How to Effectively Show Your Property

Selling your property is an emotional rollercoaster on any given day, but in the days of the global pandemic, it is even more of a challenge. You should gather all possible information on how to effectively show your property in order to get the best possible return on your investment.

Get your home ready

Before you can show your home to buyers, you need to tidy up. Do anything that will get your home shining and make it feel welcoming.

Start with decluttering

Having your home overflowing with your belongings can look messy and repel potential buyers. Go through everything you own, sort through your cupboards, or even donate or sell some of the items. If you haven’t yet decided what to do with certain things, you could easily rent a portable storage unit. Renting a portable one can help you free up space in your house. Your home will feel more spacious and buyers will have more room to imagine living there. Also, packing your belongings in a rented portable container at this point will save you time once moving day rolls around. Be organized and make an inventory so you don’t misplace any of your things.

Remove personal objects

To help your potential buyers imagine themselves in your property, you should remove most of your personal objects. Things like family portraits should go while keeping belongings that are considered neutral. If you are selling your house due to divorce, this will be especially hard on you, so try to finish this task as soon as possible to avoid any lingering feelings. A good idea is to hang mirrors in the hallways and rooms.

A mirror on the wooden wall with light bulbs placed around it. — The specific placing of the mirrors around your property can give it a spacious feeling.

Deep clean everything

There are many upgrades you could do to your property that can attract potential buyers. The easiest and cheapest is to deep clean everything. After you declutter, get the necessary supplies and start cleaning. Wipe every surface, vacuum, and mop the floors. Think of every detail that needs cleaning and let your home shine. Finally, pay special attention to cleaning pet hair residue.

Don’t forget the outdoor space

The very first impression of your home that buyers get will be heavily influenced by its exterior. So be sure to give them a good one.

Grass should be cut and raked with no extraneous debris.
The driveway should be kept clean and passable.
Give a good powerwash to your walkway.
The shrubs and plantings should be noticeable but not overpowering.
If you find mold anywhere, be sure to remove it.
You could add some color to your entry by planting seasonal flowers.
Your entryway and door should be noticeable and sparkling.

Good lighting is crucial

Buyers are there to see your property. Leaving parts of the house in the dark gives the impression that you have something to hide. If possible, open all the curtains and let the sunshine in. If still not bright enough, place your lamps strategically to light up dark corners. This also makes rooms seem bigger.

A tidy living room with a table and chairs and strategically placed lighting that helps you to effectively show your property. — Having your lighting strategically placed can bring in focus the best things about your property.

Tips for Showing Your Home

When showing buyers your property you want them to feel at ease. Thankfully, there are many things you could do to create this kind of atmosphere. Unfortunately, though, some of the suggestions are only doable for in-person showings.

When you put your property for sale, try to find all the necessary documentation, certificates, and guarantees. Find out if you need title insurance or if you already have one.
Don’t force buyers to take their shoes off.
Try to avoid hurrying buyers.
Give buyers space so they can discuss your home without you hovering around.
Let your property be a shelter from outside conditions for your potential buyers. If its cold outside, warm up the place, if the outside is hot, put the air conditioner on. It’s imperative that buyers feel comfortable in your home.
If your property has a fireplace, light a fire. This will add to the atmosphere, but be sure to adjust the temperature for everyone to feel comfortable.
If you have fountains, turn them on. They create white noise which can be relaxing.
Put music on in the background. It shouldn’t be distracting but neutral and pleasant.
If you bake something in the kitchen, the pleasant smell will appeal to your buyers and you’ll have a nice snack to offer.
Add some color to your home with green plants, colorful flowers, vibrant bowls with fruit, or lovely pillows.
Start and finish your tour of the property with the room you consider the best in the house. You will achieve the best first impression and great lingering last impression.
Be as flexible as you can. This means making yourself available for buyers. If they can’t get in when they have time, you will probably lose your potential buyer.
Defer your showings. When you list your property for sale, you should wait some time to start with showings. More people will see that your property is for sale and you could end up with multiple offers. This might allow you to negotiate terms that you want.
Find the best listing agent for yourself and get your home sold.

Hard times

In the time of the pandemic, it is very difficult and potentially dangerous to show your property to buyers. Regardless of whether it is obligatory or it is just that you don’t feel safe, there are virtual tools you can use to sell your property.

A woman wearing a protective face mask surrounded by Covid-19 viruses. — You should take special precautions for your health during the pandemic.

Talk to your agent about how to best capture your home digitally.
- Use a tripod.
- Windows, mirrors, and shower doors can have reflections and glares, so try to avoid that.
- Pick a time of the day with the best natural light for a photoshoot.
- Show the scale of spaces that aren’t being used.
- The agent will send your photos to a professional real estate photo editing company.
Make your video walkthrough.
- Research existing real estate video walkthroughs for ideas.
- Start your walkthrough by showing your curb appeal, then go through the front door, and then start the tour inside.
- You could ask your agent for further guidance.

Have a real-time virtual open house or walkthrough.
Your potential buyers can ask questions in real-time.
You can lead your buyers from room to room almost as if they were there.

Show your property in person
- Put a limit to the number of people that can enter.
- Everyone should sign a COVID-19 certification before showings.
- Require visitors to follow health and safety guidelines.
- Minimal touching is feasible if you open all doors and closets and turn on all the lights.
- You should disinfect and clean all surfaces before and after every show.

It’s hard to effectively show your property, especially now with the coronavirus spreading. Knowing how to do it and being organized and prepared will get you halfway to closing a deal on your property.

Mistakes to avoid when downsizing

Downsizing a home is rarely an easy decision. Sometimes people decide that they don’t require as much room, and simply go for a smaller, cheaper home. But, sometimes, they need to sell their home due to divorce and have to move into a smaller apartment. Whatever the case may be, there are certain things to do and mistakes to avoid when downsizing. And, to help you properly plan and execute this difficult project, we are going to go through them.

