In this episode we discuss that on almost every real estate related website there are mortgage calculators that help you understand what you can afford. The real question is what numbers are you using and how confident with the numbers are you? When shopping from a home a budget going up or down by as little as $10,000 can make a major difference. Up it could mean you can afford that paved driveway instead of gravel and down it could mean that fenced in backyard might not be in the budget. In order for sellers to take your offer seriously they must see some sort of proof you can afford their home. A pre-approval is the assurance they need that you are financially capable of purchasing their home.

In this episode we discuss that as a career professional that just recently was sent to a work from home environment things can be challenging. The first and most important step is to find the perfect spot to call your office at home. At first working from home can seem fun and like it will offer a lot of free time. The truth is working from home is still WORK so finding somewhere you can focus and put in the work is crucial. When planning to work from home it is important your office is away from all the distractions in life. While the corner of a room or a breakfast nook might work, a proper office with a door will ensure you have the focus to complete the tasks at hand.

In this episode we discuss that the truth is that NO ONE knows exactly when a market crash is coming. Spending too much time speculating on when can leave you out of the market. The current driver in prices rising is higher interest rates. While this normally means lower prices due to the low rates most people have on their mortgages they do not want to sell. The rates on some peoples mortgages are in the 2’s and 3’s which means simply moving to the same priced home would lead to a rate in the 6 or 7’s. That means the same quality home would cost much more in today’s market.

In this episode we discuss that when it comes to painting a home you are going to sell, make sure to pick trending colors. Do not let your personal opinion affect what colors you choose because it is for the buyers. If you decide to do the painting yourself and not hire a professional make sure to do a quality job. A bad paint job can look worse than a paint job that is just faded and tired. In order to have a quality paint job you must do quality prep work ensuring the paint will stick and you have clean lines. Sanding the previous paint job focusing on any chipping and peeling paint will ensure maximum adhesion of the new paint.

In this episode we discuss that buying a home on the water is a dream of many people. When deciding to pursue this goal one of the first steps is to find a Realtor® who understands waterfront living. The reason it is so important to understand waterfront living is there are so many different styles of waterfront living. You can choose to live on an ocean, a bay, a river, a marsh, a swamp, a lake, a pond, or so many other options. When buying on the water often people ask or assume that each property needs flood insurance. While this may be true in some cases not all waterfront homes require flood insurance.

In this episode we discuss that in simple terms a want is something you would like to have but would be OK without having. A need is something that you must fulfill in order to make the purchase. When speaking with your agent telling them you need three bedrooms can put them on the wrong path if it is only a want. Maybe a bonus room would work to be a home office and fulfill your needs. With a want we can find a home that has the opportunity to create the desired outcome in time. Maybe instead of having a garage.

In this episode we discuss that when selling a property serviced by a septic system it is required by law that you have the system tested. This test is to ensure the property meets the state requirements under the Title V regulations. Sellers should do all they can to answer the questions buyers may have when looking at their property. Getting your Title V done ahead of coming on the market can alleviate a lot of the buyer’s and your concerns. The Title V testing has three types of results including pass, fail, or conditional pass. Conditional pass means that there are some repairs required to come into compliance with the state regulations. Thanks to Arthur Bloomquist from Title V Inspections found at www.titlevinspections.com for joining us.

In this episode we discuss that the first step to taking care of mosquitos and ticks without using chemicals is to think about the habitat. Make sure to trim back brush, drain any standing water, and plan to use the space during the sunny times of day. There are lots of natural oils that can be worn as insect repellent. Some oils are even powerful enough to be sprayed as a treatment to kill and detract mosquitos and ticks. Some of the most common oils used in pest relief include lemon grass, cedar, peppermint, spearmint, orange, and more. When using these oils make sure to read about how much and which products to mix for better results.

In this episode we discuss that when buying new construction there are a few different methods. Buying land, buying a tear down, or buying into a developers neighborhood are the most common. Buying land or buying a tear down is usually your most flexible option when it comes to building designs. Buying into a developers neighborhood usually means there will be limiting covenants in effect. When buying land to build a home it is important to understand your funding options. Cash or construction loans are two of the most common ways to fund the project.

In this episode we discuss that buying land is a dream that many people share. They envision buying the land and building their dream home. When buying land to build a home there are a lot of factors to think about. It is highly advised to hire an experienced Realtor ® to help in the purchase to ensure you find success. The worst thing that could happen is buying land to build the dream home only to find out it can not happen. There is an enormous amount of due diligence that must be done ahead of building a home.