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Scents That Could Sell Your Home Faster
It is important to stage your home inside if you want to sell your house quickly. In an increasingly competitive market, the first impression a potential buyer has when they walk through your door is crucial.
The curb appeal will determine whether someone steps over the threshold. But, could it be that the first thing they see as they enter is undoing all the hard work they have put in?
While we don’t doubt that you love scented candles it is worth looking into which scents might make your home more appealing if you’re trying to sell. It’s a good place to put those popular and impactful scents in the entryway of your property.
Fresh laundry is a wonderful smell. Freshly washed linen is second in the list of scents that can help you sell your house. 36% of participants said it would win their hearts.
According to the survey, 27% of respondents rated this scent as a winner. You can also leave a French Press or a timer on your best espresso maker so that people feel at home.
There are certain scents or smells that you don’t want to have lingering in your home during house viewings.
It’s not surprising that 68% said moldy or damp smells would make them turn down a property. It is in your best interests to remove mold as soon as possible, regardless of whether you are selling.
Close behind were 64% of survey participants who said the smells of vomit and cannabis would turn them off. 55% of potential buyers also stated that this smell would cause them to reconsider putting in an offer.
Short suggests that you use a steamer or pet vacuum to remove any smells from your pets. Grapefruit, orange, and lemon scents are excellent at neutralizing the musky animal smells of pets. Citrus-scented candles are very popular and can add a pleasant, fresh-smelling fragrance to your home, no matter where they’re placed.
Rose, jasmine, and lavender are all good options for selling a home.
If you choose to light candles before house viewings, it is important to keep them out of reach of anything flammable, such as furniture, curtains, bedding, or decorations. To prevent an accidental fire from starting in your house, this is important. Also, don’t place lighted candles in areas where they could be damaged by animals, children, wind, or wind. Avoid lighting scented candles in rooms without windows or poor ventilation. This can make the room stuffy and overpowering.
Although the light of a candle can be enchanting, reed diffusers are safer and less fragrant than essential oil diffusers.
It’s an easy task to keep your home clean when you invite potential buyers in.
First Aide For Scratches On Kitchen Countertops
You can repair kitchen countertops with a history wine spills, dropped pans and other sharp objects. This will help you maintain the value of your home and kitchen. While you can hide minor problems, professional contractors are able to fix larger ones.
Granite countertops are susceptible to kitchen wear. With a little knowledge and time, you can make granite counters shine again. Make sure to seal them after you have done the repairs.
Cracks and chips: Fill cracks in granite with layers of epoxy resin that is colored to match the stone. First, clean the area with acetone. This breaks down grease. Make sure you open a window to allow for airflow.
Stains The type and type of stain (wine, ink, oil, bleach) determines which poultice is needed to get it out. A paste made of flour and hydrogen peroxide removes grease, oil, bleach and ink stains. A mixture of flour, bleach and flour cleans wine stains. Alpha, Aqua Mix and StoneTech are all commercial-grade stone cleaners. Prices range from $6 to $20
Solid-surface countertops such as Corian are made from acrylic, resin and other materials. These countertops are durable but can still be stained and scratched. Use a wool pad to apply a white polishing compound to minor scratches. Next, wax the countertop.
Call a professional if you need to make deeper cuts or scratches. Labor costs are approximately $15 to $35 per hour. You will need to replace a portion of the counter. This should cost you between $35 and $65 per square foot.
Minor problems can be fixed, but it is difficult to fix or cover gouges in laminate.
- Use laminate repair paste to fix small chips that match the countertop’s color.
- Use countertop polish or wax to cover scratches
- Apply contact cement to both surfaces of the peeling laminate and press it back into place.
- Use vinegar, baking soda or household cleaner to remove coffee and tea stains.
It will be necessary to replace the stretch that has been damaged. There are a million colors of laminate, so it could be challenging to find the right match for an older counter.
You can replace the counter to achieve the desired look. For countertops with a beveled edge, which look like granite, the cost of labor is between $15 and $35 per hour.
You can stockpile old tiles if you plan ahead. Then grab some and replace any damaged or cracked areas. The following first aid can be used if you don’t own extra tiles:
- Use a little toothpaste to remove any scratches on a clean cloth.
- Use a toothpick to apply epoxy glue to cracks. Then, color the area with oil-based paint.
- Use a utility knife to remove old grout and then use a rubber trowel to replace it.
Over time, stainless steel countertops can become dull, scratched and stained. You can remove scratches but not completely. However, you can polish them with vegetable oil.
