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FEATURED INSIDE:

• Why a home inspection is soimportant

• Thinking green:Get smart about your living environment

• Small upgrades that add value without breaking the bank

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By KAREN BLOOM

A mple inventory, low mortgage rates and motivated sellers – all these key elements are present

in the real estate market right now, indicating it’s still a great time to buy a house.

“Markets come and markets go,” says broker Myra Marashinsky, who co -owns Marashinsk y & Nug ent Real ty in Rockville Centre, with bro-ker Pat Nugent. “Don’t wait for the ‘right time.’ If you’re ready to move, if you have outgrown your house or need to downsize, now is the time do it.”

People have to be motivated and understand the market, Marashinsky advises. “If the seller is realistic and sees their house for what it is and what the market is, it will sell,” she says. “For the buyer, there are many great homes to choose from right now.”

If you’re thinking of buying a house – whether it’s your first home or your fifth – you can help ensure you get the best possible deal by doing a few things before you get down to seri-ous shopping.

1. Check Your CreditYou might think that getting pre-

approved for a mortgage is your first step in home-shopping, and it is an important one. But before you talk to a potential lender, you should check yo u r c re d i t re p o r t a n d s c o re – because the mortgage company cer-tainly will. Your credit score is a reflection of your credit status, and one that potential lenders will con-sider when assessing your credit wor-thiness. Knowing your credit stand-ing can make you better prepared to secure the best possible conditions and rates for a home loan.

It’s a good idea to monitor your credit for a while before making a move to apply for a mortgage. By

monitoring your credit, you’ll be ableto see how changes in your creditreport can affect your score, and you’llreceive credit-score alerts wheneveryour score changes.

2. Capitalize On Lender CompetitionWhen it’s time to apply for a mort-

gage, many people turn to the banksthey’re used to dealing with on a regu-lar basis. While banks are definitely afamiliar source of home financing,they’re not the only one. Even after themortgage crisis, you’ll still find manycompanies in the home-loan field. Wad-ing through the plethora of claimsfrom lending companies can be timeconsuming – but well worth it.

Despite the credit crunch – or per-haps because of it – competition isfierce among lenders to work with thebest-qualified buyers. That means ifyour credit score and report are good,you could be in a position to snag theloan terms and interest rates reservedfor the most-desirable borrowers. Butyou’ll still have to compare rates andoffers from a number of companies.Be sure to thoroughly investigate anylender you’re considering applying with.

3. Leverage A Realtor RelationshipIt’s true that many would-be home-

buyers are now using the Internet tofacilitate their search. Yet 79 percentof all buyers last year purchased theirhome through a real estate agent orbroker, according to the National Asso-ciation of Realtors.

While it is possible to buy a homewithout the aid of a local Realtor,working with one has several benefits.Realtors strive to be experts about thecommunities they work in, so a Realtorcan provide you with valuable adviceon home prices, schools, recreation,and businesses, as well as other infor-mation about the area you’re interest-ed in.

Finding the home of your dreams Choosing the right agent for a successful outcome

BUYING A HOUSE IS A BIG INVESTMENT —the biggest most people make in their lives—but with some preparation and smart negotiations, you can ensure you’re well positioned to take advantage of the current market.

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Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases of your life, if not the biggest, and thus, you surely would

not like to go for anything that is unsatis-factory or unplanned. But unfortunately, due to lack of information or an impulsive decision, we often miss out on the very essential pre-requisite of getting our home thoroughly inspected by a reliable and reg-istered home inspector.

However, this sort of negligence can actually be the reason for getting a dread-ful home deal. Hence, when-ever you are on a mission of buying a new home for your-self, make sure to get the assistance of an inspection firm, that will guide you thoroughly about the pres-ent condition of the home you wish to buy. You want a professional on your side to tell you if that colonial of your dreams is actually the perfect home or a ‘money pit’ with a rotting foundation, leaking roof and termites eating their way through the walls.

A home inspection is a visual inspec-tion of the physical structure and mechan-ical condition of a home, from roof to foundation. The inspection is designed to identify problems that may exist, advise of repairs needed and, in some cases, provide preventive maintenance advice. A home

inspection points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape.

