Posts for Syndication

We understand – selling a home is tough! It’s one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever complete in your lifetime. That can be scary. But don’t let it keep you from putting your house on the market. Here are some common fears that you might experience when selling your home, and tips on how to face them.

You’ll be overwhelmed

Getting your home ready for the market can be a big job. Cleaning, organizing, repairing and painting can take time. You may feel like your to-do list is going to be a mile long, and that you’ll never finish it. While it does take effort to get your home ready for showings, you can help yourself by starting early. Tackle your list one item at a time. Don’t feel like you have to complete everything in one weekend. Talk to your agent about which items to prioritize, and let them help you organize your tasks.

Your home won’t sell

This is a common fear for most sellers. It’s easy to worry that once you list your home, it will languish on the market for weeks or even months. Your fear can be compounded if you know you’ll need that money in order to secure a new place. The best way to face this fear is to get an early start. Work with an experienced agent who understands your local market. Your agent can make sure your home is priced right for the current market conditions.

Your agent will underprice your home

Another fear that sellers may face is that their agent will want to price their home too low. The best way to deal with this is to compare your home’s listing price with similar homes listed in your area. Are they around the same? If you feel this is a trust issue with your agent, interview other agents. You’ll either discover that your agent’s assessment is on par, or that it’s way off base. The bottom line is – you don’t have to list your home with an agent you don’t feel comfortable with.

You’ll feel exposed

Your home is your sanctuary. It’s where the most personal moments of your life take place. It’s totally normal to feel uneasy about suddenly opening your home to strangers. Especially when those strangers will be making judgments about it. If you are worried that you’ll feel too exposed, take time to remove all your personal belongings from the house before potential buyers walk through. Paint rooms in neutral colors. By de-personalizing your home, you’ll be able to treat it more like a business transaction.

You’ll be too emotional

Lastly, we know it can be tough to let go of your home. You’ve made memories there, and sometimes it’s difficult to move on. You can counteract this by daydreaming about the new chapter of your life that is coming up. Find reasons to be excited about it. It is easier to let go if you have something else to look forward to.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Have you ever seen a house listing that advertises a half bath? Or maybe it lists a three-quarter bath, or even a quarter bath? What do those terms even mean? Whether you’re buying or selling a home, it’s helpful to know just what goes into defining a bathroom. It is important to keep the bathroom and yourself clean, to do this you can consider buying portable sanitation products, that way you are prepared whenever you have to leave the house in a hurry.  Here’s the scoop.

Full bathroom

First, let’s start with a full bathroom. A full bathroom is comprised of four parts – a toilet, a sink, a bathtub and a shower. In order for a bathroom to be listed as a “full” bath, it must contain all four parts. Of course, a bathroom can contain other fixtures as well. This includes a linen closet, a bidet, or his-and-hers sinks. But those are just icing on the cake. As long as a bathroom contains the four essential items of shower, bath, sink and toilet, it’s a full bath.

Three-quarter bathroom

A three-quarter bathroom, as you might suspect, contains three of the four components of a full bath. In most cases, the item that is missing from a three-quarter bath is the bathtub. Three-quarter bathrooms typically feature a sink, toilet and shower stall.

However, there are some three-quarter bathrooms that have a bathtub with no shower. If you have this type of bathroom and are listing your home for sale, it’s easy to upgrade to a full bath. Simply install a showerhead over the tub and enclose the tub with a curtain or installed one of the Apollo Senior Baths to make it more appealing.

Half bathroom

A half bathroom is commonly referred to as a guest bathroom or even a powder room. They contain half of the components of a full bath. In most cases, this would include a toilet and a sink. Half bathrooms are commonly located on the main floor of a home and are used by guests. Half bathrooms can definitely increase the resale value of your home. If you’d like to add one, it’s often easy to locate them in a rarely used closet.

