Prepare Your Brainerd Home for the Market

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When I go on listing presentations, most homeowners ask me, “What can we do to improve the sale of our home without breaking the bank?” Today, I’ll go over the best and cheapest ways to get your home ready for the market. 

First, replace your cabinet hardware.  Many homes have outdated brass hardware on cabinets. Replacing the hardware with silver or bronze will really upgrade the look and make the cabinets look brand new. 

You should also focus on lighting.  Even changing out the light bulbs can set the mood for a room, and light bulbs are inexpensive. Buyers tend to focus on light fixtures, so update that globe from the 1980s and watch your home transform. 

Paint earns the best return on investment. You might like your bright blue living room, but buyers won’t. Paint in neutral earth tones. When a buyer walks in, earth tones offer a warm welcome that draws the buyer in. 

Finally, pay attention to carpet. Remove the blue frieze carpet from the 1970s and put down a new earth tone frieze. Buyers do tend to prefer frieze carpeting over Berber, as frieze carpet is a little warmer. 

Buyers today are extremely visual, and they want turnkey homes. You can’t just give the buyer a carpet allowance anymore. Your home needs to be move-in ready. My team and I can tell you everything you need to know about staging your property in order to have a successful home sale. These are just a few things you can do now before you get on the market.

Where Are the Best Valentine’s Dinner Options in Brainerd?

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Today we are excited to discuss the best restaurants in Brainerd to take your significant other to. It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and if you’ve been debating about where to make reservations this year, we’ve got you covered. There are plenty of great restaurants in and around the Brainerd Lakes area, but these three are our favorites.

1.  Prairie Bay

This restaurant, located in Baxter, has a delicious and diverse menu. Everything from steak to seafood to fresh vegetables and delectable desserts. 

http://www.prairiebay.com/

2. Madden’s Restaurant

We love Madden’s so much that we had our Christmas party here just last month! They have great food, great service, and a great atmosphere. This is one of the best restaurants in the area.

http://www.maddens.com/dining.html

3. Bar Harbor

This has been a staple in the area for years, but has become even more impressive with a completely remodeled space. 
http://www.barharborsupperclub.com/

These are our top 3 picks. If you happen to make your way to any of these places, tell them Chad sent you, and have a wonderful evening out with a delicious meal. If you have any questions for us, don't hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you!

Mistakes to Avoid While Selling in Brainerd

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What happens when you don't sell your home? We often see sellers become too involved in the sale of their home.

One mistake we notice frequently is staying in the home during a showing. Not only does your presence make the buyer uncomfortable, it also makes the buyer's agent uncomfortable. We encourage our sellers to leave the home whenever there is a showing!

Additionally, prepare the home for the showing. Clean up. Turn on all the lights and leave the blinds open. Buyers decide within the first thirty seconds of walking inside a home if they're interested in your home -- or not. Simple things like having a bright, warm home makes your property more inviting than a cold, dark, dreary property.

If you're a seller, you need to leave the home during showings. Sellers hanging around the property turn off more buyers than anything else.

There is a lack of inventory in the Brainerd Lakes area now. Thus, if you're thinking of selling, let us know. We can help you sell quickly and for top dollar. Reach out to us with any real estate questions.