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energy efficient home

Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Nov/25 By

In an era where environmental sustainability is increasingly important, making your home more energy-efficient not only benefits the planet but also your wallet. Energy-efficient homes consume less energy, resulting in lower utility bills and reduced environmental impact. Not to mention that having an energy efficient home raises the value of the property.

This article explores various ways to make your home more energy-efficient, ranging from simple changes to more substantial investments.

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Lighting

One of the easiest ways to enhance energy efficiency is by replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs. LED bulbs, in particular, use significantly less energy and last longer, reducing the frequency of replacements.

Seal Air Leaks

Sealing air leaks around doors and windows can prevent drafts and save energy. Use weatherstripping and caulking to seal gaps and cracks, and consider adding door sweeps to reduce air leakage at the bottom of exterior doors.

Insulate Your Home

Proper insulation is a key factor in energy efficiency. Insulate your attic, walls, and floors to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Adequate insulation helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reducing the need for heating and cooling. Spray foam is known as one of the best options on the market. This is because the r-value of spray foam is the highest of any residential insulation option.

Upgrade Windows and Doors

Old or inefficient windows and doors can contribute to heat loss and gain. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows with double or triple glazing and low-emissivity (low-E) coatings. Choose energy-efficient doors with proper insulation.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to set and automate temperature adjustments based on your schedule. This prevents unnecessary heating or cooling when you’re not at home, leading to significant energy savings.

Maintain Your HVAC System

Regular maintenance of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system ensures it operates efficiently. Replace air filters regularly, schedule annual professional inspections, and clean ducts to keep the system running smoothly.

energy efficient appliances

Use Energy-Efficient Appliances

When it’s time to replace appliances, choose models with the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to meet specific energy efficiency criteria, consuming less electricity and water compared to standard models.

Reduce Phantom Energy

Many electronics and appliances continue to consume electricity when not in use, known as phantom energy. To combat this, unplug devices or use smart power strips that can automatically disconnect power when devices are not in use.

Upgrade Water Heating

Water heating is a significant contributor to energy consumption in most homes. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency water heater or adding insulation to your existing water heater to reduce heat loss.

Install Solar Panels

For a more substantial energy-saving investment, consider installing solar panels on your roof. Solar panels generate clean, renewable energy, reducing your reliance on grid electricity and potentially providing savings over time.

Landscaping for Energy Efficiency

Strategically planting trees and shrubs around your home can provide natural shade in the summer and windbreaks in the winter. This can reduce the need for air conditioning and heating, respectively.

Upgrade Insulated Garage Doors

If you have an attached garage, upgrading to an insulated garage door can help maintain a more stable temperature inside the garage, reducing the load on adjacent living spaces.

Conclusion

Improving your home’s energy efficiency not only benefits your finances but also contributes to a greener and more sustainable future. By implementing these energy-saving measures, you can reduce your environmental footprint, increase your home’s comfort, and enjoy the long-term financial advantages of lower energy bills.

Making your home more energy-efficient is a win-win for both you and the planet.

And if ever decide to sell your home, don’t forget to market your home as “energy efficient”.…

Market Your Home For Sale

Simple Ways To Market Your Home For Sale

Aug/31 By

When you own a home, it’s important to understand all the steps involved with selling it. This can be tricky, especially if you don’t live in that area on a regular basis. Whether you have owned your home for many years or have just recently purchased it, knowing what to do when putting your house on the market is imperative. 

There are so many people who own homes and never sell them because they simply don’t know how the process works. However, there are so many benefits that come from selling your home for a fair price in today’s real estate market. 

Selling your home for a fair price not only unlocks equity that could be used for other housing options down the road but also gives you cash from an asset that will depreciate over time without any monetary return. If you want to learn more about how to market your house for sale, keep reading for some helpful tips and tricks.

Hiring a Professional Real Estate Agent

hiring a real estate agent

A real estate agent can help you market your home for sale and negotiate the best possible price for your home. Finding a reputable and experienced real estate agent can be difficult, so you’ll want to take the time to vet a few options before making a final decision. 

