Thursday, April 19, 2007

STAGING A HOME

Here is a series of articles (I'll finish it when I get back into town) on staging a home. It comes from the staging specialist for HGTV. Here's the first one:

You know the saying: You never have a second chance to make a first impression. "The outside of your home is the first thing guests see," points out Christopher Breining, owner of HomeStagers, Inc., (www.HomeStagersInc.com) in San Francisco. And like it or not, it speaks volumes about what’s inside–and about its owner. A quart of glossy paint in a bold, cheerful color for the front door, new hardware (or a little elbow grease applied to clean and polish the existing knocker, lockset, porch light, house numbers, and mailbox), a fresh coir or seagrass mat, and a trio of seasonal potted plants on the landing will dramatically brighten and refresh your home’s entry and make visitors feel welcome, Breining says. Bonus: This small investment pays personal dividends, too, giving you an emotional boost and a dose of house-pride with each homecoming.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Trip

Once in a while it becomes necessary for us to rest for a while (even though "rest" is a relative term when we travel). Tyler Texas Real Estate can survive this devastating blow to the market. Title companies will suffer; lenders will suffer; contractors will suffer........ We'll be gone until the 1st of May. Then everyone can once again breathe a sigh of relief.

Since this is a working trip to the western Mediterranean, there will probably be a couple of days of "coming back to reality" when we return; but have no fear! We'll be back in the swing of things in short order, and things having to do with real estate in Tyler Texas will soon be back to normal again!

Sunday, April 08, 2007

A Bit About Insurance

A typical homeowner’s insurance policy offers little, if any, coverage for collectibles. To get coverage, you usually have to specifically request it and pay an extra premium. Before you insure collectibles, consider getting a written appraisal of each item first. It will help you get the proper amount of coverage and will reduce the chance that the insurer will contest your estimates if you have to file a claim.

Also, take digital photos of all your possessions, just in case you have to file a claim. Insurance coverages differ; so if your furniture and electronics are included in the coverage, you will need proof that all your "things" were actually there.