CURBING THE WINTER BLAHS

CURBING THE WINTER BLAHS

While the weather outside might be frightful, your home’s curb appeal can still be delightful. The following ideas from HGTV.com can help make your home stand out even when it’s cold and gray outside.

Clean the gutters. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your home, create ice dams that can damage gutters and attract pests.

Keep visitors safe. Clear the walkways, driveway and stairs of snow and ice so prospective buyers can make it to your front door without slipping.

Provide proper lighting. As the days get shorter, it gets darker earlier. Lights can illuminate the path to the front door, and sconces or lanterns on each side of the door can give buyers a warm welcome. A bright color can make it stand out amidst the gray landscape.

        Use winter decorations wisely. Keep holiday decorations to a minimum, and use them to show off your home’s best features. A  

        string of white lights around the windows can make your home look festive.

        Bring out the green. Evergreen trees and cold-weather plants, such as pansies and witch hazel, can liven up a dreary landscape.

 

         By following these simple tips, your home can make a great first impression in any season.

Merry Christmas from the Aiken HOMES Team at Meybohm Realtors

Vikki and Brandi's Monthly Selling Tip

Aiken, SC Fall/Winter Schedule for 2015.....

Aiken, SC…a place like no other

The MAGIC is still here in Aiken, SC

https://vimeo.com/97722521https://vimeo.com/97722521

Provided by:  http://www.visitaikensc.com/http://www.visitaikensc.com/

Your AikenHOME Tips and trends for homeowners, buyers and sellers

Your AikenHOME

Tips and trends for homeowners, buyers and sellers

RETURN ON improvement

Are you thinking about selling your home, or do you just want to spruce things up and don’t know where to start? If you’re working within a strict budget, the thought of remodeling your home can be daunting. It’s best to assess your needs and also educate yourself on current market trends before you get started. The 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, produced by Remodeling magazine in cooperation with the National Association of REALTORS®, reports that large-scale jobs aren’t likely to return sellers their full cost. Instead, smaller replacement jobs tend to generate a higher return than remodeling projects. The report uncovers that replacement projects showed an average return of 73.2 percent, while the cost-value ratio of remodeling projects showed an average rate of return of 60.8 percent. Arming yourself with information like this is key before you invest in making improvements. Here are the five mid-range projects that are most likely to recoup the cost of investment.

HOME REPLACEMENTS MOST LIKELY TO RECOUP COST:

"Get REAL About Pricing"

Vikki and Brandi’s Home Selling Tip

“Get REAL About Pricing “

Today’s buyers are smart, well-educated about the market trends in your area.  Price your home ahead of competition to stand out as the best value.   With so many properties for sale, your home may not even be considered if not priced well and in its best condition.  Think of it as a beauty contest…you want to be the one that gets all the attention not the runner up!

Contact your favorite REALTOR or us to discuss your specific real estate goals!

BIG CHANGES in REAL ESTATE that may AFFECT YOUR Real Estate closing!

BIG CHANGES in REAL ESTATE that may AFFECT YOUR Real Estate closing

GOOD BYE…old HUD-1 and closing statements.

Starting August 1, 2015, any transaction involving a mortgage will use the new disclosure forms created by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). The Truth-in-Lending Act/RESPA Integrated Disclosures (“TRID”) creates timing requirements for disclosures that lenders need to make to consumers. 

What should YOU expect?

·      New closing disclosures forms and loan estimates.

·      The consumer (buyer) must receive the new Closing Disclosures must be received within three business days of closing.

·      CHANGES will require a new Closing Disclosures and another three-day waiting period. For example… APR changes, loan product changes, delayed inspection of repair, final inspections on new homes, additional documents and host of others items can trigger a 3 day delay.

·      Prepare that closings time frame will be longer. They are recommending adding additional 15 days to “normal” closing time frame when a loan is involved.

As REALTORS, we will be learning how to navigate this change to best educate and guide our clients.  It’s apparent that being timely in all facets of the contract process is a must.  Buyers need to provide lenders the information requested as soon as possible and sellers need complete any agreed upon inspection reports or repairs well advance of the closing.  For example; CL100 Wood/Pest Report, repairs required, Certificate of Occupancy and final loan inspections for builders.

Summary… having “all ready and in” place 7 days in advance of the closing date would be the best goal.   This would give time just in case a 3 day waiting period is triggered for any reason.