Author: Eric McKenna

Pittsburgh based Entrepreneur, Realtor and Podcaster.
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First Impressions

It goes without saying that it’s very wise for a home seller to give serious thought to what kind of first impression their home gives potential buyers.

As the sayings goes, “you only get one chance to make a first impression.”  With that reoccurring thought in mind, I’m always looking for great articles on the ‘art’ of home selling. Articles on steps homeowners can take to improve the look and feel their homes gives off to prospective buyers.

And often the best advice is straight forward, simple and easy to accomplish.   And that is what we have with Ann Miller’s article at Realtor.com entitled “12 ways to make a fantastic first impression on buyers.”   You can’t get any more straightforward than that!workingyard

Ann touches on ideas such as:

– Lawn care, bush pruning and generally making your yard ‘neat’ and uncluttered.  And of course – well ‘groomed’.

– Professionally clean carpets.  One of the worst impressions for a buyer to get past is a dirty carpet.

– Make sure all light switches work.  Every one.

– Putting new caulk around sinks and tubs.

– Cleaning out your medicine cabinets.

– Replacing old light bulbs and using the brightest bulbs each fixture will take.  Great illumination is a must.

– If you have a pet, make sure you make arrangements for the pet to out of the property during showings.

For additional ideas and further detail, you can read Ann’s entire article on Realtor.com here

If you are considering listing your home for sale and have any questions about preparing your home for a great first impression  or you have questions about any other matter related to effectively selling your home, I’m here to help!  Please feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  In addition, I can be reached quickly via email at sold@ericmckenna.com

You can also reach me via the contact form below:

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Budget Your Remodel

Ah yes…the dreaded home remodeling project.  It really does not need to be a journey launched into the great unknown!   Here is a great, short read by Oliver Marks of Houselogic.com in which Oliver lays out 4 simple steps to follow before you jump in and do that home remodeling project.

Oliver presents the idea that most homeowners have no problem figuring out what they want.  The trouble lies in not figuring out – up front – what they can afford.  He suggest this four step plan:contractor3

1. Ballpark the costs.  Oliver suggests ‘Remodeling’ magazine’s 2015 ‘Costs vs. Value Report’ as a reference point for homeowners.  This report gives national cost averages for 36 common projects and can provide a basis for starting to add up project costs.

2.  Do you have the money?  If you can pay cash – Great!  If you need to borrow, you need to assess how much a bank will lend you for the project and what that loan means in additional monthly expense for the household.  In the article, Oliver goes into various home equity loan options available for home owners and the details of each.

3.  Get multiple contractor quotes. Oliver suggests getting solid quotes from at least 3 contractors.  And about those contractors… they should come from recommendations from family, friends and tradesmen you trust.  Provide each contractor a detailed project description and product list and request an itemized quote from each.   Take the winning bid and then add 15% for cost overruns and changes.

4.  Buy materials and appliances yourself.  Oliver suggests that by  educating yourself on item costs and then purchasing these items before your contractor begins your project,  you can avoid contractor mark ups.  However – before you buy, it’s imperative that you coordinate with your contractor to ensure you are purchasing the correct items for your project.

Click here to read Oliver’s complete article at Houselogic.com.

And if you are considering a home improvement project and you need contractor referrals or you have questions on how this improvement project may increase the value of your home, don’t hesitate to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  I can also be reached by email at sold@ericmckenna.com

Or feel free to fill out the contact for below.

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Showings and Snow!

What a day!  About 8 degrees, snow blizzard and periods of near white out conditions yet my buyers were awesome!  Such troopers!  Luckily the lock boxes opened up quickly as the wind chill was just brutal!  We had such a good time as we viewed  another group of houses and maybe…just maybe, found this wonderful couple the right home! 10994584_10203579709957891_3531700080565923150_n

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20 Kitchen Countertop Materials

Do you think you know all your kitchen countertop options?  I’d be willing bet you may not!

Since we are on a kitchen theme recently at EricMcKenna.com, how about some different options for kitchen countertop materials?

