Home Sellers – You will not get a second chance to make a first impression!

It’s important to make a good impression, every time you have a prospective buyer look at your home. Here are just a few helpful tips to make sure that your home is in ready-to-show condition.

Exterior: The first impression starts at your front door. Clean or pain, fix broken glass or clean glass, make sure the locks work easily and that the exterior is well lighted. Clear out any cobwebs and shine up those exterior lights.

Lawn: Remove clutter, edge walks, trim hedged and weed the gardens. Make sure your lawn is mowed. In the winter, it is essential to keep your driveway and porch free of ice and snow.

Interior: They entry should be welcoming. Floor mats help keep your home clean and makes the prospect feel that you are concerned about your home. The general cleanliness of your home reflects its overall maintenance. It is very important! Don’t expect the buyers to imagine how the house would look if it were clean.

Closets: Over-crowded or poorly arranges closets indicate a lack of adequate storage space. This is important for front hall closets and bedroom closets.

Kitchens: Remove all clutter from the counter tops including unnecessary appliances and decorations. Stove tops should be cleaned, as well as the sink, the refrigerator, and the dishwasher.

Baths: Your bathroom should be spotless. Clean the tub and tile re-grout or caulk if necessary. Remove rust stains and be sure to repair any leaking faucets and toilets.

Hardware: Replace loose door knobs, sticking drawers and warped cabinet doors.

Basement: Clean the exterior of your furnace unit. Replace light bulbs and create a well organized storage space. The basement is where most home inspections begin, so be sure to look for any problem areas before you put your home on the market.

Odors: Home buyers are especially sensitive to odors. You may not be aware of them, so ask your Realtor for an objective opinion. While pet odors are the most problematic, it is important to also be aware of smoking odors, cooking odors and must or mildew.

If you're thinking of selling, you can find out what comparable homes are listing for in your neighborhood. Get a real-time snapshot of buyer activity within your zip code.

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Earth Day Ideas

As we celebrate our 41st Earth Day environmental awareness is a common theme.

Originating in the USA, it is now celebrated around the world. The word “green” has become a buzz word. Let’s make sure it’s sincere. . .

As an EcoBroker, my goal is to educate my clients on affordable home features that will provide comfort as well as a healthier environment. What a great feeling to know that you are not sending your hard-earned cash and carbon footprint up the chimney! Even a tiny effort on your part contributes to the environment’s bottom line. Here are some ideas:

• Spring cleaning – clean under and behind your refrigerator to provide more energy efficiency; clean and check window seals; look for obvious sources of draft and leakage.
• Check your air conditioner – outdoors, trim back plants and vines that grow around the a/c unit; inside, adjust your thermostat settings and have your system inspected by a qualified professional.
• Two degrees – adjust your programmable thermostat up 2 degrees in the summer and down 2 degrees in the winter.
• Twist the knobs – on the hot water heater, the refrigerator and your programmable thermostat. Adjusting them a little out of your “comfort zone” can have a big impact on the environment and your pocket book!
• Change direction – warm weather means changing the direction of your ceiling fans. In summer they should be set to draw air upward to cool the area and ensure constant airflow.
• Let it slide – make sure the track is clean on your sliding door wall and windows. A build up of dirt can damage the seal create gaps where air can escape.
• Ventilation – attic ventilations systems draw cool air up through the house and have a much lower carbon footprint than an air conditioner does, often at a considerable savings.
  
• Window treatments – consider installing insulated, thermal backed window treatments.
• Plant some shade – trees are good for the environment while at the same time shield your home from summer sun.
• Let the wind blow through – Install a clothes line and enjoy sun-soaked clothing. Air drying your laundry saves on energy and is gentler on your clothes helping them last longer.
• Go green – start a compost bin, install a rain barrel, reduce, reuse and recycle whenever you can.

Every little bit helps. If you think for one moment that your contribution is insignificant, multiply it. Put your hands together! Feel the momentum as millions of tiny acts band together. Can you feel it?



Renee Badall
GRI, SFR, CRP, EcoBroker
Edward Surovell Realtors
(734) 754-3221

The Internet Rapid Response Team

Faster than a speeding mouse click…

More powerful than the mightiest search engine…

Able to leap into action within moments of getting a lead…

The Internet has revolutionized the way people look for real estate

• Over 86% of homebuyers use the web to look for properties
• Over 70% drive by or visit a house they saw online
• According to the National Association of Realtors, a buyer is 18 times more likely to purchase a home that they found on the internet.

That’s why Edward Surovell Realtors has created the Internet Rapid Response Team, a special group of Realtors pledged to follow up on Internet leads immediately. They spring into action as soon as someone expresses interest in YOUR property.

Our in-house Internet Lead Coordinator constantly monitors incoming requests for information and showings. She ensured that no inquiry goes unanswered. At the same time, she screened the requests so that only serious prospects are passed on to our agents.

Between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., a live agent responds to Internet Leads. During off-hours, as automated tells the sender to expect a live follow-up call the next day.

Rapid and responsive – that’s the Surovell selling style.

Mortgage Rate Update

30yr fxd – 5..125% APR – 5.198%
20yr fxd – 4.875% APR - 4.948%
15yr fxd – 4.375% APR – 4.498%
10yr fxd – 3.875% APR – 3.998%
30 yr FHA – 4.875% APR – 5.032%
Charles E. Chapell Vice President Mortgage
United Bank and Trust
2723 South State Street, Suite 210
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Office: 734-214-2728
Email: cchapell@ubat.com

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The conversation has already started! Find out what’s going on in the local Real Estate Market by following Edward Surovell Realtors on Facebook! Whether you are considering the purchase of a new home, selling yours or even if you are just interested in keeping track of area information, we know South East Michigan Real Estate better than anyone!

For over two decades, Edward Surovell Realtors has excelled in meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Satisfied returning customers and referrals have made us one of the largest real estate companies in southeast Michigan. Founded in 1982, Surovell quickly became a leader in Ann Arbor Real Estate. Since then, we’ve expanded and now have offices in Adrian, Ann Arbor, Carelton, Chelsea, Jackson, Manchester, Manitou Beach, Monroe and Tecumseh. We've worked hard at building a reputation for fairness, sound business ethics and first-rate service for buyers and sellers. If you are thinking of buying or selling, give us a call. We have 175 agents waiting to serve you.