If you鈥檙e considering putting your house on the market, it鈥檚 never too early to start figuring out what it will take to make your home irresistible to prospective buyers. Amping up curb appeal isn鈥檛 all about the outside, as making your home more marketable is an inside job, too.

Even if HGTV is your favorite channel, chances are you鈥檝e got at least a few home remodeling projects you鈥檝e been putting off. It鈥檚 ok. We know it鈥檚 a lot easier to watch than to actually do.

So where do you start? Should you finally update those dreadful kitchen cabinets? Redo the outdated master bath? Replace the carpet in the kids鈥� room, where the color can best be described as Rainbow Swirl?

When you鈥檝e got a longer list than budget, what are the must-do remodeling projects and what do you skip?

Rank curb appeal ideas based on ROI

If your main goal is selling a home, a good way to prioritize your curb appeal ideas is to figure out first where you鈥檒l get the most bang for your buck. On the other hand, if you might be staying in your home for a while, it鈥檚 a lot better to focus on remodeling what matters most to you and your family, while still factoring resale value into the equation. In other words, make the improvements you know you鈥檒l enjoy. Just be smart about it by not over-personalizing or going over the top.

To help with your decision-making, the  from Remodeling Magazine compares average costs for popular remodeling projects to the value they deliver at resale. But prepare yourself for a reality check. Not one project on their list of 22 popular remodeling projects delivers 100% payback. What project comes closest? Manufactured stone veneer added to a home鈥檚 facade, which returns 95.6% of its $9,357 average cost. Coming in second is a new garage door, at 94.5% of its $3,695 average cost. While it makes sense that the two projects would deliver strong returns because they enhance the immediate curb appeal, if these aren鈥檛 exactly the home remodeling ideas of your dreams, don鈥檛 worry about it. Cost vs. value is just one tool for assessing home remodeling projects.

When you鈥檙e planning to sell your home, getting the advice of an experienced realtor in your area is one the best ways to find out how to increase home value and marketability. They can use their knowledge of your local market to help you focus on which home improvements will do the most to increase your home鈥檚 curb appeal 鈥� upping the odds of getting solid offers soon after your listing hits the market 鈥� a key factor in getting the best price.

With that in mind, here are five popular home remodeling ideas that deliver plenty of value in terms of both your own enjoyment and resale.

1. Kitchen remodel

As the center of activity in most homes, an inviting and well-designed kitchen is highly valued by nearly all home buyers. It鈥檚 no surprise that kitchen remodels rank third in ROI in the cost versus value report. A kitchen makeover is also an ambitious task, with most homeowners spending from $12,633 to $35,120 on kitchen remodeling, according to .

On the bright side, there are lots of ways to update and refresh a kitchen without investing in a full renovation. New countertops, flooring, and appliances in addition to refacing cabinets, painting, and even recessed lighting can make a huge difference in updating a kitchen.

2. Landscaping refresh 

Talk about curb appeal. Crisply trimmed and colorful landscaping can make the difference between a home shopper stopping to take a look or driving on by. While it鈥檚 difficult to pin down the ROI on landscaping, the impact it makes on first impressions is undeniable. With the front yard being center stage, that should be your first priority. HGTV hosts and realtors alike advise starting with a good cleanup first. Is your yard littered with tools and random stuff? Spend some time . Then your yard should be ready for a mow and blow, trimming and edging, and the hardest job of all 鈥� weeding and thinning out overgrown areas. Once that鈥檚 done you can assess how much more your yard needs. If you pulled a lot of weeds, add mulch to those areas 鈥� starting with a layer of newspaper underneath 鈥� to keep those weeds from coming back.

Now for the fun stuff. Add instant color with potted and planted flowering annuals or easy-care plants with interesting and colorful foliage, like crotons and variegated shell ginger. If you鈥檙e going DIY, double-check what works best for your specific area and climate. The best way to do this is to get free expert gardening advice from your local county extension service. Even if you鈥檙e paying a landscaping pro, this is a good way to double check their plant and grass choices.

