Buying a Home? Don’t Forget the Inspection!

You’ve finally found the home that is just right, made an offer and it was accepted. Now you 

just wait for escrow to close, right?  Wrong!  Your work is just beginning.

Now is the time to have the home inspected, if it hasn’t been, to make sure you are aware of any possible issues in the home before it’s too late and the deed has been transferred. An independent inspector can evaluate your potential home on a structural and functional level and give you a full report, generally in under two to three hours, depending on the size of the home. This report can help you feel at ease with your purchase and alert you to any areas of concern.

If there is a swimming pool or spa or unusual home appliance or fixture, you may want to have that inspected individually by a reputable repairman in that field. Questions and concerns relating to asbestos, lead or chemicals, mold and mildew, or pests will need to be directed to an inspector licensed in those specific areas of expertise.

Generally speaking, a home inspection on a property for sale will cover the following areas:

• An evaluation of the walls, ceiling, floor, roof, firewall, windows, foundation and slab.
• Inspection of the landscaping, looking particularly at grading and drainage, although drives and walkways, fencing, trim, doors, windows, and outlets will be checked as well.
• General framing as seen in exposed beams or attics, ventilation, duct and plumbing systems, and the condition of roofing materials, plumbing and rain gutters will be noted, too. Water heaters, fireplaces and the sprinkler system should be evaluated.
• Earthquake structural safety and whether it is bolted to the foundation or needs to be to prevent major damage during earthquakes.
• The electrical sources and wiring in the home will be inspected, from circuit breakers and grounding systems to exhaust fans and receptacles.
• All appliances, including the garbage disposal, alarm system (if needed) and all smoke detectors.

Every city in San Diego County has different regulations in regards to home inspections, so it it best to use a local inspector recommended by your Realtor. If the inspection uncovers issues in the home regarding health and safety issues, a need for the roof or ventilation system to be replaced, a problem in the home’s foundation or significant drainage concerns, you will want to further explore the problem at the seller’s expense.

In some counties in California, it is customary to have the inspection done prior to the property being listed.  When you are ready to make an offer on the home you ask for the Disclosure Package that will include inspections.  Should you see something in the inspection you are concerned with, you should have an additional inspection of the item as most sellers do not include roof, chimney, pool or foundation inspections in their package unless there are major issues and they wish to sell the property “As-Is”, meaning they have disclosed everything that they can find wrong with the property and you are aware of all of it prior to buying the home.

HOME BUYER PET PEEVES

Selling your home can be a stressful and challenging process. Why would you want to make it doubly so by irritating potential buyers? Here’s what you want to avoid when putting your home on the market.

NOT BEING PREPARED

In today’s housing market, if you want your home to show well you need to be prepared. You will be competing against sellers who have hired professional staging companies to make their homes look as good as possible, so you’re doing yourself a disservice if potential buyers walk into your home and feel like they’re invading your personal space. Before opening up your home for showings, you need to thoroughly clean, remove clutter and relocate personal items. Remember – you want buyers to be able to envision themselves living in your home. Make their job easier by neutralizing spaces, getting rid of old or worn-out furniture and packing up all your personal belongings like family pictures and sports team memorabilia.

NOT HAVING THE HOME AVAILABLE

While it can certainly be an inconvenience, you need to accommodate buyers when they request a showing. This means being ready to leave at a moment’s notice, as potential buyers will likely not feel comfortable looking at a home if the seller is present. If you make it difficult for anyone to view your home, it can hurt you down the line during negotiations. Be amiable and understand you’ll be inconvenienced from time to time during the showing process.

NOT BEING REALISTIC ABOUT THE SELLING PRICE

If you haven’t done your homework and you overprice your home, you’ll likely extend the time your house is on the market by many months. You can be sure that buyers have done their homework and are aware of what comparable prices are in your neighborhood. If your home falls outside of this range, it is quite likely many potential buyers will simply overlook your home. Working with a knowledgeable agent will help ensure that your home is priced appropriately from the start.

