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Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

What makes a house a home? To our team here at Gilley International Group, a home is where you host family get-togethers, spend Sundays in the kitchen, and summer evenings lounging on the porch. A home is not four walls; it is a place where you create memories. Unfortunately, for some, there comes a time when your home doesn’t work with your life plans anymore, and you have to make the hard decision to put it on the market. Closing a chapter of your life is never easy. To help you make a smooth transition, our team is here for you and your family. One of the first things we recommend you do before listing your home is to walk out to the street and evaluate your curb appeal. Most likely, it’s going to need some work. In today’s blog, we are sharing seven tips to make your house stand out against its competition!

Upgrade your exterior lighting

               To start, let’s talk about lighting. When a potential buyer is interested in your home, they will most likely drive by it at different times a day; this gives them an idea of how traffic flows and how peaceful or noisy your neighbors are. The last thing you want is for them to swing by in the evening and have a hard time seeing the front of your home. Upgrade your exterior lighting and show off how gorgeous your house looks!

Bring out the pressure washer

               A good rule of thumb is that you should pressure wash your house at least once a year. If you’ve excelled at keeping your home clean over the years, this task should be quick and easy. Run your pressure washer over the exterior of your house as well as the driveway and gutters.

Make a statement with a colorful front door

               In 2020, a pop of color is in! We recommend that you paint your front door a color that is eye-appealing and flows well with the rest of your exterior colorways.

Invest in lawn care

               This is home-selling 101. Potential buyers need to be able to visualize themselves living in your house; this includes spending time in the yard. Before listing, trim your bushes, plant some flowers, and make sure your grass is lush and green!

You can never go wrong with a white picket fence

               Have you ever heard of the American dream of owning a nice home with a white picket fence? Although the saying is old, the desire to achieve it is still fresh! Tear down your wired fence and replace it with one that is simple, pretty, and easy to clean.

Clean your roof

               Unless you have experience doing roof work, we recommend hiring a professional for this task. A roof is a significant investment, and the health of yours will be a point of discussion with all of your potential buyers. Make sure that yours is clean and in good condition!

Hide unsightly items

               Last, hide all of your unsightly items. Don’t leave your water hose lying on the ground. Instead, find a decorative container to store it in. To step up your curb appeal game, plant bushes around your ac unit. Buyers want to see a picturesque home, not a house that they will have to put a lot of work into. The easier it is on their eyes, the more likely they are to buy!

               We hope that these tips help you feel confident as you put your home on the market. Our team here at Gilley International Group wants this process to go smoothly for you, and we are convinced that by having a strong curb appeal, you will have a long list of buyers interested in turning your house into their home. Best of luck!

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How to Find Your Dream Home

Are you thinking about starting the process of purchasing a new home? That’s fantastic! As you know, Gilley International Group is a family-run real estate agency. We aim to help our customers find a home that fits their budget and exceeds their wildest dreams. A house is more than walls covered in paint. It’s a place where a family can grow, find comfort, and call home. Today, we are excited to share a few bits of advice. We’ve gained a little experience over the years, and we are eager to help you understand the steps it takes to find your dream home.

  • Have a real estate agent that you can trust

               We know that there are horror stories out there about working with a real estate agent. Your goal should be to find someone you can trust, someone who understands what you are looking for and is willing to put your needs first.

  • Be blunt and honest with your agent

               The only way you will find your dream space is to be completely transparent with your agent. On top of the obvious information that they will need, like your budget, they also need to know what style of home interests you, how many rooms you need, and the vibe of the neighborhood you are looking for. No detail is too small; this is your home we are talking about!

  • Know your finances

               At this point, you most likely have already been pre-approved for your home mortgage loan. When figuring out your budget, you need to also think about all of the expenses that come with purchasing a house. We are guessing that your home will be the most substantial investment you have ever made, and we want to make sure that you are setting yourself up for success. Trust us; you can still find the home of your dreams while being financially responsible.

  • Understand your wants and needs

               Now onto the fun stuff! Once you have all of the items above checked off your to-do list, you need to lay out your wants and needs. Are you planning on expanding your family in the near future? Then, realistically, how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Have you grown up dreaming of planting a beautiful garden? Then, you will want a yard that has enough space. Be honest with yourself. This list is what is going to propel your agent in the right direction.

  • Look at all of your options

               Walking houses can be fun! The moment you lay eyes on one, you immediately start imagining yourself living there. We urge you to think rationally, and not jump on the first place that you see. If you’re in love with it, that’s great! But, before you put down an offer, check out a few other places first. Give yourself the ability to have options!

               Our family here at Gilley International Group could not be more excited that you are looking to find your dream home. This is a moment in your life that we want you to look back on with a smile. The tips above are just a few bits of advice that we hope help you on your home buying journey. If you have a vision for what home looks like, let us help you make your dream a reality! To speak with us, call 210-445-1384.