Upstate Real Estate & Home Services VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 2018
Upstate Real Estate & Home Services A Publication of The Daily Star
How to choose a real estate company....................................Page 4 Three signs you’re ready to buy...............................................Page 6 Five open house mistakes to avoid..........................................Page 7 How to choose wireless services..............................................Page 8 Stay in the game till the sale is finalized............................ Page 10 How does a school district affect property values?........ Page 12 Selling your home when you have kids................................. Page 15 102 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820 • www.thedailystar.com • 607-432-1000 2
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How to live in your home while it’s on the market From staging to packing to showings, selling a home is hectic — especially if you have to live in it. So how do you make it work? Here are a few tried and trusted tips.
DEEP CLEAN, THEN KEEP IT CLEAN A clean house and yard matters to buyers
tackle this task once. Afterwards, you’ll need to keep things ultra tidy (inside and out), which in itself can be something of a challenge. The best strategy is to adopt a clean-as-you-go policy, so if there’s a last minute visitation, you’re just a quick touchup away from being ready.
PACK, PITCH OR PASS IT ON
and they’ll pay more to get it. Before listing your home, be sure to scrub it clean from top to bottom. Think five-star hotel kind of clean. Since most real estate sells in less than 120 days, you’ll likely only need to
Decluttering your entire home is the next big step. Room by room, decide which items you’ll need over the next few months. Everything else — especially personal items like family photos and collectibles — should be removed. Categorize these objects as things to be packed, tossed or given away. If possible, store your items in a relative’s basement or attic, or even better, rent a storage unit so you can access your items whenever you need them.
STORE YOUR VALUABLES Strangers will be breezing in and out of your home, so it’s best to have a safe spot to store your valuables. Items like jewelry and
cash are best kept in a safe. Personal documents should also be locked up. In addition, you may wish to store prescription medications out of sight, enable passwords on computers and ensure mail isn’t left lying around.
ARRANGE PET CARE Few things can detract potential buyers like your family pet — so much so that real estate agents advise that all traces of Fido or Mittens be erased before potential buyers arrive. If at all possible, arrange for your pets to stay with a friend or relative, or even at a pet daycare, once your home’s listed. Alternatively, take them and their accessories (dish, leash, bed, toys, etc.) with you each time you show your home.
HAVE A GET-OUT-QUICK PLAN Ideally, each time there’s a visitation, you and your family members will vacate the premises. You may not be given a lot of warning. Therefore, it’s best to have a plan in place that you can execute at a moment’s notice. Make sure this routine includes taking out the trash, clearing countertops, closing toilet seats and opening all curtains and blinds.
Why every home seller should hire a pro photographer Studies show that homes whose listings feature professionally taken photographs sell more quickly and for a better price than those that don’t. The takeaway: don’t try to DIY this one on your smartphone. Instead, hire a pro who can not only set up and take great shots of your property, but also make sure each image you use highlights your home’s best assets. You’ll wow buyers, get more showings and ultimately sell your home quickly at a great price.
How much does a school district affect property values?
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How to
CHOOSE A REAL ESTATE COMPANY
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW A key part of selling your home is setting the list price. To determine the best asking price, review the cost of similar homes. Prepare your home to be in the spotlight. Good cleaning is an effective start. Negotiate the buyer’s offer. Real estate companies are resources on which to rely during this process. Real estate companies can help people looking to buy homes dissect what they are looking at and how that meets their needs.