NOT BEING HONEST ABOUT ISSUES

If you know your home has problems, it is best to be upfront about them. Whether it’s a funky smell or issues with the roof, trying to mask problems during the selling process is only going to hurt you in the end. These issues will eventually come out during the home inspection and could delay or endanger the sale and even possibly involve you in a legal battle. When it comes to any repairs that will need to be made to the home, honesty is the best policy.

NOT BEING EMOTIONALLY DETACHED

Yes, you have an emotional attachment to your home – that’s normal. But when it comes time to sell, you need to set those emotions to the side. Potential buyers may have different ideas about what they like – or don’t – about your home, and you can’t take it personally should they suggest doing away with something about the house that you love. Maintain a healthy emotional distance and let your agent handle any interactions that may be tough for you.

DEALING WITH EASEMENTS

Are you considering purchasing a home that has an easement, but you’re not sure how it will affect you? Are you worried that it’s something that could cause you problems down the line? Are you confused about what an easement even is? Here’s what you need to know.

WHAT IS AN EASEMENT?

An easement is the legal right to use someone else’s land for a specific purpose. You may see the term from time to time in listings as you search for homes. Before purchasing a home it’s essential to know about any existing easements on the property and how they may affect your usage of it. Easements can be granted to entities like utility companies or even to individuals such as your neighbors.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF THERE IS AN EASEMENT?

Easements are usually filed with the local assessor’s office. If you do a title search for the property, the easement will show up as well. You can hire a title insurance company or a private title searcher to do this for you, or you can review the deed to the property yourself, which you can obtain from the county clerk or recorder. You can also contact the county or city’s zoning department; they will have surveys and plot maps that detail the easement. The local utility company or other entity with easement rights will also have information regarding the easement.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF EASEMENTS?

While there many different types of easements, here is a brief overview of the types of easements you may encounter in your home search.

* Right of way – This type of easement allows people to pass through your property, typically to a play area, park or lake. Sometimes, this can include a neighbor’s driveway if it is necessary to cross through your property in order to reach another.

* Utility easements – These easements are generally the most common and are granted to utility companies or the city. They often don’t impact your day-to-day living, and are in place simply to prevent your interference with their use.

WHAT IF THERE IS A DISPUTE OVER AN EASEMENT?

As a property owner, you may not interfere with the use of a legal easement. If you do, you could be held accountable for damages or even be taken to court. If you find that you are involved in a dispute regarding an easement, you should seek the advice of an experienced local real estate lawyer. Laws vary from location to location, so it’s essential to find out the appropriate details that are applied to your specific situation. While most legal easements are written documents, there are cases where unwritten easements can legally be created through particular circumstances, and the laws can be complex. You’ll definitely want reliable advice from someone knowledgeable that you can trust.

While easements may be a little complicated or cause confusion, they are a normal part of many real estate transactions. The most important thing you can do should you decide to purchase a property with an existing easement is to understand what it entails and abide by those determinations.

DON’T FOLLOW THIS HOME SELLING ADVICE

Now that you’ve decided it’s time to sell your home, you’re probably getting all kinds of advice from friends and family about how to do it. While they often have good intentions, some of the suggestions they provide can be downright harmful to you. Here’s the advice that we recommend you skip.

Wait until the market is better

There are so many factors that play into the fluctuations of the housing market, it’s often impossible to predict how your local market will be impacted in a few weeks or months. If you need or want to sell your home, there’s no time like the present.

You don’t need professional photos

Unless you are a professional photographer, you should not be relying on the photos you take to sell your listing. Yes, the cameras on our smartphones are amazing – but there’s a lot more to taking a great real estate photo than slapping a cool Instagram filter over it. Most people decide whether or not they want to see a property in person based on the photos in the listing. Do yourself a favor and make sure the photos do your home justice.

Don’t sell your home in the winter or fall

While conventional wisdom dictates that the best time to sell your home is in the spring or summer, that doesn’t mean those are the only times to sell. Yes, buyers with school age children are more likely to move when school is out of session. But what about the empty nesters? Or the couples without children? Or the single people looking to buy their first place? They are less likely to be limited with their window of opportunity. The reality is there will always be people who are shopping for a home.

