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Why Working With an Agent Is So Important
HGTV and home renovation shows may be entertaining, but they’re not always accurate. In particular, most of them skip over the important ways real estate agents can help homeowners.
In the real world, agents play a huge role in home purchases, sales and even flips.
Are you planning to make a real estate move this year? Here are just a few of the ways an agent can help make the experience a success.
Experience and Local Knowledge
Agents know how to draw up your contracts, handle the paperwork and save you valuable time (which is vital in today’s busy market). We also have on-the-ground knowledge of the local market, which can help you better evaluate properties, make offers and negotiate pricing.
Negotiation Skills and Key Partners
Experienced agents also know how to negotiate successfully and can leverage inspection results, sales reports and other data to get you the best bang for your buck — whether you’re buying or selling.
Working with an agent also provides access to deep professional networks, which comes in handy when it’s time to find an inspector, contractor, financial adviser, mortgage lender, real estate attorney and other partners on your journey.
The Bottom Line
Finally, agents know all about home values — as well as what features, amenities and styles can increase your property value down the line.
There’s no need to navigate a stressful, complex and high-stakes process alone when you could have a knowledgeable and compassionate agent working on your behalf.
Do you want help with your next home sale, purchase or fix-and-flip? Get in touch today.
5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Bathroom
Remodeling your bathroom can be a great investment. It immediately makes your home more usable and enjoyable, and in the long term, an upgrade could increase your home’s value by thousands of dollars.
And a remodel doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or costly event. There are quite a few small, low-cost projects that can offer a big impact.
Thinking about updating a bathroom? Here are a few projects you might want to consider.
Improve the Lighting
Sometimes changing out a fixture or installing a different type of lighting can make all the difference. You can even upgrade to smart bulbs for extra value and convenience.
Add Some Storage
Who doesn’t need more storage? Whether it’s adding an extra medicine cabinet above the toilet or shelves to the closet, every bathroom can be enhanced with a little extra storage space.
Update Countertops and Fixtures
Changing out the hardware can make a big difference. That might mean swapping countertop materials, changing out drawer pulls or installing new doorknobs and faucets.
Add a Pop of Color
You don’t need to paint the whole room, but a pop of color in an alcove or built-in shelving unit can quickly improve the space. You could even do a patterned wallpaper if it fits with your aesthetic.
Upgrade the Shower or Tub
Could you add seating or built-in storage to your shower? Jacuzzi jets to your tub? A floor-level door for accessibility? It’s the details that matter.
One more thing: If you do opt to update your bathroom, don’t skimp on the planning. Have a budget in place, carefully vet your contractors, and avoid DIYing anything you’re not entirely confident about.
Do you have questions about your home’s value? Reach out today.
5 Fun (and Useful) Summer Home Trends
Summer is a great time to improve your home’s exterior.
And whether you’re interested in enjoying your space a little more or you want to boost your home’s value, it makes sense to find inspiration by taking a look at what other homeowners are doing.
Are you thinking about updating your yard or patio this summer? Here are five popular trends to consider trying for yourself.
Install a workout or play area. Make the most of your property by building a swing set or sandbox, adding a horseshoe pit or investing in a small climbing wall or some gym equipment that the whole family can use.
Build a front yard social spot. Want a casual outdoor spot that’s welcoming to your friends and neighbors? Think about setting up a social area in the front yard — one with benches, swings and comfortable places to sit and chat.
Focus on backyard entertainment. For more private gatherings, focus on guest-friendly features in the backyard. Movie screens, fire pits and hot tubs are a few popular options.
Add an outdoor kitchen. Love to cook? Just want to eat alfresco? Install an outdoor pizza oven or invest in a smoker or grill. Be sure to set up a roomy (and durable) dining area, too.
Plant a vegetable or herb garden. It’s never too late to improve your landscaping with something functional. Consider planting a few of your family’s favorite veggies or herbs in a small garden out back.
Need some guidance on potential upgrades that can improve your home’s value? Thinking about a new property purchase instead? Get in touch today.
What to Know About Today’s Busy Market
You’re probably well aware that the real estate market is more competitive than ever (due to low inventory, among other things).
Still, it’s not a bad time to buy a house. Mortgage rates are low, home values are on the rise and, in many cases, buying is still more affordable than renting.
Are you considering purchasing a house in today’s fast-paced market? Here are five tips that can help.
Get preapproved. Applying for a mortgage preapproval is critical in a competitive market. Not only can it give you a good price range to shop in, but it can also help sellers feel more confident in your offers (and maybe even choose yours over others).
