It helps to know what to expect after you attend a house showing. Because if you know what to do following a showing, you may be able to speed up the process of going from homebuyer to homeowner.

Now, let’s take a look at three tips to help you make the best-possible decision about a house following a showing.

1. Assess the Pros and Cons of a House

Performing a comprehensive home analysis is a must after a showing. That way, you can weigh the pros and cons of a residence and decide whether a house is right for you.

Think about how you felt as you walked through each room of a house. If you can envision yourself as the owner of a home, you may want to move sooner rather than later to submit an offer to purchase.

Conversely, if you find a house is in need of major repairs or simply does not suit your lifestyle, you should not hesitate to continue your house search. With a diligent approach to home evaluations, you should have no trouble discovering your dream residence in the foreseeable future.

2. Consider the Next Step in Your Homebuying Journey

When it comes to finding the perfect residence, it helps to plan ahead as much as possible. And if you have a plan in place for what to do after a home showing, you’ll be better equipped than ever before to prepare for the worst-case scenarios.

For example, a home seller could accept a rival buyer’s offer to purchase before you have time to consider your options following a showing. But if you have a backup plan in place, you can move quickly to continue your homebuying journey, regardless of how a showing pans out.

3. Collaborate with a Real Estate Agent

If you are unsure about the best course of action at a home showing’s conclusion, you may want to consult with a real estate agent. This will enable you to gain expert insights into the housing market and make an informed decision about how to proceed with a particular residence.

A real estate agent is happy to teach you about all aspects of the housing market. Following a home showing, a real estate agent can meet with you and help you review all of the options at your disposal. And if you decide to submit an offer to purchase a house, a real estate agent will make it easy to put together a competitive homebuying proposal.

There is no need to worry about what to do after a house showing. Use the aforementioned tips, and you can boost the likelihood of making the best-possible decision following a home showing.

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Everyone talks about preparing financially to purchase and own a home. However, it’s not always exactly clear how to prepare. Rather than get overwhelmed by details, there are some basic things you can start with in order to get your finances ready for home ownership. Here we will go over the best ways to prepare.

Take Care of Your Credit Score

Unfortunately, there is no quick cure for a low credit score. It’s based on a lot of long-term factors like bill payment history and age of your credit accounts, so it’s difficult to boost your score short term. However, the more you prepare for buying a home, the better—and creating and maintaining good credit habits will help you in the long run. The first thing you can do is sign up for a free credit monitoring service so you are aware of your starting point. You can also identify any errors that might count against you so that you can dispute them. Some other things you can do are:

• Hold off on opening any new credit cards or loans to avoid “hard inquiries” on your credit

• Set up auto-payment with any recurring bills to avoid late payments

• Don’t completely close any old accounts, even if you don’t use them anymore

These are just the basics and while they are general best practices, only consider them in your own credit situation. For detailed financial advice, always consult a professional.

Start Saving for a Down Payment

The down payment on a new home is the largest upfront expense to prepare for. The size of the down payment will depend on the terms of the mortgage you choose, as well as the purchase price of the home. However, most experts recommend aiming for 20% of the price on the home. While the amount you need in the end might be lower, consider the advantages of saving more than not enough. Some simple strategies for saving up for this expense include automatic deposits into savings and redirecting funds you would normally contribute to a retirement fund. Everybody is different, and it’s important to consider the details of your particular financial situation. Hiring a financial advisor who can create a customized savings plan is a great idea for getting the most savings possible.

Look Into First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs

Among the myriad loan options available for homebuyers, there are some programs that exist specifically to help first-time homebuyers. There are various forms of financial assistance available, including special mortgages with low interest rates or tax credits. You can usually find these types of programs available through state governments. Take some time to research whether your state offers any financial help in buying your first home — it might surprise you how many opportunities are available.

The financial aspect of buying your first home is complicated and so is saving for it. However, if you follow these general best practices, you’ll be creating a solid foundation for yourself and your financial future.

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Moving is a strenuous process, and it’s common to feel exhausted after it’s over. For some, the first few days in your new home can feel even more overwhelming than the weeks before the move. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to stay organized and maintain your moving momentum to feel comfortable in your new space. Here’s a list of things to do on the first days in your new home.

