Jul 30, 2020 | Real Estate
For many people, their home is the most important investment they will ever make. Therefore, it only makes sense that people will want to spend time improving their house. Sometimes, they simply want to make a nicer place to live.
In other cases, they might be looking to raise the value of their home. Regardless, it is important for people to think about the power tools they are going to use to get the job done.
The right tool could make the difference between a successful project and having to hire someone else. There are a few tools on the market that every homeowner should consider.
A New Power Drill
This is usually the first item on the list when it comes to a home improvement project. While many homeowners probably already have a power drill, there are a few new models that have reached the market. Take a look at some of the top brands and look at their latest models.
Sometimes, they have removable drill bits for specialized tasks, different power settings, and could even reverse the direction in which they spin. This is important for every home improvement project.
A Circular Saw
This is one of the most important saws that everyone should have when it comes to a home improvement project. When it comes to this saw, safety should always come first; however, these saws are popular because they can slice through thick materials with ease. They come both with and without a cord. When it comes to strength, a circular saw is tough to beat. They are ideal for working in tight spaces.
A Cordless Screwdriver
While a screwdriver is a traditional tool for home improvement projects, a power screwdriver is ideal. A cordless option takes the effort out of most tasks and makes it easier for someone to complete home improvement tasks in a short amount of time. They can even spin in both directions, making them useful for both tightening and loosening screws.
Find The Right Power Tools
These are just a few of the top power tools for home improvement projects. Everyone must take the time to find the right power tools for their next home improvement job.
Jul 29, 2020 | Around The Home
If you’re a homeowner, your backyard is probably a space where you look forward to spending private, quality time watching your children play or entertaining dinner guests.
The privacy you and your family treasure could suddenly be put at risk if your neighbors finish renovations allowing them to see into your backyard, or if a tree that once hid your backyard from view needs to be removed.
If you’re looking to reclaim the privacy you’ve lost in your yard, here are some options you will want to consider.
Your Property Line Is A Natural Barrier That You Can Use To Reclaim Your Family’s Privacy
The first option you might consider if you’re looking to reclaim your yard’s privacy is probably building a fence – but depending on your budget, your relationship with your neighbors, and the look you want in your yard, a fence might not be the best option.
Consider planting a fast-growing hedge or other greenery along your property line instead. Italian cypress, for instance, will look great, grow very quickly, and will eventually give you all the privacy you need.
Break Up Your Nosey Neighbors’ Line Of Sight By Installing Raised Beds Or Berms
If you already have a green thumb and love nothing more than working on your backyard garden, you can have your cake and eat it too by replanting your current backyard plants in raised beds or berms.
Raised beds will add up to two or three feet of height to your plants without taking away the area or square footage in the rest of your backyard, making it an ideal option for homeowners will smaller backyard spaces. Installing raised beds or berms could also be a great solution for your garden if you have trouble planting due to the presence of clay or simply poor soil.
Lumber Isn’t Your Only Fencing Option
Though fencing seems like an obvious and possibly boring option to liven up your backyard and improve the aesthetic of your space at the same time, there are ways you can get creative with fencing that you might not have considered. Putting in latticework can alleviate the claustrophobic feeling that might come with enclosing your space fully with a solid fence, giving you some visibility through the lattice.
You can spice up the look of your enclosure by weaving plants through your lattice, or if you have the patience, get some ivy growing through your enclosure.
Maximizing the privacy of your outdoor space is easy if you’re creative and you enjoy working outdoors. If you love nothing more than pruning and shearing, then try to reclaim your space through planting rather than installing a fence or another permanent structure that you can’t change and therefore might regret later.
If you’re worried about how your backyard transformation could affect the value of your home, or if you’re looking for more privacy options, contact a real estate professional that you trust for the backyard design help you need.
Jul 28, 2020 | Real Estate Tips
If you are looking to buy a home one day but don’t think you are ready just yet, you are not alone. One of the most important tasks that you have to complete involves getting your finances in order.
There are a few ways to get your finances in order before you buy, no matter how long you have been waiting to buy a home. Getting your finances in order with these simple steps can help you become a more competitive applicant both for a mortgage and a home that is on the market.
