Dec 1, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
Relocating to a new city? Thinking about moving to a new neighborhood? While word of mouth from friends and family is valuable, sometimes it’s necessary to get a different perspective.
With the advancement of technology, it’s now possible to research new neighborhoods without getting up off the couch. Here are some websites and apps that have proven invaluable with researching new areas:
Use The Forums On City-Data For Exact Answers
While city-data.com is a valuable resource for people who are looking into relocating to a different city, one of the best uses of the site is the active forums. Here, locals will answer questions about different cities to help narrow down the selection.
Track Specific Neighborhoods With Street Advisor
Once the city is narrowed down, a quick visit to Streetadvisor.com will give a better overview of the different areas. The website is designed to provide visitors the opportunity to review entire communities instead of single businesses. All neighborhoods in a city are ranked based on how well the users have rated them.
Take A Look At The Numbers At Neighborhood Scout
Now that reviews have been read and questions have been answered, people can take a trip to neighborhoodscout.com to get a look at the numbers that define communities. Some details require a subscription, but anybody interested in the crime rate, sex offender registry or appreciation rate of property should join the site.
Get A Unique Perspective With Ratings Apps
There are plenty of apps for phones and tablets that are used to rate restaurants and businesses. Popular choices like Yelp and Foursquare can give a different perspective of what locals think about the businesses in their neighborhoods. Do the local diners get high marks or are people driving across the city for brunch? How are the parks in the area received? These questions can be answered with these apps.
While you can do a lot of preliminary research on your own, sometimes the best person to contact about new neighborhoods is a real estate professional. They will be able to tell you which areas are heating up and which areas should be avoided and help narrow down choices if you’re undecided. Contact one who operates out of the neighborhood you’re thinking about buying in so that you can work with a local who has experience in the area.
Nov 25, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
The shift from home living to condo life may seem like a minor one, but there are plenty of things that will differentiate your lifestyle other than size when it comes to making a condominium purchase. If you’re contemplating this move and wondering about some of the things that this might entail, here are a few factors that are worth considering.
The Fees You’ll Have to Pay
While a smaller condo is unlikely to have the same associated costs as a large home, you will be paying a monthly condominium fee that will be covering maintenance and insurance so that many repairs and upgrades won’t have to be paid out of pocket. While this cost will not cover each and every maintenance issue that can occur in a condo, it should keep you covered for many standard home costs. When purchasing a condominium, it’s important to read about what this monthly fee entails.
The Life of Central Living
Life in the suburbs can often mean that you’re far away from the amenities of the city, but many condominiums are built in areas that are full of restaurants, pharmacies, cultural centers and grocery stores which are only a short distance away. If you don’t mind getting into the car to run your errands, this might not be that important to you, but if you enjoy the exercise and like having amenities close by this type of living situation can be a welcome change.
Less Room for Stuff & Storage
Condo life can certainly eliminate many of the responsibilities of having a home, but if you’re downsizing there’s a possibility that you may have to get rid of a large number of items to successfully fit into your new space. If you’ve thought about the decision a lot and are convinced that condo living is the right choice, it’s still worth considering how much storage space you will have in your new home so that you can plan for this change, and shift your living style to fit the demands of a smaller space.
There are a lot of things to think about if you’re planning to downsize into a condo, but if you’ve considered the space you’ll have to work with and the conveniences that will make your life easier, you’re probably already prepared for the shift. If you’re curious about condo living and options available in your area, you may want to contact a local real estate agent for more information.
Nov 20, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
How Do I Know If I Am Ready To Buy A Home?
As you’ll see in this video, you can find out by asking yourself some questions:
- Do I have a steady source of income (usually a job)?
- Have I been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years?
- Is my current income reliable?
- Do I have a good record of paying my bills?
- Do I have few outstanding long-term debts, like car payments?
- Do I have money saved for a down payment?
- Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage every month, plus additional costs?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, you are probably ready to buy your own home.
Nov 18, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
When it comes to home ownership, the biggest buzzword of them all is mortgage and it’s often all people think about when it comes to price. While the ‘m’ word will be a large part of the expense that goes into owning a house, it’s important to be aware of all of the other costs that are aligned with having a home. From taxes to utilities, here are some of the other items that you won’t be able to do without once you’ve made the big purchase.
The Perils of Property Tax
Outside of the mortgage, one of the other more marked expenses you’ll be paying when you delve into home ownership is property tax, which will be determined by the place you live in. While this amount can be quite pricy or more modest, you’ll be able to determine how it will impact your bottom line by dividing it into twelve monthly costs per year.
