Preferred Properties of Texas

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Scents That Could Sell Your Home Faster

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It is important to stage your home inside if you want to sell your house quickly. In an increasingly competitive market, the first impression a potential buyer has when they walk through your door is crucial.

The curb appeal will determine whether someone steps over the threshold. But, could it be that the first thing they see as they enter is undoing all the hard work they have put in?

While we don’t doubt that you love scented candles it is worth looking into which scents might make your home more appealing if you’re trying to sell. It’s a good place to put those popular and impactful scents in the entryway of your property.

Fresh laundry is a wonderful smell. Freshly washed linen is second in the list of scents that can help you sell your house. 36% of participants said it would win their hearts.

According to the survey, 27% of respondents rated this scent as a winner. You can also leave a French Press or a timer on your best espresso maker so that people feel at home.

There are certain scents or smells that you don’t want to have lingering in your home during house viewings.

It’s not surprising that 68% said moldy or damp smells would make them turn down a property. It is in your best interests to remove mold as soon as possible, regardless of whether you are selling.

Close behind were 64% of survey participants who said the smells of vomit and cannabis would turn them off. 55% of potential buyers also stated that this smell would cause them to reconsider putting in an offer.

Short suggests that you use a steamer or pet vacuum to remove any smells from your pets. Grapefruit, orange, and lemon scents are excellent at neutralizing the musky animal smells of pets. Citrus-scented candles are very popular and can add a pleasant, fresh-smelling fragrance to your home, no matter where they’re placed.

Rose, jasmine, and lavender are all good options for selling a home.

If you choose to light candles before house viewings, it is important to keep them out of reach of anything flammable, such as furniture, curtains, bedding, or decorations. To prevent an accidental fire from starting in your house, this is important. Also, don’t place lighted candles in areas where they could be damaged by animals, children, wind, or wind. Avoid lighting scented candles in rooms without windows or poor ventilation. This can make the room stuffy and overpowering.

Although the light of a candle can be enchanting, reed diffusers are safer and less fragrant than essential oil diffusers.

It’s an easy task to keep your home clean when you invite potential buyers in.

 

Original Blog: https://www.realhomes.com/news/best-scents-to-sell-your-home-fast?utm_source=SmartBrief&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3BFA9068-DFBC-477B-BC94-C168B9A999F1&utm_content=9361F4BF-0919-4461-86E4-074E169E8CA3&utm_term=23ef8e9a-359a-444f-9fb8-e57c0efe2aba

First Aide For Scratches On Kitchen Countertops

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You can repair kitchen countertops with a history wine spills, dropped pans and other sharp objects. This will help you maintain the value of your home and kitchen. While you can hide minor problems, professional contractors are able to fix larger ones.

Granite countertops are susceptible to kitchen wear. With a little knowledge and time, you can make granite counters shine again. Make sure to seal them after you have done the repairs.

Cracks and chips: Fill cracks in granite with layers of epoxy resin that is colored to match the stone. First, clean the area with acetone. This breaks down grease. Make sure you open a window to allow for airflow.
Stains The type and type of stain (wine, ink, oil, bleach) determines which poultice is needed to get it out. A paste made of flour and hydrogen peroxide removes grease, oil, bleach and ink stains. A mixture of flour, bleach and flour cleans wine stains. Alpha, Aqua Mix and StoneTech are all commercial-grade stone cleaners. Prices range from $6 to $20

Solid-surface countertops such as Corian are made from acrylic, resin and other materials. These countertops are durable but can still be stained and scratched. Use a wool pad to apply a white polishing compound to minor scratches. Next, wax the countertop.

Call a professional if you need to make deeper cuts or scratches. Labor costs are approximately $15 to $35 per hour. You will need to replace a portion of the counter. This should cost you between $35 and $65 per square foot.

Minor problems can be fixed, but it is difficult to fix or cover gouges in laminate.

  • Use laminate repair paste to fix small chips that match the countertop’s color.
  • Use countertop polish or wax to cover scratches
  • Apply contact cement to both surfaces of the peeling laminate and press it back into place.
  • Use vinegar, baking soda or household cleaner to remove coffee and tea stains.

