Page not found – Erin Mitchell Hoppe https://erinismyagent.com Real Estate Mon, 10 Jan 2022 03:12:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 How to Use Pantone’s Color of the Year 2022 in Your Home https://erinismyagent.com/2022/01/09/how-to-use-pantones-color-of-the-year-2022-in-your-home https://erinismyagent.com/2022/01/09/how-to-use-pantones-color-of-the-year-2022-in-your-home#respond Mon, 10 Jan 2022 03:12:19 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1223 Pantone has spoken. Last month, the newsworthy color institute announced their choice for Color of the Year 2022: Very Peri. Pantone says Very Peri is a color “whose courageous presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity.” So, what is Very Peri? And how can you be inventive and creative when using it in your home? We’ve got you […]

The post How to Use Pantone’s Color of the Year 2022 in Your Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
Pantone has spoken. Last month, the newsworthy color institute announced their choice for Color of the Year 2022: Very Peri. Pantone says Very Peri is a color “whose courageous presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity.” So, what is Very Peri? And how can you be inventive and creative when using it in your home? We’ve got you covered.

Pantone Color of the Year 2022: Very Peri

 

A swatch card showing Pantone’s color of the year 2022: Very Peri, which is a periwinkle blue with a violet-red undertone.

Image Source: Pantone.com

 

Very Peri is a periwinkle blue with violet-red undertones. This combination of cool colors with elements of warm hues creates an interesting combination. Pantone describes the mood that Very Peri creates as representative of the times we’re living in. They cite the merging of the physical and digital world, recent widespread isolation, and expanding popularity of the metaverse as inspiration for choosing the color. Pantone’s 2022 selection also marks the first time they’ve created an original color in the history of the Color of the Year educational program.

How to Use Very Peri in Your Home

Paint with Very Peri

Due to its calming yet dynamic nature, Very Peri makes for the perfect wall color. Repaint your living room or kitchen wall to give your home a healthy dose of a brand-new color or use it on accent walls in smaller spaces such as your bedroom, bathroom, or home office.

 

Six small paint cans of periwinkle blue paint.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Manuta

 

Decorate with Very Peri

Very Peri’s exuberance translates well into both small and large surface areas. Even by using it as a detailing color, its eye-popping charm can give meaning to the spaces it inhabits. Carpets, throw pillows, blankets, and flower vases are all perfect examples of how you can sprinkle in this color throughout your home. It also suits larger furniture pieces well, such as a couch, chair, or bedding. It’s a color you’ll want to sink into and wrap yourself up in. A new Very Peri bedspread may be just the breath of fresh air you need in your bedroom for the new year.

 

The corner of a living room with a comfortable chair, periwinkle blue wall color, and the mantel of a fireplace.

Image Credit: Pinterest – Image Credit: thenordroom.com

Combine Very Peri with Nature

Add an organic touch by pairing Very Peri with a vase of lavender, succulents, or other houseplants to complement its nature-friendly hue. Although there are hints of red embedded in the Very Peri concoction, you can rest assured that this color won’t clash with your indoor garden. Any combinations of purples, blues, greens, and whites will make for a beautiful display.

The post How to Use Pantone’s Color of the Year 2022 in Your Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2022/01/09/how-to-use-pantones-color-of-the-year-2022-in-your-home/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2022/01/Blog-Featured-Image-1240-x-480-pantone2022-2-150x150.png
You’ve Decided to Sell Your Home—Now What? https://erinismyagent.com/2022/01/09/youve-decided-to-sell-your-home-now-what https://erinismyagent.com/2022/01/09/youve-decided-to-sell-your-home-now-what#respond Mon, 10 Jan 2022 03:11:13 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1217 Deciding to sell your home is one of the biggest steps you can make in your journey as a homeowner. You’ve likely gone through every scenario in your head and are eager to make sure that the next step for yourself and your loved ones is the right one. The shift from homeowner to seller can […]

The post You’ve Decided to Sell Your Home—Now What? appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
Deciding to sell your home is one of the biggest steps you can make in your journey as a homeowner. You’ve likely gone through every scenario in your head and are eager to make sure that the next step for yourself and your loved ones is the right one. The shift from homeowner to seller can feel like a roller coaster, but with the right preparation, it will go smoothly. Here are a few ways to make this transitional period a little easier.