3. Interior painting

Giving rooms a fresh coat of paint in a light, neutral color is one of the easiest and most economical ways to prepare your home for prospective buyers. It鈥檚 also a manageable DIY project, since you can take it room by room as needed. If you haven鈥檛 done it before, start with one small room or an accent wall as a trial run. If you鈥檙e not happy with the results 鈥� or the experience 鈥� you can turn the other rooms over to a professional painter. Just be sure to get more than one estimate, as bids can differ by thousands of dollars even for a small home. Your realtor, friends, and neighbors should be able to refer you to trusted painters.

Before diving into a big painting project, try giving your walls a good cleaning first. When done correctly, it鈥檚 possible you can brighten and improve the appearance enough that you can avoid painting in some or even all rooms 鈥� saving yourself time and money. Make sure you match the cleaning method to the type of paint and start with a small test. Find some quick and easy advice for cleaning painted walls with this .

4. Flooring replacement

From the moment you step foot in a home or room, floors make a major impression. They also show most of the wear and tear. That鈥檚 why many realtors advise home sellers to replace any flooring that鈥檚 damaged or stained. Getting new flooring is a fairly quick and easy process compared to many other home projects. The hardest part may be deciding what material to use.

From the moment you step foot in a home or room, floors make a major impression. They also show most of the wear and tear. That鈥檚 why many realtors advise home sellers to replace any flooring that鈥檚 damaged or stained. Getting new flooring is a fairly quick and easy process compared to many other home projects. The hardest part may be deciding what material to use.

While home buyers today prefer wood and tile floors, the price points may not be the most practical for a home being prepared for resale. New laminates and luxury vinyl flooring can be an attractive yet cost-effective alternative. While carpet is considered the least desirable option, it鈥檚 also the most economical way to replace unsightly flooring, and may still be a good option, especially for bedrooms. 

5. Home staging

It鈥檚 showtime! Your home should be ready for its starring role as soon as it hits the market. Just as actors wouldn鈥檛 dream of walking on stage without costume and makeup to help create an illusion, your home needs the finishing touches that help prospective buyers imagine themselves living there. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 called staging. By helping your home be a hit, real estate pros say staging can increase the selling price by 6-20%.

You can go with a professional home staging service or keep costs down by DIY-ing your way with a stylish but  through a discount retailer and other .

For starters, make sure your home is clean and organized and has plenty of open space. Clear out clutter and extra stuff by  to house all non-essentials. If you use a  on your property, you can declutter and load over time. Then have your container taken to a storage center or your new place so it鈥檚 out of sight while your house is on the market. That way a lot of your stuff will already be loaded and ready for your move 鈥� no need to handle it twice.

Get an early start and prioritize your home projects based on resale value, budget, and local market factors, so you鈥檒l be ahead of the competition when peak selling season hits in spring and summer.

Did you know? PODS offers 皇冠体育app customers 10% off moving and storage. Find out how you can save by visiting or calling (866) 845-0900 and mention promo code: REALTY

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皇冠体育app International announced today that it has expanded its partnership with Zillow, Inc., the leading real estate and rental marketplace in the U.S., to include listings from their Canadian franchises. The Canadian listings from 皇冠体育app will drive unprecedented global exposure to Canadian homes for sale to the millions of home shoppers that visit Zillow every month.