It will be necessary to replace the stretch that has been damaged. There are a million colors of laminate, so it could be challenging to find the right match for an older counter.

You can replace the counter to achieve the desired look. For countertops with a beveled edge, which look like granite, the cost of labor is between $15 and $35 per hour.

You can stockpile old tiles if you plan ahead. Then grab some and replace any damaged or cracked areas. The following first aid can be used if you don’t own extra tiles:

  • Use a little toothpaste to remove any scratches on a clean cloth.
  • Use a toothpick to apply epoxy glue to cracks. Then, color the area with oil-based paint.
  • Use a utility knife to remove old grout and then use a rubber trowel to replace it.

Over time, stainless steel countertops can become dull, scratched and stained. You can remove scratches but not completely. However, you can polish them with vegetable oil.

Use a mixture of dish soap and baking soda to remove stains. Stains can be removed with a little Barkeeper’s Friend.

 

Original Blog: https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/diy-repair/repair-and-replace-kitchen-counters-stay-top-scratches/?site_ref=mosaic

What To Know About Home Appraisals

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The home appraisal is a crucial step in any home buying or selling process. An appraisal is a crucial part of getting a mortgage. This will confirm the seller’s price to the lender. A good appraisal will help sellers get the best price for their house.

An appraisal is a professional, objective estimate of the property’s value. Lenders require a home appraisal before they will issue a mortgage. This is to protect their investment. If the actual value of the property is less than the sale price, and if the buyer defaults upon the mortgage, the lender will not be able sell the property for sufficient money to cover the loan.

Refinances may be eligible for a property inspection waiver (PIW). This is if your loan amount exceeds the estimated home value. Even if the loan to value ratio has been very low, PIWs rarely get granted.

The appraisal is usually done after an offer has been accepted and the house has been inspected. You, the buyer, will pay for the appraisal. Most likely you will also have to arrange for it. Even though the appraisal is supposed to protect the lender, it is your responsibility.

The lender usually receives the completed report once it is complete. You can also request a copy. This generally doesn’t happen automatically–you’ll have to ask.

Your property type and your location can impact the price. Homes with more units or those that are more expensive will usually be more costly. An average single-family home of average size will cost $300-$450 for a professional appraisal. The average cost of a professional appraisal for a larger house is $300-$450. An appraiser must be a licensed professional or certified to perform the work. They should not have any direct or indirect interests in the transaction.

An appraiser will need to know where the property is located. They will also analyze details and conditions of the house in order to determine the fair market value.

Comps are the most important factor in determining a property’s worth. These properties are usually within a mile of the property in question and have sold in the past 90 days.

To determine the property’s value, the appraiser will compare the features to the comps. The factors that influence the value of a property include its square footage, appearance, amenities, condition, and age.

A large home with four bedrooms in an area that has seen a lot of three-bedroom homes recently sell will likely be more valuable than comparable properties. A house with peeling paint or a patchy yard in a well-manicured subdivision is likely to have a lower appraisal than other similar properties.

Sometimes, the house’s appraised value is lower than anticipated. This can have a negative impact on many aspects of the sale.

The lender will decide your loan amount as percentage of the property’s price. If it does, it will either choose the appraised value or the sales price. Lenders won’t lend more than 80% to 97% from the home’s fair value. Therefore, the appraised value of your home is crucial when deciding how much you can borrow.

The loan amount you apply for will be granted if the property appraises at or above the sale price. If the property appraises at less than the sales price, the lender will likely lower the loan amount to match its value.

Low appraisals can cause a delay or cancellation of a sale. Buyers and lenders won’t overpay for a house. Sellers may not be willing to significantly lower the price they are looking to purchase.

If the appraisal is low, you have several options. You can opt out of the deal if your offer contract includes a condition that the property must be valued at the selling prices or higher.

You can also negotiate with the seller to lower the sale price if you are buying. Another option is to pay more to make up the difference between the sales price and the appraised value.

You can always contest the appraisal. Ask your agent to find out the comparable sales and determine if they are appropriate. Your agent may be more familiar than the appraiser with the area and could be able locate additional comps to support higher valuations.