All the Utilities that Matter
In a small apartment where many utilities are often included, power and heat might seem like a minor cost, but a bigger space means a bigger cost when it comes to the basic necessities of home life. From heating your home during a cold winter to using the stove, this can be a significant cost if you have a sizeable living space.
The Necessity of Insurance
Insurance may seem like something you can forgo if you’re in an apartment building, but when you’ve already invested considerably in the purchase of a house, it’s very important to protect your assets. With insurance, you can often customize a package that will best serve the interests of your home in case something goes wrong.
Don’t Forget About Maintenance!
One of the great things about having a landlord is that you don’t have to worry about small fix-ups like your cabinet falling off or your kitchen sink springing a leak. Unfortunately, when purchasing a home you become your own landlord and this means that the responsibility for all the issues that arise is in your hands, so you‘ll have to pay out of your own pocket.
There are a lot of costs that go along with purchasing a home, but by being prepared and knowing what they are you can make a more informed decision. If you’d like to know more about other costs associated with home ownership, you should consider contacting your local real estate expert for more information.
Nov 13, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
Switching houses? Then now is the perfect time to finally go through all the clutter and make some tough decisions about what needs to move and what needs to go away.
There is no point in waiting until after a move to go through the junk lying around, as tempting as it may be, so here are five ways to decide what should find a new home before a move.
Start With A Trip To The Dump
Before starting the move, grab some garbage bags and do a sweep of the house, making sure to toss out anything that needs to go to the dump. This will clear up the home of anything unnecessary and makes it easier to throw out some items when there’s no decision making pressure.
Decide What Furniture Will Be Replaced In Advance
A new home often means new furniture. By deciding in advance which items will be purchased new, homeowners can prepare to either sell or give away their older furniture before they move. Saving space and cutting down one extra step after moving in.
Sell Or Donate What You Don’t Need
Holiday decorations are the perfect example of items that are only taken out once a year and tend to be replaced before they are ever reused. There are probably similar boxes or shelves in every home filled with items that will never be used again but are still held onto.
Now Is A Good Time To Go Through The Closet
Clothes are not looked at as seriously as other objects when clearing space because they can easily fold down or be tucked away. It’s simpler for most people to just throw all their clothes in a box or travel bag before moving, but this is the perfect time to finally go through and donate anything that doesn’t fit or is never worn.
Be Patient With Children
It is hard for kids to part with their toys, even ones they haven’t used in years. These are part of their identity and telling them what they need to throw out can impact them emotionally and make a move that much harder. Sit down with the children and have a long talk about moving and donating items to see if they are ready to go through their things.
Thinking about buying a new home? The service of a real estate professional can go a long way in finding you the home of your dreams in the budget you are looking for.
Nov 10, 2015 | Home Buyer Tips
When it comes to selling a home, it is a common belief that once the offer is accepted, there is nothing else to be negotiated. However, issues and obstacles that can arise during the home inspection can be a cause for discussion with the seller. Whether you’re currently searching for houses or your offer has already been accepted and you’re preparing for the next step, here are some tips in the event that the home inspection isn’t up to par.
Be Cautious About What You Say
Without a doubt, anything that you discuss with the real estate agent regarding the property you’re looking at is going to be addressed with the seller. Instead of telling the agent everything is fine and dandy, maintain a poker face with any deficiencies in the home so you can assess them after the inspection. While a seller may think they have you on the line if all seems fine during the inspection, maintaining your peace and negotiating after the fact may end up providing a better post-inspection deal for you.
Decide What Deficiencies Are Most Important
Before negotiating any repairs or defects with the seller and how this can benefit you, ensure you prioritize what deficiencies must be fixed and what you can live without. There may be leaks and small dings in cupboards that may not be much of an issue, whereas damage in a hardwood floor that you don’t want to renovate may serve as a deal breaker. Deciding what is most important will ensure that the seller knows you’re really interested, and it will likely convince them that the fixes will make for a successful sale.
Request A Credit For Repairs
If a seller knows you’re interested in a home, you may be able to get a little bit of leeway in terms of what you can negotiate following the inspection. Instead of expecting them to deal with the hurdles of home repair, ask the seller to consider a credit so that you can ensure the repairs are completed on your own. This will not only enable you to have the repairs completed the way you would like them done, it may also make the moving process a smoother transition for all of you.
There are certain deficiencies that can show up during the home inspection, so it’s important to consider how re-negotiation can benefit both the buyer and the seller. If you’re curious about home inspections and other aspects of purchasing a home, you may want to contact your local real estate agent for more information.