Before downsizing

The important thing to remember when downsizing your home is that you are not simply moving into a smaller place. Yes, on a surface level, you are. But, if you consider the effects that this brings, you will see that there is much more to it. Downsizing a home is often a change in lifestyle. And if you want to properly adjust to this change, you need to understand what it entails and how to prepare. So, plan your downsizing with due care if you want it to be a positive experience.

Interior of a small apartment. — If you plan for it properly, downsizing can be easy and efficient.

Important mistakes to avoid when downsizing

Most of the mistakes we will outline are either due to not thinking things through or rushing. As you will soon learn, downsizing is a complicated and costly project. Therefore, there are certain important mistakes to avoid when downsizing. If you are smart, you will consider them and plan your downsizing as you see fit. But, if you are really smart, you will memorize them and ensure that you are safe from costly consequences.

Not decluttering

Decluttering is easily one of the best ways to make your downsizing easier and straightforward. Not only will you make your new apartment easier to settle into, but you will also make moving cheaper and more efficient. Therefore, it stands to reason that one of the worst downsizing mistakes is to not declutter. A surprising number of people don’t bother with decluttering. They think that they have nothing to get rid of. Therefore, decluttering would only be a waste of time. But, once you actually get down to it, you will learn that there is a whole pile of forgotten, needless items that take up space in your apartment. So, do yourself a favor and declutter.

Numerous different items. — The fewer items you have, the easier it is to downsize.

Overestimating the space that you’ll need

Before you move into a new home, you will have to figure out how much space you’ll need. For this, we recommend that you carefully consider your lifestyle. A lot of people overestimate how much space they’ll need and therefore make downsizing needlessly hard. You, of course, don’t want to live in a cramped up space. But, once you consider the benefits of minimalism and decluttering, you will soon realize just how little space you actually need. The smart thing to do is carefully measure your items and see how they’ll fit in your new house. This is especially important to do if you plan on moving large pieces of furniture and you want them to fit properly.

Rushing

Rushing is easily one of the biggest mistakes to avoid when downsizing. In fact, it is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid in general. Too many people get frustrated and overwhelmed with downsizing and just want to be done with it. This, as you might guess, often leads to a plethora of mistakes and issues. They avoid going through their items and sorting them out. And they try to find a house without carefully considering their mortgage. So, if there is one thing that you will take from this article, it is not to rush.

Moving on a whim

This mistake stems from the prior one. But, it is so important that we cannot go on without mentioning it. Namely, you need to remember that any relocation, be it downsizing or not, requires careful planning and preparation. Once you decide to move, you will have to:

Prepare your items for moving.
Find moving boxes.
Pack.
Find reliable movers to help you out.
Plan your relocation.
Clean your home after moving out.

All of these things take time, which is why you’d be smart to carefully plan your relocation. Last-minute moves are possible. But, unless you absolutely have to tackle them, you shouldn’t. A last-minute move will cost you much more then if you simply started preparing on time. So, do yourself a favor and tackle your relocation with due care.

Hiring a bad real estate agent

Downsizing will require you to find a smaller home to move into. You can try looking for it online, but this is usually arduous, especially so if you are looking for a home in a different city. So, the best thing to do is to hire a real estate agent. Well, that seems pretty straightforward. You simply hop online and find the first realtor that operates in the area you plan on moving to, right? Well, actually, that is another mistake to avoid when downsizing.

A sup par realtor smiling, showing you one of the mistakes to avoid when downsizing. — One of the biggest mistakes to avoid when downsizing is hiring a bad realtor.

With a good agent by your side, you’ll be able to find a decent house with relative ease. They will be able to take your wishes and budget into account and find a home that suits your needs. A bad real estate agent, on the other hand, will only waste your time and money. In most cases, you will have limited time to look for a house, which is more reason why finding a decent realtor is paramount. Make sure that they have good reviews and necessary paperwork. Also, remember to ask them about any prior experience with downsizing.

Final thoughts about downsizing

With luck, the tips we’ve outlined so far should help you downsize safely and with ease. As you can see, there are numerous mistakes to avoid when downsizing. This is why you need to start on time and keep your wits about you through the process.

Protecting New House

Everything you need to know to protect your home

Everything You Need to Know About Protecting Your New House

After years of dreaming about it, you’ve finally moved in and made your dream home your new reality. Homeownership is indeed a great milestone for you and your loved ones. As such, you also spend a lot of time polishing the exteriors and the yard to spruce up the curbside appeal of your property. Aside from that, you’ve done your best to beautify and personalize the interiors like hanging some amazing plants on the outside to make it comfortable and suitable for your needs.

However, you must not forget to improve your new property’s security. Statistics say that there are no security products in 62% of all homes. Don’t make this mistake! It is your responsibility to safeguard your family and precious belongings against criminals. A home is not only an investment opportunity but a chance to build new memories with the people who matter in your life. To help you settle into your new nest, check out these essential new home protection tips below:

Change All the Locks

If you just bought your house, the number one priority is to replace all the door locks and tumblers. Should you disregard this matter, you put everyone in your home at risk. Other folks who have access to the old keys can easily enter your property without difficulty. For best results, upgrade to smart locks that require a security passcode or a biometric fingerprint entry. If this lock is breached, you’ll get a notification on your smartphone. Don’t forget to fortify the locks of sliding doors, along with window locks in the ground floor and basement.

Set Up a Security System

When it comes to security protection, you must leverage technology for optimal results. It’s a shame though that there are no security products in 62% of homes. Studies show that thieves prefer to break into houses that offer easy access. After all, the last thing they want to happen is to get caught and land in jail. Usually, burglars stay away from houses that are equipped with alarm systems and security cameras. They are afraid to trip the alarms which will alert the authorities. In the same token, they don’t want their faces to be visible on camera because they can be identified. The clips shall also serve as solid evidence against their crime.

