Brian Sells Chicago · Glam the Front Door

The entry is a huge focal point for potential buyers, especially when it’s one of the first things they see. Create appeal by cleaning the front door — wipe it down, remove dirt, update the color with some paint. The front door should play off a home’s interior: add a kick plate, swag or a seasonal wreath to reflect the interior style of the house. Your front door is the first thing your guests will see when they walk into your home, it’s the welcoming door that can be warm and inviting if you make it. Style of the front door is a big decision; do you want a solid wood door or a front door with glass and designs? Think about your privacy, the amount of light you’d like your front rooms and your safety when deciding what kind of door is right for you. A glass or decorative door can be inviting and fun, but a solid wood door may provide you with more security. If you do decide to go for a wood door, you still have the option of dressing it up with a wood stain, or bold color choices like red, green or yellow. W
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Brian Sells Chicago · Budget Friendly Curb Appeal Ideas Done in a Day

88 percent of homebuyers begin the process online, looking at pictures on the listing site. Good photos and real curb appeal help entice buyers to check out your house in person. You want to make a great first impression, so don’t feel scared to make a statement — you want buyers to fall in love with your house. The fixes that follow are minor and budget friendly enhancements that can be done in a day to help make your house more inviting and appealing, and help get potential buyers to schedule a showing! Dressing up your curb appeal can be quite the undertaking; adding new walkways, new landscaping, or new pavement can be extremely costly. While they make a huge difference the look and feel of your home, sometimes these curb appeal items just aren’t in the budget. Luckily, there are quite a few ways to dress up your home’s exterior for much less, things like paint and accessories tend to go a long way. Over the course of the next series I am going to show you how to start and complete Budget Friendly Curb Ap
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Brian Sells Chicago · Vacation Recap

A little late but here goes! Recapping the series on preparing for vacation:Prepping Your Home for VactionPark Your Car in the GaragePut a Light on a TimerMow Your LawnUnplug!Set the ThermostatWater HeaterKitchenEmergency Contact The next series is “Budget Friendly Curb Appeal Ideas Done in a Day.” I bet you can’t wait! Uncategorized
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Brian Sells Chicago · Vacation: Emergency Contact

You may tell your family that you’re heading out, but you should also let a neighbor know. Neighbors live near you and can be your first point of contact should something happen to your home while you’re away. Let a trusted neighbor know you’re going to be out of town — provide them with information on where you’re going, how long you’ll be gone, and contact information for yourself and for family members in case of an emergency.   Uncategorized
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Brian Sells Chicago · Vacation: Kitchen

Before you leave it’s always a good idea to clean out the fridge and dispose of anything that will go bad while you’re gone. The sink can harbor things that cause bad smells — run a half cup of vinegar and some water through the garbage disposal to alleviate any potential buildups, and make sure to take out any trash and recycling so you don’t come home to a smelly house. If you have a trusted neighbor, ask them to put your garbage, recycling or yard debris bins out on pickup day. Uncategorized
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