Posts for Syndication

Is your dog the one on the block that neighbors flock to when they see you out walking? Or is he the one that causes people to cross the street in order to avoid you? Dogs have become undeniable members of our families, and by extension, members of our neighborhoods. Which is why it’s important to consider whether or not your dog is a good neighbor. These tips will help make sure that your best friend is also a favorite neighbor on the block.

Keep a collar on

This applies to your dog, of course – not you. But it is essential that you always keep a collar on your dog with ID tags. Although you may go the extra mile to ensure that your dog is properly secured on your property, some sneaky canines are talented escape artists. Make it easy for your neighbors to identify your dog and to get in touch with you should your dog become lost. Don’t rely on microchips alone, which usually require a trip to the vet or shelter in order to be scanned.

Always use a leash

Even if your dog is the best behaved one on the block, always follow local leash laws. You never know when something will attract their attention or provoke them. It will also help should your dog encounter another dog that is not quite as friendly. Dogs should only run loose in your fenced yard or designated parks.

Know your dog’s behavior

If your dog is shy or does not like to be touched in certain places, make this known to anyone who may approach you. Give instructions to the neighbors you may meet when you’re out walking, and let children know to ask first before petting.

Be sure to curb

This applies to dog owners more than to the dogs themselves. If you’re out walking and your dog takes a break to relieve himself on your neighbor’s lawn, don’t just leave it there. Carry plenty of disposable bags with you so that you can remove the mess and dispose of it properly. Your neighbors will thank you.

Beware of excessive barking

A continuously barking dog can wear on even the most patient neighbor’s nerves. Be mindful of how much your dog is barking and whether or not it may be disturbing your neighbors. Don’t leave your dog outside unattended for long periods of time. If any neighbors complain about excessive barking, then work through issues in a friendly way.

Invest in canine training

If you’re concerned your dog’s behavior isn’t up to snuff, then invest in some behavioral training classes. These programs will teach your dog how to get along with other dogs, how to walk through a crowd without becoming too excited, and how to come when called. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to teach him a couple of fun tricks that will delight your neighbors and make them happy and excited to see you when you’re out for your daily walks.

By following these suggestions, you can make your dog not only a good neighbor, but also the star of the neighborhood!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Was your home the target of Halloween pranksters this year? Are you worried about how to clean up that dripping egg or disintegrating toilet paper – and fast? A post-Halloween cleanup can be scary, especially if your home is on the market. Here are some great tips about how to get your home back to normal in a jiffy.

Clean up egg splatters

If your house has been egged, you’ll want to act quickly to remove the splatters. Eggs can stain siding and corrode paint. If the egg hasn’t hardened, then use a garden hose to spray away the mess. A pressure washer would also work well, but if it doesn’t reach where you need it to then you could always get some high pressure pumps to increase its power. If the egg has hardened, first soften the mess with a mix of water and vinegar, then wipe off with a clean cloth. If there are remnants of shells, gently pick them off. Eggshells can scratch paint.

Remove toilet paper from trees

Toilet paper is relatively easy to clean up if it hasn’t gotten wet. Simply use a rake to comb the toilet paper from the branches. You can also try using a tree trimmer or even a leaf blower to reach the higher branches. If the toilet paper has gotten wet you’ll want to act quickly. As the paper gets wet, it shreds and spreads. Avoid using a garden hose to remove the paper, as that will make the situation worse. If there are any pieces you can’t reach, let Mother Nature take its course. The paper will eventually break down.

Wash soaped windows

If pranksters are feeling extra sneaky, they may run a bar of soap over your windows, making it difficult to see out of them. If a blast of water from the hose doesn’t wash it off, use a rough sponge or cloth. If it still doesn’t come off, it could be wax. In that case, use a razor blade to get most of it. Then remove remaining residue with rubbing alcohol.

Erase shaving cream stains

Was your driveway the scene of a shaving cream fight? If so, you may have noticed that once the shaving cream has been washed away, it leaves behind an unsightly stain. Fortunately, those stains can be removed with a mixture of hot water and laundry detergent. The mixture will also work to remove those stains from siding.

Get rid of silly string

Silly string can damage painted surfaces, so try to remove it as quickly as possible from your home or car. First try spraying it off with the hose. If there are any remaining bits, don’t try to scrape it off as it could also remove the paint. Instead, soak a cloth with water and shampoo and gently remove the residue. You might be wondering, can any shampoo be used to wash your car? Yes, you can use a regular shampoo to clean the car, but it is still recommended that you use a dedicated car shampoo for best results. But if you can’t remove the damage, you may want to try custom car wraps as an alternative to repainting your car.

