Author: Marlowe Clark

Water leaks or burst pipes can be disastrous and unpredictable, but many homeowners don’t know how to maintain their plumbing. Obviously, a plumber could do a lot more than the average homeowner, but you can still do your part to help the pipes last longer. Long-term stress is the primary cause of plumbing issues, so reducing their work load is the most effective preventative method.

Most people enjoy high water pressure when showering, and may even upgrade to a higher pressure system. But higher water pressure means higher pressure on your pipes. They will slowly start to wear down. If your water pressure is higher 80 psi, consider hiring a plumber to lower it. The $300-400 expenditure is a sizable sum, but still far less than the cost of a water leak. Another thing that can damage the pipes is having a lot of minerals in the water. Think about purchasing a water softener, which will also improve the effectiveness of your washer and dishwasher. They are expensive, though; a good water softener will cost about $500. One method that doesn’t cost you anything at all is to simply avoid pouring grease down the drain. It may seem like liquid grease will pass through easily, but it solidifies as it cools and can clog the pipes over time.

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There are several options to decorate your windows. Some of them also help maintain privacy. The most common is window curtains, but there are other things you can do to make your windows more stylish.

If your window isn’t in a location that necessitates privacy, such as the kitchen, try putting some plants on the windowsill. A traditional valance performs a similar job, but you can also use painted wood or metal to achieve the same effect. For more privacy, consider frosted glass. It lets in more light without being see-through, and doesn’t need to be fiddled with. If you’re the more traditional sort, you can opt for pull-down shades, which aren’t as commonly used nowadays but do the same thing as curtains.

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Out-of-state purchases are becoming more common, with improvements in remote showing technology as well as increased popularity of the work-from-home model. People have even been purchasing sight-unseen, and requesting remote closing processes. Remote transactions may not be what you’re looking for, but regardless of your reasons for buying in another state, being prepared is even more more important than usual.

While big-name real estate agents are big for a reason, it may be more beneficial to choose a local agent for the area you’re looking in. They will be more intimately familiar with the area. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions, especially about the area’s transaction process. You may think you’ve been through it before, but it could be different in another state. Even if you’ve been to the state before, a local agent will likely know more than you. Not just the agent, either — ask the locals questions as well.

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Many homeowners don’t want to consider renovations unless they plan to continue to live there, or the home is in dire need of upgrades. After all, part of the return on investment is emotional. But there are some relatively inexpensive upgrades that can boost your home’s value immediately.

Instead of committing time and money to replacing floors and countertops, update some less permanent fixtures. Replace mirrors and light fixtures, making sure they coordinate with the space and with each other. Professionally cleaning the floors often does just as good a job as replacing it for a much lower cost, especially if you have carpet. While higher end models can be expensive, new appliances won’t necessarily break the bank and will definitely be appreciated by buyers.

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Conducting an energy audit involves checking the home for areas where air could be leaking in or out. Much of the time, this is left to a professional. But it doesn’t have to be. Even if you don’t have the proper tools to fix the leaks, you can certainly conduct an audit yourself and determine whether anything needs to be fixed in the first place. Plus, if you do have the tools or can acquire them, the fixes don’t require a professional either.

All that testing the walls requires is a candle and a way to light it. Bring a lit candle with you as you tour any exterior wall, door, or window. If the candle goes out or starts wavering while you’re not moving, it probably means air is coming in. You can fix the leak yourself with caulk if you find one. Besides exterior walls, doors, and windows, other areas you should check are the attic and ducts. You don’t need a candle for this, but you’ll want a mask and gloves for protection. Lift up insulation in your attic to see if there is any lack of coverage, and fill it with additional insulation before sealing it. Check the ducts for holes, and also check the joins to make sure they’re airtight. Ducts can also lose heat if they’re not clean.

