It’s well known that summer is a busy season for buying homes. But there are plenty of benefits — on both sides of the transaction — to consider decking the halls of a new home during the holidays.

Buying a Home:

• Sellers are motivated. Since this time of year is a less popular time to list, usually if the home is on the market, the sellers are motivated to sell their home. (They might be trying to shop during this “off-season” as well.) So, take advantage as the timing may help you get the most home for your money.

• There is less competition from other buyers. People want to move in the summer when the weather is warm and kids are out of school. If you are willing to move into a new home in cooler weather, you will find there are fewer buyers out there trying to scoop a home up from under you. That gives everyone on your side of the table a better chance at negotiations swinging in your favor.

• More focus from professionals in the process. In the height of home sale season, everyone — from you to your agent, loan officer, home appraiser, etc. — is busy with a lot of responsibilities to juggle. But when you buy during the holidays, you’ll be fighting with a lot less competition for attention. (Other than maybe some scheduled vacation times.) A solid agent can shepherd you through the process no sweat during this time of year.

Selling a Home:

• Buyers are motivated. Just like you as a seller are motivated to move into your new home during the holidays, so are the buyers coming to look at it. Jump on this fervor for a new home by being flexible with open houses, showings, and creating appealing virtual tours with photos and video so buyers know exactly what the home offers them.

• Little enhancements go a long way. Some strategic holiday decorations that make the house feel inviting are good as long as they aren’t too personal or specific. That goes for both the inside of the home with staging and the landscaping to boost curb appeal. Don’t forget, too: buyers are fighting the elements, so having a warm space that sports a couple of extra touches such as cinnamon candles or gingerbread cookies can put your home over the top.

• Hire a great agent. Because people shopping for homes may be few and far between, hiring an agent that not only has good connections in the neighborhood to get you the best set of buyers to view your home but also won’t disappear during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is crucial to a great fit in a new home.

The winter months might not be known for home purchases, but remember: you’ll live in a home all year-round, so there’s no bad time to find the home of your dreams. Call, email or text me today to help with all of your real estate needs!

It is estimated that over half of people internationally have a pet living with them, and statistics show pet ownership steadily rising every year. With so many people welcoming pets into their families, it stands to reason a pet’s specific needs would eventually make its way into home design. But, while some people go all-out building over-the-top pet palaces, the best design schemes marry a pet’s comfort with their human’s convenience without busting the budget. Here are six affordable home renovations for your pet that are stylish, functional and won’t cost you an arm and four legs

1. Patio Panel Pet Door: These tasteful panels are easy to install, come in several styles and colors, and will accommodate pets large and small. The best part, unlike a traditional doggy door,  there is no need to cut a hole – the panels snap and lock to your sliding door track, so when you move, you can take it with you.
2. Pet Feeding Station:  No more tripping over food bowls and cramming bulky pet food bags into cabinets. With a pet feeding station, you have everything your pet needs at meal time conveniently tucked away when not in use. Whether you convert an existing cabinet, build one yourself, or buy one pre-built, a pet feeding station will help keep your pet’s food organized with style.
3. Pet Nooks: Dogs and cats love to keep an eye on their people, but the places they choose to hang out are not always convenient. Eliminate this problem by creating designated nooks for them in rooms you occupy the most.  A built-in space in the kitchen, an under-stair alcove, or a window cat perch allow your furry friend to be near you without getting underfoot.
4. Dog Wash Station: Keep muddy paw prints to a minimum with the addition of a dog wash station to your laundry or mud room.  Washing Fido before he dirties carpets and walls will save you time and money in the long run and you can also use it to clean items such as air filters or patio accessories – things you just don’t want in your kitchen sink.
5.  A Custom Catio: Fulfill your indoor cat’s desire to go outside with a custom indoor/outdoor catio. Catio Spaces provides DIY plansin four different designs that you can customize to suit your cat’s needs.
6. Enclosed Cabinet Litter Box: No matter how clean you keep your cat’s litter box, it’s still unsightly and malodorous.  The solution? Convert an existing cabinet to contain your cat’s litter box. An enclosed box will also cut down on litter box smell and give your cat its coveted privacy – a win-win.

A few of the most common features that buyers look for when buying a house include the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, and whether or not the home has a garage. Then, there are the few important features that often get pushed to the bottom of the list. Don’t forget the following important features when choosing the right home for you and your family.

Neighborhood

Many home buyers will walk through the interior of a potential house numerous times before deciding if it is the right home for them. Yet, very few will take a walk around the local neighborhood. When you buy a home, you are buying more than the four surrounding walls and everything in between them. You are also buying a section of a neighborhood. This is the same neighborhood where you will have your morning jog. It is the same neighborhood that your children will play in and make lifelong friends.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to evaluate a potential neighborhood. You can check past and current crime reports, which can give you insight into the overall safety of the neighborhood. It can also be useful to get out into the neighborhood. If you enjoy biking, bike the neighborhood. If you and your children enjoy going to the local park, spend an afternoon at the nearest park. You can also learn a lot about a neighborhood by speaking to neighbors.

