Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

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  • 10 Tips for Staging Your Home to Appeal to Buyers

    If you want or need to sell your home fast, staging furniture can make all the difference in attracting a buyer. Successful staging is a contributing factor to many of the quickest sales and to getting the best price for a home.

    Ready to stage?

    These 10 tips for staging furniture can help you easily transform your house into an inviting environment that homebuyers can’t pass up.

    1. Consider curb appeal

    The exterior of your home makes the first in-person impression on buyers. Many people drive by a home with no intention to see the inside unless they’re impressed with the outside. Stage your outdoor areas for buyers by power washing walkways and siding, hanging house numbers that are easy to read, mowing the lawn every weekend, planting colorful flowers, cleaning windows and re-staining decks.

     

     

    2. Create a welcoming entrance

    Whether you have a large porch or a simple stoop, create a welcoming entrance for potential buyers. Place a clean and inviting doormat, put potted plants around and make sure any outdoor furniture is in perfect condition. Illuminate your front walkway and door. Motion sensor lighting is a nice touch.

     

     

     

    3. Make the inside sparkle

    If cleaning the inside of your house to model home standards will take too much time or effort, hire someone to take care of this task. Making sure your interior sparkles and will be comfortable for guests (your potential buyers) is critical. Imagine that the person you’d most like to make a good impression on is coming into your home. Clean beyond that expectation.

     

     

     

    4. Focus on your floors

    Flooring is an expensive home remodel project. Help a buyer see that there won’t be much energy or money spent to enjoy nice floors in your home. At the minimum, steam clean carpets and give all flooring a deep clean. Wood floors should be either refinished, treated or waxed.

     

     

     

    5. Clear away clutter

    Model homes are attractive for a reason. They’re minimally decorated and don’t contain a lot of clutter. The house stands out, not the stuff. This is what you should aim for when you clean away clutter to attract a buyer. Staging your home to sell means that you should remove anything you haven’t used in three months (ideally clear away more than that). Put it into storage or in a family member’s garage. Clear floors, cupboards, closets, pantries, drawers and any other spaces where buyers will look. Get rid of anything even remotely unsightly. Try to keep only items that are neutral or classic in style lying or set out.

  • Unique Kitchen and Bath Design Trends for 2018

    Style changes over time. For example, in the 1970s, laminate countertops and dark wooden cabinets prevailed in the kitchen, while in the 1980s and well into the 1990s, super-saturated primary colors were found even in the bathroom. Are you up for a home improvement project? Let us tell you about some of the unique kitchen and bath design trends for 2018.

    Smart technology

    Move over, George Jetson! Over the last few years, home technology has quickly advanced. A smart kitchen doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive. Kitchen faucets can be equipped with motion sensors that allow them to come on automatically. Lighting can be controlled by your smartphone. And coffee makers can be programmed to brew a cup of coffee without you ever pressing a button.

    Meanwhile, in the bathroom, fans can be installed that run when they sense a certain level of humidity. For the ultimate in relaxation, waterproof televisions can be installed so you can catch your favorite show while taking a bath. It’s even possible to install a toilet that cleans itself, albeit with a high price tag. These toilets come equipped with a toilet-cleaning robot.

    Hardwood and alternative flooring

    Over the last few years, do-it-yourself aficionados popularized the look of reclaimed hardwood flooring,.a trend that isn’t going out of style in 2018. In fact, it’s more popular than ever. Look for wooden flooring in old homes and barns, and work with a flooring expert to install it in your home.

    Other flooring options that are becoming popular are bamboo and cork. Both materials are eco-friendly, work well in either a kitchen or bathroom and, if properly cared for, can last for decades.

     

    Dark colors make a comeback

    If 2017 was the year of white-on-white, 2018 is the year of variety. White is still a popular option, but greys are also a great choice. Surprisingly, adding bursts of color have returned full-circle from the 1980s. Rather than primary colors, the ones that have made their way back are now softly muted. Look for dark ruby red, emerald green and deep peacock blue. If you decide to redesign with color, make sure it won’t take over the room. In small rooms, color should be used as an accent. In large kitchens or bathrooms, feel free to experiment.

  • 10 Things Nobody Tells You When You’re Buying Your First Home

    Buying your first home is exciting. So many plans that you’ve had running through your head, possibly for years, come together. There’s a lot of information to sort through and plenty of actions you’ll need to take to arrive at that day when you’re handed your first set of keys.

    To get you smoothly through the process, here are 10 things nobody tells you when you’re buying your first home:

    1. You need to find the right team

    The right real estate team can help you close deals that you never thought were possible. Find an agent or broker who is an expert in your local area, has experience in the business and moves quickly. You’ll want a professional on your side who you can trust. One who will advise you honestly while looking at property, preparing an offer and making your way through the escrow process. Make sure you have a good lender on your real estate team as well.