Rely on Your Support System

It’s common to experience waves of emotion when selling your home. Leaning on your support system—your Windermere agent included—can provide some stability.

Selling a home is an exciting endeavor to be shared with the people around you. Reach out to your friends and family to share the great news and start the conversation about how, where, and when they can help you. Whether it’s helping you pack, getting you out of the house during open houses, lending a hand on moving day, helping you get settled into your new home, or simply offering words of encouragement, involving your community will help make it all feel a little less overwhelming for both you and them. If you’re looking for a place to stay while you sell your home, someone in your network may have the perfect solution.

Ask Questions

There is no such thing as a stupid question, especially when selling your home. Whether you’ve sold your home before or this is your first time, each transaction in unique. Your Windermere Real Estate agent will be equipped to address your every question, so don’t be afraid to pause the conversation to ask a clarifying question if something doesn’t make sense.

For information on every aspect of what it takes to sell your home, visit the Selling page on the Windermere blog.

Create a Timeline of Selling Your Home

From prep work to closing, there are many steps to selling your home. It may be helpful to create a timeline or schedule of events, so you know both what you’ve accomplished and what’s coming next. Here’s an example of what it could look like:

  • Prepare to Sell
    • Move out & clean
    • Stage the home
    • Marketing Photos
    • List the house
    • Open House Weekend
  • Accepting the Offer
    • Review Offers
    • Accept an offer
    • Negotiate with buyer
    • Buyer’s Inspection
  • Moving
    • Pack up
    • Move
    • Update all addresses and bills

 

Expect the Unexpected When Selling Your Home

There’s a fair amount of unpredictability in a transaction as intricate as selling a home, so it’s best to be prepared. A pre-listing inspection will let you know of any major issues with your property that might impact the price of your home and the eventual negotiations your agent will pursue with the buyer’s agent. This lets you make necessary repairs before you go on market, providing you with one last chance to increase your return on investment.

Keep your home secure with a few precautions while you sell. While your house is on the market, you’ll have a lot of foot traffic during open houses and private tours. You can protect your home by adding cameras in and around your home, hiding valuables in a safe, and talking to your agent about taking the appropriate safety precautions.

The post You’ve Decided to Sell Your Home—Now What? appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2022/01/09/youve-decided-to-sell-your-home-now-what/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2022/01/Blog-Featured-Image-1240-x-480-ownertoseller-150x150.png
Must-Haves and Nice-To-Haves Lists https://erinismyagent.com/2022/01/09/must-haves-and-nice-to-haves-lists https://erinismyagent.com/2022/01/09/must-haves-and-nice-to-haves-lists#respond Mon, 10 Jan 2022 03:09:45 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1211 Finding your dream home may not be easy, but there are things you can do to make it easier, like creating a “Must-Haves” list and a “Nice-To-Haves” list. These lists allow serious homebuyers to save time, energy, and ultimately, money as they prepare to buy a home. A Must-Have List is exactly what it sounds […]

The post Must-Haves and Nice-To-Haves Lists appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
Finding your dream home may not be easy, but there are things you can do to make it easier, like creating a “Must-Haves” list and a “Nice-To-Haves” list. These lists allow serious homebuyers to save time, energy, and ultimately, money as they prepare to buy a home.

A Must-Have List is exactly what it sounds like, a checklist of the details that are non-negotiable for your new home. It’s essential to sit down and think about the things you need in order to feel comfortable there for the next 7-13 years.

Your “Nice-To-Haves” list is a checklist of details that you’d like to have, but you can live without. This list is great for those things that you’ve always dreamed of but may be out of reach for reasons such as your budget or location. This list may include things like fireplaces or gas appliances, a pool, or other non-essential items.

Your “Must-Haves” list focuses your search and helps your agent narrow down which homes are worth your time. Your “Nice-to-Haves” list will help you determine what you’re willing to sacrifice, which will ultimately solidify your must-haves.

These lists can also help manage your expectations regarding price. Take your lists to your real estate agent, along with your pre-approval from a lender, and you’ll be able to work together to determine what is a reasonable ask within your budget and your desired location.

