Category Archives: Tips

9 Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector

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home-inspection

The following post comes from Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty, Inc. agent, Kim Knapp. Kim is an experienced agent in Northern Florida and has a great team who has worked with countless first-time home buyers. Below is Kim’s list of questions you should ask your home inspector before agreeing to use them.

Before you make your final buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective home inspectors:

1. Will your inspection meet recognized standards?

Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet all state requirements and comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and code of ethics, such as the one adopted by the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors. Customers can view each group’s standards of practice and code of ethics online at www.ashi.org or www.nahi.org. ASHI’s Web site also provides a database of state regulations.

2. Do you belong to a professional home inspector association?

There are many state and national associations for home inspectors, including the two groups mentioned in No. 1. Unfortunately, some groups confer questionable credentials or certifications in return for nothing more than a fee. Insist on members of reputable, nonprofit trade organizations; request to see a membership ID.

3. How experienced are you?

Ask how long inspectors have been in the profession and how many inspections they’ve completed. They should provide customer referrals on request. New inspectors also may be highly qualified, but they should describe their training and let you know whether they plan to work with a more experienced partner.

4. How do you keep your expertise up to date?

Inspectors’ commitment to continuing education is a good measure of their professionalism and service. Advanced knowledge is especially important in cases in which a home is older or includes unique elements requiring additional or updated training.

5. Do you focus on residential inspection?

Make sure the inspector has training and experience in the unique discipline of home inspection, which is very different from inspecting commercial buildings or a construction site. If your customers are buying a unique property, such as a historic home, they may want to ask whether the inspector has experience with that type of property in particular.

6. How long will the inspection take?

On average, an inspector working alone inspects a typical single-family house in two to three hours; anything significantly less may not be thorough. If your customers are purchasing an especially large property, they may want to ask whether additional inspectors will be brought in.

7. What’s the cost?

Costs can vary dramatically, depending on your region, the size and age of the house, and the scope of services. The national average for single-family homes is about $320, but customers with large homes can expect to pay more. Customers should be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

8. What type of inspection report do you provide?

Ask to see samples to determine whether you will understand the inspector’s reporting style. Also, most inspectors provide their full report within 24 hours of the inspection.

9. Will I be able to attend the inspection?

The answer should be yes. A home inspection is a valuable educational opportunity for the buyer. An inspector’s refusal to let the buyer attend should raise a red flag.

Outer Banks Real Estate Infographic: How To Stage Your Home For Sale

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As the saying goes, “eye appeal is buy appeal.”

Creating a clean, comfortable and welcoming appearance for your home is crucial to the success of a sale. Taking the time to stage your home properly is well worth the time and effort.

Here’s a great infographic to help set priorities for your Outer Banks home for sale. If you have any questions, please contact us at Pam@SeasideRealty.com or take a peek at our website: www.ColdwellBankerOBX.com.

Outer Banks Real Estate Infographic: Home Staging

Outer Banks Real Estate Infographic: Home Staging

Hat tip to MyProperty for the great infographic.

Protect Your Home from Natural Disasters

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From ColdwellBanker.com

Large-scale storms and natural disasters can come at a great personal and financial cost to homeowners. Homeowners who are prepared for these occurrences and aware of how to protect their assets may be in a stronger position to ride out storms and recoup their losses.

While there is little individuals can do to prevent significant damages, there are steps they can take to protect themselves and their home.

Ensure insurance coverage is adequate

The first step individuals should take to protect themselves during a disaster is ensuring they have sufficient homeowners insurance, according to Kiplinger. When it comes to purchasing insurance, many owners are only insured for the purchase price of the house. However, most experts recommend purchasing enough insurance to cover rebuilding costs. It can be helpful to speak with a contractor to determine how much the home would cost to rebuild and the types of materials used to construct the property. In addition, homeowners may consider purchasing additional coverage to replace expensive items, such as furniture, heirlooms and collectibles.

Make a household inventory list

It can be difficult for homeowners to know what they lost if they were unaware of what they had to begin with. It can be helpful for homeowners to complete and maintain a list of all their belongings, especially those that are valuable. This can include family heirlooms, collectibles, artwork and items that owners hold dear for personal reasons. As an added benefit, maintaining this list can also be helpful when selling a home and relocating when it comes to pinpointing items that may have been misplaced in the move.

Keep records safe

Holding documents in a guarded location, such as fireproof safe or bank deposit box, can put owners at ease when it comes to their most important information. This includes everything from property deeds and insurance records to birth certificates, passports and Social Security cards.

Create an emergency kit

Homeowners should focus on protecting their property and themselves in an emergency. Creating a kit filled with first-aid items, batteries, non perishables and emergency contact numbers can help owners ensure they are safe in the event of a disaster. In addition, owners should ensure they have cash in the kit as well for hotel and travel expenses.

Real Estate How-To: Increase your chances of a high appraisal

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Via ColdwellBanker.com…

Many homeowners choose to get their properties appraised before selling a home. Having an appraisal can help sellers determine how to price their homes to avoid asking for too much or too little. Appraisers examine a variety of factors when valuing a home, including market conditions, the surrounding neighborhood and the home itself.

So when it comes to increasing their chances of getting a higher appraisal, there are several small actions homeowners can take to make their homes more appealing.

Clean it up

Appraisers are only human, and pulling up to a home with a messy exterior and interior may have a negative effect on the appraisal. Homeowners should follow the same rules for an appraisal as they would for an open house. First, individuals should focus on curb appeal. Cleaning up leaves and debris, keeping the yard and bushes trimmed and planting a flower bed can a big difference. In addition, many experts encourage homeowners to keep their yards and flower beds similar to other homes in the area to avoid standing out too much, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

When it comes to the inside of the home, it’s important to de-clutter each room and clean it from top to bottom. But more importantly, homeowners should make any necessary repairs before the appraisal to boost its value.

Upgrade the property

Making small upgrades can also have a positive effect on an appraisal. Homeowners should first focus on the basics, such as adding a fresh coat of paint to both the interior and exterior of the home. Minor upgrades to fixtures, cabinets and lights are also recommended. For homeowners who plan on remodeling their kitchens and bathrooms before selling their homes, it may be a better idea to complete the project before the appraisal as well. This will raise their chances of getting a higher value amount and allow them to price their homes more competitively after the repairs.

In many cases, homes with finished basements and attics may also receive a higher appraisal because these spaces can also serve as bedrooms, offices and multi-purpose rooms.

Before the appraisal, homeowners who are working with a real estate agent may want to ask him or her to come view the home, the SF Chronicle recommends. Real estate agents are trained to pinpoint areas that may need more work and are likely to be overlooked by homeowners.

For more “how-to” advice about real estate on the Outer Banks and Northeast North Carolina, contact an agent at Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty. 

Slash Home Energy Costs this Summer

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Via ColdwellBanker.com
Many first-time homeowners come up with a budget after buying a home to ease into the costs of utilities, maintenance and other property-related responsibilities. There are several ways that homeowners can keep their energy costs low and, in some cases, maintain their properties during the hot summer months.

Take inventory

Most homes lose energy through drafty windows and doors, cracks and holes that allow air to escape. So the first task a homeowner should complete is walking through the house to look for areas where air may be leaking though, according to U.S. News and World Report. Plugging up small cracks and holes is simple, and individuals can find caulk or other items they need at home improvement stores. This is especially important for homeowners who install window-unit air conditioners, because if they are not fitted to the window tightly enough, air can easily escape.

Individuals can also save significantly by making sure their home is properly insulated. This keeps cool air in during the summer months and has the same effect on heat during winter.

In addition, keeping air filters clean can have a large impact on energy bills. Dirty air filters can get clogged and make it more difficult for cool air to escape. As a result, it may take longer to cool a home and homeowners will be forced to run their air conditioning units longer each day. Other small actions, such as unplugging items that are not in use and keeping the shades drawn can help reduce energy bills and keep the sun from shining in and creating a greenhouse effect.

Invest in upgrades

Getting rid of an older thermostat in favor for one that is programmable can pay homeowners back over the years. Individuals can let their thermostat naturally run at a higher temperature during the day when they’re at work, which won’t make the system work as hard. They can then program it to a certain temperature that will kick in before they get home so they are not wasting energy throughout the day.

