Although you might already own a house, now may prove to be a good time to pursue a second residence. For example, if you have always wanted to own a home in the mountains, you can purchase a second residence to make your dream come true. On the other hand, if you want to own a vacation residence on or near the beach, you could enter the housing market to find a beachfront house that suits you perfectly.
Like any home search, finding a second house that matches your expectations may be difficult. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to streamline your quest to find a second home, such as:
1. Evaluate Your Finances
Your finances will play a significant role in your ability to purchase any house, at any time. As you get set to pursue a second home, examine your finances closely. Then, you can map out your home search accordingly.
Generally, it helps to consult with banks and credit unions before you launch the search. If you meet with these institutions, you can gain financial insights that you can use to make an informed purchase.
2. Establish Home Buying Criteria
Think about the features you want to find in a second residence. Next, you can craft home buying criteria.
Once you have home buying criteria in hand, you can narrow your house search, too. By honing your home search to residences in specific cities and towns, you can speed up your quest to find the right home at the right price.
It often helps to maintain flexibility as you conduct a search for a second home as well. If necessary, you can modify your home buying criteria throughout the home buying journey.
3. Hire a Real Estate Agent
There is no reason to enter the housing market on your own. Thankfully, real estate agents are available in cities and towns nationwide, and these housing market experts can help you quickly and effortlessly acquire a second residence.
A real estate agent understands what it takes to navigate the home buying journey. This housing market professional first will learn about you and your home buying goals. He or she next will craft a custom home buying strategy based on your individual needs. Finally, a real estate agent will put this strategy into action and ensure you can discover a terrific home at an affordable price.
Furthermore, a real estate agent takes the guesswork out of buying a second home. If you are unsure about whether to submit an offer to purchase a particular residence, a real estate agent can offer a data-driven recommendation. Or, if you have concerns or questions at any point during the home buying journey, a real estate agent is prepared to respond to them.
If you want to pursue a second house, it helps to plan ahead for the home buying journey. By using these tips, you should have no trouble finding a second home that you can enjoy for years to come.
Increasing the curb appeal of your home’s exterior might feel like a gigantic project. With so many details that combine to make up the aesthetic of your home it's difficult to know where to start. It can be even more difficult to budget for a long list of upgrades. Luckily, there are some simple changes you can do yourself and save money.
Here are some simple DIY projects to boost your curb appeal:
If you have small windows you might think you’re stuck with them unless you do a complete remodel. Luckily there are some impressive tricks to make your windows appear larger with no major construction. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to add faux window shutters. Inexpensive plastic shutters are widely available in a variety of sizes, colors and finishes and can also be painted to match your home. You can purchase shutters in kits that come with their own fasteners that will attach directly to your home siding. All you need is a cordless drill and a hammer to install them.
Not only do faux window shutters make your windows look bigger, they also add a timeless charm to your home. They are also a great way to break up an otherwise blank slate of a facade. Choosing a color that contrasts with the walls but fits within the home’s overall color scheme will add visual interest and make your home stand out from a distance.
Another easy DIY project to improve your curb appeal is to hide any utility components that detract from the beauty of the home. These can include anything from electrical boxes, exterior piping and cables to your air conditioner. The easiest way to disguise components attached to the house is to paint them the same color as the siding so that they blend in rather than interrupt a beautiful facade. Make sure you work safely when painting and use the correct primer for the utility surfaces.
For larger components like air conditioner units, painting might not be enough to disguise them. Instead, you can arrange plants, either planted or in containers, to block them from view while adding extra greenery to the home. You can also purchase a small amount of fencing to go around the unit. Whatever you use to disguise your air conditioner just make sure you leave it accessible for any maintenance.
Want to add instant charm or dress up an exterior wall on a budget? Consider adding some faux stone panels. Natural stone has a classic aesthetic appeal but can fit any architectural style. While full natural stone siding is expensive and time-consuming, these panels come in kits and in various sizes and styles to add the look of actual stone without the hassle and price tag. This is an especially great way to dress up a concrete slab foundation. Simply attach the panels with adhesive and snap together like puzzle pieces to cover the area desired. This will instantly boost the curb appeal of the entire home, even if you only cover a small area.