Get to Know The Neighbors

Did you know that being friends with your neighbors is a smart security move? Being neighborly is more than just playing social niceties. Establishing a connection with those who live close by is the right thing to do because you can help each other out in cases of emergencies. It also means you’ll have extra pairs of eyes watching your property. In case a stranger comes along, someone can call the police. Should you be out on vacation, your neighbor can also collect your mail (which is a major alert for thieves that the house is empty) and watch your house on your behalf.

Consider Acquiring a Pet Dog

A dog is considered a man’s best friend because it is a fantastic friend that brings loads of joy. As an added bonus, a dog has great protective instincts. It is a territorial creature that will bark when it senses a stranger is trespassing. A canine companion is known to possess a keener sense of smell and hearing so that it can spot bad elements way ahead of you. If you notice that your dog is restless, consider this a red flag. The dog can also deter a burglar from coming in because no one wants to get bitten.

Install Lights Outside The Doorstep

Don’t forget to pick bright lights for all the dark corners of your home. Thieves love a dark house because there are many areas for them to hide. If you want, you can also install smart lights with moving sensors in strategic locations to amplify your protection. Again, no thief wants to get caught in the act, so they perform their dastardly deeds in a clandestine manner. When you put bright lights in your new home, you foil their plans.

Spot the Weaknesses of the New Home

You must do a close perimeter check of your new property. Walk around the exterior at least three times to check out its potential weaknesses. Examine it during the day time so you can tell which areas need repairs. Perhaps there’s a tree branch that extends to the rooms so you may need to trim it. You also need to do a separate inspection at night to identify extra dark areas that need fortification. You may also realize that you need new windows or a fence.

Bottom Line

When it comes to protecting your brand new home and all its contents, you can never be too cautious. Prevention is necessary to stop these violations! Having a stranger in your new home will make you feel unsafe and insecure. It would be a traumatic experience for everyone in your family to have a burglar come in to disrespect your personal space. This scenario could be mitigated if you set up the right home security measures.

Key elements that define luxury real estate

Key elements that define luxury real estate

As with many aspects of life, our understanding of concepts such as luxury and glamour is subject to change. Today’s generation of wealthy potential real estate buyers is more informed than previous generations and, as a result, more conscious of their surrounding environment. With this awareness comes a larger sense of responsibility towards keeping this environment clean and even contributing to its improvement. Let us take a look at some of the key elements that define luxury real estate in today’s world.

Key elements

Luxury real estate used to be defined by one major factor – location. Today, however, there is a whole lot more that is taken into account before labeling real estate as luxurious. While there is no single factor that would help define a piece of real estate as luxurious, there are several components that are common to many top-end homes.

Uniqueness

One of the key elements in today’s luxury real estate market is uniqueness. Today’s affluent clientele wants something different and something original. If a property has a story to tell, a rich history, or was designed by a world-famous architect, this will contribute towards it being defined as luxury.

A unique living area which is one of the key elements that define luxury real estate. — Look for a place that will reflect your uniqueness

Location

Not long ago, luxury real estate was all about location. This is no longer the case with potential buyers willing to invest outside of the traditional wealthy neighborhoods. The up and coming elite are not only willing to invest outside of traditional areas but are actively looking to contribute to society and the environment. If they are able to do this in a neighborhood that is traditionally considered luxurious, that is considered an additional benefit, but it is no longer a prerequisite for the wealthy.

Tranquillity

As times have changed, the rise of the Internet and globalization has led to increased connectivity. This is great for businesses, but not so great for the mind and soul. As human beings, we require rest and relaxation to be able to find true happiness and meaning in our lives. As a result of these needs, and the fast-paced lives we are living, an increasing number of top-end home buyers are looking for real estate that provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Proximity to lakes, rivers, beaches, and forests has become a huge bonus in the marketing of luxury real estate. If you have a big move to a new place, hiring a professional moving company can make all the difference in ensuring even your moving day is peaceful and stress-free.

A living room with a great view of the mountains. — Finding a place where you feel at ease should be a priority when searching for a home.

Security and privacy

As mentioned above, peace and tranquility are a big draw for potential customers, but achieving either of these is impossible if they don’t feel safe. Gated communities or restricted access to a piece of real estate contribute to its exclusivity. Secure neighborhoods provide more privacy and allow their residents to relax and enjoy a carefree lifestyle. For example, if you have decided on moving to Tennessee and are looking for a home in Clarksville, this will be a key element to look out for.

An isolated luxury home surrounded by trees and a freshly mowed lawn. — Providing space and privacy, as well as making its residents feel safe, are key elements of any luxury real estate.

Sustainability and environmental consciousness

Once upon a time, luxury was almost synonymous with extravagance. However, as social norms and expectations have changed, so too has our understanding of luxury. In recent times, the sustainability of homes and a reduced carbon footprint have become very attractive features for potential buyers. Owning real estate that doesn’t negatively impact the environment allows its owners to feel that they are doing their part towards conservation and environmental protection. Energy efficiency, sustainability, natural landscapes, and natural materials have become top priorities in today’s luxury real estate market.

Convenience

Sustainability and environmental consciousness have had a huge impact on the luxury real estate market, but it has not been at the expense of convenience. Living within walking distance from work, grocery stores, high-quality schools, restaurants, and entertainment plays a big role in defining luxury real estate.

Convenience doesn’t only refer to the proximity of services though. It also refers to the process of real estate purchase itself. A growing number of potential buyers are looking towards buying “ready-made” or “turnkey-ready” properties. This basically means that the customer is looking for a partially or a fully furnished piece of real estate, including high-quality appliances and craftsmanship in their new home. To that end, many new homeowners are also turning to professional movers like heartmoving.us in order to make moving day as easy and stress-free as possible.

The experience of living in a luxury home

While we have left “experience” as the final element which completes our luxurious puzzle, it is by no means the least important. In fact, it is perhaps the most important of all the elements. The young wealthy class is mostly made up of well educated, highly informed, and sophisticated millennials and baby boomers. These generations have grown up in a society that has been moving away from a materialistic approach to life and towards more meaningful life experience.

