Articles Tagged "Home improvement"

If you're planning a garden, choosing the ideal location is key to its success. The right combination of elements, such as proper soil conditions, sunlight, drainage, and more, will increase your chances of an excellent harvest.
  
Our real estate agents suggest the following tips for picking a spot for your garden:

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When you want a fast, affordable way to upgrade your home, our real estate agents know that painting is an excellent option to give your home a quick makeover. Fortunately, your walls aren't the only thing you can paint in your home to help it look its best. Here are a few other simple ways to use paint to enhance your home. 

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Interior design trends are a double-edged sword: what looks great today may look hopelessly dated tomorrow. That's why so many people are now interested in timeless home decor. Here are a few of the techniques we've picked up over the years while staging our Augusta homes for sale. 

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When looking at Augusta homes for sale, you're not just thinking about yourself and your family but also your pets. It's important to find a place that's comfortable for them and has the space they need. Decorate your new home in a way that is cohesive for your whole family, pets included. Here are a few tips for pet-friendly decor.

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With a new year comes a new set of interior design trends. Eager to get your home looking editorial-ready? Here are a few of the biggest trends that our real estate agents expect to see homeowners favoring during 2023.

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While the chilly temperatures mean you'll have to forgo outdoor gardening for a few months, our real estate agents know that winter is an excellent time to start an indoor garden. An indoor garden can provide access to fresh produce and enhance your home's air quality. Here are a few plants to try growing indoors this winter. 

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The laundry room is an often-overlooked space inside your home. You deserve to have a laundry room that is functional, organized, and enjoyable to spend time in. If the laundry room in your home is more like a messy closet than a clean oasis, then consider these laundry room makeover tips from our real estate agents.

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With the fall season here, it's a terrific time to give your home a seasonal makeover. Our real estate agents suggest following these tips to update your home for the autumn months. 

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One of the top ways to quickly transform your home and increase its sales value is to upgrade the flooring. Nothing detracts from a home as quickly as old carpet or dated flooring. Here are a few recommendations from our real estate agents for updating your flooring.

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Summer is yard sale season! Having a yard sale gives you an opportunity to declutter while bringing in a little extra money. If you're planning on having a yard sale this year, here are a few tips from our real estate agents for making sure it runs smoothly.

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When faced with an empty room, arranging furniture can feel like a daunting hit-or-miss task. Over the years, our real estate agents have picked up some practical tips and easy-to-apply principles from interior designers that take the guesswork out of arranging any room in the house.

Whether you're planning a move to Augusta homes for sale or just revitalizing a dull room, taking a practical approach to furniture arranging is important. Here are some tips from the design pros that will ensure a comfortable, inviting room with maximum design appeal.

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Moving is more than just a logistical challenge: it can also set the stage for an unforgettable social event. Many of the people who have recently purchased a property from our Augusta homes for sale have gone on to host housewarming parties for their friends, family, and new neighbors.

These occasions are great for breaking the ice and helping you get settled into your new community. If you're interested in hosting one yourself, our list of tips will help you prepare. 

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For most homeowners, the term "farmhouse decor" conjures up images of an interior with rustic features that reflect a casual, rural lifestyle on a farm. However, in today's homes, our real estate agents are seeing a much more modern version of the farmhouse style that combines rustic appeal with sleek, modern design elements.

In many Augusta homes for sale, the appeal of cozy farmhouse living is combined with contemporary architectural features that bring old and new together. Take a look at some great farmhouse touches that can quickly give your home an updated, eclectic style.

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Did you know that there are thousands of different species of butterflies? Species commonly seen in Maine include the Red Admiral, Monarch, Mourning Cloak, and White Admiral.

If you'd like to see more of these lovely creatures, consider creating a butterfly garden in your own backyard. Our real estate agents have seen a few of these gardens, and they can be truly magnificent. Here are the basic steps to follow to create your own on your property.

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A single shade tree in your yard provides extra comfort during the summer heat while also reducing your energy consumption and carbon footprint.

