Real Estate Information

Rake the last of the fallen leaves and other debris so your lawn can absorb as much sun as possible to look its best. Place debris in the compost pile. 
 

After or during extremely cold temperatures, be sure to check the irrigation system for any cracks. 
 

Seed catalogs are filling your mailbox, so take the time to browse through them and decide what you will be planting for spring.  Start them inside to lengthen your growing season outdoors. 
 

While you wait for the seeds to be delivered, have your garden soil tested by your local extension office, and add another layer of compost (or the raked-up leaves). 
 

Prune dead wood and suckers out of flowering trees and shrubbery.  Plants that bloom in spring or bloom off old wood, however, should not be cut back until after flowering. For instance, azaleas have already formed their flower buds for the coming spring. Cutting a healthy plant now means no spring color from your shrubs. 
 

If you are pruning fruit trees, spray with neem oil to help prevent any pests that have overwintered and can destroy your Summer harvest. 
 

Do not forget your mower and other power tools! If they were not stored properly, you may have problems getting them started.  Home Depot offers some tips for getting your lawnmower ready for the busy season. 
 

Keep bird feeders clean and full, because winter fruit is fading, and their favorite insects have not ventured out yet.   

A safe environment is as important for a pet as it is for children and having a fenced-in area will usually keep your pet contained, and others on the other side. A pathway made of gravel, cement, or other material that is not plant-based will help knock off any debris that catches on paws and fur before pets go inside. 
 

Consider the plants in your landscaping, and make sure you have nothing that can make your pet ill if they ingest it.  The SPCA offers this great list of poisonous-to-animals plants to help you decide what does not need to be in your landscaping. 
 

When house-training, encourage your pet to use a specific area of the yard for easy clean-up, as well as keeping unwanted odors away from the house.   
 

Purchase an ID tag for your pet’s collar, with your name and contact information just in case they do get out and about.  Having your pet microchipped is like a two-step identification for them in case they lose their collar. 
 

Make sure window screens are secure when you open them in case Kitty wants to enjoy a nap there.  Investing in a window perch or creating a “catio” would be ideal for indoor cats to enjoy the outdoors safely. 

Keeping pets brushed and their bedding changed and/or washed regularly is essential in keeping you from doing a lot of extra cleaning and floor repairs.  A hard surfaced, scratch-resistant floor is perfect for homes with pets. Area rugs need to be secure and washable.  
 

Be sure your trash container has a child-proof lid if it cannot be placed in a pantry or cabinet. Not only do you not want the mess, but Fluffy or Fido could eat something harmful. 
 

Crate-training is best for dogs, but most animals need a space of their own.  Provide a comfy pet bed, toys and food and water in a quiet area of the house. Your cat’s litter box should be kept away from their food in a quiet place. Having one more box than you have cats is optimal for them as well. 
 

Are you considering a bird, hermit crab, or other small pet? They require their own habitat, and some have specialized needs: safety from larger pets, child-proof habitat covers, and a room with certain temperature and humidity settings. 
 

Check with your local municipality to see if you need permits for exotic pets. 

When you purchase a home in an HOA, an organization that creates and enforces rules in a subdivision or condominium, by default you are a member of that HOA and must pay fees and follow their bylaws.  
 

HOAs have rules and bylaws in place to protect property values, as well as to maintain a certain quality of life for the homeowners.  
 

Do not think about living in an organized community as a place that keeps homeowners from expressing themselves in their landscaping or house’s exterior.  It is more about protecting your investment because of the home-maintenance regulations. You will appreciate this if you ever decide to sell the home. 
 

While searching for houses online, read the listing information carefully, and if the property is in an HOA, you will find the association’s name as well as the neighborhood’s fees. HOA fees can be high, but in comparison with what amenities they offer, it could save you money in the end. 
 

Performing an internet search for the specific name of a community should result in finding their website, complete with photos of homes and amenities.  Some HOAs offer a readable file with more specific information, such as the community bylaws, covenants, restrictions, and fees.  
 

Not all HOAs are the same:  amenities vary from community beautification, playground, swimming pool, or tennis courts to a neighborhood walking path or gym. 
 

Some associations provide security, trash pick-up, pest control, as well as street sweeping and snow removal.  
 

Choosing to live in a condominium community may be more to your liking: the HOA usually handles all landscape maintenance, as well as exterior home maintenance.  You are responsible only for the interior of your home.  
 