Wealthy buyers are looking towards investing in amenities that will improve their everyday lives. Investments in rooftop or indoor pools, meditation gardens, saunas, exercise rooms, entertainment areas, wine cellars, and tennis courts are all commonplace in the modern luxury real estate market. Smart homes, or homes with high Internet connectivity, have become very popular as well.

Size isn’t everything

The modern luxury real estate buyer understands that size isn’t everything. While luxury real estate was once understood to encompass huge plots of land, that is no longer a key defining element. More and more potential luxury real estate owners are prepared to downsize their homes in exchange for the factors listed above. Security, convenience, sustainability, privacy, uniqueness, peace, and tranquillity have all become far more desirable features than square footage.

Buying an investment property in Tennessee

Buying an investment property in Tennessee remains a popular option for aspiring investors. If successful, it can help secure your financial future – but it is not without risks. The common misconception that investment property can only deliver positive returns remains, and it should absolutely not drive your choices. Most of the time it can indeed be profitable but, as with all investments, there is such a thing as a bad investment. How effectively one manages it then is crucial; potential rental income and tax deductions need to be considered, no less than initial investment costs and maintenance costs. Market fluctuation is similarly noteworthy, so the timing of your investment is more important than it may initially seem.

The right property, at the right price

As with all investments, the fundamental principle is that your investment’s value should increase over time and result in capital growth. Buying an investment property does not differ in this regard, so identifying a bargain at the right time is likely the most crucial step. It is important to make a distinction between general investments and real estate investments, however. Real estate is not as easy to price as, say, shares; a company’s value is easier to gauge and more transparent, while the real estate market is not always as clear.

Therefore, you should do your due research beforehand and take as many factors as possible into account. Familiarity with the area where you are considering buying real estate is very important – second-hand evaluations and information are often unreliable. Sellers may inflate prices, and personal familiarity with the area may be your first safeguard against potential scams or bad deals. Independent evaluations on behalf of banks will often be a reliable negotiating tool in this regard, as you acquire the experience to identify profitable deals.

The first step is to ensure a good deal.

The local market

Researching the area of your potential investment property also comes with a distinct advantage. As important as it is to strike a good deal on the real estate’s own price, it is equally crucial that the area’s demographics suit your next plans for your property. Whether you intend to resell or rent, the local market will determine how likely your efforts are to succeed; a family will prefer a house that is close to schools and parks in the area, and likely one that’s in a quiet, safe, and welcoming neighborhood. University students will prefer a house with more bedrooms or one that is functional but small enough to be affordable, while pensioners may value proximity to social services more than the house’s size or affordability. The demographic you intend to approach, then, will determine whether the property you have in mind is likely to be profitable. So if you’re planning to move to your area of interest yourself, you can try turning towards Verified Movers to get the professionalism you will need.

Financing

Finding your ideal investment property may be crucial, but financing the overall investment is always the primary concern. If you have the capital to be able to afford a cash payment, this aspect won’t be as complicated – but if you’re considering your first investment property, that may likely not be the case.

An investment property is financed very differently from a primary home; lenders will require excellent qualifications since investment property mortgages are typically considered higher risk than loans on property occupied by the owner. So a wise course of action would be to secure a financing source or have a preapproved loan before you begin your endeavor. Being able to maintain your mortgage payments over time will help you avoid the potential need to offload your new property at the wrong time – as unexpected financial stress may force you to.

Financing options include;
Conventional financing
Asset-based loans
Second-home financing
Home equity
401k loans

Securing financial stability will, of course, depend on cash flow; a constant positive cash flow cannot be realistically guaranteed in most cases. It may be tempting to simply calculate cash flow as your expected rental income against your monthly mortgage payment, but this method may not fully reflect reality. Against your monthly rental income you may need to consider;

The mortgage payment
The property manager’s fee, should you employ one
Recurring expenses, such as maintenance
Vacancy periods

Realistically, most properties cannot guarantee that there will be no vacancy. Emergency expenses such as pest control will also inevitably arise, and they will not be regular enough for you to be able to calculate them into your monthly cash flow with perfect accuracy. Thus, it is of paramount importance that you can both anticipate such expenses, and have a stable means of financing your investment despite potential hardships.

An investment is always a long-term commitment.

Partners and long-term risks

Hiring a property manager is often very beneficial, especially for one’s new investment property. It is not a non-negotiable choice, but it does come with a financial cost that must also be considered. It is likewise not uncommon for first-time investors to consider partnering up with friends instead of opting for loans to get started. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this tendency, you should not take it lightly either; friends don’t always make ideal business partners, and a partnership agreement has many implications. It is not just an extension of your existing relationship, but a whole new front of it that may not be absolutely safe.

This is especially true for business partners who may relocate together to their area of interest; this endeavor entails effort, cost, and hassle. Moving away from Tennessee with ease with the help of hired professionals may not add to your hassle, but relocating to unfamiliar states will require commitment from both parties.

After all is said and done, an investment property is a long-term commitment. As is the case with all businesses, commitment is not only encouraged but often required. Property prices cannot realistically be expected to rise shortly after your investment, yielding optimal profit soon. Instead, longer commitment to a property can help you build equity; moderate success may suffice for your goals, but the prospect of further profit may then lead you to consider further investments. It is not easy to make informed choices on this front soon after the first investment is stabilized – rather, acquiring experience as the investment matures will guide your next steps. Vacancies and emergency expenses may slow down your endeavor, and it may even yield a net loss for a while. Such risks can never be fully avoided, but making the right choices along the way can minimize the risk somewhat. At the very least, sharpening your market awareness can help you minimize the loss by offloading your property at an opportune time. But planning your course in advance and exercising caution along the way should reduce the risk considerably, and ensure your investment proves profitable.

