8 Things To Do Before You Move In

How exciting! The home has been purchased; inspection is done, and the closing date is set. Now what? It can be overwhelming to think about the packing and moving, especially when there are some things to consider at the new home. Here is a list of 8 items to take care of before moving to make it a little easier.

1. Turn on your utilities

In order to make any repairs, clean, or really do anything in the new home before you move in, utilities need to be turned on. While you may not need cable TV or internet, you’ll want to at least make sure you have water, electricity, and gas working.

2. Take care of any necessary repairs from the inspection

Your inspector may have found some items worth taking care of right away during the home inspection and depending on what the agreement is, you may need to fix them after closing on the house. Prior to moving in, try and fix as many of the big-ticket items as possible. This will be one less thing to deal with after you move in. This is especially true if the repairs have anything to do with plumbing, electrical, or roofing.

3. Deep clean the entire house

The sellers may have hired cleaners or attempted to clean the home themselves, but it is always best to deep clean the house. Some people may opt to do this themselves, but there’s nothing wrong with hiring a professional cleaning service. This will ultimately save a lot of time. Some areas of the home to pay close attention to are cabinets and closets, flooring, appliances, and bathrooms. Make sure that the floors inside of closets are thoroughly cleaned and that any shelving in closets, pantries, or cabinets is wiped down. When it comes to flooring, you’ll want to hire a professional carpet cleaning service and evaluate hardwood, laminate, or tile flooring to see if it needs any extra TLC. In addition to that, consider changing the toilet seats.

4. Add any additional storage, shelving, or built-in features you want

If you purchased the home knowing that you were going to want additional shelving, cabinets, or storage, it’s best to get all of these items added and built out before you move in. This means that when you do move, you’ll be able to put away all of your things instead of leaving boxes to get unpacked after your new shelves are complete. It’s much easier to have this type of construction handled before you move in and have to worry about convenient scheduling and potentially moving your personal belongings.

This particular point is also true for new home buyers. If you purchased a new home build but knew that there were custom design options the builder would not include, the best time to add them is before you move into your new home. This is also true of any flooring changes.

5. Complete all interior paint if necessary

If you are planning on changing or even just touching up the existing paint in your new home, it’s best to get this done prior to moving in all your furniture and possessions. It will make the process significantly easier for both you and the painters if they do not need to worry about moving and covering furniture. Make sure you do this after any additional construction, but before you put in new flooring or have the existing flooring cleaned.

6. Call in the exterminator

If you’re already aware of some type of pest problem it’s an especially good idea to call these guys before you move in, but even if you’re not, it’s never a bad idea to have pest control come out and spray your yard and home. If you have pets, it will be significantly easier to have them come before you move in, plus it gives their extermination methods a little time to start working before you move in.

7. Reset your garage door code

More than likely the previous owners of the house gave you all the garage door openers, but in my opinion, it never hurts to reset the code just to be extra sure that no unwanted visitors will be coming in through the garage.

This is also a good idea for new home build owners. Even if you’re putting a brand-new garage door opener in your garage, make sure to reset or change the code. Often the codes are not changed after the opener is installed and having the manufacturer default code is never the best security practice.

Finally (and probably the most important step):

8. Change your locks and keys

This is probably one of the most important things to do before you move into your new house, and it should be taken care of last on this list. During the home selling process, keys are given to many different people like handymen, inspectors, and real estate agents to name a few, and in addition, homeowners typically provide backup keys to either close friends and family or even neighbors or house sitters. So even though you were provided “all” copies of your new keys at closing, you never know who might still have an extra copy. After you have finished all necessary repairs, cleaning, and construction, hire a locksmith to change your locks to ensure that only you have a copy of your new house keys.

Common Home Hazards

Homes can have safety issues that aren’t always obvious — problems that could endanger you and your family. Fortunately, doing an annual safety audit of your property can help identify some of these hazards and allow you to remedy them before they cause larger problems. It may also help you to avoid using your home warranty or homeowners insurance.

Want to make sure your home is safe for you and your loved ones? Here’s a room-by-room breakdown of what to do.

Kitchen

If you have kids, make sure sharp knives and utensils are stored safely in a drawer. You should also check that your vent hood is working properly and that there’s a fire extinguisher within easy reach.