Set Up Essentials

If you packed an “essentials box” for your move, now’s the time for it to shine. There are some things you can do right away in your new home to make it comfortable, functional and avoid any frustrating surprises. One major area to focus on is the bathroom. Make sure at least one bathroom has toilet paper and hand soap. You may also want to hang up your shower curtain and liner so you can take a refreshing shower as soon as you want to.

There are also some kitchen essentials you can set up to make things easier in your first few days. If you brought your own microwave, find a spot for it and plug it in. You’ll appreciate the freedom to heat a frozen entrée for a quick and easy meal while still unpacking your kitchen. Have a set of silverware and a few dishes out as well. These things will help you get situated and keep you comfortable while unpacking your belongings.

Secure Your Home

If you have a home security system or smart devices, don’t delay setting them up. It’s important to make your new home as secure as possible as soon as possible, and you may find it easier to do before you set up everything else. Unfortunately, moving households are a common target for opportunistic thieves, so keep track of your belongings and lock your doors when you leave.

Speaking of locks, change them. While it’s unlikely that anyone else has keys for the current locks, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Besides, changing the locks and getting brand new keys gives you the opportunity to get copies for each housemate or family member. Don’t forget to make a spare and keep it in a safe location.

While these are just a few suggestions for first-day tasks in your new home, they can make a significant difference in the rest of your process. The more comfortable and safe you are in your new home, the more efficient you’ll be with the rest of your unpacking.

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While many homeowners would prefer to either ignore or take a DIY approach to common household problems, electrical wiring should be reserved for licensed professionals. Even minor electrical issues can be dangerous if left unaddressed, and trying to fix them yourself can be risky.

But how do you know when it’s time to call an electrician? Here are the seven things you should always contact a professional for:

Unexplained buzzing or humming sounds

If you notice a new buzzing or humming noise in the house, it could be an electrical system issue. Try to find the source of the noise if possible, even if it’s just a general area of the home.

Dim or flickering lights

Dim or flickering light fixtures can be annoying, but a minor inconvenience you might simply ignore. While in some cases flickering or dimming can indicate a dying light bulb, other cases are more serious.

For example, you could have deteriorated or damaged wiring somewhere in your home due to pests. Rather than risk losing power throughout the house, it’s best to contact a qualified electrician as soon as possible.

A constantly tripping circuit breaker

It’s common for your circuit breaker to trip sometimes, especially when using certain appliances. However, if you notice it happening frequently, it’s time for a professional to investigate. The circuit could either be overloaded, or there could be an electrical wiring issue elsewhere.

A burning smell

One of the most serious consequences of residential wiring problems is fire. If you notice an unexplained scent similar to burning plastic or rubber, try to find the source immediately. Make sure to note any issues like discoloration on switches or black marks near power points.

Small shocks from outlets or appliances

Static electricity can build in the home and manifest in tiny shocks. While generally this is a common annoyance, sometimes it can be a faulty electrical wire somewhere in the house. Instead of risking serious injury, have an electrician find the source of the issue.

Visible sparks

Have you ever noticed a spark when plugging something in to an outlet? This can be a serious fire hazard and indicate something wrong with your home’s electrical system. Avoid using any outlet where you’ve noticed sparks and call a professional right away.

Moving to a new home

Home inspections are part of every home buying process. However, it’s worth hiring a licensed electrician to inspect your new home specifically for electrical issues. They can identify any potential risks or problems before you make your final decision.

Electrical wiring is complex and requires specific training and tools to repair. While you might be tempted to address issues with electrical wires yourself, it’s safer to contact a licensed electrician.

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When it comes to landscaping, bushes and shrubs are essential to a great design. Not only do they add dimension and aesthetic interest to an outdoor space, they are useful for creating natural barriers and highlighting other features.

If you’re interested in beginning your landscaping journey but not sure where to start with bushes and shrubs, here is a basic guide to some of the most popular choices:

Arborvitae

Arborvitae is a needled, evergreen shrub that’s extremely common in landscaping. Different cultivars can grow to different heights, some as tall as 60 feet. One of the most popular uses for arborvitae in landscaping design is to create hedge walls for privacy, either along the edges of properties or even as living fences.