You can do this by getting recommendations from friends and family members, or you can simply do an online search for real estate agents in your area. You’ll want to make sure you check out their reviews online and interview any that you think would be a good fit for your situation. 

Keep in mind that you’ll probably have to pay a percentage of the profits from the sale of your home as a real estate agent fee. However, this is much less than the amount you would lose if you tried to sell your home without an agent. You can expect to pay anywhere between 3% and 6% of the profits gained from the sale of your home.

Advertising Your Property

When you’re advertising your property, you’ll want to make sure you include all of the most important information that interested homebuyers would want to know. You should include details such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the number of rooms in the home, and the square footage. 

Also, make sure to include the price you are looking for and a general description of the area. You can do this by making a sign or poster that you can put on the front lawn of your home. Add your advertisement to websites such as Zillow or Redfin, which are popular real estate websites. 

You can also advertise in local newspapers or on local radio stations. In order to get the best results from your advertisement, you’ll want to make sure that you are as specific as possible and include plenty of professional photos.

Showing Visitors Around and Being Selective

You’ll want to be very selective when showing your home to interested homebuyers. This is especially important if you are trying to sell your home quickly. You’ll want to show your home to people who are serious about buying and are ready to make an offer on your home. 

You can do this by setting up an appointment with each prospective homebuyer so that you can decide whether or not to show them around. You’ll want to keep things professional throughout the process, even if prospective homebuyers are rude or unappreciative. You can also opt to make an appointment with real estate agents who are looking to purchase homes. 

If you do this, make sure that you are upfront about your intentions and are not trying to sell your home to them. Real estate agents will often be able to refer you to other interested homebuyers, which can help you sell your home faster.

interested homebuyers

Wrapping Up: Final Tips

If you’re thinking about selling your home, now is a great time to do so. With the economy on the upswing and more people than ever looking to buy homes, now is the best time to unlock the equity in your home and make a quick profit. 

If you follow the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you should have no trouble selling your home for a fair price. Finding a reputable real estate agent and showing your home to serious homebuyers is crucial to unlocking the equity in your home and making a quick profit from it.…

Dallas Fort Worth Lakes

Best Lakes in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Oct/9 By

The Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas has some of the most beautiful lakes in the country, including Lake Granbury, Eagle Mountain Lake, and more! You can’t go wrong visiting one of these lakes and taking a day off to enjoy all the beauty that Texas lakes have to offer. 

Lake Granbury

Lake Granbury is located about 45 miles from Fort Worth, Texas and is one of the most popular lakes in the area, sitting close to plenty of Granbury homes for sale. It is a man-made lake that is controlled by BraRiver Dam. The dam was made of concrete and earth fill and measured 2,200 feet in length, 84 feet high, and its top width was 17 feet. With over 100 miles of shoreline, Lake Granbury is a fisherman’s paradise with striped bass, catfish, sunfish, and more. Lake Granbury is home to 5 public boat ramps, 2 fishing piers, and 4 overnight camping areas which leaves you and your family tons of fun things to do at this lake!

Dallas Fort Worth Lakes

Eagle Mountain Lake

The next most popular Texas lake is Eagle Mountain Lake, which is located approximately 8 miles from Downtown Fort Worth Texas. There is a very popular recreation park called Shadygrove Park nearby which offers a large shaded playground, walking trails, picnic tables, and pavilions. It is located on the southwest shore of the lake and covers 24 acres. Two softball fields and a tennis court are also available for rent at the park. A beach is available for public swimming at Eagle Mountain lake and black bass can also be caught at the numerous marinas and boat docks. You won’t be disappointed if you are looking for a place to relax, fish, swim, and have fun with your family. 

Dallas Fort Worth Lakes

Lewisville Lake

Lewisville Lake is located about 25 miles from Dallas Texas and is controlled by a dam completed in 1955. It measures 32,888 feet in length, extends over six miles, and is made of compacted soil. The dam’s eastern end is accessed via a 560-foot spillway. Lake Lewisville is one the most beautiful lakes in northern Texas and is near a lot of real estate, including fixer uppers. It is a great place to swim and enjoy other recreational activities like boating, fishing, and water sports.

