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Whether you’re planning to walk down the aisle in the future or not, buying a home with your significant other without being married can be a tricky situation. Nonetheless, more and more couples are opting to do just that as rental prices throughout the country skyrocket. In fact, one in four millennial couples between the ages of 18 and 34 have recently purchased a home together before marriage.

Even if it makes financial sense, buying a home with a partner is one of the biggest – if not the biggest – transactions you will ever make. Keep yourself from potential problems down the line by following these important tips.

Know each other’s financial history

Buying a home is basically a business transaction, which makes your significant other your business partner. You wouldn’t enter into a business deal without knowing the financial strengths and weaknesses of your partner, would you? The same applies for you home purchase. If you’ve put off discussing your personal finances, now is the time to do it. Share your credit history and credit score with each other. Even if one person has excellent credit, it’s the lower score of the two that will determine what kind of loan you qualify for and the interest rate you receive. Relationship articles at groenerekenkamer may be helpful for you both as a couple.

Decide how to handle costs

If you are both listed on the mortgage, you are both equally liable for that debt. Even if the other person walks away, you’re still on the hook. Will you be able to afford payments on your own? You may want to consider only taking out a home loan that you can reasonably afford with just your income.

In addition, have a candid conversation about who is going to pay what. How much will each of you contribute to the down payment? Who will pay the mortgage, taxes and utilities? How will maintenance costs be shared? You may want to consider opening a joint bank account from which all common bills can be paid. Discuss how much each will deposit into the account monthly.

Have something in writing

We all want to believe that our story will have a happy ending – but that isn’t always the case. While it can be an uncomfortable conversation, you should put in writing what will happen should your relationship end. Talk through possible scenarios such as what happens when one person loses a job or dies. Come to an agreement on how you would like to handle each situation and put it in writing in a legal document. This will help avoid costly litigation down the road.

Consider your title options

You and your partner can either hold title as joint tenants, where the property is owned equally and full ownership is transferred to the other upon death. Or you can hold title as tenants in common, where ownership does not automatically transfer if one person dies. This is a good option for those who may have kids from previous marriages and want to designate a certain percentage of the home’s assets to their beneficiaries.

Buying a home can be complicated — doubly so if you are buying as an unmarried couple. If you’re planning to propose, you should hire your very own Maine engagement photographer – they will ensure to capture all the romance and love of the moment. Follow the tips above and enlist the help of a real estate professional with expertise in this area to help guide you through the process.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Do you dream of lazy summer afternoons spent admiring ocean views from your veranda? Or maybe you love the idea of snuggling by your own fireplace after hitting the slopes all afternoon. It may finally be time for you to buy that vacation home you’ve been dreaming about for so long. However, as with any home purchase, you should carefully consider the decision. Here are the questions you should ask yourself when you’re thinking about buying a second home.

Where will I buy?

The most obvious question to ask yourself is where you should buy your vacation home. Ideally, it should be in a place that you will frequently visit and that is fairly easy to get to. While a second home in the South Pacific sounds amazing, it’s unlikely you’ll get there more than once or twice a year. In fact, most people buy vacation homes that are within driving distance of their primary residence.

Can I afford it?

This is one of the most important questions you should ask yourself. Can you reasonably afford that vacation home? Not only should you consider the purchase price of the property, but you should also think about hidden costs. Will you be paying any HOA fees? What maintenance costs can you expect? Will you be paying more for insurance?

Will I use it as a rental property?

Some buyers decide to rent out their vacation home when they’re not using it, to help cut down on the costs. But you need to be realistic about how much income you’ll make from it. Keep in mind the added expenses that come with a vacation rental property, such as management fees, cleaning service fees and important incidentals like snowboarding, surfing or other gear. You should also know whether or not rentals are permitted in your resort, development or municipality before you buy.

Who will watch it while it’s vacant?

