Ways a Floor Plan Will Help Sell Your Home

Floor plans are important. In fact, they’re so important they can help you sell your house faster. It’s no surprise that you want your home to stand out, appeal to buyers, and do well in your local market. You need an extra edge on the competition. That’s where your floor plan comes in.

 

Why is a floor plan so powerful? Simply put, it helps accurately express exactly what your home has to offer. Photos are great, but they often don’t give the full picture. Homebuyers need a way to really understand your home beyond the photos, and your floor plan can do that. Here’s are the ways your floor plan can help you sell your home faster.

 

 

1. Floor Plans Save Time

Since the majority of homebuyers browse online for nearby homes for sale, you need to make things easier for them. Buyers spend so much time arrangement appointments, traveling to homes for tours, and researching. They don’t want to also wonder about the floor plan on top of all that.

 

If you have your floor plan online, you help buyers understand more about your home. Beyond the photos, they now have a way to picture your home’s layout before they even make an appointment. That will help you find better-fit buyers the first time around, before even making an appointment.

 

2. Show Accessibility

Some buyers really worry about a home’s accessibility. If someone in their family has a disability, special needs, or is aging, knowing the layout really matters.

 

With a floor plan, potential buyers can see where doors and entryways are, as well as whether it’s easy to navigate in the space. This really sets your property apart.

 

3. Help Buyers Personalize the Space

You want your prospective buyers to really picture themselves in the space. The more they can see themselves at home in your property, the more likely they’ll make an offer.

 

When you share your home’s floor plan, they can see how their things will fit in the space. They might notice the bedroom is the perfect size for their king bed, or that the kitchen has room for the table they’ve always wanted. Thes things really help set expectations. Floor plans put the buyer “in” the home so they can see themselves living there.

 

4. Stand Out

Last but not least, using a floor plan in your online listing or during an open house will help you stand out. Too many buyers feel like they lose track of the homes they tour, and that means they might have a hard time remembering which home was yours.

 

When you offer a floor plan to anyone visiting or searching online, they’ll be able to remember your space more easily. Simply put, you stand out. In addition, you’ll come across as much more professional compared to the homes that didn’t include any kind of floor plan.

 

Practical Tips for Including Your Floor Plan

How can you make the most of your floor plan? Before you use your floor plan in your listing or at your open house, consider these key tips:

 

• Include dimensions and measurements to help buyers see their furniture in the space
• Add a site plan to see how the home fits in the total property area
• Print your plans in full color
• Include windows, doors, and other important details
• Keep your floor plans simple and easy to understand

 

Put Your Floor Plan to Work

These are the ways your floor plan can help you sell your home. Believe it or not, floor plans are often overlooked during the home selling process. In most competitive markets, you can’t afford to give up this advantage over other sellers.

 

It’s time to put your own floor plan to use with these tips above. You’ll be attracting more buyers in no time!

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Is It Smart to Buy Another Home in Another State Like Snow Birds Do?

Snowbird is the term given to someone who heads south for the winter, like a bird. When the weather starts to cool off, those who have a second home somewhere warmer move homes for the winter. This is most commonly done by people in retirement, but anyone can be a snowbird if they own a home in a warmer location.

 

Dealing with cold weather is always a chore. It comes with things like shoveling snow, winter storms, and icy roads. On the other hand, escaping somewhere warm provides you with relief from all of those winter pains. However, with that second home comes twice the responsibilities. In this guide, we’ll talk about whether you should buy another home in another state like a snowbird.

 

 

What are the benefits of owning a second home?

Owning a second home is a dream for many people. Owning a second home in a warmer state is even more spectacular, especially if you live in a cold climate prone to winter snow and ice. With a second home, you have a lot of benefits when you move to warmer weather such as:

 

• You can stay there as long as you want. Whether you vacation in your home or stay for months at a time, it’s yours to do what you want with.
• It can earn you money. If you’re able to rent out your vacation home, this can be a great source of income.
• Bring your family together. As a snowbird, you’ll likely bring some family members with you who will want to enjoy your winter location.
• There’s a sense of community. There’s a real sense of togetherness and community when you choose a place common with snowbirds, particularly in your retirement years.
• Escape the cold weather. Of course, the main draw of a second home is to escape the cold winter weather that’s harder to deal with as you age.

 

As you can see, there are a lot of perks to owning a home in another state like a snowbird. Not only do you get to enjoy the better weather, but you also gain a new sense of community.

 

What are the issues of owning a second home in another state?

