Real Estate Tips

Lighting Up the Sale

Lighting is an important factor to take into account when you are selling your home. Natural and artificial lighting can create a mood that buyers notice when they walk into your home, so don’t overlook this significant factor which can favorably influence a potential buyer.

Before your house is shown, walk through each room with an eye to creating a pleasant ambiance through lighting. Accentuate the natural light by keeping curtains open and windows sparkling clean. Arrange your furniture to take advantage of the best view. You may want to install indirect lighting to highlight a vaulted ceiling or to draw attention to indoor plants. Dimmer switches can create simple and inexpensive lighting appeal. Place a lamp and table arrangement in a dark alcove or corner to brighten up the area.

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From the Ground Up

Buying land is different from buying a home, because you must resolve issues relative to land use restrictions, utilities, access and easements before building. When you locate land that seems right for your house, visit the local planning department before making an offer.

Ask whether city sewer, water and electricity are available. If not, you will need to calculate the expenses of installing a well and testing the soil for a septic system. The land will be zoned for residential, business, or agricultural purposes. Does the zoning permit you to build the house you want? Are there easements on the lot that will limit where you can build or how you can access the property? Ask about the long-range plans for use of the surrounding land. The land will be more attractive if the city intends to build a park or new school nearby. But if a six-lane highway or a waste treatment facility are in the city’s future plans, you may decide to look elsewhere for a place to build your dream home.

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The Sales Price

After your search for a house and all the negotiations are over, you arrive at the the sales price. Finally, you feel some certainty about your bottom line. However, it is not unusual for there to be disagreements about what is included in the sales price. Careful drafting of the paperwork can help to avoid future disputes.

The following definitions may help. Real property is land and any permanent attachments, such as buildings, landscaping and fences. Personal property consists of movable possessions, such as furniture and clothing. A fixture is defined as an item of personal property which has become part of the real property by virtue of becoming permanently attached, such as a new sink, a Jacuzzi, or a chandelier.

The principal area of dispute about the sales price often relates to fixtures. Most preprinted real estate contracts will provide space for the fixtures to be listed. Whether you are selling or buying, you should make use of this space. Do not assume curtains, satellite discs, antennas or fireplace equipment come with the house. You should also make it very clear what you don’t want left on the property. If you are specific about every item that may be questionable, you will greatly reduce the chances of a dispute after the closing.

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Kitchen Clutter

The kitchen is usually very important to prospective buyers. Your kitchen may not be new and state-of-the-art, but it should look its best.

Your kitchen should be spotlessly clean and well organized while your home is on the market. The counter tops should be clean and free of clutter, and the floor should shine. Appliances should be clean and in good working order. You may want to add a few decorator touches or replace cabinets, flooring, and even appliances for a small investment. Dollars spent on kitchen improvements usually pay major dividends when you sell your home. If you are planning to sell your home and need some advice in this area, an agent will be happy to discuss your options with you.

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Buying Property to Build

The ideal piece of land cannot be purchased without due diligence. Say you notice a lot for sale in a suburban area that looks like a perfect place to build your dream home. Buying undeveloped land can provide an opportunity to build a house that will meet your needs, but you will need certain information before you sign on the dotted line.

Most suburban areas have zoning regulations which govern the type of structure that can be erected, the dimensions, and even the material used on the exterior. Historic preservation groups work with builders in many areas to ensure that any new construction fits in with the existing buildings. If you want to build out of the city limits, check the availability of public utility services and the cost of bringing those services to the site. Local planning and zoning boards can provide you with information about proposed development that could change your quiet country lane into a busy street.

It is a good idea to consult an architect and a zoning expert to confirm that your vision will work on the property you have selected.

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

Interior Decorating

Many people recognize a decorating style they like when they see it, but they find it difficult to combing colors, fabrics, furnishings and window treatments to create the total finished look they want.

Where can you find a good decorator? If you like the interior of your friends’ home, ask them for recommendations. Many communities have decorator showcases where you can see first hand the work of several local designers. Furniture retailers sometimes hire professionals to assist their customers.

Before you commit to working with a designer or decorator, sit down and discuss your taste and goals, their fee structure, and your budget. Pay particular attention to whether the person is an active listener and communicates well. Whether you are trying to make your home look wonderful in order to sell it or want to fix up a new home, the investment in professional advice can save you costly mistakes and make your home a reflection of your good taste.

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Buying New or Buying Old

New homes typically have a higher sales price than comparable existing homes, and buyers are usually willing to spend more on a new home because of lower maintenance costs. Builders’ warranties on new homes, when combined with a new roof, appliances, and major systems, usually make major repairs unnecessary and help to counter a slower initial rate of appreciation.

Census Bureau Housing Surveys suggests that operating costs are lowest for brand new homes and slightly higher for relatively new existing homes. Operating costs per square foot of living space are consistently higher for progressively older existing homes. Utility costs represent the largest factor in operating costs. Energy consumption per square foot depends on the size of the home, the insulation and quality of the windows, air leakage and the efficiency of the furnace.

New homes require fewer expenditures for routine maintenance. The cost of maintenance first increases with age, then declines, so you will generally spend less maintaining a home built before 1960 than for a home built between 1970 and 1975.

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The Purchase Contract

An important part of being an informed buyer or seller in a real estate transaction is understanding the purchase contract. Before you sit down with an agent to make a written offer to purchase a home or receive an offer on your home, you should take a look at the real estate forms used in your area.

In some areas the real estate agents use standard contracts which have been approved by the local Board of Realtors. In other parts of the country, agreements that contain a significant number of clauses are drawn up by real estate attorneys. You should get a copy of the paperwork you will be signing so that you can read it at your leisure and absorb the information.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything that you don’t understand; and if any of the standard clauses do not fit your particular situation, you can discuss the wording that you would like to have changed. The key is to familiarize yourself with the paperwork before you have found your new dream house or buyers for your home.

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Buying Out Of State

People who are moving to another state are usually concerned about how they will be able to monitor the purchase or sale of a home across state lines. Your local real estate agent can assist you in the process of buying or selling property out-of-state.

The National Association of Realtors is a nation-wide network of real estate sales professionals, similar to the local Association of Realtors. Almost every real estate professional is who is a member of the local association is also a member of the national organization. This professional affiliation among real estate agents all across the country works to your advantage when you buy or sell out-of-state property.

Your local real estate agent can contact an agency in the area where you want to buy or sell. When the relationship with the out-of-state real estate agent is established, your agent can coordinate arrangements by selecting houses for your consideration and helping you to strike a deal when you have made a selection. Having a local sales professional to help you work out any problems that may arise is a real plus.

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Improving To Sell

Many homeowners wait until they are ready to put their home on the market before painting, planting flowers, and making other improvements to their homes. After completing these improvements, they may be so delighted with the results that they wish they had done the work on their home sooner in order to enjoy the changes.

Whether you have recently purchased a home or have been settled in your home for several years, you should consider evaluating the condition of your house as if you planned to sell it soon. Maximize your home’s “curb appeal” now, so that you will reap the benefits every time you pull into your driveway. Plant those flowers and bulbs and you will have your fresh flowers on your own dining room table. Add new window treatments to freshen the appearance of the main rooms. If your house needs an upgraded kitchen, go ahead with the renovation. You will enhance your whole neighborhood and experience the pleasure of living in a more beautiful and fully functional home.

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