Even if you plan to visit regularly and rent it out while you’re not using it, there will still be times when your home is vacant. Have a plan for how you will handle those down times. There’s nothing worse than visiting your vacation home, only to discover that a leak has gone unnoticed for a long period of time or that the pipes froze while you were away. Get recommendations for a local management company that will make regular visits and maintain your property when it’s empty.

Is a timeshare or joint ownership a good idea for me?

If you’re not ready to take on the responsibility of owning a vacation home all by yourself, you might consider a timeshare or jointly owning a property with friends or family. Keep in mind that with timeshares you will be required to pay annual maintenance fees, and you may lose money when it comes time to sell. And if you want to buy with friends or family, make sure you have a good relationship and a clear contract before moving forward. Agree in writing to all the details of the partnership and how the property will be used, to avoid any potential conflicts.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Has your home been on the market for quite some time with no offers? Have you been watching while other homes in your neighborhood sell within days of listing? Are you frustrated and worried that you may never find a buyer?

If you’re having trouble selling your home, it’s time to take a good look at what you’re offering. Here are common problems that cause homes to languish on the market.

Your home is priced too high

Even in a seller’s market, there are limits to how high you can price your home. Determining the best price for your home can be tricky. Enlisting the help of a real estate professional who is an expert in your market can be a huge asset. They will know what the comps are for your area and how your home stacks up to the competition. They will also be well versed in the market trends that are currently affecting housing prices in your area, and can adjust your asking price accordingly. If your home isn’t selling, examining your asking price is one of the first steps you should take.

Your home is in poor condition

If you want to get your full asking price, you need to pay special attention to the condition of your home. If your house falls short in any way from other properties available in your area, it could cause it to not sell. Are there improvements you could make to your home that would make it more appealing to buyers? This could include sprucing up your curb appeal, making cosmetic changes to the interior, and addressing repairs like holes in the walls or leaky faucets.

Your marketing materials need work

Many buyers do their first home searches online. This means that the photos you take of your home are the first things potential buyers will see. Your photos can either entice them to see more or turn them off. Take a look at your listing photos. Do they highlight your home’s best features, or are you leaving too much to the imagination? Consider hiring a professional photographer to shoot flattering photos of your home for your listing.

You haven’t depersonalized

When buyers walk into a home, they want to be able to envision themselves living there. That can be hard to do if you have too much personal clutter in your home. Buyers may not (and probably will not) share the same tastes as you, so it’s imperative you remove personal items and clutter before showing the home.

Buyers can’t see the house

Selling a house is an inconvenience to those currently living in it. But it’s an unavoidable price of doing business. If you make it hard for buyers to come see your home in person, it’s more likely to sit on the market. If you have renters, consider waiting until the renters have vacated before showing the home. If you are currently living there, be reasonable about allowing agents to show your home as necessary.

It could be the difference between selling your home quickly and for a good price, or waiting weeks or even months before you get an offer.

Compliments of Virtual Results

There’s so much to think about when you’re moving, from making sure all your belongings arrive in one piece to getting the utilities set up in your new home. It can seem like your to-do list never ends. But one important step that you shouldn’t forget to take is changing your address. While forwarding your mail through the post office from your old address is a good temporary fix while you’re getting settled, you should make sure that everyone has your updated address. Here are all the bases you need to cover.

Verify your new address

This may sound like a no brainer, but you should verify your new address before sending out updates. This is especially crucial if you’re moving into a new construction home in a new development. There’s always a chance a street has been renamed or the homes renumbered. Double check the spelling of your street and city and verify the zip code with the post office.

Update billing addresses

While the idea of not getting bills in the mail is appealing, your credit score could take a nosedive if you don’t get those payments in. Make a list of all the bills you receive, including credit cards, cable, phone and electricity. You should then contact each company individually to let them know your current address. In some cases, you can even note your change of address on your current bill or update your address online.