Use a mixture of dish soap and baking soda to remove stains. Stains can be removed with a little Barkeeper’s Friend.
Original Blog: https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/diy-repair/repair-and-replace-kitchen-counters-stay-top-scratches/?site_ref=mosaic
What To Know About Home Appraisals
The home appraisal is a crucial step in any home buying or selling process. An appraisal is a crucial part of getting a mortgage. This will confirm the seller’s price to the lender. A good appraisal will help sellers get the best price for their house.
An appraisal is a professional, objective estimate of the property’s value. Lenders require a home appraisal before they will issue a mortgage. This is to protect their investment. If the actual value of the property is less than the sale price, and if the buyer defaults upon the mortgage, the lender will not be able sell the property for sufficient money to cover the loan.
Refinances may be eligible for a property inspection waiver (PIW). This is if your loan amount exceeds the estimated home value. Even if the loan to value ratio has been very low, PIWs rarely get granted.
The appraisal is usually done after an offer has been accepted and the house has been inspected. You, the buyer, will pay for the appraisal. Most likely you will also have to arrange for it. Even though the appraisal is supposed to protect the lender, it is your responsibility.
The lender usually receives the completed report once it is complete. You can also request a copy. This generally doesn’t happen automatically–you’ll have to ask.
Your property type and your location can impact the price. Homes with more units or those that are more expensive will usually be more costly. An average single-family home of average size will cost $300-$450 for a professional appraisal. The average cost of a professional appraisal for a larger house is $300-$450. An appraiser must be a licensed professional or certified to perform the work. They should not have any direct or indirect interests in the transaction.
An appraiser will need to know where the property is located. They will also analyze details and conditions of the house in order to determine the fair market value.
Comps are the most important factor in determining a property’s worth. These properties are usually within a mile of the property in question and have sold in the past 90 days.
To determine the property’s value, the appraiser will compare the features to the comps. The factors that influence the value of a property include its square footage, appearance, amenities, condition, and age.
A large home with four bedrooms in an area that has seen a lot of three-bedroom homes recently sell will likely be more valuable than comparable properties. A house with peeling paint or a patchy yard in a well-manicured subdivision is likely to have a lower appraisal than other similar properties.
Sometimes, the house’s appraised value is lower than anticipated. This can have a negative impact on many aspects of the sale.
The lender will decide your loan amount as percentage of the property’s price. If it does, it will either choose the appraised value or the sales price. Lenders won’t lend more than 80% to 97% from the home’s fair value. Therefore, the appraised value of your home is crucial when deciding how much you can borrow.
The loan amount you apply for will be granted if the property appraises at or above the sale price. If the property appraises at less than the sales price, the lender will likely lower the loan amount to match its value.
Low appraisals can cause a delay or cancellation of a sale. Buyers and lenders won’t overpay for a house. Sellers may not be willing to significantly lower the price they are looking to purchase.
If the appraisal is low, you have several options. You can opt out of the deal if your offer contract includes a condition that the property must be valued at the selling prices or higher.
You can also negotiate with the seller to lower the sale price if you are buying. Another option is to pay more to make up the difference between the sales price and the appraised value.
You can always contest the appraisal. Ask your agent to find out the comparable sales and determine if they are appropriate. Your agent may be more familiar than the appraiser with the area and could be able locate additional comps to support higher valuations.
Buyers will usually pay an earnest money deposit prior to an appraisal. The buyer will be reimbursed their earnest money if the appraisal contingency is not met and the sale fails.
To protect your investment, your lender may require an appraisal if you take out a mortgage. You can opt to not get an appraisal if you make a cash offer. However, you could end up paying more for the property if you do.
Home inspection and home appraisal are two different things. An appraisal assesses the home’s value, while an inspection examines the condition of the house. An appraisal or inspection may be part of a home-buying agreement. The buyer can then cancel the contract based on the findings.
Original Blog: https://www.thebalance.com/appraisal-process-when-buying-a-home-2395235
Choosing The Right Playground Equipment For Your Kids
Children can benefit greatly from playground equipment, which allows them to develop motor and social skills. Children become healthy teenagers through their interactions with other children and the physicality of engaging in it. They see laughter and entertainment. I see creativity, reasoning and dexterity.
The first thing you should do is decide if this is something you can handle or if it is something you need to hire someone to do. Take into account the dimensions of the components. This will be a two-person job. The members are heavy and must be placed in concrete. Be aware of your strengths and limitations before asking for help. For more remote areas, you may need to hire contractors.
