Monthly Archives: March 2006

Renting an Apartment: Step-by-Step

Posted on March 19, 2006 | 1 Comment
  • Make sure you know how much you can afford per month for an apartment. Be sure to include utilities in your budget.
  • Think about what neighborhoods you’d like to live in. Be sure to keep in mind your commute time to work and how close you’d like your new apartment to be to your job.
  • Write down all features that would be important to you, such as parking, pet policies, security, and number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
  • Contact your Realtor and go over with him or her what you want in your new apartment.
  • Inspect the apartments carefully. It is often a good idea to look at apartments in different floors of the same building.
  • Fill out an application for the apartment you choose. Make sure to have your Realtor look over the contract and explain any confusing aspects or terminology.
  • With your Realtor present it’s time to establish your move-in date, sign the contract, and arrange to pay your deposit.

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Posted in Rental Tips

Selling Your Home: Depersonalizing

Posted on March 4, 2006 | 1 Comment

When preparing to sell your home, the most important thought to keep in mind is to think of your home as a marketable commodity. The goal is for others to see your house as their potential home, not yours. This process is known as “depersonalizing” your home.

When”depersonalizing”, the key word is anonymous. The house must look like it could be anyone’s home. When a potential buyer is previewing your home, your real estate agent is selling the idea that this can be their home. Too many personal items of the seller lying around and it may hurt these chances.

Some items which should be put away are:

  • Family photos
  • Trophies/Plaques
  • Collectible items
  • Souvenirs

After following these steps you will be well on your way to preparing your home for sale!

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Posted in Home Staging, Seller Tips