Whether you heat your home with a furnace, boiler, or central heating, there are ways to save money on your monthly bill. Begin now to winterize your home as the cooler temperatures are ushered in. It’s always a good idea to have your furnace inspected as well as stock up on filters. A dirty filter makes your furnace/heat pump work harder which leads to higher heating bills. Change the filters about once a month.
There are simple things that add up that will help reduce your monthly bills. A few inexpensive ideas:
Turn your thermostat down. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day. Those eight hours can be while you are away at work. They also suggest having your thermostat set to 68 degrees when you are at home and dropping that even lower when you’re sleeping.
Run your ceiling fans in reverse. Hot air rises, so run your ceiling fan at a slow speed in reverse (counter clockwise) to push the warm air back down to floor level. Most ceiling fans have switches that allow you to change the direction of the motor rotation.
Take advantage of the sunny days. Open your curtains and blinds on the south facing windows through the day,and feel how that sun heats up your home! Make sure you close them again once the sun sets to keep that heat inside. 30% of heating loss in a home happens through the windows, so the thicker the curtains and the shades – the better!
Seal up leaks. Check out your walls, windows, ceilings, doors, light fixtures, outlets and switches for any escaping air. Look for things like hole and gaps. Adding simple weather stripping around your windows and doors is the easiest and cheapest way to help keep the warm air in your home. Ducts tend to get small leaks over time which allow the heated air to escape. An easy and inexpensive fix to these leaks is using metallic tape found at any home improvement store. When you are not using your chimney, make sure the flue is shut to prevent warm air from escaping.
The Bottom Line: Bundle up! It could be an expensive winter ahead when it comes to heating your home. Check with your electric company to see if they have “even billing” where you spread your winter payments out over the whole year, paying the same amount each month. For now, the first step is to find the problems around your home and identify where you could be more energy efficient.
An experienced Realtor will know how to maximize your property value so you can receive top dollar for your home. They will identify what improvements you should make to your home to increase the amount it will sell for. They will have the name of the best inspector in your area to check on the roof, sewer, drainage, fireplace, pool, etc., and then advise you to complete the repairs or to leave as-is for the buyer. They’ll also be able to recommend the best service providers with reasonable prices: an inspector, handyman, painter, landscaper, stager, etc.
Stage Your Home
First impressions are everything. It only takes 10 seconds for a buyer to decide whether or not they love the home. Those 10 seconds start counting down as soon as the buyer steps through the front door. If you want to wow the buyer, make sure that the first thing they see makes them feel welcomed and inspired. Staging can help your place look its best during the sales period without the cost or expense of a renovation. Your Realtor will help you get your home to that point so that it makes that positive first impression among potential buyers, from the time they look at the listing photos, to the moment they walk in the door. Buyers can’t imagine themselves in your house if it’s full of your family photos or souvenirs from your vacations, so invested, good Realtors will be upfront with you on what should go into storage.
Professional Photos
Once the home is prepped and stage, it will be ready for a photoshoot. Be sure, when interviewing Realtors to hire that they offer professional photography as part of their service. Today, buyers are online searching for a home and the photos are what’s piquing a buyer’s interest in your home and prompting them to take the next step in contacting their Realtor. Your Realtor’s and connection to a professional photographer will produce images that resonate and appeal to sellers. And the more photos the better.
Determine the Price
Maybe the most important task of a Realtor is setting a fair and competitive selling price for your home that will increase your odds of a quick sale. He will create a comparative market analysis (CMA) to review comparable homes nearby that are currently on the market, pending, or have recently sold. This will give you more information on what people are willing to pay for homes that are similar to yours, so, together, you can set a competitive price. The best Realtor will avoid giving in and just saying a price that will make you, the seller, happy. He should price each home using his training, understanding of the market and comparable sales.
Market Your Home
Your Realtor should blow away others in this arena. She should know how to get the word out using every available social media platform as well as any marketing channels that are available. Check out her website and social accounts. If she is lacking, maybe she isn’t the one for you. The photos should be phenomonal as well as videos.
