One of my favorite pass times is BICYCLING. Recently my two passions converged when Marx-Bensdorf became the Team Sponsor . The sport requires commitment to personal fitness, diet, and not unlike my day job it requires a commitment to team.

A Founding Sponsor of Memphis Thunder Racing and Triathlon Team . 

iN 1996 i STARTED THE mEMPHIS mOTOR wERKS cYCLING tEAM CO-SPONSORED BY mARX-bENSDORF rEALTORS. (i WAS A "SILENT" PARTNER AT mOTORWERKSj).  wE "RE-BADGED THE TEAM IN 2005 UNDER tHE mARX-bENSDORF BANNER.  sINCE OUR START, WE HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A VERY SUCCESSFUL eLITE aMATEUR cATEGORY TEAM, COMPETING THROUGHOUT THE MID SOUTH AND INTO MANY NEIGHBORING SOUTHEASTERN STATES.  PARALLELING MY 30+ YEARS IN rEAL eSTATE ENDURANCE ATHLETES HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE SINCE THE EARLY 80'S. aND, IT AFFORDS ME THE CHANCE TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL ATHLETES COMMUNITY AND TO BUILD GREAT AND LASTING FRIENDSHIPS; QUITE LIKE THE FULFILLNENT THAT COMES FROM HELPING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TRANSITION THROUGH AN IMPORTANT TIME IN THEIR LIVES BUYING OR SELLING REAL ESTATE.

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12470 Macon Road

241 Mountain Brook         

662 S Willett      

78 Pidgeon        

235 Cloister Green      

532 Clover         

7909 McVay Manor Cove

6252 Meadow Grove Cove   

159 S Collierville-Arlington

6548 May Hollow Cove  

247 S. Greer

350 Sweetbriar  

1481 Kimbrough   

6077 Maiden Lane

159 Collierville-Arlington Road     

A job well done, an improved development process in the Grays Creek Area saves resources for needs throughout ShelbyCounty.

                    Copyright © 2009 | Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. | Real Estate Website Design by BigFish

Here's How:

1. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home.
   • Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold much like a box of cereal on the grocery store shelf.
   • Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.
   • Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance warranties to the new owners!
   • Say goodbye to every room.
   • Don't look backwards -- look toward the future.

2. De-Personalize.
   Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there! You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."

3. De-Clutter!
   People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.
   • If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
   • Remove all books from bookcases.
   • Pack up those knickknacks.
   • Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
   • Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
   • Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.
   Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means:
   • Alphabetize spice jars.
   • Neatly stack dishes.
   • Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way.
   • Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
   • Line up shoes.

5. Rent a Storage Unit.
   Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Since your bookcases are now empty, store them. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don't want buyers scratching their heads and saying, "What is this room used for?"

6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items.
   If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it. Once you tell a buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.

7. Make Minor Repairs .
   
   • Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
   • Patch holes in walls.
   • Fix leaky faucets.
   • Fix doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
   • Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls.
     (Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the orange bathroom.")
   • Replace burned-out light bulbs.
   • If you've considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!

8. Make the House Sparkle!
   
   • Wash windows inside and out.
   • Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
   • Clean out cobwebs.
   • Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
   • Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
   • Clean out the refrigerator.
   • Vacuum daily.
   • Wax floors.
   • Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
   • Bleach dingy grout.
   • Replace worn rugs.
   • Hang up fresh towels.
   • Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.
   • Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.

9. Scrutinize.
   
   • Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?
   • Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
   • Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.
   • Make sure window coverings hang level.
   • Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz?
   • Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You're almost finished.

10. Check Curb Appeal.
    If a buyer won't get out of her agent's car because she doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get her inside.
    • Keep the sidewalks cleared.
    • Mow the lawn.
    • Paint faded window trim.
    • Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying

    Jimmy Reed

Over the past 31 years I have been Selling & Marketing Homes all across Shelby County Area, from Downtown Memphis to Midtown, East Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Eads and more. I have no need for a GPS system due to the fact that I have probably been on your street. I have proven results in all price range homes from consulting, negotiating, selling and marketing the lowest to highest priced homes in the city.

It's been said that you should find something that you love and do it. I did and have been since 1980. I am a REALTORS®. In 1983, I joined Marx & Bensdorf.  Later, Jim Black and I became co-owners of the firm. To this day, I enjoy an affiliation with the professional men and women at our firm, who share my passion for real estate and for helping people find their dream home. In 1987, my client successes helped me to achieve a rare milestone. I became one of the youngest ever Lifetime Members of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Multi Million Dollar Club.

Typically, I help my clients find new homes throughout the Memphis Metro Area. Or, maybe your dream home hasn't been built yet. I also work closely with some of area's most respected Builders, Marketing New Developments. I can help with small or estate sized lots where you may build your dream home. Together, we can help you create your perfect custom home.

My personal sales production is consistently in the Top 1% of Memphis Area Association of Realtors each year.  A great portion of my business comes from working with repeat Clients, and from their Personal Referrals. Of course, the same can be said for the associates at my firm. Marx & Bensdorf is one of Memphis' Top Sales Producing Firms in Memphis Our Agents average over 25 years of professional Real Estate Marketing Experience. Their sophisticated and considerable experience enables us to consistently rank as one of Memphis' top producing firms. Visit our company web site http://www.marx-bensdorf.com/Home for more information.

 7909 McVay Manor Cove

 The perfect blend of the latest European style and finishes with a hard to find close in Germantown location. Enjoy all that Germantown offers plus easy access to memphis business, arts and entertainment. A lovely family plan.

 Click on the picture to go to the digital version of this magazine which showcases some of my listings.  My listings are on the front and inside cover and pages 34-35.