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When it comes to living spaces, our needs change throughout different stages of life. Large homes can become a lot to manage, especially when entering retirement. However, the decision to downsize can be a difficult one. Many people struggle with the idea of giving-up space or parting with a family home. 

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Color scheme trends are always changing. If you plan on buying a new home or redecorating this year, then it is important to keep current color trends in mind. The good news is that color trends for 2022 are about as exciting as they come. This year, it will be all about bright, energetic shades. As you look at Augusta homes for sale, here are some more specific color trends to keep in mind.

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If it feels like your chore list is neverending or that there are some cleaning tasks that you never get to, it's time to rethink how you clean your home. 

Our real estate agents suggest creating a cleaning schedule for your home. A cleaning schedule basically states when you'll complete certain tasks (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). 

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Freezing temperatures, frost, snow, and ice can impact the structure of your driveway. So, when the first snowfall arrives, there are several things you can do to preserve the integrity of your driveway. Keep your driveway in good shape especially in the winter, by following these tips. 

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Living a sustainable life starts in your home. November 15 is National Recycling Day – a day to celebrate the importance of preserving our precious resources and putting the planet first. Make a commitment to reduce, reuse, and recycle more this year. Then, take the right steps to build a green, energy-efficient home. Here are simple ways to make your home more sustainable.

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Your home is a place that should make you feel comfortable and happy, so we always recommend adding a touch of your personality to your decor. Personalizing a space is truly the best way to create an atmosphere that brings you joy. If you're in the market for one of these Augusta homes for sale, it's not too early to start thinking about how you can add a personal touch to the interior of your new home. 

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Soon summer will be over and it'll be time to think about getting your Augusta property ready for the fall months. Among the tasks you'll be facing is bringing your container plants indoors. There are some easy things you can do to make the transition successful. Not only will this help ensure the well-being of your plants, but you'll be able to show off your thriving plants when you list your home among Augusta homes for sale.

Fall's Coming: Time to Move Your Plants Inside

Maybe you've always just lugged your container plants inside and stuck them in the sunniest location you have with drip saucers and hoped for the best throughout the long winter months. The fact is, you can do a lot more to ensure the plants survive -- and maybe even thrive -- in less than optimum conditions indoors. Here are the steps to take.

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If you're ready to sell your home, it's important to ensure that your house is in the best possible condition. Our real estate agents know that a property that appears well-maintained typically commands a higher asking price.

When you have a whole list of home improvement projects, it's hard to know where to start. Here are some guidelines to help you prioritize your home improvement projects.

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Natural light in your home is beneficial to your health, mood, and energy level. While dark, gloomy spaces can make you feel depressed and lethargic, spaces filled with sunshine will quickly brighten your day. Augusta buyers who work with our real estate agents want homes with lots of natural light and impressive outdoor views.

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As you discuss with our real estate agents the best home improvements to undertake before adding your house to Augusta homes for sale, one likely topic will be curb appeal. After all, the house's exterior is the first thing everyone sees when driving by or even looking at a photograph online. The driveway is a significant part of this image. At the least, you'll want it to be clean and in good repair. Starting with that baseline, let's consider some additional options.

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Our real estate agents know that when a homebuyer arrives to see a home, the property has a limited amount of time to create a positive first impression. Don't let dirty, clogged gutters keep your home from making a stellar first impression.

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Along with historic museums and festive city events, Augusta is full of nature trails, beautiful gardens, and scenic landscapes. At Sprague & Curtis, our real estate agents work with many buyers who are drawn to Augusta for its natural beauty and charm.

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Houseplants offer so many benefits! Bringing a bit of nature into our home environments can help us feel calmer, more rested, and more at peace. Houseplants can also be used to accentuate or bring attention to the finer points of your decor. 

But which houseplants will work best? There are a good many to choose from, and some are more demanding when it comes to growing conditions.

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If you've been looking at Augusta homes for sale and planning on decorating them your way, you might be seeing the walls as that perfect canvas for the accent wall you've always wanted. But if you're getting ready to sell, our real estate agents will caution you to make sure you're staging your home correctly.

