Making Moving Fun For The Whole Family

Moving to a new home can be a stressful experience for anyone.  From the moment the house hunt begins to the day one steps foot into a new abode, relocating can be an intense process – especially when children are involved.  More often than not, the home serves as a special source of security and comfort for children, so it’s no wonder why many families have concerns about leaving their familiar surroundings.  After all, kids tend to be reluctant to change their clothes let alone their addresses, schools and friends!

Talking to kids before a move can help get them ready both emotionally and physically. Parents who communicate with their children that moving is an exciting adventure rather than something frightening or dreadful are likely to reduce some of the stress and help make moving more enjoyable for everyone.

Below are six suggestions for how to make moving fun for the entire family:

Explore the neighborhood.  Between the time you close on a new home and the time the moving truck arrives, spend a “family day” touring the new neighborhood.  This will take some of the “mystery” out of the move.  Pointing out local attractions and introducing children to their new neighbors and school will help get them excited about their new surroundings and reassure them that they will be able to make friends after the move.

Make a family wish list.  One of the best ways to acclimate your child to change is to emphasize the positive opportunities they’ll be presented with once the family makes the adjustment.  Write a list of all of the things your child wants to do once the family is settled in the new home.  By encouraging your child to get involved with extracurricular activities that align with existing interests, you’ll not only keep them busy but help them to feel more at home in their new surroundings.

Pack a treasure box.  It’s no secret that children can become very attached to their belongings.  Consider giving your child his / her own packing box to decorate however they would like and to pack up their favorite things.  Keep the box close by throughout the move.  This way your child can be sure those precious items will not be left behind.

Let loose your child’s creativity.  Kids will appreciate being involved in decorating their new house – especially when it comes to their own rooms!  Bring home paint swatches so that your child can choose a color for the walls.  Then follow up with a special day where he / she can shop for a new comforter, furniture, etc.  Being reasonable with his / her selection and allowing your child to be creative will help make the transition smoother – after all, it’s only paint!

Help your kids create an address book.  Staying in touch with friends has never been easier.  Help your child collect phone numbers, mailing and email addresses for everyone they would like to keep in touch with.

Pre-plan a housewarming party with friends from the old neighborhood. Saying goodbye to friends can be difficult for parents and their children.  Before the big moving day arrives, plan a gathering at your new home with pals from the old neighborhood.  Having a date set in advance will help your child to see that just because the family is leaving behind a particular home, does not mean they are leaving behind friends.

How to Sell Your Home in a Competitive Market

 What does it take to sell a home in a competitive market – a fresh coat of paint or a kitchen overhaul?  Lowering the asking price or offering incentives?  From cosmetic to strategic, smart sellers can take advantage of a few simple tips to get the most out of their properties.

Here are four suggestions on how to help secure a “sold” sign:

Price Point is Paramount When getting ready to put a home on the market, determining the right listing price is the number one most important element in the home selling process.  After you have carefully chosen an agent, the trust you have established will come into play immediately.  Have those tough discussions with your agent about where to price your home.  Make certain you understand how the agent has arrived at the price, including how previous sales and current homes on the market make an impact.  If necessary, jump in the car with your agent and see some of the homes on the market in the area.  This will provide first hand knowledge on homes that are available in your neighborhood.

Leave a Great First Impression Everyone talks about curb appeal, but a first impression is truly lasting.  A Coldwell Banker Real Estate survey found that 70 percent of women and 62 percent of men knew the property was “right” the first day they visited the home.  Remember, your agent is your trusted advisor.  They will know the necessary updates, upkeep, etc. you should make to hopefully get the home ready for showings.  But some of this is fairly easy and the front door is particularly important.  This is the area where a buyer will first step up to a home – and likely wait for a moment providing time to look around.  Do this ahead of time, stand directly in the front door and look up and around at the home from all angles – cobwebs that have not been noticed in years could be the first thing greeting a potential home buyer, so it’s important for this area to give a great first impression.

Everything is in the Visual Don’t underestimate the power of visuals in marketing your home.  The National Association of Realtors found that, more than 90 percent of home buyers begin their search online.  Your agent may push hard for you to have the home prepared for vivid pictures and video of the property that can be posted on websites.

