Unorganized, Messy and Cluttered Homes Sell For Less Money

Did you ever go to see a home on the market, and it was in a complete disarray? Those sellers will not realize the full value because of it.   Make sure that your home does NOT fall into the dreaded category of "not showing well"- that is,  being messy and/or cluttered when it is on the market.

Take a look at this picture. It may have caught your eye, and in a nice way, too. Could you imagine if this living room was messy or cluttered? You may not have even read this article. See what I mean? it only gets worse when you see a cluttered home in person.

I have seen some of the worst cases of home clutter known to man during my career. I can be conservative and  estimate that I have been in more than 30,000 houses and I've seen more than you are probably interested in hearing about!  Even if you are not planning to put your home on the market for another week, another month, or sometime in the near future, take advantage of the nasty weather we're having right now and do something for you that will actually make you money when you sell.

DE-CLUTTER.

In a kitchen that means, take off all the magnets and pictures from the refrigerator , keep the counters clean (so you and prospective buyers can see that you have a lot of counter-space) and get rid of the extra stuff  that seems to accumulate in the kitchen.

Your living room is another place to get the extra "stuff" out. Unfortunately, that means getting rid of all, or almost all of the family photos on the wall besides getting rid of extra furniture to make the room look bigger. You may ask why you should remove personal photos? Simply put, it does not allow the buyer to imagine the home as his/her own when they see it. That's a subliminal message, but a VERY important one.

I'm happy to come out to your home,  give you the de-cluttering and staging advice that you need, and assist you in the process. (Okay, another shameless plug! ) As always, feel free to call, text or email me, as well as post a comment on the blog if you like. All are welcome!

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The Featured Home of the Week is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900. See the virtual tour HERE 

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Open House Today 1/19/14 at 41 Merry Lane, Weston for 699K from 1-3PM

Sunny and bright nine room colonial with over 2,600 square feet of living area on over 3.5 scenic acres.

Timeless, picturesque,center-hall colonial in coveted Lower Weston, near to Westport border. Beautiful approach with a circular drive and stone walls, a level property, city water & meticulously maintained.

Soaring ceiling and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace in family room, a lovely sun room, cozy library, a large living room and all well-proportioned rooms with lots of light. All in excellent condition with newer A/C condenser gas furnace and hot water heater. Beach Rights, Excellent Schools, One Owner since built ...and not to be missed!

Come see us today between 1-3 at 41 Merry Lane in Weston CT 06883

Listed by Gail Zawacki/Hosted by Judy Szablak

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Protect Yourself From Radon in Your Home

First, the bad news: Radon is colorless and odorless, but it's deadly. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for 21,000 deaths yearly and is the second leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the United States.

Radon comes from the decay of uranium in soil. It can enter your home through cracks in the foundation and other openings and then rises up. Once inside, radon builds up, causing a larger problem. Any home may have a radon problem—and the worst thing you can do is ignore it. "The biggest danger is assuming there's not a problem because you don't notice a problem," says Jay Solomon, environmental and energy stewardship extension educator with the University of Illinois Extension.

Luckily, there's good news: Identifying radon is doable. Target this hidden hazard—and take action—with these tips.

Test your home. The only way to know if you have radon is to test your home. Luckily, radon test kits are easy, inexpensive and only take a matter of minutes. The most common tests measure radon levels over the course of about a week. Depending on the type of test you take, you may be able to gather results within a couple days. After submitting your results, you're typically notified about the outcome within about two weeks. For accurate results, follow the instructions on the test package as well as these guidelines and best practices.

Know your numbers. Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), and "more than likely, your test will yield a positive result," Solomon says. In fact, the national average indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L. The EPA's recommended action level is 4 pCi/L. If your test yields 4 pCi/L or higher, it's best to take a second test to confirm.

Take action. If your test results come back high, you'll want to invest in a radon reduction system. A base system can range in cost from $900 to $1,500, Solomon says, and you'll pay more for advanced systems. Check outyour state's radon program and look for licensed radon mitigation contractors. Gather several estimates and obtain references to ensure you find the right contractor for the job.