While there are many things to look forward to when owning a second home in another state, there are also new challenges. More homes also mean more responsibilities. Here are the most common cons to keep an eye out for:

 

• There will be twice as many repair costs. Because you have two homes to maintain, you’ll need to worry about twice as many repairs and maintenance problems.
• Beware bad weather. Because you’ll have homes in two climates, you’ll also have two extremes to worry about. In the winter, you’ll need to make sure your first home is safe. In the summer, you’ll need to worry about storms and possibly even hurricanes for your snowbird property.
• There’s less flexibility. If you like to vacation is new spots, owning a second home in another state might not be for you. Because you already have a home you’re paying for, this will be where you’ll spend most of your vacations.
• It’s hard to rent. If you plan to rent out your property when you’re not using it, this comes with its own challenges, especially if you live out of state.

 

Is owning a second home in another state right for you?

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what’s right for your situation. Owning a second home in another state as a snowbird is a great way to escape the winter blues, but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s a permanent vacation. There are a number of challenges that come with escaping into the sunshine.

 

In 2030, 1 in 5 Americans are expected to be in their retirement years. With numbers like that, it’s no wonder so many people are looking into the possibility of a second home before the real demand hits. Are you considering a second home in another state?

 

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How Long Can It Take To Close Escrow?

Finding the house that you want to buy is only half the battle. After finding your dream home, you have to go through an extensive closing process before you can finally move in.

 

One major aspect of buying a home you should be familiar with is the escrow process. This period during the closing process can be pretty overwhelming, so you should be prepared to deal with it when the time comes.

 

Essentially, escrow helps protect both the buyer and seller during the closing process. It ensures that both parties are satisfied before the transaction is complete.

 

Let’s take a closer look at what escrow is and how long the escrow process can last.

 

 

What is Escrow?

Escrow is simply a financial agreement in which a third party holds funds while two parties work to complete a transaction.

 

In the home buying process, a third party holds the money being used to purchase a home while the buyer and seller satisfy each other’s terms before closing. Payment is only released once both parties are satisfied and ready to close the deal.

 

 

How Escrow Works

The escrow process is basically as follow

 

1. First, the buyer and seller agree to purchase terms, which includes agreeing on which third party will hold the money for the transaction.
2. The buyer deposits money into an escrow account to be held until the transaction is completed.
3. The buyer and seller satisfy all of the conditions of the transaction.
4. To complete the transaction, the funds from the escrow account are disbursed.

 

This is essentially how the escrow process plays out. In a real estate transaction, things like home inspections, repairs, and more are completed while the money is being held in an escrow account.

 

 

Why Escrow is Important

The escrow process is very important for one primary reason: protection.

 

As a buyer, you don’t have to pay the seller anything until all of your terms have been satisfied. After getting a home inspection, requesting repairs, and setting any other terms or conditions, you can safely deposit your money to a third party while the seller accommodates your requests.

 

As a seller, escrow ensures that you won’t have to spend any time or money to satisfy the buyer’s conditions only to end up not receiving payment.

 

 

How Long Does the Escrow Process Take?

To put it shortly, it depends.

 

In order to complete the escrow process, buyers and sellers have to satisfy all of the terms of their purchase agreement.  This includes things like home inspections, pest inspections, disclosures, securing financing, and more.

 

That being said, the escrow process can take as little as five days or as long as two months.

 

 

Potential Delays

There are a number of things that could delay the escrow process, including:

 

• Delayed loan approval
• Your payment method
• The seller’s chosen disbursement method
• New liens on the home
• Expired mortgage offer
• Poor communication
• And more

 

These issues, among others, can be the difference between closing your real estate transaction in a week or closing after several months.

 

The most important thing to do when trying to get through the escrow process is to be in constant communication with your buyer or seller.

 

By being prepared for this process, you can move into your new home as quickly as possible.

The post How Long Can It Take To Close Escrow? appeared first on National Cash Offer.

source https://nationalcashoffer.com/how-long-can-it-take-to-close-escrow/

Which Direction Should a Ceiling Fan Rotate in the Summer?

It’s important to know how to keep your home cool during the hot summer months. While AC can get the job done, it can also drive up your utility bill.

 

Relying on your ceiling fans is a great way to get a cool breeze going throughout your home. But you might not know that changing the direction that your fan rotates can make a major difference during the summer.

 

So, what direction should your ceiling fan rotate in the summer? Let’s take a quick look at how you can keep your home cool this summer.

 

Save on Energy Costs

It can be tempting to blast your air conditioning to keep your home cool, but this could result in you spending hundreds of dollars extra on your utility bill throughout the summer.

 

While AC may be the easiest solution, there are plenty of other ways to keep your home cool during the summer without significantly increasing your expenses.

 

A great start to cooling down your home is to make sure you know which direction your ceiling fan should rotate to improve air circulation and create a cooling breeze.

 

Which Direction Your Fan Should Rotate During the Summer

Most ceiling fans are reversible. When rotating one way, the fan will push air down to create a nice breeze. When rotating the other way, the fan will suck air upwards to help distribute heat.

