Planning Ideas For Homeowners

In an earlier Blog, I wrote about preparing your home to sell. One of the main tasks mentioned was cleaning & organizing your house. The pros will let you know that when organizing, there are mistakes that should be avoided. On HouseLogic website, Elizabeth Lilly writes an article about 9 common organization errors. I felt it was important enough to reprint. The task of organization can be daunting, even if you are not going to market. Hopefully you can avoid some frustration with the advice of these experts. These pros have seen it all and they’re here to save you from making these home organization mistakes. So let’s borrow ideas from organization experts.

#1 Trying to Do It in One Fell Swoop
Clutter is overwhelming; getting overwhelmed is a great way to make no progress in home organization. The Clutter Cowgirl, professional organizer Jeni Aron, recommends de-cluttering and organizing one room at a time before you move on to the next. And give yourself more than the sliver of Sunday between your golf outing and dinner with each spot.

#2 Starting Without a Home Organization Plan
Tidying is tidying. Home organization is changing the way you live. Meg Ricard, of Simply Organized by Meg, says having a plan is essential to elevating your tidying into organizing. “A lot of people will tidy up a space, tucking things away, and then find that two days later it’s a mess again,” says Ricard. “It takes longer to think about and implement a system, but the long-term results of organizing instead of tidying will be that you remain organized.”
Here’s an example of the difference. A shelf allows you to tidy by getting random hoses and yard waste bags off the garage floor — until they’re used again and tossed wherever. A well-planned system, like filling those shelves with appropriately sized, easy-to-access, labeled bins, can keep your garage organized long term.
A successful home organization strategy fits your life. If you’re short, don’t store things you need often way up high. If you change your purse as often as your shoes, store them near the entryway — that’s where they pile up anyway, right?

#3 Tackling the Paper Mountain First
Certain tasks can bring de-cluttering down to a crawl — and even a halt. Amber Kostelny, the Chicago-based certified professional organizer behind Amber’s Organizing, finds sorting out papers and mail is a surefire way to get overwhelmed fast.
“Don’t start with paper,” she says. “It will bog anyone down because it is tedious and the most frustrating.” We hear that. Save that un-fun task for when your organizing momentum is already rolling.

#4 Trying to Buy Your Way into Organized
Sorry, shoppers. Organization is an action, not something you can buy. Common culprits: renting storage space — which costs around $2,800 a year for a small unit — or sinking $400 into some deliciously chic, handwoven baskets (they’d look amazing in your living room!). When you invest big in one de-cluttering effort, you end up feeling super accomplished when all you’ve done is drain your bank account — and maybe put a few things in one pricey new home storage container.
Avoid overspending (and under-organizing) with these two rules of thumb:
First, if you can live without something for months or years at a time, you likely don’t need it. Storage units are handy for moves and remodels, but in most cases, long-term use is an unnecessary budget-buster.
Second, an organized life requires very little investment. Clear plastic tubs cost $2 at IKEA. Plus, simple, clear containers allow you to actually see what’s inside, so you’ll never forget which $100 basket is storing your scarves again.

#5 Failing to Donate Your Donations
Ricard often spies abandoned piles slated for the local charity shop in clients’ households. “After going through the energy of sorting things to get rid of, make sure to complete the task by actually taking them out of the house,” says Ricard. “The cleared space will be a relief!”
To avoid the buildup, don’t wait until you have a trunk full to run over to the donation center. Drop off a box after each room you organize. Hoarding items you want to give to a friend or family member? Put those things in a box by the door, and give loved ones a drop-dead date for picking them up. Don’t feel bad if they’re no-shows. You don’t actually want it either, remember?

#6 Buying Storage Without Measuring
Shopping is fun. Measuring things is not. But don’t even think about walking into The Container Store before you know the size, shape, and dimensions of organizers you need. Homeowners are constantly “buying things first and getting lured in by cute containers,” says Aron. “But then they realize the stuff they have doesn’t work for the containers.”
Additionally, Kostelny recommends shopping for function over appearance. But bonus if you can find the perfect fit and function, and it’s super cute (obviously).

