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One benefit of purchasing an existing home is buying into an established neighborhood.
The schools may be better than in newer areas, tree-lined streets are common and yards are usually landscaped. When you buy into a new development that's under construction, there's no way to know exactly how the project will look when it's completed. It usually takes years before landscaping is mature enough to soften the look of a new home's tract.
Older neighborhoods are often centrally located, offering good access to freeways, places of employment, theaters, entertainment, cultural activities and shopping centers. New home developments often are built on the outskirts of town.
A major appeal of an older home is its architectural uniqueness.
Older homes often are located in neighborhoods that were developed over a period of time and offer a variety of architectural styles. Buyers who are influenced by "curb appeal" - or what a house looks like from the street - often are attracted to older homes.
These homes may be characterized by a high level of craftsmanship, spacious rooms, hardwood floors, high ceilings, built-in bookcases, leaded or stained glass windows and distinctive moldings.
An older home may be less expensive than a new home, but this will depend on its general condition. Older homes are usually less energy-efficient, and therefore costlier to heat than more energy-efficient new homes. Maintenance may be higher on an older home if major components such as the roof, kitchen appliances, furnace and hot water heater have not been replaced recently.
Most older homes aren't built to modern building code requirements. There's also a greater likelihood that an older home might contain materials that are environmentally hazardous, such as asbestos, lead or a buried heating oil tank.
Often sellers of older homes aren't aware of such hazards around their house, but this doesn't mean that there aren't any. Contact an environmental consultant to do further investigations of the property before you buy it if you suspect there might be environmental hazards present.
Older homes have withstood the test of time. When you buy an older home, you have the benefit of investigating problems that have developed during the current period of ownership.
Some problems (soils instability, structural and foundation defects) only become apparent over a period of time, so they're often easier to detect in an old home than in a new one. Be sure to have an older home thoroughly inspected by qualified professionals.
Find out the cost of heating an older home you're considering buying by asking the sellers for copies of utility bills. Also find out the age of the major systems: furnace, water heater and appliances. Inquire about the plumbing and electrical systems. Have they been updated or are they original? Ask the sellers to provide you with a list of repairs and modifications they have made to these systems, including when they were made.
You can request this information as a condition of your purchase offer and make your offer subject to you approving this information within several days of receiving it.
It's a good idea to order a home protection plan at closing to cover the major systems, particularly if they're old. Sellers are often willing to pay the cost of such a plan, but if they refuse to, you can pay the cost yourself. Or, you and the seller could share the cost.
Fixer-Upper Homes: When Is It Too Much Work?
The term “fixer upper” may often strike fear in the hearts of home buyers. There are no strict measures in defining exactly what a fixer upper is. It could mean a historical house in need of minor repairs or it could mean a run down house with sagging floors, a leaky roof and a serious foundation problem. Still, fixer uppers represent a great way for some home buyers to move up into larger homes at a fraction of the cost, provided their willingness to accept the effort and costs needed to make the necessary repairs and improvements the home needs.
Don’t let the term “fixer upper” discourage you from considering them in your search of buying a home. By all means, consider these homes during your house hunting escapade, but you should take your time and carefully look into all of the repairs needed in order to make the house a home. More important, you will need to figure out how much it will cost you. A seemingly great bargain can turn into the money pit if you don’t do your homework.
In your quest for a fixer upper, you can check out various real estate web sites on the internet and in your local newspaper. Even if you’re new to house hunting, you will shortly learn frequent discrepancies in between a house that seems too good to be true and reality. Even if you pull up to a house that seems to live up to the promises that were advertised, have your real estate agent take you inside the house for a walk through so you can get a better look. Many fixer upper houses can look extremely appealing on the outside, when the inside can be a completely different story. You will learn soon enough how to recognize fixer upper houses that are worth further investigation and the houses that are not.
Even if you decide that a house in need of a substantial number of repairs, don’t let the prospect of a great buy tempt you into ignoring the house’s problems. Many fixer uppers can appear intoxicating, when buyers are looking for the greatest deal of all times. Sometimes the seller of the fixer upper may try to make the problems seem less complicated or try to convince you that the repairs will be an easy fix to make a quick sale. They may also try to discourage you from having an appraisal on the house, where the appraisers may be able to find more problems in the house and therefore reduce the value of the house even more.
Never let a seller pressure you into buying a fixer upper or offer you a special once in a life time deal if you agree to buy the house right then and there. Never make a same day decision when buying a house. Buying a house is an important financial commitment that should not be taken lightly and should be carefully considered. Buyers need to allow themselves enough time to consider how much work, time and money it will cost them before committing to a house. You’ll be surprised how much different that great buy will seem after a day or so of consideration and after looking at other potential houses.
Buyers should also find out how the asking price compares with the prices of other houses in the area. Are there any other fixer upper houses in the neighborhood? Have any other nearby houses been renovated and sold? What do you expect to get for the house if you renovate it and decide to sell it? There is nothing more aggravating to a home owner than renovating a home with the intent to make a profit, only to discover the real estate market had turned bad. If home values are depreciating, the home you purchase may be worth less than you originally paid for it even after all the hard work of making the home improvements and repairs.
Once you find your dream fixer upper and have already been pre-approved for a mortgage, you must now find yourself an experienced house inspector to perform a thorough inspection before you commit to the purchase. Sometimes house inspectors can turn up significant problems’ that the interested buyer was not aware of.
Home Resale Value IS Very Important
A home is more than a place to live. It also represents a major financial investment. Most of us will buy and sell several homes over the course of our lifetime, so it is important to consider the resale potential of each home you purchase —before you buy it.
Consider your intentions when you go looking for a new or new-to-you home. Are you searching for your dream home, a place you hope to hang your coat for a long time? Or perhaps you are looking for smaller, lower-maintenance place to ease you into retirement? Maybe you’ve spotted a hot market and are hoping to turn a profit with a fast buy and a fast sell sometime in the near future. Your plans for your new house and how long you intend to stay there can affect its Resale potential. For example, the trendy new neighborhood where your house is located may not be so trendy and popular ten years from now.
Regardless of your intentions, there are several other factors that will affect the resale potential of your home. First among these is location. You’ve probably seen house-for-sale advertisements boasting about a home’s location, and it’s true, location is very important. Today’s preferred location may not be the same five or ten years from now, but many of the elements that make it desirable will be the same. Large lots, mature trees, wide sidewalks, proximity to schools, shopping and public transit are all features that increase an area’s lasting appeal and will therefore fetch higher Resale prices than homes in areas that do not offer the same advantages. When thinking about location, you should also consider the population and economic growth trends in your city or town, and in which direction growth appears to be moving.
Demographics can also come into play when it comes to home resale value. With baby boomers heading into retirement and their ‘golden years’, one-level homes with wide passage ways and rooms large enough to accommodate wheelchairs may become more popular in certain areas, while suburbs filled with young families may put more of an emphasis on large yards and ample public green space and playground facilities. Try to learn about a town or city’s population before you purchase a home there.
