Why So Many Millennials Are Buying Vacation Homes While Still Renting

Millennials are doing this their things their way. This comes to purchase a home. Millennials are holding off on becoming homeowners and are opting to rent instead of making a purchase. What makes this interesting is that they are purchasing vacation homes. They are getting these homes where they will only live at a week or two a year while on vacation. This may sound odd but it is a smart thing to do on their part.

 

 

Home Buying Plan

Purchasing a home is a major decision and takes a lot of planning. A person will need to think of their current goals such as a shorter commute to work. They will also need to think about long term goals including having affording a wedding, kids, and thinking about retirement. A lot of commitment goes into purchasing a home. A person will need to think about every area of their finances. For Millennial’s, this is very permanent and they are not looking forward to such a commitment.

 

They are waiting longer to get married and have children. They are also changing jobs more frequently and are not afraid to relocate. A vacation home will allow them to getaway. They can live in an urban area and then escape to their vacation home. This gives them a reason to get away and will allow them to get more home for their money. They can have a spacious place to retreat.

 

 

Investments

A vacation home is a great investment. A person is more likely to purchase a vacation home in an area that is less expensive than where they are currently living. They will be able to get more home for the price. A vacation home is also a good investment. If a person ever is in a pinch or wants to build their dream home they have the potential to sell their home. Most people are purchasing a vacation home to hold on to and as a long term investment. The retirement home can be a forever home when retirement comes around. By then the home will be paid off and a person will get to relax in a nice climate. The vacation homes will allow a person to get away from busy city life and relax in a peaceful setting.

 

 

Cities are Expensive

Millennials are working in cities and purchasing a home in a city is very expensive. With student loan debt and other finances, they cannot afford it. The average home in Manhattan is valued at over a million dollars. Even with a good job, this is expensive with little to no properly. Paying rent makes it almost impossible to save for a home that is so expensive. Purchasing a home somewhere that is more affordable outside of a city can be a big help.

 

In most vacation destinations while a person does enjoy going there to relax they may not want to live or settle down in that area. Purchasing a vacation home will allow a person to have the best of both worlds. They will be able to enjoy being a homeowner in a vacation that they like. They will also continue to live in a city where they can work without having to pay an insane amount for a home.

 

 

Good Investment

Owning a home can be a good investment. If a person owns a vacation home in an area that is popular they can see a return on their investment. For example, if a person purchases their vacation home for $300,000 they can make a good gain within a couple of years. Property values go up about three percent each year. This is a profit of over $18,000 a year. This will depend on the amount of money that was used as a down payment but within a couple of years if the home is sold they can make a nice profit.

 

A person will need to learn the market and the way home prices are affected but owning a vacation home can be profitable. A person will only be in the home a few weeks a year so it will not see the normal wear and tear from everyday living. There are other options a person can have when they are not living in the home. The home is going to be vacant most of the year. A person can rent the home out by the week or nightly to other vacationers. They can work with an online agency to help with this. While they will need to pay the agency a person can make money off their vacation home when it is not in use. This will allow them to put money towards the mortgage and depending on how popular the other home, this can help them pay the rent on the building they are living in.

 

 

Reduce Tax Liability

When a person owns a home they can get several discounts on their taxes. They can get homeownership discounts and may be able to get discounts on taxes and some other areas such as mortgage costs. A person that owns a vacation home may be able to pay lower taxes than in the high tax state where they are working. This will help them save a lot of money and will allow them to take a decent amount off of their taxes. A person will need to show how much time they spent at their vacation home but working with the right accountant can lead to some good deductions when it comes to tax filing.

 

With the increasing prices of homes especially in a populated area, it is no wonder why millennials are purchasing vacation homes while they are still renting their main residents. The location of the vacation homes are much more affordable and will give a person a good excuse to take a vacation. These homes can be a good investment and Millennial’s can become homeowners while still living close to their jobs.

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Buying a House in 2020: What You Need to Know

In the year 2020 there is a chance or new beginnings and to make a new start. Many people can accomplish their goals including owning a home. Some things are changing in the market for a homeowner and there are some important things a person needs to know about purchasing a home in 2020.

 

Pre-approval is Important

There is a shortage of homes on the market. It is a seller’s market. Before a real estate agent will work with a buyer they need to have a pre-approval letter from a mortgage company. This will allow the deals to be closed quickly and with as little snags as possible. With this letter, the seller will know that the buyer is serious about purchasing a home and if they like the home they can put an offer in on it that same day. The lender will help the buyer determine what they can afford and work out any issues that may affect their ability to purchase a home.

 

Credit Score

There are certain credit scores need to purchase a home. In 2020 a person will need to have a credit score of at least 620. An average credit score for homeownership will range between 620 and 680. If a person has a better credit score such as a 740 they can enjoy lower interest rates.

 

Home Price

Most people wonder what they can afford and which homes they should be looking at in their price range. Lenders are still going to focus on debt to income ratio but some things can help a person determine the price of a home. if the household income is around $110,000 then they can afford homes in the price range of $330,000. To determine an exact amount a person should speak to the lender before they begin their search. This will help them look for homes within their price range.

 

Interest Rates

For some time interest rates for home, loans have been around 4 percent. There is no too much change predicted for 2020 and interest rates should remain around this rate. They are not expected to drop but the good news is they are not expected to increase either. This is a pretty good deal for a home mortgage interest rate.

 

Down Payments

Most people think they need to put 20 percent of the purchase price of the home as a down payment. This is not always the case. People have been putting between 3 and 5 percent of the price as a down payment. This is making it more affordable for people to purchase a home.

 

Review Finances and Spending

Lenders are going to want to see how much money is a person is making and how much money they are spending. It is important to have all of this paperwork in order. A person has to be willing to supply the lender with their income information, baking information, current bills including student loans and credit card bills, and related information about debts. This is very important. They are going to use this information not only to see if a person can afford a home but to track their spending habits and see if they are responsible with money. This is something lenders are going to be focusing on so a person needs to watch their spending habits for 2020.

 

Home Prices are Rising

Home prices are continuing to rise in 2020 but they are going to increase slowly. Home prices are predicted to increase by 2.8 percent. While homes are getting more expensive this increase is nothing to be overly alarmed about. Buyers should be willing to expand their search and look in towns outside of the area where they want to live. They may have to travel a couple of additional miles to work to get a better deal on a home.

 

Buyers are mostly Millennials

It is important to know the people that are looking to purchase the home. Millennials like to use technology and they will put research into a home before they may an offer. Real estate companies and sellers should make sure the home is posted online and it is easy to find. They need to invest in high-quality pictures and possibly even posting a digital tour of the home. Since most people will be looking for a home online it is important to have a strong presence and good pictures. A person should highlight some appealing features if their home happens to have them. Laundry rooms, patios, and extra storage are highly desired by homebuyers.

 

Equity Will Not Decrease

This is good news for the homeowner. The prices of homes are expected to increase and the seller can make a profit on their home. They should continue to monitor their equity in 2020.