Quarter bathroom

It’s rare that you’ll find a listing with a quarter bath, but they do exist. Quarter baths contain one of the four elements of a full bath. This is usually a toilet or a sink. It’s odd to find a toilet without a sink for washing up, or a room that only contains a sink. In some cases, you may find a listing for a quarter bath that contains just a shower. This is more common for homes that have a pool. The lone shower will be located near the pool so that swimmers can rinse off afterwards.

Do two half baths equal a full bath?

You may be wondering how multiple half baths are represented in a listing. Generally, they are not added together for a final count. For example, if a home has two full bathrooms and two half bathrooms, it will be listed as such. Those two half bathrooms will not be added together to create three full baths for the listing. The idea in the listing is to accurately represent what the home contains.

So there you have it. Now if you see a listing, or are preparing to sell your home, you know exactly how each bathroom should be defined.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’ve just purchased a home, then you know what a stressful few months it can be. Collecting financial documents, securing financing, house shopping, making an offer, getting an inspection – there are so many things to accomplish before closing day. By the time you get the keys, you probably feel exhausted. One of the first things to do when moving in is to call a Locksmith in Garland, TX to change the locks.

But you’re not done just yet. It’s time to celebrate! You worked hard to buy a new home, and you deserve to enjoy your accomplishment. If you’re not sure how to celebrate your home purchase, here are some great ideas.

Have some champagne ready

Nothing says “celebration” quite like a bottle of bubbly. If you’ve been saving a bottle of champagne or wine from ThinK Wine for a special occasion, there’s no better time to open it than on closing day. Have it chilled and ready with some glasses. As soon as you step into your home for the first time as the new owners, pour some glasses and make a toast. It’s a great way to commemorate the end of the buying process and welcome in a new era of your life.

Have a meal at home

Even if your kitchen isn’t ready, your boxes aren’t unpacked and you haven’t had a chance to stock the cupboards, take the time to have a meal at home. This can be as simple as ordering takeout, or as complicated as unpacking some pots and pans and doing a little shopping. Throw a pretty tablecloth over a large box, light some candles, play some music and celebrate by having your first meal in your new home.

Have a small ceremony

It may sound silly to some, but if you enjoy ceremony and ritual, why not perform one in your house on your first day? It can be a wonderful way to invite positive energy into your home and set the tone for your life there. Some simple ceremonies you can perform include lighting candles, burning sage, ringing a bell or even buying a new broom.

Display a favorite object

Do you have an object that is very special or dear to you? Perhaps it’s a framed photograph, a piece of art, a souvenir from your travels, or a treasured family heirloom. No matter what the object, have it easily accessible so that on your first day in your new home, you can proudly display it. Simply having that one symbolic item in your new place will go a long way towards making it feel like home.

Have a party

We probably don’t even need to say it, but now is the perfect time to throw a housewarming party. You may be tempted to wait until you’re completely done moving in – but you don’t have to. Friends and family are no doubt eager to see your new digs and congratulate you. And chances are, they will be sympathetic to those unpacked boxes and unpainted walls. Don’t stress out about everything being “perfect.” Relax and let your loved ones enjoy your milestone with you.

Compliments of Virtual Results

You’ve probably been told that if you’re buying a house, you should work with a professional Mijas Costa real estate agency. But do you know what real estate agents actually do for you? We understand that it can seem kind of mysterious. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the types of activities your agent is doing on any given day to help you close the deal.

They stay updated on the local market

The real estate market changes quickly, and a good real estate agent will spend time every day checking in. They will review listings to increase their real estate leads, find new properties, see which ones have been taken off the market, or what homes may have had a price reduction.

They respond to inquiries

Being a good agent means being responsive to clients’ needs. Real estate agents are always answering emails, returning phone calls and coordinating meetings and showings. They’re reaching out to potential new clients and meeting the needs of those they are currently working with.

