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        <title>Pure Energy Real Estate BLOG</title>
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            <guid>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/10313-leslie-street-sold-in-0-days.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/10313-leslie-street-sold-in-0-days.html</link>
            <author>donna@pureenergyteam.com (Donna Kerr)</author>
            <title> SOLD IN 0 DAYS! 10313 Leslie Street</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Another value-adding home renovation by the design team! 


This month the Pure Energy Team sold 10313 Leslie Street before it was even listed! This wonderful home is move-in ready, but that wasn't the case a couple of months ago! In addition to needing some serious de-cluttering, it also needed interior updates throughout. These updates included fresh paint throughout, new granite counters, cabinets and hardware in the kitchen, new light fixture and bathroom mirrors. Prior to the improvements, this property would have been listed around the $400,000 price range, based on the current market analysis for the Carroll Knolls neighborhood. Post renovation, this stunning home was listed at $469,000 and sold for $483,000, $16k over the list price!


Donna can do the same for you! To schedule an appointment for your free home consultation, contact us.


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            <thumbnail>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/images/blog/1744159581.jpg</thumbnail>
            <pubDate>Tue, 28 May 2013 09:49:30 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/before-after-magic-10603-inwood-avenue.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/before-after-magic-10603-inwood-avenue.html</link>
            <author>donna@pureenergyteam.com (Donna Kerr)</author>
            <title>Before &amp; After Magic- 10603 Inwood Avenue</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
JUST LISTED! 10603 Inwood Avenue, Silver Spring


When I first walked into this Colonial for a design appointment a couple of weeks ago, it was clear that the house had plenty of charm, but was in need of some updates to transform it into a SUPER charming house that would grab the attention of prospective buyers.


Many of the Colonials in the Chestnut Hills neighborhood of Silver Spring have a smaller footprint- the majority having two levels and no basement. Because of house size, it is important that the interior spaces are well thought out, staged in a functional manner and the presentation is top notch. 


The old half sized oven and lack of counter space made reconfiguring the kitchen a main priority. We maximized the kitchen space by moving the refrigerator into the laundry room/pantry (directly off the kitchen) and installed a brand new, full sized oven where the refrigerator was previously. Doing this gave us an extra cupboard and additional counter space. A new microwave shelf was aloso built to gain more counter space. Investing in granite counters increased the overall kitchen appeal to prospective buyers. 


Fresh paint, new light fixtures and some serious de-cluttering completed the interior transformation. The exterior had a small face lift of its own- the shutters were painted to highlight the windows, a new shed was installed and both the front and back yards freshly landscaped to present the house at its best. 


For more information about this exceptional home, click here.


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            <thumbnail>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/images/blog/308923767.jpg</thumbnail>
            <pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:42:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/selling-your-house-improving-the-appeal-and-heading-off-nay-sayers.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/selling-your-house-improving-the-appeal-and-heading-off-nay-sayers.html</link>
            <author>donna@pureenergyteam.com (Donna Kerr)</author>
            <title>SELLING YOUR HOUSE: Improving appeal and heading off nay-sayers</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
When it comes to marketing and selling your house, it's inevitable your home won't appeal to everyone. It's just the law of averages.  However there are many things (big and small) you can do to enhance your chances and appeal to the widest margin of the buying demographic. 


PREPPING FOR THE MARKET: 


1- PAINT, TIDY UP &amp; STAGE: 


PAINT: A fresh coat of paint everywhere is without a doubt the single biggest bang for your buck. Daily living is rough on walls and it's easy for you (the homeowner) not to notice the wear &amp; tear. It's amazing what we can develop blindness to.  It's also a good time to liven up or tone down living spaces. I'm a firm believer in using color but not going overboard. Neutrals (not just beige and cream) can be found in many color ranges and can add warmth and personality without alienating a prospective buyer. Bland, all white everything, crazy wallpaper and super bold colors can be a bit (under) or overwhelming for a first time viewer.  Believe me, I love crazy, bold colors, prints and patterns but they'll have to go when I sell. Just remember, it's not personal. Your house isn't about you anymore. Beyond paint, look at your house with a critical eye. You know what needs to be updated...you probably just don't want to hear it. Do the best you can within your budget and follow the tips below to improve your overall appeal and marketability. 


CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN: As a professional stager, I always recommend my clients hire professional interior and window cleaning services just prior to taking marketing photos and listing. I don't mean your normal, once every two weeks maintenance clean. I'm talking about a MAJOR deep clean. This type of service will normally run you a bit more but is worth it.  One important thing is to vet whomever you hire and make it clear what needs to be done. Inside and behind refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, fan blades, window sills, the tops of window frames and doors...you get the point. All the little things that get passed up regularly. 


DECLUTTER: Living in a home and living in it while selling are two very different things. We all like to be surrounded by our 'stuff'- personal pictures, religious items, refrigerator magnets with our favorite take out menus, conveniently placed laundry bins, jars of change, over stuffed bookshelves, too much furniture etc., these are the things that make up our daily lives.  Unfortunately, all the clutter can be distracting to a potential buyer. The little messes in addition to the personal things make it harder for buyers to see their lives in a house instead of yours.  So despite the added prep time and inconvenience to daily living, pack it all away. Look at it positively- you're getting a jump start on moving!


STAGING: Whether or not your agent/real estate firm provides staging at no extra cost (Pure Energy does!), your home should be staged to some degree. Now that you have all the clutter out of the way, take a good hard look at how your furnishings, knick-knacks and artwork are displayed and compare that against decor magazines or online photos of houses you think look great. Check out our online galleries of before and after staging photos. How does your house measure up? You don't have to be made of money, buy all new stuff or be a professional                    stager to improve the presentation of your home.  Ask friends and neighbors over for objective opinions. 


2-PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTING PEOPLE TO YOUR FRONT DOOR.


A WIDE ANGLE LENSE: Is key! The difference is just amazing compared to a normal camera. Your house may look amazing in person but if that doesn't come across online, where most people do their scouting you may never get them to visit your house. 


TAKING PHOTOS: It's imperative whomever takes and edits the photos to be used in your marketing knows what they are doing and has an eye for detail. You'd be amazed by what I've seen posted online. I've actually seen dirty underwear on the floor in a photo posted on MLS. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Take tons of photos, from many different angles. Review them before moving on to the next room. Look out for rumpled bedding, pillows askew, wires and cords popping out unnecessarily, what is in the foreground of the picture and the overall perspective of the photo. Each room should be as close to magazine perfect as you can get for the photos. Again, your first priority is getting people to your door!


3-THEY HAVE ARRIVED!  MORE THINGS TO BE AWARE OF


ODORS: There may not be a single other factor that will drive buyers out faster. I've been in houses where I've had to cover my nose and mouth and couldn't WAIT to get out.  Assuming this is not the case, be aware of diapers, strong foods, cigarette smoke, trash, pet stains, litter boxes, etc. Don't ignore these things- just because you can't smell certain odors doesn't mean they aren't present. Again, lean on your friends or neighbors and ask them to be honest.  Depending on a specific smell or need, do your research. Activated charcoal can help with many smells. Having air ducts cleaned can also make a huge dent. Whatever the smell is, deal with it- nobody else is going to. Also important...don't go too far the other way. Overpowering sickly sweet air fresheners can be a big turn off too. 


PILES OF YOUR LIFE: I'm circling back to de-cluttering but...it's important! When your home is live on the market and people are likely to view it at any time, make sure it's neat and tidy when you leave for work in the morning. Put away piles of mail, your hair brushes, toothbrushes, make beds, blinds up, curtains open,etc, etc. Adjust your schedule if needed to ensure you have enough time to straighten up in the morning. 