Bathrooms

Do your rugs have nonskid undersides that are in good condition? If not, replace them or add a nonskid mat underneath. You should also check that your electronics are kept away from water sources like the sink and tub.

Bedrooms

Make sure heavy furniture is secured to the wall or somehow anchored. This is particularly important if you have small kids who may be injured pulling down shelves or dressers.

Laundry Room

Regularly empty your dryer vent, and make sure the lint trap is clear after each load of laundry. These can both become fire hazards when clogged.

Living Room

If you have a fireplace, have it inspected by a professional annually. Adding a fire screen (if you don’t already have one) is also important. Be aware that area rugs can be tripping hazards, too.

If examining your property has made you realize that you’re ready to move on to your next home, get in touch so we can start the search together.

What to Know about Home Inspections

You probably know that home inspections are often part of the homebuying process. But do you know why they’re so important — or what they mean for your home purchase or sale? Home inspections can play a big role in whether your homebuying (or selling) efforts are successful. Are you hoping to buy or sell a house soon? Here’s what you should know about how a home inspection might impact your goals.

Inspections aren’t required. A home inspection is generally encouraged for buyers, but it’s not required. In a hot market, buyers might waive their right to an inspection to win a bidding war. But be careful: This could hurt you financially if you find yourself having to make large repairs and renovations.

The results can influence your deal — and your price. If the inspector finds issues, the buyer will often want to renegotiate. They might ask the seller to make repairs before closing or offer a lower price point to account for them. If they have an inspection contingency, a buyer can even pull out of the deal without losing earnest money.

You have to pay for an inspection. Home inspection costs vary by market and inspector, but they typically cost between $250 and $500 per property. Since the inspection is for the buyer’s benefit, they cover this cost out of pocket, usually as part of the closing costs.

Sellers sometimes get pre-listing inspections. By getting one before the home hits the market, sellers can identify any problems that could hold back their sale. In many cases, sellers are required to disclose any issues their inspector finds if they haven’t been fixed.

If you’re preparing to buy or sell a home, get in touch today to start working with an experienced real estate professional.

8 Ways to use Synthetic Turf to Beautify your Yard

Choosing between installing artificial grass, also known as synthetic turf, and natural grass can be a difficult decision for some homeowners. While you may be drawn to natural grass for its feel and organic look, there are a number of benefits to choosing synthetic turf that may make you think twice. If you are too busy to upkeep your lawn, turf provides less maintenance and a longer lifespan compared to traditional grass. It’s also typically created from recycled materials, comes in a variety of textures and colors, and even has the potential to increase your home value.

In some locations, it might even make sense to install artificial grass over natural grass. For example, if you live in a city that has a hot and dry climate, having turf can prevent your lawn from wilting and dying due to the amount of sun those cities get annually. However, if you’re set on using natural grass for your lawn, there are still many creative and aesthetically pleasing ways to incorporate artificial grass into your lawn. Here are 8 ideas on how you can work with a synthetic turf company to beautify your yard.

1. Install a synthetic turf golf green 

Your short game is just as important as your long, so installing an artificial grass putting green is the perfect way to get some practice without leaving your home. Golf greens are easy to install and can be customizable. Typically, they are around 1,000-1,500 square feet. For best results, source out an area that is flat, has minimal bumps and extrusions, and gets just the right amount of sunlight. A local turf company can then help excavate, cut, and install the artificial grass and holes. Finished with the proper landscaping, golf greens can serve as a stunning backyard feature that is both aesthetic and fun for the whole family.

2. Build a dog area for play and potty time

If you own a dog and live in a small place like an apartment, having a synthetic turf potty pad for your dog can be a great solution. Typically, they are built with short bristles for cleaning and a drainage system to catch urine. Turf doggy mats are versatile in size and can fit on a sunroom, patio, terrace, or balcony. They are especially great for training puppies or older dogs with bad bladder control. When not in use, synthetic turf potty pads blend in to look like a patch of grass. Not to mention, it saves your real grass from developing brown spots.