Creating Your “Must-Haves” List

The first step is to think about the essentials. If things like location and number of bedrooms and bathrooms are a priority, then you’ll want to include them in your must-haves. Consider where you live now and use that as a starting point; what do you love and what are you missing? You may need more storage space, or an extra room to work remote, or a larger backyard for the newest member of the family.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you build your “Must-Haves” list:

  • Where do you want to live? (Be as specific as you can.)
  • What do you have now that you can’t live without?
  • What are you missing now that you may need for the next several years?

If you’re struggling to determine what it is you need to have, you can start working on your “Nice-To-Haves” list. This can also help you determine what is essential. For example, it may be nice to have five bedrooms when in reality, a three-bedroom house with a flex space that works for an office or guest room would do the trick.

Creating your “Nice-To-Haves” List

While you’re working on your “Nice-To-Haves” list, you’ll be thinking about the parts of a home that would be great to have but aren’t as important for you. You might also want to take into consideration what is reasonable in your area and if it’s a common amenity.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you build your “Nice-To-Haves” list:

  • What home upgrades are you willing to make?
  • What is something you’d like to do in your house more often?
  • What do you have in your current home that you love, but don’t need?

Searching for Your Next Home

These lists will help guide you and your real estate agent as you search for your next home. During this process you might realize some aspects aren’t as important to you as you thought, and vice versa. Keep your agent in the loop as you update your lists so they can continue to search for the perfect home for you.

The post Must-Haves and Nice-To-Haves Lists appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2022/01/09/must-haves-and-nice-to-haves-lists/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2022/01/Blog-Featured-Image-1240-x-480-musthaves-150x150.png
National Homeless Youth Awareness Month https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/30/national-homeless-youth-awareness-month https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/30/national-homeless-youth-awareness-month#respond Tue, 30 Nov 2021 20:16:36 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1183 The Windermere Foundation was founded in 1989 to support low-income and homeless families in the communities where Windermere has a presence. In honor of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, we’ve compiled the following list of organizations that support and aid the young homeless population in our country. Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and […]

The post National Homeless Youth Awareness Month appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
The Windermere Foundation was founded in 1989 to support low-income and homeless families in the communities where Windermere has a presence. In honor of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, we’ve compiled the following list of organizations that support and aid the young homeless population in our country.

Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the United States, of which 700,000 are unaccompanied minors (ncsl.org). The most common causes of youth homelessness include a lack of affordable housing, economic hardship, substance abuse of a family member, parental neglect, objection to sexual orientation or gender identity and mental health disorders.

Unaccompanied homeless youth are at a higher risk of anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress, and suicide due to increased exposure to violence while living on their own. Learn more about the causes and consequences of youth homelessness online at ncsl.org (National Conference of State Legislators).

 

Here are some ways you can support homeless youth in your community:

 

Organizations who have been supported by the Windermere Foundation: 

The Windermere Foundation supports, among others, the following organizations dedicated to helping homeless youth and families in their communities. To support these organizations, donate to the Windermere Foundation through your local Windermere office.

The post National Homeless Youth Awareness Month appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/30/national-homeless-youth-awareness-month/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2021/11/Blog-Featured-Image-1240-x-480-nyham-150x150.png
A Quick Guide to Understanding Real Estate Designations https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/30/a-quick-guide-to-understanding-real-estate-designations https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/30/a-quick-guide-to-understanding-real-estate-designations#respond Tue, 30 Nov 2021 20:15:10 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1177 What do those letters and acronyms mean at the end of your real estate agent’s name? We’re here to answer that question and explain why it might matter to you. Like other professionals, real estate agents have the ability to specialize in certain areas of the business by earning designations. Those acronyms signify that they […]

The post A Quick Guide to Understanding Real Estate Designations appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
What do those letters and acronyms mean at the end of your real estate agent’s name? We’re here to answer that question and explain why it might matter to you. Like other professionals, real estate agents have the ability to specialize in certain areas of the business by earning designations. Those acronyms signify that they have achieved a specific designation through extensive training and education. In simple terms, designations enable agents to increase their skills, proficiency, and knowledge in various real estate sectors. They can also provide agents with access to members-only marketing tools and resources which can be an added benefit to their clients.

So why should real estate designations matter to you? Depending on what your specific real estate needs are, certain designations might mean more to you than others. For example, if you are in need of a real estate agent who can help you or your loved ones transition to a senior living facility, you may want to work with a Senior Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), because they are trained to understand the unique needs of seniors and their families in this type of situation.  Or, perhaps you’re selling your LEED-certified home and you want an agent who specializes in marketing these types of properties, then you may want to work with a Certified Green Real Estate Professional (CG-REP).

