The Best Real Estate Articles for February 2020

We are well into the first quarter of 2020, and Real Estate bloggers are continuing to write and share excellent real estate blog posts.  This real estate information provides education on home selling and buying for the consumer and for real estate professionals. Check out the blog posts below and let us know what you liked best. Let us know what you would like to see covered in future posts!

Smart Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Quickly

Anita Clark has written an excellent article for any seller who may be considering selling their home Smart Home Staging Tips. In the article, Anita shares the importance of making your home to make your home outstanding in order to attract buyers and get your asking price. She discusses adding unique lighting fixtures, adding eco-inspired design ideas including utilizing neutral textures is an which is popular. There is also information about utilizing neutral paint for wall colors and creating an attractive landscape.

Why You Should Repair Your Home Before Selling

While you may think that a good real estate market means you need to put up a for-sale sign, that’s not necessarily the case. Preparing for your home sale will ultimately likely yield a higher sales price and fewer days on the market. Paul Sian has shared a detailed post about Repairing Your Home Before Selling. In the article, he discusses the importance of updating your kitchen if it is within your budget. Other factors include addressing updating the landscaping which will create good curb appeal.

Things Not to Do When Selling Your Home

This article is a must-read if you are selling your home. Luke Skar has written an excellent article about What Not to Do When Selling Your Home. In the article, he discusses not leaving out personal effects in the property including photos to create a neutral feel. Remember buyers want to imagine their own photos in the home. Other factors include not leaving any unfinished projects in the home. You will want to prepare the home for selling and be sure that it is picked up and clean. Having a clean and organized home will create a good first impression.

Investing in Real Estate | Types of Real Estate Investments

Real estate is an excellent source of investment.  If you are looking to earn a return on your investment flipping property or earn passive income from rental properties, there are beneficial types of real estate investing. G. Brian Davis over at SparkRental has written an excellent article about the Types of Real Estate Investments. In this article, you find information about the different real estate investments including flipping a home, living in a home while flipping, and land investments. Other investments include house hacking and one model involves buying a small multifamily property such as a duplex, residing in one unit and renting out the other. This is an excellent article about the strategies for real estate investing.

Buying a Home Outside the Home Inspection

Are you considering purchasing a home? Then be sure to read this article about Considerations for Purchasing a Home Outside of Home Inspection written by Bill Gassett. You will find a great roadmap on what to consider when purchasing a home such as considering the floorplan. The floorplan of your home is a very important consideration not only for your daily living habits but for re-sale value as well. Another factor to take into account is whether or not the home has a garage. Garages are important considerations for buyers especially if you will be living in cold weather. Take into account the architectural style of the home. Homes that have details such base and crown moldings, and built-in bookcases, very wildly popular.

What is DOM and Do they Matter?

If you are buying or selling a home you may come across DOM and are curious about what it means. DOM stands for Days on Market. Days on market will continue to accrue even when the seller accepts an offer and the status is changed. The reason is that there is more than one status to choose from in the MLS when a property goes under contract. Michelle Gibson has written a detailed article about What is DOM and Do They Matter? Days on market cannot be adjusted. Once a property is entered in the MLS, days on market will start accruing.  There is also CDOM which is cumulative days on market. CDOM is the total days on market. If a property is going to be relisted, then the days on market from the prior listing will carry over to the new listing. The only time that the DOM will reset to zero is if the property is kept off the market for 90 days in some markets.

What are the Pros and Cons of Selling a Home As-Is?

Selling a home as-is, allows you to avoid the expense of making any needed repairs. If you simply don’t have the money available this can be an option. Before you fully commit to an as-is sale, talk with your real estate agent to see if they have other options. Check out the post about the Pros and Cons of Selling a Home As-Is. When a buyer finds out that your home is being sold as-is, they are may have a lower opinion of the property. The assumption will be that there are major problems and deferred maintenance which will be very costly to repair. Often times as-is sales yield less than the seller is hoping for. It is best to address deferred maintenance prior to listing your home for sale.

How to Perform a Cracked Foundation Repair

Foundation cracks are generally found when a home buyer performs their home inspection. This is one of the many reasons why you should have a home inspection. Kevin Vitali has put together an excellent article about How to Perform a Cracked Foundation Repair. A cracked foundation can be a settlement crack or it can call out a bigger problem.  You need to consider what may be causing the cracking and remedy that issue before repairing the foundation. Sealing a crack properly will help prevent moisture, earth, or even insects from entering your home which can cause significant damage. Kevin discusses ways to repair a cracked foundation and if it is minor he provides information about DIY foundation repairs. Great article about how to address a foundation crack.

What Must You Disclose When Selling?

It is required the home seller to fill in a property disclosure form to help buyers understand the condition of the home.  If a seller does not disclose material facts about the property, it can lead to lawsuits. Paul Sian has written a very detailed post about What Must You Disclose When Selling? Disclosure is probably one of the most important facts that a seller can do. Items that should be disclosed include if there have been water or moisture issues, work completed on the property without a permit, roof issues and much more. There are times that sellers think they do not need to disclose the condition of the property by selling as-is.  Selling a home as-is usually means the seller does not plan on making any repairs to the home and there is generally deferred maintenance.

Tips for Home Sellers

Glenn Shelhammer has put together some fantastic tips for sellers Tips for Home Sellers. These tips will ultimately help you to prepare your home to sell. In the article, you will find information about the importance of decluttering which will help you to get ready to move and create a good first impression. Other tips include adding a fresh coat of paint which is always a great suggestion. Talk and collaborate with your neighbors to let them know you are selling, as they will appreciate the fact that they will be getting new neighbors! This article is packed with tips that any seller should review before selling their home.

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air can have air pollution. There are even buildings that have worse air pollution indoors than outdoors. Joe Boylan has put together an excellent article about the Importance of Indoor Air Quality.  In the article, you will find information on what causes air pollution indoors and how to improve your home’s air quality. Poor air quality can be caused by poor ventilation, chemicals, and contaminants such as dust and animal dander. There are ways to improve the air quality which include improving ventilation, reducing humidity and utilizing an air scrubber. Keeping the home clean will help to improve the quality of the air.

Final Thoughts

Excellent content continues to be curated by top bloggers across the country. I hope you enjoyed this month's edition of the Best Real Estate Articles for February 2020. There is some excellent information here including the importance of disclosing, indoor air quality, preparing your home for selling and much more. Let us know which articles you like best, and let us know what content you would like to see covered in the upcoming months.

Sharon Paxson REALTOR®
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