Price your home high

We’re not sure of the logic of this, but some people might believe that pricing a home high gives buyers room to negotiate. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to selling your home. If you price your home too high, many potential buyers will not even look at your home. Your property will languish on the market, and you will eventually have to reduce the price – which can make you look desperate. Price your home appropriately from the beginning.

Don’t make repairs – let the buyer do it

If there are repairs that need to be made, you’re better off making them before you list. Potential buyers will see the problems when they view your home, and they’re more likely to offer you less than your asking price. You’ll lose money in the end if you don’t attend to those repairs first.

You don’t need an agent

Maybe you believe your market is so hot right now that you don’t need an agent to sell your home. But there’s so much more to selling a house than finding a buyer. There are legal processes and documents that need to be addressed. Selling a home is a complicated process, and a professional real estate agent can help you navigate through the confusion and stress.

UNDERSTANDING THE STAGES OF REMODELING

Are you thinking about buying a fixer-upper? Or maybe you’re finally ready to move forward with a home remodeling project? Whatever your plans, it’s good to know what to expect before you begin.

Home remodeling projects can be complex and sometimes its seems the end is never in sight. But if you go into the process armed with knowledge, it will be much less stressful for you and your family. Here are the major stages you can expect to move through on your way to a completed project.

STAGE 1 –PLANNING

The key to a successful remodeling project is to stay organized. This means having a firm plan in place before you begin. Planning includes:

Design – Make decisions before you begin about what your project is going to be and what the details of the design are. If you are hiring professionals, they will provide architectural plans. If you are completing the project by yourself, you should at least try to sketch out your ideas onto paper so that everyone involved is on the same page before you begin.

Budget – Before you begin tearing down walls, decide what your budget for the project will be, and how you will stay within that budget. Be sure to include all the appropriate costs, such as new appliances and construction materials, and even new paint or wallpaper.

Prepare – If you’re hiring professionals, research and interview contractors. Apply for and secure any permits that are needed to complete the renovation.

STAGE 2 – DEMOLITION

Once your preparations are complete, it’s time to move on to the next phase – demolition. During this stage, you or your contractors will be ripping out anything that needs to be removed and replaced. This can include walls, ceilings, cabinets, windows and floors. If you feel comfortable doing this yourself, you can save some money. If not, leave it to the pros – especially if any areas being demolished contain asbestos or lead-based paint.

STAGE 3 – CONSTRUCTION

Depending on how large your project is, you may need to temporarily relocate during this phase of the remodel, especially if you’ll be without water or electricity for any length of time. Some of the work that is completed during this stage can include:

* Creating framing for new walls
* Adding beams to support new weight
* Putting in new doors or windows
* Installing electrical, plumbing and HVAC
* Adding insulation and hanging drywall
* Installing new flooring
* Adding finish work such as paint, wallpaper and other finishes
* Adding new exterior siding and gutters

STAGE 4 – CLEANING UP

Once construction is complete, you may think you’re finished. But wait! There’s one more important step before you’re done and that’s cleaning up. You can expect the contractors you hire to do some basic cleaning, but to make your home truly livable and beautiful again, you’ll need to get in there and really clean. This includes removing all the dust and debris that has accumulated.

Once your cleaning is complete, it’s time to move back in. This is the fun part, where the renovations you’ve been dreaming about are finally a reality. Enjoy unpacking and moving into your freshly remodeled space!

SPOTTING A SERIOUS HOME BUYER

One of the frustrations you may encounter when selling your home is dealing with people who may not be serious about buying. Perhaps they’re just testing the waters of the market or daydreaming about one day owning a home when they walk into your open house. You can save yourself a lot of annoyance by learning how to spot the serious buyers.

THEY’RE PREAPPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE

The one thing all serious buyers know is that they need to get preapproved for a mortgage before looking for a home in earnest. That preapproval from a lender is a signal to sellers that says they’re ready – and able – to move forward with an offer. They’ve taken the time to be vetted by a lender and they’re financially capable of purchasing a home. Any potential buyers who have not yet been preapproved for a mortgage should move behind those on your list who have.

