The best part of buying a new home is going out and touring homes. This is
especially true for first-time home buyers. As time goes on, however, it can
be frustrating when each home falls short of expectations. While it’s
important to be realistic about what is available and affordable, there can
be a temptation to settle when the right homes don’t pop up quickly.
When this happens, it’s important to take a step back and reevaluate the
criteria. Often buyers head out without a solid list of “must-have” and
“like-to-have” features in mind. If finding the right home is becoming
difficult, then this is the time to create or review these items. Consider
lifestyle as well as willingness to renovate or remodel. Is it important the
home is turn-key on day one, or is there a willingness and ability to make
changes after the sale?
Focus on the “must-have” list first. There could be a beautiful chef’s kitchen
on the “like-to-have” but if 4 bedrooms are critical for the size of the family,
the larger kitchen will not compensate for long. That said, if the hope is to
find a home with a pool, is there room to add the pool later?
Finding the right home is often a matter of timing. Patience is the best
advice. With the start of the new year, new listings are hitting the market
every day. The perfect home may not have been listed yet.

Owning a vacation rental, like an Airbnb or VRBO home, is a great way to
earn extra income. Much of the year, all these properties need is a way to
manage access and a cleaning service. When winter comes, however, it’s
important to add some extra care – both for the safety of your guests, but
also to keep the home in top condition.
Here is a quick checklist for anyone managing a vacation rental this winter:
· Inspect, Repair, and Maintain Heating Systems – Before
temperatures drop, hire a professional to inspect and adjust heating
systems. Replace filters to increase efficiency.
· Seal Drafts and Insulate – Short term tenants will want to stay warm
and don’t care about your heating bills. An afternoon spent
weatherstripping or caulking can save hundreds of dollars each month.
Also consider adding extra insulation to the attics, walls, or basements to
keep the warm air inside.
· Have Clear Expectations – Leave clear instructions for guests.
Discuss how to protect pipes from freezing, how to report issues if they
arise, and have an emergency contact available at all times. Explain how to
turn off water properly, if necessary, and any other precautions required.
· Hire A Snow Removal Company – If your property gets snow, make
sure the property is clear of snow and ice. Hire an ongoing service to check
on a regular basis and after snowfall to protect the guests from injury
caused by slipping.
Always make sure you have adequate liability insurance as well. Winter
can cause its own share of challenges for vacation rentals. Proper
preparation and maintenance will ensure your vacation rental is a
money-maker and not a money-pit this winter.

If you’re preparing your home to sell, you already know that it’s important to
declutter. A clean, tidy space allows potential buyers to see the beauty of
your home and to imagine themselves living there. But there is a fine line
between decluttering and denuding – removing too much can leave your
home looking cold and uninviting. Learn the difference and make sure your
buyers feel “at home” in your property.
Decluttering involves carefully removing excess personal items and décor
to create a clean and appealing space. On the other hand, some home
sellers go too far and end up with sterile rooms that lack any warmth or
personality. Buyers aren’t attracted by stark white walls with minimal
furnishing any more than they are by wall-to-wall clutter. Buyers want a
home with style and energy.
As you prepare for showings, start by removing extra “stuff.” Remove
excess items from tabletops, countertops, shelves, and personal items. You
do want a lived-in feel but allow some empty areas that make rooms look
larger and brighter. Once you’ve removed unnecessary items, strategically
return special décor and the occasional family picture or two.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a balance between decluttering and
maintaining the charm and personality of your home. Your buyers are
searching for a family home, so keep some “family” in the mix.

