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With the holiday season approaching, your mind may be daydreaming about getting away to a vacation home. In fact, maybe buying a vacation home is on your holiday wish list this year. While purchasing a home away from home can be a wonderful investment, it should not be taken lightly. Here are some things you should ask yourself if you’re deciding whether or not to buy a vacation home. A great way to find out would be to consult with a property management team.

Can I afford it?

First of all, it’s important to know whether or not you can actually afford to purchase a vacation home. Understand that lenders often require a higher credit score to purchase a second home. The interest rates for home loans may also be higher for vacation homes. For many buyers, paying cash for a vacation home is the best option. Do you have those resources available?

Will you share the cost?

If you’re not sure that you can swing the cost of a vacation home on your own, then you may be tempted to share the cost with others. This could include family members or close friends. Keep in mind that buying a vacation home is a huge financial commitment. Are you ready to enter into that kind of relationship with your family or friends? How will the costs be split, and how will that affect how each party can use the property? These are all questions that should be answered before you buy a vacation home with other people.

Does it fit my lifestyle?

While it can be exciting to imagine life in your vacation home, does it really fit your lifestyle? If you have a family with young children, are there enough amenities nearby that will satisfy everyone’s tastes? What happens when your children are grown? Will you still want to visit this house then? You should also consider whether it fits your lifestyle if you’re nearing retirement age. Does the area cater to older adults in terms of culture and entertainment? Are there medical facilities nearby?

How often will I use it?

Many buyers who purchase vacation homes have pie-in-the-sky ideas about how they will use their property. But are those ideas realistic? How often will you be able to get away? Is this a place that you’d like to return to again and again? Think about how far away the vacation home is, and how that will affect your ability to visit it on a regular basis. And remember that vacation homes need regular maintenance, too. You may need to hire someone to keep the property maintained if you are only visiting a few times a year. Consider giving your vacation home a trial run. Rent out another property in the same location and see how often you actually use it. It will help to inform your future purchase.

Will I rent it out?

Finally, consider whether or not you’ll rent out the home when you aren’t there. Although it can be appealing to have that extra income, it doesn’t come without challenges of its own. Be sure you know what the tax laws are regarding rental income. And understand that you will need to put time and effort into finding renters and keeping the home maintained while others are living there.

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Are you selling your home during the holiday season? While putting your home on the market right now may have you feeling like Scrooge, it can actually be a great time to sell. The trick is to put yourself in the right frame of mind and to understand how to use the holiday season to your advantage. Here’s what you need to know about selling your home over the holidays.

Use holiday decorations wisely

One of the best reasons to sell during the holiday season is that you can capitalize on the cozy feeling that the holidays inspire. You can use tasteful holiday decorations on both the inside and the outside of your home to make it feel both warm and inviting. The key is to use these kinds of decorations in moderation. For the outside, stick to basics like potted poinsettias and a simple evergreen wreath for the door. On the inside, choose general winter decorations like pinecones and candles. A few decorations placed strategically throughout your home will create that feeling of coziness you desire.

Lighting is key

Now that Daylight Saving has arrived, it’s more important than ever to consider lighting when selling your home. Make sure that all the interior lights in your home are working and turn them on during a showing – even during the day. Open all the curtains and let in as much natural light as possible. You can even use a few strands of twinkle lights as part of your holiday décor. Outside, be sure that people have plenty of light to see driveways and sidewalks and that your front porch light adequately lights up the outside.

Take great photos

As the weather turns colder, more and more buyers will be conducting their home searches online. For this reason, you should take great photos of your house for your listing. The photos will give buyers their first impression of your home. Make sure they represent your home in the best possible light so that buyers are motivated to see your property in person. If possible, hire a professional to take top-quality photos. And if you have any great photos from the spring and summer when trees and flowers are in full bloom, even better.

Price it right

One of the most important things you can do when selling your home during the holidays is to price it right. Homes that are priced too high will sit on the market for weeks or months, making them much less attractive to potential buyers. One way to avoid this problem is to price your home correctly from the beginning. You might also consider offering other incentives such as paying towards repairs or closing costs.

