Small in size - Huge on style!

This adorable three bedroom, two bath home has had loads of updates!! In the last three years: new roof, windows, siding, interior and exterior doors, kitchen flooring, bathroom, fence…and much, much more! Walk to school (Four Star, South Montgomery School Corporation), the park, the convenience mart and church! Perfect starter home or for the empty-nesters looking to down-size! Don’t miss this!!

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Does your family need some growing room? This home has it! Four bedrooms and convenient to many small-town amenities! Walk to the school, church, library, park or restaurant…you will enjoy afternoons on the porch swing and summer evening cookouts on the deck! The level yard also has a fenced area perfect for your pooch!

Inside you will find many wonderful updates, including beautiful faux-wood plantation blinds throughout. Two bedrooms down and two up. The upstairs second bedroom could be used as a sitting area to create a huge master suite!

New laminate floors in the kitchen, dining and breakfast rooms and bathrooms!

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience small-town living at it’s best!

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RISMEDIA, August 10, 2010–When selling your home, the goal is to sell it quickly for the highest price while investing as little as possible in renovations. With a limited budget and a little effort, you can greatly increase your home’s appeal by focusing on what prospective buyers can see on their first visit. The experts at BuyOwner.com offer the following recommendations for preparing a house for sale and staging it for showings.

Tip #1: Refresh the exterior
First impressions count when it comes to selling a home. Most buyers won’t even leave their car if they don’t find the exterior appealing. The best ways to improve your home’s exterior include:

• Repairing and/or replacing trims, shutters, gutters, shingles, mailboxes, window screens, walkways and the driveway.
• Painting siding, trim and shutters and lamp and mailbox posts.
• Pressure washing vinyl siding, roofs, walkways and the driveway.
• Washing windows.

Tip #2: Spruce up the lawn and landscape
Home buyers associate the condition of your lawn and landscaping with the condition of your home’s interior. By improving the outside, you affect buyers’ impression of the entire property. The best ways to enhance the yard include:

• Mowing and edging the lawn.
• Seeding, fertilizing and weeding the lawn.
• Keeping up with regular lawn maintenance by frequent watering.
• Trimming and/or removing overgrown trees, shrubs and hedges.
• Weeding and mulching plant beds.
• Planting colorful seasonal flowers in existing plant beds.
• Removing trash, especially along fences and underneath hedges.
• Sweeping and weeding the street curb along your property.

Tip #3: Create an inviting entrance
The front door to your home should invite buyers to enter. The best ways to improve your entry include:

• Painting the front door in a glossy, cheerful color that complements the exterior.
• Cleaning, polishing and/or replacing the door knocker, locks and handles.
• Repairing and/or replacing the screen door, the doorbell, porch lights and house numbers.
• Placing a new welcome mat and a group of seasonal potted plants and flowers by the entry.

Tip #4: Reduce clutter and furniture
A buyer cannot envision living in your home without seeing it. A home filled with clutter or even too much furniture distracts buyers from seeing how they can utilize the space your home offers. If you have limited storage space, you may want to consider renting a temporary storage unit to place items you wish to keep. The best ways to declutter your home include:

• Holding a garage sale to prepare for your move, getting rid of unnecessary items.
• Removing clutter such as books, magazines, toys, tools, supplies and unused items from counter tops, open shelves, storage closets, the garage and basements.
• Storing out-of-season clothing and shoes out of sight to make bedroom closets seem roomier.
• Removing any visibly damaged furniture.
• Organizing bookshelves, closets, cabinets and pantries. Buyers will inspect everything.
• Putting away your personal photographs, unless they showcase the home. Let buyers see themselves in your home.
• De-personalize rooms as much as you can.

Tip #5: Clean, clean, clean
The cleanliness of your home also influences a buyer’s perception of its condition. The appearance of the kitchen and bathrooms will play a considerable role in a buyer’s decision process, so pay particular attention to these areas. The best ways to improve these areas include:

• Cleaning windows, fixtures, hardware, ceiling fans, vent covers and appliances.
• Cleaning carpets, area rugs and draperies.
• Cleaning inside the refrigerator, the stove and all cabinets.
• Removing stains from carpets, floors, counters, sinks, baths, tile, walls and grout.
• Eliminating house odors, especially if you have pets.
• Considering air fresheners or potpourri.

Tip #6: Make minor repairs
The small stuff does count, especially with first-time home buyers. Without dismissing the importance of repairing major items such as a leaky roof or plumbing, you do not need to spend money on replacing these items. Instead, focus on the minor repairs that will make your home visually appealing. The best ways to improve your home include:

• Repairing ceilings and wall cracks.
• Repairing faucets, banisters, handrails, cabinets, drawers, doors, floors and tile.
• Caulking and grouting tubs, showers, sinks and tile.
• Adding fresh paint to ceilings, walls, trim, doors and cabinets.
• Tightening door handles, drawer pulls, light switches and electrical plates.
• Lubricating door hinges and locks.