A home inspector may be a residential architect, structural engineer or building contractor. Currently, home inspectors are not regulated by any federal government agencies, however, structural engineers must be licensed.

“A buyer should always get a thorough inspection,” says Myra Marashinsky, bro-ker/owner, with Pat Nugent, of Marashin-sky & Nugent Realty in Rockville Centre. “The contract doesn’t talk a lot about the condition of the home. Buyers need to know everything that is going on with the

home they intend to buy. Buy-ers need to be aware that there are two kinds of home inspectors, a general home inspector and an engineer. I advise buyers to get an engi-neer, they will do a more thor-ough examination of the structure of the house.”

It is up to the buyer to ask prospective inspectors ques-

tions about their experience and knowl-edge when deciding who to hire. When looking for a home inspector, the Better Business Bureau suggests the following general guidelines:

Ask friends and acquaintances for rec-ommendations. Check with the Better Business Bureau if you have questions.

Look for someone who is familiar with the type of home to be inspected. Does the inspector specialize in residential

or commercial property? Ask prospective inspectors ques-

tions about their professional training, relevant experience and/or length of time in business. Find out if the inspector belongs to a professional association, such as the American Society of Home Inspec-tors or the National Society of Profession-al Engineers. Membership in professional associations may offer added assurance of an inspector’s qualifications and training.

Look for home inspectors who are com-mitted to avoiding conflicts of interest, who refuse to be involved in any real estate transaction or to deliberately obtain work in another field that could benefit them financially as a result of their inspection work, and who hold the safety, health and welfare of the public paramount in the performance of their professional inspec-tion duties.

Be present during the inspection.The majority of inspectors will allow youto tour the home with them and ask ques-tions during or after the inspection. Theinspection can last anywhere from two tofive hours, depending on the size of thehouse.

Ask how soon after the inspectionwill you receive a copy of the homeinspection final, written report. Care-fully read your home inspection reportand make a list of items that need correc-tion; this will help you to determine yourfuture expenditures for repairs and main-tenance. The report will contain usefulinformation that serves as a reference foryou in the future. A home cannot fail aninspection; understand that the homeinspection report records the condition ofthe home, both positives and negatives.

A HOME INSPECTION is designed to give you the information you need to decide if you can accept the home as it is, if you'd be willing to buy it under certain con-ditions (such as the sellers addressing certain issues before closing

You’ve found a home. Now what?Preparing for a home inspection

of

Buying a home is arguably one of the largest pur-chases a person will make. It can also be one of the most stressful. Individuals take quite a

financial leap when buying a home. Even after careful consideration of funds and budgeting, it’s easy to become overextended. A home warranty can take some of the bite out of unexpected expenses. Although home buyers are urged to hire an inspector and check a property and structure from top to bottom before signing on the dotted line, a home inspector cannot foresee everything that may crop up after a person moves into a home. “When my home inspector reviewed the property he found only minor things that needed attention,” says Jeannine, recal l ing what occured after she moved into her home last year. “After I moved in, we shortly learned that the crawl space had flooding issues that would require a lot of money to fix properly.” Home warranties can be a smart investment that take some of the financial pressure off of new hom-eowners. They can also be negotiated into the sale terms of the home so that the seller is responsible for providing the warranty to the new buyer. Home warranties do not negate the need for home-owner’s insurance, but they can add protection against large monetary pay-outs to repair many items around the house. Policies may differ as to specific coverage, but most home warranties will cover major

systems of the home, such as heating/cooling, plumb-ing, electrical, as well as certain appliances. To decide if a warranty is the right investment,home buyers should consider the following: ■ Home warranties are only as good as the companybacking them. Careful investigation into the trustwor-thiness of the warranty company and its track recordshould be completed.

■ Read the fine print of the warranty.Learn what exclusions exist, which may

not make the warranty practical. ■ Keep in mind that the warranty

company reserves the right to deter-mine if a repair or replacement isadequate in a claim situation.

■ In general, warranty companieswork with their own set of contractors.This means a homeowner may not beable to hire his or her own preferred con-tractors to do work.