 

Smaller Neighborhoods

Most people are looking to purchase a home near conveniences and homes with easy access to highways. This is slowly changing. Homebuyers are looking for homes in the country and smaller neighborhoods. They do not want the noise when they are not working and they are willing to drive a little further to get the home that they want. There is also the increase of people working from home so location is not as important as it once way. Buyers are looking for homes outside of bust areas so if a person lives outside of the main city they may be able to see their home this year.

 

These are some things that are going to be carefully examined and things to keep in mind when looking to purchase a home in 2020. Interest rates on home loans are low and a person can continue to see these low rates in 2020. There are more buyers than homes for sale on the market. A person needs to keep their credit good and watch their spending so they will be able to purchase a home in 2020.

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source https://nationalcashoffer.com/buying-a-house-in-2020-what-you-need-to-know/

How Selling your Home to Offerpad Works

Selling your home has never been easier than it is today. For those looking to make a fast sale, there are a plethora of options at their disposal. Rather than listing your home with an agent and going down the traditional route, people now can receive instant cash offers on their house and sell their home within days. One such company that currently buys homes is Offerpad. Like many other companies like it, Offerpad makes selling your home as easy as possible, giving sellers flexibility and providing them with good, clean, and easy service and support. Offerpad currently operates in eight different states.

 

 

How selling your home with Offerpad works

Offerpad began in 2015 and since has helped tons of homeowners sell their home and successfully move. The process works in just 6 easy steps. First, the seller provides Offerpad with a summary of the property they wish to sell. This includes the address, details of the home, upgrades, and current condition along with any photos (photos are not necessary but are highly encouraged).

 

Next, once Offerpad receives your home description, it reviews it, uses its own algorithm while taking several other things into account to create your offer. Overall, this process takes just 24 hours. Upon completion, your offer will be sent to you.

 

The third step is to review your offer. Once the offer is submitted to the buyer, they have a chance to review everything included..

 

After that, the seller is able to quickly sign all the necessary documents online. Offerpad will send you the purchase contract and should it be to the seller’s satisfaction, simply sign online, and the deal will officially be under contract.

 

Following the signing of the documentation, Offerpad performs an inspection of your home to verify the information included in the initial description. Once that is completed, all that is left is the closing. At the closing, Offerpad pays the agreed upon price to purchase your home. After that, you’re free to move on into the next phase of your life.

 

 

Other amenities

Additional services included with the offer range from free local moves and totally flexible closing dates to extended stays after your close. With Offerpad’s Extended Stay Program, you are allowed to stay in your house for up to 3 days after the sale. This saves homeowners the usual chaos of having to close and move on the same day. Sellers have until 7 pm on the third day to be complete vacated from the house. For example, if the closing occurs on the 3rd, the seller has until 7 pm on the 6th to vacate.

 

Another feature is their Free Move Program. Once your house in under contract with an offer from Offerpad, the moving company will contact you to set up a moving date (the date can be rescheduled if needed). The move is free anywhere within 50 miles, and Offerpad will pay the moving company directly. The only additional costs required are anything you and the moving company agree to prior to the move such as additional insurance. On the day of the

 

 

How buying a home with Offerpad works

Buying a home with Offerpad is as easy as selling. Currently they have listed homes for sale in; Phoenix, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Tampa, Charlotte, and Dallas among others. Their goal is to remove the stress and hassle associated with the traditional methods of buying a home and making it as easy and stress free as possible.

 

With Offerpad’s Instant Access, prospective buyers can browse from hundreds of homes in their local area quick and easy with no agent required. Buyer’s are paired with their own transaction managers to help guide them through the entire process. Offerpad takes care of the entire process and provides flexibility with move in dates to accommodate your schedule. The goal is to sell you a home quickly without hassle and without the need to involve agents and go through endless paperwork and agent fees.

 

Viewing a house is easy through their instant access service. Homes are available for viewing between 6 am and 11 pm local time, simply arrive at the house and the instructions for viewing will be there for you at the door when you show up.

 

Does it really work?

In just 5 years, Offerpad has purchased thousands of homes from homeowners, offering fair market value prices. People who are in a bind with their home or are just looking to make a quick sale with as little hassle as possible find Offerpad to be among the best services to go through. Their customer service is personable and previous clients boast of the swiftness and professionalism of the process.

 

 

Alternatives

These days more and more organizations such as Offerpad are popping up and growing in a wide range of areas. One such company is Value Cash Offers. Offerpad currently is not operating in Illinois. For those in Illinois looking to sell quickly and receive an instant cash offer on their property, VCO is the place to go. Value Cash Offer provides people with a quick and easy way to sell their home. Selling a house is not an easy process, especially when you’re trying to sell your home fast. Value Cash Offer makes the process as easy as possible. Value Cash Offer walks their clients through the entire process and provides them with direct assistance throughout.

 

VCO will buy your home in any condition and under any circumstances. Whether your need to move quickly for work related reasons, have a bad mortgage, fire damage, mold, etc., VCO will give you a cash offer and buy your home as is. With zero closing costs, sellers can take the full offer with no hassles or extraneous fees. Selling a house can take up to 3-5 months using the traditional method of finding an agent, listing the house, staging it and doing any repairs necessary. Using Value Cash Offer, sellers can receive an offer and cash out fully within 7 days. For those in Illinois looking to sell quickly, Value Cash Offer is the best option.

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source https://nationalcashoffer.com/how-selling-your-home-to-offerpad-works/

Tips & Tricks for an Eco-Friendly Holiday Season

Tips & Tricks for an Eco-Friendly Holiday Season

Holidays come with a spell of enjoyment and an overabundance of presents. However, they can produce bushels of waste that can have severe damage to the environment. Luckily, a few easy, careful tweaks can make a significant impact on keeping the environment clean. This includes;

 

Reduce Energy in Your Home

There are lots of ways in which you can cut down the energy that you use in the home. This will lead to lesser energy bills and extra cash in your pockets, which will, in turn, be a win for you as well as a win for the entire Earth. Unplug all the pieces of equipment when they are not in use. During the holiday season, you might have many people in your house and thus having lots of clothing to wash. Clean all the clothing on cold (since about 85 % of the energy that is used to machine wash the clothes usually goes to heating the water) and make use of a clothesline or drying rack to dry your clothing when they are done with washing. To reduce your energy in your home is exactly as simple as the click of a push button. If you feel uncomfortable to take every one of these steps at one time, try each of it at a time until your household is entirely energy efficient!

 

Recycle and repurpose

Why should you buy new when you can make use of what you have already purchased? It is surprisingly effortless to recycle as well as up-cycle. Here are several of the easy, eco-friendly ideas that you can try:

 

• Pick decorations that you will use again and again. You can decorate with live plants.

• Go for reusable bags or reusable cloth wrapping for your gifts.

• Keep the gift bags as well as bows to use again in the future.

• Let your guests go home with the leftovers after the holiday meals.

• Recycle the wrapping paper, cards, and envelopes provided that they are not glittery or metallic.

• Check if there is a tree-recycling program in your locale.

• Indeed, you can continue doing these things throughout the year and not only during the holidays.

 

Reduce the Wastage of Water

Live an eco-friendly life by using a reduced amount of water and by cutting off bottled water purchases. Put aerators taps in your bathrooms. Aerator taps are an economical and easy way to put a green touch to your bathrooms and kitchens. This petite metal filter immensely reduces the usage of water, prevents water from splashing, and also shapes the water flow by allowing air in. This investment is worth it.

