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Community and real estate updates for Lansing, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Dewitt, Mason, Holt, Dimondale, Haslett, Okemos, Williamston and Bath.
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Lynne VanDeventer understands that purchasing a home is a large commitment – and investment – on your part. I am here to guide you through the many questions you may have as you carefully weigh the decision to purchase. There are, however, many advantages to owning a home: - Security – A feeling of security that comes from owning a home and the knowledge that your home is a safeguard against inflation.
- Investment – Payments on your mortgage loan mean you are acquiring a major possession; instead of rent, you own more and more. The garden you plant, the permanent improvements you make – all enhance your way of living as well as the value of your home.
- Tax Advantage – Your real estate taxes and the interest on your mortgage are deductible from your income tax.
- Financial Independence – Most people start on the road to financial independence through home ownership. Your principal and interest payments remain the same for the full term of your mortgage while your rent usually goes up as the cost of living increases.
- Environment – Your children grow up in the neighborhood of your choice.
- Cash Equity – Better than a savings account, your home can appreciate to keep pace with inflation.
- Satisfaction – Home ownership offers special advantages that make life more enjoyable – backyard barbecues, large family gatherings during holidays, a home workshop, a chance to enjoy your family’s companionship in the privacy of your own home.
Contact Lynne VanDeventer at Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood today for a FREE no obligation home buyer evaluation for your wants and needs.
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Grasshopper grange is a 35 acre estate in mid michigan, built in the 1880's and totally renovated and exp,anded in 2002. American-italianate, 15 room, 5. 5 bath and includes 360 sq. Ft. Gazebo on 35' deep pond. Additional Features Here 
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House Logic is provided to REALTOR members by the National Association of REALTORS as a professional media to assist home buyers and sellers. I find that these helpful suggestions become very benefitcial to my clients in the Greater Lansing real estate market. I hope you enjoy, and feel free to contact me in the event you have questions concerning your real estate, The first step to getting buyers to make an offer on your home is to impress them with its appearance so they begin to envision themselves living there. Here are seven tips for making your home look bigger, brighter, and more desirable.
1. Start with a clean slate
Before you can worry about where to place furniture and which wall hanging should go where, each room in your home must be spotless. Do a thorough cleaning right down to the nitpicky details like wiping down light switch covers. Deep clean and deodorize carpets and window coverings.
2. Stow away your clutter
It’s harder for buyers to picture themselves in your home when they’re looking at your family photos, collectibles, and knickknacks. Pack up all your personal decorations. However, don’t make spaces like mantles and coffee and end tables barren. Leave three items of varying heights on each surface, suggests Barb Schwarz of www.StagedHomes.com in Concord, Pa. For example, place a lamp, a small plant, and a book on an end table.
3. Scale back on your furniture
When a room is packed with furniture, it looks smaller, which will make buyers think your home is less valuable than it is. Make sure buyers appreciate the size of each room by removing one or two pieces of furniture. If you have an eat-in dining area, using a small table and chair set makes the area seem bigger.
4. Rethink your furniture placement
Highlight the flow of your rooms by arranging the furniture to guide buyers from one room to another. In each room, create a focal point on the farthest wall from the doorway and arrange the other pieces of furniture in a triangle around the focal point, advises Schwarz. In the bedroom, the bed should be the focal point. In the living room, it may be the fireplace, and your couch and sofa can form the triangle in front of it.
5. Add color to brighten your rooms
Brush on a fresh coat of warm, neutral-color paint in each room. Ask your real estate agent for help choosing the right shade. Then accessorize. Adding a vibrant afghan, throw, or accent pillows for the couch will jazz up a muted living room, as will a healthy plant or a bright vase on your mantle. High-wattage bulbs in your light fixtures will also brighten up rooms and basements.
6. Set the scene
Lay logs in the fireplace, and set your dining room table with dishes and a centerpiece of fresh fruit or flowers. Create other vignettes throughout the home—such as a chess game in progress—to help buyers envision living there. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.
Make your bathrooms feel luxurious by adding a new shower curtain, towels, and fancy guest soaps (after you put all your personal toiletry items are out of sight). Judiciously add subtle potpourri, scented candles, or boil water with a bit of vanilla mixed in. If you have pets, clean bedding frequently and spray an odor remover before each showing.
7. Make the entrance grand
Mow your lawn and trim your hedges, and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before showings to make your lawn sparkle. If flowers or plants don’t surround your home’s entrance, add a pot of bright flowers. Top it all off by buying a new doormat and adding a seasonal wreath to your front door.
