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Get Ready to Buy a House in a Seller’s Market

Purchasing a home in a seller’s market may prove to be difficult. Fortunately, we’re here to offer expert guidance to ensure you can find the best house at the lowest price, regardless of the present real estate sector’s conditions.

Now, let’s take a look at three tips to help you get ready to pursue a home in a seller’s market.

1. Assess the Housing Market Closely

A seller’s market likely features a shortage of high-quality houses. As such, you’ll want to analyze the local real estate sector closely so you can identify your dream home faster than ever before.

Take a look at the prices of recently sold houses in your city or town. This information can help you understand the average price range for homes of all sizes in your area. You also should find out how long these homes were available before they sold to understand the current pace of the real estate market.

Furthermore, you should make a checklist of home must-haves and wants. Once you craft this checklist, you can assess the houses available in your city or town and map out your homebuying journey accordingly.

2. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

In all likelihood, you’ll need to act fast to acquire your ideal residence in a seller’s market. If you have a mortgage in hand when you submit a home offer, you may boost your chances of receiving a “Yes” from a seller.

A home offer that is contingent on a buyer’s approval for a mortgage often is far from ideal. If a seller receives this type of offer, he or she may be reluctant to accept it, as there are no guarantees a buyer will be able to obtain the necessary financing to acquire a home.

Comparatively, a buyer who gets pre-approved for a mortgage can enter a seller’s market with a budget in hand. And if he or she finds a great house, this buyer can submit an offer without having to worry about getting financing at a later time.

To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you should meet with a variety of lenders. These financial institutions can teach you about a wide range of mortgage options and help you find the right mortgage based on your finances.

3. Collaborate with a Real Estate Agent

A seller’s market can be tough to navigate, regardless of whether you’re a first-time or experienced homebuyer. Thankfully, real estate agents are available who can guide you along the homebuying journey.

Typically, a real estate agent will learn about your homebuying goals. He or she then will keep you up to date about houses that meet your criteria, set up home showings and help you submit offers on residences. And if you ever have homebuying concerns or questions, a real estate agent is ready to respond to them at any time.

Prepare to buy a house in a seller’s market – use the aforementioned tips, and you can move one step closer to acquiring your dream residence.

Tips for Home Sellers: How to Capture Buyers’ Attention

Home sellers sometimes struggle to stir up interest in their residences. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to help your residence capture buyers’ attention, such as:

1. Craft an Engaging Home Listing

A home listing should engage and inform buyers. Otherwise, an ineffective listing may make it tough for a seller to effectively promote his or her residence to the right groups of buyers.

To craft an effective home listing, it is important to consider the buyer’s perspective. Think about why you purchased your home in the first place, and you may be able to identify unique property features that you can highlight in your listing.

Also, ensure your home listing is clear, concise and easy to understand. You may want to incorporate high-resolution images of your home into your listing as well.

2. Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

As a home seller, it is crucial to upgrade your house’s curb appeal. Because if your home makes a positive first impression on buyers, you could speed up the property selling journey.

To bolster your house’s curb appeal, you should mow the lawn, trim the hedges and perform other lawn care tasks. You may want to repair or replace any cracked or damaged home siding, too.

For those who want extra help with home exterior upgrades, you can always hire local contractors. In fact, these professionals will streamline the process of upgrading your house’s curb appeal.

3. Eliminate Clutter

If your home is loaded with a wide array of personal belongings, you may want to remove these items. That way, you can help buyers envision what life may be like if they purchase your house. You also can show off the full size of your residence during open house events and home showings.

Cutting down on clutter can be simple. If there are items you no longer need, you can donate them to a local charity, sell them at a yard sale or online or give them to family members or friends. Conversely, if there are items that are broken or damaged, you can safely dispose of them.

As you get set to promote your residence to buyers, it often helps to have an expert real estate agent at your disposal. A real estate agent understands the ins and outs of the property selling journey. Therefore, he or she can help you achieve your desired home selling results as quickly as possible.

If you are committed to getting the best price for your residence, for example, a real estate agent will help you do just that. Or, if you are unsure about how to price your home, a real estate agent is happy to provide pricing recommendations. Perhaps best of all, if you ever have questions during the home selling journey, a real estate agent can respond to them.

Want to generate interest in your home? Use the aforementioned tips, and you can boost the likelihood that your house will capture buyers’ attention.