Be aware of the features that sell. Peruse local real estate advertising to find out the most desirable attributes in the area in which you want to buy. You may notice that homes with one bathroom sell for less than homes that have more bathrooms, or that homes with old, inefficient windows sell for less than those with newer, vinyl-clad windows and energy-efficient panes. The same can be said about a variety of features including closets, number of bedrooms, fireplaces, swimming pools and kitchen functionality. Don’t despair, however, if a dated or less desirable home is all you can afford: outdated houses present an opportunity for renovations and upgrades that can vastly increase their value and resale potential. With a small investment and a little work, you can turn a fixer-upper into cash in your bank account. The profit margin increase can be significant enough to justify enlisting the help of a professional to help with major projects.
A residential building inspector can also help you identify the ‘shelf life’ of a home you are considering buying. A thorough inspection report will give estimates on the lifespan of major home components such as the roof, furnace and driveway. If several of these components are reaching maturity at or near the time you want to sell, the resale potential of the home could be devalued as a result of the impending repairs. Take these timelines into consideration if you plan on moving in the near future, or if your cash flow will be compromised during the same period in which upgrades will become necessary.
Buying a house should be about meeting your needs and desires, but a little forward-thinking can mean an easier sell, and even a profit, a few years in the future if your needs change or you want to move on. A purchase designed to meet your current needs while accommodating future resale potential is a smart investment that will help you fund a bigger, better house when the time comes, or to create a little nest egg for future investments or retirement. Considering the resale value of a home before you buy it takes little effort but produces great routines – all in all, a logical thing to do.
Buyer vs Seller Agents: Two Different People?
You want to either sell or buy a new home, but you are unsure of what realtor to go with in the process. Understanding the role of a realtor and how they relate to you if you’re a seller or buyer is extremely important. For the first time home buyer or seller you need to be aware of a few facts, and clear out the cobwebs of confusion on the responsibilities and duties of a realtor.
Depending on what state you live in realtors may be committed to act only as the seller or buyer agent. Many times however a realtor may take on a dual role of representing both the seller and buyer, or known as a dual agent. In other words they have a duty to sell the home for the best possible price for the seller, and at the same time are committed to get the best asking price for a buyer. This can be a little nerve racking for many people, but the best defense is being in the know about the legal and moral responsibilities associated with a realtor’s dual agency representation, and how you can feel confident about working with them.
The legalities of the fact for realtors are that in most states they are required to share the knowledge of which party they work for. Most of the time realtors work for the individuals that are selling a home. If you are unclear make sure to ask, so to ease any nervous jitters on your part. Always assume that any realtor is working for a firm that represents both a seller and a buyer, and if you are a buyer, make sure to hold close any information that may affect any deals that are offered for your purchase of a house. Buyer’s agents have a loyalty to the buyer only. This is verified by a signing of a contractual agreement between both the agent and the buyer. The buyer should be aware that agents are held to a legal and moral obligation to not disclose any personal facts not only to the home seller, but to the realtor’s agent. Material disclosure is permissible though about the property, such as any known pest infestations, or problems with the structure itself. A dual agency for a realtor is usually assumed for them if they represent a buyer; make sure to check into the realtor’s status for your own peace of mind. However, contract protection is afforded for anyone that is interested in purchasing a property through an agent that represents a seller’s interest by signing a contract to represent both.
If you are in the market to buy a home you need to expect a reasonable amount of service from any real estate agent that represents you. The goal should be to fully represent your best interests. You need to be informed clearly from your agent if they will require you to sign an exclusive clause contract. This legally binding contract will require you to work with that agent only. Always search for an agent that will allow you to have other realtors working on your behalf. All buyers agents should work diligently to help you sell your home by providing comparisons studies of the in your area, and to handle any inspections, or working with a lender and the loan application process. He or she should be more than willing to consider and respect your wishes when planning an open house for either other realtors or the general public. Agents should always be courteous about general appointment times to meet with you, and should always leave a cell phone in case of unexpected issues surrounding the sale of your home. Your buyer’s agent should clearly explain all aspects of the contract to you. Issues such as contract compensation and their exact fees for selling your home, along with things such as how long you must list your home with them should be covered in a written contract.
Over all the experience of either buying or selling a home should be one that is pleasant for both the seller and buyer. Selling and buying is a serious decision that can affect your financial and emotional well being for years to come – consequences of how informed you are will be long lasting, many years after you have walked away from the bargaining table.
Make Your Home Stand Out: Curb Appeal
Enhancing the look of your home from a street perspective is a great way to attract potential buyers. After all, the ‘curb appeal’ of your home is like a major plus for people driving through your neighbourhood or who see your house in a real estate for-sale photo. By putting in a little extra effort, you can improve your home’s curb appeal and increase your chances of an earlier sale at a higher price.
You probably live in the house you are trying to sell, and therefore you are familiar with its appearance – perhaps too familiar. Chances are, you don’t notice small cracks or peeling paint the same way someone seeing your home for the first time would. Starting from a position on the street, take a close look at your home. What stands out? What looks wrong? Does the tree in front need pruning? Perhaps a shutter needs to be repainted? Maybe the porch light fixture is broken. These are generally small tasks that don’t take a lot of time or money to repair, but that make – or detract—from the look of your home. It may help to take a photograph of your home from the street to see if that gives you a new perspective.
Here are some areas to consider when sprucing up your home for increased curb appeal and sale:
You will have more potential buyers in people can find your house. Your house number should be displayed in a prominent location and illuminated so that it is easy to read. This is extremely important in the evening and during the winter when daylight is limited. If your house is set back a fair distance from the street, consider installing your number on a gate, pillar or fence post that is easy to see.
The old adage that cleanliness is next to godliness applies to your house, too, particularly when you want to sell. The exterior, including eavestroughs, should be neat, clean and in good repair. Downspouts should have extensions to take water away from the foundation to avoid pooling. Any settling of backfill around a house should be corrected to ensure that the grade at the foundation is higher than surrounding areas.
A lush green lawn enhances your home. It should be freshly cut, weeded, and edged. Flower beds should be weeded and cultivated, hedges trimmed, and garden debris removed. If your lawn isn't in good shape, time will be required to improve it, and professional help may be desirable. Any areas that require new grass should be sodded rather then re-seeded to ensure a finished appearance. If you are selling during the fall or winter, when your yard may not look its best, make sure that all dead material is removed from gardens and leaves are raked off the lawn. Store shovels and other equipment in a shed or other out-of-sight location.
Doors should be unmarred, clean, and repainted with care if necessary. The doorbell and door hardware should be in good repair. Potential purchasers who see a Realtor wrestling with a reluctant door lock may wonder what else is wrong with the house.
