Posts for Syndication

Do your plans for Spring Break include looking for a new home? Well, you’re in luck! Spring is an excellent time to buy a home. This is the season that the real estate market starts to heat up, and you’ll find more homes for sale then you did just a month or two ago. In order to maximize your house hunting over Spring Break, this is what you need to know.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage

It always bears repeating – before you begin your home search in earnest, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage. Now that the real estate market is gaining steam, there will be more buyers competing for the same homes. When you get pre-approved for a mortgage, you signal to a seller that you are serious about buying. Not only does it help you get all your financial ducks in a row, it gives you a leg up over the competition.

Check out the neighborhood

There’s nothing like seeing a neighborhood in person, which is why it’s so great to use your time off over Spring Break to search for a home. But keep in mind you won’t have unlimited time, and you’ll want to use it wisely. Gather as much information as you can online before visiting a potential new neighborhood. You can find out so much valuable data, such as crime rates, school reviews, and distance to public transportation, shopping and other amenities. When you do this research before you arrive, you’ll be able to narrow down which homes are real contenders, and which ones you can mark off your list.

Make your wish list

Another way to make the best use of your time is to decide what you’re looking for in a home before you see them in person. Sit down and make a list of what you need, what you want, and what you wish for. Understand your priorities and make an agreement with your spouse or significant other about what aspects of a home are most important to you. How many bedrooms do you need? Do you want to be in the city or suburbs? Is a pool a must-have or a would-be-nice-to-have item?

Plan time for fun

If the kids will be joining you on your house hunting adventure, make sure to plan some down time to have fun! Find out what some of the great places are in town, and set aside an afternoon to check them out. Visit the local park, grab lunch at a popular restaurant, or play a round of miniature golf. Give the kids a reason to get excited about their new home.

Connect with a trusted agent

Lastly, make the most of your home search by working with a trusted agent who is an expert in the local real estate market. Put out the word on social media to find referrals in the area, search online reviews and make some calls. Choose an agent with whom you have a good report, and have them begin scheduling appointments for you.

Compliments of Virtual Results

You may look at your small home and think – am I going to find a buyer? But don’t count your small house out just yet! There are many great ways to position your small house in the marketplace. All it takes is looking at your home’s features from a different point of view. Check out our best tips for selling your small home.

Know your target market

We get that a small home isn’t for everybody. But it’s certainly for somebody. Your job is to figure out what buyers may be in the market for a smaller home. These could include first-time homebuyers who are on a budget, retirees who are ready to downsize, or those who want a more eco-friendly home. Once you’ve discovered the type of buyer that would be attracted to your home, you can make smarter decisions about how you market it.

Sell the benefits

There are so many reasons why buying a smaller home is a great idea. These are some of the benefits you should be highlighting when selling your small house:

• Lower costs – Who wants to spend more money on utilities and taxes? With a small house, you get big savings on heating, cooling and electricity. And if the house is on a small lot, you’ll also save on property taxes.
• Easier to maintain – Some people don’t want to spend much time on maintenance and repair, and a small home offers that possibility. With a small home, you’ll spend less time mowing the lawn, less time cleaning, and less time making fixes.
• More eco-friendly – Although open-concept homes with vaulted ceilings and chef’s kitchens are popular they aren’t always eco-friendly. Smaller houses don’t require as much energy to heat and cool, and can be made even greener with energy-efficient upgrades.
• Great location – Your home may be small, but is it in a great neighborhood? That’s a huge selling point. Location is one of the most important features of a home, and if yours is in a desirable neighborhood, make sure buyers know it. If you’re in a great school district or close to public transportation and shopping, tout it.

Stage for success

A key part of selling a small home is staging it properly. The first thing you must do before you begin showing the house is to declutter. It is essential that you remove items that aren’t needed, bulky furniture and anything else that is eating up space.