 

To help make your home feel more comfortable in the summer, your ceiling fan should typically rotate counter-clockwise. This will produce a cooling effect that will make your home more comfortable.

 

It should be noted that, while most fans operate this way, some don’t follow this standard. The easiest way to check if your fan is rotating in the right direction for the summer is to stand directly underneath it. You should feel a nice breeze, like when you fan yourself with a magazine.

 

Ceiling fans don’t cool rooms themselves, but they do create much better air circulation. This effect can greatly improve the comfort of your home when it gets a little too hot outside.

 

Other Ways to Stay Cool

Aside from ceiling fans and central AC, there are plenty of other ways to help keep your home comfortable during the warmer months. This includes:

 

• Keeping exterior doors and windows closed, but interior doors open to improve airflow
• Use window AC units to cheaply cool individual rooms
• Keep your blinds and curtains closed to prevent your home from heating up quickly
• Use a programmable thermostat
• Use a dehumidifier

 

These methods are great ways to mitigate the effects that hot temperatures have on your home. By combining these tips, you can drastically improve the comfort of your home during the summer without having to cough up hundreds of extra dollars for your utility bill.

The post Which Direction Should a Ceiling Fan Rotate in the Summer? appeared first on National Cash Offer.

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The Life Expectancy of Common Household Components

In a perfect world, everything in your home would last the lifetime of your home. You’d never have to worry about costly repairs or replacements. Unfortunately, life isn’t perfect. Even new appliances and common household components break from time to time, and everything has a shelf life.

 

The more you understand the life expectancy of common household components, the better you can prepare. For example, if you know you’ll need to replace your washing machine every 10 years, you can prepare to save that money. The average American spends over $4,900 a year on home repairs and appliances, so the more you can budget, the better.

 

 

Exterior Home Components

First, let’s look at the life expectancy for the exterior components of your home. These are the things that take the biggest beating. They’re constantly exposed to the elements, and they need a lot of maintenance to stay in top shape.

 

• Window A/C Unit (10 Years) – If you have a window air conditioner, it can last up to a decade if it’s well maintained. Always clean the filter to keep it lasting longer.
• Roofing (25 Years) – It’s good to know your roof can last a while! Always repair your roof if you find even small problems to prevent them from becoming more damaging.
• Garage Door (12 Years) – Garage doors get a lot of use and need a lubricant spray to keep the springs active and functional.
• Home Siding (30 Years) – If you regularly clean your siding and repair problems, you can expect it to last up to 30 years.
• Wooden Deck (30 Years) – Similarly, if you have a deck, it’s likely built to last. If you keep up with repairs, it’ll live a long life.

 

As you can see, a lot of maintenance goes a long way. If you’re proactive about repairing things quickly and making updates when needed, you can get a lot of use out of the interior components of your home.

 

Interior Home Components

It takes a lot of work to maintain the interior of your home, especially when it comes to making sure your home looks modern and on-trend. You might find yourself replacing things before they’ve lived their life just because they’re no longer in style. Similarly, the more you take care of these things with proper cleanings and maintenance, the longer they’ll last you.

 

• Carpet (1o Years) – While it might seem like your carpet is impossible to clean, proper steaming before it becomes visibly dirty will go a long way.
• HVAC System (20 Years) – This can be one the most costly repairs or replacements, so always get your system serviced on a yearly basis to keep up with problems. In addition, change your filters every month to keep the system from overworking.
• Faucets and Water Fixtures (12 Years) – Your faucets and water fixtures work hard, and you should too. Always clean out hard water residue and remove any clogs.
• Countertops (50 Years) – Did you know your counters might be the longest-lasting thing in your home? If you reseal them every few years, they can last half a century or more.
• Windows (30 Years) – Unless you live in an area prone to extreme weather, windows should last you several decades.
• Washing Machine (12 Years) – If you’re using your washer properly and checking for signs of wear, it can last you over 10 years.
• Dryer (12 Years) – Similar to your washer, your clothes dryer can also last over a decade as long as you clean your lint trap before every use.
• Oven (15 Years) – Finally, your oven can last a long while if you’re proactive about inspecting the coil burners and replacing them when needed.

 

As you can see, just like with the exterior of your home, the interior needs a lot of ongoing care. To learn more about the life expectancy of your home’s components, check out the ATD inspection guide.

 

Conclusion

Taking care of your home can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you know your home’s problem areas and stay on top of them, you’re gearing up for a long life with the components you use the most.

 

Don’t underestimate the power of repairs and maintenance. A bit of care here and there will make a huge difference. Now that you know the life expectancy of these common household components, where does your home stack up?

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Things You Should Know About Request for Repairs

When you’ve fairly found the home you want to purchase, there are a few extra steps you need to take before closing.