In addition, upgrading air conditioning units to more energy-efficient models can save homeowners money on their bills without sacrificing quality. The same is true for major appliances, including refrigerators, washers and dryers. Lastly, tossing old light bulbs for compact fluorescents will generate less heat and save homeowners money on utilities.

5 New “Rules” to Home Buying

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According to REALTORMag.com, some of the traditional rules of home buying have returned.

“With signs of a housing turnaround getting stronger, housing experts say buyers are finding several recent changes when they go to put in an offer on a home. A recent article at U.S. News & World Report highlights some of these changing “rules” for your home buyer clients:

1. Lowball offers won’t likely stick: Sure, deals are still around, but lowball offers that aren’t in line with comparable sales data are increasingly proving to be a waste of time. Buyers may be better off asking for seller concessions, such as closing cost assistance or making home repairs, rather than making offers way below the asking price. “Keep in mind that a lowball number may turn off the seller and close down any chance at negotiation,” the U.S. News & World Report article cautions potential buyers.

2. Get pre-approved: Getting a loan isn’t easy nowadays as lenders have tightened their credit standards in recent years. Serious buyers should check their credit and get pre-appoved for a loan to determine how much of a home they can even afford even before they start their home search.

3. Get realistic about the market: Real estate agents can show buyers comparable nearby sales to help educate them about local market conditions. Transactions from the last six months are the most important. Another important piece of information for buyers is knowing how long properties are staying on the market.

4. Expect some competition. Housing inventories are dropping in many areas and spurring an increase in demand. Home buyers may face increased competition for the home they want, particularly among short sales and foreclosed properties, in which they may be up against investors who are making all-cash offers. That’s why experts say it’s important bank-financed buyers know their financial situation in advance to better compete.”

5. Conduct property research: Real estate agents will help guide clients on what all they need to do when they find a property they like, but one important step nowadays: Buyers should hire a title company to check for any liens or tax arrearages, the article notes. Housing experts also recommend hiring a home inspector, verifying the accuracy of the property line (by asking seller for the survey or having your own conducted), and make sure all necessary disclosures about the property, required by the state, have been made.

Lawn and Garden Month: Planting a Low Maintenance Garden

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Via Coldwell Banker’s Blue Matter

The reward of a beautiful garden is well worth the work you put into it.

I know what some of you are thinking, “this woman is crazy, the words low maintenance and gardening go together like orange juice and toothpaste (not well)!” I have tried this before and wasted my money. I am not home enough and simply do not have the time to pay attention to a garden. Excuses Excuses, this time is different. Don’t miss out on the benefits of gardening!  Check out these tips and give it another go.

 

Face the Facts: There’s Good News & Bad News

Bad News: Maintaining a beautiful garden often takes hard work. From planning, to planting, to proper maintenance, gardens require one of the most valuable things you have…your time.

Good News: Well thought planning prior to planting can save both time and money and we have the tips to do it!

Do Your Homework

The first step to planning a garden is deciding how you plan to use it. Will you be growing your own vegetables (there is nothing like fresh basil, YUM) or do you simply want a flower garden that will add beauty to your yard? Keep in mind those who will be sharing in the beauty of your garden. Do you have kids or pets that may affect the area where your garden will grow?

After you decide what function your garden will serve it is important to study your yard prior to planting. Note the health of your yard, where do current plants thrive? Do certain areas receive more sunlight than others? Are there any weeds? Is there a place where water accumulates?

Once you assess the current status of your yard, jot down some notes and head to the store to seek professional advice on which low maintenance plants fit the following criteria:

  • Thrives in soil, sun and your climate
  • Looks good for more than one season
  • Perennial (A plant that has a life cycle that lasts more than two years)
  • Will not outgrow the space you plant it into

Keep in mind that native plants grow on their own and don’t require a lot of attention.

