Excerpt from the @C21 HOME MATTERS Blog

Our Chief Marketing Officer, Bev Thorne, announced CENTURY 21 is “The Official Real Estate Company” of U.S. Soccer, which includes the Men’s, Women’s and Youth National Teams.

The partnership officially launches March 22nd when CENTURY 21 begins airing its commercials during the Olympic qualifying tournament (CONCACAF). The U.S. Women’s Soccer team has already qualified for the 2012 Olympics, but the men’s tournament starts tomorrow with a match against Cuba at 8 p.m. CT, live on Universal Sports Network.

The CONCACAF tournament runs through April 2nd with two finalists qualifying for the 2012 Olympics in London. Our Smarter. Bolder. Faster.sm television commercials will air during the tournament on NBC Universal and NBC Sports – a total of 46 times – and CENTURY 21 will serve as the sponsor of the halftime show in all six games.

Future spots will appear on NBC, NBC Sports, NBC Universal, ESPN and ESPN2 as well as during the 2012 Olympic Games this summer. Lastly, CENTURY 21 will also receive field signage during select matches and print ads in the Men’s and Women’s National Team programs.

As the most recognized, global brand in real estate, CENTURY 21 is thrilled to sponsor the world’s most popular sport. Watch for the CENTURY 21 spots during each game and good luck to the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team as they begin their journey to gold in 2012!

Check your local listings for game times.

Top 5 things that may scare potential buyers off.

 It is vital for sellers to make their home attractive to potential buyers. When listing your property, consult with your REALTOR® to determine an accurate and fair price. If the local competition has a substantially lower listing price, your property will most likely remain on the market.

Curb appeal is crucial, so the facade of your home should be inviting, not alarming. Remove clutter from the yard, spruce up the landscaping and freshen up the entryway with new paint and exterior lighting. Make sure the walkway to the home is not hazardous; any cracks in the steps, pavement or concrete should be repaired. Also, proper exterior lighting is essential, as some showings may be at night or dusk.

Don't let the odor of smoke or pets deter buyers. If necessary, hire professional carpet cleaners before your first open house and employ scented candles or air purifiers. Buyers will be anxious to exit, rather than stay and tour a home that has offensive odors.

As buyers explore your home they shouldn't have to visualize the space without clutter. Excess furniture, trinkets, family pictures, toys and other items tend to detract from the existing space and totally obscure any attributes of the home. Remember, everyone appreciates a clean house. Stains, fingerprints, dust and laundry will likely send buyers to the next house on their list.

Safety tips for heating your home.

In So Cal, most days are warm but you'd be surprised to know that we do have winter days.. Here are 
our tips to help you stay warm.

1. Have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected annually by a professional. Glass doors or a metal screen should be placed in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks or hot ash from exiting the hearth.
2. All fireplace ashes should be disposed of in a fire-resistant container and covered it with a lid. Keep the container outdoors and away from the home’s exterior or other possible combustibles.
3. Make sure any portable heaters you employ are equipped with a tip switch. These switches are designed to automatically shut off the heating unit in the event the heater tips over.
4. Follow the recommended safety instructions on all heaters. Heaters that run on fuel should be vented and space heaters usually need a minimum of three feet from any object or person. Never use space heaters to dry clothes or leave on overnight.
5. Ovens and stoves are not to be used to heat your home. They produce fumes and may become fire hazards if they are used as a heat source instead of their intended use of food preparation.
6. If you are using supplemental portable electric heaters, never use an extension cord. Plug them directly into the electrical outlet.
7. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and test the batteries monthly. Detectors should be installed generously throughout the home and secured outside every bedroom.

How to wow potential buyers with your Open House this Spring.

The goal of every home seller is to sell his or her home as efficiently as possible for the highest price. Every seller should clean and stage their home for potential buyers, but see below for what projects should be completed before you put your home on the market.

1. If it’s broke, fix it - This is crucial in the selling process. Repair the broken cabinet or loose railing before buyers view your home. Damage detracts from your home and may make buyers question what else you have not maintained.
2. Shades of grey - Interior paint is inexpensive and revitalizes a space. Covering scratches or wear and tear with fresh neutral paint is aesthetically pleasing and even creates that ‘new home’ look and smell!
3. Floored! - Transform your space by refinishing wood floors, updating tile or professionally cleaning any carpeting.
4. First impressions - Consider replacing your front door, as this is an investment that often pays for itself in the final price of your home.
5. Subtle accents - Fixtures and hardware, such as cabinet knobs, faucets, light fixtures and door handles can be relatively inexpensive and done without a professional.
6. Clear view - Upgrading old windows throughout a home makes a big difference both inside and out.
7. Keep up the facade - Garage doors often account for a large percentage of a home’s front facade. Similar to the front door, homeowners who upgrade or update their garage doors, may see a good return on their investment.

How to wow potential buyers with your open house this Spring.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, sellers enjoy a bump in home sales during the spring and summer months. There are several factors that lead to the rise in sales; children are on summer break, the holiday season is over, ideal weather for visiting homes, and overall,  schedules are often more flexible. Parents are more likely to coordinate a move during the summer months, especially when a move entails changing schools. Also, packing and unpacking  moving vans is much easier when you don’t have to contend with cold temperatures or ice and  snow!

Take advantage of the market upswing and make the most of your spring open house. Capitalize on curb appeal and ensure your landscape is up-to-date. A newly mowed lawn and freshly planted flowers make a great first impression that potential buyers will remember. Remove any clutter that may detract from your outdoor space, such as toys, bikes or gardening tools. Clean outdoor furniture so buyers can linger and if you have a pool make sure it is clean and inviting.

Once inside, potential buyers get to see your home in the natural light, so clean those screens, windows and sliding glass doors inside and out! As with every open house, no matter what the season, your house should be clean and organized, smell fresh and personal photos kept at a minimum. Attention to detail goes a long way, so fix that creaky door, tighten that loose floorboard, and paint over any scuffmarks. Lastly, remember to serve refreshments, think fresh pies to celebrate the season!