Realty Executives Midwest

1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Maintaining indoor air quality is an extremely important but often overlooked component of a living happily in your home. By and large it’s an invisible problem, but the costs can really add up— from high energy bills to creeping health issues.

Many homes have become so energy efficient that they’re also good at trapping dust and other pollutants. Appropriate ventilation is an important aspect of indoor air quality. This includes venting bathrooms, kitchens, and fireplaces directly outside. It’s also vital to try and store industrial chemicals such as pesticides, paints, and harsh cleaners outside of the habitable areas of the home.

Alarms are also a useful way to keep an eye on what you’re breathing. Smoke alarms are a must for home safety, but carbon monoxide alarms are also key to keeping a silent killer at bay. Finally, periodic radon testing is a good idea. Radon, a radioactive gas, is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It is a known contributor to lung cancer. You can only know how much is in your home by testing.

Of course, one of the most neglected home maintenance chores is regular replacement of air filters. This is surprising, given that changing the filters is typically among the easiest tasks a homeowner can do. What’s more, the simple act of replacing filters increases HVAC efficiency, extends the life of your heating and cooling system, and also lowers energy bills.

The problem’s not the complexity of the task, it’s often remembering to do it. One company hopes to solve this problem and save homeowners time and money. FilterEasy delivers air filters when it’s time to change them. The process is pretty straightforward: First, you select the number of filters for your home. Next, you compile the sizes and choose your filter “grade,” either light allergen, micro allergen, or super allergen.

You can check them online here: FilterEasy 

If you’d like to breathe a little easier in your home, follow up with these minor home maintenance tasks and inexpensive tools. High air quality is also an excellent selling quality for you home! If you’re thinking about listing soon, get in touch with us today:

Realty Executives Midwest

1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

If you’re home hunting in a competitive market, you’ve probably had the heartbreaking experience of losing out on a place you thought you would make your own. It can be frustrating and demoralizing to find out your offer was rejected in favor of another buyer. How can you do your best to make sure it doesn’t happen again?

When a seller entertains multiple offers, it’s important to understand that many different factors are in play. If you’re an all-cash buyer you tend to have an advantage, as potential financing roadblocks are taken off the table. But if you’re like most people, paying cash for a house simply isn’t an option. What then?

First and foremost, make sure you have 100% of your financial house in order. This means pre-qualification for a mortgage as well as proof of funds. Being organized and ready to go will help give you a small edge from the start. Also, be sure you work with an agent who is highly responsive to requests. Sellers don’t need to wait around for information when multiple offers are landing in their inbox.

Beyond these factors, there’s another way to boost your offer’s profile: Personalize it.

While most sellers want to go with someone who will pay the most for their home, you should never discount the emotional dynamic to the home selling and buying experience. Though sellers are ready to move on, they often want to feel as though their home is going to someone who genuinely appreciates it and needs it. Here’s how to make your offer personal:

1. Work with your agent to craft a personal letter as to why you love the seller’s home. What features do you love? How will this home help you personally, professionally, or with your family needs?

2. Include a photo of yourself and/or your family. Putting a human face on the offer can transform your offer from one more name in a pile of numbers into a genuine person worthy of living in the seller’s home. Have pets and kids? Bring them into the picture!

3. Have your agent personally deliver the offer. A lot of offers are going to be electronically transferred, dumped into a crowded email inbox. While an electronic offer can be convenient, delivering a beautifully prepared package complete with the personalized letter and picture makes an impact.

Want an agent who will go the extra mile to make your offer stand out? Contact us today:

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Getting a mortgage approval can be a stressful process and deserving of a celebration. However, don’t celebrate just yet. There are some crucial things to be aware of between this approval and your funding date. Many people don’t realize that changes in your finances can cause your lender to revoke the approval, and we would hate to see that happen to you.

So, with that in mind, here are seven things you’ll want to avoid doing until after you’re funded and in the clear:

1. Don’t transfer large sums between bank accounts.
2. Don’t forget to pay all of your bills, even some are in dispute.
3. Don’t open any new credit cards.
4. Don’t lease or finance a new car.
5. Don’t change jobs or start a new business.
6. Don’t make any random cash deposits to your bank accounts.
7. Don’t accept cash gifts without making sure you have paperwork in order to explain the gift.

We realize there may be situations where something is unavoidable (such as your car’s lease expiring, or fighting over a large medical bill), but before you do anything, you may want to talk to your loan officer about the situation to determine if it may have an adverse effect on your approval.

If you have any questions, contact us today!

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com