Boxwood

Boxwood is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that’s perfect for formal hedges. Its small leaves and dense growth habit make it easy to trim and sculpt into specific shapes. Boxwood bushes are an excellent option for low-growing landscaping shrubs, and can thrive in full sun to part shade. However, they are a slow-growing shrub, making mature plants somewhat pricey as a result.

Rose bushes

Various types of rose bushes have been favorites in gardening and landscaping design for centuries. Deciduous rather than evergreen, rose bushes boast beautiful and fragrant blooms during the growing season. However, roses can be difficult to grow even for experienced gardeners, requiring full sun and slightly acidic soil to survive.

Lilac

Another deciduous shrub is the fragrant lilac bush. While it’s not the best choice for year-round interest, from early spring into summer the intoxicating scent of lilac flowers is a major draw for gardeners all over. Lilacs shrubs bloom in dense, purple clusters and their strong, woody stems make for strong plants that bounce back every year to put on another show.

Rhododendron

Rhododendron is an evergreen flowering shrub with broad, leathery green foliage. Their spring flowers come in a rainbow of colors depending on the cultivar, including pink, red, white, coral and yellow.

As landscaping shrubs, rhododendrons are often planted as a specimen focal point, or grouped together in woodland gardens. While they can grow very large, their growth habit doesn’t lend itself well to forming dense hedges.

When it comes to landscaping shrubs, the possibilities can seem endless. However, starting with these suggestions should put you on the right track to finding the best possible shrubs and bushes for your every landscaping need.

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Buying a home is a complicated transaction with many expenses. Part of the transaction involves closing costs, which vary in amount depending on the situation. One way to reduce the closing costs for the buyer is to ask for a seller concession so that the seller pays a portion of the closing costs instead. Even though this results in the seller spending more money on the transaction, there are some key reasons seller concessions can benefit both parties.

Types of Seller Concessions

A lot of individual expenses add up to make the final closing cost on a home purchase. Some concession requests or offers will pay for one or more specific costs, while others will be a percentage of the overall amount. Some of the individual expenses commonly involved in seller concessions are repairs, property tax, loan fees and homeowners’ insurance fees. The buyer can include a concession request in their offer or the seller can introduce them to help negotiate. It’s important to note that there are limits on seller concessions determined by the type of loan the buyer has.

Concession Benefits

Concessions have an obvious benefit for the buyer. A concession can mean less money required upfront when making a purchase. Closing costs typically combine to equal about 2 to 5% of the total purchase price, so anything that can reduce the amount is a bonus for the buyer.

Concessions can actually benefit the seller in certain situations as well. The biggest advantage is that they can speed up a transaction and entice buyers to purchase sooner. If a seller is having trouble closing the deal on their old home too long after moving into their new one, the result can be extremely costly. A concession can speed up the process to help avoid the risk of double mortgage payments. Concessions can also help a seller negotiate with a buyer who won’t budge on a low offer or to gain an edge in a competitive seller’s market. Discuss your options with a real estate agent or other professional to determine the best strategy.

Concession Disadvantages

As a buyer, requesting seller concessions in a competitive buyer’s market means you risk your offer being rejected. If there are multiple offers on a home, the seller is more likely to agree with a buyer who will put up more cash up front rather than ask for a concession. Concessions can cause issues for the buyer in the long-term, as well. Seller concessions get added in to your mortgage total which can increase your monthly payments. This also means you will pay more interest over the term of the loan. It’s important to weigh the long-term effects before making the request.

Concessions can help you both as a buyer and seller, but those benefits will always depend on your individual situation. Always consult a financial advisor to help you decide if requesting or offering seller concessions as part of your home transaction is right for you.

The post Seller Concessions: What Buyers & Sellers Should Know appeared first on Shelly Eshelman Realty.

Image by gabriele gabi from Pixabay

Upon moving into a new home, it’s important to keep your pets out of certain rooms as they get used to their new space. While you could use baby gates for that purpose, they are often cumbersome to have put up all over the house. Instead, use any or all of these three methods to get the job done.

