Blog
Houses Are Like Perfume
When you go to the store and try on a new perfume, after about the third scent, they all start to blend together and smell the same. Houses aren’t much different. When you schedule a day and look at twelve different houses, they all start to meld together in your mind. You may get your favorite house mixed up with a house that wasn’t even a contender. We are going to share some tips on how to keep your perspective AND your houses straight. If you have time, take time If you can schedule multiple days to view houses, this is…
Score with These New Construction Opportunities
Are you considering a move to Frederick County, MD? There are many new areas being developed and new homes are being built daily. We’ll share a bit about some of the neighborhoods, the builders and how you can score in our wonderful county. When you are looking for mountain views, minutes to downtown Frederick, paths to ballfields, picnic pavilions and boat launches on the Monocacy River, Tallyn Ridge at Pinecliff Park would be well suited for you. The builders in this area are Drees Homes and Miller & Smith. Westview South – You’ll have terrific amenities like a pool and…
Get Top Dollar for Your Home In 2018
Placing your home on the market can be a bit overwhelming so it’s important to have a real estate agent who can help you get prepared for the sale. Below we share some ideas we’d like you to consider to get top dollar for your home in 2018. Timing When the inventory is low, it is always the best time to put your house on the market. We typically recommend being one of the first homes on the market in January. In our area, January and February are the coldest months of the year, and inventory is low. However,…
Are Your Neighbors Affecting Your Home Sale?
The time has come to place your house on the market. You’ve done all the proper preparation such as updating the bathroom and replacing that old carpet, and your property is in pristine condition. It should be a piece of cake to sell at or above asking price, right? After all, you have done everything you needed to do in order to sell your house. In a perfect world, all the factors that go into selling would be within your control. However, sometimes we must look to those close to us, like our neighbors. How they care for their home…
Age Matters
After intense shopping, you have found the house you want to write an offer on. Have you looked at things like the appliances and major fixtures? Everything has a life expectancy and could potentially cause you some serious out of pocket expenses in the first few years after your purchase. It’s important to consider the age of items like the furnace and roof before submitting an offer. After all, age matters. How old is too old? Even though an appliance is working well, we know it’s not going to last forever. Let’s take a look at the most common household…
4 Reasons Why Your Home Didn’t Sell the First Time
Was your house on the market and you had to take it off because it didn’t sell? We’re sure you’ve heard the terms “seller’s market” or “buyer’s market” and either of those could have something to do with why your home didn’t sell. However, there are many other potential reasons your house didn’t sell: here are the top four. Staging Home staging is preparing your home and property for sale. The goal is to make your home more appealing to potential buyers by minimizing your personal items and allowing the buyers to imagine their own family living there. This most…
5 Things You’ll Be Thankful You Asked Your Real Estate Agent
When you’re buying or selling a home, there are numerous questions that you and your agent will be asking one another. Some could make or break your buying or selling experience. Either way, it’s important for both of you to ask as many questions as possible to make sure that your needs are being met. While there are many possible questions, here are five you’ll be thankful you asked. Do you have the time to devote to me and my search? It’s important to find an agent who devotes their full time to real estate full time. Agents who are…
Credit Report vs. Credit Score
Anytime we apply for financing, we know they are going to access our credit report and pull our credit score to determine if we are approved and how high our interest rate will be. The Federal Reserve tells us that it is especially important that we understand our credit report, credit score and the companies that compile the information, the credit bureaus. So, what are the differences between your credit report and credit score? Find out below. Credit Report The four major components of a credit report consist of: your identity, your existing credit, your public record and inquiries about…
The Trend of Outdoor Living
Isn’t it nice to retire to the comfort of your living room after dinner, perhaps to enjoy a movie on your big-screen tv above your fireplace? Now imagine doing this outside. Wouldn’t that be a treat? What is outdoor living? Outdoor living is when you create a space in your yard that is specifically made for enjoying the outdoors. Kind of like bringing the inside to the outside. This trend is becoming more popular, even in climates that experience all four seasons. What are the options? Outdoor living can be as simple as a porch swing or more elaborate, such…
Latent Defect vs. Material Fact
What is a Latent Defect? A latent defect is anything that the homeowner knows is a defect in the house. They are things that wouldn’t show in a simple inspection and if someone were walking through the house, they wouldn’t necessarily know of this defect or be able to see it. Mold, previous fires, issues with the foundation or any kind of leaks are prime examples of latent defects. It’s important to disclose these defects because they could threaten a person’s health or safety. What is a Material Fact? A material fact is anything about the property that could affect…