Spruce to Sell Now: Tips to Make Your Home Exterior Photo Friendly

Spring is around the corner and so is the busy flurry of houses being placed on the market. But what can you do to make yours stand out online and in person?

1. Stain or paint your front door. If your door is showing major sun fade or peeling, buyers will already have pre-conceived notions about the wear and tear of your home. If you have extra money, buy new brass or brushed nickle hardware for it as well.

2. Remove window screens. Ratty window screens definitely need to be replaced and homes look better in photos without them.

3. Freshen your landscaping with new mulch. Black is best to contrast with those new spring lime green leaves and blades of grass, or watering the brown mulch before a showing or photographing can be just as effective.

4. Consider planting spring bulbs or planters of pansies or other early spring varieties for color splash.



This backyard was professionally spruced up with
spring bulbs and mulch.



5. When in doubt, call a professional. Several landscaping companies can give you cost effective ideas to spruce up your landscaping to give your home that picture perfect feel.

-Amanda Chitwood

http://www.movetobloomington.com/

Antique Shopping For A Cause?! I'm In!

This weekend marks a tradition my mom and I attend every year: The Theta Antique Show at the Monroe County Bloomington Convention Center.This year marks the show's 50th anniversary and is always a crowd pleaser with collectibles ranging from silverware and dishes, antique quilts and crocks, camp blankets and turquoise jewelry, costume and gold and silver accessories, primitives, furniture from art deco to old hickory and more. It's like visiting a museum where you get to see all the items of yesteryear but better, it's the museum gift shop! A lunch kitchen will be there with yummy soups and baked goodies as well. Show starts Saturday February 26, 2011 10am-5pm, Sunday February 27, 2011 11am-4pm Tickets are $7 and last year the proceeds went to  CASA of Monroe County, Jill's House, Olcott Center Girlfriend Fund, Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, Monroe County United Ministries, Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, Beta Nobler Woman Scholarship.

Hope to see you there!
Amanda

B365 #7 Craving a Pizza Night? Head to Max's Place Downtown Bloomington

I recently took my son Henry and met a friend and her sweet little baby Sadie to a restaurant called Max's Place. Max's is located on the square next to Gratzie. The atmosphere is super friendly, large booths great for large parties, live music, good range of food and decent prices. They have a family dining area and a bar sectioned off in the back. They offer lots of options including vegan friendly. Their menu spans from eclectic salads, brick oven pizzas, panini sandwiches and calzones. They have 13 different micro brews and draft beers on tap in the bar. They also feature live entertainment and open mic night during the week.

The pizza was fantastic and the waitstaff was enjoyable. Hope to see you there!

Menu

Cheers!
Amanda

House Shopping in Bloomington this Sunday? Come See Us!

2237 Sweetbriar Circle Open Sunday Feb 20th 2:30-4:30

This 3 Bed + Study two story offers upper end laminate on the main level and tile in the kitchen. The kitchen has upscale appliances, breakfast bar and is open to the dining and living room area. There is a study on the main level and 3 bedrooms on the upper. Priced at $169,900 Visual Tour here.

3635 Upper Birdie Galyan Road Open Sunday Feb 20th 2:30-4:30

This 3 Bedroom + Study offers great energy effeciency features, passive solar, aggregate floors, electric heat pump or woodburning stove, custom cabinetry by Ferree in the kitchen, soaring ceilings and more. The landscape is amazing. 17 acres of both meadow and woods, backed by Sycamore Land Trust and State Forest. Priced at $250,000. Visual Tour here.

SOLD! By The Graves Team - 1207 Hearthstone Court

This 3 Bedroom/2 Bath Condo listing offers hardwood floors in the entry, kitchen and breakfast nook.
The flow is an open floor plan and there is a fireplace. The home has 1,686+/- sq. ft. and

has a rear deck facing a pond. This home sold on 2/14/2011 for 169,000. MLS:20103986

Incredible Price Drop on Condo!