Be flexible. If you can be flexible on your closing date or willing to waive a contingency or two, it will often work in your favor. Sellers are looking for the easiest, most lucrative sale in most cases. We can discuss what makes sense for you when the time comes.
Make a decent earnest money deposit. Earnest money deposits are “good faith” deposits that indicate how serious you are about a home purchase. If the seller accepts your offer and you don’t follow through with the deal, they keep that cash.
Be prepared to bid more than the asking price. Consider searching in a lower-than-maximum price range so that you have room to bid upward if necessary. In many cases, you’ll need to increase your bid to compete with other buyers, so maxing out your budget from the start probably isn’t the best strategy.
Be patient (but stay alert). In the current conditions, you may not find what you’re looking for immediately. On the other hand, things could start moving quickly at any time. To find success, remember that communication and flexibility are key.
It can be challenging to buy a house in today’s market — but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Reach out today if you need assistance.
4 Common Questions About Closing Costs
If you’re getting ready to buy a home, you’re probably focused on saving as much as you can for the down payment. But don’t forget: You’ll need to cover closing costs, too.
To create a realistic homebuying plan, make sure you factor in this additional upfront expense so that you can set yourself up for success.
Are you eyeing a home purchase in the near future? Here’s what you need to know about closing costs:
What are closing costs?
Closing costs include several fees, including those associated with originating, processing and underwriting your loan, recording the transaction with your county, appraising your home and more. Taxes and insurance are also part of these expenses.
When do you pay them?
Closing costs are paid on closing day, once your loan is ready to be finalized. You’ll also pay your down payment at this time.
How much are closing costs?
The exact amount you’ll pay will depend on various factors, including your location, loan amount, lender and more, but you can generally expect to pay somewhere between 2% and 5% of your total mortgage balance.
Are there ways to reduce closing costs?
You can reduce your closing costs by shopping around for your lender and title company, asking the seller to contribute, or, in some cases, negotiating with your lender.
Selling a house comes with closing costs, too, so make sure you’re prepared if you’ll need to sell a property before buying your new one.
Ready to start your home search? Get in touch today.
Don’t Skip These 6 Smart Moving Tips
No matter how much you prepare and how excited you are about your new home, moving will always be a bit stressful.
There are endless to-do’s and tiring tasks, and once you’re finished, there’s still unpacking and organizing to be done.
Even so, you can take steps to streamline your relocation and minimize problems.
Are you planning to move properties soon? Take a look at these helpful tips as you get started.
Declutter and donate. Your first step should be to declutter your house and donate any items you no longer need. You should do this a few months out — long before you start packing.
Start vetting and reserving services early on. Book your packers, movers and moving trucks early on. This will ensure you get the dates you need (as well as the best rates).
Pack an overnight bag for each member of the family. Think about what you’ll want access to on moving day and on the first night in your new place. Make sure to include snacks, water and anything else you might need.
Get creative with packing materials. You don’t necessarily need packing peanuts or costly bubble wrap to keep your items safe. Consider using hand towels, dishcloths, blankets, socks and other soft belongings instead. (They need to be packed anyway, after all.)
Label boxes systematically. Pack items by room and label each group of boxes with its own color (using stickers or a marker). This makes them easy to spot when loading, unloading and unpacking.
Plan for your pets and kids. Little ones and pets could get in the way during the big move, so make sure you arrange for them to stay somewhere safe until you’re more settled.
Thinking of buying a new home this year? Get in touch to start your search.
3 Big Housing Decisions You May Face
Housing decisions are never small. Where you choose to live impacts your budget, your job prospects and your social life.
And in the future, your home plays a major role in what your retirement might look like (financially and logistically).
For these reasons, housing decisions require plenty of careful consideration.
Want to be prepared to make the right choice when the time comes? Start here.
1. Should you build or buy?
Both building a new home or buying an existing one can be good choices. You’ll typically pay more for a new home, but it will likely need fewer repairs and have lower maintenance costs.
Existing homes, on the other hand, are usually cheaper upfront. They may come with more issues and potential repairs, though.
2. Is it better to move or to remodel?
There will typically come a time when you outgrow your first house. When this happens, you’ll need to decide whether updating (or expanding) that property is best or if you’re better off finding a new home instead.
Renovating will come with some hassle and mess, but if you love your location or your kids’ schools, it can be a smart choice. Buying a new property would allow you to change some of those foundational aspects — things like location, school district and community amenities.