鈥溁使谔逵齛pp has always valued providing an optimal real estate search experience on our proprietary sites, therefore partnering with Zillow, who shares the same consumer-centric perspective, was a natural fit,鈥� said David Tedesco, CEO of 皇冠体育app International. 鈥淥ur partnership with Zillow will change the way consumers search for properties in Canada, making it easier for Canadian consumers to search for homes in the U.S. and Canada, as well as U.S. buyers to search for properties in Canada.鈥�

Listings on Zillow庐 from 皇冠体育app International can include a description of the property, photos and the listing agent鈥檚 contact information so home buyers can easily find more information about the home or connect with a local real estate agent for next steps. Listings can also include the company logo, description and a short video. 聽聽

鈥淚n the U.S., our industry partners have seen Zillow become a key part of driving maximum exposure for their listings,鈥� said Errol Samuelson, Zillow Group Chief Industry Development Officer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to聽us that 皇冠体育app International will be able to extend this benefit to their Canadian teams.鈥�

# # #

About 皇冠体育app Intl. Svcs. LLC

Established in 1965, 皇冠体育app International is one of the largest and most established real estate franchise systems in the world, with over 8,000 agents and 500 offices globally. The company offers disruptive pricing models particularly attractive to top performing agents. Its unrivaled mobile technology, business tools, training and concierge service are coupled with protected territories and financing for qualified franchisees. The Scottsdale-based, privately held company has been ranked as a leader in the real estate industry by publications like Entrepreneur, Success and Inc. magazines. For additional company information visit www.RealtyExecutives.com.

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Twelve days before Thanksgiving, Mark Meaney and his wife, Sue, decided to put their 109-year-old house on the market. They looked at comps of similar-sized homes near their St. Paul neighborhood, agreed on a price with their agent and waited anxiously for their first offer to roll in.

Mark and Sue knew their timing wasn鈥檛 ideal. The holidays loomed, and the market was slowing; worse, St. Paul was entering its notorious subzero season.

The couple felt torn. After one year of searching for a new home, they had found the perfect place a few miles from where they lived. It was spacious enough to raise their three kids and had a first-floor bedroom and bathroom to accommodate Sue鈥檚 aging parents who could no longer live on their own.

As first-time sellers, Mark and Sue had lived in the house for 20 years; the couple took a leap of faith. They bought the new home, moved in Sue鈥檚 parents and dropped nearly $20,000 to spruce up their old house to help it sell quickly.

Several weeks later their vacant home remains for sale, its exterior weathering the forces of yet another Minnesota winter.

Selling a home: Truth in data

Skim any number of news articles on the U.S. housing market and chances are you鈥檒l run across the phrases 鈥渓ow inventory,鈥� 鈥渟ellers鈥� market鈥� and 鈥渟trong demand.鈥�

This rings especially true in larger metropolitan areas where stories of bidding wars abound, leaving the impression that sellers in these markets simply list their homes, sit back and thumb through stacks of 鈥淒ear Seller鈥� letters from desperate buyers submitting offers above the asking price.

For much of the U.S., however, the data reveals a starker reality.

According to new findings from Zillow Group 鈥� which compiled a deep dive on the seller experience using data from the 鈥� selling a home in the U.S. is not only fraught with anxiety, but often culminates in unmet expectations.

In fact, close to one third of sellers said they felt unsatisfied with the selling process. Of first-time sellers, nearly 30 percent were unprepared for how long it took to sell their homes and said they wished they would have started the process sooner, according to the analysis.

Furthermore, 76 percent of sellers across the U.S. ended up making at least one concession, with lowering the price the most-cited compromise. And 36 percent said they either struggled to sell their homes within their desired price range or time frame.

鈥淒espite low inventory in many parts of the country, sellers still encounter massive pain points when trying to sell their homes,鈥� said Jeremy Wacksman, chief marketing officer at Zillow Group. 鈥淭his data shows there is a huge opportunity to create a better end-to-end experience for sellers and help them turn over their homes faster.鈥�

More information, more stress

Much of the stress sellers feel stems from that nail-biting wait to get the right offer. Fueling this collective anxiety is, of course, more access to information.

While the internet has greatly democratized the buying and selling process, it has also created a state of seller vigilance. Sellers are more involved than ever in the sale of their homes 鈥� and more stressed out.