An accent wall makes a beautiful addition to any home. Here are a few tips to help guide you, whether you are buying or selling.

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If you've spent a lot of time exploring Augusta homes for sale and finally found your dream home, you're likely to find that you need to breathe new life into your garden and landscaping. Starting a compost pile is a great way to repurpose kitchen scraps and other organic materials into a product that contains a full spectrum of essential plant nutrients. 

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If the kitchen is the heart of the home, it needs to be clean and organized for the entire home to function well. 

Considering that all family members utilize the kitchen throughout the day, it's easy to understand how it can accumulate a lot of clutter. Taking the time to declutter will make it easy to maintain a clean, organized kitchen. Whether you're a talented home chef or mostly use your kitchen for heating up leftovers, follow these tips for an organized kitchen. 

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If you're like most book lovers, you might find it hard to part with your favorite reads. This is one reason why many of us book lovers eventually turn into book hoarders. Keeping a collection of your favorite books isn't necessarily a bad thing, but books do take up a lot of space in your home. If your books are collecting dust in the corner or filling up space in your closet, you might want to consider transforming your collection into a stylish display.

Our real estate agents are big readers, and they compiled a list of their favorite, most creative ways to show off their book collections.

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Our real estate agents prefer growing their own plants from seed. It gives gardeners more flexibility and control over the way the young plant is raised. Also, you have a much wider choice of varieties and can work within the planting dates that suit your area. Here's a step by step guide to help you grow your plants from seed with ease.

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If it's time to replace the flooring in your home, two of the top options are carpet and hardwood floors. While both options can look lovely in your home, the best selection will depend on your specific circumstances. Our real estate agents know that buyer preferences will vary. Here are some things to keep in mind as you make your decision. 

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Riding the waves of the real estate market can sometimes feel like trying to predict the future. Our real estate agents get it right often, but there's always an element of surprise. Interior design trends are closely linked to real estate trends, and as we look forward to a new year, we're keeping an eye on both.

These are the paint colors we expect to play a big role in 2021. Whether you're making some improvements before listing your Augusta home for sale, or you simply want to revive your living space, be sure to consider these unique shades!

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As winter approaches, every homeowners' goal is to keep their home comfy and cozy warm while not spending too much money to do so. The good news is that by taking a few easy steps, you can ensure your home stays warmer while still reducing your energy bill.
  
Our real estate agents recommend the following tips for cooling down your heating bill this winter:

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Whether you've just purchased your home or you're readying your property to list on the market, it's highly likely that there are a few home upgrades you'll want to tackle. There are plenty of amazing renovations you could complete, but many of them include amazingly high remodeling costs. Here are five home upgrades that our real estate agents believe you can easily complete, no matter your budget.

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As a homeowner, you'll find yourself working on numerous DIY projects over the years. These can range from taking care of simple repairs to making important improvements to your home and yard, and you'll need to have some basic tools to help you tackle these projects. 

Our real estate agents suggest investing in the following tools before you start on a DIY project:

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Hanging wall art can seem daunting. Fortunately, you just need to ace the basics and you'll be hanging art like a gallery pro. 

Are you aiming to create a salon effect with your artwork, as you list your home among Augusta homes for sale? Or maybe you've just moved into a new home, and you're looking for a way to display paintings, family portraits, or found art in frames. Whatever your motivation, you'll be happier with the results if you follow these steps.

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With a global pandemic keeping most Americans at home this year, kitchen remodeling has become a major focus for homeowners with new design trends emerging in 2020. For those sheltering in place, there couldn't be a better time to start a DIY home improvement project or revamp your living space.