Focus On Your Credit Score
While it is true that your credit doesn’t have to be perfect in order to get a home, a strong credit score will increase your chances of getting approved. In addition, a great credit score can also help you get a lower interest rate on your mortgage.
Some of the ways that you can improve your credit score include disputing errors that might be on your report, reducing your debt, producing a long track record of on-time payments, and avoiding late payments. All of this will help you get ready to apply for a mortgage.
Open A Bank Account For Homeownership
The cost of a home is far more than a down payment and mortgage bills. The reality is that owning a home comes with a variety of expenses for which you must be prepared. Therefore, it is a prudent idea to open a bank account that is solely for homeownership expenses. This account should contain a variety of funds including those for utilities, maintenance, landscaping costs, and even renovation expenses. This will help you visualize the amount of money that you have set aside.
Calculate The Budget
Finally, it is also smart to calculate a budget for the home. Some of the factors that are going to play a role in the sticker price of a home include the down payment, closing costs, and potential taxes. For help with this calculation, it is a smart idea to meet with a trained mortgage professional.
Prepare To Buy A Home
These are a few of the steps that you should follow to get your finances in order. These steps will make you a more competitive applicant for a mortgage.
Jul 24, 2020 | Real Estate
When someone is thinking about buying a home, one of the key parts is the home appraisal. The appraisal ensures that the buyer is paying a fair price for the home while also protecting the mortgage lender against taking a loss.
On the other hand, an appraisal is also an added cost of the buyer can be a serious source of stress for both sellers and brokers.
Recently, government agencies have passed a rule saying that home appraisals are no longer going to be required on homes that are less than $400,000; however, many lenders will still require them.
Therefore, when should someone consider skipping a home appraisal to save some money?
Appraisals And Mortgages
One of the first ways to take a look at the value of a home appraisal is by comparing it to the mortgage. The two go hand in hand. Appraisals are important because they protect not only the seller and buyer but also the lender. The lender wants to make sure they know what the property is worth.
Therefore, an appraisal is more about valuing the property and not about the price of the home.
In addition, lenders make loans based on either the sale price or the appraised value, whichever is lower. Lenders do this to make sure that buyers have invested enough in their own property.
Borrowers And Appraisals
In addition to considering the lender, it is also important to consider the borrower. An appraisal is helpful for the borrower because this prevents someone from overpaying for a property.
Therefore, they act as a form of consumer protection. On the other hand, they also cost the borrower a few hundred dollars. If money is tight, this can be a serious problem and could dull the appeal of a home.
Choosing Between The Two Options
In the end, people should consider skipping the appraisal if it saves them money. Lenders might still require someone to obtain an evaluation as a form of protection. If the buyer is not confident in this evaluation method, then a traditional evaluation might be a better approach.
It is important for people to feel confident in the sale price, regardless of how this happens.
Jul 17, 2020 | Real Estate
The era of social distancing has impacted everyone and this has left people wondering how they are going to maintain control over their sanity. The positive news is that social distancing doesn’t mean that people have to stay inside at all times.
There are still ways to go outside and remain socially distant. Check out a few fun activities that people can do together while still social distancing.
Take A Trip To A Local State Park
One of the great ideas that people should try this summer involves taking a trip to a local state park. While a lot of businesses have remained closed, there are state parks that remain open. These parks often have dozens of miles of trails that people can hike and explore plants, animals, and the beauty of the great outdoors. While it is possible that other people will be on the trails, it isn’t hard for friends and family members to remain socially distant during a visit to a state park.
Explore The Neighborhood
Perhaps the local community park is packed. Instead, think about walking around the rest of the neighborhood. Chances are, there are spots right in the backyard that are brand new. There might even be a spot that has always been on the bucket list that has never been visited. This is an opportunity for people to open their eyes to the rest of the neighborhood while social distancing. Why not take this chance to say hello to someone new?
Pick Up A New Sport
While there are some sports that cannot be played while social distancing, there are some that can. Some of the great options include running, swimming, golf, tennis, and even frisbee golf. While social distancing can be hard for those who love to play team sports, there are still other sports that can be played even during the era of social distancing. It is important for people to take care of their physical health during this time. This is a great chance to pick up a new sport.
Activities For Social Distancing
These are a few of the top activities that people can do outside while still social distancing. Why not give them a try?