When it comes to curb appeal, every improvement you make is an investment. Whether you’re planning to sell your home or simply want it to look better, there are plenty of changes you can DIY while boosting your home’s resale value and aesthetic.
You don't have to be an expert home seller to maximize your house sale earnings. In fact, there are many things that you can do to optimize the profits from your home sale, such as:
1. Craft an Effective Home Listing
An effective house listing enables you to make a great first impression on prospective homebuyers. Thus, if you dedicate time and resources to craft an effective house listing, you could boost the likelihood of enjoying a profitable home selling experience.
Ultimately, an effective house listing includes relevant information about your residence. It enables a buyer to perform an objective evaluation of your house and determine if your residence matches his or her expectations.
You may want to incorporate high-resolution photos of your residence into your home listing as well. These photos can help buyers envision what life may be like if they purchase your house. As a result, they could help you differentiate your home listing from all others and generate significant interest in your house.
2. Upgrade Your Home's Interior and Exterior
Clean each room of your house. By doing so, you can help buyers see your residence's full potential when they attend a home showing or open house event.
Enhance your house's exterior, too. By mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges and performing other home exterior upgrades, you can instantly bolster your residence's curb appeal.
Of course, if you need help with home interior and exterior upgrades, don't hesitate to reach out to professionals for assistance. With home interior and exterior professionals at your side, you can get the help you require to immediately upgrade your residence's appearance.
3. Employ a Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent understands the ins and out of selling a house. He or she also possesses the talent and confidence to help you achieve your desired home selling results as quickly as possible.
Typically, a real estate agent and a home seller will work together to craft a top-notch house selling strategy. A real estate agent initially will learn about a home seller and his or her residence. Then, a real estate agent will offer tips and recommendations to help a home seller seamlessly navigate the house selling journey. And if a seller has any concerns or questions, a real estate agent can respond to them.
A real estate agent goes above and beyond the call of duty to streamline the home selling process. For example, if you are unsure about how to promote your residence to the right groups of buyers, a real estate agent will make it simple to host home showings and open house events. On the other hand, if you are uncertain about whether to accept an offer to purchase your home, a real estate agent can help you make an informed decision.
Want to maximize your home sale earnings? Take advantage of the aforementioned tips, and you should have no trouble getting the best price for your residence.
Fireplaces are often seen as a necessity for homebuyers. It adds charm and decorative as well as physical warmth to a home. More than half of new homes have a fireplace. If your home doesn’t have a fireplace, you may wonder if installing and maintaining a fireplace is worth it. Will it add value to your home? There are a few things you need to consider before you decide to take on this project.
Keep in mind that fireplaces are not directly accounted for during a home appraisal. Yet, they add value to a home. Home buyers will pay more for homes that have fireplaces. Depending on the location of your home, a fireplace can increase the value of the property by a significant amount- up to thousands of dollars.
The location of a home really has a direct effect on how much value it adds it a home. When added to other amenities in your home, a fireplace can compound to make the home appear more luxurious. A fireplace is a must in a higher end home.
On the flip side, more modest homes may not need fireplaces. If a home needs many other improvements, a fireplace may not add much to the property. The amount of value a fireplace adds is very much dependent on the type of property it’s being added to.
It’s possible to add a fireplace to just about any home. The cost will vary by a large amount ranging anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Specific requirements may exist within your city dictating how fireplaces must be installed. Keep in mind that everything from the type of fireplace that’s being installed to the height of the chimney must be considered. Look into things like:
Each requirement will add a bit more cost to the project, so it’s best to do some research beforehand.
If you decide that adding a fireplace is the right decision for your property, there are a few ways to get the maximum return on your investment. First, you should build the fireplace in the room of your home that’s most used. This space would most likely be the living room or family room in most cases. Keep in mind that adding a fireplace can drastically change the look of a room.
Whether you’re adding a fireplace or putting in an initial one, you can be sure that it will add value to your home in the form of attraction and home price.
