As buyers, you know what your financial reserves are and what your future earning potential may be.  You can give your real estate professional information about your income, saving and current debt.  Then, your agent can take that information to help you make a choice about which homes best meet all of your needs, and to offer you objective information about homes that are on the market.

If you are selling property, a real estate representative will be aware of ways you can significantly increase the salability of your home.  In addition, a real estate professional knows how, when and where your property should be advertised.

As a real estate professional, I can help with all of your buying and selling needs.

Here are the six projects under $1,000 (approx.) that made the list. 

1. Cleaning and decluttering.   Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and make the home sparkling clean.
2. Brightening.  Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
3. Smart staging.  Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, incorporate artwork, and play soft music in the background.
4. Landscaping enhancements.  Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and back yards by adding bark mulch, bushes, and flowers and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared and manicured.
5. Repairing electrical or plumbing.  Fix leaks under the sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition.
6. Replacing or shampooing dirty carpets.  Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any floor creaks.

Excerpted from HomeGains 2011 Home Sale Maximizer Survey

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The leading expert in color, Pantone, Inc., has made it stated that Turquoise was the “it” color for 2010.  But before you deck the house from top to bottom in the gemstone hue, consider the other latest trends.

Behr paint company says neutral is still in–think light colors such as grays, camels and off-whites.  Experts suggest buying bigger furniture such as sofas and armchairs in these safe colors, which never truly go out of style.  Complement neutrals with aqua and gold tones, but stay away from the darker browns, which are becoming passé.

While monochromatic schemes are still versatile and dependable, HGTV says the real winners in the color game right now are bold jewel colors such as ruby red or emerald green and the brighter the better–especially if it’s a purple hue.  Experts advise pairing these daring tones with a smoky charcoal or a softer black to give a room a vintage feel.

Going green and getting back to nature is a major trend, too.  Earthier tones, such as sand or yellow-greens, are perfect for living rooms or kitchens.  But going back to your roots doesn’t just mean dipping into Mother Earth’s favorite colors.  Decorators say Asian-inspired or tribal patterns are adorning decorative elements consumers look to get the most bang for their buck.  Think pillows, area rugs or murals as key items this season.

If two or three houses that you visit, for example, have recently redone their roofs or windows, you probably should put those repairs toward the top of your to-do list, so your home doesn’t suffer from comparison once you start marketing it.

Visiting open houses also give you the chance to see how to “stage” your home to show its best features.  Take notice of what appeals to you as you walk through the house and what little things jump out at you that you may have overlooked in your own home.

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Most homeowners believe a home inspection provides valuable information that helps them avoid home maintenance problems and save money, according to a recent survey by Harris Interactive and the American Society of Home Inspectors.  Seven out of ten homeowners surveyed say the home inspection on their current home helped them avoid potential problems with their home, and almost two-thirds (64%) say they saved money in the long run because the inspection uncovered minor issues that could be easily remedied.  The survey also finds that nearly 90% of homeowners believe home inspections are a necessity, not a luxury.

While many homeowners who had an inspection understand the value it provides, many still incorrectly believe that certain components are included in a standard home inspection.  For example, electrical wiring and plumbing behind drywall, and swimming pools are commonly mistaken as items that are included in an inspection, but they typically are not.  Also 70% of homeowners surveyed assume all home inspectors are required to be certified and licensed, which is not necessarily the case.

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The sentiment is also strong among homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages.  Nearly two-thirds believe owning a home is worth the risk, and 83% say they are happy with their decision to own a home.

Four out of five  (80%) say they would advise a friend or family member to buy a home, while slightly fewer underwater (78%) would do the same.  Only 19% of homeowners who are underwater believe homeownership is too risky.

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In most cases, possession will be transferred after you have signed your mortgage loan and a clear title has been transferred.  Then, when you and the seller agree on a date, it will be incorporated into the written contract.  Once this is done, the date cannot be changed without written agreement.

In rare cases, a seller may request to stay in the house for a short while after closing.  If the buyer agrees, a post-sale occupancy agreement must be put into writing and included as part of the contract.  The seller may be asked to pay a rental fee, which is agreed upon by both parties.

The buyer may also request permission to take occupancy before the purchase transaction is completed.  This, too, must be agreed in writing and the rental stipulations will be included in the purchase agreement.

Many aspects of the possession date are negotiable, but special provisions should be thoroughly spelled out and mutually agreed upon in writing.

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One of the first actions you should take is to change your locks. You never know if the previous owners gave keys to former friends or repairmen.  Don’t wait to call a locksmith; this relatively inexpensive security measure should be taken as soon as possible.

It’s also wise to go around your new home and replace all the batteries in smoke detectors.  You should also install a carbon monoxide detector in the hallway near the bedrooms if one isn’t already their.

Finally, take the time to find out the location and non-emergency phone numbers for the nearest fire station, police station, and hospital.  Keep them by the main phone so they are available at all times.  You’ll also want to introduce yourself to your new neighbors, and keep their numbers on hand in case of an emergency.

The iZillow app gives you access to date on more than 80 millions homes, including square footage and an estimate of fair market value.  Take a drive around your possible new neighborhood and see home values pop up on your phone with real-time real estate info.

Get real-time mortgage rates from hundreds of lenders nationwide with the Mortgage Marvel app.  Use it to compare the rates and fees –prices reflect transaction-related pricing adjustments, such as loan amount, loan-to-value ration and property type–and view disclosure information for all rates.  When you’re ready, you can select a lender, fill out an application and be approved

The RulerPhone app lets you use your iPhone as a tape measure to see if you couch will fit in your prospective new home.  Place a credit-card-sized card next to an object, take a picture with the phone and align your image with the card placeholder displayed on-screen.  A ruler will be displayed, allowing you to adjust the measurements with the drag of a finger.

The ExpertVideo: Home Repair app brings valuable home repair how-to videos to the palm of your hand.  More than 20 videos are available, covering how to repair concrete steps, paint kitchen cabinets or patch a drywall hole.  Still have questions after watching?  A moderated discussion panel gives you the answers.

Keep home improvements and routine maintenance tasks organized with the Homeowner Calendar app, featuring a calendar for monthly tastes, suck as checking smoke alarms, cleaning air filters or cleaning your gutters.  Alerts let you know when the tasks are coming up, and the application allows for custom additions.

Find all these apps at www.apple.com/iphone/appstore.

When you’re searching for a home, begin by turning to me for help.  I am knowledgeable about the local real estate market and I will be able to compare the homes you may be interested in with others in the area.

Once I have answered your questions, you can continue to do further research on your own.  Get a comprehensive feel fro the area by driving through at various times of the day.  Take note of noise levels and the overall ambiance to see how you feel about the area in relation to what I told you.  Don’t be afraid to get out and walk around and even visit with residents who might be out walking around.  Consult public resources and search online for statistics and reports, like school ranking and crime reports.