Whether you currently are in the market for a new home, or not, we hope that this information is of value to you. Please feel free to pass these articles on to your family and friends.
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Your home is more than just a place to live - it's also an investment. Neglecting your home can lead to costly repairs down the line, but proper maintenance and improvements can provide your family with comfort and usefulness while also increasing the value of your property.
Renovating Your Home: Protect Your InvestmentYour home is more than just a place to live - it's also an investment. Neglecting your home can lead to costly repairs down the line, but proper maintenance and improvements can provide your family with comfort and usefulness while also increasing the value of your property. Home renovations also stimulate the economy by creating jobs and increasing demand for materials and home products, which in turn benefits the entire community. Investing in your property can be both exciting and daunting, but you certainly can 'improve' your chances of success! If You Plan to DIYIf you have experience with tools and are comfortable taking on renovation projects, you can save money by doing some of the work yourself. But before you grab your toolbox, know your limits. Unless you're skilled in areas such as wiring, plumbing, and heating installation, it's best to rely on professionals for those tasks. When purchasing materials, it's worth investing in products that look good, are easy to maintain, and are built to last. Don't skimp on quality, and make sure to buy from reputable dealers. If You Hire a ContractorWhen choosing a contractor, it's important to do your due diligence to ensure you're working with someone who has a reputation for honesty and quality workmanship. While most dealers and contractors are reputable, there are some who engage in fraudulent practices. You can check their credentials through your local Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, Local Consumer Protection Agency or online platforms like Yelp. Additionally, ask for references from previous clients, check their business location to make sure it's legitimate, and find out how they rate with building-product distributors and wholesale suppliers. Before hiring a contractor, consider getting bids from two or three firms to ensure you're getting a fair price for the job. Make sure each bid is based on the same specifications and materials to make comparing them easier. Some contractors offer package plans that cover everything from materials to financing, so consider these options carefully. Understand Your ContractWhen you and the contractor sign the contract, it should clearly state the type and extent of improvements to be made and the materials that will be used. Make sure you fully understand the terms before signing, and ask the contractor to provide details on the scope of the work, quality of materials, cost of the job, interest rates, service charges, payment schedules, and how long the project will take. Investing in your home is an exciting opportunity, but it's important to do your due diligence and protect yourself from fraud. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating the home of your dreams while avoiding costly repair bills and scams. So, grab your tools, find the right contractor, and get started!
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The 9 Step System To Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top DollarThe Real Estate Market Has Changed . . ."Buyers are far more discriminating, and a large percentage of the homes listed for sale don't sell the first time. It's more critical than ever to learn what you need to know to avoid costly seller mistakes in order to sell your home fast and for the most amount of money."
The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top DollarSelling your home is one of the most important steps in your life. This 9 step system will give you the tools you need to maximize your profits, maintain control, and reduce the stress that comes with the homeselling process: 1. Know why you're selling, and keep it to yourself.The reasons behind your decision to sell affect everything from setting a price to deciding how much time and money to invest in getting your home ready for sale. What's more important to you: the money you walk away with, or the length of time your property is on the market? Different goals will dictate different strategies. However, don't reveal your motivation to anyone else or they may use it against you at the negotiating table. When asked, simply say that your housing needs have changed. 2. Do your homework before setting a price.Settling on an offering price shouldn't be done lightly. Once you've set your price, you've told buyers the absolute maximum they have to pay for your home, but pricing too high is as dangerous as pricing too low. Remember that the average buyer is looking at 15-20 homes at the same time they are considering yours. This means that they have a basis of comparison, and if your home doesn't compare favorably with others in the price range you've set, you won't be taken seriously by prospects or agents. As a result, your home will sit on the market for a long time and, knowing this, new buyers on the market will think there must be something wrong with your home. 3. Do your homework.(In fact, your agent should do this for you). Find out what homes in your own and similar neighborhoods have sold for in the past 6-12 months, and research what current homes are listed for. That's certainly how prospective buyers will assess the worth of your home. 4. Find a good real estate agent to represent your needs.Nearly three-quarters of homeowners claim that they wouldn't use the same realtor who sold their last home. Dissatisfaction boils down to poor communication which results in not enough feedback, lower pricing and strained relations. Another FREE report entitled "10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Agent" gives you the straight, to-the-point questions you should be asking when you interview agents who want to list your home. You can obtain a FREE copy of this report from my website. 