Real Estate Information

• Real Estate Agents  
  The agent you choose will be your resource and constant contact throughout the home-buying process. In most transactions, there will be a listing agent representing the sellers, but it is unlikely you will be meeting them. 
   

• Mortgage lenders  
  To be adequately prepared to begin looking for a new house, you should be pre-approved for a mortgage. Meet with a few different lenders to find the best loan for you; see what the balance recommends for finding the right mortgage. 
   

• Appraiser  
  The mortgage company wants to be sure that the property is worth what the asking price. The appraiser is usually one of the lender's choosing. Learn more about what is involved with the appraisal from realtor.com®. 
   

• Home Inspector  
  You do not want any surprises with structural issues, mold, or insect infestation after you have the keys in hand, so it is in your best interest to hire an inspector to go over your prospective home. Call several inspectors, and ask these important questions. 
   

• Homeowners Insurance Agent   
  Most insurance companies offer a discount for having more than one policy with them, and it may be easier to go with your current insurer, so give your agent a call. Do not let that stop you from shopping around for better rates, however. 
   

• Real Estate Attorney  
  Many states require you to hire an attorney, as they will go over all of the documents, handle funds, and perform the title search, to name a few of their jobs during the home sale process. Find out why it is always a good idea to have a real estate attorney, whether it is the law or optional. 
   

• Title Insurer   
  In case there are any questions about the sale of the home being legitimate (no liens, family feuds, etc.), you will need title insurance, and in most cases, the lender or attorney will already have that lined up. 
   

• Mortgage Servicer   
  Sometimes, a lender will sell your loan to a mortgage servicer, and you will be notified if that happens. Learn the difference between a lender and a servicer at Investopedia. 

• - 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.

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• - 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.

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• - 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.

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• - 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.

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• - 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.

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• - 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!

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• - 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. 

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• 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!

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• 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.

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• 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!

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• 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.

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

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• 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.

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• 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.

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

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• 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.

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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. 

• - Extend room for lighter clothing items, such as blouses and shirts, by using tension rods placed at the top and bottom of your closet. Add shower curtain hooks to store purses and other odd-shaped items. 
   

• - Family Handyman demonstrates how to use a plant-hanger chain to store multiple shirts and blouses. 
   

• - Mount a short curtain rod on the back of the closet door to hang scarves, and store more by using clip-style curtain rings to hang hats and gloves to keep them handy. 
   

• - This use of tension rods for shoe storage is a great storage hack! 

• - Create under-the-bed storage by upcycling old dresser drawers by adding adhesive felt or swivel caster wheels to the bottoms. Or get empty suitcases out of the attic and put them to use by storing seasonal clothing under the bed. 
   

• - Turn a bookshelf into a headboard and create space for odd items such as remotes, glasses, morning medicines, and, of course, books. 
   

• - No more rummaging through a mish-mash of cosmetics in a bag! This DIY magnetic makeup board is a great way to keep makeup handy and easy to find. 
   

• - In the kids' room, mount wire wall planters and place books, plush toys, or arts and crafts items within a little one's reach. 

• - Get the pots and pans out of the cabinets by hanging them! Hang them on a wall or try this DIY ladder pot rack! 
   

• - Keep the infamous junk drawer tidy by using a clean egg carton or small muffin tin; both are perfect for keeping small items organized. 
   

• - Inexpensive dollar store baskets can be filled with cans, spices, and baking items for pull-out storage in the pantry. The baskets keep them neat and easy to access. 
   

• - Place large utensils in a cookie jar on the counter to keep them within reach while cooking. 
   

• - A wall file holder mounted on the inside of a cabinet door is transformed into a container lid holder. 

• 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.