Walkability Score

A high walkability score might not apply to every home buyer, but it is an important one to consider in some areas. If you live in larger cities like New York or Toronto, a neighborhood with a high walkability score is crucial.  

Get to know the local public transportation routes and how easy or difficult it will be to navigate them. Most cities are also assigned a walkability score which is based on the ease of navigating a city and its amenities on foot.

Outdoor Space

Your yard is an extension of your home. You will use your outdoor space to entertain, relax, and engage in hobbies like gardening. Although you can make outdoor improvements to the space after you move in, it is important to evaluate the potential.

Having a dream of a large outdoor entertainment area might not be possible if the backyard is too small. Alternatively, large yards require a lot of upkeep and maintenance. If you don’t want to bother with landscaping chores, a smaller yard might be better.

Nearby Amenities

A lot of home buyers wait until they have moved in to find the nearest coffee shop or grocery store. Having access to the amenities that are the most important to you can really affect how happy you are with your current living situation.

Consider which amenities are the most important to you and then map them out. If you enjoy dining out, research what types of restaurants are available nearby. If you have a preferred grocery store, check the distance. While the lack of one or two important amenities might not stop you from purchasing a home, it is important to evaluate your overall accessibility to preferred amenities.

School Ratings

School ratings are an important feature to consider whether or not you have children. If you have children, you want to send them to a school that will give them the academic and life skills they need to be successful. If you don’t have children and never intend on having them, a nearby quality school is still important. Buying a home in an area with a good school can affect your home’s value and appeal to families when it comes time to sell.

It is important to consider more than the schools’ ratings. You can learn a lot about a school by taking a tour through the local school. Get to know the school personnel. Look at the after-school programs and activities the school offers. If possible, talk with other parents and consider their satisfaction with the school.

Homeowner/Condo Amenities

Living in a condominium community or homeowner’s association often comes with many useful amenities including a community pool, doorman, outdoor maintenance, etc. These shared amenities, however, come with an additional price. Most homeowner’s associations have rules and regulations that all members must follow. The association can dictate changes you make to your home, as well as parking requirements and landscaping additions.

If you are considering buying in a condo or homeowner’s association, you will want to evaluate the included amenities and then weigh them against the added costs. Also, get to know the specific homeowner’s rules to prevent any surprises later on.

Buying a home is a big decision. By evaluating the neighborhood and accessibility to local amenities, you can truly get to know an area and choose a home that is right for you.

Year after year, home buyers continue to make the same mistake…

They wait until they find their dream home to start the process of qualifying for a home loan.

Getting pre-approved for a home loan should actually be the very first step in your house hunt!

Pre-approval:

• Confirms that you will qualify for a home loan when you find your dream home.
• Tells you how much money you can qualify for so you’ll know exactly what your budget is.
• Strengthens any offer you make on a home by assuring the sellers that obtaining financing to close the deal won’t be a problem.

Are you wondering what it takes to qualify for a home loan? Here are the three things you’ll need:

1. Good Credit

Your credit history is exceptionally important when applying for a home loan.

First, you need reasonably good credit to qualify for a home loan period. Generally, you want to have at least a 620 credit score.    

But don’t just settle for good. The better your credit score is, the lower your interest rate will be. And the lower your interest rate is, the lower your monthly payment (and overall repayment of the loan) will be!

You should also know that it’s possible to buy a home with credit as low as 500 using an FHA loan. Ask your real estate agent or lender for more information about qualifying for an FHA loan.  

2. Proof of Income

Lenders need reassurance that you make enough money to be able to make your mortgage payments (including property taxes and homeowner’s insurance) every month. So they’re going to want to see proof of your income.

Your lender may ask to see pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, or any combination of those to confirm your income.   

3. Healthy Financial Ratios

Your lender will also want to know about your existing debts. How much do you owe in student loans? Are you making payments on your car?

Knowing how much debt you’re currently in helps your lender determine whether it’s financially responsible for them to increase your debt with a home loan.

The Debt-to-Income Ratio is one of the most common financial ratios lenders check. It tells lenders what percent of your income is allocated toward paying off your debt.

As a general rule-of-thumb, your total housing cost (mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance and any HOA dues or mortgage insurance) should be less than 31 percent of your pre-tax income. And your total housing plus all other debt payments should be less than 43 percent of your pre-tax income.  

If you’re uncertain about your ability to qualify for a loan, or you’re just wondering how much you’re qualified to borrow, ask a lender. They can review your credit and financial documents to pre-approve you for a home loan in no time.  

The home loan process may not be the easiest thing in the world to navigate, but there are professionals to help you every step of the way. So contact a lender today to make sure you qualify for a home loan, and you’ll be well on your way to buying your dream home.  If you need recommendations for a local lender (which we always try to use someone close by and familiar with the local Pike and Wayne County markets, let me know!