More from HouseLogic
Lynne VanDeventer
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Thinking of selling your home? Before you place the “For Sale” sign in front of your house, there are a few things you should consider in order to maximize your home value and make the sales process smooth and efficient. Be prepared to discuss the following subjects with your real estate agent when you’re ready to sell your home and you’ll be one step ahead in the market.
1) Best Time of Year to Put Your House on the Market Conventional wisdom dictates that spring is the best time for selling a home. The weather is getting warmer, the school year is coming to an end, and people who have just received their tax refunds may now have extra cash to use for a down payment on a home. However, since not everyone can sell a home in the spring, here are some other seasonal factors to consider. According to annual home sale data from the National Association of Realtors, the slowest selling months of the year are typically January and February, since fewer home sales occur during the holidays. In spite of this, with less competition in the marketplace, you may be able to ask for a higher price for your home, (oops, Not in today’s market!) or a quicker closing. Additionally, temperate locations like Florida and California don’t see the seasonal fluctuations in the housing market, where house-hunters are almost always looking. And a late winter or early spring in the Northeast may extend the typical “selling season.” These seasonal variations, as well as a variety of local factors, will all influence the housing market in your area. Be sure to talk to your real estate agent regarding the current state of the market and how it will affect the sale of your home. (Now, here’s where I can help!)
2) Open House Strategy and How to De-ClutterAt an open house, first impressions count, so you’ll want to enhance your home’s perceived value. Make your home inviting by taking care of bothersome minor repairs; clean bathroom and kitchen counters and clear them of dishes and clutter. Arrange storage areas neatly and put unused items in a closet. If you have pets, consider having a neighbor watch them for the duration of the open house. It’s a good idea for you to be absent during the open house, also. If you must be present, let your agent do the talking. (Go to a Movie)
3) Decorate your home to sell by arranging the furniture to look as spacious as possible. Add color and fragrance to any room with fresh flowers. Lastly, don’t forget the outside of your home. Put away all gardening equipment and neatly arrange outdoor items like firewood or furniture. Even take a hard look at your mailbox and make sure it reflects the value and character of your home.3) Features to AccentuateWhile you may have long determined which aspects of your home you love, having a fresh set of eyes assess its best features is a smart idea. If you’re considering selling your home, take the time to walk through it methodically with your real estate agent. Together you can determine which features of the home should be accentuated. Does your home have a wonderful view? Make the most of it by sprucing up window treatments and arranging furniture to draw the eye toward the windows. Perhaps the location of your house is truly incredible. Your real estate agent can help accentuate this feature in sales and marketing materials.
4) Desired Price and Bottom Line Price. It’s great to shoot high, but when determining your home value, it’s also important to identify your bottom line. By assessing recent home sale statistics in your area, your real estate agent can recommend an appropriate target price range. Working with your agent, you can set an initial asking price, as well as privately determine the absolute lowest price you would comfortably accept for selling your home. By crunching the numbers and setting parameters early on, you can avoid emotional rollercoasters during the process of receiving, countering and accepting offers.
5) Disclosures -When selling your home, you may be obligated to disclose problems that could affect the property’s value or desirability. In most states, it is illegal to fraudulently conceal major physical defects in your property, such as a basement that floods in heavy rains. And many states now require sellers to take a proactive role by making written disclosures on the condition of the property. Ask your real estate agent for the particular laws of your state.
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 When it’s time to sell your home, you must be confident that every element of negotiating the best terms and the highest price has been set before your home is even listed. Start with the resources I’ve provided. There is no charge for this information. These will help get you started in terms of assessing your real estate situation and planning for a stress-free and successful sale. The real estate market in the greater Lansing area is volatile, especially lately, and it takes an experienced professional to move your house quickly, professionally, and profitably. When you’ve decided to sell, I will be your advocate, your guide, and your fierce negotiator. I will work hard to make yours a great sale. I look forward to it. Lynne
Lynne VanDeventer
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
3695 Okemos Road · Okemos, MI 48864
517-492-3274
Search Listings
lynnevanda@coldwellbanker.com
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 Bedroom community living in the greater Lansing real estate market has plenty to offer, in addition to a variety of homes for sale. Here are four such areas being highlighted for your home buying research. Downtown Dewitt has plenty to offer the consumer when it comes to businesses. The Downtown Development Authority has made great strides to promote the quality of living in a small community. Grand Ledge has plenty of wonderful businesses, churches, and community activities. Grand Ledge is a great place to live, and close to Delta Township, which offers great schools, churches, and businesses. Okemos is part of Meridian Township that makes up a vast area, offering a strong sense of community, an active parks and recreation department and great school system. In the event you are researching communities, you can always visit LynneVanDeventer.com for information on all the communities, buying and selling a home, and much more.
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