Real Estate Tips

Disclosure laws make it important to reveal all material defects when you are selling a home. It is important to be absolutely candid with your agent and all buyers about the condition of the property. If there is anything wrong with the roof, the plumbing, the wiring or structure, it will probably not remain a “sleeping dog”. The problem will probably wake up, snarl, growl and snap at your ankles at the precise moment your buyers feel their first stirring of buyers’ remorse.

It is unlikely that defects will go undetected, because most buyers get a home inspection before they are contractually obliged to complete the purchase. Even if the problems do not surface before the closing, your liability does not end after the closing for any defects you may have forgotten to report. Buyers almost never accept misrepresentation graciously, but they can usually deal with a house that is short of perfection if they know what they are getting into from the beginning. When selling your home, your real estate agent will provide you with a seller’s disclosure form. Protect yourself by clearly describing any material defects prior to the sale.

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Are you building a custom-designed home on hand picked acreage? An essential step is testing the soil, which will determine the composition of the ground that must provide a stable foundation for your new home.

The soil could have a combination of various conditions and characteristics. It might be fine, silt-laden soil that collapses when it absorbs excessive water, or soil with a high clay content that sucks up water and then expands under a building, causing it to buckle or shift. Such soil is easy to excavate but unstable to build on. It must be replaced in compacted layers until it achieves suitable density to provide a stable foundation for the house.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, your land might sit on a layer of hard rock, which is wonderfully stable, but extremely hard to penetrate. Excavation costs will be higher if your builder has to bring in heavy equipment to dig out the rock. A professional soil report will help your builder determine the best approach to engineering your site.

Filed under: Buying Land and New Construction, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

Unforeseen problems can arise during escrow, and closing dates are never set in stone! Lenders, appraisers, title attorneys, credit check services, or anyone who is involved in the transaction could potentially delay a closing. Stay in close touch with your real estate agent, who will notify you of deadlines and help you deal with delays.

Well-written sales contracts are the key to avoiding problems during escrow. For example, provisions can be included in the agreement that require the buyer to provide evidence of sufficient funds for down payment and closing costs, or to present proof of the ability to obtain homeowner’s insurance. Because of new restrictions on insurance policies, the mortgage lender may require insurance before funding the loan.

There is also a section in the sales contract wherein the seller makes a warranty to the buyer of the condition of the property. It is important to make sure that this clause is modified to reflect the seller’s transfer disclosure statement. If this is not done, the seller could be required to repair items that are found to be dysfunctional or faulty, and this could add time to the escrow period.

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Buying a house that is under construction gives you the opportunity to customize your new home by adding special features to the basic home. When deciding on additional features, consider how they will affect the re-sale value of the home and whether these additions will over-improve your home.

Money spent to improve and modernize kitchens and bathrooms is almost always a good investment. Granite and corian counter tops, side-by-side refrigerators, tile flooring and whirlpool tubs are popular upgrades. If the builder’s standard flooring for the living room, dining room or foyer is linoleum, changing to hardwood or tile will increase the resale value of the home. And even if you don’t enjoy sitting around a roaring fireplace, the next owner may want one. If you plan to finish the basement later, you may want to “rough-in” the plumbing for a bath during the original construction. You should consider your own enjoyment–and what will increase the value of your home when you sell.

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Real estate agents sometimes receive calls from homeowners asking for advice on what they should do to prepare their house to go on the market. They may have settled for living in a “less than optimal” circumstance for years, and are now going to spend money to make it nice for someone else to enjoy.

If you are considering painting, updating the kitchen, landscaping, or making any other improvements that will increase your home’s re-sale value, think about making those improvements while you are still there to enjoy them. Create your own dream kitchen, master suite or spa, build an outdoor living room or restore your wood floors now. Improving your property will make your home more enjoyable, help maintain the property values in your neighborhood, and expedite the sale of your home when you are ready for a move.

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If you are buying land on which to build, you may be eager to get started. But before you leap into buying land, remember that location is the one essential element you won’t be able to change. You will never regret taking the time to fully consider the setting for your home.

Make a list of the must-have features that will exist on your ideal piece of land. Do you require a lakefront property or a spectacular view? If privacy is high on your list, you may want to look for land that is heavily wooded, or purchase secluded acreage in a rural setting. Decide on the minimum size lot that will work for the setting of your home. Are you willing to build on a slope or a hillside? Knowing your requirements will help your real estate agent save you time by eliminating unsuitable properties.

Select two or three of your favorite neighborhoods and ask your agent to concentrate the search for land in those places. If you are building in an area you are not familiar with, drive or take walks around the neighborhood and talk to people who live there.

Filed under: Buying Land and New Construction, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

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Mature trees add “curb appeal” to a property and can make a home more energy efficient. Planted at the edges of a building, a tree’s broad canopy of leaves softens the hard lines of architecture and offers shade. Trees absorb light reflected from the roof and decrease the air temperature surrounding your home through evaporation of moisture.

The positioning of trees and shrubs around your home has a significant effect on how much you’ll be paying to heat and cool your house each month. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, even one strategically placed tree can reduce your heating and cooling bill up to 25 percent. In general, deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of the house keep the home cool during the summer and allow low-angle sun into the home during the winter. If you live on a windy hill or coastal bluff, planting evergreen trees or shrubs on the north and west sides of your structure will help protect your home from winter gusts and storms.

Consult your landscape designer for advice about your particular property.

Filed under: Curb Appeal, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

Many buyers call our office for information on a home after reading an appealing description of the property, or seeing a photograph of the exterior of the home on our real estate website. The exterior of your house and your yard will create the first impression for prospective buyers when they drive up to your house. Spending money on landscaping can bring you excellent returns when you sell your home.

You don’t have to spend a fortune or develop an elaborate landscaping plan to make your front yard look terrific. If the yard is neatly mowed and trimmed and there are colorful plants blooming, the outside appearance of your home will make a good impression. A local nursery can help you select plants that will grow well and require minimal care. If you are planning to make any permanent changes or additions to your property, ask for advice from your real estate agent.

Filed under: Curb Appeal, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage