Advice & About

8 Reasons to Buy Your First Home in the Winter

January 13, 2023 by RE/MAX Results

Whether you are moving into your first home or moving on to your dream home, shopping during the cold winter months can be a daunting experience. From traversing snow-clogged roads to checking out the landscaping in subzero temperatures, there are lots of things to dread about buying a home in the winter.

And while that may be true, there are plenty of reasons to love the season as well. If you are ready to buy a home, you just might find winter to be the perfect time. Here are eight great reasons to buy your next home in the winter.

Less competition – The fact that winter is an unpopular time to buy a home can work in your favor. With less competition, you can drive a harder bargain, making your first-time buyer dollars stretch farther.
More time with your real estate agent – Real estate agents tend to be less busy in the cold winter months, and that could mean more time with your agent. You can use that time to lay out your requirements, making finding the perfect home easier.
Cheaper moves – Moving companies also tend to be less in demand during the winter, and that could mean a less expensive move when the time comes.
Holiday sales on home décor – The holiday season is a great time to buy home décor and furniture, especially if you are shopping for your first home. Reducing the cost of home furnishings will be even more important now that you have a monthly mortgage payment to make.
Motivated sellers – Homeowners with properties to sell may be more motivated as the cold weather months drag on, and that could be good news for you as a first-time buyer.
Vital information on road maintenance – Some neighborhoods are better at clearing ice and snow than others, and shopping in the winter can be a very enlightening experience. When you need to get to work, you want to know local road crews are up to the task.
Faster closing times – Time-to-closing tends to be faster in the winter, simply because there are fewer buyers competing for those limited resources. If you need to move fast, winter could be the perfect time to shop.
An inside look at hidden damage – Some problems, like clogged gutters or leaking roofs, may be easier to spot when there is ice and snow on the ground. The ability to uncover that hidden damage could net you a lower price – or stop you from making a costly mistake.

Buying a home during the winter months can be challenging, but there is a lot to love about this time of year. From enhanced bargaining power to more motivated sellers, buying a home in the cold winter months has its perks, including the eight big benefits outlined above.

Avoid Potential Turnoffs for Prospective Home Buyers

December 15, 2022 by RE/MAX Results

If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you need to look at the house through the eyes of a buyer. That can be hard to do, and putting yourself in the buyer’s shoes can be a tall order.

From unpleasant odors your own nose has learned to ignore to repurposed spaces you have come to love, some of the most common things can dissuade would-be buyers. Ignoring these potential turnoffs will greatly reduce the appeal of your home and cause it to linger on the market longer than it should. Here are eight things potential buyers might hate about your home, and how you can fix them before they show up.

Repurposed spaces – Have you transformed your garage into a playroom for the kids or turned your spare room into a home office? If so, prospective buyers could be turned off. It might be a good idea to return those spaces to their original purpose before putting your home on the market.

Clutter – Clutter is always an eyesore, and the sooner you clear it out, the better. Buyers may assume that your home lacks storage space when they see toys and other items strewn about, so clean up now before you schedule that first showing.
Overflowing countertops – Stunning countertops can be a real selling point, but not if buyers cannot see them. If your countertops are overflowing with appliances, it is time to put them away.

Hobby rooms – As a fisherman, you might love your fly tying room, and an avid reader may enjoy their huge library room. Buyers, on the other hand, could be deterred by these purpose-driven spaces.

Holiday décor – Selling your home during the holidays can be a smart move, but some décor can be distracting. Now is the time to skip the tacky lawn displays, so take the reindeer off the roof and stash them away until you move into your new home.
Pet odors – You love your pets, but would-be buyers may not feel the same. Pet odors can be a red flag for home buyers, and open house attendees may spend their time looking for soiled carpets and other pet damage.

Area rugs – If your home has hardwood floors, covering them up could be a huge mistake. Area rugs can look tacky and may potentially dissuade would-be buyers. Even worse, those potential buyers may assume that the rugs are hiding damage to those stunning hardwood floors.

Inadequate lighting – If you have been thinking about upgrading the lighting in and around your home, now is the time to do it. Darkness is a big turnoff for home buyers, and a smart lighting upgrade could increase interest and lead to more offers.

Selling your home can be stressful, especially when buyers show up in droves but fail to make a single offer. If you have been showing your home for months with nary a nibble, it is time to take a hard look at your property and what you might be doing wrong. Correcting the eight items listed above could turn things around, so your next open house will be your last.