Modern interior design: A guide to the latest design trends

4 Trendy interior design styles to be inspired by featured image

Even though there may be similar exterior house styles to your own locally, you may find that you wish to spruce up
the interior design of your home in a beautiful and unique way best fitting your aesthetic desires.

Knowing some of the home design basics can help you find the style or even multiple styles you like to update your
home.

Mid-century modern

Mid-century modern styles began to form in the mid 1900s and are categorized by reserved yet not barren decor. This
style often features sleek and uncluttered furniture placement and furniture types.

One major defining feature of this style type is the use of wood to stabilize the overall design. Exposed wood via
the walls, furniture and flooring can give any room a warm, earthy and cozy feeling sure to make a house feel like a
home.

Industrial

A new design currently growing in popularity is the industrial style. Industrial homes use a great deal of the shade
white, red brick and stainless steel which almost gives off a traditional factory vibe.

Homes with an industrial design are simplistic, clean and well-put together. They often utilize just 1 or 2 bold
hues, making it easy to highlight fun and eccentric pieces.

Shabby chic

Shabby chic puts a modern, slightly more romantic spin on more traditional styles. This style uses light and neutral
hues, floral patterns and vintage accessories to highlight a modern yet classic appeal.

Contemporary

Contemporary design is characterized by its minimalist decor design, great use of cool tones, natural materials and
“clean” aesthetic choices. Rooms with this design type are often sleek and have features with deliberate use of
unique lines and hue to complement and contrast the simplistic nature of the space.

There are so many amazing design typers to choose from and take inspiration from when decorating your home. Using the
aforementioned styles, you may find the perfect choice to create an environment that tells your story in the way
you’d like for it to.

Things to Consider before Becoming a Landlord

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Maybe you’ve thought about buying rental property. Wouldn’t it be great, you think, to own something that someone else pays for? It can work out that way, with your property increasing in value while you pocket money every month. But with the wrong home, the wrong tenants or the wrong management, it can go horrendously sour. Here are eight ways to make your first venture as a landlord a successful one.

Start small. Buy a single house, townhouse or condo rather than an entire apartment building.
Decide how much work you’ll take on. Are you a DIYer? Can you make minor repairs yourself? Are you willing and able to recruit tenants and deal with them on an ongoing basis? If this isn’t you, you’ll be wise to hire a property management company to handle these items.
Really, really, understand your income and expenses. Project them forward 5 to 10 years and make sure you have a margin. There’s more than mortgage, taxes, insurance and utilities. There also can be landscaping, pest control, landlord insurance and minor repairs. Be especially aware of big ticket items. If you’ll need a new roof eight years from now, set aside for it. Be aware of property tax trends so you won’t be caught be surprise. Consider what will happen if a tenant leaves and your property is vacant for several months.
Arrange financing in advance. Most mortgage lenders will pre-qualify your loan. It helps close the deal if you can show this to a buyer.
Know the neighborhood. If you’re not familiar with it, drive around. Talk to people. Research it online.
Learn how to be a landlord. Talk to other landlords. Join a landlord’s association. Familiarize yourself with tenant rights and local regulations.
Know your tenants. The right tenants can make your experience a joy and the wrong ones can make you rue the day you got into this business. Use a screening service. Have a written lease ready to go and specify exactly what is expected: when the rent is due, what the grace period is, what’s the penalty for being late, who pays utilities, what – if any – maintenance the renters are required to do. Insist on prompt rent payment right from the get-go. No matter how much you like your tenants, it’s imperative to keep the relationship professional. Visit your property from time to time. You’re not permitted to barge in, but a drive-by can tell you a lot.
Keep business and personal finances separated. Maintain separate bank accounts and credit cards. Be clear on which is which for record keeping and tax accounting.

People have put children through college and financed their retirement through rental property while also working at paycheck jobs. But being a landlord is not for the timid, the inflexible or the careless planners. Think before you make the leap, and if you decide to go for it, all the best!

Maryland Disclosure Laws and Latent Defects in As-Is Purchase

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As with every state, Maryland has disclosure laws that you must abide by when you sell your home. When you are ready to list your home, you naturally make it look as good as possible. You might even do some upgrades or some extra landscaping. However, if you don’t repair certain defects, you do have to disclose them. You cannot hide problems such as a leaking pipe or a problem with the electrical system.