    2. Get your finances in order before you view properties

    You’ve have a better chance of finding the home of your dreams if you get your finances in order before you go out looking at properties. Talk to a lender and find out exactly how much you can borrow, the amount of money you’ll need to put down and the figure you’ll need to come up with when it’s time to close. Get a pre-approval letter from your mortgage officer that spells out exactly the terms of the loan being offered to you. Then, you can view the homes that fit into your financial situation and be ready to move when the opportunity presents itself.

    3. Focus on the right things in a house

    You may not view houses that look exactly like the home you want to live in. So, when your real estate team takes you to view properties, look past paint colors, countertops, appliances and even flooring. Instead, search for solidity in the bones of a home. Consider the overall structure and the potential for turning the house into the perfect place for you. Also, keep your mind open to add-ons and conversions that can be taken care of after you close on the house.

    4. Consider your home’s future buyers

    You may not have kids or plan to have children, but your homes’ future buyers might. When searching for a house, think about how long you’ll likely live there. If there are any reasons that may cause you to sell down the road, it’s probably wise to consider the school district your potential home is in. Families place school districts at the top of the list of priorities when they buy, so make sure your new home is attractive to parents and future parents if you think you might ever move.

    5. Keep a practical mindset

    You may want your first home to include acres of property where you can live out your dream of being a homesteader, growing your own food and going off the grid. Maybe you’ve longed for the rush of city life and envisioned yourself in the perfect loft downtown, near all the top shops and restaurants. As you search for your new home, let your mind entertain all the things you’ve been hoping for in a house. Stay practical and think about your current lifestyle and any constraints a particular home might put on you, including lack of resources or traffic.

  • Top Tips for Great Beach Trips With Your Dog!

    Summer is in our sights and that means it’s time to start planning your family vacation! There is no need to worry about picking the perfect beach destination and having to leave your furry family member behind. We’ve got some great tips to ensure that you and your entire family have a safe, enjoyable, and fun beach getaway!

    Check the Rules

    Before you simply jump in the car and head out to the beach, be sure to check to make sure furry family members are allowed to visit, and with what protocols. Some beaches welcome dogs year-round while others have certain restrictions, and some don’t allow dogs at all during particular times of the year. Always check ahead to avoid unexpected regulations and to be sure your pet can join you while you lounge in the sand.

    It is just as important to know whether your dog needs to be leashed or if he can roam free. If he is allowed go unleashed, bring one along anyway just in case. Don’t forget to make sure your dog is under your voice control at all times.

    Again: don’t forget to be a responsible pet parent and always pick up your pet’s poop! Leave the beach as clean and beautiful as you found it without leaving any new doggie messes behind!

    Always Pack Necessities – For Everyone!

    You shouldn’t only pack a bag of essentials for you and your family, but you should also pack for your pup! Don’t forget the necessities: a leash, beach towels, umbrella, fresh water, and even doggie sunscreen. Dogs can get a sunburn just like humans and there are sunscreens available that are made especially for dogs and their sensitive skin.

    Bring your pup’s favorite toy and ball for playing fetch in the sand!  After all, the whole point of being at the beach in the first place is to have some fun!  Just be sure you don’t leave any mess behind – bring your own waste bags and always be responsible for cleaning up after your pet.

    Keep An Eye Out At All Times

    Taking your eyes off your dog could lead to a potentially dangerous situation, especially in a new environment. It is easy for a dog to wander into the water and start to panic. Just as if you are watching a child, never take your eyes off your dog and never leave him unattended. When you arrive at the beach also make sure you pay special attention to any potential distractions that may cause your dog to run off or disrupt other people and their pets on the beach.

    Avoid additional problems by keeping your dog away from any areas where he is not allowed. These often include the dunes or other specific places blocked off to preserve the area’s natural habitat. 

  • 5 Tips to Make Your PCS Move Smoother

    About USAA Real Estate Rewards Network:  For over 25 years, the USAA Real Estate Rewards Network offers support in helping USAA Members buy and/or sell a home — and Members can earn cash reward in the process.

    Periodic moves are a defining part of the active duty military lifestyle. However, no matter how enticing your next location may be, the process of getting there can be stressful for even the most seasoned service members and their loved ones.

    These tips can help make for a smooth transition and an arrival with plenty of relieved smiles.

    1. Get a jump on things. Even before you have orders, you can take the first step by visiting move.mil and updating your profile.

