We recently held a Father’s Day giveaway on our Greenbrier Real Estate Service Facebook page! The winner won ribeye steaks and shrimp, grill tool set, and a GRES ball cap. Be sure to find us on social media to stay up to date on all of our promotions as well as New Listings!, SOLD! properties, Price Updates!, and local information!
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Greenbrier Valley Real Estate Blog Thursday, June 28 2018
 Staging your home: TIPS!With these tips, your house will feel like home to those buyers in no time! GREENBRIER REAL ESTATE SERVICE Maybe you’re thinking of selling your home, and maybe you’ve heard of “staging” your home and you’ve probably wondered if it’s really necessary. It is necessary! Buyers want to be able to envision themselves in the home, and for some people a blank space or a space with all of your things makes it very hard to do just that. But, don’t just take our word for it… A recent survey from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® revealed that:
Put into action these few tips that will help those potential buyers start falling in love with your home! Budget accordingly 
Declutter! It’s probably a given, but really– no one wants to walk into a messy home. So, take time to clean and declutter your home. Organize everyday household items into crates and keep them out of sight. Stow away seasonal decorations. Make time for — or invest in — a whole-house cleaning, including carpet shampooing. Change lightbulbs, finally make those minor repairs, and add a fresh coat of paint to any room that needs it. Clean out those closets! (Consider renting a storage unit if needed) Also worth considering? Removing personal items from view, such as family photos, artwork, or religious keepsakes. The concern is not that home buyers will be offended by you or your lifestyle. The goal is to neutralize the space and help home buyers imagine themselves living there. (But don’t go overboard. You don’t want rooms to feel sterile, either, Focus on the Rooms that Count the most! Staging the rooms where people tend to spend the most time usually makes the biggest impression on buyers. Start with the Living Room, followed by the master bedroom and the kitchen. Keep in mind that you’re not going for an HGTV-worthy overhaul: Even small touches, like putting fluffy towels in the bathroom or replacing shabby throw pillows in the family room, can make your home that much more attractive. 
Stage your yard too! Your house has to look its best — inside and outside. After all, buyers form their first impression when they pull up in front of your home. It’s no surprise, then, that curb appeal — how your home looks from the exterior — can increase your home’s sales value up to 17%, a Texas Tech University study found. 
Professional landscaping, however, can cost a lot. If budget is a concern, start with these DIY improvements:
Then move on to these easy upgrades to your home’s exterior:
Even basic upgrades — like laying fresh mulch, changing porch lights, or installing a new mailbox — can help a buyer fall in love at first sight. Just wait ’til they come inside and see what else you’ve done with the place! Article Adapted from HouseLogic.com Staging a home can and will make a difference when it comes to selling your home!
Greenbrier Real Estate Service Monday, June 18 2018
 10 Ways to Create a Backyard GetawaySince it’s almost Summer we thought that we would share some great ways to spruce up your backyard for all those summer time BBQs and evenings enjoying the warm summer air! Let’s take a look at some great tips on creating the perfect getaway in your backyard! 4. Ensure PrivacyYour outdoor room will feel more like an oasis if it has a sense of enclosure. Fences and garden walls ensure privacy for patios, but you can also use lattice, pergolas, and landscaping to define outdoor spaces and screen views of neighboring houses.
5. Create Shady SpotsEven sun worshippers welcome a little shade. You’ll enjoy your deck or patio more if you can provide relief from the sun. Choices for providing shade include mature trees, umbrellas, retractable awnings, or even pergolas and arbors planted with vines.
6. Furnish for Comfort and DurabililtyYou have more choices than ever when it comes to furnishing your outdoor rooms. Wrought iron and cast iron, wrought or cast aluminum, and traditional wood are classic options. New synthetic, weatherproof patio furniture and fabrics are also now available, offering the same style and comfort as anything you would have inside your home. There are even weatherproof floor lamps and table lamps that match their indoor cousins for stylish good looks.
7. Define Spaces with Outdoor StructuresA gazebo adds another level of luxury to your outdoor oasis. Whether attached to the deck, set near a pool, or planted in the landscape, a gazebo is an outdoor room in its own right and offers a protected spot for dining, cooking, or relaxing. Pergolas, trellises, and arbors can also be used to define activity zones in your backyard paradise. Use them to create focal points, separate areas according to function, or provide transitions from one area to another.
8. Add a Hot Tub or SpaFor long, relaxing soaks at the end of the day, a hot tub or spa out on the deck is a must-have luxury. To determine the best location for the spa, consider privacy, access to the house, and whether you want the tub in sunshine or shade. A typical round hot tub is 6 feet in diameter and takes up about 30 square feet. A rectangular tub requires about 48 square feet. You’ll also need additional room for sitting and walking around the tub. Bear in mind that a hot tub full of water may weigh 2 tons, so it will need a foundation independent of the deck’s foundation.
9. Plan Outdoor LightingTo enjoy your backyard getaway after the sun sets, include outdoor lighting. At its most basic, this consists of porch lights that illuminate access to the house and provide ambient lighting. For outdoor kitchens, you’ll need good task lighting over the grill and work areas. For the dining and conversation areas, candlelight, wallmount downlights, or dimmable electric lamps create a relaxed mood. Steps and walkways should be illuminated for safety. You can also use solar-powered accent lights or low-voltage lights to add drama and interest to the landscape and to highlight paths. Combine a mix of lighting sources to make your backyard getaway a magical place after dark.
10. Layer on the AmenitiesFountains, fireplaces, and fire pits enhance the beauty and usefulness of your outdoor rooms. Fountains add the soothing sound of trickling water and can serve as the focal point of an outdoor space. Fireplaces make a natural focal point and can help define space and provide privacy for an outdoor room. They’re also a starting point for an outdoor kitchen. Fire pits, whether built-in or moveable, also serve to draw people together and can extend the usefulness of an outdoor living room into cooler weather. Finally, accessorize your outdoor rooms with garden statuary, weatherproof art (such as plates, garden plaques, or decorative wrought iron), and pillows covered in weatherproof fabrics. These touches will turn an ordinary patio or deck into a welcoming, personal space for outdoor living.
Article Credit to Better Homes & Garden website.
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