Buying a home is a decision that could have a major impact on your life for the next five to ten years (if not longer). That's why it's extremely important to know your requirements and what you need to be happy.
If you're in the process of looking for a house to buy, it pays to do an analysis of your financial resources, your goals, and your desired lifestyle.
For example, if expanding your family is part of your five-year-plan, you'll want to make sure the home you buy has enough bedrooms, play areas, and safety features to meet your future needs. The broad category of "safety features" could cover everything from the neighborhood crime rate to the amount of road traffic the street is subject to. Proximity to emergency services is also among the many things to consider when shopping for a new home.
Choosing an experienced real estate agent to help you navigate the many challenges of house hunting will increase the probability that the property you choose will be a good fit for your needs. A bank loan officer or mortgage broker can assist you in determining the type of mortgage you can afford and be approved for.
Other than affordability, sufficient space, and safety considerations, here are a few other items to keep in mind as you shop for your next home.
Boosting the value of your home doesn’t have to require huge renovation projects, thousands of dollars, and months of planning. Making small, tactful home improvements can do the trick just as well.
The key to making desirable home improvements is to follow well-established building and design principles. Don’t worry about the latest trends or trying to reinvent the wheel.
In this post, we’ll tell you how to do just that so your home can be market ready in no time. Here are the top ten improvements for your home that cost $100 or less.
Most people tend to renovate their homes one room at a time. If you have that one room that’s keeping your home in the past, bring it up to speed by replacing the fixtures; whether that’s a new faucet, doorknobs, or other hardware.
A dark room feels smaller, older, and less put together. Abundant lighting is an excellent way to make your home feel larger and more welcoming.
It’s all about curb appeal. Refresh the outside of your home by putting a fresh coat of paint on your front door and mailbox. Bright, bold colors are sure to help your home stand apart from the neighbors while still fitting in.
For $50 you can rent a pressure washer and clean up your vinyl siding, decks, walkways, and driveways. That’s a lot of value and square footage for a small investment.
You can find spa-style shower heads on Amazon for less than $40 that look great and will make your home feel a bit more luxurious.
Buy some modern wall art and large plants and ditch the family heirlooms for when it comes time to sell. These additions will make it easier for prospective buyers to picture themselves living in your home.
Mirrors can be used in a number of places around the home to create the illusion of spaciousness in rooms that are otherwise lacking. There are plenty of creative uses for mirrors for each room of the home.
Underneath those linoleum floors lies wood that might be able to be refurbished. Don’t worry about small dings; they add character.
Buy a fresh doormat and replace an old doorbell to make visitors feel like they’re entering a brand new home.
Hide those cables in the office and living room by tying them behind displays or running wires underneath carpets or behind the drywall. This can instantly make your home feel more clean and put-together.
Choosing outdoor furniture for your home can be a challenging task. You might not even know where to start. What type of furniture do you need? What colors should you choose? The process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you take it step by step, and look at your own needs, the process will be easier for you.
The outdoors have a bit more flexibility than the indoors of your home. There are no wall colors to worry about, only the natural landscape and the shade of your deck. You can choose from a spectrum of colors to suit the feel you want to create in your outdoor space. Color will provide everything from a fun party atmosphere to a classy, refined outdoor space. Don’t be afraid to mix and match as well.
If you have the style of your home down to a science, don’t be afraid to carry that look over to the outside of your home. You can use the same types of fabric textures and colors. Keep in mind that you’ll want a more durable fabric since your furniture may be exposed to the elements.
Use the same design principles outdoors that you would with your indoor furniture. If you have an outdoor fireplace, for example, you can use that as a focal point to gather your furniture around. Don’t be afraid to have a setup similar to that of your living room including a coffee table, sofa-like chair, and other cozy seating.
Just like the inside of your home, the outside of your home is also a reflection of your personality. You can embrace the feeling of fun, bright colors, and contrasting shades. Use what makes you happy and the rest of the design will fall into place!
Remember one of the simplest design principles when designing your outdoor space- use throw pillows! Throw pillows can add so much to a space. Find colors that bring out the best in your outdoor furniture and desired color patterns. When it comes to the outdoors, know that the bolder you go, the better your space will be!
Your outdoor space is a place where you can just “forget the rules.” Go with what feels right for you. The outdoor space is less “stuffy” than the indoors. Not that the inside of your home isn’t comfortable, but the outdoors is a place where an “anything goes” attitude can really work for you.
