(RE/MAX Blog)- Lingering animal smells and fur can be a turn-off for would-be buyers. Be sure to remove all signs of your furry friends before showings. Here are some tips.

1. Holey backyard, Batman!
Does your dog bury more bones than they munch on? Start at the perimeter of your yard and circle inward to find your pup's landscaping efforts and fill them in.

2. Scoop the poop
One misstep can ruin a buyer's impression of your yard (and possibly home). Make sure your property is clear of any pet-related landmines.

3. Mend fences
Check your fencing, deck and porch for any marks from scratching or chewing. Most can be erased with elbow grease and a bit of sandpaper.

4. Stash the evidence
Collect your pet's toys, bowls, beds and litter boxes and keep them out of sight. Hide pet photos for now, too.

5. De-scents-itize
Have a friend or Realtor come by to sniff out any animal scents you may have become accustomed to. Light candles, open windows or hire a professional carpet cleaning crew to deodorize your home.

6. Need a buffer?
Have claws scratched up your lovely hardwood floors? Ask your Realtor if professional resurfacing might be a good idea.

7. Don't leave pets home during showings
Not only is there a chance they may bolt through an open door when strangers stroll around, there's also a liability issue. It may be a good idea to temporarily relocate exotic critters, such as snakes or tarantulas.

(RE/MAX Blog)- By Carriann Johnson, interior designer and TV personality

I've seen the look on people's faces when I suggest something needs to be updated in their home. They become deflated, overwhelmed and oftentimes confused. Please remember, it's not personal. The goal is to make your home shine – and sell for the best possible price.

Consider making some of the following updates before listing your home. It could add to your confidence when putting your home on the market, and possibly bump up the sale price as well.

1. Do a walk-through of your home
Visit each room and make a checklist of items that need to be repaired or replaced – and be objective while doing so. Keep an eye out for outdated styles, bold patterns and colors, dated fixtures, unfinished projects, and over-cluttered closets and cabinets – these items all need to be considered to showcase your home in the best light possible. After making your checklist, develop a budget and establish dates on your calendar to complete these tasks.

2. Incorporate today's styles and trends

Our homes and our styles are as individualized as we are. So although you may love an ultramodern or country cottage look, the majority of buyers may not. Choose transitional styles if you need to replace your lighting, hardware, appliances or flooring. And don't be afraid to ask your local suppliers for help during the selection process.

3. Remember: First impressions count
It takes just 15 seconds to grab the hearts of potential buyers – or leave them completely unimpressed. Make those 15 seconds count! Fresh sealant on a driveway, vibrant and healthy plants on the front porch, a clean rug and a nice fragrance in the entryway, clutter-free hallways – these all make a huge impact but require little effort.

4. Focus on the kitchen and baths
Kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most frequently used areas of any home, so put in some extra effort to freshen them up! Things like stained shower stalls and toilets, broken grout, leaky faucets or dated cabinet hardware are easily replaced at little cost. Or, instead of replacing tubs or shower stalls, consider having them professionally resprayed for a fresh new look. A small investment goes a long way in these spaces. And when it comes to hardware and supplies for kitchens and baths, consider shopping online. Many online suppliers don't have a middleman in the process, so they can sell their items for much less than local hardware retailers.

5. Let's talk paint
Paint is a minimal investment, especially if you have the skills to do the painting yourself. From walls to doors to cabinets to fixtures (and even tile), paint can drastically transform spaces. Keep your selections neutral and universally pleasing. Cover bold colors with neutral ones, making the home move-in ready. My pick for some timeless choices by Sherwin Williams are: Totally Tan SW6115, Believable Buff SW6120, Latte SW6108 and Universal Khaki SW6150.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD- Our new RE/MAX Realty Group office location in California, Maryland will have its grand opening on Thursday, September 22, 2016 and we couldn't be more excited. 

The new office location is just down the road from our old location in California, two blocks from the entrance to the Patuxtent Naval Air Station in a high traffic area. It will offer various benefits to our agents and clients, including a more accessible location and more visibility. The facility has a modern environment with a spacious layout, multiple conference rooms, a huge training room and large work room. It has a sharp, new, and contemporary feel.

Our grand opening ceremony will be on Thursday, September 22 from 4 PM to 7 PM at the new facility at 22326 Exploration Park Drive in Lexington Park, Maryland.

We will have a reception and ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 PM. 

We would like to thank all our RE/MAX Realty Group agents for their support and loyalty in the opening of this new facility. We look forward to hearing from our California agents and how they enjoy doing business at our new California office.

RE/MAX Realty Group & RE/MAX Realty Group is the seventh largest real estate company in the Washington Metropolitan area and is one of 120 largest brokerages in the United States. RE/MAX Realty Group & RE/MAX Realty Group have been serving agents and clients in the Washington, DC area for over 30 years. The brokerage takes pride in providing quality service to their agents so they may in turn provide their clients with the best service possible. 

