It can be easy for homebuyers to overlook home insurance costs. Most buyers tend to focus on factors such as quality of neighborhood, property taxes, school districts and available recreational and cultural outlets. But the seemingly mundane detail of home insurance can add up to a big investment. The size, location, construction and overall condition of a house can affect insurance cost, choice and availability, according to the Insurance Information Institute. When looking at prospective homes, the Institute recommends that homebuyers consider the following:
Your home is your biggest investment. Make sure you protect it with the right type of homeowners’ insurance policy.
Considering a move to a new city? Before you pack your bags and hire a moving company, be sure to research the potential price tag of relocating. It may cost more than you think.
Be sure to ask a Certified Residential Specialist in your target area about “hidden” homeownership costs, such as recreation fees, trash collection and community services. Try to obtain a one-year sampling of utility bills for the type of home you’re considering. What can you expect to pay for telephone, cable TV and Internet services? Will you have your own septic tank and water pump, or will the community provide water service?
There are a host of other expenses to consider. What taxes will you pay? Higher taxes may mean better schools, libraries, trash collection and other community services, while lower taxes could mean higher expenses for these services. But it pays to have all the facts before you make a move.
Likewise, transportation and parking costs often are higher in larger cities, while a small-town commute can mean a short walk or bike ride. Also, gas prices can be more costly in some areas than in others.
Leisure time costs can add up as well. How much more will you have to pay for tennis or health club memberships, adult education classes and golf course fees?
Moving away from family and friends can mean more frequent phone calls and trips back home, so be sure to allow for those additional costs as well.
Virtual tours are a great tool for any REALTOR®, and they can make or break a sale. But a home that looks neglected on camera won’t shine in a potential buyer’s eyes. If you’re thinking of listing your home, help your agent make your home stand out on video by preparing it for its digital close-up.
Clean up. Walk through every room and pick up items that don’t belong — like the forgotten stack of magazines on your footstool or the shoes lounging by your bed. They’ll be obvious in video or photos, and can distract the viewer. Before the pros photograph your house, snap a few shots and take a look — what sticks out at a glance will surely be the first things a potential buyer would notice, too.
Update with a few new details. Flip through a few home decorating publications and take a look at what’s trendy and adjust your décor to match. A colorful vase of flowers on a glass coffee table, for instance, makes the room look warm and inviting.
Store unnecessary furniture. A good rule of thumb is that the only furniture in the room should accurately display what the room is (a dining room table and chairs in that room, for example). Removing extra side tables or a chair in the corner that’s hardly used will make the rooms look larger and allow the viewer to imagine his or her furniture in the space.
Can’t afford a full kitchen makeover? Sprucing up the cabinetry is an easy fix for a fraction of the cost.
There are two options: replacing or refacing. Refacing includes covering the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with
a wood or plastic veneer and replacing knobs and door hinges; replacing cabinets requires removing them entirely and starting from scratch. So what’s best for your home? Here are a few things to consider, according to HGTV.
First, check to see if the cabinets are structurally sound. If you have problems opening the drawers, closing the doors, or if the cabinet’s interior isn’t as large as you need it to be, simply rejuvenating the look isn’t going to help in the long run. Also consider the age of the cabinets: Those made 20 to 30 years ago were typically built using thicker wood and sturdier construction. Such cabinets can often be refaced instead of replaced.
Next, consider how long you’ll remain in your home. Replacing the cabinets will add to the home’s value and could be worth the extra money if your home will be on the market in the near future. But for a potential buyer, a modern renewal of the cabinets with up-to-date veneers might be enough, making refacing your cabinets a cost-effective, viable solution. The typical cost of refacing with plastic veneer can cost up to about $3,000, while wood veneers can run up to $7,000. If you’re still considering replacing, make sure you budget accordingly. According to Costhelper.com, the cost of delivery and installation of new cabinets can cost at least $10,000.
Мoving from one home to another can be overwhelming, but moving to a new city or town can be especially stressful. Consider these suggestions to make your move hassle-free.
Keep track of the little expenses. Budget for gas money and pit stops you might make along the way. Factor in new utility setup fees and review the mover contract carefully to be sure your estimate is accurate. Small costs can add up to a major blow when they’re unexpected. It’s best to have a list of incurred expenses on hand to know what you’re dealing with.
move will be replaced or repaired, or you can opt for a cash settlement. The cost depends on the moving company, so be sure to discuss your options thoroughly with the company you choose.
Be observant. Review the inventory checklist you receive from the movers, and make sure every item is accounted for — every extra item that was not included in the original estimate could cost you more money. Worse? Once that happens, the initial estimate agreement is void, and the price can skyrocket. Do a final walkthrough in your empty home to ensure nothing is left behind to avoid having to ship it to your new abode.
And finally, treat your movers with respect. Check beforehand with the company and, if it’s OK, have some beverages and treats on hand to thank them for their hard work. Your kindness will be appreciated during stressful situations.
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 62 percent of U.S. households currently have a pet. In these households, pets are family members too, and a growing number of homeowners are remodeling their homes with their furry family members in mind. Here are a few of the latest pet-friendly design trends.
Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting, which absorbs odors, traps pet hair and soaks up pet stains like a sponge. Instead choose ceramic tile or light or medium finish hardwood floor, which are much easier to clean after pet accidents and can hide scratches more easily.
Install a feeding drawer in your kitchen cabinetry that pulls out during meal time and closes to hide the food bowls when guests visit. Consider adding a small alcove with a comfortable bed so your pet can keep you company while you cook.
Keep the litter box in a separate storage area or inside a cabinet with access via a cat door to provide privacy and keep the smell and mess in a confined area.
When selecting paint finishes, choose satin or semi-gloss over flat. Scratches, streaks and dirt aren’t as noticeable and will be easier to clean after pet accidents.
Choose stain-resistant and washable fabrics to match your pet’s fur color, or choose patterns over solids to disguise pet fur on your sofa or bed. Fabrics like leather, Ultrasuede or Crypton — a synthetic fabric resistant to stains, odor and moisture — are the most durable and easy to clean.
Replace the standard showerhead in the bathroom with a detachable hand-held one to make it easier to bathe your pet. Or, if there is space, add a mudroom near an entry where you can get dirt off your pet before coming into the house