Remodeling your kitchen is a great way to not only make your home more comfortable but increase its overall value as well. You'll notice many of this year's design trends reflected in these Augusta homes for sale. If you are looking to remodel your kitchen before putting your home on the market, consider these 5 trends that continued to gain popularity this year:

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Research indicates that clutter is detrimental for both your physical and mental health; not only does excess clutter allow for the build-up of dust and mold spores, but it can drain your emotional energy and contribute to feelings of depression. Clutter also impacts the appearance of your house, making it look less attractive than other Augusta homes for sale. Follow these simple tricks provided by our REALTORS® to help you tame the clutter in your home. 

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Spring may be the season most associated with gardening, but July is not too late to get started in the garden. You can plant seeds for fall harvests or install plants that love the long, warm days of summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines the Augusta area as Hardiness Zone 5A, meaning any plans you have for tropical plants should involve at least some time indoors. But for gardeners who enjoy growing vegetables, this is your garden's chance to show what it's capable of. If you're new to growing food crops, consider what you'll need for late-season success.

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Summertime has arrived which means warm air and loads of sunshine. Unfortunately, the nice weather also brings out a host of bugs. As these creepy, crawly insects roam about, they'll likely find their way into your yard and home. While artificial cleaning solutions can do the trick, many homeowners prefer not to use harsh chemicals around their property, especially if there are pets and young children in the home. Our real estate agents understand the need to eliminate summer bugs through the safest means possible. Here are a few natural remedies that may rid your home of bugs throughout the summer.

10 Common Insects Found in the Home

Although you may not see them, hundreds of small insects may be in and around your property. Some of the most common insects homeowners spot are:

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In the coronavirus era, life as we know it has changed dramatically, affecting every aspect of our life. It has also shed light on our lifestyle at home, and home features that would make life a little easier. To help make your home stand out among other Augusta homes for sale, here are the features buyers are looking for this summer.

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You might think that because you use detergent with every load of laundry in your washing machine, it stays clean. That's not the case, though.

Soap residue, minerals, and laundry soils can build up, and your washer can develop a musty smell or even start to grow mold and mildew. That's why you should add cleaning your washing machine to your spring cleaning routine and make it a habit throughout the year. It doesn't take many supplies or much effort to get the results you need, so it's a great task to put at the top of your spring cleaning checklist.

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Those home improvement shows do seem to work miracles, but they come with an equally dramatic price tag. But don't worry, you can make your home look like the "after" shot of a home improvement show with just some time and elbow grease. Yours may not be the priciest of the Augusta homes for sale, but you can make it look more elegant with these tips. 

1. Make Sure to Declutter
   De-cluttering is one of the most affordable and fastest ways to a better-looking home. Some clutter needs to be disposed of, but other things just need proper storage. Installing shelving is an affordable DIY project, but if you're not as handy as you'd like to be, storage ottomans or steamer trunks look chic and can store extra pillows or books. Consider donating household items or clothing in good condition to a local thrift store. You'll remove clutter while helping someone find the piece that makes their house more of a home. 

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While waterfront properties offer gorgeous views and opportunities for aquatic recreation, they also have unique maintenance needs. It's imperative to keep up with these maintenance tasks so that your home remains in good condition for years to come. Make sure these items are on your checklist when working on your waterfront home. 

1. Keep Your Retainer Wall in Good Condition
   You want the water around your home to be clean and free of pollution. A retainer wall is a valuable component for keeping pollutants out of the water near your home. Retainer walls prevent the soil on your property from eroding and adding any contaminants in the soil to the water. Periodically inspect your retainer wall to identify any uneven areas or areas where the material is degrading. 

2. Winterize Your Home
   If you don't use your home during the winter months, you'll need to winterize your home to make sure it's ready for winter weather. You'll want to take steps to prevent water from freezing in your pipes, and many homeowners also board up their windows. Boarding up the windows prevents intruders from peeking into your home, and it provides protection for the windows against falling limbs or windblown debris. 

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Who said home improvement projects had to take a long time? 

If you're thinking of putting your home on the market, you want it to stand out from other Augusta homes for sale. Making home improvements -- both large and small -- can help. 

Here are some home improvement projects that can be completed in one weekend. 

