Key Home Renovations to Make Before You Sell
The 2020 real estate market has been an absolute bonanza for sellers. With inventory getting bought up quickly, frequent bidding wars, and many homes selling at record highs, the fact that interest rates are low has been incredibly beneficial for anyone looking to sell their home and make a move. At the same time, however, it’s important to remember that demand alone won’t sell your house. It’s just as important to make sure that you’ve put time and care into preparing it for being listed on the market. Part of that preparation may come in the form of repair work or even renovations. That being said, not all reno work is created equal, so it’s important to prioritize some tasks over others if you want it to pay off when it comes to selling your home. Here are some of the key renovations to make before you list your house with…
4 Home Repairs You Should Take Care of Before Winter
As the weather begins to get cooler, your daily routines will need to be changed. Long sleeve shirts, jackets, and jeans will be brought out of closets. You will have to let your car warm up before hitting the road. Your thermostat will be switched to heat, rather than blowing out cold air, and wearing a hat will be needed to keep you safe from the cold weather. All these changes, and many more, will take place as the seasons change. It would be best though to prepare your home for changes in the seasons. Your goal ultimately is to “winterize” your home. When you winterize your home, you conduct repairs and chores around the home to prevent damage from cold temperatures, snow, and ice. Here are some repairs you should do on your home to prepare for winter 1. Take care of exterior wood by painting, caulking, and sealing. One of…
5 Tips for Commercial Real Estate Investing
Commercial real estate investing provides a tremendous opportunity for long-term growth and wealth. However, the more considerable the investment, the greater the risk it is. Therefore, it’s essential to consider all of your options and understand exactly what you are doing before investing money. Here are five tips for commercial real estate investing. 1. Follow the market carefully. Know the market before investing. Pay attention to property values, what’s selling, what investment opportunities there are, and where the community is heading. While things can happen that you weren’t prepared for, the more in tune you are with the area, the more prepared you will be for changes and new developments. If you are still considering where to buy an investment property, research what areas are growing and on the verge of rapid expansion. Getting on the front end of a community expansion will allow you to profit significantly from a…
Want to Get Approved for a Mortgage? Here’s 5 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
Buying a house is a significant step into adulthood and a major financial commitment. While the cost might seem overwhelming, you are taking the time to invest in yourself, your future, and yes, possibly even your retirement. You are building something that you can use and ideally profit from, longterm. One of the best ways to set yourself up for success as a homeowner is to get a good deal on a mortgage. Follow these tips to get competitive rates that can help you maintain financial stability. 1. Come prepared to meet with your lender. Mortgage companies will review a host of your financial documents before they approve your application. These documents will help determine aspects like interest rates and monthly payments. Review this checklist of items you need, like income statements and your additional assets. Along with preparing financial documents for your lender to review, dress professionally for the meeting. Consider…
5 Ways to Fix Up Your Garage
Everyone uses their garage differently. Some people treat it like a storage unit while still parking their cars outside. Other homeowners use their garage to conduct basic maintenance like changing the oil and rotating the tires. However you use your garage, make sure you get the most out of it. Here are five ways to fix it up to make it more useful for you and your family. 1. Determine the main purpose of your garage. Set goals for why you want to fix up your garage. Do you want to create a place for family members to hang out with chairs, a foosball table, and a second refrigerator? Do you want space to house your hobby equipment, like soccer balls or snorkeling gear? These questions will help you plan your remodel. For example, some people will finish their garages so they have climate control and get WiFi from the…
How Do You Prepare for the Death of a Loved One?
Losing our closest loved ones is always difficult. While no one wants to think of their family as a piggy bank, the honest truth is that death creates a legal and fiduciary requirement on those left behind, and this may be complicated immensely by liquidity needs, property value, cash assets, and of course, the deceased person’s wishes. Outside of financial planning, death asks a lot of us emotionally as well. In the wake of a loss, we must put on a brave face while celebrating the life of one of our closest friends. Dress nicely to feel like yourself. Things can easily become overwhelming during the course of a funeral, but grief follows us out into our daily lives for months or years afterward. One coping mechanism found to be helpful for some in mourning is to buy a new outfit or two for the wake or funeral – some petite…
How to Make Your Vacation Home the Envy of the Island
Purchasing a vacation home is a huge step in anyone’s life. Having the financial security and freedom to take the plunge and buy that bungalow in Honolulu is something to celebrate, and you should make sure the interior of the home matches the level of success you feel from your accomplishments. If you’re feeling overjoyed that you’ve finally saved up the cash to purchase an island getaway but don’t know where to start in terms of renovations, decorations, and improvements, keep reading for some ideas that will make your new Hawaii house the envy of the island. Invest in the Luxurious Side of Things One of the biggest draws for going on vacation at all is that it is a chance to stay in a beautiful or exotic location with luxury amenities. Since your island vacation home is not your primary residence, consider investing more money into luxuries that will make…
Bigger in Texas: How to Make Your Home the Envy of Your Block
You’ve probably heard that everything’s bigger in Texas, and if you live there, you’ve certainly felt it, too! From big houses outfitted with the latest tech to large cars, it can be hard to feel like you’re not keeping up with Joneses. That being said, you don’t have to feel like you’re lagging behind your neighbors if you and your family set the pace for what’s the latest and greatest. Here are a few tips and products to make your home the envy of the block. Upgrade your audio and video If you frequently entertain, you may spend a lot of time in the kitchen, dining room, or living room. Especially as more open-concept layouts gain popularity in homes, your television and entertainment centers become front-and-center for all to see no matter where they stand in your house. As a result, you may be interested in upgrading your television into a…
5 Things to Consider Before Building a House
Building a house is an exciting achievement that comes with many important decisions. It’s tricky to stay focused on the essential design aspects and avoid going over the top with features. Homeowners need to be prepared to communicate with contractors and make the right decisions at any time during the building process. Here are five things to consider before building a house. Set a Realistic Budget and Building Plan Creating a plan is the first step in building a home. Think about how large a house needs to be to accommodate the family size and future expansion. Knowing how much square footage and how many rooms are needed are factors in the building budget. The construction budget should be built around every last expense detail and include a contingency reserve to cover unforeseen costs during construction. Make sure all finances and building permits are in order and accessible before construction begins.…
Spring Cleaning Checklist for Homeowners
Spring Cleaning Checklist for Homeowners Spring is almost here, and with it comes the inspiration to start fresh. Give your home a deep clean once the weather changes and you’ll feel healthy and revitalized. Here’s a list of everything you should tackle during this year’s spring cleaning. The Attic How often do you go into the attic? Every spring, take a day to see what you have up there (this also applies to the basement, especially if you don’t have an attic). You might have an enormous amount of Christmas decorations or wrapping paper that can be sorted or discarded. Go through everything in your attic and decide what to keep and what to discard. Get rid of your old electronics and the clothes you know you’ll never wear. Return the church supplies you’ve been storing to your church or give things like an extra crucifix or KJV Bible to a fellow believer.…