When a Realtor is opening the door of your home, a potential purchaser has plenty of time to look at the porch and entry. Accordingly, they should be clean and tidy. Do not allow flyers to accumulate, and if there is a doormat, it should be clean and in good condition. Decoration such as a tasteful wreath is fine, but don’t overwhelm your entry and door with frilly adornments.
Your garage should be a storage area for automobiles, not for miscellaneous articles. To make the best impression, it should be clean and tidy, with garden tools hung neatly off to one side or in a storage cabinet. If they can't be stored elsewhere, bicycles, the snow blower, and the lawn mower should be placed so as not to impede movement around the cars. Garbage containers should be empty and clean. Illumination should be bright, ideally with a 150 watt bulb, at least during the listing period.
The driveway should be degreased and sealed.
Walkways and patios should be clean and free of cracks, with litter removed (if your walkway or patio has unwanted grass or weeds they can be eliminated easily and in an environmentally friendly way with boiling water or a propane torch). In winter, the driveway, walks, and porch stoop should be cleared of snow and salted if necessary. Inside the front door should be an overshoe tray, and a carpeted area where overshoes can be removed.
Your home is an investment, and by taking a little time to put it in top form, you will get a higher return on that investment when you decide to sell.
Can't Sell Your House? Top 10 Mistakes
Just as there are many things you can do to improve your chances of selling your house at a great price, there are an equal number of things that will drive away potential buyers and leave you scratching your head.
If you are working with a realtor, he or she will be able to make suggestions on how to make your particular home more saleable, but addressing the following problem areas is always a great place to start.
A smelly house is not an attractive house to potential buyers. The problem with odors such as cigarette smoke and pet smells is that you live with them day in and day out and may not notice them. To an outsider, however, the smell will be pungent and noticeable. You can get rid of these odors by smoking outside, keeping litter boxes fresh and in a contained area, repainting walls, shampooing and steam-cleaning carpets and opening your windows to let in fresh air. Don’t try to cover odors with an air freshener without taking steps to eliminate the problem; it won’t work and your house will still be smelly and unwelcoming to potential buyers. Removing odors from mold and mildew can be a little tougher and may require professional intervention if the affected area is not easily accessible (between walls for example).
Pets: you love them and think of them as part of the family. Your potential buyer may not share your sentiment, so like other members of the family, your furry companions should not be on site while someone is inspecting your house. Pile everyone in the family vehicle, or crate your pets in the yard so potential buyers can look around without being barked at, snarled at or pounced on.
Bathrooms are associated with hygiene, so unclean bathrooms are a major turn-off for most buyers. Make sure your toilet, tub, and sink are sparkling clean and that the drains are clear and free of wet hair and other odor-trapping debris. Shine your faucets and mirrors, de-clutter the medicine chest, empty the trash pail and launder your towels, shower curtain and floor mats.
Dark rooms look dingy and uninviting. Increase the brightness factor of your rooms by adding brighter bulbs (if appropriate), installing extra fixtures, or by placing accent lamps or cabinet lighting throughout the room. An even simpler fix is to pull back heavy curtains and lift your blinds. Trimming low-hanging branches from nearby trees can also help.
Busy wallpaper is a no-no. Too many patterns can be distracting and can date your décor. Consider removing busy wallpaper, but don’t paint over it because that will look even worse.
Wet basements are a cause for concern as they can indicate foundation leaks. More often however, damp basements are a sign of poor ventilation, plugged drains, or improperly positioned downspouts. Remove any mold or mildew that may have appeared as a result of dampness.
Bugs: they’re usually harmless, but still an obstacle to home sales. Squash what you can, clear cobwebs, and enlist professional help if you have an infestation.
Low curb appeal can discourage potential buyers from taking a closer look at your home. Spruce up your yard, entry and façade. Make sure your paint isn’t peeling, and that gardens look their best, even if out of season. Bicycles, lawn mowers and tools should be neatly stored in a shed or in the garage if necessary.
Plugged Gutters. Potential buyers may not notice blocked gutters during an initial showing, but they will turn up during a professional building or home inspection, which could be the difference between a conditional sale going ahead or not.
Clear out when someone is looking at your house. Potential buyers may feel awkward looking around your house if you are hovering over their shoulder. Working with a realtor to sell your house eliminates this problem, as they act as chaperone during the showing without intimidating your buyer.
Most of these fixes are simple and inexpensive to implement, yet can have a major impact on the saleability of your house. If possible, address any of the issues that are present in your home before you list it for sale.
Laws of Property Disclosures
If you’re considering selling your home with out the use of a realtor, then you need to understand that there are conditions backed by laws of the state and federal government governing the sale of your home. By following the rules and regulations you will save yourself money, time and later possible unpleasant legal ramifications. All of these conditions must be investigated and settled before you attempt to advertise your home for sale. Ideally make sure you understand first the full responsibility of selling your home independently before you place your home on the open market, and realize that this is the first step in the process of home selling.
Most states in the US require that if you’re selling your home whether through a real estate agent or as a FSBO (For Sale by Owner) you must give to a potential home buyer a Seller Disclosure of Property Conditions form. This form discloses information about your property that would affect the living conditions or the resale able value of the home. Disclosure of property conditions includes any past or current problems with the property. Check out the different categories of property disclosure, and make sure that you list the necessary information required under each one. This list may or may not include issues that you would need to be concerned about, so make sure to check with your state and local agencies for complete information.
House Systems – Includes areas such as plumbing, electrical, appliances, doors and windows, security system, pool, sprinklers, sump pumps, cooling and heating.
Foundations/Structures/ Basements – Includes leaking and repair issues and drainage problems surrounding the house.
Roof – Includes age, leaking and repair issues, second and new roof installation, time frame of roof repairs, and when or how often the roof leaks.
Land/Drainage – Includes soil permeability issues such as drainage or flooding problems, or are there any other water sources such as a lake, spring or creek.
Boundaries – Includes survey issues such as boundaries of property line, markage of known property lines by what means, such as moveable property stakes as rocks or trees. The allowable property easements for your area, as well as any other obstructions to property such as encroachments by other property owners.
Water – Includes source of water and water pressure issues, and purification systems and tests conducted on water quality.
Sewer System – Includes how property is serviced for sewage waste, such as septic, public utilities or cess pool. Dates of inspection and known sewer problems.
Construction/Remolding – Includes information on any new buildings or remolding to existing structure, and the necessary building permits.
Homeowner’s Association – Includes information of any homeowner’s association rules and guidelines.
Miscellaneous – Includes many areas to numerous to list, but some areas of information encompasses testing for radon gases, termite damage, abandoned under ground storage areas such as septic tanks or cisterns. Issues such as warranties, legal actions, or weather related damage such as tornadoes.