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Real estate professionals can be found from the list price. When a home is priced too low, it could comfort of home. cost the sellers money. When it’s priced too high, potential buyers may be scared away. A key part With technology advancements, real estate of marketing homes is setting the list price. To companies and homeowners are working together determine the through cyberspace best asking price, to put houses on Real estate companies encourage people review the cost of the market. similar recently sold to remember disclosing defects has Listing homes homes. online may speed broadened significantly in recent years. • Prepare the home up the sale process. Both jurisdictions and real estate companies for the spotlight. That’s why 63 perGood cleaning is cent of home buyhave different mandates about disclosure an effective start. ers searched online forms. Home inspections and warranties Eliminate any clutwhen checking out ter, add a fresh coat also affect buyers, who should ask the market, accordof paint and tidy up ing to a recent Naquestions about anything that remains the yard. Real estate tional Association unclear or is not addressed properly. companies also of Realtors survey. can help boost the Whether it’s home’s appeal. online or through traditional means, real estate • Negotiate the buyer’s offer. Real estate companies companies offer tips for selling homes: are resources on which to rely during this process. • A key part of the marketing plan is setting the
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Once a seller has accepted an offer, make sure to keep the deal together by meeting deadlines and criteria, such as home inspections, which can require a renegotiation of the accepted price. Real estate companies can provide a list of what sellers and buyers need for the closing. Real estate companies can help people looking to buy homes dissect what they are look at and how that meets their needs. In some states, disclosure laws require the seller to complete real estate transfer disclosure statements. Many things can be determined from the statement. Real estate companies encourage people to remember disclosing defects has broadened significantly in recent years. Both jurisdictions and real estate companies have different mandates about disclosure forms. Home inspections and warranties also affect buyers, who should ask questions about anything that remains unclear or is not addressed
properly. • Is there a range, oven, microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal or trash compactor in the kitchen? • Are there safety features — burglar and fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, security gate, window screens and intercom — at the property. • Notice the presence of a TV antenna or satellite dish, carport or garage, automatic garage door opener, rain gutters and sump pump. • Do amenities, such as a pool or spa, patio or deck, built-in barbecue and fireplaces, exist? • Determine the type of heating, condition of electrical wiring, gas supply and presence of any external power source, such as solar panels. • The type of water heater, water supply, sewer system or septic tank also should be disclosed. • Significant defects or malfunctions in the home’s major systems should also
be required. This includes interior and exterior walls, ceilings, roof, insulation, windows, fences, driveway, sidewalks, floors, doors, foundation and electrical and plumbing systems. • Sellers should note the presence of environmental hazards, walls or fences shared with adjoining landowners and any encroachments or easements, room additions or repairs made without the necessary permits or not in compliance with building codes, zoning violations, citations against the property and lawsuits against the seller affecting the property. • Buyers should also ask about and look for settling, sliding or soil problems, flooding or drainage problems and any major damage resulting from earthquakes, floods or landslides. • People buying a condominium must be told about covenants, codes and restrictions or other deed restrictions.
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Three signs you’re ready to buy
Three types of alternative homes There’s a host of reasons why you might look into alternative housing options. It could be an issue of cost or convenience, or maybe you’re just sick of everyday homeownership. If you want something exciting and new, why not look into the following types of unconventional homes? Perhaps there’s one that’s a perfect fit for your lifestyle!
CONTAINER HOMES
Want to jump on the homeowner bandwagon but not sure if you’re ready? Here are three signs that the timing is right.
YOUR FINANCES ARE IN ORDER Purchasing a home is a good investment, but it requires a substantial dose of financial resources to achieve. You’ll need: • Money for a down payment as well as extra for a gamut of additional expenses — legal fees, taxes, move-in costs, etc. — sitting in your bank account. • A good credit score — 700 or higher is optimal and 600 is generally the minimum — to get a mortgage. • Sufficient income to pay those future mortgage payments. • An absence of excessive debt.
The definition is in the name: these homes are made up of one or more shipping containers that are completely converted to accommodate you and your family. They can be wired for heating and electricity, and most have fully functional indoor plumbing.
TINY HOUSES The tiny house is a great option for anyone looking to significantly down-
YOU HAVE A STABLE JOB Income stability is another thing that mortgage lenders look for in potential candidates. Being at the same job for two or more years without interruption demonstrates the desired steadiness.
YOU PLAN TO STAY PUT FOR A WHILE If you’re fairly certain you’ll be sticking around for years to come, then you’re ready. But if you expect a job transfer in the near future or you plan to move closer to Mom and Dad in a couple of years, it’s best to wait till you’re settled for the long term. 6
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size his or her life. They can be built entirely out of recycled materials, making them an excellent option for those wishing to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. They’re portable, cheap and a viable alternative to typical housing.
HOUSEBOATS Depending on the extravagance of your desired lifestyle, houseboats can range from ridiculously cheap to monumentally expensive. With the added fee of having to dock your boat, the houseboat is one of the more costly options on the list (although often still cheaper than buying a house). Alternative homes offer a sense of freedom a traditional house just can’t provide. If you yearn for adventure, the world of alternative housing is yours to explore and conquer.
Five open house mistakes to avoid If you want to sell your home and you decide to have an open house, avoid committing these five beginner’s mistakes!
that’s under construction isn’t pretty to look at.