8 Tips on Mortgages for First-Time Home Buyers

8 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

If you’re in the marketplace for your first home, the procedure might look quite overwhelming, particularly getting your first mortgage. Though, the more you know about mortgages, the better prepared you’ll be.

Below are 8 of the best tips that will help you get ready for the application procedure during a mortgage and can possibly save your money.

Check your Credit and Stop all New Activities

When you choose to apply for a mortgage loan, your credit might be one of the main factors, , and it would assist you in knowing your interest rate and maybe the loan conditions. So check your credit before you start the home buying process. Disagree or avoid any errors that might drag down your credit score and look for prospects to enhance your credit, like making a dent in any unresolved debts. To keep your score from plummeting after you apply for a mortgage, stop opening any new credit accounts, like an auto loan or credit card, till your home loan closes.

Evaluate How Much You Can Use

Lenders normally use two dissimilar debt ratios to regulate how much you can borrow. The small version is that your once-a-month housing payment comprising of insurance and taxes must be no more than 20% of your pre-tax income, and your entire debt with your loan payment must be not more than 26%. The ratio that gives the lesser payment is what the moneylender might use. Numerous lenders have more substantial qualification ratios, nonetheless, these are conventionally the most common.

Don’t Overstretch the Use of Credit

If you have a credit card with some amount of limit, that doesn’t essentially mean that you must spend more than the amount on purchases with the card. Similar logic is true when it comes to taking loans. Just because you can be eligible for a certain mortgage amount does not mean that you have to sail throughout your budget. Assure that your new mortgage reimbursement not only fits your bank’s values but your financial plan as well.

Research State and Local Assistance Programs

In addition to central programs, numerous states offer support programs for first-time home purchasers with bonuses like down payment help, closing cost support, bargain-basement interest rates, and tax credits. Your municipality or county might also have first-time home purchaser programs.

Compare Mortgage Rates

Numerous home buyers get an amount quote from only one lender, however. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, associating mortgage rates from at least three lenders can save you more money on your loan. Get a minimum of three quotes and compare both rates and fees. Ask if any of the lenders will allow you to purchase discount points, which means you would require you to prepay interest upfront to protect a lesser interest rate on your loan.

Mortgage lenders will inspect your credit reports when determining whether to accept a loan and the interest rate. If your credit report has errors, you may get quoted an interest rate that’s far more advanced than you could justify. That’s why ensure to make your credit report is precise and accurate.

Get a Preapproval Letter

You can get pre-qualified for a loan that simply offers you an estimation of how much a lender might be willing to lend. This is founded on your debts and income. However, as you get close to finalizing a home, it’s ideal to get a preapproval. The lender will thoroughly examine your finances and confirm in writing how much he willing to lend you and the under terms. Having a preapproval letter in hand makes you look much more serious to a seller and can give you an upper hand over buyers who haven’t taken this step.

Budget for Mortgage Insurance (if essential)

If you apply less than 30% on the mortgage, you would perhaps have to pay private mortgage insurance and so make sure to budget for this while you are shopping. Mortgage insurance charges can differ meaningfully, depending on your credit, the duration of your mortgage, the amount of the down payment, and additional factors. However, it can enhance an important amount to your payment, so be assured to take it into consideration.

Your REALTOR will make a home purchase agreement that is a contract outlining the agreed-upon price and terms for the purchase of a home for other details.

Stop the Use of Credit Till you Get the Keys in Hand

Not using the credit for anything between the time you’re sanctioned mortgage and when you really are close on the home, is the best practice. Lenders will normally pull your credit two times when you formerly apply for it. If there are any important variations between the two, like a new account or a knowingly higher responsibility balance, it can lead to postponements and can even prohibit you for the mortgage.

Be safe just leave your credit alone till you’ve signed your last documents.

When you lastly close on your home loan, you will have numerous different contracts and forms to check over and sign to make things authorized. One of these agreements is your mortgage agreement. The mortgage agreement is a compulsory contract needed for just about any basic home mortgage loan. You can use this agreement before finalizing a deal. This contract is your promise to pay the mortgage and stand by the loan’s standards and conditions.

Incorporating Modernism Into Landscaping Architecture

By Leslie Fischer

Looking to change up your living space and incorporate more of an “indoor-outdoor” style? That’s one of the main elements of Modernist landscape architecture. The average temps in Clarksville lend themselves to extending your living space into your garden during spring, summer, and fall. The name Modernism is a bit of an oxymoron, as the cultural movement began around the turn of the century … the 20th century!

Modernism says “no” to tradition and “yes” to new and unique ways of approaching art, drama, literature, music, and architecture. In art, it uses shapes, forms, colors, and textures to create an effect that’s open to interpretation. Think Picasso, Matisse, Manet, and O’Keefe. The same concept works in your garden, drawing away from it being a place where you work, to a place where you live.

Indoor/Outdoor Living

We only have so much space in our home and yard. Modernist landscaping design puts it to good use. The idea is to blend the two seamlessly, getting rid of the boundary between inside and outside. One of the best ways to connect the two is through the use of windows and floor-to-ceiling folding glass doors. This allows sunlight to stream into your home and gives you a good view of the garden. Folding, swinging, or sliding doors let you remove the wall when open. This is great for relaxing on calm, sunny days and also provides extra space when entertaining. Modernist artists expressed themselves with cubes, spheres, and square pyramids. You can express yourself by varying the size and shape of your windows.

Plant Shape

The Modernist landscape architect believes less is more. And shape and texture take precedence over flowerbeds. The idea is to have more time to live in and enjoy your indoor/outdoor space. So the garden is no longer a place where you work but, rather, a place you simply relax. The best plants for Modernist landscaping include the sculpture-like yucca and other succulents such as aloe vera. Placement is important to keep the Modernist landscape going, so don’t overcrowd your garden with plants.