Tip #7: Showcase the kitchen
The heart of any home is the kitchen. If you are going to spend any money on renovations, this is the one area where you will see the greatest return. Even with a modest budget, focusing on a few key areas can make a great difference in getting the asking price for your property. The best ways to showcase the kitchen include:

• Replacing cabinet doors and hardware.
• Installing under-cabinet lighting.
• Replacing light fixtures.
• Replacing outdated shelving with pantry and cabinet organizers to maximize space.
• Baking cookies or cupcakes for a showing, to create a homey smell.

Tip #8: Stage furniture
Furniture placement can enhance the space of your home while giving buyers an idea of how to best utilize the space with their own belongings. Take some time to rethink how different areas in your house could be used. Some ideas to think about include:

• Moving couches and chairs away from walls in your sitting and family rooms to create cozy conversational groups.
• Creating a reading corner in the master bedroom.
• Clearing an empty room to set up a reading space.
• Turning an awkward space into a home office.
• Setting the dining room table with your best china.
• Set wine glasses in front of the fireplace or next to a Jacuzzi tub.

Tip #9: Light up the house
Create a sense of openness and cheerfulness in your home through its lighting. To improve the lighting try:

• Opening shades and drapes to let the sunshine warm and brighten rooms.
• Installing brighter light bulbs in rooms that tend to be dark.
• Adding additional lamps for ambient lighting.
• Turning on all the lights for a showing.

Tip #10: Add fresh touches
You can easily add color and style to your home by adding fresh touches throughout. Some ideas to consider include:

• Placing fresh floral arrangements in the entry and master bedroom.
• Placing bowls of bright-colored fruit in the family room and the kitchen.
• Filling an empty corner with a potted leafy plant.
• Setting new hand soap in the bathrooms.
• Displaying fresh towels near sinks.

ForSaleByOwner.com presents five overlooked reasons why now is a great time to buy a house.

1. Low mortgage rates serve as an equity shock absorber. When buyers borrow at today’s record-low rates, they start building equity as soon as they close. That means they have a little give to absorb a few ups and downs as the still-recovering housing market gains traction.

2. Houses are in move-in condition. Homeowners have continued to spend on maintenance and repair, according to the Harvard Joint Center on Housing. Homeowners who have been holding back kept their houses in good shape while they waited. As those houses enter the market, they are in marked contrast to tattered foreclosures.

3. Terrific houses are coming on the market. Foreclosures are finally starting to clear the system – and this is just the opportunity that owners of many desirable properties have been waiting for.

4. Appraisal regulations are finally aligned with market realities. Fannie Mae has adjusted its appraisal guidelines…again. Now that appraisers have more flexibility to set values that reflect the current market, today’s deals will make it over the finish line.

5. Plenty of programs. Homes are more affordable than they have been for years, but communities have stuck by “workforce housing” programs that encourage middle-class families to buy houses. Buyers who qualify can get a big boost by combining one of these programs with today’s low mortgage rates.

Very well-maintained 3 bedroom ranch with 2 full baths. Basement could easily be finished & has a fireplace already down there for cozy family room. Living room offers exposed beams, high ceilings & another fireplace. Oversized 2 car garage is heated with workshop. New pool liner just installed, furnace 2 years old & new water heater. This home is move-in ready. Professionally landscaped. Wait til you see the back yard for entertaining!

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Beautiful 4 bed, 1 full & 2 half bath home located on west end of town. This home has been completely remodeled. Kitchen opens to breakfast room. All appliances stay. Dining room with built-in shelves. Family room on main. 4 large bedrooms. Open patio on front and wood deck on rear overlooking yard.

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Beautiful 3 bed 2.5 bath located close to town. This home features many updates. Remodeled kitchen. All appliances stay. New carpet in family room w/masonry woodburning fireplace. Formal dining & formal living rooms, tiled entryway and half bath on main. Upstairs has 4 large bedrooms, 2 with hardwood floors, and the other 2 have hardwood under carpet. 2 full baths upstairs with tiled floors & showers. 600 sqft deck off breakfast room in a full privacy fenced back yard. Hot tub attached to deck.

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Great in-town location & Crawfordsville schools. Large, spacious family-friendly home with enormous bedrooms, each with it’s own bath. Grand foyer open to a kitchen w/lots of cabinets & all appliances included. Formal dining off kitchen opens to living room w/fireplace for entertaining. Master bdrm has balcony overlooking property. Bar & 2nd fireplace in family room. Sun room opens off rear of home to patio w/hot tub inside the huge fenced yard w/1.25+acres. Yard maintenance paid through 2010!

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Beautiful historic property built for author of Ben Hur and Civil War General, Lew Wallace. Located next door to Lew Wallace Study and Museum. Spacious 4000 sq.ft. home on 1.2 shaded acres with in-ground pool and garden pond with fountain. Four large bedrooms, 5 full baths, high ceilings, 3 fireplaces, hand crafted woodwork amid modern updates throughout. Price recently reduced.

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Elegant Sugar Cliff Subdivision is the perfect place for this custom built two story 4 bedroom home. Designed for the family with large great room with double facing fireplace and built in cabinetry. Spacious custom kitchen with large dining/breakfast area and hearth room that brings the family together. First floor master suite with walkin closet, whirljet tub, shower, double vanities each with its own sink. Three second level bedrooms with two full baths and walkin finished attic storage.

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