Preparing to Buy or Sell a Home: Making the Most of Storage - Part 4

Buyers want ample storage areas, while sellers need it both for eliminating clutter from rooms while showing a home, and for containing their own personal items. Learning how to best utilize the storage will increase the functionality and presentation of your home. To ensure success, follow these four steps: Assess, Prepare, Achieve & Maintain, and Refine.

Refine: Love What Works and Don’t Let Trouble Continue

Every so often, a homeowner will look up and find that they have a “trouble spot.” When tools are hard to return to their storage areas, or holiday items linger in boxes by the door, it is usually a sign that the storage area is too difficult to access or the system of storage hinders use. The ability to return items to storage is as important as the ability to get to them easily, so you might need to refine your system to overcome any challenges you find.

Annual inspections might reveal that there are items to purge, spaces to improve, or systems that need upgrading. Most of all, you stay in touch with your home and its real value to you.

While you are at it, don't forget to appreciate what is working well. Storing stuff you love in a way that works makes your home a haven and a place that allows you to function at a high level. It's the best way to get value out of your home, and give you a new perspective on what you really have.

Preparing to Buy or Sell a Home: Making the Most of Storage - Part 3

Buyers want ample storage areas, while sellers need it both for eliminating clutter from rooms while showing a home, and for containing their own personal items. Learning how to best utilize the storage will increase the functionality and presentation of your home. To ensure success, follow these four steps: Assess, Prepare, Achieve & Maintain, and Refine.

Achieve and Maintain: Principles of Storing

Now that you understand what you have in the way of stuff and storage space, and you have prepared the items and the spaces and created a system, placing things is much easier. By this time, you probably understand what you have and whether it will be actively used.

Generally there are levels of storage—long-term, seasonal, and active-use. Understand the nature of what you are storing.

Items being held for future generations, which might not be accessed for years, belong in long-tem storage. If they are well-stored and secure, putting them in a far corner that is not very accessible might be fine. This is the time to consider attic and basement space, but only if the items are well-stored and the space is properly prepared.

Similarly, consider dedicating “seasonal storage” that can be rotated so that the next season's items are in the front, ready to be taken out when needed. Packing seasonal storage too tightly and not rotating it may render it useless, so this is one area where establishing a system can really pay off.

Active storage is important to keep organized and not over-filled. Items should be easy to locate, retrieve and replace, and what you want should be where you want it. Items that are out of place breed clutter and chaos, so well-ordered active storage is a key to a well-functioning home.

If you are storing something that you don't use or love, it is taking up valuable space. Every so often, go into the back of your cabinets and drawers to find items you no longer use or love. This is one of the quickest ways to gain storage space without spending money on shelves or storage systems.

Preparing to Buy or Sell a Home: Making the Most of Storage - Part 2

Buyers want ample storage areas, while sellers need it both for eliminating clutter from rooms while showing a home, and for containing their own personal items. Learning how to best utilize the storage will increase the functionality and presentation of your home. To ensure success, follow these four steps: Assess, Prepare, Achieve & Maintain, and Refine.

Prepare: The Space, the Items, and the System

After you have assessed the storage space, it is time to remedy any issues found. Creating access, resolving moisture or pest infestation, heating or cooling issues, and cleaning an area can ensure that items stored there will retain their value and usefulness.

Storage space that is climate controlled, dry and easily accessible is the most valuable. Renovations that add additional storage of this sort may increase your home's value. Any time you consider removing storage, eliminating closets or shelving, consider the consequences carefully and determine if that storage will be available elsewhere.

Storing items in strong containers helps keep them in good repair. While storage containers might be expensive, storing your valuables poorly can result in loss or damage, which might be equally costly. Cardboard boxes are subject to moisture and are often difficult to move, and can result in content which is difficult to see and access.

Shelving can provide an alternative to stacking boxes on the floor and make them easier to access. Moving one box to get to another is acceptable, but stacking too many boxes on top of each other can make retrieving items from lower boxes a daunting task.

Using boxes or containers that are sized to the contents will ensure that each box does not get too heavy. Fragile items that are stored in large boxes can be broken more easily, and items with many pieces should be stored together. Ensure that shelving and containers work together, and that items of like kinds are stored near each other, in a place that makes sense. Label your boxes, but be sure to update them when the contents change.

Preparing to Buy or Sell a Home: Making the Most of Storage (Part 1)

Buyers want ample storage areas, while sellers need it both for eliminating clutter from rooms while showing a home, and for containing their own personal items. Learning how to best utilize the storage will increase the functionality and presentation of your home. To ensure success, follow these four steps: Assess, Prepare, Achieve & Maintain, and Refine.