THEY’RE LOOKING AT HOMES THAT MATCH THEIR WISH LIST

Perhaps a potential buyer comes along that is looking for a home in a certain price range and yours fits the bill. But you learn that they are really hoping for a home in a suburban community that is close to amenities, while your home is a rural property on the outskirts of town. If your home doesn’t hit the marks on a buyer’s wish list, it’s likely they aren’t serious about it.

THEY’RE MORE LIKELY TO BE JUDGMENTAL

Buyers who aren’t too serious about putting in an offer on your home are more likely to be polite and friendly when taking a tour. But those who are a little more reserved or point out various flaws? It’s more likely they’re the ones who are actually thinking seriously about your home. Don’t let their poker faces throw you off. Most buyers know or have been coached by their agent to refrain from displaying an emotional response to your home.

THEY RETURN FOR A SECOND OR THIRD LOOK

Those buyers who come back for a second or even a third look at your home? Those are the people who are the most interested and probably the most likely to put in an offer. Those who are just browsing will not take the time to come back for another look.

THEY MAKE POSSESSIVE COMMENTS

Seasoned real estate agents are attuned to what potential buyers are saying about your home, and there are certain types of comments that can provide clues that a buyer is serious. If they make remarks about how a piece of their furniture will fit in a room or how nice one of their rugs will look in the living room, they are already envisioning themselves living in the space.

THEY’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR AWHILE

Buyers that are at the beginning of the process looking at their first homes probably aren’t quite ready to pull the trigger and put in an offer without looking at other homes first for comparison. The further the buyer is into the process, the more likely they are serious. This is especially true if they are up against any deadlines, like the beginning of a new job or the start of the school year.

Selling your home can be an emotional and complex process, but learning to spot serious buyers can save you time and heartache in the end.

DOWNSIZING? HERE’S HOW

Whether it’s because your kids have left for college or you’re preparing for retirement, many homeowners choose to downsize at some point in their lives. Making the move from a large home to a smaller one can be both liberating and challenging. If you’re getting ready to downsize, here’s what you should know to make the process as easy as possible.

The benefits of downsizing

If you’re having trouble coming to terms with the idea of having a smaller footprint, it can be beneficial to remind yourself of why you’re downsizing in the first place. Do you have a room or rooms in your current home you never use? Are you looking for a way to lower your monthly expenditures? Do you want to live in a home where outside maintenance is taken care of for you? Downsizing can provide solutions to all these issues and allow you to make choices that fit the lifestyle you have now, not the one you had when you first moved in.

Determine your needs

OK, so you’ve decided it’s time to downsize. Now what? The first step you should take is to decide what you’re looking for in a new place. How many bedrooms do you really need? Would you like a home with no stairs? Are you hoping to be within walking distance of amenities, like shopping, the gym or restaurants? Take time to determine exactly what your needs are before you begin your search.

Assess your new space

Once you’ve zeroed in on your new home, measure each room and note how much storage is available. Be honest about how much space you actually have. There’s no sense in downsizing if you plan to keep all your possessions, so you’ll want to be clear on how much you’ll need to let go of so that you have enough room in your new space.

Decide what to keep

Here comes the hard part – deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. A good way to tackle this issue is to think about what you’d want to replace if you were to lose everything. Do you have exercise equipment gathering dust? Are you holding on to your kid’s items that they’ll never retrieve? Consider letting go of any items you haven’t used in the last year. If you’re in doubt, rent a storage unit for six months and store the items you’re uncertain about. Whatever items remain after that time elapses, you can let go of.

Sell or donate the rest

Once you’ve eliminated the items you don’t intend to take with you to the new house, you can sell or donate them. There are several ways to sell your belongings, from hosting a garage sale to posting items online on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or eBay. For items you can’t or don’t want to sell, you can donate them to friends and family, or give them to charities such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Many organizations will even pick up your items for you if you arrange it with them in advance.

Organize as you move in

As you move into your new home, take time to organize as you go. That way, once you’re moved in, you can spend time on all those activities you only dreamed about when you lived in a larger home.

