Real Estate Information Archive

• - While you love your home, not everyone else will. Sellers must detach their emotions about the house while it is on the market. Think of it as a financial transaction or see it from the expectant house hunters’ point of view.

•  

• - Major issues with your house should be repaired before the For Sale sign goes in the front yard, and if repairs are not possible, a repair credit will have to be offered to the buyer. Be prepared to do some painting and patching, at the very least. If you want the best sale price, you should do your best to earn it.

•  

• - It is vital to be available to your agent, whether it be via phone calls, texting, or email. They are your link to the buyer, and it is possible to lose a sale by not being accessible.

•  

• - If you or your agent have decided to hire a staging firm, do not take offense if they ask to put your belongings in storage. It is not about your personal taste, but about making the home appealing to the general public and seeing it as their home.

•  

• - Flexibility is key when allowing potential buyers to see it. You will not be getting a weekly showing schedule that is set in stone, so be prepared for inconveniences.

•  

• - Because every accepted offer does not result in a sale, have the “big” things packed and ready to move, but hold off on packing the necessities until closing is imminent!

•  

• - Some sales take time, but incentives can make a property more attractive: cash towards the closing costs, a year’s home warranty, and payment of HOA dues are just a few ideas to attract buyers. 

• For outdoor spaces with level ground, constructing a patio from brick, pavers, stone or poured concrete is usually more cost-effective than building a deck. 

•  

• Soften the hard surface and add privacy by adding landscaping. Plant a perimeter of shrubs or tall grasses or add plants of varying heights in containers–even trees!

•  

• Because of the availability in many colors and styles, making a final decision on patio surfacing can be overwhelming.  Landscaping Network has done the homework for you, making it easier to choose your materials.

•  

• Backyards with in-ground pools are better suited for a patio for ease of use and maintaining the pool. Another bonus is that there is less grass to mow!

•  

• Create a path from the front approach of your home to your backyard courtyard if there is enough room on the side of your home. This will help keep a lot of extra traffic out of the house.

•  

• Because they can be built on virtually any surface, including slopes and rocky ground, decks are the most popular outdoor space addition.

•  

• Determine what size you will need as well as other aspects of the deck by how you want to use the space: grilling and/or dining, simple entertaining, or maybe a private space for a hot tub.

•  

• If you have the know-how, by all means, DIY a new deck. This Old House offers a thorough guide to building a deck, from materials to designs.

•  

• Two advantages to building a deck: increasing your home’s value, and cooler entertaining.

•  

• Add screening and a roof for an all-weather space to protect you from the elements and insects.

• If your local building codes require railings for the new addition, do it in style! Check out these deck railing ideas.

•  

Once your new outdoor “room” is complete, do not waste the time and expense it took to create it by not utilizing it! Add seating, shade, grill, or firepit, and enjoy summer evenings with family and friends or a good book. An investment in outdoor improvements can be an investment in your well-being! 

• - The buyer will need to know how to negotiate the asking price. Since the majority of FSBO sellers do not have the experience to set a good market value on their home, their price will likely be too high. 
   

• - There may be a wait time to see the home. Most homeowners have work and other responsibilities and can only show the property at their convenience. 
   

• - Unless you have real estate experience, you will have some unfamiliar responsibilities: making sure you are paying the right price for the property by performing a comparative market analysis, negotiating credits or repairs with the owner after the inspection, finding the right title insurance company, and deciding how much each party will pay during closing.  
   

• - A seller may try to discourage a house hunter from getting a home inspection, stating that their house is in well-maintained condition. Even brand-new houses should be inspected before changing owners, and the seller is required to have a disclosure statement ready for you to read over. 
   

• - Once you make an offer, the owner may want to wait before accepting in hopes they receive a higher offer from someone else. In a scenario like this, and there is no urgent need for them to move, you may have to walk away from the deal. 
   

• - When you are represented by a buyer’s agent, and there is no disclosure in the property listing that the seller will pay buyer agent fees, ask the seller directly or walk away. Your agent has put a great deal of time and effort into the house hunt and deserves proper compensation. 
   

• - Do your own research on the house, make sure the person you have talked with is the actual owner, and proceed with caution. Some scams involve an empty house, FSBO signs, and criminals who will take your money and run, all while posing as the rightful owner. 

• Musty Odors:  When certain rooms, mainly bathrooms, have a musty smell or form mold quickly in between cleanings, there could be a hidden moisture problem that can cause more serious issues if it remains unchecked. 
   

• Window Problems:  Can you feel cold or hot air seeping in from the outside when near a window? Is there condensation on the glass, no matter the season? These are obvious signs that your windows are interfering with the energy efficiency in your home. 
   

• Insulation: Attic insulation requirements have changed over the years. When you are in the attic, can you see most of the joists in between the insulation? That is a sure sign there is not enough insulation to keep it heated and cooled efficiently. 
   

• Comfort Level:  Are some rooms too cold, some too hot, or just the opposite? While everyone feels differently as a matter of personal preference, your home should not have major differences from room to room when it comes to temperature and comfort level. 
   

• High Energy Bills:  The different components that use electricity in your home can add up if they are not running properly. If your HVAC is short-cycling, or you have outlets and/or electric cords that get too hot, or light bulbs burn out before they should, these are all problems that will add up on your power bill if not checked. 
   

• There are two different levels of an energy audit for a house. Level one is a basic walk-through assessment, and level two begins with the basics in level one and includes an energy survey and analysis. 

