A home is not a home because of its room dimensions or the color of the walls. It is about how you feel when you walk through the front door. And the way you can instantly envision your life unfolding there.

 This is about more than real estate. It is about your life and your dreams.

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When you have your home on the market, it needs to be ready to show at all times. Now of course you won't have someone showing up at 7:00 a.m. or 10:00 p.m., but during reasonable hours, your home could be shown multiple times through the day and evening.

Having your agent put a lock box outside will allow them easy access without bothering you. Lock boxes contain a house key, and only licensed agents will have access.

If you have indoor pets or some other situation where a lock box wouldn't work, agents can schedule appointments, which gives you a little advanced notice. Keep in mind that they could call 10 minutes before a showing although usually you will get an hour or two notice. Therefore, the best plan of action is to be prepared at all times. If an agent requests a showing and you refuse, instead of rescheduling, more than likely the potential buyers will just move on to the next house, meaning you've lost a possible sale. You never know what a showing will turn into a contract.

Stay away

If possible, don't be home when agents show your home. This allows the prospective buyer to look around at leisure and ask questions without pressure. If you're home. For example, in the middle of cooking dinner, stay out of the way and don't volunteer any information unless directly asked a question. Otherwise, let the agent do the talking.

Environment

If your home is being shown in the summer, make sure your home is cool on the inside just as you would keep it warm in the winter. You want to do everything possible to make your home feel like a home, which is what appeals to potential buyers and it leaves a lasting memory.

Cleanliness

Your home doesn't have to look like it just came off the cover of Better Homes and Gardens, but you should do your best to have it clean and tidy. Make sure there are no papers scattered about, the sink is empty of dirty dishes, toys are picked up and put away, and things are dusted and vacuumed.

Lighting

When you know someone is coming, ensure that appropriate lighting is on. At night, this would include front and backyard lights. This provides a cozy feeling and makes your home more inviting.

Repairs

If you notice rooms or areas that need paint touch-up or complete repainting, this is the time to do it. Make sure there is no torn wallpaper, gouges in the wall, etc. These types of things should all be fixed prior to your home going on the market.

Fragrances

Try to avoid scented sprays such as room fresheners or carpet deodorizers. Even if you use these products on a normal basis, to the buyer, it might appear as though you're trying to mask some other type of odor. If you do want to have a nice fresh fragrance, consider fresh cut flowers, potpourri, or a soft-scented candle. A great home remedy is to mix one tablespoon of each - nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and pumpkin spice. Pour all into a small saucepan filled with one cup of water, blend well, and simmer. Another option is to place a couple drops of vanilla extract directly onto the stove burner and heat quickly. The aroma is wonderful. Either option will give your home the fragrance of a nice home-cooked meal. Just don't use anything too overpowering since you don't know if the potential buyers have allergies or not.

Visuals

Set a bowl of colorful, fresh fruit out on the kitchen table. Perhaps a soft throw blanket over the back of a recliner, magazines neatly fanned on the coffee table, or a couple candles glowing in the bathroom. These things make your home more homey and inviting. Just take a quick look around each room and see if there are things you can do to add a nice, finishing touch. If you need more ideas, look through some home decorating magazines for quick ideas.

Trash

Make sure the trashcans in all rooms are kept emptied, especially the kitchen trash where food items are thrown, and bathroom trashcans that might contain personal items. When people look at your home, you want to leave a positive impression. Seeing overflowing trash isn't the way to go about it.

Don't forget the garage

Make sure you don't forget the garage. Keep your tools and storage items neatly arranged. If there are oil stains on the garage floor, use some sand and newspaper to wipe it up. This is just another room of the house and it should get the same level of attention.

Pets

This can be a little tricky. Make sure your listing mentions that you have pets. First, you don't want them to accidentally escape and second, you want people who might have allergies or be fearful of pets to be aware they're in the home. If possible, remove your pets prior to the showing. If you can't do this, try to put them in a kennel, the backyard, or garage where they will be out of the way.

TIPS FOR SINGLE HOMEBUYERS

There are probably few things in life that are as exciting--or as nerve-racking--as the search for a house. With an organized home buying plan, you can minimize a great deal of the emotional impact. By determining your buying power, your wants and needs, and having an organized search plan, your chances of a stress-free experience are much better.