#7 Ignoring Your Wall Space for Storage
Sometimes the best storage option has been right next to you all along: your walls. Forget tucking everything into a bin or taking up more precious floor space with yet another shelving unit. Wall space isn’t just available and efficient; it can make storage more accessible.
“Adding hooks to make it easy to pick up and go is important — especially for the kiddos,” says Monica Friel, the president and co-founder of Chicago-based Chaos to Order.
Sturdy mudroom hooks are just the beginning. Consider floating shelves, pegboards, corner shelving, built-ins — even attaching finished wooden crates or hanging a shoe organizer on the wall. They can transform your everyday vertical space into an organization mecca.

#8 Skipping a Labeling System
Putting labels on everything in the house may make you feel like a bossy taskmaster. But, in fact, it makes you a clever organization educator. Ricard points out that labels may seem over-the-top at first, but eventually, they make organizing second nature by training others (and reminding you) where things belong.

#9 Allowing Your Organizers to Get Disorganized
Just when you thought your shelves full of tidy, clear, labeled containers were perfect, you open the one marked “gloves” and spend 10 minutes trying to find a single matching pair.
Dividers and smaller boxes within bigger containers can help smaller items stay neatly corralled and categorized. Try this solution inside dresser drawers for a refreshingly well-ordered dressing experience. Now you can pat yourself on the back.

Trying some of these ideas, you’ll be able to enjoy your the added space in your home. Organizing your clutter will enhance your peace of mind!

Home Warranties

One of the scary things about making the leap from property renter to property owner is the idea of maintenance and upkeep. You’re no mechanic or repairman. You don’t know a socket wrench from a sheep ranch. And calling repairmen—how do you know you’re not going to get ripped off because of your lack of knowledge? One solution is the home warranty. These are often offered as part of the buyer’s incentive package when you are buying a home.

What a home warranty is not: It’s not a blanket insurance policy against anything ever going wrong in your home. It’s not a permanent warranty. It does have exclusions. Before you purchase or accept a warranty, it’s good to know what the warranty is, what it covers, what it doesn’t and how it works.
How does it work? Most home warranties are very similar. You’ll want to read your warranty thoroughly and mark anything you don’t understand to have explained to you. But in general:
If a home system or appliance breaks down or stops working, you call the home warranty company. Your home warranty company will call a service provider it has a business arrangement with. The service provider will call you to make an appointment. The service provider will fix the problem. If an appliance or system is malfunctioning and can’t be repaired, depending on your contract coverage, your home warranty company will pay to replace and install the appliance. You will pay a small trade service fee (usually less than $100).
What If the service provider doesn’t fix something to your satisfaction or says that the problem is your fault and isn’t covered by your warranty? Call your real estate agent. Your real estate agent should seek resolution for you.

What’s not covered? Check your specific policy, but in general:

-Outdoor items such as sprinklers/Faucets/Refrigerators/Washers & dryers/garage door openers/Spas and pools (unless specific coverage requested)/Permit fees/Haul aways

What can cause denial of a claim? 

-Improper maintenance

-Code violations

-Unusual wear and tear

-Improper installation

General coverage includes:

-Air conditioning

-Dishwashers

-Doorbells

-Furnace/heating systems

-Water heaters

-Duct-work

-Garbage disposals

-Inside plumbing stoppages

-Ceiling fans

-Electrical systems

-Range and oven

-Telephone wiring

Your responsibility is to read thoroughly and understand your warranty before you agree to the terms. Be sure to clear up anything you don’t understand before you sign anything.

The first year in a new home is an exciting, transformative experience. It’s a blend of practical adjustments, home improvements, and settling into a new community. Here’s what you might expect in each phase of your first year.

