January 2014 edition of Upstaging Monthly Compliments of Joan Green upstaging.green@gmail.com

(703) 821-1889

Testimonial Our house is under contract for list price. Thanks again for your help.

Upstaging contributed to the quick sale. F. Ottenhoff, McLean, VA

Preparing your house for the spring 2015 market? Inexpensive upgrades make a big difference in a home's saleability: Fix what's broken. Put your money into overdue repairs. If it's in disrepair -- fix it. Buyers are looking for a house that's in working condition. A few minor repairs eliminate red flags. Create curb appeal. First impressions are critical. Put a fresh coat of paint on your trim or siding, re-stain your deck or power-wash your patio and trim all overgrown shrubs. Don't overlook your front door, it can be a make-or-break detail for buyers. Lighten up. Box up clutter and put it in storage. Replace your mood lighting with the max allowable wattage for your fixtures. Tear down dated wallpaper and paint neutral, neutral, neutral. Modernize. Update kitchens and baths. Minor upgrades such as freshly painted cabinets with updated hardware, new sinks and faucets, updated flooring and updated lighting fixtures reap major rewards. Finish it off. Installing carpet and sheet rock in an unfinished basement instantly adds a few hundred square feet of living space -- it's like putting an addition on your home for a fraction of the cost. A finish basement is one of the best investments. Go green. Half of all homebuyers agree that energy efficiency is "very important”, according to The National Association of Realtors. When replacing appliances, strongly consider EnergyStar models. They add to the marketability of the home. Investing in these upgrades, earns the seller a high return on investment. For guidance in preparing a house to sell, schedule an in-home prepare to sell consultation today.

After A fresh coat of paint and trimmed shrubs

Before