Monday, November 13, 2017 / by Brittini Martinez
When buyers see your townhouse for sale, they might not be aware of everything they're buying into. For starters, townhouse owners typically enjoy the benefit of having more freedom over making changes to their domain than, say, condo owners or apartment renters. Townhome communities can also win out in terms of the common facilities—like a shared pool or gym—that they offer. So it makes sense that townhouses have recently become the latest "it" property.
Therefore, if you're planning on selling your townhouse, you should be privy to the best ways to market it, the timeline you might have to follow, and what needs to happen after you accept an offer.
What is a townhouse?
A townhouse is a single-family dwelling with at least two floors as opposed to condominiums that are typically designed like single-level apartments. Townhouses usually share a wall with another house, but unlike a duplex, each townhouse is individum ...
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dc, dc metro area, real estate, buying a home, selling your home, townhome, townhouses
Monday, November 13, 2017 / by Brittini Martinez
Homeowners association rules can be what attracts someone to a new home ... or what drives them away. But if you're on the fence about whether you want to live in an area with an HOA and abide by the rules, it's worth investigating the particular neighborhood and finding out more.
The difference of opinion on homeowners associations, or HOAs, depends on several factors, including individual personalities and preferences and the quality of the particular HOA. Rules and dues vary but, in general, homeowners who live in an HOA must abide by its regulations and pay a monthly, quarterly or annual fee that pays for management and maintenance of the community.
HOA benefits
Many homeowners prefer to live in an HOA for several reasons, including:
Community appearance: Homes within an HOA must meet the standards set by the association or face a fine, so you're less likely to see unkempt lawns, peeling paint or a garishly painted house. Some HOAs have am ...
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dc, dc metro area, real estate, dmv, did you know?, selling your home
Monday, November 13, 2017 / by Brittini Martinez
When you go through the process of buying a house, you might have to change the real estate closing date. It's actually fairly common for the buyer or the seller to request this kind of adjustment, so don't be alarmed if it happens to you. Let's take a closer look at the closing process and why someone would want to reschedule a closing date in the first place.
What is closing on a home?
Closing represents the scheduled day, after a seller accepts a buyer's offer, when the parties meet and sign the final paperwork. The whole process from accepted offer to closing typically takes an average of 50 days. During that time, attorneys draw up contracts, and dozens of other parties—from title agents to mortgage lenders—finish completing the transfer of a property.
Why change a real estate closing date?
But sometimes the buyer or seller wants to speed up or slow down the process, and that requires changing the closing date.
m ...
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dc, dc metro area, real estate, community, dmv, buying a home, did you know?, selling your home, new home
Monday, October 30, 2017 / by Brittini Martinez
You're in the process of purchasing your dream home and your realtor asks you if you have ordered your homeowner's insurance. "Wait a minute..." you think (or say). "I thought we did not ask for a homeowners insurance when we negotiated our contract?"
If this was (is) you when you purchased your home, you may have been confusing your home WARRANTY with your home INSURANCE. Your next thought or answer may have been that you don't think you need either. Read more below to not only understand the difference between the two but to also see how both can be a huge help to your home!
It is more and more common for people to be offered home warranty coverage when they buy a new home. Although both home warranties and home insurance can provide you with coverage when an emergency comes up, the two are very different.
Your home insurance policy is not a home warranty. Whether you are a first time home buyer, moving into your second or third home, a new condo or even you aree ...
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dc, dc metro area, real estate, community, buying a home, did you know?, selling your home, home warranty, home insurance
Thursday, October 19, 2017 / by Brittini Martinez
These days, if you're looking for ideas around home staging and improvement, all you have to do is turn on the TV. With dozens—dozens!—of real estate reality shows dominating prime time, you could conceivably never run out of inspiration to make your home stand out.
And sure, you might feel empowered after watching designers and builders knock down walls, repaint with bold colors, and then style the result with ornate throw pillows. But emulating these shows can be a slippery slope for sellers.
Somewhere along the way, these programs have created DIY monsters out of homeowners who think they can easily replicate what they see on TV. The result? A property that's nearly impossible for brokers to market and sell.
We're not saying you should never take your cues from these shows. But you should know the reality of reality TV advice—before your wallet is empty and you're knee-deep in shiplap. Here are seven pain points for a; ...
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dc, dc metro area, real estate, dmv, halloween, selling your home
