Posts in category Uncategorized

Selling and Buying During the Covid-19 Crisis

Mar19
2020

Written by mary.w

At this crazy time when the Covid-19 Virus has interfered with our daily lives, here are a few tips if you are currently selling or buying a home. Ways to be safe and still accomplish your goal.

Seller: It would be best to cancel any Open Houses you have scheduled but that does not mean you can’t continue to offer showings of your home on a person to person basis if you use some pro-active precautions to make you and your guest safe. Wiping down all your surfaces before and after any showings. The CDC has offered the following list of things to sanitize. It’s a great list as it forces you to think about items you might not even consider since your daily life tends to be repetitive and not abnormal. Perhaps, if you haven’t already done so, create a video walk through that you can share with prospective buyers who are too skittish to walk through your home in person.

Light switches
Doorknobs (on the inside and outside and also the locks on the doors)
House keys and car keys
Cellphone and landline
Earbuds, headphones, and AirPods
Refrigerator handle
Oven knobs
Small kitchen appliances
Drawer pulls
Sink knobs
Bathtub knobs
Toilet flusher
Toothbrush
Hairbrush
Makeup and brushes
Any bottles of hair care or skin care
Desk
Computer screen
Computer mouse or laptop touchpad
Computer keyboard
Windows
Mirrors
TV remote
Car door handles
Steering wheel of your car
Dashboard of your car (including the radio and air vents)
Gear shift of your car
Rearview mirror of your car

Buyers: Make sure and have all pre-qualification documents on hand to share with prospective sellers. Do not just puruse homes if you aren’t serious enough to get pre-qualifed before shopping. Wear protective gloves and shoe covers during home viewings and try to avoid touching household items and surfaces while you walk through the home. Ask the seller of the home you’re interested in seeing if they have or can provide a video walk through of their home.

If you are a serious seller or buyer, you can continue to market or search for your home. Be smart and conscientious. And be flexible to new government guidelines and requirements. Lower interest rates are creating a strong opportunity for sellers and buyers. And remember, like every other crisis, this too will pass.

Quick Budget Friendly Kitchen Updates!

Mar04
2020

Written by mary.w

The open design of most contemporary and recently renovated homes, places the Kitchen as the centerpiece of the layout. It’s important to note that the Kitchen is one of the rooms of most importance to potential buyers. Do you want your kitchen to radiate a contemporary and upgraded appearance that will be remembered, without the hassle of draining your bank account?

Here are some quick upgrading tips that will allow your outdated kitchen to show off some modern flare:

• Upgrade the lighting. A simple task like this will brighten the entire room, while diminishing the old fixtures that look like rusty antiques. Scattered track lighting is the Image result for small kitchen recessed lighting ideas best approach, and adding dimmers will provide even more lighting options. If you have a little bigger budget or are handy yourself, recessed lighting is always a plus because it automatically creates the sense of higher ceilings and an expanded space. Put on dimmers for an added bonus that buyers love!

• Upgrade the cabinets, without replacing them. If new lighting displays more nicks and stains than you knew existed, sand the cabinets and paint a glossy finish over them. Or paint them white. To add a unique feature, replace a few cabinet doors with glass doors that allow you to show off your fancy dishware. If the finish is in good shape, you can create a whole new look by changing up the hardware. Check current magazines and online articles to see what kind of hardware their decorating articles are highlighting.

• Upgrade the seating arrangements. If your kitchen includes a breakfast nook, upgrade the light fixture or the window treatments. Add a rug, in order to separate it from the rest of the kitchen. Purchase new breakfast bar stools or add pendant lighting over the bar. If your large kitchen displays wasted space, add an island! This doesn’t have to be expensive. There are so many portable islands on the market that are quite affordable.

• Upgrade the sink. A dirty, scratched up sink doesn’t allow a potential buyer to imagine a clean environment. Polish up the existing sink, purchase a new faucet for the sink. You might even consider adding a garbage disposal or a water filtration system.

• Upgrade the countertops. Decorative laminate is available for a reasonable price, and the décor looks much like the expensive options, such as granite. Laminate also lasts forever and is easy to clean, which a potential buyer should appreciate. If your area has many competing homes with granite check on prices on a basic bullnose style at a wholesale granite business. This eliminates the middle man costs of buying from a big box or design store.