Certain types of homes may appeal a bit more to some single homebuyers. For example, since most of the maintenance will be done by one person rather than two, many single buyers prefer homes such as townhouses and condominiums where some or all of the exterior maintenance, landscaping, snow removal, etc. is handled by the homeowner's association. In addition, some single buyers prefer the community aspect of these types of homes and the sense of safety that may be conveyed by having neighbors close at hand.

Many single homebuyers are single parent families, and a common mistake made is to tailor their purchase too closely to their current needs and not enough to future resale. For example, a one bedroom, two-bath single-family home with a huge great room and kitchen may be perfect for you, but it could be next to impossible to sell. It would be far better to have an additional bedroom or two sit empty (use as an office, exercise room, etc.) than to not have it at all.

Gertrude Singer, a Realtor with National Realty in Palm Bay suggests that single buyers consider a few issues when preparing for and purchasing a home. According to Singer, the single homebuyer should:

· Run before walking. This is easy to do once the decision to buy a home has been made. It means rushing off looking at homes, surfing the web or calling on advertisements before doing some up-front preparation.

· Don't over-buy the first time. A large and beautiful home with little or no furniture tends to be empty and cold. A life where almost every dime of your earnings goes to the support of your house wears thin very quickly and is a frequent cause of family stress. Leave yourself some breathing room!

· Compare mortgages. Don't simply accept the first plan presented to you. Spend time comparing to get the most advantageous plan for your requirements and financial situation

· Get mortgage pre-approval. Pre-qualification and pre-approvals are a necessary part of the home buying process. Not only will it give you an exact price range for your purchase, pre-approval will add a great deal of strength to your offer.

· Don't wait for the "perfect" home. Many first time buyers make the mistake that they will, if they look around long enough, find a home that has a full 100% of their needs and wants. Instead, it makes sense to determine the most important of your needs and the most desired of your wants and selecting a home that meets the majority of them.

· The inspection process. This can involve skipping a whole house inspection completely in order to save the relatively small amount of money involved, or it may involve using a friend or relative with limited experience to conduct the inspection. In either case you run the risk of not exposing potentially expensive--or even hazardous--defects in the property. Protect yourself by investing the $200 to $500 for a professional inspection.

John Kuehne, a Realtor with Pruitt Real Estate, Inc., advised that once the decision to buy a home has been made, you take the time to prepare before you go on your home search.

· Get your financial house in order first!

· Determine what your budget will comfortably allow and stick to it.

· Get pre-approved for a mortgage.

· Get familiar with the different housing types available to narrow your search.

· Determine your minimum requirements (needs) as well as any desired (wants) additional features-(your needs and wants).

· Take note of any items that you don't want in a house.

· Determine the desired location (schools, work, public transportation, etc.)

· Choose an agent that you feel comfortable with and who understands your needs.

Kuehne also suggests that as you are searching, you use a scorecard to compare homes. "A scorecard is a great tool when it comes time for comparisons (and for remembering which home had which features)."

First-time buyers often find out too late that buying a home can be an emotionally charged experience. Once they plunge into the process, they find out how addictive it can be. So when it comes time to make an offer, they can hardly think straight.

Here are some tips for first-time buyers on how to handle some of the most common emotional and family-related problems that crop up in the home-buying process.

* PROBLEM: Should I buy or should I rent? Even if you know you would be better off financially if you buy a home, you might still be better off renting. Here are some legitimate reasons to rent: You don't know where you want to live, the neighborhood you want is too expensive, you're at risk for a job transfer, your company seems to be on shaky ground, if you carry a large amount of personal debt (credit card, car or school loans) or if you don't have enough cash for a down payment. If you can't deal with the potential risk of an investment in real estate, you should also consider renting for a while longer.

* PROBLEM: I feel like I'm being talked into buying a home I can't afford. The idea behind homeownership isn't to bankrupt you. If you do it right, you can set yourself up financially for years to come.

The answer is to "under-buy." Basically, you spend less than you can afford to spend. That will leave you with more cash for other investments and to treat yourself and your family to a few meals out and perhaps a vacation or two.

* PROBLEM: It's depressing to save for my down payment. While many first-time buyers can afford to make the monthly mortgage payments on a home, they find it difficult to save cash above and beyond their monthly payments for a down payment. If you regularly (every week or every paycheck) pay yourself first, you'll soon start to see your house fund rise in value.

