Here are five fairly simple projects you can do to add value to your home. Most of these projects can be done in a weekend. Paint: Nothing cleans up a home faster than a fresh coat of paint. Even homes that have been meticulously maintained need a fresh coat of paint prior to selling. Opt for a light, neutral paint color to appeal to the most amount of buyers. Update Lighting: Light fixtures are like jewelry for your home. They can be the statement piece that wows potential buyers or they can quickly date your home. Replace the Carpet: If you have carpet now is the time to consider replacing i ..read more

Nothing says fall and cozy season at our house like Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. It’s a family favorite and relatively easy to make. I found it years ago via Divas Can Cook, whose tag line is Southern Recipes that Anyone Can Make. Which is exactly what encouraged me to give it a try! I’m going to share the recipe here because we have made a few adjustments over the years for our particular taste but I also linked you to the original recipe above. Who knows maybe while you’re there you’ll find another new and easy recipe to try. Ingredients: 2-3 carrots, diced 1 white onion, diced 1 stalk of ce ..read more

Fall has finally arrived and it’s time to get your home ready for cozy season. At our house that means layers, lots and lots of layers and candles, so many candles. Because for me this season is more about the mood than the decor. To set the mood these are the key pieces I will be adding to our home. Throw blankets, the softer and fuzzier the better. I like to put them at the end of the couch or over the arm of a chair so they are readily accessible. Candles, bonus points for earthy and grounding fall scents. My current obsession is the Teakwood and Tobacco candle by P.F. Candle Co. You can f ..read more

We’ve been hearing a lot about the Appraisal Gap lately and how buyers have been using it to win in multiple offer situations but what is it and what does it mean? The appraisal gap comes into play when the home appraises at a lower value than your offer price. When this happens in a normal situation you have options. You can pay the difference in cash between the appraised value and your offer or you can try to renegotiate a lower price with the seller. The first option assumes you have the cash to make this work and keep it together. The second option requires a seller who is willing to nego ..read more

It’s that time of the year once again, fall has arrived and we have your fall home maintenance to do list! Doing these tasks will save you time and money over the long run. Regular maintenance protects your investment. Clear gutters of leaves, sticks and other debris. We have leaf guards on most of our gutters, which I highly recommend, they are worth the investment but if you don’t it’s time to get the ladder out and clean out your gutters you’ll be surprised how much debris you’ll find. Drain garden hoses and put them away. Faucets and pipes can freeze and burst in our frigid temps which is ..read more

In a sellers market is it really necessary to prep your home for sale? The answer is yes. With house prices climbing higher and higher, buyers are bringing every dollar they can to secure the deal. Which is why buyers prefer and battle over well maintained, really clean homes with neutral yet trendy paint colors and beautiful decor… they can move right in! Here are 10 things you can do to maximize interest, showings and offers on your property for todays buyers. Deep clean – This is one of the easiest things you can do. Deep clean every thing. And I mean everything. Clean your furniture, wash ..read more

Picking the right paint color is crucial when selling your home. You want to appeal to the most amount of home buyers without being boring or forgettable. Because being forgettable is almost as bad as being the house with the boldly painted living room. So which colors are going to sell your home? Our favorites are below. Our favorite neutral paint colors for selling your home: Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams: This one consistently rates high on the list for most agents and stagers. It’s a true gray, a bit on the cool side but light enough to match any interior. Classic Gray by Benjam ..read more

The historic IMS (International Market Square) Lofts are some of the best, most authentic lofts available in Minneapolis. Thoughtfully designed they feature exposed brick, large industrial windows, high ceilings, wood floors and an open floor plan. Depending on which way your unit faces they also offer unbeatable views of the Minneapolis skyline and the Minnesota Twins Stadium. With an added bonus of a private fireworks display when the Minnesota Twins are in season. The Minneapolis Farmer’s Market and The Walker Art Center are just a few steps away as is the Minnesota Twins Baseball Stadium ..read more

Buying, selling or staying everyone loves an organized home. Here are 5 simple things you can do this weekend to be more organized at home. Clear the everyday clutter off of your surfaces for good. We all have stuff that ends up on our counters and tables that really isn’t needed. Try to remove those things and leave out only what truly adds beauty or function. (Think small appliances in your kitchen, books or Kleenex’ on your bedside tables.) Put away the winter gear and make room for summer. Removing seasonal items we don’t need from mudrooms and closets will instantly make those rooms feel ..read more

Spring is in the air! Which means it’s time to clean and spruce up our homes. For many of us our homes are one of our largest investments so taking care of it should be a top priority. A well maintained home will sell quick in any market. Maintaining your home is critical to to keep and even increase its value. Follow the checklist below to get your home ready for spring in no time! Exterior Clean up the yard. Pick up wrappers, sweep the sidewalks, take down the holiday lights and remove all those dead winter greens. Replace your welcome mat. Clean the siding if possible and check for damage ..read more