Spooky houses look like they haven’t seen a living occupant, gardener or handyman in years. Many so-called haunted houses are so dilapidated they look occupied by ghosts, or they’ve been on the market so long, buyers suspect there’s a skeleton hidden in the closet. But that house for sale that gives you the creeps may […]
If you’re a seller refreshing your home for resale or an investor selling a remodeled home, you should know that some updates won’t impress today’s homebuyers. Inexpensive updates in lieu of the more durable and sustainable materials that buyers prefer may scare buyers into wondering where else you cut costs. Single coat paint – Single coats […]
You’re ready to make an offer on a home. You’ve got the seller’s disclosure of material (physical and environmental) defects, but is that all the information you need to move forward? Before you sign your purchase offer, do a little quick research. Get a loss history report. The Insurance Information Institute advises homebuyers to obtain a loss history […]
Congratulations, new homeowner! You’ve overcome the biggest hurdle – buying your first home – and now it’s time to switch your attention to maintaining and protecting your investment. Your electrical, water, gas and A/C systems may be working fine for now, but sooner or later, you can expect a major repair or replacement expense. All […]
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently revised its condominium loan policies to allow consumers greater access to mortgage loans that are federally guaranteed through the Federal Housing Administration(FHA). After Oct. 15, 2019, as many as 60,000 additional condo units will meet FHA-certification, making them eligible for buyers to purchase with an FHA loan. The new guidelines […]
From the historic homes of North Carolina, to the Victorian-Edwardian “Painted Ladies” of San Francisco, CA, to the Gilded Age homes of Swiss Avenue in Dallas, TX, historically designated homes are beautiful and charming, but you should consider a few things before you buy one. Historically designated homes are overseen by city preservation associations and/or homeowner’s […]
How far from the dining room table should your chandelier hang? How tall should your kitchen countertops be? You’ll have to measure, so that your selections work for your family’s needs and are in proportion to everything else in the room. Chandeliers – According to The Spruce, you should “add the dimensions of the room […]
This post is by guest author Rachael Baihn, lawnstarter.com. A house in North Carolina is a hot commodity these days. Home prices are up more than 7% this year, and experts predict those final sales will keep rising. Even though it’s a seller’s market, don’t expect buyers with the perfect offer to just show up […]
There are some easy ways to remember how to handle your money so that you can become a homeowner, prosper as a homeowner, and ultimately, sell your home at a profit. The 50/20/30 rule. Your spending can be divided into three categories – Needs, Wants, and Savings. Allocate 50% of your after-tax income for needs […]
BHHS Great Smokys Realty stays involved…River Cleanup – Community Service – July 4th Patriotism! In recent weeks we had fantastic opportunities to give where we live: Cleanup on the Tuckasegee River | The day started off nice and cool but man did it warm up fast!! And oh the things we cleaned up from the […]
Moving from one end of town to another, or across the country, can be as challenging for your pets as for the rest of the family. Preparation and patience can help your dog, rabbit, bird or cat adjust more easily to its new home. Tell your veterinarian. Your pet’s medical records and microchip data can […]
While any time is a great time to buy or sell a home, knowing whether market conditions favor buyers or sellers will help you to improve your own position and to navigate your transaction more easily. A seller’s market takes place when financial conditions are positive. New employers are coming to town, there are plenty […]
Seeing something with one’s own eyes is the best way to make an evaluation. That’s the purpose of bank appraisals, which are designed to protect banks from over lending, homebuyers from overborrowing, and home sellers from overpricing their homes. Once the purchase offer is accepted by the seller, the homebuyer’s lender orders an appraisal of […]
You’ve done everything right, or so you think. You’ve painted, landscaped and staged, but your home isn’t selling as fast as you thought it would. Here are some surprising reasons why buyers may have the wrong impression. Poor photography. Don’t take pictures of anything that won’t help your home sell. Make your eye see details, […]
The limited number of entry-level homes for sale coupled with rising prices is turning many homebuyers’ attention toward homes that need updating or repairs. Homes that need work are in less demand than homes that are in pristine condition, affording homebuyers the opportunity to pay less for a home, yet get the features and ambiance […]
Recourse or non-recourse loans are a topic that may never come up while you’re applying for your mortgage, but it’s nonetheless important to know what they are. They’re not a type of loan like fixed rate or adjustable rate, nor are they conventional or government-guaranteed loans like FHA and VA loans. Whether a mortgage loan […]
As a homebuyer who intends to work from home, you want to find the perfect place to start or expand your at-home business. But there’s a lot more to consider besides finding the right space to do your work, including how your at-home business may affect your neighbors. While telecommuting is unlikely to bother anyone, […]
Over the last two years, homeowners accrued about $21,300 in home equity, $8,700 of which occurred over the past 12 months, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). That’s an average of $10,650 per year, enough to pay back their closing costs and put them almost halfway to eliminating private mortgage insurance they may […]
HomeServices of America, Parent Company to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Is Now the Country’s Largest Real Estate Company for Transactions REAL Trends announced this week that HomeServices of America, parent company of Berkshire Hathaway homeServices, is now the country’s largest residential real estate company based on transactions. The real estate company, which includes 17 Berkshire Hathaway […]
If you’ve heard of Western Minimalism or Japanese KonMari, you know that these are principles that promote happiness through living with fewer possessions and eliminating clutter. These intentional lifestyles allow only items that make you happy and are useful to live in your home. By eliminating clutter, or things that don’t bring you joy, you’ll […]