Which age group(s), are you catering to? What amenities would they like to see in the play gym? It might be a good idea to ask them to create a “wish list” of the components they want to see. Then, have them rate each item from 1-10 (only one per submission). This will allow you to break down ties during the decision-making process. To ensure ongoing stimulation, you must ensure that the equipment chosen provides adequate physical challenges for all age groups. The design should provide sensory stimulation as well as physical stimulation for slightly older participants.
It is important to consider the size of the Playground you will be sacrificing. After deciding on the size of the Playground, it is important to examine the area to see if there are any overhead or lateral obstructions. Will you need to level the ground or do you need to regrade your yard? If you decide to purchase a pre-designed set, most modern manufacturers will provide guidance as to the clearances required on each side.
Is the location compatible with the way you plan to use the yard? Is the playground visible from the street? Is there any dangers or jagged rocks nearby? Are there overhead power lines or other obstructions nearby? For information on local building regulations and ordinances regarding placement, including proximity to power lines and fences, please contact your local Building Department.
Kits and raw materials, if you choose to go this route, will be the largest expenses for this project. However, they are not the only considerations in budgeting. You should factor in shipping/handling and taxes before you proceed. These figures can be several hundred dollars if not purchased/transported locally. If third-party labor is used, it’s important to factor in the installation costs. If third-party labor is being used, the site must be prepared. Grading contractors need large equipment and trucks to transport fill material and property grade a site. Other site furnishings, such as benches and water fixtures, should also be considered.
You must purchase wooden kits made from pressure-treated wood or with cedar and redwood posts. Redwood and cedar are naturally more resistant to wood-consuming insects than other options, and are also more weather resistant. However, they are more expensive than the others. To protect metal kits from constant UV and moisture exposure, they will be powder-coated or vinyl-coated. There are also bare metal kits, but these should not be used if there is too much sunlight. These kits can be extremely hot in summer and could pose a risk of burns. You can design around this by using sun shades or other types of awnings.
After narrowing down your list to a few kits, you can research the history of each kit by looking for independent reviews. You shouldn’t be surprised to find very few or no reviews for a particular item.
You may see kits that have been rebranded by other manufacturers. The original name/sku might have changed. Reverse image search of the main kit picture is a good idea as most manufacturers don’t update it when reselling. This will make sure that your reviews are posted on all sites, regardless of whether the company has rebranded.
The requirements for installation does not disappear. To ensure proper attachment, fasteners must be checked at least once a year. A hammer test can be used to check the bolts for tightness. If they make a sound when you tap them with a hammer it means that the bolts are tight. If it makes a hollow sound it means that it needs to be tightened. You should immediately take action on any signs of oxidation within the fasteners. Lubrication should also be applied to pivoting connections and bearings. In areas such as Florida where wasps are common, you should bring some wasp spray to help you fight any hives that may have formed. You should look out for cracks in the plastic parts, splinters on the wooden posts/members and rotten/damaged board.
Original Blog: https://realtytimes.com/archives/item/1045355-how-to-choose-the-best-playground-equipment?rtmpage=
What To Look For In An Open House
Although open houses can be staged to appear like a home decor vision, don’t let it distract from the main reason you are there: to possibly buy a house. You need to look beyond the beautifully arranged furniture and think only about whether the house is a good fit. Here’s a checklist for home buyers that might help you see things you missed.
Windows– Check to see if they face the sun, or if they look directly at a neighbor’s window.
Under-the-Sink Cabinets – Check for signs of water damage caused by leaking plumbing.
Electrical Outlets Make sure you have enough outlets to power your appliances and other electronic devices. You can then decide if you want to renovate.
Storage Space Don’t look just to determine if you have enough space. Also, consider the placement of your closets. You should also ensure that storage is located in a convenient place.
Appliances If they are part of the house, ensure they’re in good shape. You should have them on and running while you’re there.
Under the Rugs Lift any rugs off the floor to inspect the condition.
Floor Level Check to make sure the floors are level. You can test this by placing a small round object, such as a marble, on the floor. It will show if it moves in one direction.
Attic– Make sure it is well insulated if you have one.
Water Spouts Runoff from gutters should not be directed towards the house. Take a walk outside to check if it is.
Talk to a Preferred Properties of Texas agent to see what else should be looked at.
Original Blog: https://www.century21.com/real-estate-blog/home-buyer-checklist-what-to-look-for-in-an-open-house/