Although downsizing can be challenging, when you approach it with a healthy attitude it can be a truly exciting experience. Follow the guidelines above to make sure your move into a smaller space is just another turn in the road on the adventure of your life.

WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU SELL YOUR HOME

Just because you’ve closed escrow and have given the keys to the house to their new owner doesn’t mean you’re done just yet. While the hard part is over, there are still a few tasks you should complete before calling it a done deal.

CLEAN UP

It should go without saying, but once you’ve moved your possessions out of your home, you should thoroughly clean it. Though it isn’t necessarily required, it is a nice courtesy to extend to the buyer of your home. Nobody likes moving into a dirty house, or wants to waste time getting settled in by having to give the entire home a thorough cleaning.

ORGANIZE AND STORE SALE DOCUMENTS

Selling a home can produce a mountain of paperwork, and it may be tempting to toss all of it once the sale is complete. But don’t go shredding those documents too soon. You will want to keep a copy of all your records for the upcoming tax season, to show your expenses and any proceeds from the sale. You should also hang onto them in case you should ever get audited for that tax year.

KEEP RECORDS OF HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Not only should you keep all sales documents, but you should also keep records of any improvements you have made on your home. These are also needed for tax purposes. The IRS allows homeowners to improvements to your home’s cost during the time that you owned it.

CONTACT UTILITY COMPANIES

Another important task to complete when you’re selling your home is to contact the utility companies to have your service discontinued. You should arrange for the services to be disconnected on your closing date. Also arrange to have home delivery of your newspaper canceled, and the alarm service disconnected. Notify each company of your forwarding address so they know where to send the final bill.

CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS

At this point, you should also complete a change of address form with the United States Postal Service. The form can be completed in person at a local branch or online. Although this blanket service will ensure that most of your mail gets forwarded to your new address, you should still notify credit card companies, banks and other places where you do business of your new information.

TERMINATE HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE

In addition to disconnecting utility services, you also need to contact your insurance agent to cancel your homeowner’s insurance policy. You should do this even if you’ve arranged for a new homeowner’s policy with the same agent. They will not automatically terminate your old policy for you, so you should be sure to complete that task yourself.

BE AWARE OF TAX LAWS

Finally, stay on top of tax laws when you’re preparing your taxes for the year in which you sold your home. Tax laws do change from year to year, and you want to be sure that you’re making the most of any deductions that could be coming your way from the sale of the house.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON CLOSING DAY

You searched for and found a house. You put in an offer that was accepted. You applied for a mortgage, got a home inspection and completed what seemed like a thousand other tasks, all in preparation for closing day.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may be wondering just what happens on this all-important day besides signing some papers and getting the keys to your new house. So that you’ll feel relaxed and prepared, here’s what to expect on the day you finalize your home purchase.

WHEN DOES THE CLOSING TAKE PLACE?

Generally speaking, avoid closing on the last day of the month, as this doesn’t allow enough time to address any issues that may come up. If a problem arises and the closing is delayed until the beginning of the next month, you’ll face increased costs because of prepaid interest that accumulates. Ideally, a closing should take place sometime between the 20^th and the 25^th of the month. You should plan to take off for at least half a day to give yourself ample time to complete the closing process.

WHERE DOES THE CLOSING HAPPEN?

There are several places where the closing can take place. These include your lender’s office, the title company office, the listing or buying agent’s office, a real estate attorney’s office or another agreed-upon location. Make sure to get the exact address and allow plenty of time to arrive.

WHO ATTENDS THE CLOSING?

The people present at a closing will vary depending on where you live, but you can expect some or all of the following (including you, the buyer, of course):

* Both the listing and the buying agent
* The seller or the seller’s representative
* Representative from the title company
* Representative from the lender or mortgage company
* Attorneys for the buyer and seller
* Closing agent

The closing agent will be the one leading the proceedings and will have all the necessary paperwork that needs to be signed.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE SIGNED?

On closing day you will sign all the documents that transfer ownership to you as well as documents related to your mortgage. Many of these documents you will receive in advance so that you may review them before signing. Documents you’ll receive and sign on closing day may include:

* Tax forms
* Title forms
* Deed of trust
* Affidavits
* Promissory note
* Variety of disclosure forms

DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING?

