Once, it was the room that no one would show in movies or even mention in polite company—but these days, a fabulous bathroom is a prime home feature, and for many proud owners, the subject of major bragging rights. They’re luxurious! They’re high-tech and functional! They’re beautiful! Plus—and here’s the real point—today’s HGTV-savvy homeowners know that upgrading their bathroom is likely to impress buyers and boost home valuations. Bathroom remodels now rival kitchens in popularity. The bathroom is reinforcing its place as an important room in a home. But unlike the increasingly public kitchen, the bathroom has evolved into a private haven—a tranquil space for relaxation and self-indulgence. A spa experience in your home Bathrooms are getaways that have the power of revitalizing and soothing body and soul. To create the feel of a spa, keep the design and features minimal, use a neutral color palette, and make sure there’s lots of natural light, he advises. Also, avoid clutter. After all, “an elegant and relaxed bathroom needs a little space.” Indoor-outdoor flow—and we don’t mean the water You might think that the top things you’d want in a bathroom are a reasonable degree of privacy and some good ventilation. And you wouldn’t exactly be wrong. But let’s add another factor to the list: Bathrooms that embrace their natural surroundings offer exciting design possibilities. After all, what better way to enjoy nature than showering outdoors? That is, assuming the neighbors aren’t close by. These days privacy is “not so much a matter of hiding ourselves from others, but about shielding ourselves from the outside frenzy.” As a matter of practicality, of course, floor-to-ceiling windows allow the feeling of being outside without little inconveniences like dead leaves in your freshly washed hair. Even simpler, maximize a view of a natural landscape. Decor that could fit in the living room When it comes to planning, design, and decorating, bathrooms are just as important (if not more) as any other room in a home. Think beyond your towel colors. The Houzz survey found that 15% of respondents put a chandelier in their master bathroom for a luxe look. Vintage fittings are a popular trend; vintage features such as Venetian mirrors and Victorian bathtubs and washbasins. For those who prefer a more contemporary style, there are streamlined fittings made of stone, marble, or even high-quality recycled plastic or translucent resin. Technology with a gentle touch Technology is already making its way into the bathroom, but very subtly with features such as touch-sensitive taps and toilets that fully wash, dry, and deodorize you to become more common. Already, homeowners in the Houzz survey favor making their bathrooms cozy with radiant heat flooring (26%) and towel warmers (11%). Towel warmers are an affordable indulgence that come in various designs and configurations to accommodate any possible needs. No matter what, though, high-tech features should not interfere with a quiet soak in a hot tub. No beeps or blinking lights! Fashion that doesn’t leave function behind At the end of the day, whether your dream bathroom resembles a spa, a Moroccan bathhouse, or, oddly enough, Mamie Eisenhower’s powder room, it has to serve your needs. Organization and accessibility are key. Make best use of the available space. A functional bathroom that looks good will still be practical and look sharp a decade later. Sure, you’ll probably change some details over the years, but invest now in organization solutions and a layout that works. It’s also smart to think long term about accessibility—the Houzz survey found that baby boomers are big on features such as grab bars and curb less showers. Bathrooms are the second costliest room in the home for renovations, experts say. So, when you’re planning your remodel, make sure you’ll end up with a bathroom you’ll love for years to come.

When the real estate market turns sluggish, you may have to take steps to set your home apart from others. It won't be enough to just put out a for-sale sign and wait for potential buyers. One way that homeowners can sell their homes more speedily is by home staging, which can have the added benefit of pushing up the selling price of your home. Basically, staging consists of arranging your home's décor and furniture in such a way as to make the home have more of an appeal to prospective buyers. In some cases, home staging can be a relatively simple and inexpensive undertaking. You may be comfortable with just cleaning up your home and removing all day-to-day items. On the other hand, you may want to consider investing a more substantial amount of time and money into your home staging project. The main benefit of investing in landscaping, painting and new furniture is that a potential buyer will come away from a visit to your home with a better idea of how his or her new home will look. Home staging has been around since the 1970s. Although it began on the West Coast of the United States, the concept eventually spread to the rest of the country. There's more to home staging than just decorating. The general idea behind home staging is to depersonalize your home so that a prospective buyer will be able to imagine him or herself living in it. By removing piles of newspapers and family photos, you'll be able to increase your home's appeal. Another tip is to choose neutral colors for your home's carpet and paint. If it's within your budget, you'll also want to think about buying new appliances. Although many people do a good job of staging their own homes, you can also hire a professional to do the job for you.

Before you put your home up for sale, you'll want to ensure it's clean for all of the buyers that will come through. A dirty house isn't appealing, and you won't get a good offer, if you get one at all, if your home isn't in tip-top shape. Cleaning your home doesn't have to be overwhelming, below we've listed the top things to remember to clean for each room. FOYER: > Clean the door and hardware. > Wipe off all fingerprints on windows/furniture.  > Clean off scuff marks on floors and door. > Replace all light bulbs and ensure light fixtures are working. > Tidy/clean up the coat closet. People WILL look in there to see the size. KITCHEN:  > Wipe down all cabinets. > Clean all appliances, inside and out. > Clean stove hood, on top and bottom. > Clean behind the refrigerator, on top and bottom too. > Ensure the microwave is clean of food splatter.  > Clean the space behind the sink. > Wipe down blinds/shades. > Wash any kitchen rugs, clean the floors and baseboards. > Store all of your food/pet food out of sight. BATHROOM:  > Clean behind toilet and under sink. > Only display absolute necessities; declutter. > Organize and clean under the vanity. > Scrub floors and clean grout lines. > Keep dirty clothes and towels off the floor. > Be sure to lock away any medication. > Clean the fan and make sure it is functioning. > Replace any dead lightbulbs.  BEDROOM: > Wash sheets, comforters, and blankets. > Clean the curtains and rugs. > Dust furniture.  > Remove any obvious stains from fabrics. > Keep closets clean and organized. > Store away dirty clothes and personal photos. > Clean marks on walls. These are just the basics you don't want to forget about. If it's within your budget, we highly recommend hiring a professional cleaner to ensure your home is in its best condition. Contact your agent to get a great local recommendation.

