Palouse Living, February 2019

Palouse LIVING Your resource for buying, selling and enjoying your home on the Palouse.

February 2019

Inside: Must-haves for an amazing kitchen remodel Palouse Living is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News

2 | February 2, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

PALOUSE LIVING

Quick and simple ways to make a front door pop enhance an entryway. Painting an existing door or replacing isitors’ impressions of a it with a more vivid option can home are often dictated by the home’s entryway. As one do the trick. The DIY Network says certain colors stand out may judge a book by its cover, as favorites. These include the same can be said about turquoise, yellow, red, indigo, the impression that a front door and entryway can create, orange and black. The door regardless of how accurate that color should complement the other shades of the home, such impression is. as those on siding and trim.

Making certain changes to • Custom walkway: Guide an entryway can go a long guests right to the front door way toward improving curb appeal. Entryways also can set with an attractive (and safe) the scene for a home’s interior. walkway. Stamped concrete or decorative paver blocks may Whether one chooses to be t the bill. This walkway can classic or bold, modern or extend to the street or to the traditional, there are various driveway. ways to quickly transform a home’s entryway.

• Contain plants: well-tended. Overgrown plants Landscaping around the • Bold front door color: or shrubbery may give off an entryway should be neat and Color can dramatically air of neglect. Container plants and carefully curated shrubs can create a neat and inviting aura.

IN PRINT: Palouse Living is published monthly, with • Highlight the address: 7,000 copies distributed Make sure the home can be in the Moscow-Pullman found easily with bold and Daily News and Lewiston February 2019 Tribune, and at participating decorative house numbers. advertiser locations.

Consider two different address ONLINE: Check out signs: one illuminated and the latest digital edition easily viewed from the curb, online at DNews.com — just click on the and another closer to the front Special Sections tab. door.

To advertise your business Inside: • Utilize high-end or service, contact Sally Must-haves for an amazing Imel at simel@lmtribune. kitchen remodel materials: The relatively small com or call your local area of real estate by the front marketing consultant today! door enables homeowners

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Courtesy of Metro Editorial

ENJOY PALOUSE LIVING

Palouse LIVING Your resource for buying, selling and enjoying your home on the Palouse.

Palouse Living is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News

to splurge on more opulent materials that can really add a feeling of luxury. These can include colorful tiles, ornate planters, decorative wooden doors, or elaborate knobs and lighting xtures.

• Add architectural details: Find out which architectural elements will meld with the style of the home and then incorporate them. Moldings, columns, shutters, and trim are areas to consider.

The entryway to a home garners a lot of attention.

Homeowners can enhance their spaces with entryways that really make a statement.

PALOUSE LIVING

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | February 2, 2019 | 3

When it can be smart to hire a painting pro Professional painters have spent hours upon hours ew things can revitalize a home more readily than a learning the ropes of what works — and what does not. fresh coat of paint.

Painters often understand Thanks in part to the that painstaking preparatory affordability of paint and its work is crucial to getting ease of application, painting pristine nished results. Walls is something that even novice and ceilings must be properly DIYers can typically handle. repaired and prepared even According to the marketing before a base coat is applied. advice guru Brandon Gaille, it Professional painters also is estimated that residential have an eye for details. And interior paint only lasts because professional painters around three years before it needs to be updated. Exterior make a business out of doing interior and exterior paint can fade, chip and peel due to various environmental surfaces, they understand which techniques can improve factors. As a result, many efciency. That means a homes can likely use a fresh professional job can typically coat of paint in at least one be completed much more room. quickly than a DIY project.

As DIY-friendly as painting Even though some people can be, when attempting to think they’ll save money by paint the interior or exterior painting their own homes, of their homes, homeowners may learn that some painting that’s not necessarily true.

Professionals already have projects are best left to all the equipment necessary, the professionals. Painting unlike novices who may requires skill, patience and need to make repeated a knowledge of how various paints — including nishes for and potentially costly trips particular applications — will to the hardware store for supplies. Plus, if mistakes hold up. Novice painters may happen, DIYers have to spend do more harm than good by additional time and money dripping paint on expensive xing them. carpeting or oors or fail to recognize the nuances that Safety can be a large indicate a spot-on painting job. motivator for turning painting

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Courtesy of Metro Editorial

over to a pro. Navigating exterior areas or tall interior ceilings can be challenging and may require scaffolding or tall ladders DIYers do not have. Risk of falls or other injuries increase with lack

of experience.

