Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Thank you for your continued support over the past year. This past has been a great year at PJ Morgan and we have you to thank for that. I will continue to work hard answering all of your real estate questions- if you have a question just let me know!

I am never too busy for your referrals from your family/friends and will help them as if they were my own family and friends. Keep me in mind as you come across your friends and family who are looking to make a move in 2015.

What are the top five appliances every homeowner wants?

Appliances can be a top negotiating item when it comes to closing the sale of your home. According to ratings collected by CNET here are the top five appliances that are in high demand.

1. Whirpool Dishwasher (WDL785SAAM)- Part of the 6th Sense Live smart appliance line, this dishwasher unit can tell you how dirty are! The dishwasher used a sensor wash cycle to determine how dirty the dishes are.

2. Panasonic Microwave (NN-SD997S)- This microwave warms up food quick and efficiently. It also produces high quality results that your whole family can benefit from!

3. Dacor Renaissance 30” Double Wall Oven- This double wall oven does not even compare to any other oven line. You will not find another oven with better and more powerful cooking performance.

4. Samsung Refrigerator (RF323TEDBBC)- The Samsung refrigerator includes spill proof shelves, humidity controlled crispers, power freeze/cool, water filter and external ice/water dispenser. It can even hold up to 32 bags of groceries.

5. GE Café Series 36-inch Cooktop Stove (CGP650SETSS)- The GE stovetop has a deep spill area under the cast iron grates and sealers over the burners allowing food not to be able to get trapped under. The grates are even dishwasher safe!

What are some ways to throw a simple and elegant holiday party?

Holidays are soon approaching and what better way to celebrate them than with an elegant party! Here are some great tips to make your party perfect.

1. Invite you your guests online- Using online services will make your guests RSVP instantly and will remind them of the event.

2. Clear your home’s clutter-Get rid of your mail that is lying around. Put away any personal items you would not want your guests to see. This is also the perfect time to clear and wipe off your counters.

3. Liven up libations- Replenish and stock up o the bar basics. Make sure your fridge is stocked with beer, wine, soda, and don’t forget the mixers for the mix drinks.

4. Make room in the fridge- It’s the perfect time to clean out your fridge and throw out the expired food. It’s also a great time to wipe down the shelves in the fridge.

5. Attack appliances- Clean all appliances including the insides!

6. Set-up your furniture and seating arrangements- Make sure your layout is best for flow for your gathering space. If you are hosting a sit down dinner- put out name place cards.

7. Keep food simple- Prepare food that is easy for you and is simple such as foods that are already prepared and foods that are easy for you to prepare.

8. Prep the tableware- Make sure all of the china is clean, the silver is polished and the linens are pressed. Also ensure you have enough dishware for each guest.

9. Add some flowers!

10. Make a holiday playlist!

What are the new trends this fall for your home?

Here are five new home design trends for the fall for your home.

1. Go Natural- natural and organic patterns are now in this fall! This includes branch-patterned textiles and wall coverings for a dose of whimsy. Swirled and marbleized patterns works well on accent pillows or bedding.

2. Glamour-ize- change out your hardware on your accent chest or dresser, or hang a fun light fixture in your rooms. Mix your gold with bronze and black finishes that are used in your home.

3. Create coziness- add décor and accessories created from reclaimed wood to create the cozy feel in your home.

4. Add sparkle- adding large mirrors and mirrored surfaces add depth and interest to your room. Adding a mirror to a smaller room can even make it feel bigger. For a big “WOW” factor, add a collection of vintage mirrors along a hallway or staircase to create a gallery display.

5. Mix it up- mix and match your décor and fabrics in your home. Bring a mix of styles, old, new, and crisp/soft to create a home look lived in and to add a designer touch.

What are some ways to spruce up my curb appeal?

Here are 6 tips you can do to your home to make it more appealing to buyers and they won’t cost you a fortune. These tips could make the difference in your home being sold versus your neighbors.

1. Clean the yard. Take the time to clean up the yard. Rake the dead leaves and grass. Put away any tools or equipment that may be lying around. If buyers see a mess in your yard, they will think twice about wanting to see the inside of the house as it may be indication of what else may await for them.

2. Paint the house/fence. A new coat of paint can go a long way to making your house look newer. Bold colors can reflect your personal taste, so make sure you choose a neutral color that will appeal to the most number of people.

3. Enhance your walkway. You can boost your homes look by adding brick or a stone paved walkway to the front of your house. Dress it up even more by adding some solar powered walkway lights.

4. Plant new flowers and trees. Adding some new color can make a big difference in brightening up your homes appearance and make it look more cheery to prospective buyers.

5. Add window treatments. Add some decorative shutter to keep your home from looking plain and boring. You could also add some plant boxes.

6. Replace your front door. Changing the front door can change the entire look of your home.

These small changes can go a long way to spruce up your homes curb appeal.

Can I child proof my house and still sell it?

There are some subtle and inexpensive ways to child proof your house that won’t bother most buyers. In fact, some buyers will be grateful and feel like it increases the value if they have young ones or plan to.

1. Cabinet locks. Install these in areas where potentially dangerous items are stored, such as under the kitchen sink cabinet.

2. Appliance locking straps. These are easy to install and prevent kids from opening ovens, dishwashers and toilets.

3. Fireplace gates. Living room fireplaces are a common fixture in many homes. The preventative measure can be a great way to ease the initial fears of people viewing the home.

4. Smoke detectors. Make sure you install one near every bedroom and in common areas throughout the house. Consider adding a carbon monoxide detector as well.

5. Electrical outlet covers. These plastic inserts for electrical outlets are an inexpensive and easy fix that can go a long way in helping a potential buyer visualize their child playing or living in that space.

6. Curtain/blinds cord cleats. Install these cleats next to window and wrap around them the cord used to draw the curtains or blinds.

Each of these are subtle and inexpensive ways to amp up the level of interest home buyers with kids may have in your home.

What is a CMA and why do you need one?

CMA is real estate shorthand for Comparative Market Analysis. A CMA is a report prepared by a real estate agent providing data comparing your property to similar properties in the marketplace.

The first thing an agent will need to do to provide you with a CMA is to inspect your property. Generally, this inspection wont be overly detailed, not does the house need to be totally cleaned up and ready for an open house. It should be in such a condition that the agent will be able to make an accurate assessment of its condition and worth. If you plan to make changes before selling, inform the agent at this time.

The next step is for the agent to obtain data on comparable properties. This data is usually available through the Multiple Listing Service and the agents knowledge of the market and area. This will give the agent an idea how much your property is worth in the current market.

Please note that the CMA is not an appraisal. An appraisal must be preformed by a licensed appraiser. The CMA process takes place before your home is listed for sale. This is a good assessment of what your house could potentially sell for.