Pre-approved? Know what you can afford? That means it is time to start house hunting! The hunt for your dream home can stall quickly if you aren’t sure what your “dream” looks like. It’s easy to talk in generalities about wanting a “big” house or an “older” home, but in order to have a more specific real estate search, you must think specifically about the features you want or need. Will your “big” house be 2,400 square feet or 5,000? When you say “older” home, do you mean one built pre-1950, or pre-2000? Before continuing on the search, sit down and make a list of your needs and wants — and yes, those are two different things. Think about the things that are needed (amount of bedrooms, yard space, garage, etc.) and the rest of the things that would be nice, but you probably could live without it (pool, etc.) It is important to note that your lists will most likely change as you learn more about your housing options. Location, such as proximity to the beach, may start as a priority, but once you see the size of ocean-front homes in your price range, the drive to the beach may be more reasonable. Unless you have an unlimited or extremely flexible budget, there will probably need to be compromises along the way. Below are tips and questions to help you figure out what you do and don’t like about your current home, so that you can find more comfort and pleasure in your dream home. Take the time to rank specific home features in lists such as “Must Have,” “Like to Have,” and “Don’t Care.” 1. Know your finances Having your finances in order before house-hunting can make all the difference in a competitive market. Determining your budget and how much financial wiggle room you have can help clarify your must-haves.Ask yourself:  Are you pre-approved for a mortgage? What’s your price range? How much do you have saved for a down payment? What about future repairs? Are you willing to do extra renovations or do you want a turnkey property? 2. Consider your current lifestyle and plan for the future You may have the perfect home in mind, or you may not even know where to start when imagining your future place to live. It can help to consider your basic needs and non-negotiables in a home. Consider where you live now and what your favorite things are and what you need to change. Think about the following: You need space for a future nursery or a home office You need any special features for your pets like a fenced-in yard You need wheelchair access or limited stairs You need a space for a car or is street parking sufficient Walkability is important to you You plan on changing jobs in the next 1-2 years 3. Pick your preferred home style and type Once the basics are figured out, the groundwork for determining what features you want in a house is easier. Consider the different types of houses on the market, the neighborhoods you would like, and think of keywords that can help narrow your search. Ask yourself these questions: How many stories do you want? Do you want to live in a townhouse, condo or single-family house? Could you live in a historic home? How many bedrooms? How many bathrooms? Want a guest room? What type of flooring do you like? What architectural styles do you like best? What’s your favorite room, and what makes spending time there enjoyable? If you have an outdoor space, do you enjoy spending time there? Do you enjoy taking care of a yard or feel burdened by it? 4. Choose a location Keep in mind that paint colors to refresh the home can be changed, extensions to increase your square footage can be added, but the location of the home can’t be altered. When finding your dream home, it’s easy to get caught up in its features, but you should also consider your surroundings: Do you prefer urban, suburban or rural? What city do you want to live in? Do you want easy access to highways or public transportation? How important is the view? Can you sleep easily with traffic noise? Do you want to be involved in community activities? Are there parks within walking or biking distance? Do the property taxes and/or HOA fees fit your budget? 5. Get to know the neighborhood Think you’ve found the perfect home in the perfect area? Before buying, it’s still always a good idea to explore the neighborhood and ask yourself the following:  Are you happy with your neighborhood? Are there enough activities going on around you — or too many? Are you happy with your commute? Do you have to travel far for basics such as groceries or a doctor’s appointment? 6. Document your visit When it’s time to take your home tour, check the features against the checklist you made. Do you need to re-evaluate any of your must-haves? Get a feel for the home and consider anything you may have left off of your list. Remember, paint can be replaced and staged furniture will change, but there are aspects that can’t change so easily. Is there enough space or too much space? Where could you use more space? How would you describe the layout? Do you like the fixtures and finishes? Are you happy with the windows (enough natural light, well-placed, too sunny)? Does the home have curb appeal? Does the home have adequate parking? Once you know what you’re looking for in a home, you’ll be ready to find the right agent to partner with for your search. Identifying your priorities will help you find the perfect property. Happy house hunting!

Nowhere to park? Create your own driveway with one of these affordable methods. A DIY driveway can be an easy want to add parking or improve the look of your home. Here are three relatively simple options. 1. Carve out a parking pad The easiest, most affordable way to get an extra parking space is to clear out some grass and throw down mulch. It works fine, looks good and can be done in a day. But beware: Mulch isn’t a permanent solution. Mulch breaks down over time, floats away in a heavy rain and fades in the sun. Over time, you may end up spending more money sprucing up the mulch than you would have pouring concrete in the first place. Be sure to use a store-bought landscape barrier, or even lay down newspaper to prevent weeds. If mulch seems too temporary, consider other loose materials like gravel, stones, or crushed oyster shells. 2. Build a DIY driveway with pavers A more solid parking option is a concrete or brick paver driveway. It can be installed either professionally or DIY. Thousands of videos online show the steps and all the tricks of the trade. It’s really quite simple: Excavate the area to be paved. Install a base material, such as crushed concrete, at a thickness of a few inches. Pack down the base material with a compactor, making sure to slope it as desired. Install a thin layer of sand on top of the base material. Install paver blocks on the sand layer, laying them in place in the pattern of your choice. Install a border row of bricks along the edges, and back that row with a poured concrete edge restraint, which will keep things from moving outward. Put another layer of sand on top of the finished surface and broom it into the joints between the bricks. When installed properly, a paver driveway can last for decades. 3. Go with classic concrete Finally, there is the tried-and-true concrete driveway. There’s a reason concrete is still the most common driveway product in the world: It looks good, doesn’t cost a fortune, and lasts a very long time. There are fewer steps to pouring a concrete parking area than there is to installing pavers, but it’s not quite as beginner friendly. If you’ve never poured concrete before, it’s a good idea to start with a smaller area, such as a sidewalk, before tackling a large area.