Work with a professional

Finally, if you’re selling your home over the holidays, then it’s best to work with a professional real estate agent. Working with an agent who is an expert in your market will make the process much less stressful. They can advise you on critical issues such as price, and help shoulder the load so that you can enjoy the holiday season, too!

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Every home sale will include a title search. This is a process that helps to discover who legally owns the house, and thus, who has the right to sell it. While it may seem pretty straightforward, a title search can turn up hidden claims or liens that might make it difficult to purchase title insurance. This could prevent the sale of a house if the sale is contingent on qualifying for this insurance. Here are nine of the most common title problems you might encounter when doing a title search.

Errors in the public records

One of the most common title problems is clerical or filing errors in the public records. Unfortunately, these errors can affect the status of the title and be difficult and costly to repair.

Forgeries

Much like errors in the public records, forgeries can also present problems when completing a title search. Sometimes forged documents are submitted into the public record, which makes it more difficult to ascertain who legally owns a property.

Liens

Another common problem that a title search can uncover is unknown liens against the property. A lien is a legal ownership claim on a home, and can be filed by anyone who is owed money by the homeowner. This could include tax departments, contractors, and utility companies and is common with distressed properties.

Illegal chain of title

The chain of title refers to all those who have previously owned a property. During a title search you may discover that a previous claim of ownership was not legal. This is possible if a minor, someone of unsound mind, or someone who claimed to be single but was actually married made a previous deed.

Property or boundary disputes

A title search may also uncover disputes about the boundaries of the property. It is possible that different surveys completed in the past show different boundary lines. This could mean that a neighbor could claim part of your property or vice versa. This kind of dispute must be cleared before you can purchase the property. You can search for the most experienced contractual dispute attorneys in your area, and hire one to help you hand this matter.

Bankruptcies

If a previous owner has filed for bankruptcy, you will need to verify that the case has been discharged. The person filing for bankruptcy must have signed off on the property and petitioned the court to release the property in order for the sale to continue.

Missing heir

Many people will their homes to their heirs when they die. But if an heir is missing or unknown when they die, it can become a problem when trying to purchase the property. You may also discover that family members have contested a will.

Missing will

If someone dies with no will or heir, then the state may sell the home. However, sometimes after the sale is complete a will is found and your rights as the homeowner may be compromised.

Unknown easements

Finally, the property may include an unknown easement. This could prevent you from using all or part of the property as you want to. It might also give someone else access to some or all of your property. This can affect your ability to enjoy your property as you had intended.

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Making an offer on a house can be a very exciting – and very nerve-wracking – experience. Finding a home you love can be a challenging process. Waiting to hear back about your offer can have you on pins and needles. This is the point in the home-buying process where things get serious and the exchange of paperwork starts to escalate. In order to keep your cool during this wild ride, it’s helpful to know what to expect.

Choose a starting price

When you’re making an offer on a house, you must begin with deciding exactly how much to offer. You will need to consider local market conditions, your budget, and how motivated the seller is, among other things. Evaluate local comps, and take into consideration how competitive the market currently is. This will help you decide how close you need to be to the asking price.

Determine your contingencies

Contingencies are items that can change or terminate your offer. It is common to include contingencies about appraisals and inspections. That way, if the home appraises for less than the asking price or the inspection reveals serious issues that weren’t previously disclosed, you can walk away. You may also include other contingencies such as securing financing or specifying the amount of time you need to find a buyer for your current home. In a competitive market, it’s wise to limit the number of contingencies to make your offer more attractive than others.

Prepare a written offer

Once you’ve decided on a price and your contingencies, your real estate agent will prepare an offer letter. This letter is legally binding and is guided by local and state laws. The letter will contain such things as the property description, the purchase price, other terms including closing costs and other fees, a mandate requiring a clear title, a projected closing date, and the offer’s expiration date. It will also include how much you will be offering as earnest money.

