Register Real Estate Advisors

This weeks White Board Monday is on the “Do’s and Don’ts of Qualifying for a Mortgage.” There are several things you can do to improve your chances of qualifying for a mortgage. Don’t forget, RREA has an in-house lender ready to get you qualified today! Enjoy.

White Board Monday #19 – Samantha Chelette brings you this week’s White Board Monday about income properties. Are they right for you? 281.288.3500

Bring the country lifestyle to the city limits with this beautiful home on the lake. You will love the pool and spa, chef’s kitchen, and all the details in this fabulous luxury home. Call today for a private showing. 281.288.3500.

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If you are a first time homeowner, or are purchasing a home after a major life change such as marriage or having children, what should you consider to be sure your new home can grow with your changing family? The time and effort that go into purchasing and decorating a new home, not to mention finding it in the first place, means that you’ll want to ensure that your home will be right for you and your family for years to come. So what should you look for in your new home so that it will give you enjoyment and be functional both now and in the future?

Size

Though a cute two-bedroom home may be right for a newlywed couple, this type of space will likely soon be outgrown if there are any children in your future or if you and your spouse like to entertain. You will also want to consider the number of bathrooms and the facilities in them. Having only one toilet or shower can certainly put stress on a growing family.

Features

Special features of a home, such as a finished basement, central air, and a large yard can make your home a more functional and enjoyable space, especially if you have or are considering starting a family in the near future. You may also want to consider the age of the home you purchase and its features or appliances, as this may lead to future costs that may put stress on your financial situation at a time when one spouse may be at home caring for the children.

Location

Location is also an important consideration when choosing a home that can grow with your family. Choosing a safe neighborhood is always an important point when selecting a family home, but you will also want to consider the proximity of good schools, community centers, and shopping. Also, facilities such as parks and libraries can make a neighborhood truly a great place for families.

As the old adage goes, home is where the heart is, and choosing a family home that is right for your family can really make all the difference in having a happy, fulfilling, and safe family life.

Samantha Chelette walks you through some tips to maximize the sale of your home, even though it is a buyer’s market.

 Selling your home can cause potential anxiety about your personal privacy.  With your doors open to a nearly constant stream of strangers through your home, you may worry that your personal information is at risk.  Protecting your personal information is a top priority.  Here are a few tips for protecting your privacy while your home is on the market.

 Ask Your REALTOR® To Accompany Potential Buyers And Other People Entering Your Home

 Some REALTORS® allow buyers to walk through the property on their own.  If you are concerned with allowing strangers to tour your home unaccompanied, let your agent know ahead of time.

 Remove Your Mail And Financial Information 

 Don’t leave mail sitting out.  You don’t want your personal information made public, and you would be surprised what thieves can use to steal your identity.  Also remove all checkbooks and banks statements and place them in a secure filing cabinet or lockbox.

 Remove Personal Effects

 From diplomas to wedding photos, don’t provide potential buyers with any personal information about yourself or your family.  Depersonalizing is also an important part of successfully staging your home for sale, so removing these things will allow you to accomplish two things at once.

 Don’t Leave Your Computer On During Showings

 A professional identity thief can access personal information from your computer in only a few moments, so shut your computer off before buyers arrive.

 These simple tips can keep your privacy secure while selling your home.

When selling your home, the last thing you want to do is invest more into it, but in most cases making a few repairs or renovations to your home before putting it on the market can really be worth the financial and time investment. You want your home to look fresh, modern, and clean, and with a little work and money you can sometimes increase the value of your home by a considerable amount. Here are a few improvements that can really boost your home’s salability.

Fresh Coat Of Paint-Rooms with a fresh coat of paint look new and clean. You’ll want to keep the colors neutral and light, and this is a good opportunity to also make any repairs to ceilings and walls.

Flooring-Clean and polished hardwood floors or new carpeting is a big selling point for homes on the market. Again, if you plan on installing new flooring keep the colors neutral and the materials within the price range of the home in order to maximize your investment.

Kitchen Improvements-If your kitchen is outdated and your appliances old, then you may want to consider investing in some changes to this important room. A kitchen is often the major selling point of a home, and with a few cosmetic changes you can transform its appearance. Fresh paint, new cabinetry, and a modern sink and faucet can really make a huge difference in the appeal and asking price of your home.

Bathroom Improvements-Bathrooms, just like kitchens, can make a big difference in the price of your home if they are outdated and shabby in appearance. New fixtures and a fresh coat of paint can really improve your home’s appeal.

Exterior-Curb appeal is also an important point to remember when preparing your home for sale. You’ll want to fix any obvious exterior damage to your home and property, and consider adding some finishing touches such as flowers.

Overall, most of these improvements are relatively inexpensive compared to the increased value they can give your home. It is always a good idea to get the advice of a REALTOR® before going ahead, to ensure that you will get maximum profit from your improvement investment.

Anything that could be potentially harmful to the new occupant or the home itself must be addressed in the seller’s disclosure.

Seller disclosure can include previous damage, homeowner’s association fees, or any number of other things. Following is more information about home seller disclosure obligations.

Be sure your agent shows you the disclosure document before signing. You are responsible for the accuracy of the document, and can be held liable for any inaccurate information contained within it.

Know your local disclosure requirements. While there are federal disclosure requirements, there may be some in your state or local area that may be more inclusive than the federal guidelines. Your real estate agent can keep you informed on where to find this information.

Be sure any defects in the property are disclosed to buyers. This includes the results of any home inspections and property surveys that have recently been done. It also includes information about any harmful chemicals that may be present in the home, such as lead paint or asbestos.

If someone has recently died in the home you are required to tell buyers of this fact. In most areas you must disclose this if the death has occurred in the last three years.

There are also some areas that require you to disclose potential natural threats to the home such as fire hazards, earthquakes, and mudslides.

Your agent is required to disclose any information that may affect a homebuyer’s decision to make an offer on a property. You must inform your agent if you think the foundation may have a crack, even if you are not sure that information must be disclosed.