The National Association of REALTORS® offers the largest number of professional designations, which are designed to provide real estate agents with specialized training in a variety of areas. Here is a list of those designations and how they benefit real estate consumers.

Real Estate Designations

Accredited Staging Professional (ASP): By increasing a home’s appeal to a higher number of buyers, home staging is commonly considered one of the best ways to sell a property more swiftly and for more money. Agents with an ASP designation understand the art of home staging and use special marketing techniques to increase the market value of a home.

Senior Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®): If you are considering retiring, downsizing or are trying to help an aging loved one transition to an assisted living facility, an SRES® trained REALTOR is qualified to help support clients over the age of fifty with lifestyle transitions and major financial decisions. This includes knowing what to look for if you prefer to age in place, finding the resources to support a move from movers to financial advisors, and more.

NAR Green Designation (GREEN): If you are looking to buy or sell a LEED Certified home, a GREEN REALTOR will have the expertise to help you. They are trained in sustainable and earth-friendly building trends, energy efficiency, and more.

Accredited Buyers Representative® (ABR®): If you are a first time homebuyer you may want to find an ABR® designated agent. They are specially trained to work with buyers through every step of the home-buyer process from mortgage to closing.

Accredited Land Consultant (ALC): Land experts have expert knowledge and experience in land auctioning, leasing, development, farm management, land investment analysis, and tax deferment. This type of designation is not needed for a general home purchase, but if you are looking at investment, development, or farming properties, an ALC can help.

Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM): Purchasing or leasing space for your business is different than finding a home for yourself or investment property. If you need a commercial space, a certified commercial agent can help you locate this type of property and negotiate the intricacies of the contracts.

Certified International Property Specialists (CIPS):  International real estate can differ greatly from domestic transactions. If you are looking to purchase a home abroad, consider working with an agent who has their CIPS and specializes in international real estate. They can provide tools for understanding the international process, access to a global referral network, and additional international resources.

Certified Property Manager® (CPM®): Managing a rental property can be a complicated, time-consuming process. There are specific laws you have to follow, resident screenings, 24 hour maintenance issues, and more. A CPM® is specially trained to manage your residential or commercial property on your behalf.

Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB): Managing a real estate business involves much more than overseeing an office with staff, marketing, and other resource needs. CRBs go through certification and extensive training for supervising a real estate brokerage, with essential business development and management requirements.

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS): The prestigious CRS designation is awarded to experienced REALTORS who have completed advanced professional training and demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in residential real estate. This designation signifies one of the highest levels of success a REALTOR can achieve.

Seller Representative Specialist (SRS): Sometimes referred to as a “listing agent”, there are agents who specialize in working specifically with sellers. These agents have special training in all areas of the home selling process, providing increased professional standards and marketing expertise.

Real Estate Certifications

Military Relocation Professional Certificate (MRP): If you are a military service member or are relocating on behalf of the military, an MRP is specifically trained to address your relocation needs.  They can help you navigate through the financial process because they are aware of the benefits available to service members and can address the unique relocation needs of military clients.

Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist Certification (RSPS): If you have a destination property, consider working with a RSPS certified agent to manage the buying, selling, or management process. They have training specific to managing investment, retirement, resort, and vacation destination properties.

Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource® (SFR®): Short sales are different than typical home sales because they deal directly with financial institutions. SFR® certified agents are experienced at negotiating these types of transactions and are trained to work with finance, tax and legal professionals on behalf of distressed sellers.

The post A Quick Guide to Understanding Real Estate Designations appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/30/a-quick-guide-to-understanding-real-estate-designations/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2021/11/Blog-Featured-Image-480x1240-certifications-150x150.png
7 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Home https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/30/7-mistakes-to-avoid-when-selling-a-home https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/30/7-mistakes-to-avoid-when-selling-a-home#respond Tue, 30 Nov 2021 20:11:27 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1171 Mistakes in the selling process can throw your plans off course, causing costly delays. But by knowing what mistakes to avoid ahead of time, you can save yourself the headache and the expense. Steer clear of these common mistakes as you work alongside your agent towards a successful sale. 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling […]

The post 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
Mistakes in the selling process can throw your plans off course, causing costly delays. But by knowing what mistakes to avoid ahead of time, you can save yourself the headache and the expense. Steer clear of these common mistakes as you work alongside your agent towards a successful sale.