Consider including a personal letter

In competitive housing markets, it can be helpful to include a personal letter to the seller detailing why you love the home. Appeal to the seller’s emotions and let them know why their home is the perfect one for you. It could be just the edge you need to make your offer stand out.

Submit your offer

Once your offer letter is complete, your agent will send it to the seller’s agent. You will then enter the waiting game. One of three things will happen — the seller will accept your offer, decline your offer, or make a counter-offer. You and your agent can then respond accordingly.

Work with an experienced agent

In the end, when you’re making an offer on a home you love, it’s reassuring to know you’re in good hands. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced real estate agent who is an expert in your market. Partnering with a professional who has walked down this road many times with other homebuyers will put your mind at ease and help you submit an offer that a seller simply can’t refuse.

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Finished basements can add a significant amount of living space to a home. But most basements can be more than 10 degrees colder than the other floors of your home.

If you’re planning to use your basement as functional space, then you need to consider how you’ll heat it during the colder months. Here are some great solutions from basement renovations Edmonton specialists for keeping your basement warm.

Extend the ductwork

If you have a forced-air system to heat your home, then you may be able to extend the ductwork to heat your basement. Keep in mind that with this option, you will be heating up the whole house, not just the basement. So if you turn up the heat when you’re downstairs for movie night on a cold winter evening, you’ll be turning up the heat in the whole house. While extending the ductwork can be one of the most obvious solutions, it isn’t necessarily the most energy efficient. For more energy efficient options, visit https://www.peninsulaheatingandcoolingsolutions.com.au/.

Install permanent baseboard heaters

Another solution for heating your basement is to install hardwired baseboard heaters. This allows you to heat just the space you’re occupying, and each room in your basement can have it’s own heater. These heaters require you to hardwire them into the supply circuits. One downside is that they take up wall space so you won’t be able to put any furniture in front of them. But they can be individually controlled, which make them a great option for infrequently used basements.

Use plug-in baseboard heaters

You can hire electricians to install permanent baseboard heaters, especially if you don’t want to go to the trouble of dealing with plug-in models for your basement. You can move these units around to find the best places for them, but keep in mind that they do take up wall space like the hardwired units.

Use space heaters

Space heaters are probably the easiest way to heat your basement in cold weather. They are inexpensive and can be plugged into the wall. There are many kinds of space heaters on the market today, and some are more energy-efficient than others. Never leave a space heater on when you are not in the room, as it can be a fire hazard.

Install a fireplace or a stove

Fireplaces and Home Heating Stoves can also help heat your basement. You can choose a wood-burning, gas-burning, or wood pellet stove. These will provide wonderful ambiance but can be a challenge to install. It will need to be installed by an expert and vented to the exterior of your home.

Install radiant-heat floors

Finally, a cozy option for heating a basement is installing radiant-heat flooring. These types of floors can be easy to install and used with just about any floor covering. You will, of course, need to remove all furniture as well as baseboard trim prior to installation, so the job can be labor-intensive. Radiant-heat flooring is completely silent and evenly warms the entire floor. It is becoming more and more popular in homes today and can be a great solution to heat your cold basement during fall and winter. If you want to install radiant-heat floors, then you may consider contacting a heating contractor for expert services.

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When you’re buying or selling a home, getting real estate appraisals will be part of the closing process. A professional appraiser will inspect the home to determine its fair market value. This will establish how much money a lender is willing to loan for the home. When the appraisal is lower than the offer that was made, the buyer will be responsible for coming up with the difference. Here are some of the most common reasons for a low appraisal and what you can do about it.

Competitive market

If you’re buying or selling in a competitive market, then there may be multiple offers on a home. This can drive up the sales price, especially if there is a bidding war. However, appraisals rely on data from recent sales, which may not reflect current sales prices in your market.

Slow market

Another common reason for a low appraisal is a slow market, or buyer’s market. Sellers may overprice their homes because they don’t know that the value has recently decreased.

New appraiser

Sometimes an appraisal will come in low because the appraiser is inexperienced. They may not be aware of the nuances in your local market that can affect the price. They might also overlook features that could increase the value, such as recent upgrades or luxury amenities.