1. Playing salesperson. Stick to greeting visitors and answering their questions. Your home will speak for itself.
4. Ignoring odours. Nobody likes to linger in a room that smells of cigarettes or cat litter. Make sure to air out your home.
3. Leaving your pets free to roam around. Your visitors might be allergic or uneasy.
2. Neglecting cleanliness. In doors and out, everything must be clean — even the inside of closets and cabinets. And finish remodelling before your showings — a room
5. Leaving valuables out in the open. Stow valuables and important documents out of sight. You’re better safe than sorry!
The pros and cons of a new construction home There are many advantages to buying a new build, but there are also some downsides to consider. Here is a list of both to help you make an informed decision.
PROS Buying a new construction has its perks: • You’ll obviously be the first to occupy the residence. • You won’t need to worry about needing
major repairs for several years. • You’ll get to choose the flooring, countertops, cupboards and others. You’ll also be able to request extra features you want, such as a fireplace, during construction. Remember, your choices will affect the cost of your project! • You’ll save on your utility bill thanks to the latest energy efficiency regulations. • You’ll probably be located in an up-and-
coming neighbourhood.
CONS Here’s the other side of the coin: • You’ll have to pay various related taxes, bringing the final price higher than that of an existing home. Look into any discounts and credits you may be eligible for. • You’ll have to take care of landscaping, paving and fencing, and your basement will probably need to be finished. • Noise and dust could be part of your daily life for months if you’re located in a developing neighbourhood. • Buying before the build is over means you won’t see the finished product and possible flaws until you’ve already signed the contract. • Delays in construction are common, so you may have to wait longer than expected before moving in. Finally, given the limited amount of space available in cities, new builds are usually located in the suburbs. Depending on your situation, this could either be great news or represent a major inconvenience. All things considered, are you ready to purchase a shiny new house?
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How to
CHOOSE WIRELESS SERVICES
WHAT TO CONSIDER Nationwide calling plans are available for those who intend to use their phones outside of their living areas. Watch the breakdown of how many minutes are anytime and night/ weekend minutes that you use. This is important in choosing a plan.
Choosing the right wireless plan can be a difficult task with conflicting information and tough decisions. There are many issues to consider. Where will you be making most of your calls? How many minutes will you talk every month? How much do you want to spend? What type of contract length should I be prepared for? To assist you in making these decisions, here’s a guide to choosing the plan that fits the way you use wireless.
WHERE WILL I USE MY PHONE? Before you decide on a service plan that fits your needs, you need to first figure out where you’ll be making most of your calls. If most of your calls will be made in and around the city in which you live, you will be best fit with a company that has good coverage in and around your city.
Cellular phone service plans can range in price from $10 to hundreds of dollars depending on the plan. Many carriers will offer a standard package of features that will come with a plan. Ask which are included and the price.
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Some plans offer you nationwide calling from their network to anywhere in the United States. This is a consideration if indeed that is how you intend to utilize your phone. Consider the past few months. Where did you travel? Look at the plans that fit where you will use it the majority of the time. Don’t pay for a nationwide plan if you would only use it for a once a year vacation. You would likely get a better price and better coverage on a different plan. You can always use your phone on that vacation by simply paying for additional roaming charges for using your phone outside of your home calling area.
HOW MUCH WILL I TALK? The next item to consider is how much you will use your phone, and when you will be using it. Many plans contain buckets of minutes for each month and then might breakdown minutes you
can only use during the night or weekend hours. You need best fits your needs. Some of the common included features to watch the breakdown of how many minutes are anytime are: Caller ID, Call Waiting, and Call Forwarding. There are and how many of your minutes are night/weekend minutes. additional features you may find to be beneficial. Inquire Another thing to watch are what times the carrier begins about which ones are available from each carrier and what and ends their night/weekend the cost for those features are. times. Some will designate A couple of those features Cellular phone service plans can range in their night hours to begin as might be voicemail and text late as 9:00 p.m. Again, conprice from as low as $10 per month all the messaging. Most carriers offer sider when you will actually way up to the hundreds of dollars depending a text messaging feature that be using your phone. on how many minutes you desire, and where allows you to send text mesThere are also plans availsages to or from your phone. able that offer unlimited you want to use your phone. You can also calling. With these plans you get prepaid cellular phone plans to assist in This feature will allow you to don’t need to worry about communicate without using controlling wireless costs. watching how many minutes your included plan minutes. you are using up each month. Again, details will vary from Check with the carrier to find out when the unlimited callcarrier to carrier with how many messages are included with ing applies. Some carriers will offer night/weekend unlimyour feature price and what other options you have. ited calling only, while others offer unlimited calling plans that are anytime minutes.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I BUDGET FOR MY WIRELESS BILL? Cellular phone service plans can range in price from as low as $10 per month all the way up to the hundreds of dollars depending on how many minutes you desire, and where you want to use your phone. You can also get prepaid cellular phone plans to assist in controlling wireless costs. These options will allow for up front purchases of a wireless calling card, essentially adding minutes to your phone prior to your using them, or will include a pay-as-you-use-it type phone. For these phones you may be required to pay a month in advance for cellular minutes that will be used during the following month.