■ There may be a deductible or a feecharged prior to having a technician assess a

repair situation. ■ The warranty company may require inspection ofthe house to be sure items are in good working orderbefore offering a plan. ■ If a warranty is offered through a home seller,there may be no negotiation on the coverage or compa-ny used. Home buyers should keep in mind that there aremany unforseen expenses that can arise when pur-chasing a new home. Having some additional protec-tion, such as a home warranty, could mean savingmoney on out-of-pocket repairs.

Protect your investmentLearn the basics of home warranties

A HOME WARRANTY can help protect a buyer’s new investment and offer peace of mind.

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Home-remodeling projects can be a daunting undertaking, but they needn’t be. Upgrading an outdat-

ed kitchen or even building an addition are manageable with some advanced preparation and vision.

To make the process less daunting, consider the advice of Veronica and Bob Krendel, owners of R.A. Krendel Con-tracting, Inc, in East Rockaway.

K n o w w hy yo u ’ r e remodeling. Are you sell-ing? Addressing changing family needs or just upgrading? Your reasons for remodeling can impact your decisions, says Veronica Krendel. For example, if you’re selling, your choices may be more about buyer appeal than personal taste. On the other hand, if you’re building your dream kitchen, you may not want to compromise on certain features. Evalu-ate your project in light of your proper-ty value and return on investment and look for options that meet your overall needs.

Make a wish list/scrapbook. Use the Internet to peruse articles, look at deco-rating magazines, and, of course, visit local showrooms. Get brochures, color samples and fabric swatches, and cut out or print pictures that show features or details of work that you like. Take pic-tures of other homes, and keep a scrap-book of ideas. These ideas can help your home-improvement specialist achieve

the look you want.Know your budget. A realistic budget

can help you prioritize options. In your bathroom upgrade, will you really use that expensive spa tub, or are luxury shower heads, bath fixtures, and a towel warmer more important? If you want a contemporary, industrial look in your kitchen, can you compromise elsewhere so that you can afford concrete or stain-

less-steel countertops?Remember that “form fol-

lows function.” Look at your existing space critically. Evaluate how you use it. Assess high-traffic areas, kitchen work triangles, and overall flow. Define what already works and what doesn’t. Get input from all family members, even chil-dren. The “look” of your new

space should be secondary to layout and function. You can work on achieving that “magazine” look after you have the basics.

Research products. Research your options for features like countertops and flooring. Manufacturers’ Websites are a great place to start, and most companies have an 800 number for product ques-tions. Evaluate the pros and cons for each product type to determine which options suit your budget, lifestyle, and taste the best. For example, cork flooring is quite popular but soft, so it’s not suit-able in high traffic areas. Consider something more durable, like tile. If you have children or elderly family mem-

bers, slippery surfaces like marble or polished tile may not be suitable – lami-nate wood flooring or vinyl may be safer.

Some up-front planning and research

can make your remodeling project go alot smoother and help ensure that you’resatisfied with the end result.

THINK CAREFULLY about the purpose of your remodeling project. If you’re plan-ning to sell your home, you’ll want to make choices that will attract potential buyers.

Room for improvementTaking the stress out of upgrading your home

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ROXBURY REALTY

Affordable Dream House - $729K This Side Hall Colonial is a beautifully maintained home . It’s 4 bdrms and 2 ½ Baths are meticulously kept. The eat in kitchen has been updated with granite.There’s a lovely den to relax in and enjoy the view of the landscaped yard and patio.This home provides spaciousness and comfort.

The Boutique Experience is the difference!

www.roxburyrealtyrvc.com516-536-3530 • 322 Sunrise Highway • Rockville Centre

Colonial on Quiet Street -$599K This charming and clean 3 bdrm, 1.5 bath home is ready for move- in day. There’s beautiful parquet floors which

are really special. The living room with w/b fireplace and the formal dining room are spacious and perfect

for entertaining. There’s a sunny den off the living room which offers a view of this tree lined street.

Mint Colonial - $649K Enclosed front porch leads to a Living room with gas fireplace. A Formal Dining room opens to a new large Kitchen with adjoining Family room (with second gas fireplace). There are 4 bedrooms and a full bath on the

second floor. Deep property, Immaculate!