However whether it’s a paint scratch on the passenger door that’s bugging you or significant damage keeping your car in park, a good provider like Madison body shop is here for you and your vehicle. And when you get your car back, it’ll look like it was never damaged in the first place.

Prank-proof your home

Finally, the best way to deal with Halloween pranksters is to make it hard for them cause a problem. Park your car in the garage and keep outdoor lights on. Keep pumpkins in windows instead of on your porch. Turn lights and a TV on inside so mischief-makers know that someone is home. And most of all – be friendly when you hand out candy.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Buying a home from someone you know, like a friend or family member, seems like it should be a great deal, right? After all, you already have a relationship with the seller, and you’ll probably get a better price and complete the process more quickly. While buying from friends or family can work out well for everyone, there are some things you should know and prepare for before you jump in.

Make agreements in writing

While it can be tempting to cut some corners when buying from someone you know, you should make sure to get all agreements in writing. This helps to ensure that everyone knows exactly what is being agreed to. It also leaves a paper trail should any problems arise down the line.

Be honest about the relationship

When you are securing financing for the home, you need to be honest with the lender about your relationship to the seller. There may be added restrictions when buying from friends or family, and not disclosing the relationship could cause problems. In fact, it could constitute mortgage fraud. That could result in the delay of closing, denying of the loan or the lender calling the loan after closing, making the full balance due. You could even get a call from the district attorney if the lender loses money. The bottom line is – be transparent.

Don’t skip the inspection

If you’re buying from someone you know, chances are you’ve been in the house a number of times. You may even be a tenant purchasing a home from your landlord. Even if you think you know the house inside and out, you should not skip the home inspection. Hire a licensed professional who will let you know about any possible issues so that they can be addressed in the deal. For instance, if there are problems with the foundation, a commercial cracked brick repair service can spot it right away. They will be able to tell you know what you need to fix things, and let you know if Metal Shims for Foundation Leveling will be needed.

Have the home appraised

Likewise, you should also make sure to have the home appraised so that you know the estimated value. If you’re financing, the lender will likely require an appraisal.

Agree on a fair price

While it’s normal to want a good deal on your home purchase, the seller should not give you any excessive discounts. While a small break isn’t a big deal, the IRS will be watching to make sure the home is priced at a fair market value. If not, and you sell shortly thereafter, you could end up paying capital gains taxes.

Hire a professional

It’s wise to get some legal advice during this process, so you may want to consider hiring a real estate attorney. They can help you complete all the necessary paperwork so you aren’t accused of mortgage fraud at a later date. You should also hire a title company to transfer the home from seller to buyer. And while you may feel it’s not necessary to hire a real estate agent, it could be helpful to hire one as a consultant. Many agents will work as a consultant for a flat rate to advise you on the process and make sure you’re doing everything necessary to properly finalize the deal.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Knowing what to price your home is one of the most important aspects of selling. Choosing just the right listing price can mean the difference between a quick sale and a home that languishes on the market for weeks or even months. But how do you know what your home is worth? Here are some suggestions about how to find that magic number.

Online calculators

There are many online calculators available that will use existing public data on your home to generate a price. They run that data through different computer models to determine a value. These calculators can be a good place to start to get a ballpark estimate of what your home may be worth. But be aware that they can be off, and they may even differ wildly from one another.

Neighborhood comps

Once you’ve gotten an idea of the estimated value of your home, it’s time to dig a little deeper. Start by looking at the comps — properties in your neighborhood that are for sale or have sold in the last year. Find homes that are reasonably comparable to yours. Compare using number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage and lot size. Also take into consideration any unique characteristics, such as an outstanding view or amenities like a guesthouse or pool. You can expect your home to be worth approximately what the comparable properties in your neighborhood are also worth.

Appraiser

Another way to narrow in on the market value of your home is to hire a professional appraiser. They will evaluate your home based on its size, condition, recent improvements, and unique extras. Appraisers can be hired locally and generally cost up to around $500.

Tax assessment

You can also get an idea of your home’s value by looking at your most recent property tax bill. The bill will show what the tax assessed value of your home is. Depending on where you live, that value can represent the fair market value of your home or a percentage of that value. Find out if your area uses an assessment rate, and use that to calculate the fair market value of your home. This method can be a little tricky, but looking at the assessed value will give you an understanding of what your local government thinks your home is worth.

Real estate agent

At the end of the day, your best course of action for pricing your home is to work with a trusted real estate agent for Property Condition Assessment. Agents have access to private industry databases that give a much more detailed picture of your home. They will use that detail and their knowledge of the local market to conduct a comparative market analysis. Working with a human who can better understand the subtleties of a property will give you a much more accurate price than any computer algorithm alone can.