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Home

1. Skipping Repairs

Neglecting to make repairs to your home before you sell not only makes it less appealing to buyers, but it can also open you up to additional costs that result from the buyer’s inspection. If you fail to disclose any repairs that need to be made, it could halt the closing process or cause the deal to fall through. Consider conducting a pre-listing inspection to make sure everything is out in the open before you sell.

2. Not Working with an Agent

Listing agents help sellers accurately price their home, coordinate showings and open houses, and negotiate with buyers’ agents to get the best deal for their client. Choosing not to work with an agent can open you up to several risks. Selling a home is an intricate, complicated process that needs the guiding hand of a professional, so it’s no wonder that a vast majority of sellers choose to work with an agent.

3. Incorrectly Pricing Your Home

The key to selling your home quickly is to find the right buyers. To find the right buyers, your home must be correctly priced. Agents use a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)—a thorough, data-backed examination of your home and how it compares to other listings in your area—to accurately price your home. Without an agent’s CMA, it’s easy for your home to be listed at the wrong price, leading to the following consequences.

    • Overpricing Your Home: Overpricing your home will attract the wrong buyers because you will force your home into competition with other listings that are fundamentally superior or have more to offer. When comparing other homes to yours, buyers will focus on the discrepancies and the features your home lacks. Overpricing will often cause homes to sit on the market for extended periods of time and become less appealing to buyers.
    • Underpricing Your Home: Under competitive market conditions, intentionally underpricing a home is a common strategy to attract buyer attention with the goal of starting a bidding war to drive the price of the home up. However, several things must go correctly for this to happen. In all other cases, underpricing your home reflects a lack of knowledge about where its market value fits into the fabric of current local market conditions and can leave you, the seller, unsatisfied with the price your home ultimately fetches.

4. Letting Your Emotions Take Over

Selling your home is an act of learning how to let it go. Once you know you’re ready to sell, you’ll need to be able to look at it with an objective eye. This will allow you to approach conversations with your agent from a neutral standpoint and work towards what is best for the sale of the home. If you’re too emotionally attached, you may find that you have trouble agreeing with your agent when it comes to negotiations. Overall, emotions can cloud your judgement and make the successful completion of the transaction more complex. If you’re struggling with tabling your emotions, talk to your agent for guidance.

5. Not Prioritizing Photography

One of the hard truths for selling a home is that first impressions matter. The vast majority of buyers are searching online and taking virtual tours of homes they’re interested in. As such, it’s worth the time and money to hire a high-quality photographer. The right photography can make all the difference in the minds of buyers. An aesthetically pleasing home will attract more eyes, and any edge you can give your home over competing listings may be just the ticket to getting it sold.

6. Selling Before You’re Ready

It may be tempting to want to get your house on the market quickly to take advantage of local market conditions, but if the time isn’t right for you, rushing into the market could cause more trouble than it’s worth. Knowing when to sell your home is a mixture of being financially prepared, finding the right agent, and understanding how your home fits into the current local market landscape.

7. Refusing to Negotiate

Approaching buyers’ offers with a cold shoulder can lead to missed opportunities. Before the offers start to come in, it’s important to work closely with your agent to understand your expectations and which terms and contingencies you’re willing to negotiate. That way, you can quickly identify the right offer when it comes along. If you’re unwilling to negotiate, it can drive buyers away and leave potential deals on the table.

The post 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/30/7-mistakes-to-avoid-when-selling-a-home/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2021/11/Blog-Featured-Image-1240-x-480-sellingmistakes-150x150.png
How to Prepare for a Fire at Home https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/17/how-to-prepare-for-a-fire-at-home https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/17/how-to-prepare-for-a-fire-at-home#respond Wed, 17 Nov 2021 20:05:53 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1163 A fire breaking out in your home is a serious potential hazard. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to identify the early signs of a fire and to prepare for an emergency. The following list will help you and your household put together your fire safety plan. How to Prepare for a Fire […]

The post How to Prepare for a Fire at Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
A fire breaking out in your home is a serious potential hazard. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to identify the early signs of a fire and to prepare for an emergency. The following list will help you and your household put together your fire safety plan.

