Tuesday, December 30, 2014

You Want a House, But Where Do You Begin?

The stars are finally aligned and you have decided to throw your towel into the housing market.  The rates are good and with FHA loans making it easier for first time buyers to purchase a home, you start thinking, why shouldn’t I bite the bullet and take the plunge.  But, where do you begin?  Do you just go out and look at homes?  Do you go to the bank and tell them you want a mortgage?   Like so many people out there looking for their first home, many buyers are a little intimidated about how to start the whole process.   There are a few essential steps to buying a home, but it is not as difficult as some people think.  So, take a deep breath and relax.  The first thing any prospective buyer should do is get copies of your credit reports and credit score from all three credit reporting agencies.  Since lenders could use any of the three to determine your credit worthiness, you need to check them all for accuracy and fix any mistakes you may find before applying for a mortgage.  You do not want any surprises coming up when you are in the mortgage loan office.  After that, get pre-approved for a loan.  This is when the lender will look into your financial history and run your credit.  This will give you and your lender an idea of how much of a home you can afford and which mortgage will be right for you.  Just remember this is only a snapshot of your financial readiness, so don’t do anything drastic between your pre-approval and when you finally close on the loan, or you may find that pre-approval disappear.

Besides your finances, you need to consider what you are actually looking for in a home.  You should make a wish list where you have prioritized your must haves in a home as well as those things that are deal breakers that you don’t want.  Be clear about what you would be willing to compromise on if a home does not meet all of the items on your list.  You want to be happy in your home and not regret purchasing it after the fact.  Once you know what you are looking for and how much you can afford, it is now time to start looking at homes that meet your needs.   Happy hunting.  


Monday, December 15, 2014

All the Leaves Are Brown, and the Sky Is Gray

The leaves are turning color as they gracefully fall to the ground and there is a slight chill in the air.   Halloween has come and passed and Sweater weather has fully arrived and it’s time to bust out the boots.  And just in case you weren’t really sure, the aroma of pumpkin spice latte’s can be smelled for miles around.  Yes, fall is in full swing, and it’s time to get your house ready for it.  Whether you are diligently using your home maintenance checklist or if you just kind of wing it, there are a few things you must do every fall in order to maintain your home and get it ready for winter.   This is the time of year, just as the leaves are changing; you need to think about changing things too.  What I mean is, it’s time to change out all of the batteries in your smoke detectors.  While you’re at it, you should change (or clean out) your air duct filters.  Most filter need to cleaned or changed every three months, so why not take a day and do both at the same time. 

            
            Besides changing things out, fall is also the time to check things out.  First and foremost, you need to check your house for any air leaks.  Check around all the doors and windows for signs that any leaks are occurring, such as gaps or missing caulk.  Also check to make sure the weather stripping is in good condition.  Since, air leaks are one of the biggest causes of energy loss, making sure that they are plugged up will save you money in the long run.  The next place to inspect is your roof.  You need to make sure that it is in good condition and ready to handle any type of storm that winter can bring.  And lastly, you need to check your fireplace and chimney. Fireplaces need to be cleared of debris and cleaned out, and the chimney inspected for any cracks.  Once all of this is done, grab your pumpkin spice latte, curl up in front of the fire, and relax knowing you are ready for what fall and winter will bring. 



Tuesday, December 9, 2014

From Halloween to Ho, Ho, Ho’s: How to Decorate for the Holidays and Still Sell Your Home


You are in the process of selling your home when all the holiday festivities begin.  Sure, you have cleaned, de-cluttered, and staged your home and it looks beautiful.  The holidays come and you can’t decide whether to leave things as it is or get into the holiday spirit.  Sure, some buyers won’t appreciate the decorations, but then again some might.  Seeing a home tastefully and elegantly decorated for the holidays may inspire some buyers to envision themselves enjoying the holidays with family and friends, inviting warm feelings of home.  Then again, a home decorated in tacky and off putting décor may make some buyers turn up their noise and go running for the hills.  The decision is yours, but, to make sure those holiday decorations do more for the sale of your home rather than hinder it, just follow a few simple rules of thumb to have a great holiday season while still trying to sell your home.     

