Blog

Oct
29

home buying advice



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Home Buying Advice – 5 Great Tips


Buying a home can be very exciting but it can also be confusing, especially to first time buyers. The truth is that buying a home can be a simple and stress free transaction, if home buyers follow a few simple tips. Here are 5 basic tips to help home buyers navigate the process:


1. One Step at a Time–Home buying is not a one-time moment but a series of steps. Make decisions as they come, as you move through the process make sure each discovery is one you can live with.


2. Start with a Lender–Understanding your financial decision is your first step towards homeownership. Talk to a lender first so you know your parameters and limitations ahead...


Oct
15

fireplace design trends


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The long evenings of the winter months invites families to stay home and enjoy the warmth of their own home. Naturally, attention turns to the fireplace as both providing extra heat and as the focal point of the room. New technology and environmentally friendly design has brought contemporary updates that are sleek, fashionable and playful.


 Finishing – Fireplace finishes have changed. New products such as the Cool Wall Series open a wide variety of design options by allowing a cool surface as a backdrop for finishes.


 Wood – Wood burning fireplaces are back in style. Decorative spaces for wood storage are adding architectural interest.


 Larger Openings – One of the leadin...


Oct
08

4 affordable fall diy updates



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4 Affordable Fall DIY Updates You Can Try This Weekend


Fall weather is finally here and this is a great time to tackle some home projects before the holiday rush starts. Creating a fresh, modern look to your home can be done with a few simple weekend projects. Here are the 4 best DIY projects you can try this fall to spruce up the look of your home.


1. Create a Grand Entrance–Your front door is the first thing your guests see when they come by. This weekend, give your entrance a fresh look. Add a pop of color to your front door or porch with contemporary paint colors; sage, muted yellows and navy blues are trendy colors this year.


2. Replace Interior Doors– Pre-hung interior doors...


Oct
01

4 reasons to sell this fall



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4 Reasons to Sell this Fall


Traditional lore says that the best time to list your home for sale is spring and if it hasn’t sold by the end of summer, you’re out of luck. Along the same lines, homeowners across the country are often advised not to list in the fall and wait until after the holidays to list. The truth is that a great home will sell at any time of year and in fact there are some very good reasons to list in the fall, while everyone else is busy doing other activities.


1. Less Competition–As mentioned above, most sellers listinspringsoasa seller, fall provides you less competition which increases the opportunity for buyers to view your home.


2. Serious Buyers&ndas...


Sep
22

tips for buying a home in the fall



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Tips for Buying a House in the Fall


Surprisingly, fall is a great time to buy a home. There are still homes on the market which did not sell during the summer months, some at deep discounts. There are also homes newly listed by sellers trying to beat the slower winter months. At the same time, there are fewer buyers out searching, which makes it the perfect time to buy a home.


• Fall home buyers should be ready to move when they find the right home and at the right price. Get prequalified so that you can jump at the right opportunity.


• Notice the imperfections. With windy or rainy weather, homes can show their scars. Look for evidence of water intrusion and evaluate the yard debris...


Sep
17

home staging costs



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The Cost of Home Staging


Have you wondered if you should consider professional staging for your home before you list it for sale? Most of us have wandered into new home developments and enjoyed the ambiance of a perfectly styled model home. Of course we would all like our homes to give that same impression to potential home buyers, but what would that cost? Understanding the options available to you for staging can help you decide what, if any, professional staging makes sense for you and your budget.


What is Staging?


First it’s important to understand what professional staging includes. The best answer is, “it depends”! Staging can be as simple as a consultation or as invol...


Sep
10

what does "move-in ready" really mean?



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What Does “Move-in Ready” Really Mean?


If you’ve been searching for a new home no doubt you’ve seen the term, “move- in ready.” This description sounds very appealing, but understanding what it actually means is important so you have the right expectations when arranging your home listing tour.


First it’s important to remember that the descriptions in real estate listings are written by the listing agent or broker. There is no set industry standard for what agents can say in their listings. While there are guidelines and rules which prevent blatant lying, most home buyers have become aware of the fluffy language used to market a home for sale.


The mea...


Sep
03

must do's before listing your house


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3 Must-Do's Before Listing Your House for Sale


1. Before you list your home for sale, it’s time to do a little work around the house – to prepare and make sure your home is seen in the best possible light. These “must-do” items are about showing your home to buyers as one which is cared for and ready for them to add their own brand of home to the space. Taking a little time up front can mean thousands of dollars as buyers start writing their offers.


2. Declutter, Depersonalize and Clean – This is the time to take spring cleaning seriously, in any season. Clear out all unnecessary items from the home; closets, drawers, extra clothes, old unwanted furniture. Donate...


Aug
27

most popular community amenities


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Most Popular Community Amenities


Crafting the perfect lifestyle is about more than just the size of the kitchen or the space in the backyard. The community in which the home is located is almost as important to quality of life as the home itself. As more and more properties are developed in master planned communities, the home buyer is accustomed to considering neighborhood amenities as part of the package. Here are the most popular amenities.


 Parks and Green Space – Topping the list of desired amenities is green space. Studies show that as home buyers seek smaller square footage, they also are seeking outdoor space from the neighborhood.


 Trail Systems – Along the same lines a...


Aug
20

home buying lingo you should know


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Say What? Home-Buying Lingo You Should Know


If you are a first-time homebuyer or even a repeat buyer, you quickly realize that real estate has a language all its own. Understanding some of the lingo can help you navigate the process a little easier. By learning a few critical terms, you will be in a better position to ask the right questions and make the best decisions.


• Buyer’s Market – A real estate climate where the number of listings outnumbers qualified buyers.


• Seller’s Market – A real estate climate when there are very few desirable properties listed for sale.


• Contingencies – Specific conditions included in an offer to protect the buyer a...