* PROBLEM: My divorce wrecked my credit. Unfortunately, rarely does a divorce end happily for all. More likely, everyone ends up with tattered emotions.

The first thing you should do is to purchase a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies (Experian, Trans-Union and Equifax). Start writing to creditors and try to negotiate an end to the finance charges and a schedule for working things out.

If you haven't canceled your joint cards, do so immediately. Pay off whatever bills you can. If you owe spousal or child support, continue making your regular payments or you could find yourself in even worse trouble.

* PROBLEM: I have a great job and lousy credit, and my spouse has great credit and a lousy job history.

Mismatched careers and credit histories are more common than you think. In the real world, rarely do spouses or partners bring in the same amount of money. The best thing you both can do is to stay put at your jobs for at least a year and work on improving the credit history that needs help.

* PROBLEM: I don't know how to approach my partner about a partnership agreement. Find a quiet, relaxing time to bring up the issue of a partnership agreement. Together, you should find a real estate attorney who can review your various options and help you outline the goals of the partnership. If the conversation gets sticky, and you find yourself unable to resolve even the most simple of conflicts, you may want to rethink your choice of a home-buying partner.

* PROBLEM: We can't agree on what we want to buy. You and your spouse or partner should each write up a wish list and a reality check. A wish list is everything you've ever wanted in a home, from size, shape and amenities to school district and the ideal commute to work. The reality check is everything you can't live without. Once you've completed your separate lists, sit down and put them together.

                                                    Want to pass inspesction?

You've basically sold your home, and the only thing that's left in the process is the final home inspection. Everything looks decent on the surface, but the "what if..." questions begin to plague you. Since most homebuyers want their new home to be inspected before the closing, you mind as well be prepared. Don't let any deal-breaking flaw wait for the inspector. Do you want to go through the entire selling process all over again? Remember that an inspector may uncover the flaws you tried to hide from the homebuyer.

There are a few basic elements that inspectors look closely at. The major ones that you are likely aware of are the wet basements, mold and mildew issues, or faulty plumbing. If you haven't had problems in the past with these issues, if you've maintain your home well, and if you don't see issues from the surface, you shouldn't have a problem with these areas.

The inspector will come with a list of structural components and systems that need to be in good working order - not perfect. Thus, if you have an older roof that doesn't leak, you do not have to replace the roof. If by chance the buyer comes into the house with a long list of repairs they feel should either lower the price or be repaired before the settle, you may want to rethink whether or not the deal is worth it for you. Now, read over the list below and then walk through your home with a pen, a pad of paper to take notes, and "the inspector's eye" to see what repairs you should do before the final inspection.

Mold, Mildew Stains, Dampness, and Bad Odors
Seeing mold and smelling odors will scare off buyers. And seeing as black mold has been such a hot topic of discussion, you may want to get rid of the mold issues in general. If, by walking around your home, you spot mold areas, usually this means your basement has too much moisture. Obviously if you have a wet basement, inspectors are going to have something to complain about. However, you may have a serious drainage issue that may have also caused other damage to the foundation, floor joints, or rafters. But perhaps you may only have a ventilation problem that can be fixed with a dehumidifier. An inspector may even take a moisture test, because if there is too much moisture in the basement, you can attract insects as well as cause damage to the building materials of your home.
If you have exposed soil in your basement, cover the area with plastic to eliminate some of the moisture in the air.
If you see major leaking issues in the basement, you can do one of three things. You could fix the issue, which would definitely cost you. You could lower the cost of the house upfront with the understanding that the price was lowered for that issue. Or you could give the homebuyer an allowance to make repairs with after the closing.

Damaged Roof
Inspectors are looking for more than just leaks when it comes to a roof. They look for water stains, the condition of shingles and other roofing materials, gutters, and downspouts. The gutters and downspouts need to be free from debris. Also, make sure that the downspouts are positioned to run water away from the house. The flashing, which seals the roof around the chimney, bricks, and mortar also need to be leak free. Flashing is not very expensive to fix, but if the roof is in need of repair, you may be putting out some money.