Take Mark, for instance. He鈥檚 constantly monitoring how many views his house gets on Zillow and how it ranks compared to other homes coming on the market.

He regularly gets text alerts when anyone wants a tour. He also reads 鈥渨ith too much interest,鈥� he says, the feedback that buyers leave on what they liked and didn鈥檛 like about the house.

Despite working with an agent, Mark is immersed 鈥� and stressed.

While Zillow鈥檚 findings show that 82 percent of sellers valued having an agent guide them through the process, America has entered a new era of how deeply involved homeowners are in selling their most expensive investment, Wacksman said.

鈥淪ellers today are all-in, monitoring every piece of data about their home. They are no longer content to sit back and wait,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n many cases, they cannot afford to.鈥�

In fact, timing is a big driver of anxiety, according to the data. More than one third of sellers had difficulty timing the sale of their home with buying a new home.

Even in a hot market, selling comes with risks. How long will it take? Is our house priced right? Are we paying too much for a new home?

And the most pressing worry: What if something goes wrong?

Hot market? Still stressful

Fall, 2017. Mention that period to Diana Leath and you will likely hear her exhale, then laugh. Diana remembers fall 2017 as a happy time. She also remembers it as a crazy, stressful time. Which makes sense when she explains.

In October, Diana gave birth to a baby girl, Noelle. She also had a two-year-old daughter to care for. Her husband, Adam, happened to be in the throes of building a new hotel for his family business. And that same month, after spending 200 days searching for a bigger home in Raleigh for their growing family, the couple finally stumbled upon The One.

Four bedrooms. Three baths. A yard. With a mixture of hope and anxiety, they submitted an offer. Soon after, their agent called. They had beat out the competition.

They had won The One.

Which was great. But it meant packing up. And selling their house. And doing all the things sellers do to ensure their house will sell quickly. They cleaned and painted and power washed and landscaped. They stewed over minor details 鈥� should they decorate the house for Christmas? Or would a big tree make the house look small? (They nixed the tree in favor of a wreath.)

They went back and forth on a list price with their agent, listened to her advice on comps, and put it on the market December 7. Then the family of four moved into a hotel and waited for their agent to call.

They didn鈥檛 wait long. Their 1,500 square foot ranch in Raleigh received two offers above the asking price one day after being on the market.

鈥楽weating it鈥� in a hot market

Herein lies the rub of living in a hot market. If you want to stay in that market, be prepared to downsize 鈥� or shell out a lot more cash.

In Diana鈥檚 case, she and her husband are paying 67 percent more than what they sold their house for in order to buy their new house. As a couple in their 30s still working toward their peak earning years, that increase hit the outer limits of how far they could stretch.

鈥淭rust me, we are sweating it right now,鈥� Diana says. But she remains hopeful that, once the new hotel opens and she goes back to work, the financial strain will ease.

Looking back, she says, she was grateful for her agent who handled various complications that arose and helped beautify their home before it went on the market.

But she has no intention of going through the turmoil of the selling and moving process anytime soon, she says.

鈥淲e鈥檙e probably going to be here forever.鈥�

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of 皇冠体育app International. This article was written by Sonia Krishnan and originally published on the Premier Agent Resource Center on February 16, 2018.听.听

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A well-staged home can make the difference between a quick sale or a long, drawn-out one. If you don鈥檛 declutter and present your property in its best possible light, a prospective buyer might not be able to picture the home as their own. Here are some hacks to get you on the right track:

First Impressions Are Everything

Sure, the inside of the house is extremely important, but don鈥檛 forget about curb appeal. How does the house look from the street? Easy ways to spruce up your property: mow the lawn, trim the hedges, add a new welcome mat, clean the front door, and wash the windows. Consider adding a tree or a tall plant. What about the backyard? Is it raked and neat? Free of branches? Take the time to take care of any needed yard work.