Use High-Tech Barriers

High-tech indoor barriers use a tone as a reminder to keep pets out of different rooms or from going upstairs or downstairs. You just have to position them along the threshold between the rooms or against the bottom or top riser on your staircase.

Then, you put the collar on your pet and the sensors automatically warn them when they are too close. Before long, your pets will avoid those areas on their own, allowing you to get rid of the system altogether.

Train Them to Stay Out

If you prefer to work one-on-one with your pets instead, follow these boundary training steps:

1. Put your pet on a short leash and walk them toward your boundary of choice.
2. Stop just short of the room and reward your pet when they halt in place.
3. Move back to the starting point and repeat this process until your pet stops before you do.
4. Add a cue word that lets them know that the room is off limits, like ‘Out.’
5. Continue to repeat the training, but this time without the leash on your pet.
6. On the next attempt, walk one step past the boundary and reward your pet for stopping short.
7. Repeat the training while moving further into the room before returning to reward your pet.

Once you have trained your pets to stay out of one room, you can use the cue to let them know that others are off limits. If they do not understand, just move through the training at the threshold of the new room. Eventually, they will use their knowledge gained during training and stay out when told.

Convert to Dutch Doors

If you need a quick solution that will benefit you for the long-term, you can convert ordinary doors in your house to Dutch doors. This style of door is cut into top and bottom halves, so you can close each section separately.

Upon just closing the bottom half, the door functions as a baby gate would but is so much easier to use. As an added benefit, these doors are great for keeping young kids out of certain areas as well.

Dutch doors are available in many different styles for interior and exterior installations. They are best installed by a skilled contractor, but you can likely swing the project if you are reasonably handy.

Depending on the needs of your pets, you can use any combination of these solutions to control their movement through your home. Your efforts will pay off in the long run as they learn to stay out of certain areas, like the kitchen and bedrooms.

The post Pets: Ways to Set In-Home Boundaries Without the Gates appeared first on Shelly Eshelman Realty.

It also comes with a lot of responsibilities and unforeseen expenses.

A Reddit user asked the online community what items ended up being useful to them that they didn’t think about beforehand. The result was a ton of great advice for new or soon-to-be homeowners.

In today’s post, I’ve broken down the most useful items from all of their responses. So, if you’re going to be a

1. Information about past purchases

One user found that the most useful thing the previous owner left behind were a number of receipts for appliances that would be left in the house. In addition, they also left a list of model numbers for important parts like faucets, and list of all of the paint colors used in the house.

In addition, the previous homeowners even left a binder full of menus for local restaurants. While the seller of your next home might not think to leave behind all of this useful info for you, it doesn’t hurt to ask in case they have some of that information saved that they’ll no longer need.

2. Ten thousand dollars

While this comment may be a bit tongue-in-cheek, it does illustrate an important fact for new homeowners: expect to spend some money. As the poster pointed out, there isn’t necessarily one thing that you’ll need. More likely, you’ll find yourself running to the hardware store often for a number of small purchases.

Setting aside some money for these initial expenses is a good idea so that you can get the most out of your home in the first few months living in it without worrying about how or when you’re going to replace some of the many small, but annoying, fixes you’ll experience in your new house.

3. A steel hand cart

From day one and onward, you’ll be moving a lot of things around your home. Heavy objects like dressers, drawers, refrigerators, and other furniture and appliances will often require two people to move. Well, if you live alone or you and your spouse work different hours, it isn’t always possible to have two people around to help lift and move something. To save time and prevent injury, having a dolly (A.K.A. a steel hard cart) on hand will make things easier.

4. Check your cell phone signal before moving day

In spite of the claims of the major cellular carriers, there are still many areas of the U.S. that have little or no reception. This can come as a shock on moving day if you haven’t planned ahead.

Fortunately, you can purchase a device called a microcell to boost the cellular signal in your home, preventing dropped calls.

5. A Carbon monoxide and smoke detector, and fresh batteries

As much as you may trust the previous owners, there’s no way to be certain that there aren’t any fire or CO hazards in the home that you’re unaware of. Getting new detectors, batteries, and installing them immediately will help you rest easy on your first night.

The post The Most Important Things to Have Around The House According to New Homeowners appeared first on Shelly Eshelman Realty.