    When you find out your destination, do some Internet reconnaissance by visiting the Department of Defense’s military installations website. There, you’ll find a page for each installation that provides information on the cost of living, child development centers, schools, housing, employment and more.

    You can also get ahead of the curve by promptly attending a move briefing at your local personal property processing office, scheduling a move date and getting on wait lists for military housing and child care at your next station. Visit Military OneSource for lots of information about moving and securing housing.

     2. Get organized. You’re going to accumulate a lot move-related material in the run-up to your transition to your next military home. Save time and avoid frustration by using a tablet, three-ring binder, folders or an accordion file to organize and keep track of all those documents, information flyers and personal notes.

    3. Check your weight. You’re entitled to a free move of your possessions, provided you stay within your allowance, which varies depending on your rank, if you have dependents, and whether your move is inside or outside the continental United States.

    If you go over, you’ll have to pay for the difference. To avoid that outcome, first figure out your weight allowance at move.mil, and then use this weight estimator to see if you’re in danger of exceeding it. If so, starting shedding and selling right away. You can also access your weight data from previous moves at move.mil.

    4. Get ready for the big day. You don’t want to be scrambling to get ready while the packers are pulling up outside your house, so start organizing yourself well ahead of the move.

        • Take a photo or video inventory of all your possessions, making sure to capture all sides of things like furniture that could be scratched in the move.
        • While your camera’s out, take a good shot of how all the gizmos in your entertainment center are connected to each other.
        • Have lots of ziplock snack and sandwich bags handy to bundle small, loose items like silverware, curtain rings, toys, and hardware from bedframes and other furniture that’s disassembled for the move. Be sure to label the bags.
        • It’s a bad feeling to realize your car keys and wallet were thrown into a box and taken away with the moving truck, so set aside things you don’t want packed for you, including valuable possessions, medications, and important documents you’ll carry with you. Make sure they’re clearly separated from the rest of your stuff with a prominent “do not pack” sign.
        • You should also separately stage items you’ll want immediately accessible when your stuff arrives at your next home. When packed, label these boxes as “Day One” box and load them with the essentials you’ll need to immediately function at your next home. If you’re traveling by your personally owned vehicle, you may want to take charge of these boxes rather than having them moved for you. Don’t forget about traveling with children and/or pets – have familiar items ready for them too.

    5. Learn your rights. There’s a lot at stake in your move. If anything happens along the way that doesn’t meet your expectations, be ready to speak up and get the quality moving experience you deserve as a military service member. The Department of Defense Personal Property Program’s “bill of rights” spells out everything you should expect, like receiving a phone call from the mover at least three days before the move and having packing materials and other debris removed on delivery day.

     

    DID 252869-0618

    USAA® Real Estate Rewards Network is offered by USAA Residential Real Estate Services, Inc., a licensed real estate broker and subsidiary of USAA Federal Savings Bank. Program may be unavailable for employer-sponsored relocations. Not available for transactions in Iowa or outside the United States. This is not a solicitation if you are already represented by a real estate broker. Reward offer limited in some states. Reward amount is based on sale price of home sold or purchased and cannot exceed $24,000 per transaction. To receive the maximum amount offered of $24,000, the sale price of the home sold or purchased must be $4 million or more. In 2017, the average member closing in the program received $1,230. Real estate agent fees still apply. The reward is not available in Alaska, Oklahoma or Louisiana. In Kansas and Tennessee, a loyalty card will be issued that is accepted at specific retailers. In Oregon and Mississippi a credit or commission reduction may be available. In New Jersey, a commission reduction or rebate may be available at closing. Please check with the program coordinator for details. You must be enrolled in the program and be represented at closing by an approved agent with a participating real estate firm in order to qualify for the reward. Reward not available to sellers in a short sale transaction. In certain states, buyers may need seller cooperation in order to participate in the reward program. Availability restrictions apply.

    Use of the term “member” or “membership” refers to membership in USAA Membership Services and does not convey any legal or ownership rights in USAA. Restrictions apply and are subject to change.

  • 5 Ways to Get Involved in your Community by Participating and Volunteering

    When you’ve just moved into a new community, getting involved with your neighbors and neighborhood can be a great beginning to a happy life. Our communities can be pillars of support when we need them or friendly faces we’re happy to see each day. Through volunteering, joining clubs and groups, taking part in community sports activities and hosting events, you can bond with those who live around you and create a wonderful home for yourself – and others.

    Here are 5 ways to get more involved in your community:

    1. Join a community garden


      2. Join a community garden in your neighborhood, and if you don’t have one, start one. Growing organic produce on a shared plot is a great way to connect with people near you. It also helps everyone involved develop a deeper understanding of the importance of keeping the air, water and ground clean and safe in a community.