Negotiating and Closing the Deal
The job of a Realtor is to get the most money for their clients home in the least amount of time. His ability to negotiate relies heavily on the local and national real estate market. More often than not though, the purchasing and selling of a home occurs quickly and must make decisive financial decisions during the negotiation process. He should know you, the seller well and be aware of what is and is not negotiable. If an offer is made, he should let any other parties that have been interested to give them a last chance to make an offer. He will guide you through all of the paperwork and steps that need to be completed in the closing process and be there to hand over your keys to the new owner.
The Bottom Line: Selling a house involves a lot of work. There are so many little details and loose ends that must be taken care of. It is crucial that you interview and find the best Realtor in your area that can not only sell your home faster and make you more money, but they can also make the selling process much less stressful.
Everyone needs title insurance. You may think you know the entire history of the house you’re purchasing, but it’s impossible to know everything. Title insurance protects your right to the property in the event that a previously unknown heir claims ownership of the property if it is later revealed that the “sellers” were not the rightful owners, or if liens against the property resurface. If you have an owner’s title insurance policy, you will not be responsible for paying any of the fees associated with protecting your right to the property, should these types of issues arise.
MYTH:New construction homes don’t need title insurance
Your home could be brand new, but the land on which the house is built isn’t. Chances are, the land had several previous owners before construction began. Buying property on such land opens you up to certain risks tied to ownership issues from previous owners.
Disputed wills, easements, and property liens are just a few of the issues common to land ownership. You could get caught in between the mess and end up losing your resources or, worse still, your new property as well. Title insurance is crucial even for a new home and should be among your list of priorities during the closing process.
MYTH:If no one challenges ownership, then the title policy is a waste
At the closing, when you purchase a title insurance policy, the closing company does the bulk of the work behind the scenes. The title company goes through many steps to make sure that everything is in place by that time, including conducting a comprehensive title search and identifying any potential issues. The team investigates the entire history of the property to ensure that you, the buyer, will be aware of any problems that will need to be addressed before closing. By the time the closing comes around, the title company has completed a great deal of research and legwork for you.
MYTH: Title insurance offers only minimal protection
When you purchase a home, you receive the “title” to the property. This title is your legal right to own it. Early in the home buying process, a title search is conducted to review the history of the property and uncover any issues that could limit your right to ownership. Even after the most meticulous search of public records, there can be hidden title defects, such as tax liens, forged signatures, claims by ex-spouses, and recording errors. These title defects can remain undiscovered for months or even years after you purchase the home.
MYTH: Title insurance is the same thing as homeowner’s insurance
Homeowners insurance protects you so you have the resources to pay for any damage that might occur to your property. Title insurance protects you from anyone else claiming your home is theirs or for some prior owner’s back taxes or encumbrances or any other real property dispute
Title First Agency: Dedicated to innovation and passionate about service, Title First Agency is your comprehensive, nationwide resource for title and real estate settlement services. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Title First has branch offices throughout the Midwest and a robust virtual partner network throughout the country. Title First got its start in 1956 as an affiliate of a local law firm and has since emerged as one of the largest independent title agencies in the nation. Proudly servicing Realtors, lenders, builders, developers, law firms, buyers and sellers, Title First is equipped to serve your residential and commercial title and settlement needs.
Buying a home can be chock full of complications and setbacks, or it can go remarkably smooth and fast if it is planned carefully. The end goal needs to be addressed right from the start, and that goal is to have a smooth closing. Be sure to choose a Realtor that is experienced and one that you trust to stay focused and be the voice of reason as they facilitate the process at closing and make sure all parties have completed all unfinished business prior to coming to the “closing table”. Here are a few tips that can help you make it go as smoothly as possible.
Repairs: It’s a good idea to have a complete inspection done so that any issues can be addressed before closing. You may want more than just a code inspection, because there may be issues that don’t have to be revealed since they don’t have anything to do with building codes or laws regarding seller disclosure.
The Realtor should check on the status of all repairs that were to be made on the home the day before closing. If there was an agreement that something needed to be fixed by closing, make sure that it is. If there was an arrangement for repairs to be taken care of after closing, make sure all the necessary paperwork shows this as fact. A final walk-through should be done with the buyers. The sellers should make sure, with their Realtor, that the property is in the condition promised and all of their personal items are removed.
