Hello Friends!

You are receiving this periodic newsletter from Garden City, KS realtor, Terria Judge, 
because you are either a client, or have signed up for these great home tips on her 
website, http://terriajudge.com. If you no longer wish to receive tips you can use around 
your home, just reply with "Remove" in the subject line! Thanks!

In This Issue
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1. Tips to Help You Sell Your Home for the Highest Possible Price
2. How to Choose a Contractor--Website Review
3. New Homes on the Market
4. A Tropical Christmas

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Sell It! For As Much As Possible!!
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First Impressions Count! The rest of your neigbors might be living in a shack, but your home 
can shine--and for not very much money, either. It's all about appearances and a well 
maintained, clean living look. In the spring and summer, keep your flower beds blooming. In 
the fall, get those leaves off the lawn. And when winter's chill is upon you, don't let your 
potential buyers fall on your sidewalk! Keep the snow and ice shoveled.

Imagine the welcoming factors that make it feel cozy; roll out the welcome mat, add a wreath 
to the front door. Make sure your doors are solid and well painted, the exterior walls are 
neat, and the shingles, gutters, shutters and windows are all in well form!

Make sure you follow up your first impression with a lasting second one! Inside your home, 
you should keep the rooms well lit, have a fresh and cozy scent in the air, take out as much 
extra furniture as possible to give your rooms a roomier feel, and keep fresh flowers and 
living plants around your living spaces. Don't forget to keep the kitchen spotless (you want 
to skip making buyers feel nauseated by filth!!), keep your bedroom closets well organized 
with neatly hanging/folded clothes, have extra clean muck-free bathrooms, and consider making 
your basement pull double duty! What does that mean? Well, you want to have as many liveable 
spaces as possible--how about moving your excess furniture into the partially finished 
basement, creating another place your potential buyer family can imagine enjoying their 
new home! Slap down an area rug, pull together lamps, cozy sofas--you get the idea!

Terria Judge has lots more suggestions for ways you can make your home a place anyone would 
want to own. Give her a call today at 620-271-2129.

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How Do You Choose Your Contractor?
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Finally, a place to go on the net, where you can search for a quality contractor! 
http://nationalcontractor.com serves as a liason contractors with construction projects! 
Sign up for the newsletter where you'll receive tips for hiring a contractor, find local 
contractors right on the website, and lots more.

In a recent newsletter, NationalContractor.com advised four steps in choosing your next 
contractor.

1. Ask lots of questions. "What work needs to be done? Will the work add value to the 
property? How big is your budget?" You should always get at least three bids for your 
project--and beware the ones that seem way too low! You get what you pay for.

2. Make sure your contractor is licensed! Ask to see it!! Most states require licensure. 
Ask if your contractor is insured--you should expect a quality contractor to be so. Don't 
put yourself in a situation where you could be liable for accidents that occur on your 
property!

3. Make sure you know exactly what it is you're signing. Any contract should include 
complete information on your contractor. Never pay everything up front. Pay part at the 
beginning, and the rest when the job is completed. This is called "Draws."

4. Be involved with your contractor and the crew from the very beginning. Do walk throughs. 
Make sure your needs are clearly understood!

Find out more about hiring a contractor at http://nationalcontractor.com

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New Homes on the Market
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1. Gorgeous! Elegant! Sophisticated! If you want to see a home that goes above and beyond 
first and second impressions, just visit http://terriajudge.com/

Gourmet kitchen, mud room up laundry, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, Formal dining or living room, 
Wet bar-serving, area, sun room, deck with pond, Spacious family room down with sink and 
fridge. Exquisite design with floor to ceiling Pella windows, heated sunroom. Beautiful 
serving/wet bar area off marble entry. Family/game room down has sink and fridge plus 
bedroom and bath, cedar closet. This is a One of a kind home! $299,800 
 
2. Especially good if you have a car or tool lover in your family! 
http://terriajudge.com/ --offers 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Cathedral ceiling, central electric 
heat and air, Large fenced backyard, 2 car garage with office. Over 1400 square feet all 
on one level. Master bath has double sinks. All bedrooms have large walk-in closets. Office 
in back of garage has built-in AC unit. 6" outer walls keep it cozy inside and easy on the 
utilities! An unbelievably good price at $89,500! 

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A Tropical Christmas??
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"For home stylist and designer Kevin Simon, her festive holiday ideas stem from her heritage 
in the Caribbean, thousands of miles away from her home in Southern California. To create a 
Caribbean flavor in her home, Simon incorporates natural cotton fabrics, tropical fruits and 
available greenery. And instead of decorating against a backdrop of green and red, she uses a 
soft white palette to create a cool , crisp look. " 

To see pictures and tips, visit 
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/decorating/article/0,1793,HGTV_3545_1393743,00.html

Article features other great tips from many different cultures and decorating styles!!

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This newsletter written and managed by http://mitone.com.