Real Estate Information

Use what you have first. If you are already anticipating the move, hold on to any packaging your deliveries have come in. Stack them out of sight if your house is still on the market, or go ahead and pack non-necessities in them and hide them under the bed or storage area. 
 

Other items you have on hand to use: suitcases, duffel bags, trash cans, and reusable grocery bags can all be utilized to cut back on cardboard boxes. 
 

Produce boxes make great moving containers! They are very sturdy and some come with lids so you will not have to use so much tape to close them. Ask for them at local grocery stores and produce stands. 
 

Towels, sheets, and pillows can be used in place of packing material, and towels and sheets can be used for wrapping fragile items as well. Using them is a double win because you will have one less thing to pack! 
 

If it is within the budget, consider using an eco-friendly moving company. 
 

Already contracted with a mover? Ask them about any green options they have in place for your move. 
 

It only takes a quick search online to find a company that rents clean and ready-to-pack storage containers. Many of them will deliver them to your door, then pick them up at the new house when the containers are empty! 
 

Another option is ordering a moving kit or just the boxes from UsedCardboardBoxes. The company “rescues” misprinted or in-almost-perfect-condition used cardboard boxes that are headed for a landfill, and ships them directly to you. 

For the wheelchair-bound person or one who needs to use a walker, add an accessibility ramp to their most-used entry.  Contractors who specialize in ADA-compliant improvements can assist with design and added features.  
 

Outdoor lighting is essential for everyone’s safety, but there are many options for adding low-voltage lights to posts along ramps and atop porch rails, as well as pathway lighting along walkways. 
 

Wherever there are steps, handrails are a must, as well as anti-skid treads to minimize slipping. 

Change all doorknobs to lever-type handles for ease of opening for those with arthritis or other motor skill issues. 
 

Widening doorways is something that may be necessary if wheelchair use is a possibility in the future. Enlarging them to 36” is the general width for ease of use. 
 

The type of flooring in the home can impact whether it’s a fall risk for someone who has trouble getting around.  Low-pile carpeting or secure low-pile area rugs with double-sided carpet tape or non-slip rug padding is best. 
 

A walk-in or wheelchair-accessible shower with a “curbless” entry is a safe choice when remodeling a bathroom. A built-in shower seat and adjustable showerhead are other useful items that can be added to make bathing safer. 
 

If a total bathroom remodel is not affordable, simply installing grab-bars to the shower, bath, and toilet area walls will offer security for moving around in the bathroom. 
 

Changing faucets in the kitchen and bath to a single lever handle or installing motion-sensor or touch-activated units are perfect for ease of use. 
 

Electrical issues to consider:  light switches that can be pressed for turning off and on, electrical outlets placed higher than the standard height and adding more interior lighting. 

Does my credit need to be perfect?  Not necessarily, but the higher your credit score, the better the loan’s interest rate will be. Lower credit scores could cost thousands over time in higher interest rates. FICO has some tips for improving your credit score. 
 

I am not sure how much house I can afford.  Lenders will look at your debt-to-income ratio when deciding to grant a home loan.  Get an idea for yourself by using this handy DTI calculator. 
 

How much money do I need for a down payment?  That depends! Most lenders require 5-20% for a down payment. USDA and FHA offer no- or low-down-payment home loans. Veterans and servicemembers have the benefit of applying for a no-down-payment VA Home Loan through the Veterans Administration as well. 
 

What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and will I have to pay? For most lenders, PMI is a requirement for homebuyers that do not pay a 20% down payment. The cost is normally included in the mortgage payment. 
 

I am pre-approved for a mortgage. Can I make an offer on a house that I love?  Sellers will likely reject an offer that has no lender back-up. Return to the bank and go through the pre-qualification process so you will know just how much you will have to offer on a property. 
 

Are there any tax advantages to owning a home?  While there are many costs associated with homeownership that renters do not have, there are tax credits for some of the taxes you pay, as well as for those who use points to get a lower interest rate. And with rent prices rising, your monthly mortgage payment could be lower than rent! 
 

How long does the whole process take?  A smooth home-buying transaction takes approximately 30-45 days. The time varies as there are so many aspects to the process, and once in a while, there are hurdles to get through.   
 

Who pays closing costs--the seller or the buyer?  In most cases, the buyer pays the closing costs, an expense that can run 3-6% of the cost of the home.  In some instances, however, the seller will offer to help with these costs as an incentive to buy the home. 

Grass clippings from your lawn can be used to mulch and enrich the soil.  According to Mother Earth News, a mulch of 1”-2” of cut grass can feed your garden for the season.   
 

Natural fertilizer can be found in worm castings, and vermicomposting is one project the whole family can get involved in!  Learn how to create worm beds from gardeningknowhow.com. 
 

