Date Archives: January 2021

Drafty windows can be a major annoyance. They can make the temperature inside your home consistently unpleasant, and even small leaks can affect your heating bill. If you've recently noticed a chill, try one of these tips from our REALTORS® to find the source and stop that leak.

1. Look for possible leaks inside and out.
   Visually inspect around the windows for holes, cracks, or gaps in caulk, and damaged or missing weather stripping. These are all places the cold air can get in.

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If your home has a dedicated dining room, chances are you don't use it very much. And if you're selling your home, prospective buyers are likely to see it as wasted space that they also won't spend much time in. However, your dining room represents a good opportunity to stage the area and create a room that will wow your buyers.

Our REALTORS® recommend the following ways to stage your dining room and set your home apart from other Midland homes for sale.

• A home office
  An empty dining room can be transformed into an office space, even though it may not have a door. This can be a plus since prospective buyers who work at home won't feel closed off or isolated. If they have kids, they can easily keep an ear out for them. Try leaving the middle of the room open, so it's easy to walk through and doesn't feel cramped. Add some seating and put a narrow, tall, wall-mounted bookcase to work for displays and storage since it doesn't take up much floor space.
• A family hangout spot 
  Turn a formal area into a casual one by transforming your dining room into a space for family to gather. Mount a flat-screen TV on one wall and move in a comfortable couch. Finally, add some wall storage units for storing Blu-rays and DVDs and display some cherished objects. Ultimately, you've created a room that will appeal to buyers who can picture themselves and their family happily hanging out in the space.
• A library
  Why not create a library in your home? Your potential buyers could have the convenience of having all of their books neatly organized in one room that's a cozy spot to read in. Add floor-to-ceiling bookcases to store your books — along with a small ladder if needed to reach the top shelves. Then make the room even more comfortable with several chairs, throws, and a large rug to soften the room's look.
• A playroom for the kids
  Your dining room can be staged to be a playroom for kids by adding a table for art projects or homework, a chalkboard, and other items. Add some toy storage boxes and bins as well as cubbies for storing shoes and backpacks, and you'll make your home extremely appealing to prospective buyers with kids.
• A fitness room
  With everyone spending more time at home, a home fitness room will be a definite selling point. Put a foam mat over the flooring and bring in free weights and other equipment such as an exercise bike, and you'll easily transform your dining room into an at-home fitness room.
• A guest bedroom
  If your home doesn't have a guest bedroom, create one by using a bed with built-in nightstands to create a minimal look. A dresser can make up for the lack of a closet, and if your dining room doesn't have doors, hang curtains for privacy or have French doors installed.

Contact Ayre/Rhinehart REALTORS® to learn more about making your home appeal to prospective buyers. With some relatively small changes, you can transform an underutilized space like a dining room into an area that buyers will love.