What Stays vs. What Goes?

When selling your home there always seems to be some confusion about what stays and what goes in regards to fixtures and items in the house.  Does the refrigerator & washer/dryer stay, what about the fancy chandelier and the new curtains & blinds we bought?  As a general rule, if it requires a screwdriver, hammer or shovel to remove it, it’s usually considered real property and should stay with the home.  To avoid any possible complications & misunderstandings, talk to your Realtor® and get them to compile a list of the items that will or will not be staying with the house. 

Daylight Savings ends.

It’s time to fall backwards again.  At least time it’s to set our clocks back for daylight saving which ends on November 2^nd this year.  While you are setting your clocks back, it’s also a good time to catch up on other maintenance items that are often overlooked.  Changing the batteries in your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clocks is a good way to make sure the batteries get replaced twice each year.  It’s also a good idea to change your passwords on your computer and online accounts.  Experts recommend that you have different passwords for different accounts and to use letters & numbers in your password.

Selling During the Winter

It appears that winter is finally here to stay as the white stuff keeps falling.  Selling your home during the winter takes a little more preparation than during the summer months.  It’s very important to keep your walkway  clear of snow and ice both, for appearances and safety.  Sprinkle sand or salt on your walkway to provide stable footing.  Since our Alaskan days are getting shorter, make sure your entry and walkways are sufficiently lit.  Also make sure to turn on all the interior lights and increase your inside thermostat a degree or two to give it a warm cozy feeling.

Let the light in!

Open up your curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible when having a showing.  Also replace any broken or burnt out light bulbs you have been neglecting.  Consider upgrading to newer energy efficient compact florescent bulbs and replace with the highest wattage bulb that is safe and suitable for the application.  The brighter a room is lit, the larger it appears. Consider adding lamps or lighting to rooms that are poorly lit. A small investment in lighting can have large returns from buyers.

Is your Kitchen Ready?

When buyers are looking at your home your kitchen will be under strict scrutiny.  In today’s homes the kitchen has become a focal point for gatherings and entertaining.  Is your kitchen up for the challenge?  Starting with your counter tops, anything that you haven’t used it in the past few weeks, box it up and place it in storage.  Remove all of the clutter that typically accumulates on the counters.  Have a junk drawer?  Remove the junk and do the same with your cabinets to show off the amount of space your kitchen has.  Don’t forget to clean out under your sink, and while you are there check for any leaks.

Fall Maintenance Tips

A key to protecting the investment you’ve made in your home is by following a regular maintenance schedule. By performing preventative maintenance on an on-going basis, you’ll avoid many of the big ticket repair items that can lower the value of your home.   With winter fast approaching, now is the time to check your heating system for drafts & leaks.  It’s much easier to make a repair to your heating system now than 3 months from now when its -30 degrees outside. 

Addition items to inspect this Fall before winter hits

• Check all window and door locks for proper operation seal

Sellers Net

When people are getting ready to sell a home, I am often asked, ” how much money will we make when we sell our home”? A seller’s net sheet is a list of the expenses that they will likely incur when selling their home. Make sure to provide your licensee with an accurate loan balance to provide a clear picture of what your net proceeds will be. Don’t forget to mention if you have a 2nd mortgage or a line of credit on your home as well. If you don’t receive a net sheet when you are signing your listing contract, be sure to ask for one, so nobody is surprised when it comes to sign the final paperwork.

Selling before your home is ready.

Often times sellers will make the mistake of putting their home on the market before it’s really ready to be shown. They will have 90% of the projects done, but are still lacking on a few details. Those few details are what will set your home apart from all the others on the market. Buyers will remember the negative details about your home, such as the house needing new trim paint or the almost finished flooring, instead of the house with the spectacular new flooring or the home with the sparkling new paint.

Summer Home Maintenance Tips

Summer has finally arrived and its a great time to catch up on home maintenance projects that you would rather not do during the cold winter months. Keeping up on maintenance can prevent unforeseen issues that might come up, when it comes time to sell, and helps your home maintain or even increase in its value. Just like your car needs routine oil changes & other maintenance, your home requires on going repairs as well.

Bonus Tips

One of the first things you should check is your roof system. Check for any cracks or missing shingles or other signs of damage. This would also be a good time to remove any moss that has built up on your roof. While you are up on the roof, this is a great opportunity to check you gutter system for any debris or blockages that could keep the water from draining like it should. Don’t forget to check you chimney and have it cleaned as well.

Next you will want to check your deck for rotten or warped deck boards that might need to be repaired before you treat your deck. Check you forecast to make sure you will have enough time to get your deck repaired, cleaned and treated before any inclement weather reappears.

Your heating system will not be getting much use this time of year, so now would be a great time to do any repairs that may take some time. Better to get them repaired now when you won’t need your heat as opposed to waiting until its -30 out!

Moving on or adding on?

A crossroad that many home owners face when they have outgrown their current home is to either buy a bigger home or add-on/remodel their existing home. First and foremost, is how will you pay for the addition vs. buying a new home. Do you have the cash in the bank or other sources to pay for an addition, or perhaps a home equity loan? If you decide to buy a new home, do you have enough money for the down payment & closing costs? Will you have to sell your current home first before you can buy another? Will it be cheaper to add on or to buy another home with the features you desire? Contact Crane & Associates Realty to help you analyze your situation and select the best option for you.