I AM READY TO MAKE MY DECISION — ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD CONSIDER?
WHAT KIND OF FEATURES DO I WANT WITH MY PHONE?
The only other item of consideration is a contract. Most carriers will require a contract to be signed for the cellular service. Contract length can vary anywhere from one to three years, depending on the carrier and the promotional offer that they have. Another question to ask is how many times they will allow you to change packages within your contract period. You may find you are using your phone more or less frequently than what you originally thought and may need to change the plan you are on. You will want to make sure you can do this without being charged a fee to do so.
Many carriers will offer a standard package of features that will come with your plan. Ask what those are and which ones are included with the plan that you have determined
With this information taken into consideration and an idea of how you intend to use your new service, you should be armed and ready to find the plan that works for you.
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Choosing the right mortgage: short- or long-term? Not all mortgages are created equal, and the best option for you depends on a variety of factors. For instance, should you choose a short-term mortgage or a long-term loan?
SHORT-TERM MORTGAGE A mortgage with a term of less than three years is a smart choice if you anticipate needing a new loan sooner rather than later (if you’re going to move again in the near future, for instance), or if you think that interest rates might drop. Choosing a shorter term for a closed mortgage could help you avoid a hefty prepayment charge if ever you decide to pay your mortg age off
early or cancel your loan.
LONG-TERM MORTGAGE If you don’t plan on changing your mortgage for several years, you could opt for a long-term loan — five years is the most popular term in Canada. This option makes budgeting easier because you’ll always know how much each payment will cost you. If you get a great deal on a fixed-rate mortgage, a longer term means you’ll be enjoying that low interest rate for quite some time. To make an informed decision, seek advice from a mortgage broker or lending institution.
Stay in the game till the sale is finalized No sale is final till the financing has cleared! To that end, if the paperwork hasn’t been signed and sealed, then never deny another potential buyer the opportunity to view your home. If the paperwork with the first would-be buyer doesn’t pan out, you’ll still have another candidate waiting in the wings.
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Should home sellers have their own inspections? Looking to sell your home at top dollar? Nowadays, sellers who are eager to get the best price for their homes are getting pre-inspections. Here are three ways this can pay off: 1. As a marketing tool. A pre-inspection can help you stand out from the competition. Attach it as a PDF document to your listing, and leave a copy on the kitchen counter for potential buyers to peruse when viewing your home. Even wary shoppers will be reassured by an inspector’s report and may become more willing to make an offer.
Welcome to the world of passive income Passive income sounds enticing, doesn’t it? It’s for that very reason that many prospective homeowners look to income rental property when deciding on what kind of home to buy. But in reality, passive income is far from free money. While buying a rental property is by no means a poor investment, it’s important that you understand that there’s a lot more to it than writing a check.
understand how to keep your property running smoothly.
NO INCOME IS TRULY PASSIVE
WHAT IS PASSIVE INCOME?
The goal of income property is to generate enough money to not only cover mortgage costs but also give you a nice little payday. The challenge with owning rental property is that the space needs to be carefully overseen (preferably by you). The last thing you want is to incur unnecessary costs that will cut into your profit.
Passive income refers to any sort of money you earn without actually having a hand in the day-to-day operations of its source, which, in this case, is the rental property. To get the most out of your investment, you need to
So while rental property is a fantastic investment for any would-be homeowner, be ready to put in some effort when it comes to the maintenance and management of your new building.