They market their properties

It takes more than a listing in the MLS to sell a home. Agents will spend time marketing the homes they represent. This includes posting ads in newspapers and magazines, creating websites, printing postcards and flyers, making videos, hiring photographers and writing posts for social media.

They attend appointments

Agents will meet with both buyers and sellers. They will also attend meetings with inspectors, appraisers, photographers, contractors and anyone else that may have a hand in the transaction.

They prepare paperwork

Agents are responsible for preparing both offers and counter-offers for a house. Contracts can be extensive and confusing, and an agent will help explain and clarify what each document includes.

They negotiate

A large part of buying or selling a home is working through negotiations with each party. An agent can often spend weeks in negotiations, and will need to stay on top of what each party is agreeing to, to make sure all aspects of the deal are happening as they should.

They continue to learn

Professional real estate agents are required to keep current on market regulations. Most states require that agents attend classes and take tests to renew their licenses. Ongoing education is a large part of the life of a successful real estate agent.

They put out fires

Real estate agents are also continually putting out fires – not literal ones, of course. Buying and selling real estate is a complex process, with many pitfalls and obstacles along the way. A good agent will know what to anticipate and can help smooth out the rough spots of the process. Often, a client will not even know there has been an issue, because their agent has taken care of it before it became a problem.

They keep clients calm

Buying or selling a home can be one of the most stressful things you do in your lifetime. It’s easy to feel emotional. A good agent will understand where your emotion is coming from, but will maintain a healthy detachment. They will help solve problems and make the process easier, from that first email to closing day.

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Compliments of Virtual Results

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) homes are just that – homes that are being sold without the assistance of a real estate agent. As a buyer, you may be wondering about buying a FSBO home, especially if you’re working with an agent. While there are certain risks and challenges you may face, a home that is FSBO can be a good opportunity. Here’s what you should know.

The buyer can use an agent

Even though the seller is not using an agent for the transaction, it does not prevent the buyer from using one. However, it does mean that the seller needs to agree to cooperate with your agent. Agents make a living from the commissions they receive. In order for them to earn a commission from a FSBO transaction, the seller needs to agree to pay their commission, or to apply a credit at closing so the buyer can pay the fee.

You should still get a mortgage pre-approval

Even though you and your agent will be dealing directly with the seller, you will still want to obtain a mortgage pre-approval letter before making an offer. Although a seller is likely more inexperienced about the process than an agent would be, it can still signal to them that you are serious about buying their home. In a busy market, this is especially true, as the sellers may get more than one offer.

Be sure to include contingencies

When writing up the purchase contract for the home, make sure you include any necessary contingencies. You want to make sure that you legally have a way out of the deal if the house doesn’t live up to your expectations. Contingencies you’ll want to consider including are:

• Appraisal
• Mortgage approval
• Inspection
• Clean title
• Insurability

Decide who pays for what

There are additional fees associated with buying and selling property, and you will want to make clear from the beginning which party is paying for what. Ask your agent for advice on who would customarily pay for these fees.

Don’t skip the house inspection

When buying a FSBO home, you definitely do not want to skip the inspection. Make sure to hire a reputable house inspector. Even if the seller is honest, they still may not know all the hidden problems in the house. The could be hidden leaks or damages in the roof that may require the services of a professional roofer.

Use an escrow account

In a typical real estate transaction where both parties are represented by agents, earnest money and other fees are deposited into an escrow account that is held by a neutral third party until closing. Do not hand your earnest money deposit directly to the seller. There is usually a small fee associated with opening an escrow account, and it should be decided beforehand who will pay for that.

Get a C.L.U.E. report

Be sure to request a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (C.L.U.E.) report. It will show you if any insurance claims have been made on the home in the last five years. You’ll be able to clearly see if the home has suffered any damage in that time, such as flooding or fire.

The bottom line is – if you find homes for sale you love, don’t think you have to go it alone. A trusted real estate agent can help you through the process, from the initial offer down to closing day.

