Now is the time to buy!

Real estate is taking a turn for the better! With the warm weather right around the corner, summer only months away, and the potential for a whole new life only a few clicks away, real estate search engines are seeing a huge increase in activity!

Whether you are looking for a seaside escape ..

A city with so much to offer ..

A cozy  neighborhood ..

There are plenty of options to find for you next chapter. Contact us for more information on what we have available and how fast we can buy your home to get you started on your next adventure!

Home Office Inspiration

When you are a work from home employee, there are certain things you might be looking for when purchasing a new home.

Is there space? Home offices do not need to take up much space, especially if you aren't hosting clients in your home office. In this case, you can get creative with smaller square footage.

Are you going to be able to concentrate? Sometimes other things make it harder to focus when working like dirty dishes in the sink or little ones running around. In this case, you may want a door you can clothes to hide from all those distractions.

Does it make you happy? There's no point in having an office in your home if you are dreading it the second you walk in. Make sure it's in a spot where you love to be!

Look at the big picture. When you are searching for a home, the room might be labeled as the dinning room, a bedroom, a nook. Think outside the box and really imagine yourself in it, where your things would go, and how you'd spend time there. It is your office after all.

Understanding How To Sell to the Current Buyers

With the economy rising and the next generation ready to move forward, we are seeing younger home owners more often! Are you selling to the right crowd or are you stuck marketing for the past buyers?

One of the most important things to do is market your home for the most current buyer. This generation of buyers is much different than what we have seen the past. Are you up to speed?

This generation is familiar with what life is like when you spend all your time working and no time enjoying what you have. High end items are out and working with what you have is in.

It isn't about having the best and living above your means. It's about picking what you enjoy and making it what you want it to be. You love huge windows and natural light, that's what you go after.

Great kitchens have always been a trend and to some extent they still are. This generation is eating out less and staying in more. They are enjoying their kitchen but they want it to reflect that as well. Bright happy rooms with a touch of character seem to draw us in more.

Most of us are working from home! We've figured out what a great savings it is, you get to be where you are investing most of your money into, and you have more time for family and events now that you aren't commuting! This generation is looking for a space we can easily place an indoor office.

It's not about the square footage. It's about how you use it. Is there enough of storage? Are all my basic needs being met? Can I spend a majority of my time here and be happy? Those are the things current buyers are looking for.

Finnegan Update

The fencing is going up around Finnegan to give it some privacy.

We are cleaning up the outside and working on finishing touches like the patio.

and some window shutters.

We also finished the patio ceiling, front door, and added a gorgeous light.

There's so much happening!

Are you getting the bang for your buck?

Finding the best home and getting the best bang for your buck don't always go hand in hand. Are you having to choose a good bargain for a decent home? Are you settling for something you didn't want just because it's a good deal?

Getting both a great deal and a great property has been a struggle for most but there is a solution. Buying a renovated home isn't going to cost you an arm and a leg, and you are going to get some high end materials out of this deal! Reno'd homes are usually purchased for near fair market value or a little less of the current state of the home.

Because renovator's do this often the usually have great deals for high end materials that you couldn't get on your own, they always work with the same contractors and designers to guarantee great quality. Because they are saving money, they aren't having to rack up their prices in order to gain as much profit as if a home owner would if they put their own personal money into a home.

This provides you with a move in ready home for a fraction of the cost. Are you ready to get your dream home and get more bang for your buck?

Less Is More

It is said that living with less gives you more when it comes to life. I realized in our latest move that going through everything we owned, the less we packed, the less we had to carry with us! It is always said that those who move often tend to have less in general. I can imagine that since I wouldn't want to pack and repack items that aren't worth my time.

I am curious to see if living less would suit you? Do you think you could get rid of most of your items and be happy with the bare minimum?

There'd be less time cleaning, that's for sure! If you have less clutter you waste less time shifting that clutter around.

Some people would even say that having less makes you less stressed. You learn to live with what you have and then you aren't wasting your time or money on useless things.

If that were the case, getting rid of all the things I have would free up so much of my time and money, I could actually put more money into the actual home I am buying instead of the things inside it.

Where would you put your time and money?

Why Zillow is Changing Real Estate

As we all know technology keeps getting better and the way we do things with it are expanding our opportunities. It was predicted by zillow that more homes would be sold this winter do to being able to view the properties online prior to going house to house to find the perfect one. I feel like the were right on cue and there's only more to come

With a zestimate to see what our current house is worth, what fees to expect, how much your mortgage is and how much you can put down. There are so many feature's that zillow has provided for us to make the thought of moving and searching options easier. They found an opportunity in what was lacking in the real estate and have changed the way we have viewed home buying.