Ultimately, there are lots of things you can do to get your California luxury home buyer-ready, such as:

1. Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

How your California luxury home looks to buyers can have a significant impact on your house selling experience. For instance, if your Cupertino luxury house boasts a stunning front lawn, your home may generate substantial interest from buyers. Or, if your Santa Monica luxury house has cracked or chipped siding, buyers may be turned off by your home as soon as they see it.

Improving your California luxury home’s curb appeal can be quick and easy. If you consider the buyer’s perspective, you may discover unique ways to upgrade your Golden State luxury house’s curb appeal.

Of course, if you need help with home exterior improvements, you can get professional assistance. Home improvement specialists are available in cities and towns across California, and these professionals are happy to help you upgrade your luxury residence’s curb appeal in no time at all.

2. Eliminate Clutter

Although your California luxury home may feature amazing paintings and decorations, these items could make it tough for buyers to imagine what life may be like if they purchase your residence. However, if you remove clutter from your Golden State luxury house, you could make it simple for buyers to fall in love with your home.

Remember, if you have distinct personal items you want to keep, you can rent a storage unit. Many storage unit companies are available in San Bernardino, Santa Monica and other California cities and towns, ensuring you should have no trouble renting a storage unit close to home.

You also may want to host a yard sale or list any items you no longer need online. This will allow you to simultaneously eliminate unwanted items from your California luxury residence and earn extra cash.

3. Clean Each Room of Your Home

A clean, tidy residence is sure to impress buyers as soon as they walk through the front door. Thus, if you devote time and energy to clean each room of your California luxury home, you may boost the likelihood of enjoying a fast, profitable house selling experience.

Lastly, as you get set to list your California luxury home, you may want to hire a real estate agent. This housing market professional will craft a custom home selling strategy to help you achieve your desired results. If you want to sell a luxury home in Malibu as quickly as possible, for example, a real estate agent can help you do just that. On the other hand, if you want to get the best price for your Beverly Hills luxury home, a real estate agent will do everything possible to help you optimize your home sale earnings.

The post Get Your California Luxury Home Buyer-Ready appeared first on Shelly Eshelman Realty.

A home staging checklist allows a seller to take a step-to-step approach to enhance his or her house’s appeal, which may lead to a fast, profitable home sale.

In addition, this checklist is simple to create and may include the following items:

1. Removing Clutter

Although you likely have collected a variety of antiques, artwork and other attractive items over the years, you may want to remove some of these belongings from your house. That way, you can help homebuyers envision what their lives may be like if they decide to purchase your residence.

Remember, the goal of a home seller is to stir up substantial interest in a house. If you eliminate clutter from your home, you can enable homebuyers to see exactly what your residence has to offer and help them make an informed purchase decision.

To remove clutter from your home, you may want to host a yard sale or sell excess items online. You can always donate excess items to local charities or give them to family members or friends too. Or, if you want to keep all of your belongings, you can put various items in a storage unit until your residence sells.

2. Cleaning a Home from Top to Bottom

An immaculate residence is sure to garner substantial interest from homebuyers. Thus, if you clean your home from top to bottom, you can increase the likelihood that your residence will make a positive first impression on potential buyers.

Go room by room and clean as much as possible. If you require extra assistance, you can hire a professional home cleaning company as well.

3. Collaborating with a Real Estate Agent

If you need expert guidance as you sell your residence, you should hire a local real estate agent.

A real estate agent is a difference-maker throughout the home selling journey. This housing market professional can help you stage your home, along with provide real estate market insights that you may struggle to obtain elsewhere.

When it comes to home staging, it often pays to collaborate with a real estate agent. In fact, a real estate agent will learn about your house and offer personalized home staging recommendations.

Furthermore, a real estate agent understands the ins and outs of selling a house and can help you make tough decisions throughout the home selling journey. He or she can work with you to determine an initial asking price for your residence, whether to accept an offer a home and much more. Also, if you ever have home selling concerns or questions, a real estate agent is happy to respond to them at any time.

Take the guesswork out of staging your residence – include the aforementioned items in your home staging checklist, and you can quickly and effortlessly get your house show-ready.

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