 

Add solar panels to your roof

Fixing a solar power in your house this holiday season is a one-time investment which would really lessen your electricity bills. Going energy means not needing to rely on the usual energy infrastructure. It will be a great point of dissimilarity when the would-be guests scroll through the listings looking for a home that is necessary for them (if you install in your rentals)

 

Acquire the correct Light Bulb

It is not to say that you replace every of your light bulbs even if they are still operational. However, when one of your light bulbs gets exhausted, change it with an eco-friendly brand. You can replace your previous bulb with a compacted fluorescent light. This is because CFL bulbs usually last over five times longer, and they use a much lesser amount of electricity than standard luminescent light bulbs. Besides, they are brighter, and this means that you may able to manage with fewer lights in your home!

 

Use Reusable Bags

This helps to cut down waste as well as making your surrounding eco-friendlier. Use Canvas Bags in place Of Plastic. The majority of the stores usually offer a canvas bag option to their inefficient common paper and plastic bags. Even though canvas bags may cost a little amount to get them, they are really much more helpful than you may think. Canvas bags are stronger than usual paper or plastic bags, and they usually carry more goods. They can as well be used for storing items or packing items when you are moving. This makes it handy in more than just one way.

 

Avoid Disposable Containers

Try as much as you can, to avoid additional packaging during the holidays. When this is more easily said than done, purchasing food in bulkiness, serving food with completely washable utensils, as well as making home-produced items (such as cookies and hot chocolate) in vast quantities might help. Remember also to cover your gifts in reusable or sustainable items, such as old newspapers, or unnecessary maps. If every American family cover three of their gifts in reusable items this holiday, it will help to reduce waste significantly!

 

Turn off your appliances

Conservation of Energy is among the most important things that you can do to lessen your carbon footprint. When you leave your electrical on a standby mode, they unnecessarily use up a lot of energy. Always press the off switch off button, and you will see a considerable improvement, and most evidently in your monthly energy bills. Turning off your appliances at the mains switch is one way to conserve energy. Instead of leaving them standby will save vast amounts of carbon which will save you your coins on the energy bill

Recycle your Car

You might not know this, but recycling your car is among the best ways of living in an eco-friendly life. While making the changes, you might look to find additional gas-friendly natural as well as organic means of cleaning that are extremely less harmful.

 

Buy local

From food to clothes, the nearer to home the cheaper they would be, these kinds of stuff are made and purchased at a low price,Therefore the fewer the carbon is produced with their shipping. Not just that, but you will support the home economy, and this means that with time, you will probably have even additional home items to select from.

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source https://nationalcashoffer.com/tips-tricks-for-an-eco-friendly-holiday-season/

What Are Self-employed Document Prep for Mortgage Applications?

Owning a home is a dream that many people have. Fortunately, you have the option of applying for a mortgage to finance your dream home. Some of the things that the lenders will require from you are a good credit and proof of an income. Unfortunately, those who are self-employed may find it hard to prove the latter, even in the case that they make more money than those who are on a salary. Without the ability to show the lender that you can consistently keep up with the mortgage repayment, it can be challenging to get loan approval.

 

 

Mortgage Financing For the Self Employed; Main Challenges

The major challenge the self-employed have when approaching lenders is to show that they have a consistent income. The lender will want to know how stable the business is. They will also look at the demand for what you offer, your financial strength, and the location of your business. You will, therefore, need to have proper documentation, unlike an employee who has the W-2 tax form.

 

Minimizing your income by writing off a significant portion of it as business expenses will also impact how much you can receive as mortgage. A lender will look at your debt to income ratio in determining your ability to service a mortgage. You will be safe if the ratio is lower than 43%.

 

 

Mortgage Application Documents for the Self-Employed

When you are self-employed and applying for a mortgage, you will need to convince the lender that you can make the repayments. They will, therefore, focus on your collateral, capacity to repay, and credit reputation. You must have the following documents when making a mortgage application:

 

• Business and personal tax returns for the past two years

 

• IRS form 4506-T, which allows the lender to request your tax return transcripts

 

• Profit and loss statement

 

• Bank statements for your business

 

• Verification documentation for your business

 

• Business license

 

• A breakdown of all your debts and monthly payments

 

• Any canceled checks for mortgage or rent

 

• Proof of additional income or payments, for instance, disability or social security

 

• Statement from clients or accountants (only applies to some lenders)

 

 

Tax Returns

You must keep up with your tax returns even when you are self-employed. The lender will look at your tax return documents as proof that you have an income. They will not penalize you for the expected fluctuations that may occur due to the nature of running a business. They will, however, want to know that you have an income that can go into mortgage repayment. They will look at factors such as gross revenue, taxable income, expenses, and the annual trends, which they will use to forecast your business potential.

 

If you are new in self-employment, say one year, you can use your W-2 tax returns from your previous employer, together with your self-employment tax returns, to apply for a loan. You should note that some lenders may be unsure about your ability to maintain the mortgage repayments, if you have been in self-employment for a short time.

 

However, there have been some significant changes with regard to mortgage application for the self-employed. If your application qualifies for automated underwriting, you will only need one year of tax documentation to prove you have an income. Lenders are also embracing new calculation methods for those who have little or no income history.

 

 

Good Credit Reports

You must keep a close eye on your credit score by keeping up with the credit reports. You may be faithfully meeting your financial obligations, but there could be an error in your credit score report. It is essential that if you discover any mistake, you report it to the credit bureau immediately for correction.

 

The lender will also need proof that you are consistent with debt repayment. Any issues with delinquencies, bankruptcies, repossessions, foreclosures, or delinquencies will not work in your favor. They may also look at whether you have applied for credit in the past year by checking the status of your revolving credit account. They may also need to know the status of your business credit.

 

You can qualify for a mortgage, even with a poor credit score. Some lenders have a bad credit mortgage, but they are very expensive. They will charge a higher interest rate because they are not quite sure they will manage to recoup all their money.

 

 

Proof Of Emergency Funds

Having an emergency fund means that you plan your financing well, and can put aside something for a rainy day. A lender will require that you make your mortgage repayments faithfully every month. Due to the nature of the business, there are times when you will not earn as much money as you usually do. You will, however, still need to meet your financial obligations, and that is why you need the emergency fund.

 

Bank Statements

The lender may ask you questions with regards to your bank account. They may, for example, want to know how much you have in your savings or checking account, and if you have balances in retirement accounts. They may also want to see whether you have other investments in areas such as bonds, stocks, or securities. They may as well look at whether or not you have made any large deposits within the last 60 days. All this is in an effort to know that you can make a down payment on your mortgage.

 

Business Records

You must separate your personal from business funds. Keep an account of all invoices and expenses, and update your profit and loss statements quarterly.

 

Licenses

Licenses are proof that you are operating legally, and are serious about self-employment.

 

 

Final Thoughts

While many people think that getting mortgage facilities for the self-employed is impossible, this could not be further from the truth. You may have to go through a few more hurdles than someone in employment will have to go through. However, with the right documentation and proof of income, you can easily qualify. We have highlighted some of the documents you must have if you hope to qualify for a mortgage. Make sure you work with a financial advisor to walk you through the process. The right mortgage broker will also advise you on the best way to proceed, to ensure that you increase your chances of qualifying for financing.