Buyers will usually pay an earnest money deposit prior to an appraisal. The buyer will be reimbursed their earnest money if the appraisal contingency is not met and the sale fails.

To protect your investment, your lender may require an appraisal if you take out a mortgage. You can opt to not get an appraisal if you make a cash offer. However, you could end up paying more for the property if you do.

Home inspection and home appraisal are two different things. An appraisal assesses the home’s value, while an inspection examines the condition of the house. An appraisal or inspection may be part of a home-buying agreement. The buyer can then cancel the contract based on the findings.

 

Original Blog: https://www.thebalance.com/appraisal-process-when-buying-a-home-2395235

What To Look For In An Open House

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Although open houses can be staged to appear like a home decor vision, don’t let it distract from the main reason you are there: to possibly buy a house. You need to look beyond the beautifully arranged furniture and think only about whether the house is a good fit. Here’s a checklist for home buyers that might help you see things you missed.

Windows– Check to see if they face the sun, or if they look directly at a neighbor’s window.

Under-the-Sink Cabinets – Check for signs of water damage caused by leaking plumbing.

Electrical Outlets Make sure you have enough outlets to power your appliances and other electronic devices. You can then decide if you want to renovate.

Storage Space Don’t look just to determine if you have enough space. Also, consider the placement of your closets. You should also ensure that storage is located in a convenient place.

Appliances If they are part of the house, ensure they’re in good shape. You should have them on and running while you’re there.

Under the Rugs Lift any rugs off the floor to inspect the condition.

Floor Level Check to make sure the floors are level. You can test this by placing a small round object, such as a marble, on the floor. It will show if it moves in one direction.

Attic– Make sure it is well insulated if you have one.

Water Spouts Runoff from gutters should not be directed towards the house. Take a walk outside to check if it is.

Talk to a Preferred Properties of Texas agent  to see what else should be looked at.

 

Original Blog: https://www.century21.com/real-estate-blog/home-buyer-checklist-what-to-look-for-in-an-open-house/

Home-Selling Timeline: 10 Steps To Sell A House

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Many homeowners might decide it is time to sell, with home prices reaching record highs in the country. How long does it take for a house to be sold?

Today’s hot seller market is attracting buyers quicker than ever. Even in the best case scenario, sellers will need to prepare their home and close a deal for at least one month. It could take longer if extensive repairs are required or if the property isn’t priced correctly.

Whether you plan to sell soon or are just curious about how long it will take, this timeline will help you prepare and plan accordingly.

  1. Make renovations/repairs
  2. Find a listing agent
  3. Figure out how much your house is worth
  4. Declutter/stage your space
  5. Put together your listing with description, photos, video
  6. Hold home showings/open houses
  7. Wait for an offer (or offers) to roll in—and negotiate the best deal
  8. Accept an offer, and wait for the home inspection/appraisal
  9. Close the deal
  10. Move out

Original Blog: https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/home-selling-timeline-how-long-it-takes-to-sell-a-house/

Low Inventory, High Prices And ‘Ruthless’ Speeds Make The Market Ripe For Sellers

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It’s still a sellers’ market. Good for the sellers, but unfortunately not so much for the buyers. The low inventory of homes for sale is still creating a sellers’ market throughout the entire country. The word that comes to mind when describing the last two years in our area alone is ‘ruthless! This market has been moving at mach speed. It has pretty much been the perfect storm with extremely low inventory all around and will still give the sellers the upper hand for 2022.

Real estate has been very good, it’s very robust. 2021 was a great year for real estate, expect similar activities to continue in 2022. There are more people looking to buy right now and fewer properties for sale. It is a good year for sellers.

Now is the time certainly for buyers to buy because of what is likely to happen with the mortgage interest rate as well as prices increasing. And now is the time for sellers to sell while we are kind of at the top of the market here now.

If your ready to sell give Preferred Properties of Texas a call! Let’s Get Started and Get Your Home SOLD!!

Original Blog: https://www.oswegocountybusiness.com/feature-stories/real-estate/sellers-are-dominating-the-real-estate-market/

Preferred Properties of Texas

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