First Things First: Set Up Your Home
Before you even start unpacking, there are some crucial steps to take to ensure your new home is safe and functional:Secure Your Home: Change the locks on all exterior doors for security. You never know who might have a copy of the keys from the previous owner.
Set Up Utilities: Ensure that essential services like water, gas, electricity, and internet are set up and functioning.
Safety Check: Install or check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Ensure they are working properly and have fresh batteries.
Find Essentials: Locate the main water shut-off valve, circuit breaker, and any other critical home systems. Knowing where these are and how they work is crucial in case of an emergency.
Deep Clean: Consider a thorough cleaning of the entire house. This is easiest to do when the house is empty, ensuring you’re starting fresh in your new space.
Home Warranty: Consider purchasing a home warranty for peace of mind, covering appliances and systems that may break down.

Months 1-3: Settling In
In the first few months, it’s all about unpacking and arranging key areas like the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. This is also a great time to start exploring your neighborhood, finding local amenities, and meeting neighbors. This period can be an emotional rollercoaster, so it’s important to allow yourself time to adjust to this new chapter.

Months 4-6: Establishing Routines
By now, you’re likely establishing daily routines and making further personal touches in your home. Consider starting smaller home improvement projects or a garden. This is also when you might start purchasing major items for your home like furniture, appliances, and home furnishings.
Tip: Start a regular home maintenance schedule to keep your property in good condition.

Months 7-9: Deepening Roots
By now, your focus may shift to larger projects that make the space truly yours, such as painting or planning significant renovations. This is also a time to invest in items that bring comfort and functionality to your home. Homeowners often buy window coverings, furniture, and lawn care or gardening supplies during these months. Tip: On average, new home buyers spend around $12,000 on alterations and repairs in the first year, so it’s wise to budget carefully and prioritize essential projects with a good ROI.

Months 10-12: Reflection and Planning
As you approach the end of your first year, you might review the changes you’ve made and start planning for future renovations or improvements. Consider the investments you’ve made in your home and how they’ve enhanced your living experience – what’s comes next?

Tip: Review your home-related expenses over the year and adjust your budget as necessary. Your first year in a new home can be a whirlwind of adapting to a new environment, personalizing your space, and embedding yourself in a new community. Embrace each moment of this journey. Here’s to the many memories you’ll create in your new home!

Near the top the long list of items to do when buying or selling a house is the home inspection. This process became a deal breaker during the overheated market of the Covid crisis. Currently inspections are back on the table and highly recommended. But what is involved? How much does it cost? Why is it done in the first place? It’s important to understand what a home inspection entails and how it affects the sale of your home or the purchase of a new one. It is also important to consider the timeline for scheduling. The more you know, the less likely you are to get ripped off or taken by surprise.

What is a Home Inspection?
First of all, let’s clear up a commonly misunderstood point: a home inspection is not the same as an appraisal. An appraisal is an estimate of a property’s overall market value. A home inspection is much more detailed and practical. It is also not a code inspection and therefore does not report on building code compliance or give a “passing” or “failing” grade. It is defined as an objective visual examination of the structure and systems of a home by an impartial, neutral third party not related to the buyer or seller. In layman’s terms, it shows you what’s wrong with the property you want to buy or sell and if it is serious enough to prevent a sale.
The three main points of the inspection are to evaluate the physical condition of the home, including structure, construction and mechanical systems; identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; and estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes. Bottom line: a home inspection is to inform the buyer of any readily visible major defects in the mechanical and structural components, and to disclose any significant health or safety issues.

What Does a Home Inspection Cover?
A home inspection includes a visual examination of the house from top to bottom. There are hundred of items a home inspection covers, including general structure, roof and siding flashing, basement or lower level, framing, central cooling and heating, chimneys, plumbing and electrical systems, drainage, bathrooms and laundry facilities, foundation, common safety devices, fireplaces and wood stoves, kitchen and kitchen appliances, general interior, attic, insulation. ventilation, roof, and exterior.
An inspector cannot report on defects that are not visible. For instance, defects hidden behind finished walls, beneath carpeting, behind storage items and in inaccessible areas, and even those that have been intentionally concealed. Systems that are seasonally inoperable (swamp coolers, air conditioning, furnaces) will not be turned on during the inspection.

