 There's nothing like the excitement of receiving the keys to your own home for the first time, but there are plenty of details to cover before now and closing day. This checklist can help you kick-start the process and help you learn what it will take to purchase your first home.
How to Prep for Purchasing a Home
CLICK HERE to learn about what you should know when deciding to upsize or downsize.
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Small changes in interest can have a big impact on your payment. Many people are opting to buy while mortgage prices remain low. Learn how a move could be lucrative for you in the long term with the information below:  For tips on how to reduce and avoid debt, click here.
If you are a homeowner who has considered selling you've probably wondered about the most profitable time to sell. It turns out that the spring market could be your time to win as a seller. Here are four reasons why you should consider selling your house this spring:  Click here to learn more about selling your home in a virtual world.
SCROLL DOWN find April 2021 Market Update by County for the Triangle. To see market stats for communities in the Triangle, mouse over communities on this website and click on the community you would like market stats on and scroll to the bottom of the page. This resource is current to the date you pull data. Just another resource we offer to assist you with increasing your knowledge base about Real Estate. In Chatham County, there was a 77.5 percent increase in the number of new listings in April, year to date, compared to last year, which increased from 529 to 583. The number of closed sales increased from 407 to 473, a 16.2 percent increase. Median sales prices also increased by 12.7 percent. In April, Chatham County median sales price exceeded the median sales price for all MLS listings.  In Durham County, new listings decreased by 5.5 percent and closed sales have increased 1.4 percent year to date. Median sales price has increased 9.9 percent from this time last year, moving from $280,000 to $307,783. Average sales price increased by 13.4 percent year to date. In April, the Durham County median sales price was slightly above the median sales price of all MLS listings.  The number of listings in Orange County has increased by 6.2 percent, from 726 new listings year to date last year to 771 new listings this year. There was a 13.9 percent increase in closed sales. Additionally, median sales price increased by 18.7 percent, from $315,000 to $374,000. In April, Orange County median sales price exceeded the median sales price for all MLS listings.  The number of listings in Person County has increased by 2.5 percent, from 163 new listings year to date last year to 167 new listings this year. There was a 32.1 percent increase in closed sales. Additionally, median sales price increased by 19.6 percent, from $179,700 to $215,000. In April , Person County median sales price exceeded the median sales price for all MLS listings.  In Wake County, there was a decrease of 3.8 percent in the number of new listings year to date compared to last year, which decreased from 8,344 to 8,027. The number of closed sales increased 6.7 percent. Median sales prices also increased by 9.7 percent for April 2021 compared to April 2020. Compared to the median sales price for all MLS listings, Wake County median sales price were level in April.  For tips on how to juggle a home sale and a home purchase at the same time, click here.
Mitigate your risk and stop problems before they arise by being proactive with the security of your credit card. The tips below offer simple steps to help maintain the security of your account:  Click here to learn more about real estate and your wealth.
 Whether you're buying or selling a home, the sales price is always at the top of the agenda. For sellers, the final sales price affects bottom-line profit and future plans. For buyers, it impacts future expenses for bills, home repairs, and renovations. Before selling your home, it's essential to consider repairs and upgrades that impact your profit and decide whether making them is your best option.