Property Lovers - Mill River Area - $699KProperty-Property-Property

This home is situated on over ½ acre. It’s hard to believe you’re in Rockville Centre.! There are endless possibilities for the new owners. You can bring your vision and make your dreams come true. This is priced right and has so

much potential. Take a look, use your imagination!

Park-like Property - Mint Colonial - $649K A Large LR w/fpl, lovely FDR and updated kitchen opens to expansive Family room. There’s 4 bdrms on the second floor and a finished room on the 3rd level which provides

ample space. Custom details and decorative moldings. It's a great house for entertaining. This ones special!

Birchwood Side Hall Cape - $475K This house sits on a beautifully landscaped street with

oversized property. The living room has a brick fireplace and leads you into the dining room. There’s a lovely sunny den which overlooks a landscaped yard. The kitchen is eat

in and is bright. The first floor is completed by 2 bdrms and 1 full bath. You’ll find another 2 bdrms and a full bath

on the second floor. There’s plenty of potential!

Regina Hall, BrokerSheila Lawrence, Broker

Whether you’re updating your home for your own enjoyment or to attract potential buyers,

the thought of home improvement can send some people running for their ham-mers and others running from them.

Before you get a hammer involved, or any other serious home-improvement tool for that matter, think about making small changes. You may be surprised how just a few inexpensive, and quick, home fixes can improve the mood and value of your home. Here are several home-improvement tasks that you can complete in less than a day and on a lim-ited budget.

Color: A gallon of fresh, new paint will do wonders for any room. Neutral,

earth-tone colors such as leafy greens,sky blues and cream-colored whites willall add a clean, serene touch. Additional-ly, a fresh coat of paint helps solveanother home dilemma – stubbornroom odors.

Scent: Speaking of odors, air fresh-eners are an inexpensive way to reviveany space and make it welcoming toboth your family and potential homebuyers.

Textures: Make your home feelgood! Try updating area rugs, blinds orthrow pillows to include natural fibersthat add texture and flair to yourhome. Bamboo mats or faux paintingtechniques can make your home moreappealing and make you feel good, too.

Home appealRevive your house with inexpensive fixes

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LANDMARK TUDOR CASTLE

322 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, New York 11570(516) 536-3530

ross over a “moat” filled with koi and enter through bygone era iron gates and massive clavo wood doors into entrance foyer with fire-place. LR boasts magnificent wood moldings and leaded glass windows with stone fireplace

and period sconces and fixtures. FDR has built in cabi-nets with leaded glass doors and wainscoting. Turreted side den affords a family room with space and light for entertainment. Large eat-in kitchen has granite counters, subway tile backsplash and 2 large pantries. Royal king

sized master suite with fabulous new marble bathroom. Second king size bedroom and 2 additional bedrooms provide plenty of room for all princes and princesses. Updated period hall bath completes the 2nd floor. Third floor opens to 2 bedrooms and bathroom with vintage clawfoot tub. Follow winding staircase downstairs to a surprising media room complete with wide screen TV, bar, laundry room and storage areas. Estate iron fencing delineates 1/3 of an acre yard with magnificent pergola. Must be seen! $1,695,000.

CRoxbury Realty, Inc.

A little warmer, a little cooler.About 47 percent of the average household’s annual energy bills stem from heating and cooling. Every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer will reduce air conditioning bills by about 2 percent. Lowering the temperature by one degree in winter will save you 3 percent on heating bills.

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For years, the con-versation about s t r e n g t h e n i n g

your home’s value has revolved around interi-or projects. However, by keeping the focus inside, you might be ignoring one of the most effec-tive ways to bring your property value up: the garden.

W h e n d i s c u s s i n g home value, “garden” means more than just flower beds. It includes your lawn, gathering spaces on your proper-ty, paths and walkways, in addition to the trees, shrubs and flowers that decorate the space. In a housing market where it ’s stil l dif ficult to stand out, turning your attention and efforts to these areas might be just the thing that will attract buyers.

