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 BJ Conner's Newsletter
Aug 2014  Issue 47 

 

 

 

Hot Springs Village offers many amenities to enjoy your perfect summer vacation. From golf, tennis, and hiking to kayaking, stand up paddle boards, and boating; there are activities to suit everyone's interest. Don't miss out on the fun. Plan your visit today.

 

Remember, I can assist you in getting luxury accommodations at HUGE discounts. During your stay, I would be happy to give you a personal tour of our fabulous community. 

 

Just give me a call at 501-915-2297 or email me at [email protected]

 

BJ
 
 
In This Issue
10 Tips to Prepare for A Home Sale
Community Calendar
Entertainment and Special Events - August
Real Estate Matters "Mid-Year Home Sales - Update"
Mortgage Calculator
Hot Springs Village Homes Aug/Sep 2014
BJ's Featured Listings for August
newsletter archives 
 
 
 
 
10 Tips to Prepare for A Home Sale
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Summer -- one of the busiest times for any real estate market -- with thousands of homes and properties going up for sale in every town and city throughout the United States. Getting the most for a home is always a seller's top priority; heeding these ten tips and tricks when considering putting your house on the market will help toward getting you top dollar

 

1. Paint Color:

When choosing an exterior paint color, stick with what's popular in the neighborhood, goes well with the surroundings of the area, or fits the style of the home. Picking a paint color that is not common or completely clashes with the rest of the neighborhood is a very risky decision, especially when thinking about listing a home. When it comes to paint, choose safe colors for the biggest return on investment. The same should be considered for interior paint -- big, bold, bright colors might work for your current design scheme, but when buyers walk through a home, and the main living space is four different colors, it's likely all they will see is dollar signs and time spent repainting.

 

2. Landscaping:

Landscaping can make or break a home sale, or turn it into a long, laborious process. When thinking of landscaping, consider the plants or trees before anything gets planted -- trees and roots can wreak havoc with lawns, foundations and pipes; take into consideration how large a plant or tree will get and how far the root system will travel over time.

 

3. The Front Door:

The front door is one of the first things potential buyers see -- a strong and visual front door can leave a great first impression to potential buyers. If the door is broken, doesn't work properly, or is in desperate need of a makeover, a buyer may see these things as weak points and consider offering less.

 

4. Upgrades:

Don't assume you will recoup every investment, especially when it comes to large upgrades. Pools are notorious for poor return on investment, as are other large home additions. If you are considering upgrading your home before putting it on the market, look to areas that are sure to make you money: kitchens and bathrooms, if tastefully done, will always add to the value of a house.

 

5. Fireplaces:

Fireplaces appeal to a large majority of buyers, but changing out the aesthetics of a fireplace can either be a great investment opportunity, or drastically lower a buyer's offer. It's best to take trends into consideration when making updates or changes to a fireplace -- painting over exposed brick can be a huge deal breaker for some buyers, especially when a majority of people like exposed brick fireplaces.

 

6. Old Appliances:

Potential buyers look at the appliances in a home to gauge their age and how well they have been taken care of. Appliances play a large part in any home, and if they are old, outdated and no longer working can create hesitations in potential buyers. If it's a classic that still works, don't worry about replacing it; if you can't get the door clean, or the oven temperature doesn't rise above 350 degrees, it's probably time to replace it. There is no need to go all out on the latest and greatest technology either -- while a beautiful stainless steel fridge might be alluring, it's likely you won't recoup the cost through the home sale, and it's more likely you'll want that classy fridge in your new home.

 

7. Deep Cleans and Small Stuff:

Most buyers have an eye for the small details of a house. An initial deep clean of the house, and continued maintenance thereafter, shows potential buyers that the house has been maintained. The small details matter: windows and window tracks, light switches, molding, a garbage disposal, tile, grout, sinks, ovens and appliances, are all looked at by buyers. Make sure these items are not overlooked when the house goes on the market -- potential buyers will appreciate the time you took to address them.

 

8. Trends:

Trends can be quite alluring for those looking to dabble in interior decorating. Some buyers like trends, but the majority of buyers look for classic, neutral colors on walls and fixtures. While a chevron pattern may be the perfect accompaniment to your current sofa or bedspread, most buyers will see the pattern, when applied to walls, as a potential paint job. If you're considering listing your house, consider accessorizing with drapes, pillows and some pictures. These are simple ways of adding personality, and buyers will appreciate a neutral color scheme on the walls.

 

9. Hard to Clean Surfaces and Floors:

Buyers always look at the floors and counters in a potential home, and these surfaces can be huge selling points. If the counter tops are stained, hardwood floors scratched up, carpet damaged, or the tile is breaking, consider cleaning or finding a quick replacement. If a solid counter top is stained, a buyer will no doubt see dollar signs. If you have hardwood floors, some products can actually dull the wood over time. If the wood needs a little TLC before the house is listed, consider having the floors buffed -- this will add some life, and buyers will see that they have been cared for.