Lee Wallender at About.com presents this great article outlining 20 different materials that can be cut and used for kitchen countertops. granite-countertops-in-kitchens-pictures-itkb3sed

Of course there are the most thought of materials including granite, slate, quartz, tile and laminate, but Lee outlines other options including concrete, stainless steel, soapstone, recycled glass, paper composite, recycled aluminum, reclaimed wood, zinc and even bamboo.

Lee provides photos of each example as well as some of the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ associated with each.  While not every material is practical for every kind of use or family lifestyle, there certainly are some beautiful finishes available by simply thinking outside of the box.  And if one’s goal is to add a unique touch to a kitchen project, a different countertop material may be just the thing.

You can read Lee’s complete article at About.com right here

If you are considering a complete new kitchen project or a simple kitchen ‘redo’ and you have questions about how this project can improve the value of your home, feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  I can also be reached by email at sold@ericmckenna.com

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About That Kitchen

Depending who you ask, the kitchen is the most important room in the house.  Especially when selling your home.

Opinions.  We all have them.  Yet when it comes to selling your home, many real estate professionals consider your kitchen as the most important room in the house.  Knock the buyer out with a fantastic kitchen and it often means the difference in your home being purchased – or another. kitchen2

In this day and age, the options for kitchen layout, color schemes and themes are quite vast.  And while ‘trends’ come and go, there remains so many viable design directions to consider.  I found this great article by Jaymi Naciri of Realty Times who takes a moment to offer bold suggestions to get your kitchen possibly headed in a whole new direction. Her overall message in this article is to avoid the bland and make your kitchen a standout – if not even a bit festive.

Her ideas include vibrant shades of cabinets as opposed to traditional white, greys and muted tones.

Another idea is to go black.  Described as ‘soothing’ and even ‘sleek and bold’, the use of black can be very modern and striking if designed correctly.

The article also suggests that wallpaper is making a comeback for kitchens with the desire for many to make their kitchen walls more colorful or to add a striking, contrast pattern.

The industrial and rustic trends in home decor continue to be sought after by homeowners and now these trends are making their way into kitchens.

It’s also suggested that something as simple as a lively backsplash can make an impressive change to a kitchen decor.  Patterned backsplashes with texture draw the eye in and create visual interest.  Sometimes just enough to add that needed touch to an already great kitchen.

You can read Jaymi’s complete article here.

If you are thinking of selling your home or have questions as to what kind of kitchen remodeling you could do to better prepare your home for market, please feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466. You may also email me at sold@ericmckenna.com

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Showing Homes

Spent an enjoyable afternoon viewing homes with a great young couple who are on their journey toward purchasing their 1st home. I’m grateful to be part of their experience and flattered to be their agent. 20150103_113211

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The ‘Business’

Life is funny.  During the last 15 years of operating my company, Boogie Street Guitars, I often would tell myself that I could never find a vocation which I would love as much as the guitar business.  Well… I was wrong

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Landscaping Tips for Home Sellers

Quick ideas to increase your home’s curb appeal

While it may be hard to believe, a well maintained and attractive landscape can add up to 10 percent to the value of your home.  It’s just that simple.  Never underestimate curb appeal!

Power-wash dirty surfaces.  Clean the grunge and grime off paved surfaces as well as fences, vinyl siding and brick areas.

Repair an outdoor leaky faucet.  A leaking faucet suggests that there may be other problems elsewhere in the plumbing, and that can be an instant turn-off to buyers. Lovely-landscaped-yards-of-modern-minimalist-house-with-extensive-lawn-and-beautiful-flowers-with-dark-path-and-nice-paint-colour-combination-ideas-for-external-walls

Touch up the mulch.  A fresh layer of mulch to all garden beds spruces up your yard like little else.  The color enhances everything around it and makes plants and flowers ‘pop’.

Shape unsightly or overgrown trees and shrubs.  Nothing says neglect like overgrown trees and shrubs.  Not to mention dead branches.

Plant some instant color.  Create a splach of several colors or a more monochromatic scheme, whatever fits in with the look of your home by planting annuals.

Find more great tips at this article at hgtv.

If you are considering selling your home now or in the near future and would like additional landscape and/or home staging ideas or home selling information, feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  You can also contact me by email at sold@ericmckenna.com