It’s a simple concept: A more attrac-tive house is a more valuable house. And since your yard and garden are often what buyers see first, it’s your best opportunity to set the tone as they con-sider your property and what they’re willing to pay for it. In fact, well-designed landscaping was shown to raise perceived residential property value by as much as 18 percent, in a study recently released by Swedish

power tool maker Husqvarna. In terms of return on investment,

maintaining an attractive lawn and gar-den was shown to return $1.80 per dollar spent. For those who want to improve their home’s value but can’t afford to hire contractors for major interior repairs, garden improvements can be an affordable alternative.

Armed with the right tools, most homeowners are capable of tackling gar-den projects that can improve their property value, and at a relatively low

Seeing greenThink outside the box – literally– to improve home value

HOMES LOOK THEIR BEST surrounded by a lush garden and blooming flowers.

Continued on next page

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SHOWCASE OF HOM

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ResidentialHewlett Bay Park $2.1M, Magnifi cant C/H Colonial,

Exquisite Design Showcase, 7Bdrms, 7Bths

Hewlett Harbor $885K, Grand C/H Colonial 4Bdrms, 3bths, Many Extras!

Woodmere $879K, 6Bdrms, 3.5 baths Huge Property, Near All

Woodmere $93K 1 Bdrm Co-op Mint/Renovated

Rockville Centre Co-op $219K, 1Bedr, Spacious w/Terrace

Inwood $249K, 2Bedr, 1 bath, Huge Property

RentalsLawrence $2900, 4bdrm, 2.5 bths, on canal, deck, bulkhead

Woodmere $1200, 1bdrm, close to all

CommercialHewlett $885K, Building for Sale Great loc 4 stores 1,000sqf w/basmts

Valley Stream $675K, Building for Sale Completely Renovated w/7 park spots

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With demand for electricity and natural gas rising along with energy costs, hom-eowners can easily spend hundreds of dollars a month on utility bills. This is certainly something that impacts both homeowners selling their homes and potential buyers. “From air conditioning larger homes to powering today's high-tech electron-ics, we are using more energy than ever and that is certainly hitting many home-owners in their pocketbooks,” says Vic-tor Gonzalez-Maertens, an energy effi-ciency expert with Lennox Industries, a leading manufacturer of home heating and cooling equipment. “But there are ways to stretch your dollar further by evaluating how you spend money on energy and learning how to control those expenses.” Gonzalez-Maertens explains that there are four key areas of energy con-sumption for the typical household: heating and air conditioning, applianc-

es, water heating and lighting. Here is his advice for getting the most bang for your energy buck:

Heating and air conditioning Heating and cooling accounts for about 46 percent of the average home's utility bill and is typically the largest energy expense. To cut down on climate control costs, be sure to schedule annual routine maintenance on your heating and cooling system to ensure it's run-ning as efficiently as possible. If the air conditioning system is more than 10 years old or the furnace is more than 15 years old – the average life spans of cooling and heating units – con-sider replacing them with a new, Energy Star-qualified system that will be more energy efficient and can help lower utili-ty bills. Programmable ther mostats are another way to maximize energy effi-

ciency. These devices automatically con-trol the temperature to use less energyat certain hours of the day, such asnighttime or when homeowners areaway from home.

Household appliances and electronics

Household appliances and electronicsare responsible for about 28 percent of ahome’s energy bill, according to EnergyStar. Make sure appliances are clean andfree of dust and lint to ensure properventilation and to increase their effi-ciency. In addition, check refrigeratorand freezer doors to ensure they aresealed tight to prevent cool air fromescaping. When washing dishes, use the air-drysetting on automatic dishwashers ratherthan heated drying to conserve energy.Finally, be sure to unplug TVs and otherdigital devices when not in use, as theyconsume energy even when they'returned off.

Water heating Heating water is another major ener-gy expenditure and accounts for about14 percent of a household’s energy bill,according to Energy Star. Consider insu-lating the water heater with a waterheater jacket that can be purchased atmost hardware stores. Homeowners alsocan lower the temperature setting on thewater heater to save energy. Some waterheaters come from the factory alreadyset at 140 degrees or higher, but a settingof 115 degrees can provide comfortablehot water for most uses. Finally, consid-er replacing a water heater if the exist-ing one is more than 10 years old, as theaverage life span of a water heater is 10to 15 years.

cost. Simply edging your yard with a string trimmer helps create a clean, fin-ished look outdoors and can be achieved for less than $200.