The post What Are Self-employed Document Prep for Mortgage Applications? appeared first on National Cash Offer.

source https://nationalcashoffer.com/what-are-self-employed-document-prep-for-mortgage-applications/

How Local Home Prices Effect School Performance In School

Families choose the location of their home by considering where their children will study. While focus on academic performance has become even more astute due to an increasing emphasis on scores and completion statistics, home shoppers have become a bit more cautious in their selection as well. It is clear that schools directly affect real estate values in a particular neighborhood. 

 

 

School Spending and Real Estate Values

There is a correlation between home values and school expenditures according to data from the National Bureau of Economic Research. A report from the bureau found that real estate values increased by about twenty US dollars for every dollar invested in public schools within a particular community. This report suggested that additional expenditures in school development benefited everyone within the community, regardless of whether or not the residents had children studying in the local public schools. 

 

Even though these findings might be compelling, they do not portray an accurate picture of the relationship between home values and school spending. According to other reports from the bureau, some districts operate their public schools more efficiently; therefore, while expenditures might seem low, the quality of education remains high. Additionally, the proximity of the school from neighboring districts or the average size of the district could also impact the perception of a particular school’s value, sometimes beyond the expenditure formula. 

 

The researchers also realized that wealthy school districts, areas in which home values tend to be high, spend a significant amount of their funds efficiently. The results show that even though home buyers associate school quality with expenditure to a certain degree, this factor might be significant in influencing real estate values. Nonetheless, the trend has remained the same even on national level, which provides credibility to the correlation between the two variables. 

 

 

Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal, in 2010, reported a high association between home values and school performance, which fluctuated in different school districts and states. The increasing availability of data, according to the report, has led to families looking for homes solely based on the quality of education and schools within the neighborhood. Currently, a family looking to purchase a new home need only to search on the internet to get information about school completion rates, student to teacher ratios, and standardized test scores to rank the quality of education within the area in which they hope to reside. 

 

For instance, when Florida rolled out a new grading system for schools within the state, real estate values were impacted significantly. According to the Wall Street Journal, estates sharing the same neighborhood with A-rated schools increased in value by over 10,000 US dollars over similar estates that shared the same neighborhood with B-rated schools. The gap has increased over the years. At the moment, home values vary anywhere from 50,000 US dollars to 300,000 US dollars per home. 

 

 

National Trends

A study by Brookings Institution established that real estate costs tend to be high in areas where there are high-scoring schools. The study, which focused on the one hundred metro areas in the United States, found a difference of 200,000 US dollars in real estate prices between houses close to low-performing schools and high-performing schools. Estates near high-performing institutions tend to be larger, with about one more room per home near low-performing schools. Additionally, the number of rental homes in estates close to high-performing institutions is about thirty percent lower. 

 

 

Good for Landowners, Bad for Relocating Families

This news might sound good for people concerned about the net value of their land; however, families looking to relocate to new neighborhoods might face extreme challenges. The well-performing school district in North Carolina is full of homes that are priced highly, presenting numerous financial challenges for families that would also want their children to benefit from the highly rated schools in the school district. Families that can easily afford such high home prices may find the homes snatched up fast, they will have a very hard time to land a deal on home that can meet their requirements. 

 

Moreover, differences in home prices might contribute to educational disparities that arise between low, middle, and high income students. Families that can afford to relocate to high quality school districts often choose to move, leaving those who can’t afford in subpar institutions. Additionally, differences in home values leads to even more segregated schools, which might lead to even further disparities in education. 

 

The association between quality education and home values can be a bonus to people living in the same neighborhood with a well-performing school. As more data continues to be absorbed worldwide about school performance, the generation expectation is that the trend will endure into the future, or even increase. 

 

 

Property Values and Good Schools – An Egg and Chicken Situation

When discussing why well-performing schools affect property values, it is very easy to get into a chicken and egg situation. On one hand, it is viable to argue that good schools can lead to increased property values. On the other hand, it is still viable to argue that the affluence common in neighborhoods near well-performing schools is responsible for the difference in academic quality. Generally, good schools are relocated in areas that have a high standard of living. 

 

The affluence present in such neighborhoods tend to create districts that can score high on tests, and they also tend to rank high in performance than institutions that are located in poorer neighborhoods. 

 

For families looking for land, the association between property values and good schools may not be as important as the hardest fact: better schools will lead to high property values. If you hope to sell a home in a well-performing school district, you can as for a high price for your property than a similar home that is located in a poorly performing school district. If you hope to purchase a home in a well-performing school district, you should expect to pay more money for that property. 

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source https://nationalcashoffer.com/how-local-home-prices-effect-school-performance-in-school/

When Is The Best Time To Sell Your Home In Nevada?

Nevada is the fourth state in the United States in terms of the economic outlook. It is ranked seventh out of the fifty American states due to its total area. Besides being the home to several casinos, it is a beautiful state with natural features like Cathedral Gorge State Park, Lake Mead, and Lake Tahoe.

Therefore, it is the desire of most people to live in Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, or Paradise. The cattle ranching, tourism, and mining may have enhanced your willingness to own a property in this state. More so, the lack of corporate or income tax is an added advantage.

However, you may be wondering how you can dispose of your home now that you are downsizing, upsizing, relocating to safer areas, as well as cash out your investment.

 

Characteristics of the State of Nevada

There are several factors that buyers in Nevada consider when they start thinking of moving from one town to another. They consider how rich or safe the Nevada towns are.

The richest places have common characteristics like genius level populous, Pleasantville level of married couples, and sky-high home prices.

They include Henderson, Reno, Sparks, Las Vegas, Winnemucca, Elko, Carlin, Fernley, Boulder City, Carson City, and West Wendover. Therefore, if your house is in these towns, then wait for the right season to dispose of your property at the best market price.

The areas have a rich history, and their present status is always attractive. Therefore look for an expert or professional in real estate, who can guide you on when to sell your property. They will advise you when the demand for houses in your location shifts.

 

Where Is Your House Located?

The location of your property in Nevada will determine the price and the demand. The following are some of the best places to invest in a property in Nevada. They are also the best places with the highest market prices.

 

Las Vegas: the name is a Spanish word for meadows. The town has abundant wild grasses and desert spring waters that quench the thirst of westward travelers. The city is known simply as Vegas, and the most populated city in the Nevada state.

It has the more magnificent Mojave Desert, and is internationally renowned for shopping, gambling, nightlife, and entertainment. Further, the city serves as a leading center for commercial, financial, and culture in Nevada.

 

Sparks: was initially occupied by the Washoe people. It had different names like Harriman and now named Spark, after Nevada Governor John Sparks. It has grown from a small town to an area that hosts several open-air events.

The residents comprise of high adjusted median income and low employment rate. The city has the lowest crime rate, thus attracting many buyers.

 

Henderson: was the leading supplier of magnesium throughout America. After World War II, the supply of magnesium was not necessary, hence, the sale of war surplus property. It is near Las Vegas and has several choices for dining and shopping.

