Finding An Affordable Home in a Great Neighborhood

Finding An Affordable Home in a Great Neighborhood   You have heard it a million times, “buy the worst home in the best neighborhood.” While you do not necessarily want to buy a home straight out of a horror film, finding an affordable home that might need some updating or repairs in a GREAT neighborhood is a great strategy in a tight real estate market. With some strategic planning, it is possible to find a great home that will accrue value over time because it’s located in a great neighborhood. The first step is to define what a “great neighborhood” means to you and your family. Of course, the basics such as low crime and great school are a good start, but you also want to consider amenities that affect your quality of life and lifestyle. Do you want easy access to recreation facilities or trails for example? Once you identify the essential qualifications of a “great neighborhood” for you, then start doing your research. Real estate and community websites are a great start. Social media sites can also offer insight into the lifestyle of the communities you are considering. Review the prices of current listings and consult with your lender to determine a realistic budget. Then be open to compromises. What are the true “must have” aspects and what would you simply “like to have”? Be ready to pounce if a good home becomes available. Be open and honest with your budget and goals. Working with a real estate agent, they may offer similar communities as well. These could be good starter locations that offer value accretion. Finally, be ready to make updates and repairs. Finding a diamond in the rough will take work and elbow grease but in the long run, you can find significant financial and personal reward from investing in the right neighborhood.

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Why Didn't my House Sell?

Why Didn’t My House Sell?   There is nothing more frustrating for a seller than to watch houses aroundthem sell like hot cakes while theirs lingers on the market. Finally, when thelisting expires, they find themselves asking why? Why didn’t my house sell?In a robust housing market like we’ve had the past few years, the goodnews is there are some common reasons why a home doesn’t sell. If youfind yourself in this position, ask yourself these questions, and then correctthem and relist them.   · Did You Stage Your Home? We’re not talking about expensiveservices that bring in all new furniture here, but you do need to make yourhome attractive. The basic “curb appeal” rule still applies, even in a “sellers’market.”   · Did You Limit Access? When homes are moving quickly, it’stempting to assume every home will get multiple offers. But buyers stillwant to view the home before making that offer, if your home is difficult tosee, you will lose potential buyers.   · Did You Price Your Home Correctly? Setting the right price isalways important. Even when prices are rising, an unrealistically high listingprice will cause buyers and their agents to ignore the home.   · Did You Hire The Right Agent? Sometimes, it really is the agent’sfault. The right agent will properly market the home, communicatefrequently, offer advice about price/offers, and make themselves available.They should be giving feedback throughout the process about adjustmentsto ensure that the home is seen and is appealing to potential buyers.   If you answered “no” to these questions, then relisting may be a greatoption. Make the changes you need to, and then relist the property. Thistime, you may not need to ask yourself, “why didn’t my home sell”?

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How To Spot Roof Issues Before its too Late

How to Spot Roof Issues Before it’s too Late   Your roof is one of the most essential elements of your home. It guardsyou, your family, and your home from wind, water, and other harshconditions. However, it is also part of the home that is often overlooked untilit’s too late. Detecting roof damage early can prevent costly repairs downthe line. But do you know what to look for? Here are a few signs it’s time tocall a professional roofing company.   · Leaks and Water Stains – The most obvious sign that youhave an issue with your roof is dampness. But water stains shouldnever be ignored. They could be due to water intrusion during stormsthat dry once it’s over.   · Missing or Damaged Shingles – This may be harder to spotfrom the ground, but it’s important. Consider hiring a drone companyto perform a visual inspection of your roof on a regular schedule andafter major storms.   · Granules in Gutters – Over time, roof shingles deteriorate. Ifyou notice excess granules in the gutters when you clear them, itmay be due to older shingles that need replacing.   · Moss or Algae Growth – You may think that this kind of growthis quaint, but it can also be evidence of trapped moisture and shouldbe researched.   Finally, any water intrusion in the home should be investigated immediately.Issues caught early are normally easy to correct. Taking proactive stepscan extend the life of your roof and prevent damage both inside andoutside the home.

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