Author: IXACTAdmin

Chances are, you’ve heard the expression, “Your home is your biggest investment.” For most homeowners, that’s true. So, when you’re shopping for a new home, it’s important to consider the financial opportunity of any purchase. Ideally, you want a home that is likely to increase in value over time.

In other words, you want a home with a strong potential return on investment.

But dollars aren’t the only type of return you should look for in a new home. Real estate is unique in that the “emotional” return is just as important as the financial return — and, in some cases, even more so.

Say, for example, you’re thinking of moving to an area that is closer to work. In fact, you’ll cut your commuting time by an hour each day. Financially, that return on investment means little beyond some savings on gas. However, the emotional payoff can be very high, especially when you consider what you can do with that extra hour each day. Imagine what it would mean to spend more time with your kids or work out at the gym more often.

So, considering the emotional return on investment when you’re moving is essential. It has a huge impact on your lifestyle and your enjoyment of the property.

How do you factor that in when selling your property and searching for your next dream home?

When you see a listed home you like, make a list of all the emotional benefits of living there. That list might include having a park nearby, living closer to friends or family, having a home office that isn’t the kitchen table, having more space to accommodate a growing family, and so forth.

Then, factor that list into your decision of whether or not to buy.

Imagine you’ve been waiting for the right moment to sell your home and you’re finally ready to list it. But, just as you’re about to put up the sign, you notice that a few other FOR SALE signs have unexpectedly popped up in the community.

Oh no! Now there are competing listings. Does that mean you should put your plan to sell your property on hold?

Not necessarily.

Just because comparable homes are for sale in the area doesn’t mean it’s not a good time to make your move. In fact, even if there is a sharp increase in local listings, active buyers might still outnumber properties available.

In that scenario, you’d likely get several interested buyers.

And, even if it’s a buyer’s market, this might still be the ideal time to sell, especially if your home has desirable features buyers want. You may even have an advantage over other listings on the market.

In addition, a large part of a successful sale is in how a property is marketed and promoted. With effective marketing, your home is more likely to be noticed by the right type of buyers… buyers who are actively looking for a property like yours.

So, waiting for the perfect moment to sell your home rarely makes sense. In most cases, the best time to list is now.

An Open House is an event. And, like many events, it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement and energy. In fact, when you visit an Open House, you might even end up rubbing elbows with other buyers who are there at the same time. It can feel like a party!

In an environment like that, it’s not unusual to forget to ask important questions about the property. Here are some of the most common:

• How old is the roof?
• How old is the furnace, air conditioner and other HVAC equipment?
• How does the price compare to similar properties in the community?
• What are the characteristics of the community? (Amenities, safety, traffic, access to public transit, property turnover, etc.)
• What doesn’t come with the home? (Ask specifically about kitchen appliances, gas-connected BBQs, chandeliers, window coverings.)
• Are there any potential impediments to the sale? (Tenants, outstanding liens, etc.)
• Are there any outstanding maintenance issues, or repairs that need to be done? (For example, cracked ceramics on the foyer floor. 
• Are there any issues that impact the full use of the property? (Ask specifically about shared driveways or walkways, public “right of way” through the property, water drainage rights, etc.)

Yes, an Open House can feel like a frenzy, and if it’s a home you love, you might feel pressured to make an offer. But, it’s important to take the time to ask the right questions and consider your decision carefully. You don’t want to find out, too late, that there were questions you should have asked.

Imagine your coffee maker switching on by itself, staying on for hours, overheating and becoming a fire hazard. That’s not science fiction. As more and more appliances incorporate Wi-Fi, the opportunities for hackers to play havoc with your home gadgets increase.

How do you prevent that from happening? Here are some safety tips:

If your gadget uses a password to access the settings, change that password frequently. Ideally, change it once every 3 months.

Some gadgets, such as alarm systems, come with their own connection to the internet. Learn how to turn that connection off if it becomes necessary to do so.

Don’t leave an internet-connected appliance or other gadget on constantly unless it’s required. For example, you don’t need your home speaker system connected to your digital music providers all the time.

Baby monitors with video are a common target for hackers. Use a password unique to that device and change it often. Never leave the monitor on when not in use.

Never share passwords with anyone unless it is absolutely necessary. Most home Wi-Fi systems have a “guest” feature with a separate password and limited access. Use it.

In this age of internet connectivity — from coffee makers to stereos and even washing machines — it’s smart to play it safe. Know what’s connected and protect yourself.

If you’re thinking about selling in the spring, don’t wait until the new year to start planning. In fact, you’ll save yourself a lot of work and get ahead of the game if you start planning now.

What’s that old saying? The early bird gets the worm! In this case, by starting the process this month, you’ll be in excellent shape when you’re ready to list in the spring.

Here are just a few examples of what you can do in December to get the process started:

• Walk your property and note any maintenance issues that need attention.