Features that attract home buyers are the Cheesecake Factory, the Cupcakery, Trader Joes, and Rapsodielle for teen’s clothing.

 

Reno: is a relatively fertile valley where Truckee River links Pyramid Lake and Lake Tahoe. It is one of the best but small towns in the US. The rate of unemployment is low, and the crime rate is low, as well. Therefore, if your property is in Reno, then you will have several buyers during the best time of the year.

 

What is the Best Time of the Year to Sell Your Home?

Before putting your house in the market, you need to consider which months have the highest sales price. Each month has its own challenges in the property market. You risk getting a low price when putting your house in the market at the wrong time of the year.

There are four seasons in Nevada based on the months of the year.

 

Spring: lies between March and May. It is an excellent season to sell your house. People come out of hibernation during this period and start to consider new homes in the early days of spring.

Therefore ensure your house is ready for sale at this time of the year.

 

Summer: Runs from June to August. It is the best season to sell your house. Although the heat level in the desert is high, it is the time when people visit the city. It is a time when there is a frenzy of activities in this city.

New homeowners move to this city from other places during summer. Estimates indicate 5000 people relocate to the Las Vegas area every month. The figure is even higher during the summer months.

 

Fall: lies between September and November. It is the time of the year with plenty of business conventions. People move to Nevada’s cities to pursue a new life. Thus, September is a great month that spikes the housing demand. The cooling weather in October also creates a buying mood.

 

Winter: Falls between December and February. It is the worst time to sell your house, and it is a common trend across other markets in the United States. The demand for homes is low during winter since people avoid shopping or moving to a new house. It is a time when people are on holiday, thus hesitant to put in offers.

 

Conclusion

There are certain factors that you consider before putting your house on sale in the State of Nevada. Think about the location of your property. Cities with low rates of employment and crime attract many buyers. People looking for new properties to buy; want to move to areas with attractive features like sceneries, places to dine, and shops.

Another factor to consider is the time of the year. Spring, summer, and fall present the best times to place your home in the market. The weather is conducive, the areas have several activities going on, and buyers can visit the cities. Therefore, it will be easier to sell your house during these months.

On the other hand, winter is the worst season across the US. It is a season when people hibernate or go on holiday because the temperatures are extremely low. The demand for property is thus lower from December through February. Therefore, if you put your house on sale during these months, you are likely to get lower prices. It may also take longer to sell your home.

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When Is It The Best Time Of The Year To Sell A House In California?

Are you planning to sell your house? You may be wondering whether it is the best time of the year to do so. Besides considering the right time to dispose of your property, you need to think about your location. Reviewing the local and national trends will assist you in making a pretty good guess of the right time to put it in the market. You may consult a trusted real estate agent to gain more insight into the best time, and also ask about the price. The expert may assist you to consider repairs that are needed to make to improve the appearance of your house. Therefore, before putting your home on sale, there are several essential factors to consider. However, you may begin your journey by analyzing your location and the season.

 

 

The Location of Your Property

The housing market in California varies based on the location of the property. The state is divided into Northern, and Southern California. San Francisco is a city in Northern California and Los Angeles in Southern California.

 

Due to the establishment of Silicon Valley in recent years, the economy in Northern California has greatly improved. It is viewed as the center for the global, national and state economy. Some years back, the San Francisco and Los Angeles economies were considered to be at the same level.

 

Today, the Bay Area has embraced technological expansion, thus enabling it to enjoy regional identity and cultural cohesion. Further, the presence of tech giants in the region has caused the demand and costs of houses to go up in Northern California. Therefore, the prices of homes in San Francisco have significantly improved.

 

 

Seasonality Affects the Price of Houses

There are four seasons in a year. These seasons have a significant impact on the demand and prices of the house.

 

In The Spring: the demand for houses is higher during the warm weather. Thus, you should prepare your home during winter months to sell it in spring. At this period, buyers have tax refunds in their banks, parents are getting ready for their kids’ summer break, and the weather is friendly for moving in.

 

Therefore, spring is an appropriate time for either selling or buying a house in the Bay area.

 

In The Summer: the weather is friendly since there are many hours of sunshine. Thus, buyers can walk with their families during the home tours.

 

On the other hand, it is the same time that people take their vacations. The weather may also get too hot and uncomfortable for buyers to shop. Therefore, as a buyer, you may witness a bit of slowdown.

 

In The Fall: you may have a chance of selling your house to buyers in the early fall. They may be planning to move in and get settled before the weather gets bad or learning of the kids picks up. Therefore, the buyers’ feeling of urgency can benefit you if you prioritize making a quick sale.

 

On the other hand, the market for houses may be affected by factors like a layoff, job transfer, or family issues. Thus, shoppers can be sensitive to prices and may prefer renting than purchasing new houses.

 

In The Winter: it is the slowest season for selling homes in California. Days are shorter and colder during the season. At the same time, people may think about hibernating or going on holidays. Therefore, you can use this month to plan for significant renovation and repairs for your house, which you can sell immediately when the weather improves.

 

 

Tips for Selling Your House in San Francisco

The following tips will help you sell your house at a profit and the highest price possible:

 

• • Perform a thorough Comparative Market Analysis

As discussed above, the location of your property will significantly affect how quickly you can sell your house, as well as the price of your property. Additionally, the neighborhood of your property matters. Therefore, research thoroughly on the prices of similar houses in your area to understand the price that you can quote.

You can look out for the length of time the house has been in the market, its selling price and value updates over the period. You may also delegate the process to a local trusted real estate agent if you feel uncomfortable or incompetent.

 

• • Consider Your Priorities

What is your priority? Is it to fetch a high price or get a quick sale? You will have to be patient if at all; you’re seeking higher profit margins. If you’re in a hurry to dispose of your property, then you will definitely have to reconsider your selling price.

Therefore, you need to evaluate your priority and work towards seeing it through. To see it through means to drop the price if you really need to sell the house quickly. Conversely, you should be ready to wait for the entire season if you’re looking for more money.

 

• • Enlist an Experienced Real Estate Professionals

Selling a property in San Francisco is all about the right timing. The real estate industry is saturated with professionals. Their role is to advise sellers about the best time and to set a price for their house. You may have to hire a real estate agent since they know the area well. The experts understand the trend and may help you to navigate the market averages throughout the year.

 

 

The Bottom Line

Evaluating the best time to sell your house may be a daunting task. Timing the housing market can also be a tough exercise. To foresee success, you must put together a number of significant factors as discussed. Importantly, you need to conduct a comparative market analysis to understand how location and seasons influence the demand and the price of houses. An essential factor that you can consider is your priority. You may have to choose between high profits and a quick sale. On the other hand, recruiting a real estate expert that understands the location and house market prices may simplify the process. Therefore, you must take into consideration such factors before putting your house in the sales market.

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How To Decorate Your Home For The Holidays

If you’re trying to sell your home during the holiday season, it’s important to know how you can decorate your home for the holidays effectively.

 

With the right approach, you can stage your home during the holiday season in a way that attracts more buyers without breaking your budget. But, like always, it’s important to stage your home in a way that allows buyers to imagine themselves in your home, which is difficult to do if your house is packed with your personal holiday decorations.

