What are Five Household Chores You Can Skip?

Weekends are meant to be relaxing and catching up on your favorite shows or sleep.  They also meant for family, friends, and relaxing not chores. What chores can your skip this weekend, so you don’t have to miss out on your weekend?

Laundry- Most clothes don’t need to be washed after one use unless it is your undergarments, gym clothes, or clothes that stick close to your body.  

Hand-Drying Dishes- Swap your towel for a drying rack and let the dishes air dry.

Dusting- Dust can be gross but it does not need to be cleaned up every weekend.  You can wait to dust your home once a month.

Cleaning Windows- Your windows don’t need to be washed every week.  Instead wash them every four months.

Organizing- If you are over doing your organizing you may add unnecessary stress to your weekend. Your closets need a major overhaul only a few times are year. The rest of your home can be done in several days- take 15 minutes and focus on one area.  Move to the next area the next week.

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What are 6 Things Buyers Must Do Before They Move?

The countdown to moving into your new home has begun. In the 11^th hour things can get missed or forgotten but with this checklist, you won’t forget anything.

1.    Make sure all contingencies are squared away- If you, the buyer, have added contingencies to the transaction, make sure they are completed before you go into your closing appointment.

a.    Home Inspection- Schedule your home inspection right away.  If there are problems with the home, make sure they are negotiated within a timely manner.

b.    Appraisal- Mortgage lenders will hire a third party to evaluate the home to ensure the value is not lower than the sale price.

c.    Financial- This will give you the right to back out of the deal with your mortgage falls through.

2.    Clear the title- Your mortgage lender will require a title search on the property you are purchasing to ensure the title is clean with no outstanding issues.  You will also need to purchase title insurance.

3.    Get your final mortgage approval- Before closing, your home loan must go through the underwriting process.  If you’ve made any false or misleading claims on your loan application, they may come up and can delay your closing.

4.    Review your closing disclosure- The closing disclosure is also known as HUD-1 settlement statement. This document will outline your exact mortgage payments, loan terms, and additional fees (closing costs)

5.    Do a final walk-through- A walk-through will be conducted within 24-hours before closing. During the walk-through you will check to see if all repairs were made based on the home inspection and ensure there are no additional issues with the home.

6.    Bring all necessary documents to closing- You will need to bring- proof of homeowners insurance, copy of your contract, home inspection reports, paperwork required by your bank to approve the loan, government issued photo ID.

Why Every Buyer Needs a Proof of Funds Letter?

Once you’ve made a decision to purchase your first home or a new home, your next step is to apply for a loan and receive a proof of funds.  This letter proves that you, the home buyer, has enough liquid cash to purchase a home.  It is an essential letter to show home sellers to ensure you are a qualified buyer. It will also help your real estate agent show you homes within your budget.

Does Everyone Need a Letter?

The short answer is yes, everyone needs a letter.  Even if you are getting a mortgage you will still need enough money for your down payment and closing costs.  

What is the difference between a proof of funds letter and pre-approval letter?

The preapproval letter is a commitment from a lender to provide a buyer with a home loan.  A proof of funds letter is a document that shows where you’re keep the cash you need to bring to the closing table.

A proof of funds letter can be provided to you by your bank.  Contact your bank to request one today.  

How to Decorate with White- the Do's and Don'ts

There was a time when white décor was used for a formal living room that was seldomly used and handled with care.  Now days, color isn’t always king especially as people look to live a more minimalist environments.  White can sometimes be ignored but used purposefully and carefully.

When it comes to decorating with white- what are the do’s and don’ts?

Do:

Mix different tints, tones and shades of white

Incorporate the white color into accessories- vases, florals, and pillows

Mix white with colors such as grey and taupe to create a soothing environment

Use textured white accessories to soften up a space

Mix white with both warm and cool colors

Don’ts:

Forget to extend the color white into elements such as cabinets, fixtures and appliances

Ignore the opportunity to reflect color through the use of mirrors and windows

Omit negative white space – trims, door headers, and under ceiling soffits

Dismiss the power of the pure white space

Why You Shouldn’t Always Take the Highest Offer?

You took the time to get your house perfect to put on the market and now you have offers rolling in. Some even over your asking price. But the highest offer may not always be the best one. There are many factors you need to look at before accepting the offer and ensure it’s the right offer for you.

Closing Date- If a certain closing date is important to you, make sure the potential buys date aligns with yours.

Home Inspection- If one buyer wants an inspection while the other does not, what do you do? If the inspection is waived, chances are there will be no further negotiations prior to signing the purchase agreement.  

Cash or No Financial Contingencies- Most sellers are more willing to choose the all-cash offer versus the financed one.  However, an all-cash offer may come in the lowest and the funds may not clear. Waiving this contingency will also forgo the bank appraisal.

Escalation Clause- A clause states that a buyer will pay a certain amount over the highest bona fide offer that does not contain a home sale contingency.  Not all agents use this tactic but it can be a great way for buyers to ensure their bid stands out against the competition. 

Whatever option you end up picking, remember that every term is negotiable and as a seller you are in control.

What Does it Take to Sell Your Home Quickly?

You’ve made the tough decision to sell your home and now it’s time to get your home ready for it to sell quickly!  Chances are you may not be able to purchase another home until your current home sells. It can be stressful and may take some work but with the correct approach it can be sold in record time.

Channel your inner clean freak- Decluttering doesn’t have to be rocket science but it is key to creating a pleasing environment. Pay attention to these common areas: kitchen and bathroom counters, fireplace mantels, laundry room shelves, tabletops, and magazine racks. Don’t forget about the closet! 

Rearrange the furniture- Ask yourself- does my home invite buyers to sit and stay awhile? Can they flow freely through my home without bumping into things? Start by putting big and bulky pieces in storage and move pieces away from the walls.  You may even want to consider selling some items that may not go in your new home.

Set the table- Staging your home will paint a picture for potential buyers to envision them living in your home.  Bring out your china, flatware, and linens to help paint the picture.  Try to keep it simple!

 Bring the outside in- Bring in fresh flowers from your garden. They will warm up any room and make your home smell great

Think like a buyer- When it comes to cleaning your home, think how you would want a home to look when you walk through it.  Buyers may get down to the nitty-gritty so even the smallest details need to shine. Don’t forget to clean the windows inside and out!

How Can I Keep My Lawn Looking Great All Summer Long?

With the summer heat and humidity, it can really take a toll on your lawn.  But how can you keep your lawn looking great all summer? 

Control Weeds Early- Dandelions are usually the first weed to appear with hardier weeds showing up later.  Try using a herbicide to keep your weeds under control and be sure to tackle them when they first appear.  Leaving weeds in your lawn will only cause more damage later on.

Don’t Cut Too Much- Only take about 1/3 of the current grass height when mowing.  Mowing too much and taking too much off can dry out the soil causing your grass to become dehydrated.  Grass will also have a harder time growing if it is cut too short as it will develop deeper roots to get to hydrated soil.

Water in the Morning- Make sure you water your lawn often to keep it hydrated and prevent it from drying out.  A good rule of thumb is to water your grass in the morning, to allow it to stay hydrated all day in the heat.  

Forget the Bag- Leaving your clipping on your grass can not only save you time and money but it can help fertilize the soil.  It can even encourage lawn growth.  

Beat the Bugs- Beetles like to lay eggs in your grass during the summer months which can cause a huge mess for you! Treat your lawn with grub control and consider checking with a local agricultural extension office for the best time to place it on your lawn.

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