Hello,
With spring finally
underway, now is a great time to start thinking about boosting your
home’s curb appeal, saving for a down payment, or getting ready to
sell your home. That’s where I come in! Let me know if you have any
questions. I look forward to hearing from you!
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5
Affordable Tips to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal
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When you buy
a new home, it’s easy to take the fresh, clean feel for granted.
Over time, even the most conscientious homeowners can lose ground
on their home’s curb appeal. Make your home shine with these five
tips.
Rent a pressure
washer - Dirt, mildew, and grime will inevitably
accumulate on your house, porch, driveway, walkways, and fences
over time. Rent a pressure washer from your local hardware store
and spray down these surfaces. You’ll be amazed at the difference.
Wash the windows
- It’s easy to overlook the fingerprints and smudges on your
windows. However, pulling out the window cleaner can make a huge
difference both inside and outside the house, especially if it’s
been a while since you last cleaned the windows.
Edge the lawn
- If you’re looking for a cheap, easy way to make a big impact,
this is it. Edging helps separate your lawn from your other plants,
landscaping, and walkways, giving your yard a crisp, clean feel.
Add mulch
- Adding mulch to your plant beds and around your trees doesn’t
just make them look great. It also helps block weeds and protects
your plants from drought and frost.
Spruce up the doorway
- Make your entryway more inviting by adding a bold, new door-knob,
an elegant knocker, or a fresh coat of paint. Get a great door mat
and a couple inviting statement pieces and your home is sure to wow
visitors and make you feel at home!
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How to Save for a Down Payment
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No more
trips to the laundromat, shared walls, or noisy upstairs
neighbors are just some of the benefits most homeowners enjoy. If
you’re dreaming about owning your own home, it’s time to start
saving for your down payment. Make your start with these tips!
Determine how much
you need.
Before determining what your down payment should be, you have to
figure out how much you can afford to pay for a house Most
professionals recommend a down payment equal to 20% of your
home’s cost and a monthly mortgage payment of no more than 25% of
your monthly income. Use a mortgage calculator to set a budget
and down payment goal.
Find places to
save.
The more money you can set aside for your down payment, the
faster you’ll reach your goal. Instead of keeping your down payment
money in a traditional savings account, look into accounts that
offer higher interest rates, such as a high-yield savings
account, certificate of deposit (CD), or a money market account.
Accounts like these allow you to save faster without contributing
more. Investments are another way to reach your goal. Just be
aware that the higher the return, the higher the risk, and you
may end up losing money in the process.
Speak with a
financial advisor.
The internet has a lot of information; however, finding
information that applies to your exact situation can be hard.
Instead, talk to a financial advisor. Financial advisors can help
you establish a budget, find opportunities to cut back on your
expenses, and save money. They can also help you budget for new
expenses, evaluate your mortgage options, and set a practical
housing budget when the time comes to buy your home.
Set a date.
Once your plan is in place, you should be able to get an idea of
how long it will take you to reach your down payment goal. Figure
out how much money you will need to save each year, week, or
paycheck to ensure you’re left with a comfortable amount to live
on. Once you confirm, set a specific date for when your down
payment will be ready. Then you can start looking for a home.
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3
Things to Do Before You Sell Your Home
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If you want
to get the best price for your home, a lot of work will need to be
done before you put it on the market. Start early to leave yourself
plenty of time to do inspections, figure out when you need to
close, and get the house ready.
Get a home
inspection.
You won’t know what your home is worth until you know what
condition it’s in. Have your major systems inspected - i.e., your
HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. Get your roof, basement,
foundation, and windows checked out as well. A professional home
inspector (like a buyer would use) can find problems you may not
have noticed and ensure you know what condition your home is in
before buyers come in asking for price changes.
Make a timeline.
Make a list of everything that must be done to get your house ready
to sell, such as repairs, staging, painting, landscaping, and
photographing. You should also think about when you (or your
tenant) can move out for the new buyer. Once you find an interested
buyer, it can take several weeks (sometimes even months) for the
inspections, counter offers, and closing to take place.
Get the house ready.
Decluttering, repairs, and landscaping play an important part in making
sure you get the best price for your home. Budget plenty of time to
finish projects, to clear out as much stuff as possible, and for
your new plants to grow in and start thriving.
Once you’re ready to sell, you have to find the right price, the
one that will help sell your home in your desired time frame and
get you the most money possible. Give me a call when you’re ready
and we can go over your home’s features and upgrades, look at
comparable houses on the market, and examine those that recently sold
to come up with the right listing price for your home!
Looking for more tips on how to boost your home’s curb appeal, save
for a down payment, or get ready to sell? I’m here to help!
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