Hit the Right Note with all Five Senses When a buyer comes to look at a home they want the full experience.  To help a home stand out, your agent may ask you to focus on appealing to all five senses.  Small and inexpensive upgrades to the home such as getting the walls painted, de-cluttering and making minor improvements to the outdoor landscape.  In terms of “touch,” remember that buyers aren’t just going to look – they’ll be turning on your faucets and opening closets, so make sure closets are clean and organized.  When it comes to making a home smell good, many agents prefer the smell of baked goods rather than fresh flowers or air fresheners which can be overwhelming.  All of this is being done to allow the buyer to properly visualize living in the home.

Tips for Moving with Pets

While moving to a new home is very exciting, relocating can be a stressful process for every member of the family – including pets.  More often than not, a move means that all familiarity is gone.  From where to hide a bone to where to nap in the sun, the pet’s sense of security and comfort has suddenly been altered.

Below are five suggestions for how to make moving a little less ruff for four-legged members of the family.

Plan ahead. From start to finish, moving to a new home involves a lot of planning. Pet parents should decide as soon as possible where their pet’s belongings – toys, water dishes, etc., — will go in the new home.  If the pet’s only car ride has been to the veterinarian, pet parents should get him or her accustomed to traveling by bringing them along on visits to the future home.

Take them on a walk-through to get them acclimated. For home buyers with pets in tow, it is important to help their companions become acclimated to their new life early on. During a visit to the future home, pet parents should take their four-legged friend on a personal tour, showing them their new play area and “bathroom.”  By scoping out all of the new scents and sights the pet will start to acquaint itself with their new digs.  Cats may feel more comfortable exploring one room at a time so start in the bathroom, a smaller space, and let them take their time coming out of the carrier to explore.

Get new pet tags. With doors opening and closing and people entering and exiting, pets will likely have more opportunities to get loose during a move than they did while living in the previous home.  As soon as the contract is signed, home buyers should purchase a new tag with their pet’s name, new address and phone number.  If the pet has a microchip, pet parents should also contact the company and have their pet’s ID information updated in their database. If a pet escaped during the move, it would be very difficult for them to find their way back to a home they barely know.

Be extra security conscious. The first few days in a new home can spook even the most laid-back pet. Pet parents should make sure their pet’s collar fits securely and, unless the backyard at the new home is securely fenced in, keep their pet on a leash when heading outdoors.   Also, take a full inspection of the house looking for openings a pet can crawl into or other safety hazards before letting the animal explore. Once they are off their leash or out of their carrier, be sure to keep a close eye on them.

Continue with business as usual.  After moving into the new home, pet parents should try to stick to their pet’s daily routine as closely as possible by feeding them, playing with them and walking them at the same times they did while living in the previous home. Such consistency will enable pets to get used to their new life more quickly.

Staging your Home for First-Time Homebuyers

When it comes to staging a home for sale, it is important that sellers create a warm and inviting atmosphere that will appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Today, due to an abundance of low-priced homes to choose from and historically low interest rates, first-time homebuyers account for a greater number of these potential buyers than ever before. But sellers looking to attract this coveted demographic need not do a complete design overhaul. Staging a home for first-time homebuyers is easier than one might think.

Below are simple staging tips to help boost a home’s appeal and give owners the competitive edge necessary when selling a home.

Stage rooms with one purpose. Extra rooms that have a mishmash of uses can confuse and even deter first-time homebuyers, so staging rooms with one purpose is vital. Keep in mind that these buyers are generally young couples without children, and rooms should be presented as areas equipped to meet their needs. So turn those playrooms and storage dens into a home office or the kids’ bedroom into a guest bedroom.

Tackle the easy “do-it-yourself” projects. To ensure that a home is in tip top shape make sure to replace outdated kitchen and bathroom fixtures, apply a fresh coat of paint to a worn wall and refinish the kitchen cabinets. Providing a sleek and modern look wherever possible can make a huge difference in the eyes of first-time homebuyers.