The Entryway

Once the outside of the house is covered, concentrate on what a potential buyer will see when they walk through the door. Remove family portraits and other personal touches. Get rid of knick-knacks and reduce the number of wall hangings. Replace bold furniture and accessories with more neutral ones.

Portable Storage Is Your Friend

If you have too much furniture and accessories and don鈥檛 want to get rid of anything, portable containers are a great solution, as they allow you the flexibility to load at your own pace and store for as long as you need while your home is on the market. Also, all the driving is included, so you don鈥檛 have to worry about renting a truck or dealing with the hassle of loading and unloading your belongings multiple times. Although on-site storage is an option, we recommend having your container picked up and stored in a storage facility to make your property appear more spacious.

As a bonus, you can have the portable container company move your container directly to your next home so you can store and move with one solution. Even if you鈥檙e moving long distance, the provider may be able to accommodate your move. For instance, PODS offers a large national network, so they can move you across the country if needed, and even to Hawaii and Canada.

Convert Extra Rooms into Meaningful Spaces

Make sure not to leave any unused rooms empty. Empty rooms looks smaller and can turn off potential buyers. If you don鈥檛 want to rent new furniture for these rooms, consider asking friends or family if they鈥檒l let you borrow some. One easy fix is to add a desk and a chair to an empty room so potential buyers will picture it as an office or a study.

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of 皇冠体育app International. 聽This guest post was written by. 笔翱顿厂庐 makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

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Packing can be the most time-consuming part of moving, but doing it right can mean the difference between a successful move or a disaster, especially if you鈥檙e moving belongings that are fragile or of sentimental value. Here are some pack hacks to ease the process.

Preparations Make Perfect

Before you start the packing process, throw away or donate items you don鈥檛 need. Decluttering will help you make sure you鈥檙e only taking the essentials, which can significantly cut down on packing time and help you save on costs. Toss or donate clothes you haven鈥檛 worn in a year or more. Take dimensions of your new house and get rid of excess furniture now. Think of your move as a fresh start and use it as an opportunity to part with items from the past that are no longer useful or meaningful to you at this juncture in your life. Enlist a friend to help you be thorough and honest during this process.

The Clothes Trick

Want to pack your clothes easily and cost-effectively? Instead of packing them one by one, group them together in bunches on hangers and cover them with garbage bags. Use a rubber band, elastic, or string to keep the hangers together. Now you can move them from your current home right into your new closet.

Shoes

The easy and obvious way to pack shoes is to throw them into a box and see what happens. When you do this, however, you leave your footwear vulnerable to mold, and they may come out shabbier than when they went in. Before packing them, wipe your shoes clean, wrap them individually in paper, and tie them together so they鈥檒l be paired up when it鈥檚 time to unpack.

The Right Box

Did you know there are different types of boxes for moving specific items? Some boxes are built stronger (such as those designed for dishes) for heavier items, and some are appliance-specific. Getting the right box for the right item can help prevent damage and loss. This is especially true when moving a flat-screen TV. Many moving companies and hardware stores have flat-screen boxes specifically made for moving a TV, if you haven鈥檛 saved your old one.

The Vertical Dish Trick

When packing dishes, instead of stacking them on top of each other, place them vertically side by side, after you wrap them in packing paper. This trick also works with books and picture frames, and it saves a lot of space. Remember to label your dish boxes 鈥渇ragile鈥� in large, red lettering.

Watch Your Weight

Place heavier objects into smaller boxes so they鈥檙e easier to lift, and make sure to reinforce them with extra tape. Lighter items, such as linens or children鈥檚 toys, can be packed in larger boxes.

Fill to Capacity

Use all the space available in each box so there aren鈥檛 any gaps or spaces. You can fill in empty spots with bubble wrap, towels, or paper as needed. This will reduce the likelihood of boxes crumpling or caving in.

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of 皇冠体育app International.听 This guest post was written by. 笔翱顿厂庐 makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

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Whatever your reason for downsizing, it鈥檚 a process that requires careful planning and savvy storage ideas. The key to your success 鈥� and also the hardest part of the process 鈥� can be figuring out what to do with all the stuff you no longer have space for. Here are a few helpful tips.