Disclosures

Maryland code dictates what you must disclose. Your real estate agent should give you a copy of the form when you sign the listing agreement. You need to complete the form and give it back to your agent. Unlike most other states, you have a choice – you can disclose known defects, or you can use a disclaimer as to the home’s condition. However, you cannot use both. If you choose to use the disclaimer as to the home’s condition, you don’t disclose anything, but leave the problems up to a prospective buyer’s imagination. The only problem with this avenue is that your house might be harder to sell.

What Does the Disclaimer Cover?

If you use the disclaimer, you are selling your house “as is.” The buyer assumes liability for any defects. However, you still have to disclose latent defects if they might not show up in an inspection, and you know about them. Those defects must be a safety threat or health threat to the buyer.

However, you might not know of every defect in the house, even if that defect is a safety hazard or health hazard. Actual knowledge means that you know something is defective. For example, if you know a pipe is broken in the wall and don’t disclose it, the buyer could hold you liable. If you do not know the pipe in the wall is broken, then the buyer cannot hold you liable.

Using the disclaimer could scare your buyer into hiring inspectors to have a closer look at your home. If the inspectors find something major, the buyer could find a way out of the contract, whereas if you disclosed the issue, you could negotiate on repairs for the issue.

What You Must Disclose

If you choose to disclose the problems, you must disclose certain defects, including:

Problems with the plumbing system;

Problems with the septic/sewer system;

Issues with the structure of the house;

Electrical problems;

Heating and air conditioning issues;

Whether the house has termites or other wood-destroying insects;

If there are hazardous materials on the property or in the house; and

All other material defects that you know about.

The disclosure form also allows you to make comments. You can use the comments to explain issues, especially when ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer isn’t enough. Maryland’s disclosure form also asks you to disclose non-defect issues, such as whether you are located in a flood zone, if you live in a deed-restricted neighborhood or you live in a historic district.

How to Attract Buyers with Home Features

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What homeowner doesn’t want to maximize overall home value when the time comes to sell? In order to sell your house faster and for more money, it’s important to have a firm understanding of the specific housing features that matter the most to prospective buyers.

Well-Established Property Value Boosters

If you’ve ever considered home renovations, you’ve probably heard that the biggest boons to overall resale value are updated bathrooms and kitchens. In order to set your house apart, however, you may want to go the extra distance in these rooms to make them truly special. A bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub or a walk-in closet, for example, may just make the final difference in the mind of a buyer who would otherwise remain on the fence bout a prospective purchase.

Other Buyer-Attracting Home Features

To borrow a word from HGTV.com, people are often looking for homes with an extra bit of “pizzazz” when it comes to making that final purchase agreement. This can mean the presence of existing architectural flourishes and unusual floor plans or more practical amenities such as ample garage storage space and a separate laundry room.

Here are just a few features that will make your home shine during your future open house:

The Backyard Patio

According to the independent financial authority Kiplinger, 87 percent of buyers are looking for a concrete patio surrounded by an attractive backyard.

The Playroom

Although this feature will be of value only to families with young children, the presence of a good playroom is often the deciding factor for prospective homebuyers.

Green Features

Whether you’re talking about solar panels, a highly efficient HVAC system, or double-paned Energy Star-qualified windows, homebuyers are increasingly looking for green building features to control their utility bills and help save the environment.

Ceiling Fans

Home improvements don’t have to be extensive or expensive to be effective. Kiplinger reports that 85 percent of prospective homebuyers are looking for one or more ceiling fans in their new home. Even with a full lighting kit and a remote control unit, a newly installed ceiling fan should set you back less than $500 in total.

Let Your Specific Goals and Restrictions Guide Your Way

Before considering renovations to boost the value of your home, ask yourself exactly what you hope to gain from those renovations and exactly how much those renovations will cost. Depending on your budget and your level of ambition, you may opt for popular, value-boosting features that range from the installation/restoration of hardwood floors to the addition/improvement of exterior lighting fixtures.

Garden Favorites to Increase Your Curb Appeal

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When you begin to revamp your yard or garden, there comes a time to decide what exactly you’ll be growing. You’ll want plants that are hearty, beautiful and fragrant to grace your yard.

Choose Hearty

First, you can begin by planting ground-cover roses. These bountiful, low-growing rose varieties can provide plenty of flowers throughout the year. They tend to be very low maintenance and are drought-tolerant as well. They are great for any garden bed or container garden.

Another hearty favorite is red yucca. This plant can survive in high heat and is incredibly strong-willed. It has a bluish-gray, succulent base with long stalks that shoot up near six fee that bear red-ish, tube-shaped flowers. They are virtually guaranteed to catch the eye of any passerby.