Leaky Windows and Doors
Well, if you find that your windows and/or doors have been leaking, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that replacing the caulking or weather stripping doesn't usually cost that much. The bad news is that if the leak has been going on for a while, the damage caused by the leak may cost you. Look around the windows and doors on both the inside and outside of the house to see what you can find.

Plumbing
Inspectors do not slide anything through the pipes to make sure they're clear and leak free. They do however examine for corroded pipes by checking each faucet's water pressure as well as by testing appliances such as the dishwasher and washing machine. They do this by turning on multiple faucets and flushing toilets at the same time. So, if your appliance hardware matches the old age of your pipes, you may want to change the faucets and knobs.

Electrical System
Electrical standards need to be met. Make sure that the wiring, electrical panels and circuit breakers meet current codes. A 200 amp electrical panel will be needed for most homes. Take a lamp with a working light bulb around and make sure all the sockets are in working order as well. Some of the ground receptacles (with 3-pronged plugs) will be checked to make sure they are grounded properly.

Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and cooling systems are checked but not with the same eye as the roof. Why? Well, yes, heating and cooling systems are important, but they are less disruptive than totally rewiring your house. But unfortunately, both can be extremely expensive.

Structural Problems
One of the major issues that could make or break a sell is on the structure of your home. Look for cracks in the walls or foundations, uneven floors, or a sagging roof.

Environmental Issues
Most homebuyers will want to know the quality of the water from the tap, if there is lead-based paint, asbestos, or formaldehyde insulation. Many of these qualities are characteristic of 1978 homes. Inspectors will also check smoke detectors.

Lastly
Don't get discouraged if the report comes up with negative statements. Every house has issues. However, there may be some expensive repairs that need to be attended too in one way or another

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THE HOME BUYER PROCESS
You are ready to buy, so let's talk about what to anticipate and how to be ready for the road ahead!

Steps:
1. Make a decision to buy
2. Get organized
3. Shop for a home
4. Make an offer
5. Get a loan
6. Close on the home
7. Prepare to move


Decide to Buy
You are ready to purchase a home. Identify what you want and why. Below are a couple of questions to answer, before you begin.
1. What are your future plans?
a. Do you anticipate on having a family, growing as a family or maybe reducing the size of your family with kids moving out? These questions need to be answered, so you can identify the house of your desire and ensure it meets your needs.
2. Do you have enough cash for a down payment?
a. Identify how much you can afford for a down payment.
3. Can you afford your desired home?
a. This is a key question that only you can answer. Will your current spending habits allow you to live comfortably with a new mortgage, or will it cause you to struggle?

Get Organized
Now it's time to gather key information and educate yourself for the process. First, check your credit rating to ensure that nothing is outstanding, which would prevent you from obtaining a mortgage. This can be done by contacting one of the three largest credit bureaus: Trans Union Corp., Equifax, and Experian (formerly TRW).

Next make sure that you have the loan capability for a mortgage. Contact a loan officer and get pre-approved. This will help you identify your available loan size and provide you with your affordable target range. For pre-approval, you will need to know:
· Cash available for a down payment
· Cash available for closing costs
· Current income
· Job status
· Estimated assets
· Estimated debts

Shop For a Home
Decide how you want to proceed with this process. When purchasing a home, you often will not have to pay for an agent. This is the seller's responsibility. For your benefit, let an agent do the legwork for you. Do your homework when selecting an agent though, because you want to make sure you find the ideal home and not an overpriced lemon.

When evaluating a home that you like, have a list of questions ready to fire off. Your questions might include the name of the school district, what type of taxes are paid, why is the seller selling, what is the neighborhood like, and how are the neighbors. You might also want to know the condition of the house, the age of the mechanical systems (heat, plumbing, air conditioning), the amount of necessary house repairs or replacements, the builder, and date the house was built.

Next, research the neighborhood. Walk around and converse with the neighbors. Find out if the atmosphere fits your needs and family's desires.

When you find the home you desire, prepare an offer.

Preparing Your Offer
This is when you need an agent. You want to place a bid on the home, but do not want to pay too much. An experienced agent will be able to help gage a fair price and will negotiate with the seller and seller's agent for you. Before you prepare to start bidding, identify the maximum amount you can afford. This will prevent you from getting overly excited or making too high of a bid, which will then fail to satisfy you later.