Seven Ways To Create A More Beautiful Front Door Entryway

November 11, 2022 by

One of the most welcoming features a house can have is a beautiful entryway. The front door is the first thing people see when they visit your house, and it can say a lot about the rest of your house, including the personality of the people who live inside.

If you are looking to add some character to your home’s exterior and add more curb appeal, decorating your front door may be exactly what you need to give your home more presence and personality. From wreaths to garlands, there are plenty of ways to put your stamp on your front door. Let’s look at some ways to dress up your front door that will add impact but won’t break the bank.

Upgrade Your House Numbers – If your house numbers are not clearly visible from the street, replace them with a new set that emergency personnel and guests can easily see. Consider choosing something more creative than standard numbers – like letter shapes or other ornamental embellishments that fit with the design style of your home. Upgrade those numbers and give them some character and style!

Upgrade Your Lighting – Lighting makes any porch look more inviting and welcoming. It can set a mood and highlight the best features of your home. A dark front door will leave you fumbling for keys, while an illuminated entrance will make it easy to find the keyhole or keypad and add a welcoming glow to your entryway. Outdoor wall lights are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, so you can choose the lighting that best suits the style of your home’s exterior.

Another way to increase safety and add an element of drama and style to your home is by adding path lights along the path leading to your door. Your guests will appreciate that they can follow the lighted path directly to your door, and the added lighting will add drama to the exterior of your home.

Add a Wreath – Wreaths aren’t just for the holidays. They add visual interest and style at any time of the year, and you can customize a wreath to fit the season. Wreaths are available in all sorts of styles, colors, and materials such as fabric, dried flowers, cotton bolls, fruits, or vegetables. Depending on the season or holiday, you might choose one of these ideas:
Wreath made of Easter eggs
Hanging door basket with daffodils for spring
Rustic Christmas wreath
Vintage ornament wreath
Simple floral wreath
Red, white, and blue July 4th wreath

Upgrade Your Doormat – A doormat is one of the first things guests step on when they arrive on your doorstep. Make it memorable. Not only will a stylish mat welcome visitors into your home, but it will also help keep dirt out of your house. No one likes dirty footprints on the carpet!

A doormat can add color too. To make your home feel bright and welcoming, choose a doormat with bold colors or patterns. Doormats with multicolored stripes are perfect for adding a pop of color to your entryway. Also, think about texture. Look for mats with unique textures, such as ropes or shells. They’ll help you set your home apart from the drab mats most people have on their porch.

Get a New Door Knocker – Knock, knock… who’s there? A door knocker is a functional and decorative piece that can help make a great first impression. Your front door should reflect the personality and style of your home. If your style is quirky, something as silly as a French bulldog door knocker will bring smiles from your guests, or you might prefer the more conventional elegance of a bold brass baroque door knocker. In either case, a new door knocker will change the look and feel of your front door and also offer functionality.

Paint Your Front Door a Happy Color – Paint the door a bright color. Bright colors such as red and yellow are cheerful and welcoming. A simple coat of paint in a happy hue adds personality, and you can change it when the mood strikes. Choose a gloss finish to protect the paint from rain, snow, and dirt. You could also add decorative trim around the edges of your front door so that it perfectly frames your door.

Place Flower Pots on Each Side of Your Doorway – Plant flowers in pots on either side of the entrance. This timeless look adds instant curb appeal and beauty to any door. Choose lush green plants or bright flowers that complement each other and grow well together in your climate and soil type. Choose eye-catching pots that complement the rest of your home and its color scheme, or perhaps a contrasting color. Consider annuals if you want vibrant colors all season long, or mix them in with perennials so they’ll come back year after year.

The front door plays a crucial role in the curb appeal of your home. It’s not just the focal point of your house; it’s often the first and last thing guests see when they visit. Make it memorable. Now you know how to make yours more eye-catching and engaging. Ready to get started?

Is It Time to Replace Your Rain Gutters?

October 13, 2022 by RE/MAX Results

The gutters on your home serve as the first line of defense against water damage. They perform a critical function by redirecting rain and snow away from your house and foundation. Gutter systems are designed to protect your house, foundation, roof, and siding, as well as your basement and landscaping.

A properly functioning gutter diverts water away from the home, ensuring it does not seep into your house through cracks in the foundation. But, as with most things, even the best rain gutter system won’t last forever. If you notice water pooling in the gutters or dripping from your roof’s edge, it may be time to replace your old gutter system with a new one (though it may also just mean you need to clean out the gutters). Let’s look at some signs that your rain gutters need to be replaced.