Notify your bank

In addition to changing your address with credit card companies, you should also notify your bank of your change of address. This is particularly important if you have a debit card that you regularly use to make purchases.

Update online profiles

Do you frequently purchase items online? Then you’ll want to update your shipping and billing address with each of those places, such as Amazon or eBay. Since many of these sites offer quick, one-click checkouts, it could be easy to forget they don’t have your current information, which could cause you a headache down the line when your item is shipped to your old address.

Notify magazines and other subscriptions

Do you have any regular subscriptions, such as magazines, catalogs or even the fruit-of-the-month club? If you want to continue receiving your items, be sure they have your correct address. You wouldn’t want that basket of Georgia peaches going to the family that moved into your previous home, no matter how nice they are.

Alert friends and family

While many people don’t send cards and letters through the mail too much anymore, it is still a good idea to let friends and family know your new address. You can even make a formal announcement by sending out personalized change of address cards.

Get a new driver’s license

Most states require that you get a new driver’s license within a certain amount of time after you move – usually 30 days.  If you’re moving in-state, you may only need to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles online. But if you’ve moved out of state, you will likely need to take a trip to their office in person.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Are you getting ready to sell your home? If you are, then you may be feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks ahead of you. While selling your home is a big job, you can make it easier by taking it one step at a time. We’ve put together a simple to-do list that outlines what you’ll need to do as you prepare to sell your home.

Determine your needs

As you make the switch from thinking about selling to actually listing your home, take the time to determine your needs. Where do you want to be in a few years? What is your local housing market like? How quickly do you need to sell? Will you buy or rent a new home? Knowing the answers to these important questions will help you and your agent determine your home selling strategy.

Make small repairs

Go over your home in detail and determine if there are any small fixes you should make before you sell. Think like a buyer. If you were buying a home, what might stand out to you? This could include replacing faulty light fixtures or repairing holes in the wall.

Find an agent

Selling a home can be a complex process, and working with a real estate professional can help alleviate some of the burden. Get recommendations for local real estate agents and interview a few of them. Choose an agent who has expertise in your local market and with whom you feel comfortable.

Set a price

Research the market in your area and look for homes similar to yours that have sold recently. Using these comps, work with your agent to set a realistic selling price for your home. Take into consideration how quickly you need to sell or if you have time to wait for the best possible offer.

Prepare your home for showing

If you haven’t already, now is the time to clean and de-clutter your home. Remove bulky furniture and personal items. Thoroughly clean everything and consider repainting rooms with a neutral paint color. Do maintenance in the yard to increase your curb appeal, keeping in mind that first impressions are very important in real estate. Keep your home clean and fresh and ready for showings at all times.

Advertise and market your home

Now that your house is ready for listing, talk with your agent about a selling strategy. Where will your home be listed? Consider creating a website or Facebook page, and spread the word to family and friends.

Review offers

Talk with your agent about having a plan in place should you get multiple offers. Review all offers that are made and be ready to negotiate.

Prepare for escrow

Once you’ve accepted an offer, work with your agent to get through the escrow process. This will include choosing escrow and title companies and preparing for the inspection, appraisal and final walk through. Be ready to make any necessary repairs. Make a plan for moving out.

While selling your home can be an intimidating process, it’s less stressful if you know what to expect. Use the to-do list above to help ensure that your home sale runs smoothly and ends with a deal that both you and the buyer will be happy about.

Compliments of Virtual Results

In you’re in the market for a new home, you’ve probably heard that spring and summer are the best times to buy. That’s when you’ll find the largest inventory of homes for sale. On the flip side, you’ll also have more competition from other motivated buyers. If you’re gearing up for your summer home search, here’s what you should know.

Know what you’re looking for

Have you thought long and hard about what you really need in a house, versus what you want? Now is the time to make a list and really consider what is a deal breaker – and what isn’t. Do you really need a pool, or is that something you can add down the line? There are probably things you need more than that dream pool. Be sure you know what they are.