Just as important as you’re state and local laws is the federal laws that regulate selling your home. Two issues of primary importance are disclosing lead paint and the conformity to the fair housing laws. According to federal law you must disclose if your home was built or remodeled before 1978. This law was passed and is now enforced by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) because of test results that show that lead based paints can cause detrimental affects on human health, especially in babies and small children. Lagging mental function and stunted growth can occur if sufficient amounts of lead based paints are consumed or particles inhaled. Disclosure of test results and the opportunity to test is federal law. Also, fair housing laws require adherence to the selling of your house, although if selling as FSBO the regulations are a bit more lax. The Fair Housing Act, under the Civil Rights Act of 1968, requires that sellers may not discriminate when selling a property. Discrimination is not allowed based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familiar or handicapped status.
Another area to consider before you advertise your house for sale is how to weed out the lookers among the potential serious buyers for your home. Many FSBOs can request that buyers become pre-approved by a financial institution before a bid will be accepted. During the home tour you can set parameters too by inquiring on the buyer’s ability to quickly obtain financing. You might not want to wait while they must sell their house first in order to buy your house in a timely manner.
Sticky decisions concerning the contract should fully spell out the conditions of the sale, such as any deposits that are required and the ability of the buyer to have their deposit returned. Protection is provided to both when a contract is clearly written for both parties, as for example the ability of you to keep any monies from a buyer that backs out because of an unjust cause. Always make sure to consult an attorney when writing up your contract to sell your home. Remember too that laws fluctuate from state to state and being prepared is the best defense against an unsold home
What Are Home Warranties? Do You Need One?
A home warranty is not much different from a warranty you might have on your car, your computer or your home entertainment center. A warranty on your home usually covers all of your home’s major mechanical systems, including hot tubs, pools, wells, septic tanks and all of your appliances. Some policies even cover the roof of your home and almost anything else you’d like to include, as long as it’s specified in the policy.
Home warranties are obtainable for most any dwelling, including mobile homes, condominiums, town houses and manufactured homes. They can be purchased by either the buyer or the seller; some sellers will include a home warranty policy to make purchasing their home more attractive. Including a home warranty with the sale is an excellent idea, especially if the home is older and the systems and appliances are aging. Since the policy can be purchased at closing, the seller doesn’t have to come up with the premium out of pocket. Further, the cost of the policy can be split between the buyer and the seller, depending on the terms of the sale.
Home warranty policies are generally effective for one year and are renewable. However, you can expect to pay a little more for coverage each year, as the items covered continue to age. This is reasonable. Policy costs vary according to the list of things covered, but an average cost would be between $350 and $500 per year. Obviously, when obtaining a policy it is important to be specific about coverage. You can expect to pay a small co-payment when the repair person responds to make a repair. This is an industry standard. Your payment will range from $35 to $55 per visit.
According to a Gallup poll, 79% of buyers and sellers surveyed rated home warranties as one of the most important aspects of buying a home. These policies are not like hazard insurance, which covers losses due to fires, storms and accidents; home warranties cover normal wear and tear breakdowns. A new home and its major systems are usually warranted by the builder for at least one year; thereafter, your home warranty policy coverage will take effect. Be sure to understand the limitations and intent of your home warranty. As an example, should your microwave oven catch fire and damage your kitchen cabinets, your home warranty would cover the cost of the microwave; your home owners insurance would pay to fix the cabinets.
Before buying your home warranty policy, you should shop around and find the best and most cost-effective provider. Get recommendations from your mortgage company, your builder, your friends, and from the Better Business Bureau. Obviously, some companies are better and more reliable than others. Ask specific questions: Do they subcontract their work? What is their normal response time? If your freezer stops running you need someone to respond quickly.
When trying to decide whether or not you need a home warranty, the rule of thumb is: the older your home, the more you will benefit from a home warranty policy. Most systems and appliances covered under a home warranty can be expected to last at least 5 years. Therefore, during the early years of your new home, the home warranty policy may not be necessary. As the components of your home age, the need for a home warranty policy becomes more critical. It is obviously more attractive to pay $400 or $500 in policy premiums than shell out several thousand dollars for a new furnace or even several hundred for a new refrigerator. The policy will easily pay for itself if a major home system has to be repaired or even one major appliance has to be replaced.
If you’re the owner of rental property, you should definitely consider a home warranty policy. Unlike the appliances and systems in your own home, you have little, if any, control over the frequency and manner in which these things are used by your tenants. Odds are that you will have to replace or repair items and systems more frequently in your rental property than in your own home. As a landlord, your home warranty policy may very well save you money, but just as importantly, it can buy you peace of mind.
Buying a Home Listed Online
People are flocking to the internet to advertise their homes and property for sale, and especially popular are the online auction sites. Even though it is a growing trend to sell and buy homes on the internet, it might not be a very wise decision. Serious consequences can arise which can involve unscrupulous characters promoting out right scams on the uniformed buyer. The impersonal nature and cloaked façade of the internet can quickly get you into financial and legal difficulties. In particular the elderly and young adults are vulnerable. Being aware that you might not get what you paid for is a good rule to follow; because scam artist just know there is an ocean front home in New Mexico waiting just for you. Become aware of the possible complications involving land and property transaction, and the vital information that can be obtained from knowing sensitive and personal information.
As hard as it is to believe - there are many individuals that are buying property site unseen on many of the popular, and some not so well known, online auction websites. Bargains are a great thing to lay your hands on, especially when it comes to known expensive real estate, but as ole timers might say, don’t bet on another mans game. Aside from pictures and videos, which can be enhanced or out right lied about, there is not much evidence to go on, unless you make a trip to personally view the property and structures yourself.
If you’re seriously considering buying an online piece of real estate, you need to examine a few issues. For example, what about the deed and title to the property, are they clearly deeded and owned by the seller? Are there any other encumbrances on the land and or home, such as inheritance claims, foreclosure actions, or mortgage and bank claims? Also, is the property a land locked area where no building or road frontage is available. How well has the property and any structures associated with it been maintained? Consider too that certain utilities might not be available for lands that are remote. In other words, if you want to build is there enough property to dig for a well, or to install a septic system because of local ordnances governing such activity? These are just a few of the issues that you will encounter when purchasing real estate through an online auction.
Not only do you open yourself up to all kinds of real estate legal issues, but have you seriously considered the very personal information that online sellers might require of you to conduct transactions? Even though most, but not all, internet auction sites will state that transactions on bidding for real estate do not constitute a legally binding transaction, you must read the fine print. Be careful of hidden clauses on property sale at online auction sites. Fortunately, most ads online are really just advertisement and fronts so to speak, to get you to privately contact the seller for further information, with no intention of deceit. However, the danger of contacting anyone that you don’t personally know with your private information can result in unpleasant circumstances for you later. Information such as full name, phone and email addresses are just part of the problem. Many scam artists will ask for your saving, checking and credit card numbers to verify who you are, and lay claim that there are costs to fax paperwork or even copies of deeds as an example.
