6 Types of Home Inspections You May Need

Property Line Inspection

Property line surveys help you distinguish the difference between your house and your neighbor's house. Other reasons you might need a property line inspection include building a fence to separate you from your neighbors if you happen to own a dog, adding a pool to your backyard, and making updates and improvements that are actually on your own property. 

After you have completed a property inspection, you will get an official document that will define your piece of property as yours. If the land was accidentally improperly divided a long time ago, you may need to trace through several property inspections in order to find the original dividing lines.

Getting a property…

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Tips on Choosing the Correct Realtor

Finding the right realtor is an important decision when it comes to helping you purchase or sell a home. Taking the extra time to find the best realtor in your area can pay off as they help you get the best deal possible. The following are a few key tips that can play a vital role in helping you find the right realtor who will have your best interests in mind.

1. Ask for Referrals

One of the best ways to find a good realtor is to ask your friends and family members for their recommendations. You should also ask people who were in a similar situation as yourself whether you are a first-time homebuyer, buying your second home, or if you are looking to downsize. It's a good idea to work with someone who has…

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Thinking of Buying a Home? Here’s How to Know If It’s the Right Time

For many potential homeowners, the idea of owning a home has been reoccurring in their minds repeatedly over the years. On the other hand, it may also occur as a spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment thought for some. Either way, home ownership is a major life moment, and it is important to make sure you are completely ready. Here are a few things to consider while you decide if now is the right time to buy a house. 

Ready for More Responsibility?

It usually goes without saying that home ownership comes with a lot more responsibility than renting from a landlord. There are extra costs and tasks that you will be responsible for, including a mortgage, house insurance, maintenance,…

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How to Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home

There are many factors to consider when buying a home. Not only are you looking for one within your price range, but you also want to find one with the features that you need inside, like the right number of bedrooms. However, the location of your home is just as important as these items and should be carefully researched and considered before making an offer. Here are a few things to look for when shopping for a home.

School District

Choosing the right school district is imperative if you have children. Compare the rankings of local schools online and look for homes that fall within their boundaries. Things like student-to-teacher ratio, graduation rate, and test scores are all factors to…

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How Big of a Home Do You Need?

When buying a home, especially your first home, you may not have any idea of how big your home should be. To make sure that the property you purchase is the right size for you, here is a list of considerations to help you in your decision-making.

General Considerations

  • Is this your first home?

  • If you already have a home, are you upsizing, downsizing or merely changing locations?

  • Do you have school-age children?

  • Do you want non-standard amenities on the property such as pools, workshops, detached buildings, etc.?

  • What size lot are you looking for?

  • Do you want to live in a gated subdivision?

  • Do you wish to live in a neighborhood with a Homeowners…

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5 Reasons to Buy an Older Home

Are you looking for a home to purchase? Many buyers emphasize finding a new home, but here are some great reasons to consider an older home. 

1. They Don't Make Them Like They Used To

Many older homes were built with higher quality materials than those used today. For example, today’s homes often have drywall, which is lighter and easier to put up. This allows more homes to be built in a short amount of time. Alternatively, many older homes have walls made with lathe and plaster, which is sturdier and provides a higher level of insulation. More care was also taken in the construction of many older homes because they weren't built as quickly as they are today.

A large number of older homes were constructed with…

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Which Styles of Home Have the Best Resale?

If you are buying a home that you already know you are going to sell in a few years, then there are many different factors you will want to consider. For example, homes on larger lots usually have a higher resale value. Those with the most features will often fetch the highest price. Of course, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms makes a considerable difference in the amount that you can expect to get when you sell the home. It turns out that certain styles of homes have a better resale value than other styles. 

Ranch

At the top of the list, according to Market Watch, are ranch-style homes. As Americans age, many are preferring the ranch-style home because it is built all on one level. This makes it…

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I Don't Have Kids: Does School District Really Matter?

If you don’t have kids, you might wonder whether choosing a home while considering the school district matters. The short answer is yes. One of the first things that parents ask when buying a home is, "Are the schools good?" But for single homeowners, empty nesters, or couples without children, school districts are usually an afterthought. However, as you'll see, school districts do matter to buyers from all walks of life.

Let's Talk About Resale

First and foremost, if you're ever going to sell your house, your potential buyers may be parents. School districts matter to those homebuyers with kids, so living in an area with great schools increases the resale value of your home. A realtor-led…

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Are You Over-Prepping Your Home for Sale?

If you are thinking of selling your home, then you may wonder how much preparation work you need to do for your home to sell it quickly and for top dollar. If you do not do enough, your home may not sell at a high enough price. Alternatively, if you do too much, then you may be losing money on the cost of supplies and hiring professionals if needed. 

The market will determine how much prep work you need to do to get your home to sell at top dollar. If you live in a seller’s market, you may not have to do much at all. If you live in a neutral market or a buyer’s market, then you need to do more prep work. Consider these ideas before almost every home sale. 

Paint the Walls

Painting the walls gives the…

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How to Stage a Home for Maximum Sale Value

You're selling your home. You keep hearing about "staging" your home for sale, and you've seen all the shows on television where homes are staged before commanding premium prices. But what exactly is staging, and can you do it on your own?

What Does Staging a Home Mean?

Staging a home involves preparing a house for sale. Staging a home makes it more appealing to buyers, and the goal is to make it appeal to the widest variety of potential buyers. This will allow the owner to sell the property more quickly and for more money.

Can I Stage My Home by Myself?

You can easily stage your home yourself. The first thing to do is to give your home a thorough cleaning. The last thing you want potential buyers…

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