Choose Vines

Next, you may want to throw in some vining plants. The classic trumpet vine is as tough as nails and fast-growing. Plant this vine near a trellis, fence or any vertical surface, and let it do its thing. Make sure to prune and maintain regularly; otherwise this beauty can be a bit invasive.

Choose Fragrance & Color

For a fragrant eye-catcher, you may want to turn to a classic English lavender. This plant is good for anything from a walkway border to a rock garden. It flowers throughout the end of spring and into summer and has an enchanting fragrance. There are smaller varieties that are good for container planting, as well as larger varieties that can be a beautiful hedge. When you want to add some great evergreen flavor to your garden, you’ll find purple pixie to be an appropriate addition. Purple pixie is great as a dominant ground cover or as an accent in a tall planter. It has spectacular color year-round.

Choose Blankets

Blanket flowers are a great choice for perennial color, and they attract butterflies to your garden. They also happen to be an incredibly hearty grower and resist rabbits and deer. They also come in a number of different colors, from bright yellow, gold and red hues. A classic friend to any garden.

With this list of hearty, brilliant and fragrant plants, your garden will be the talk of the town. You’ll have beautiful flowers, enchanting smells and spectacular evergreens all around.

The 5 Best Trees to Grow Indoors

Just like with smaller plants, there are indoor trees for rooms of all shapes and sizes. Adding larger plants can make a statement in your interior design and provide other benefits like filtering the air and providing fresh oxygen. If you’re thinking about getting an indoor tree for your home, here are some suggestions to help your search.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

The fiddle leaf fig is a trending plant among interior design and houseplant enthusiasts alike. It has huge leaves that begin growing densely packed together and gradually spread out as the tree matures. While many choose to keep their taller fiddle leaf figs green all the way down, you have the option of pruning the lower leaves to expose more of an empty “trunk.”

Rubber Plant

Rubber plants are another choice with large, statement-making leaves. There are several varieties with different colored foliage, but some of the most popular are those with leaves so dark green they almost appear black. The glossy texture and thickness is part of what gives the rubber plant its name. You can keep these plants in small pots or allow them to grow into trees up to 5 feet in height. It’s common to group two or more plants in the same pot for a dense, lush presentation.

Jade Plant

Jade plants require a lot of patience to get to true “tree” status. However, mature jade plants can grow to upwards of 4 feet tall and are so easy to propagate you can create an entire jungle of jade from a single mother plant. It’s a type of succulent which means it will need a well-draining potting mix and plenty of light. Be careful not to over-water it, but keep the soil slightly moist to encourage growth and plump, shiny leaves.

Areca Palm

Areca palms are fast growing and perfect for creating an instant tropical vibe. They have long, elegant fronds and fanning leaves that can grow up to 4 feet high or more in the right conditions. They require lots of bright indirect sunlight to flourish. A great bonus of this indoor tree is that it’s completely pet-safe, so you don’t need to worry about curious dogs or cats suffering any harm from chewing on a leaf or two.

Yucca

Yuccas seem similar to miniature palm trees with thick, bare trunks and spikey full clusters of leaves at the top. Many designers and plant enthusiasts combine multiple plants of different heights in the same pot to create a fuller but staggered presentation. These trees are great for more forgetful indoor gardeners, as they are drought tolerant and don’t need frequent watering. They’ll thrive in full sun and add visual interest to any room of the home.

These are just a few suggestions of indoor trees to try in your home. You can buy many of them as tabletop-sized potted plants and grow into full trees over the course of a few years. However, you can also find fully sized versions of these plants at nurseries and garden stores for a higher price point. Whichever you choose, you’ll love the addition of fresh greenery to your home’s aesthetic and environment.

5 Tips for Designing a Modern Rustic Bedroom

Photo by Morgan Lane on Unsplash

If you want to add some modern rustic style elements to your bedroom, there are lots of options that won’t require a complete renovation. Unless you want to remodel the entire space from top to bottom, you can achieve the same rugged charm in easier but effective ways. Here are 5 trending but timeless modern rustic bedroom ideas:

Wood Accent Walls

Think beyond colorful paint for accent walls. Knotty reclaimed wood is a staple of modern rustic design and looks great against the wall in planks or paneling. For a less expensive but comparable alternative, try plywood boards. Go for any unfinished variety with visible grain, knots and variation in order to add natural charm and character to the room.