The organization’s board members live in the neighborhood, so they are aware of needs specific to the area and can better handle solutions to any problems. 

- While your new house has had a thorough inspection, you may want to go through that list and begin planning for items the inspector may have noted would need repair soon. Get estimates for the fixes and begin saving now. 
 

- Assuming the former owner kept everything in tip-top shape and not performing your own monthly or seasonal inspection is never a good idea. Print this handy checklist, and use it for DIY inspection and maintenance so you stay a few steps ahead of a major repair need. 
 

- Beginning any major work as soon as the moving truck leaves the driveway may be too soon!  Live in the home for a while and learn its quirks and possible trouble spots before drawing plans and hiring a contractor.  Finding an unforeseen issue with the house after work has begun can cause more financial burden. 
 

- Renovation television shows make DIY tempting, to say the least.  If you have no experience in a major remodel, leave it to the pros.  Paying the right person to do the job could save you thousands in “mistake” money. 
 

- A total overhaul of your decor as soon as you move in can put a dent in your wallet. Personalizing your home is best done room-by-room or whatever is easiest on your budget. Living space furniture with new slipcovers, new stylish pillows, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls should satisfy anyone who is itching to make their home “theirs.” 
 

- Probably the furthest thing from new homeowners’ minds is their future tax returns, but not keeping receipts and all other financial forms related to your home purchase could hurt come tax time. Consider hiring an accountant or tax preparer when the time comes. 

- In 2017, the IRS made changes to this deduction, reducing the mortgage limit. If your mortgage was taken out before December 2017 and is $1 million or less, this deduction applies to your situation as well. 

- Having a home equity line of credit (HELOC) that meets the above standards will receive the interest tax credit as well. 

- In case a homeowner has two mortgages that are each less than the $750,000 limit, but the total of those mortgages exceeds the limit, not all interest is deductible.  Learn more from the IRS Newsroom. 

- According to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, this benefit will stand through 2026! 
 

When the home was purchased, were mortgage points used as part of the loan transaction? This may qualify for a tax credit. Use this handy worksheet from the IRS to determine eligibility. 
 

Many have used their homes for office space this past year, but not everyone qualifies for a home office tax credit.  Those who are independent contractors or self-employed are the only taxpayers allowed this credit. 
 

Your lender is required to include property taxes paid on the 1098 form they send at tax time.  Property taxes paid up to $10,000 are eligible for a tax deduction. 
 

If you are paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), the law to receive a tax credit for this has been reinstated as well as being retroactive. House Logic has more information about the changes and benefits. 
 

Living in a federally declared disaster area can also get tax boons for homeowners.  Find more information about the natural disaster relief from TurboTax. 

First things first, change all locks on the house, including the garage door and any outbuildings. 

Painting interior walls would be finished sooner if done before getting boxes and furniture in the house. 
 

Most sellers are required to leave the house and property clean as a whistle, but doing a deep clean on your own or hiring a pro to do the job will make you feel better, knowing it was done.  Have hard surfaces steam-cleaned to ensure that as much dirt, grease, and germs have been blasted away.  
 

Any flooring projects you would like done would go more smoothly if completed before living there.   
 

Have a look at electrical outlets in each room and add or move them as needed. Consider upgrading outlets to include USB plugs as well, making it more convenient to charge your gadgets. 
 

Call an HVAC repair person and have the AC unit thoroughly cleaned and ask if they offer a service plan so that you do not have to schedule this twice per year. 
 

If getting new toilets is not possible, at least purchase and install new seats.  In case the bolts are stubborn, The Family Handyman offers some help in getting the old seat off. 
 

The security system should be up and running before moving, so check any existing installations and decide to upgrade or not. Get the internet connection established so you can test everything so it will be ready when you bring your belongings. 

Built-Ins  Unless there is serious damage to the pieces, leave the built-in shelving or window seating. Most built-ins are there to function in some way, and you will likely appreciate and use them once they have been restored. 
 

Molding and Doors Whether plaster or wooden, crown and window molding, ceiling beams, and baseboards should be revived in whatever way necessary to bring them to their former glory. Solid core doors are another item to keep and restore. 
 

Plaster Crumbling plaster looks awful and may be expensive to repair.  The folks at The Craftsman Blog point out the benefits of leaving and mending the plaster over installing new drywall. 
 

Original Windows  While energy-efficient windows are encouraged to most home remodelers, there are ways to save old wooden windows in a house and still save energy. Old House Online says getting an energy audit, insulating your attic, and weatherstripping, among other things, will make the old windows rival replacements. 
 