If you’re really adventurous, try shopping at stores like “Restore” which benefits Habitat for Humanity. This is a great place to find that new cabinet hardware, portable island, light fixtures or even some new cabinets or cabinet faces.

Posted in Buying Tips, Decorating on a Budget, General Information, Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas

WATER BILL DROWNING YOU?!

Feb20
2020

Written by mary.w

In our society, running water is a given. Probably the only time we give it any thought is when something goes wrong or when we get the monthly water bill. It’s a necessity, so we have to pay for it. But do we have to pay so much?

In actuality, there are a number of easy things you can do to reduce your water bill.

1. Get Everything in Working Order

Leaks – Did you know a dripping faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day? One or more leaks-in the sink, the shower, or the tub-can really add up over time. By regularly inspecting your faucets, you’ll decrease your chances of leakage.

If you do find a leak, try replacing the washers. Older, often-used washers begin to let water leak; replacing them renews their efficiency. Or for a leaky toilet, replace the flange in the tank (the little piece that lifts when you flush) and make sure it fits snugly.

Insulation – Did you know insulating your pipes will make water heat faster and mean you’ll waste less water, waiting for it to heat up. Image result for Insulating Water Pipes

2. Simplify Your Water Use

Make this your mantra: waste not; want not. Try not to ever put water down the drain that could be used for something else. For example, cooled vegetable water can feed house plants.

Overall, see if you can find ways to use water less frequently: only do full loads of clothes or dishes; turn off the sink when you’re brushing your teeth; don’t boil a whole pot of water for one cup of tea. Avoid disposing of tissues in the toilet, where you’ll need to flush; just use a trash can instead.

Do whatever you can to minimize the amount of water you expend.

3. Upgrade

Replacing fixtures doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are a few cost-effective improvements that justify their cost incredibly quickly!

Showerhead: Looking for a way to lessen the amount of water used in your daily shower? Consider a low-flow showerhead! It reduces the amount of water used; some models even offer pause buttons to allow you to stop the flow while shampooing.

A water-saving toilet uses half the water that a normal one does in flushing. Older toilets use five gallons per flush; newer ones often reduce this to 1.6 gallons per flush. When you multiply that by uses per day, per week, per month, this can add up to big Image result for Water Saving Toilets savings! Note: In some areas these toilets may seem to develop what look like rust rings in your tank more often but perhaps having to clean the toilet more often will be worth the added $$ in your bank account!

Social Media Can Welcome You “Home”

Jan24
2020

Written by mary.w

Are you feeling stressed and challenged about moving from your comfort zone neighborhood to a new one where you know no one? Is this especially difficult because you have young or teen children who are not happy at all with your decision to move and tear them away from their friends and the school they love? Then take advantage of a medium you’re probably already very familiar with to “move in” to the area before you ever make the physical move.

Check Facebook pages for Neighborhood Posts for the area you are moving to. If you find one, send a post or message to the administrator for that Facebook group introducing yourself and letting them know that you’re moving into the neighborhood with children (mention ages) and would love to join the group and glean input and general info about all the area offers you and your children.
Check Nextdoor.com and see if your new neighborhood has a group on there and do the same thing.
Go to the new school’s website and see if they have facebook/instagram/twitter groups that you can join and follow.

Not really a social media follower or subscriber? Be bold and create a postcard on a site like shutterfly with a family photo and take a walk around your new block(s) leaving them at your new neighbor’s homes with a note on it introducing yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable having your family’s photo out there like that, simply buy a pack of note cards, write a short note and leave those in the neighbor’s doors. (Do NOT put in mailboxes as that may not be allowed by the city or your association.)

Another friendly proclamation of your becoming their new neighbors is to plan an open house once you move in and invite the neighbors on your block and surrounding blocks if not a huge area to come on over and meet you.

Once your kids make some new friends in the neighborhood and school, not only will their stress level be reduced, so will yours!

Neighbors…Fun or Foe?!

