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Category: Pet friendly

Jun

Useful tips for buying and selling a house at the same time

When it comes to buying and selling a house, the process can be daunting. Attempting both at the same time adds a new level of difficulty. As a buyer and a seller, you’ll have to negotiate in a seller’s market that’s particularly hot. The process of purchasing or selling a home cannot be completely predicted. However, planning your preferred strategy can make the ups and downs a little easier to navigate. Because of this, it’s essential to think ahead to avoid any problems that may develop. Here are a few pointers to help answer some of your most pressing issues about purchasing and selling a home at once.

1. Presentation is key

For the sake of the potential purchasers that walk through your door, you want your property to look its utmost best. Home staging can help with that. When you put your property on the market, you want buyers to visualize what it would be like to live there. When done correctly, selling a home quickly should not be an issue. One of the critical goals of home staging is to assist potential buyers in seeing the space as their potential home. The best method is to start with a completely blank canvas. You want your house to have a specific look and feel, but you don’t want it to have any personal touches. Keeping everything super clean is a no-brainer when selling your house. You should also provide as much natural light as possible.

2. Make sure you work with a seasoned real estate agent

The process of buying and selling a home at the same time can be complicated, which is why it is best to work with a professional. Additionally, an experienced local realtor can advise you on the best time to sell your home, in addition to assisting you in determining its market value. As well as designing a strategy, they can also help you with the negotiation of different components of the process.

3. Pay attention to the neighborhood

Most individuals prefer to live near the necessities of daily living, such as places to shop, parks, and places to eat. There are many other things to consider, such as accessibility, proximity to public transport, schools, and of course, healthcare. This is very important both when buying and selling a property because it will give you an idea of the right price. Make sure you always scout out the amenities in the area.

4. Consider a short-term loan

A “bridge loan” is an option if you don’t have enough money for a down payment. It’s a short-term loan that takes advantage of the equity in your present home to make the down payment you need to buy a new property. Taking on two mortgage payments for up to six months or a year, which is the standard duration for bridge loans, is the only way to go about this.

5. Pay attention to the price

Your home’s selling price is one of the few elements that you have control over during the process. If you undervalue your property, you will have less money towards your next down payment. However, if you price your home too expensive, you risk the buyers passing on your property. For the best chance of receiving multiple offers, you can attempt selling the home at or slightly below market value and then selecting the most attractive offer among them.

6. Consider your leasing options

A “back rent” agreement with the buyer of your present house is a possibility you might want to consider. Homeowners frequently require additional time after closing to either relocate or find a new residence. Moving into a rental property before making a final decision is another possibility. For those going to a new city, this technique is typical because they don’t have much time to buy a house first. It’s best to find a single-family home if you can sign a month-to-month lease. It’s best to advise your landlord or leasing agency upfront if you plan to vacate the property after a certain period. As a result, your options may be limited, and the monthly charge may be increased. It’s better than breaking a 12-month lease and incurring fees.

7. Prepare for the move

You’ll have a long checklist for your residential move when buying and selling a house at the same time. With a bit of forethought and organization, you’ll be able to do everything and still have time to unwind. Make sure you list everything you need to do and take one step at a time to avoid unnecessary stress. You might also want to do a pre-move and post-move checklist. Detailed planning can make all the difference! If you organize your move well, you won’t be too stressed out to enjoy this huge step in your life.

8. Mind the curb

Everyone, including potential homebuyers, will want to see what’s inside if the outside creates a good first impression. On a day, week or month, you can make significant changes. One of the most effective methods to improve the look of your home’s exterior is to add some lush greenery. Plant some flowers and trim the grass in front of your house. Paint your fence, replace the shabby mailbox with a shiny new one, and make your home look pristine from the outside! This is a failproof way of attracting potential buyers to your property.

Closing words

Buying and selling a house should always be a very gratifying experience, even if it is a challenging process. If you work with reputable professionals, it will be easier to do this with less risk and difficulties. Check to see that you are well-prepared and have lots of patience. And remember to keep a positive attitude! Best of luck with your relocation!
Meta description: Buying and selling a house at the same time can be a hard and scary process. These tips will help you to skip the stress and get right to success!

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Jan

Why not to wait until spring to make a move

The housing market recovery coming into the new year has been nothing short of remarkable. Many experts agree the turnaround from the nation’s economic pause is playing out extremely well for real estate, and the current market conditions are truly making this winter an ideal time to make a move. Here’s a dive into some of the biggest wins for homebuyers this season.

1. Mortgage Rates Are Historically Low
In 2020, mortgage rates hit all-time lows 16 times. Continued low rates have set buyers up for significant long-term gains. In fact, realtor.com notes:

“Given this means homes could cost potentially tens of thousands less over the lifetime of the loan.”