Fireplaces  Sometimes, homeowners rip out newer wall coverings and find a gleaming old fireplace hiding behind it. If you’re not interested in using it, have a professional close it in safely, and use it as a feature in the room. Otherwise, the same pro can likely bring the chimney up to code so the fireplace can be useful. 
 

Floors  Almost every old home has hardwood floors hiding beneath carpet, tile, or linoleum, and sometimes all three at once! They may look awful when peeling back the layers, but this type of old-growth wood cannot be found anywhere in modern times, and restoring them will be the best thing you can do for them.  

- Being pre-approved before you start house hunting is best, and a buyer agent will recommend a lender that will help you begin.  Once you have a mortgage amount, you will know how much home you can afford. 

- Realtors® have thousands of property listings at their fingertips! Once you let them know what you are looking for, they comb through those listings and find homes that fit your needs and wants. 

- Do you have any idea how to do the research for writing a successful offer on a house or negotiate counter offers you might receive? Your buyer agent certainly does and can save a lot of stress on your part, especially in the case of a bidding battle.   

- Your agent will schedule and attend an inspection of the house and will help handle negotiations with the seller to have the necessary repairs performed, have the seller reduce the sale price, or make concessions at closing. 

- As exciting as the closing is, it can cause some anxiety, but your Realtor® will have prepared you for what is to come and make sure all of your necessary paperwork and other applicable things are ready. 

- A listing agent will spend a good deal of time making sure your home is priced comparably to homes in your area by analyzing recent sales of similar homes.  Setting either too high or low can deter potential buyers. 

- Not only does the agent prepare and post the property on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), they will create a page on their website specifically for your listing, video or 3D tours, and market your home to reach as many house hunters as possible. 

- Your Realtor® will work diligently to get the best price for your home. Many agents will even go so far as to attend the appraisal and the inspection, warding off any misunderstandings about the findings in each. 

- During any repair requests, your agent will be able to discern what is your responsibility, and what is an unnecessary request by the buyer.  Knowing the difference could save the seller thousands of dollars. 

- While your house is on the market, you need to know everything that happens behind the scenes, and a reputable agent will stay connected to you, whether it be by phone or in person. Communication is vital to your home’s sale.  

- pizza, veggie burgers, coffee shop, or other places to eat 

- nearest parks and recreational areas; include neighborhood sports organizations for children 

- lawnmower or auto repair, neighborhood teen that mows grass, local handyman, tree service 

- HVAC repair, plumber, electrician, pool care
- banks, dry cleaners, salon, and barbershop  

- electricity, cable, satellite, internet, phone providers, heating fuel 

- sanitation pick up, local municipality office, water/sewage, emergency management, health department 

- additions, renovations, foundation repair, painting, floor work, roof repairs, snaked/cleared drains 

- plumbing, electric, septic/sewer, water pump, well water testing, ductwork repair/cleaning, added insulation, HVAC service 

- Cleaned gutters, window/door repair/replacement, tree work, lawn care, garage door opener  

- Electric, water, phone/internet, cable/satellite, landscaping/pool care, waste removal/recycling, heating fuel 

MLS#:  This is the identifying number for the property in the Multiple Listing Service. The top section of the listing will normally feature the address, market status, list date, price, and directions.to the property. 

- Status Shorthand:  ACTV: Active, BOMK:  Back on the market, CLSD: Closed, NEW: New listing, PCHG:  Price change, PEND: Sale pending, no contingencies, RACT: Reactivated, TEMP or WDN: Temporarily withdrawn 

- CTG: Contingent upon one of the following: 

A/I: Attorney Approval/Home Inspection, FIN: Financing, HCnn: Buyer's Home Sale Closing, or HSnn: Buyer's Unsold Home 
 

Separate sections share more specific details, such as the home’s square footage, construction date, neighborhood/area, type of zoning, and the number of rooms. Other important details continue with interior and exterior information, types of flooring, as well as appliances included with the sale, type of climate control systems, lot size, and other features/amenities. 
 

Remarks:  Here you will read the public description of the property, as well as any extra features the home may have.  
 

Say you have already searched and saved a few of your favorites, and suddenly there is a new status code! These codes may be UAG: under sales agreement, CAN: canceled, or EXP: expired.
 

If one of your favorites has been canceled or expired, contact your buyer agent to help you find out if the property is re-listed with someone else.