Be ready to act

Once you’ve compiled your must have list, it’s time to get preapproved for a mortgage. Spring and summer are the busiest times of year in the housing market, and you’ll have lots of competition. You don’t want to find your dream home only to have someone else snatch it up because you weren’t preapproved. A preapproval letter submitted with your offer will demonstrate to sellers that you are serious and motivated. They will be more likely to accept your offer over someone who hasn’t yet taken that step. The bottom line is – when you begin your home shopping in earnest, be ready to make a move as soon as you find the house you like.

Look at older listings

Spring is the peak of the market, and summer is when it starts to slow down again. For families that want to move midsummer, they’ve already made their offers on homes before Memorial Day in order to be settled for the coming school year. If you’re looking for a home, pay special attention to those houses that failed to sell before Memorial Day. If a house has been sitting on the market for more than 50 days, the seller may be more motivated and you could score a good deal. They may be willing to come down on price or cover the closing costs so you can make a bigger down payment.

Check out the neighborhood

Summer is the best time to get a good picture of what a neighborhood’s character is like. The homes and yards will look their best and people will be out enjoying the weather. You’ll see how active the neighborhood is and what kinds of opportunities there are for kids. You may even be able to stop and chat with a neighbor or two walking their dog or riding bikes with their families.

Aim to move mid-month

Finally, moving companies tend to charge more based on demand. Knowing this, try to avoid moving at the beginning or end of the month during the summer, as you’ll be charged a premium. If you can, arrange for your move to take place in the middle of the month. You’re more likely to have more flexibility with your moving schedule, and you may score a discount or two.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Is there anyone out there who actually likes moving? Yes, it can be fun to get settled into a new place – especially if you’re upgrading – but the process of getting there can be stressful. If you’ve got a big move coming up, here’s what you can do to make it as headache-free as possible.

Give yourself plenty of time

If you don’t find yourself faced with a sudden and unexpected move, give yourself plenty of time to take care of all the details. The more time you have, the less overall stress you’re going to feel. If possible, allow a solid three months to get everything ready for moving day.

Start gathering packing materials

Just when you think you have enough boxes, suddenly they’re all gone. Save yourself last-minute stress by gathering all your packing materials before you begin. Honestly, you can never have enough. Especially if you have many fragile items that do best packed in cushioning materials, which can take up space. You can purchase boxes at any number of stores, or ask friends and family if they have any to donate. You can also score boxes at local grocery stores, or find them on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Be sure to get enough packing peanuts, bubble wrap and packing tape while you’re at it, also you can get natural products to help you with the stress such as the best CBD carts that help in this area.

Get rid of clutter

Packing often takes longer than we imagine it will. So save yourself some of those precious hours and do a purge of your belongings before you begin. There’s no reason to bring with you items you no longer use. You can then sell, donate or throw away those items.

Have a plan

There are going to be many tasks ahead of you during a move, so make a plan. Keep a running list of tasks you need to accomplish and mark them off as they are completed. Have a strategy for how you will pack your boxes, to make them easier to unpack on the other end.

Block off time

Reduce stress by dedicating specific time to packing and preparing for the move. Block the time off on your calendar and keep it sacred.

Enlist help

Surely you have friends and family members who owe you favors, right? Now is the time to call them in. Ask friends and family to help with things like packing and running errands. Not only will it help relieve some of the burden on you, it will give you time to spend with those you love before you leave.

Pack a survival kit

Those first couple of days in your new home can be chaotic. Cut down on the chaos by packing a survival kit that includes everything you’ll need for the first day or two. This includes toiletries, water, snacks and phone chargers.

Take breaks

Moving is a big job, and it can feel like you don’t have time to take breaks. But treating yourself to some time off is essential to preserving your mental, emotional and physical health during a stressful time. Get enough rest, eat well and get out of the house every once in awhile for a walk or a movie. Take delta 8 gummies and edibles whenever you feel overwhelmed. You deserve it!