Now they have come up with a new book about the rules of real estate. It talks about the new challenges to home buying and data providing insights on what we once thought were some of the most important aspects in searching for a home like "buy the worst house in the best neighborhood". Is that the best way to buy a home now?

Looks like we'll have to find out!

Real Estate Photography

Interested in getting some tips on how to take great real estate photo's?

Check out this great video with loads of information and they even have a checklist you can download!

Finnegan Home

 

Some major changes have happened since you last saw the picture above from our new project - the Finnegan home.

There is now new beautiful siding all round!

It's gone through a major makeover outside but we aren't finished yet!

We can't wait to show you what this beauty will look like when it's done.

There is so much potential in store!

Flippers Save You Money

There are some serious advantages to selling your home to someone who is interested in flipping it. Here are a few reasons it can save you some money:

Most Realtors get 6-7% of your homes sale price.

You will also pay for closing and attorney fees which can range from $3,000-$5,000.

Typically, to get your home to sell at a decent price it needs to be up to date, which costs in repairs. This price can range depending on what your home needs.

Between showings and days that it sits on the market, you might not see the dollar savings in it, but you definitely will when you can't sell right away and you are paying to mortgages!

When you selling your home to someone who is interested in flipping:

You are not required to do any upgrades. They take it as is.

If it is a good company, you will get fair market value!

There is no wait time that's going to eat at your wallet.

You also don't have to worry about any additional fees!

Interested in getting an offer on your house without a hassle? Give us a call!

Preventing Water Damage

I hope you enjoy this short video that shows you how a little leak can cause a huge problem!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MLtG8yPheI&w=420&h=315]

What We Are Working On!

Welcome to our next project!

This little gem is getting a major face lift! We are currently stripping the house in preparation for the siding.

After Siding we will be ready to begin electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.

New windows and doors are in, and the beginning of the porch is coming together!

I'm excited to see the transformation of this one - are you?

A Few Reasons to Love 2015's Home Market

We all know it's be a struggle these days in the real estate world but 2015 is a fresh new start, and with all those new goals we have in mind, maybe a new home might just be a great starting point. If you've been shying away from a new home because of the real estate market, you might want to change your mind while you can:

Thank you Fannie Mae! Like a long lost friend we are finally getting back in touch with great opportunities like lower down payments!

"Prospective buyers have another reason to high-five Fannie and Freddie: They’ve recently agreed to get behind loans with just 3 percent down. That lower benchmark, coupled with loosening credit standards, will likely help more first-time buyers enter the market. - 10news"

The rates are still low and seem to be pretty steady. You won't have to worry about a huge rise in mortgage rates, and all though they are stating that don't see a huge increase anytime soon, I'd still lock in those rates while you can!

Home loans are going to be a little easier to get. The Urban Institute estimates more “normal” lending requirements could mean an additional 1.2 million home loans every year.

Let the new year bring in new amazing options!

Tips on Real Estate Photography!

If you are interested in Real Estate Photography here a few tips to get you started: Camera: Purchase a good quality camera and read through the guide!! It's important to learn everything that it can do to help you maneuver a great photo.

Practice: Practice makes perfect! Try getting great shots around your house, use different lenses and accessories (like a tripod!) to figure out what works best for you. Get used to different lighting and how angles look in each photo.

Editing: Find an editing program you like and learn everything there is to know about it! Figure out how to adjust your pictures to look how you want them to.

But most importantly: Capture the homes best qualities! Make it a space worth falling in love and moving for.

Moving Must Haves

Moving into your new home can be exciting, overwhelming, and stressful all at the same time! Here are a few tips to help you get through the firs 24 hours: 1. Pack a suitcase:

Put in it the clothes that you'll need for two days and a night, bathroom necessities (including toilet paper), and maybe even your pillow and a blanket in case you don't get the bed set up right away!

2. Kitchen necessities:

Paper towels, paper plates, utensils, cooler of food, snack bag, and trash bags!

3. Label label label:

Label those boxes with whats inside, color code them for each room in the house, and put a great big start sticker on the ones that should be opened first. I did this for my last move in and it saved us so much time and frustration of moving boxes around a millions times and opening the same ones to see what's inside!

4. Make a list:

Make a list before you move of things you might want to buy on your way there like batteries, a first aid kit, flashlight, light bulbs, paper products, or even some curtains to cover the windows the first night.