When buying or selling a home, often misunderstandings occur over the
distinction between “real” and “personal” property. Real estate agents
across the nation frequently end up playing referee in situations fueled by
misconceptions, which can create tension and sometimes even kill a sale.
Understanding the difference is important to anyone engaged in a real
estate transaction.
In simple terms, “real” property is the land and anything permanently
attached to it, while “personal” property are items that are moveable. In this
sense, real property obviously includes the home itself, along with other
structures, such as a detached garage or barn, etc. It typically includes
fixtures inside the home, such as lighting, faucets, built-in appliances,
garage storage or racks, even curtain rods.
“Personal” property, being moveable, would usually include everything else.
A refrigerator that is not considered a built-in could be included on this list.
So would a free-standing BBQ Island, or a mounted TV. As you can see,
some of these items may be controversial if there is not a clear
understanding about what the seller intends to take with them when they
move in the contract.
The best practice is for a seller to provide a list of any item they intend to
keep that could be confusing and ensure it’s spelled out on the contract.
This way, both parties have a clear understanding of the sale and the buyer
does not plan a family BBQ on move day and find it gone.

There is nothing more frustrating for a seller than to watch houses around
them sell like hot cakes while theirs lingers on the market. Finally, when the
listing expires, they find themselves asking why? Why didn’t my house sell?
In a robust housing market like we’ve had the past few years, the good
news is there are some common reasons why a home doesn’t sell. If you
find yourself in this position, ask yourself these questions, and then correct
them and relist them.
· Did You Stage Your Home? We’re not talking about expensive
services that bring in all new furniture here, but you do need to make your
home attractive. The basic “curb appeal” rule still applies, even in a “sellers’
market.”
· Did You Limit Access? When homes are moving quickly, it’s
tempting to assume every home will get multiple offers. But buyers still
want to view the home before making that offer, if your home is difficult to
see, you will lose potential buyers.
· Did You Price Your Home Correctly? Setting the right price is
always important. Even when prices are rising, an unrealistically high listing
price will cause buyers and their agents to ignore the home.
· Did You Hire The Right Agent? Sometimes, it really is the agent’s
fault. The right agent will properly market the home, communicate
frequently, offer advice about price/offers, and make themselves available.
They should be giving feedback throughout the process about adjustments
to ensure that the home is seen and is appealing to potential buyers.
If you answered “no” to these questions, then relisting may be a great
option. Make the changes you need to, and then relist the property. This
time, you may not need to ask yourself, “why didn’t my home sell”?

For most people, saving for a down payment is one of the first steps towards making their dream of homeownership a reality. But saving a significant chunk of change requires discipline, and the right habits.

So, what habits should you establish if you want to buy a home in the not-so-distant future?

A recent video from realtor.com outlined key habits to get into when you’re saving to purchase a home, including:

• Cut back wherever possible. If you want to save for a down payment, you need to review your budget and look for areas to cut back. And any expenses that aren’t strictly necessary — or, in other words, indulgences — are a great place to start. For example, instead of grabbing a coffee on the way to work every morning, start making coffee at home. Or, if you subscribe to multiple streaming services, choose your favorite and then cancel the rest. Those savings will add up!
• Create a separate savings account for your down payment. When all your money is lumped together in a single account, it can be easy to spend money that you earmarked for savings. Instead, open a separate savings account for your down payment, set up an auto-deposit each week, and commit to not spending that money on anything but your new home.
• Do a homeownership trial run. Saving up for a down payment is the first step in the process. But you also need to be able to afford the home once you buy it. To make sure your current income can cover the costs of owning a home, estimate how much your monthly expenses will be, including your mortgage, insurance, and maintenance costs. Then, choose a month to act as if those expenses are real and see if you can get by with what’s leftover. If you make it to the end of the month without going into debt, you have an accurate budget. But if you can’t get through the month, either cut back on expenses or consider buying a more affordable home.