How Do I Find an Inspector?
To find your inspector, we provide recommendations for trusted inspection companies. You can also research home inspection companies online. or if family or friends recommend someone they have used. There are requirements for some mortgage financing programs that shorten the list. When interviewing inspectors, be sure to ask for references and any memberships in professional associations. Find out about the inspector’s professional training, length of time in the business, and experience. But don’t delay in getting the inspection underway.
It’s a good idea to be present during the inspection for a couple of reasons: First, you can ask the inspector questions during the inspection. Also, the inspector will have the opportunity to point out areas of potential trouble, which will mean more to you if you see it with your own eyes than read it in the inspector’s report later. Many inspectors also will offer maintenance tips as the inspection progresses. As your realtor, I will also be there as your representative.

Is the Seller Obligated to Make Suggested Repairs?
The seller is not required to make any repairs, replacements or maintenance since this is not a code inspection. Any repairs that are considered Health and Safety items are a must. However, the buyer can use the inspection report as a negotiating tool. For instance, if certain repairs or replacements are made, the buyer might offer to pay more, or if they’re not, the buyer can bid lower.
Also, never allow an inspector to contract with you to make repairs he/she has suggested — this is a major conflict of interest, not to mention unethical. However, some inspectors do offer a guarantee or warranty on their service for an additional fee, although it is not a standard practice and not required. Many will present a disclaimer which holds harmless the inspector.

How Much Does it Cost and How Long Will it Take?
Remember that a thorough, accurate home inspection takes time. The last thing you want to do is to try to hurry the inspector along. The inspector’s most important priority is accuracy, and accuracy takes time. The chances of mistakes and missed conditions are much more likely the more the inspector rushes through. Expect your home inspection to take anywhere between two and five hours (allowing about one hour for each 1,500 square feet of living space over 3,500 square feet). Of course, older homes will take longer than newer ones.
Expect your inspection to cost anywhere from $200-$500 depending on size. The cost is worth it and may be one of the most important investments you make when buying a home.

Conclusion
The home inspection is an important part of your process. It gives a overview of the condition of the property. Hiring a trusted inspector is key. Maintaining the timeline of Purchase and Sales Agreement is essential. Health and Safety items should be the focus. The inspection can provide a bargaining chip, but requests must be made in a timely manner. Different loan programs may require more in-depth inspections or designated inspection companies. A negative inspection may be a necessary catalyst for deciding to walk away from a property. Mainly the home inspection will give you peace of mind about your new home. As your trusted realtor, you will have my assistance throughout the whole process.

It may seem that homebuyers and sellers don’t agree on much, but they share one important concern: that the transaction is successful. This comradery is never more evident than during the appraisal process. It’s only natural, since the results of the appraisal can send the deal spiraling out of control. 

Appraisers consider many factors when determining the worth of a home. While some of 

these, such as location, can’t be helped, there are things a homeowner can do to ensure that the home is appraised for maximum value. 

1. Information is King 

Appraisers don’t spend a lot of time in the home. In fact, Brian Coester, chief executive of appraisal firm CoesterVMS, tells CNBC that the interior inspection typically takes 30 minutes or less.
“After inspecting thousands of homes, it does become quite easy to quickly assess the amenities in a home,” reiterates Ryan Lundquist on Sacramento Appraisal Blog. That isn’t much time to make a good first impression, so line up those ducks in advance of the appraiser’s visit. The first one should be a packet of information that you can hand the appraiser as he or she speeds out the door after the inspection. This packet should contain not only the basics about your home but anything that will help back up the buyer’s offer. 

Include a fact sheet about the home with the address, the year the home was built, the square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the size of the lot. Also include a listing of recent sales in the area, especially if you know of any for-sale-by- owner homes that have sold or homes that sold for less than they should have for any reason. For example, a home may have been sold to a relative, or the owners may have sold quickly to take a job out of town. Yes, the appraiser has access to recent home sales, but there’s always a chance he or she may miss something. 

