Get Your Home Ready to Sell...Fast! Curb Appeal.

From the Real Estate Home Page
This is the 3rd installment of a series of posts about how to give your home the competitive edge when you are ready to sell.

So here we go!

1. Getting Geared Up
2. Do the Easy Stuff First
3. Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal
4. Home Staging Basics (next post)
5. Home Showing Do's and Don'ts

It's been a long time since it's been harder to sell a home!

In fact, you will be competing with a slew of other home sellers in the same boat. You'd better pay attention to EVERY detail that will give your home the competitive edge you absolutely need in this marketplace.

One of the very best ways to compete is to make your home "drop-dead" gorgeous and ready to move into without the buyers having to "lift a finger" to make it move-in ready.

Over the next few articles, we'll continue to explore fun and necessary things that will give you the edge over your competition when you put your home on the market.

So...what is "Curb Appeal"?

Curb appeal...is how your home looks from the street.  Does it leave a good impression...one that attracts and welcomes buyers?  Or, does it leave a bad impression...one that leaves buyers wondering if they even want to come inside?

Curb appeal is one of the key things that will sell...or not sell...your home.

If buyers are turned off by the outside of your home, it will be
very difficult for you to get them inside where their negative first impression can be changed to a positive one.

You can only make a first impressions once.  Curb appeal is that opportunity!

Okay...here are examples of some things you can do to improve your home’s curb appeal:

- Declutter the yard by removing toys, lawn furniture and debris
- Cut and edge your lawn
- Rake the leaves and trim the shrubs
- Plant fresh flowers to add some color to the scenery
- Freshen up and update the paint on your doors, windows, trim and shutters
- Patch and seal cracks or holes in the driveway, walkway and garage floor
- Wash the windows and screens
- Remove screens from the front windows and door for a sharper appearance
- Paint up and straighten up your mailbox
- Place some flower arrangements on the front steps and porch
- Turn the porch light on
- I'm sure you can think of some more!

In the next post, we'll look at some things you can do to "wow" your prospective buyers as they walk through your home.  Log in for some
"Home Staging Basics"!


Kwik Kwote:  "It is okay to fail. If you are not failing, you are not growing." --H. Stanley Judd

Know Your Real Estate:  "ADJACENT LOTS"...lots that are near to each other, but not abutting, e.g. two lots across a street or right-of-way from each other.

To create your own search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

Pinehurst...4th Best Place to Retire in the U.S...See Why!

From the Real Estate Home Page

I thought you might like to take a little break from the "Get Your Home Ready to Sell" series.

Have you given any thought about where you might want to live when you retire?  Well...I'm about to make it easy for you.

I want you to know that a town in our very own State of North Carolina is in the Top 4...and it's just down the road from Cary.

Pinehurst, North Carolina was recently ranked by Money Magazine as the fourth best place in the country to retire.  The magazine cited a great "bang for your buck" quality of living.  Oh, and there were several other perks, including one of the country's oldest and most prestigious golf courses.

Yet...with a population of around 12,000, it's also a coveted year-round community with a bustling downtown, a first-rate regional hospital, and mild weather.

Most Americans know this town as the home of Pinehurst Resort.  All residents are eligible for membership in the resort, which boasts eight golf courses, 24 tennis courts, 3 pools, and a 200-acre lake with a beach.

The average price of a home is $300,000.  And, if you buy the home from someone who already has a membership in the resort, you can become a member for $12,000.  Otherwise, it will cost you $40,000.

Now that I have your attention, why don't you go ahead and see more about Pinehurst and its competition.


Kwik Kwote:   "There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind." --Darwin P. Kingsley

Know Your Real Estate: "EFFECTIVE AGE"...the age a property appears to be, based on the amount of wear and tear it has sustained. "Effective age" is different than "actual age", which is the chronological age.

To create your own search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

Get Your Home Ready to Sell...Fast! Do the Easy Stuff First.

