Real Estate Information

• Landscaping Keeping your yard trim and weed-free does not decrease or increase your home’s value, but when it is time to sell a home, neat landscaping is a must. The one outdoor project that could increase the resale value of the home is constructing a deck. 
   

• Flooring This is a personal choice, but if the homeowner knows that they will sell in the future, the cost of refinishing or adding hardwood flooring will come back to them in the sale.  Installing the floors could be a long-range DIY job but hiring a pro for a refinishing job is the wisest thing to do. Think of it as an investment, not an expense. 
   

• Roofing Keeping the roof in sound condition is considered regular maintenance, so putting on new shingles because the homeowner would like a new color will not add value.  Installing a metal roof, on the other hand, could add value to the house, depending on the location. 
   

• Home Systems Installing new plumbing or HVAC, or upgrading electrical are all considered maintenance, and no matter the cost, will not add to the value of the house. 
   

• Remodeling Kitchen and bathroom remodels are your best choice for a project that will pay you back upon the sale of your home. 
   

• Swimming Pool Putting in a pool is simply a personal choice.  Rarely does an added pool or spa put money in your pocket in case the house is sold. 
   

• Additions Adding a sunroom, garage or home office will not necessarily give a good return on investment. An extra bedroom, however, is a good choice, but must be built to certain specifications to qualify as a bedroom in real estate terms. A reputable builder knows the requirements necessary for the extra space to be considered a bedroom, so choose wisely. 

• Begin by requesting a free credit report from all three reporting agencies.   Look for errors and report them to the credit bureau and company that posted them.  Legitimate collections that have been paid will not be removed from your credit history for seven years, although they will be marked as paid. 
   

• Late payments hurt your credit score.  Stay current by creating a written budget with due dates for your bills or set up automatic drafts through your bank. 
   

• Pay off your credit cards!  This is particularly important, because the more outstanding debt you have, the lower your score.  Begin by paying off the smallest balance. Larger balances can be paid off sooner by increasing your payments or send equal payments twice per month if the creditor allows. 
   

• According to FICO™, it is better to pay off a credit card than canceling the account.  Use it as minimally as possible--simply charging a once-a-month take-out meal will keep it active. 
   

• Having just one credit account in good standing is better than none for those who have not started establishing credit history. Shop around for a credit card with a good interest rate and apply. 
   

• Avoid new credit accounts while you are trying to bring your score up. Pay cash for everything, and if you do not have the cash, unless it is an emergency, do not buy it. 
   

• When you cannot see a light at the end of the financial tunnel, contact a reputable credit repair agency that can assist you in getting your bills paid, manage your finances, and increase your chance of becoming a homeowner. 

• Fire extinguisher Visit the USFA to see what type of extinguisher is needed for the kitchen, workshop, or multipurpose fires. 
   

• Portable safe Secure important papers, valuables, and other important items in a portable safe. This could be quite an investment when upgrading to fireproof materials or digital passcodes, but valuables and irreplaceable items need to be protected. 
   

• Cleaning items This seems obvious, but a good broom and dustpan, bucket, microfiber cleaning cloths, “shop rags,” and a flat mop are all that is needed to keep a home sparkling. 
   

• Simple tools: A hammer, heavy-duty scissors, screwdrivers, hex key tool, measuring tape, handsaw, and more; all of these things will make a homeowner’s life much easier when they need them. 
   

• Emergency kit FEMA offers a build-your-own kit list with everything necessary for an emergency. 
   

• Heavy-duty extension cord Do not use an indoor-rated cord outdoors. A cord that can handle a large capacity of electricity and bad weather conditions is best. 
   

• Wet-dry vacuum Having one of these handy can save clean up time from a dishwasher leak, or spilled nails on the floor.  
   

• Ladder A sturdy stepladder or six-foot A-frame is best for smaller jobs. Find out what ladder is best for the job. 
   

• Lawn and garden tools Besides a garden hose, mower, and string trimmer, every homeowner with a yard needs a leaf rake, shovel, pruning shears, and a wheelbarrow. 

• Who would not want to plant grass that needs no mowing?  Ornamental grasses such as zebra grass, purple fountain grass, blue fescue, and Japanese blood grass grow to different heights and can add interest and color with little maintenance. Plant around posts and hard-to-get-to places in the yard for a mower-free plot! 
   

• Offering a rainbow of easy-care color, daylilies come in hundreds of varieties.  Plant different cultivars in a sunny spot, keep them watered well for the first few weeks, and you will be rewarded with pops of color all summer. Bonus: daylilies come back each year and can be divided! 
   