As a buyer looking to purchase property whether for your own personal use or as an investment consider contacting a realtor or buying from someone in your local area. Often a great deal can be worked out among home town neighbors! At least you will be able to verify facts concerning deeds, titles, and mortgage information by visiting your local courthouse, and there is not the constant threat of identity theft! Even if you end up paying a slightly higher price for you new home or investment, isn’t peace of mind comforting? Seriously consider using a local reliable realtor for all of your transactions. They are professionals trained in the legal issues of property issues and management. After all it will be you that gain substantially over the long run. In the end it can be said that by using common sense against scammers is just using your plain ole common sense
Differences Between Mortgage & Deed Trusts
Most of us think of our home loan as a mortgage, when that isn’t particularly true. When a borrower agrees to pay a lender a certain amount of money, under certain conditions, the borrower will sign a promissory note. A lender will then require the borrower to sign a mortgage, as a security tool to give the lender a legal form of security. A mortgage is a written document to protect the lender’s interests in your property. Therefore, a mortgage is not a loan.
A mortgage is between two parties, you the “mortgagor” and your lender. The mortgage is a document that creates a lien on your property that is entered into public records to serve as the lenders security for that debt. Possession cannot be transferred to another party until you, as the borrower, pay the debt to release the lien. Only you have all the rights of ownership to your property, even if your loan is secured with a mortgage.
Only if the borrower defaults on their mortgage will the lender have the right to protect their interests and foreclose on the property in order to recover funds. When a mortgage is used as the lenders security, foreclosure will usually go through the judicial foreclosure process through the court system that may take up to four months. Mortgages are used as security tools in more than half of the states in the U.S., while other states may use a deed of trust. Both the mortgages and the deed of trust, often serves the same purpose, but with some significant differences.
Like the mortgage, a deed of trust is entered into public records to put a lien on your property. There are three parties involved with a deed of trust: you, as the “trustor,” the lender as the “beneficiary” and a “trustee,” who is a third party that holds a temporary title until the lien is paid. The trustee holding the temporary title, should be a neutral party that does not favor the trustor or the lender, if problems should arise. These third parties acting as neutral trustee’s can be attorneys, an escrow company or title insurance companies. Under no circumstances can the third party, or trustee, take over your property.
The deed of trust will only be removed when the debt to the lender is paid. Only then will the will the trustee issue a release of the deed that should be recorded at the county recorder’s office and made available to the public that the loan has been paid in full and that the lender interests in the property have come to an end.
The difference between a deed of trust and a mortgage will only affect home owners when foreclosure becomes an issue. This is when the trustee has the authority to sell your home when your loan becomes delinquent. It is up to the lender to provide the trustee with proof of the delinquency and to request foreclosure proceedings to begin. The trustee must then proceed as allowed by law and as it is dictated in the deed of trust. The process may bypass the court system to make a much less expensive and quicker way to go for the lender during a foreclosure.
A deed of trust and a mortgage can also differ during foreclosure. Depending on where you live, state law will have to determine how a foreclosure will be handled. Normally, a deed of trust allows for a speedier foreclosure. When the borrower defaults on a loan, the lender gives the deed of trust to the trustee to sell the property. A mortgage is normally requiring a judicial foreclosure, which may take longer. Properties may not be foreclosed upon until all rules are followed and notices have been sent.
Borrowers cannot choose which way their loan is secured, whether it’s by a mortgage or a deed of trust, this is all determined by what state you live in or are buying in. It’s very important to have a complete understanding of the type of lien that will secure the debt of your home. This should all be explained to you thoroughly by your lender or trustee. Do your homework and ask questions before signing any documents. Borrowers must protect themselves as the lenders and other companies do.
Buying an Investment Home: What To Look For
Investing into real estate can be an expensive lesson. Before deciding to attempt this for a business or hobby there is much research that needs to be done. The type of business this requires is hard work, plenty of time and an abundance of money. However, this type of venture can pay off enormously in the end. The thrill of this type of dealing, buying, fixing and selling is a magnificent step.
As with any endeavor knowing as much as you can before you lay out cash is very beneficial. When looking at the prospective home, look for anything that will need to be fixed or updated. Bring a notepad and a pencil when viewing potential real estate and jot down any problems you see or any questions you have. Inspect the house by flushing toilets, turning on lights, examine the floorboards, look for cracks or drooping ceilings, and check the plumbing and water faucets. Explore everything plausible. Once you find a home you’re interested in, hire a house inspector. The house inspector will give you an idea on how much it will cost you to fix up and resell. Make sure to purchase your real estate in the best location you can afford. Is it in a nice neighborhood, close to schools and shopping malls? Is there freeway access nearby? Are homes selling quickly in this neighborhood? Check with the local police department to get local crime rates. Do some research on the housing market. Understanding the type of houses people are looking for will help to have a better experience in what kind of market will sell.
Sentiment is a downfall in any business relationship. Having a poker face at the correct time can save considerably in funds. Remember, the end goal of an investment house is resale. Loving the house personally will not make the house easier to sell. Make very sure you have capital for this deal. Invest the time and expertise of an appraiser. What is the house really worth before and after renovation? How much will renovations cost? Decide before hand by research and word of mouth, which would benefit you the most, resale or renting the home. Inquire the help of professionals in this type of enterprise. Find out their thoughts about problems you are facing.
There may be other types of monies involved that you have not thought of. For one, property tax. Before taking that plunge discover how much the yearly taxes are. Different zones in diverse neighborhoods can be a drastic change in prices. Not only should you check for yourself while overhauling the house but also safeguard the ones who will be buying this place in the future. Some people inquire about taxes before they buy a home. If the amount is extremely high they will pass it up for a more reasonable price.
Do you plan on doing intense maintenance to the estate? If so, you must look into building permits. Will you be doing the renovation yourself, or hiring a reliable company to do it for you. The difference in cost may sway your decision. But be prepared, renovation can be hard work and you may need to hire someone in the end after all. This type of investment requires an ample amount of time and patience. This is a very important fact.
You can receive financial aid to help with the purchase of this investment, just as you would with a home you are purchasing for your family. However, you need to think of the amount you are putting into this and how much you will be taking out. If a loan lasts 30 years, can you pay it off and still have profit from the sale? Maybe it would be wise to enlist the help of an accountant if dealing with figures is not your forte. The whole idea of investing is earnings, so make sure that this will turn out to be a money maker. The last thing you want to happen is to lose money. No one enjoys flopping on an investment. Take time and do research before jumping in to a resale home. Once your first investment home is restored and sold, you will be well on your way to making this a profitable business.
Top 10 Home Buyer Mistakes
There are several things that should be avoided before purchasing a home. If you aren’t careful to avoid these common mistakes, it is possible that your closing will be delayed or even canceled. Your adherence to the following rules will put the keys to the house in your hands quickly.
