Wednesday, February 15, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
The seemingly endless stretch of bleak, freezing weather we’re experiencing comes with some additional bad news: Wintertime generally means lower asking prices, fewer buyers on the hunt, and less money changing hands.
But there’s cheery news, too: Just because your home’s on the market during the slow, chilly months doesn’t mean you have to accept a lowball offer. If you make your home attractive in all the right ways, qualified buyers will come. Just avoid making these all-too-common winter-selling mistakes in order to get top dollar.
Mistake No. 1: Setting down the shovel
You cleared off enough of the driveway for your car, but potential buyers won’t be entering through the garage like you do.
“Blazing a path through 3 feet of virgin snow makes a lousy first impression,” says John Engel, a Realtor® with Halstead Pro6 ...
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Tuesday, February 14, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
Lots of things you buy come with a warranty in case they break down, from cars to smartphones. But what about homes? It turns out you can get a home warranty, too.
So what the heck is a home warranty, anyway? In a nutshell, it’s a policy you pay for that covers the cost of repairing many of your home appliances if they break down.
“Home warranties provide financial protection for homeowners who might be faced with unexpected problems with their appliances,” explains Shawna Bell of Landmark Home Warranty.
Many people buy a home warranty right when they close on a home, since such protections can provide some much-needed peace of mind that you won’t get hit with unexpected expenses soon after moving in. Imagine what a bummer it would be, after all, to wake up one morning to a broken boiler or leaking, malfunctioning fridge in your brand-new home. A home warranty can lessen those worries, which for many is worth every penny.
Wh7 ...
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Thursday, February 9, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
Long before you start packing, the monumental task of moving to a new home all starts with your going online or picking up the phone to get some moving quotes. These estimates give you a ballpark figure of how much you’ll pay to safely transport all of your prized possessions, but like all estimates, they can be off base. Waaayyyy off base.
To help you keep a lid on your moving costs, we called on moving experts to share how you can get the most accurate estimates, so you don’t have to worry about last-minute surprises on your bill.
Types of moving quotes
When it comes to moving, there are binding and non-binding estimates. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, movers who provide a binding estimate can’t require consumers to pay any more than the estimated amount at delivery. However, getting a binding estimate upfront may incur an initial fee, and full payment will be due immediately upon delivery.
A nonbinding6 ...
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Thursday, February 9, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
People vow to do all kinds of things—hit the gym, get more sleep, quit Froot Loops—and if you plan to sell your home this year, making a few promises matter here most of all. After all, selling your home for top dollar takes work and the right mindset to strike a deal.
To help make that happen, we put together a list of good habits all home sellers should start now so that you’re fully prepared once opportunity knocks.
Vow No. 1: Get realistic about how much your home is worthIt’s natural to think your home is priceless, or hope it’s worth at least more than when you bought it. As such, many sellers make the epic mistake of placing a pie-in-the-sky price on their home with the hopes that some buyer somewhere will bite. But the reality is, overpriced homes tend to languish on the market.
In addition to setting their asking price too high, sellers are often stubborn about lowering it. Or7 ...
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