• Decide which items to stow or sell to declutter your home.

• Determine what improvements you’ll need to make in order for your home to look great to buyers.

• Find out approximately how much your property will likely sell for in the spring market.

• Clarify the kind of new home you’d like to move into, including ideal areas.

• Look into your financing options, so you’ll know the price range you can afford.

• Connect with any professionals you may need, such as contractors, a mover, and a real estate lawyer.

• Take advantage of any December shopping deals for products you may need, such as home improvement project materials, packing supplies, etc. As you can see, the more prepared you are this month, the more stress-free and successful the home selling process will be in the spring.

When you’re shopping for a new home, you want to get the most out of watching this type of video, especially if you’re relying on it to help you decide whether or not to make a viewing appointment. Consider these suggestions: • Remember, it’s a video. Take advantage of the ability to pause, go back and forth, and take screenshots you can review later. • When you’re watching, look for everyday items that can give you perspective, such as a lamp, sofa or chair. These items will help you gain a more accurate sense of room sizes. • Although that previous tip will help, it’s still difficult to judge room size on a video. So, don’t be quick to dismiss a listing because you think the rooms might be too small. • Pay attention to what is not shown. Did the agent leave the ensuite bathroom out of the video? That may indicate an issue. • When viewing the main rooms, such as the living room and kitchen, try to get a sense of how your furniture will fit. • Make a list of features and characteristics you want in your next home. Have that list handy as you watch the video. You can use it as a checklist. • While you’re watching, jot down any questions you have about the property. After watching the video, if you like what you see, take the next step. Schedule a viewing appointment.

When you’re selling your property, you want buyers to see it at its best. But, a percentage of potential buyers will only be able to see your home in the evening. If it’s getting dark by the time they arrive, your home may not look as good as it does during the day.

Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to compensate.

Start with lighting. Make sure your home is well lit during an evening viewing. It doesn’t need to be so bright that it’s blinding! You’re looking for pleasant lighting throughout the home, including in traditionally darker spaces such as closets. Professional stagers say turning the light on above the stove is a good idea too.

Also, make sure the curtains are open, especially if there’s an appealing evening view. Open curtains add to the sense of spaciousness.

People tend to equate evenings with relaxation. Put on soft background music during a viewing and avoid anything loud or energetic, such as the television.

Finally, buyers are particularly sensitive to seeing clutter when viewing a home after dusk. As much as possible, try to make your home “guest ready.”

If you’re making an offer on a property, obviously the price you go in at plays a big role in whether or not you get that home. That’s especially true when there are other competing offers. However, while the price is important, it’s not the only factor. There are other ways to make your offer more appealing.

For example, the closing date may be important to the seller. They may be relocating out-of-town and need to move on a specific date. If you can accommodate the closing date, that’s likely to be an attractive benefit to the seller. Having your financing in order and being able to attach a pre-arranged mortgage certificate to your offer will also sweeten the deal. Knowing there is unlikely to be financing issues will make the seller feel more comfortable selling to you — as opposed to someone whose financing is less certain.

The 2020s may become known as the decade in which we re-evaluated our homes, and found ways to make them better serve our needs. Part of that assessment has already begun, especially amongst seniors who desire greater independence and want to continue to enjoy comfortable, productive lives in their own homes. Enabling their wishes in as safe an environment as possible often requires support from other family members and/or caregivers. It’s a big responsibility that may be eased somewhat by increased confidence in the latest electronic monitoring devices.

Thanks to improved portability and tracking capabilities, the latest models of these devices are less restrictive and require less input from users. Some types monitor vital statistics such as heart rate or blood pressure. Others track movement from room to room, or doors unlocking, while some even monitor medication schedules or facilitate live one-on-one conversations. With so much technology available to help seniors live in ways they prefer, it’s important to consider all aspects of electronic supervision, and have frank conversations about the costs and benefits of the various options.

When a buyer opens a cabinet door in your kitchen, it’s not an invasion of privacy. The buyer simply wants to get a sense of the available space. So, you can expect some buyers to explore cabinet space, especially in your kitchen and bathrooms.

That’s why making sure cabinet space looks clean, organized and spacious is so important. Consider these tips: If you store a lot of items inside a cabinet, make liberal use of storage bins, baskets, and small plastic containers. Clutter doesn’t look like clutter when it’s organized! Go through each cabinet and get rid of as many items as possible. Pay particular attention to expired products. If you haven’t used an item for a while, question whether you need to keep it anymore. Consider storing some items somewhere else in your home. For example, pack up less used items and store them in a larger closet or other storage space. Thoroughly clean cabinets that are prone to smells, such as the ones under the kitchen sink or used for storing food. Buyers will only give a cabinet space a quick glance, yet they’ll form a lasting impression. Make sure it’s a good one!