Essentially, it’s less expensive to borrow money for a home loan today than it has been in years past. Although mortgage rates are expected to remain relatively low in 2021, even the slightest increase can make a big difference in your payments over the lifetime of a home loan. So, this is a huge opportunity to capitalize on right now before mortgage rates start to rise.

2. Equity Is Growing
According to John Burns Consulting, 58.7% of homes in the U.S. have at least 60% equity, and 42.1% of all homes in this country are mortgage-free, meaning they’re owned free and clear.

In addition, CoreLogic notes the average equity homeowners gained since last year is $17,000. That’s a tremendous amount of forced savings for homeowners, and an opportunity to use this increasing equity to make a move into a home that fits your changing needs this season.

3. Home Prices Are Appreciating
According to leading experts, home prices are forecasted to continue appreciating. Today, many experts are projecting more moderate home price growth than last year, but still moving in an upward direction through 2021.

Knowing home values are increasing while mortgage rates are so low should help you feel confident that buying a home before prices rise even higher is a strong long-term investment.

4. There Are Not Enough Homes for Sale
With today’s low inventory of homes on the market, which is contributing to this home price appreciation, sellers are in the driver’s seat. The competition is high among buyers, so homes are selling quickly.

Making a move while so many buyers are looking for homes to purchase may mean your house rises to the top of the buyer pool. Selling your house before more listings come to the market in the traditionally busy spring market might be your best chance to shine.

Bottom Line
If you’re considering making a move, this may be your moment, especially with today’s low mortgage rates and limited inventory. Reach out to us today to get set up for homebuying success in the new year.

May

5 Do’s and Don’ts for Settling into a New City and Meeting New People

Planning a major move that involves relocating to a new city? Being new in town can feel a little nerve-wracking at first, but there are actually some pretty simple ways to get settled fast. You can connect with new friends, make your home more comfortable, and maybe even find your new dream job just by paying attention to a few do’s and don’ts for your move, to help you make the most of this major life change.

Don’t Be in a Rush to Unpack Your Home

It may sound like the opposite of what you should do to feel at home, but when you move to a new town, you really should make getting out and exploring a priority over unpacking. Morning or evening strolls in different parts of the city can give you a great idea of what’s nearby. And you can stop by a local coffee shop for some caffeine and conversation with locals. While there, look for local newspapers or publications to get the scoop on your new town. So that unpacking doesn’t overwhelm you while you get to know your new home, use these packing tips before you move to make the task more manageable. This way you don’t feel trapped in your home for days and can spend more time getting to know your new city. (Read more about things to do in Naperville here.)

Do Update Your Auto Insurance Policy

The last thing you want when you move to a new state is to have a ticket spoil the experience. You can avoid the added cost and frustration by getting familiar with your new state’s insurance and registration laws. Certain policy minimums may apply and the rules around proof of coverage can be very different as well. So make sure your current policy matches state law so you don’t have to worry about a fine as you explore the local community.

(Read more about Illinois Auto Insurance Laws here.)

Don’t Forget to Help Your Dog Get Settled

Moving can be rough for dogs, which can lead to anxious behavior, like excessive barking. All that barking and nervousness can make a bad first impression on your new neighbors, so take some time to help your dog feel comfortable with your move. Take some time off work so you can spend the first few days helping your dog adjust and curb any unwanted behavior. When you both feel up to it, take your pup out on the town to help you meet new people.

(Read more about how to find local pet sitters here.)

Do Invite Neighbors Over for a Welcome Party

Making new friends with people in your new town is a great way to get settled, but you should also try to make connections with your neighbors too. You may luck out and get neighbors who introduce themselves to you, but often you will need to make the effort in order to get to know the people who live around you. A welcome party is a fun way to meet several neighbors at once, so consider hosting guests once you’re unpacked. If you have a party of the open house variety, this allows people to come and go at their leisure. Just keep the timeframe short and be sure to put out a variety of snacks and beverages.

(Find out more about Naperville grocery options here.)

Don’t Ignore Social Offers From Family and Friends

If you tell friends and loved ones you are moving to a new city, chances are they will have some connections there. So, if someone you know offers to connect you with a mutual friend or even a distant family member, take them up on it! This is an easy way to settle into a city without feeling alone and can help you make new friends faster. If you are still looking for a new job, you can also use your network to bolster your chances of snagging an interview and landing a job that you love. (Find out more about jobs in Naperville here.)

Moving to a new city can be an eye-opening experience, especially when you don’t know anyone there. You can use the tips above to make the most of your big move and quickly meet new people in the community. Before you know it, you will feel right at home!