If you have the outdoor space, you can use turf to create a play area for your pet. Pet-friendly synthetic turf is a great option if you are trying to keep your dog away from natural grass chemicals. Installing artificial grass for pets also helps prevent fleas and ticks, worrying about patches and brown spots, and digging unwanted holes. Give your dog the ability to roll around in the grass without the worry of getting sick.

3. Use synthetic turf walls and dividers for privacy

Fences can be an eyesore. However, they are critical for privacy and to keep intruders out. Installing artificial grass fences or hedges is a great way to maintain privacy, while also elevating the look of your backyard by adding greenery. If you are looking for flexibility, some individual paneled artificial grass fences come on rollers that can be used to section certain parts of your yard if you are hosting a garden party or small get together.

4. Make an entertainment area for backyard hangouts

Do you love to have people over for bonfires, casual wine nights, or backyard parties? Maybe you want to kick your feet up by the fire while you sip on a glass of wine. If you are worried about your feet suffering from uncomfortable surfaces, installing artificial grass around your bonfire pits and patio is a comfortable and stylish solution. Section off a small area, place patio furniture on top, and enjoy a relaxing hangout area on the turf.

5. Create an elegant driveway

For a touch of added elegance, use synthetic turf in between your driveway to bring in patterns and color to the exterior of your home. Real grass can become compact due to the weight of a car. Installing artificial grass between flagstones or concrete can make your driveway pop and always looks fresh.

6. Cover your outdoor furniture with synthetic turf

If you’re tired of boring patio furniture, a fun and unique way to include synthetic turf in your backyard is by purchasing turf-covered furniture. These pieces are designed for outdoor living, are low maintenance, and can be left outside year-round. They are a great way to blend nature with your home and can be designed to look good under a deck, gazebo, fire pit, or play area.

7. Design a multipurpose sports field

For the athlete looking for a way to get some practice in, installing an artificial grass sports field in a larger backyard can get you the training you need without having to go to the local park. Multipurpose sports fields can be used for soccer, lacrosse, or even spikeball whether you want to increase your skills or just get a friendly game in.

8. Construct a playground

When constructing your playground, safety will likely be top of mind. In that case, you’ll want to choose a surface that has some cushion to it and is free of chemicals. Synthetic turf is a great alternative to wood chips or gravel, as it has a soft texture and natural aesthetic feel. You can even include a shock pad underneath turf to reduce fall injuries.

Less Can Be More

 If you’re facing a move or just tired of managing your family’s enormous amount of stuff, you can create a plan to help your family move on from under the clutter.

The average weight of items you have in each of the rooms in your home is 1,000 pounds. So, for a four-bedroom home with a kitchen, dining room, family room, living room and extra storage areas, all your belongings could top 8,000 pounds. That’s four tons, or for comparison, around the average weight of an elephant.

The cost of moving that mountain of goods is high, so the more you can downsize, the less it will cost you to move when it comes time to relocate.

Buying stuff is easy, but storing, managing, and clearing it out is the hard part. Having to deal with overflowing drawers, stuffed closets, jammed cabinets, cluttered spaces, and packed garages/basements/attics can lead to anxiety for many. Before you lose your cool, consider some proven methods to make your home more peaceful and less cluttered.

Corral Everything

• Counters, tables, the floor, and other flat surfaces are not storage areas.

• If there’s no room for a new item to have a permanent home, reconsider what you’re storing in drawers, closets, cabinets, and other storage areas to make room for it.

• Don’t just box up old or unused stuff and take it to be stored off-site at a storage rental facility. Once items are boxed up and out of sight, you’re unlikely to use, review or deal with them, resulting in costly monthly storage rental fees.

Curb Purchasing

• One great rule to institute is for every item brought in (whether it’s a gift or purchase), another item must leave the premises either by selling it, donation to a charity, gifting to another person, or being thrown away.

• Determine where a new item will live in your house before you purchase it. Every item you don’t buy saves you not only money, but the mental stress of dealing with it. Eliminating purchases also avoids debt if you carry credit card balances.

• Before you purchase something, investigate whether you can borrow it first. For books, music, and videos, check out your library.

Clear Items Daily

• Unpack boxes as they’re delivered.

• Sort through the mail only once and take immediate action on items that require it.

• Put away groceries and other purchases promptly.

• Dispose of packaging and bags appropriately and promptly.