Jan18
2020

Written by mary.w

Neighbors can be a fantastic addition to your homeowner experience OR they can be a nightmare. What can you do if the latter is the case and they are making your life miserable? One of the most common situations that occurs that should be an easy resolution through courtesy and communication is having a fence directly on the lot line. What happens if your neighbor decides to replace the fence without your consideration (dogs, landscaping, privacy etc.)? Do you have any recourse if it’s their fence even if it is on the lot line. Odds are, yes you do.

Step One: Check with your city or municipal bylaws and codes. Do your research. A local surveying company would know the bylaws very well. Once you know the laws are on your side, contact the city inspector. Typically they will send someone out to ensure the homeowner or his contractor follow the codes. That will probably annoy the heck out of your neighbor but you’re already in conflict and by dealing with it this way, you’re remaining calm and law abiding which if it ever escalates to a lawsuit will work in your favor. Document every call, conversation, text, email, photos etc. just in case you do end up in court.

The law and building codes may be on your side so, again, do your research and if they are, then respectfully contact the city inspector to assist you with the issue. Whether it’s a fence, tree branches, driveways, etc…..take the time to research the facts and remedies so you don’t lose out for lack of knowledge.

During the process remain respectful of your neighbor as well. This may be the most difficult part of the challenge but perhaps by doing so, in the future, this may be something you’ll both look back on as a learning experience and choose to move forward with a friendlier…more neighborly relationship. If not, at least you know that you have resources for remedy.

The New Year is Almost Here!

Dec27
2019

Written by mary.w

Image result for free images of new years resolutions It’s that time of year when everything we see and hear is telling us that we should be setting New Year’s Resolutions and begin the new year with a revived energy for making the changes in our lives that we want and perhaps need to pursue. Perhaps the last year was filled with challenges, disappointments and a sense of failure. On the other hand, perhaps it was filled with successes and more happy moments than disappointing ones. Perhaps you experienced life changes: New Job/Job Loss…New Marriage-Relationship/ Breakup/Divorce, Expanded Family/Loss of Loved Ones. The list can go on and on.

Making New Years Resolutions to change the things you disliked about the last year or to expand on the good things can be good and bad. Setting unrealistic expectations can set you up for another year of failure/loss/disappointment. The key to setting goals is to make them a challenge to reach vs setting them so high they’re unattainable and thus set you back emotionally and possibly physically. Ex: To go from no exercise to bench pressing 300 lbs in 6 weeks is both unrealistic and dangerous…physically and emotionally. Expecting to go from an entry level position to top management within a year, again, can defeat you emotionally which will also affect you physically. Determine to sell your home Secret to Selling for top dollar in under a month can be possible in some markets but without the proper research, homework and exposure….this can set you back emotionally and financially.

New Years Resolutions need to stretch you to grow without destroying you due to unrealistic expectations. Determine the most important goals you have for the new year and focus on a few instead of creating a list of multiple resolutions causing you to not Image result for free images of new years resolutions accomplish any due to overload. Set one or two realistic goals and then once you’ve achieved that goal…determine the next and then the next and so on. Want to pay down your debt so you can buy your dream home. Create a realistic budget and payoff plan and then work at it daily.

The most important factor leading to your success or failure is to take time at the end of each day to celebrate the successes and fix what didn’t work. Then plan for tomorrow. A key to success in goal setting is to never start your day until it’s finished. In other words, at the end of the day after celebrate/fix set up your goals and plans to accomplish tomorrow. This way you don’t waste time at the beginning of the day saying, “should I do this or should I do that?” You’ll already know exactly what you need to do and have a plan for success. Work through that day and then repeat the process.

Experiencing little success and celebrations along the way give us the energy to keep on keeping on to a Happy, Healthy, Successful New Year!

Posted in General Information, Tips and Ideas

Holiday Marketing Pros and Cons

Dec05
2019

Written by mary.w

The holiday seasons are upon us and inevitably, whether selling or buying, you may be asking yourself; “Should I continue to market my home/search for my new home from post-Thanksgiving until post-New Years. Review the pros and cons of both.

SELLING PROS:

Many other sellers remove their homes from the marketplace during this time which reduces your competition. Lower inventory means that you can stand out to those that are shopping and possibly be rewarded with a higher price.
The fact is that regardless of the season, there are always buyers in the market to purchase due to job transfers, divorces, end of leases, seasonal closing on their own home that they’ve sold and people who want to take advantage of the current low interest rate before it goes up.
As long as you don’t go overboard, the sights, sounds and aromas of the season cause buyers to imagine what it will be like to enjoy their own holiday gatherings in front of your roaring fire and beautifully displayed Dining Room table.