5. Maximize your home's sales potential.Each year, corporate North America spends billions on product and packaging design. Appearance is critical, and it would be foolish to ignore this when selling your home. You may not be able to change your home's location or floor plan, but you can do a lot to improve its appearance. The look and feel of your home generates a greater emotional response than any other factor. Clean like you've never cleaned before. Pick up, straighten, unclutter, scrub, scour and dust. Fix everything, no matter how insignificant it may appear. Present your home to get a "wow" response from prospective buyers. Allow the buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. The decision to buy a home is based on emotion, not logic. Prospective buyers want to try on your home just like they would a new suit of clothes. If you follow them around pointing out improvements or if your decor is so different that it's difficult for a buyer to strip it away in his or her mind, you make it difficult for them to feel comfortable enough to imagine themselves an owner. 6. Make it easy for prospects to get information on your home.You may be surprised to know that some marketing tools that most agents use to sell homes (eg. traditional open houses) are actually not very effective. In fact only 1% of homes are sold at an open house. Furthermore, the prospects calling for information on your home probably value their time as much as you do. The last thing they want to be subjected to is either a game of telephone tag with an agent, or an unwanted sales pitch. Make sure the ads your agent places for your home are attached to a 24 hour prerecorded hotline with a specific ID# for your home which gives buyers access to detailed information about your property day or night 7 days a week without having to talk to anyone. It's been proven that 3 times as many buyers call for information on your home under this system. And remember, the more buyers you have competing for your home the better, because it sets up an auction-like atmosphere that puts you in the driver's seat. 7. Know your buyer.In the negotiation process, your objective is to control the pace and set the duration. What is your buyer's motivation? Does s/he need to move quickly? Does s/he have enough money to pay you your asking price? Knowing this information gives you the upper hand in the negotiation because you know how far you can push to get what you want. 8. Make sure the contract is complete.For your part as a seller, make sure you disclose everything. Smart sellers proactively go above and beyond the laws to disclose all known defects to their buyers in writing. If the buyer knows about a problem, s/he can't come back with a lawsuit later on. Make sure all terms, costs and responsibilities are spelled out in the contract of sale, and resist the temptation to diverge from the contract. For example, if the buyer requests a move-in prior to closing, just say no. Now is not the time to take any chances of the deal falling through. 9. Don't move out before you sell.Studies have shown that it is more difficult to sell a home that is vacant because it looks forlorn, forgotten, simply not appealing. It could even cost you thousands. If you move, you're also telling buyers that you have a new home and are probably highly motivated to sell fast. This, of course, will give them the advantage at the negotiating table. For more information about any of our innovative homeowners programs, give us a call.
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Safeguard Your Home from Fire and Deadly Carbon MonoxideWe all want to live in a safe and worry-free environment with our loved ones. However, sometimes there are dangers lurking in our homes that we may not even be aware of. Despite safety being a vital concern, it may not always occupy our thoughts as we as we go about our daily routines, but it is important to take the necessary precautions to prevent disasters from happening.
A frequent hazard in households is fire. Residential fires are responsible for thousands of fatalities annually, with toxic gas inhalation being a leading cause of death rather than direct exposure to flames. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to prevent fires in your home:
Smoke alarms are important for detecting fires early and should be installed in every room. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries or units if necessary. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years, and keep them clean. It is recommended to install both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms for maximum protection against different types of fires.
Having a fire extinguisher in your home is a crucial safety measure, but it's important to know how to properly use and maintain it. Remember to evacuate immediately and call for professional help if a fire cannot be contained with a fire extinguisher or is too large to handle.
Fire extinguishers have classifications based on the type of fire they extinguish:
Class A: for ordinary combustibles like wood and paper In addition to fires, carbon monoxide (CO) is another serious threat to the safety of your home. CO is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is produced when fuels do not burn completely due to insufficient oxygen. Mild exposure to CO can cause symptoms that mimic the flu, while high levels of exposure can be fatal. To protect yourself from CO exposure, it is important to:
Unexpected fire or carbon monoxide incidents can be incredibly scary and traumatic. However, by taking the proper preventative measures, you can ensure that you and your family remain safe and secure. Regular home inspections, as well as the installation of smoke and CO alarms, fire extinguishers, and a well-planned emergency escape plan, can greatly increase your peace of mind and provide a solid layer of protection. Make sure to take these necessary precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe!
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