Ultimately, determining the value of your home is equal parts art and science. By thoroughly examining the local market and working with an agent you trust, you should be able to arrive at that magic number that both you and the buyer will be happy with.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re one of the millions of homeowners who faced foreclosure in the last few years, you may be wondering what your chances are of buying again in the future. Will you qualify for a mortgage? How long do you have to wait? While buying another home may be a difficult process, it isn’t impossible. Here’s what you need to know.

It’s a waiting game

It’s important to know that having a foreclosure on your record doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to buy a house again. But it does mean that you’ll have to wait a period of time before you’re eligible. The length of that waiting period is determined in large part by the type of loan you are applying for. For a conventional loan, lenders require that borrowers wait at least seven years since their foreclosure was complete. However, if you’re applying for a VA loan or an FHA loan, that waiting period can be as little as two years.

You may be able to reduce your waiting time

One way that you can help shorten the period of time you need to wait is to demonstrate that the foreclosure was the result of a significant financial setback. This could include a layoff, health problems or even a divorce. You’ll want to collect documents and keep a detailed file to back up your claim. You can submit these documents as well as a letter to your mortgage lender, to see if it can help speed up the process.

You need to rebuild your credit

Your credit score takes a big hit when you go through a foreclosure. Rebuilding your credit is the first step towards eventually being able to qualify for a mortgage. So how do you do that? Be sure to pay all of your bills on time. Don’t max out credit cards and don’t take on other debts, like a car loan. You’re going to need a score of at least 580 to qualify. Periodically check your credit report for errors that could count against you, and work to have those errors removed.

Start saving now

Unless you’re applying for a VA loan that does not require a down payment, you’ll want to start saving right away. You’ll need as much as 10 percent down – maybe more, depending on the lender.  Lenders will want to see proof that you have savings that can help offset future financial hardships like the ones that may have led to your foreclosure. The more money you have saved, the more likely you are to qualify for a loan, and the better your interest rate will be.

Don’t be afraid

In the end, don’t let a past foreclosure keep you from pursuing your dreams of homeownership. Though you’ll have to jump through some extra hoops in order to qualify for a new loan, you won’t be prevented from ever owning a home again. As long as you repair your credit and save, you are well on your way to making those dreams a reality.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Are you getting ready to buy a home? Or maybe homeownership is something you’re planning for in the not-too-distant future? Then you’ve no doubt stumbled across open houses and wondered if you should go. Whether you’re ready to buy or getting your finances together to be in the market soon, there can be many benefits to attending open houses. Here’s a look at a few.

Learn about the local market

It’s kind of amazing how much you can learn about the market simply by attending open houses. First, you can start to get a feel for the kinds of homes that are for sale in your area, and what those homes are selling for. Second, you can see how much traffic the open house gets. From that traffic you’ll better understand how competitive the local market is. When you find the house you really want, how quickly will you need to act? Third, depending on how busy the open house is, you may be able to chat with the listing agent. From that conversation you can glean more information about what’s happening in the local market, even before that news becomes mainstream. Display homes, also known as model homes or show homes, are a great way to view the latest in home design, trends, and technology. Check out the latest collection from Coast Homes WA.

Understand what you can afford

You’ve been saving for a down payment and have plugged your financials into an online calculator to determine how much you can afford to spend on a house. But what is that money going to buy you in reality? By attending several open houses in the neighborhood where you’d like to buy, you’ll soon see exactly what your money can get you. You’ll see where you may need to make some compromises on your wish list and better prepare for the reality of what you can reasonably afford.

Get ideas about latest trends

If you’re not sure what you want your new house to look like, attending some open houses can show you what the latest trends are. Many homes are professionally staged so that they look as good as possible to potential buyers. You can get ideas about paint colors, finishes, kitchen designs and more. This can be especially handy if you plan to buy a fixer-upper that will need some cosmetic work. Use the open houses to discover what you like and what you don’t like. And if you like what you see, ask the listing agent for contact information for the designer or contractor.

Get to know the neighborhood

If you’re trying to narrow your search to a particular neighborhood, it can help to attend open houses in those neighborhoods. Much of the traffic of an open house is nearby residents looking to see what’s happening in the neighborhood. You’ll get a sense of the kind of people who live there, how noisy or quiet the area is, and the kinds of amenities that are available nearby. It will also give you a chance to meet other prospective buyers and learn about what they’re looking for in a neighborhood. Talk a walk around the block and get a feel for what it might be like on any given day.