First, don’t damage your debt to income ratio by making a major purchase before closing. If you decide you can’t live without that brand new BMW, you might have to wait on owning a home. The bank could easily determine that your sky high car payment would hinder your ability to pay your mortgage. Wait until after you get the house to do some spending. No one expects a brand new house full of furniture and a sports car in the driveway unless you are a famous sports figure or Donald Trump.
Secondly, don’t change jobs if you don’t have to. The lenders like to see consistency versus constant job hopping. If you are just miserable with your job, maybe you can switch to a different job within the same field. Or you can tough it out until you have the house and then start putting out resumes.
Also, you should never surrender your earnest money to a For Sale by Owner Seller. There isn’t anything stopping the sellers from spending the money before the transaction goes through. If the deal should fall through, the buyers would have to fight tooth and nail to get that deposit back. You should put the deposit into a trust account. You should be able to find an attorney willing to hold the deposit for you until the transaction is finalized. Your contract needs to state what will happen to the deposit in the event that the transaction falls through.
In addition, never let emotions guide you. Stay practical and realistic during the home buying process. Some sellers are willing to fix some of the problems with the home and others may not be as willing. Don’t let that refusal close the door on your dream home. Conversely, you shouldn’t let your loyalty to the home blind you to costly repairs down the road. You certainly don’t want to be in a money pit.
Furthermore, don’t forget to have the utilities activated. The utility companies might need a few days to switch the service. Don’t forget to cancel the service at the old residence. That seems simple enough, yet many people forget that step entirely.
Another costly mistake might be forgetting to secure hazard insurance. Talk to your insurance company right away because the lender will want to see proof of coverage for the new home at closing. Failing to line up the insurance will lead to delays in closing.
You should not get too personal with the seller. After all, this is a business transaction, so it should be treated professionally. If you get into too many personal discussions, you might say something that could be taken the wrong way by the seller. You might have been joking about the ugly green carpet in the guest bedroom, but the seller might have taken that as offensive. In the end, it could hurt the dynamics of the transaction. You should be friendly, but professional.
If the appraisal comes in too low, don’t freak out. There are several solutions to this dilemma. The seller might be willing to come down on the price of the home. The buyer can put more money down if they are committed to that home. The buyer and seller can negotiate the deal or the appraisal can be disputed.
Don’t forget to use your agent. It is the agent’s job to keep up with the daily details of the deal, including the lender, the seller, and the seller’s agent. It is also your agent’s responsibility to set up a final walkthrough prior to closing.
Lastly, don’t forget to take care of your end of the deal. You must be on the same page as the lender. Provide them with the paperwork they need and answer their questions in a timely manner. Failure to do so will keep you from opening the front door of your new home.
These are some of the most common mistakes home buyers make. Educating yourself about the process will ensure a smoother transaction and a definite housewarming party.
How To Choose The Right Real Estate Agent
When you come to the decision of choosing a real estate agent there are questions, which need answers. All agents work differently, finding the one that works best for your needs may be tricky. Some easy questions and information can come in handy. Think of agents as salespeople. They want to sell you a house. As buying a car there are certain aspects you need to inquire about.
With all things in life, personas are very important. Be sure not to clash with the agent you would like. You will need to converse with this person everyday until the deal goes through. Make certain this person is someone who you would like to talk with each day. You should be able to tell within the initial five minutes of conversation whether this is the agent for you. Choose an agent that is willing to work for and understand the desires of your whole family. When you have decided on the neighborhoods you’d like to live in, attempt to find an agent who works or lives in the desired area. This agent will be more in touch with the surroundings and can best explain the benefits of the area to you. Explain to your agent what you are looking for in a home. Listen carefully to what the agent has to say. Do you believe what they are saying?
Before making a decision on which real estate agent to turn to, check out a few.
Positively verify they have all the licenses they need. Take time to confirm which licenses they have and if they need to continue their education. Someone who keeps up on their school for the job they have chosen shows they are committed to their job. Ask for references; look for people who have dealt with this person on occasion. Follow up with positive and negative feedback from different sources. Once you decide on a few different real estate agents you feel will best help you, the major questions come into play.
When asking questions get a straight answer. If they give you the run around about one of more replies then the real estate agent is not being truthful. Ask which way they prefer to communicate. Do they have a full set up including a personal line, pager, cell phone, and computer with email? Is there an internet site available to view prospective homes? Do they do business with the buyer or seller most often? Which home investigators, insurance or lenders do they have available? What is their policy in protecting their client’s best interest?
When the correct agent answers all the above questions plus others you have in mind appropriately consider how they treated you during this process. Did they return every phone call and message you left? Are they knowledgeable about the neighborhoods, schools and commuting? Did they try to obtain your business? Is the agent bending over backwards to search for a home quickly and painlessly?
There are key points to remember with finding an agent that suites your time and money. The real estate agent should be a full time agent. There are so many that are just part time hobbyists. Wouldn’t you rather have an agent searching for that ideal home on a full time basis? Only select a part time agent if you are not in a hurry to find a home If you have an uncertainty about anything they mention to you or do not know what something means, inquire about it. It is best to take a list of written questions so that you don’t get side tracked. Express every possible request you have for the home. If something is not what you ask for refuse it. Tell them again exactly what you have already stated to that agent. The agent who has the highest reputation for selling homes would be an ideal candidate. Open houses are another way to find an agent, however be wary of this process. Agents frequent open houses often looking for clients.
When picking out a real estate agent, guidelines need to be followed in order to get the best representation possible. Some will work with you and some against. Inquiring about significant points will help you determine which real estate agent will be ideal. Remember not to sign anything without first being willing to commit 100 percent. You want the procedure to be as quick and painless as possible. Enjoy buying a house and leave the worry and stress of finding that home, to the agent.
Real Estate Appraisal Essentials
Real Estate Appraisals are a necessary step in the home buying process. There is a lot of confusion out there regarding the truth about appraisals. Some people are confused about their purpose and often think of them as home inspections. Some people think that a low appraisal for their home is the kiss of death. People should take the time to learn the facts about real estate appraisals. The more people learn beforehand, the better prepared they will be to tackle this crucial step.
Your home loan approval is contingent upon the results of the real estate appraisal. It is as simple as no appraisal…no loan. Since very few people have the ability to pay for a house with cash, the appraisal is going to be necessary. A loan is never going to go through without an appraisal. The purpose of the appraisal is to establish the home’s market value. The sales price will be based on the market value.
The main goal of the appraiser is to protect the lender. Lenders don’t want to be stuck with property that is not worth its price tag, so the appraisal must be completed before the lender will approve the loan. The information contained in appraisal is invaluable to the lender. The lender will study the details of the appraisal before reaching a final decision. It makes sense. If they are going to be funding the transaction, they should be aware of the property’s value.
The lender will often dictate the choice of appraiser. It might have one in house or through a contract with an independent appraiser. If you go with your own choice for appraiser, they may be subject to final approval from the lender.