THOSE FEW LITTLE THINGS THAT YOU DIDNT GET TO:


DETAILS: Overall your home may be visually stunning and you should pat yourself of the back for getting it and keeping it that way but don't overlook the small things.  Things like burnt out light bulbs, non-working lights &amp; fans, broken drawers, loose handrails, leaky faucets and more. Despite your having fresh paint, stainless steel appliances and a good maintenance record, these little details can plant a seed of doubt in the buyers mind. 'If these things were overlooked, what else, perhaps more important hidden things were as well?' Don't be that guy. Go the extra mile. The details count. 


Lastly, prepping and putting your house on the market is usually rather stressful and time consuming for most people. Pure Energy is glad to share tips with you and commend your efforts to go it alone, BUT if you find yourself buried by your to-do lists, we are here to help :)  For more information on the market, our services, general real estate news and lots of fun please visit us!
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            <pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:32:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/real-estate-pro-of-the-week-donna-kerr-of-silver-spring-md.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/real-estate-pro-of-the-week-donna-kerr-of-silver-spring-md.html</link>
            <author>donna@pureenergyteam.com (Donna Kerr)</author>
            <title>Real Estate Pro of the Week: Donna Kerr of Silver Spring, Md</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 

Donna has been featured as the Real Estate Pro of the Week in Silver Spring by Real Estate.com. The original article can be viewed here.


While “whimsical” isn’t a term we often hear used to describe a real estate website, it fits when talking about the Pure Energy Team’s, and somehow it works. As soon as you land there you get the impression that there isn’t a stuffy bone in the bunch.


At the office, the Pure Energy Team calls Donna Kerr the “boss lady,” but there’s a 3-year-old who calls her “mommy.” If you ask her who she is, though, she’ll gladly tell you she’s a “high-producing, award-winning, top-dollar getting, real estate-team leading, over-40 first-time mom.”


Kerr came to the world of real estate after spending a decade using her University of Maryland bachelor’s degree in accounting as a number cruncher. She itched for something that would allow her to be more creative, and real estate seemed like a good fit.


“Real estate is different every day, but it’s similar. I like the diversity as well as the consistency of it,” she said. “It challenges me in many ways and gives me creative outlets.”


Creativity is the operative word for Kerr, from her website to her client follow-up. One of the most creative outlets she enjoys is the staging aspect of her business. The Pure Energy Team offers free home staging to every listing client. They don’t just provide a pretty table setting or flowers in the bathrooms, either – they do full-on home staging.


Kerr has two designers on her team who walk through each listing with the homeowner, making recommendations on repairs and renovations that should be made before putting the house on the market. Although the clients pay for any work they decide to have done, Kerr’s team manages the process for no additional fee.


Once that work is done, Kerr’s designers get to work, choosing items from their 5,000 square-foot warehouse full of furniture, artwork and accessories. “We furnish vacant houses completely, down to the pillows and artwork,” Kerr said.


Not only does she consider staging her niche, she feels it adds value to the transaction. “Our average commission here is $12,000 plus, and you have to be doing something significant in order to justify earning that. So, this is what we do, and our clients feel it adds value,” Kerr explained.


Staging plays such a big part in her real estate business that the team was asked to do a TV show, “Stage this House,” for A&amp;E. “We had a contract with A&amp;E, but they didn’t end up picking it up. We did two episodes that aired, though. It’s really a funny show; you should watch it.” And you can, on YouTube.


The other way Kerr feeds her creative side is with the events she throws for her past clients and their families. Although there are miscellaneous events throughout the year, the team throws an annual spring carnival and the annual haunted garden tour. The latter is also a fundraiser for Kerr’s favorite charity, A Wider Circle.


“A Wider Circle is a local charity that has a similar interest in that they basically help people move out of homelessness,” Kerr explained. “Often what happens is that they’re able to get an apartment, but they don’t have any furniture and their kids are sleeping on boxes. A Wider Circle collects furniture and housewares and keeps them in a big warehouse where these people can go and take away whatever they need,” Kerr said.


