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Contractor Hotline
Dependable, pre-screened professionals for all your household needs |
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On The Level |
February 2009
Volume II, Issue I |
Dear Friends,
We hope this finds you healthy, happy, and enjoying the New Year! I think most of us are ready for a fresh start and look forward to exciting and positive changes in our communities, nation, and worldwide. As we move forward, it's more important than ever to be mindful of minimizing expenses and reducing risks. As a business serving the public, we are just as committed to helping you accomplish this now as the day we opened for business.
Our customers rely on us to refer dependable and trustworthy contractors to perform services in and around their home, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are committed to providing you with the same customer care that we expect for ourselves. We only refer professionals that we would be comfortable inviting into our own homes to perform services, small or large. Each contractor is carefully screened before joining our network and we conduct ongoing credential audits and performance evaluations to ensure they remain in good standing. Our business philosophy has remained the same from day one. We are committed to providing exceptional customer care and ensuring that the contractors in our network exceed our high expectations of excellence.
We look forward to exceeding your expectations this year and in the future!
Best regards, Cari Barron | |
| Staging Your Home To Sell! |
In the current real estate climate, selling a home poses many challenges. It is more important than ever to consult with a professional and take the necessary steps to show your home in its best light before you ever advertise or list your home for sale. You only have one chance to make that all important first impression! The following information, provided by Trisha Quigley of ReMax Metro Realty, will help prepare you with the knowledge and tools to maximize your return and make the process go as smoothly as possible for you and your family.
To sell a home in this market, you want to make certain that you have priced your home effectively. This means you have had a real estate agent work with you to price your home to sell taking into consideration the market, the condition of your home, and the current competition around you. Once you have done this, you need to turn your attention to the condition of your home. The biggest mistake people make in preparing their home for sale is that they put all their efforts into the interior. They spend countless hours prepping and painting the walls making certain that everything is perfect, but forget one of the most important aspects - the first impression.
The minute they pull up to a home, most buyers know if this is somewhere they can see themselves living. If your home is lacking curb appeal you will have a much harder time getting someone to come inside. If your lawn is over grown and your gardens look disheveled they will often skip over your home. You must have the exterior of your home match the standard of the interior or you may never get them to come inside. Serious buyers are looking at numerous houses and your home has to stand out from the crowd. They are constantly eliminating the ones they don't have time for in order to see the gems first. The easiest way to assess your home's curb appeal is to stand across the street. What is the first thing you see? Can you even see your home? Clear yard debris, power wash driveways and sidewalks, and bring in color with fresh bark and flowers. Pay special attention to your front door. Does it need replacing or repainting? Remove all cobwebs and make certain the door jam is clean and crisp. You can be certain, while the real estate agent is busy gathering the key, the buyers will be sizing up the front entryway.
Once you have them inside you only have a few minutes to make them see your house as their next future home. Hire a professional house cleaner and a home stager if it is in your budget. Remember, your home is in competition with many other homes. You wouldn't show up to a job interview in a t-shirt and dirty jeans, would you? So don't leave that tattered old sofa in your living room. Remove all excess clutter and family pictures. If you are in the process of packing, designate an area in the garage for neatly stacked boxes. Make sure the kitchen and all bathroom counters are clear of personal items. Specially placed items such as a decorative cook book or splashes of color can be added in their place. Set your dining room table for two to four places. Keep it simple with a charger, plate, bowl with a twine ball or decorative napkin, and wine glasses. Make all the beds every day. Invest in fresh towels and silk plants or spa baskets for all bathrooms. I love to go to places like Tuesday Morning to find towels and linens. You don't have to spend a fortune to make your home look like a treasure.
If you have pets do not have them in your home when it is for sale. Odors are the number one reason buyers won't purchase a home. Musty, mildew or pet smells will steer buyers clear of your home. I have heard people say if you have dogs just make sure they are in crates. The problem with this is if you have someone looking at your home who does not like dogs then you have a strike against your home and they have not even looked at it yet. This is your biggest investment - invest the money to have your dogs or cats boarded or sent to a friend's house.
Lastly, if you know of things that are malfunctioning get them fixed. A good home inspector will find faulty plumbing, appliances, etc so take the time to get them fixed so a buyer does not have a reason to walk away. Taking the time to get your home ready to sell will save you time on the market which will ultimately bring you a higher return on your investment.
Trisha Quigley of ReMax Metro Realty has been helping homeowners and buyers sell and purchase real estate in the Seattle area for over 15 years. Her professionalism, experience and commitment to each of her clients, has earned her a reputation of excellence in the real estate industry. If you are considering selling or buying real estate and would like to consult with Trisha she can be contacted at 206.380.1714 or via email at trisha.quigley@comcast.net. Visit Trisha's website at www.SeattleSoldHomes.com for useful information, including a Seller's Checklist and common Selling Mistakes. |
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Referral Appreciation Program |
| Many of our satisfied customers are spreading the word, helping to connect their friends and family with reliable contractors and helping us grow and be available to meet your needs. To express our gratitude we are pleased to 'give back to you' for any referral that results in completed work. For new customers referred that result in $500 or more per business transaction, you will receive a $25 American Express cash gift card. For new customers referred that result in anything less than $500 per business transaction, you will receive a $10 Starbuck's gift card. Contact us directly with your referral's information, or simply ask them to mention how they found out about us. | |
Contractor Hotline LLC
Phone: 425-775-9085
Fax: 425-775-9150
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Winter/Spring Checklist! |
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Continue to replace air filters on your furnace as needed throughout heating season
Inspect home's exterior for winter storm damage
Remove dead or damaged portions of trees & hedges once new growth is apparent
Start planning a summer garden |
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Visit Our Website! |
Contractor Hotline is your FREE resource for dependable, home improvement professionals that have been carefully pre-screened and proven to be some of the best in their field.
Whether you have an immediate problem or a long delayed plan to refurbish your home we can help. We welcome you to visit our website at www.contractorhotline.net for a list of all the household services we can assist you with!
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| Preferred Professionals! |
As a business owner, I am an active member of several organizations, including the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and Business Networking International (BNI). Within these organizations I have come to know and trust professionals in a wide range of services including naturopaths, dentists, chiropractors, realtors, lenders, insurance agents, attorneys, financial advisors, computer services, fashion consultants, and health and beauty care, to name a few. If you're searching for a business or personal care professional of any kind, please give me a call. Chances are I know someone I could recommend! | |
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