Painting can give a home a facelift, and oftentimes it is smart to turn the work over to professionals to ensure the job is done just right.

LATAH REALTY

4 | February 2, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

you to soak dishes in one side and then wash on the other.

It also makes it easy to wash and prep produce for meals.

• Kitchen island Courtesy of Metro Editorial renovations as projects that and bar stools: will enable homeowners to itchen remodels are Even though many recoup a high percentage among the most popular meals are enjoyed of their investments. In the home renovation projects, around the table, magazine’s 2018 “Cost vs. whether they consist of there’s something Value” report, midrange major swapping out cabinet to be said for the kitchen remodels costing an hardware or doing major convenience of a average of $63,829 recouped 59 demolition. kitchen island and percent of that investment. some well-placed Due to the sheer amount When investing in a kitchen bar stools for of time families spend in the project, it is important to quick breakfasts or kitchen, not to mention the incorporate items that are snacks. number of tasks performed coveted. in this space, it is easy to see • Smart kitchen why Remodeling magazine • Deep, double sinks: storage: Work with consistently ranks kitchen Having a double sink enables a contractor to include storage solutions built into cabinetry and the pantry.

Slide-out shelving, nooks for a Come see Moscow’s oldest Real paper towel roll and customEstate Company, for all of your designed areas to store stand family’s Real Estate needs in 2019 mixers and other necessities can make kitchens more functional.

• Outdoor access: If possible, design a kitchen so it is easy to access the backyard via sliding doors. This can make outdoor entertaining or even coffee on the deck much easier.

• Under-cabinet lighting: Fixtures installed under cabinets provide both ambient lighting and task lighting.

Front Row: Paula Bartlett, Deanna Kiblen, Jessica Johnson, Jeanne Jones Harriman Back Row: Elizabeth Hierschbiel, Stacy Tunnicliff, Broker Joe McGurkin, Such lighting makes it easier Bob Stout, Joe Walker, & Bill Hall to see what you’re working on 201 E 3rd St., Moscow, ID as well, as even well-placed (208) 882-5531 | moscowrealty.com overhead lighting can fail to illuminate dark corners and

PALOUSE LIVING

Must-haves for an amazing kitchen remodel

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MOSCOW REALTY

spots on the counters.

• Convenient warming drawer: This appliance provides backup to the oven.

It’s a slide-out drawer that can keep prepared foods out of the way and warm until they are ready to be served. This is particularly handy for holidays and other entertaining.

• Beverage station: Designate one area of the kitchen to beverages, such as coffee and tea. Or make the area an informal bar. This can limit trafc in the kitchen to a single area.

Kitchen remodels are exciting to envision, and several choices can make these high-trafc spaces even more coveted.

PALOUSE LIVING

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | February 2, 2019 | 5

Home is not justWELLS a place, it’s a feeling.

FARGO Everyone has goals, but not always a plan to reach them. We can help you ďŹ nd home ďŹ nancing options to meet your needs, whether you’re: • Purchasing your ďŹ rst home • Looking to buy a second home • Interested in buying an investment property And, with our PriorityBuyerÂŽ preapproval, you can shop for your home with conďŹ dence.

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Information is accurate as of date of printing and is subject to change without notice.

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6 | February 2, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

That's So 2018! The Most Outdated Home-Buying Advice You Should Now Ignore

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By Whitney Coy Courtesy of realtor.com

here are few things more stressful than buying a home. That's probably why nearly everyone who's been through the home-buying process is happy to give you some advice. It's a nice gesture, really. It's just not always helpful.

The problem is that when you're talking about something as ď&#x192;&#x;uid as the housing market, the rules change quickly. As such,

there's a good chance that any advice you getâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;no matter how great it was at one point in timeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;is now outdated.

So now that 2019 is well underway, it's high time to point out some home-buying advice that once worked well but has passed its expiration date. Of course, it varies by market, so check with your real estate agent to be sure, but by and large, you should take these once-wise words below with a huge grain of salt.