Focus on the living areas. A living room is an area in which potential first-time buyers should be able to envision themselves entertaining friends or gathering with their family. With that in mind, homeowners should make the area appear as large and functional as possible by removing any unnecessary furniture and decorations.

Make sure the master bedroom appeals to both sexes. The master bedroom of a couple’s first home is often the first bedroom they will share. When staging this room, make sure that it appeals to buyers of both sexes.  Remove any feature that seems too gender-specific and paint the walls a neutral color.

Furnish the home, but don’t overdo it. While an empty home looks spacious, it is hard for new buyers to visualize their belongings in a home if they are staring at ceilings, floors and bare walls. Leave the basic components of each room, but make sure there is still plenty of open space.

Don’t forget to spruce up the yard. First impressions often play a role in a consumer’s decision making process.  Make sure the home’s exterior is inviting by trimming the bushes, mowing the lawn and painting faded window trim. Couples looking for their first home often have less yard work under their belts and will appreciate the seller’s attention to detail.

 

Why not own it?

For most people, deciding to purchase a home is the largest financial decision of their lifetime. Rather than sitting on the fence, why not own it? Mortgage rates are near historic lows and with home prices more affordable, right now is the perfect time to speak with a professional real estate agent and seize the opportunity to achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

According to a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors, nearly eight out of 10 respondents believe buying a home today is a good financial decision.  Based on this, here are five reasons why now is a great time to get off the fence and consider owning the fence instead (and the home within it)!

Homes are More Affordable – Home prices remain more affordable than ever

Rates are Low – Mortgage interest rates remain near historical lows, which can mean lower monthly payments and/or shorter lending terms.

Homeownership is Still the American Dream – Lifestyle changes such as marriage, having children and starting a new job are some of the most common reasons that people decide to purchase a new home. But the American Dream of homeownership is much more than just a piece of property, it’s a home.

Financing is Available – Though many people decide they want to purchase a new home based on lifestyle factors, the financial aspect of purchasing a home needs to be top-of-mind.  A potential homebuyer should conduct the necessary research to prepare for the home buying process. Today’s borrower needs to have stable employment of at lease two years; sufficient income to cover the monthly mortgage payment and living expenses; adequate savings to make at least a 3.5 percent down payment; and, in general, a credit score of at least 620.

Timing is Everything – “Timing is everything,” a saying used to describe just about anything, is incredibly true when it comes to home buying.  When preparing to purchase a home, take the time to research other factors that could affect the home buying process.

Eco-Friendly Home Tips Make Going Green Easy

Incorporating eco-friendly measures in homes has moved beyond installing energy efficient appliances and swapping out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents – going green is giving home sellers a competitive advantage. In the end, small changes to a home can help the environment and help a property stand out among the competition.

The following are tips that outline how to make homes sustainable, energy- and cost-efficient now, and appealing to eco-conscious homebuyers:

A Ray of Light:  South-facing windows provide more natural daylight making a home more bright and cheery. But, more importantly, natural daylight can help keep the indoor climate comfortable during the winter months, allowing a homeowner to set the thermostat a bit lower.

 

Green Gardening: Sustainable landscaping is becoming all the rage to eco-conscious homeowners.  Planting native plants, vegetation and shade trees strategically around a yard can keep a home cool during the summer and block cold winds during the winter.

 

Switch to Green Power: The use of renewable energy in a home, such as solar, wind, water or geothermal, greatly helps reduce pollution.

 

Dial it Back: Lowering the settings on water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and laundry machines reduces the amount of energy required to maintain the temperature. Installing low-flow sink faucets and shower heads also lessens water consumption.

 

Reuse Rain: Recycling rain water for gardening is another great way to conserve. For example, a water collection system under drains can catch the water and then reuse it for watering landscapes.

Less Lawn does More: Eliminate as much of the lawn as possible and plant native bushes, flowers, etc. Homeowners can simply cut back on the amount of space that they have to mow to promote energy conservation in lawn care.

 

Turn Old into New: Refurbish the home’s existing materials when remodeling instead of buying new ones. If brand new appliances are required, homeowners should make sure they are energy-efficient, and should consider donating their old appliances to be recycled or reused.