From the Real Estate Home Page

This is the second installment of a series of posts about how to give your home the competitive edge when you are ready to sell.

So here we go!

1.Getting Geared Up
2. Do the Easy Stuff First

3. Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal
4. Home Staging Basics
5. Inexpensive Upgrades for Your Home
6. Home Showing Do's and Don'ts

It's been a long time since it's been harder to sell a home!

In fact, you will be competing with a slew of other home sellers in the same boat. You'd better pay attention to EVERY detail that will give your home the competitive edge you absolutely need in this market.

One of the very best ways to compete is to make your home "drop-dead" gorgeous and ready to move into without the buyers having to "lift a finger" to make it move-in ready.

Over the next few articles, we'll continue to explore fun but necessary things that will give you the edge over your competition when you put your home on the market.

The National Association of Realtors article "Getting it Sold" offers valuable and doable advice for maximizing the selling potential of your home.

If this all seems too overwhelming, go ahead and get started by tackling the “easy” things first.

Make a list of things that need to be repaired and fix them:

– leaky faucets
- chipped paint
- loose hinges
- worn weatherstripping

In addition to the easy stuff, you might want to consider doing a remodeling project before putting your home on the market?

For great information, go to the REALTOR® Magazine of the National Association of Realtors.  Just enter "remodeling" in the search box and you’ll see helpful guides like, the "Field Guide to Remodeling” and the latest "Cost vs.Value" report.

These publications will help you estimate remodeling costs.  They will also give you an idea of how much value the projects will add to your home compared to the cost of doing them.

Stay logged in for the next post..."Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal".


Kwik Kwote:  "You cannot tailor-make the situations in life, but you can tailor-make the attitudes to fit those situations" --Zig Ziglar

Know Your Real Estate:  "EFFECTIVE AGE"...the age a property appears to be, based on the amount of wear and tear it has sustained.  "Effective age" is different than "actual age", which is the chronological age.

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135.

Get Your Home Ready to Sell...Fast! Getting Geared Up.

From the Real Estate Home Page

This is the first installment of a series of posts about how to give your home the competitive edge when you are ready to sell.

So here we go!

1. Getting Geared Up (1st of 6 posts)

2. Do the Easy Stuff First (next post)
3. Sharpen up Your Home's Curb Appeal
4. Home Staging Basics
5. Home Showing Do's and Don'ts

It's been a long time since it's been harder to sell a home!

You will be competing with a slew of other home sellers in the same boat.  You'd better pay attention to EVERY detail that will give your home the competitive edge you absolutely need in this challenging market.

One of the very best ways to compete is to make your home "drop-dead" gorgeous.  The home should be ready to move into without the buyers having to "lift a finger" to make it move-in ready. 

Over the next few articles, we'll explore fun but necessary things that will give you the edge over your competition when you put your home on the market.

Stay logged in!  In the next post, we'll look at "Do the Easy Stuff First". 


Kwik Kwote:  "Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." --Willie Nelson

Know Your Real Estate:  "ACT OF GOD"...Contracts usually allow buyers to walk if the property is damaged by an act of God...e.g. an earthquake, flood, hurricane, lightning or tornado.

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135

A Home in Brazil, Anyone?

From the Real Estate Home Page

Brazil is the largest country in the tropics.  It is a land of natural and cultural wonders offering progressive economic policies and reforms.   This has encouraged revitalization of the country's image and attractiveness as a fiscal and political environment supportive of growth.

According to the September Global Newsletter of Quintessentially Estates, Brazil’s current investment climate and emerging property market is growing.

The North East of Brazil boasts tropical coastlines and attractive beaches, as well as exciting nightlife. Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, is a bright city that has prospered in recent years due to coastal package tourism. Brazil is attracting large numbers of tourists who can take advantage of short-term holiday rentals.