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WAIT FOR SPRING There's no doubt you've heard this piece of advice before. "Who wants to move when the temps are low and when there are so few homes on the market?" Despite what you've been told, though, Sebastian â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sebâ&#x20AC;? Frey, a licensed real estate broker in the Silicon Valley area, says this advice is actually pretty outdated.

There's no need to wait!

"Yes, there's more inventory [in the spring] but there's more competition for it, and sellers are more optimistic about getting a higher price then and so less willing to negotiate," he says. "Buy when you ď&#x192;&#x17E;nd the right property that will meet your needs for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and the next ď&#x192;&#x17E;ve to 10 years."

When it comes to your dream home, don't let a small factor like the weather make decisions for you.

WAIT FOR HOME PRICES TO SETTLE DOWN A BIT Likewise, if you live in an area that's been more of a seller's market over the past few years, you may have been told to wait until the market (and those sky-high prices) settle down a bit before really beginning your search. But Frey says that's now bad

advice. The reason? Rents are also high.

"Paying high rent now and hoping that you'll ď&#x192;&#x17E;nd a better deal two or three years down the road [won't work]," he says. Instead, he says, "The better advice is to make a smart buy today for a property that will appreciate over the long term."

Entering a volatile homebuying market may sound scary, but it's important to look at the long-term repercussions of waiting.

FOCUS MAINLY ON THE TYPE OF HOUSE YOU WANT Traditionally, you ď&#x192;&#x17E;gured out what kind of house you needed (How many bedrooms and bathrooms? What size garage?), and then went looking for it. The house itself was the main attraction, and the neighborhood was just an extra factor you considered down the line.

But Daniel Martinez, a real estate agent in Houston, says that in 2019, that method is completely backward. Instead, you should ď&#x192;&#x17E;nd your future neighborhood ď&#x192;&#x17E;rst, and then see what houses it has to offer.

"The way cities and communities are evolving

PALOUSE LIVING cannot be ignored, and we see this shift reected in home buying," he says. "My advice to buyers is to go beyond measurements. Before looking at homes, take tours of neighborhoods and narrow down areas that are the best t for you and your needs.

Then nd homes that you can afford within those pockets.

Ultimately, the property doesn’t make someone happy, it’s the life and the community the area holds that makes and creates the happiness you’re looking for."

NEW CONSTRUCTION IS ALWAYS THE BEST CHOICE In the past, buyers have been told that if they have specic wants or needs, new construction was the way to go. It makes sense—if you're hand-picking every nish and knob, it probably will end up being exactly the house you had in mind.

However, New York real estate agent Fiona Dogan, with Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s, says that as we move forward in 2019, new construction may no longer be your best bet.

"New construction is slowing nationwide, so while home buyers last year may have turned to building in order to obtain their dream home, 2019 is the year of the renovation!" she says.

"Now, you should identify homes that—with a little bit of work—will meet your needs.

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | February 2, 2019 | 7

You can nd a great house, invest just a small amount of time and money, and end up with a place that's just right for you and your family. The right real estate agent will help you identify properties and help you envision what’s possible."

MAKE AN OFFER WITH ROOM TO NEGOTIATE Once upon a time, it was a smart move to make an offer on a house that was just a bit under the price of what you were actually willing to pay. That way, you had room to negotiate when the seller came back with a higher offer.

But real estate professionals say that's not the way you should be thinking anymore.

"The housing market in 2019 will be slightly different from what we experienced in 2018 when it comes to pricing and negotiations," says Howard Margolis, an associate real estate broker with Douglas Elliman, in New York. "In regards to negotiations, what was once the premise of offering 10%-15% below asking is not necessarily the case anymore, and it’s a strategy I would not recommend.

In today’s market, a truly motivated seller is less inclined to engage in the back-and-forth of a real estate transaction, and listings are priced closer to the nal sale price."

A better bet is to base your offer on comps—aka similar

property sales in the area.

Home sellers know what their house is worth and aren't likely to bend to a lowball offer.

WHATEVER OFFER YOU MAKE, DO IT FAST! The housing market in recent years has been a nightmare for buyers in many areas—but times are changing.

