Decluttering A Home Can Make A Major Impact

Decluttering A Home Can Make A Major ImpactThere are numerous homeowners who are looking for a way to make more space. Even a small decluttering project can make a significant difference to the amount of space available in a home. This can also make it easier for homeowners to find what they are looking for. Furthermore, if a home is going on the market in the near future, it needs to be as clean as possible. That way, prospective buyers can see the potential of a home. What are a few examples of decluttering projects that can make a significant difference?

Clean Under The Kitchen Sink

The kitchen is one of the most used spaces in the home. Therefore, it is critical to keep it clean. Focus on cleaning under the kitchen sink. The easier the cleaning supplies are to locate, the easier it will be to keep the kitchen clean. Some homeowners are more likely to keep the kitchen clean if they have an easier time pulling out the cleaning supplies. Consider using labels, drawers, and boxes to keep the equipment organized. 

Check The Bathroom Closets

Bathroom cabinets are among the most overlooked areas in the home, but they also have a lot of potential. Many homeowners do not have enough linens and towels to fill up the bathroom cabinet, so think of other ways to use this space. For example, homeowners may want to place extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, and cleaning supplies in the bathroom cabinet. It might be smart to use dividers to keep the space in the bathroom closet organized. 

Tidy Up The Refrigerator

Finally, homeowners should also think about cleaning the refrigerator. Stains in the refrigerator can be notoriously difficult to remove, but using a bit of white vinegar can go a long way. Take a look at the expiration dates on the items in the refrigerator and throw away food and drinks that have already gone bad. Then, consider using labels to keep the refrigerator organized. This will make it easier for everyone to find what they are looking for the next time they open the door. 

These are just a few tips on how to declutter the areas that most homeowners often forget about. Just remember that a home can be decluttered in steps and is a process. 

 

Is Now The Time To Refinance Your Mortgage?

Why Refinance

To refinance a mortgage means to pay off your existing loan and replace it with a new one.

There are many reasons why homeowners opt to refinance, from obtaining a lower interest rate, to shortening the term of the loan, to switching mortgage loan types, to tapping into home equity.

Each has its considerations.

Lower Your Mortgage Rate
Among the best reasons to refinance is to get access to lower mortgage rates. There is no “rule of thumb” that says how far rates should drop for a refinance to be sensible. Compare your closing costs to your monthly savings, and determine whether the math makes sense for your situation.

Shorten Your Loan Term
Refinancing your 30-year fixed rate mortgage to a 20-year fixed rate or a 15-year fixed rate is a sensible way to reduce your long-term mortgage costs, and to own your home sooner. As a bonus, with mortgage rates currently near all-time lows, an increase to your monthly payment from a shorter loan term may be negligible.

Convert ARM To Fixed Rate Mortgage
Homeowners with adjustable-rate mortgages may want the comfort of a fixed-rate payment. Mortgage rates for fixed-rate mortgages are often higher than for comparable ARMs so be prepared to pay more to your lender each month.

Access Equity For Projects, Debts, Or Other Reasons
Called a “cash out” refinance, homeowners can sometimes use home equity to retire debts, pay for renovations, or use for other purposes including education costs and retirement. Lenders place restrictions on loans of this type.

A refinanced home loan can help you reach specific financial goals or just put extra cash in your pocket each month — just make sure that there’s a clear benefit to you. Paying large closing costs for small monthly savings or negligible long-term benefit should be avoided.

Many lenders offer low or no closing costs options for refinancing. Be sure to ask about it.

Planning a Move With Your Pets

Planning a Move With Your PetsAs a pet owner, you’re probably just as excited to see how your pet loves the new house as you are yourself. It’s fun to watch as your pets explore the new digs. But moving can be stressful for pets. Here are some tips for making the move as stress-free as you can for your furry loved ones!

Acclimate Your Pets To A Pet Carrier

If you travel infrequently, your pets may not be used to being inside the confined space of a pet carrier. Help them get used to it by placing it on the floor near where they sleep. Put some of their favorite toys or blankets inside and encourage them to spend time in there. Once inside, bring Fido or kitty for a short ride in the family car; just once or twice around the block is plenty. Do this a couple of times a week and always reward them afterward with a treat or some petting.