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Looking for investment property is a bit different from looking for a personal home. There are a considerable number of factors when purchasing a personal home, such as affordability, whether it suits your needs, proximity to work, schools, and shopping, and whether you actually like the space. But with investment property, while you probably won’t be getting much return on your investment if no one wants to live there, it’s not your own preferences you should be looking out for.

Ultimately, investment property does come down to your bottom line, and finding something you can afford and that has a good return on investment is certainly very important. But it’s important to realize that your return on investment is partially determined by others’ preferences — which means you need to know what they are. Research the market area and figure out trends. Which types of homes are selling, and to what type of clientele? Also, don’t discount remodeling. It may have a higher up-front cost, but if it does, the return on investment is sure to be high as well in the long term. You may even find it’s actually cheaper to buy a home in need of care and remodel it into something similar to existing homes.

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Sellers have a tendency to overlook buyers who are expecting to get a VA loan, since they think VA loans are more likely to fall through. But deals involving VA loans actually have a higher rate of success. It’s not difficult to qualify for a VA loan if you meet the basic requirements. There’s still the issue of convincing the seller, but there are things you can do to help with that.

Consider working with a lender that specializes in VA loans. Expert guidance can help both the buyer and the seller truly understand what a VA loan means for their prospects. In addition, while VA loans don’t require any down payment, it’s a good idea to put money down anyway. This makes the deal look better to the seller, and ensures that they won’t assume you lack the money to cover a potential difference in appraisal vs sale price, which VA loans don’t cover. And of course, making a better offer will always appeal to a seller. It may not skyrocket you to first choice, but you’ll be in better contention.

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More: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/11/how-to-stay-competitive-using-a-va-loan-in-a-sizzling-housing-market.html

Buying a home isn’t quick, easy, or cheap, and all of that is even more true today than many points in the past. First-time homebuyers don’t necessarily know what they’re getting into. It’s not necessarily their fault, but they tend to be overly optimistic about finding their dream home. And it’s because some common beliefs that first-time homebuyers have about the buying process are simply not true at all.

Buyers tend to think that the perfect home is out there somewhere, and they just need to find it. Once they do, it’s all but theirs. The reality is that finding a home that ticks every single one of your boxes is exceedingly rare. If you do manage to find it, it probably ticks all the boxes for someone else as well, and you’re going to need to fight for it and probably pay more than you wanted. Those who can’t seem to find the right home for them also tend to think the custom construction option is always available. Well, you’re still going to need to find a qualifying plot of land to build it on, and it’s going to be expensive and time-consuming.

Too many first-time homebuyers think they have the process all figured out, and don’t do enough homework or seek the help of professionals. The first call you make should be to your bank to figure out what you can afford. Proof of funds is essential to submitting a competitive offer, and a good agent won’t even show you properties if you don’t have a mortgage pre-approval letter, unless you can demonstrate an ability to pay cash. Even buyers who expect to pay cash may want at least a pre-qualification letter in case they go over their expected budget. Buyers also tend to forget about repairs, thinking everything is going to be dealt with by the seller once the inspection happens. But sellers aren’t required to make repairs unless they’re in order to conform to legal code, nor are they required to be the one to pay for them. That needs to be something you discuss with the seller, who may make some concessions, but probably not all of them.

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Winter is always a slow season for real estate. Most people are too busy with the holidays to think about buying or selling. But it does happen. Buyers willing to look during winter are already a captive audience, since they clearly have a reason to buy, but you can still do your part as the seller to seal the deal. In addition to improving your curb appeal, which is an excellent motivator at any time of the year, you can use the season to your advantage in winter.

Make your home inviting. Add more lighting, especially outdoors. It gets dark earlier in winter, and prospective buyers want to be able to actually see your home. If you have a fireplace, turn it on, or turn up your heater. Winter is colder even in places that don’t get snow, especially after work hours. Staging your home for the holidays can also help. Even if you don’t celebrate or aren’t feeling particularly festive, a plate of cookies or season-appropriate decorations will let people know someone does call this place home.

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