2. To get a handle on required repairs. Finding out your home needs a repair just when your buyer was ready to open their wallet can end up costing you. In order to finalize the sale, you’ll either have to lower your asking price or quickly find a contractor to do the work. It’s far better to get on top of all repairs needed prior to listing so you have enough time to find the least expensive solution. 3. To avoid double-duty on repairs. Say you decide to replace the shingles on your roof, but then, upon the buyer’s inspection, you discover the underlying decking is rotten and needs to be replaced. You’ll wind up paying twice as much for labour! Scenarios like this are easy to avoid when you have the complete picture that an inspection provides. Knowledge is power, and nearly every home seller can benefit from getting a pre-inspection. While not necessary, it could very well pay for itself and then some.
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How much does a school district affect property values?
Potential homebuyers who have children are typically willing to sacrifice a lot for a house in a good school district. Many even decide that the better school and the investment in their children’s future are worth the compromise of a less attractive house. Because of this high demand, sellers are more likely to ask a higher price for homes that wouldn’t cost as much in another school district. Even people without children want to buy homes in good school districts to benefit from the more stable housing prices associated with proximity to a top-rated school. The link between school districts and property value is so strong that there has even been a recent trend of foreign real estate investors buying property in certain school districts without ever seeing the house. That’s how sure they are that the value of the property will increase. It’s not just important to find a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about houses. He or she should also have an extensive knowledge of the area the house is located in to be able to get you the best value for your investment.
Save money by shopping for a solar panel compatible home Solar energy technology has come a long way in recent years, and it’s becoming a viable option for more and more homes as a means of both helping the environment and saving money. If you’re in the market for a new home, consider looking for one that is a good candidate for a solar-panel upgrade. You don’t need to live in a region that’s always sunny to benefit from solar panels. You do, however, need the right kind of roof. To be deemed suitable for solar panels, a roof should: • Be made out of durable material such as asphalt or clay that can support the weight of the panels • Not be surrounded by large trees or other features that would block the sun from falling on it 12
• Slant in a southerly direction so the sun hits it for the whole day If you’re trying to find a
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fixer-upper, talk to your real estate agent about homes that are solar panel compatible. In any case, installing solar pa-
nels can be complicated, so you should always consult an expert before you proceed.
What factors into real estate value? A house is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make, and appraisals can include some surprising criteria. Here are three factors that influence real estate value that have nothing to do with
the house itself:
1. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
affect its price. It may not matter to you but might to someone else if you choose to sell that home later.
How close a home is to trains, buses or other forms of public transportation can
2. NEIGHBOURS Routinely noisy or otherwise disruptive neighbours can sometimes drive down the value of surrounding properties. If people are hoping to live in a home for many years, having to deal with a difficult neighbour might dissuade them from buying, driving down the demand for the house.
3. TREES Many buyers will pay a premium price to have mature trees in their yard for the curb appeal, summertime shade and enhanced privacy they can provide. When shopping for a new home, you shouldn’t just research the homes themselves. Research what’s around them too. Your real estate agent should have an extensive knowledge of the area as a whole to help you make the real estate choice that’s right for you.
How to prepare your property for Airbnb If you plan to buy property with the intention of renting it out, you might ask yourself what you can do to make the unit more comfortable and inviting. These days, a lot of people choose to rent out their extra rooms (or units) out on Airbnb. Here are a few tips to make your Airbnb space as welcoming as possible: • Clean your home • Equip your home for guests (towels, blankets, silverware, etc.) • Leave instructions and house rules • Leave a welcome gift Make your guests feel comfortable, and don’t forget to notify your insurance company and secure your valuables for peace of mind.
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Factors to consider when pricing your home Trying to settle on a listing price for your home? Take these five elements into account: 1. The competition. Take a look at listed homes in your area and pick out about a dozen that are similar to your own. Write down the asking price for each one, then pinpoint the highest and lowest figure. You should probably list somewhere within this range. 2. Comparable homes sold. Now examine similar homes in your area that have sold recently. These figures will help you further zone in on the right asking price.
3. Market conditions. Is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s market? Depending on the amount of competition in the area (the number of other homes being sold), you may have more or less wiggle room with your price. 4. One or more CMAs. Most real estate professionals offer a free comparative market analysis (CMA), even before you hire them. Just be wary as some agents rely more on instinct than fact-based analysis to come up with a figure. 5. The appraisal. If all else fails, an appraisal is a surefire way to get an unbiased analysis of the market value of your home. Many home sellers are happy to pay the involved fee for the peace of mind a professional appraisal provides.