Insulation is Key: Insulating cold-water pipes will prevent them from dripping condensation, and insulating hot-water pipes will prevent costly heat loss and save on energy bill.

How to List Your Home Properly

When selling a home, establishing a reasonable and, ultimately, profitable listing price is perhaps the biggest challenge that a homeowner faces. A home priced too high may go unsold, but a home priced too low will result in a loss for the seller.

Before settling on an asking price, take  the following steps:

Choose the Right Sales Associate.  While many home sellers use a friend or relative’s referral when selecting a sales associate, it is smart to interview prospective associates and invite them to show their listing presentations.  Pay attention to how they plan to market the home, and find out how many homes they (and their companies) listed in your local market in the past year as well as how many of them were sold.  Finally, because selling a home will require a lot of communication, the seller should ensure he or she connects with the sales associate’s personality. 

Do the Homework. Home sellers should work with a real estate sales associate to develop a written comparative market analysis (CMA). This will provide a list of recent sales prices of similar homes in the area (with comparable numbers of bedrooms, baths, square footage and lot size), the asking prices of homes currently for sale in the neighborhood and other relevant information. Based on the information gathered, a sales associate will provide his or her professional estimation of a legitimate selling price.

Take the Emotion Out of It. Sellers often take great pride in their homes, but it is important to set a priced based solely on factors like location, condition and size. A house in a secluded area may be appealing to some buyers, while others will want to be closer to schools, shopping and health care facilities. What is the physical condition of the home? Is it a fixer-upper? Does it make a good first impression? Will it appeal to a growing family, or is it better suited for empty nesters? These are all things that need to be considered when pricing a home.

Determine If It Is a Buyer’s or Seller’s Market.  Home inventory, mortgage interest rates and the economy play a role in determining whether the buyer or seller has a negotiating advantage. 

Do the Math. Do not forget to figure in closing costs, legal fees and other selling expenses when determining the selling price.  The sales associate should be able to provide cost estimates, and negotiate with a potential buyer to ensure a fair sale price. 

Give It the Once Over. After working with a real estate sales associate to get a CMA and considering all the other factors, the listing price will be set.  But there is one more step in trying to ensure that the house sells for that price, or more.  Do as much as possible to improve the home’s appearance: touch up the paint, fix leaks, seal any cracks, clean the home, eliminate clutter and rid the home of any pet odors. The house has only one chance to make a first impression.

Downsizing With Style

While moving into a home of any size can be a large undertaking, for buyers looking to downsize, the transition is often more challenging. But whether they are empty nesters requiring less space, young professionals moving to a new town for job opportunities or families looking to save, more and more buyers in today’s real estate market are opting to downsize.

Though moving to a smaller space may involve making a few sacrifices, having less room does not mean having to scale back on style. In fact, a homeowner with minimal square footage to work with can maximize their home’s overall charm just by using a bit of creativity.

Below are effective tips for how to downsize with style:

• Keep, sell, donate, and trash. Although it is difficult to part with possessions, doing so is often a must for anyone planning to move into a smaller home. Begin by dividing belongings into keep, sell, donate, and trash categories. Post items for sale online, or hold a garage sale; offer unwanted furniture and clothes to a friend or family member or donate it to local charities. Knowing that others will appreciate these things might make parting with the items a bit easier.
  
•  Scale it back. Unless a homeowner is trying to make a dramatic statement with an extra-large couch or coffee table, a small space will likely look and feel better with moderately-sized or even slightly smaller furnishings. In fact, a room with furniture that appropriately fits the space will actually seem larger. It is all about scale.

• Look for multipurpose living room furniture. A piece of furniture with more than one purpose is a downsizer’s dream. Coffee tables and ottomans that double as storage allow guests a place to rest their drinks and feet while the host’s belongings remain hidden underneath. And who needs a guest room when the couch has a pull-out bed?
  
