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Buying a Fixer Upper? There are many ways to make a new home livable while you are saving for that new living room furniture you want. Below are some quick tips to get your new home into tip top shape without spending a lot of money!<\/p>\n
Make Each Room Your Own.<\/strong> True Colors.<\/strong> Pay Attention to Light.<\/strong> Curtains.<\/strong> Simplify.<\/strong> Plants and Flowers.<\/strong> Go Flea Marketing.<\/strong> Rugs and Carpets.<\/strong> Simple Oversized Mats + Simple Frame<\/strong> Chair Makeovers<\/strong> <\/p>\n One major concern for families planning to move to a new home is making it as comfortable as possible for their children. Many child experts agree that involving the kids in the process of moving is a good way to ease the tensions associated with moving. Taking your children house hunting will help get them excited about the idea of having a new home. Below are some pointers on making house hunting a great experience for the whole family…<\/p>\n Narrow your options.<\/strong> Make sure they know the rules.<\/strong> Give the kids a job.<\/strong> Be Prepared.<\/strong> Take a break.<\/strong> Timing is everything.<\/strong> Ask for input.<\/strong> <\/p>\n Found your dream house? Get ready to Negotiate. Your real estate agent will guide you through the process of making a purchase offer. Start by learning how much the property is worth.<\/p>\n Compare to other like properties\u00a0<\/strong> Check the Prices!<\/strong> Make a good offer.\u00a0<\/strong> Make a priority list\u00a0<\/strong> Be patient.\u00a0<\/strong> <\/p>\n When purchasing your new home, it is a good idea to take a look at the inner workings of the house, which can cost a small fortune if overlooked. Pay attention to the electrical, plumbing , heating and cooling aspects of your new home. Before hiring a professional, which is recommended before final purchase, there are a few things you can do first, to rule out any problems in the future.<\/p>\n Start at the Bottom.<\/strong> Check outside plants.<\/strong> Too Much Water.<\/strong> Get on Top of Things.<\/strong> Knock on Wood.<\/strong> Foundation Hazards.<\/strong> Check for Termites.<\/strong> Termites eat wood.<\/strong>
\nYou’ve done it! You own your first piece of property. Make a list. Take each room and place a photo, plant, paperweight or personal item that reflects you and your individuality. Your home should show off your unique personality.<\/p>\n
\nAny new room can be made comfy with a new coat of paint. Choose warm colors for rooms you will be relaxing in, and cool colors for offices and bathrooms.<\/p>\n
\nDoes your new home have a great window that lets in beautiful light? Or maybe you have a sliding glass door that gives you a great view. Be sure to keep these spaces open and unblocked.<\/p>\n
\nGo inexpensive with some pretty, simple curtains. Use white to match with everything, or pick a color that you know would brighten up the room.<\/p>\n
\nWhile moving in to your new house, make sure to take charge and throw away useless items that you will not use. You are starting over!<\/p>\n
\nUse your interior decorating eye and find the perfect places for some potted plants and flowers. Instead throwing out withering flowers, hang them upside down and dry them for a great wall piece.<\/p>\n
\nSpend a Sunday shopping at a local flea market for a unique piece for the new room in your home that is your favorite. Treat yourself and you just might come across a valuable piece!<\/p>\n
\nFind a nice simple rug to save your carpet. A vibrant rug can add a splash of color to any room.<\/p>\n
\nInstead of a posed Department Store picture, choose a candid action shot. Buy an oversized Mat and simple frame. Try this in two’s and three’s. It’s a great way to dress up a lonely wall.<\/p>\n
\nGive your favorite oversized chair a makeover and buy a plain colored chair cover. These work great and make it look like you bought a new piece of furniture! <\/p><\/div><\/div>\nTaking your kids house hunting<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>
\nThere is no need to take your children on walk through every potential house on your list. If you can, wait until you have narrowed your options down to just a few houses before bringing the kids with you. Or at least limit your house tours to three or less houses per day when the kids are along. There is no need to make the kids overly tired or bored with the process.<\/p>\n
\nMake sure the kids know they will be going through someone else’s home. They must treat the sellers and their property with respect. Make sure your children are in the same room with you at all times and not handling any of the sellers property.