 

One of these steps is requesting repairs to be done on the home before you actually close the deal. Many homes on the market aren’t in perfect. Whether you found cosmetic issues that you want to be repaired or the home has any structural issues, it’s important that these problems are addressed before the sale is finalized.

 

Before buying your home, there are a few things you should know about requesting repairs in order to ensure that your new home is in great condition when you move in.

 

Get a Professional Inspection

Before buying a home, you should absolutely hire an independent, qualified professional to perform a home inspection.

 

A professional home inspector will be able to identify any and all issues that need to be addressed in your new home. It can be incredibly difficult to find these issues on your own. Additionally, most buyers won’t be willing to fulfill your requests if they aren’t backed by a home inspector.

 

Qualified inspectors will check a variety of areas to search for potential issues, including:

 

• Foundation
• Basement
• Plumbing
• Electrical systems
• Appliances
• Windows, doors, and walls
• Attic
• And more

 

If you want your requests for repairs to be taken seriously, you need to get a professional home inspection before closing.

 

Sellers Are Responsible for (Most) Repairs

After identifying any potential issues, requests for repairs should be directed towards the seller of the home. You, as the buyer, should not be responsible for any major repairs that can present safety or structural integrity issues.

 

Of course, there are instances in which you are responsible for repairs. This includes things like cosmetic issues which aren’t necessary for your home to be considered safe or in good condition.

 

Common Repairs

There are a number of important issues that are commonly present in homes. If you identify any of these issues, you should request repairs accordingly. These issues include:

 

• Roof damage
• Galvanized water pipes
• Old HVAC systems
• Old or damaged water heater
• Cracked foundation
• Poor insulation
• Ungrounded wiring

 

Issues like these need to be addressed immediately. They can present safety issues to you and your family and can cause damage to your home if left unchecked.

 

You should be sure to make requests for repairs to your seller if your inspector identifies issues like these in your new home.

 

Repair Requests You Shouldn’t Make

Technically, you can make any repair requests you want. You’re always free to make your offer conditional. However, by making certain, unnecessary requests for repairs, you may frustrate the seller and cause them to reject your offer.

 

Requests that you should avoid include:

 

• Repairs for areas of the home you plan to renovate
• Cosmetic issues
• Minor water damage
• Minor electrical issues (like a broken light switch)
• Anything that is not flagged as a safety issue or code violation

 

In a seller’s market, you want to avoid making requests that will encourage sellers to move on and find a new buyer. If some issues aren’t urgent, then you may want to avoid asking for them to be addressed.

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The Difference Between a Home Warranty and a Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Homeowner’s Insurance and Home Warranty Policies are both great pieces of protection to have, though they are far different in terms of what they cover. While we highly recommend purchasing both of these types of protection, understanding the differences before you do so is very important.

 

The decision to own a home is probably one of the biggest decisions that you will ever make. Protecting your home isn’t just a good idea, it’s a necessary one. Having both a home warranty and a homeowner’s insurance policy will ensure your ultimate protection.

 

 

Homeowner’s Insurance

Homeowner’s Insurance is made to cover anything that is accidental in your home. These accidents can range from fires to storms to theft and beyond. Your insurance policy will typically be split into a few different categories: theft, loss and damage, interior and exterior, and general liability, in case someone were to get hurt when in your home.

When you get a home, you will typically be obligated to get a homeowner’s insurance policy before they give you the mortgage. That policy has to be renewed every year. Every time you make a claim, you’ll have to pay your deductible, though the insurance company will take care of the rest.

 

 

Home Warranty

A Home Warranty is a type of contract that will pay for appliance and component replacement if things fail. Let’s say that your AC system fails in your house, or even your washer and dryer. Typically, your home warranty will cover these things. Some warranties will even cover your pool. These contracts will typically last for about 12 months, though banks and lenders don’t force you to buy them when you buy your home.

 

With that said, it is still a great purchase to make. You can typically add on other smaller appliances and systems for under $100 per month as well. This is great if you have multiple refrigerators for example.

 

Let’s say something happens with your pool. A licensed technician will come out to your home, analyze the issue. If they deem the issue is a cause of wear of tear and it is still under the warranty terms of service, the contractor will make the repair. All you will have to pay at that point is the service call fee.

 

 

Conclusion

Sometimes you just have to prepare for the unavoidable in life. The best way to make sure that you are prepared for the breakage of your home and the things inside is to have both homeowner’s insurance and a home warranty. Not only will all of your stuff be covered and fixed by professionals, you also won’t have to deal with shady, third-party contractors or repairmen when things break.

 

We hope that this article was helpful in differentiating these two types of protection. Have you ever had a breakage where you needed to utilize your homeowner’s insurance policy or home warranty? How was your experience? Make sure to let us know about it in the comments!

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