5. Enjoy:

Try not to stress about too much. Almost everything in the moving process can be replaced and it's more important that you enjoy the journey than worry about the little things. After all, you just got a brand new home!

Let us help!

Feel like selling your home has been a hassle?

Feel like your house is being overlooked on the market?

Tired of struggling through open houses?

Ready to sell and move on?

Let us help!

Staging A Home to Sell

There are a few tips to staging a home that can really help in the final process of flipping.

Making a statement as soon as you walk in the door can really grab a buyer as well as set the tone for the rest of the house. Going minimalistic can give you a feel of a large room as well as not cloud the idea of making it their own.

 

Knowing what's on trend. Finding a few pieces that go along with the current trends can bring in a sense of feeling at home. All it takes is one piece for the eye to catch and love for an instant emotional connection.

Floor to ceiling curtains make the windows feel larger and the room feel taller. They also give a sense of luxury that most buyers desire.

Curb appeal is a must! Not only is it the first thing they see when they pull up, but also the last thing as they are leaving.

And not a mandatory thing, but one of my favorites is fresh flowers. There's just something about a little nature indoors to make you feel like this home is well taken care of.

Do you have any tips on staging a home?

What 2015 Might Look Like

Freddie Mac released its U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook for November.  Let's see what 2015 has in store for us! 1. Mortgage Rates: Interest rates will likely be on the rise next year, up to 5 percent by the end of the year. 2- Home Prices: After a slowing in 2014 from 2013, it is expected that appreciation will drop further to an average of 3 percent in 2015. 3- Housing Starts: New home building is expected to rise by 20% from this year. 4- Single family loans: Mortgage loans for single family homes will likely drop by 8%, attributed to slowing of refinancing. 5- Multi-family loans: Loans for multi-family properties are expected to rise 14% in 2015. Read the article for more information at:  Freddie Mac Real estate predictions for 2015.

Prepping for the Winter

This is really important if you are selling a home, renting out property, or even for your own house. Prepping for winter can save you money as well as make a difference to a buyer! What can you do to help keep out those winter blues? 1. Replace Air Filters:

Get rid of the old and bring in the new! It helps refresh the house as well as make it not work so hard to keep it warm. This is a big money saver for you and some great information you can pass on to home buyers who love to save some money.

2. Check Your Thermostats:

If the thermostat is only, you can guarantee you are loosing some money there. Also make sure it's running properly! Thermostats that allow you to control the temperature by time settings can also be a great budget friendly option. While you aren't home or while you are sleeping, lower the temperature so you aren't wasting any heat! If you are selling a property set it a lower temperature and let Realtors know they need to turn it up in advanced to showing a home!

3. Clear Away Those Vents:

Make sure there is nothing blocking the vents and clean them out!! The more room they have to breath, the better heat circulation you are going to get.

4. Insulate Exposed Pipes:

Check your basement, make sure there aren't any pipes that are exposed. A frozen pipe can do some serious damage as well as be a huge cost in the long wrong. Insulated pipes are a cheap fix that can really save you later!

5. Outdoor Faucets and sprinklers:

Be sure to drain them before you turn them off! Take of the hoses and add a thermal cover for the winter.

6. Check for any leaks or cracks that might need to be sealed off:

Winter can bring a lot of wet heavy mess as well as serious cold winds. Those tiny cracks can make a difference if they are letting in cold air and a small leak can become a major one if not taken care of properly.

7. Lighting:

It gets dark earlier and it's important that things are well lit so you can see! Check to make sure your house has great interior lights throughout and stock up on those light bulbs!

8. Check in periodically:

If you have a home for sale or rental that's empty, check in periodically to make sure everything is running smoothly and there's no fixes necessary!

Holiday Decor that Can Help You Sell

Looking to sell your property during the holiday season? Here are a few tips to help you incorporate some holiday decor to help you sell!

Don't overdo the decor but adding a few simple touches can make it feel like being home for the holidays, which can create a great emotional bond between a buyer and a home.

Use common sense! Broad holiday decor that could be universally loved is a much better option than specific items. For example, snowflakes rather than snowmen or basic ornaments instead of personal ones.

Try to go gender neutral. Remember that you are trying to appeal your home to many different types of buyers. Going with neutral colors is a great way to go gender neutral as well!

Make sure it isn't hazardous! No candles that need to be lite, that could potentially cause a fire, and make sure it's somewhat child friendly in case buyers come with small children.

Use your decorations to highlight the features in your home and be careful to not hide the best spots as well!

I hope these tips will help you throughout the holidays!