           
           The most important to thing to remember when decorating for the holidays while trying to sell your home is that less is more.  Overdoing the decorations so that your home can be seen by the international space station is never a good idea when showing your home to prospective buyers.  Add some subtle touches here and there that convey the holiday spirit rather than beat buyers over the head with it.  Also, use your common sense and avoid anything that some might find controversial.  Sure they may be funny, but your sense of humor may get lost in translation and offend some potential buyers.  In addition, try to refrain from using too many overtly religious decorations.  Something more secular may be more appropriate as to not upset those who do not share your same spiritual beliefs.   You will also need to consider the safety of the potential buyers as they walk through your home.  Keep an eye out for any possible tripping hazards as you put up your decorations.  You may know about them and know to avoid them, but those viewing your home may not have as keen of an eye.  The last thing anyone needs is litigation over the holidays, especially if you are trying to sell your home.  One of the biggest things that you need to ensure while decorating your home for the holidays is to remember to not hide your home’s assets under excessive décor.  If your mantle is the showpiece of the room, covering it in holiday décor may just ruin the effect.  Too much holiday frills outside may hide your home’s curb appeal.  So, if you do decide to decorate for the holiday season while your house is on the market, the best thing to remember is to keep it simple. 

 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Winter Is Coming, Are Your Ferns Ready?

The leaves are changing color and falling all around the neighborhood.  While the outdoors is awash in the gorgeous hues of fall, the plants inside your home are, however, looking sad and droopy.  Winter is coming and you need to get your indoor oasis ready for the season.   Just like the plants outside, winter is a time of rest and recuperation for those that are kept in pots inside.  They still need basic care but not as much as they would during peak growing season in the spring.  Indoor plants need less moisture during the winter, so cut back on the watering.  If the soil is dry when you place your finger one inch into it, then let the water flow.  Otherwise, you could be overwatering, which can cause soil to become too saturated and can also cause the roots to rot.  In addition, indoor plants do not need as much food or fertilizer, so hold off on feedings until spring comes around.  Just like in your outdoor garden, this is also the time of year to go ahead and prune your indoor plant in preparation for spring.  

If your indoor plants are looking a little down, they may just need a change of scenery, as in a different window sill to sit on.  Throughout the year, the sun changes angles thus changing the amount of sun that your plants may be receiving if they sit in only one window all year long.  Moving the plant to a new location may give the added sunlight it needs during the winter.  Also, don’t forget to rotate the plant so that all sides get a little bit of the rays.  Indoor plants do not like great fluctuations in temperature, so be sure to place your plants away from major heat sources, like the fireplace or stove.  The last thing you should consider is a good sponge bath.  Just like us, dust, dirt and grime can clog a plant’s pores and make it hard for the plant to absorb the nutrients it needs to grow.  This is a great time of the year for you to mark on your calendars to give your houseplants a gentle cleaning with a damp cloth.  Besides removing debris, it is a great time to inspect the plant for and to get rid of any unwanted pests.  

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Don’t Forget Your Jimmy Choo’s

The party is under way and you are dressed to the nines.  You step out to make your grand entrance, and all everyone can look at are your feet.  That tuxedo or little black dress is a showstopper but they’re all staring at the old beaten up sneakers or boots you chose to wear with it.  Not quite the impression you were going for.  You would not wear old dirty shoes when preparing for a big party or say a job interview, because you always want to dress to impress.  So why is it that so many people, who are selling their homes, make the same mistake?  They clean and prepare their homes for showings, by clearing up the clutter and staging them to induce buyers to want to live there.  But, then they overlook prepping and staging the garage.     

These days, the garage is an important part of the home, but so many sellers overlook the fact that buyers want to envision how they will use that space.  If your garage is messy or cluttered with boxes, so much so, that potential buyers can’t even maneuver through it, you may be sending the wrong message to them.  If buyers want to see if their SUV will fit in the space, they may not be able to look beyond the stack of boxes that have prevented you from parking in there.  What if the buyer is looking for a space with a lot of natural light for some hobby work, and your garage door will not open?  It’s important that things in the garage be in working order and the space is safe for potential buyers to walk through.  If you are using the garage to store the items you have moved out of your home for staging, consider moving them to a storage unit or to a friend’s house temporarily.  Let your garage speak for itself and make the right impression on potential buyers.  Just like the right pair of shoes can make on outfit, the right garage can make the home.  So do you want to show beat up old Keds, or do you want to show off your Jimmy Choo’s. 