On closing day the buyer will be responsible for showing proof of homeowner’s insurance and inspections. You’ll also need to bring a certified or cashier’s check that covers all the closing costs (sometimes done as a wire transfer). You should also bring copies of all the documents you received throughout the buying process, including inspection reports and your copy of the contract. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your government-issued identification.

CAN ANYTHING GO WRONG?

There are a few issues that can possibly derail your closing. This would include not having enough money at closing, your financial situation drastically changing (such as opening a new line of credit), the lender pulling out or the seller not taking care of tax liens.

By knowing what to expect on closing day, you can help ensure that the meeting goes off without a hitch. If all goes well, at the end of the day you’ll finally have the keys to your new house in hand. Congratulations!

DECORATING WITH FAMILY HEIRLOOMS

We understand the dilemma – you absolutely love the handmade patchwork quilt you inherited from your grandmother, but it really doesn’t go well with your Mid-century Modern décor. Or perhaps your spouse owns of collection of antique books that have been passed down from generation to generation – but you’re just not sure how to display them. No matter what the situation, it can be tough to work family hand-me-downs into your aesthetic.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a way to make it work. Here are the best ideas we’ve found to decorate your home with your cherished family heirlooms.

HANDLE WITH CARE

When dealing with family treasures, you should treat everything with more care than you might with something you picked up at Target. If you have anything framed, be sure to use archival quality, acid free products. If an item is damaged, say an upholstered chair has a tear or a secretary desk has some chips, have it professionally repaired, instead of trying to fix it on your own. Many items may lose value if they aren’t repaired or restored properly in a way that’s in keeping with the period they are from.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX STYLES

When the bulk of your home décor comes from the same store or is in the same style, it can look a little static, like it just leaped off the pages of a catalog. By mixing in family treasures and pieces from other eras, you give your space depth and character. In fact, those family heirlooms tell a story and could be a wonderful conversation starter for when you have guests. So don’t be afraid to pair that metal and glass table with a Victorian-era lamp.

UPDATE PIECES THAT ARE TIRED OR WORN

Perhaps you have a set of dining chairs from your grandmother that you love, but have seen better days. Why not give them a modern facelift, especially if you’re not concerned about devaluing the pieces. Paint them a bold color and reupholster the seat with a vibrant fabric that gives a modern look to a vintage silhouette. The result can be very exciting and really enliven your space.

GROUP ITEMS INTO AN ECLECTIC COLLECTION

Do you have a box of old skeleton keys from your family ‘s previous homes? Why not display them as a collection? Has your family been collecting seashells from every beach vacation for the last 50 years? Put them in a beautiful glass apothecary jar and display it on a bookshelf. And those antique books and typewriter will look amazing as a display in your home office. Let your imagination help you find how the items you’ve inherited are connected, and use that to guide your displays.

LET GO OF OBLIGATION

One important thing to remember when choosing how to use heirlooms in your home, is that you should not feel obligated to display them. Some items just aren’t your taste or style, and that’s okay. If you don’t love an item, or it doesn’t bring you happy memories, it’s perfectly acceptable to pass it to another family member or keep it in storage.

CURB APPEAL ON A BUDGET

Spring is just around the corner. If you’re getting ready to put your house on the market, that means it’s time to add a little pizzazz to the exterior. First impressions count in real estate, and making your home look inviting on the outside will coax more buyers through your front door. Since spring is one of best times to make your home look stunning, we thought we’d share our tips on how to spruce up your curb appeal without emptying your wallet. And the bonus is that these projects will only take a weekend to complete.

Clean up the yard

Your yard probably took a beating over the winter. With the weather warming up you have no excuse to skip what is arguably the most important part of curb appeal – a tidy yard. The best part – you can do this without spending a dime. Mow the lawn if needed and collect any fallen leaves and debris. Trim trees and bushes and weed flowerbeds.

Paint the front door

Another easy and inexpensive idea to brighten up your home’s exterior is to give your front door a fresh coat of paint. For about $30 and one afternoon, your front porch can go from bland to beautiful. Choose a bold color that complements the exterior colors to create a strong focal point that will draw the eye (and the buyers) in.