Consider painting the entire interior of the house one neutral color, to make it feel more open and cohesive. Take interior doors off their hinges, such as those that separate a dining room and kitchen. Remove heavy curtains and replace them with something that feels airy and lets in the light. While you’re at it, move the curtain rods as high as you can to make the ceiling feel higher.

Arrange the furniture for maximum ease of moment from one area to another. Opt for tables with glass tops, couches with legs and mirrors that reflect light and make the space feel bigger. Replace low-wattage light bulbs with the highest wattage rated for that lamp, and keep the lights on during a showing.

If you’re worried about selling your small home, don’t! By understanding your buyers’ needs and looking at your home through a new lens, you can position your house for a quick sale!

Compliments of Virtual Results

It’s time to spring forward on March 11. Are you ready? Daylight Saving Time is a great opportunity to catch up on maintenance around your home. Since it happens regularly each year, you can schedule certain tasks to coincide so that you never forget to take care of them. Here’s a checklist to get you started.

Change the clocks

This one is a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget. Before you go to bed on Saturday, move your clocks forward one hour. This way, you’ll eliminate confusion in the morning. Fortunately, many devices such as smartphones will automatically adjust to the new time, saving you the trouble.

Change batteries

One task that you should always perform during Daylight Saving Time is to change the batteries on your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Experts recommend changing the batteries in these devices twice a year, so having it coincide with changing the clocks makes it easy to remember. This is true even if you use batteries that are rated for much longer use.

Change light bulbs

Since you’ll likely have a ladder out to reach detectors and change clocks, you may as well change the light bulbs while you’re at it. Replace any bulbs that have burnt out. Now is also a great time to switch to energy-efficient LED light bulbs.

Check the fire extinguisher

Experts recommend performing monthly checks on your home fire extinguisher, so Daylight Saving Time is an easy chance to get this task done. Make sure your fire extinguisher is easy to access and inspect the seals. Check the pressure gauge and look for any visible signs of damage.

Check the HVAC

Since you will be up and around during longer daylight hours, the house will probably be a bit warmer than at night. Call in the pros and make sure your hvac system is in proper working conditions. They can perform regular maintenance or address any concerns they might identify. This will lead to a system that lasts longer, as well runs colder and more efficiently.

Check the first aid kit

Summer is just around the corner. And with more time spent outside, it’s easier to find yourself dealing with scrapes, bruises and bug bites. Inspect your first aid kit to make sure you have all the necessary supplies.

Review your homeowners insurance

It’s easy to set yourself on autopilot when it comes to your homeowners insurance. But it’s important to regularly review your policy to make sure you’re adequately covered. Has your deductible changed? What about your premium? Just as important is to confirm is major repairs and overhauls like a roofing replacement or a residential roof installation are still covered, especially if they were previously. Compare these figures to your documents from last year. If they’ve gone up more than five percent, give your agent a call to discuss why.

Flip mattresses

Flipping or turning your mattress can extend its life. It can also give you a better night’s sleep. Sprinkle some baking soda on the mattress and let it sit for a couple of hours to deodorize it. Daylight Saving Time is the perfect time to take care of this mundane task. Especially since you’ll likely be operating on one less hour of sleep.

Review your emergency plan

It certainly isn’t everyone’s favorite task, but you should definitely review your family’s emergency plan. Nobody thinks an emergency will happen – until it does. Have a family meeting and decide what to do and where you’ll meet in the event of an emergency. Review information for emergency contacts and update as needed. Make sure important numbers are listed near the phone.

Buying a home is a big decision, and can often cause lots of stress. This is doubly so if you and your partner have differences of opinion when it comes to choosing a home. While it can be frustrating to figure out a solution, it’s not impossible. Here’s what you can do to find common ground and keep the home buying process from ruining your relationship.

Make your own wish list

When you’re hunting for the perfect home, it’s essential to create a wish list. This is a list that includes not only your must-haves, but also those things that it would be nice to have. To start, each person should create a separate list. Ask yourself some simple questions. Do I want to live in the city or the suburbs? How many bedrooms do we need? Would I like to have a big backyard, or something that requires less maintenance? Come up with at least 20 items for each list.