Let’s face it—when it comes to laundry rooms, most of us are lucky to have a single shelf to hold detergent and a tiny counter for folding shirts. But because doing laundry is a weekly task that will never, ever end, finding more space to deal with it is a big bonus. Here are six smart ways to squeeze extra storage into your little laundry room. Who knows, maybe these tricks will make laundry a little more enjoyable. Maybe. 1. Stack the units Need extra inches to treat stains or store supplies? Investing in a stackable washer-dryer set could be your quickest fix. Vertical units help save space and the cost is comparable to side-by-side versions. For a clever hack, consider jacking up your washer-dryer set onto pedestals. Not only do they raise appliances to an ergonomic level, but you can stash a small hamper, soaps, and other supplies in them without taking up floor space. 2. Get creative with your shelving Adding more shelves is an obvious storage fix, but there are ways to make these built-ins work harder. Wire or mesh shelves give a unique look and utility. You can gain storage and a place to dry delicates simply by poking hangers into the holes. You should also think vertical: Overhead shelving doesn’t usually extend to the ceiling, so this is an excellent spot for more storage. Adding in custom details can also maximize your space, experts say. Pull-out hampers, U-shelves for sink bases, and roll-out trays make drawers and shelves much more efficient. A large shower caddy also tucks neatly between machines to hold supplies. Or try floating shelves for a clean, airy look. And it doesn’t have to look ugly—you can spruce up your storage space by spray-painting baskets. A single color is trendy and makes your random collection look so much better. Don’t have space for shelves and baskets? Back-of-the-door organizers are also handy. You could install wire, molded plastic, or a hanging shoe holder for supplies. 3. Lose the doors Many laundry rooms are made even smaller by doors that don’t open all the way, so remove them to free up your nook. And don’t worry about exposing your appliances for the world to see. The modern washing machine is a thing of beauty. Not OK with no way to hide your machines? Try pocket doors—they’re a space-saving miracle. 4. Tuck in an ironing board The iron is likely the biggest item to store in your too-small laundry room. We all struggle with the archaic ironing board, so think about installing an Iron-A-Way to save precious space. Wall-mounted boards or pull-out drawer styles are ideal for a tiny laundry room. It’ll look like a closed drawer, but when it’s open, it expands and rotates as needed. 5. For drying space, look up Ceiling space is often underutilized in a small room. Mount a drying rack from hooks for instant storage, air drying, and hanging newly ironed garments. For a clever hack, you can repurpose an old ladder from the garage, which allows you to do away with a conventional drying rack. Another hack is filling overhead space with racks and rods. A pull-down rod allows you to reach up to access hanging clothes and then gently send it back. An adjustable shower rod or a retractable clothesline are cheap, but efficient options. It’s a nice option because it takes up less space and can be hidden away when not in use. 6. Choose clear storage Not sure where to put your laundry pods? A wall-mounted fishbowl saves shelf space and looks pretty cool. You can also recycle glass jars to hold detergent and clothespins. Clear jars are practical and decorative in a laundry room. Try placing them on a space-saving Lazy Susan for a hint of style and a smart use of space.

Securing a home loan and buying a house after bankruptcy may sound like an impossible feat. Blame it on all those Monopoly games, but bankruptcy has a very bad rap, painting the filer as someone who should never be loaned money. The reality is that of the 600,000 Americans who file for bankruptcy every year, most are well-intentioned, responsible people. Life has thrown them a curveball, however, that has left them struggling to pay off their past debts. Sometimes, filing for bankruptcy is the only way out of a crushing financial situation, and taking this step can really help cash-strapped individuals get back on their feet. And yes, many go on to become first-time home buyers or buy a home eventually, despite the challenging credit score that results from bankruptcy. But how? Being aware of what a lender expects after a bankruptcy will help you navigate the mortgage application process efficiently and effectively. Here are the steps on buying a house after bankruptcy, and the top things you need to know: Types of bankruptcy: The best and the worst There are two ways to file: Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. With Chapter 7 bankruptcy, filers are typically released from their obligation to pay back unsecured debt—think credit cards, medical bills, or loans extended without collateral. With Chapter 13 bankruptcy, filers have to pay back their debt. However, the debt is reorganized and a new repayment schedule established that makes monthly payments more affordable. Since Chapter 13 filers are still paying back their debts, mortgage lenders generally look more favorably on these consumers than those who file for Chapter 7. A bankruptcy attorney can help determine if Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 makes the most sense for your specific situation. Unfortunately, both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies will adversely affect credit scores. But don’t give up! How long after bankruptcy should you wait before buying a house? Most people applying for a loan will need to wait two years after bankruptcy before lenders will consider their loan application. That said, it could be up to a four-year ban, depending on the individual and type of loan. This is because lenders have different “seasoning” requirements, which is a specified amount of time that needs to pass. Fannie Mae, for example, has a minimum two-year ban on borrowers who have filed for bankruptcy.  The FHA loan, on the other hand, has a minimum one-year ban in place after a bankruptcy. These bans, or seasoning periods, are typically shorter with government-backed loans (such as FHA or VA loans) than with conventional loans. The time is measured starting from the date of discharge or dismissal of the bankruptcy action. Generally, the more time between debt discharge and the loan application, the less risky a once-bankrupt borrower looks in the eyes of a mortgage lender. How to reestablish credit after bankruptcy Once the bankruptcy process is over, reestablishing and maintaining creditworthiness is key to your financial health. Lenders will be looking for zero delinquencies post bankruptcy. While you work to build new credit, don’t go overboard opening an extensive number of accounts, as this will work against you. Usually, opening just a couple of revolving credit lines and paying them in a timely manner over the course of 12 months helps to increase credit scores back to an acceptable level. What to do before you apply for a mortgage Before you apply for a mortgage loan, check your credit score by getting copies of your three main credit reports, which detail the financial transactions (and transgressions) from your past. You will want to check these credit reports for errors, such as a credit issue that you resolved but that is not reflected in your report. In some post bankruptcy cases, errors continue to report negatively on credit reports. These mistakes will drag down your overall credit score and reduce your chances of getting approved for the mortgage. So if you spot mistakes on your credit reports, work with the credit bureaus to correct the information they include. This can boost your credit score significantly, and may even tip the scales on your home loan approval. Mortgage lenders want to see any movement from bad credit to good credit, so don’t leave any of your hard-earned progress on the table. Buying a house after bankruptcy: Ways to woo a lender To start the mortgage process, lenders require a detailed letter explaining why you needed to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 in the first place. Ideally, the bankruptcy would have been caused by an extenuating circumstance beyond your control—such as the death of an income-contributing spouse, the loss of employment, or a serious illness. In other words: A lender likes to see that you were hit with hard times that had a significant negative impact on your expenses or income, and made it impossible to meet your financial obligations. What a lender won’t want to see is someone with a die-hard shopping habit or a careless attitude toward paying credit cards on time. If that’s you, you’ll have to prove you’ve changed. Whatever the reason you filed for bankruptcy, lenders will need to properly document your extenuating circumstances, so be prepared to provide proof detailing your life event. Medical bills, a doctor’s note, a death certificate, or severance paperwork are all acceptable evidence that prove to lenders that you are a safe bet worthy of a home loan.