1. Spray Paint your Hardware 
   If you want to be up to date, spraypaint your doorknobs, hinges, drawer pulls, and any other hardware to darker shades, such as bronze, nickel, or even black. Remove hardware, clean it, and degrease it; prime the surface with an oil-based primer; then spray on the paint. Seal the hardware with lacquer or clear sealer.

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Spring arrives March 19 bringing with it more sunshine and warmer temperatures. Now is the perfect time to make your plans about how to turn your yard into a beautiful outdoor paradise!  

Make your landscaping stand out before you list your home! Our real estate agents compiled these landscaping tips and trends to help spruce up your Augusta homes for sale. 

1. Plants and Gardening
   Trees, plants, and shrubs are essential in landscaping. However, the trend is leaning towards minimizing time spent gardening and maximizing living. One of the best spring landscaping ideas for your yard is planting a tree. Consider trees with low maintenance needs and don't take a lot of space and effort. The trick is to choose a tree that adds color, shape, and texture to your outdoor space.

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Have the fall and winter months left your landscaping in need of a spring refresh?

If you're buying or selling a home in the coming months, landscaping is more important than ever. Our real estate agents always recommend sprucing up your curb appeal before listing. Since many sellers list in early spring, fixing up your landscaping right away will help ensure that your home stands out from the crowd. 

Whether you need a few new plants, some fertilizer, and mulch, or gardening tools to help you get the job done, a quick visit to one of the area's greenhouses will help you get started. 

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Many of our clients looking at Augusta homes for sale are in the process of selling their own home. The sooner you start readying your home for sale, the better – and one of the biggest reasons why is because of the potential to raise your selling price.

Our real estate agents always stay savvy to the latest real estate trends, including the best way to renovate a home for sale. With a few targeted upgrades, you could more than make up your investment. 

Let's look at some of the best ways to enhance the value of your home for sale:

1. Minor Bathroom Remodel
   Trends come and go, but a small-scale bathroom remodel consistently provides the best possible returns of all home updates. To make it work, replace the tub and its surrounding tiles, the floor, toilet, sink, vanity, and the fixtures. If that's outside your budget, consider a new toilet, new fixtures, and a modern vanity as a compact alternative that still delivers a profit.
2. Landscaping
   Double down on your landscaping, and you'll enjoy a double whammy: You'll boost your sale price and your curb appeal at the same time. That can help you attract motivated buyers even faster. Emphasize a clean, fresh-cut lawn, but add symmetry and focal points, too: Some matching shrubs and a new walkway add charm without too much work for buyers.

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To move or to improve—that is the question. Don't worry—plenty of homeowners are faced with the same dilemma when considering purchasing new Augusta homes for sale.

Our real estate agents believe that if buying your first home is the biggest real estate decision of your life, then deciding whether to remodel or sell your home is the second-biggest real estate decision you'll make. If you're like many homeowners, you've been struggling to make a choice. On the one hand, a new home is an exciting thought. A new space in a new area—now may be the perfect time to move. On the other hand, although you're no longer in love with your home, you still have a coveted attachment to it. Why not give it a second life by remodeling a few rooms, upgrading some appliances or even adding an extension on for more space?

If you're wondering whether it's time to move or improve, consider these questions:

• Why do you want to move?
  This question is the most important: Why are you considering changing homes? Perhaps you've become disinterested in your neighborhood, maybe you don't want to contend with the seasonal weather changes. You could simply be unhappy with work or school and believe that moving with help resolve these feelings. Whatever the reason might be, it's important that you identify it and discuss it openly with your household.

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Home buyers know which features they want to see in Augusta homes for sale—do you? As a seller, you want to position your home for success, but this means more than just updating the kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. Even though interior features like smart appliances and gorgeous countertops do entice buyers to purchase your home, you can't forget that buyers also desire fantastic exterior features. Our real estate agents want to help you get the most of your home, that's why we've identified the top five exterior features buyers desire in their new Augusta homes.