How to Prepare for a Fire at Home

Fire safety

Having properly functioning smoke and CO2 detectors is crucial to your safety. Test your smoke and CO2 detectors frequently and swap out the batteries when necessary. It is recommended to have a smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on each level of your home.

Always keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen to combat flame outbursts from the stove or oven. It is best to have at least one fire extinguisher per floor for easy access. Keep in mind that fire extinguishers are used to control and extinguish small, contained fires. If a fire has spread throughout an entire room, or is beginning to engulf your home, know that fire extinguishers are no match for the blaze, and you should escape immediately.

Evacuation plan

A home fire can be very disorienting. During an emergency, it is critical that all members of your household know how to properly evacuate the home. Identify two ways to escape from each room in case one route is unsafe. Choose a meeting spot somewhere outside for everyone to meet a safe distance away from the fire. This can be across the street, down the block, at a neighbor’s house, or wherever makes most sense for you and your family. The most important thing is that you all have an agreed-upon rendezvous. Select an emergency contact whom you can reach out to if something goes wrong in the evacuation process or if a family member is missing.

Best practices

When escaping your home, crawl as low as possible to stay beneath the smoke. Test closed doors before using them to escape. If they are hot, that’s a sign that there are flames on the other side of the door and you should use an alternative escape strategy. Be careful that you don’t burn your hand when testing closed doors. Make sure everyone in your household knows the procedure for calling 9-1-1 and properly alerting the fire department. If you have pets at home, include them in your evacuation plans. If you are forced to decide between evacuating safely and trying to rescue a pet, know that firefighters are trained experts at saving animals from house fires.

The post How to Prepare for a Fire at Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/17/how-to-prepare-for-a-fire-at-home/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2021/11/Blog-Featured-Image-1240-x-480-firesafety-150x150.png
Deciding to Sell Your Home https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/17/deciding-to-sell-your-home https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/17/deciding-to-sell-your-home#respond Wed, 17 Nov 2021 20:02:36 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1155 Deciding when to sell your home can depend on a variety of factors. Perhaps your local market conditions are favorable to sellers, or you’ve recently changed jobs, or your family is growing and you need to upsize. Whatever the case may be, making the decision to sell your home is the first step in your […]

The post Deciding to Sell Your Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
Deciding when to sell your home can depend on a variety of factors. Perhaps your local market conditions are favorable to sellers, or you’ve recently changed jobs, or your family is growing and you need to upsize. Whatever the case may be, making the decision to sell your home is the first step in your selling journey.

Deciding to Sell Your Home

Once you know it’s time to sell your home, it’s natural to feel a wave of emotions. A home is an integral part of a homeowner’s life. They provide countless memories and, for many homeowners, are their greatest investment. But once you’ve decided to sell, it’s important to look at your home with an objective eye to appeal to a wide variety of buyers.

Which repairs should I make before selling my home?

To get your house in top selling shape, identify its outstanding repairs. As you fill out your list, separate the projects into categories which are DIY-eligible, and which require a professional. This will help you to budget for your overall repair expenses and build a reasonable timeline. Some of the most important repairs to make before listing your home include fixing appliances, making sure your sinks and faucets work properly, repairing any cracks or holes in the walls, fixing all leaks and water damage, and ensuring that all systems in the home are functioning properly. Making repairs before you list your home will bode well for home inspections, negotiations, and can even give your home an advantage over other listings. Your agent may suggest a pre-listing inspection to make your home more competitive in a seller’s market.

Which upgrades should I make before selling my home?

When you sell your home, you’re inevitably competing against other listings in your area. The aesthetics of a house play a significant role in its ability to catch buyer’s attention, which emphasizes the importance of improving your curb appeal as you prepare to hit the market. Landscaping projects, new exterior paint, and upgrading your front entry are just a few ways you can spruce up the outside of your home.

And what about the interior? Consider upgrading your appliances to energy-efficient models, which are known for their high ROI potential. This is a great time to repaint your home’s interior as well. Consider using a neutral color palette to make it as appealing as possible to a wide-array of buyers. It’s also a good idea to identify rooms in which the flooring should be replaced or repaired. If it makes most sense to completely re-do your home’s flooring, choose a material that is within budget and has good resale value.