Assess: Storage Areas and Items to Store

What you have and where you will store it are both pertinent questions. Simply having a lot of space is only part of the puzzle; being able to access your belongings is equally important.

Inventory the storage areas on your property. Having an attic or basement does not mean that you have more storage if they are difficult to access, wet, unduly hot or cold, or infested with mice or mold, so check these areas and really look at their condition. Similarly, cabinets and closets with particularly high shelving or excessively deep shelving provide wonderful storage for items that are not often in use.

Don't overlook non-traditional storage—alcoves and places where storage furniture or built-in furniture could exist. Your space might have a perfect place to put an armoire, bench seat with storage, or built-in bookshelves. Large porches, sheds and garages often have places where storage is possible. If these areas are exposed to view, containers should be attractive and appropriate to the spot.

If in your assessment of space and items to store you have far more items than space, then further reduction of possessions might be in order. An alternative is to create more storage in the home or on the property possibly by building an addition, garage, or shed. Otherwise, if you have more stuff than fits in storage, you will either live with it in your way day-to-day, or have to rent storage space out of the home, which is expensive and inconvenient for accessing your items. Or perhaps you just need a bigger home!

Preparing to Sell a Home: What Easy, Inexpensive Home Improvement Ideas Can I Do in a Weekend?

Whether you currently own a home or are preparing your home for sale, below are a few simple home improvement ideas that don’t cost much and can be completed over a weekend.

Air It Out. Change your air filters each month, or as recommended, to increase the efficiency of your furnace or air conditioner.

Duct Works. In addition to cleaning your dryer filter after each use, don’t neglect the dryer duct. Check this potential fire hazard, and clean as necessary, at least once per year.

Safety First. Check your fire extinguisher, fire alarm, and carbon monoxide alarm to make sure they are functional.

Energize. Updating light fixtures and bulbs saves money, is good for the environment, and provides an immediate return on investment. Then consider updating your old, energy-hungry appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washer/dryers. Local governments often offer incentives for purchasing energy-efficient appliances.

Weatherproof.  Making minor modifications to doors, windows, and insulation can reduce energy costs. Your local electric company may offer a free energy audit inspection to tell you what else you can do.

Preparing to Buy or Sell a Home – Don’t Overlook the Windows

Size and placement of windows affects the character and curb appeal of the home from the outside, and light, views, energy efficiency, air flow, noise and egress from the inside. Done right, windows can make your home everything you would want it to be. Windows that are inadequate can be a headache and an expensive fix.

When examining windows, look at the frames and how they are built into the wall. Understand the materials used and how the window functions. Windows should open and close easily and completely, and have the ability to be secured with a lock. Signs of moisture around the window should be addressed, to ensure that there are no leaks.

Examine the type of material in the window frame. All-vinyl windows generally cannot be painted, and other, older wood framed windows might have so much paint on them that they are difficult to open. While you are looking at the window frames, notice how the windows open, and whether the glass is single, double, or even triple-paned. Depending on your climate, double or triple-glazed windows can make a huge difference on your heating and cooling bill. Gas-filled windows use argon, krypton or other inert gases to fill the areas between the panes, further enhancing the insulating factor. Excellent windows also help to deaden noise from the outside, which can be helpful in urban environments.

Don't forget to examine the state of any screens. Windows that open in climates that are prone to bugs should have tightly fitting screens that are not full of holes. Doors that open to decks might have screens, and some may be fitted with glass to convert to storm doors in the cold and rainy seasons.

Additionally, windows should match the style of the home. Older homes with fine detailing throughout should have windows that make sense with the other materials and stylistic features in the home. Research window styles and look at comparable homes in your area to see what other homeowners have done. Outfitting a home with the wrong windows can be as big a mistake as hiring a poor installer.

Viewing the home from both the inside and out, at various times of the day, and noticing the windows close-up and from afar, their views to the inside and outside, will enable you do understand the home in a new way—shedding light on the home itself.

Preparing to Sell Your Home in the Fall

When showing a home in the fall and winter months, pay attention to how warm you feel in the home, how the spaces are heated, how to control the heat and moisture, the presence of natural light, and how warm they are to the eye. When showing a home during these months, you will want to ensure that the warming aspects of the home stand out.

Understanding the heating system of a home is key information for many buyers. Information to have available for potential buyers include:

• Type of heating system(s) in all areas of the home.
• How the heat works and best practices for using the system(s), including the presence of a programmable thermostat.
• Source of energy, and operational costs.
• Age of the system and maintenance history, if available.

Heating a space is only part of the warming equation. Appropriate insulation and attention to places where heat may escape are key points to consider. Insulation in walls and attics should be clean and dry, free from signs of animal infestation. Windows in cooler climates might be double or triple-glazed, and doors and windows should close tightly and no drafts should be present around them. Caulk and seal around window frames, if needed, and pay attention to areas that seem particularly prone to cooling down quickly.