SELLING CONS:

The number of buyers shopping during the holidays is smaller than in the more active spring season.
If you live in an area that experiences extremes of cold, snow and ice, you have the added task of making sure your exterior areas are clear and safe to travel. You also need to prepare yourself for the frustration of no shows and reschedules in the event of inclement weather.
If you do a lot of entertaining, you might have to be more diligent with regard to keeping your home “show ready”.
In many areas affected by the time change, it gets dark a lot earlier making evening appointments more challenging thus you should prepare yourself to be doing more weekend showings.

BUYING PROS:

The reason someone may have their home on the market during the holidays is because they have a “need to be sold by” deadline ie: starting a new job, moving to help out with a family situation, downsizing due to a job loss or reduction in income, etc. This may provide a great opportunity to purchase your dream home at a reduced price.
Due to less homes being sold during the holiday season, title companies may have a more open schedule to ensure the closing date you prefer.
Like the “Greek restaurant dilemma” of a menu that is so large it’s hard to make a decision, by having fewer homes to choose from, your shopping process may be far less stressful and more effective.

BUYING CONS:

Since many people take their homes off the market at this time, you will have less inventory from with to choose.
Due to holiday entertaining, viewing appointments may be more difficult to schedule BUT keep in mind if someone is choosing to sell during this season, they will most likely work with you to find a convenient time.
If you live in an area with inclement weather, getting to and from appointments might be more challenging.
In many regions, with the time change, it gets dark a lot earlier making evening appointments more difficult (hard to see addresses, hard to see exterior negatives about the home) which means you will most likely want to schedule viewings for the weekend, which can be more difficult. That said, if the seller is motivated, they will understand the local weather impediments and most likely be willing to be accommodating.

Whether you’re selling or buying, you can take advantage of the holiday season to achieve your desired result and toast in your Happiest New Year!!

Posted in Buying Tips, General Information, Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas

Is A Home Warranty Plan Right for You?

Nov22
2019

Written by mary.w

There are few things as a homeowner more frustrating than discovering, too late usually, that something in your home that you thought was covered by your homeowner’s insurance, well, is not. Home Warranty Plans provide coverage for the things in your home that you can’t get covered through homeowners insurance ie: major home systems breakdowns or breakdowns of major appliances. You might be surprised how many “breakable” components live within your home systems and appliances, until something goes wrong of course! With a home warranty plan you can lower your stress with regard to how you’ll pay for something if it breaks down. Below are what have been ranked on multiple online sites and in reviews as the top 5 reliable home warranty companies with the best offerings and customer service. That said, it is important to do your own research based on some of the following criteria and how it relates to your home and your needs.

CHECKLIST of Items to Research and Compare:

Read several reviews both good and bad.
Can your plan be transferred to your buyer if you are thinking about or are in the midst of selling your home?
Do they offer 24/7 support at no additional cost?
Do they offer a 24hr claims line to follow up on progress of your claim?
Do they offer free quotes with no strings attached? In other words, if you choose to not purchase a plan, will they then bill you for coming out to give you a quote? Sounds silly but it does happen, so make sure and ask when you call.
What is the length of their workmanship guarantee?
Can you choose a service provider you already trust or does it have to be someone they provide?
Do they offer local service providers from whom you can choose?
Do they prescreen the providers they offer to service you?
Do they require a home inspection before coverage? Yes, some will cover you without an inspection.
Can they cover your roof as well as items inside your home?
Will they cover pre-existing issues? Most will not so you may have to research several companies to find one that will.
Do they offer an emergency alert network?
What is the extent of the coverage? Again, delve into details before purchasing a plan.
Will they replace items if they are not able to be repaired? If your home is more than 5 years old, this could be one of the most important features of your plan.

Highly Ranked Home Warranty Companies: (Received 4.5 to 5 Stars)

*American Home Shield 866-282-4071 ahs.com

*Select Home Warranty 888-388-7156 selecthomewarranty.com

*America’s 1st Choice Home Club 844-209-7912 afchomeclub.com

*First American Home Warranty 855-292-5824 fahw.com

*The Home Service Club 800-728-9003 hscwarranty.com

You Can’t Sell in the Winter! Or Can You? Should You?!