You’ve de-cluttered, re-painted, made repairs and updated your home’s curb appeal. That means you’re ready to sell, right? Not necessarily. Although all those tasks are essential for getting your home in shape to sell, don’t overlook one important factor – the smell. Many potential buyers can be swayed – or put off – by the scents in your home. Here’s a look at the smells that sell.

A clean smell

First and foremost, your home needs to smell clean. And by clean, we don’t mean that it smells strongly of air freshener. Scented cleaners only mask odors, which are often still detectable underneath the heavy perfume smell. The only way to achieve an authentic clean smell is to deeply clean your home. This includes:

• Cleaning carpets and mopping floors.
• Scrubbing kitchens and bathrooms.
• Washing or dry-cleaning curtains, linens and bedding.
• Removing pet items such litter boxes and pet beds.
• Vacuuming or steam cleaning upholstery items like sofas and chairs.

Avoid using products with a strong smell. Instead, use those with very subtle smells or, better yet, those that are fragrance free. While you want the house to smell clean, you don’t want it to smell like bleach.

A simple smell

Once you’ve neutralized odors in your home, you can enhance a buyer’s experience by employing a simple scent. Think about the kind of environment you want to create. Do you want to emphasize how fresh, clean and bright your home is? Then choose scents like citrus, lavender or green tea. Are you hoping that buyers will find your home cozy, warm and inviting? Then go with scents like vanilla, rosemary, thyme or cinnamon. Does your home feature lots of wooden beams or walls? Then choose a smell that will enhance that aesthetic, such as cedar or pine.

How to achieve a pleasant smell

There are several different ways to achieve just the right scent in your home without going overboard:

• Candles – Candles are one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to infuse your home with a pleasant smell. Just be sure that they are not located in a place where they can be knocked over.
• Oil diffuser – There are many types of diffusers on the market that use essential oils to freshen the air. These are a wonderful all-natural solution that will also add a touch of humidity to the air, which is especially good if you live in a dry area.
• Simmering pots – Simmering pots are another easy and natural way to make your home smell wonderful during a showing. Just add some scented ingredients to a pot with some water, and simmer on the stove on low heat for a few hours.
• Scented plug-ins – Many people enjoy the convenience of scented plug-ins, which are available from a variety of brands. Just be sure to choose a scent that isn’t too strong or that has a complex or chemical fragrance.
• Reed diffusers – Reed diffusers have also become a popular method for adding scent to your home. Scented oil is released through sticks that are placed in a vase with the oil. Just be sure that the smell isn’t too overpowering in a small room.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different smells when you’re selling your home, to find just the right one that will appeal to potential buyers.

Compliments of Virtual Results

The ideal amount of time to prepare for a big move is two to three months. Having up to 12 weeks gives you plenty of time to organize, make all your arrangements, contact a local moving company, and pack. But sometimes circumstances don’t allow for the luxury of  “enough time.” If you’re about to embark on a last-minute move, don’t panic – it can be done. Here’s what you need to do to make it happen.

Start now

Procrastination is not your friend when you’re faced with a last-minute move. As daunting as the challenge may seem, don’t let it keep you from digging in. As soon as you know you’re moving, buckle down and get to work.

Create a timeline

It might seem counterintuitive to spend precious time getting organized, but it will pay off. Write down everything that needs to happen between now and moving day. Then create a packing calendar. Set aside a block of time for each task that needs to be completed, such as packing the bedroom. You might also then want to list the tasks you need to complete to pack the bedroom. This could include packing your clothes, packing all your decorative items and packing your linens. Most importantly, stick to the schedule.

Purge, purge, purge

The more items you have, the longer it’s going to take you to pack them. Now is the time to purge all those things you haven’t used in awhile. Be ruthless in your assessment of an item. Unless it is something you use frequently or has strong sentimental value, you should let it go. Unless you have extra time to sell your discarded items, donate them to charity. You can save even more time by finding an organization that will pick up your items for you.