While many homeowners are reluc-tant to spend much on their yards – some 65 percent of people spent less than $400 on it annually – keeping return on investment in mind can help you make better smarter decisions. If you want to call in the pros, consider projects that are highly sought-after, like in-ground irrigation systems.

Those not sure where to start can look to a variety of sources for inspira-tion and practical tips. Some of the top-ranked garden attributes for improving home value include:

■ A well-maintained lawn■ An inviting social area■ Stone paths and walkways■ Decorative trees, bushes and

shrubs■ Well-kept hedges■ Nicely designed flower beds

Gardening season and the high real estate season coincide for a reason: Houses look their best surrounded by growing plants and blooming flowers. As the war mer months prog ress, remember that not only can investing in your garden give you a good return, it could also be the deciding factor in drawing a buyer to your property.

Seeing greenContinued from previous page

The energy crunchGet the most bang for your energy buck

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By MICHAEL A. DEUTSCH M.S., BCE

Carpenter ants are a nuissance to many people and can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to homes. Identifying and treating carpenter ants can prevent financial consequences from this invading pest.

Both carpenter ants and termites cause damage to wooden structures. When you compare indi-vidual carpenter ants and individual termites, it is the carpenter ant that causes more structural d a m a g e. H oweve r, a mature termite colony c o n t a i n s m o r e t h a n 250,000 workers but a mature carpenter ant col-ony may contain less than 1,000 workers. Individual-ly, a single carpenter ant can do more damage than a single termite but ter-mites do more dollar damage because of the number of individual termites in a typical mature colony.

Carpenter ants are large black ants that excavate and hollow-out voids in wood to use as nesting sites. Unlike ter-mites, carpenter ants do not ingest wood. Carpenter ants tear out large chunks of wood with their powerful jaws and remove them to the outside of the nesting site. This discarded wood material may be discovered during an inspection for carpenter ants. It is referred to as “frass” and may be the only indication of the presence of these

destructive pests. Carpenter ants look for a rotting log,

tree stump or similar location to estab-lish a nest. They seek wood that has sus-tained water damage and remains moist. Structures that were not properly repaired after a flood may be ideal for carpenter ants. Structures with faulty plumbing and/or chronic water leaks are also preferred by carpenter ants

because of the moisture.Generally, carpenter ants

establish nests outdoors in tree stumps, wood piles, under debris on the ground and at times, even in living trees. However, when the nests become over crowded or disturbed or the queen dies, workers will migrate into structures to establish secondary nests. Finding

suitable conditions, carpenter ants will establish galleries in structural wooden members. Carpenter ants will also attack sound wood that is adjacent to moisture-laden wood.

An inspection by a professional pest management technician is indicated if ants are found roaming around inside the home, crawling on the foundation, if the home has a chronic water condi-tion, and if ants are observed on trees adjacent to and/or touching the structure.

The technician looks for the “signs” of ant activity. These include the pres-ence of frass or sawdust, live or dead ants, ant body fragments in spider webs,

damage to wooden structural members and ant trails in the lawn. The best time to look for carpenter ant activity is after sun down. Carpenter ants are much more active at night.

Treatment for carpenter ants is aimed at locating all the nests and physi-cally eliminating those using vacuum

cleaners and/or removing the infestedwood. Sometimes this is not possible. Inthese situations, chemical pesticidetreatment may be a better option.

Michael A. Deutsch M.S., BCE, is an urban entomologist with Arrow Extermi-nating Company, Inc. in Lynbrook.

CARPENTER ANTS often enter homes through openings such as foundation or attic vents, cracks, plumbing holes and entrances for telephone and electric wires.

Pest controlDon’t let carpenter ants damage your home

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Get insurance quotes prior to making an offer.Obtain insurance quotes on each and every home of interest; two homes of the same age and quality of construction can differ dramatical-ly on the cost of insurance coverage due to prior claims, neighborhood and other factors. Calculate the total cost of home ownership, not just the minimum monthly mortgage payment, when comparing homes.

