By Melissa Dittmann Tracey Real estate pros offer their best, most affordable staging ideas for home exteriors. Create a DVD of the Home "Have the sellers make a short DVD of fun times that they had in the home and surrounding area. Make the DVD run on a loop on the TV and use it to show potential buyers the area, neighborhood amenities, proximity to parks museums, etc. It is easy and cost effective." -Scott Holland, Top100AZhomes.com, Phoenix Frame a Local Scene "Frame pictures from inexpensive calendars and plac... read more

By Barbara Ballinger In today's market, sellers have to work harder to persuade buyers that their property is worth the bite. Landscape designer Michael Glassman has cooked up a recipe for guaranteed curb appeal. 1. Add splashes of color. With every changing season, a landscape should provide a new display of colors, textures, and fragrances. "It's best to use one or two and repeat them," Glassman says. Example: white iceberg roses that bloom in spring, summer, and fall as a backdrop; in front, a contrasting punch... read more

By Kelly Quigley The contract is a critical step in any remodeling project; it holds the job together and ensures that all parties agree to the same vision and scope. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry spells out the following key elements that every remodeling contract should have: 1. The contractor's name, address, phone number, and license number. 2. Details on what the contractor will and will not do. 3. A list of materials for the project in your contract. This includes information about the s... read more

Painting is a quick and easy way to liven up a listing. But some smart prep work can make a huge difference in the quality of the results. 1.Get the surface ready. You want the paint to glide on smoothly, so be sure the surface is clean before you start painting. Remove any handprints, dirt, or scuff marks. Lightly sand any glossy spots to avoid streaks. 2. Select a paint sheen and color. Ah, the choices! Many paint stores are making it easier to narrow down your choices by offering small trial sizes so that you ca... read more

Mold is a common home intruder that can quickly turn a desirable house into a risky purchase for potential buyers. So, what can home sellers do about it? What Is Mold? Mold is a type of fungus made up of tiny microscopic organisms that can grow practically anywhere, such as on ceiling tiles, wallpaper, wood, paints, carpet, and insulation. It multiplies via spores and shows itself in a variety of colors, from greens to browns to pinks, grays, blacks, and yellows. The most common mold growth area in the house is th... read more