Title Insurance: Your title company plays an essential role in closing your real estate transaction. All of the title work should be checked to ensure a clear title and that the property can be transferred without any obstructions. Should there be any title issues that might include judgments or liens, they must be settled prior to the hour of closing. The moment of truth in a real estate transaction happens at the closing table. Title First Agency will work hard to ensure a seamless experience for you and your clients. From contract to closing, we handle all the details to help a transaction run smoothly and close on time.
Financing: The lender should be contacted the day before the closing to be certain that all the documents they need have been received. Occasionally, the closing is delayed due to one document or one final verification. The interest rate for the loan should be locked as well as the final mortgage and monthly payments. The Realtor should make sure the buyer has all the funds available and ready to close. Having everything in hand the day before gives both the buyer and the seller 24 hours to review everything. If there are any questions, you can have them ready and any issues addressed.
The Bottom Line: A thorough Realtor will make sure the buyers are ready for the closing. First-time buyers may not realize all the people that could possibly be at the closing table, and all the paperwork there will be that needs their signature. The buyer needs a cashier’s check or arrangements made to wire the closing funds to the escrow company. The seller should bring all the keys, garage door openers, alarm codes, and any other controls to the settlement. The Realtor should make sure and confirm that all utilities have been disconnected by the sellers and set up ready for the buyers upon closing.
The National Association of Realtors indicates that fiduciary duties cover six distinct areas: loyalty, confidentiality, disclosure, obedience, reasonable care and diligence, and accounting. Some—but not all—of these duties are self-explanatory.
Loyalty means a Realtor must act in the best interest of his clients, including placing their client interests above their own. So, for example, if an agent is interested in buying a house that he knows is perfect for one of his clients, he must give the client priority and refrain from making an offer unless and until the client rejects the house.
Confidentiality means Realtors must safeguard their clients’ secrets. Agents often know the lowest price that a seller-client will take, for example, but the agent must keep it a secret. Likewise, if a seller must sell due to an emergency, the agent may not reveal the seller’s distress. Buyer’s agents must also keep their client’s secrets. For example, the highest price that a buyer is willing to pay and that the buyer loves a given house are secrets.
Disclosure means that the Realtor is required to disclose affirmatively all information concerning the transaction as well as the property which might affect the decisions a principal makes, informing the principal what the Realtor knows.
Obedience requires an agent to carry out his client’s legal wishes. No agent is ever obligated to violate the law. In fact, the law calls for fair and honest dealing, no matter whom the agent represents. So if a seller tells an agent to lie about a leaking roof, he is under no obligation to do so. However, if a seller tells her agent to list a house at a given price, the agent must obey. If the price is unreasonable, the agent should encourage the seller to reconsider the price or do as the seller asks, but the agent cannot list it at a different price.
Realtors are obligated to use reasonable care and diligence in pursuing the principal’s affairs. The standard of care expected of a real estate broker representing a seller or buyer is that of a competent real estate professional. By reason of his license, a Realtor is deemed to have skill and expertise in real estate matters superior to that of the average person. As an agent representing others in their real estate dealings, a broker or salesperson is under a duty to use his superior skill and knowledge while pursuing his principal’s affairs. This duty includes an obligation to affirmatively discover facts relating to his principal’s affairs that a reasonable and prudent real estate broker would be expected to investigate. Simply put, this is the same duty any professional, such as a doctor or lawyer, owes to his patient or client.
The duty of accounting means that the agent must account for money and property entrusted to her. Agents must give escrow funds to their brokers or to the client’s attorney who will keep it in an escrow fund. Listing agents must keep track of showings so that they have a record of who has come and gone. They must also ensure that a listed house is secure, either by signing out keys to other licensed agents and accounting for their whereabouts or by hanging a lockbox on the property.
The Bottom Line: Fiduciary abuse is against the law and can leave an agent open to a lawsuit, and it destroys the professional and ethical standing of the real estate agent. As a Realtor, you should always be aware of your fiduciary duties to your clients. It’s a major responsibility and upholding these duties is crucial to developing a strong reputation.