Dallas Fort Worth Texas

Grapevine Lake

Grapevine Lake is located approximately 23 miles from Dallas, Texas and is home to some of the most popular swimming spots in the country, both for tourists and locals. The best, most family-friendly swimming area in the area is found on the south shore of Lake Grapevine. There are also a few designated swimming areas that have been marked with buoys. These areas are free of fishing and boating.

Grapevine Lake is home to many drop-offs, underwater boulders and rocky shorelines. These are home to largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. White bass are attracted to the water intake located near the dam. Fresh shad can be used to catch blue catfish.

Dallas Fort Worth Lakes

Lake Ray Roberts

Lake Ray Roberts could be the most popular lake to fish and swim in. It is located about 10 miles north from Denton, between Sanger and Pilot Point, and is a stunning lake destination. This is the perfect place to get away to enjoy the natural beauty of nature. It is only an hour from Dallas and the ideal spot for a weekend getaway or day trip.

Dallas Fort Worth Lakes

Conclusion

There are so many things to do in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including beautiful lakes to swim and fish. There are other activities available, including horseback riding, camping, hiking, biking, and so much more! You and your family will have a great time visiting one of these lakes! If you are looking to buy a home nearby one of these beautiful lakes, your home value could be affected. Contact a local real estate agent today for more information!…

Commission and more

Greenville, Agents, Commission, and More

Jul/31 By

Greenville is the largest city in South Carolina and the seat for Greenville County, South Carolina in the United States. Knox White is the city’s mayor, and has held that office since December 1995. It is home to 67,453 people and ranks sixth in the state. It was home to 400,492 people in 2010, making it the third largest urban area in South Carolina and the fastest-growing. Greenville is the largest city in the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population of the MSA was 884,975 as of 2016. This makes it the largest MSA in South Carolina and third in The Carolinas.

Greenville is the largest city in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Combined Statistical Area, a 10-county region of northwestern South Carolina, is known as “The Upstate”. The CSA was the largest CSA in South Carolina, with 1,442,117 residents as of 2016. Greenville lies approximately halfway between Atlanta, North Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. It is connected to Interstate 85 via its metropolitan area, which also includes Interstates 185, 385 and 385.

Greenville, agents, commission, and more

Competitive Commission Structure

Real Estate Commissions are split among the listing agent (who helps you sell your home) as well as what is offered on the MLS for any agent that brings a buyer to your home. The listing broker is paid 3%, while the MLS offers 3% to all agents working with buyers (so they can see how much they will make if their buyer comes to your home to complete the sale).

A competitive commission structure is where the listing agent agrees to a listing fee of 2% to 2.5% and recommends that the buyer’s agent receive a commission of 2.5%-3.0% on the MLS. Your agent will tell you that if they offer less than 2.5% on the MLS, your home won’t be shown. This is understandable, as the Agent for the Buyer will want the highest possible payday when they find the right property for their client. This is especially true when market conditions favor Buyers (high inventory levels during periods of low prices).

Greenville, agents, commission, and more

What About a Buyer’s Agent?

In many states, it’s now common for an agent to represent the buyers exclusively in the transaction and be paid a commission by the sellers. More and more buyers are going a step further, hiring and paying for their own agent, referred to as buyers agents. Hiring a buyer’s agent in Greenville could be the first step to finding your dream home.

Remember to meet with your agent, and that unless they are a Broker/Owner, they will need to split their commission with the broker they employ. High-producing Agents could get 90% of their listing commission from their Broker. However, less experienced Agents might only receive 50%.

Greenville, agents, commission, and more

Agents Are Ready to Bid Their Commission Rate to Get Your Listing

Agents can negotiate on your behalf a competitive structure of real estate commissions with highly experienced, highly recommended agents who are familiar with your local market and even your neighborhood. Each agent is ready to bid for your business. These Agents are not ordinary agents. Many of them are brokers/owners. They have the best chance to negotiate their commissions and remain competitive as well as finding the home of your dreams, including condominiums, townhomes, and luxury real estate. This will directly benefit you and save you thousands in real estate commission fees, compared to the usual fees in South Carolina.

Buying in the Same Area?