Create a list of any improvements you’ve made to the home. List them by date and include contact information for the contractor who did the work. 

2. If It’s Broken, Fix It 

The appraiser will assign the home with what is known in the business as an “effective 

age.”
It’s largely based on the condition of the home and how well it has been maintained. This age may be older or younger than its actual age. “Say you have a cracked window, thread-bare carpet, some tiles falling o" the shower surround, vinyl torn in the laundry room, and the dog ate the corner of the fireplace hearth, these items could still add up to an overall average condition rating as the home is still habitable, however your effective age will be higher resulting in comparables being utilized which will have the same effective age and resulting lower value,” Doreen Zimmerman, an appraiser in Paradise, California, tells the Wall Street Journal.
Fix anything that will age the home in the eyes of the appraiser. 

3. Give the Home a Quick Cleaning 

Most appraisers will tell you that it doesn’t matter if your home is clean or dirty - it has no bearing on its value. We, on the other hand, know how illusions can sell, and if a clean house gives the illusion that the home has been well-maintained, what harm can it do to clean it before the appraiser’s arrival? I don’t know about you, but before I trade in a car at the dealership, I give it a good cleaning. 

“Things like overgrown landscaping, soiled carpeting, marks on walls - those do affect value and are part of the property’s overall condition rating,” Dean Zibas, of Zibas Appraisal in San Clemente, California, tells the Wall Street Journal. 

While some things impact a home’s value more than others, the bottom line is that the process can vary by appraiser. Anything you can do in the three areas listed above has the potential to streamline the appraisal process and increase the value of your home. Plus, going through these steps prior to listing your home will only help increase the number of potential buyers. And ultimately, selling your home is what it’s all about. 

Falling in love is exhilarating. It can also be a bit scary, especially when a home has captured your heart. What if something goes wrong and you end up not spending the rest of your life with this stack of brick and mortar you’re lusting after?
No matter how careful you are, some deal killers are unavoidable. Others, however, are preventable, so pay heed if you hope to keep your deal alive. 

1. Don’t Mess with Your Mortgage Preapproval 

A common reason for a real estate deal to fall apart is that many homebuyers don’t fully understand the mortgage process. Sure, you may get a loan preapproval, but don’t think for one minute that this guarantees you will get the loan. It doesn’t. 

Here’s what happens after you receive your preapproval letter and decide to move forward with the purchase. The lender will start your file, give you a list of paperwork required, order an appraisal and credit reports, verify your employment and income, and more. 

The file is then sent to the processor who will review all of your information as well as the appraisal. He or she will then put together a package of all pertinent information to be sent to the underwriter.
The underwriter is the person who ultimately determines whether or not you are an acceptable credit risk. He or she will assess your ability to repay the loan, your credit, and the collateral used to secure the mortgage - in this case the collateral is the home. Then, just before funding the loan, the underwriter will perform what is known as a “so! pull” of your credit information to see if anything has changed. 

This is the point where many borrowers run afoul. If you hope to keep your purchase alive, don’t do anything - from application to closing - that might change your financial picture and sabotage your final approval. This means no shopping on credit for appliances, furniture or anything else. Don’t switch jobs, fall behind on your bills, co- sign a loan for anyone, or in any way reduce the income stated on your application. 

2. Read Homeowners Association Documents Carefully 

When you purchase a home in a managed community governed by a homeowner’s association (HOA), you’ll be given a mountain of paperwork to read and approve. 

Because there may be deal killers included in the fine print, it’s important to get to this task immediately upon receipt of the documents.
Look for any information about liens against the property; current litigation against the HOA, the builder, or the developer; and any red flags in the HOA budget. Since these documents aren’t easy to read and understand, it is worth the money you’ll spend to have your attorney look them over and advise you of any potential deal killers lurking within. 

While the HOA problems could potentially derail the deal, it’s better to have it happen upfront rather than when you’re further along in the process. 

