• How likely is it that you’ll find another home that better meets your needs?

• How soon do you want to move? (If you’re in a time-crunch you may need to adjust your expectations.)

• Is the “except for...” something that can be fixed, perhaps with a renovation? For example, there are many ways to expand a small kitchen.

• If the home’s shortcoming is fixable, approximately how much will that cost? It might turn out that the improvement is a good investment.

• Can you live with the nagging “thing”, especially when the home is otherwise perfect?

It can be tough to work through a decision like this, especially if you’re in a situation where you need to make an offer quickly. Call today for help.

But don’t stop at your heating, ventilation and cooling/air-conditioning systems. Think of all the other filters and screens that need cleaning, such as those in humidifiers, range hoods, bathroom fans, and windows. Unfortunately, homeowners often neglect to clean or replace their range hood filters. This can lead to a thick buildup of greasy residue that could easily compromise the important function of removing cooking gases, odors and humidity from the stovetop area. The result can be unhealthy air trapped in your kitchen, not to mention an accumulation of a thin film on your walls, ceilings and countertops.

Likewise, bathroom fans and window screens can trap layers of dust over time that will hinder the free flow of air to and from the rooms you want to be well ventilated.

• Your home is no longer a good fit. You may have outgrown your current home and need something bigger, maybe with an additional bedroom. Or, the opposite may be true. You may want to downsize into something smaller – and cash in some of the home equity you’ve built up.

• You’ve got your eye on a different neighborhood. Have you ever driven through an area and thought, “I’d love to live here”? You may think that it’s out-of-reach for you at this time. Is it? You never know until you work the numbers. You might, in fact, qualify for a home in that neighborhood today!

• You want to be closer to something. Many homeowners would love to live closer to work, family, favorite hobbies, the country, etc. Moving to a home that’s near to one of those “somethings” can have a positive impact on your lifestyle.

• It’s time for a change. Sometimes a homeowner just wants a change: new surroundings, a fresh start. Who says you need a “practical” reason to sell? If you’re looking to get into a new home just because you feel like it, that’s your choice. In fact, that may be the best reason of all to sell. You may simply want to move.

Do any of these reasons resonate for you? If so, now is the time to start preparing. Even if you don’t anticipate moving for several months, this is the best time to get the process started.

Start by thinking about the most desirable features of your home. Write down what you really love about the house and the surrounding area.

Next, think about what comments friends and other visitors to your home have made. Have you ever heard anyone say something like, “I really love your kitchen!” or, “This is such a quiet street”? Those are indications that potential buyers will like those features and characteristics too.

Once you have your list, let’s talk. Together, we’ll review all the great things about your home and area, and decide how to market them effectively.

The costs of selling vary depending on a number of factors. Here’s a general rundown of what to consider:

• Repairs. You will want your house to look its best to buyers. That may require you to get any needed repairs done before listing. You don’t want a buyer to see a dent in the wall or a dripping faucet.
• Renovations. It might make sense to get a few improvements done to make the house more attractive. For example, you may want to replace old and worn kitchen countertops.
• Legal fees. Selling a house requires a lot of legal work. You’ll need a good real estate lawyer to take care of that for you.
• Commissions. This is usually calculated as a percentage of the sale price.
• Moving costs. Once you sell, you’ll obviously need to move! So, factoring in this expense is a smart idea.

Although this may seem like a long list, selling costs are fairly easy to estimate. Once you have that number, it’s easy to calculate how much money you’ll have available to put towards your next home.

Sure, there might be a computer screen on a desk in the den, or a child’s doll sitting in a corner, but for the most part, all the rooms are anonymous. There is a sense of family, but no specific family… the feeling of personality, but no specific person.

The professionals who set up a model home make it anonymous for a reason. They want buyers to view it as their potential home, not someone else’s. These professionals know - based on decades of experience - that this strategy helps sell houses faster and for a better price.

Why not use this same strategy when showing your home?

It’s easy. Just put away that soccer trophy, take down the wedding photo, and box those souvenirs from the family vacation at Disneyland. No, you don’t have to completely empty your closets and drawers. Just pack those personal items that can be seen when a potential buyer views a room. Put away toothbrushes, collectibles, even unopened mail. Don’t forget to clear the fridge door, which is often a mosaic of personal items in family homes.

If you have lots of personal items, consider renting a storage unit for the few weeks that your house will be on the market. It’s worth the investment.

You wouldn’t think of buying a birthday cake with a stranger’s name on it. Keep that in mind when you show your home. Make it anonymous!

Need more ideas for selling your house faster and for the best price possible? Call today.

• Bathrooms are an obvious source of moisture build-up. Contractor and TV personality Mike Holmes recommends keeping the fan going for at least half an hour after a shower.

• Check regularly for water infiltration around window and door sills, as well as other intakes into the home, such as dryer vents and cable wiring.

• Determine the humidity level in your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it should be 30-60%. (Keep in mind that humidity may vary greatly from room to room.)

• Regularly inspect caulking around sinks, tubs and showers. Even a tiny break can cause water to leak gradually into the wall or floor, causing damage you may not notice for months.

• Clean up wet spills as soon as possible. Be particularly careful with hardwood floors, as water can seep through and become trapped.

• Repair leaking faucets and pipes immediately. Even a small drip can add significant moisture inside a vanity or kitchen cupboard.

Being mindful of moisture today can help you avoid potentially high repair bills later on.

For the most part, these concerns are unfounded. Thousands of properties change hands every day and usually everything works out just fine. In fact, it’s amazing how often closing dates actually do match!

But, what happens if the closing date of the home you want to buy is days or weeks earlier than the closing date of your own property?

Most lenders anticipate this situation and offer something called “Bridge Financing.” It is a special loan that allows you to purchase the property with the earlier closing date. When your current property closes, the bridge financing ends and your new mortgage – if you need one – begins on the new home.

Alternatively, if the home you want has a later closing date, we will work together to explore options, such as a short-term rental.

Pantry dividers. These enable you to store baking sheets, cutting boards and platters in an upright position, effectively doubling the storage capacity of that area.

Removable wine rack. This is simply an X made with wood and then slid into a cabinet space. You can make one yourself or find one that’s the right size at a kitchenware or home improvement store near you.

Hanging baskets. These are ideal for storing cooking utensils, fruit, vegetables, pasta and other items.

Hanging rod. This is similar to a towel rack, except you use S-shaped hooks – which you can find at any home improvement store – to hang pots, pans and other items. Restaurant kitchens often use these.

High shelving. A shelf installed high up the wall – near the ceiling – that wraps around the kitchen and dining area, can easily double your storage space.

There are many other products on the market that can help you make the most of your kitchen space. Look for options at your local home improvement or kitchenware stores.