Real Estate Information Archive

• - 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.   

• - 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! 

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 

• - The listing photos and layout have you wanting to see it in person as soon as possible! When the photos appeal to you in some way and the layout is to your liking, it is hard not to send your agent a “Put this house at the top of my must-see list” text!  
   

• - At the showing, you feel at home when you get out of your car and walk in the door. You know when you feel welcome in a house when you go inside, much like when you visit someone’s home for the first time.  
   

• - As you go from room to room, you can see your belongings in each, and know exactly how you would arrange them.  The outside matters as well, and envisioning your kids playing in the back garden, or wanting to refurbish the flowerbeds are sure signs of the house being the right one. 
   

• - Your house-hunting day has ended, and that one property seems to be calling your name, but minor things (like having to remove wallpaper or carpet) have you questioning if that is the house for you. When you are truly smitten, being concerned about a few flaws and having to put in some work once you move in could cost you the perfect home. 
   

• - When the showing is over, and you pause on the outside of the door and have no desire to look at any other houses, it is time to talk to your agent about making an offer. 
  
  - Does the house fit your needs? All the warm fuzzies do not count unless the house has the right amount of space, is in a great community, and, most importantly, within your budget. 

• Begin by looking at your flat spaces.  While they may be clean of dirt, if you see even one pile of “uncategorized” papers, toys, or gadgets, it is still messy.  Every place that has a pile needs a container to hold those things, and once it is full, clean it out. Do not leave things inside that can be seen over the top edge.  
   

• A much-used entryway can get chaotic, even with hangers and bins for everything. Store off-season items in a closet, or in case of outdoor toys and sports, in the garage.   
   

• Any neat home can feel busy and cluttered because of the decor.  Hanging lighter curtains instead of heavy drapery, clearing knick-knacks, and using one or two pieces of hanging art as a focal point calms the space. 
   

• Anywhere there is technology, there are cords. While rolling them up and using a bread tie may help a bit, that may not be enough. Use cord covers or sleeves in the same or similar color as your wall paint to hide the techy mess.  A hanging table cord pocket works well, too, and can be purchased online or DIY with an accordion file holder. 
   

• Do you have open shelving in your kitchen? Shelves without doors can certainly get cluttered, so if you do not care for a messy-looking kitchen, have one open shelf for a bit of style, and use doors for the rest. 
   

• Refrigerators can get cluttered since they are used for reminder boards as well as storage on the top.  Post paper items on one side, toss what is not needed, and clear the top of all but one large basket that can conceal what you need to stash there. 
   

• You can love using pillows and throw blankets, but too many strewn on your living room furniture will give an unkempt appearance.  Keep your favorites out and store the rest in an ottoman or bench with storage space for easy access. 
   

• Toys can accumulate all over the house, in toy boxes, storage containers, and baskets.  Instead of allowing them to take over, keep them organized in small storage containers or cubbies.  Better yet, store half of them elsewhere, and every few months switch them out with those in the house.  

• Pest damage and/or infestation is important to check for, as there are health and structural issues with either situation.  You could be completely unaware that critters are living in your home, so have an extermination service do a thorough inspection and take care of any extra guests you may have stowing away. 
   

• Check for leaks turning on each faucet and watching closely under the sink for drips. Inspectors do not like dripping faucets, either.  Do not forget to test each toilet for running water, and clear any clogged or slow drains. 
   

• Be on the lookout in tight dark spaces for mold or mildew, especially the attic space and on the underside of the roof. 
   

• Outside, look at your roof carefully, taking note of missing shingles or sagging areas.
   

• Call your HVAC to set up a service call to make certain everything is running properly, as any issues will be flagged by an inspector. 
   

• Make sure working bulbs are installed in every light fixture.  Inspectors need to make sure the electricity is working and blown light bulbs can throw that off. 
   

• Repair cracks in windowsills, as leaky windows do not normally get high points during an inspection. 
   

• If there are any cracks on walls, inside or outside, or in your foundation, have them checked out by a foundation expert, and if necessary, taken care of as soon as possible.   