Compare lists

Next, compare lists. What do you and your partner have in common? Maybe you agree on how many bedrooms you need, or that you’d both like to live in a quiet neighborhood. Find at least five things on which you can agree. This will give the foundation you need to begin your home search.

Be realistic about your budget

One of the biggest areas of conflict when it comes to house hunting is how much you can afford to spend. Perhaps one of you wants to save money, while the other wants to spend whatever is necessary to get a dream home. The best piece of advice when it comes to determining your budget is to take emotion out of the equation and focus on the facts. Use an online calculator to find out how much home you can reasonably afford. Remember – your monthly mortgage payment won’t be your only expense. You also need to think about utilities, taxes, insurance, repairs and ongoing maintenance. Nothing creates stress and conflict like not being able to afford your monthly payments.

Take a break when needed

If you’re finding that you and your partner cannot come to a basic agreement on what kind of house to look for, it may be wise to take a temporary break. There will always be new homes for sale. There’s no sense in continuing your search until you’re able to get on the same page. Taking a break for a couple of weeks will give each of you some perspective. You can then regroup and reevaluate your needs.

Work with a professional agent

When you work with a professional real estate agent, you’ll get help with every part of the home buying process. This includes helping to mediate the discussions about finding the right home. A good agent can give you advice about the market, offer sound advice and help to ease tensions when you’re having trouble reaching an agreement. It’s much easier for an agent to maintain a healthy emotional detachment from the process, which may be more difficult for those buying the home. Let your agent help you and your partner find common ground when decisions need to be made.

Compliments of Virtual Results

While it’s true that music can help soothe your soul, the question is – can it help sell your home? Are there ways in which you can use the emotional power of music to nudge potential buyers into making an offer? The answer is yes – and here’s how to do it.

Make the music match

While it’s true that music can help sell your house, it does have to be the right music. Choose your music based on the style of your home. If your house has a Zen-like, minimalist quality, you might opt for the kind of music you’d hear at a spa. Also consider the time of year and the weather. If you’re showing the house on a cold, rainy day, choose music that makes it feel warm and cozy inside – perhaps something you’d hear at a coffeehouse on a Sunday morning. Conversely, if it’s the middle of the afternoon on a hot, sunny summer day, go for something more upbeat and energetic.

Choose safe genres

Musical tastes are very personal. Even though one person may love country music, another may absolutely hate it. It’s hard to second-guess exactly who is going to come through the door, so play it safe with musical genres. Instrumental jazz or classical music often set the perfect mood. Stay away from polarizing genres like heavy metal or religious music, unless you know you are targeting a very specific kind of buyer who would respond favorably to it. You can search streaming sites such as Spotify and Pandora for existing playlists for your open house. Just be sure to preview the songs before playing them, to make sure they strike the right tone.

Keep the volume low

Unless your open house is meant to convey a party vibe, keep the volume of your music at a lower volume. You want to be able to hear the music without it being overpowering. If you’re having trouble being heard over the music, it’s too loud. But you want it to be just loud enough so that well-known tunes are recognizable. Music helps people feel more comfortable chatting with each other as they walk through the home. Silence can be very intimidating.

Go for variety

If you’re showing a larger home, you can even experiment with playing different music or with displaying different instruments in different areas of the house. Check out runthemusic.com for more information on different instruments. While you may want something slightly more upbeat in the living room and kitchen area, it could make sense to play music that is more relaxing in the bathroom or bedroom. You’re trying to create a mood and help a buyer imagine what it will be like living there. Playing the right kind of music in each room will make those visualizations easier.

