In Greenwood and Indianapolis (and, well, all of Central Indiana), winter can be down-right gloomy. Looking forward to Spring seems to be what keeps everyone going! 
This article by Mark Nash is all about using the mid-winter months, when contractors are looking for work, to do minor remodeling/renovations to your home to prepare it for sale in the Spring (realestate's busiest time)! Even if you're not currently in the market to sell your home, you may still want to take a look at the suggestions and keep them in mind whenever you do decide that it's time to move!
And, of course, we would be MORE than happy to help you out with suggestions and friendly advice should you have questions!
Enjoy the article... and stay warm!
~ Steve and Tonda
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Use winter months to prepare your home for spring buyers.
Posted by Mark Nash - February 25, 2011 - Real Estate, Tips For Sellers - No Comments
To do it right, home-owners can utilize the quiet mid-winter months to do their decorating and marketing homework for today’s home buyers. The dated wallpaper and faded parquet floors say more about the way you’ve kept house and possibly the way you have maintained your home to prospective buyers than you realize. It might also lower the bottom line on the sale of your home. The best way to shorten the time your home is on market and possibly bring the highest price is take the time during the winter months to make a plan of action and put it into motion, so when the robins sing you can place a “sold” sign in your yard.
-Host a pre-market open house. Invite friends, family and three full time real estate agents to an early Sunday afternoon “get to know” your home open house. Prepare some hot chocolate, coffee and homemade sweets to serve your invitation-only guests. People love a sneak preview and it will help get the word out that you’ll be selling your home in spring market. Ask for feedback from all guests and be ready for what you’ll hear, the good and the bad.
-Start a file on the sale of your home. Have a to-do list of repairs, updates and streamlining with a timeline to complete before your home goes on market. Gather references for contractors if you need to hire work done. Mid-winter months are typically slow for the building trades and a good time to schedule repairs.
-Establish a must-do list of items that have to be completed before you go on market. These can include cleaning or installing new carpeting, refinishing hardwood floors or eliminating dated and worn wallpaper. New kitchen appliances can do wonders for otherwise tired kitchens, and buyers love new stainless steel look.
-Don’t forget to have all the inside and outside surfaces of your windows cleaned. This often over-looked and laborious job can be hired-out and should be done within a week of placing your home on market.
-Take all left-over holiday decorations down, organize and donate any you haven’t used in years.
-If a room requires a freshing-up with new paint, trend colors might be right for you, but neutral warm colors are favored by the majority of homebuyers.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mark Nash is a real-estate broker, columnist, and author out of Chicago. His blog 1001realestatetips.com is an excellent resource for short articles on all things real-estate! We have found several articles of his that are particularly relevant to the Central Indiana (Indianapolis and Greenwood) real-estate market! We plan to share these articles with you when they are most relevant throughout the year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are passionate about helping clients improve the quality of their family's lives. We do so much more than just "sell" houses. (read more) With 15 years experience in real estate plus backgrounds in Sales, Technology, Finance and Interior Design, we bring a unique skill set to each transaction. Using the latest technology simplifies the process for buyers and sellers and extensive internet exposure sets every listing apart. Google us or any of our listings!
The Hoagland Group specializes in the following Central Indiana areas: Indianapolis, Greenwood, Center Grove, Whiteland, Franklin, Mooresville, Martinsville, Avon, Brownsburg, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Geist, and Plainfield.
How can we help you?
Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com 
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Unless otherwise noted, every article is authored by Tonda Hoagland or by Steve Hoagland
