Home Inspections… for Sellers

Most people think a home inspection is something that happens somewhere between making an offer and before closing on a home. But for a number of reasons, more homeowners are choosing to have their own home inspected before putting it on the market.

The reason is simple: uncovering problems early on enables you to fix them, often making it possible to add value to your sale price. An inspection is designed to reveal any potential problems a house may have—and that’s true for both buyers and sellers. Sellers may benefit from gaining this kind of detailed information about their home, so that they can choose to handle problems long before the negotiation process is underway.

Many sellers also report that their buyers feel more comfortable when the information from a pre-sale inspection is shared early on, even if the buyers choose to have their own home inspection as well.

In short, a pre-sale inspection can reduce the chance of a surprise and help speed the closing process, which would otherwise have been delayed by scheduling repairs and having the buyers confirm they were completed properly. Because for buyers, making an offer contingent upon a home inspection is about saving expenses and trouble—not to mention providing confidence in what may well be the biggest investment they ever make.

Even if you’re not a buyer making an offer, or a seller thinking of listing a home in the next few months, a home inspection can provide homeowners with a thorough to-do list for maintenance—or even a little peace of mind. If you have any questions about inspections, please don’t hesitate to call or email.

For Sale: 6709 LOCH RAVEN BLVD BALTIMORE MD 21239

MLS# BC7266868
County: BALTIMORE Community: LOCH KNOLL MANOR Property Type: Detached Style: Cape Cod Year Built: 1952	List Price: $425,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full Baths & 1 Half Baths Lot Size: 0.70 Acres (30360 sq ft)	Phillip Cross (443) 677-7114 RE/MAX Acclaimed Realty 2345 York Road, Suite 100 Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 Office: (410) 561-0055
Description:
Beautifully Renovated 4 Bedroom & 3.5 Bath Stone Cape Cod on Landscaped .70 Acre Lot! It’s All Here: Gourmet Kitchen (Custom Cabs, Stainless Appl, Granite), Refinished Wood Floors, Replacement Windows, 2 Fireplaces, 2 Fam Rooms, In-ground Irrigation, Stone BBQ, Stone Walks, Walls & Patios * 2 Car Garage w/Workroom * Huge Rooms & Storage * Convenient Location * 1 Yr Home Warranty * Move In & Enjoy! Virtual Tour | More Details

FOR SALE: 9831 Bayline Circle, Owings Mills, MD 21117

Beautiful 3 Bed w/2 Full & 2 Half Baths End Unit Townhouse in New Town. Many upgrades including Granite counters, glass tile backsplash and additional cabinets in kitchen – new carpet and Pergo flooring. Full house extension on rear for all three levels. Fenced yard, large decks off family room and walkout basement. 3 neighborhood Pools – Freshly painted and ready to move in. One Year HOME WARRANTY

A Productive and Comfortable Home Office

With the technology available today, home offices are now a workable way to save commute time and expensive office space. I have heard so many questions about home offices that I thought I’d send you a recap of some information I read recently.

Here are some tips that you will find helpful in setting up a great home office:

• Establish your home office away from main traffic patterns. This not only keeps disruptions to a minimum, but helps you focus on the job at hand.
• Invest in your desk and chair. Be sure to have a desk or worktable that is adequate for the task. Purchase an ergonomically correct chair that fits comfortably under the desk.
• Add phone jacks as necessary so your telephone is placed conveniently within reach.
• Consider high-speed cable for Internet access.
• Prepare adequate storage, file cabinets, and shelves affixed to the wall so they are secure.
• Install soft comfortable lighting that goes beyond the glow from your computer monitor!

Now, enjoy! Your home office will provide you with a comfortable and productive environment.

Please feel free to call or email me if I can answer any questions. I would be happy to follow up with anyone you know who could benefit from the services we provide. Or, if you decide you need more space for your home office, I’d be happy to assist you in finding a larger home.

Interior Decorator or Designer

One of the questions I am frequently asked is, “What is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?”

