You’ve heard the term “curb appeal.” You don’t need to have a green thumb to make some simple changes to your yard which will delight your potential buyers. A weekend project is all you need to make these easy landscaping and yard changes.

• Add color; seasonal flowers in pots by the front door or beds in the front yard add
brightness to the home.

• Native plants; create a lower maintenance environment with native plants who thrive in
your area.

• Outdoor lighting; with so many solar options, it’s easy to add a glow.

• Garden accents; fountains, benches and garden art create interest and a sense of luxury.

• Vegetable and herb gardens; consider a raised bed in a portion of the yard or large pots filled with tasty plants.
• BBQs and furniture sets; while more expensive, adding furniture arranged to showcase the outdoor lifestyle will appeal to buyers and enhance your yard.

As the weather becomes warmer,. ...

It’s never too late to begin investing in real estate.....it’s never too early either. Real estate offers a solid investment opportunity which can provide not only an income stream but long term value appreciation as well. Regardless of the ups and downs of the market, people will always need housing, so real estate will remain a good way to create wealth.

By understanding some of the basics of real estate investing, you can begin to create your own plan. Here are 5 tips for first time real estate investors.

1. Use Leverage - . Learn about options other than your own savings for these costs.

2. Budget for the Unexpected - Have a fund available to draw on for the unexpected. Even the most carefully planned project can have unexpected costs.

3. Invest for the Long Term - Real estate investing should not be viewed as a “get rich quick” scheme.

4. Don’t Over Extend - After evaluating the risk, be honest about your ability to handle the negat. ...

Before you list your home for sale, it’s time to do a little work around the house – to prepare and make sure your home is seen in the best possible light. These “must-do” items are about showing your home to buyers as one which is cared for and ready for them to add their own brand of home to the space. Taking a little time up front can mean thousands of dollars as buyers start writing their offers.

3 Must-Do’s Before Listing Your House for Sale:

1. Declutter, Depersonalize and Clean – This is the time to take spring cleaning seriously, in any season. Clear out all unnecessary items from the home; closets, drawers, extra clothes, old unwanted furniture. Donate to charity, hire a dumpster or rent a storage space; buyers will look in every space and open all drawers and cabinets, make sure your home seems spacious. Spend some time to depersonalize by removing excessive pictures and hide heirlooms. Finally, deep clean every space top to bottom.. ...

Serious investors already know the value of a diversified portfolio. In addition to stocks and bonds, real estate should be included in your investment mix. One way to accomplish this is to purchase, hold, rent or flip actual physical property, as part of your investment strategy. Real estate is a solid asset which can provide annual income, asset appreciation and/or quick profit.
Millionaires understand the value of real estate and how it can be used to increase wealth and as a hedge against the volatility of other investments, such as stocks and bonds. Real estate holdings can provide immediate and long-term benefits:

• Cash Flow - Rental income is one of the primary reasons investors purchase property.

• Asset Appreciation – Property value appreciation is another advantage of investment property. While rents pay the mortgage and ownership costs, property values are on the rise, increasing the asset worth.

• Fast Capital - Buy and flip properties ar. ...

If you are ready to put your home on the market, you already know that how it looks can make a significant difference in the sales price. If you are on a budget and don’t want to hire a professional stager, there are still some changes you can make which will create a big impact.

• Declutter; pack up extra “everything.” Remove anything you don’t absolutely need from every room, closet and cupboard. A cluttered closet looks small and uninviting.
• Replace curtains, bedding and towels with light neutral colors to make the room look larger and bright.
• Paint a room or two with modern colors.
• Store furniture to make the room look larger.
• Stage the kitchen with wine and fruit. Skip the fake table setting and create an image of an intimate meal with a nice bottle of wine.

The key to staging is to edit, edit, edit. A small investment in a few storage tubs filled with books, clothes, pictures and anything unnecessary will go. ...