Make Smart Choices

Here are ten perennial plants that blogger Marie Ianotti from About.com Gardening suggests as smart choices for a low maintenance garden:

  1. Blazing Star: Blooms: Mid-summer through fall  Colors: Purples or white
  2. Coneflowers: Blooms: Summer  Colors: Purple, white, orange, yellow, pink & red
  3. Coral Bells: Blooms: Late spring / Early summer, but grown for its foliage. Colors: White, pink or red
  4. Foam Flower: Blooms: Late spring / Early summer Colors: White or pink
  5. Globe Thistle: Blooms: Early summer to Early Fall Colors: Blue or white
  6. Hosta: Blooms: Generally mid-Summer Colors: Purples or white
  7. Peony: Blooms: Late spring / Early summer Colors: Pinks, white, reds or yellow
  8. Russian Sage: Blooms: Mid-summer to Fall Colors: Blue
  9. Sea Thrift: Blooms: Spring to Early summer Colors: Pink, rose, lilac, red or white
  10. Siberian Iris Blooms: Late spring Colors: Blues, purples or white

Consider Container Gardening

A great solution for a “wannabe green thumb” that doesn’t have hours to spend on their garden is opting to use the container gardening method. Let your creative juices flow when selecting your container and think beyond planter boxes and hanging baskets. Some of the most beautiful container gardens are grown out of household items that you may look at as junk. A popular, “out of the box”, solution is growing a garden out of the basket of an old bicycle. Other fun ideas include cowboy boots, wheel barrows, bird feeders, dresser drawers and rain barrels.

One benefit of container gardening is that you don’t even need a yard. Decks, windows, balconies and front porches can all be used as a starting point for your garden. For more information on container gardening check out “What is container gardening?”  by TLC.

 

Avoid Common Garden Mistakes

Check out our blog post on avoiding common garden mistakes on tips. This post is packed with goodies and secrets that will guide you through common mistakes that may have tripped you up in the past.

Stick With It

Commit to giving your garden the TLC that it needs and deserves. Be patient and give your garden time to grow before giving up on it. If you see your garden going downhill don’t give up! Seek the help of fellow gardeners in your neighborhood, local nursery or go online and reach out to the garden community.  Share your passion for your garden with a family member or neighbor. Hobbies that are shared with loved ones are always more enjoyable.  The reward of a beautiful garden is well worth the work you put into it.

Good luck and happy planting! Enjoy the extra time you will have after planting your low maintenance garden!

Seven Staging Secrets from a Pro

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This recent post from Coldwell Banker’s Blue Matter gives us some inside scoop on staging homes for sale like a pro. Here are seven tips to help boost your home’s appeal and give homeowners a competitive edge when placing homes on the market. 
  • Stage rooms with one purpose.  Rooms that have many uses can confuse or even deter homebuyers, so staging rooms with one purpose is vital.  Determine who your most likely target market will be, whether it’s young professionals with no kids, families, or even empty nesters.  Then present your areas to fit their needs.  If you’ve been using a room as a guest room/kids playroom/home office, pick the one use that best suits your buyers.
  • Tackle the easy “do-it-yourself” projects. Spruce up your home by updating kitchen and bathroom fixtures and updating cabinet hardware.  Add a fresh coat of paint in a neutral palate that won’t distract from your home’s features. 
    A fresh coat of neutral paint goes a long way

  • Focus on the living areas.  Potential buyers should envision themselves entertaining friends and family in the living areas of the home.  Make sure those areas feel as spacious as possible by removing any unnecessary furniture to allow for easy traffic flow.
  • Make sure the master bedroom appeals to both sexes.  Remember that the master bedroom is a room that a couple will be sharing, so the décor should appeal to both sexes.  It should feel like a calm and peaceful refuge, not a frilly boudoir.  Remove any feature that seems too gender-specific and paint the walls a neutral colour.
  • De-clutter & depersonalize. Buyers want to picture their family living in a home, not the previous owners.  You’re going to be moving anyway, so start now by packing away family photos, personal mementos knickknacks. Store away valuables under lock and key. Some property owners find they need to store some of their belongings off premises to create an open feel.
  • Furnish the home, but don’t overdo it.  While an empty house may look spacious, it’s often hard for buyers to visualize their belongings in a home if they’re just looking at bare walls and floors. Leave the basic components that allow the viewer to define each room.
  • Don’t forget the outside spaces.  First impressions can play a key role in a consumer’s decision-making process, so don’t neglect your home’s curb appeal.  Make sure the home’s exterior is inviting by trimming the bushes, mowing the lawn and painting faded window trim.  Buyers will appreciate the seller’s efforts with the yard work, and will tend to assume that the same attention to detail has been devoted throughout the property.