Update your house numbers

When was the last time you got new numbers for your house? If you can’t think back that far, then now is a great time to invest in some new ones – especially if their style is a little dated. You can purchase single numbers at home improvement stores for as little as a few dollars each, or splurge and buy a custom-designed plaque that matches the exterior of your home for under $100.

Replace the mailbox

If your mailbox is cracked, broken or faded from being in the sun, why not replace it with a new model? This is another great way to add some personality to your front yard without spending too much money. Choose a mailbox that coordinates with your front door and your home’s exterior. Check out these mailboxes, some of which can be purchased for less than $20.

Upgrade the porch light

A porch light that’s been hanging around for a few decades can really date your home. For as little as $30 you can switch out your old and dirty light for something new, clean and more modern. Again, choose a style that matches your home’s exterior, especially if you’re also replacing your mailbox and house numbers.

Add annual color

Want to add an instant pop of color to your front yard that doesn’t require much work or money? Then you want annuals. Annual flowers like petunias and impatiens only last for one season and are planted when they are already in bloom. For under $100, you can pop some into your garden beds or add some decorative pots to your front porch filled with flowers for a cheerful boost that practically begs people to stop and admire them.

BUYING AND SELLING A HOME AT THE SAME TIME

If you’re relocating for a job, trying to move before the school year begins or even hoping to avoid making payments on two mortgages, you may find yourself in the unenviable position of buying and selling a home at the same time. While it may certainly be easier to buy a new home, move and then sell your old home, there are many instances where that just isn’t possible.

So how do you deal? This is what you should do to prepare to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Strategize your timing

If you need to buy and sell at the same time, it’s essential that you know the market in both locations. Is each market favoring buyers or sellers at this moment? You’ll need this information to strategize the selling of one property and the buying of the other. Knowing in which position you’ll have the most leverage will help you make timing decisions.

Understand your finances

Even if you plan your timing to the best of your ability, your current home may not sell before you move into your new home. It’s important to take a long and honest look at your current financial situation and come up with a plan should this scenario play out. How will you handle making two mortgage payments? Will you have enough money for the down payment on the new home if your previous home doesn’t sell first? If you’re not sure you can swing either of these financial possibilities, you may qualify for a bridge loan. This is short-term financing that is backed by the equity in the home you’re selling that can be used for the down payment of the second home.

Consider contract contingencies

While contract contingencies may not always work in your favor in a competitive market, you could find yourself in a situation where it will work for you. You can ask for a contingency in your purchase contract stipulating that the sale is contingent on selling your previous home first. If you’re buying in a seller’s market, this may cause your offer to be rejected. But if the home you are interested in buying has had difficulty selling, this may work for both parties.

Prepare for some tough decisions

Buying or selling alone can be a process fraught with anxiety and careful decision-making. Doing them at the same time means double the number of decisions – which could exponentially heighten your feelings of stress. Be aware going in that you’re going to be faced with making some tough decisions so that the anxiety doesn’t cause you to make a choice you’ll regret later. Have a plan in place should you decide you need a short-term rental. Knowing that you have a back-up plan can really diffuse some of the pressure in the moment.

Work with a trusted real estate agent

Navigating the buying and selling process can be complex, and doing them at the same time even more so. In times like these it can really benefit you to work with a trusted real estate agent. They can prepare you for what to expect, help you with decision-making, and be an ally and an advocate for you every step of the way.

Dress Up That Unused Fireplace

Nothing beats a warm, toasty fire on a cold, snowy day. But what if your fireplace is not working or not used? No problem! There are many creative ways to put that otherwise unused space to work for you. Here’s a look at some of our favorites.

Turn it into a unique storage space

Not sure where to store those extra books? Why not use the fireplace? By adding shelving units to the inside of your fireplace, you can turn it into extra storage space that adds a unique focal point to your room.  Make it even more interesting by painting the interior of your fireplace a contrasting color or adding wallpaper.