Chances are you don’t worry too much about radon until it is time to buy a home. Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium, which can be found in nearly all soil types. It can travel through the soil, into the air and into your home through cracks, gaps or the water supply. Radon isn’t picky about the homes it enters, found in all types from new builds to 100-year-old homes. Radon causes approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, second only to smoking. You can’t see, smell or taste radon. It can take years of exposure before health problems become apparent. The EPA estimates that as many as 8 million U.S. homes contain elevated levels of radon. So, how do you know if your home has radon? Having testing done is the only way to check your home’s radon levels. Some states already regulate providers of radon measurement and mitigation services by requiring registration, certification or licensing. If your state does not regulate testers, you can buy a radon test kit online or from a home improvement store. When buying or selling, the EPA recommends radon testing before finalizing any real estate transaction.  Reported as pCi/l, or pico curies per liter, radon levels of 4pCi/l or higher is unacceptable. If your first test comes back higher than 4pCi,I, you should retest. If a second test also comes back with an unacceptable reading, you will need to take steps to reduce your home’s radon levels. The most common radon mitigation systems rely on fans. Placed in an attic or outside the building, the fans are used to draw air out from under a crawl space, basement, or concrete slab. The fans reroute gases coming from the soil beneath your house to the outside the structure, far enough they can’t re-enter through the windows. Once your mitigation work is complete, you should have your home retested to ensure the radon is gone.

Buying new construction is a different process than buying your typical pre-built home. What’s included, what’s not, and what’s hidden in that massive contract depends on the builder that you use. As with any situation where you’re moving or about to spend a lot of hard earned money, it’s important to go in prepared – and that means asking the right questions. The first interaction you’ll have with the builder – and in fact, the first several, at least – will be with the builder’s sales representative. These early meetings are your chance to ask all of the questions you might have regarding costs, labor, and other essentials that you need to know about before jumping in. Write your questions down before you go in so that you can be sure not to forget anything important, and don’t be shy about getting the answers that you need. This is a major purchase, and you don’t want any surprises later. Not sure exactly what you need to be asking about? These 10 questions to ask when buying a new construction home will help get you started. Is the lot cost included? When you’re exploring new construction options, you’ll see that each plan comes with a base cost. This is the cost of the structure itself, as well as base interior and exterior features (we’ll get into those in a little bit). What may not be included is the cost of the land, so be sure to ask if the lot cost is figured into the base. If the lot cost is included, ask if there are premium costs for certain lots. It’s possible that the base cost does include the lot, but the remaining lots in the development all have added costs for certain features that you can’t opt out of, such as look-out windows in the basement or wider yards. If the lot cost is not included, ask what it is (and whether there are additional premium costs) and factor those into the base price for the house. How long will building take? It’s important to know what you’re getting into timing-wise with a new construction build, particularly if you have a house to sell first or you’re going to be renting. While the building process is prone to delays and you won’t be able to get a finite schedule for how long the build will take, you’ll be able to get a general idea of what you can expect. Be sure to also ask if the build time includes the time it takes to get the permits, since those will typically take about 30-45 days to obtain. What warranties are provided with the house? Just because a home is brand new doesn’t mean that no problems will arise. Fortunately, most new construction homes come with one or more warranties that protect you in the event of a mishap early on, including a short term whole-house warranty and a longer structural warranty. Ask what the warranties include and how long they last. While you can always buy your own home warranty, you should expect that the builder will cover you in some way for at least the first several years. What are the standard finishes? Does a base cost look too good to be true? That might be because the builder is expecting you to spend big when it comes to finishes like flooring and countertops. Ask what types of finishes are included, and better yet, go through the model unit with the sales representative and have them point out what’s standard and what is an upgrade. You likely won’t meet with the design center until after you’ve gone under contract, so it’s important to figure out early what sorts of finishes and appliances you can expect to be included in the home’s base price. Are you allowed to purchase your own appliances or materials? Had your heart set on butcher block countertops but the builder doesn’t offer them? It’s possible that you may be able to purchase them yourself and then have the builder install them. Alternately, some builders won’t let you purchase your own materials, but they will let you bring in your own appliances, even on items that are included in the sale, like sinks and toilets. Keep in mind that, in terms of appliances, you probably will have to make some purchases on your own, such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators. If you can bring in your own materials or appliances, will you get credits? Let’s say the base price of your new construction home includes a kitchen sink worth $200, but you’d like to upgrade and purchase a sink on your own that costs $400. Will you get $200 off the purchase price for not using the sink that’s included in the base? Some builders offer credits for any upgrades or self-purchased materials or appliances, while with others you’ll just have to eat the cost of the originally included item. Credits are a nice touch, but they’re not usually standard, so it’s best not to go in expecting that you’ll get money off the base cost for purchases like these. In general, builders don’t like to lower the base cost, but if they do offer credits, that’s a win for you. Is landscaping included? Depending on the size of your yard, landscaping, including sodding and putting in trees and plants, can set you back several thousand dollars or more. Is that a cost you’ll have to factor in on top of the home purchase? Some builders include your basic yard work, while others leave you with unfinished land that becomes your responsibility to landscape (and generally must be completed in a set amount of time, per the contract). Ask whether landscaping is included, and if so, what that entails and if there is any sort of warranty on the materials so that if your newly sodded grass dies right away or some other mishap occurs you’re not responsible for fixing it. Does the contract include a cost escalation clause? New builds are notorious for last minute surprises, but you don’t want to be on the hook financially if it happens. A cost escalation clause allows the builder to charge you for any unanticipated costs that arise as a result of necessary labor or materials. So if lumber prices go up before the builder has purchased the materials for your flooring, or an unexpected delay adds a few weeks onto the build, you’re on the line for those costs. If you’d rather not deal with the stress of unanticipated costs, find a builder that doesn’t include a cost escalation clause in the contract. Are there any homeowners rules or regulations? Even if there is no homeowners association for the development, the builder may still set some guidelines as far as what’s allowed and what’s not on your property. For example, you may not be able to use a particular type of fencing or install a shed in your backyard. It’s better to ask this question early and know what to expect than to move in and find out that you can’t bring into fruition certain plans you had for the space. Are there any financial incentives for using the builder’s preferred lender? Some builders offer discounts on closing costs if you obtain your mortgage through a company that they have a relationship with. Ask if these sorts of financial incentives are offered, but don’t make your final decision about where to get your mortgage based on the discounts alone – you may still be able to find a better deal through other lenders. It’s still good to know however if there are benefits to working with the builder’s preferred mortgage company. If it’s your dream to build a new construction house, go in to the process with an open mind and a clear idea of what you can expect. The more questions you can ask in the beginning, the less surprises you’ll potentially face in the future. And as with any home purchase, be sure to have an attorney read over your contract so that you can be sure everything is fair and equitable. Some buyers of new construction prefer to go in to sales meetings with a real estate agent as well, though in my own experience, I didn’t find that to be necessary. Be smart, ask the right questions, and at the end of the day (or fine, year) you’ll end up with a beautiful home built just for you.