Get a second opinion

Once you feel you’ve got just the right music to set the tone, give it a test run. Invite a trusted friend or neighbor over to take a walk through the home with the music playing. How does it make them feel? Is the volume too low or too high? Make any adjustments that are needed, and you’ll be ready to experiment with your musical selections the next time you show the house.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Open floor plans have been popular in home design for many years now. In fact, more than 50 percent of newly constructed single-family homes are designed with these types of layouts. Although it may seem like everyone is getting on the open floor plan bandwagon, is it right for you? Consider both the pros and cons when you’re in the market for a new home or looking to remodel.

Pros of Open Floor Plans

There are plenty of reasons why today’s homeowners love open floor plans:

• They feel bigger – Open floor plans can make a smaller home feel much bigger because it isn’t compartmentalized. Not only does this give you a little extra square footage where walls would be, it allows you to use all of the space, all of the time.
• They bring people together – Do you love to throw parties and entertain guests? They you’ll probably love a home with an open floor plan. These types of homes allow people to socialize easily, since everyone can be together.
• They allow you to see the beauty – Homes with open floor plans allow any available natural light to fill the whole space. They also allow you to see the entire home without any obstructed sightlines, so the beauty and design of the space can take center stage.
• They make it easier to keep track of the kids – If you have little ones at home, an open floor plan makes it easier to keep an eye on the kids when you’re cooking or cleaning.

Cons of Open Floor Plans

While there are great arguments to be made in favor of an open floor plan, there are some reasons why it may not be right for you. A beautiful laminate flooring can enhance the space. Consider some of the drawbacks of this type of home:

• Lack of privacy – If you like to have your quiet, alone time, an open floor plan may not be ideal for you. When your kids are being noisy or your spouse is watching that TV show you hate, it’s much harder to get away from it.
• Difficult to hide that mess – When you live in a home that has an open floor plan, it’s not as easy to quickly hide that pile of toys in the living room or the sink full of dishes in the kitchen. With an open floor plan, you really have to stay on top of clutter to keep your home looking nice.
• Doesn’t feel cozy – If you like that snug, cozy feeling, it can be hard to recreate it in a home with an open floor plan. In fact, if the space is bigger than you need, the home might actually look and feel too big.
• More expensive to heat and cool – Homes with open floor plans can be more expensive in terms of running the heating and air conditioning, especially if they also have high ceilings.
• Smells travel – Do you like to cook? Then an open floor plan may not work for you, especially if you like to experiment with exotic flavors and smells. That curry dish you had for dinner was delicious, but is it something you want to smell all over the house for hours afterward?

Compliments of Virtual Results

Your home is like your own personal museum. It tells the story of your life, houses a collection of your personal history, and reflects your tastes, attitudes and opinions. Houses with the best design reveal the unique character of their inhabitants, and make visitors feel like they know more about those who call it home.

Are you curious what story your home tells about you? Or maybe you’ve just moved into a new place, and you’re ready to start putting your story together? Here are some key ways in which your home tells your story. Use them to inspire your creativity.

The story of your family history

Family heirlooms aren’t just nice design pieces, they also tell their own stories. Perhaps you inherited a lovely antique vanity, a spacious cedar trunk, or a set of old family photos. These items don’t need to collect dust in your closet or attic. Just because they don’t match your modern décor, doesn’t mean they won’t complement it. Not only will these family pieces add visual interest to your home, they are great conversation starters when you have guests.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, either. Look at older objects and see how you might be able to repurpose them (or browse Pinterest for great ideas). Those old suitcases could make a wonderful side table, while that antique colander from your great-grandmother’s kitchen would look fabulous as a lampshade.

The story of your children

Even if your kids have stopped growing, that doesn’t mean you have to paint over the growth chart on the wall. That’s part of your personal history and can often bring back fond memories – both to you and those who visit. And how about all those paintings they brought home from art class? There’s no reason you can’t have them framed and hung, even if your kids have long outgrown a set of finger paints.