“We’ve donated a lot of our staging materials, and we’re starting to do furniture drives for them. It’s a way to give back to the community for supporting my business for the past 15 years,” she concluded.


Kerr built her business through direct mail, a practice she is still diligent about. The team also uses Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. “I think that everything helps,” she said. “You need to be doing more than one thing and shouldn’t put all your eggs in one social media basket.”


One of the most refreshing aspects of Kerr’s delightful website is her bio. Instead of a long list of designations and trite promises of integrity and honesty, the bio helps readers get to know the woman, not the salesperson.


“I’m a creek-walking, lake-visiting, dog-loving, wine-sipping, book- devouring, party-hosting, ballroom-dancing, cat-fancying, over-40 first-time mom.”


And, to help prospective clients get to know her even better, she adds that she “loves to laugh, travel, boat, eat good food, take long walks, bike ride with my family and get a massage as often as possible. My guilty pleasures include astrology, chili chocolate, reality television and not-so historical novels.”


To learn even more about Donna, click here. 
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            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:34:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/a-rockville-renovation-12002-shagbark-drive.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/a-rockville-renovation-12002-shagbark-drive.html</link>
            <author>donna@pureenergyteam.com (Donna Kerr)</author>
            <title>A Rockville Renovation- 12002 Shagbark Drive</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 

UNDER CONTRACT IN 7 DAYS WITH 5 OFFERS, SOLD OVER LIST PRICE!


Here is why it is worth investing in your home prior to listing it for sale! Prior to updates and improvements, 12002 Shagbark Drive would have been priced at $485,000 (based on current market analysis for comparative townhouses in the Montrose Forest neighborhood). $38,000 was invested into extensive renovations throughout, including an all new kitchen with granite counter tops and SS appliances, new hardwood floors, updated bathrooms and light fixtures, fresh paint and landscaping. The design team completed the new look with complimentary home staging to elevate the vacant spaces into a welcoming home. These updates culminated in a super contemporary, ready to move into townhouse. Post renovation, the house sold for $570,000, increasing the property's value by $85,000, netting the seller an additional $47,000 ! Over list price with five offers in the first week on market speaks for itself!  What can Pure Energy do for you?


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            <pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:59:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/is-now-a-good-time-to-sell.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/is-now-a-good-time-to-sell.html</link>
            <author>donna@pureenergyteam.com (Donna Kerr)</author>
            <title>How's The Market?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 


 




The answer is something that all homeowners thinking about buying or selling a home need to know. The Pure Energy Team is now providing statistics of current market activity from the past twelve months, which will be posted to our website on a monthly basis.


This helpful resource provides sellers and buyers with free access to current market statistics including median sold prices, average days on market, average sold to original list price ratio, sold listings, new listings and active listings. This data will give a detailed overview of activity in the real estate market and may assist you in making an informed decision about whether it is the right time for you to sell or buy a home.


Market statistics for Montgomery County neighborhoods of Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Chevy Chase, Kensington and Bethesda are now available. 


If you would like Pure Energy to send you market statistics for your specific neighborhood free of charge, please contact us, we want to help!


 
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            <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:13:23 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/9203-long-branch-parkway.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/9203-long-branch-parkway.html</link>
            <author>donna@pureenergyteam.com (Donna Kerr)</author>
            <title>Long Branch Village-A Renovation in Silver Spring</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Since 2001, residents of the Long Branch Village community have enlisted the Pure Energy Team as their number one Realtor choice to sell their homes.


To date, we have renovated, designed, staged, marketed and sold 23 homes in this Silver Spring neighborhood, with 18 out of 23 homes sold in less than 20 days and 15 of these houses selling above list price.  This experience helps us identify and remedy aspects your home that need some TLC in order to prepare your home for market and ensure that you will receive the best sale price, in the quickest amount of time.


