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3 Steps to Effective Decluttering
Spring cleaning is a ritual that most homeowners find themselves tasked with annually. While some people enjoy the activity, others find it tedious and difficult. When attempting to sell your home, you may be even more wary, as such daunting tasks can cause added anxiety and stress. Here are a few tips on how to help get rid of your stuff:
- Look For Support. Friends and family are often great motivators for getting rid of clutter. Think about asking other people’s opinions on what should stay and what should go. If your in the process of selling you home, ask your Realtor. They have experience helping people prepare their homes for prospective showings.
- professional Help May Be Necessary. Sometimes the task may be too much for the homeowners to handle. So enlisting the help of a professional organizer could go a long way to quickly prepare your home.
- Consider Your Options. When you are actually ready to declutter, the question becomes: where should all the stuff go? Here are a few options to think about.
- Sell. Some things you may want to sell, such as antiques or collectibles.
- Donate. Clothes and furniture that you don’t use anymore may be better suited for others in need.
- Store. Consider getting a storage unit off-site, for the things you’re unsure of getting rid of.
- Trash. Some items you have stored have no value or are damaged. Throwing them away is a quick way to create much needed space.
WHAT CLOSING COSTS ARE ALL ABOUT
SOME OF THE ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CLOSING COSTS ARE:
- Title Insurance Premium – Fee paid by an individual to ensure he has a marketable title or (in case of a lender) to ensure its lien position
- Real Estate Commission – Fee paid to a real estate company for services rendered in listing, showing, selling and consuming the transfer of property.
- Transfer and Assumption Charges – Fees charged by a lender to allow a new purchaser to assume an existing loan.
- Recording Fees – Fees assessed by a county recorder’s office for recording the documents of a real estate transaction.
- Loan Fees – Fees charged by a lender in connection with the processing of a new loan. These may include points, origination fee and credit report.
- Escrow Fees – Fees charged by a title and/or escrow company for services rendered in preparing documents necessary in the consummation of a real estate transaction.
- Additional Settlement – Taxes, home insurance, impounds and interest pro-ration, and termite inspection fees.
ALL FEES AND CHARGES WILL BE REVIEWED BY YOU BEFORE YOU SIGN DOCUMENTS AND TAKE OWNERSHIP.
Selling a Home – Frequently Asked Questions
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY INTEREST ON MY LOAN PAYOFF PAST THE DATE OF CLOSING?
Your lender continues to charge interest until they receive funds in the amount necessary to payoff your loan in full. Sometimes that takes 1 to 2 business days from when they receive your funds.
WHEN DO I CANCEL MY HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE?
Do not cancel your homeowner’s insurance until escrow has closed.
WHAT IS A STATEMENT OF INFORMATION?
This is the form we use in order to distinguish you from others with similar names. After obtaining certain information, we can then identify the true buyer and seller in order to disregard any judgements, liens or other matters on public record that have nothing to do with our customers.
WHAT IS A DEED OF RECONVEYANCE?
The Deed of Reconveyance is a recorded document issued by your lender once you note is paid in full. This document is recorded in the county in which the property is located and shows that the Deed of Trust (mortgage) that has been recorded in your name has been released.
WHEN DO I GET A REFUND FROM MY PREVIOUS LENDER FOR MY IMPOUND ACCOUNT?
Normally, your lender will send any balance left in your impound or escrow account with them within 30 – 60 days once their loan has been paid in full. If you have any questions regarding you impound or escrow account please contact you lender.
HOME INSPECTIONS
Once a buyer has decided to make an offer on your home, it will usually be contingent upon a professional inspection of the entire property, including improvements. The home inspector looks beyond the cosmetics to make sure that the home’s general systems operate properly. The inspector will also look for large repairs that are needed and report on the condition of the home.
The standard home inspector’s report will review the conditions of the home’s heating and cooling systems; interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; foundation, basement and visible structure. The inspector will also look for cracks in cement walls, water stains that indicate leakage, and any indication of wood rot.
A home inspection also points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape.
As the seller, you can also elect to hire an inspector to evaluate your home prior to putting it on the market. Many times an inspector can point our major or minor issues with your home that you may be unaware of and that may affect its value.
As your Windermere agent, I’m familiar with home inspection services and can provide you with a list of names from which to choose. Another good way to find a home inspector is to ask a friend, or perhaps a business acquaintance, who has had a home inspection and can recommend a home inspector they were satisfied with.
Remember, no home is perfect. If major problems are found, I will help you negotiate through the process.
Buying a Home – Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREQUALIFIED AND PREAPPROVED?
These terms refer to the status on the loan approval process. Prequalification is a determination of your probable ability to obtain a loan. preapproval means that the mortgage lender has already verified and approved your credit and income. Obtaining a preapproval will make your offer more attractive to the seller.
WHAT IS EARNEST MONEY?
Earnest money is a “good faith” deposit submitted with your offer and shows the seller you are serious about purchasing their home. Earnest money is generally a required part of the offer. There is no set amount that is required, but the amount sometimes make a difference in the negotiation process.