Using Pavers

No Modernist landscape design would be complete without using stone. Hardscaping is an art in itself. It continues the uncluttered look of your outdoor space. Create clearly defined spaces with borders and fill them in with stones, small rocks, even gravel. Experiment with the color of the rocks, keeping them the same or create two-toned pathways. Outline a stepping stone path using concrete shapes with more small stones. Or use metal strips to border a paved pathway. You can have grass in your yard but keep it symmetrical, using squares or rectangles and bordering the green patch with pavers. Don’t forget to go Modernist when designing your patio. Using pavers gives a great visual (you can use unique patterns) and texture, and they’re low maintenance.

Pool Area

Pools have been around in the U.S. since the late 1800s but became trendy in California in the 1930s. You know, “swimming pools, movie stars.” This puts them right in the peak of the Modernist movement. Pools linked to Modernism continue the minimalist trend. Many are rectangular, surrounded by lawn or pavers, but some designers use plants and tall grasses as borders.

While clean lines are a favorite, the kidney pool originated with Modernism. The first one was designed by world-famous architect Alvar Aalto in 1939 in Finland. It came during a time when Aalto was moving from Minimalism to Modernist architecture expression. This led to U.S. landscape architects, Thomas Church (a friend of Aalto) and Lawrence Halprin, to build a kidney-shaped pool in California in 1948. So whether you prefer clean lines like squares and rectangles or a kidney shape, be sure your pool fits in with the rest of your Modernist landscape, keeping continuity with your pavers and plants.

Modernism never really went away, but it’s having a bit of a resurgence. If you’re interested but don’t know where to start, Tennessee has many good landscape architects. You’ll certainly be able to find one to make your Modernist landscaping dreams come true.

Leslie Fischer describes herself as a “slow-motion vagabond.” She finds a place she wants to live, buys a fixer-upper and flips it. She writes about real estate and DIY issues.

What is the procedure for expanding your home in Clarksville TN?

A happy contractor with a building permit in his hand jumping in the air, symbolizing the correct procedure for expanding your home in Clarksville TN.

Expanding your home might be one of the more interesting upgrades you can do. We all want to live in a perfect house that has everything we need, and a little extra if possible. However, that is not always a possibility for everyone. With that in mind, if you get an opportunity to do it, make sure to follow all procedures for expanding your home in Clarksville TN.

To help you with that, I will try to lead you through this process and give you useful tips and advice that should make everything smoother!

What is the procedure for expanding your home in Clarksville?

Expanding a home doesn’t only mean having money to make some changes around the house. In reality, there are a lot of permits you have to acquire before you start expanding your home in Clarksville.

In some cases, these permits are needed for your protection. In other cases, you simply must acquire them so you could make changes without any legal consequences.

I strongly advise that you hire professional contractors when making changes to your place. If you obtain a permit for remodeling your home, you are responsible for it, no matter who does the work. That’s why it is important to have experienced professionals who know what they are doing.

Nevertheless, even though the best approach is to hire custom home builders in Clarksville to help with the expansion, it is crucial to understand all aspects yourself.

Required permits

Since now you understand that there are permits you must acquire before expanding your home in Clarksville, let’s see what they are:

structural permit
electrical permit
gas permit
plumbing permit
local permit

Each of these permits covers a different category, and it is a must before making any changes to your home.

Structural permit

Just like constructors must acquire a structural permit when there are new home constructions, it applies to any later changes as well. A structural permit is necessary only if you are making major changes to your home structure. For example, if you wish to build a new wall, or blow out an old one. You cannot make these kinds of changes without a permit.

Electrical permit

An electrical permit is required for all electrical changes around the house. That means even if you are changing one outlet. Furthermore, you are required to follow the latest standards when it comes to electrical wiring. This is required both for your safety, and the safety of constructors. Bad and outdated wiring can lead to terrible accidents.

Gas permit

A gas permit is required only in a case where you want to add a new gas line to your household. If your home runs on electricity only, you can skip this one.

Plumbing permit

A plumbing permit is only necessary if you are changing the location of the plumbing elements, like a sink for example. Any other restorations that don’t fall under that category do not require a plumbing permit.

Local permit

Local permits usually refer to any permits, rules or regulations enforced by the county you live in.

Local permits in Clarksville TN

If you wish to follow the exact procedure for expanding your home in Clarksville, here are some of the local permits you must acquire.

building permit – includes any major changes to a home
demolition permit – required when tearing down any parts of your home
mechanical permit – also a necessity for any new construction or alterations on an existing home
barrier permit – this is a type of permit that must be issued before obtaining a pool permit
pool permit – pool permit is required for any pools that can hold 24 gallons of water or more.

Additional permits in Clarksville

Besides what was mentioned in the previous section, here are some additional permits you must require in Clarksville:

For all properties that are under 5 acres and not a part of a platted subdivision, a plat of the property will be required. This is recorded in Register of Deed’s office by Regional Planning Commission.
Another additional permit required is the yellow copy of the septic tank permit. You can obtain this in the Environmental Division of Ground Water Protection, or apply online on their official website.
If you wish to connect your driveway to a County Road, you will have to obtain a Driveway Permit. It is issued by the local County Highway Department. If you are connecting your property to a state highway, in that case, you have to reach out to your local State Highway Garage. Have in mind a Road Bond issued by the local County Highway Department is necessary before you can get a Building Permit.
Another thing you must get before obtaining a Building Permit is the Adequate Facilities Tax receipt. It must show that everything is paid in full.

Procedure for expanding your home in Clarksville explained!

I know it looks like a lot of information to sink in, but these are the requirements if you wish to follow a procedure for expanding your home in Clarksville. Have in mind that not having these permits will result in a lawsuit. Furthermore, if you don’t obtain some permits and you have property damage or an accident in your home, you will not be able to claim home insurance. With that in mind, keep everything clean, obtain all permits and follow procedures till the end. Good luck!

What are lease options and purchase sales exactly?