Residential properties are normally appraised using either the sales comparison approach or the cost approach. When using the sales comparison approach, an appraiser compares the property to similar properties that have sold in the area and bases the market value on the comparables or comps. The cost approach is based on the costs to build, which means it is more appropriate for new properties.
The actual appraisal reports are very detailed. They contain information about the subject property along with comparisons of a few similar properties. There is an evaluation of the overall house market within the area. The appraiser will then list any issues that he or she feels might diminish the property’s value. The next component is a list of any serious problems like bad roofs or weak foundations. The appraiser then gives an estimate of the sales time for the house. Finally, the report will indicate the type of property.
It is important to note that the real estate appraisal is not the same thing as an inspection. The appraiser might make note of any problems they see, but they are not responsible for declaring if your home is in good condition or not. They are only responsible for assessing the property and determining the market value for the lender. A home inspection is a different process altogether.
Real estate appraisals only include the home, the land, and any improvements to the land. It does not cover any personal property that might be sold with the house. The buyers should purchase those items separately.
Everyone fears the possibility of a low appraisal. It happens all of the time, usually during closing. There are some things you can do to remedy this common but stressful situation. The buyer can make a larger down payment. If this is not feasible, the seller and buyer can negotiate the price some more. Additionally, the appraisal can always be disputed.
What all goes into an appraisal? Appraisers are looking at the condition and size of the house, its proximity to good schools, and the size of the lot. Appraisers do not look at dirty dishes or overflowing laundry baskets. They do care about chipped paint, broken windows, and appliances that don’t work.
Appraisals are not being conducted by just anyone off the street. Real estate appraisers are trained professionals licensed by the state in which they work. They are qualified for the work they do by completing state certification requirements like exams and continuing education courses. This line of work demands strong critical thinking skills and the ability to interact with different groups of people.
How To Prepare Your House To Show Off and Sell
First impressions mean a lot especially if you’re trying to sell your home. Time and effort should be invested into your house for the needed repairs and cleanup both inside and out. All homes can use some sprucing up and fixing, and with the right attitude and plan your house can go onto the market looking sharp and neat, and you can feel more confident that it will find that perfect buyer in a timely manner.
The outside appearance of your home can mean the difference between selling it or not. When trying to ready your house for showing it to potential buyers you need to become a curb appeal inspector so to speak. Curb appeal is how your home presents itself to the prospective buyer, and it is one of the key factors that will draw many people into looking at your house, and increasing the chances of selling your home. Remember too that not only will your front yard and house draw attention, but many lookers will often quickly pull into a driveway to see if they can see the perspective of the back. Your curb appeal should begin with a curb side view of how your house looks. View your house at different times of the day because light intensities will help you notice the different aspects that need attention. Go out into the road and approach your house and write down its positive and negative aspects. Take note of any repair and maintenance work that needs to be done, and look for ways to enhance the positive and improve the negative.
Once you have made a check list of the curb appeal begin with the overall maintenance of the yard both front and back. Drastic improvement can be seen by mowing, weed eating, raking, trimming trees, and eliminating blown trash from the road, or unsightly visible garbage cans. Take the time to power spray siding and brick, and any other concrete area outside your house. Look on top of your house and fix any loose shingles or hanging gutters or leaning vent pipes. Dirty screens and windows need to be cleaned too, and do a little polishing on mail boxes and front door house numbers. Window seals should be inspected for cracking, and dirty window boxes should be painted and replaced with new flowers for the season. Fenced areas whether wooden, metal or plastic should be inspected for dirt, cracking and peeling paint, and promptly fixed so your house will not present a run down and dingy look. Consider too that improvements can be made by eliminating obstructive views of your house, such as trees, poles or large unattractive lawn decorations too. New lighting fixtures add a warm glow for buyers at night. Approach maintenance work with the right view point of if it needs to be fixed it will be improved.
Moving from the outside to inside is the goal. Now that you are inside look around and become a home living inspector. Make your house as home friendly as it can be without the clutter. Organize and store unnecessary closet junk. Wipe down walls in mildew areas such as the kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Clean and organize their supply places and wipe off cabinets. Ceiling fans, lights and mirrors when cleaned will add a real glow to the inside, and will shine brightly outside, if you have done your proper outside curb inspection. Take down curtains and shades and clean according to directions. If necessary replace existing shades if they are to dirty to clean. Always save cleaning floors for last whether it is carpet, linoleum or tile. Don’t forget to spray an air neutralizer, and to leave the heating or cooling system on. Stale or smoke filled air will turn most potential buyers off. If your house smells clean buyers will know that you care, and in effect this means that your house will not sit on the market long because of buyer confidence.
Preparing your house to sell does not have to be an intimidating process. Start with a plan and stick to it. If necessary ask for others input, such as a realtor or friends and neighbors. Think deep cleaning and maintenance, and as you wait for your home to sell continue to keep up all the improvements you have made, so you will be closing on a new house in record time.
Research The Neighborhood
Before You Buy a Home
The Jones’ family found their dream home and moved into it with all of the excitement and enthusiasm of a kid on Christmas morning. After a long and hectic day of unpacking, they collapsed into bed anticipating a good night’s rest. Unfortunately, they were shocked and dismayed when they began to hear the very obvious noise of trucks roaring along the inter-state highway situated less than a half mile to the rear of their home. Too late!
This unfortunate situation exemplifies the need to focus on location when contemplating the purchase of a home. A ten million dollar mansion isn’t worth a dime if it’s sitting next to a toxic waste dump. This example is far-fetched and outrageous, but it makes the point that finding the right location is certainly as important as finding the right house.
How do you investigate a potential neighborhood? There are a number of factors and issues to be considered in your evaluation. Some of them can be covered merely through visual observation; others will have to be explored with the assistance of community and government organizations.
One of your first and most significant concerns should be the crime rate. If every other house on the block is being burglarized every other month, you might want to look elsewhere. Talk to a spokesperson of the local law enforcement agency. Ask for a listing of their monthly crime stats and a copy of their year ending report. When talking to the spokesperson about crime rates, ask about their response times in your area. If it’s over five minutes, ask why. If the community has a neighborhood watch group or a neighborhood citizens’ security patrol, attend one of their meetings or speak with their group representatives.
How far is your new neighborhood from your place of employment? How far is too far? Bottom line: check the driving time and traffic patterns, both coming and going, by driving the route you’ll take. Are there any activities or facilities in the area that will make the trip more unpleasant or time consuming on specific days of the week? As an example, is there a bridge that backs up on Friday afternoons as people rush to their weekend retreats?
If you have children, or anticipate having them, you’ll want to check out the schools in the area. Visit the schools and talk to the Principals or school counselors. Ask about class sizes, bus service, curriculum and even school menus. If your child is a gifted student, you’ll want to inquire about accelerated courses. If your child needs special Ed opportunities, ask about them. Knowing about your child’s school is one of your primary responsibilities as a parent.
