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Simple Fixes for Your New Home
Finding the perfect home is tough. There are a lot of properties available in the Syracuse area right now, so there are a lot to choose from. What happens, though, when you finally find the perfect home, only to find that it’s not quite as perfect as you were hoping for? Do you walk away, or just accept the home as it is? What you need to do is figure out if the problems are fixable. Here are some common problems with simple fixes.
- Fleas, ants or other pest problems. Although this is more common in the warmer summer months, some homes have pest problems year round. The current owner should take care of the problem before you move in, but if they don’t (or if the problem returns) hire a professional exterminator. There are a lot of safe and effective ways to get bugs and rodents out of your home, and to keep them out, and a professional will be able to get it done quickly.
- No air flow. If the property has a closed floor plan, meaning that rooms are closed off with doors, it can be hard to get air moving between rooms. Stuffy rooms are no fun, especially when the weather heats up. Consider installing ceiling fans; it sounds a lot harder than it really is, especially if you already have overhead light fixtures. Alternatively, purchase some floor fans to keep air moving in and between the rooms.
- Dark and dingy. You love the home, but it feels like the bat cave. This is a really, really easy fix. Start by painting the rooms lighter colors, and putting up light-colored curtains that let in the light. Clean the windows, floors, walls and other surfaces really well. If the room is still dark, install extra lighting and use higher-quality light bulbs to give the room a more natural glow.
- Outdated… everything. Maybe the home looks like it fell out of a 1970’s Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Older homes, especially if they were owned by older couples, might be in need of a serious make-over. Tear out the shag carpeting and replace it with something more modern. Hardwood floors give the home a timeless look. Paint the walls and ceilings, and consider replacing any older fixtures. Kitchen cabinets can be transformed by a coat of paint and new handles. If you’re looking at new appliances, you might be able to get some great deals (and rebates) on Energy Star models, thanks to new green government initiatives.
If the home is almost everything you wanted, and there are no huge problems, don’t let a few small issues chase you off. Small problems can be fixed, usually with less of a hassle than you might first assume. Ask your Syracuse real estate agent for advice, or visit a local hardware store for information on how to handle the problem. Chances are, with a little bit of effort, the almost perfect home can be the home of your dreams.
Views: 40Tools for First Time Owners
There are a lot of details to take care of when you are buying your first home. Paperwork, hiring a moving company, getting packed and preparing to move into your new home are probably at the very forefront of your thoughts, but there is one more thing you should be thinking about as you prepare to move in.
If you have been renting for the past several years, you probably have not had to do any repairs and haven’t had a lot of use for anything much more than a basic tool set. When you buy a home, that changes. All of the sudden, you are responsible for fixing everything from leaky windows to broken cabinets. A hammer and screwdriver just isn’t enough anymore. Before moving in, or within the first few weeks, you’ll want to go out and pick up some essential tools to keep around your home.
Start with a basic tool kit, and keep it someplace very convenient. You won’t want to run out to the garage every time you want to hang a picture or measure something. A basic tool kit contains a hammer, screwdriver, wrench, level and measuring tape. Better kits might have a few other small tools thrown in.
There are a few smaller, essential purchases that you’ll want to add to your tool collection, starting with a utility knife. These are super handy when you’re unpacking, but are also something that you’ll reach for often to help you cut everything from packaging to drywall. You’ll also want a variety of clamps, nails, screws and other fasteners. For quick repairs, pick up a bottle of wood glue. Many homeowners would also recommend a quality caulk gun, for resealing showers, cabinets, and any number of other areas around the home.
The worst time to realize that you need plumbing tools is when you really need plumbing tools. Right then, because the toilet, sink or shower is clogged or maybe you even have water coming up the drain. Pick up a couple of plumbing snakes (at least two different sizes—one larger and one smaller) and a few plungers. You’ll want one for each toilet, and then at least one more for use on sinks and showers.
Most power tools aren’t essential unless you’re tackling some big repairs, but there are two that every home owner should have. Start with a power drill. You will use it a lot when you are moving in, for hanging things on the walls, but it’s also something that will see a lot of regular use. Most homeowners use their power drill more than any other household tool. You will also want a saw, either manual or a table saw. You may not need it right away, but eventually you’ll be faced with a repair or remodeling project that will require a saw.
You’ll also want to pick up a book on basic home maintenance. A good book will explain painting, plumbing, drywall repair, and numerous other simple projects that most homeowners can handle on their own.
Views: 39Tips for Making an offer on a Home
You may have been shopping around a while and gone to several open houses, and considered your options with your family, and now you have found the house that is best for all of you. Now, you have to make an offer on the house. This can get tricky, because you do not want to offer too low and offend a seller, but you also do not want to overpay. Here are some tips and information to get before making an offer. This may make the process easier and you and your family will be living in your new home in no time.
Ask your real estate for advice
Even though an agent should not recommend an asking price for various reasons, they do have plenty of knowledge about homes and the market and will be a good resource in helping you get the information you need.
Check out the Market
If you are in a seller’s market, the seller may not be willing to go lower than the listed price, but if you are in a buyer’s market, you may be able to talk a seller down to the price you want. Your agent may be able to help you gather this information.
Find out how much the seller paid
The seller may have bought the home in a down market, so conditions may be more and less the same and the asking price may be close to what the seller paid for the home. This may help you determine a good asking price.
Look at comparable sales
If you look at comparable sales, be sure to only include the homes that are similar in features to get a better estimate. Your agent should be able to help you with this information as well. If you know what other homes are going for, you may be able to offer a reasonable asking price.
Ask for a home’s history
A home may have been taken off the market and then relisted, if this is true and the home was on the market for more than a month, a seller may be willing to accept a lower offer.
Once you have gathered this information as home buyer, it will help narrow down your asking price options and hopefully help you in making a decision. That way you can be in that dream home in no time and enjoying your future.
Views: 39