Clean Regularly

• Don’t think of cleaning as a singular event. It should be an ongoing regular task. Your stress level will go down because you’ve stuck with a schedule — vacuum on Tuesday, clean toilets on Wednesday, scrub showers on Thursday, etc.

Don’t just make donations of goods to charities around the holidays or end of the year. Go through your belongings with a critical eye regularly and donate smaller amounts more often.

Consider A Professional

• If the stuff in your home is overwhelming you, consider bringing in a professional organizer. An organizer can address all your belongings, the size of your home, storage possibilities and more.

• Hiring a cleaning service can also bring you happiness if you save time avoiding chores you don’t want to do or don’t have the time to complete.

What to Do if You Can't Find a Home

What to Do if You Can't Find a Home

Finding a home in a hot market can be challenging. Supply is limited, and bidding wars are common with demand so high.  You may find yourself up against dozens of buyers, making it hard to snag the home — and at a price you can afford. It’s important not to lose hope, though. Despite the competitive market, there are ways to find (and buy) your dream home.

Are you having trouble with your home search? These tips might help:

Get pre-approved for your mortgage. Having pre-approval is critical in a highly active housing market. It could give you a leg up over other buyers, and it can help you gauge your budget more accurately.

Expand your search area. Branching out a little often helps open more inventory — and it may reduce your competition. If your lifestyle allows for it, you might even want to try looking in more rural areas.

Change your ideal property type. Rather than only focusing on single-family homes, what about searching for townhouses, condos, and duplexes too? If you choose the latter, you might be able to rent out the other half to help cover your mortgage.

Shop under your budget. Looking for properties well under your maximum budget allows you to bid comfortably above list price and beat out other buyers — without risking your financial standing.

Look into building or renovating. Maybe you’d like a new construction home instead of buying an existing house. Or you can look to fixer-uppers and plan to renovate the home before moving. Just make sure you talk to your lender about loan options, as your choice may change what type of mortgage you need.

Do you need help on your home search? Get in touch today.

Declutter while Unpacking

Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter, losing the dead weight of your unneeded stuff before you haul it into your new home. Yet while the very best time to cut your losses is before you pack your things, unpacking is another prime opportunity to edit your belongings, too. It could easily come in handy, especially if you packed in a frenzy, without fully considering what to keep or toss, or if you hired movers to pack up everything for you.

If you’re ready to wipe the slate clean, here’s how to declutter while unpacking.

Unpack room by room, starting with the essentials

Don’t unpack a little bit here or a little bit there. It’s much better to have one room fully unpacked than three rooms a quarter of the way unpacked. It is recommended to start with essential items like bedding, toiletries, medications, a coffee maker, or whatever else you need for the first day in a new place. Pack these in a way that you can find them easily.

Keep purging as you unpack

Even if you thought you did a lot of sifting as you were packing, you’re sure to find more that you don’t need or want as you unpack. You definitely want to kind of ruthlessly edit everything that’s coming out of the box. Set aside some empty boxes and toss in items you don’t want, before you put them away. Then, take them to a donation center.

Separate items by general category, then zero in

When unpacking, work “macro and go to micro.” In other words, group like items together, think about where they should go, and put them in a tentative place. They don’t have to be arranged in a beautiful manner yet. You just want to get all your plates together and cups and glasses together, and so on. This helps the unpacking take shape, and gets all the boxes out of the way, so you can get a sense of living with the items in those spots. As you put things where you think you want them, don’t feel that the spot has to be permanent. It’s okay to change it up if it’s not working. Then you really start to hone in on the micro like putting silverware in the silverware tray or arranging dishes in a logical way.

Use organizers to cut clutter

After you’ve found a home for all your items, it’s time to sort everything out for good. Examine each closet, cupboard, and drawer to size up what kinds of trays, boxes, or other tools can help make things easier to access visually. This will help make the area look neater and more cohesive. Organizers designate a place for everything, so that it can easily be returned there. 

Put things back where they go

To get everyone used to where different items live, try sticking a note to the outside of a cabinet or drawer, listing its contents. Leaving them in place for a couple of weeks will help everyone to remember both where things go and to put them away in the right place. Giving everything its own spot and always returning an item to that spot are essential for a clutter-free home. It prevents things like a colander from ending up with the dinner plates, and also helps family members develop automatic responses to finding and storing necessities.