WHAT ARE CLOSING COSTS?
Closing cost are charges paid to various entities during the real estate transaction. They can include escrow fees, document preparation fees, and lender fees.
WHAT IS A POINT?
A point is equal to one percent of the loan principal. Some lenders charge points, in addition to interest and fees, at closing.
WHAT IS TITLE INSURANCE?
Title insurance protects against loss from any defects in the legal title, liens against the property or other adverse claims. The lender usually requires title insurance.
What to Negotiate When Buying a House
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, it is necessary to ensure you are getting the best possible deal for your money. So, what should you negotiate when buying a home?
Closing costs. Your closing costs are determined by a variety of factors, but you can expect it to be between 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Ask the seller to cover some or all of the closing costs upfront or request a closing credit that can be used to make specific updates and fixes to the home.
Furnishings. Love how the seller has furnished and decorated the home? Buyers often negotiate keeping couches, fixtures, landscaping items, patio furniture, appliances, and more. And many sellers agree, wanting to make the home more appealing.
Inspection and closing timing. Buyer offers that include a quick inspection and close timeline are often more attractive to sellers who have been going through the process for far too long. Just ensure you allow yourself ample time to get your financing in place and complete proper, thorough inspections.
Home warranty. Sellers will often agree to pay the premium on the home warranty at closing and then hand it off to the new homeowner, who is responsible for the deductible on any future claims.
Repairs. Your inspection may uncover small or large repairs needed to bring the home up to standard. You can negotiate to have these items fixed before closing or ask for a price reduction to cover the costs.
What to Repair Before You List
When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top five recommended repairs to make before selling your home.
Repaint walls.
Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up, and generally, it can be a do-it-yourself project. Make sure cover any walls with scratches and chips and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.
Repair floors.
Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing them. And don’t forget the tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. Re-grouting can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!
Refresh the landscaping.
Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the in. Clean walkways and driveways, plant seasonal flowers and plants, trim hedges and trees, install outdoor décor pieces and fill in mulch and gravel.
Fix your fixtures.
Leaky faucet? Rusted drains? Loose drawer handle? Making these small fixes can make a big difference to potential buyers with detailed-orientated minds. Improve your kitchen. An outdated kitchen can be a real eyesore in a home. Updating cabinetry, repairing or replacing countertops, and installing new faucets and sinks may be worth the investment
Rentals in High Demand and Inventory Low
There is a thirty-day supply of rentals in the Las Vegas Valley, down dramatically from spring of 2017 where there was a ninety-day supply. Why are rentals in high demand and inventory so low? There are several factors affecting this market; one factor is the low inventory of affordable properties available for sale, making it difficult for buyers to find a home.
Buyers making offers and losing out on properties to higher bidders or cash buyers are getting frustrated and putting buying “on hold.” These frustrated buyers are renting apartments, condo’s, townhomes and single-family homes in lieu of purchasing. They may be back in the market but not until the market dynamics change.
Millennials, the 26 to 34-year olds, for the most part do not want the responsibility of home ownership, and they prefer to spend their money on experiences, not a mortgage payment. Many in this age group are also carrying large amounts of student debt, which is impacting their ability to save a down payment or afford the monthly payment.
Vacancy rates have dropped dramatically over the past few years; from 9.48% in 2015 to 3.1% in 2018. This demand has also pushed up overall rental rates.
This is good news for landlords, apartment owners, and Real Estate Investors.
Windermere Prestige Properties has many Rental Homes available; long term and short term. To find out about these offerings go to: www.finvegashomes.com or www.lakelasvegasvacation.com
Short Term Rental Ban in Las Vegas
There are approximately 160 current Special Use Permits in the City of Las Vegas for Short Term Rentals. The City of Las Vegas has voted on what is really a ban on short term rentals. Current permitted vacation rental homes will be grandfathered in under their original rules.
City of Las Vegas – New Rules
The new law requires any new permits to be limited to owner-occupied homes. In other words, a maximum three bedroom home could apply for and potentially be approved for a special use permit. The home would have to be owner occupied and with the permit the owner could rent out a bedroom or more in their home on a short term basis. If the property is located in a homeowner association, the HOA rules would apply. It is likely that under these new rules, fewer people will apply for the permits. Currently only 1% of the short term rentals in the City of Las Vegas are owner occupied.
Short term rentals are properties that are rented for fewer than 30 days. The owner occupied short term approved rentals must have no more than 3 bedrooms and be at least 666 feet from the nearest other short term living unit.
Real Options for Investors looking to participate in the Vacation Rental market
If you are considering investing in Vacation Rental type properties in the Las Vegas area, we recommend sticking with the approved high rise developments that are zoned hotel/condo and have licensed hotel http://www.lakelasvegasvacation.com operators on site to manage the booking and guest processes. Contact your Windermere Real Estate agent to find out more about this legal option.