Some rooms in the home will naturally be warmer than others. When showing a home, be present to this fact and decide if you will “close off spaces” by shutting doors to conserve heat in some living areas, or if you will seek to warm cooler spaces by keeping doors open.

Insulating hot-water heaters could be a plus if they are located in a cooler location such as a basement or garage and ensuring that water pipes are insulated is also useful to homeowners in frigid areas. 

Attention to these details shows that the home is well-cared for and ready for anything.

Preparing to Sell Your Home: Five Ways to Shorten the Selling Process

Once you’ve decided to sell your home, work with your agent to develop a selling strategy that attracts offers, and a plan for overcoming the hurdles that can delay your sale. Here are five tips to make sure your transaction finishes as fast as possible.

1.     Trust your agent

Hiring an experienced real estate agent will make the selling process a lot smoother. Your agent is your best source of advice to position your home favorably against the competition because they get nothing until your house is sold. Tap into their insight on

• showing prep tips for attracting motivated buyers
• contractor referrals for sprucing up your property without breaking your budget.
• common expectations and restrictions to save time and energy during negotiation.

2.     Outwit the competition with incentives

With other houses nearby or in the same price range for sale, it helps to sweeten the pot for a buyer who’s on the fence. Throw in those floor to ceiling bookcases, custom window coverings or a flat panel TV. Talk with your agent about the best incentives to offer in your area and come up with a way to publicize them on all of your home’s marketing materials.

3.     Resist the temptation to hover

Resist the temptation to hang around and “help” potential buyers during their visit. This interferes with an agent’s job and makes it harder for buyers to imagine owning and living in the house.

4.     Expect to negotiate

Offers and counter-offers keep your potential sale alive. Negotiations are less stressful when you decide in advance how low you're willing to go early. Ultimately, you decide what to accept, but talk to your agent early about your expectations and stay open to his or her advice on what price best in today’s market.

5.     Cement the deal with back up offers and research

• Your house is yours until you give a buyer the keys. So, do the research and prep with a plan “B” in case something goes awry with your primary offer.
• Consider accept backup offers, and make sure your sales contract has provisions for buyer’s remorse.
• As your closing approaches, keep track of the buyer’s progress with mortgage funding.
• Double check things that can delay or stall your closing—the title search, major systems breakdowns, inspections and missing documents.

For help selling your home, call me at 317.777.1805 or email me at scott@lacysells.com.

Preparing to Buy a Home: Four Costly Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid

When preparing to buy a home, avoid these five common missteps that can increase the cost of your expenditure even more.

1. Not checking your credit report: When you apply for a mortgage, the first thing a lender will do is check your credit report. The better your credit score, the lower the interest rate you’ll receive. If you have extremely poor credit, you could even be rejected from getting a loan. Because of this, request a copy six months to a year before you plan on applying for a mortgage. That way, you have time to improve your credit score or fix errors on your credit report.
2. Changing jobs frequently: Lenders want borrowers that have consistent employment status and a steady stream of income. If you’ve bounced around from job to job, banks will think you’re a risky candidate for a loan, and you’ll be quoted a higher interest rate, or won’t be able to secure a loan at all. If possible, remain in your current job until you’ve signed your mortgage paperwork.
3. Not shopping around: Even though the Federal Reserve sets the benchmark interest rate, interest rates can vary amongst lenders, and banks often have different borrowing requirements and fees. Seek out quotes from several banks to avoid overpaying on your mortgage.
4. Not locking in your interest rate: Interest rates are always fluctuating. In order to keep the rate you were quoted, you must lock it in. If you’re unable to close on the property within a certain time frame, you could be on the hook for a higher interest rate or additional fees for extending the lock period. 

For help in buying a home, call me at 317.777.1805 or email me at scott@lacysells.com.

Preparing to Sell Your Home: What Common Staging Errors Should I Avoid?

When preparing to sell your home, you want to show the house as the buyer wants to see it, not necessarily as you want to show it. Use the checklist below to avoid the most common staging errors:

1. Don't use heavy air fresheners, candles or other fragrances. Potential buyers or their children may have asthma, allergies or other sensitivities and can leave the wrong impression. Use a light fragrance and check to make sure it’s hypo-allergenic.

2. Use chemical cleaners like bleach, disinfectants and deodorizers well in advance before showing the house so they have time to dissipate.

3. Be sure pets, diaper pails, trash bins and other common household hazards are out of the way. Potential buyers will peek into the pantry and the laundry. Make every space look its best.