Many homeowners are faced with the dilemma of selling their home in "as is condition" or sinking money into needed repairs and upgrades. To answer that question, you need to evaluate necessary repairs, examine your financial situation, and research local real estate markets to determine the return on your investment. Evaluate Necessary Repairs All homes need repairs, but some are more urgent than others. If you live in an old home that hasn't had a lot of upgrades, you may have more costly repairs. Start by walking through the house and making a list of repairs and upgrades that may impact your sale. Any repairs to the foundation, roof, plumbing, and HVAC systems (heating and air conditioning) should be at the top of your list because they bring the highest return on your investment. Other repairs and upgrades that add value include:
Selling your home means moving to a new location. Whether you're buying your dream home across town, relocating out-of-state, or downsizing in retirement, you must consider moving expenses, as well as other move-in costs such as monthly bills, home repairs and upgrades, property improvements, property taxes, and mortgage payments, unless you pay cash. If you discount the sale of your home to allow the buyer to make necessary repairs, how does that impact your future finances? Some buyers look for fixer-uppers, but generally that means minor repairs like new carpeting, new paint, and new light fixtures. Major repairs like a new roof, new windows, new plumbing, and a new electrical system are too costly. When major repairs are necessary, a buyer will usually offer a significantly lower price, ask the seller to pay for repairs, or walk away from the sale. Most buyers want a home that's in move-in condition, but you have to make sure necessary repairs won't impact your financial situation. Research the Local Real Estate Market Researching homes for sale in your area can help with decisions on making repairs. In most cases, fixer-uppers reflect a lower sales price than homes with numerous upgrades and renovations. You can view homes online or talk to your real estate agent about important repairs and upgrades that boost sales and provide the best return on investment. Smart sellers weigh the cost of making improvements against the home's market value after improvements are completed. If you notice that most higher-priced homes for sale have upgraded kitchens, that's probably because the return on investment is high. This doesn't mean you have to tear out the cabinets and install top-of-the-line designer appliances. In some cases, painting old cabinets, installing new hardware, and hanging new light fixtures are enough to give your kitchen an updated look. When you're selling a home "as is," this means you will not make any repairs or offer the buyer any discount to cover the cost of repairs. Based on your real estate needs and your timeline to move, your real estate agent can help you decide whether an "as is" sale or a discounted price is your best option.  Dark walls are one of the hottest new interior design trends! However, before you leap over to the dark side, there are some tricks you need to know. While adding dark paint to your rooms is a fun way to give your home a personal touch, choosing the best colors and locations can be challenging.
Don't worry, though. We're here to help! The following tips will have you painting and decorating like a pro. Choose Where to Apply Your Paint While lighter paint colors look great just about everywhere, too much dark paint can make a room look smaller. To pull off this trend, choose one wall and use dark paint as an accent. Not only will this create visual interest, but it will also make the room feel longer. While a dark accent wall can work in just about any room, some of the most popular places to use this technique are the master bedroom, living room, and bathrooms. Keep the Space Open This trend often works best in larger rooms and those with an open floor plan. Be careful adding dark accent walls in rooms that are already small, cramped, or cluttered. Otherwise, the room can start to feel suffocating. Play with Textures Flat black can get boring fast, so don't be afraid to play with textures. Consider decorating your walls with clean lines or curves. Add a shaggy or fur throw rug and some luxurious throws to soften the look. Use your imagination, and don't be afraid to add in some different materials, like glass, silk, wood, or matte tiles. The objective here should be to add movement and life to the room. As long as you choose pieces you love, you really can't go wrong. Choose Light Furniture When choosing dark paint, look for lighter-colored furniture. This will brighten up the space and give it the contrast it needs. Shades like beige, coral, white, and pearl tend to work well in darker rooms. If you're wondering what pieces to lighten up, consider bringing more light into the room by choosing a lighter-colored bathroom vanity, couch, dining table, or kitchen cabinets. Have Fun with Accents If you choose black or navy walls, consider adding some pastel accents, neutral colors, or even bright or golden decor. It's fine to get creative here — you can have fun choosing area rugs, throw blankets, vases, picture frames, and more. Also consider adding a large mirror on the wall opposite your windows. This will reflect light into the room, making it look both larger and brighter. Pay Attention to Lighting Dark walls work best in rooms that have plenty of lighting. Large windows that let in a lot of natural light are the best. If you're lucky enough to have this, make sure you choose sheer curtains instead of heavy, dark ones. This will ensure they don't block out the light. It's also a great idea to have some fun with light fixtures. Trendy lamps or a signature chandelier can bring in the light you need while also adding even more style and personality to the room. Follow these guidelines, and you'll be able to pull off the dark paint trend with ease! Before you know it, you'll be enjoying a luxurious, sophisticated look that's totally on-trend and a reflection of your unique style.  There are lots of reasons someone might want to move, but the biggest reasons often involve the need for upsizing or downsizing. No matter which way you're going, your current home just isn't meeting your needs. That's a good indication it's time for a change. Here are a few things to keep in mind to get it right.
Consider the future firstBuying a house is a big investment and a long-term commitment. Consider if and how your finances or lifestyle may change in the near future. Retirement, growing families, and career changes are a few examples that can make a difference. When to upsizeDo you really need a bigger home? These are some signs you do, and now might be the time to make the move.
 Selling your home isn't always easy. It's a long and sometimes stressful process, and once you get through it, you might wonder, "now what?"
First and foremost, take a moment to breathe a sigh of relief, and acknowledge your accomplishment. Selling a home is a major milestone, and it's worth celebrating. Once you've done that, it's time to consider what comes next.
CLICK HERE to learn about the top 3 upgrades for entertainment areas in your home! |
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