 

By following a few tips, you can tastefully and effectively decorate your home for the holidays.

 

1. Don’t Go Overboard

 

Just like staging a house during any other time of the year, it’s important to avoid going overboard when decorating your home for the holidays.

 

While it might be tempting to put up all of your favorite decorations, it can make it very difficult for buyers to see your home’s potential. So, while it might put a damper on the festivities, avoid going overboard with your decorations if you’re trying to sell your home during the holidays.

 

2. Depersonalize

 

It’s also a good idea to avoid putting up holiday decorations that are personal to you and your family, including:

 

• Stockings with names
• Family pictures
• Religious items
• Personalized ornaments
• And similar items

 

Personal holiday decorations can be off-putting to potential buyers, which is something you want to avoid when trying to sell your home.

 

3. Match Your Neighbors

 

For your home’s exterior decorations, it’s a good idea to take a look at how your neighbors decorate their homes before decorating yours.

 

If your neighborhood tends to put up a lot of holiday lights, for example, feel free to follow suit as it will allow your home to fit in with the rest of the neighborhood.

 

Alternatively, if your neighbors tend to keep things toned down, you should probably avoid wrapping your house up in Christmas lights.

 

4. Skip the Tree

 

Even though you may want to put one up, it’s typically a good idea to skip the tree when staging your home for the holidays.

 

A big tree will take up too much space in your home and make it seem crowded. A small tree won’t add much to a room and can potentially turn away buyers who don’t celebrate Christmas.

 

However, if you do have a big room with a very high ceiling, a tree can work if you’re set on putting one up for the holidays.

 

5. Avoid Clutter Inside

 

Last but not least, it’s important to avoid clutter as much as possible. Clutter can make your home seem much smaller than it really is, which can be a major turn off for potential buyers.

 

If you do put up holiday decorations, consider compensating by stashing away some of your standard home decor. This can help save space without having to sacrifice your holiday decorations.

 

Ultimately, the most important thing to remember when decorating your home for the holidays is to keep things minimal and tasteful. By following these tips, you can take part in the holiday festivities while attracting more buyers to your home.

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How to Prevent Kitchen Fires on Thanksgiving

Each year more than 3 times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day in the year. In 2017 1,600 cooking fires occurred on Thanksgiving, according to a report from the National Fire Protection Association. To put that in perspective, that’s a 238% increase compared to the daily average of home cooking fires. The leading cause of these fires was unattended cooking.

 

Thanksgiving is a very social holiday and many people entertain lots of guests. It can be easy to get sidetracked when cooking, leading to accidental kitchen fires. To avoid burning your house down and spending the holiday season house shopping instead of gift shopping, here are some precautions to take when cooking this Thanksgiving. 

 

 

Tips to avoid fires

 

 

Avoid cooking while wearing long sleeves and hanging off fabrics. Tassels and ribbons can easily catch fire if you’re dealing with open flames. When cooking with a pan, you should always use a lid to contain the heat and prevent any flames from shooting out and starting a fire.

 

Never leave your kitchen while cooking. Especially for things cooking on the stove top, it’s incredibly important to be attentive at all times. It’s extra important to remain in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling any food. For food that is simmering, roasting, or baking, remember to check on them frequently or set timers to remind you. If you do need to leave the kitchen for any reason, turn the stove to ensure that nothing boils over. Make certain that the smoke detectors in your house are all functioning. Use the kitchen hood vent to help prevent any fires from breaking out. Also make sure that the hood vent is clean before you begin cooking.

 

When cooking, be sure to keep flammable things like towels, wooden utensils, and over mitts at least three feet away from the cooking area to avoid any rogue flames catching. In their 2015 report, the NFPA found that cooking equipment was involved in 48% of all Thanksgiving kitchen fires. If you are using an aluminum pan to cook your turkey in the oven, considering doubling up. If the pan is punctured, any turkey juice drippings could start a fire.

 

Make sure to keep children away from the stove for their safety. Keep children away from hot foods, hot serving dishes, and hot liquids as they can easily cause burn injuries.

 

 

What to do if you have a fire

 

In the event you do end up with a small fire, such as a grease fire on the stove top, quickly turn the burner off and slide a lid over the pan. If you have an oven fire, immediately turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Once you are confident that the fire is completely out, slowly open the door, while standing to side for safety. If you are unsure if the fire is out, contact the fire department for assistance. 

 

 

Deep Frying a Turkey

 

We’ve all seen them. ‘Deep frying turkey’ gone wrong videos have hundreds of thousands of views on Youtube. One of the quickest ways to start a fire is to attempt to deep fry your turkey. There a number of ways this method of preparation can lead to a fire. Turkey pots can easily tip over, spilling hot oil all over. If your turkey pot is overfilled, dropping the bird can lead to oil spilling over onto counter tops and flammable objects.

 

Many people who deep fry their turkey do so on their home deck which are made out of wood. If your bird is not thawed completely, the drop into the grease will cause the oil to splatter all over. Additionally, turkey fryers have been known to overheat and cause fires. Even without a fire, overheating can cause the lid, handle, and the pot itself to get dangerously hot which can lead to burn injuries if not careful.

 

Because of the great risks associated with deep frying turkeys the NFPA recommends people use grocery stores, retailers, or restaurants rather than attempting it themselves.

 

Follow these safety tips and ensure that your kitchen is safe and that your thanksgiving doesn’t become a fire statistic.

 

 

 

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How Adding a Fireplace Increases Your Home Value

Buying a home is an investment. When purchasing a home, it’s important to always think about your return on investment (ROI). There are a number of things you can do to add value to home, many of which in the long, pay for themselves. One such thing is adding a fireplace. Installing a fireplace can immediately boost the value of your home. 

 

People want fireplaces

 

According to a 2013 survey from the National Association of Realtors, 40% of new homebuyers are willing to pay more for a home with a fireplace and are willing to pony up an addition $1,400 for a home with a fireplace. The demand for fireplaces is trending upward and many speculate that homes with fireplaces will become more and more popular as people nowadays are spending more time on phones and tablets instead of watching tv. In that event, a room with a fireplace is a perfect place to post up and veg.

 

Similarly, a survey from the National Association of Home Builders found that over three-quarters of homebuyers are looking for homes with a fireplace in the family room. The second most desired place to a fireplace is the living room according to the survey, as homeowners want their guest to enjoy it as well.

 

Home type and locations

 

It goes without saying that the value added by a fireplace varies by home. Depending on what kind of home you have, your fireplace may prove to be more valuable. For more high-end homes, people will expect fireplaces and will certainly be willing to pay more. However, for more modest homes, a fireplace may not end up adding much value. Take where you live and what kind of home you have into consideration when installing a fireplace. Know that your value added will vary. 

 

 

 

How much does it cost to install a fireplace?

 

As with most things, the cost of adding a fireplace to your home varies. The cost of installation can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. This depends on the style of the fireplace and where you put it in. According to Homeguide, A natural gas or propane unit typically costs between $2,300 and $4,000 while a traditional wood burning fireplace usually runs around $1,900 to $3,300. Electric fireplace can cost significantly less with prices ranging from as little as $100 to $2,200. Another thing to keep in mind is placement. Where you install your fireplace can affect your final cost. In some cases, an in-wall installation can cost an additional $5,000.