Preparing your home is one of the most important things you can do before leaving for an extended period of time.
Whether you have a vacation home that you spend your summer months in, you travel for work, or you simply have a second property that will be unoccupied for an extended period of time, it’s vital to take the steps to preparing the home for the elements while you are gone.
In this article, we’ll talk about winterizing, preparing a home for heavy rains, and protecting it from a number of external forces. That way you can rest assured that your property will be safe while you’re away, saving you money in costly repairs.
Many Americans spend the winter months in a warmer climate. Similarly, it has become quite common to purchase vacation homes and cabins in the northern part of the country to visit during the summer months. Regardless, these homes will have to be winterized to avoid damage.
First, and most important, be sure to turn off the water at the main supply sources. Next, open up your faucets and drain all of the lines that carry water throughout your home and yard. Drain, and put away your garden hose, to protect it and your fittings from damage.
Now that you’re protected against water damage, you’ll want to protect against potential fires. Turn off and unplug all appliances. Not only is this a way to avoid fire, but it will also help you avoid needlessly spending on electricity.
It’s a good idea to turn your thermostat down so that your home is kept above freezing, but not at a needlessly high temperature.
Even if your home isn’t facing the winter cold, there are still measures that should be taken during an extended leave.
Cleaning your refrigerator out completely and then washing the interior will help avoid odors from spreading throughout the house.
Other odors can arise from the drains in your home, especially if it’s likely to get hot. To prevent this you can cover up your drains with painter’s tape.
You’ll also want to remove any food from your cabinets that could attract mice, ants, or other pests. While you’re cleaning, wash and put away any linens that you won’t be using for some time.
Be sure arrangements have been made at the post office for any mail you receive at your home. You could set up mail forwarding, have neighbors take in your mail, or purchase a PO box for the time you’re away. Regardless, it’s a good idea to not have mail piling up outside an empty home as it could attract the attention of those seeking to benefit from your house being vacant.
Before leaving, make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked. Remove any spare keys from obvious locations around your home, and make arrangements for someone, such as a neighbor, to check on the home and report any problems to you.
Ready to buy a new home? Ultimately, there is no shortage of high-quality residences at your disposal.
For homebuyers, you'll likely need to conduct plenty of research to find your dream house. And as you begin your search for the ideal residence, you should consider a house's interior closely. By doing so, you'll be able to determine whether costly, time-intensive home interior repairs will be needed in the foreseeable future.
What does it take to assess a home's interior properly? Here are three questions that every homebuyer should ask when he or she evaluates a house's interior:
1. Does a home's interior match my personal style?
Do you prefer bold, vibrant home interior colors? Or, do you enjoy a subtle mix of light and dark colors? Consider your personal style as you study a house's interior, and you'll be able to decide whether a home's interior complements your individual preferences.
Remember, a home's interior might fail to meet your expectations. But keep in mind that there are plenty of fish in the sea. As such, you can explore a broad array of houses and should be able to find a residence with an interior that will make you smile.
2. Were recent home interior renovations completed?
Learn about any recent home interior renovations that were completed. That way, you can understand how much time a home seller has committed to improving a home's interior.
Also, if a home seller has performed myriad home interior improvements, try to find out when these renovations were finished.
As a homebuyer, information is key. With details about assorted home interior renovations, you may be better equipped than ever before as you decide whether a residence is right for you.
3. Am I comfortable with a home's interior?
A homebuyer should feel comfortable with a home's interior before he or she purchases a residence.
If you fall in love with a house's interior during a home showing, you may want to consider moving forward by submitting an offer on a house. On the other hand, if you find a home requires many home interior improvements, you may want to consider exploring other houses that are available.
For homebuyers who are on the fence about a home, a real estate may be able to help. This housing market professional can offer expert insights into a house that you may struggle to obtain elsewhere, ensuring you can make an informed decision about a residence.
Furthermore, a real estate agent can take the guesswork out of the homebuying journey. This real estate expert will keep you up to date about new homes as they become available, set up home showings for you and even negotiate with home sellers on your behalf. As a result, a real estate agent will make it easy to find a house that will serve you sell for years to come.
Work with a real estate agent, and you can move closer to finding a home that looks beautiful both inside and out.