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re searching for a new home, you’ve no doubt poured over listings and have wondered why some rooms are labeled as “bonus” rooms or offices. Why not call them bedrooms? In today’s market, bedrooms are a great selling feature, so that seems to make sense.

However, there are industry standards to help homeowners and their agents understand exactly what makes a room a bedroom. Although the specifics can vary from one place to the next, the general requirements remain the same. Here’s what you need to know to clear up any doubts about whether or not a room counts as a bedroom.

Size

In order to be defined as a bedroom, a room must meet minimum size requirements. First, the room needs to have a minimum square footage. Although the exact size will vary from state to state, it is typically what is a considered a “livable” size of around 80 square feet.

Secondly, the ceiling of the room must be at least seven feet tall. If the room has a sloped ceiling, like those found on the second floor of Cape Cod style homes for example, at least 50 percent of the required square footage must have a ceiling height of 7 feet. In these cases, the ceiling may not go below 5 feet in any portion of the required square footage.

Lastly, with regards to size, to be considered a bedroom a room must measure at least seven feet in any horizontal direction. Which means any room with a long and narrow shape like a hallway cannot be called a bedroom.

Exits

Another requirement for bedrooms is that there are two exits from the room. In most instances, this would be a door and a window. But depending on where you live, a skylight would be considered an acceptable exit, or a second door. Think of it this way – in the event of a fire, the fire department would need a second way into the room should the door be blocked by fire.

Windows

Speaking of exits, in order for a window to actually be considered a window, it needs to also meet minimum size requirements. Again, this is something that will vary from location to location, but in general is around 5.7 square feet.

Temperature control

Yes, another requirement of a bedroom is that there must be a way to control the temperature by heating or cooling. If you have an air conditioning unit, make sure that an air conditioning repair technician comes in regularly for air conditioning repair and maintenance services. In case the ac unit is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider calling ac replacement services. But if your room doesn’t have AC, it does need to have a window that opens to let in some fresh air.

If you’re dealing with a frozen heat pump, check if you require the attention of an HVAC professional.

Location

While you may have a home with an exceptional finished basement, don’t assume that means any of those rooms can be defined as a bedroom. In fact, according to the American National Standards Institute, any rooms that are below grade do not count towards the finished square footage of the house and must be measured separately. So that finished bedroom in the basement may not actually count.

Closets

One thing a room doesn’t need to have in order to be called a bedroom? That’s a closet. Although some may disagree, a closet is not a requirement – especially in older homes that were not typically built with them. So let’s close the door on that myth for good.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Whether you’re renovating a home you just purchased, or you’re sprucing up your house in preparation to sell, there’s no denying that renovations can be a big job. And those big jobs can often cause big headaches, for both you and your neighbors. If you’re getting ready to start in on some serious renovations, here’s what you should do to keep the peace in your neighborhood.

Know the rules

Once you’re ready to begin your project, you need to first know of any bylaws applicable to your area. This can include regulations regarding noise, traffic and parking – all of which affect your neighbors. You’ll likely have restrictions on what times of day work is allowed. Be sure to follow them, or risk potential ire from neighbors who are being disturbed.

Get the proper permits

If you want to stay in the good graces of your neighbors, be sure to apply for and receive all the required permits for the work you’re doing. While getting permits can sometimes be a headache, it’s important to be on the up and up with your construction project — especially if you’re getting ready to sell your home.

Communicate your plans

Once you’ve secured your permits, it’s time to let your neighbors know your plans. You should definitely alert all of your neighbors who are in the immediate vicinity and may be impacted by the work. Let them see your finalized plans, particularly if your project requires building demolition or a major addition. This will help your neighbors visualize and understand the work that will be happening. Let them know when work is beginning and expected to end, and take into consideration your neighbors’ schedules and lifestyles. Do they leave early for work? Do they work from home? Do they have kids? Be sensitive to how your project will affect them.