Eliminate items that aren’t allowed

There are certain items that moving companies will not transport. The list will vary by moving company, but will generally include hazardous materials like propane tanks, pool chemicals and fire extinguishers. Many moving companies will also prohibit perishable food, firearms, liquor and cleaning supplies. Either properly dispose of these items or give them to friends and neighbors.

Get your supplies

If you have the time, it’s great to accumulate used boxes for your move. But if you’ve got to be fast, then order your supplies from a moving store, office supply shop or even Amazon and have them delivered. You’ll pay a premium, of course, but you’ll save yourself a ton of time. Don’t forget bubble wrap, packing peanuts and packing tape!

Ask for help

Lastly, if you’re faced with a quick move, don’t be afraid to ask for help. People who care about you will know that you’ve got a challenging task ahead of you and will most likely be happy to help. Friends and family can help you get rid of the things you don’t want anymore, or help pack up boxes and load the moving truck. If you’re really pressed for time and can afford it, consider hiring professional packers or a Full Service Local Moving Company. Professional movers and packers will come in and do all the work for you.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Let’s face it – things have a tendency to accumulate. And if you’ve been living in the same place for more than a few years, chances are you’ve collected items you no longer use.

But if you’re relocating, transporting those unused items will cost you time, energy and money. It’s worth it to unload those things you likely won’t need in your new place. Here are our suggestions of what you might want to let go of before you move.

Unused appliances

Yes, that hot dog toaster seemed really awesome when you ordered it off Amazon late one night. But have you used it more than once or twice? If not, let it go. This goes for any other appliances that are gathering dust on your counter or in your pantry. Sell or donate those that are in working order. For those that aren’t, look into recycling them.

Unread books

You probably have a book or two – or hundreds – that you haven’t cracked open in a long time. While the impulse to hold on to books is a noble one, you should seriously consider donating or selling any that you don’t regularly use. Books are heavy and take up space. Moving books can be exhausting, especially if you have to carry box after box up one or more flights of stairs. Do yourself a favor and unload them before you move.

Unworn clothes

You’ve been hanging on to that really cute dress for years, thinking that someday it might fit again. The same goes for the jeans, coats and sweaters that have been taking up space in your closet. Does it make you feel good to see them in there? It probably doesn’t. Why not pass them on to someone who will wear and treasure them, especially if you have business attire that can be put to good use? Give yourself a break and start fresh in your new place, stocking your closet with clothes that fit properly and that you wear regularly.

Low-quality furniture

We all have that bookcase, chair or coffee table leftover from our younger days. You know the one – it’s made out of particle board and has seen better days. Cheap, low-quality furniture is likely to be damaged during a move. Pass it on to someone who will appreciate it, and replace it in your new home if needed.

Doubles

Do you have two blenders? Do you really need two blenders? You probably don’t, unless you’re running a smoothie operation out of your kitchen. Unless the items are meant to be a pair, let go of anything that you have a double of.

Items you borrowed

Did you happen to find your neighbor’s snow shovel when cleaning out the garage? Even if you’ve accidentally been holding onto it for years, you should try to return it. This goes for any items in your home that don’t belong to you. Their rightful owners will most likely appreciate their safe return. And this way, you’ll have a reason to meet your new neighbors when you need to borrow a shovel after the first snowfall.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re shopping for a home loan, you know that your credit score helps to determine what kind of loan you qualify for and at what rate. The better your score, the more favorable your terms will be. But do you know everything that goes into calculating your score? Here are some of the things that could negatively impact your rating. Avoid them while shopping for a loan and closing on house, unless you want to sabotage your credit.

Applying for new credit

While you might be tempted to open a new line of credit while house shopping, don’t. We know you’re going to need the extra cash to buy things for the new place, but applying for new credit can bring your score down. If you really need that extra buying power, wait until after you close.