"For the most part, 2018 was a seller’s market, meaning there were tons of buyers and not a ton of homes for sale. This resulted in a lot of multipleoffer situations," says Mark Cianciulli, real estate agent and co-founder of The CREM Group in California. "During this very competitive time, many real estate agents were advising their clients to write offers as soon and as high as possible— sometimes without even seeing the home."

But this reality is waning— and that's good news for buyers. Cianciulli explained that toward the end of 2018, buyer exhaustion started to set in—meaning buyers got sick of bidding high and still losing.

This meant those high-priced houses went untouched, and prices are nally starting to fall.

"In 2019, I would advise buyers to take their time, appropriately assess the home and its price, and write an offer based on what you and your agent believe it's worth," he adds.

Of course, if you nd a house you love, it's still not advisable to dawdle—but you don't have to move at lightning speed this year, either.

THE AMERICAN DREAM IS HOUSE WITH A WHITE PICKET FENCE If you're ready to settle down into a home—especially if you have a family—you know exactly what you're supposed to be looking for, according to popular standards. At least three bedrooms in the middle of a nice neighborhood, with large closets, a good-sized yard, and a white picket fence. It's the American Dream—at least, that's what you've always been told.

Except, according to Heather Schuck, a real estate agent in Austin, TX, and founder of TheShiftAgency, that's not always possible in today's market.

"With low inventory and a competitive market, you have to get creative," she explains.

"Owning a home can take many forms, whether that's splitting the purchase of a duplex with another couple, buying a town home near campus that can be rented out down the road, or perhaps a xer-upper. A rst home doesn't have to have a picket fence, it just needs to be a good nancial decision."

Whitney Coy is a writer and editor living in Lancaster, OH. Her work can also be seen on SheKnows, Mashed, The List, Techwalla, and more.

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8 | February 2, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

Emerging deck trends

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Courtesy of Metro Editorial

ustom-built decks can expand usable outdoor entertaining spaces. Decks can surround pools and create outdoor patio areas that make it easy to establish multitiered living spaces, improving the functionality of outdoor areas.

Certain deck trends have emerged as industry expertsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; top picks for the upcoming remodeling and renovation season. For those thinking of revamping an existing deck, or building an entirely new one, these trends are on point.

â&#x20AC;˘ Established perimeters: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Picture framingâ&#x20AC;? is not a new trend, but one that has taken greater hold in recent years. The term refers to aesthetically appealing designs that conceal the ends of deck boards for a clean ď&#x192;&#x17E;nish. Some designs feature contrasting material colors on the ends for even more impact. This helps create reď&#x192;&#x17E;ned perimeters for a polished look. â&#x20AC;˘ Roof-top decking: Urban areas also can beneď&#x192;&#x17E;t from decking to create usable outdoor spaces. In fact, many

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new condominium and townhouse communities are incorporating rooftop decks into their designs, particularly in communities with water views or other impressive vistas. HGTV experts suggest roof-top decks feature light-colored materials and ď&#x192;&#x17E;xtures to help keep the area cool even in direct sunlight. â&#x20AC;˘ Distressed hardwood: Builder and Developer, a management resource for professional homebuilders, says that the trend for using distressed hardwoods at home has migrated outside.

Some decking manufacturers have recently introduced low-maintenance composite deck boards that mimic the look and feel of distressed, rustic hardwood ď&#x192;&#x;ooring. This weathered appearance gives the look of age without the upkeep of real aged wood. â&#x20AC;˘ Wooden walkways: Decking can be the more traditional design people envision with a patio table or outdoor furniture. But it also can consist of wooden walkways or a low-laying patio to accentuate the yard. â&#x20AC;˘ Mixed materials: Homeowners may be inspired by commercial eateries, breweries and urban markets in their exterior design choices. Decks featuring composite materials and

aluminum railings blend sophistication, urban appeal and comfort. â&#x20AC;˘ Personal touches: Homeowners can customize their decks with personal touches. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not unheard of to wrap columns in stone or glass tiles for more impact.

And a vast array of decking colors now enables fun interpretations for outdoor areas. â&#x20AC;˘ Fire pit conversation area: Many decks can incorporate water or ď&#x192;&#x17E;re elements for visual appeal. Gas-fueled ď&#x192;&#x17E;re elements can expand the functionality of decks beyond the warm seasons, or make enjoying them practical on nights when the temperature plummets.