Are you selling your home and reviewing several offers? Congratulations! You’re well on your way to getting as much as possible out of what is likely your largest asset. But when it comes to picking an offer, sometimes it’s important to take a step back and recognize that your bottom line shouldn’t be your only consideration. In many instances, the terms a potential buyer includes in the offer also play an important part. They can underscore how many hurdles you’ll have to clear to reach the closing table in a timely manner. So every seller should carefully review an offer—beyond the dollar amount—before settling on a buyer. To help you navigate all this, we’ve outlined four important factors that home sellers should look for in an offer. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best one. Research your preferred financing method As a seller, you probably have an offer amount in mind that you would like the buyer to meet or exceed. But remember, a buyer needs to prove that he can afford to make the purchase—no matter what numbers are thrown around in an offer. If the buyer intends to get a mortgage, there should always be a pre-approval letter included in an offer on their lender’s letterhead. And if a potential buyer makes a cash offer, ask for proof of funds before accepting it. This proof will usually come in the form of a bank or investment account statement. Each should show that the buyer has the funds necessary to complete the transaction. Need to sell your home in a hurry? Then you may prefer an all-cash offer. This type of offer usually involves less risk and a shorter escrow period as cash eliminates waiting for a buyer’s full mortgage approval. But seller beware: All-cash buyers have negotiation power. And they will generally want something in return for bringing a bag of money to the sale. For instance, they could offer you less than the asking price. So be sure to weigh the cons against the pros before accepting an all-cash offer over a buyer with a mortgage. Look for a larger earnest money deposit Next, you may want to pick an offer with a sizable earnest money deposit, also known as a good-faith deposit. This is a sum of money that a buyer entrusts to the seller’s brokerage firm to prove that he is serious about purchasing the home. A deposit that’s worth 1% to 2% of the sale price is normal, but the higher the deposit, the stronger the offer. The buyer’s earnest money deposit goes toward the down payment if they eventually close on the home. On the other hand, if the buyer breaks the contract and walks away from buying the home, you can potentially keep the deposit as a consolation. Consider fewer contingencies In real estate, contingencies are benchmarks buyers set that need to be met for the transaction to continue moving forward. For example, many buyers will want to include an inspection contingency in the purchase contract. This means the buyer will need time to have your home inspected. And if any issues are found, a buyer might ask you to make repairs before he will close on the home. With an appraisal contingency, a satisfactory appraisal of your property must be conducted. If the appraisal doesn’t match the agreed-upon price of the home, you and the buyer will have to reach a new number before settlement. The caveat here is that anytime a contingency can’t be satisfied, the buyer has a chance to walk away from the purchase with his earnest money deposit in hand. Obviously, from a seller’s point of view, the fewer chances the buyer has to exit the transaction, the better. With that in mind, it’s a good idea for you to select an offer that has the fewest contingencies from the start. Choosing an offer with minimal contingencies is just as important as the sale price. That’s why cash offers are often accepted, even at lower sales prices. Sellers see a cash offer as removing a lot of the risk of the transaction falling apart due to a buyer’s inability to get financing or the appraisal value coming in below the sale price. Opt for an ideal closing timeline Finally, consider your optimal timeline for heading to the settlement table. Moving out is a lot of work, especially if you’ve lived in the home you’re selling for a while. To that end, you’re going to want to ensure that you choose an offer with a closing date that suits your needs. Timing is everything. While a quick closing is desirable to many sellers, some need more time to move. In that case, even an offer that has a lower sale price may be more desirable if the timing works better for them.