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Bad advice home sellers should ignore Whether you’re moving across town or to the other side of the country, selling your home is no easy feat. There are many aspects of the sale to manage, and no one homeowner will be an expert on them all. Sometimes, well-meaning folk will offer you advice: take it with a grain of salt. People generally mean well but are all too often misinformed themselves. Here is some of the worst advice for selling your home that gets repeated.
their own advantages, and ultimately the right time of year to sell your home is the one in which it’s ready to be sold.
PRICE HIGH NOW, LOWER IT LATER
YOU MUST HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE
This may be the single worst piece of advice for selling your home. Instead of listing at the amount you realistically hope to get, you price it much higher thinking you’ll negotiate down to your actual asking price down the line. Nice idea in theory, but in practice, you’ll scare away buyers at the time when it’s most critical that you capture their interest: coming out of the starting gate. Furthermore, statistics show that the longer your home sits on the market, the lower the eventual selling price is likely to be.
You can host one if you’d like, but in the digital age, open houses are no longer essential. All the preliminary information homebuyers need is at the tips of their fingers. Therefore, the majority of serious buyers will be happy to skip straight to a scheduled showing instead.
YOU SHOULD ONLY SELL IN THE SPRING Homes are sold throughout the year. And while there are a number of advantages to selling in the spring, there’s also more competition. Other seasons have
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LET THE BUYER DO THE REPAIRS Pawning off required repair work to the buyer can be a pricy mistake. It could bring down the value of your home and cost you thousands of dollars. Repairs, especially easy, inexpensive ones, should never be left to the buyer.
YOU CAN EASILY SELL WITHOUT AN AGENT There are many aspects to selling a home (pricing, marketing, negotiating, etc.), and if you don’t have a lot of free time on your hands, you’ll likely need help. There’s a misconception that compared to buying a home, selling is easy. This is far from the reality. So though you may be tempted to sell without a real estate agent — pocketing that commission would be nice — it’s far less of a headache to leave it to the pros.
Selling your home when you have kids Selling a home is always a challenging task. Add a small child or two to the mix, and you have a recipe for outright mayhem — unless you have a plan.
LAY THE GROUNDWORK Take two weeks before your house is listed to massively declutter room by room. Store another hefty batch of belongings in a rented unit. Remember to keep kid paraphernalia — posters, fridge art, photos, etc. — neatly out of sight. Neutralize paint colors and tidily stage the playroom.
TWO-HOUR NOTICE Inform your agent of the minimum amount of time you’ll need to clean up the kid-generated clutter and clear out with your little ones before a showing. Two hours is generally a reasonable timeframe to tidy up and hustle out the door.
DESIGNATED EVENING SHOWINGS It can help to set aside several
weeknights during which you’ll be out of the house for a couple of hours. A visit with Grandma, a dinner at your favorite family restaurant or an early evening movie are all ways to keep your brood entertained.
MINIMIZE MESSES Easier said than done with little ones running around, but consider these tactics: • Get rid of as many toys and collectables as you can. The fewer things there are, the less messy it can get. • Store items that are used only seasonally or that your kids can live without for a time. Box them up and un pack them again after you move. • Reduce incoming items and have de
signated baskets for the rest.
INVEST IN TOTES For last-minute scrambles to tidy up, keep totes handy and indiscriminately dump all odds and ends inside. Store them neatly in a garage, attic or garden shed.
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Selling your home? Use social media wisely Are you thinking of using social media to help sell your house? Good idea! After all, to be sold, your property needs to be seen, and the essence of social media is visibility. If you want to advertise your home on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and others, you should use these platforms to their fullest. Here are three tips to help you create posts that command attention.
home. Don’t forget to mention important info like open house dates. If you’re posting a video, make it interesting (i.e. don’t just film yourself walking through the house). Use your imagination to bring your property to life in a way that will compel viewers to share your video en masse.
1. POST PICTURES
Post regular updates to keep your followers in If your real estate agent the loop, but don’t over(or you) made a photo album that shows your do it. Less is more, after Post a variety of pictures of your property online home at its best, don’t to satisfy potential buyers. all. Keep things interesjust post a link to it: to ting by chronicling your entice potential buyers home staging project or compiling a list of unusual quesand encourage your friends to share your post, include the photos! Buyers will want an in-depth look at your property tions you’ve gotten from prospective buyers, for example. so upload as many images as you can. If you’re up to it, you Above all, resist the urge to constantly repost the same ad could even produce a video to showcase your living space. — this could easily backfire. Here’s a tip: include relevant keywords in your post (hashtags are a must on some sites) so it’s easy for shoppers to 3. ASK FOR HELP find. Although some of your friends will share your updates spon2. BE CREATIVE taneously, you’ll get better results by asking your followers to pass Pictures are one thing, but if you want your post to get no- along your post. Retweets and shares will expand your potential ticed you should also include a proper description of your buyer pool, and most of your friends will be happy to help!
