AtoZhomes: February 2016

Thursday, February 25, 2016

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE GETTING THE BEST DEALS WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME

Buying a home is an exciting experience, but it can be equally terrifying at the same time. You want your new home to also be a successful investment, but how do you know if you are getting the best deal? Here a few tips to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck.

Use a Real estate Professional

They see houses and close transactions every day of their lives. They know what they are doing and should be very familiar with the area. Trusting them is a huge asset in this process.

Know the Area

Be sure to research the area that you are interested in purchasing a home. School districts are important to know. Even if you are not planning on having any children, the type of school district will determine the resell value of your home.

Get a Home Inspection

You and agent have found the perfect house, now get a home inspection to make sure. Although real estate agents have tons of experience and can spot some potential issues, home inspectors will do a thorough job going through the entire house. They will literally inspect the house from the crawl spaces in the basement to the actual roof to give you a complete report of the house condition. Use this report wisely.

Research Comparable Property in the Area

There are several sites that you can utilize for this purpose. Do not get caught in the "estimate" these sites give for the property you are interested in, but look instead at neighboring homes that have sold recently. These sites can tell you features of the home (number of beds, baths, square footage, etc.), the last date sold, and the price. Compare these features and prices to that of the house you are interested in purchasing. If you feel there may be some discrepancies, speak to your real estate professional.

Get an Appraisal

If you are obtaining a mortgage to complete this transaction, this will, often times, be required and provided by the lender. If you are purchasing the home without a lender, contact a local appraiser anyway. Appraisers are licensed individuals that will provide you with a detailed report of that homes value compared to other homes in the area

Although buying a house can seem like a daunting task, it should also be an enjoyable milestone. Following these simple guidelines and trusting in your real estate professionals will ensure that you are make a wise invest for the future.

Real Estate, Realtor, Realtors, Realtor license, Realtor

fees, Buy, Sell, Warrenton, Haymarket, Bristow, Manassas,

Lessburg, Ashburn, Loudoun, Brambleton, Dulles, Sterling,

Herndon,Reston,Centreville, Chantilly, Bull Run, Virginia,

Northern Virginia, Northern VA, NOVA, Virginia Fauquier

county real estate, Prince William County, Fauquier County,

Loudoun County, Real Estate, Realtor, Realtors, Forsale, For sale

Saturday, February 20, 2016

USE WINTER FOR A CAREFREE SPRING

By mid-February, many of us are "thinking Spring" even if snow continues to fall. This is time management on steroids - using winter boredoms to your best advantage and freeing up time to enjoy Spring when the great weather arrives.

# 1. Damage Prevention & Protection Strategies

Check with your home insurer to ensure you have the right type and amount of coverage for your home and recreational property. Make this review an annual rite of pre-spring.

Water-damage prevention also includes storing expensive or treasured items, like family photos, on upper floors. Keep as much up off the floor as possible in the basement, even in finished areas. When renovating, use damp-proof and waterproof materials and techniques. Have a sump pump or, to prevent sewer backup during storms, a backwater valve professionally installed. Check with the state insurance department or state department of emergency management to learn about mitigation plans that will lessen damage to your property during natural disasters.

#2. Plan Ahead To Finish Early

Book renovation and modernization projects with contractors before the Spring Rush. If you're planning a new roof, deck, or central air system, contact suppliers now to learn details while they have time to talk to you. Book now, so you'll be first in line when the weather breaks. Check the age of water heaters and other equipment and appliances to see what's ready for replacement. Shop end-of-winter and spring's-coming sales for great prices.

#3. Time Management: From "Spring Cleaning" to "Winter Cleaning"

If you're spending more time in than out, step away from the screen and use this time to move your goals forward. De-clutter room by room, drawer by drawer, while you're home bound. This way the house will be clean and you'll be house free when you'd rather be gardening. While you declutter, create a home inventory, which will be useful for insurance. Also, gather important papers, the home inventory, emergency information, and copies of vital prescriptions in a waterproof box. Leave originals off-site in a safety deposit box and send an electronic copy somewhere safe just in case.

All this activity will also help you prepare your home for sale as soon as the "Spring Market" heats up. If you'll be buying this Spring, moving just got easier. You will also have a clearer picture of exactly how much space you really need.

#4. Get Ahead of Deadlines

Make 2016 the year you start tax preparation early and finish ahead of the deadline and without stress. While decluttering, collect receipts and other documents necessary for filing. This is a great house-bound project. You'll be ready to spend your refund money when the nice weather appears.

#5. Plant Bulbs for Early Show

With all that satisfying work behind you, it's time for fun. If planting spring flower bulbs outside is out of the question, trick tulips, daffodils, or crocus into blooming now and have Spring early.