As the real estate market turns sluggish, you may have to take steps to set your home apart from others. It won't be enough to just put out a for-sale sign and wait for potential buyers. One way that homeowners can sell their homes more speedily is by home staging, which can have the added benefit of pushing up the selling price of your home. Basically, staging consists of arranging your home's decor and furniture in such a way as to make the home have more of an appeal to prospective buyers. In some cases, home staging can be a relatively simple and inexpensive undertaking. You may be comfortable with just cleaning up your home and removing all day-to-day items. On the other hand, you may want to consider investing a more substantial amount of time and money into your home staging project. The main benefit of investing in landscaping, painting and new furniture is that a potential buyer will come away from a visit to your home with a better idea of how his or her new home will look. Home staging has been around since the 1970s. Although it began on the West Coast of the United States, the concept eventually spread to the rest of the country. There's more to home staging than just decorating. The general idea behind home staging is to depersonalize your home so that a prospective buyer will be able to imagine him or herself living in it. By removing piles of newspapers and family photos, you'll be able to increase your home's appeal. Another tip is to choose neutral colors for your home's carpet and paint. If it's within your budget, you'll also want to think about buying new appliances. Although many people do a good job of staging their own homes, you can also hire a professional to do the job for you.

Ready to sell your house? Here are a few staging tips to get your home prepared for the market. When listing a home that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions, you want to make sure it is presented in the best light. You wouldn't buy a $50,000 car if it was filled from top to bottom with someone else’s personal content and trash. This is the same mindset you need to carry into selling your home that will be worth well over $100,000. 1. SAY GOODBYE TO CLUTTER The best thing you can do for your home for sale is to get rid of all of your clutter! Make a rule for your home that for every new piece that comes in, one must go. One of the biggest factors to a cluttered home is too much furniture. Generally, in a professional staging, half the homeowner's furniture is removed to make the house look bigger. Look around your house and see what you can pack away. It'll be worth the investment to get a storage unit for a few months to store away those extra furnishings and goods. 2. FURNITURE GROUPINGS There is a large misconception that furniture pushed directly up against the walls make a room look bigger, but this is far from true. Instead, you'll want to float your furniture in each room and away from the walls. Position your sofas and chairs into cozy conversational groupings. Be sure the furnishings are placed to make the traffic flow in a room obvious. This will make the room more user-friendly and will make it look larger. 3. TRANSFORM ROOMS If you have a room that has only served to collect boxes or other junk, it is important to purpose the room to something that is functional. You can make it into an extra bedroom, a small cozy nook/reading room, etc. If the basement is your problem room, organize your boxes or move them to a storage unit and turn it into a gaming room or family area. 4. HOME LIGHTING Great lighting is the trick to making a staged home look warm and welcome. Most homes are improperly lit, which makes rooms look dark and dreary. There is a quick fix to this issue. Increase the wattage in your fixtures and lamps, aiming for about 100 watts per 50 square feet. Add three different types of lighting to each room: ambient (general overhead), task (under cabinets or pendants), and accent lighting (table lamps and wall accents). 5. GO NEUTRAL  The simple trick to toning down dated finishes in any space is a little bit of fresh paint. You don't want to go stark white, but look into neutral grey and beige colors. Beige colors can also consist of warm honey-like colors, soft blues and greens, and a variety of undertones that add a little life to a neutral color. If you do want to use bold colors, be sure to only keep it on accent walls to help enhance structural features. 6. MAKE IT LOOK BIGGER If you want to make a room appear bigger than it is, paint the room the same color as an adjacent room. For small kitchens and dining rooms, a seamless look will make the space feel like one, open it up, and make it seem much larger. Using drapes that match the wall colors can also add an emphasis to the room's size. 7. USE YOUR GARDEN Staged homes tend to use fresh flowers and pricey floral arrangements. If you don't have the money to go all out on florals, you can get this same effect by raiding your garden space. You can DIY beautiful pieces with fern fronds, magnolia clippings, and more. Use the spring and summer months to find cheerful flowers and use them in your arrangements. 8. GET A FACELIFT So you can't afford new cabinets? You can just get new doors and drawer fronts. Paint everything to match and add new hardware to them. Instead of replacing the entire dishwasher, you may be able to get a new front panel, and you should go for stainless steel if you think you can pull it off. Check with the manufacturer to see if replacements are available for your model. 9. MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS Unfinished home projects can really scare off potential home buyers, so you'll want to be sure to make required repairs. Missing floorboards and large cracks in the sidewalk on the way to your door tend to be a red flag. Holes in walls and scratched up door frames can really look unattractive. These repairs cost you less to fix than buyers might deduct from the asking price. 10. CLEAN YOUR HOME Aside from decluttering, the most important step to staging your home is to clean it. A dirty house is a quick turn-off for potential buyers. Most homes, especially with children and pets or smokers, have a smell that may go undetected to homeowners, but are quickly picked up by strangers. Be sure to have your home professionally cleaned prior to staging to show all buyers that your home is nice and fresh.