Closing accounts

In addition to not opening new credit accounts, you should not close any old ones, either. Closing accounts can hurt your score in two ways. First, it will change your debt utilization ratio. The ratio is determined by how much debt you have divided by your total credit limit. Second, it also reduces the length of your credit history, which is also used to calculate your score. The longer your credit history is, the better.

Co-signing a loan

Just like you shouldn’t apply for new credit, you also shouldn’t co-sign on a loan while you’re trying to buy a house. Co-signing for a loan will be treated basically as though you have applied yourself, which will ding your score. So don’t co-sign on a family member’s car loan, for example, until after you’ve secured your mortgage.

Late payments

This one is probably obvious, but do not miss or make any late payments while shopping for a home loan. Even one missed payment can affect your score. Plan ahead and make sure you have all your payments covered for the coming months.

Maxing out your limit

Remember the debt utilization ratio we told you about earlier? That number is also affected should you max out your credit limit. If you are using more than 50 percent of your available credit, it starts to show in your score. Try to keep your debt utilization ratio under 30 percent if at all possible.

Missing errors on your credit report

Most importantly, do not fail to check your credit report before applying for a home loan. Ideally, you should do this at least three months before you begin shopping around. Millions of credit reports contain errors, and the only way to know if yours is one of them is to check your report. It would be heartbreaking to not qualify because of an error – especially if you’ve followed all the suggestions outlined above. You can order a report for free annually from AnnualCreditReport.com. If you see errors, contact the credit bureaus. It can take time to have the errors removed from your report. You’ll want to make certain it is error-free before you start applying for those loans.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Buying a house – especially for the first time – can be a huge undertaking. It’s a complex process, making it easy for mistakes to happen along the way. If you’re buying a home, here are some common pitfalls you should avoid.

Not getting pre-approved for a home loan

Even if you know that you have the financial wherewithal to afford a mortgage, you shouldn’t skip getting pre-approved for a home loan. Having a mortgage pre-approval letter signals to a seller that you are serious about your offer. Not having a pre-approval can mean the difference between your offer being accepted and the seller choosing a competing offer instead.

Not shopping around for a loan

While you’re in the process of getting pre-approved, you should also be shopping around for a lender. Fees and rates can differ widely from one lender to another. Some may offer better services or products. You should plan on looking into all your options, including national banks, regional banks, your credit union, and online lenders.

Not checking your credit report

You may think you have excellent credit, but that doesn’t mean your credit report reflects it. It is estimated that around 42 million consumers have errors on their credit reports. Are you one of them? The only way to find out is to order a copy of your report. You should check your report at least three months before house shopping, to allow enough time to fix errors if you find them.

Taking on new debt

Your credit report is used to determine what kind of loan you qualify for. If you make any large purchases with credit, such as a car, before your loan closes, your loan could be denied. Even slight changes in your credit ratios could cause an underwriter to deny your loan. Save those big purchases for after closing.

Not interviewing agents

Working with an agent is always a great idea, particularly if you’re buying a home for the first time. But remember that not all agents are the same. Just like any relationship, there are good matches and bad ones. Get recommendations from friends and family, research agents online, and conduct a few interviews. You’ll be working with your agent for several months. It’s helpful to partner with someone that you feel comfortable with.

Getting too emotional

A home will probably be the most expensive purchase you ever make. It’s easy to get emotionally attached, knowing your home is going to be the center of your life, possibly for years to come. But given that there are so many variables in the home-buying process, it’s best to maintain some emotional distance. Sometimes the home you really love will be sold to someone else. Treat it like a business transaction and be ready to move on.

Not working within your budget

Lastly, be sure to look for homes that are well within your budget. Keep in mind additional costs like taxes, insurance, utilities and fees. Don’t assume you’ll be making more money in the future. There’s nothing more stressful than worrying you won’t be able to pay your mortgage from month to month. Choose a home that fits comfortably within your means.

Compliments of Virtual Results