heights?  I doubt it but it's going to be fun to watch.

PS-apparently everyone in the blogosphere is excited about this one.  See posts here and here.  Clearly I should have completed my daily reading before I wrote my post.  *sigh*

Friday, November 5, 2010

6 Ways to Help Your Property Sell

Last week, I wrote about one strategy that sells your house quickly:  price low.

Unfortunately, a lot of sellers in today's market don't have that luxury.  Here's a few tips that work in this tough market.

1. De-Clutter.  I know you love your collection of _____ (insert any collection) and think it's an interesting feature.  It isn't.  Box it up and utilize that space in a way that's appealing to buyers.  Take your appliances and knick knacks off the kitchen counters.  Put away your beauty products in the bathroom.  Take down the magnets and photos on your refrigerator.

2. Re-paint in neutral colors.  Red kitchens and dining rooms are so 2000.  Don't date your decor with bold colors.  Buyers are pickier than ever and one terrible paint color can make them delete your property from their search.  A tan/beige neutral is the top choice for most buyers.  Boring but tried and true.

3.  Clean extensively.  Nothing is worse than a grimy bathroom or kitchen when you're viewing property.  Hire a cleaning service if necessary.  Your property should sparkle.  Also keep your place tidy while it's on the market.  Make your bed.  Put away your soiled clothing and clean laundry. Hang up your coat and put away your shoes.

4.  Rearrange/Remove your furniture.  Most sellers have too much furniture in their space.  If you have belongings in every single corner, get rid of them.  If it's over sized and making your space look small, store it for your next place.  Rearrange your furniture to make the space open and inviting.  Open your blinds/curtains to show the view and the sunlight.

5.  Make sure it smells good.  That old man/sock smell is not making your place more attractive to a buyer.  On the other hand, you don't want to go over board.  Strong, floral plug-ins can make buyers suspicious.  The most appealing scents are cinnamon/apple, vanilla or citrus scents.

6.  Take good photos.  Use a professional photographer for photos of your property.  "Homes with professional photographs were found, on average, to be viewed 61 percent more online than others in that price range shot with a lower-end camera. The listings that used digital SLR cameras also commanded a 47 percent higher asking price per square foot, according to the Redfin analysis."  The stats speak for themselves.

A little prep work goes a long way when you're putting your place on the market.  Good luck!

Quote in #6 from "The Better the Property Photos, the Higher the Sale Price."