The Massachusetts Real Estate Guy

How Lighting Adds to Home Value

Given the state of the economy, many homeowners simply don’t have the means to undergo major home improvement projects before they decide to put their listing on the market. While many believe that value is only added by tearing a room down and recreating the entire look, it’s simple to take an easier approach to renovating your space through home lighting. Whether the kitchen in need of another task lighting source or you just want to highlight a decorative corner in the living room, it’s best to research some fixture options in order to bring out the very best in your home.

Many families spend a large amount of time cooking and entertaining in the kitchen, an area of the home that requires special attention during light fixture installation. Recessed lighting is a smart option as these bulbs prove to be powerful and effective yet are blended in nicely within the ceiling so as not to take away from the room’s overall style. If your kitchen includes an island, a lighted hanging pot rack or set of decorative pendant lighting will add instant appeal and value for when potential buyers are coming to visit. Pot racks not only feature a decorative light fixture but also give you the opportunity to store your cookware sets in one central location while freeing up countertop and pantry space for other kitchen accessories.

In terms of enhancing your home’s exterior, invest in a set of landscape solar lights to line the front side of your home or along the driveway. For a more decorative option, consider adding a set of post lanterns that are available in a variety of styles from traditional to modern in order to complement your home’s design and provide a safe environment at night. With the simple addition of exterior lighting, you’ll be able to accent each side of your home and garden, creating an attractive curb appeal for potential home buyers in the market.

It's tough to be an active blogger when you're busy...

Man...

I wish SOMEONE would come up with a device that I could install in my car, that would take my SPOKEN words and "magically" transform them into blog posts...

But then again, I'd look like I'm "talking" to myself...  Might lose business THAT way...

Seriously though, it IS tough... when you're running around from pretty much 7 in the morning, sometimes COMING HOME after 9 pm, the only thing on MY mind is food, walk the dog, and maybe catch the latest NEW (but probably lame) episode of "Lost"...

and of course, set up my schedule for the day after...

So, why do I do this?

After over two years of doing this, it isn't to get new business. Blogging for me has NOT gotten me ONE viable lead, one sale, NOTHING.

However, I am "experimenting".. It's the closest I can come in my age to playing "Dr. Frankenstein", without actually hurting anyone...

Just kidding...

First of all, some of you get information from my posts. I know this because some of you have said this to me.  In my opinion, this beats corny newsletters to send out with recipes as to how to make meatballs....

Or cookies...

That's probably the best reason. 

I'm trying to be disciplined in this, but it's hard... I tried the "carrying a blogging notebook" idea, only problem is, I lost 3 of them... One of them at Dunkin Donuts in Oxford...

The best feature I like in blogging is that I can create a newsletter, print it, and send it via the mail, for those folks STILL not on email...

In the mean time, I'll stick it out a little more. 

Anything's better than recipes.. LOL...   

My new business card ...

 
Well, finally... 

The finished product is, of course, with rounded corners.  Thanks to my good friend John Miller for inspiring my slogan, last week, as we were hashing ideas around, and I did in fact, use Overnightprints.com.  It took me around 10 hours to design the finished product, using their online designer (very cool tool). I've bought 1000's of business cards before but I have to say, yes, I REALLY got involved in the making of this card, but it was also a verry enjoyable experience.  The support at OvernightPrints.com is great!  Very very polite, very helpful.  

I did, in fact, decide to put my photo in the card, but I can easilly "knock" that out in a subsequent order. Everyone I asked said it would be better if I put my picture. I like to think of it as a means of identification to someone that doesn't know me and is meeting me for the first time. I pretty much do look like, oh, I'd say, 73% like my picture... (just kidding)...

Overall though, this card was inspired by Seth Godin's post about business cards; I've been reading up on my Seth Godin and he's always just "made sense" to me.. You'll be seeing a LOT of little changes and tweaks forthcoming in my business approach here and there; a good amount of these changes are partly inspired by Seth. 

There you go, I "give" you my card.  You like?  Dislike? I don't mind hearing from you. If you'd like a real copy, email me and I'll send a couple out. No obligation, of course.  

The smart way to spend a day in a Winter Snowstorm

December 20-21 WInter Snowstorm...