Real Estate Information

Thanksgiving is next week! Can you believe it? If you're expecting houseguests or have those that tend to "just show up," you're probably rushing to ensure your home is in perfect hosting shape. One of the biggest problems with many homes is clutter! Whether you're selling or hosting, clutter needs to go. I thought I'd share a decluttering game plan to help you prepare your home for guests.

Does your kitchen often become the family drop-off spot for backpacks, mail, and other random items? It's normal! After all, it is the hub of your home. But when guests are in town, it should be the hub for hosting. Take time daily to remove any non-essential kitchen items. If you're planning on guests, stock your pantry with extra snacks, coffee and tea. 

We all have bathroom items that we leave out on sinks and coutertops every day. During the holidays, find a new place for them. If you have bathroom guests won't use, move these items there. Ensure you have plenty of extra bathroom necessities that guests can easily find. 

Life creates clutter in your home, especially in your living room. Find furniture and decor that doubles as storage to hide any clutter. The holidays get cozy with decorations, but don't overdo the decorations if you're having house guests. Find balance so it looks festive, but there's still space for family and friends to visit. 

Your entry is full of coats, boots, and kid's clothes on an average day. When it's time for guests to come, this should be there space. Put your coats and other items that might make it look cluttered in another close or room. Keep this space available for your guests. 

"Tis the season for fun and guests. Make sure your home is ready to host even if you don't have planned guests; you never know when someone will pop by for a surprise. I hope these tips help and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. If there's anythingg that we can do to help, please let us know. Cheers!

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Where do your guests gather? The kitchen. Make smaller updates to your kitchen without doing a complete remodel, which can be costly.   Try upgrading your cabinet and drawer handles, or add a backsplash. New lighting can also make a big impression.

Like the kitchen, guests notice bathrooms. Fall is a great time to get new lighting, sink, or upgrade bathroom fixtures. If you have tile, do a deep cleaning on your grout. If your bathroom is smaller, try painting an accent wall to add a pop that will impress.

Light fixtures can bring a modern look to your home. Updating your lights so everything matches is an investment that can go a long way. 

One of the easiest DIY projects to impress your guests is to give your interior rooms a fresh coat of paint. Your home will have a new, clean look. If you're looking for a wow factor, paint accent walls.

Replacing your floors can be a huge undertaking and can be costly. Give them a fresh look with a deep carpet clean. If you have hardwood scratches or damages, you don't want guests to notice. An area rug can be a great way to cover those scratches and make a nice impression.

If you've been trying to find time to make a few updates to your home. Schedule a weekend in October to try these DIY ideas. Do them before your holiday guests arrive, and make a great impression. Updates like these are also great if you're thinking about selling. Call me if you're thinking about buying or selling this fall. I'd be happy to discuss your home and our local market conditions.

Choosing the right lender is an important step on your homebuying journey. Not only will it impact your costs as a borrower but also your overall experience when buying a home.

Mortgage lenders can vary quite a bit. Every company offers different interest rates and loan programs, and fees and customer service can be widely different as well.

How do you find the right lender for your home purchase? Here are the steps you should take.

Understand what loan type you need. There are many kinds of home loans, including FHA, conventional, jumbo and more. Each one has different requirements for borrowers. Study up on loan programs to determine which ones might work for you. Doing this can help you pinpoint a lender who offers what you’re searching for.

Ask for referrals. Ask your friends, family and colleagues for lenders they may have used when buying a home. We can also discuss local lending experts as you get started on your home search. Then, you can continue your research about available loan programs, rates and other details.

Check out online reviews. Look up customer reviews of the lenders you’re considering on multiple platforms. You can also look at the NMLS database to see if there are any legal or licensing issues with the lender.

Get preapproved and compare offers. Once you’ve narrowed your pool of potential lenders, apply for preapproval. Then, you’ll get a loan estimate detailing the terms and costs of the mortgage each company is offering you, which you can use to compare your options.

If you have questions about homebuying or need help finding a great mortgage lender to work with, get in touch today.

If your space feels a little cramped, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need more square footage.

There are minor design and decor choices that can make rooms look and feel larger — and you don’t have to spend much to achieve this illusion.

Are you planning to revamp your place or get your house ready to sell? Here are five ways you can make any room in your home feel more spacious.

• Use lighting wisely. Adding light is one of the easiest ways to make a room feel bigger. If there are windows in the room, you can increase natural light by opening blinds and curtains. You can also brighten a space with artificial lights, like lamps or chandeliers, if there are no windows.
  
  
• Hang wall mirrors. Mirrors reflect light and can make a space feel like it has more dimension. Big statement mirrors are best, but any mirror can help — even a couple of small ones as part of a gallery wall.
  
  
• Get creative with storage. Having loads of furniture in a space can make it seem smaller and more crowded. To prevent this, add built-in shelves, use vertical space and invest in furnishings with hidden storage space.
  
  
• Choose window treatments carefully. Heavy fabrics can shrink a space, making it feel more compact and confined. Instead, select light-colored, airy and sheer drapes and curtains that let in more light.
  
