One of the best investments a homebuyer can make is a home inspection. A thorough inspection will help remove doubt whether or not a home is a good buy. It will shed light on any issues and reveal the true condition of a home. It is important for buyers to understand that many common home issues are tucked away (plumbing, HVAC, mold, etc.). With this, here are a few tips on how to prepare for a home inspection.
You want to be sure that you have your repair documentation and invoices in order for when the home inspector comes. If you have had any home remodeling done, such as a new electrical or HVAC system, you want to have the paperwork available to show to the inspector and potential buyers.
In most cases, it is in the best interest of the owner to be away during the home inspection. This is because it is common for the buyer to tag along with the home inspector during the inspection. Your presence can make buyers feel uncomfortable. If at all possible, arrange it so you away for a few hours during the home inspection.
You want to be sure that the home inspector has clear access to your basement, attic, and exterior inspection points. With this, be sure that you clear all items like storage bins are out of the way. In the case of outside, you want to clear items like trashcans, debris, and anything inhibiting someone from accessing the foundation.
Staging a home for sale can be a daunting task. In most cases, it requires a significant amount of time and resources. At the end of the day, staging is about making a home as favorable to the highest number of home buyers possible. Even a few minor changes can make a big difference when it comes time to list your home. Here are some tips on how to stage each room of your home for an online listing.
You want your living room to appear to be a calm and relaxing living space. Because homeowners spend a large percentage of their time, you want to capture the right angles so they can see that it is a comfortable living space.
Similar to your living rooms, your bedrooms should be cozy spaces that feature a few features of furniture (beds, nightstand, bureau, and lighting fixtures). As is the case for all other rooms of your house, you want to keep furniture and accessories to a minimum. The more items that you have in a room, the smaller and more crowded it will appear.
Your kitchen is arguably the biggest selling point of a home. Buyers today are looking for modern kitchens that have an inviting feel to them. Clear off countertops with everything but the essentials so showcase the functional counter space. You want your buyers to envision themselves cooking in your kitchen.
Your bathrooms should have ample lighting and be cleaned spotlessly. Nothing will turn off buyers faster than dirty bathrooms.
There are a variety of steps that you can take to improve the curb appeal of your home. Many of which are extremely affordable and do not require a ton of effort. Here are three examples of budget-friendly curb appeal projects that you may want to consider in 2020.
If you plan on selling your home soon, you may want to consider upgrading the front of your home to appeal to a greater number of buyers. Your front door can make or break your home’s curb appeal. An easy way to enhance the appearance of your front door is to replace the hardware. Consider upgrading items like your handles, knocker, and peephole if you have one. Another relatively easy way to spruce up your front door is with a fresh coat of paint. This is a great place to consider adding a splash of color to your home. You may also want to think about replacing your house numbers or investing in an inviting welcome mat as well.
When was the last time you looked at your mailbox? This is one aspect that is often overlooked by home sellers. Another low-budget way to enhance your curb appeal is a new mailbox. You may not even replace the entire mailbox. A new box may be all that you need.
Excellent outdoor light can dramatically enhance the appearance of your home from the street. You want your entryway to look and feel as inviting as possible. Many outdoor lighting fixtures are surprisingly easy to install and won’t cause you to break the bank. They may just what you need for evening home showings.
There has been an increased focus on energy efficiency over the last decade. Many homebuyers have energy efficiency near the top of their wishlist. If you plan on selling your home soon or down the line, you may want to think about investing in energy-efficient appliances to boost your property value. Continue reading and discover a few energy-efficient home improvements that will increase your property value.
There are all sorts of energy-efficient appliances available today. Some of which include refrigerators, ovens, washing machines, and dryers. Many people do not realize that many old appliances can be easily swapped out for energy-efficient units. For example, your old dishwasher can be replaced with an energy-efficient with minimal to no construction. If you are hesitant to upgrade appliances because of the cost, you may want to consider selling your old appliances if they are still functional.
Because it is covered up by drywall, insulation is often overlooked by homeowners. If your home is poorly insulated, you are likely throwing away money on your heating and cooling bills. If you want to increase your property value, you may want to consider reinsulating a few rooms in your house. Your attic is a great place to start. New insulation can be something you can highlight in your property listing to appeal to homebuyers.
Old windows can be a major turnoff to home buyers. Also, they may be negatively affecting your energy bills. By replacing your outdated windows with modern energy-efficient ones, you are also elevating the appearance of your home as well.
Are you thinking about selling your home without an agent? Many first time home sellers decide to go this route because they haven’t yet experienced the value of having a real estate agent working for you. In many cases, FSBO homes sales are unsuccessful. If you want to increase the chances of selling your home, your best bet is to hire a reputable agent who has specializes in your local market. Continue reading and discover a few reasons why you should think twice about going FSBO.
It generally takes a considerable amount of time to sell a home. If you decide to go FSBO, be ready to spend a lot of time taking pictures, staging, marketing, and showing the home. On top of all this, you will need to spend a lot of time answering emails and responding to phone calls from buyer agents.
If you decide to sell your home on your own, you will need to understand that there is a good chance that you do not save any money at all. This is because you are spending a ton of money on upfront costs. Also, there is no real guarantee of these investments proving to be worth it.
There are many steps when it comes to selling to a home. If you are inexperienced when it comes to real estate selling, you are prone to making mistakes. For example, incorrectly listing features of the home. When you do not have a licensed real estate agent working for you, you will have to pay for all those mistakes.
Open houses are a controversial topic in the real estate industry. Many real estate professionals feel that open houses are ultimately a waste of time. While there is no guarantee of producing results, they often prove to be an effective way to market a home listing. With this, here are a few benefits of hosting open houses today.
The home buying process is long, with many steps along the way. Understandably, many first-time homebuyers are unsure of where they should begin their home search. Open houses often appeal to first-time buyers because they are excellent opportunities to learn about not only the home but to speak with a variety of realtors and sellers. By attending a few open houses, a first-time homebuyer can pick the brains of different individuals about the process of buying a home.
A great way to generate buzz about your home is to advertise your open house in a variety of places. In addition to online, you also want to post flyers, newspaper ads, and even street signs about your open house. It is amazing how many drivers will pull over if they see an open house signposted on the side of a road. The more people you can get through the doors of a home, the more likely you are to sell the property.
The majority of buyers today appreciate having the ability to view a home without any pressure from a realtor standing next to them. In many cases, open houses are calm events where people can tour a home without having any time constraints or pressure that comes along with a scheduled walkthrough. People can come and go at their leisure, which tends to bring out a lot of potential buyers.