 

10. Small Spaces:

Kitchens and bathrooms are undoubtedly some of the biggest selling features of a house or property. If either of these areas is small, consider revamping to make them look larger. A small bathroom with no windows is going to look like a cave if the color scheme is on the darker side. Bigger in a small space is always best -- stick with neutral, light colors to help make the room look larger. Update any light bulbs that are reaching the end of their life; upgrading to a higher wattage or lumen can help enhance a small area too.

Selling a home is a large task, and every seller hopes to make money on their home sale. Prepping your home before a sale will always result in better viewings and interested buyers, and the end result will be a happy seller and an even more excited buyer. 

 

Real Estate Advisor - August 

 

 

 

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 Real Estate Matters

  by Jeff Hollansworth

                 
"Mid Year Home Sales - Update"

 

 

Click Here to View Article

 

 

 
 

 

 

Mortgage Calculator

Mortgage Calculator 

 

 

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  2013 Platinum Award Winner 
 
"Over Six Million in Sales"
 
  
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BJ Conner, GRI, RCC
Associate Broker
 
 "Service You Can Trust"
 

501-915-2297

 

[email protected]

 

Schedule a visit here and enjoy all the natural beauty of this great area.

I can assist you in obtaining lodging at fantastic discounts $$$
  
 
 
  
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 Hot Springs Village Homes

 



 



 

 
 
  
  Balloon  

RE/MAX
of
Hot Springs Village  
  
    
RE/MAX Office
 

Visit our conveniently located office at 1400 DeSoto Boulevard

on the corner of

Desoto Blvd. & Ponce de Leon Drive

 

***FREE***

 

Village Information

 

Cup of STARBUCKS!

 

 
 

BJ'S FEATURED LISTINGS FOR AUGUST   

 

10 Divino Lane

 

 


 $274,900

 

3 Bd., 3 Ba.  2,659 sq ft.

     

This lovely townhome has mountain and lake views--across the street from Lake Balboa! It has an inviting gated courtyard to welcome you.  This well appointed home has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, volume ceilings, arched doorways, a two-way fireplace shared by the great room and hearth room. It also offers an open floor plan, large kitchen and utility room with tub, walk-in pantry, two covered Trex decks, newer roof and heat pump, and new decorator paint.  Furniture is Negotiable.

Come & see this charming home!


 

 MLS #10377848     Link to Listing          Visual Tour

 

67 Alteza Drive 

  
 
3 BD. 2 BA.  1,837 Sq. Ft.

  

This lovely one-story cooper built home on Granada Golf Course is located in one of the most desirable areas on the east end of Hot Springs Village. Features include 9' volume ceilings, hard wood cabinets with pullouts, breakfast bar and wheel chair access doorways. Master bath has jetted tub with separate shower. With an eastern exposure, the  expanded patio provides lots of opportunities to relax and enjoy views of the golf course. The landscape includes two water features and a sprinkler system. 

 

                           MLS #10329849     Link to Listing          Visual Tour

  

 

  

45 Levantino Drive

   

  

$139,900

 

3 Bd., 3 Ba.  1,760  
 

This Stucco & Vinyl Cream Puff is located within walking distance of Lake Balboa in Saline County and is move-in ready. Amenities include circle driveway, common property to lake, large workshop below, huge laundry/craft room, Built-ins, 3 full baths, maintenance free yard, wood burning fire place, Central Vac, Casement Windows and Sunroom, just to name a few. 

Updates include: Freshly Painted Interiors, and New Water Heater. 

Come see this warm and inviting home before it gets away.

  

                           MLS #10394167     Link to Listing          Visual Tour 

  

 

4 Alora Lane

 
  
 
$89,900
 

2 Bd., 2 ba., 1,270 sq. Ft.  

Conveniently located in a lovely well kept neighborhood near the West Gate, this charming Cooper built home has a stone fireplace, oversized 30 by 10 foot screened patio with ceiling fan, perfect for enjoying the natural landscape of the common property adjacent to the backyard. The large two car garage has a storage area large enough for a golf cart! Refrigerator & Washer/Dryer Convey.

You don't want to miss this one!

 
                           MLS #10389888    Link to Listing          Visual Tour

 

  

 

Sweet Tea Julep Pops

 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 family-size tea bags
  • 1 cup firmly packed fresh mint leaves
  • 1 cup cold water 
  • 3/4 cup bourbon 
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 12 (3-oz.) paper cups
  • 12 mint leaves (optional)
  • 12 small lemon slices (optional)
  • 12 (3 1/2-inch) food-safe wooden  ice-cream spoons

Preparation

  1. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan. Remove from heat, add tea bags, and stir in 1 cup firmly packed fresh mint leaves. Cover and steep 10 minutes. Discard tea bags and mint. Stir in 1 cup cold water, bourbon, sugar, and lemon juice, stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour mixture into paper cups; add a mint leaf and small lemon slice to each, if desired.
  2. Cover each cup with aluminum foil; make a small slit in center, and insert 1 ice-cream spoon into each cup. Freeze 8 hours or until firm.

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