3. Home Inspection Problems 

All homes - even newly constructed ones - may have problems. Going into the process not fully understanding this can set you up for a failed real estate deal. Sure, you ideally want to find a home that was owned by Mr. or Mrs. Clean who conscientiously took care of it during their entire ownership, but those are few and far between and seeking them out is unrealistic. 

Set your sites on finding a home that has small, easy-to-fix problems, and don’t freak out if some are worse than others. In other words, when considering making an offer, laugh at the loose doorknob but negotiate when it comes to water damage or worse. The nitpicky homebuyer, who plans on nickel and diming the homeowner into replacing missing switch plates and dripping faucets, is the picture of a deal-breaker-in-the-making. Sure, in a buyer’s market you may get away with minor demands. In a seller’s market, however, there is always a cleaner offer right behind yours. 

4. Budgeting Blunders 

The real estate industry does a bang-up job of reminding homebuyers that they’ll need a 

https://heatherkellyproperties.kw.com/blog/top-4-deal-killers-for-homebuyers Page 3 of 5 

Top 4 Deal Killers for Homebuyers 5/3/26, 6:44 PM 

down payment - typically frFalling in love is exhilarating. It can also be a bit scary, especially when a home has captured your heart. What if something goes wrong and you end up not spending the rest of your life with this stack of brick and mortar you’re lusting after?

No matter how careful you are, some deal killers are unavoidable. Others, however, are preventable, so pay heed if you hope to keep your deal alive. 

By and large, real estate deals conclude successfully. Typically, it all comes down to the experience of your agent. Choose wisely and you’ll avoid the common pitfalls that can derail transactions. For a smooth, low-stress real estate transaction, slow down, keep your expectations realistic and heed the advice of your real estate agent or attorney. 

 om 3 percent to 20 percent of the total loan amount - when they purchase a home. What they often fail to inform real estate consumers about are the loan’s closing costs - the money you will be required to pay before the house is yours. This is most likely because closing costs are a little harder to pin down. They vary wildly and depend on the type of loan, the amount of the down payment, and a host of other factors. 

Unfortunately, this lack of information frequently causes real estate deals to disintegrate. To avoid this problem, pay attention to all communications from your lender.
First, you will receive a form called a Loan Estimate. Look this over carefully to ensure that everything your lender agreed to is included. Pay close attention to the “Calculating Cash to Close” section, which concludes with an estimated cost to close the loan. Remember, this is an estimate, and the amount may go higher or lower in the end. Speak with the lender if you find any problems here, especially if it will be impossible for you to come up with this money.
Just before closing you will receive the “Closing Disclosure,” which is quite like the estimate, but these figures are final. Again, review the “Cash to Close” figure.

By and large, real estate deals conclude successfully. Typically, it all comes down to the experience of your agent. Choose wisely and you’ll avoid the common pitfalls that can derail transactions. For a smooth, low-stress real estate transaction, slow down, keep your expectations realistic and heed the advice of your real estate agent or attorney. 

If you think about everything that needs to be done to sell your house, you might throw 

your hands up in despair! Or at least feel some anxiety. Take one step at a time, one small task at a time. Break it down to manageable-sized chores and you’ll have better results. First things first – Clear the clutter! Have a garage sale. Whatever doesn’t sell can be donated to charity. Items that have no value go to the local land fill/bailing center. Once the clutter is cleared away, it will be easier to see what needs to be done. 

A common mistake people make is to spend a lot of money on expensive renovations, new roof, or remodeling. While buyers will be impressed with these things, spending $5000 on remodeling probably won’t add $5000 to your sale. Spend as little money as possible and spend it on cosmetic readily seen features like interior painting. The time to remodel is when you plan to stay in the house, not when you’re going to sell. 