Prepare your offer and ensure that it's within your price range. To add strength to your offer, because others are likely to be bidding also, include the letter of pre-approval from your lender. If you have contingencies or conditions, attach them to your offer. Be ready to include a deposit with your offer, which will be part of the down payment if the deal goes through.

The seller may accept, reject, or counter your offer within hours or days, depending on the quality of your offer and the seller's desire to sell. You can then accept the counteroffer or "counter the counter." Once the seller accepts, a third party (a lawyer, an escrow, or title company) completes the transaction with your lender.

Time to Get a Loan
If you're not pre-approved, it's time to get approved. You will have the choice to get a loan from the company who gave you the pre-approval or to shop elsewhere. This can be done through a lender or mortgage broker. A mortgage broker acts as a middleman between the borrower (buyer) and the lender. Do not take this process lightly! Examine the different types of available loans. Find the best rate, compare, and be well educated on your decision.

Close the Deal
Speak with an accountant if your closing date is near the end of the year. Your accountant will identify future savings with owning a home and will recommend a future closing date or earlier date for tax purposes.

Be sure that you estimate all your closing cost to avoid any surprise. Costs range between 2-7 percent of the purchase price of the home.

Prepare a walk through, to ensure the seller has completed any repairs specified in the purchase contract agreement and has completed any other contingencies found in the agreement.

It's now time to close the deal. It is closing day and the seller officially signs the house over to you. Before signing any paperwork have your agent discuss each detail. From the day of signing the paperwork, it could take between 10 to 100 days to move into your new home, depending on the complications of the deal.

 

Whether you are considering buying a house or selling one, conducting a rundown of property items could make all the difference in the world. Although not all things will require costly repairs, some might, which is why it's important to be prepared. Before you head out to look at homes or before you put your home on the market, check out these items to ensure they are in proper working order:

•  Look for settlement cracks on the wall, floor, or ceiling. Every home, at one time or another, will get a settlement crack, so if you find a few, there's no need to panic. However, if you notice major cracks, this could be a sign of structural problems. Mark down the location of where you find cracks and make sure they are pointed out to the inspector to determine the degree of damage. If they are small cracks, they can easily be filled with plaster and repainted.
   
• Look for any leaks. If you notice any water damage marks on the walls, floors, or ceilings, this could simply be from a bathtub or toilet that might have overflowed, or, it could be serious and be due to a leaky roof or poor plumbing. Also, check the tile in the bathrooms and kitchen for any indication of behind the wall leaks, such as mildew or loose tiles.
    
• Open and close all the doors and windows. Listen for squeaks or sticking. In most cases, this is simply a matter of spraying some lubricant such as WD-40, but it could also be another indicator of settlement.
   
• If there is an outside deck, check for rotted wood, which could be a sign of termites or it might just be old wood needing to be replaced.
   
• Check all of the electrical outlets. You can simply take a working nightlight with you to plug in. This will tell you if any of the outlets are not working properly.
   
• Check the garage doors, if applicable. Make sure they run smoothly on the track and that the openers are in good working order.
   
• Look for pests such as termites or ants. The best place to look is around the foundation, wiring, pipes, and doors or windows.
    
• Look at the grading of the yard, both front and back, to ensure that run-off water flows away from the house.
   
• Look at the gutters to ensure they are properly installed and that water flows out adequately.
   
• Check the driveway to look for crumbling concrete, pockmarks, or holes that would need to be fixed.
   
• Have the roof looked at by a professional. Make sure the turbans are installed correctly to eliminate any leakage and that no portions of the roof need to be fixed or replaced.
   
• Carefully check out the heating and cooling systems. These can be high dollar expenses so it's important that they are running properly. Often, these items are covered under a warranty so if there is a problem, see if you have warrant coverage.
   
• If there are any fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, make sure that the chimneys are clear of debris and that the flues are working properly.
    
• Caulking and weather stripping are important as well. Improper coverage will cause air leaks into the home, raising utility bills and causing unwanted drafts.

The good thing is that everything can be fixed. The bad part is that some items are costly, which is why it's so important to ensure you keep operating systems of the home in good working order.

If you are buying a house, a good inspector should find all of these items and work with the seller to ensure most or all are taken care of.

If you are selling your home, having these things working properly will put you in a much better position of getting a good price out of your home.