4 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Foreclosure

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“Foreclosures can offer big bargains, but buyers need to be careful that they don’t get over their heads in purchasing a home that may need more repairs than they bargained for.

Foreclosures are usually sold as-is, and homes that are left vacant standing too long can have a lot of maintenance problems.”

REALTORMag suggest buyers consider the following questions:

1. How long has the home been vacant? Be cautious of a foreclosed home that has stood vacant for more than a few weeks or had its utilities shut off a long time. Marvin Goldstein, a home inspector for many foreclosed properties, says a home can deteriorate quickly when heating, cooling, electricity, and running water have been turned off for awhile.

2. How old is the home? Goldstein says that homes that are more than 50 years old may have a failing plumbing system or inadequate electrical wiring.

3. How does the home look? Are there broken windows, gutters hanging down, or damaged siding? “Trust your instincts. If the house looks bad from the outside, it’s probably worse than you think,” Goldstein told The Oklahoman.

4. Is there anything missing? Sometimes former owners remove anything of value from the home, such as built-in light fixtures, bathroom tile, water heaters, air-conditioning units, and hardwoods, says Bill Jacques, president-elect of the American Society of Home Inspectors.

Housing experts encourage buyers to get a home inspector to look at the property, even if it is sold as-is, so that home buyers know any repairs needed and cost estimates before they purchase the home.

“Buying a bank-owned home gives you the opportunity to enter the market at a very low price level,” says Dorcas Helfant, a past president of the National Association of REALTORS®. “You can find terrific values among foreclosures, especially if they’re not in too bad shape. But, remember, these houses are discounted for a reason.”

Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Home in 2012

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Make the American Dream of home ownership a reality in 2012. Here are the Top 5 Reasons to purchase a home in 2012 via QuickenLoans.com…

  • Appreciation – Buying a home now (at the current rates) can almost ensure your home’s appreciation in the future.  Mortgage rates are near historic lows and home prices in many parts of the country are down.  This is the perfect recipe for home appreciation.  Additionally, many foreclosed homes are available for a fraction of the original cost.  This can translate to a higher profit if you decide to sell once the market rebounds.

  • Property Tax Deductions – For income tax purposes, real estate property taxes for a vacation home and first home are fully deductible.  The IRS (Publication 530) provides detailed tax information for first-time buyers that may answer many questions about what deductions homeowners are eligible for.

  • Preferential Tax Treatment – If you own your home for more than a year and receive more profit than the allowable exclusion after the sale of your home, the profit will be considered a capital asset.  Capital assets are given preferential tax treatment.

  • Equity Building – Many factors such as credit qualification, loan flexibility, and annual percentage rate (APR) contribute to the final decision of what type of mortgage loan best fits your goals.  Yet, a new trend being used by some homeowners is to actually add money to their monthly payment to decrease the principal balance of their loans at a much faster pace.  This trend is called equity building.  Equity builders usually select a home loan with a lower interest rate (and a shorter term loan such as a 15-year fixed) to help build equity faster.  This rapid payment process allows borrowers to:

  • Pay off the principal balance faster
  • Lock in near-record-low interest rates
  • Shorten the length of their home loan
  • Own their home faster
  • Pay substantially less mortgage interest

Equity building is a beneficial trend that’s becoming more and more popular with fiscally responsible homeowners.  Also, home equity is the largest single source of household wealth for most Americans.

  • Pride – Homeownership offers many benefits to many different types of people.  For some homeowners, playing your music as loud as you want and painting the walls the color of your choice is a perk.  For me, homeownership will permit me to build an NBA regulation size basketball court on my own property.  For my coworker Joel Jarvi, home ownership may allow him to build the indoor slide of his dreams.  No matter who you are, homeownership is a purchase, commitment, and journey that’s sure to bring you pride.

Furthermore, when the uncertainty surrounding the housing market fades and the market rebounds, homeownership may in fact transform that pride to profit through a home sale.