While at the Cincinnati Home Show we had the opportunity to see a lot of interesting vendors and contractors. One of them was a company called BidMyCrib.Com The company is an online marketplace for home owners to put their home repair and improvement projects out to bid to local contractors. BidMyCrib takes the time to research the Better Business Bureau references and the insurance and bonding on all of the contractors it allows to access the system and bid on jobs. The cost is minimal - $14.95 per job, or about $40.00 per year if you have multiple jobs. The company has a minimum of one contractor for every type of job listed in their system so you should not be left wondering if someone is going to get back with you. Bids usually come in within 48 hours and you get to choose who gets the job. We always recommend asking for references and past clients, as well as checking with the BBB before hiring any contractor.

I know that we all struggle with the same question - what repairs or upgrades should I do before I sell my home? We wonder if we are going to get the money back in a higher sale price, or with it help get my home sold before my next mortgage payment is due. Home and Garden TV shows give tons of great ideas on how to inexpensively update the feel of key rooms in your home, you just have to be willing to spend a little bit of money to make a lot of money.

Homegain,com has a Sales Maximizer that give you insight on the best investments you can make in your home before you sell it. Cleaning and de-cluttering a house is listed as the most cost effective investment you can make!A good Cincinnati Real Estate Agent can help you though the process of getting your home ready to sell for top dollar. An absolute must read is this Home Sale Maximizer Guide. Coming soon we will have a list of contractors we have worked with and would recommend so check back often!