Don't Do Windows?? Then Hire Them Out!!

It's no secret that houses are not flying off the market like they were a few years ago.  Buyers are as picky as ever and tend to look at everything on the market before they make a decision.  If you're trying to sell your home, it's important that it shows as well as possible.  Over the next few weeks, I plan  to provide some general information about getting your house in tip-top showing condition.

Last week I attended an engineer inspection and the buyer told me when she walked into the kitchen and saw the afternoon sunlight streaming in, she knew she had to have that house.   With Rochester's grey season just about upon us, it is especially important that windows are clean to allow every bit of sunlight in that is available.  And when there is a daytime showing or open house scheduled, be sure to open all drapes and let as much light as possible into your home.




  Another cost-free trick to have your home look its best, is to clear your kitchen counters of almost everything.  Pack away appliances, dish drainers and all unnecessary clutter.  The results will be amazing.  In a matter of minutes your ordinary kitchen will look like something in a catalog.

Veterans Day 2010

Veterans Day 2010
Originally uploaded by maryshelsby

Remembering all the men and women of our Armed Forces who have and are keeping us safe. Thank you for all your sacrifices.
This shot was taken at the Vietnam Memorial at Rochester's Highland Park.

On a real estate note, one big change in the market is that investors are back! Perhaps they recognize the bargain basement prices out there, but I've heard from more investors in the past 30 days then I have the entire past two years.

It’s been almost a full year since I’ve made a serious post to my blog. It’s not that I’ve forgotten about it or lost interest, I’ve just been distracted.

For one thing, I’ve become a photo-holic. I’ve always liked to take pictures but I realized it was a real problem when my camera up and died in September 2009 and I came unglued. I could not rest until I went out and bought a bigger and better model than what died. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how much I didn’t know about photography until I took the brand new Nikon D300 out of the box and realized I didn’t have a clue how to work it.

You learn by doing and so I set out to learn my camera by committing to posting one photo a day (on flickr) for an entire year. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall I’ve walked and scouted all over Rochester and the Finger Lakes for a photo worthy of posting. Up before dawn, fell in a snowdrift and have gotten lost at least a half dozen times, but it’s been a blast. You can view my set of photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shelsby/sets/72157612516667199/



I live next to Highland Park in the city of Rochester, and so I accumulated a large number of photos of the park. Last month I decided to put together a collection of my park photos into a book, which I titled “More than Lilacs! Rochester’s Highland Park.” Not quite a best seller, but I am pleased with the number of copies sold to date. You can preview and order the book here:

More Than Lilacs! by Mary E. Shelsby | Make Your Own Book

Oh, and I’ve been selling real estate too! But with my 365 Day Project and published book behind me, I promise to reengage in my blog project and keep you up to date on the Rochester real estate market.