Manage the work crews

While the work is happening, be sure to be in contact with your contractors and their teams. Know when they will be coming and going, especially if you’ll be living off site during the process. Make sure their equipment isn’t blocking driveways, ask that they keep the worksite clean and insist they follow all the local bylaws and regulations. Make sure as well to have heavy equipment spare parts ready in case one breaks off.

Have a plan for complaints

No matter how well you plan, things don’t always go as expected. You may get some complaints from neighbors along the way. Make an effort to respond to any reasonable complaints. If anyone is being unreasonable, you can refer them to the appropriate person in the city planning department – provided you are indeed following all the building requirements.

Don’t forget to say “thank you”

Once your renovations are complete, don’t forget to say “thank you” to all your neighbors. They will be just as happy as you are when the project is finished, and they deserve to be recognized for their patience and tolerance during the process.

Remember, renovations make last a few weeks or a few months, but your relationships with your neighbors can last for years. By being a good neighbor during the renovation process, you can help ensure you’ll have good standing in the neighborhood for the long term.

Compliments of Virtual Results

One of the most important steps you can take when you’re selling your home is to de-clutter. Staging your home for a quick sale means cleaning, removing your personal items, and giving your space a neutral feeling. But if you’re like many people, the thought of tackling such a big job is intimidating. Here are our best tips for making the task as stress-free as possible.

Focus on one area at a time

Let’s face it – it took you years to accumulate all that stuff. It’s not going away overnight. And holding yourself to an unattainable goal isn’t going to make it any easier. Instead, focus on one area at a time. This could mean breaking it down room by room, starting with the easiest room first. If even that sounds like too much, break it down even further, like one closet, drawer or cabinet at a time. Give yourself a daily goal, and stop when you are done with that area. If you need help cleaning and decluttering your home, you may consider hiring house cleaning professionals.

Get the family involved

Your family helped contribute to the clutter, so they can also help with the process of getting it under control. Delegate areas to each family member. Perhaps your spouse can tackle all the sports equipment in the garage. Let the kids each handle their own room (with supervision, of course). Make de-cluttering the living room a family event.

Organize into piles

As you de-clutter each area, you’ll want to organize your belongings into four piles:

• Keep
• Donate
• Recycle
• Throw Away

Each item you are removing should go into one of these piles, to make it easier to get them all out the door without losing your mind. The pile that you’re going to keep can be boxed up and stored, and you can even use a self storage service for these items if you don’t have room for them. Scrap metals can be taken to a copper recycling center. You should be able to do a bit of research online and find a copper recycling service that can assist you with this part without too much trouble.

Any other items can be tossed out, given to friends or family, or taken to a donation center.

Purge these items

Yes, you’ve been saving that lone sock because you think its mate will eventually show up. In reality, it probably isn’t and there’s no reason to hold onto it. In fact, there are many items in your life that you don’t need to hold on to. Think about purging these items for good:

• Lone socks
• Clothing that is damaged or no longer fits
• DVDs you don’t watch
• Books that you’ve read or will never read again
• Expired medication
• Old cosmetics and toiletries
• Wire coat hangers
• Outdated electronics
• Mismatched or chipped plates, cups and mugs
• Storage containers without lids
• Expired food
• Toys the kids no longer play with
• Condiment packets like ketchup or soy sauce
• Unidentified keys
• Old cables and chargers
• Old paint
• Receipts you don’t need for taxes or future returns
• Appliance manuals

Reward yourself

Some people find the process of de-cluttering so painful that it could be beneficial to attach a reward for the completion of each step. Perhaps when the kitchen is de-cluttered, you can take the family out for pizza. Or finally letting go of all those DVDs can result in a night out at the movies.

While de-cluttering can be stressful, it is a necessary part of getting your home ready to put on the market. By following the guidelines above, your house will be show-ready before you know it!

Compliments of Virtual Results