Show & Sell Your Homes Advertise your homes for sale in
Upstate Real Estate & Home Services and reach thousands of potential buyers right here in our area!
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Inheriting a home can be both a boon and a burden. Depending on the circumstances, the matter can be more or less complex. Professional assistance of the legal or financial variety — sometimes both — is almost always required to help settle the details around the inheritance. However, here are a few things worth keeping in mind.
TAXES There are two types of taxes that can be levied when property is inherited: estate tax and inheritance tax. These taxes may be deducted at a federal or state level, depending on the property’s value and the state in which it’s located. While most midrange properties are exempt from these taxes, estates that are of higher value will have to forfeit a significant percentage of the home’s worth to Uncle Sam. Tax laws need to be investigated for the state where the property is located as well as understood at a federal level.
MORTGAGES Mortgages are often paid up when homes are inherited, but this isn’t always the case. For a number of potential reasons, re-mortgages may be taken out; these cannot be transferred with the property. The lender will need to be paid in full or a fresh mortgage issued to the new owner.
SELL, RENT OR RESIDE
Things to know when you inherit a home
When it comes to deciding how to use the inherited property, the best choice is circumstantial. Selling is frequently most convenient when siblings inherit, but capital gains tax will need to be paid on the asset’s market value (adjusted to the time of inheritance). Renting can be well suited to those who wish to own an income property and are willing to invest accordingly. Finally, residing is an appealing option for those who currently rent or have a smaller home. Whatever path is chosen, it’s wise to have the house inspected, appraised and kept secure until its fate is settled.
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Quick tips to maximize curb appeal The very first thing homebuyers will see is your front yard. To make the right first impression, do the following: • Upgrade your front door. Replace the hardware (knobs, knocker, etc.) and apply a fresh coat of paint or, if you can afford it, get a brand new door. • Beautify your lawn. Keep grass mowed, trees trimmed and plants pruned. Add flowers in the summer and potted coniferous shrubs in the winter. • Add light fixtures. If your entrance lights are dated, get new ones. You can also add lighting along walkways and in gardens for extra oomph. • Clean the windows. They should sparkle, both inside and out.
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• Maintain the driveway and walkway. Repair, repave or power wash your pavement. Store any bikes, skateboards or toys (these should be neatly tucked away in the garage or garden shed). Remove weeds growing out of the pavement, and if you’re selling your home in snowy conditions, be sure to plow regularly. • Paint the exterior. Do just the trim if you’re on a budget. • Add edging. Whether stone, brick or wood, edging is an easy way to confer a more polished look to your yard. Incorporate it around gardens, walkways or even your driveway.
Container homes: are my ambitions realistic? Buying a home isn’t easy. In addition to all the paperwork and administrative details involved, purchasing a house can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars — all in all, it’s a luxury that doesn’t feel quite as attainable as it once did. Fortunately, there are alternatives to locking into a decades-long mortgage. Enter the container home. The popularity of alternative forms of housing is a fairly new phenomenon, as are the many concerns that come into play when charting this kind of unexplored territory. That being the case, you might ask yourself how realistic it is to consider building a home out of one or more shipping containers. Let’s break it down.
the local authorities and show them examples of similar projects that have been successfully completed in the past. Since authorization of your project could be a concern, especially in densely populated areas, you may want to consider a more remote location (or one with more relaxed building codes) for your container home.
COST The cost of your container home real-
ly depends on your particular wants and needs. Projects like these range from $45,000 all the way to $350,000 and more. Price will heavily depend on the location and features of the home you want to build. In short, a container home can be a completely viable alternative to going the conventional route of buying a regular house — provided that you’ve done all the necessary research.
BUILDING PERMITS There’s no surefire way to guarantee the approval of the construction of your container home. The approval process is highly subjective and varies from one location to the next, but there are ways to increase your chances. Present a detailed version of your building plans to
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