You’ve probably heard about all the benefits of apple cider vinegar in the beauty department - it can be used as a toner, a deodorant, and even a conditioning hair rinse. But did you know ACV can be used as a cleaning product? If you’ve been thinking of going non-toxic, replacing your current cleaners with apple cider vinegar is the affordable, easy way to do just that. Here are some of the household items you can replace and how to do so! 1. Fabric Softener ACV is a great way to condition your laundry if you have sensitive skin. Just add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in place of your fabric softener and stop all the itching caused by harsh chemicals. 2. Household Cleaner Apple cider vinegar has a great deal of antibacterial properties so it works extremely well as an every day household cleaner. Mix equal parts water and ACV in a spray bottle and you’re ready to clean! While the vinegar smell will fade, you can add a few drops of citrus essential oil to leave a great smell once it dries. 3. Drain Cleaner Instead of buying drain cleaner filled with dangerous chemicals, use safe items you probably already have! Mix 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda and pour that down your clogged drain. Then, pour 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar. Let the products react for 1-2 hours and then rinse with warm water. 4. Window Cleaner Using the same combination as the everyday household cleaner, mixing equal parts apple cider vinegar and water to create a smear-free window spray. 5. Stainless Steel Cleaner Your typical stainless steel cleaner can get pricey. Instead, use apple cider vinegar straight out of the bottle to clean your stainless steel. 6. Sticker Remover Sticker removal can be a giant pain. Soak the area where the sticker won’t budge with apple cider vinegar for about 20 minutes, and then scrape it off! 7. Weed Killer We’ve all read the warning labels on weed killer found at local hardware stores, so it isn’t a surprise that we can be hesitant when it comes to using those products in the yard where our children or pets spend a great deal of time. Avoid those harsh chemicals and create an alternative, effective weed killer. Mix 1/2 gallon of ACV, 1/4 cup of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap in a large spray bottle. Be sure to spray on each set of weeds individually and avoid spraying any plants you want to keep. 8. Mildew Remover If you’re trying to get rid of mildew in your bathroom, use apple cider vinegar! For heavy mildew, use ACV on its own. For lighter stains, use equal parts ACV and water. You can add essential oils to this mix as well for a scent booster.  

Sometimes house upkeep can be a stressful addition to your to-do list. If you are having trouble keeping the house clean, it might be time to delegate those tasks to someone else. House cleaning can be extremely time-consuming, so hiring a cleaning service can open up your schedule for things that are more important to you. When you are ready to hire a service, it is helpful to take certain things into consideration when choosing who will clean your home. Here are some tips to make sure you hire the best fit for you! Decide What You Need Finding a cleaning service will be easier if you know what you are looking for. What would help you the most when it comes to getting your house clean? Is it laundry and dishes, or deep cleaning the house? Create a list of what you need help with so you can vocalize those needs to potential services. Look For Personal Referrals The best place to look for someone you can trust is with those you already trust. Do you have a friend or family member who uses a trusted cleaning service? Start your interviews with them! Check Credibility Even with a perusal referral, it is important to check the credibility of a company yourself. Check for an online presence, see if they have reviews, and look at how long they’ve been in business. Interview Your Options Interviewing your options in person can help you get a feel for who you think will be the best fit for you. Unlike other services, cleaning services will be inside your home in places you don’t typically have guests. Make sure you feel comfortable around them!

You've found your dream home. After months of searching, you're finally closing on the house that you've wanted for so long. The last thing you want to do is take any action that would interfere with the closing of your home. Since the start of your home search, your agent has probably told you time and time again not to do anything that would impact your credit score, like opening a new line of credit or making a large purchase. While this makes sense during the approval process, you may wonder why it is key to keep your credit in check until after closing. Here is an explanation of the 2 credit checks performed during the home-buying process and why it is important to maintain your credit from start to finish. Pre-Approval Credit Check To get a loan to purchase a home, you'll go through a pre-qualification process. You'll let your potential lender know a variety of financial information, from your credit score and employment to your marital status, as well as any number of factors that can impact your qualification. With this self-reported information, you can then be pre-approved. After that, lenders will verify the information you've provided and this is when they will pull your credit history. It is important that what you've reported matches the credit information pulled by the lender - which is why you shouldn't miss any payments or open new cards during this time. Lenders offer approval based on a risk assessment, and you do not want them to think that you are a risk. Credit Check at Closing The main concern of the lender is the risk you pose to them. Because it can take time for an offer to be accepted, your lender may pull a second credit check while waiting for your loan to pass underwriting. This is to ensure your credit hasn't changed since the initial credit check. If you took out a loan or created massive credit debt, you could change your debt to income ratio and your lender could decide you are too risky to loan to. This is why it is so very important to keep your credit in check before, during, and after the home-buying process!

Paint colors can drastically affect the feeling of a room. It can make it enjoyable to be in, or leave you feeling uncomfortable. It can alter the perception of the room's shape and size and add to, or take away from, the atmosphere you're trying to portray in your space. The paint you use in your house can make or break its aesthetics.  COLOR TIPS Dark Colors: Adds coziness to a room. Used to make a large room feel smaller. Advances the color in the room. Light Colors: Used to make small rooms feel bigger. Recedes the color in a room. Light colors help a space feel more airy. Lighter colors tend to recede, which makes it appear farther away, therefore making the room feel bigger. Darker colors tend to advance, which makes them seem closer, in turn making the room feel smaller. You can use colors to completely modify the size of a room by perception. You can use this concept to minimize unattractive features in your house or highlight focal points.  If your room is too large and doesn't make the space feel cozy, you can paint your ceiling a darker color than the walls, to help them feel a little lower. Conversely, if your ceilings are too low and makes you feel claustrophobic, you can paint them a lighter shade to help them feel higher.

If you are considering becoming a property investor, you may wonder why you should buy a rental and what indicators to look for when trying to find a property. Here are some signs to look for if you are on the fence about investing in a rental that indicate it is a great time to buy! Low Interest Rates When mortgage rates drop, it is much easier to make a property produce income. The best place to figure out what kind of interest rate you will get for an investment property is with a lender. Check in with them to figure out how to start the process, and contact an agent to help you start viewing potential properties. Home Equity Check in with a local Realtor to see how much your current home is worth! Some investment properties require a high down payment, but low-interest rates, refinancing and knowing your home value can make a difference. For example, if you need to borrow 10%, many homes in good markets can appreciate 10% of their value in just a year, depending on the condition and the location. Chat with a lender to see if you can qualify, and check in with your current mortgage company to discuss your plan. Scarcity of Units Do you live in a location where rental units are in high-demand? Maybe your city is growing and the demand for a space to rent is higher than the available properties. If that is the case, now is the best time to find a property to purchase for rental purposes. Return Rate If the rate of return in your county is growing, it might be a good time to invest in property. If there is a yearly increase, you can make significant gains over time. Ultimately, talking to professionals can help you decide if now is the right time to invest in rental properties!

