Real Estate Realness: Closing Day!
Closing day – the day you get the keys and finally get to hear the words “Welcome Home!” But before you get to that part, there’s a lot of technical stuff to be cleared first. So, what else can you expect on closing day?
– Meet with all parties & their representatives
– Read & sign a lot of legal documents
– Make final payments to your lender
– Transfer ownership (get the keys)
Real Estate Realness: Assessed Value
When purchasing a home, you may hear the term “assessed value.” But what is it and what will it mean for you as the homeowner?
Assessed value is a professional estimate of a home’s market price to help determine the property tax due. The value is assigned by a government assessor and is updated periodically as the market changes. Different tax districts may have different methods to reach that value, so you’ll want to be aware of your district’s process and how you can help reduce your property tax bill.
Real Estate Realness: Moving With Pets
Moving can be a stressful time, and if you have pets then you know they can get easily stressed too.
Here are 3 tips for moving with your pets to keep them (and you) as happy as a puppy with a new toy:
1. Prep an overnight bag
2. Keep them in a secure, quiet place
3. Update their ID tags ASAP
Real Estate Realness: Refresh your Space
Fall is nearly here, which means it’s time to refresh your space!
Put on a playlist that makes you want to move, and do these four things to encourage new energy for the season:
1. Deep Clean: get all those little spaces you’ve been ignoring, even the dryer vent (your sweaters will thank you!).
2. Fresh Paint: touch up faded paint or try out a new color for an accent that pops.
3. Rearrange Furniture: move your furniture around and create new spaces to gather and relax.
4. Seasonal Décor: put out your pumpkins and pinecones, your baked apple candles and fluffy blankets – it’s cozy time!
Real Estate Realness: Seller Tips
When selling your home, there’s something important you need to do that’s easily overlooked: Clarify What’s NOT for sale.
Don’t ever assume that someone else will think you want to take the custom lighting feature from the dining room or the wall-mounted flat-screen TV in the living room. In fact, anything that is built-in or immovable is considered a “fixture” to be sold with the property.
There’s a lot of room for confusion here as some things can technically be removable, but are attached in a way that’s considered to be a “permanent” fixture. The best thing to do is to remove the items before putting the home on the market or to get very specific and write in the contract which items are NOT included in the sale.
Real Estate Realness: Brighten up your Home
Feeling gloomy now that summer is behind us? Don’t fret!
Try these tips for a brighter home and a sunnier mood:
1. Declutter surfaces
2. Get furniture & décor in lighter colours
3. Remove window screens
4. Replace heavy curtains with sheer panels
5. Swap some wall art for mirrors