Proper mulching is the best natural defense against weeds. Some plants are persistent, so the gardener needs to be persistent about keeping them in check!  Pull the plant by hand, (complete with roots), or use a hoe to get them out of the ground. 
 

While water is probably the most important ingredient for a productive garden, timing is important for keeping diseases and pests at bay.  Watering your plants in the evenings can cause fungi and mildew to grow, and neither is easy to get rid of once they set in. 
 

Learn how to identify beneficial and detrimental insects.  While they may strike fear when we see them, many stinging insects are taking care of the bad ones that are eating up our vegetables.  The Sod God offers some excellent information as well as infographics to help you distinguish between the good and the bad. 
 

Fragrant plants attract beneficial insects; plants like marigold, sweet alyssum, cilantro, yarrow, and fennel are just a few you can companion grow near your veggies to bring the good bugs to your garden. 
 

Row covers are a great and chemical-free way to keep not only insects away, but veggie-loving birds as well.  If they cover your plants completely as they grow, they will provide a barrier between your plants and the bad guys. 
 

If your plants are being taken over by soft-bodied insects like aphids and whiteflies, make your own insecticidal soap--just follow these easy instructions from Horticulture magazine. 

When you start your house hunt, be certain you are pre-approved for a mortgage. This will show any seller that you can buy their property. A pre-qualification is not enough. 
 

Before you even put in your offer, make sure there is some wiggle room in the amount. Offering the maximum that you are approved for can take you out of the contest during the first round. 
 

If you can offer cash for the purchase or a better-than-average earnest money deposit, sellers are more likely to add you to their “possibilities” list. Cash talks, no matter the amount of your purchase offer. 
 

Some potential buyers ask an agent to add an escalation clause to the contract.  The downside to this is leaving your negotiations on a purchase price laid bare for the seller to see. It may be best to make sure your Realtor® is ready with counteroffers in case your original is rejected. 
 

Being competitive means laying aside some contingencies.  For instance, a well-maintained home may have fewer issues in the inspection, so waiving the home inspection contingency could be enticing to the seller. This can be risky, however, if the house has not been updated in a long time, so make this decision wisely. 
 

If you absolutely love the home, talk to your agent about allowing your offer to be a back-up.  Keep an eye on the sale just in case it does not go through. Remember that most sales do go through, but there is always hope! 
 

Finally, it may simply be best to take the loss and walk away. In a sellers’ market, it may be best to let go of some of the items on your “want” list, as well as look at houses that are under budget.  

- Animals are better at finding escape routes than we are, so make sure those places are sealed to keep them from roaming the neighborhood.  Examine all fencing to make sure there are no gaps and that all materials are secure. 
 

- Our gardens and landscaping offer beauty and food, and animals like to eat plants as well.  Check these lists from the ASPCA for plants that are not good for cats or dogs, and make sure you keep your pets from ingesting them. 
 

- Landscaping and swimming pool chemicals should be kept out of our pets’ way.  Some products have a scent that is enticing to animals, and they would not hesitate to give them a try. 
  

- Sometimes when we leave home for a bit, it is necessary to leave the dog outside.  Make sure they have adequate shelter to keep them cool and plenty of fresh water. 
 

- Protecting wildlife and our feline friends go hand-in-hand.  Because cats are natural hunters, being outside and unsupervised can be lethal for songbirds, or the cat may find a snake resting under a shrub.  Allow your cat to enjoy the outdoors and stay safe at the same time by building or purchasing a catio. 
 

- When an active pet owner takes their dog with them on a run, keeping them from getting too hot is easy when they take a collapsible water bowl or doggy water bottle with them. 
 

- Some dogs enjoy boating as much as their owners, and they need their own life jackets and an overboard plan. There are other things to consider when taking them with us on the water, but sometimes it is best to simply leave them at home or with a sitter. 
 

- Is there a pet-friendly beach nearby?  Check out these great tips for taking your dog to the beach.  Heat, waves, and hot sand can all play a role in just how much fun everyone will have--or not. 
 

- Always use a pet safety harness or a secured crate when traveling and be certain your pet is allowed to stay on any overnight trips. 

Rent-to-own agreements can also be called lease-to-own, lease-with-option-to-purchase, or simply a lease option. Lease-purchase agreements require the tenant to buy the property, and this can cause major financial issues if the tenant cannot follow through on the purchase, no matter the reason.  
 

Decide on a final purchase price at the end of the option period, or agree upon an appraisal contingency. Depending on the fluctuation of the housing market, however, this could benefit the buyer if market value goes down, but could benefit the seller if values increase.  
 

It may be a good idea to have a home inspection performed before getting into this situation. In the case that the inspection raises concerns, repair costs can be worked out between the tenant and the owner. 
 

A portion of the above-market rent will go towards the purchase of the house, most commonly in the form of a down payment.   
 

