Buying a home is a rewarding experience, often afforded as a result of years of hard work. With this form of luxury, though, come some additional responsibilities. Due to the widespread use of asbestos throughout the 20th century, it is essential for those involved in real estate to take the proper measures in inspecting and removing the mineral. Asbestos exposure has resulted in the development of severe lung cancers such as mesothelioma. Although medical technology continues to improve, mesothelioma claims thousands of victims every year in the United States alone. Mesothelioma can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop, making it extremely difficult for physicians to accurately diagnose this disease. The amount of asbestos-related incidents in the country has resulted in mesothelioma lawyer firms advocating and protecting victim's individual rights. The United States government and asbestos manufactures have been heavily criticized for concealing and not acting enough to inform the public of the dangers associated with asbestos exposure. The removal of asbestos must be undertaken by a professional abatement contractor who is trained in handling dangerous materials. In addition, most people are unaware to the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs. Cellulose, cotton Fiber and lcynene are all green options to be considered. Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and treated to be fireproof. The United Nations Environmental Program states that usage of recycled materials such as green insulation methods and lighting can reduce energy use by 25 to 25 percent! These new alternatives will allow for a healthy lifestyle, free and clear of any damaging substances.

Asbestos in the Home

Courtesy of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center - www.asbestos.com

Have you seen the new South Burlington Youth Lacrosse trailer? Geri helped sponsor the team by putting her logo on the trailer. Stop by Dorset Park and take a peek at the trailer and catch the lacrosse team practicing or playing a game!

SB Youth LAX Trailer

As we all know the real estate market has been relatively slow for the past year or so especially when comparing to the housing bubble of the early to mid-2000's. The homes that are selling fast these days are  A.) priced right, and B.) in immaculate condition. Here are some tips to getting your house in tip top shape to hopefully get your home sold in under 90 days:

1.) The Basics - As the saying goes, "You never have a second chance to make a first impression!" This could not be any truer! The first few things a buyer sees when they pull up to your house is the front yard and entrance. Make sure your yard is spotless - rake, weed, add some new flowers, whether in the garden or in hanging baskets on the front porch, etc. Also, give the front door and fresh coat if paint if needed and replace the house numbers, mailbox and outside light if needed. If not, at least make sure they are all clean.

2.)   Clean the Windows - Consider having them professionally cleaned or to save money you could do them yourself with Windex and wipe off with newspapers to avoid streaks - they work great! Also, remove dated window treatments unless they are wooden blinds or Plantation shutters. But make sure those blinds are open if you've got a view - a stunning view is a huge selling point!

3.) Clean & Declutter - If you want your home to sell fast, clean everything! This means you might have to get up on a chair or ladder to clean hard to reach spots like chandeliers, ceiling fan and shelves. Also wipe down any grimy light switch plates and keep your bathroom mirrors spotless. Have your carpets professionally cleaned as well and if that's not enough, just have them replaced. Don't forget to clean out your closets, guest room, and garage too! This spots are notorious for collecting random junk. Have a yard sale or donate unwanted or unneeded household items - minimize your belongings - it will make your future move a lot easier too! Also make sure your kitchen is spotless and the counters are bare - remove unnecessary appliances and gadgets, including toasters and coffeemakers.

4.) Depersonalize - If you remove most of your personal items from various rooms, prospective buyers can better visualize their personal belongings and decorations in the home. Remove knick-knacks, personal photos, collections, paperwork, etc.

5.) Paint - Use neutral colors that will appeal to more people. Again, it's all about making it easier for buyers to imagine your home as their new home.

6.) Staging - Home stagers have become part of an entourage to help real estate agents and seller get homes ready to be someone else's. That frequently means depersonalizing  the home and making it "model home" neutral. This will appeal to more buyers.

7.) Check Out the Competition - Go online and check out some real estate websites - there are a ton of them! Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, etc. Look at photos of other homes for sale to get some ideas. These sites will also offer suggestions and questions to ask your agent .

Ultimately your goal is to give your home that WOW factor which will make your home stand out to prospective buyers and make them remember it. This along with a good price will give your home value, which is what today's buyers are looking for.  For more information, advice from a seasoned real estate expert, or to set up a free home consultancy/market analysis of your home, give Geri Reilly a call! 802.862.6677