Rushed appraiser

There are only so many appraisers to go around. In a market that is experiencing an uptick in sales activity, this could result in a shortage of appraisers. Those that are working may feel rushed to complete your job, resulting in a low appraisal.

Poor comps

Appraisers look at recent comps to help determine the value of the property they are appraising. If they use comps that aren’t good matches, then it can cause the appraisal to come in too low.

The home looks dirty

While the bones of your home may be comparable to those in your area, the appraisal can still take a hit if the home is dirty or unkempt. An appraiser assesses the condition of both the interior and the exterior of the home. If your home appears dirty or the landscaping is overgrown, you could receive a low appraisal. The same can be said about your home’s plumbing system. Repair any obvious damages, as well as the ones not easily seen like septic issues that may require a 24 hour emergency septic system service. Additionally, there are alternatives like wastewater aeration systems that can help prevent many of the common issues these systems can present, so you may want to consider those if you notice these issues keep cropping up.

Overestimate value of basement

While finished basements can be great selling points, they do not have the same value as the portion of the home that is above ground. If a seller overestimates the worth of the basement, then the appraisal could come in low.

What to do with a low appraisal

While receiving a low appraisal can certainly take the wind out of your sails, it doesn’t mean the deal is officially dead. Here are four options for dealing with a low appraisal:

1. Appeal the appraisal – You have the option of appealing the low appraisal, but it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach to find the errors in the report and to collect evidence to support a higher appraisal.
2. Order another appraisal – You can also order a second appraisal on the home, but you will be footing the bill for it.
3. Negotiate – In this case, both the buyer and seller look for ways to compromise to save the deal, whether it’s reducing the asking price or splitting the difference.
4. Find another home – Sometimes, the best course of action is to walk away from the deal. Be sure to have an appraisal contingency in your contract so that you can get your earnest money deposit

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With the temperature dropping, you may be wondering how to save on your heating bill over the next few months. Nobody wants to spend too much on their energy costs, especially with the holidays around the corner. If you want to keep your home toasty warm without emptying your wallet this winter, then follow these simple tips. We recommend you to find heat pump installers near you for any emergency repair. You may also consider hiring professional heating contractors.

Use a programmable thermostat

You don’t need to crank up the heat when you’re not in the house or when you’re sleeping. But many of us forget to turn down the thermostat when we could. Programmable thermostats are very inexpensive and allow you to program those temperature changes. You’ll notice a big difference in your heating bill. You can learn more about your unit from this article.

Tune up your furnace

Once a year, have your ductless hvac unit, furnace or heat pump inspected by a heating services professional and conduct Ductless Heating Maintenance. The money you spend on having a pro to conduct a tune-up and furnace inspection in Florissant, MO can save you big down the line. Keeping your appliances in good working order will help keep those costly repairs to a minimum. And don’t forget to change your furnace filters regularly.

Turn on ceiling fans

It may seem counterintuitive, but using your ceiling fans in colder weather can save you money. Turn your ceiling fan on reverse to push warm air down towards the floor.

Keep vents clear

It’s hard for your system to heat the room if you have a sofa pressed up against the vents. Make sure to keep all your vents clear when you have the heat running. This ensures that air can circulate freely. Pull furniture away from walls and vacuum vents to keep them free of dust and dirt.

Use solar power

We’re not suggesting you install solar panels on your house (though that could save you money). Instead, open your curtains on sunny days. The sun that shines into your home can warm up a room significantly, especially in south-facing windows.

Close the curtains

Though it can be helpful to keep the curtains open on sunny days, you should close them on overcast days and at night. Use heavy drapery in the winter to help insulate your room and keep the warm air inside. Getting insulation installation can also reduce your heating and cooling bills.

Shut doors

Do you have rooms that you use infrequently? Then keep the doors to those rooms shut when not in use. Close the vents to those rooms as well. You can also increase the warmth of the room you are in by shutting the door. Consider using a space heater to heat your bedroom at night so you can keep the rest of the house cool.