• Sunflowers come in varieties that range from a few feet tall that can be grown in containers or planted en masse with the giant varieties.  If you plant seeds, try planting each set every two weeks for six weeks, and once they bloom, they will bloom until fall. 
   

• If your home faces north or the yard has lots of shade, try impatiens.  They are non-stop bloomers if you keep them deadheaded. They are great in containers and hanging baskets, too! 
   

• Another plant for shady places is the fern.  There are many cultivars, and ferns thrive in the shade, and come back every year. 
   

• Butterfly weed brings color and butterflies to your yard!  It is a native wildflower, making it practically care-free.  Look for plants already in flower in your garden center, as growing from seed will take a year or two for them to blossom. 
   

• Zinnias put on a show all Summer, and come in many colors and bloom varieties, and all it takes is a scattering of seeds.  Like sunflowers, if you plant them every two weeks for about six weeks, you will have cheery blooms for months. 
   

• Portulaca, or moss rose, is a succulent plant that grows low to the ground and blooms in bright pink, orange, red, white, and yellow.  Because they tolerate the heat and drought of summer, when everything else is drooping their small blossoms will stand out. 
   

• Roses do not always need to be coddled! There are many easy-care hybrid roses.  Not only are the modern cultivations easy to grow, but some also bloom all season. 

• - You will need a buyer agent to represent you. The builder’s agent will be looking out for their client--not you. 

• - Go through the pre-approval process but shop around for the loan that fits your needs.  If the builder’s lender has incentives and discounts, take advantage of them if it will benefit you in the end. 

• - How many lots and homes have been sold, how large each lot is, and how much space is between houses? 

• - What is the length of the home’s warranty, and what does it cover? 

• - How much input does the buyer have in choosing paint colors and materials for flooring, kitchen, and bathrooms? What is the policy if the builder runs short on chosen materials? 

• - Is smart technology wiring included in the basic home package, and is wiring to all bedrooms an extra expense? 

• - What appliances are included in the basic price? 
   

• - Keep in mind that the model home you are shown has all the bells and whistles! Never assume you are getting everything in your home that the model shows. Ask about these features and write everything down as you get answers. 

• - Talk to residents who are already living in the community, and ask them about any concerns they have, and what they love about their new home. 

• - Do not skip the home inspection just because it is new construction. Be sure your purchase contract allows you to hire an inspector outside the building company. 

• - If the model home is one of the last homes left in the neighborhood, ask about buying it!

• - You may not get every finish just as you would like, but you can paint a room or change the flooring! 

• The home-buying process and moving are no small feats and undertaking a renovation can take another toll.  Give yourself a break before starting something new. 
   

• Getting used to living where you are could cause you to rethink your plans. For instance, you wanted a bay window to replace the two smaller windows in the dining area, but after feeling the hot afternoon sun shining in, you change your mind.  Little things like this are not noticeable from a few walkthroughs and virtual tours. 
   

• Many fixups are inexpensive and can tide you over until you make your final decision on whether to renovate or not: painting, fixing up the floors, or purchasing new furniture are all ways you can satisfy that itch and make the new house feel like your own. 
   

• Living in your home as it is for a while could show you that a major renovation is not needed at all! One room could simply need better lighting, or a closet you wanted to enlarge simply needs a few organizational pieces. 
   

• Continue the savings habits you adopted while saving for your down payment and other costs associated with your home purchase, and you can pay for your redo in cash, one step at a time! 
   

• Go ahead with your planned decorating! It is possible that you will find those renovations unnecessary once you have new furniture, draperies, and wall color. 
   

• Some renos cannot wait and are best completed before moving in structural work, full kitchen or bathroom re-do, large room addition, or changes to the layout.   

• - Know where your main water shut-off valve is located and know how to turn it off in case of burst pipes.  This can at least prevent flooding, though it will not solve the running water issue. 
   

• - Consider investing in a leak protection system that will sound an alarm when it detects leaks.  The cost to install such a tool can save big money in water damage repair costs. 
   

• - Just because there are drains in our sinks and tubs does not give free rein over what goes down those drains! Items that should not go down the drain include paint, medications, household chemicals, coffee grounds, and raw flour.  
   

• - There are products we use as part of our daily hygiene routine that are not good for plumbing, according to this article from Apartment Therapy. 
   

• - Garbage disposals are great tools but must be used properly. Grease or oil of any kind, eggshells, and bones are all on this list of what not to put into the disposal. 
   