4. Make sure appliances are clean and easily visible. They are often part of the sale so potential buyers will inspect them carefully.

5. Do not showcase your personal items. Properly staging a home allows buyers to envision their lives in the home. Personal items will detract from the living space and lifestyle of the buyers.

For more information about staging your home for sale, call me at 317.777.1805 or email me at Scott@LacySells.com.

Summer Moving Tips — Part 2

If you’re moving this summer, follow these tips below to ensure the transition from house to house goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Some items need to be broken down into pieces when moving. To keep track of the small screws and washers, put everything in a baggie that is clearly marked and sealed. Keep all of the separate baggies together in one box on moving day and personally take it with you to your new home.
2. Before unplugging any wires on TVs, DVRs, home theater systems and computers for the move, take a photo of the connections, print them out and label them in detail. This will create fewer headaches when setting up technology in the new home. Keep track of all loose wires using baggies or boxes that are clearly labeled, and personally carry these easy-to-lose items on moving day.
3. Products such as detergents, pesticides and paint are heavy and unwieldy to pack. Dispose of as many as possible before the move in an eco-friendly way.  For items that must be transported, pack them in a small box within a larger box for protection against leaks. Consider marking these boxes in a different color, and seal them extra tight. Keep them separate from the rest of the boxes, particularly if you have kids and pets.
4. Consider getting full value insurance protection. If using a professional mover, investing in full value protection means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or replaced, or a cash settlement will be made at current market value, regardless of age. The required minimum coverage of 60 cents per pound would not cover the replacement cost of more expensive items such as a flat screen TV if damaged in transit.
5. If using a professional mover, research your rights as a consumer with either the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for interstate moves or contact your state agency. Enlist the help of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or local law enforcement if the moving company fails to live up to its promises or threatens to hold your belongings hostage. FMCSA requires interstate movers to offer arbitration to help settle disputed claims.

For more information or help when planning your move, call me at 317.777.1805 or email me at Scott@LacySells.com.

Preparing to Buy a Home: Should I Get a Fixed or Adjustable Rate Home Loan?

Fixed rate loans have a steady interest rate over a specific period of time, usually between 15 to 30 years. You know exactly what your principal and interest payment for the mortgage will be each month for the entire duration of the loan. Adjustable rate loans reset at different times throughout the loan and can result in fluctuations in the monthly mortgage payment.

Not sure which type of loan is the best choice for you? Use this quick checklist.

1. Do you anticipate a substantial increase in income or earnings over the next few years? If so, then an adjustable rate might be a good choice.

2. Do you anticipate a stable or even declining income in the next few years? Is your job or your spouses career subject to downsizing? Is anyone nearing retirement age? If so, a fixed rate mortgage might be a good choice.

3. Do you intend to live in the home for less than five years? If so, an adjustable rate mortgage might work for your situation.

4. Do you intend to live in the home for more than five years or are you not sure how long you will remain in the home? If so, a fixed rate mortgage might work for your situation.

For more information or help in choosing the financing that is right for you, call me at 317.777.1805 or email me at Scott@LacySells.com.

Summer Moving Tips — Part 1

If you’re moving this summer, follow these tips below to ensure the transition from house to house goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Can you move alone, or should you hire a licensed moving company for a full-service or partial-service move? The answer depends on your lifestyle, household size, budget and amount of time you have. Get written quotes from at least three licensed moving companies. If moving yourself, packing calculators make it easier to estimate the amount of boxes and packing materials needed.
2. Plan to unpack BEFORE you pack. Take photos of each room in the new home before you arrive with furniture, plants, appliances and family in tow. Write down where each item should go in your next home before packing, and carry it with you on moving day. List the major items that need to be assembled first. As you place each item in its new room, cross it off the list.
3. Be strategic about packing. If you have more than a month to move, start early. Complete a free change of address and schedule utilities ahead of time, and start packing early. Whether it’s one room, one cabinet or one drawer at a time, as you’re going through your belongings, divide everything into these categories: donate to charity, give to a friend, recycle, trash, pack now, or keep handy until moving day. 
4. If you have children, consider daycare on moving day, or get help from a friend or family member. Provide lunch or some other appropriate thank you gesture if you do call in a favor. If that’s not an option, prioritize setting up safe places for your children to play in the new home on moving day so they’re not underfoot.
5. All the packing and constant in-and-out of visitors is stressful for animals. Consider checking your pet into a daycare facility, or setting up a time for a friend to take them or check them into pet daycare. Don’t let your four-legged best friends get lost in the shuffle and remember to make day-of moving arrangements.

Watch for Part 2 coming soon!

For more information or help when planning your move, call me at 317.777.1805 or email me at Scott@LacySells.com.