Decks are reimagined in many different ways with continually evolving trends.

PALOUSE LIVING

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | February 2, 2019 | 9

Time to replace old wiring?

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Courtesy of Metro Editorial

ld homes can be charming and contain architectural elements not often seen in many modern housing developments.

But what older homes may have in design appeal, they may lack in updated features.

While cosmetic changes are not necessarily difcult, one area of concern in historic homes — and sometimes even in houses built 40 or 50 years ago — is archaic wiring. Wiring provides power to every room of the home. In today’s electronicsdriven society, electricity that works is an essential component of daily life. Over time, wiring can be compromised through

simple aging, pest inltration, weather, or other conditions.

Deteriorated wiring can present a shock hazard and also a serious re hazard, warn the home renovation experts at The Spruce. Furthermore, the home improvement site This Old House advises that the amperage of old wiring may not be able to meet the needs of the devices used in homes — overpowering the circuits. This can cause breaker blowouts and other problems, such as overheated wires that may spark and cause res from within the wall.

Wiring often falls into the “out of sight, out of mind”

Buying, Selling Or Renting — Let Our Experience Lead You Home!

category. Homeowners may make allowances for inadequate electrical systems, such as running extension cords or using multiplug connectors to increase their wiring capacity. However, they may not be diligently keeping on top of upgrades needed to stay safe. Conrming that a home’s electrical system is safe is a necessary part of home maintenance.

For those who haven’t already done so, schedule an inspection with a licensed electrician to go over the home’s wiring. He or she can determine if any areas pose a safety risk and/ or do not conform to local code requirements and the National Electrical Code. Failure to meet code can lead to difculty obtaining permits to make other home renovations, or

Kathy Weber (509) 336-1515

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difculty selling a home later on.

The electrician can also go over improvements that can improve safety and function.

Additional outlets, including GFCI outlets in kitchens and bathrooms, may be part of the plan, as well as rewiring a fuse box or circuit panel to allow for better ow of power around the house. Frayed wiring or underinsulated wiring also may need to be replaced.

Owners of old homes should recognize possible electrical system dangers that require attention. Plus, considering electrical codes change quite frequently, it is always in a homeowner’s best interest to work with a qualied electrician to keep wiring inspected and up to date.

Teri Skiles (208) 669-1364

Traci Hacker (208) 310-1557

Kristie Mattoon (208) 724-2719

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Susan Miller (208) 892-4004

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Misty Yopp (208) 550-5200

Angie Spellman (208) 596-9686

Aline Gale (208) 596-1577

Rental Connections, Property Manager

10 | February 2, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying and Selling at the Same Time

PALOUSE LIVING

throw off both transactions.

For example, Miami Realtor® Juan P. Rojas was recently involved in a three-way transaction where the sellers of property A wanted to buy

By Jamie Wiebe need to repaint some scratched property B—and the sellers Grand Canyon on a tightrope: Courtesy of realtor.com of property B wanted to buy walls, x broken decking, or The tiniest thing goes wrong, property C. lenty of people nd add grout in a rarely used and you fall. themselves buying and bathroom. Don't wait until the "We had to coordinate two Breathe in. Don't panic. selling a home simultaneously, last minute to kick-start this closes and three different It turns out that most buying- process, otherwise you could but knowing that others have families moving in and out of and-selling mistakes are gone through the same stress wind up in a bind. properties," he recalls. does not make it one bit easier. easily avoidable—or at least Take, for example, one of the It worked out, but Rojas After all, the stakes are so high: predictable. Follow these eight clients of real estate associate cautions: "Assume that you tips to enter escrow with eyes If your buyer backs out, you Kenneth Er. He was trying to won't be able to buy and sell at wide open. don't have any cash to land buy and sell simultaneously. exactly the same time."

1. WAITING TOO LONG your next home! Or if your Er advised him repeatedly to And with that assumption, own purchase falls through but TO PREP YOUR HOME start prepping the home, "but you better have a plan in place your current home sells, you're FOR SELLING he kept pushing it off and in case everything goes wrong. homeless!

