Anybody who will be selling a property in the spring should get a jump on curb appeal by working now on beautifying the lawn.

Here are some key tasks that will lead to a green and healthy yard in the next selling season:

Calculate the total lawn area to learn how much seed and chemicals are required.
Treat weeds with an herbicide.
Test the pH level and, if indicated, add lime.
Plant ground cover like pachysandra and hardy ferns in low-light or slopping areas.
Before preparing, seeding and fertilizing the rest of the lawn, consider whether there are areas that might be better candidates for stepping stones or another attractive alternative to plantings.

Source: Charlotte Observer, Nancy Brachey (09/05/2008)

Here is a video that I made about Staging. Do you agree?

Myth 1: Many people believe that they can Stage their own home, I disagree. I am an accredited Stager and I can’t do my home, neither can many of the Stagers that I know.

Myth 2: You can’t keep your home Staged. Well you CAN if you pack everything that you don’t need. You have to do it anyway, just do it now.

Myth 3: Staging doesn’t pay off in the home sale. Wrong, Staged homes sell for more money and quicker on the market than other homes.

Myth 4: Staging costs a fortune. Not true, especially for Duffy clients. We have a Stager on staff that I have begged to do a discounted job for my clients. I believe in Staging and I use Staging for all of my rehab houses. My personal rehabs sell quicker than any other house in the neighborhood!

Take a look for yourself.

Oh, by the way – STAGING IS A MUST FOR VACANT HOMES! If your home is vacant, you must produce a warm feeling (emotion) for a buyer to pull the trigger sooner than later!

Before

After

Before

After

Open houses are the most valuable way to attract the buyers on the internet that are “driving by” to see what your neighborhood and home look like in person. Here are my thoughts.

This is a video that I have posted on my customer support site for my clients.