A person looking up lease options and purchase sales on a laptop

Renting a home has never been a more approachable option. Not many people, especially young adults that are just starting out, can afford to purchase a home right away. However, renting out a place can have its downsides. One of the biggest ones is having to move often and not feeling as if you have a home. Not truly anyway. Nonetheless, there are some great additional factors that are there to make this process much easier for everyone involved. One of those options is relying on lease options and purchase sales to ensure a safe future for yourself and your future family. We’re here to cover some basics and get you all the information you’ll need to begin with.

What are lease options and purchase sales exactly?

It’s smart to start off with a few basic definitions in order to understand what it is exactly we’re dealing with. A lease option is in other, more formal words, a lease with the option to purchase. This means that, when we’re going over the basics of lease options and purchase sales, we’re actually talking about a situation in which a resident that’s renting out a place has a possibility to purchase the aforementioned place at a point in time. This point in time will, of course, be predetermined in the contract.

There are, of course, many more details that you should consider before going into this process. One of the best ways to stay out of trouble when investing in your first property is to be informed. There are a few ways to verse yourself further in this regard:

● Do a brief online research
When trying to figure out some specifics in the domain of lease options and purchase sales you could find a lot of useful information online. Be wary not to trust every source though, because there certainly is some misinformation going around. Nonetheless, if you look close enough, you’ll surely find some reliable sites that’ll be of help.

● Ask around
Going through your surroundings, age group, line of work and many more factors, there must be someone that has gone through or knows someone that has gone through this process. Try to find out more about what interests you this way.

● Rely on good realtors to help you out
When making a decision this big, we suggest that you don’t do it quickly and always get a second opinion.

Why should you opt for lease options and purchase sales?

There are many perks and reasons as to why you should use lease options and purchase sales. Since this process concerns two parties, we’ve decided to divide these advantages accordingly.

Owner perks

If you haven’t had much luck with selling, lease options and purchase sales are a good way to make your property stand out and seem more attractive. This will, in return, make listing your home and getting it sold much easier to accomplish.

There really isn’t a lot that could go wrong. Let us elaborate on this matter. Even though these types of contracts usually don’t have a binding quality and the people that you’re renting your home to don’t have to purchase your home, you could still benefit. The worst outcome of this deal still isn’t half bad when you really think about it. This just means that you’ve collected some money in the meantime before you actually put your property up for sale.

Since you’re showing some flexibility by opting for lease options and purchase sales, you can justify setting a price that’s a little higher than you otherwise would. This will, in the long run, earn you a significantly better deal.

A checklist that has 'yes' checked off. — There are a lot of perks when it comes to leasing options and purchase sales.

Buyer perks

If you thought that there isn’t a way for both sides to come out full-handed out of this deal, you’re mistaken! Lease options and purchase sales are nothing if not a reciprocal action.

As you’re probably aware of, there’s a lot of paperwork that needs do be done during a relocating process. This could potentially be a bigger problem than just filling out boring documents for days on end. You could stumble upon a problem regarding not being able to purchase another property before selling a previous one. This will help you land safely on your feet without having a lot to lose in the process.

If you’re looking to relocate to an area with which you really don’t have any prior experience, this could be a good way to get the feel of how it would be to live there permanently. This is a great option for those of you that don’t want to commit right away.

Hire a moving company to take care of your relocation

Even though you’re probably dealing with hiring realtors, it might be a smart idea to think about having someone to help you with the actual move. You could hypothetically do this in a DIY manner. However, it’s highly recommended to hire professionals to take care of some things. Even though you might be able to achieve some things that are vaguer on your own, some specifics like transporting electronics to your new address or carrying some fragile items to your new home should be left to someone that has experience.

A person hiring realtors to help with lease options and purchase sales. — It’s smart to think about hiring realtors and movers for some additional help.

Be careful!

This is a disclaimer that we needed to have laid out for anyone that’s serious about lease options and purchase sales. You need to be very careful when making a contract with another party. This is true whether you’re a buyer or a seller. It’s a smart idea to have a lawyer beside you every step of the way, making sure that you’re getting into a situation that’s comfortable and convenient for you.

Meta: Are you looking for a way to purchase a home through lease options and purchase sales? Look no further! We have some tips to make this decision easier.

Feature alt: A house for sale. There are some great lease options and purchase sales out there.

Buying a house with a friend-Is it a good idea?

two room mates who bought a house together

Buying a house with a friend-Is it a good idea?

Buying a house with a friend sounds like a good idea at first. But is it really? Sure, two wallets (or bank accounts in this case) are better than one, living with friends can be lots of fun, and it’s a way to start a fun new life away from your parents but not alone. And there are certainly advantages to taking this route to homeownership. But things are never as simple as they seem. Despite many benefits, getting a house with a friend also comes with some serious downsides. The real question, then, is: do the positives outweigh the negatives? The answer lies in examining the pros and cons of home co-ownership with friends.

You could buy your dream home with the help of a friend.

Pro: you’ll have a bigger budget when buying a house with a friend

One of the biggest problems with buying real estate, especially when you’re buying your first home, is how much money you have to invest. Unless you’re a celebrity or a receiver of some significant inheritance, you’ll need to get a loan from a bank. Even then, you probably won’t have nearly as much as you’re hoping for. In fact, most people end up buying their first home later in life or settling for something smaller and less perfect than what they really want. If you combine strengths (and finances) with a friend, however, that doesn’t have to be you! You’ll have a bigger budget when there are two of you. And then perhaps you won’t have to sacrifice a safe and clean neighborhood or extra square footage. You can both have the house of your dreams right now because you’re buying together.

You could buy your dream home with the help of a friend.

Con: both your credit scores will be examined and affected by the investment

The biggest benefit of buying a home with a friend is, however, also a hidden flaw. When you’re both buying the home, you’re both involved in the process. This means you’ll both be on the mortgage which in turn means the bank will examine both your credit scores. And should something go wrong when buying a new home and leaving Florida and settling down in Tennessee, you’ll both suffer the negative consequences of missed payments or debt. Even just one person’s negative credit score can change your interest rates and affect both of your financial situations.