Getting Started in Real Estate Investing

It seems like more and more people are investing in real estate lately. Is this the right time to try it for yourself? If all goes well, investing in property can help you build wealth and generate passive income. But this endeavor requires careful planning, of course, and not everyone is able to achieve the profits they’re looking for.

Are you considering venturing into the world of real estate investing? Here’s what to consider before getting started.

Define Your Goal

Are you looking for passive income? Long-term wealth? Or do you want a place you can rent out and occasionally use for vacationing? Your goal will ultimately determine the best investment strategy to pursue.

Set a Budget

How much can you afford to pay for the property? What about maintenance, repairs and other monthly costs? Have a good idea of the financials — both upfront and for the long haul — before making any moves.

Consider the Location

Real estate is all about location. You’ll want to choose where you purchase carefully, looking at market data like prices, rents and booking rates. (Reach out for help gathering this information.)  You should also consider how often you’ll need to be at the property. Will you need to pop by for repairs, or can you hire a property management company to do the work for you?

Prepare for Potential Challenges

There will likely be hurdles along the way, so do your best to anticipate them. What if a tenant stops paying rent or a short-term rental guest trashes your home? What if the property needs a big repair and you don’t have the cash? Create contingency plans for any issues you can think of.

Ready to find the perfect property to rent out or flip? Reach out to discuss what you’re looking for.

Home Energy Cost: The Real Deal on Big Bills That Come With a House

Home energy cost is not something people always think of when it comes to buying a house. But don’t get consumed by the details of finding and buying a house without considering the potential bills you’ll have to pay every month for heating, cooling and more.

Home energy cost considerations

Even an affordable mortgage payment could quickly tip into the pain point if your new home comes with a monthly utility outlay that you weren’t expecting. So what factors should you consider? Everything from your electric bill to your heating are part of your home energy cost.

How to do that math:

You might want to hire a professional to determine the home’s overall energy costs before committing to a down payment. Energy audits cost a few hundred dollars but could save you from countless headaches (and costs) down the line. Not only will they give you a good idea of what’s in store, they will also point you toward fixes you can install so you’re not facing the same bills as the previous owner. The federal government’s Energy.gov site has guidelines for home energy audits, and tips for a DIY version. If you don’t want to go that far, here are some specifics to consider:

Heating and cooling systems

Heating and cooling can consume 45% of a house’s energy costs. The layout of the house will be a factor in energy costs. Vents located under windows are inefficient, and some rooms may not even have vents. In colder climates, remember that heat rises. High ceilings can result in wasted energy and added heating costs every winter. In tri-level houses, the upper floors will be warmer while the ground floor will be colder.

Consider how much alterations might cost. In-floor heating can save you up to 40% of energy costs, depending on the system. To have a professional install a hot water radiant floor heating system would cost about $6 to $15 per square foot.

Get all the information available on the house’s furnace and air conditioner. Find out the seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) for the house’s air conditioning system. For gas furnaces, you need to know the Annual Fuel Utilization Ratio (AFUE). If the house’s heating and cooling systems are 10 to 15 years old, or have a SEER of less than eight, it may be necessary to replace them.

Appliances energy costs

Did the former owner of the house throw in some appliances as part of the package? Although this gesture may save you money in the short run, be aware that older appliances can be much less energy efficient than new ones. Inefficient appliances eat up energy and can cost you hundreds of dollars over time. Research the make and model of any used appliances and assess whether they will incur higher energy costs than if you bought new ones.

Tax credits

State and federal programs might offer tax credits or other deals, such as grants or discounts, if you replace older appliances or heating or cooling systems, like an aged boiler, with newer, more energy-efficient versions. Some localities offer free energy audits, too. It might be worth asking about such programs if you are looking at an older house. Maybe the efficiency ratings are low, but if you love the house, and there’s enough deals available that you could upgrade relatively painlessly, it might still be worth purchasing. The key here is knowing the facts so you can judge what your bank account can handle.