The bottom line is – don’t be afraid to pop into some open houses if you’re getting ready to buy. Not only is it a great learning experience, you may actually find the home you love!

Compliments of Virtual Results

It’s that time of year again! Time for Halloween pumpkins, candy, costumes – and possible claims to your home insurance. While trick-or-treating is a time-honored tradition, it also increases the risk of damage to or accidents on your property. Be on the lookout for these events that could trigger a claim, and make sure your insurance policy will cover them.

Vandalism

It’s unfortunate, but vandalism does occasionally occur on Halloween. Your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover most types of vandalism. But you’ll need to decide if those acts cause enough damage to make filing a claim worth it. If your car is vandalized, that is usually covered through your auto insurance.

Dog bites

Even the most well behaved dogs get spooked on Halloween. With so much activity and so many new, costumed faces, it’s easy for dogs to get excited. That excitement could manifest as a dog bite. Most homeowner’s policies do cover dog bites, but those guidelines can vary from state to state. You should double-check your policy, especially if you got your dog after you got the insurance. The best way to prevent an accident like this is to secure your pets on Halloween so they aren’t coming into contact with people.

Fire

Nothing creates a spooky atmosphere quite like a jack o’ lantern. But those candles are often the source of accidental fires. Your homeowner’s policy will most likely cover the cost of living expenses and repairs. That is, of course, unless your fire was caused by a dangerous activity, like having a bonfire next to a pile of dry leaves a few feet from your house. Your best bet is to invest in some flameless candles that provide much less risk of fire.

Injury

Small children wearing bulky costumes or masks that limit their visibility are more at risk of getting hurt. If a child or a party guest gets injured on your property, the liability portion of your policy will cover it.  However, if a decoration or some other hazard caused damage to your property in the meantime, those damages may not be covered. If you have any questions about what your policy covers, talk with your insurance agent, if some injuries aren’t covered then you can always get legal help from a personal injury attorney.

Gravestones

Here’s one you may not have considered. If a loved one’s gravestone is damaged during a Halloween prank at the cemetery, your homeowner’s policy will cover it. Even though it’s not in your yard, your family’s final resting places are protected.

An ounce of prevention

Nothing kills a good time like an accident. The best way to ensure you have an accident-free Halloween is to take safety precautions. Use battery-powered flames in place of real ones. Make sure your house and yard are well lit. Keep your pets in another room during trick-or-treating. And remove any debris or decorations that could cause someone to trip and fall.

While you can’t prepare for every possible accident that can occur, it does pay to be prepared. Check with your insurance agent if you’re concerned about your coverage and follow basic safety precautions to have a happy and healthy Halloween!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Whether you’re buying or selling a real estate property, you’ve probably considered whether or not it’s really necessary to work with a professional real estate agent who can give you the best advice on your down payment. With so much information available online, isn’t it possible to go through the process alone? While working for yourself may save you commission fees, it could end up costing you more in the end. Here are some of the most important reasons why we think it’s valuable to work with a professional.

Pricing expertise

Pricing a home is a little like playing Goldilocks. You don’t want to price too high or your home will languish on the market. You don’t want to price too low, or you’ll lose out on a better deal. You do want to strike the perfect balance and price it just right. A professional real estate agent will have expertise in the local market and knowledge of neighborhood comps. They’ll help guide you to choosing the perfect listing price for your home.

Dealing with paperwork

Buying or selling a house generates a high volume of paperwork. This includes purchase agreements, disclosure statements, inspection reports and so much more. It can be time-consuming and intimidating to pore over each document. A professional real estate agent deals with paperwork every day, and can help you navigate through and stay on top of all the documents that need to be read, signed and processed.

Negotiation skills

Negotiating is a learned skill, and professional real estate agents practice it every day. Negotiating on your own behalf can sometimes be difficult, especially if you’re emotionally connected to the home. An agent can maintain professional detachment and treat the process as a business transaction.

Easy access

Although the Internet has made it easier than ever to list and browse properties for sale, it doesn’t take the place of having a real estate agent assist with your search. A professional real estate agent will be connected to a network of other agents and have easy access to property listings. They can quickly perform searches to find homes that meet your criteria, call the listing agents and set up appointments for viewing.  If you’re selling, an agent can field these calls for you, make appointments and answer questions.

Avoiding problems with closing

There’s nothing worse than getting all the way to closing day and have the deal fall through. Watching all those weeks and months of work just disappear can be frustrating. A good real estate agent will know what kinds of problems to look for and will be prepared to handle them before they become issues. This could include making sure the title is clear and that the lender will meet the deadline for financing. They’ll also stay on top of all the professionals involved in the process, to ensure that everything is moving forward on schedule.