Here are a few extra Naperville resources you may find helpful:

Naperville Area Schools

Family Doctors in Naperville

Naperville Dentists

Photo Credit: Pexels

Mar

Springtime Repairs: How to Make DIY Home Maintenance Less Stressful

Springtime repairs around the house can be pretty big chores, eating up your spare time and cutting into your household budget, but they are an important part of keeping your home in great shape. Taking care of little maintenance issues now can help prevent big problems down the road, which can save you quite a bit of money and a lot of stress. However, the key with DIY projects is to ensure that you are prepared to call a professional if you need help with a big job so that it will be done safely and correctly.

It’s also crucial to have the right tools and a plan for the task at hand. Taking care of repairs around the home can include anything from plugging up holes in the drywall to replacing shingles or tiles on the roof, and these jobs vary greatly in cost and the amount of time it will take to complete them. Having a good idea of how you’ll get started will allow you to get the job done right the first time without any issues.

Here are a few things to consider when it’s time to do some maintenance around the house.

Start with the Right Tools

As with any task, it’s imperative to start with the right tools. After all, you wouldn’t start drawing a picture without a sharpened pencil and a good eraser, so it just makes sense that you would have specific tools at the ready when you’re tackling a home repair job. In general, most homeowners will want a hammer, wrenches, screwdrivers, a drill, and a sharp utility knife to handle common repair jobs around the house. If you don’t have these, look online for tool buying guides, and read the reviews before making purchases.

Find the Right Help

No matter what tasks you need to complete, it’s important to make sure they can be done as a DIY job before you get started. Many big projects — such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical work — will require a professional’s touch, if for no other reason than the potential safety issues. Look online for contractors near you to get an idea of your choices and to compare prices, and make sure you read the reviews before making a final decision.

Think of the Cost of Winter

The thing about spring repairs is that they need to be focused on the things that took the most hit during a hard winter. Cold weather, excess water, and high winds can all do quite a bit of damage to various parts of the home, from the gutters to the pipes, so make a checklist of all the things you want to take a look at. Getting organized will help greatly when it comes to starting any repair project, and it will also help you stay motivated if you have a physical list in front of you.

Prioritize

If you have a tight budget and there aren’t any repairs that require your immediate attention, you can start with the smaller things first, such as cleaning out the gutters or investing in an insulation cover for the hot water heater. These little tasks won’t cost much, but they will allow you to take care of the small things first and get them out of the way. Just make sure there are no pressing jobs, such as leaky pipes or broken roof shingles.

Springtime repairs around the house don’t have to break your budget or your patience. With a little planning and some research online, you can figure out the best ways to tackle projects around the house when the weather warms up a bit and save money throughout the year.

May

Selling Your Home? Is Your Listing ‘Pet-Friendly’?

One of the many benefits of owning your own home is the freedom to find your ‘furever’ friend. By pointing out the aspects of your home that make it ‘pet-friendly’ in your listing, you’ll attract these buyers rather than alienate the 61% of American households that have a pet! If you are one of the many homeowners looking to list your home for sale, how do you stand out to the millions of pet parents searching for their dream homes? Whether a dog person, a cat person, or someone who prefers the company of another pet species, 99% of pet owners say that they consider their animal to be family. When finding a home, 95% of animal owners believe it is important that a housing community allows animals. A recent study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that there are many aspects of the home buying, selling and owning experience that have been greatly impacted by American’s love for their pets. This should come as no surprise as $66.75 billion was spent on pets in the U.S in 2016, with $70 billion projected for 2017. NAR’s President William E. Brown shed some light on the impact of pet owners and their home search,

“In 2016, 61 percent of U.S. households either have a pet or plan to get one in the future, so it is important to understand the unique needs and wants of animal owners when it comes to homeownership. REALTORS® understand that when someone buys a home, they are buying it with the needs of their whole family in mind; ask pet owners, and they will enthusiastically agree that their animals are part of their family.”

The Power of Pets When Choosing the Right Home

89% of pet owners say they would not give up their pet due to a housing restriction
81% of Americans say their pets play a role in their housing situation
31% of animal owners have refused to put in an offer on a home because it wasn’t a good fit for their animals
19% of Americans say they would consider moving for their pet
12% percent have moved for their pet

New home builders have actually begun installing retractable pet gates that tuck away neatly inside door jams as a highly requested feature in new homes to attract pet-parents, according to Builder.com. So, if you are a homeowner looking to sell in today’s pet-friendly environment, point out the features of your home that will attract pet owners:

Fully fenced in backyard – (91% of pet owners ranked this as the most important feature of a home to accommodate their pet)
Locations of dog parks/walking paths/pet-friendly beaches in the area (71% ranked this as the top feature of any neighborhood they would consider)
Proximity to veterinarians/groomers/pet supply stores (31%)

Bottom Line

Americans love their pets and will look for pet-friendly features in the home they wish to buy, so take advantage of this knowledge by pointing out your home’s ability to meet their needs.