A pre-inspection gives the seller of a home a heads-up if there are any problems that a potential buyer will probably want to have repaired. Once you know what is wrong, you can have the issues fixed before you even put your home on the market. Too often, a home inspection is where the deal falls apart because buyers will make their offer contingent on approval of the results. Hidden defects or problems can turn any negotiating into the buyer’s favor. Even if you offer to fix a problem that arises on the buyer’s inspection report, skittish buyers may be hesitant to close the deal. Knowing before you list your home gives you the opportunity to fix the problem or price accordingly.
Most Realtors will tell you to make major repairs before you list your home. The buyer’s inspection will uncover significant defects, and you will be expected to repair them if you want to get the full price for your home. The problem is that you will only have until closing to get the repairs done after the buyer’s inspection.
The limited time frame leaves sellers scrambling to get everything fixed in time. With a pre-listing inspection, you set your own schedule for repairs. There is no rush to list the property until you have made sure the home is in good shape.
You’ll be putting your home on the market with the confidence you’ve corrected any large problems.
Sellers can justify listing price through a pre-inspection. You can feel confident in the price you are asking with the results available to buyers. In a hot market, some buyers will make an offer on a home without the home inspection contingency.
According to Forbes: …”pre-inspection is a goodwill gesture. It demonstrates a willingness to go beyond what’s expected, and that sets you apart from other sellers. You’re sending a signal that your house is an ‘open book,’ and that you’re being upfront about the property. All of this can give potential buyers peace of mind and confidence.”
Once you have the pre-inspection report in your hand you can’t ignore any issues that came up. You’ll be required to disclose that information as a known defect or fix it before anyone makes an offer. There may be some issues that you aren’t able to take on and it will be reflected in the price. You and your Realtor will be able to establish the right sale price including what you can or can not fix before putting your house on the market.
The bottom line: As a seller, getting a home inspection before listing your home gives you more time to make the repairs that you can and to shop around and control the costs for the work. Be sure to hire an experienced Realtor that will know how to interpret inspection reports, and to let you know which issues are vital to address before listing your home.
You negotiated a fair purchase price, closed escrow, and now you’ve moved into your new home, but there are some things that are not quite how you want them. In fact, according to IKEA’s 2018 Life at Home Report, 39% of Americans do not feel a sense of belonging in their residence. This statistic might seem jarring, since our homes are supposed to be where we feel most comfortable. But if you feel the same way, you deserve to feel comfortable, safe, and in your element in your own home. Fortunately, you can achieve that goal if you are ready to put in the work.
Whether you’ve purchased a home that’s never been lived in before or has had several occupants, there are always going to be at least a few things that you will want to do to make it feel like your own. From simple adjustments you can do yourself like painting, to major renovations you will need a contractor for like replacing kitchen cabinetry, there are plenty of ways you can personalize your space and create that at-home feeling you have been missing.
Renovate Key Spaces
Renovating certain areas of the home can give the place a major facelift, by fully customizing the different aspects to your lifestyle. Whether you need to make more room by changing the layout of one or more rooms or you have eco-conscious renovations on your mind (low-flow fixtures, improved insulation, etc.), these changes can have a big impact on the household.
According to a 2018 report by Houzz, the kitchen and bathrooms are still the top two most popular home renovations (and the most expensive). Other popular renovations include:
Creating a more open floor plan by adapting living room spaces
Upgrading the master bedroom to make more space for furniture
Expanding closet space to create a walk-in closet with ample storage
Keep in mind that contractors and their teams spend a lot of time in your home so you do not want to make this decision lightly. In addition to reading reviews, you should run background checks on all renovators. That way, you can ensure that you know who’s coming into your home. When choosing a background check service, just make sure you find a reputable company like ShareAble for Hires.
Focus on the Master Bedroom
Your bedroom should be an escape from the demands of daily life, whether that applies to soaking in the tub after a long day, curling up on your chaise lounge to read on weekend mornings, or drifting off into a peaceful sleep that’s free of interruptions. However, if you have just moved in, there are likely some changes you will want to make to your new bedroom.
Some of the ways you can adapt the master bedroom include:
Changing out the window coverings: For some, sunlight creeping in in the early morning hours is preferred, while others prefer to keep it cool and dark. Changing your window coverings from wood blinds to high-quality blackout screens or vice versa can help you adjust to your preference.
