How to Prepare for a Home Appraisal

One of the last steps before selling your home is getting it appraised. This is usually ordered by the buyer’s lender, and is used to give an estimate of a property’s value, which can help a mortgage lender determine how much a buyer can borrow for the home, and can protect them from paying more than the house is worth.
What an Appraiser Looks For
The home’s worth is based on factors such as location, condition and comparables in the neighborhood, also called comps, which are houses similar to yours.
Don’t confuse a home appraisal with a home inspection. The appraisal determines the market value of a home, while an inspection looks for flaws in the roof, foundation and other areas of a home as a way to help buyers determine if a home is right for them and what they may need to fix.
To determine a home’s value, an appraiser will look at the total land or acreage, the condition of the property and any lead or peeling paint if the house was built before 1978. On the inside, they’ll be looking for a working furnace and air conditioner, number of rooms, garage, built-in appliance upgrades and in-ground pool.
How to Prepare
If you’re going to make upgrades, do them before an appraisal so that they can boost the value of your home before selling it.
The appraiser will also be looking for anything that needs to be repaired. Here are some things to check before ordering an appraisal:

• Electric garage door opener works
• Railings to raised decks are secured
• All utilities work and are safe
• Cracks in walls, ceiling or foundation are addressed
• Water intrusion through foundation is resolved
• Roof is in good shape and will last at least three years

Make as many repairs as you can before the appraisal to help ensure a higher home value.
Differences in Appraisers
Depending on the type of home loan the buyer is getting, appraisal requirements may differ. FHA loans, for example, require that some repairs must be completed before closing.
VA loans have their own appraisal inspection standards. They look at many health and safety concerns, including clean drinking water, a water heater and sewage system, a sound roof and foundation, the removal of pests and termites, and working electricity.

Unless it’s a glaring flaw or you’re a trained professional, you probably can’t tell if your home needs repairs. The home inspection is one of the most critical pieces of the buying and selling process. It’s good to know what to look for before any inspection. If you’re buying, you’ll have a better idea of what the inspector is looking for and if he or she misses anything. If you’re selling, you can have an idea of what to fix before your home goes on the market. It will take away the chance of surprises. 
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Buying Property in Another Country? What you Need to Know

Maybe you have a close family member living in Mexico. Or perhaps skiing in Vancouver is your favorite winter vacation spot. Maybe you have a child attending school in London. Or maybe you want to retire to the small town in China that your ancestors are from.

No matter what the reason may be, more and more Americans are looking to purchase property outside of the U.S. And as the world becomes an increasingly connected place, it’s become easier to do so.

According to the 2016 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate, approximately 14 percent of REALTORS® reported that they had a client who was seeking to purchase property in another country, compared to six percent in the previous 12-month period. The report also revealed that 46 percent of Americans bought a home outside of the U.S. as a vacation or investment home.

Looking to spread your wings and explore homeownership in another corner of the world? Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

Find the right local real estate professional. You’ll need an excellent point person in the country you’re considering. The best way to find this person might be right here at home. Talk to your local real estate professional first - he or she might be part of a global network that has affiliates in other parts of the world.

Find out if there’s a real estate association representing your destination country in the U.S. These organizations are in the U.S. to support real estate transactions from and to their countries. They can be an incredible resource for your mission.

If you’re not fluent in the language of the country in which you want to purchase a home, find someone who is. The language of real estate in particular varies from country to country so having an interpreter is essential.

Consider the value of the dollar where you’re headed. If the dollar is weak, you may want to hold off on your decision to purchase until the economic picture shifts. Conversely, if the dollar is faring well, you may want to accelerate your plans.

Enlist U.S. home search engines that have international listings - like realtor.com and LeadingRE.com. Not only will these sites provide you with listings to peruse, they’ll serve as a resource for information on currency and customs, and connect you with real estate professionals to work with.

So when it comes to your next home purchase, think global but enlist local resources. For more information on real estate listings, contact me.                

How Roof Materials Impact the Look and Feel of Your Home

Like a great hairdo, your roof plays a big role in the overall style and quality of your home. If you are deciding which roof to install on a new home or are replacing your present one, here’s how you can achieve beautiful curb appeal and functionality while staying within budget.
Asphalt Shingles
The most common residential roofing material used in the U.S., asphalt shingles are attractive and easy to install. With a life span of 20 – 25 years, they lack the longevity of more expensive materials. However, they come in a variety of colors that work well with many architectural styles, especially traditional suburban homes. And at a price of $75 to $90 per square (which covers 100 square feet), they are the most economical choice.
Clay or Concrete
Extremely durable and with a life span of 40 to 50 years, a clay or concrete roof is the go-to for Southwestern or Mediterranean style homes. Concrete tiles are less expensive than genuine clay, but both are very heavy and may require additional framing. At a cost of $300 to $500 per square, they add elegance at a hefty price.
Slate
Offering beauty and distinction to Colonial or European chateau-style homes, slate is durable, fire-resistant and may last for as long as 100 years. Available in several colors, a slate roof will cost about $5 to $8 per square foot.
Wood Shingles and Shake
At the other end of the fire-resistant spectrum, wood shingles and shake roofs are dangerous if not altogether banned in many areas. Handsome and rustic looking, they especially enhance the look of Cape Cod, Craftsman and Tudor homes. While some wood shingles are made with fie-resistant coating, the longevity of these roofs is 20-25 years. At a cost of $100 to $200 per square, they offer great aesthetics at a moderate price. But consider the life span and check local fire codes before selecting.
Synthetics
Made of rubber, plastic or polymer, synthetic roofing materials can mimic the color, look and texture of natural materials like slate and wood. Strong and fire-resistant and at a cost of about $300 per square, they are warrantied for up to 50 years and are a choice worth considering when your budget prohibits using the natural product.
Source: HGTV

5 Home Maintenance Projects for Your Home This Summer

Summer is often synonymous with relaxing. However, the sunny season is also a great time to catch up on your home maintenance. Below are five things to do to your home this summer.

Bathe the exterior. Summer brings long, warm days—perfect for giving your home’s exterior a bath. Cleaning your siding, roof and gutters can rid your home of unsightly grime and bacteria build-up. Choose a soft wash over a power wash, which can strip paint and remove shingles if done incorrectly.

Wash those windows. You may be flinging your windows open this summer, or closing them to blast that frosty A/C. However you choose to cool your home, take the time to give your windows a wash. Lather up some soap and polish the glass, wipe down the frames and remove the screens to give them a detailed clean. Holes or tears in your screens? Replace them to keep the bugs out.

Freshen the furnace filter. Now that your furnace is on summer vacation, open it up and inspect the filter. Full of unsightly dust? Clean or replace as needed.

Clean the porch or deck. If you have an exterior lounging area like a porch or deck, it likely has accumulated a bit of dust and dirt since you last used it. Sweep the dirt away, scrub away any hard stains and give the whole thing a solid mop. Still looking less-than-fresh? Consider a new paint job.

Mulch mania. If summers are dry in your area, consider upping your curb appeal with a fresh layer of mulch. This will help the ground retain moisture on sunny days, keep weeds at bay and tie the look of your yard together.

Don’t settle for boring lighting! Here are three ways to get creative. Click here!

 

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