•  “Build” a wall with a simple screen.  The smaller the home, the more purposes each room serves. But this does not mean a homeowner must eat where they sleep. Buyers opting to downsize should consider putting up a screen to divide a room with more than one use into sections. The room will still feel open but the screen will provide some much needed privacy and separation.

• Consider hanging curtains. Just because the new home has fewer windows does not mean its owner has to settle for boring window treatments. Hanging curtains on the side of the window pane can make it appear larger, and curtains that run from floor to ceiling can create the illusion of height.
• Maximize wall space. Homeowners who have run out of floor space and need additional room should look to the walls. Shelves that are hung on walls or above doorways will provide more space and serve as stylish room accents.  Furthermore, while it sounds simple, the addition of a mirror on any wall will add depth and light to a room, making even the smallest space seem larger. Mirrors also add elegance and charm to a home’s décor, often at a reasonable price.

• Utilize new technology. New technology, such as flat screen televisions and laptop computers, allows for more space in the living or office areas while adding a modern touch to the home.

Does Moving Up Make Sense?

Today’s housing market presents considerable opportunities for potential home buyers with the right lifestyle reasons and job security. Prices are stabilizing across much of the U.S., interest rates are near historic lows and inventory levels are high in many areas. Even amid such incentives, many move-up home buyers remain on the fence about making the lifestyle change they desire due to the concern over selling their current property.

Here are five questions to help “move-up buyers” decide if now is the right time to make a move:

1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Home equity can be defined as the value of a home, minus the amount of outstanding debt.  Although equity does not generally develop in the first few years of home ownership, five or more years of home payments may create significant unrealized gains.
2. Has your income or financial situation improved? Homeowners should consider their overall financial situation including current and future expenses in order to make an educated decision on price range for a new home. For example, an increase in salary may allow for an increased mortgage.
3. Has your lifestyle changed? Lifestyle changes are one of the most common reasons people choose to move. Starting or adding to a family may require an extra bedroom or additional square footage, as well as a desire to live closer to work or family may provide the impetus for a move to a larger home.
4. Is your current residence one that could potentially be rented out? For those homeowners who are ready to make a move but are concerned about purchasing a new home before the current property is sold, renting out the current residence may be a viable option.
5. Are interest rates attractive? A low interest rate means lower mortgage payments on homes of the same price.

Do Your Due Diligence

The purchase of a home is considered to be one of the most significant investments a person can make and as such, having the property inspected before closing serves as a final, critical step in the home-buying process.  Home inspection ensures the worthiness of the investment and decreases the possibility of purchasing a property with major structural or other serious problems that may lead to significant unforeseen costs for the new owner.

Here are tips for buyers to consider before completing their purchase:

Hire a Certified Home Inspector:  Rely on the objective expertise of a qualified home inspector.  They are knowledgeable about construction practices in the area, capable of spotting problems buyers may miss and will provide a report on the condition of the property.  An inspection normally takes place after the parties have agreed on a selling price. Typically, real estate contracts contain a provision giving homebuyers a set number of days in which to have a home inspection completed. Homebuyers should get inspector referrals from their real estate sales associate, family, friends or neighbors before they go to contract.

Review Essential Areas: It is important to examine all areas of the home, including the exterior, interior, attic, basement, electric, plumbing and HVAC. Faulty construction, improper electrical wiring, inefficient insulation, old heating, building permit violations and other unseen pitfalls can lead to very expensive home repairs.

Search for Hidden Defects: Examples of hidden defects include missing roof shingles, chimney deterioration or leaks.  It is also important to check behind walls. Mold, fungus and faulty wiring are often discovered in older homes.  Make certain the home inspector looks in crawl spaces as well. Even small plumbing leaks can cause major problems and costs if not identified and corrected.

Review Visible Defects: Homebuyers should be aware of possible water damage, such as noticeable water stains on the ceiling, damp basement walls or musty odors. They should look for cracks in the walls, particularly around fireplaces or in foundation walls. Uneven floors and tilted stairways could indicate there has been movement in the foundation.

Look for Minor Problems: Items such as doors or windows that are difficult to open or bad paint jobs may not be serious defects but could be signs of bad maintenance. Kitchen appliances should also be in good working order.