Adding ceiling fans: If you want to keep your bedroom cool without constantly running the air conditioning, ceiling fans in the bedroom are a good investment.
Swap the lighting: Overly bright lighting in the bedroom can interfere with the coziness and relaxation that you are probably seeking for this space. You might need brighter lighting in the closet, but near your bed or lounge area it should be more subtle. An easy fix is switching out the bulbs.
For many new homeowners, it takes some time to get comfortable. If you are having trouble adjusting to your new environment, try taking saffron for sleep. Over time, you will adapt to your room and it will feel like home, but in the meantime, this supplement by Objective Wellness can help you get the rest you need to do work around the house and attend to all of your other daily demands.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
Color plays a significant role in the tone of your decor and the overall mood of each room—which is why many new homeowners make painting one of the first items on their to-do list after moving in. A fresh coat of paint, either to the interior or exterior of your home, can make your home look and feel like new.
Whether the current colors are too dark for your taste, or you want to use some modern paint colors to liven up the space, the good news is that repainting your walls is a fairly affordable upgrade that you can do yourself, it just requires patience and time.
Add Personalization
Even if you buy a new-construction house that you have been thoroughly involved in planning, that is simply the shell of your home—there is still the interior to deal with. Being surrounded by blank walls can make your new home feel empty and sterile. Once the walls are painted to your liking, start hanging photos, art, and other elements of personalization that will make the house feel more like home.
In addition to what’s hanging on your walls, there are other personalized aspects that will help you feel more comfortable in your space. Blankets and throw pillows help bring a homey feel to the living room and bedrooms, while decorative towels, flowers, candles, and other aesthetic touches can breathe life into your house.
If you have not purchased your furniture yet, think of the style that best suits your personality and lifestyle. If you have a big family or frequently host gatherings, plentiful comfortable seating and a welcoming ambiance will be key. However, if you like your home to feel clean, organized, and picturesque, a minimalistic approach to decor will be key to enjoying your new space.
Final Thoughts for New Homeowners
It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of seeing your home come together, it is important to take a strategic approach to customizing and renovating. Consider the costs of the different projects you are taking on, without careful budgeting, you run the risk of overspending. In order to make sure you are able to make all the changes you want, without putting yourself in a less-than-ideal financial situation, make a list of your priorities and work your way through the.
Of course, there will be certain projects that should be done before you get settled, or you will have to make a lot of extra effort later, but many of these tasks can be done over time. It is understandable that you want everything to be perfect, but focus on the projects at hand, and soon you will be living in the home of your dreams.
Your offer was accepted, the inspection is over, anything that needed to be resolved has been. The only thing standing between you and moving into your new home is the closing table. What should you expect?
Preparing for the closing date:
Depending on how condensed your contract period is, you may receive the final settlement and HUD-1 statements with enough time to review them with your lender and real estate broker. It isn’t uncommon, with the volume of new mortgages and refinances, to receive these documents just hours before closing. Either way, you will have time at the closing table to have all your questions answered about the details and account for every penny of the transaction.
Prior to your closing, you will do a final walk-through of your new home with your broker to inspect its condition. This is your opportunity to ensure all agreed upon inspection items have been completed, the condition of the home hasn’t changed from when you went under contract, and all contractual items are in the home. The final walk-through is not an opportunity to re-inspect the home.
WHAT TO BRING TO CLOSING
Make sure to bring a form of government issued identification for the closing agent to verify you are, in fact, you.
The closing is usually held at a title company location that is convenient to both parties of the transaction. Most closings will include the seller and seller’s agent, buyer and buyer’s agent, lender, and the closing agent. With more complex transactions there may be attorneys present for one or both sides.
There are three parts of the closing, the first two parts pertain to transferring the real estate from the seller to the buyer. This includes all the documentation and accounting for the transfer. If you are borrowing money, you will need to complete the third and final part, paying for the home. This portion will contain the majority of documents and disclosures required by your lender. Your lender should be present to answer any questions you may have during this section.
The keys!!