• - Homeowners can perform their own level one audit, and the U.S. Department of Energy offers a list of what you can check for without paying a professional. 
   

• - This Old House offers a video that demonstrates a level two energy audit using different pieces of equipment and processes the pros use to assess your home’s energy use.  

• Before you put the first item in a packing box, toss, sell, or give away as much as you can. You may have already decluttered when your current home was put on the market, but give everything one more look before you start packing. 
   

• Moving.org has an up-to-date list of discounts and coupons offered to senior citizens, various occupations, and membership organizations. 
   

• Rent a truck, then pack it and move everything yourself. It will be hard work, but get the family involved, have a plan in place, and save hundreds by DIYing your move. 
   

• Portable storage can be more affordable than hiring a full mover. Reduce stress by having the container delivered a few weeks before the move, as you can pack it over several days, then have it sent to the new house once you are ready to go. 
   

• If you choose to use a pro, contact at least three reputable moving companies at least a month in advance of the move. Ask if a fixed rate is available, and inquire about possible additional costs: charging more for a weekend move, or extra for wrapping furniture or moving items up and down stairs.  
   

• Packing in advance when hiring a moving pro that charges by the hour will add to your savings. Have all containers ready in one convenient place, preferably in a garage or the room nearest the front door. 
   

• Save on packing materials by getting boxes from grocery store produce departments, or ask in online forums for used packing items for free. Some containers are already in your home: suitcases, tote and duffel bags, as well as linens for packing material. 
   

• Long-distance movers normally charge by weight, so taking items like a weight bench or furniture that you do not have room for in the new house will cost more. Consider selling them before the move. 

• If drapes are your only choice, install the hardware higher on the wall than the top of the window. This simple trick will add a spacious feel to the room. 
   

• Using a simple roller shade keeps an open feel to the room. Rollers come in many colors, or you can create a custom shade with adhesive-back shelf paper, fabric, or even wallpaper. 
   

• Hanging a neutral valance will keep the room light, and add color to the window by hanging an old stained glass window section, or create your own “stained glass!” 
   

• A simple way to add style and make the room seem larger by drawing the eye up is to use a cornice or a pelmet covered in colorful fabric and paired with plain sheer panels. 
   

• Using shutters instead of curtains gives you privacy while allowing light to come through when you have adjustable louvers on the shutters. Most are made of wood and can be painted or stained to match your room’s decor or make a statement. 
   

• Need privacy but need to keep the room well-lit? This is an easy DIY using “frosted glass” film or spray paint! A textured glass look can be created using clear glass craft paint. 
   

• A sunny window is a perfect place for plants, so use them as your window treatment! Purchase shelving and install, or make shelves for your green thumb display. 
   

• Window screens made of laser-cut metal are becoming increasingly popular and more affordable. Styles are seemingly endless and can be easily purchased at online home decor sites or even craft websites with laser-cutting machines becoming more common for crafters. 

• Check the Weather: If the wind chill or air temperature is below freezing, choose an indoor activity, as the risk of frostbite increases greatly, even if you plan on doing any vigorous activity outside. 
   

• Hydration is Important: Staying hydrated in winter is just as important as it is in the heat of July! Drink plenty of water before and after any time outdoors.
  
  Warm Up/Cool Down: Prepare your muscles with stretches or a simple walk in place before and after your activity. 
   

• Layered Clothing: Wearing loose layers of synthetic fabrics will help trap warm air and keep your core temperature up. Stop and remove a layer before perspiration starts if you get warm. Clothing made of moisture-wicking synthetics is safer than cotton, as cotton does not dry quickly. 
   

• Footwear: Wear thermal or wool socks and/or insulated shoes, and purchase shoe grips to keep you upright in snowy conditions! 
   

• Cover Extremities: Keep your head, hands, and ears covered, and apply sunscreen to any exposed areas, no matter how small. 
   

• Protect Your Eyes: Sunglasses are very important to wear in the winter, as they not only protect eyes from UV rays but snow glare as well. They also help your eyes retain moisture in the cold, dry air. 
   

• Bring a Friend: Going for a walk or jog with others is a great safety measure, as everyone can keep an eye on one another, watch for signs of hypothermia, and give assistance in case of a fall. 

• - The easiest method for lighting entryways and parking areas is using motion-sensor lights. Solar-charged lights can be installed almost anywhere, giving endless options for lighting many areas as you enter your home. 
   

• - In some instances, installing new fixtures is not an option, so add smart light bulbs! Depending on your budget, you can purchase bulbs with programming capabilities for changing color, dimness, and off/on times. 
   

• - Smart pathway lights are usually solar-powered, and many offer the same control options as smart light bulbs, and installation is a cinch–push their posts in the ground along walkways, and they are ready to go! 
   

• - For outdoor lighting that requires an outlet, use outdoor smart plugs. Just like interior smart plugs, you have complete control of when the lights come on or off. 

• - The first step is to install either bright white LED bulbs in lamps and fixtures, or use smart light bulbs and integrate them into your home’s automation platform. 
   

• - For a better start to your day on dark winter mornings, use a light bulb made to mimic the sunrise.
   

• - If a room’s lights are automated, they must have power to work properly, and we are used to turning the light switch off when we leave a room. The remedy for that problem is to install smart switches. Different brands have different options, from sensing motion to dimming as well as remote control through an app. 
   

• - Take the time to set up not only morning lighting routines, but dark evenings as well. Walking into a softly lit home after a long day at work not only makes one feel safe, but it is an automatic mood-lifter.