08
Dec
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

Tips For Selling A House During The Winter Season

Tips For Selling A House During The Winter SeasonThe most popular time of year to sell a home is the summer. There are a lot of families with children who prefer to move during the summer because they do not want to move their children during the school year. In contrast, many people do not like to move during the winter. It can be difficult to request extra time off of work, particularly during the holiday season. At the same time, it is still possible to sell a home during the winter. What are a few tips homeowners need to follow to sell a home during the winter? 

Maximize Curb Appeal

There is never a second chance to make a first impression, and homeowners need to maximize curb appeal. Do everything possible to make the yard look nice. It is also critical to shovel the walkways. That way, potential buyers do not need to worry about slipping and falling when they walk up the front driveway. It may also be helpful to clean off the patio to make it look larger. 

Warm Up The Inside

People are going to be cold when they step inside during the winter. Therefore, homeowners should turn up the heat. It may also be helpful to have a specific location for winter coats and wet shoes. That way, potential buyers will be comfortable at that look at each individual room in the home. 

Add More Lights

During the winter, it is dark when people go to work. It is also dark when they come home. It might be pitch black when people arrive, so remember to turn on the lights in the home. Having lights can make the home feel more inviting. They can also increase the visibility inside and outside the home so the buyers can see what the house has to offer. 

Showcase The Season

Sellers should not hesitate to showcase the season. Consider putting out a plate of cookies. Arrange pillows and blankets on the sofa. Turn on the fireplace if there is one. Even seasonal accents can make the difference when trying to get an offer on the table. Be sure to stage the home for the season to showcase the potential of a house. 

 

28
Oct
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage Tips

The Top Ways To Add Storage To A Home

The Top Ways To Add Storage To A HomeThere are many homeowners who are looking for help with storage. Even after moving in, many homeowners still have a lot of items they need to get rid of and this is where built-in storage solutions can be helpful. Even though some storage options might be pricey, there are inexpensive options available as well. Take a look at a few solutions below, and improve the storage situation. 

Use Space Under the Stairs

One option that many homeowners overlook is the space under the stairs. If there is a second story, there may be an area under the staircase that looks like a storage space. There should be plenty of opportunities to add a bookcase, a shelf, or even a cabinet. Even a few drawers can make a significant difference. 

Consider Going Under the Bed

Another option is to use storage space under the bed. If the bed is on a frame, there should be room to add a box or two. This could be a great way to create more storage space in the bedroom without adding another piece of furniture. There might even be opportunities to put the bed on risers, creating even more room underneath the bed. 

Use Tilting Drawers

Homeowners may want to get creative by adding tilting drawers. If there is an awkward location in the kitchen, a hinge solution might be the answer. What this means is that it is possible to pull the door out of the drawer and create additional storage inside the area. This is a great way to hide a garbage can or a recycling bin. Most contractors can add this type of storage relatively quickly. This could also be a great solution in the bathroom. 

Take Advantage of Sliding Storage

Homeowners also need to take advantage of sliding storage. This is a great way to get more room out of narrow spaces. For example, there might be room in the kitchen to add a sliding shelf that doubles as a spice rack. One possible location is the area between the refrigerator and the wall or counter. There might also be a small spot between the bathtub and the wall, which could act as a great shelf for linens.

 

13
Aug
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage Tips

A Home Inspection: What To Expect

A Home Inspection: What To ExpectThe process of buying a home can be exciting and stressful, with one important task being the home inspection. All real estate professionals will likely recommend a home inspection. This is usually a condition of making an offer on a home. While not all prospective buyers will ask the seller to make repairs based on the inspection report, it is important for buyers to know what they might have to do to repair the home.

When an offer is made with a contingency, this allows the buyer to renegotiate the price of the home based on the inspection report. Some prospective buyers might elect to walk away entirely. What should buyers inspect?

Choosing An Inspector

A trained real estate professional will probably have a  list of inspectors who might produce the report. All inspectors are trained and qualified. Real estate agents will probably look at sample reports and professional licensing before choosing an inspector to look at a home. Most inspectors also have insurance in case they miss something that shows up later. Home inspectors will need to crawl into the crawl space, inspect the roof, and take a look at storage spaces.

What Do Inspectors Look For?

A home inspector is going to look at every aspect of the home to make sure it is up to code. An inspector will look at the roof for signs of leaks or damage. The inspector will also inspect the plumbing system to make sure no pipes are rusted, corroded, or damaged. He or she will also look at the windows to make sure the seals are not busted. A home inspector is also going to take a look at the HVAC system to see how old it is and how well it is working. The fireplace and chimney will also be an important part of the inspection as he or she looks for signs of damage. The inspector will also look at the foundation for any issues.

A Comprehensive Report

Once all of this is done, the inspector will provide a comprehensive report that contains a list of everything that might be wrong with the house. Then, based on this report, the buyer can decide what he or she would like to do next.