• - Think of your visits to a storage facility like an interview! Ask to see the available unit, check for holes or other damage, and look (and smell!) for signs of mildew. 
   

• - Go over each site’s payment plan closely, as some facilities have strict payment rules and can auction your unit if your payment is just one day late. 
   

• - Some items need to be in a climate-controlled area but be prepared to pay a higher rental fee.  Items that will most benefit from this type of storage facility include electronics, furniture, and collectibles. Find a more comprehensive list from moving.com.  
   

• - Hold off on signing a contract until speaking with your homeowner’s insurance agent. It could be that your belongings will be covered under certain circumstances.  Some storage companies will offer insurance for an added fee, so make certain of their policy before you sign. 
   

• - Even if the items are insured, a storage unit company that offers secure fencing, good lighting, security cameras, and a fire alarm and sprinkler system is still your better choice. 
   

• - Remodeling or painting? A portable rental unit may be your best bet, as many companies will deliver a container that can be kept in your driveway. If you are moving, the unit can be packed, stored off-site, then shipped to your new home. 

• - Coffee containers 

• - Milk jugs 

• - Laundry detergent/bleach jugs 

• - Disinfectant or baby wipe containers 

• - Soft drink bottles 

• - Cat litter jugs 

• - Root vegetables like carrots, onions, beets 

• - Most herbs:  basil, parsley, sage, dill, rosemary, chives 

• - Tomatoes can be grown inside, but that job is best for Winter, as a sunny window can get too hot inside. 

• - Houseplants do not have to be only green in color! Add a burst of color to your interior with African violets, begonias, kalanchoe, jasmine, and geraniums. 

• - Leafy veggies like lettuce, celery, or bok choy will sprout new plants from the base. Placed cut-side up in a dish with about ½” of water in a sunny window will soon produce new leaves, and eventually, a full-grown plant ready for the table! 

• - Try the other side of root vegetables, the greens, by placing the cut-off top of a beet, turnip, or other root vegetable into a dish of water. Leaves can be sautéed or used in a salad. 

• - Many have seen how to grow a pineapple plant from scraps, but other fruits may need more care and patience.   

• - Seeds from peppers will produce plants, just be sure to use seeds from the red fruit; the green peppers, though delicious, are not ripe, and neither is the seeds inside. 

• - Planting seed from fruits like apples and even citruses can be fun to watch grow into a small tree, but all take years before producing any yield. Avocado trees, for instance, can take up to thirteen years before producing. 

• - Have an empty box or laundry basket handy and take everything on the handing rod off so that you must look at everything as you’re cleaning. 

• - If it hasn’t been worn in six months, doesn’t fit, or you simply don’t like it anymore, get rid of it.  

• - Try on anything that you’re not sure about. If you still love it, and it fits, keep it. Otherwise, send it to the declutter box. 

• - Business attire can be donated to charities that assist those on limited incomes with their wardrobe for job-hunting.  Women's clothing can be donated through dressforsuccess.org, and men’s clothing is accepted through careergear.org. Be sure to check with any organizations for their policies for donations. 

• - Once you’ve gone through everything, re-hang your items by color or season so you won’t be spending a lot of time hunting them down. 

• - Same as with clothing, get rid of any shoes or accessories you haven’t worn in a long time, no matter the reason.  

• - Organizing shoes can be a pain with or without their original boxes. Purchase clear plastic shoe boxes in bulk at a discount store and use them to store lesser-worn shoes. 

• - Place hangers on the back of the closet door or other little-used space, and hang hats, ties, scarves or even jewelry.  Keep your most-used items at eye-level. 

• - Storing sweaters on a hanger isn’t the best thing for the sweater--they’ll end up misshapen. Fold them and place them in a plastic storage container lined with fabric softener sheets or sachets. A hanging shoe organizer would be another great way to keep them in shape--just roll them up and put them in the pockets. 

• - Add a second rod to your hanging space, which can be a DIY for one day, or purchase a kit that makes this one a cinch to add more storage. 

• - For closets with limited space, use wall-mount towel rods and shower curtain hangers to hang handbags or other odds and ends. 

• - Use laundry baskets for storing odd items on the top shelf.