• - Check washer hoses often and replace every them five years. 
   

• - If your water heater is more than ten years old, consider replacing it. They have an average lifespan of 8-12 years and using them longer than that can cause sediment to clog the hot water pipes. 
   

• - Items labeled “flushable” should just be thrown in the garbage can. These items do not break down quickly and clog drains, as well as septic and sewage systems. 
   

• - Using drain-clearing chemicals can do more harm than good, especially if you use them often as they corrode the pipes. If a plumber has been called, let them know that there are chemicals in the pipes so they can protect themselves from chemical burns. 

• - Begin practicing a budget now if you do not already.  There are more expenses involved with homeownership than there are as a tenant and you need to be able to manage your money properly. 
   
• - Check your credit score and correct any mistakes, if any, and do what is necessary to improve the numbers if your score is not going to be attractive to lenders.
   
• - Learn about the different types of loans available to first-time home buyers. This will help you figure out how you will finance your mortgage as well as how much you need to save for a down payment. 
  
  - Once you go through the pre-approval process, you will know how much house you can afford, making house-hunting easier.  
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  - Do you love your rental? If so, let your landlord know that you are interested in purchasing the property! They may not be interested, but once they become aware that you will be moving, the thought of preparing and looking for a new renter may encourage them to agree to a sale. All you can do is ask!  
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  - Browse properties besides houses--many townhomes and condominiums are affordable and convenient and would make the perfect first home! 
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  - Purchasing a newer house can save money in the long run, because of less up-front maintenance costs and newer houses are more energy efficient. 
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  - Think about your community options--do you want to live in a managed community (HOA), a rural area, new construction in a planned community, or an older suburban neighborhood?  Each can affect how much you pay in fees, taxes, or maintenance costs. 
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  - If you have renter’s insurance, and you should, you will note that a homeowner’s policy costs more, because it covers much more than just your belongings.  Most mortgages will include homeowner’s insurance in the monthly payment. If your current agent can find a cheaper rate, go for it! 

• A home warranty covers what homeowner’s insurance does not. When one of your home’s systems or major appliances breaks down or is damaged from normal wear and tear, a home warranty will help you with the costs. 
   

• Homeowners pay a monthly fee, on average $300-$600 per year, according to Consumer Affairs. Most service calls through the company will require the homeowner to pay a set service fee to the technician when making a claim. 
   

• A home warranty can be purchased at any time, which is great for someone who is selling their home.  Sellers can spend a good amount of money prepping the house for sale, and a warranty will help considerably if something breaks down during the selling process. Warranties can be transferred to the buyer, as well! 
   

• A newer home may not necessarily need a home warranty, so stash an amount equal to a monthly warranty payment into your savings account!  You can build emergency savings and have the funds for unexpected repairs. 
   

• Research home warranties for prices and coverage available. Your Realtor® will be able to direct you to companies they are familiar with, and you can trust you are working with a reputable home warranty company. 
   

• Current homeowners who do not have a home warranty can find a company that is registered with the Service Contract Industry Council. Scroll to the “Home Service Contract Companies” for a complete contact list. 

Your agent will schedule a time meet at your new house, usually after the seller has moved out and before or on closing day. 
 

• -What should you have on hand with you?  

• - the final contract with all the specifics about the sale 

• - home inspection report 

• - any written agreements between seller and buyer 

• - a notepad and pen 

• - a camera or use your smartphone camera 

• - a nightlight to test electrical outlets 
   

•  Inside the house, everything should be in perfect working order: 

• - Turn on every light switch and check every outlet. 

• - Check the faucets in the kitchen, bathrooms, outdoor spigots, utility room, and any other room there is running water by turning on each one. Flush all toilets as well. All toilets should flush completely, and drains should flow freely. 

• - Inspect every area where agreed repairs should have been made. If there have been extensive fixes made, you may want to shell a bit extra out of your wallet to have someone with you that can be certain the job was done correctly. 

• - Inspect every appliance that is included in the sale to be sure it is running properly. 

• - Open and close all doors, windows, cabinets, and drawers. 

• - Pay careful attention to carpets and floorcoverings, every floor and wall for weakness, cracks, mold, mildew and do not forget to look for signs of pests. 

• - Turn the climate control off and on, and check heat as well as air conditioning.
   

• -Outside inspection: 

• - roof, gutters, shutters, or any other structural issues 

• - garage doors functioning properly 

• - debris or trash left by the seller 

• - lawns and landscaping should at least be trim and neat