1. Energy Efficient Windows
   Summers in Augusta can reach temperatures in the 80s, while winter can drop those numbers into the teens. Attractive-looking windows can increase curb appeal, but if they aren't energy efficient, they aren't a buyer's first choice. Energy efficient windows regulate the heat that enters and exits the home. Old windows that aren't energy efficient or are in poor condition are one of the most common issues found during a home inspection. These features are expensive to replace, which means that buyers are willing to pay more for a home with new energy efficient windows to save themselves the hassle.

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Are you looking for cost-effective ways to boost the value of your Augusta home for sale? According to USA TODAY, painting a home's interior produces an average 109 percent return on investment (ROI), and landscaping service LawnStarter cites an average 90 percent ROI on exterior paint jobs.

While painting is a relatively easy upgrade, whether you hire a professional or go the DIY route, you still need a strategy to optimize results. Here are some expert painting tips to make a visual statement buyers won't be able to resist.

• Stick with the Basics
  You might think that chevron-filled accent wall is the height of style, but not every buyer is going to share your opinion. In addition, many people want to purchase a home that's move-in ready, not one that needs changes right off the bat. Light neutral shades such as ivory, tan and "greige," a hybrid of gray and beige, have timeless appeal.

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The arrival of spring brings the first robin, the first tulip and the first wave of viewers touring Augusta homes for sale. Stand in front of your home and take a good look. Does it look enticing enough to draw potential buyers inside?

Boost your home's value and curb appeal by completing this checklist of spring maintenance tasks.

1. Inspect the Roof
   As your home's first line of defense against weather, the roof takes quite a beating during winter months. If you'd rather not climb a ladder, use a pair of binoculars to scan the roof for damaged or missing shingles, as well as signs of leaks.
   
   

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You've probably already done a lot to get your home ready to sell. There's deep cleaning, decluttering, and working on the curb appeal. But if you want to get your home sold as quickly as possible and for the best price, staging is a must. Our real estate agents can tell you, it really does make a difference!

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, staged homes can go for up to 10% more than comparable properties that aren't staged. Even if you're not an interior designer, don't worry. You can always hire a professional or try some of these easy DIY staging tips that can make a big difference.

• Don't be afraid to rearrange or repurpose. Once you've decluttered, you'll want to get rid of some furniture. Put it in storage, sell it, or get rid of it; just get it out of the house. Alternately, you may want to rent furniture instead of using your own. Rooms look bigger if they aren't overcrowded, and the size of the furniture makes a difference, too. Furniture should be a few inches off the wall and grouped. Living rooms and dining areas should look like an inviting social space, where you would want to have conversations with friends. Feel free to try pieces in different rooms.
  
  

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Do you assume that curb appeal is a non-factor during the winter? The truth is that less greenery and sunlight puts a greater emphasis on how attractive your home and yard look.

Thoughtful exterior staging can give your house a valuable edge over other Augusta homes for sale. Use these helpful tips to create eye-catching cold weather curb appeal that will draw multiple visitors and offers.

1. Keep Walkways Clear
   Safety is the number one reason to remove snow from sidewalks, stairs, and driveways, but it also affects visual appeal. A snow-covered yard makes a house look unkempt and deserted, and it's a tip-off as to how well the interior of the home has been maintained. Make it a family affair by enlisting the help of your kids. 
   
   

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Let's face it, winter weather in Maine isn't always fun and games. When the wind starts to kick up, and the ground is covered with ice and snow, most potential home buyers would rather hunker down in front of the fireplace than venture out to look at Augusta homes for sale. 

While summertime open houses are easy to prepare, setting one up in winter brings its own set of challenges. It's likely that you won't get as much foot traffic, so you'll want to do everything you can to put your best foot forward. These five tips will help you spruce up your home and increase your chances of closing a deal. 

1. Avoid a Slippery Situation
   First impressions are everything, and the last thing you want is for a potential home buyer to fall on their way into the house. Shovel a complete path all the way from the street to the front door. De-ice the driveway, sidewalk, and front porch to make it as safe as possible. 
   
   

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