The Blog

Preparing Your Home for a Virtual Tour

Fri, 22 May 2020 15:53:00 GMT

Technology is helpful in so many areas of life, even real estate. Twenty years ago, if someone
were moving across the country, they’d have to wait to buy a house until they arrived to start
their new life, or they’d have to buy a home without seeing it in person beforehand. Both options
would cause extra unwanted stress on top of moving to an unfamiliar place. Luckily, with the
rise of technology, virtual tours are here to save the day!

When it comes to creating a virtual tour, don’t panic. Your real estate agent will be there to
guide you through the entire process. An agent may help to schedule a videographer to come to
your house, or utilize software like Tour Wizard or My360 to create a virtual tour of their own
that can be added to the listing. Real Estate Agents can also use FaceTime or other apps to
give their customers a tour of a house that doesn’t include a virtual tour of the listing.

There are a few ways to prepare your home before filming a virtual tour. Start by turning on all
the lights in your home and opening the blinds or window coverings. You’ll need optimal lighting
to get the best footage, so your realtor will most likely schedule filming in the morning or late
afternoon. Take time to clean your house before the virtual tour and remove all clutter and any
furniture you don’t want to be seen. Your realtor will help you with a simple staging of your
home beforehand so it looks presentable in the video. The great thing about staging for a virtual
tour is you’ll only have to keep it that way for a couple of hours before you can put everything
back where it belongs.

Once the virtual tour of your house has been edited, it’ll be ready to show potential buyers. Your
real estate agent will show you the final footage and add it to your listing. Anyone interested in
taking a virtual tour can easily watch it online to get a good idea of what to expect in person.
When you’ve decided it’s time to sell your home, a virtual tour can be a great way to get more
people to see it and secure a buyer in less time than a traditional open house. Not only does it
give potential buyers a first glimpse, but it also ensures that only people who are seriously
considering purchasing your home request a tour or show up to the open house.

Your Tax Refund Can Get You One Step Closer to Homeownership

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 19:14:00 GMT

Saving money each month toward a long-term goal is increasingly difficult for
most people. Even committed savers can get thrown off track when unexpected
problems or opportunities arise. It can be difficult to envision how $200 a month
can add up to a new home; the dream of home ownership continues to get
pushed back in favor of more immediate needs.

For many of these potential homebuyers, their tax refund can be a big step
forward in their saving goals. Received in a lump sum, a tax refund is easier to see
as a meaningful dollar amount. The average IRS refund in 2019 was almost
$3,000. This, added to an already growing savings account, can be a great bonus.
In addition to adding to your down payment fund, a tax refund can also be used
to increase your credit score. Debt accumulation and use is the largest factor in
determining a borrower’s credit score (FICO). A low FICO score can result in
thousands of extra dollars in interest and origination fees when getting a home
loan.

Working with a lender, strategically reducing the debt ratio can add
borrowing power to a potential buyer; lowering the cost of the loan and allowing
more of the monthly payment to go toward the home itself instead of interest.
It’s tax refund time. Before you head to the electronics store to put that money
toward a bigger TV, consider how your tax refund can help you achieve your
home ownership goals.

Say What? Home-Buying Lingo You Should Know

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 18:48:00 GMT

If you are a first time home buyer or even a repeat buyer, you quickly realize that real estate has a language all its own. Understanding some of the lingo can help you navigate the process a little easier. By learning a few critical terms, you will be in a better position to ask the right questions and make the best decisions.

These are just a few of the common terms used in real estate. If you are involved in a real estate transaction, learning a bit of the common lingo will help you understand the process better and make your home sale or purchase a smooth one.

Tips to Pay off Your Loan Faster

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 18:26:00 GMT

For generations, homeowners would buy a home for life. Working over the years to make the payments and celebrating the end of the 30-year mortgage were great milestones in the family. Today, few homebuyers expect to be in their home for longer than 7 years on average. Paying off a 30-year mortgage seems like an impossible task. Fortunately, there are great ways to pay off your loan which do not involve time. Here are a few tips for paying off your mortgage loan faster.

Paying off your mortgage builds wealth. Consider your life goals, including retirement. A 30-year loan taken out at 37 years old will not be complete until 67 – retirement age. The loan needs to be part of the overall financial plan from the beginning and making a payoff a priority with a few simple steps can add up to huge savings in interest which can then be used for better investments.

Maximizing Your Home Value

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 14:26:00 GMT

Are you ready to list your home for sale? One of the first questions you might have is, “how can I maximize my home value?” Every seller wants to get the best possible price for their home; fortunately there are ways to make sure your potential buyers see the true value of your property and allow you to receive top dollar when you sell.

Homes retain value based on a few factors; the location, the condition and the features. Before you list, speak with your agent, friends and family – then make any necessary repairs and changes to ensure you get the best value for your home when you sell.

Latest Kitchen Backsplash Trends

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 14:13:00 GMT

Summer is upon us and home designers are hard at work showcasing the upcoming trends for 2020. This year, kitchen design shows are filled with new materials, patterns and colors as enthusiasts look for the latest trends and styles.

As we leave the dark granite countertops behind, kitchens are getting lighter, brighter and more streamlined looks. These new backsplashes are design statement pieces in their own right, creating a uniquely modern feel to the space. With a focus on sleek surfaces and natural elements, here are the latest trends for kitchen backsplashes.

2020 design trends are contemporary and exciting. After years of cozy kitchens and dark woods, these kitchens are light and bright; mixing soft natural stone and wood with hard, urban features for a modern, functional kitchen that suits any home style.