Use it as a display

Do you own an interesting collection of vintage suitcases or glass terrariums? Make your collection even more inspiring by displaying them inside your fireplace. This works best with larger items that aren’t easily breakable. Create a unified vignette and wait for the compliments to roll in from guests. Or do you own a fantastic piece of framed art? Use the fireplace interior as a backdrop to show it off.

Go fresh

Have you ever considered using the inside of your fireplace as a place to display flowers or plants? Instead of distracting from the interesting architecture of your fireplace, it can enhance and draw attention to it. Flowers can add color and dimension to your room while green plants can add freshness and soft lines. You can even go seasonal in your décor by displaying fresh pine sprigs or holly branches during the holidays.

Cozy it up with candles

Even if your fireplace isn’t up the challenge of a roaring wood fire, you can still create a warm and cozy effect with candles. An arrangement of pillar candles can create the same romantic vibe in your room without the smoke, mess or hassle. This is a great solution for those with allergies. You can even switch out traditional candles for the electric variety, which is the perfect solution for homeowners with pets.

Stack firewood

Just because you can’t have a fire doesn’t mean you can’t have firewood. Give that unused fireplace the feeling of wood fire by stacking logs inside. Choose logs that are the same length but with varying diameters, and pack them tightly to fill the whole space. The natural wood will give your room a rustic and homey ambiance.

Install a graphic screen

If you go for a more minimalist look and want to keep the clutter at bay, try installing a graphic screen against the back of your fireplace to match your room’s décor. The screen can cover up any areas of the fireplace that are unsightly and add a visual pop to the room.

Create a bar

Do you enjoy entertaining? Then consider turning your beautiful, unused fireplace into a makeshift bar. Place a wine rack on the floor and display your favorite bottles. Place a small table over the top to store glasses and barware. At your next party, let guests serve themselves.

WHAT ARE HOME SELLERS REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE?

Are you gearing up to sell your home? Then you should know that there are certain things you are legally required to disclose to potential buyers. If you don’t, you could find yourself in legal or financial hot water. While disclosure regulations vary by state, here are some main issues you are required to tell buyers.

Lead paint

The most important disclosure you need to make – and one that is a federal law — is whether or not your home may contain lead paint. How do you know if your home has lead paint? If it was constructed before 1978, you need to have it checked by a professional and both buyer and seller must sign a disclosure. Agents are also required to provide a pamphlet from the EPA about how to deal with lead-based paint. If your home was built after 1978, you’re in the clear.

Crime or death

In some locations, sellers are required to disclose whether or not a crime or death has happened on the property. If you’re a buyer, you can even check the address for yourself at this website for a fee.

Paranormal activity

Whether or not ghosts are real is up for debate. Nevertheless, some states do require that sellers disclose any paranormal activity in the home. If you think your house is haunted, you should disclose it. Even if you think it sounds silly.

Pests

Most states require that sellers disclose if there are any infestations or problems with pests in the home. This can include mice, bats, raccoons and snakes. If your home has been treated for termites, this is also something you should be sure to tell a potential buyer.

Water damage

If you have a basement that floods or a roof that leaks, it is important that you make these issues known. Make sure to provide copies of insurance claims or receipts if water damage is an issue you’ve addressed in the past.

Toxic materials

If water has entered your home, it could lead to mold – which is another issue you need to disclose. While most homes contain mold of some kind, it is black mold that can be toxic and needs to be disclosed. This includes whether or not you’ve done mold remediation in the past. Other types of toxic materials that need to be disclosed are radon in basements and asbestos in insulation.

Disputes with neighbors

Is part of your fence on the neighbor’s property, or is their fence on yours? Have you had any disputes with neighbors over property lines? These issues should be disclosed. In addition, while it may not be required, you may want to be upfront if there are any other issues with the neighbors. This could include if they have frequent loud parties late into the night or a particularly aggressive and loud dog.

Check state regulations

Your real estate agent should be well versed in what disclosures need to be made in your state. You can also check for yourself to make sure all your bases are covered. When in doubt, honesty is generally the best policy. By disclosing all known major issues upfront, you are protecting yourself from possible litigation in the future.