Get a reliable layout of your new home

The first step is knowing how much room you鈥檙e going to have by obtaining a layout of your new home, with accurate measurements. Use this to make a list of all the items you鈥檙e going to take with you and the ones you鈥檙e going to get rid of.

Take note of door sizes and potentially difficult corners that might make it challenging to move large pieces of furniture in and out. If a sofa is too big for a room, it might be better to simply sell or donate it, rather than deal with the hassle of wrangling it into a smaller space.

Donate, give away, or throw away 聽

Now that you have a sense of what you鈥檙e going to take with you, it鈥檚 time to figure out exactly what you鈥檙e going to do with all your excess stuff. Luckily, there are a lot of options. Check with local thrift stores to see if they鈥檒l be able to take and possibly pick up your items. Check out or the Salvation Army, which also has locations throughout the and . Sometimes, they have regulations about wear and tear so it鈥檚 a good idea to do your homework first.

On the , you can give your items away to people who are specifically looking for them. There鈥檚 also , if you鈥檙e feeling particularly entrepreneurial.

Hire someone

When you鈥檙e getting rid of belongings, it can be time consuming having to coordinate pickups and keep track of appointments and viewings. If you don鈥檛 have the time or the energy to sell or donate things on your own, you鈥檙e in luck. Services may be available in your area that will handle the heavy lifting for you. One of those is called , where you can get up to 80 percent of an item鈥檚 worth, depending on the selling price of the item.There鈥檚 also a site called , which will send you a box you can fill with various belongings for the company to sell for you.

If you鈥檙e looking to get rid of everything, another option is hiring a company to hold an estate sale. Real estate professionals can often help you locate an estate sale company in your area.

Stop storing other people鈥檚 stuff

How much of the stuff you own is actually yours? You might not realize it, but you could be stowing away Grandma鈥檚 old heirlooms in the attic crawlspace, or your adult child鈥檚 baseball trophies and hand turkeys. Call your friends and relatives and ask them to pick up their things or help themselves to the heirlooms you鈥檝e been storing. Politely let them know that you will be donating or getting rid of the items they fail to claim.

Rent a portable storage container

Even after tossing, donating, and selling items, you鈥檒l most likely have items that don鈥檛 fit in your new smaller space but are too important or valuable to get rid of. Portable storage containers, such as those offered by PODS, are ideal for belongings that fall in this category.

Whereas traditional self-storage units often require you to rent a truck and make multiple trips back and forth to the self-storage facility, portable storage containers are dropped off at your home and picked up at your convenience. Some portable storage companies even offer long-distance moving, so you can have your storage container transferred wherever you need it.

Store seasonal items elsewhere

Consider using your portable storage container for storing seasonal items, such as decorations, serving dishes, roasting pan, napkins, and other holiday accoutrements.

Do you have sporting equipment that you only use part of the year? Bicycles and skis are often used only seasonally. Similarly, you may only need your backup generator and emergency supplies during hurricane season, or your winter wardrobe, space heaters, and snow shovel during the colder months.

This guest post was written by. 笔翱顿厂庐 makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

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With all the hustle and bustle involved in the moving process, it can be easy to forget about the little details that make for a smooth move 鈥� like making sure your valuables are protected and you have enough moving boxes.

Here are a few packing tips to help you reduce your moving stress and make sure everything gets to your destination in one piece.

Declutter before you pack

What鈥檚 the use of moving old clothes you鈥檒l probably never wear, CDs, DVDs, or old electronics? These items are going to just get in the way. Before you start the packing process, separate old items into three categories: donations, items to sell, and a throw-away pile.

One way to help you decide what goes into which category is by using a few simple rules. Anything that鈥檚 damaged should be tossed. If you haven鈥檛 used something in six months or more, get rid of it as well. Same with clothes.