  
• Pick a light color scheme. Dark colors work like heavy fabrics. To enlarge a space, focus on lighter color palettes — whites, pastels, yellows and similar tones.

Moving can be an exciting step to take, but it can also be difficult — especially if you don’t know anyone in the area.

Fortunately, that can be quickly remedied. There are plenty of ways to meet people in your new community, and there should be plenty of opportunities right in your neighborhood.

If you’re ready to get to know your new neighbors, here are four easy ways to make it happen.

1. Host a party. Throw a housewarming or block party, and drop an invitation at each of your neighbor’s homes. You can grill, have yard games set up or hang out in your driveway to encourage more people to drop by. You can post about the event in online neighborhood groups, too.
   
   
2. Spend time outdoors. Make it a point to be present in your front yard regularly. You could tend to a garden, play with pets or children, or sit outside enjoying a book. No matter what it is, it gives you a chance to interact with your neighbors as they come and go.
   
   
3. Find other parents or pet owners. Kids and pets can be a great excuse to spend time with new people. You can meet at playgrounds or dog parks — or, if the weather’s bad, grab a bite to eat at the local pizza place or hang out together at home.
   
   
4. Attend events in the community. Check online for events that might be going on in and around your neighborhood: Maybe there’s a game night at a community center or arts and crafts at the local library you can attend. Be sure to head to regular community offerings like farmers markets, too.

If you’re ready to make a move, get in touch today for help on your home search.

Home inspections, while not mandatory, are an important part of the homebuying process. They can help you spot potentially dangerous and expensive issues in a property before you buy it, which may be a valuable negotiating tool.

But home inspectors aren’t infallible, and they may miss things sometimes. So, how can you ensure the inspection goes smoothly and potential problems are identified? Here’s how:

• Use care when choosing your inspector. To make sure you get an experienced and qualified home inspector, ask for trusted referrals. Then, research the reviews and credentials for those inspectors. You can then call and interview a few before selecting someone to work with.
  
  
• Attend the inspection. We can attend the inspection together to ensure nothing is missed. We’ll walk the property with the inspector, asking questions as we go — but not getting in the way of their job. Once the inspection is done, you can ask for a quick run-through of any problematic areas they saw.
  
  
• Ensure they see the whole house. To truly assess a home’s condition, the inspector needs to go everywhere on the property. The seller should make sure the yard and doorways are clear so the inspector can physically evaluate everything in the home from top to bottom.
  
  
• Follow up with your inspector. Once you get the full inspection report, go through it carefully. If there’s anything noted that concerns or confuses you, call up the inspector and talk through it. You can also ask for a re-inspection if it feels appropriate.

It can be hard to prove that an inspector missed a problem — or that a seller knew about it — once you live in the home, so ensuring your inspection is done properly from the start is key.

Get in touch if you have more questions about homebuying or need help finding a trusted professional.

Whether you’re buying a home or selling one (or doing both at once), it’s important to have a real estate professional on your side.

After all, there’s a lot of money on the line, and a house is a big investment. An experienced agent can support you as you make your decisions during the process.

Are you preparing to buy or sell a home? Here are the benefits of enlisting an agent to help you.

For Buyers
When you’re buying a home, a real estate agent can help you zero in on properties that fit your budget and needs, schedule home tours with you and advise you throughout the mortgage process. Agents also have negotiation skills that can be key to getting you what you want.

For Sellers
An agent is critical when you sell a house. During the process, they can help you prepare and stage your property, photograph it, list and market it, manage showings and, most importantly, price your home. Of course, your agent can also negotiate on your behalf.

For Those Buying and Selling
Selling a home and buying a new one at the same time can be complicated and stressful, so having a professional there to guide you is important. Your real estate agent can help you time your sale and purchase properly, negotiate key contingencies that protect your interests and ensure the whole process goes smoothly.

Are you hoping to buy or sell a home soon? Reach out to have a skilled agent by your side.

How to Keep Your Home Cool in the Heat

It’s summertime, and the weather’s heating up. While having ceiling fans and air conditioning can certainly help cool things down, they can also raise your electricity bill.

Fortunately, there are some ways to stay comfortable around the house — without spending an arm and a leg to do it.

Are you searching for affordable ways to keep cool this summer? Try these four strategies.

1. Be choosy about your cooking. Turning on the oven or cooking on the stovetop will heat up your house. In the warmer months, you could try to eat more cold foods (like salads and sandwiches) or cook outside on the grill. If you do need to use your stove or oven, try to do so in the evening once the sun has gone down.
   
   
2. Create more shade. Add shade around your home by planting trees or adding a pergola or awning where the sun gets the most intense. Adding reflective film to your windows can help, too.
   
   
3. Maintain your HVAC system. If you’re going to be using central air this summer, make sure it’s in top condition by getting a professional tuneup. You should also change your filters regularly. These steps can ensure your system is working as efficiently and effectively as possible.
   
   
4. Upgrade your windows and insulation. If you have it in your budget, consider upgrading to double-pane or high-efficiency windows and updating your insulation if it’s been a while. Poor insulation and old windows let your cool air out and warmer air in — which will run up your electric bill.

Looking to buy a home that’s already got the updates you need this summer? Get in touch to start your search.