Sellers who also buy a home in the local real estate market enjoy a volume discount. You have the opportunity to negotiate a lower real estate commission fee for the sale of your house. This is because the agent will offer a deeper discount (a very attractive rate) since there is an additional commission on the purchase of another property.

What Information Does My Real Estate Agent Need?

Agents in real estate would tell you that the more information you give them the better they will negotiate for your benefit. The degree of trust that you have with an agent could depend on their legal obligations.

Greenville, agents, commission, and more

There are three options for agents working with buyers: They can either represent the buyer only, known as a single agency, or they can represent the seller only, known as a sub-agency. Or, they could represent both the buyer or seller in a dual agency situation. Some states require that agents disclose any agency relationships they may have before entering into residential real estate transactions. Below is a list of all three types.

  • Brokers and real estate agents have a fiduciary relationship with the seller in a traditional relationship. The seller is responsible for the commissions of both the brokers who list and show the property and the sub-broker who brings in the buyer.
  • Dual agency is when two agents representing the seller and buyer in a transaction work for the same broker. If the listing agent is aware of an offer from another buyer, it can create a conflict of interest. The law says that a dual agent must not inform the buyer that the seller will accept less or that the buyer will pay more than what is listed.
  • Buyers can also hire their own agent to represent their interests. The buyer must pay for the buyer’s agent, but they can be trusted with financial information. This will not be disclosed to any other broker or to the seller.
Luxury Real Estate

What is Luxury Real Estate?

Jun/3 By

What is luxury real estate? While it might be in great demand, just how much does expensive real estate actually make for an investment? Let us explore this question in some detail. Ultra high net worth individuals require a highly developed property with state of the art facilities including a large, fully equipped kitchen, chef’s kitchen, full-time gardener, jacuzzi/spa, pool, and security systems. The property must also be located in an affluent neighborhood with excellent schools and recreational facilities. Ideally, you are looking to purchase something of value (in the form of a condominium, townhouse, rental home, or even a luxury hotel) and to hold onto it as long as possible.

Luxury Real Estate is a Great Investment Opportunity

Luxury real estate can be a highly lucrative investment. There are so many opportunities for high-end homes and real estate properties that only the top realtors know about. In order to become one of the top realtors there are several things one must know about luxury real estate. You need to have an understanding of what drives the market, know who the target buyers are, know how to sell the most expensive luxury real estate, and be capable of negotiating effectively when selling any of the most luxurious homes for sale in the country. Having the perfect list price and an experienced real estate broker are two essential cogs in the successful sale of even the most luxurious home.

Typically luxury real estate is the investment of choice for the wealthy and it’s no surprise that the investment is also a popular choice for homebuyers. High-end properties are those that are usually owned by individuals or families who can afford the price point (usually in the millions) associated with such luxury real estate. A buyer interested in the more luxurious offerings of such real estate will want to look into the region in which the home is located as well as taking into consideration the current job market.

How Do You Purchase Luxury Real Estate?

Luxury real estate is one of the fastest growing segments of real estate investment. There are actually several routes to purchasing luxury properties. One of the most common routes to purchase luxury properties is through private lenders. Private lenders have their own lending programs that work with buyers to obtain financing for luxury properties. Another method of purchasing luxury properties is through financial institutions that specialize in financing luxury properties. The best route by far is to work with an experienced real estate agent or even an international realtor who has both knowledge of the current market and access to multiple listing services.

Are Townhomes Considered Luxury Real Estate?

The townhome style of home – with its raised, vaulted ceilings, its over-sized windows, and its flowing, well-polished doors – is a far cry from what you would typically find in the luxury real estate market. Of course, the rich and famous can afford such homes as well. But these homes are not truly luxury, because they lack the standard amenities common to other homes. For example, there are usually no interior features such as high-end kitchens, bathrooms, and home theater systems.

Conclusion

So, what constitutes luxury real estate? In short, it’s the latest trend in housing luxury. The current trend is evident in the ever-expanding use of multi-million dollar mansions and homes for businesses and pleasure. However, there are many different styles of luxury homes. You should ask your realtor about home values and which luxury house he thinks is the most affluent and complete with all the luxuries that will make it stand out from the rest of the market.…

Alberta Canada Real Estate Markets on the Rise

Jan/21 By

All across Canada we are seeing strong housing markets with the three principals being Vancouver, Victoria and Toronto. Excluding these three obvious housing bubbles, lets talk about Alberta exclusively.