Buyers and sellers are feeling the uncertainty in the housing market. With
rising interest rates and a slower selling pace, it may seem overwhelming.
If you are planning to both sell your home and buy a new one, the current
environment may be even more frustrating. Where do you start? Sell first?
Buy first? The good news is with the right strategy, you can take the risk out
of this kind of move by working with your agent and utilizing contingencies.
Most people assume that they have to sell their home before they make an
offer on the replacement property. This can feel risky in any market, but
when we’re facing higher interest rates, variable home inventory, and
market uncertainty, you may feel this puts you out on a limb. What if you
sell your home and don’t find a good replacement? What if interest rates
rise even more and you are stuck renting?
Your agent can help with this. There are contingencies in every real estate
transaction. Most people know they can make an offer contingent upon
selling their current home. In this case, the buyer makes an offer and asks
for 30-60 days typically to get an offer on their existing home. The reverse
is also true. If you are unsure of the value of your current home in this
market, you can also accept an offer to sell contingent on finding a home to
buy. Both options protect you in the event that you are unable to find the
right home or loan.
Working with your agent, it is possible to buy and sell in this uncertain
market, while controlling the situation; making the process as smooth as
possible and removing unnecessary risk.

Home maintenance is important for homeowners. Small issues like a loose
shingle or minor leak may seem minor, but they can turn into bigger
problems over time if left unaddressed. Poor home maintenance can
potentially lead to insurance claims being denied if the damage arises from
deferred maintenance. Insurance policies generally cover unexpected
damage, not issues that developed from lack of home upkeep.
Some insurance companies are increasing home inspections during the
renewal process to check for maintenance issues. Homeowners may
receive a list of items needing repair, or in more serious cases, a
non-renewal notice requiring them to find a new insurer. This demonstrates
how critical home maintenance is for continuing coverage.
In summary, staying on top of home repairs and maintenance is key for
homeowners. Minor issues should be addressed before they worsen and
potentially affect insurance coverage. Homeowners who are not diligent
with upkeep may need to enlist the help of professionals to keep their
homes in good shape. Maintaining your home protects your investment and
helps avoid problems with insurance down the road.

There are several good reasons for homeowners to make themselves
scarce when potential buyers come to view their house. While one
motivation is avoiding problematic comments, there are other benefits to
giving prospective buyers space during showings.
For one, an empty home allows potential buyers to envision themselves
living there. With the sellers out of the way, buyers can move freely through
the rooms and picture where their own furniture and belongings could go.
An unoccupied house becomes a blank canvas for buyers to mentally
customize to their own lifestyle and needs.
Leaving also allows buyers privacy to discuss their impressions and point
out pros and cons to each other candidly. They may feel more comfortable
critiquing elements of the home or debating if it meets their wish list when
the sellers are not present. This facilitates an open dialogue between
potential buyers.
Finally, an empty house also provides a neutral atmosphere for buyers to
evaluate it objectively, without sellers unconsciously influencing their
perspectives. Buyers can take their time forming their own opinions when
touring alone, without chatting with sellers or feeling pressured in any way.
Vacant showings also enable buyers to visualize a future there, speak
freely, and decide independently. These benefits make it advisable for
sellers to make themselves scarce during viewings.

With the change of seasons, attention turns from the backyard to our indoor
spaces. With the cooler months ahead and more time spent indoors, who
wouldn’t love a quick living space refresh? Fortunately, you don’t need to
completely revamp everything to have a new look. Small changes can have
a big impact as well.
Paint is one of the easiest ways to change the look of any space. Paint fads
quickly and designers recommend repainting every 5-7 years. This is an
opportunity to use new colors. Dark and warm to create a cozy, relaxing
space or go bright and bold to add energy or inspiration. If a larger project
is too daunting, then adding a single accent wall provides drama and
interest.
Look at updating lighting and other fixtures. It’s surprising how quickly a
lamp can change the tone of a room. Don’t be afraid of mixing traditional
furniture styles with modern fixtures. Use lighting in a new way. Highlight a
special picture or piece of art. Light a dark corner or use variable light bulbs
to provide flexibility in intensity.
Another great tip is to hit the local farmer’s markets and fairs. Style does
not need to come from the chain stores or design magazines. Add some

eclectic pillows, candles, baskets, or anything else that interests you.
Personal style is just that – personal. With fall on the horizon, spruce up
your living spaces with a few small changes.