If you have an emotional connection to something, but it doesn鈥檛 have any practical purpose, consider getting rid of it. Be methodical and make your way through one room at a time.

Clear plastic makes for an easier move

When possible, it helps to use clear plastic storage bins when moving. They鈥檙e sturdy, and most importantly, see-through, so you won鈥檛 have to hunt around to find what you鈥檙e looking for. There are many brands that make see-through bins 鈥� try to get ones with strong latches.

Labels are your friends

Label your boxes in large, legible letters so you know exactly where each box belongs in your new place. According to Samantha Raynovich, National Sales Program Manager at PODS Moving & Storage, it鈥檚 not a bad idea to number your boxes and keep a notebook inventory of contents. That way, you can keep track of what鈥檚 packed.

Pack the right way

Place heavy items in smaller boxes for easier lifting, and put lightweight items in larger boxes. Reinforce the bottom of all boxes with tape and fill to capacity, using paper or bubble wrap to fill the empty spaces. The top and sides of boxes shouldn鈥檛 bulge or cave in when closed.

Moving accessories are key. Consider getting moving blankets, moving bands, and moisture absorbers. Your moving company may offer these for sale, or you can purchase them from your local home improvement store.

鈥淪mart packing is an important and often overlooked part of the moving process,鈥� says Raynovich. 鈥淐areful planning on the front end can save headaches in the long run.鈥�

This guest post was written by聽. 笔翱顿厂庐 makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

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What should you be looking for when you start your real estate search and are trying to decide on an agent to represent you as a buyer or seller? And how can you tell which real estate agent will do the best job? Here are the five things聽to look for when deciding:

1. Testimonials

What better way to learn more about a real estate agent than from people who have worked with the agent themselves? Real estate agents often rely on referrals, which means the best ones get the highest praise from other people. Check out the testimonial section of agent websites to read what previous clients have to say about the agent you鈥檙e researching. You can find reviews on , , , and .

2. Personal blog

An agent鈥檚 blog should provide important information that contributes to your knowledge of the real estate market and your target neighborhoods. Their posts should be a good indicator of how well they know the community and whether they鈥檙e involved in local happenings. If their blog is updated frequently with relevant content, you know the agent is on top of trends and should be better able to assist you

3. Inventory

Inventory, or the number of homes that an agent represents, is a good indicator of how busy an agent is. While a buyer鈥檚 agent may not have as many listings as a seller鈥檚 or listing agent, this should give you a good idea of how invested they are when it comes to their clients. In addition to current listings, taking a look at sold listings and the history of sold properties (i.e. number days on market, price reductions etc.) should give you a better idea of what and how much they can do for you, if you choose to hire them.

4. Map-based searches

Most agent websites have maps integrated into their listing page, so you can search for homes based on a geographic location. As you browse real estate inventory online, you鈥檒l notice that some agents have invested in more complex mapping technology that allows you to do everything from exploring a neighborhood to creating customized and automated searches. The agents who offer smart tools are the ones to watch.

5. Chat service

Having customer service representatives who are ready to help with questions, requests for information or even to help you schedule appointments is an added bonus. Being able to use a chat service also makes it a lot easier when you鈥檙e pressed for time and need an immediate response.

This guest post was written by Alyssa Williamson, a Team Leader at . Headquartered in Toronto and Founded in 2013, ReadyChat serves hundreds of real estate agents and brokerages with their intuitive live chat software comprised of best in class technology and 24/7 live chat-support agents. 聽

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Moving from one house to another is exciting and stressful at the same time. But and having some sound advice can make the process a whole lot easier.

Here are some helpful tips that you can take advantage of:

1. Pack basic essentials

You鈥檒l probably be too exhausted after your move to sift through your moving boxes to locate must-have items like a change of clothes and toiletries, so plan ahead and pack them in a carry-on-sized bag to keep with you.