Many of the homes in Long Branch Village share the same architecture, as the majority were constructed during the same decade. The footprint of these charming colonials is on the smaller side, which is why it is imperative to maximize your space. Most of these homes have three full floors, including the basement level, but many of the basements are unfinished, which reduces the overall living space dramatically. The lack of a second bathroom is also another major disadvantage.


Undertaking a renovation of this scale can be a little overwhelming for homeowners, but in our experience we know that putting money into finishing a basement and adding a second bathroom is an investment that you will get back at the closing table. Plus dividends.  The Pure Energy Design Team's recommendations extend beyond a cosmetic transformation.  They are recommendations for function and practicality that will add overall value to your home, resulting in a more appealing package to perspective buyers. The less work a home buyer needs to do, the more attractive the home becomes to the buyers. Bathrooms, kitchens and additional living spaces are priority areas to invest in when improving your home, as they are the spaces where you will see the return.


The PE Design Team recently completed a basement renovation at 9203 Long Branch Parkway, transforming the once rarely used space into a functional lower level family room and a second full bath. In addition, we installed a brand new kitchen, updated light fixtures and a fresh coat of paint was applied inside and out. Without any of the work, this home would have been priced at  $280,000. Post renovation, this home was priced at $369,000, a value increase of $89,000!  If you need help with any design decisions, give me a call at 301.608.1454 today.  Happy renovating! Donna


The gallery below illustrates the impact the renovations made at 9203 Long Branch Parkway.


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            <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/just-listed-9117-flower-ave-silver-spring-20901.html</guid>
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            <author>donna@pureenergyteam.com (Donna Kerr)</author>
            <title>JUST LISTED!  9117 FLOWER ave, silver spring 20901</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The CHARLIE BOWMAN house and garden!Open Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3 from 2 - 4pm.


 



Attention all garden lovers!  This is the house and garden for you!   


Pure Energy is proud to represent the estate of the late Charlie Bowman, a long-time member of the Sligo Branview community and a passionate gardener.  Charlie was a plant collector and zonebuster, well known for his exotic and rare plant collection of cactus and succulents as well as many usual and unusual perennials  including lilies of all sorts, heucheras of many varieties, wild ginger, paw paw, columbine, cacti, ferns of probably a dozen types, boxwoods, golden loniceras, yuccas, dasolirions, Thalictrums, crinums, palms, dicentra, epimedium, fatsia to name but a tiny portion of the fully planted quarter acre lot.     Pure Energy is teaming up with the Four Seasons Garden Club to thin out the abundance of rare and exotic plant life, create a grassy entertainment area, send a portion of this amazing collection to new homes and pass on Charlie’s love of these unique plants. The estate would also love to create a CHARLIE BOWMAN MEMORIAL GARDEN in some local space.  If you have an idea, please call Donna at 301.608.1454 or stop by the open house!


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            <thumbnail>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/images/blog/255234801.JPG</thumbnail>
            <pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:39:00 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/silver-spring-real-estate-market-is-on-fire.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.pureenergyteam.com/blog/silver-spring-real-estate-market-is-on-fire.html</link>
            <author>donna@pureenergyteam.com (Donna Kerr)</author>
            <title>Silver Spring Real Estate Market is on Fire!!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
WOW!  The spring real estate market is really heating up!  I have JUST SOLD 12 HOUSES IN THE LAST 60 DAYS!  Several had multiple offers, one sold for $14,000 over list price and half sold in less than 1 week.  4 sales were back to back sell/buy combinations that worked out seemlessly.  I could do the same for you.  We need MORE LISTINGS!! We can’t get our homes on the market fast enough.  We need MORE BUYERS!!  Take advantage of the low interest rates.  95% conventional financing available!  If you’ve been waiting for a good time to sell or buy, the time is now.  Call me today and see what I can do for you! (301) 608-1454


 
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            <pubDate>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:49:00 -0500</pubDate>
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