 

Where to install?

 

If you want to get the best bang for your buck, the rule of thumb is to put your fireplace in the most used room in the house. The living room or great room tend to be the standard spots. Sometimes you may want to enhance the look or feel to a room such as an office or den. Having a fireplace in either of those may prove to be a rewarding investment when you sell your house. All things considered, homeowners can easily recover 100% of the cost to install their fireplace. The National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, adding a fireplace to your home can increase its value by 6-12%.

 

Investing in your home is important. When you buy real estate, in most cases you will eventually end up reselling it. As such, it’s crucial to take steps to increase the value of your home to get the best return on investment. Adding a fireplace may seem like a small feat, but everything adds up. Installing a fireplace is relatively easy to do and can immediately value to your home.

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Technology Trends that are Changing Homebuying

The advancement of technology has affected nearly every aspect of our lives, and home buying is no exception. In recent years, new technology has made the process much easier for buyers and sellers and continues to do so. Everything from the way we tour homes to the way we make transactions has been simplified by technology. Here are a few examples of how technology has made buying and selling houses easier for all parties involved.

 

Touring a home

 

The process of touring homes is being completely revolutionized by new trends in technology. With the use of 3D 4K virtual reality, prospective homebuyers can walk through an entire house without leaving their own. Many apartment complexes and condominiums have already taken advantage of this, and now more and more people are listing their homes with virtual reality tours online. Now, instead of having to drive out of your way to tour a home, you can walk all over a property from the foyer to the bathroom and determine whether you’re interested or not.

 

Additionally, the use of drones and satellite technology with sites like Google Maps, people can explore the exterior of the house and get perspectives beyond street views in a brochure. Home shoppers can explore the entire surrounding neighborhood of a home right from their couch. On the selling side, this makes it easier to list your home and gives potential buyers the ability to tour your house fully before making contact. 

 

 

Visualizing your new home

 

 

In the past it has always been tricky to try and envision what your new home will look like. You have an idea of what color you want the walls to be, but holding up swatches and trying to fill in the blanks never seems to do it justice. Now, like with everything else, there’s an app for that. Many apps to be exact. There are apps like Color Capture from Benjamin Moore and Co. that allow you to snap a picture of any color you see and match it through its database of over 3,000 paint colors. 

 

Other apps such as Home Depot Project Color let you pick from a massive selection of colors and see right on your screen how that color looks applied to an entire wall or the whole room. No more guessing about what something might look like. This makes the process a lot easier when buying a home as you can start to instantly visualize what certain changes to your home would look like. Another app called Amikasa lets you do 3D room designing. With Amikasa users can build, style, and decorate whole rooms online using furniture from real brands.

 

Shopping for Homes

 

Gone are the days when you had to get into your car and drive around endlessly in potential neighborhoods and window shop from the street. Now you don’t have to look like your casing a house to get an idea of what’s out there. With websites like Zillow and Trulia, you can simply type in a few details about what you want in a house and let it filter out homes for you. Look in specific towns, zip codes, and neighborhoods and let the online filters pull homes for you. With aerial views, useful maps of the area, and full neighborhood reports, these websites have made searching for homes much easier.

 

Applying for a loan

 

 

 

One new trend that emerged in the technological age is online banking and online mortgages. Rather than getting dressed up to go to a bank and apply for a loan, simply go online and apply on your own time without getting out of bed. Services such as Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans has quickly become a dominant trend in the home buying industry. According to Nerdwallet, Quicken Loans has become one of the leading lenders online or otherwise. 

 

With online mortgage lenders like Quicken Loans or Lending Tree, people buying homes get pre-authorization, compare loans, and take advantage of eClosing tools all with the convenience of doing it all online. These services also help speed up the process and allow buyers to immediately compare rates by entering numbers in on their own.

 

Digital transaction services

 

On top of being able to get a mortgage loan completely online, now people also have the option of taking the entire buying process online from the offer to the closing. With apps like DocuSign, buyers and sellers can make, review, make counter offers, and close all online. Using eSignature technology, both parties can sign documents online too. Other online tools like Noratize.com allow both buyers and sellers to have legal documents notarized online. 

 

Following trends of bringing the buying and selling process online, the Dotloop app goes beyond just eSignatures. Similar to DocuSign, Dotloop gives buyers and sellers the ability to modify contracts and other various documents on the go without holding the process up.

 

The advancement in technology from phone apps to video tech has changed the way we buy and sell homes. The entire process has been brought online, making it go much faster and smoother. Now people can walk through an entire house, look at the backyard and see the neighborhood from the comfort of their own homed. Trends in technology continue to make things easier for us and now is even taking some of the stress out of home buying.

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10 Ways to Conserve Water at Home

As the climate continues to change, we could all afford to take more care of how much water we consume. At home, our water usage not only contributes to environmental problems, but it also increases our monthly utility bills.

 

If you want to save money on your utilities and do good, why not take some steps to conserve water? It’s easier than you think to make an impact. With the average American using 80-100 gallons of water a day, it’s time for a change. Here are 10 ways to conserve water at home.

 

 

1. Turn Off Your Faucets

Do you ever leave your water running when you’re not using it? It’s easy to forget about your impact when you’re brushing your teeth, washing your face, or cleaning dishes. Making a commitment to turning off your faucets whenever you don’t need water can save you hundreds of gallons per month.

 

2. Wash Dishes Carefully

One of the most water-consuming activities is doing dishes. This dreaded chore can be a drain on your budget. Instead, double-dip your dishes. If you have a dual sink, fill one side with soapy water for washing and the other with cool, clean water for rinsing. This is also a fast way to wash your dishes!

 

3. Use an Efficient Dishwasher

How energy-efficient are your appliances? If you’re not careful, your dishwater could be a bigger drain than letting your water run. Using an energy-efficient dishwasher is a great way to save water. In addition, make sure you’re only running your appliance when it’s full.

 

4. Reuse Your Water

Have you ever felt bad pouring extra water down the drain? Sometimes you can reuse this water in a new way. For instance, if you’re rinsing vegetables, you can easily save this water in a bowl for later. Use this “recycled” water in your garden, to clean, or anything else you need.

 

5. Take a Quick Shower

The typical American takes lengthy showers. With the average shower at over 8 minutes, consider cutting back on how long you spend bathing. You only need a few minutes to clean thoroughly, so make sure you’re using your shower efficiently. Again, consider turning off the faucet when soaping up to save even more water.

 

6. Water by Hand

If you have a garden, don’t use a hose. These use significantly more water than if you watered by hand. If you only have a small garden area, using a hand watering tool might even be faster.

 

7. Capture Your Rainwater

There are some advantages to living in a rainy area. Using a rainwater container can help you catch roof water from gutters and downpours. You can use this to water your lawn or do other outdoor activities.

 

8. Use a Pool Cover

Do you have a backyard pool? These can be great fun, but they’re also a drain on your expenses. To cut down on how much replacement water you need for your pool, use a pool cover. This will retain the pool’s heated temperature so you won’t need to circulate as much over time.