Working with an agent

Listing agents are trained professionals who work with homeowners to sell their homes. Your listing agent will be there to answer any questions you may have throughout the selling process and will negotiate with buyers’ agents to get the best price for your home. But their value doesn’t stop there. A listing agent will list the home, coordinate showings and open houses, and market the home. When choosing an agent, find someone with whom you are compatible both emotionally and professionally, and who cares about the goals of you and your household.

What’s my home worth?

Homeowners can get a general idea of how much their home is worth by using online home value estimators, like Windermere’s free Home Worth Calculator. Though these tools can provide some context behind the value of your home, nothing compares to the in-depth analysis of an agent’s Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).

The post Deciding to Sell Your Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/17/deciding-to-sell-your-home/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2021/11/Blog-Featured-Image-1240-x-480-decidingtosell-150x150.png
10 Costs Associated with Buying a Home https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/17/10-costs-associated-with-buying-a-home https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/17/10-costs-associated-with-buying-a-home#respond Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:58:16 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1149 Some expenses that come with buying a home are easier to account for than others. Knowing the costs associated with buying a home will not only help you budget accordingly but will also pinpoint which homes are truly affordable for you. In no particular order, here are ten costs you can expect to encounter when […]

The post 10 Costs Associated with Buying a Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
Some expenses that come with buying a home are easier to account for than others. Knowing the costs associated with buying a home will not only help you budget accordingly but will also pinpoint which homes are truly affordable for you. In no particular order, here are ten costs you can expect to encounter when buying a home.

10 Costs Associated with Buying a Home

1. Down payment

The down payment is a lump sum paid by the buyer upfront. The exact amount required varies by lender and loan type, but in general, a substantial down payment will help decrease your monthly payments. Making a traditional twenty percent down payment means less risk for your lender, opening the door for lower interest rates and avoiding the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI). But if you can’t come up with that much, it’s not a dead end. PMI and its various alternatives can help close the gap and provide a path to homeownership.

2. Homeowners insurance

Once you’ve purchased a home, there’s no time to delay in protecting it. A standard homeowners insurance policy typically covers your home, your belongings, injury or property damage to others, and any living expenses in the event of an insured disaster that renders your home unlivable. Homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for the owner(s) living on the property. If you plan on renting out your home or dwellings on your property, you’ll need to purchase separate landlord insurance to cover your tenants.

3. Mortgage payment

There’s a give and take with mortgage payments—the more you pay down your home, the more equity you build. Unless you’re making an all-cash offer, you can expect to budget for mortgage payments. Use the general rule that your house payments should be roughly 25% of your take-home pay. Use an online mortgage calculator to get an idea of what you can afford.

4. Closing costs

Before your home purchase is a done deal, you can expect to pay closing costs, which usually total somewhere between 2-5% of the total mortgage value. The terms of the purchase agreement will dictate how you and the seller will split the closing costs. They include but are not limited to underwriting fees, credit check fees, title insurance and title search, escrow fees, and more. These expenses can add up, so be sure you’re prepared when it comes time for closing day.

5. HOA fees

For those who are buying in developments governed by a homeowner’s association or are purchasing a townhouse or condo, you’ll likely have to pay HOA fees on top of your monthly mortgage payment. HOA fees, usually paid monthly, go towards maintaining the shared spaces, property, and amenities within the community. Before moving forward with your purchase, determine if the property is under the governance of a homeowner’s association and the cost of the fees.

6. Property taxes

Your annual property tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of your home by the tax rate. This figure is broken down into monthly installments and added on top of your mortgage payment. Because property taxes are based on the assessed value of your home, they are subject to change. If the assessed value of your home increases over time, so will your property taxes.

7. Repairs and remodeling

Unless you’re buying new construction, your new home will likely need repairs. Even after having completed a thorough home inspection, underestimating repairs expenses can be a costly mistake. Certain repairs may require the help of a professional, and while hiring them will ensure your home is in good hands, their services come with a price. If you’re buying with the intention of remodeling, remember to leave room for the other costs on this list before breaking ground on any projects.

8. Appraisal and inspection fees 

Not only will a home inspection allow you to negotiate repairs and concessions with the seller, but it will also help you budget for the home repairs you’ll need to make in the future. An appraisal, carried out by a licensed third party, will determine your home’s appraised value—or in other words, how much the bank thinks your home is worth. Both fees can cost upwards of a few hundred dollars each.