Monday, November 24, 2014

It’s Elementary, My Dear Watson


You are shopping for a new home.  You have gone to open houses and showings and you have found a house that meets all of your needs.   The home is close to your work, has nice parks and is in a great school district.  The offer is made, you close on the property, and you move in.  It is then that you learn that your perfect home is maybe not in the ideal neighborhood you thought it would be.  There is a constant police presence in your neighborhood because of a high incidence of crime at night.  Your neighbor rents his home to a bunch of frat boys and they have constant parties until dawn.  The friendly couple across the street has teenage boys who own muscle cars and the sound of drag racing can be heard for miles.   Your dreams of happily ever after have now become more of a nightmare, all because you didn’t do your homework before you bought your home. 


Before buying a house you need to look at all aspects of the neighborhood and not just the obvious things, like school districts and commute time.   In this day and age, you have to be a formidable detective, akin to Sherlock Holmes himself, and investigate the neighborhood using several different sources.  Check out the local newspapers, neighborhood blogs, or any number of apps to investigate what is around your house and pay special attention to any reports of crime in the area.   Another good idea is to talk to the neighbors.  Who better will know if the sellers have made any repairs to the home or if other neighbors on the block may be a problem?  One of the best things you can do is too make several visits to the neighborhood at different times during the day and on different days.  This is a great way to learn what an area is like and to see it for yourself.  You’ll hear the train whistles, see the activity with your own eyes and get a real sense if this neighborhood is for you.   It is better to learn the truth before the papers have been signed to avoid buyer’s remorse later.


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

There’s No Place Like Home, There’s No Place Like Home, There’s No Place Like Home





        You have been renting for years and everyone keeps saying that you should take the plunge and put down some roots.  But, are you really ready to buy a home?  Despite what everyone is telling you, only you are qualified to determine if buying a home is really in the cards for you.  You need to ask yourself several questions to figure out if you are really ready to dive in and make one of the biggest purchases of your life.  First you need to consider if you can really afford a home.  Not just the price of the home but all the additional expenses associated with home ownership, like taxes, maintenance, HOA fees, home insurance, etc.  Next, you will have to determine how much a down payment you can afford.  Most mortgage companies require a minimum down payment of 3.5% and another 3% of the purchase price for closing costs.  Do you have enough money saved to cover that?  What about your credit score?  Your FICO score will need to be above 620, or you may have a tough time getting approved for a mortgage.  You may need to consider taking some time to improve your credit score before even considering buying a home. 


       Besides the numbers and the money there are a few things you need to consider.  Will owning a home really fit into your lifestyle?   Most homeowners stay in one house for at least 3 to 5 years.  The minimum time needed before selling your house is determined by how much the property has gone up in price and the amount of equity in the house.  Homes require some weekly and monthly maintenance. So be ready to buy a do it yourself, DIY, book to help you learn how to do some home repairs or landscaping.  The costs of weekly maintenance along with home repairs will need some financial planning. So, take a look at your lifestyle and financial health and make the best decision for you.  There’s no place like home, but only you can decide if you should rent or buy that home. 









Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Bathroom Updates You Can Do in a Day for Under $100 Each

           

         Your house is on the market but so far there are no offers.  You hear comments like, the fixtures are old, the lighting is terrible, or the worst, the bathrooms look dated.  I know it’s frustrating, but there are things you can do to make those buyers take notice. A few simple changes in your bathroom could make all the difference and they don’t have to break your piggy bank.  First and foremost, the best and cheapest thing you can do to make buyers feel comfortable is to make sure that your bathrooms are clean and neatly organized.  A bathroom that is cluttered and unorganized will turn off any buyer.  Besides organizing, one of the easiest things to do to make an impact in the bathroom is to simply change out the towels and mats around the room.  You would be surprised how much a new set of extra plush towels in a vibrant hue can transform the look and feel of the room.   Another easy fix is to add ambiance to your bathroom.  A few candles, pictures, and other decorative touches can make a world of difference and help create a warm and inviting environment to prospective buyers. 



         Now for the more adventurous amateur DIYer, there a few relatively inexpensive but a little more involved things you can do to update your bathrooms in a day.  A pop of color in a bathroom is a great way to change the look of the room.  Try painting your old cabinet, a wall, or perhaps the door to add a little spice to the room or go all white and make it look clean and fresh.  Play with the lighting in the room by changing out the old fixtures to a new style.  Just replacing the glass shades to a something more modern will make an old fixture like new again.   Replacing the old hardware on the cabinets themselves can convert them to something new and exciting.  Finally, updating the fixtures such as faucets or showerheads can bring a bathroom back into this day and age and make prospective buyers take a second look.