 

9. Check Your Pipes

A hidden water leak could be catastrophic. Not only could these lead to extensive damage in your home, but it’s a waste of water. Get in the habit of checking your faucets, pipes, and so on for any leaks throughout the year.

 

10. Cut Back on Laundry

If you’re in the habit of running your washing machine with only half a load, it’s time for a change. Your laundry machine uses 30-50 gallons of water. Making sure you only run full loads will help cut back on how many gallons you’re using each month. Plus, you’ll be able to fold all of your clothes at once. Less water means fewer chores!

 

Make a Difference at Home

Change starts at home. If you’re trying to conserve water in your own life, why not look for ways to make a difference in your daily schedule? A lot of water goes to waste in our own homes. It’s time we all work to conserve water where we can.

 

These tips above will help you save money and water all at once. Take a closer look at your own water usage to see where you can cut back once and for all.

 

 

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The Most Important Things to Repair Before Selling a House

When it’s time to sell your home, you’ll be glad you took the time to make repairs and renovations before putting it on the market. Making the right repairs can greatly increase the value of your home as buyers are willing to pay more for homes in great condition.

 

But it’s important to know which renovations are worth making. You don’t want to eat into your potential profits by spending too much money on insignificant repairs.

 

So, before you start making any renovations, be sure to learn the most important things to repair before selling your home.

 

1. Flooring

 

Be it scratched hardwood, stained carpet, or cracked tiles, damaged flooring is a major eyesore and can make your entire house seem worn out. Moreover, flooring can be a major hassle to replace.

 

As such, one of the most important repairs to make before selling your home is replacing your worn-out flooring. Flooring can be costly, but you should be able to recoup your costs and then some as buyers value high-quality flooring.

 

2. Walls & Ceilings

 

Your walls and ceilings are likely to take on some damage over the years/ This can take the shape of chipped paint, water stains, nail holes, and more. This can make your home look beat up and poorly taken care of.

 

So, before selling your home, be sure to repair your walls and ceilings. Generally, this means repainting as it is typically the easiest and most cost-effective way to improve the appearance of your walls and ceilings. You should also consider removing wallpaper as buyers may not share the same taste.

 

3. Roof

 

Repairing your roof may or may not be a necessity, depending on how old your roof is and whether or not it has taken any damage over the years. But, at the least, you should be sure to have your roof inspected for issues as roof damage can present major structural and safety issues.

 

If there is any major damage to your roof, you should be sure to take care of it as many buyers won’t want to go through the hassle of doing it themselves.

 

4. Kitchen Appliances

 

Kitchen appliances can be very costly to repair and it can be very frustrating dealing with broken kitchen tools.

 

Before putting your home on the market, you should make sure that your kitchen appliances are all in good working order. This includes your fridge, stovetop, sink, and dishwasher. Be sure to fix any leaks and to replace your fridge’s freon or coolant if necessary.

 

5. Interior & Exterior Doors

 

Interior and exterior doors should both be repaired before selling your house. Exterior doors, in particular, play a major role in your home’s curbside appeal, so it’s important that they are kept in good shape.

 

Be sure to check for chipped paint, dings, holes, damaged hardware, and alignment issues. Door repairs aren’t too much of a hassle to take care of and your buyers will appreciate the effort.

 

Making repairs is a great way to improve your home’s appearance, increase its value, and attract more potential buyers, but not all repairs as equally important. Make sure to make these five important repairs before putting your home on the market.

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source https://nationalcashoffer.com/the-most-important-things-to-repair-before-selling-a-house/

Finding the right multi-generational home for your family

Multi-generational living is becoming more and more prevalent these days. According to Pew Research, today 20% of the population lives in a multi-generational arrangement. The study defines this kind of living situation as, “two or more adult generations, or including grandparents and grandchildren under 25,” under the same roof. Finding the right multi-generational home for your family is tricky but with planning you can easily find the perfect house.

 

Typically, the reasons for multi-generational living situations involve finances and health. That can be a grandparent unable to live on their own moving in with a parent or a young adult moving back in with their parents after a job loss. In some cases both scenarios are at play. Having a multi-generational living arrangement isn’t for everyone and requires the right home. Having extended family members under one roof requires the capacity to accommodate a wide variety of lifestyles. Everyone’s needs must be taken into account. 

 

Assess everyone’s needs

 

 

 

When creating a multi-generational space for your family, keep in mind that more people means more people sharing that space. That requires more communication and negotiation. Different people will want different kinds of privacy.

 

In some cases, a young adult sharing the space may want their own private entrance while an elderly person may prefer an in-law suite. 

 

Consider what kind of other accommodations you will need to make in your home, or if you will need to buy a new home. Will you need to install a ramp for the elderly members living in the house? What will you do about parking if each party has their own car? Do you need to build a carport? 

 

What about cooking? Will each member of your family share all the food or will you have separate stashes? Consider scheduling meals, are you all going to eat together or will you eat on your own time? These are all factors to consider when living in a multi-generational situation. 

 

Figure out what kind of boundaries you will have to ensure that each person’s privacy is taken into consideration.

 

Financial responsibilities

 

Whether you’re simply adding more people into your current home or buying a brand new home, financial responsibilities will need to be negotiated. Decide who is going to be responsible for things like the mortgage and utilities and how that those various payments will be divided up among people living in the house. If you’re buying a new house for your family, keep in mind that the only people who should be on the application are those who can afford to help pay back the loan. Lenders will take into account everyone one the application and their financial situation. Figure into your budget how much each person can contribute before you make any decisions.  Make sure the people with the best credit and the best financials are on the application to get the best loan deal possible. 

 

Even things like who pays for utilities, how groceries are split up, and who will pay for any remodels need to be taken into account.

 

Finding the right multi-generational home

 

 

In some situations you will be easily able to remodel your home to suit the needs of your family. Sometimes however, you may need to buy a new home. You may look to buying a fixer-upper with the idea that you will remodel it to be a multi-generational house. 

 

In the event you look to buy a new home, consider that multiple people in your family may first need to sell their current home. Keep up with the state of the market to ensure you sell at the most optimal time. Depending on where they are selling and the state of their housing market it may take longer to sell. If you need to sell your house quickly, consider selling to a wholesaler to speed up the process. 

 

Depending on your budget, some major home builders now even offer multi-generational floor plans. Once you have come up with a good idea of the amenities you will need for your family home, find a good real estate agent and be sure to give them as much detail about your family’s needs as possible. One tip is to look for homes with multiple master suites. Think about making rooms in the house multi-purpose rooms. For example, a playroom for kids can double as an office for young adult to work from home. This allows you to maximize space and cater to different people’s need.

 

Sometimes you may end up purchasing a house and building a detached in-law  suite in the backyard. This can even be done on your current property if you don’t want to buy a new house. 

 

Final advice

 

Creating a multi-generational home space requires lots of accommodation and constant communication. When living with extended family members spanning across generations, everyone’s needs must be taken into account. Having your family all under one roof won’t be a breeze immediately but with through negotiation and carefully drawn boundaries, you’re family can be live in harmony in one house.

 

The post Finding the right multi-generational home for your family appeared first on National Cash Offer.

source https://nationalcashoffer.com/finding-the-right-multi-generational-home/