9. Utilities 

One of the first steps you’ll take in your new home is setting up your utilities. In general, the larger the property the more you can expect to pay in utilities. Electricity, gas, water, sewer, and trash and recycling pickup are just a few of the utilities you can expect to arrange for your new home. Get an early start on this list to avoid a situation where you need heat or running water, only to realize they haven’t been set up yet.

10. Moving costs

Often buyers can be so taken with the prospect of living in their new home that they forget to account for the costs it will take to move there. Set a timeline, take inventory of the items in your home, and stay organized throughout the process to make the moving process as efficient as possible.

The post 10 Costs Associated with Buying a Home appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2021/11/17/10-costs-associated-with-buying-a-home/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2021/11/Blog-Featured-Image-1240-x-480-buying-costs-1-150x150.png
What is a Buyer’s Market? https://erinismyagent.com/2021/10/04/what-is-a-buyers-market https://erinismyagent.com/2021/10/04/what-is-a-buyers-market#respond Mon, 04 Oct 2021 20:59:39 +0000 https://erinismyagent.com/?p=1143 Much can be determined about the conditions of a local real estate market by its supply and demand. When the supply of available homes is greater than demand, it’s referred to as a buyer’s market. Reduced listing prices, longer days on market, and an increased number of re-listings are also signs of a buyer’s market. […]

The post What is a Buyer’s Market? appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
Much can be determined about the conditions of a local real estate market by its supply and demand. When the supply of available homes is greater than demand, it’s referred to as a buyer’s market. Reduced listing prices, longer days on market, and an increased number of re-listings are also signs of a buyer’s market. While the current market is far from favoring buyers, it’s still a good idea to understand how a shift in the conditions could impact your search for a new home when the time comes.

 

What is a Buyer’s Market?

A buyer’s market creates ideal conditions for those looking to purchase a home. With more homes on the market than buyers, sellers must compete to gain their attention. In a buyer’s market, inventory is high, which means buyers can take their time in finding the right home as there is simply more to choose from. It’s common for homes to be on the market for longer periods of time. Sellers will sometimes need to drop their price to gain a competitive advantage, a selling tactic that is not nearly as common in hotter markets. To get a gauge of your local market conditions, talk to your Windermere agent about the current home price, sales, and inventory figures in your area.

How to Approach a Buyer’s Market

It’s understood that a buyer’s market favors buyers, but how can they utilize this advantage as they explore available listings? For one, buyers can be picky about finding the right home. Unlike a seller’s market, buyers have the luxury of weighing comparative advantages between homes knowing that time is on their side.

The conditions of a buyer’s market favor the buyer when it comes to negotiations as well. With fewer people buying homes, sellers are willing to be more flexible during the negotiation process, which gives buyers leverage. This underlines the benefits of working with a buyer’s agent. Buyer’s agents deliver significant value to the clients they represent in their ability to find the right home, streamline the buying process, and handle the negotiations and offer phases of a home purchase.

If you are selling a home while looking to purchase, you likely have the opportunity to make your offer contingent on the sale of your existing home, whereas in a seller’s market, there is a low chance of getting a contingent offer accepted. Contingent offers can be tricky, but when done correctly, it means that you don’t have to buy if you can’t sell.

When an agent sees that a home has been on the market for quite some time, that will fuel their ability to negotiate a lower price. In these market conditions, the chances are low that buyers will enter a bidding war or that a home will suddenly sell overnight to a competing offer. However, once buyers have identified their top candidate home, they should work with their agent to form a strategy for making a successful offer.

Sellers will be doing the most they can to make their homes stand out amongst the high number of available listings. It’s common for them to make repairs, upgrades, and other improvements to their homes before placing them on the market to entice buyers. Accordingly, a buyer’s leverage in negotiations carries through to contingencies, where they can work with their agent to negotiate repairs—a proposition that sellers will be more open to, given the limited number of buyers.

The post What is a Buyer’s Market? appeared first on Erin Mitchell Hoppe.

]]>
https://erinismyagent.com/2021/10/04/what-is-a-buyers-market/feed 0 https://erinismyagent.com/files/2021/10/Blog-Featured-Image-480x1240-buyersmkt-1024x396-1-150x150.png