Interior designers are professionally trained in the functionality, efficiency, and safety of a space, as well as the aesthetics or “look” of a room. This is different from an interior decorator, who works with surface decoration, such as color, texture, and pattern.

Before hiring a decorator or designer, ask yourself these questions:

• For whom is the space being designed?
• What activities will take place there?
• How long do I plan to live here?
• What is my time frame?
• What is my budget?

Answering these questions should help you decide whether to hire a decorator or designer–or do it yourself!

Moving Day

Most buyers and sellers consider moving day a real hassle. Here are some things you can do to make it more manageable:

* Cut back on your possessions as you pack. Make separate areas for items to be discarded, sold, or donated to charity.
* Label all boxes and color-code them by room, whether you pack yourself or have help. Otherwise, you’ll never remember what’s in each box.
* Have the outside door locks on your new home changed and the garage door opener reprogrammed.
* Get referrals from your doctors, dentists, and veterinarians for new providers near your new home. Take your files with you instead of waiting for them to be sent.
* Pack a “first night” box that contains everything you’ll need for the first night in your new home. Include bedding, cookware, utensils, toiletries, and anything else you can’t do without before you are unpacked.

Needed at Settlement

Once the contract has been negotiated and the closing papers are about to be signed, you will need additional items for the transaction to close. When you go in to sign the papers, you will need:

* Photo ID, either a driver’s license or passport.

* A cashier’s check for the down payment and closing costs. Personal checks are not acceptable because they take time to clear.

* A hazard or fire insurance policy ready to put in place upon closing.

Needless delays in closing have been caused by lack of insurance or waiting for a personal check to clear. Many buyers think that they will receive the keys to their new home when they go in to sign and pay their money. But it may take a few days past signing for the paperwork to be processed. Plan your moving date accordingly. Check the possession date on your contract.

Timeline for Selling

“How long will it take my house to sell?”

That’s the question real estate professionals hear the most.

As agents, we can easily obtain information from our Multiple Listing Service (MLS) about average time on the market from time of listing to accepted offer. These statistics vary depending on interest rates, price range, local economics, and other factors.

What most sellers really want to know, however, is “How long will it be until I have to move?” This depends on how long it will take from accepting an offer until the transaction closes. Once an offer is received and accepted, it may take from 30 to 45 days to obtain financing and close the deal. Buyers who are preapproved by their lenders can shorten that time frame considerably.

First Impression

When you are ready to market your home, one thing to keep in mind is that you have only one chance to make a first impression–beginning the moment potential buyers drive up.

You can help create that good first impression by presenting potential buyers with a well-cared-for yard including a mowed lawn. Your front door and porch should be clean and neat, preferably freshly painted.

These first important encounters create a positive impression that carries through to the rest of your home. An inviting atmosphere implies that your house has been well maintained and taken care of. Homes that convey pride of ownership usually receive the best offers.

If your home appears disheveled or uncared for, prospective buyers may quickly conclude it’s been neglected and is in need of repairs. Such a negative impression can result in a less-than-generous offer–or possibly no offer at all.

Try viewing your home through a potential buyer’s eyes. Would YOU buy your home?

Internet Marketing

Have you wondered what it would take to sell your home for the highest price, in the shortest amount of time, and with a minimum of inconvenience?

Besides accurate pricing and an effective marketing campaign, posting your home on the Internet can make a huge difference. The Internet has largely replaced newspapers as the advertising medium of choice for real estate listings.

Why? Posting listings online costs almost nothing, information can be changed or updated almost instantly, listings can be screened by price or area, and the information is available to prospective buyers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

According to a recent survey, almost 75% of all buyers use the Internet to search for a new home. They like the ability to see pictures and obtain additional information. Plus, buyers who search on the Web spend an average of $22,600 more for their new home than other buyers. To accomplish my goal of selling your home for the best price in the least amount of time, let’s use one of the most effective marketing techniques–the Internet.