Infrastructure

Check features such as windows, doors, insulation and siding for efficient energy usage. You can hire a professional to use a thermal camera to see where heat escapes, or conduct a blower-door test to identify air leaks by using a large fan with an airtight skirt that blows air out the door, although those tests could prove expensive. Insulation in the attic should be thick enough to hide all of the studs. Weathering and material aging can cause problems with siding, such as cracking, rotting or cupping, so check its condition too. Leaky windows glazed with putty can be reglazed, or consider buying double-pane windows. These will run you about $600 for moderate quality or up to $800 for high quality.

Architectural features

Big homes mean bigger energy bills too, so consider size in relation to your ongoing energy bills when you look at homes. A big stairway in the entryway means a lot of wasted heat each time the front door opens. Beautiful cathedral ceilings can bump up energy bills too. Walls of windows can afford a lovely view, but the added sunlight can strain your air conditioning bills in the summer, while leaks will raise your heating costs in the winter.

Energy costs: an informed decision

Only you can decide whether a home’s energy costs are worth the selling price. Your dream home may not be so ideal if the energy bills deplete your savings. But it could be worth investing some money in upgrading the house’s systems and features.

4 Tips to Disguise Your Propane Tank

Are you one of the 50 million Americans relying on propane gas to heat your home this winter? Well, then kudos are in order! Using propane not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, it also helps you save on energy costs. But there is one major con when it comes to using propane as your primary energy source: that enormous monstrosity in your yard: the propane tank.

Depending on how big your home is, these oblong tanks can range in size from 120 gallons (almost 6 feet long by 2 feet wide) to over 1,000 gallons (about 15 feet long by 3.5 feet wide). Here’s how you can take your propane tank from eyesore to decor.

1. Paint your tank

Yes, you can give your propane tank a colorful makeover! Adding some color and design just might make you like the way it looks. And this nifty transformation will set you back only the cost of a few cans of primer and paint. Painting your tank is a good strategy because it doesn’t require a lot of money or effort. Everybody looking at your tank will still know what it is, but it won’t look as bad.

Depending on the overall outdoor aesthetic of your home, you may choose a classic natural color that blends into your yard, such as brown or green. Or you can opt for a more eclectic design. Just keep in mind that your county or propane supplier might have certain restrictions on your color choices. For example, it may advise against painting your tank a dark color if it gets lots of sun. So always be sure to check with the supplier before crafting your perfect propane tank masterpiece.

2. Fence in your tank

Building a fence is another great option for disguising the eyesore that is your propane tank. And while it will cost you a few more bucks than a simple paint job, it can result in you not having to see the tank at all. Fencing a propane tank in is an easy DIY option. You can buy a ready-made fence or build your own. You can then hang planters on the fence to make it more aesthetic. Remember to check with your local regulatory authorities before you start, as some municipalities only allow you to add a fence on two sides of the tank while others may not let you do it at all.

The cost of fencing in your tank will vary based on its size and how much you’re legally allowed to cover. According to a fencing cost guide from HomeServe, you should plan on spending anywhere from $10 to $35 per linear foot on materials if you choose to do it yourself. However, if you prefer to have a ready-made fence installed, prepare to spend $15 to $60 per linear foot.

3. Landscape around your tank

Painting or fencing not your style? Then you might try adding some lush tank-covering greenery. If you’d rather keep the tank as invisible as possible while still striving to make the area look beautiful, add some landscaping. Landscaping like shrubs or ivy—especially when accompanied by a small fence or lattice—can make the enclosure feel like a natural fit into the exterior of your home. Plan on spending a few hundred dollars to buy plants that are large enough to disguise your propane tank properly.

4. Bury your tank

While it’s probably the most expensive option on this list, burying your tank is a great way to go if you don’t want to see even one bit of it in your yard. To bury a 500-gallon propane tank, you’ll need to dig a hole approximately 5 feet deep, 5 feet wide, and 10 feet long. Make sure you place the tank in the sand for drainage and backfill it with sand or clean fill to prevent damage to the coating. You’ll also need to keep a few inches exposed to allow service access to valves and regulators.

Unless you love digging, it’s best to leave this job to the pros. You’ll also need to budget anywhere between $1,600 and $2,100 to get the job done. And remember to always check with your propane company before changing anything about your tank.