Home Staging – Questions and Answers

Question: Do I really need to stage my house?

Answers: Home staging is recommended to homeowners who are serious about selling their house in the shortest amount of time. Think of this scenario: Two comparable houses are for sale in the same general area. House A was staged and is in prime showing condition. House B was not staged and may have some design issues. Which house do you think buyers will be more interested in? Statistics show us that homes which are professionally prepared for the real estate market sell in one-third less time than non-staged houses.

Question: My Realtor told me to wait to stage, is this good advise?

Answers: The sooner you stage your house, the better it will be for you. If your agent told you to not stage or to wait to stage, your Realtor may not have a complete understanding about the value of home staging. Some agents are concerned about recommending more out-of-pocket expenses for their clients. It is a noble concern but not a necessary one when considering home staging. Stagers work with real estate agents as a team, and most stagers will be happy to answer any questions that Realtors may have regarding the staging process. Realtors may not know it, but stagers may be their greatest asset in the marketing of a client’s home.

Question: How do I choose a stager?

Answers: There are many things to look for when choosing a stager. Before you hire a stager, consider these … Read More

Security Surveillance Camera Outside Home Means Less Crime

Many suburban homes have installed a security surveillance camera to protect their dwellings from property damage or potential home invasion. It is proven that a property chances of being a victim of crime is drastically reduced, when the potential criminal knows the property is under surveillance. Some studies show homes in certain neighborhoods are up to 75{a35e9624d39d09a786c5f8acdb55c526966431d9c107db63c11fc3d9ba4fafc9} less chance to be violated by criminals when a camera is displayed outside.

Security systems have gone up in quality and dropped in price over the last decade. This has been due to computer systems popping up in homes, DVR technology and military knowledge being integrated into cameras and being mass produced. 15 years ago, a night vision device could run $2000 to $6000. Now, you can pick up a four day color night vision / infrared system, with four cameras and 500 GB hard drive Nuvcio EVL-4500 DVR costing $450 to $700.

There are many high tech individual cameras you can pick up for under $100. The Sony 1/3″ CCD Infrared LED Security Camera can be purchased for $89. An indoor/outdoor Bullet Security Camera Night Vision Model # SUN-LIR30HF comes with night vision capability for up to 80 feet. It also has a built in microphone that allows for audio surveillance. The price for the SUN-LIR30Hf is $64.95. You can get dome cameras, motion cameras, hidden ones, cameras that tilt, zoom and pan an area. You can even get cameras that are vandal proof. It depends on your needs, affordability, time available … Read More

How a Home Builders Loan Differs From a Regular Mortgage

When you decide to work with home builders on building a new house, you’ll probably start to look for ways to finance the project. Loans for newly built houses are slightly different from regular mortgages, so you should make sure that you’re aware of how the new construction loan process works.

Step 1: Create Your Plan

Before you talk to a mortgage broker, you should develop a vision for your new house. Decide on its size, scale, and location. Also, consider factors that might make the project more complex. For example, if you decide that you want solar panels or geothermal energy, then your project may require special sources of financing before it the home builders can get underway.

Step 2: Research Your Lending Options

Although new construction has increased significantly as available house inventory has sold down, many lenders got away from new construction during the economic recession. Some of these lenders left their clients without financing in the middle of the building project. Do some research to make sure that your lender has a good reputation.

In addition to ensuring that your lender is in good financial shape, you’ll also want to look for the best available interest rates when you’re shopping for a loan. To save time, a mortgage broker can research multiple lenders for you to find the best option.

Step 3: Conduct a Builder Review

Once you’ve selected an appropriate lender, your lender usually starts researching your chosen construction company by performing a credit check. … Read More