10 HACKS TO MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE SEAMLESS (Part 1)

So you found the house of your dreams.  Now begins the process of packing and moving to your new home.  Here are 10 hacks to make your next move seamless.

1. Take control of the move at the beginning by managing the move.  If you haven't moved in a number of years, the prospect of moving may be overwhelming.  Spend some time compiling a checklist of things you need to accomplish from now until the day you are settled in your new home. 

2.  Create a notebook that contains contact information on utilities companies, subscriptions and memberships that you will need to notify with your change of address. For those renting, you can use this make a list of any repairs needed to be made before you turn back the keys.

3. Stay organized when scheduling utilities turn off dates.  Allow yourself a few extra days service if you plan to clean or make repairs.  By the way, don't forget to schedule utilities for your new home.

4. Cull unwanted items in your house/apartment before you pack or move.  Evaluate furniture, clothes and kitchen supplies and donate or sell items you don't want or need.

5. Think like a mover - pack smarter! Utilize items like bath and beach towels as padding for other objects.  Plastic bags make great box fillers as do old newspapers. (Caution-ink from newspapers can stain items.)

Next week the final hacks to make your next move seamless and efficient.  See you then - Inside the Open Red Door.

WHAT TO NEGOTIATE WHEN BUYING A HOUSE

Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, it is necessary to ensure you are getting the best possible deal for your money.  So, what should you negotiate when buying a home?

1. Closing costs.  Your closing costs are determined by a variety of factors, but you can expect it to be between 2% to 5% of the purchase price.  Ask the seller to cover some or all of the closing costs upfront or request a closing credit that can be used to make specific updates and fixes to the home.

2. Furnishings.  If you love how the seller has furnished and decorated the home negotiate keeping coaches, fixtures, patio furnishings, appliance and more.  You may be surprised at how many sellers will agree wanting to make the home more appealing for buyers.

3.Inspection and closing timing. Buyer offers that include a quick inspection and close timeline are often more attractive to sellers who have been going through the process for far to long.  Just ensure you allow yourself ample time to get your financing in place and complete proper, thorough inspections.

4. Home warranty.  Sellers will often agree to pay the premium on the home warranty at closing and then hand it off to the new homeowner, who is responsible for the deductible on any future claims.

5. Repairs. Your inspection may uncover small or large repairs needed to bring the home up to standard.  You can negotiate to have these items fixed before closing or ask for a price reduction to cover the costs.

Utilizing all or most of these negotiation tactics will help make your next home buying experience go much smoother.

THREE HOUSE HUNTING TIPS JUST FOR YOU!

If you are like most people today, the computer is your gateway to finding your new home.  Approximately 87% of house hunters begin their search for a new apartment or home online, but it should not be your end all be all.  To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture of home listings online, keep the following three things in mind.

1. Stay up to date.  Make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing services (MLS) where real estate agents actively post their most current homes for sale.  Many online resources update less often and fall to remove listings that are off market cluttering your field of selections.

2. Pictures can be deceiving.  Real estate photographers are experts at showing a home in the best possible light.  They use many tools to boost appeal and creative editing to make colors and textures really pop.  Often listings will not contain unappealing parts of the home, like small closets or outdated bathrooms. 

3. See it to believe it! Once you find what appears to be your dream home online, call up your real estate agent and schedule a showing.  You want to take the opportunity to view the home in person and explore every part of it before beginning the offer process.  Your real estate agent will help you cover all your bases and will ask questions you may not have thought of.  

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HOME INSPECTION REPORT

Why do sellers leave thousands of dollars on the table at closing and what could they do to prevent such losses?

The answer is they opt not to have a home inspection done prior to listing their on the market. 

Both sellers and buyer seek to have leverage at the negotiating table.  Sellers seek the highest and best price for their property, while buyers seek the most affordable price for their new acquisition.

Both sides have access to this negotiating tool.  The seller can utilize the Home Inspection Report to deal with any irregularities the inspector may uncover during a routine home inspection.  The seller may choose to make the repairs prior to listing or forego the repairs and negotiate them prior to closing.

The buyer also relies on their own independent Home Inspection Report to (1) confirm the seller has in fact made the stated repairs, or (2) use his own report to negotiate a price reduction based upon estimates to accomplish the necessary repairs. 

The Home Inspection Report is a tool that benefits both seller and buyer.  It is a tool designed to safeguard the interests of both parties during the transaction.

An important note:

The Home Inspection Report is not an appraisal, it does not determine market value, nor is it a municipal inspection verifying code compliance.  The report does not make claims that a component of the house will never fail or need repair in the future.