3. Is it time to downsize?
As you age and your kids move out, you might consider a smaller house. Downsizing can reduce your monthly costs, free up cash flow and reduce the amount of cleaning and maintenance you need to do.
On the other hand, it may be hard to part with your long-standing home — both for you and your grown children. You’ll also want to think about things like your budget, long-term retirement plans, physical comfort and more.
Need help making a big housing decision? We’re here for you. Get in touch today to discuss your options.
5 Tips for Building a Home Wish List
Whether you’re thinking of buying a home soon or months down the road, you’ll need a carefully considered wish list when the time comes to start your search.
Identifying your needs and wants will help you narrow your options and make your homebuying journey — which we all know can be stressful — as smooth and efficient as possible.
Are you ready to put together your dream home wish list? Here’s what to consider.
Think about what you like (and don’t like) about your current home. Be sure to consider size, number of bedrooms, layout and individual features and amenities.
Consider the location. What’s important for your future neighborhood? Good schools? Proximity to work, parks or the airport? You might even name a few communities you already know you like, but be sure to keep an open mind (you might find a gem where you least expect it).
Separate the must-haves from the nice-to-haves. Must-haves are features you can’t live without — maybe things like a garage, three bedrooms or a fenced yard. Nice-to-haves could be details like a walk-in closet, stainless steel appliances or a finished attic.
Zero in on your budget. You need to know what you can afford monthly (for your mortgage and for bills and maintenance costs), as well as what you can put toward a down payment and closing costs.
Consult your family. If you’re going to share the house with your spouse, kids or other family members, sit down and talk through these points together. Everyone should be on the same page before making such a large investment.
Perfecting your wish list before you need it can help your eventual home purchase go more quickly and easily.
Need some help creating your list or finding properties that match what you’re looking for? Get in touch today.
Essential Spring Home Maintenance Tasks
Your home is an investment — and protecting that investment is probably one of your top priorities.
So as the seasons change and you start to spruce up and refresh your space, be sure to make time for maintenance as well as spring cleaning.
Keeping up with essential tasks will help ensure your home stays hazard-free, retains its value, and maybe even delivers a profit in the future.
Here are the top spring maintenance tasks to add to your to-do list today.
Structure and Foundation
- Check the foundation and exterior walls for cracks.
- Clean gutters and downspouts and repair any leaks or holes.
- Inspect the roof, looking for loose or missing shingles, damage to any pipes, or unusual wear and tear.
- Check for gaps around doors and windows and reseal them.
Systems and Appliances
- Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Schedule an HVAC tuneup to ensure your system is ready when it’s needed.
- Clean the refrigerator coils to lengthen your fridge’s life span.
- Flush the water heater to remove all the sediment that has built up over the last year.
- Replace air filters if you haven’t done so lately.
- Clean your dryer vent duct to prevent fires and keep the dryer working more efficiently.
Outside Details
- Check for termites to stop a damaging infestation as soon as possible.
- Clean the siding, check for damage to exterior woodwork, and repair and reseal these areas as needed.
- Check the sprinkler system to make sure all the heads are facing the right direction and do a test run before setting up your watering schedule.
- Clean up the landscaping by trimming, mowing and clearing debris. You may also think about planting some seasonal flowers.
Proper maintenance is critical to maintaining your home’s value. If you’re planning to sell soon, it’s even more important.
Are you thinking of selling your house and buying a new one soon? Get in touch today.
How to Make Your Best Offer on a Home
Making the right offer is crucial when you have your eye on a home.
Offer too little, and you may get passed over for the next buyer. Offer too much, and you may need to reevaluate your budget for furnishings or upgrades. This can be one of the most challenging parts of buying a new property.
Want to make sure you have a strong offer at a price you can afford? Here’s when you might offer above, below and at the listing price.
- At List Price: A home that’s within your budget, move-in ready and comes with all the amenities you want could be worth an offer at the listing price. But you’ll want to make sure there’s not much competition for the property.
- Below List Price: Does the home need serious work? If so, you may want to offer below the selling price. In this case, bidding less money could free up cash for future repairs and necessary upgrades. You can also try a lower offer if there are tons of homes listed in your area (but little demand for them). Get in touch to learn about the properties for sale in your desired neighborhood.
- Above List Price: You may want to go beyond listing price if you’re in a particularly active market or you know you’re up against several buyers. Together, we can determine what other homes in the area are going for, and we’ll make sure your best offer aligns with those bids.
Ready for a new home (and don’t want to overspend)? Reach out today, and we can begin looking for a property that’s perfect for you and your family.