HOME TIP

HOME PPTIP

By MARGARETTE BURNETTE

Everyone who’s trying to sell a home in today’s real estate market has probably heard the same advice many times: Clean everything, declutter and depersonalize to appeal to buyers. But beyond following the usual rules, what other ways can you make your home stand out from the rest?

“Sellers need out-of-the-box ideas to have a better chance of selling,” says Michelle Lohr, a designer, who soon will be putting her own house on the market. Though the real estate indus-try is depressed, she believes that with today’s low mortgage rates, she’ll find a buyer for her home if she uses good, unique home-selling tips.

If you’re also trying to sell your home in this highly-competitive mar-ket, here are five outside-the-box secrets from agents and design pros on ways you can make your house irresistible to buyers.

Create photos of hotspotsYou’ve probably heard that you should

depersonalize your home by removing pho-tos of family and friends before showing your property. But instead of leaving the walls and tabletops bare, one secret is to

replace them with artwork that showcases nearby hotspots, says Kara Russelo, owner of Little Virgo Organizing & Home Staging.

Put up black and white photos of local landmarks, and colored photos of great views or landscaping, she says. By doing so, you help buyers envision themselves in your home, which needs to happen before a sale, she says. “You can even include menus from nearby restaurants. Place these items

throughout the home to give it a sense of local flair,” Russelo says.

Sweeten your home’s scent

In the past, home sellers have attempted to make their homes smell like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to

charm buyers. But according to Russelo, a better tip is to put a warm loaf of bread in the oven. “The cookie smell does work, espe-cially when buyers get to eat some on your home tour, but I’ve found the warm bread smell often works better for sales,” she says.

Regardless of whether you have cookies, bread or nothing at all, make sure your home has a soft, pleasant smell. “If you don’t have the opportunity to pop something in the oven right before a showing, then the home should smell like clean laundry, lavender, or no scent

at all,” Russelo says.If your home has a strong odor – from

pets or heavy cooking spices, for example--use an odor neutralizer so that the smell isn’t too harsh for buyers’ senses, she says.

Go to other sellers’ open houses Check out the competition to help

you understand what you need to do to get your own home ready to sell, says Maria O’Dell, a real estate agent with Realty Execu-tives of Kansas City in Leawood, Kan. “The homes that are selling are the ones that are in the best condition. Going to an open house lets the homeowner see what they’re up against,” she says.

Lohr, who also owns GnM Lohr Homes, a design company, says that she gets staging and design ideas from open houses. “After touring other homes, I can analyze other properties and think about what makes my house different. Then, I can make sure that difference is mentioned in the listing remarks,” she says.

Upgrade online picsMany buyers will look at a home’s photos

on the Internet before deciding if it’s worth driving by to make a visit, so good photogra-phy is critical in marketing a home,” says O’Dell.

If your listing photos aren’t taken in bright sunlight and show clean, uncluttered rooms, you may need to hire a professional photographer to re-take them, she says. (Many Realtors offer professional photogra-

phy as a part of their services. Otherwise,the homeowner could expect to pay around$150 for such services, says O’Dell).

Another tip for homeowners is to create avideo walkthrough of their property, but itwould have to be done professionally, too,often at a cost of more than $250, O’Dell says.“If your budget requires choosing between avideo or high-quality pictures, get the pic-tures,” she says.

Write a letter to buyersAnother rarely used secret is to write a

note to the people coming to view your prop-erty, says Russelo. “In the letter, mention allthe reasons you bought the home in the firstplace, like a family-friendly kitchen, greatstorage or good schools nearby,” she says.

“A letter lets you make the connectionbetween the features in your house and thememories that can be made from them,”adds O’Dell.

It’s important to be sincere, however. Besure to not make the note unrealistically pos-itive. For example, don’t mention that noappliances have broken down if it’s not true,O’Dell says.

Instead, create a letter that helps buyersunderstand how you’ve created wonderfulmemories in your home, and now they’llhave an opportunity to do the same.

Especially in today’s competitive realestate market, sellers need all the help theycan get to set their homes apart. Sometimesall it takes is for you to think outside the box.

Sold!Outside-the-box secrets to help sell your home

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HOME TIP

HOME PPTIP

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HOME TIP

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