Decorate with warm accessories

If you’re tempted to turn up the heat as soon as you feel a chill coming, then deck out your house with warm accessories. Use flannel sheets on your bed, and drape cozy blankets on chairs and couches. Use rugs on the floor to keep your feet warm and always make sure you have a pair of slippers handy.

Dress in layers

Speaking of slippers, you can also save on your heating bill if you dress appropriately while inside. Wear several layers of clothing and a hat. Put on those thick socks, leg warmers, and a scarf. You can keep your home several degrees cooler if you dress accordingly.

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween. And while it’s fun to visit a haunted house in October, most people don’t want to live in one all year. If you think your house is haunted, or it has some other stigma attached to it, you will want to take special care when it comes time to sell. Here are some of the things you should think about when you’re selling a haunted house.

Know what you’re dealing with

Just because the lights flicker or you hear strange sounds in the attic doesn’t mean your house is haunted. You could have an electrical problem or raccoons living upstairs. When you notice anything strange, write it down and keep a log. Over time you may notice a pattern that can help you discover what the real issue is. In my case, I realized I needed to sell my house in Mufreesboro, TN, because I wanted to move out. I reached out to https://www.tennesseestatehomebuyers.com and they helped me sell my house right away!

Be quiet about it

Though disclosure laws vary from state to state, one thing is for sure. Be quiet about the paranormal activity you think is happening inside your home. If you talk publicly about your haunting, then you are legally required to tell prospective buyers about it. In 1991, a buyer tried to back out of a home sale in New York after discovering that the home was haunted. They filed a lawsuit, and the New York Supreme Court ruled that the house was “haunted” because the owner had previously talked with Reader’s Digest about it. Though there was no material evidence of a haunting, the mere fact that the seller spoke about it publicly was enough for the court to rule in favor of the buyer.

Use it as a selling point

On the flip side, talking about your resident ghosts could be a selling point. There are certain buyers out there who are attracted to homes with a spooky past. And some buyers don’t really care one way or another as long as the home is in good shape. This is especially true in a hot market where there’s less inventory and many serious buyers.

Understand how it can affect the price

When setting a price for your home, it is standard practice to look at comparable homes in the area. But unless you live in a neighborhood with a high rate of hauntings, it can be difficult to determine the best price. If your haunting is making it tough for you to find a buyer, then you may need to lower your selling price. There are certainly buyers out there who are looking for a deal and won’t mind sharing a space with a friendly ghost or two.

Talk to a real estate agent

If you’re ready to sell your haunted house, then talk to a professional real estate agent. They can provide invaluable advice about how to handle the selling and what legal disclosures you need to make. Working with an expert will make the experience less stressful and will help you feel more satisfied with the outcome of your sale. In the end, you won’t end up feeling haunted by the selling of your haunted house!

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Are small home remodel projects in your future? Whether you’ve just bought a house or are considering putting yours on the market, chances are you’ll need to make some repairs or updates soon. Without proper planning, your project could quickly derail and become much more expensive and time-consuming than you bargained for. Here’s what you need to know to avoid a renovation nightmare.

Know what you want

First of all, you need to be crystal clear about what you want to achieve with your home renovation. Get specific. For example, let’s say you want to renovate your bathroom. When planning that bathroom remodel, you need to be much more specific than that. Do you want to overhaul the whole room and replace the tub, shower, toilet and vanity? Or will you be satisfied with a new coat of paint and some new decorations? Knowing what you want to accomplish will help you create a plan for the project.

Set a budget

Once you’ve created a plan, you need to determine your budget. Home renovations can easily become a nightmare when you sink much more money into the project than you intended. Write down everything you’d like to do, and research how much each of those things will cost. If your costs are getting too high, find ways to economize. This could include using less expensive materials or eliminating certain aspects of the project entirely. For major renovations, you may need to include the cost of a 30 Yard Roll Off Dumpster Rental in your budget so it’ll be easier to collect and dispose of construction waste.