Keep Pets Isolated On Moving Day

Moving day will be scary for your pets. To keep them calm and safe, isolate them in a separate room in the house. You could place food and water bowls in a spare bathroom along with a blanket to rest on. Put a sign on the door so the moving men don’t enter. Isolating pets on moving day will also prevent pets from running outside, where they might run off out of fear or confusion.

Let Pets Adjust To Your New Home Slowly

Even if you have pets that are savvy and accustomed to being outdoors, you don’t want to let them outside when you first move. They may become disoriented and try to walk back to the old house. Or they could encounter a neighborhood animal that isn’t friendly. For a few days after you move into your new home, keep little Fluffy indoors. There will be plenty of time for them to transition into the backyard if that’s something you want for your pets.

Your pets will grow to love your new home, but it’s important to let them take it slow. These three tips may help with the transition. Above all, help them to feel comfortable with the traveling and keep them away from the activity on the actual moving day.

Buying A Home Virtually

Buying A Home VirtuallyDuring the past few months, everyone has been going through unprecedented times. Every industry has been impacted and this includes the real estate sector. There are lots of people who are still trying to buy and sell a home during an era of social distancing. This can make it hard to look at a prospective property in person. The good news is that there are still ways for people to buy a house virtually. There are a few tips that everyone should keep in mind. 

Go On A Virtual Tour

Of course, everyone wants to take a close look at a home before they decide to buy it. Even though it is challenging to schedule live tours, virtual tours can still be helpful. With virtual real estate software, it is possible to take a virtual, walking tour the home. Furthermore, if tours have been recorded using drones, then a virtual tour might provide everyone with a new perspective on a potential home. 

Ask The Right Questions

It is important for everyone to make sure they ask the right questions. Even if someone is not going on a  tour of a home in person, it is still important to ask the same questions. For example, ask about the age of the roof, the age of the HVAC system, and other pertinent questions to the property. This will help everyone make sure they understand exactly what they are buying. 

Know What Is Not Seen Virtually

When it comes to asking questions, it is also important to think about items that cannot be seen virtually. For example, it might be difficult to judge noise levels outside of the home from a virtual tour. It might also be challenging to figure out where puddles tend to form during thunderstorms. These are important topics that have to be discussed as well. 

Prepare Early To Buy A Home Virtually

Even if people cannot see a property in person, the real estate market can still be relatively active. Therefore, anyone who is looking to buy a house in this market has to make sure they stay on top of their information. This will help them remain competitive when they are trying to buy the perfect house for their needs.

 

Important Advice For Locating The Right Neighborhood

Important Advice For Locating The Right NeighborhoodWhen people are thinking about moving, they want to make sure they find the right neighborhood. At the same time, it is not always easy for many homeowners to decide where they are going to live. Particularly if they are not familiar with the local community, there are a few important points that everyone should keep in mind. By thinking about these factors ahead of time, potential homeowners are going to place themselves in a position to be successful when they purchase their next home. 

Consider The Importance Of The Schools

Many people who are moving are looking for a bigger house because their family is getting larger. Therefore, one of the most important factors that families need to think about involve the quality of the schools. Schools are going to play a major role in the pricing of the neighborhood. Think about whether the kids are going to go to public school or private school. For families that are going to send their kids to public school, they need to think about the quality of the public schools and what school system the neighborhood is zoned for. 

Think About The Commute To Work

Another important factor that the family should consider is the commute to work. There are many people who are moving in an effort to shorten their commute or because they are getting a new job. Therefore, it is a smart idea to think about the traffic, the time it will take to work, and how challenging the driving route is going to be. This is going to play a major role and where the family is going to end up settling. 

The Access To Amenities

Finally, it is also important to think about access to amenities. This could include parks, shopping, hiking trails, and even access to the airport. Families need to think about what is important to them and prioritize this during the housing search. It is also a great idea to think about any development that might be taking place in the local area that could influence housing prices in the future. All of these factors should be considered when families are considering which neighborhood they would like to move to.