When do I get the Keys?

One of the most frequent questions I get about the home buying process is “when do I get the keys?”  This isn’t a simple question and can have several different answers depending on what was negotiated in your purchase & sale contract.  Often times the closing date and the recording date are confused as being the same.  Closing is typically when you sign your final paperwork and provide funds to the title company.  Recording is when the deed actually records and officially transfers ownership to you unless otherwise negotiated.  It is after it records that.you will most likely receive the keys to your new home. Be sure to ask your REALTOR® when you can expect your keys.

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.

Moving with Pets

Our pets are often overlooked when moving and it can be very hard on them .  Here are some tips for making the move as stress free for them as possible.  If your pets are use to a schedule, try to keep the same schedule as much as possible.  If moving a long distance, have your pets checked out by your local vet and let him know your plans to move.  If your pets are on medication, make sure you have plenty to get you to your final destination and keep them easily accessible.  Keep something familiar out for your pets, such as a blanket or a favorite toy, to comfort them in this new transition.

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

Seller Paid Closing Cost?

More and more buyers are short the cash they need for the down payment and closing costs. One way to overcome this cash shortage is for the seller to pay a portion of the closing costs. How much the seller is allowed to contribute depends on the type of mortgage loan. When you ask the buyer to pay a portion or all of your closing costs, in essence you are financing the closing costs. This is because the seller’s contribution is typically offset by a higher purchase price. And it is this higher purchase price that is financed with your mortgage loan.

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.

Renting vs. Buying?

The prospect of buying your first home can be an intimidating one! The decision to buy vs. renting is not a simple decision to make. There are many pros & cons for each and all should be evaluated. One factor to consider is how long will you be in your new home? If you plan on being there more than a few years then buying might be right for you. With interest rates still at near all time lows & the market shifting to a buyer’s market, now is the perfect time to start looking for your first home.

Advantages for Renting

• Fixed cost for rent.
• No Maintainece to take care of
• No unexpected expenses.

Disadvantages of Renting.

• You don’t build equity
• Making somebody else’s payments
• No tax advantages.
• Unable to personalize

Advantages of Buying

• Building equity
• Ability to personalize property
• Tax advantages
• Over time property will be completly paid for

Disadvantages of Buying

• Repairs are made by you or paid by you
• Larger initial investment, downpayment

Give us a call at Crane & Associates Realty if you would like help figuring out if buying or renting is best for you!

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.

Do a drive by First!

One of the biggest mistakes that buyers make when looking for a new home, is not becoming familiar with the neighborhood. Before you set up a showing with your REALTOR®, ask for printouts of the listings that match your criteria and include the driving directions. Then take a drive by the properties that are of interest to you and view the home and the surrounding areas. That way you don’t waste everybody’s time, including yours, looking at homes that are in areas that you don’t like.

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!