This Lake Monroe condo at 9327 Pointe Lasalles was $164,900 now $130,000

This 3 bedroom 3 bath condo at Pointe LaSalles has many upgrades in recent years. Beautiful, glistening ash hardwood floors upon entry are simply the beginning! Fantastic views are available on both levels overlooking Lake Monroe. Desiring a condo that is ready to move into? This one is the top notch winner! The dining room, kitchen and living room are very open with spacious windows. The Kitchen has newer hardwood floors, refinished cabinetry, storage shelves in pantry were added. The kitchen appliances include: range, range hood, dishwasher and disposal. The living room carpet has been replaced in recent years. There is a fireplace in the living room and another in the master bedroom There is one bedroom on the main with full bath. The upper level has a large master bedroom with generous windows for water views. There is a second bedroom upstairs and a bath off the hallway. The Seller has completed the following repairs in the past 5 years. Ash hardwood floors, carpet in living room, furnace, air conditioner, water heater element, dishwasher replaced, contemporary ceiling fans and lighting fixtures, 13 windows replaced, outside freeze resistant water faucet installed, kitchen cabinets refinished, shelves installed in pantry, outside storage shed, cable and DSL connections installed in all BRs, Larsen Storm/Screen door, all walls and ceilings repainted. Visual tour can be found here.

SOLD! Wooded Estate on 18 Acres for $325,900

This wooded estate of cedar, stone and shake shingles offers 18 acres of wooded bliss. The floorplan offers 2,000+ sq. ft. on the main level and 800+ sq. ft. on the upper level. Inside you'll find hardwood flooring in the kitchen, dining room, great room and master bedroom. The great room offers a two sided floor to ceiling limestone fireplace. Lots of storage features and a full master bedroom and bath suite. This home was sold by The Graves Team on January 31st for $325,900.00
758 S. Deer Trace - Bloomington, Indiana
MLS: 20104402

New Bloomington Real Estate Listing: LOVE the interior!

 Beautiful quality and condition is found in this 1.5-story near IU campus and Bryan Park. This home has the charm and character of yesteryear with the amenities desired today. It was custom-built in 2000 The large covered front porch welcomes guests. The living room and dining room are very open and have glistening hardwood floors. The kitchen has tiled floors, natural maple cabinetry and granite countertops. The combination of cabinetry, granite and stainless upscale appliances provides a very striking appearance. These include: Refrigerator, gas range with convection oven, dishwasher, microwave and disposal. There is a large master bedroom with sumptuous bath alongside on the main level. The upper level has two additional bedrooms that share a full bath with newly tiled floor. There is a loft area that makes a great study or sitting area. There is a full unfinished basement with rough-in available for a bath. The high-efficiency furnace was installed in 2005. There is a water softener. The ceilings are very high so this could make substantially more living area in the future. The owners have loved the location, efficiency of the home, proximity to campus and Bryan Park, and the organic gardening in the backyard. Blueberries, kiwi, raspberries, cherries and a wide variety of vegetables have been enjoyed by the owners. Relax on the front porch or spacious back deck of an evening!
1014 S. Palmer Avenue MLS: 2011389 $289,900 Detail Link and Visual Tour

New Bloomington Real Estate Listing! 3 Bed + Study w/ high end laminate, South School District

|Outstanding 3-bedroom 2-story in Sweetbriar awaits those seeking excellent quality and condition. This charmer has warm, inviting oak-look laminate floors throughout most of the main level. Tiled floors in the kitchen with upscale appliances are sure to delight! There is a study available off the main entry that could also be used as a music room. The large living room/dining room are perfect for entertaining. The kitchen has lots of workspace available on the countertops. The master suite has a walk-in closet and a full bath. The two additional bedrooms share a full bath off the hallway upstairs. All of this with a 2-car garage and upscale landcaping makes this an enjoyable place to call home. Winslow Farms has great bus service available. Only 2.25 miles from the IU Law School. More details here. MLS: 20110388 $169,900