Every home needs a little pushing it off, despite actively Keep your emergency fund It's all like walking across the work before selling. You might looking for a new home and well-stocked. In a best-case submitting offers." scenario, you may simply need Once the client went under a hotel for a week, but you contract to buy a home, may also nd yourself looking suddenly he and Er found into short-term rentals. Have themselves rushing to list his cash on hand—in addition to existing home. When they your down payment funds—to nally nished prepping, it survive the setback. was already October—precisely 3. BUYING TOO BIG when the market was slowing down and it became tougher to "One of the biggest mistakes that we see that simultaneous nd a buyer. buyers and sellers make is the "I advised him—and would same one that many rst-time advise anyone—to get the little buyers make: They fail to get projects out of the way," Er pre-approved on their new says. loan," says Orange Country 2. SKIPPING THE Realtor Jessica Althoff.

BACKUP PLAN Pre-approval is essential, When you're buying and LARGEST SELECTION because it puts a stop to selling simultaneously, the IN THE REGION! unrealistic dreaming by telling number of moving parts 0 Hatwai Road (208) 746-8196 | 4020 Road, Lewiston you exactly what size of house doubles. And if any of those GraniteConceptsNW.com | /GraniteConcepts you can afford. parts gets jammed, it can Kitchens • Bathrooms • Desks • BBQs • Fire Pits • Fireplaces "Buyers assume that with

P

Beauty S SET IN STONE.

GRANITE CONCEPTS

PALOUSE LIVING a large down payment and increased income, they will automatically qualify for a larger home loan," she says.

"Many do, but not as large as they think or wish. They begin the search and are disappointed when they can't upgrade as much as they thought they would be able to."

4. WORKING WITH TOO LITTLE CUSHION You know what price your house should sell for. But what if the market softens? If you're forced to take an offer that's $20,000 less than expected, there goes the down payment on your new home.

"Give yourself a cushion on what you need to sell your existing home for," Er says.

If you're hoping to use the entire sale price as a down payment on another home, move forward with the assumption your home will sell for less than expected.

One of Er's clients set a purchase budget of $2.2 million. In order to afford his new home, he needed to sell his home for about $1.3 million. Not only did he exceed his purchasing budget, Er says, "We're unlikely to get $1.3 million for his current home, due to the softening market and the time of the year. He's stressed out and scrambling."

5. FAILING TO COMPROMISE Don't forget you're not the only human in a stressful situation. That person selling

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | February 2, 2019 | 11

your dream home? And the buyers under contract for your current place? They're all probably stressed, too.

So keep that in mind when issues come up—for example, if the buyers need an extra week of escrow because there was an issue selling their home, or the sellers don't think they need to x a leaky pipe for you.

"One mistake is expecting so much from the people selling the home, but not being willing to give anything to the buyers of their own home," Althoff says. "A little compromise goes a long way, especially when there are two escrows (or more) on the line."

6. USING TWO DIFFERENT REAL ESTATE AGENTS Expect this already messy process to get even messier if you're juggling agents for your listing and for buying a new home. Simplify things by using the same agent for both transactions.

"I would always prefer to handle both sides of your sale and purchase," says agent Michael Pacheco. "Having control and insight over both transactions allows me to make sure that we close both homes simultaneously."

There are two instances when you should not use the same real estate agent. If you're moving out of state, look for a reputable buyer's agent in your new location.

If you're remaining in the

same area, you may also meet and like an agent who works exclusively with buyers or sellers — not both. In that case, ask for a recommendation within your agent's brokerage so you can, at a minimum, keep both transactions under the same roof.

7. CLOSING ON A FRIDAY...

While you should work with your agent to determine the best timing, you'd ideally want to nalize the sale of your current home rst, and then close on your new one. Try to aim for closings within two or three days of the other—"and never on a Friday," says Realtor Karen Choate.

That's because bank transfers can take a few days

to go through. In order to ensure there's money in your account when the time comes, buffer a few days to transfer funds.

8. ...OR LATE IN THE AFTERNOON When you're scheduling those closings, aim for the morning—especially on the sale of your current home.

"Banks usually stop wire transfers by 3 p.m. in the time zone where the property is located," says Choate. Closing in the morning allows extra time for the money to hit your account.

Jamie Wiebe writes about home design and real estate for realtor.com. She has previously written for House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Real Simple, Veranda, and more.

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12 | February 2, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune

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