This may sound a bit picky, but you should visit and evaluate your local markets, shops and restaurants. Do they sell quality products? Is there a convenient place to purchase daily necessities such as milk, luncheon items, coffee, etc.? Do the local restaurants suit your taste? The answers to these questions may not factor substantially into your moving decision, but they are part of the equation and should at least be recognized and considered.
Availability of community services should not be overlooked. Is there a good hospital in the immediate vicinity? Do they have an emergency room? How about parks and a library?
You should visit the neighborhood at various times of the day and night to check for sounds, smells, heavy traffic and the presence of any activities that you might find offensive as a resident. Sometimes the complexion of a neighborhood changes at night. Drive around after dark and look for the presence of undesirables lounging about in public places. Try to get a sense and feeling of the neighborhood.
Finally, you will want to find out if the community has a community association. If so, visit the association and ask about membership dues, restrictions and covenants. If the representative is forthcoming, ask if there are any problems in the area that you as a prospective new resident should consider.
You are about to make one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. Don’t be timid. Ask questions, make notes and weigh all the pro’s and con’s before deciding.
How To Increase the Property Value of Your House
There are many things a home owner can do to increase the value of their home. This can be done on the interior or the exterior of the home, from do-it-yourself for the smaller projects to hiring a contractor for the larger jobs. You can give your home a face lift a little at a time. Most home owners don’t have the finances for a complete over haul done all at once. To most people, their home is their largest investment and they would like to keep it in prime condition. Although the price of your home is mostly determined by the current market conditions, there are several things you can do to maximize your homes value.
1. Decorative moldings can be used throughout the home for interior to exterior, to trim doors, floors, walls, windows, fire places and ceilings. These moldings can be found at practically all home improvement stores and are fairly easy to install to enhance the look of any room.
2. Kitchens tend to be the greatest investment that many potential buyers look at the most. Replacing cabinets and counter tops, can be done gradually at your own discretion or you may choose a more creative way to improve the old ones by painting the cabinets and replacing the knobs or handles.
3. Vinyl windows are a great way to increase the value of any house. These windows function better than the old wooden windows by opening for easy cleaning and they conserve more energy in the months when heat or central air will be used the most. They do not require painting and they can really make a house look beautiful.
4. Adding a new roof can make a very strong impression. The roof is the first thing people see and this can play a strong role in how much your house will sell for. A new sturdy roof provides protection from leaks that make ugly stains on the ceilings in your house that can lead to more damage.
5. Installing vinyl siding, if you don’t already have it, this can add up to $10,000 to the value of your house. If you have fairly decent vinyl siding already, you can hire a power washing company to clean the siding and give your house a fresh new look.
6. Painting the interior or exterior of a house can transform a house completely with a few coats of paint. You can be as colorful and creative as you like and you can take your time doing so, one room at a time.
7. Flooring absolutely makes the difference in any room. Whether you use linoleum, tiles, wood or carpet, a new floor can make all the difference.
8. Adding new appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer can greatly improve the value of your home. Along with adding a new water heater, furnace and central air unit.
9. Exterior landscaping can enhance a homes value by keeping a well maintained yard to adding strategically placed flowers and shrubs. You can also plant an attractive garden or install a small fish pond. Deciding to install or replace a fence along your property line will also be a great attraction to potential buyers, especially the ones who have children.
10. Adding a new deck is a great asset to the exterior look of your home. These can be made from a variety of wood and sealed to preserve the natural appearance. A new deck will provide the outside recreational area to grill out, while relaxing in a comfortable patio set and enjoying the great outdoors and fresh air.
Adding value to your home can be as simple and as affordable as you want it to be. Most improvements can be accomplished a little at a time, all depending on your time and budget. Smaller improvements can be made by simply adding potted plants along the stairs up to your freshly painted front door or by adding a small table or work of art in your foyer.
A visit to the home improvement store or looking through magazines can spark creativity when remodeling your home. Even if you have no idea where to start, one spark can lead to another and another, until before you know it, you have created a beautiful home that you may never want to leave.
First Time Home Buyers: Top 10 Suggestions
Buying your first home is one of the most exciting things you will ever do. If you have spent years living in apartments, there is nothing more satisfying than owning your own property. The process can be a little lengthy and you might hit a few bumps in the road to home ownership. The following tips will help the first time homeowner avoid some of the hiccups.
The first thing you should do is talk to a real estate agent about the home buying process. It should not be a sales meeting and you should be able to find an agent that will agree to meet with you about the basics without having to sign a sales agreement with them. If you can’t find a good agent to talk to, you might want to consider talking to a loan officer at your bank or a mortgage broker.
An equally important tip is to get your finances in order before you apply for a mortgage. Order a copy of your credit report so you can check it for accuracy. Mistakes are common and you want to make sure that there is no fraudulent activity. You have the right to dispute errors on your credit report. If you come across something that you know is an error, circle it and send it to the reporting agency along with a letter of dispute.
Next, you should really study the mortgage industry. You need to be able to find the right loan and lender most suitable for your needs. Familiarize yourself with industry terms like debt to income ratio and adjustable rate mortgage. Learn the difference between pre-approval and pre-qualified. It will all seem foreign at first, but taking the time to learn the business will spare you from headaches in the future.
Also, you need to figure out what your wants and needs are. What kinds of amenities are you looking for? How many bedrooms? One story or two story home? You also need to consider the size of the down payment and figure out what you need to do to come up with the money for it.
You must learn about how real estate agents work. There are buyer’s agents and seller’s agents. A buyer’s agent’s responsibility is to negotiate the best deal for the buyer. The goal of the seller’s agent is to get the price that the seller most desires. The best way to find the right agent is to ask your friends for suggestions. They have all probably been in the same boat, so they can probably recommend a good real estate agent. When meeting with a potential agent, pay attention to how they treat you. Make sure they listen to you when you talk about what you want. Also, how are their follow up skills? Do they take the time to return your calls or emails? If they don’t take the time to respond, move on. There is a better agent out there for you.
When looking for a home, consider all of the possibilities. Look up real estate agent’s websites. Don’t rule out For Sale by Owner Properties and foreclosed homes. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homes can often be found for very reasonable prices. You do need to find an agent that is approved to sell HUD homes if you choose to take that road to home ownership.
Before you even think about making an offer, you need to consider the resale value. You might plan on being there for a long time, but you just never know. You might opt for a different climate to alleviate your allergies or you could simply be transferred by your company. You want to pick a good location that will be attractive to others as well.
Another issue that cannot be ignored are the deed restrictions, which govern what you can and cannot do with the property. If it has always been your dream to have a pool, you want to make sure that you don’t buy a home in a subdivision that won’t allow it because of deed restrictions.
Home inspections are an impo |