Garba Raas

Hello everyone. I want to apologize for taking so long to post anything new. Did you miss me? Anyway, I was out of town in a wedding in Chattanooga, TN. over the Easter weekend. Maureen and I had such a wonderful time. I want to thank the whole Tejani family for showing us such wonderful hospitality. I'm sure you know already, but Amee, you have such a wonderful family. Your life is truly blessed.

Chicago.everyblock.com

I found another find great website! Everyblock.com is a dream come true for me. I've always been more interested in what happens in my neighborhood then what happens in Louisville, Kentucky. Why don't I care about Louisville, Kentucky? Because I don't live there!

This sight has everything. This sight includes local crime statistics, building permits, street closures, restaurant inspections, city press releases and so much more. I love how detailed they get in their reports. If you sign up for the email alerts, you can be updated everyday. The best aspect of this sight is its ability to judge a neighborhood's livability. For example, crime happens in every neighborhood. This sight gives you the what, where and when about crime. If the landlord says the neighborhood is real quite, check it out and judge for yourself. Nothing will get past you. This site will turn you into a local expert on just about everything. (They'll think you work for the Alderman!) You need to check this out. You won't be disappointed.

Getting Your Place Ready for Sale

Inside your home there are a number of conditions that can negatively influence buyers. Luckily, most are very easy to fix.

1. Increase the amount light in each of your rooms. Open up the drapes! Don't block the windows with furniture. Use higher wattage bulbs. Light colored furniture will make the room seem brighter.
2. Clean and paint. A fresh coat of paint is the best single investment you can make. Use a light color. It will make your rooms seem bigger. Wash the walls. Clean off the counter top and any tables. Empty the trash bins. Keep the family room clear of most of your personal items. People don't want to see your stuff lying about. It's looks messy and it distracts the buyer from seeing themselves in the house.
   
3. Get rid of the clutter. This will serve two purposes. First, your home will look better and if you throw it away now, and you won't have to move it to the new house.
   
4. Consider getting a cleaning service while showing your home. This small investment will payoff big.
5. Eliminate odors. You might be used to pet or cigar smell in your house but visitors will notice them right away. Keep the home well ventilated. Keep food dishes and litter boxes out of sight. Take a little more effort in cleaning these areas. Use potpourri or scented candles.
6. Have your carpets professionally cleaned. If you still have stains, you should consider replacing them.
7. Don't overlook anything. Fix the drippy sink. Fix the loose door knobs. Is the outlet cover cracked? Fix it. All these repairs are cheap and easy. Is the toilet still running after you flush it? Fix it. I think you get the idea.
   

Home buyers are on the lookout for any deficiency in your house. Many buyers just don't want to bother with these little problems. These little problems can add up when they bid less for your home. (Or maybe they don't bid at all!) If you take the time to fix the little problems, the payoff will be very big. Thousands of dollars big.

Curb Appeal

A house that has it looks great when you're standing on the curb. That's curb appeal. A house without it won't get a second look. Lack of curb appeal can knock THOUSANDS of dollars off your homes selling price. If people realized just how much they were losing, They would take the time to fix things up. Fortunately, you can establish curb appeal pretty quickly.

What turns off so many buyers? Cracked paint, fences and doors that need repair, dirty windows, broken windows, ripped screens, weeds, unkempt bushes, and crumbling sidewalks just to name a few things. Most buyers lack the imagination to see the house all fixed up. They can't get passed the ugly exterior. Besides, if the owner can't keep the outside of their property looking good, it's a fair bet they've neglected other things about the property also. Almost all of these things are minor and should be fixed before you list your home. You'll have a much better chance of getting the price you want if your house doesn't look like a dump.

What can one do? Almost all these things can be fixed fairly easily.

1. Clean up. Pick up the candy bar wrappers. Remove the plastic bags stuck in the bushes. It's so easy to do, and it pays big dividends.
2. A good paint job is a must. Pick a nice neutral color. Even if you have to pay a professional to do it, you will recoup all of your costs at the closing.
3. Wash the windows. Fix the screens. Take the time to wash everything outside.
4. Plant some flowers and place them where people walking by your home can see them. Use wood chips to cover up the bare spots between your bushes. Trim your overgrown bushes. If your lawn needs it, reseed it.
   
5. Keep the garage door closed.
6. Keep your child's toys picked up.
7. In the wintertime, shovel your walk.
8. Trim the bushes outside your house especially in front of the windows. You'll allow more light inside your house and they'll look a lot better.
   

These are just a few of the things you can do to beautify your home for resale. Most of them are easy to do and they'll all pay dividends, I promise.