While it might seem like a large undertaking, a wood accent wall gives you a lot of freedom in terms of design. If you decide in the future to try something new, you can paint or stain the wood. This allows you to create a fresh look while still keeping the same comfortable modern rustic feel.

Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors are incredibly popular in modern rustic home design. To add one to your interior space, install a metal track above a door frame. While it’s possible to DIY, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional to make sure that the door slides perfectly with no unintended friction. You can install a barn door to be purely decorative, or as an optional barrier to close off a space. If you have a bathroom attached to the bedroom, you can use the barn door for extra privacy and insulation. No matter where you put it, it will add tons of rustic charm to the room.

Images of Nature

For an instant boost in rustic style, try adding artwork of landscapes, animals or other natural imagery. Common animals used in motif include herd animals like horses, cattle and deer, as well as more delicate subjects like birds and butterflies. Go for pieces that won’t overwhelm the senses—keeping things comfortable is key in rustic design and especially important in bedroom decor. Follow neutral color palettes and choose art with lots of calming hues like green, blue, brown and white. Finish it with antique or rough-hewn wood frames to complete the look.

Reading Lamps

Task lighting is an important element of modern rustic design and can be easily added to your bedroom decor. Matching reading lamps on either side of a bed bring modern symmetry and a focus on functionality. Try industrial-style table lamps with adjustable necks, or hang wrought iron pendant lamps to save surface space. If you use LED light bulbs, opt for varieties that produce soft, warm light. This will keep the room feeling cozy and comfortable while still being energy efficient.

Multi-Functional Benches

A bench at the foot of the bed is a common feature in bedrooms of all styles. One way to add easy modern rustic flair to your bedroom is to choose a bench that serves multiple purposes. Try a storage chest with chunky, weathered fastenings—just make sure it can safely support your weight before you sit on it. Benches with drawers or shelves built in save space and follow the modern design concept of favoring function over design. This is another great opportunity to use unfinished wood and maybe top it off with a cozy woolen throw blanket.

These are just a few ideas to get you inspired when decorating your bedroom in the modern rustic style. As long as you stick to the basic ideas of comfort, natural materials and no-fuss functionality, you’ll be well on your way to creating your own personal modern rustic sanctuary in your home.

Homebuying: How to Find What’s Best for You and Your Pets

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While looking to buy a home, you must consider the needs of everyone in the household, pets included. Otherwise, the space could fail to work for your family, leaving everyone less than comfortable in their new digs. Thankfully, with a little forethought as you browse, you can zero in on a place that will work perfectly. Just think about the following things to put your pet first while buying a home.

Earmark a Space That’s All Their Own

Your pets will need room for their bedding, dishes and toys to be truly comfortable in their new living space. So, as you check out each corner of the floor plan, think ahead to where you might put those items.

If you cannot figure out an ideal space, then the home in question likely won’t work without a major overhaul. Often, it’s a lot more frustrating trying to make an incompatible space work than continuing with the search for a home that meets all your needs.

Think About Their Elimination Needs

Barring an exceptionally well-trained cat, pets usually cannot use the toilet. To best accommodate their elimination needs, think about where to set the litter box or if the yard will work for their potty times.

Consider all the other household members as well and how you will keep them separate if needed. You don’t want dogs digging in the cat box, after all, or kids running through a potentially messy backyard.

Look for Room to Run and Play

Even if you plan to walk your pets on the regular, they need a space to run and play from time to time. If a home with a yard is in your budget, then that will work well, as long as it’s fully fenced in.

But if that’s outside your price range, you can get just as much use out of a nearby dog park. If all else fails, look for homes near public parks, hiking trails and beaches where you can let your pets frolic on a long line.

Scope Out the Safety of the Neighborhood

Although you undoubtedly keep a close eye on your pet, accidents can happen, leaving them roaming the neighborhood on occasion. For that reason, it’s important to consider major roadways and other hazards near your home. Not all hazards are avoidable, but aim to minimize the risks if you can.

You can also put in extra safety measures, like invisible fences, that help keep your pet from flying solo. Also, consider getting them microchipped and updating their license with the city, so they can be returned home if they ever get lost.

By keeping all these things in mind during the homebuying process, you can find a home that will work for you and your pets. Just remember to let your real estate agent know your preferences, so they understand what to look for as well. Your agent will help you narrow down the options and quickly jump on properties that match your specifications, helping you find a great home faster than ever.