Pro: sharing expenses makes it easier to deal with

When you’re young and are just getting your first home, budgeting is going to be hard. You’ll have to pay for a good local realtor, some excellent movers, any renovations needed around the house, and all that on top of utilities and groceries and all the regular expenses. It’s completely overwhelming! But much less so when you have someone to share the burden with. If you’re buying a house with a friend, you’ll be sharing at the very least the expenses surrounding that house and the move to it. This will make them much easier to bear.

Con: buying a house with a friend will tie your finances together for the foreseeable future

Once again, shared finances are a double-edged sword. Things could start out great with the two of you splitting the moving estimate you get from www.getmovedtoday.com evenly and both paying your fair share only for things to fall apart three months down the line when you realize your friend can’t afford to participate on the electricity bill. Because that’s the thing with tying up your finances with someone else’s: you’re in it together, for better or for worse. It’ll be great when and if it works. But you’ll depend on your friend to hold up their end of the bargain. And what happens if they can’t?

You’d better be ready to tie yourself financially to your friend for a while if you’re going to buy a home together.

Pro: you get to share your life with a friend

There are plenty of reasons to move to Tennessee, but young people are still hesitant to do it. This is often because moving out of your parents’ home and starting your newly free and adult life is exciting yet terrifying. Many young adults struggle to juggle house chores, work and school, social lives, and relationships when they first start living on their own. If you live with a friend, however, you’re already ahead of the curve:

you have someone to share responsibilities with so you don’t have to cook and clean all by yourself which leaves you with more free time
your friend lives with you so you always have someone to come home to and hang out with
making plans is easy because you can always find your friend at home and discuss it
you have moral support that you can rely on right there in your own home

So living with a friend instead of alone can be a great advantage!

Con: buying a house with a friend may test your bond (and there is no easy way out)

There are, however, downsides to living with friends too. Just because you get along well with someone when you can feasibly escape into your own space without them doesn’t mean you can live with them 24/7 with the same ease. That level of closeness is bound to cause some friction. And there will be a lot of things to argue about.

Disagreements over responsibilities, finances, and lifestyles

Living with someone means learning about all their worst habits. When you haven’t spent extended periods rooming together with your friend, you won’t know if they leave dirty dishes in the sink for days or don’t shower for a week or bring people over in the middle of the night. Worse yet, you won’t know if they remember to pay the bills on time, if they recklessly spend money and end up broke at the end of the month or if they need to borrow a lot.

You may end up arguing with your friend a lot more than you expect.

And although conflict between friends can be a good thing, frequent fights (especially when they are consistently about the same thing) will surely affect your friendship negatively. The worst part? When you own a house together, it’s not that easy to walk away. It takes a lot of time and effort to untangle that kind of connection.

Possible solution – make it formal

One way to avoid disaster is to make things formal from the beginning. Outline your respective responsibilities in a contract in a way that both you and your friend can agree on. You can have a legally binding contract for the financial aspects of buying and owning a house and a less formal one for chores, obligations, and rules about living together. If you choose to take this route, make sure that your agreement details how you can go your separate ways in case it comes to that.

Conclusion: is buying a house with a friend a good idea or a reckless mistake?

Finally, the question remains: is buying a house with a friend a good idea or not? And the answer is that it depends. It depends on you and on your friend, on your relationship and on how you handle living together. Sometimes, things work out great. Other times, not so much. It’s up to you to decide if trying is worth the risk now that you know all the pros and cons.

Get your home ready

Start with decluttering

Remove personal objects

Deep clean everything

Don’t forget the outdoor space

Good lighting is crucial

Tips for Showing Your Home

Hard times

Everything You Need to Know About Protecting Your New House

Change All the Locks

Set Up a Security System

Get to Know The Neighbors

Consider Acquiring a Pet Dog

Install Lights Outside The Doorstep

Spot the Weaknesses of the New Home

Bottom Line

Key elements

Uniqueness

Location

Tranquillity

Security and privacy

Sustainability and environmental consciousness

Convenience

The experience of living in a luxury home

Size isn’t everything

The right property, at the right price

The local market

Financing

Partners and long-term risks

8 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

Check your Credit and Stop all New Activities

Evaluate How Much You Can Use

Don’t Overstretch the Use of Credit

Research State and Local Assistance Programs

Compare Mortgage Rates

Get a Preapproval Letter

Budget for Mortgage Insurance (if essential)

Stop the Use of Credit Till you Get the Keys in Hand

Incorporating Modernism Into Landscaping Architecture

Indoor/Outdoor Living

Plant Shape

Using Pavers

Pool Area

What is the procedure for expanding your home in Clarksville?

Required permits

Structural permit

Electrical permit

Gas permit

Plumbing permit

Local permit

Local permits in Clarksville TN

Additional permits in Clarksville

Most popular house upgrades in Clarksville

Procedure for expanding your home in Clarksville explained!

What are lease options and purchase sales exactly?

Why should you opt for lease options and purchase sales?

Owner perks

Buyer perks

Hire a moving company to take care of your relocation

Be careful!

Buying a house with a friend-Is it a good idea?

Pro: you’ll have a bigger budget when buying a house with a friend

Con: both your credit scores will be examined and affected by the investment

Pro: sharing expenses makes it easier to deal with

Con: buying a house with a friend will tie your finances together for the foreseeable future

Pro: you get to share your life with a friend

Con: buying a house with a friend may test your bond (and there is no easy way out)

Disagreements over responsibilities, finances, and lifestyles

Possible solution – make it formal

Conclusion: is buying a house with a friend a good idea or a reckless mistake?

Clarksville Real Estate Agency

Clarksville Subdivisions

Ron Dayley Realtor – Coldwell Banker CM&H