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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What Landscaping Maximizes Your Home’s Value?

If you are thinking of moving soon, then your home’s curb appeal can help it sell faster and for more money. Even if you are going to be staying in your home, then it is fun to live in a home with maximum curb appeal. Use these landscaping ideas to maximize your home’s value. 

Create Privacy

Hopefully, you live next to great neighbors, but you still do not want to feel like you are constantly on display when you step into your yard. Therefore, you need a privacy barrier. While a privacy fence can do the job, maximize your home’s curb appeal by creating a living privacy screen using trees or hedges. If space is tight, consider raised planting boxes. 

Employ Mulch

You may have put down some mulch…

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Should You Live in Downtown Greenville?

Greenville, SC, is a picturesque city that has been named to multiple top 10 lists. Incorporated in 1831, it was built upon 100,000 acres of Cherokee hunting grounds along the Ready River that had been given to Richard Pearis, who had married a Cherokee woman.

Top-rated City

Some of the Top 10 lists Greenville has appeared in include the following:

  • 10th on the National Geographic's 29 U.S. Cities on the Rise

  • 7th on Southern Living's Best Cities in the South 2019

  • 5th on U.S. News Travel's Best Place to Visit in the Carolinas

  • 3rd on Condé Nast's Best Small Cities in the U.S.

Tons of Amenities

One of the most popular places to hang out is Falls Park on the Reedy…

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Is Spartanburg the Better Place to Buy?

Located only about 10 miles east of Greenville, Spartanburg, South Carolina, offers a charming town that is much more reasonably priced than Greenville. If you are thinking of buying a home in this area, consider Spartanburg before making a final decision. 

Economy

Spartanburg offers a diverse economy where many international companies have put down roots in the community, including BMW, Adidas America, Inc., and Dish Network. The largest number of jobs in Spartanburg is in the manufacturing sector, followed by government and retail trade. 

Recreational Activities

There are outstanding recreational activities to watch or participate in at all levels in Spartanburg. It is easy to understand why the…

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