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10 Things to Remove from Your Home When Listing for Sale

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One of the most common questions from home sellers is, “do I really need to put my family pictures away”? The short answer is “yes,” but maybe not for the reasons you assume. The general principle is that buyers need to be able to visualize their own lives in the home in order to buy the house. There is nothing new about this, but in this complicated age of security challenges, there are also safety reasons to remove your items before showings. 10 Things to Remove 1. Excess Furniture –  Consider removing extra chairs, ottomans, side tables, etc., anything unnecessary. 2. Family Photos –  You do not know who is coming through your home; protect your family by removing any identifiable pictures, awards, certificates, etc. 3. Religious Art/Collectables –  Some people may be offended by these kinds of items. Better to avoid issues. 4. Laptops and Cell Phones –  Anything easily picked up and removed should be safely stowed. Jewelry –  Again, anything of value should be secured out of sight.

Benefits of Switching From Gas to Induction

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For decades, gas stoves have been the preferred choice for both professional and amateur chefs alike and it’s easy to understand why. Gas stoves allow for quick control of the heat which allows for quick adjustments when cooking. But recently possible bans on gas stoves have dominated national news as unhealthy. Regardless of whether induction stovetops are healthier or not, there are great reasons to make the switch. What is an Induction Range? In simple terms, an induction electric range is powered by an electromagnetic field. This allows the range to have the same degree of temperature as a gas powered stove with a similar level of control. Making the Switch The first thing to realize is that you’ll pay more for an induction stove than a gas range. The increase in cost may be as much as double the price and the installation will require special wiring and circuitry. But this increase in upfront costs will start to pay off very quickly. First, homeowners can take advantage of a feder

Buying a New Construction Home? A Few Tips To Avoid Panic

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A brand-new home! Who hasn’t dreamed of creating the perfect home from scratch and moving into a space that no one has ever lived in before. There’s something special about a fresh home, but remember, new doesn’t mean perfect. And it certainly does not mean that there won’t be imperfections, small or large, to contend with. One of the most important things to understand up front is what does your warranty cover? A builder’s warranty covers typical defects and other problems, but the fine print outlines timelines, procedures, and limitations. A thorough reading prior to closing will clarify how to handle any issues that arise when you move in. When you are ready to move in, your checklist will differ from a typical resale home. First, always have an independent home inspection, just as you would if you purchased a used home. Alert the builder immediately of anything that the inspection uncovers. During the final walk-through, you will also want to make sure the home was completed correc

6 Factors That Could Damage Your Credit Score

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Having good credit is essential for a number of aspects of your life, ranging from the interest rate on a car loan or credit card to background checks for employment. Poor credit can be incredibly expensive, costing you thousands of dollars in higher interest rates over the course of a home loan. Fortunately, with proper care and attention paid to your finances, it is possible to maintain a good credit rating. Here are six factors that could damage your credit score: 1. Not paying your bills on time  - Bills not paid within 30 days can be reported to the credit bureaus. 2. Utilizing all of your available credit on credit cards  - It is important to not max out your credit cards without a plan to pay them off. 3. Not having a diverse mix of credit  - Having different types of credit, such as car loans and revolving credit, could help improve your score. 4. Applying for too much credit  - Multiple applications for credit cards in a short period of time can be a bad sign. 5. Not using cre

What Does “Clear to Close” Mean?

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  One of the best things a homebuyer can hear is, “we have ‘clear to close.’” It’s one of the biggest milestones in the mortgage lending process and means the underwriter has cleared the application to move forward to document signing and close of escrow. While a critical stage for the sale, this is not the final step in closing on a new home. There are several things that can still affect the transfer of title. After the underwriter clears the file, the buyer will receive the closing disclosure. This is provided at least 3 days before the closing date and provides the final fees and costs. There shouldn’t be any surprises in the document, but the buyer must review and make sure the terms are acceptable. The close date will also be finalized at this time. Any discrepancy in the terms of the document and buyer’s expectations can still throw a wrench in the closing. Another step after “clear to close” is the final property walk-through. The buyers and their agent will walk through the ho

It’s Still a Great Time to Sell

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Sellers all over the country are confused and worried they may have missed the best time to sell their home. Prices are dropping, mortgage rates are rising, and the pace has slowed but the impact on any individual seller is unclear. While the days of any home selling for any price are behind us, the current housing market is still strong. The biggest hurdle for sellers is to avoid the feeling that they missed their chance to get top dollar. Yet, many times the seller intends to buy again also; so while they may sell their home a little lower, they will also buy the new home a little lower as well. ABCs of Success The ABCs to a successful sale are not complicated. They are the basics of home selling, but if followed, it will ensure a timely and profitable home sale. A) Appreciation –  When sellers hear this term, they normally think of the value of the home. During a challenging market, this kind of appreciation is to appreciate every buyer who wants to come by and every offer you recei

10 Most Common Home Buyer Questions

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Buying a new home is exciting and confusing. There are a lot of steps to buying a home, and people have questions. These are the most common questions home buyers have, and the answers. 1.  How do I get started? –  The first step is to speak with a lender and get a pre-approval. This will tell you, and potential sellers, how much you can afford. 2.  How long does it take to close on a home?  – Typically, it takes about 30-45 days once contracts are signed to complete the lending, appraisal, and inspection processes. 3.  What does my agent do?  – A buyer’s agent will negotiate terms and manage the closing process from start to finish. 4.  How much do I pay for a buyer’s agent?  – Nothing. The seller’s agent gives the buyer’s agent a portion of their commission from the seller. 5.  What credit score do I need to qualify?  – A 620 FICO score or higher is required for most home loan programs. Talk to a lender for other options for lower scores. 6.  How much money do I need for a down payme