Once all the documents have been successfully signed and all money dispersed, you are now the proud new owner of the home! This will also be a good opportunity to ask the seller any additional questions you may have about your new property. It is also a good idea to exchange contact information in case questions arise during the move-in process.
The bottom line
Though it may seem like the closing process is a lot of complex work, it’s worth the time and effort to get things right instead of hurrying up and signing a deal you don’t understand. Be wary of any pressure to close the deal fast. Real estate agents and other entities helping you will want their cut, but they won’t be around to care about the problems you could face in the long run from a bad deal.
There are many factors to consider when buying a home. When it comes to the closing process, it is a good idea to know the terminology that will be discussed. This can help make the situation much more comfortable and professional for all parties involved. Below are some of the terms that may be discussed during the closing process.
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE (APR) This term reflects the cost of all credit and finances as determined by the length of a year, including the interest rate, points, broker fees, and other credit charges obligated to the buyer. Simply put: this is the price you pay to borrow the money to buy the home. There will either be a fixed APR or a variable APR. A fixed APR means the APR doesn’t change based on an index during the life of the loan. Because of this, fixed APRs can be more predictable when it comes to budgeting.
PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE (PMI) This term is insurance coverage that homeowners are required to have if they’re putting down less than 20% of the home’s cost. Basically, PMI gives mortgage lenders some backup if a house falls into foreclosure because the homeowner couldn’t make their monthly mortgage payments. The charge is usually included in the monthly mortgage payment in an attempt to protect the lender from a possible default.
DOWN PAYMENT Like many transactions involving large sums of money, the mortgage process involves a down payment – the amount a home buyer pays in order to make up the difference between the purchase price and the mortgage amount. Some experts advise no less than 10% to 15%. However, any amount over 20% of the purchase price is often recommended, and may be required to avoid having to pay for private mortgage insurance.
LOAN ESTIMATE (LE) The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, requires your lender to issue a Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your mortgage application. All relevant loan data, including estimated monthly payments, the cost of interest and your interest rate are included. You can also review other costs associated with the loan, such as recurring taxes, one-time costs, fixed fees and negotiable fees.
It is important to note the loan estimate is designed to provide the potential terms of your loan. Lenders will request additional financial data from you to complete the loan documents. However, the ability to change terms is limited, particularly in certain cost categories.
CLOSING COSTS This term refers to the expenses, over and above the price of the property, that buyers and sellers normally incur to complete a real estate transaction. Closing costs may also be referred to as transaction costs or settlement costs and may include various fees and charges associated with finalization. These may include or be related to application fees, title examination, title insurance, property fees, as well as settlement documents and attorney charges.
Prepare your home for maximum earnings. There are simple steps you can take to maximize your home’s appeal.
Enlist the help of a Realtor to market and sell your home. When selling your home, a Realtor can provide expertise in valuing and advertising your home, qualifying and screening potential buyers, and negotiating contracts. If you are not able to enlist help from a Realtor, Title First can provide you with assistance.
Negotiate a contract. When you receive an offer for the purchase of your home, it must be in writing, generally on a preprinted real estate purchase contract from your local bar association or board of Realtors. You may modify or alter the offer in any way you, your Realtor, or your attorney wish. Offers and counteroffers are made until the terms of the contract have been fully agreed to by all parties. When assessing offers and making counter-offers to the seller, don’t feel pressured to accept less than the value of your home.
Close on the property. Before your home is officially sold, you must sign all appropriate documentation at your closing. The closing will typically be held at a Title First office, the office of your realtor, lender or attorney, or sometimes on-location. Because your home represents one of the most significant investments you will make throughout your life, it is important that you feel comfortable with all the information being presented to you during the closing procedure. Title First is dedicated to walking you through this important process with care and attention. When it’s time to set up your closing, don’t hesitate to tell your realtor or lender to call Title First, or feel free to give us a call if you’re working by yourself.
Be prepared for these seller’s fees commonly seen at the closing. Fees: Current loan payoff Conveyance fee Title insurance examination Title insurance commitment/premium for the owner policy Documentation to provide your Realtor® with: Tax receipts Utility bills Mortgage Payment Information to provide to Title First: Your mortgage company name, address and account number Any existing title insurance policy
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