The story of the pets you’ve loved

Pets are just as much a part of the family as any human. Do you have evidence of your pets around your home (aside from that dog hair on the couch)? Framed photos or even paintings of the pets we’ve loved over the years are a wonderful way to add color, warmth, dimension, history and even whimsy to your home.

The story of your interests and tastes

The details of your home can reveal so much about your personal interests and tastes. What sorts of books do you have on the shelves? Are your walls colorfully painted, or do you prefer more neutral tones? What kind of art is hanging on your walls? Do you have framed prints of famous works of arts, or do you favor work of local artists? Do you have any collections, and are they displayed prominently for people to see? Or are you hiding that collection of penguin figurines in a shoebox somewhere? Don’t be afraid to fill your home with your personal effects. They are what add the color and detail to the story your home tells.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If winter has got you down, just know that longer days and warmer temperatures are right around the corner. And that means it’ll soon be time to tend to your garden. If you’re looking for inspiration or resources to get your garden ship-shape this spring, then we’ve got the list for you. Check out these garden apps to help you get creative and organized this spring season.

Leafsnap

Want to know what kind of tree that is in your front yard? Simply take a photo of a leaf against a white backdrop and the Leafsnap app will help you identify it. As of right now, it has a database of trees in the Northeastern United States, with plans to extend to the entire country. It’s free to download on the iPhone and iPad.

Garden Answers

Another great app for identifying plants, Garden Answers has more than 2,000,000 users and counting. Take a picture of a plant with your phone and get an instant identification.

In addition, you can find out if your plant has any pests or diseases, and you can get your questions answered by experts. It is available both for Android and iOS. Looking for a hydroponic setup for your garden? This site has the best one and much more to take care of your wonderful plants.

Gardenate

Do you need help figuring out what vegetables to plant and when? Then download the Gardenate app and get growing quickly and easily The app provides expert advice specific to your climate zone and lets you record and track planting dates and harvests. The app is available for both Android and iOS.

iScape

If you have trouble visualizing how certain plants will look in your yard, try the iScape app. This easy-to-use app lets you see how your project will look in your yard before you even dig one hole. Share your projects with others, buy products, and collaborate with other users. It is available for iOS.

Garden Plan Pro

One of the toughest jobs in designing a vegetable garden is to figure out where all the plants should go. With the Garden Plan Pro app, you can minimize the guesswork. This app helps you to design the perfect plan and gives you advice based on your location. It will send you reminders via email about when to plant and allow you to work with any kind of garden layout. You can download this app from the Apple App Store.

GrowIt!

Are you hoping to find a social network dedicated to gardening? You’re in luck, because that’s exactly what you’ll get with GrowIt! This garden app lets you connect with other gardeners, share pictures of your plants and exchange advice. You’ll also find information about thousands of plants and can search for what gardeners in your area are growing. It’s available for both Android and iOS devices.

Perennial Match

Not sure which perennials will look good together? Then download the Perennial Match app. This app helps you make plans for your perennial garden by choosing plants that meet your criteria and seeing how they will look together – all before you buy a single plant. You can find information about a variety of perennials and add your own photos. It is available for the iPhone and iPad.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial transactions you will make in a lifetime. As such, it’s one you shouldn’t enter into without being fully informed. By being armed with knowledge, you’ll make better decisions and feel more confident. Here’s your checklist of must-ask questions you need to pose before buying a home.

How much house can I afford?

When calculating how much you can afford to spend on a home, you need to take into consideration more than just the listing price. You should also determine if you prefer custom built homes that will suit your family’s needs. You’ll also need to budget for repairs, renovations, closing costs, and homeowner’s insurance. Find out how much you can really afford by using an online calculator.

Are my finances ready?

Have you ordered a copy of your credit report? If not, you need to do that as soon as possible. Many credit reports contain errors, and it will take time to have them removed. In addition, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage before making an offer, to signal to a seller that you are a serious buyer.

What is the history of the home?