Both homes and commercial properties have so far proven to be of high quality and competitive prices.  This is particularly so in the North East of Brazil.  This indicates that the country is perfect for high-end property for a fraction of the price seen elsewhere in the world.

In 2008, luxury 1-bedroom and beach front apartment homes were recorded to be selling for about 211,000 Brazil Reais.  That's only $117,000 in U.S. money. 

So...are you packing your bags?

For further information regarding investment opportunities in Brazil, contact Lily Simpson at Quintessentially Estates lily@quintessentiallyestates.com.

Get the low-down on other exclusive worldwide locations attracting investors. Go to the Quintessentially Estates Newsletter.


Kwik Kwote:   “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” -- Henry Miller

Know Your Real Estate:  "Abut" - adjoin or meet. When 2 lots abut one another, they actually touch each other. Adjacent is not necessarily the same.

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty.  Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com.  Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135

Eating Habits in American Homes Have Changed Because of the Economy!

From the Real Estate Home Page

Two out of three adults in American homes  have changed their cooking and eating habits because of the economy, according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive for Whole Foods Market.

According to the annual Food Shopping Trends Tracker, over half of us are eating dinner at home more often.  And...37 percent are planning food shopping trips more carefully.

However, the survey found that...regardless of price...3 out of 4 people are not willing to compromise on food quality and organic and natural foods. But, they'd like to be able to get those foods within their budget.

Over half of those who have changed their food shopping practices say they are using more coupons. Half are more likely to comparison-shop and 45 percent are more likely to buy private label or grocery store brands.

Finally, of those who say they regularly cook at home, 54 percent say they have the home meals in order to save money. Twenty-two percent say they rarely or never home cook.

See the whole story at trianglebizjournals.com

Funny Kwik Kwote:  "I refuse to spend my life worrying about what I eat. There's no pleasure worth foregoing just for an extra three years in the geriatric ward."  -- John Mortimer

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135

You Can Walk Away From Your Cell Phone Contract...and Live to Tell It!

From the Real Estate Home Page

Are you stuck in a cell phone contract and can't get out?

You have your heart on one of those new iPhones or BlackBerries.  But, a different network is offering it and you have a year to go on your existing agreement.  And, there's a cancellation penalty that can cost up to $200.

Whatever will you do?  That's a great question...I'm delighted you asked.

Well...how about transferring your contract to someone else for the remainder of your contract period. You are then released of responsibility and free to get a new plan with a new carrier.

An incentive is built in for others who might be looking for a wireless plan with a short-term contract.  They could take over the remainder of your plan.  And...they would avoid activation fees that might otherwise cost as much as $45.  It's sort of a "take-over-the-payments" plan.

Maybe you can get that new phone you've had your eye on, after all!

Find out how at cellswapper.com.

For other cool cyber tricks, check this out!


Kwik Kwote:  "A teenager is always too tired to hold a dishcloth, but never too tired to hold a phone."  --Lily Tomlin

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com. Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135

The "Peak of Good Living" - Can the Town of Apex Deliver?

From the Real Estate Home Page

The Town of Apex is the "peak of good living" here in Wake County, NC.  Homes and retail establishments have been multiplying steadily. 

Apex is the home of 35,000 people.  That is up 600 percent from 5,000 in the 1990's.

In 2007, Apex was named the "14th Best Place to Live in the USA" by Money Magazine.

The question now is, "where does it go from here?"

If you're interested in the future of one of the Triangle's fastest growing areas, find out what a panel of experts has to say at the upcoming "The State of Apex" breakfast.

Friday, September the 25th from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, 1200 North Salem Street in Apex.  The price is $25.

Check out the Triangle Business Journal to see who the panelists are and register.


Kwik Kwote:  "We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once." --Calvin Coolidge

To search for homes in the Cary-Apex-Holly Springs, NC area, take a look at Triangle Estates Realty. Or, email me at Tim@TimHaag.com . Or, for a no pressure chat, call me at 919-389-7135