\nAlso, if the sellers are present, your children should be told to keep their opinions about the house to themselves until you leave. Negative comments can sway an owner to sell to another buyer and positive ones could work against you when trying to negotiate a lower price.<\/p>\n
\nDepending on the age of your children, let them take notes on the properties you are looking at. They can record information about the houses to go over later, including: location, square footage, types and numbers of rooms, etc. They can add their thoughts about the house too. This will help them remember the homes and also make them feel included in the process.<\/p>\n
\nEquip your children with games, books, and small toys in case they become bored. Bring along music for the car or audio books this is especially important if your will be driving for extended periods in between properties.<\/p>\n
\nIf you pass a park or playground close to a property you are interested in let your kids have a quick break to play. This will also give you an idea of the local lifestyle and let you see if there are other children the same age as yours in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\nTry to look at houses in the morning or after nap time when your kids are happy and rested. Also remember to bring along snacks and drinks to keep energy levels up.<\/p>\n
\nEven though the final decision on what home to purchase is yours, ask your children for their opinions. This will let them know you value their thoughts on the potential new home and neighborhood. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\nThe Right House at the Right Price<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>
\nYour agent has up-to-the-minute price data that can help you analyze any comparable properties. Although every home is unique, here’s some of what makes a home “comparable” to the one you’re considering purchasing:<\/p>\n\n
\nGet to know the sales prices in your market place. A professional CMA will show you what recent sold prices were in your area and the difference between list price and sold price. Make sure to note the amount of time each listing was on the market.<\/p>\n
\nDon’t low ball a well priced listing. Sure we all know that some properties are over priced, but you could lose your dream home by not understanding the difference between a fair price and an over priced property.<\/p>\n
\nAssess what your priorities are before you begin negotiating. This will allow you to make quick decisions and get what you want. This way you will know ahead of time what you are willing to give up and what you simply can’t live without. Most frequently negotiated include repairs, what personal property stays and what goes, closing costs, and move-in date. Knowing exactly what you want and where you are willing to give up will make negotiating less stressful and quicker.<\/p>\n
\nNegotiations may take several days. Remember this is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. Work with your agent to make sure you negotiate this transaction successfully. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\nBe Your Own Inspector<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>
\nMake sure the basement is in good shape. Look for signs of water damage and cracks in the structure. Many home owning problems seem to start in the basement.<\/p>\n
\nMake sure outside plants are trimmed at least 30 inches away from the house. Insects can get in and out of a structure with the help of plants.<\/p>\n
\nDoes water seem to be flooding around the foundation? This indicates a need for better drainage of the soil next to the foundation. Walk through the house and look for water stains in the ceilings, the wallpaper, the carpet, and hardwood floors. Check the faucets, check below the sink, and flush the toilets. You can check water pressure by turning on the shower etc. Water is one of the biggest causes of household damage.<\/p>\n
\nCheck for a roof that may need repairing. Take a good look for a roof that is not straight. This can cause certain damage to the structure of the house itself. If it looks saggy, get a repair estimate.<\/p>\n
\nIf the house you are looking to purchase has hardwood floors, make sure there are no elevated areas, no rotting wood.<\/p>\n
\nMany financiers won’t approve a loan if there is major problems with structure foundation. Still, it is a good idea to check for cracks and shifting in walls and floors. Walk through the house and check for crack and movement in the walls, ceilings and floors. Inspect the areas where the walls and ceilings come together, change in foundation will be visible. If a house settles, the foundation will crack and can cause different problems. If a cracker is larger than a quarter of an inch, there could be problems. Expanding soil can cause cracking and eventually collapse.<\/p>\n
\nSigns of termite infestation:<\/p>\n\n
\nTermites are attracted to moisture and are more likely to enter a structure if the soil next to the foundation is consistently moist. Water should be diverted away from the foundation with properly functioning gutters, spouts and splash guards. Leaking faucets, water pipes and air conditioning units should be repaired, and the ground next to the foundation should be sloped so that surface water drains away from the building.<\/p>\n