Though technology has made it easy to gather information about buying and selling homes, it doesn’t take the place of a professional real estate agent. Having an expert in your corner can help mitigate much of the stress of the sale, head off potential problems and get you the best deal for your home.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re selling your home, you’ve no doubt received lots of advice about the process. Though most folks have the best of intentions, the information they share may not always be accurate. And in some cases, the “facts” they tell you may be downright harmful to getting your house sold. Let us save you some time and trouble by debunking some of the more common home selling myths.

You’ll get all your money back with improvements

While it’s true that some renovations can increase the value of your home, they aren’t all created equal. In fact, there are few that will pay for themselves entirely. Talk to your agent about what upgrades should be tackled before you list your home, and which ones to leave for the next owners.

Minor repairs can wait

We understand how annoying it can be to tighten every screw, replace every burnt-out light bulb and repair every leaky faucet. But making minor repairs can mean the difference between getting the price you want and having to accept a lower offer. Most buyers are looking for a home that is move-in ready. So now is the time to finally tackle that to-do list of minor repairs including plumbing and garage door repair. If your roof needs repairs, look for a certified roofing contractor to get the best results. Appliances in good working condition will attract buyers, so better have an expert like a dryer repair technician do your appliance repair.

The seller determines the price

While the home seller does ultimately make the decision about the listing price, there are many factors that determine the number. The biggest factor that dictates what you can reasonably expect to get for your home is the market itself. Thoroughly research all the comparable properties for sale in your area, and rely on the expert market knowledge of your agent to arrive at the best price.

Price high at the beginning

There are some who believe that overpricing a home gives a potential buyer room to negotiate. But what it really does is scare most potential buyers off. With so much information available online, today’s buyers know when a home is being listed for an unreasonably high price. And in most cases, buyers will not schedule an appointment to view the home. Pricing high will often result in your home spending more time than necessary on the market. And the longer your home is on the market, the more unattractive it becomes to potential buyers. Do yourself a favor, and price it correctly at the start.

Repaint everything a neutral color

If your home is covered in zebra-stripe wallpaper, then you may want to consider toning it down a little. But not all vibrant colors need to go. Sometimes, those bold colors play up a nice feature of your home or brighten up an otherwise drab room. If you feel like the color may be a little much, you can play it down with more neutral furnishings.

Remove all holiday decorations before a showing

The holiday season is quickly approaching. If you’re getting ready to sell, you may think you’ll have to keep those boxes of holiday decorations stored until next year. If the thought of not decking your halls makes you sad, know that it’s OK to do a little holiday decorating. Just be sure to keep it simple and tasteful. In fact, those decorations may be just the thing to convince a potential buyer of how cozy and festive your house can be.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Are you a first-time homebuyer? Then you may be wondering if you should buy a less expensive starter home now or wait until you have more money saved to buy a “forever” home later. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are some things you should consider. Ask yourself these questions to help determine whether or not a starter home is right for you.

How much can you afford?

Do you have money saved for a down payment? How is your credit score? If you don’t have much money saved, and your credit score could use some improvement, it might be best to wait. While you may still qualify for a mortgage, you probably will not get a favorable interest rate, which will drive up your monthly payments. You also need to take into consideration how much extra money you will have available for repairs and maintenance. If you’re not sure, try plugging your numbers into an online calculator to see what you can afford. The bottom line is, don’t financially commit yourself if you can’t reasonably afford it.

How long will you stay?

Another question to consider is how long you think you may stay in your starter home. If you move regularly for work, buying a starter home may not be worth it. However, if you plan to stay in that area for several years, a starter home could be a good choice. Also consider that life can change pretty quickly. Though you may only need one or two bedrooms now that could change if you get married or start a family. If you think you may only stay in your starter home a short time, it might be best to wait. There are added costs for moving, as well as fees for selling. If you’re only in the home for a year or two, there may be no financial benefits.

Where do you want to live?

Will you be OK living in a more affordable area for at least a few years? Or do you want to wait until you can get a home in a neighborhood where you really want to live? If you know that you’ll eventually want to relocate to a more desirable area, then settling for a starter home in a less desirable location may not be for you.

Do you have an exit strategy?

If you think that a starter home will work for you, you should also consider how you will unload it once the time comes. Will you rent the home out to cover your new mortgage payments? How will you handle becoming a landlord? Conversely, if you think you will sell, is the home in a good area? What is the resale value? How strong is the housing market now? If the market takes a downturn, will you be able to sell your home in the future? Since a starter home is more of a short-term investment, be sure to give some thought about what you’ll do when you’re ready to move on.

Compliments of Virtual Results