Improving your curb appeal is critical. This is your first impression, so it had better be a good one. There are also other minor tweaks that can improve potential buyers opinion of your home. It is not necessary to address every item on my list. But in my experience, some of these simple tasks can be a game changer. It is not uncommon for a potential buyer to jump to a quick decision for seemingly minor issues. Some on the tasks on my list below are effortlessly easy. Some might require outside help depending on how handy you are. Another beauty of my list is if you decide in the end not to sell, you get to enjoy your improvements 

Home Seller’s Task List: 

* Clean, clean, clean. This includes walls, floors, inside closets and cabinets – everything. If you must, hire a cleaning service to come in to do the job.
* Mitigate the smell of cat litter, cigarette smoke, mildew or pet accidents.
* Improve your landscaping. If necessary, hire a landscaping company Edge, mow and fertilize the lawn regularly. Make sure it’s well watered and reseed any sparse areas. Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly. Cut back overgrown shrubbery that looks scraggly or keeps light out of the house. Spring for some brightly colored potted outdoor flower arrangements for the front yard near the entrance. 

* If you have a street-side mailbox, paint it with a clean new coat of paint.
* Buy a new welcome mat.
* Make sure the porch light works. 

* Inspect and clean the chimney.
* If the doorbell doesn’t work, repair or replace it.
* Remove oil stains from driveway and garage.
* If you’re selling in the winter, keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice. Otherwise, keep the walks and driveway swept.
* Repair broken outdoor steps.
* Paint the front door.
* Put away appliances you normally leave on countertops. (This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter.) Thoroughly clean all appliances (especially refrigerator and oven).
* Clean out your closets, garage, basement and attic.
* Paint the walls and ceilings a neutral color – o! white or beige.
* Repair cracks, holes and damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
* Repair dripping faucets and shower heads. Unclog slowly draining sinks and tubs. Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains.
* Buy new cabinet knobs and curtains for the kitchen.
* Shampoo all carpets, scrub and wax linoleum, wash and wax wood floors.
* Clean out the fireplace and lay some logs in it.
* Wash the windows inside and out. Mend torn screens. Clean out all window tracks. Check to see that all windows will open and close. Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings and other woodwork.  

* Replace burned-out light bulbs. Use brighter light bulbs. Make sure every light switch works.
* Nail down any creaking boards or stair treads (drive two long finishing nails at opposing angles through the floor and sub-floor into the joist). 

* Lubricate any squeaking doors
* Remove excess, worn or unattractive furniture.
* Clear all cobwebs from corners and doorways.
* Clean/wipe down all light switches, handrails and doorknobs.
* Store RVs, boats and extra vehicles (anything that can’t be parked in the garage) elsewhere while the house is on the market. 

* Conduct a walking inspection of your exterior. Again consider hiring a professional to assist if needed. Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling, and reseal if possible. If you have siding or brick, power-wash it. If you have a painted exterior, consider repainting in a neutral shade. This is especially important if there is any peeling. Clean and align gutters and downspouts. Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles. Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.

Start Your Search  

The first step in buying a new home is to identify the neighborhoods you want to live in. Our website can help select and save your favorite homes. We can also send you e-mails of homes matching your criteria.

What Can I Afford? 

Quickly get an idea of your home budget using the calculator on our website. We will also help you understand the fees and funds you will need to cover to get closed. 

Get Pre-Approved 

Why should you get pre-approved? Simple – to determine what you can comfortably afford. It also allows us to move quickly when we find the right house. Let us help you understand the deference between Pre-Approved and Pre-Qualified. 

Tour Homes 

Let’s arrange to visit the homes you’re most interested in, together and in-person, to determine the best fit for you. 

Make an Offer 

Once you’ve narrowed down your list and have a clear favorite, we’re ready to make an offer on a home. 

Complete Contract 

We’re able to help you navigate all the steps that lead to a successful contract. 

Home Inspection 

A professional home inspection discloses vital information about a home. We will provide guidance for the local inspection companies that o!er this important service. 

Appraisal 

Most contracts that require financing will need a third-party appraisal. We will assist you 

in coordinating with the lender. 

Home Insurance 

Home insurance protects your new home and belongings from accidental damages. Make sure you insure your home with a plan that fits. 

Close 

Your new home is close at hand! Let’s get ready to do a final walk through, gather the required documents, organize funds, sign the paperwork, and hire a mover. 

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