The past few years have seen a rollercoaster of ups and downs when it comes to real estate in Alberta however in the past two years we’ve seen a rise in interest. Most particularly Calgary.

With the third largest populous, Calgary has been quietly popping up on people’s investment radar when considering real estate in Alberta. Here’s why…

Did you know that Calgary is the cleanest city in the entire world? Well its true and Calgarians are quite proud of this.

Zero…yes ZERO sales tax (provincial). Alberta is a province, the only one infact, free of sales tax therefore residents only have to pay the federal GST. This can add up and across expenses, save you a lot of money making living here more affordable than in any other province.

Calgary Real Estate Markets

Medical is an important fact for most Canadians and in Calgary it’s not as difficult as many other places in Canada. Calgary now has 141 physicians per 100,000 people with the national average being 115.

It’s for the outdoorsy type. Calgary is ideally located providing unprecedented options for the active outdoors person. Calgary is about an hour away from Banff and its picturesque landscapes. Calgary is also home to 8,000 hectares (nearly 20,000 acres) of parkland. If you’re a runner or a cyclist, the city offers 800 kilometers of pathways for you. So as you can it offers plenty of outdoor options.

With all that being said, here are some of the more popular communities around Calgary that have great potential heading in to 2020.

Varsity, located northeast of Calgary, is an amazing, family-friendly place to raise your kids. Homes for sale in Varsity largely consist of single-family detached dwellings and start around low $700s making the area on the upper end priced options.

One community worth a look is Tuscany (no its not Italy).

Located in the northwestern quadrant of Calgary, Tuscany boasts a populous of over 19300 residents. Interestingly enough almost 20% of the residents here are immigrants with a household median income of $92,453. Houses for sale in Tuscany start around $400,000.

Another popular neighborhood/community is Inglewood. Situated in what is called Central Calgary. Inglewood has the distinction of being Calgary’s oldest neighborhood and only has a few thousand residents. As you can imagine the area is ideally situated with easy access to almost everything you could ever need. Houses for sale in Inglewood range in price from the high $400k region.

Calgary Real Estate Markets

As you can see throughout this article, Calgary offers up plenty to anything thinking of investing in real estate here and market trends are showing us that the 2020 season should be even better with home sales on the rise.

Month after month we are seeing rising numbers of Calgary homes for sale and as the median home price here is also rising, so is the communities around Calgary growing to match demand both in jobs and economy.

International Realtors Have It “Going On”

Jan/18 By

Back before the Web existed, realtors went through a hard time attaining promising investors from afar.

In and of itself agents have come to rely greatly on the Internet for lots of things and yet this is especially how it is in terms of uncovering possible international real estate investors.

With numbers like fifty percent improvement in quantity year in year out and providing an overall share of the actual whole real estate earnings of the USA at 10%, the international home-buyer is increasingly becoming a factor to consider for any agent hoping to enter this sector valued at more than $150 billion in 2017. That is as outlined by NAR’s 2017 Profile of International Activity in USA Residential Real Estate.

The fact that realtors relating to foreign buyer deals have been found to gain higher earnings merely enhances the attractiveness of this sector of the market. A prominent amount of international buyers and sellers are well-off global elites searching for promising investments and posh vacation properties.

Similar to most things, there are countless things to consider before just thinking you are gonna laser target international real estate buyers. It really is complex and you’ll require some assistance.

Touching this segment of the market however will involve getting over various hurdles such as language and currency exchange to name a few. Normally though some foreign investors aren’t going to purchase in a country without doing their homework and having procedures ready to reduce any lost in translation troubles.

China dominates the headlines worldwide when it comes to foreign business and in real estate this is especially true considering the information displays that of the overall sales volume in the United States to international buyers, China holds fifty percent of this. All regardless of barriers like language and social differences.

So is there a more effective way for realtors to position themselves for this awesome, financially rewarding market?

CPROP is a blockchain-powered electronic transaction management platform built to help real estate professionals improve and manage long-distance transactions.