Sing me some graces, there is such a thing as over-cleaning! Here are ten chores around the home that you really only need to do annually, minus special circumstances. Let's dive in! 1. Curtains & Drapes Unfortunately, we don't mean the dusting part. You'll want to dust at least once a month, but when it actually comes time to getting them cleaned, you only really need to do that once a year. You can take them in to get dry cleaned or follow the instructions on their tags if you choose to wash them at home.  2. House Gutters Gutter guards can be a great investment, especially if you live around trees that shed all year long. These can keep your gutter cleanings minimal, generally about once per year. You'll want to do this in the autumn when all of the leaves from the trees have already fallen.  3. Fireplace & Chimney  After the winter, you'll want to give your fireplace a thorough cleaning. You can use a shop vacuum to clean up the embers. Make sure to wash down the fireplace tools as well. Go an extra step further and schedule an appointment with a chimney sweeper.  4. Carpets We wish we meant vacuuming, but that's pretty much a weekly or biweekly task for most households. In this case, we mean a deep clean. The best time to get this taken care of is right after summer.  5. Outdoor Furniture The best time to clean outdoor furniture is when you bring them out of storage for Spring. Of course, if messes happen while you're using them, you want to clean the spots right away to you avoid an accumulation of stains in a short period.  6. Mattress Mattresses have improved through the years but they still need a little bit of attention. At least once a year, give your mattress a thorough cleaning and change the position of it.  7. Kitchen Cabinets & Pantry Early November is a great time to clean out kitchen cabinets, drawers, and the food pantry to get ready for the holidays. Do a section of cabinets at a time and empty them out completely. Wipe down the shelves and reline with shelf paper if needed. 8. Linen Closet Just once a year, empty out your linen closet and give it a thorough cleaning. Take time to vacuum away dust and spiderwebs and reline any shelves.  9. Garage, Basement, & Attic No one is expecting you to have a perfect garage, basement, or attic. However, a good cleaning at least once a year can help you keep an eye on things, such as moisture or insect problems. It can also feel good to get rid of junk that tends to accumulate in these hidden spaces. If you're in the market to sell your home, you can always give me a call, and I'll refer some preferred vendors that can help you knock out your cleaning tasks.

Is buying in your future? While the idea of rent-to-own seems reasonable, in practice, such arrangements may not be in a buyer’s best interest. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission cautions against rent-to-own deals, mostly because of the risks involved and the very real potential for scams. “No credit? No problem!” — usually too good to be true. Typically, renters pursue rent-to-own arrangements because they have poor credit or don’t have money for a down payment. (The down payment is money you pay upfront toward the purchase of a home. The rest of the home’s purchase price is covered by a home loan called a mortgage.) The Federal Trade Commission states that renters can lose money on rent-to-own agreements that could instead have been saved for a down payment; it recommends you wait until you’ve saved and improved your credit. Down payment assistance programs are worth a look. If you’re thinking about rent-to-own because you lack funds for a down payment, you can apply for down payment assistance through one of the 2,000-plus programs offered throughout the country. Down payment assistance programs are typically run by state and local governments and nonprofit community groups. They’re designed for households who can afford monthly mortgage payments but don’t have enough money to put down toward the purchase. A real estate agent or mortgage lender may know about additional programs in your state or local area.  

Laundry doesn't exactly make the top of the list when it comes to enjoyable chores. Unfortunately, it is one of the chores that we can't really get rid of. Instead of dreading laundry day, try these tips to help you manage your load and make the most of your time. Before you know it, you may even look forward to laundry - or at least be able to enjoy the extra time you'll save! 1. Schedule Laundry-Type Days Instead of saving one day to do all of your laundry, break up your laundry by type and assign a day to that type. You can have towels on Monday, bedding on Tuesday, and so on. 2. Learn to Multitask Laundry can take up a great deal of unnecessary time if not done correctly. Rather than waiting for laundry to finish to do other tasks, use breaks between those other tasks to work on your laundry load. For example, once you’ve put dinner in the oven, start a new load. Once you’ve finished another task and a have a few free minutes, use that time to fold laundry. This way you are multitasking and using your time more efficiently. 3. Carefully Pre-Sort Your Laundry Pre-sorting your laundry will save you the time that is often wasted digging through your baskets to find what can be washed together. Be sure to carefully pre-sort, so you can avoid ruining any clothing. 4. Service Your Dryer Cleaning out your lint trap after each cycle will not only reduce a fire risk, but it will also help your dryer run more efficiently. 5. Avoid Machine Issues Being proactive is much easier than dealing with the consequences of a dryer issue. Instead of having to worry about cleaning melted wax or pen stains out of your dryer, make it a routine to check pockets before every load. It is much easier to take an extra minute to double check than scrub out whatever may stain an entire load of laundry. 6. Get Rid of Wrinkles Instead of worrying about taking the time to steam your clothing, do so while they’re in the dryer. If you add a few ice cubes into a light load of clothing while your dryer is on the highest heat setting, the ice will melt and produce steam. 7. Declutter Your Closet While this may not be the first thing you think of when trying to make laundry day easier, decluttering your closet can make a huge difference in how much laundry you will actually need to do overall. Clothing we don't love tends to end up tossed on the floor and washed again and again without ever being worn out of the front door. Get rid of that extra clutter and make your load smaller!