Understand building codes

When completing any home improvement project, you need to be aware of your local building codes. Some projects will require a permit. It’s important to secure the proper permit before completing a job. If you don’t, then you could have problems down the line when you’re selling your home. While you may think that getting the proper permits is a hassle, it is one responsibility that you should not ignore.

Know when to call a professional

Many homeowners take the DIY approach when it comes to home renovations. Although this can certainly save you money, there are some projects that should be left to the pros. These include replacing kitchen cabinets, knocking down walls, or getting your electrical panel upgrade. If the potential for risk is high. Learn more about Akkaya Construction, an excellent renovation contractor.

Hire the right professional

Just because someone calls themselves a professional doesn’t always mean that they actually are. When hiring a contractor, you need to make sure that they are licensed and insured. Check online reviews and contact previous clients to find out how happy others were with their work. See if any complaints have been filed with a local licensing board or the Better Business Bureau. Though it may be tempting to hire the person with the lowest bid, it isn’t worth it if it will cause you headaches down the line. You can choose a fully-licensed general contractor to design your home renovation. You may take a look at the site here to learn more about their services.

Get everything in writing

When getting a price quote from a contractor, it should state everything that is included. If not, you may find that all those little “extras” begin to add up. You should receive a “scope of work” or similar document with specific details about what work will be completed and all the materials that will be included. Your contract should also include a payment schedule and a refund agreement.

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Although it’s fun to be scared on Halloween, it’s not so fun if something legitimately scary happens at your home. Halloween is the number one day for property crime in the United States. Is your homeowners insurance ready? You can compare home insurance rates at Money Expert.

Here’s a look at some of the most common reasons you may need to file an insurance claim after Halloween.

Injuries

Young children are already prone to slipping and falling. On Halloween, when they’re excited and wearing a costume that may limit their field of vision, the chances that they’ll take a spill are even greater. If anyone does slip and fall on your property, they may hire a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can help those who got injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. Fortunately, you will likely be covered by your liability insurance. That is, unless there is a significant hazard in your yard. Be sure to clean up all branches and leaves and have plenty of light so kids can see clearly. Otherwise, your claim could be denied.

Similarly, cruise ship accidents can occur due to various hazards, including slippery floors or rough seas. In case of a cruise ship accident, it’s crucial to visit the site and gather as much information as possible to support any potential claims for compensation.

Vandalism

Vandalism and Halloween go hand-in-hand. It’s a night for mischief, and it isn’t unusual for your home to be egged or your trees to be covered in toilet paper. But unless these pranks cause significant damage, it may not be worth it to file an insurance claim. The cost of repairs may not be enough to meet the deductible. Keep in mind that you may also need to file a police report if you want your claim to be paid. If your car is vandalized on Halloween, such as getting egged or having the windows broken, then those repairs would be covered by your auto insurance. Keep your car in the garage if possible on Halloween night.

Fires

Fires are another big concern on Halloween. With all those jack-o’-lanterns and creepy candles, it’s no wonder that fires are more common around this time of year. If your home suffers fire damage, it will most likely be covered by your homeowners insurance, and of course in case of fire is also important to have life insurance which you can also find in this Big Lou Insurance review online. This could include living expenses if you need to stay somewhere else while your home is being repaired. The best course of action is to not use open flames of any kind. Instead, use battery-operated candles in your pumpkins and decorations. You’ll find that most flameless candles on the market today look just like the real thing.

Dog bites

Even if your dog is the friendliest on the block, you never know how they will react on Halloween. With so many people coming to the door in costume, your dog’s behavior could be unpredictable. If your dog becomes frightened or confused, they could bite someone. Most dog bites will be covered by your homeowners insurance. However, be aware that certain dog breeds are sometimes excluded from coverage. Call your insurance agent if you have any questions about what may or may not be covered.

Damage to tombstones

Finally, you may be surprised to learn that cemetery plots are covered by your homeowners insurance. If the cemetery plot or headstone that you purchased is vandalized on Halloween, then it will be covered by your homeowners insurance. Typically, a homeowners insurance policy will cover up to $5,000 in damages.

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