(RE/MAX Blog)-If you would like to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, some updates may be in order. Outdated details such as that wallpaper or pink bathroom tiles that may have been on trend when you first purchased your home, may not exactly be perceived as attractive selling points from current home buyers. Therefore, it may be beneficial to bring your home up-to-date by making changes when trying to get the best offer possible. Here is a list of some items that may date your home.

Items that may date your home:

• Popcorn ceilings: Update to a smooth textured surface
• Tiled counter tops: Update to a clean sleek, easy to clean surface such as granite or quartz
• Brass fixtures: Home buyers tend to prefer fixtures that feature more neutral shades, such as black or gray.

Tips and Tricks:

• Have a low budget? Update cabinet hardware or light fixtures for a huge impact without breaking the bank.
• Get second opinion: Sometimes it is hard to tell what changes need to be made. Ask a friend or a real estate agent for their opinion.
• Grab inspiration from social media or online. Look on pinterest for idea.

(RE/MAX Blog)-If you have a large backyard and are looking into investing in a fence, there are numerous factors to take into consideration. Here are six tips to help you get started.

1. Do your Research

Check with your Homeowners Association or neighborhood organizations for specific regulations, such as fence height, materials and colors. Also check with your local municipality and utility company about buried cables and lines or required easements.

2. Consult Professionals

Fencing may impact your home’s appeal. Talk to a real estate agent or an appraise familiar with your local market to help choose materials and where to place your fence.

3. Chat with neighbors

Consider informing your next door neighbors about how you are thinking about getting a fence. Getting them on-board and in agreement about property lines before being the project, will avoid future disputes.

4. Match your house

Choose a fence that architecturally matches the style of your house for curb side appeal.

5. Understand Maintenance

Be aware of the required upkeep. For instance, some wooden fences will need frequent sealing and staining.

6. Consider living fences

Adding landscaping can increase the value of your home. Strategically placed shrubs and trees can develop into beautiful fences that also act as attractive landscaping.

You’ve found your dream home. You’ve been pre-approved, the seller has accepted your offer, the inspection went great and your closing date is set. However, remember the deal is not done yet and your lender can change their mind. Here are five things to avoid in order to keep your loan from being turned down.

1. Don’t mess with your income-to-debt ratio

Everything seems to be coming together and you couldn’t be more excited. Therefore, you want to start purchasing big ticket items to decorate the interior of your soon-to-be new home. Bad idea! The ratio of your monthly income to your monthly debts is a main factor the lender considered when qualifying you. And your lender will probably run your finances a few more times before closing. Therefore, don’t take out a loan, sign any car leases or make any big purchases. This could result in you losing the loan for your new home.

2. Don’t disappear

Keep in touch with your lender and be available to answer any last-minute concerns.

3. Keep your loan officer informed

Don’t make a large deposit or open a new bank account without checking with your loan officer first. A large deposit can lead to a lot of questions, such as where the money came from. Inform your Loan Officer of any financial changes, such as money transfers.

4. Don’t change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job

Most lenders prefer home buyers to have a two-year job history. Making a big career move can slow the home buying process down or even result in you losing the deal.

5. Don’t open a new credit card, use credit cards excessively or let your accounts fall behind

Engaging in behavior that could negatively impact your credit score could slow down the home buying process or result in you losing the loan.

If you would like to learn more about the home buying process, contact one of our experience agents here.

(RE/MAX Blog)-When searching for your next home, it is extremely important to distinguish between wants and needs. It is very easy to get caught up in the excitement and carried away with your list of “dream features.” This is when truly defining what you “want” in a home versus what you “must-have” in a home for your lifestyle comes to play.

A “need” should always take precedence over a “want” when it comes to making a big life decision, like purchasing a new home. Below is a list to help you find the right approach during your search for your next home.

1. Make a list. Write out your wants versus your needs. Needs should include things like location, school districts, neighborhoods, budget, number of bedrooms, features, amenities, plumbing and electrical that are updated, lot size, number of garage spaces and HOAs. Wants may include non-essentials, such as the style of the home, remodeled kitchen or baths, decks, pools, hot tubs, flooring material and landscapes.

2. Consult family members. If you’re purchasing a home for more people than yourself, ask your family members about their wants and needs for the home. Your spouse and children may have wants and needs that you are unaware of.

3. Consider how long you plan on staying in your next home. This can help you further determine your wants and needs. If you plan on staying short term, location, value and neighborhood will be important. If you are planning to live in your next home for the long term, think about upcoming life changes. You may want that extra bedroom if you plan on expanding your family.

4. Compromise. Be realistic and ask yourself what makes you happy? If cooking for your family in a large kitchen brings you joy, then make it a need. However, be okay to let go of a big backyard if you want to live in the city. Define what you want and what you absolutely need to be happy in your new home.

Keeping perspective in mind will help you find a home you love!

We look forward to making this the best resource for information about real estate in the DMV area including important current topics that impact you. Please feel free to comment on our posts if you have questions or reactions to share. If there is anything you'd like to see us write about, we'd love to hear your ideas!