The start-up applies blockchain to authenticate and report activities pertaining to deeds and closing documentation. Additionally it intends to construct a substantial, user created specialized network by offering its utility tokens to buyers and sellers who then leave ratings and analysis of the real estate agents, brokers and professionals they go with on the system.

Brett Elliott is a broker/founder of Costa Rica Real Estate dot COM (CRREC) a recognized name in the Central American nation and dominating force online for foreign investors looking to invest there.

In early 2011 my partner and I realized the importance of growing our base both online and in the country by creating facilitating tools and methods by which foreign investors in Costa Rica real estate, could buy/sell with confidence.

Tech is positively vital for any deal from beginning to end. Below are 3 ways real estate brokers can take advantage of this massive opportunity.

Connect With A Trustworthy International Console

Hedging in on the foreign real estate industry isn’t easy for real estate brokers who’ve not entered here before. Do not be thinking you’re going to be getting rich right away versus comprehensively studying where on the net these kinds of online communities may well exist. Once you have located them you will have to hedge in and earn confidence within the international real estate trader community.

One more thing you are going to want to watch out for is sections of the net with service providers that allows automatic translations.

Seek Out Responsible, Successful Alliance

There’s no denying the trouble in closing even a regional contract but when you get started on dealing with international buyers and sellers there’s a whole lot of additional hurdles you are going to have to cross among them language barriers.

Have you any idea about your transactions standing in realtime, what is left to finish and who should next do what in the process?

All of this being said, won’t you recognize that an all-inclusive electronic transactions SaaS software developed to satisfy global real estate transactions from beginning to end, be described as a welcome addition to all agents? Transactional openness throughout any real estate deal is necessary but partner that with a technology that can improve your flow including ensuring security, would permanently change the industry.

Think Confidence And Stability

Remember what they say, long-distance relationships hardly ever last, nevertheless in this case they can and do you just have to plan specifically when it comes to working across different languages.

Preparing is vital to productive international real estate buys and included in preparation you must start thinking about trust and security.

Technology shifts at an astonishing pace and lately block chain technology has came into the mix and from then on transformed the manner by which realtors conduct business from the internet. Each time a deal is finalized and executed, it may be saved to the block chain, creating an immutable allotted record validated by a system of oftentimes thousands of computer systems, thus effectively protecting against any unnoticed updates to a deal.

Furthermore, agencies could use intelligent contracts to execute escrow, that provides a secure system for traders to put up serious dollars. This is exactly what Galvan Real Estate Services, a real estate agency in the Riviera Nayarit Mexico region, does when it comes to any international transaction done through the company.

As interest in utilizing encrypted and secured currency increases in real estate, the segment most aligned with benefiting the most is the international buyer/seller market. Heading in to 2019 reports are showing an increase of 15.7% in real estate transactions done with some form of digital currency method.

Realtors are now paying attention to this incredibly lucrative segment of the real estate market and pioneers are doing their parts in leveraging it even moreso.

Walker is a Kelowna realtor specializing in condos and he claims that his decision to focus on marketing to international markets has increased sales immensely and looks to increase his budget as such for 2019.

 …

Factors Impacting Home Value

Jan/17 By

The value of a property or home is something that is always a concern for the homeowner or if you are a buyer and looking to buy a house. There are multiple factors that can increase the value of the property and there are factors that can decrease it. Let’s look at some of those factors.

Neighborhood

One of the first thing that a Tallahassee home buyers looks into while trying to make a buying decision for his/her house is the neighborhood and the value of a House can be determined by the neighborhood. For example, if there are educated and respected people living in the neighborhood, and there are no drugs and violence observed, the buyer will always prefer to buy a house there and pay more money as compared to a house in a rough neighborhood.

Train Tracks

While lots of home buyers want to buy a home which is closer to a commuter rail, having a house near to train tracks is a different story. This can affect the value of the house because people don’t prefer living close to train tracks as they have to deal with the noise at different hours in the day. Safety can also be a concern for some buyers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noise Pollution

Similar to the noise of train tracks, another factor that can affect the value of the house is if it’s located near a highway, a loud factory, an airport or an industrial area, where there is constant noise and buyers always hesitate to buy a house in that area or to pay a reasonable amount for it.

Interior Design

The interior design and the color scheme of the house also affect its value. Colors and interior design can push some customers away and in the meantime, they can attract some. Usually buyers prefer a house which aligns with the color scheme of the surrounding area, not something that sticks out.

 

Educational Institutions

As education is very important for every family nowadays, people will prefer to buy a house which is located somewhere near to schools and colleges and they will be willing to pay more money for those houses. On the other hand, houses which are located far from educational institutes are harder to sell and have less monetary value.

So these were some factors that can increase the value of a house and some which can decrease it significantly.…

Project vs Dump: 3 Warning Signs to Look Out for in Fixer Uppers

Dec/14 By

If you like a challenge and love working on buildings that need some TLC, keep reading. Some homebuyers are always on the lookout for a new project that could be an investment in the making, something to keep them busy with but also for recreational reasons. Buying an older house is not a big deal. But you should buy one that won’t bleed you dry too. In this post, we look at some of the signs you should be on the lookout for before buying a fixer-upper.

Too Much Damage

If you notice a sagging ceiling, floorboards that are broken, a kitchen with no wiring, and broken windows, you should probably run for the hills. This is not a fun little project that you can make some quick cash on with minimal effort. This is an overhaul, ER situation. Remember you don’t want to spend more on the house than what you should.

Price is Not Right

Okay, so you don’t scare quickly, and you want to take it on. But the owner is asking a ridiculous price for a house that is all but roofless. Be sure to check what the house is worth at face value, before getting bullied into a buy that you will regret and that will most definitely cost you more than you bargained for.

No or Slow Cash Return on Investment

Look, we know money makes the world go round, but in all seriousness, if you spend a truckload of cash on revamping a house, with the goal to re-sell it and make a profit, or maybe rent it out, but you cannot calculate how you will get there with all the costs needed for the fixing etc, it is not worth your time anymore. This is especially the case in the Tallahassee real estate market.

Fixing up and selling older houses is a fun hobby and can be very lucrative if you know what you are doing and what to look out for when buying these ‘fixer-uppers’. Be sure to be aware of all the pitfalls, and have a budget at hand to work out what you need to spend in order to make money. We hope you’ve found our pointers helpful! Tell us your fixer-upper story in the comment section below.…

How to Spot a Must-Buy in 4 Simple Steps

Dec/1 By

You’ve been viewing houses for longer than you can remember, and you’re getting rather sick of it. We know and understand how trying this can be. Sometimes you walk into a place and it just is not what you are looking for or need or sometimes it is exactly what you want but the price is just not realistic for you at this time. In this post, we discuss a couple of things that homebuyers should look out for when viewing properties.

#1 The House is In Line With What You Need

You have a list, right? Of deal-breakers and of other variables that can either be worked on or makes something just not worth it. If you have found a house that ticks all the boxes on your list, you probably have found the one worth putting an offer in for.

#2 Can’t Find Any Flaws

If you simply cannot see any flaws whatsoever, meaning no necessary work to be done, a simple buy and move in, and you just love it, that is probably the house you should buy. The walls are perfect, no signs of leaks, no obvious repairs necessary, no maintenance on the garden. That is probably the house you want.

#3 You See Yourself Settling Down There

When you close your eyes, you see yourself living there, you can imagine all your furniture in all the spots you want to put them beforehand. You can even see your kids playing in the garden, and your kids’ kids when they are there. Your whole life kind of just falls into place when you envision yourself settling down in this house.

#4 You Refer to It as Yours

If you are already talking about the house as if it belongs to you, you’ve probably already bought it in your mind. This means you won’t really be tempted into buying any other place, whether it’s in a better neighborhood or if its price is a bit lower, you just won’t budge and cannot get this house out of your mind. It spoke to you, you have a connection with it, and it should be yours.

So there you have it. If you have ticked off any of these, or if you can relate to at least two of the points listed above, you probably know exactly what you want and your mind is made up. If you feel a bit overwhelmed by the buying and viewing and just can’t get a great feeling for a house just yet, hang in there! The perfect one should be along in no-time.

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