      While you till, water, plant and harvest, try to get to know the members of your community. Tell stories of where you came from and ask others about their backgrounds. If you have kids, get them involved with a beginner’s food scrap garden and encourage neighbors to bring their children participate too.

    2. Start conversations


      3. Learn more about the people who live near you by starting conversations within your community. This is easily done through book clubs or groups that come together to make jewelry, create art, cook and learn new languages. Ask your immediate neighbors if they know about any clubs or meetups you can join. If there aren’t any, start one yourself.

      If you have a community center or other public space available, use it to form friendships while you learn something new. Sometimes taking turns meeting in members’ homes, either weekly or monthly, is a good way to break the ice with small talk or enjoy truly enriching conversation. Think about planning a series of special gatherings or ongoing drop-in events.

    3. Become a community volunteer


      4. Volunteer in a local clinic, hospital, nature center, library or community center. Volunteerism is a superb way to meet people and contribute skills and talents to those who might need them. Not only will you probably experience a sense of accomplishment after sharing the gifts you have to offer, your neighbors will likely notice your contributions and consider you a valuable member of the community.

      How can you help those who share your small part of the world? Perhaps tutoring, offering legal aid, mentoring, teaching a language, organizing a food bank or visiting the elderly in your community resonates with you. Children can often be persuaded to join the community volunteer force by teaching older adults all the ways of the Internet.

    4. Get active in after-school programs


      5. Families can get to know neighbors by becoming active in after-school programs. Even if you don’t have kids, meet new people in your neighborhood by volunteering your time to these activities.

      Children often enjoy becoming members in Girl or Boy Scout-type groups, YMCA memberships, parks and recreation classes or mommy and me groups. Often, parents of kids in these programs go on to become friends for life. If you don’t have little ones, it’s still possible to coach, teach a craft, be a dance instructor and get involved in your community in other ways.

    5. Attend or host charity events


      6. Many big cities and small towns have carnivals, holiday gift boutiques, formal dinners and similar charitable events to bring the community closer together. Attend these events and enjoy being a part of shared experiences. You’ll likely meet people who have many of the same interests as you do, which is a good way to form friendships.

    The good thing about getting involved in your new community is that if there aren’t gardens, clubs, organized activities, volunteer opportunities or other programs in place for you to meet people, you can always be to facilitator of these types of gatherings. Your new neighbors will probably be glad you took the initiative to provide ways to connect.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: To Keep or Not to Keep Beadboard in a Bathroom

    While shiplap may be the current darling of the design world, beadboard is also receiving attention for its versatility and style. When debating whether to take on a renovation that involves this timeless design, consider the time and cost investment.

    Question: I have beadboard in my hall bath and want to know if I should keep it, replace it with shiplap or leave it plain and just paint the drywall? The room has vintage floor tiles, a pedestal sink and marble tile surrounding the tub/shower.

    – Ken G.

    Well, this is a great question and my answer is, it depends! Use caution. This sounds like a simple project, but it might not be. Do you have a problem such as dry rot, mold or peeling paint that requires removing the beadboard? Is it painted already? Do you simply not like it? What looks beautiful to you? What are your goals for the space and how it will feel?

    In general, unless you are going for a new look completely or know you need to fix something, I recommend keeping a project simple. Any time you tear something out is an opportunity to find hidden problems that might delay the project or increase your budget. In bathrooms, in particular, moisture wreaks havoc without being noticeable. And in old buildings, paint often has lead in it, so talk with a licensed contractor before doing anything to create dust or cover up potential problems.

    -Jennifer Adams

  • Must-Have Updates For A Big Impact

    Check out these tips from our network affiliates featured in the May 2018 issue of Before & After Magazine by Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publications®!

  • Tips For Buying a Home with Sherry Chris

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Planning Your Outdoor Oasis

    Planning a space can be a challenge. By prioritizing needs and accepting challenges, you can create a fresh air space that compensates for smaller rooms or design a space around something you really want, such as a fireplace. Learn how to design an outdoor space that is perfect for you with outdoor pro Carson Arthur.

    I just purchased a new home. I have a 11’ by 27’ covered patio in my backyard. I would like to improve this space and do not know what to do. Please help!!!!

    -David N.

    When deciding how a space will be used during planning, look inside your house for what is missing. A fireplace or a dining area or a bigger kitchen might be identified as a need. You can create a complimentary space outdoors to enhance your quality of life in the home with a few considerations. Start researching flooring options like deck or patios. Plan how big of an area you need based on the size of furniture you want. Start thinking about the time of day that you will be in the yard based on how you are going to use it.  These considerations will point you in the right direction for creating a backyard perfect for your home.

    -Carson Arthur