Your Rain Gutters Are Rusty

Rust is one of the first signs that your rain gutters need an upgrade. Keep an eye out for rusty areas, and perform a thorough visual inspection at least once per year for signs of rust. Why is rust a problem? It creates areas of weakness that can lead to leaks. If you see more than surface rust, it’s time to replace your gutters.

Also, look for signs of corrosion. With heavy rains, corroded or rusty areas become prone to leaks and can collapse under pressure from the weight of water during the storm. Being weaker, corroded metal may also break when human hands touch it, making it unsafe for anyone who works on roofs.

You Have Leaks

One sign that your rain gutters are performing poorly is rainwater pooling at the bottom of your home or around the foundation. Another sign of poorly functioning rain gutters is water stains on your ceiling or walls. You might notice spots on your ceiling or walls from inside your home. Another sign is staining on the inside portion of the gutter or the wall behind it. This means that water is not draining properly down the side of your house.

Leaks and clogs can cause serious issues. If there is a clog in the gutter, water can back up and cause problems with the foundation or exterior paint job. If you have cleaned out the gutters recently, and they clog again in a relatively short time, this can be a sign that your gutters are not doing their job and need to be replaced. Excessive leaking can also lead to mold growth inside your home’s walls and on your house’s exterior. Mold is not only unsightly, it is also a health issue. A professional contractor can help solve this problem by repairing or replacing damaged gutters as needed.

You Have Leaves in Your Gutter System

It’s not uncommon for leaves and other debris to make their way into your gutter system, but don’t let them stay there. Leaf and debris build up, obstruct water drainage, and cause damage, including foundation cracks if you ignore it. Inspect your system regularly and remove build-up before it creates more costly problems.

Your Rain Gutters Are More Than 20 Years Old

If your gutters are more than 20 years old, there’s a good chance they are coming apart at the seams. Rain gutters have a finite life span. While some signs of rust or corrosion could show after only 10 years, rain gutters can last 15 or 20 years before you need to replace them. But don’t count on your rain gutters to perform well after that. Faulty construction, poor installation, or external damage from storms can further shorten their lifespan.

Hire a Professional for the Job

Are you convinced you need to replace your rain gutters? If you’re not comfortable or familiar with installing a new rain gutter, hire a professional to do it for you. You can save money by doing it yourself, but it’s time-consuming, messy, and risky. Also, a professional can tell you whether you need to replace the whole system or just a portion of your rain gutters. If your gutters are fairly new, you may only need to repair one or two areas. Repairing is easier and less costly than replacing the whole system.

The Bottom Line

Gutters are one of the most neglected parts of a home, but they play a critical role in protecting the exterior of your home. You’ll need to remove your old gutters before installing the new one, and that’s a hassle if you’ve never done it before. Keep an eye on them, though. Don’t let leaves or debris block them or let rust go undetected.

Home Buying Tips for Teachers

September 6, 2022 by

Teachers looking to purchase their first home often find themselves wondering where to turn first. There are numerous federal, state, and locally-based programs designed to make the process of putting together a down payment and getting approved for a home easier for teachers. Check out these resources and tips for consideration before you start the home buying process.

Down Payment Assistance and Other Financial Programs

Good Neighbors Next Door¹ – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers this program to help make the home buying process easier for pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers. Homes listed by HUD can be snatched up for a 50% discount provided teachers are willing to commit to living on the property for at least 36 months.

Teacher Next Door² – Also offered by HUD, this program helps pair educators with federal, state, and local loan programs. Teachers can receive up to $6,000 in assistance depending on the area and cost of living. Some even qualify for up to $10,681 in additional down payment assistance. There are no upfront, broker, or application fees, and teachers can take advantage of other perks like a free appraisal and home buyer representation.

Landed Down Payment Support³ – While not a government-funded effort, Landed is a company that seeks to help teachers and other educational staff purchase homes in expensive cities – think Los Angeles, Denver, or San Francisco. The company will provide half of the down payment, provided they’re willing to share 25% of their investment when it comes time to sell.

Local Programs – Teachers always have the option to leverage more localized programs, too. Many states offer home loan programs designed for teachers who aren’t available on the federal level. Teachers in California, for example, can qualify for the Extra Credit Teacher Home Purchase Program. This program offers teachers deferred junior loans up to $15,000 depending on the location of the home.