Nov17
2019

Written by mary.w

Depending on where you’re located, winter might seem like the worst time to put your home up for sale. The air is cold, the ground is covered with snow and daylight hours are shorter. But selling your home during the winter doesn’t have to be an impossible task and in actuality can be the best time to find Your Best Buyer. People who shop for homes in cold, snowy weather are deadly serious buyers who have a strong reason to buy NOW. Perhaps a job change, end of a lease and not wanting to sign on for another year, family necessities,etc. You can use this season as an opportunity to set your home apart from all the others. As an added plus, lots of people take their homes off the market through the winter and holidays so there is also less competition if you do choose to offer your home through this season. Here are a few ideas to help you achieve success!

Create a Safe Environment Free from the Weather

Make sure that walkways and driveways are salted and snow is shoveled. Nothing makes for a worse first impression for potential buyers than if they slip on the ice and injure themselves. They’ll be sure to remember your home, but probably not in the way you want them to. Also keep these areas well lit!

Minimize Your Holiday Decor

For most people, winter is a time for holiday decorations. But while your home should look festive, you will want to keep your decor attractive without becoming without becoming overwhelming. A few well-placed lights will accentuate your home’s natural curb appeal, but maybe you should save the giant blowup doll for next year.

Cleanliness is Crucial

Winter is a difficult time to really show off the exterior of your home, so you should instead concentrate on accentuating the interior. Winter visitors are more likely to notice dirt and clutter because they are not distracted by the exterior of the home, so make sure it is absolutely spotless inside. Kids and adults coming in and out during this time can create messy floors and closets so try to keep a strong focus on those items.

Illuminate

To counter the dreary winter weather, make your home as bright and airy as possible. Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light, and keep the lights on throughout your entire home (including closets and basement) when showing it to potential buyers. This creates an inviting atmosphere while also highlighting the great features of your home.

Cozy & Comfy

Raising the thermostat a couple notches will set a warm, welcoming atmosphere and provide a great first impression. Serve hot chocolate, hot cider or tea and coffee with holiday cookies if it’s close to Christmas. A fire burning in the fireplace says, “Ahhh”. You can even play some soft background music to set the mood.

Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words

Displaying either individually or in an album, spring, summer and autumn photos will allow prospective buyers to see the home’s full potential and to visualize themselves living in the home beyond this season. Create a takeaway brochure of photos from all 4 seasons so the buyer will remember your home and all it offers once they have left and are considering all the homes they’ve seen.

Posted in General Information, Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas

OH WHAT A DIFFERENCE A CEILING CAN MAKE!

Nov07
2019

Written by mary.w

Something that is a part of every home from the tiniest to those found in mega-mansions are ceilings. If you want to change, enhance or upgrade your home, one way to do it is by adding dimension, depth, lighting and/or wood to your ceilings. Image result for free images of residential ceilings

You can take an ordinary room and turn it into a showpiece that people will be inspired by and talk about when they leave. Depending on the style of your home, you might choose wood to add a rustic ambiance.

Image result for free images of residential ceilings

Want something more elegant? Try coffered ceilings. Enhance them and your room even more by adding recessed lighting within the wood panels. Image result for free images of residential ceilings

Image result for free images of residential ceilings

Custom lighting can add drama and an eclectic look to any room.

Image result for free images of residential ceilings

Kitchen ceilings made out of tin or with defined insets with lighting can create that dream gathering place where your guests will feel like they’ve stepped into a French villa or the pages of Architectural Digest.

Image result for free images of residential ceilings See the source image

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Posts in category Uncategorized

Selling and Buying During the Covid-19 Crisis

Quick Budget Friendly Kitchen Updates!

WATER BILL DROWNING YOU?!

Social Media Can Welcome You “Home”

Neighbors…Fun or Foe?!

The New Year is Almost Here!

Holiday Marketing Pros and Cons

Is A Home Warranty Plan Right for You?

You Can’t Sell in the Winter! Or Can You? Should You?!

OH WHAT A DIFFERENCE A CEILING CAN MAKE!

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