Increase Your Home Value!

If you’re like most homeowners, you are constantly looking for inexpensive ways to increase the value of your home. Whether you’re looking to sell or just want to spruce things up, getting top dollar for your home doesn’t require an over the top remodel or expensive landscape makeover.

Here are a few quick weekend projects that will add value to your home without breaking the bank.

A Cabinet Makeover 
The kitchen is often the most important and used room in the house. If your cabinets are scratched or the color is outdated, a couple cans of paint with a new finish often can turn even the dullest of cabinets around. Updating cabinet hardware is also an easy way to change the overall appearance of your kitchen without having to invest a lot of money or time. Plus, there is a wide range of stores and online resources for finding the perfect pulls, knobs, and handles to match your style.

Spruce up Your Curb Appeal
One way to attract potential buyers is to spend some time working on the front of your home. Cleaning or updating your mailbox, putting up new street numbers, and touching up chipped paint are quick inexpensive fixes.

Update your Lighting
If you have outdated lights in your living room or the dining room, consider replacing them with an eye-catching chandelier. Cabinet and track lighting are also ways to quickly update your home and make it feel more modern.

The cost of these home improvements are mere pennies compared to the money you’ll be saving after the value of your home increases.

First Time Mistakes to Avoid

It is easy to assume that in busying a house - you know what the right thing to do is, but you would be shocked at some of the moves that are actually not for the good that you might be doing already! There are so many things to consider when buying a house and not all of them are as obvious as you would think. That is why having a knowledgable real estate agent on a good team such as Les Bailey and Associates is helpful!

Thinking that you should pay off all that credit card debt that you have to qualify for a house. You may want to stop putting everything that you have into paying that off. To really understand what we mean - watch this video from Yahoo Finance Guru Trevor Curran HERE.

You can easily fall in love with a house that is very well your dream house. Making sure that you are  staying within your budget. Don't let your head run as fast as your emotions do when you find everything you want in one place. Remember buying a home creates additional expenses not included in the purchase price.

Know the difference between what you are pre-qualified for and pre-approved for. There is a difference and we can help. This is one of the single most worst mistakes made. People forget that you can qualify for something and still get denied.

Not using a realtor. We may be biased, but keep in mind, they know what they are doing, this is what they are in the business of doing. They can help negotiate pricing, counter bids, add things you missed into the contract, and take care of organizing the closing. Since the seller pays the commission, it is at no cost to you. You have nothing to lose when gaining some help from experienced professionals.

A rich 2.64 acre lot that is close to Wasilla Fishhook rd, great commute location.

Price: $22,000

Phone#: 907-694-1234 or 907-982-1233

5250 N Eldorado Drive Wasilla, AK 99654

Sit back and enjoy this vacant lot in the Mat-Su Valley. This lot is just off of the Wasilla Fishhook road which has drawn many people looking for a great commute location.

There is easy access to this lot and the sellers are motivated to make this your dream ''Get Away''.

Land Features: Covenants; Horse Property; Road Service Area; Trees – Sparse

Les Bailey & Associates Real Estate Team

Keller Williams Alaska Group

Direct: 907-694-1234

Toll Free: 1-800-784-2912

www.LesBaileyAndAssociates.com

Get A Head Start!

The time has come for you to leave your home and move on. Here are few quick things to take care of before you list!

Clear and Caulk Gutters. Pick a dry day to really go through a clean these out.  It is also a great idea to re-caulk the end caps on the gutter  - this takes care of an aging look as well.

Patch Nail Holes and Repair Paint. It needs to be done anyways. Plus you may want to take some things off of the wall to make your home less "you" while people are trying to imagine themselves in it.

Stop Faucet Drips. We tend to get use to the sounds in our house or how to shut things off just right to stop drips. New people will not. Save them the hassle.

Repair Cabinet Scratches. Fill in, and polish real well. You may find they look better and almost new! Bonus!

Repair Dinged Baseboards.  It is so much easier to repair these now, then to wait until they notice and request it. That way if during the painting process you make some mistakes - you have time to fix them!

I hope these help get you started! You may end up avoiding the rush come listing time!

Summertime - Go Enjoy!

The benefits of summer are huge for realtors who are tying to sell a house that is on the market!  With all the amazing things that summer in Alaska has to offer, there is no reason that you shouldn't take advantage of it! In turn this allows for you realtor to provide amazing access to your house for people who are interested in seeing it!

We try to make open house times available for those who only have weekend availablility - as that is a large percentage of home buyers.  Having a large time slot available to show homes in their entirety is crucial. People like to walk around and they like to take their time. Creating a vision of them living in the home helps a person realize if this is the one.

You can make your house open for viewing by taking the family to one of the amazing activities Alaska has to offer!  How about Eklutna Lake for some kayaking? Flattop for some hiking? Alyeska for sites and pampering? There is always the Downtown Anchorage Market on the weekend!  Take a trip on the train! The possibilities are endless and you can benefit your realtor by checking them out!.

A home that looks fresh all the time, with breathtaking views of the mountains and the inlet in Chugiak, a must see!

Price: $485,000

Phone#: 907-694-1234 or 907-229-9466

23110 Sumac Drive Chugiak, AK 99577

Awesome custom home in a private setting w/amazing views of inlet and mountains! Very large over-sized 2 car tandem garage, wine cellar, new roof, office/den, rec room, mud room, sauna, newer high efficiency furnace, gas-assist see through wood fireplace, luxurious master suite with his/her sinks, Jacuzzi tub, steam shower, and best of all, approximately 1100sqft of decking, lots of sunshine.

Property Type: Single Family Residential
Style: Two-Story with Basement
Bedrooms: 3; Total Baths: 3.5; Garage:2, Attached
Year Built: 1987; Sq. Feet: 3,398; Lot size: 1.05 acres
Heat: Forced Air

Just Listed!

• Features: Spectacular View; Deck/Patio; Private Yard; Fire Service Area; Landscaping; Road Service Area; RV Parking; Storage Space/Unit; Home Warranty;DSL/Cable Available; Paved Driveway; Shed; Basement; Den &/Or Office; Dishwasher; Electric; Family Room; Fireplace; Range/Oven; Refrigerator; Washer &/Or Dryer Hookup; Wet Bar;Window Coverings; CO Detector(s); Jetted Tub; Washer &/Or Dryer; Carpet; Ceiling Fan(s); Vaulted Ceiling; Hardwood Flooring; Smoke Detector(s)
  
  
  

  Les Bailey & Associates Real Estate Team

  Keller Williams Alaska Group

  Direct: 907-694-1234

  Toll Free: 1-800-784-2912

  www.LesBaileyAndAssociates.com

Landscape Projects on the Brain?

Got some landscape projects on the brain lately? YouTube has some great videos to keep you from starting something that you should hire a professional for, or give you the nudge to do something that is easy!

Here are ac couple good ones for you to take a look at or prompt you to look for something else!