Be diligent. To ensure safety, Solomon recommends testing your home every few years. "As soil breaks down, you can get higher levels of radon gas over time," he says. For instance, the state of Illinois recommends testing every three years, plus or minus a season. "If you tested in summer before, test in the spring, fall or winter next time," says Solomon.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under any policy. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made.

Article submitted by Brennan Purdy of State Farm Insurance

My vision is to be an insurance professional whose actions are driven by keeping the customer's best interest as my primary goal. My staff will treat all my customers in a caring, friendly, and professional manner. My office will provide warm, efficient, and seamless services to our customers at all times. I expect my business to be comprised of knowledgeable, multiple-line customers who see my office as their first and best choice for all their insurance and financial service needs

For more information on these and other home safety tips, stop by my office or visit www.brennanpurdy.com. My office is conveniently located in downtown Bethel. 203-798-7300.                   211 Greenwood Avenue , Bethel, CT 06801

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The Featured Home of the Week is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900. See the virtual tour HERE 

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Announcing our Third Year "Best of Business Award" for Westport CT Real Estate

January 13, 2014 - Judy Szablak of BestAgentsOnline at Coldwell Banker in Westport Connecticut has been selected for the 2013 Best of Business Award in the Real Estate category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) for the third year in a row.

"The SBCA 2013 Award Program recognizes the top 5% of small businesses throughout the country. Using statistical research and consumer feedback, the SBCA identifies companies that we believe have demonstrated what makes small businesses a vital part of the American economy. The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based off statistical research and also information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports. Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great."

 Contact Judy today for all of your real estate needs.

"When You Deserve the Best, You Deserve Judy"

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 The Featured Home of the Week is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900. See the virtual tour HERE 

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

How Many Houses Should You See Before Buying Your Home?

Or maybe the bigger question is "Should you still see other homes even though the first home you saw  seems perfect?"  In short, there is no real average, and there is no right or wrong answer. It's different for everyone.

Yes, it's an exciting time when you are buying a home, and whether you  are looking for your very first house or your fifth house, there's always something fun to remember about the  experience.

One of the first things that buyers ask me is "how many houses do you think we'll need to see before we find the one we want to buy?"....and the answer depends on a lot of things.

Personally,  I  consult with a buyer before we go out and look, and ask a lot of questions, so I don't waste the buyers time looking at houses that don't even have the basic criteria that they set forth. It's my duty as an agent to find out what's mandatory, and what would be a bonus, and also find out what things are an absolute no-go. It's what I call the "must haves or definitely nots"

Most agents will ask you what price range you want to be in, how many bedrooms you need, and how many baths  you would like in your new home. If they search from that criteria alone, you may be looking at  a LOT of houses! I wouldn't say you should put so many restrictions on your search that you narrow down the list of possibilities to almost nothing, but at the same time, it's important to pinpoint those "must haves and definitely nots", and that's your agents job. Sometimes, the only way some buyers can figure that out is by looking at a few homes to at least narrow down the criteria. For example, you look at a few different styles of homes, and know immediately that you don't like the cape style,  or the contemporary style for example, and those get scratched off the list of possibles in the future. Maybe you like a particular neighborhood, and your house has to be in that neighborhood, too. But maybe, the perfect home is just a street or two away.Just a thought-  Would you say no to that?

You might see a home or two that needs a kitchen remodel,and you decide that a renovation is not something you want to do as soon as you move in. So you scratch those off the list, too. The you see a house with a fireplace and you just have to have a fireplace. So that's a must have. You see a house with an attached garage, as opposed to one with no garage or a garage in the backyard and  think, I have to  have an attached garage, too.

Well let me ask you this, and think about this for a minute, If you saw a great house that had a fireplace and an attached garage but the kitchen needed minor remodeling,  would you still consider it? These are just examples, but a great agent will ask enough questions before you go out, and while you are looking at homes, to decipher that answer, because it may not be what you expect.

So the answer is, the better your agent is at asking questions, the faster you will find your home. It's that simple.  If you are not under contract with an agent to represent you, call me. I'll ask the right questions and help you get that new home as soon as you like!

"When You Deserve the Best, You Deserve Judy"

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 The Featured Home of the Week is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900. See the virtual tour HERE 

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY