Must Do’s De-clutter rooms Empty closets Spring clean Neutralize look Eliminate odors Address pet stains Remove valuables Shampoo carpets Remove or re-arrange furniture items Store toys away Pack unnecessary clothes/items Should-Do’s Minor Repairs Mechanicals must be in working order Paint in neutral colors Remove dated wallpaper Update lighting Update hardware Replace old carpets & linoleum Focus on curb appeal –…

Three’s a Crowd Avoid having too many people during inspections. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.  Objections that can be overcome by a professional will not be forthcoming when the seller is present. Music is Mellow But not when showing a house. Turn off the blaring radio or television. Let the salesperson…

Curb Appeal Buyers will judge from the outside of a home whether or not they want to go inside.  Pressure wash dirty siding & grimy decks.  Kill mold & mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof & driveway.  Remove unneeded garden tools.  Clean the windows & gutters.  Keep the sidewalks clean and clutter free & maintain the yard, with regular mowing…

Owner’s manuals and warranties for appliances left in the house. Garage door opener. Extra sets of house keys. A list of local service providers — the best dry cleaner, yard service, plumber, etc. Code to the security alarm and phone number of the monitoring service if not discontinued. As a courtesy, you could provide numbers to the local utility companies.…

Get at least three written estimates. Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints. Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled. Make as small of a down payment as possible so you won’t lose…

Make your home more appealing for yourself and potential buyers with these quick and easy tips: Trim bushes so they don’t block windows or architectural details. Mow your lawn, and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before the showing to make the lawn sparkle. Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.…

Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of…

Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such…

Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to work with a REALTOR®. You’ll have an expert to guide you through the process.…

A home warranty is a service contract, normally for one year, which helps protect home owners against the cost of unexpected covered repairs or replacement on their major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Coverage is for systems and appliances in good working order at the start of the contract. Check your home warranty…

It’s guaranteed to be hectic right before closing, but you should always make time for a final walk-through. Your goal is to make sure that your home is in the same condition you expected it would be. Ideally, the sellers already have moved out. This is your last chance to check that appliances are in working condition and that agreed-upon…

Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more  specialized inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspector will check. You can also use this list to help you evaluate properties you might purchase. For more information, try…

Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both…

You’ll likely be responsible for a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a good-faith estimate of all settlement costs. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for: Down payment Loan origination Points, or loan discount…

Moving to a new home can be stressful, to say the least. Make it easy on yourself by planning far in advance and making sure you’ve covered all the bases. Plan ahead by organizing and budgeting. Develop a master “to do” list so you won’t forget something critical on moving day, and create an estimate of moving costs. (A moving…

Before you make your final buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective home inspectors: Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet…

Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through…

Title insurance protects the holder from any losses sustained from defects in the title. It’s required by most mortgage lenders. Here are five other things you should know about title insurance. It protects your ownership right to your home, both from fraudulent claims against your ownership and from mistakes made in earlier sales, such as mistake in the spelling of…

Know about exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These types of coverage must be bought separately. Know about dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may be a limit on how much the insurer will pay. For example, many policies limit…

Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are big factors in determining whether you’ll qualify for a loan and what your loan terms will be. So, keep your credit score high by doing the following: Check for and correct any errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else's poor financial management.…