2. Use clear plastic bins for priority items

Pack things like a box cutter, paper towels, power strips, trash bags, phone chargers and toilet paper in a clear bin so you can see the contents and easily find what you need quickly.

3. Consider hiring packers and loaders

They have professional experience moving heavy items safely and securely. You wouldn鈥檛 want to risk the possibility of injuring yourself during the move.

4. Organizing your boxes by numbers

You can use a numbering system to get very specific and even more organized with your boxes. For example, boxes labeled one to five could be living room items, and boxes labeled six to 10 could be for the bedroom.

5. Label box sides with room destination

This helps you and your movers know where every box belongs in your new home. Unpacking by room makes the process feel more manageable. Assigning a different color duct tape for each room is a great time saver to quickly identify where each box should go.

6. Use the right-sized boxes

Put heavy items, such as books, in small boxes. For lightweight items, including pillows and linens, use larger boxes. Fluffy items, such as comforters and pillows, also make great packing material in boxes with breakables and electronics.

7. Reduce the amount of boxes used

Make use of all of your laundry bins, baskets, suitcases and hampers by packing them with your odds and ends. Wheeled suitcases are especially ideal for heavy things, such as books.

And if the pressure starts to get to you, just picture yourself settled in your new home and realize this will all soon be behind you.

This guest post was written by . 笔翱顿厂庐 makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

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A lot of people get excited at the idea of a home renovation. They have grand ideas of how they want their home to look. But one thing to keep in mind is how those ideas will affect your home鈥檚 value once it comes time to sell after a tenure of nine years, according to the .

It’s important that you do some research before committing to any home renovation project. A good place to start is with a . The report is based on information gathered from real estate agents and聽, an online remodelers estimator tool. It will will help you outline the average cost, resale value, and cost recouped for a number of home renovation projects, providing both national and regional estimates. City estimates are also available, but you have to register to access these reports.

To help you determine what renovation projects could add value to your home, here are six聽renovations that are worth considering:

1. Bathroom

When renovating a bathroom there is no need to go overboard with a complete overhaul. In fact, according to Remodeling鈥檚 simple low-cost renovations on average yield a 10% higher return on investment compared to upscale renovations. Instead, consider adding new light fixtures and some paint to revitalise your bathroom.

2. Kitchen

According to the聽, 53% of real estate professionals believe that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms to prepare before putting your聽home on the market, so this isn鈥檛 a room that you want to ignore. However, the national average for a minor kitchen renovation is likely to set you back $20,122 with a resale value of $16,716. Since you鈥檙e only likely to recoup 80% of the cost, be sure to consider minor repairs and a gentle spruce up before undertaking any major kitchen renovations.

3. Income Suite

One of the most direct ways of adding value to a home is to have an income suite. Whether you have a beautifully finished basement or an attic/apartment living space, having the option for a tenant (or even just a guest room), will no doubt boost your value.

4. Make A Good First Impression

First impressions count and they also generate a higher return on investment. Entry and garage door improvements feature near the top of the Cost vs. Value rankings, so if your entrance way 聽looks a little dated this may be a good place to start.

5. Energy Efficient Windows

The real estate world continues to go green, so the more energy efficient your home is, the better.听 claims that adding Energy Star-rated windows can save you up to $500 a year. If your windows look like they鈥檙e from the 1970s, it could turn off potential buyers.

6. Energy Efficient Insulation

Attic insulation has the highest return on investment of any project listed on the 2016 Cost vs. Value Report, with a 116.9% return on investment. If your attic lacks proper insulation, the average cost of installation is estimated at $1,268 with a resale value of $1,482.

Do some research before making any major renovations and you鈥檒l be more likely to make decisions that will pay off when it comes time to sell.

This guest post was written by Sara Luckman of . The team at CityBlast helps over 10,000 agents and brokers with their social media marketing, keeping their Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn up-to-date and professional.

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