Three Practical Home Buying Tips for Teachers

Commute time – Buying a home near the school where you work can save you considerable time, money, and instances of migraines. Long commutes are tough, but long commutes after eight hours of dealing with a classroom full of children are their own special brand of fun. You’re the glue that holds students’ academic efforts together, and you deserve to be able to get home easily after a long day at work.

Social considerations – While living near school is great, you’ll need to take your comfort level running into students and parents while you’re out and about into account. If you’re a little more socially awkward than you’d like your kiddos at school to believe, it might be best to leave a little buffer room between you and wherever a majority of your students live.

Consider Relocation – Anyone who teaches knows that certain states stand out when it comes to job prospects. Some are known to treat teachers like royalty, others are known to treat them like peasants, and most fall somewhere in between. If you’re stuck in an area that’s less-than-favorable, don’t be afraid to consider packing up and starting someplace new.

This also opens up a variety of housing options that you wouldn’t have had otherwise. You can look at the home of your dreams half a country away and take comfort in the fact that you know you’ll be moving someplace where your time at work is better-valued. That’s a win/win by all accounts.

At the end of the day, your career as a teacher can have a huge impact on your home-buying experience. Job opportunities within the industry are constantly changing and may send you looking for a home far from where you’re living now. Unique opportunities for monetary assistance also position you better than most, to take risks and aim to purchase the home of your dreams. If you utilize your resources correctly, you might find that your career actually makes purchasing a home easier than it might be otherwise.

References

1 hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/reo/goodn/gnndabot
2 teachernextdoor.us
3 landed.com

How to Inspect the Plumbing in a New Home Before You Buy

August 12, 2022 by

Plumbing issues that are overlooked can be costly in the long run. When considering your next home purchase, here is a list of things to check to ensure that your potential new home has an effective plumbing system before you close the deal.

Inspect water heater – Water heaters usually last about 10 years. Check the age of the heater, and if it’s around 10 years old or older, request to have it replaced. Ensure the heater is big enough to suit your family’s needs. Otherwise, you will find yourself running out of hot water frequently. Depending on how hard the water is at the house, mineral deposits can cause corrosion and build up in the bottom of the tank. This leaves less space for water to enter and will affect how much water gets heated for use.

Inspect toilets for possible leaks – Inspecting all toilets in the home can tell you a lot about the condition of the plumbing system. Flush each toilet and make sure they fill back up again. Check around the base of each toilet, and if the floor moves or feels spongy, this may indicate a leak that is going into the sub-floor that may one day cause damage.

Check water supply valve – The water supply valve is in a different location in each home. Locating it during your home inspection would be beneficial in case you ever have a water leak and need to shut off all water immediately. To determine if the valve is in good working order, turn it off and then check all taps in the home. If water still pours from the taps even when the valve is shut, attempt to locate a secondary water supply valve. If none is found, request an additional inspection to determine if the valve is faulty.

Determine the type of sewage system – If the home is in an urban area, chances are sewage will drain to a municipal sewage system. If it is in a rural area, sewage likely will drain to an on-site septic tank. In this case, determine the location of the tank and size, which should be available from the current owner. Ask the owner when the tank was last pumped and request that it be pumped before the closing date. If the tank uses an aerator, check that it is in good working order. At the house inspection, look for seeping around the general area of the septic tank, and be aware of any odors. These are signs of problems with the septic system which will cost you thousands of dollars to repair.

Check for leaking pipes – Some people may think that an occasional leaking pipe is minor, but consistent leaking over a long period of time can lead to structural damage, including leaks through the floor down to lower level rooms. Check underneath all kitchen and bathroom sinks for leaking pipes. Ensure any pipes that are leaking get repaired immediately. While insurance companies cover damages caused by flooding and burst pipes, slow leaks such as ones from leaking pipes generally are not covered.

Check water temperature and pressure – Turn on the showers in the house and make sure the water gets hot and the pressure is at an acceptable level. If the water does not get hot, there may be an issue with the water heater that you need to address. If the water pressure is weak, this may point to a mineral build-up around the showerhead or problems with the water pipes drawing water into the home such as inadequate size or a clog preventing water from getting through.

The plumbing in a house can create many issues that are costly and inconvenient, from leaks to water shortages. Following these tips will ensure that the plumbing system in the home you are considering will meet your needs for years to come.