Some tenants agree to pay HOA fees (if applicable), property taxes, insurance and take care of the cost of necessary repairs. 
 

In most situations, the tenant can purchase the property at any time during the option period, but once that time is up, the option expires and the owner can sell the property to someone else.
 

One very important thing to remember is that there is still a lease involved. If you fall behind on the payments, the landlord can have you evicted. Besides eviction, the option fee and extra rent paid will be lost. 
 

Sometimes a seller offers to finance the purchase altogether, and that situation will require a completely different set of agreements. Again, owner-financed sale contracts should be handled with a real estate attorney. 
 

The typical amount of time before a showing is 24 hours, so take advantage of that time to make certain everything is spotless and neat. Cleaning and keeping the house clutter-free should be part of your daily routine, so a quick-clean should not take long. 
 

Making your house smell great can easily be overdone.  Appeal to the masses with light citrus or herbal scents. The more natural, the better. 
 

All valuables should be in a secure location:  lockbox, safe, or locked file cabinet.  Include personal mail, medications, and anything else you do not want prying eyes to see.  Some potential buyers look at everything, and you do not want your privacy compromised. 
 

Spot sweep obvious dirt on hard floor surfaces, and quick-vacuum carpeted rooms, working from the farthest point of the room to the door, and do not walk on the carpet after you have finished. 

Make sure the temperature in the house is comfortable.  Your family may like a cool home, but 70° is perfect for most people. 
 

If you are leaving just before the showing, turn lights on in each room, and open the blinds.  This not only keeps your agent from having to do it, but it shows the buyers each space in its best light. 

Will you be at work when the showing is scheduled? Go over everything the night before and plan on taking twenty to thirty minutes the next morning to make sure everything is perfect before you walk out the door. 

Window film comes in three types: decorative, privacy, and solar. 

- Decorative films are just that--for aesthetics. They are not necessarily energy efficient. 

- Film in the privacy/security category is made of a thicker material than decorative, and its purpose is to keep prying eyes out of your home, as well as help keep glass together in case of breakage. 

- Solar film is made in different ways, but the sole reason homeowners have it installed is to reflect or absorb UV rays. Some more costly films will work both ways--reflecting and absorbing UV rays--so your home and energy bills benefit from the changing temperature needs of your home. 
 

Other varieties include removable/reusable film, semi-permanent, and permanent. Your window’s film/tint depends on the type of window and needs you may have. Learn more with a free e-book from the International Window Film Association. 
 

Many electric companies offer a rebate when a homeowner installs energy-saving window film. There is also a federal tax credit for making your home more energy efficient! 
 

Added benefits to using window film in your home’s windows are protecting furniture, carpets, draperies, and even wood flooring from the damaging long-term effects of UV exposure. 

In case you have newly installed windows, check your paperwork, or call the manufacturer, as adding window film to the glass can void the warranty. 
 

Window film is available at home stores and online, and there are many DIY instructions online, so it can be done yourself. Application does require some patience; if done in a hurry, you can leave unsightly bubbles throughout the film or uneven trim around the window glass. When hiring a pro for this job, you may receive added protection from some film manufacturers with an offer of a lifetime warranty on their product when it is professionally installed. 
 

When purchasing the type of film, you want to apply to your windows, make certain the product is certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council.   

Supply list:  outdoor extension cords, outdoor power strip, projector, movie source, speakers, screen, flat surface for the projector, seating, tables (optional items) outdoor lighting, insect repellent, and snacks. 
 

For as little as $100, you can purchase an outdoor projector.  Not in the budget? Check out a projector from your local library or find a local rental store that carries them. Make sure you have the correct cables and cord to connect to your movie source. 
 

While a Blu-ray player is the easiest player for your outdoor cinema, your smartphone or a tablet will work just fine. Check the Wi-Fi signal to make certain there will not be a lot of buffering during play. If the signal is not strong, use a Wi-Fi booster or download the movie to your device before showtime.  A Bluetooth speaker is an inexpensive option if the projector does not have them built in. 
 

Your screen should be secured to a wall or fencing, or build a frame from which to hang a sheet, tablecloth, or painter’s drop cloth.  Whatever method you choose, be sure your screen is smooth and braced against winds that may breeze up. 
 

Seating is important, and while some will be comfortable with a cushion or floor pillow while reclining on an old blanket, you will need chairs, and maybe even a few tables. Just make sure that items you use can get damp and/or dirty from being on the ground. 
 

Unless you ask others to bring their refreshments, ready-made snacks and drinks will be the most convenient and will keep you from being stuck at a table serving concessions. Have a “buffet” of pre-packaged goodies in baskets or on serving trays with drinks on ice. 
 

Consider showing your movie out front where neighbors can sit in family groups around the front yard or even on the sidewalk.  
 

Remember to keep an eye on the weather for a few days in advance so you do not risk ruining equipment with rain.