When was the last time the house sold, and for how much? This information is easy to find online. Have there been any recent renovations, additions or major repairs? How old is the roof? Have there ever been any broken pipes? Are there warranties on any of the appliances that are staying with the house? Has anything strange ever happened there? The more you know upfront, the less likely you’ll be surprised by issues that might come up in the future.

Is it in a good location?

Location is paramount when it comes to real estate. You’re not just buying a home – you’re buying the neighborhood, too. What is the crime like in the area? Are there any registered sex offenders? Are the streets dark at night? Are there sidewalks? Is it near amenities, like restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores? How well do the neighbors keep up their properties? What are the schools like? Is the neighborhood noisy or fairly quiet? Terra Hill Condo is near to Kent Ridge Park, surrounded by lush greenery, is accessible by foot and those who want to dine in fancy eateries will be spoilt for choices.

What are the costs of living in this house?

Not only will you be making monthly mortgage payments, but you’ll have other expenses, too. How much do the utilities generally run? What are the annual property taxes? How much will you spend commuting back and forth to work? Will you need to replace any appliances soon, or make any major repairs? How much does a local roofer in this area charge for repairs? How much are HOA fees?

How much should I offer?

Once you’ve found the house you like and asked all the questions you need to about it, it’s time to consider how much you want to offer. If your offer price is too low, you might get outbid. However, if you offer too much, the house might appraise for less and you’ll have trouble securing your mortgage. Your agent should help you find comps in the neighborhood that will tell you what homes like yours are selling for. Be prepared with your counteroffer if you’re buying in a competitive market.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you haven’t jumped on the smart home assistant bandwagon yet, what are you waiting for? We understand that there may be a learning curve when using these new devices for the first time, like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home. But they are becoming indispensible additions to every 21^st century home. Here’s a look at some of the many ways you can use a smart home assistant around your house.

Where can the device go?

As long as it is within the range of your Wi-Fi signal and an electrical outlet, you can put the device anywhere you want. Even better, given the low price of the Echo Dot or Google Home Mini, you can get one for each room and save yourself having to make a decision.

Use in the kitchen

There are endless ways to use a smart home assistant in your kitchen. Give one of these a try:

• Set a timer while cooking or baking.
• Add items to your shopping list as you think of them.
• Play music while you’re cooking dinner.
• Get help finding a recipe for dinner with ingredients you have on hand.
• Ask for more information about an ingredient you don’t know much about, like unusual vegetables or spices you see at the market.
• Ask to convert ounces to cups when following a recipe.
• Ask about ingredient substitutions, just in case you forgot to buy that buttermilk at the store for pancakes.
• Find out how to best store leftovers.
• Ask what restaurants are nearby, just in case your meal does come out as planned.

Use in the bedroom

Whether you’re a morning person or a night person, you’ll find creative ways to use a smart home assistant in your daily routine. Here are some suggestions about how to use it in the bedroom:

• Set an alarm, and choose whatever sound you like to wake you up.
• Not sure what to wear that day? Ask what the weather is going to be.
• You can also ask for a traffic report, so you know whether or not you need to leave a little early.
• Get a news briefing while you’re getting dressed.
• Get a rundown of what is on your calendar for the day.
• If you’re running late, you can call an Uber from the device.
• Dim or turn the lights on or off with a simple voice command.
• Hook your coffee pot up with a smart plug, and have the coffee started before you even head to the kitchen.

Use in the living room

Smart home assistants are great at helping you relax and have fun, too. Try these ideas for your living room:

• Play music through various accounts, such as Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora and iHeartRadio.
• Listen to audiobooks from your Audible account.
• Ask to have your Kindle books read to you.
• Control your TV with your voice.
• Play games like Jeopardy, Would You Rather, Twenty Questions, Twister, Question of the Day, Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock, Where in the World, and Fortune Teller Zoltar.
• Ask for sports score updates for your favorite teams.

These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many uses for a smart home assistant; it can be a great addition to your home.

Compliments of Virtual Results