Setting the stage
There is a science to selling your home and in tight economic times, you want the exact elements to combine for successful selling opportunities. Dozens of online resources help guide you in staging your home to appeal to potential buyers. One of the more popular sites, Home and Garden Television (HGTV) offers these ideas:

1. What an entrance!
The outside of your home is the all-important first impression. And like it or not, it speaks volumes about what’s inside — and about its owner. Glossy paint in a bold, cheerful color for the front door, new hardware, a doormat and seasonal potted plants on the porch will dramatically brighten and refresh your home’s entry and make a welcoming statement.

2. Create spaces
Part of what stagers do is create fantasy spaces: an exercise room, a meditation space, an art studio or a family game room. If a room currently only gathers junk, repurpose it into something that will add to the value — and enjoyment — of the home. Adding an armchair, a small table, and a lamp in a stairwell nook will transform an area into a cozy reading spot.

3. Brilliant natural light
Take off old, heavy drapery and put up something light and airy. This allows natural light and makes a previously closed-in space seem larger. Simple sheers on a tension rod are great for screening an unattractive view and providing some privacy while letting in light and visually enlarging a room. If privacy is paramount, top-down, bottom-up shades will block the neighbors’ view of your bathtub but still let you gaze at the sky while you soak in the tub.

Pella Designer Series windows and doors feature top-down or bottom-up shade options tucked neatly between panes of glass, so there’s no clutter of traditional room-side blinds and no need for dusting. The beauty of this product is since the window treatments are included in the window, their purchase price can be built into the mortgage.

Brand name windows
In today’s competitive market, buyers look for brand names everywhere in a home. While a name brand range or a countertop are influencers in the kitchen, so are quality name brand windows and entry doors throughout the home. Many sellers list Pella windows and doors by name in ads, adding a mark of distinction about a home offered for sale. More than just a quality name, Pella offers quality products in its wood, vinyl and fiberglass composite window collections. Plus, Pella has long been a leader in creating energy-saving products. The company was recently named a 2007 ENERGY STAR partner of the year winner among window manufacturers.

With Pella, homeowners can expect excellent performance, energy efficiency and peace of mind, knowing their investment in quality windows and doors will bring years of performance and satisfaction.

Only Pella offers its Rolscreen insect screen for windows and patio doors, which rolls out of sight when not in use. Another eye-catching option is the virtually transparent Vivid View insect screen which allows in more natural light and ventilation offering great views from inside or out.

Women as influencers and buyers
Knowing your audience is especially important when selling your home. Women directly purchase or influence the purchase of 91 percent of all new homes, according to the Business Women’s Network.

In today’s market, single women homebuyers are an especially powerful consumer segment — 51 percent of American women live without a spouse according to the New York Times.

According to trend researcher Iconoculture, single women homeowners as a segment is “on the verge of a virtual marketplace takeover as women delay marriage until later in life and enjoy greater financial, intellectual and emotional independence than ever before.” According to the National Association of Realtors, single women purchased 1.76 million homes from July 2005 to July 2006 — 22 percent of the housing market and more than double the 9 percent of homes bought by their single male counterparts.

Make sure your home is designed to sell and direct your efforts to the highly influential female market as buyers, decision-makers and passionate decorators.

For more information on home improvement featuring windows and doors, contact a local Pella Window & Door Showroom expert by calling (888) 84-PELLA or logging on to www.pella.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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2. The Advantages Of Using Real Estate Companies To Sell Your Home
3. Real Estate — When It Doesn’t Sell Fast Enough

“Whatever you’ve heard to the contrary, soft markets are not dead markets. People are selling houses successfully every day — over 6 million resales this year alone, the third highest annual resale total in American real estate history,” says Kenneth R. Harney, a nationally syndicated real estate columnist. “To begin with, you’ve got to understand that while it may be a difficult time for sellers right now, it’s a great time for buyers. And many consumers happen to be both.”

Despite a current buyer’s market, a move may not be in your future. Certainly, you’re not alone. The remodeling market is booming as well as homeowners increasingly opt to upgrade their homes and remain in their familiar neighborhood. Remodeling spending surpassed $200 billion for the first time in 2005 and is expected to lead the residential construction industry in growth over the next decade, according to NAHB.

Whether you’re buying, selling or staying put, there are many factors to consider to help make sure your new or existing home performs at its best. Pella Windows and Doors offers these considerations when working with a window or door expert in making buying decisions for your new home, renovation project or as you get ready to sell your home:

Increased energy efficiency is key — Windows and doors should increase the comfort in a home. Energy-efficient quality double or triple-pane windows (wood, fiberglass or vinyl) and doors help keep the home warmer in the winter and cooler during the summer.

A sign to look for in quality windows and doors is ENERGY STAR, symbolizing the most energy-efficient products. Also be sure to read the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label for more details on product performance. Other key ingredients for energy-efficient windows are low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, inert gas fill, multiple layers of glass, air infiltration prevention and insist on proper installation.

Breathe easier while cutting utility bills — In warm weather, opening operating windows reduces dependency on air conditioning to help lower utility bills while filling the home with fresh air. Using windows for ventilation also helps prevent overheating caused by direct sunlight.

Increased home value potential — Adding quality windows and doors to a new home or replacement or remodeling project can positively affect your home’s value. Windows and doors are seen from both the interior and exterior of the home and positively impact the all-important curb appeal. Plus you may qualify for U.S. tax credits on next year’s tax return. Check with your local utility company, as many offer rebates for replacing old windows and doors with more energy-efficient options.

Proper installation — Pella offers a step-by-step installation process to help make the installation job easier and to provide years of enjoyment from quality windows and doors. These steps include:

* Inspecting new products and preparing them and the home for installation

* Protecting the work area by placing drop cloths on furniture and flooring

* Removing old windows and exterior doors

* Installing new windows and doors using Pella’s own proven Window and Door Installation Method designed to help seal out air and moisture

* Cleaning up the work area

* Performing a final walk-through and explaining how to operate the windows and doors

* Hauling away the old windows and doors

Read the fine print — Quality windows and doors will come factory-assembled for consistency with a quality warranty. Familiarize yourself with them and ask about financing options.

Now’s the time to bolster your bottom line — Take advantage of current market conditions to make your next move a profitable one. By choosing energy-efficient windows and doors you’ll be comfortable whether you buy, sell or add to your existing home.

For more information on home improvement featuring windows and doors, contact a local Pella Window and Door Showroom expert by calling (888) 84-PELLA or logging on to www.pella.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Related posts:

1. Staged to Sell In a Soft Real Estate Market
2. Selling Your Home in a Buyer’s Market
3. Curb Appeal Takes Starring Role in Competitive Market