Homes by Lara Fast

Home inspections alert buyers to major issues with a home before their closing. In most cases, if a home inspection reveals significant defects, the buyer can back out of the purchase offer free of penalty, within a specific timeframe.

Like builders, realtors, architects, and designers there are good and bad inspectors. Make certain you research several before you select one to hire. A good inspector will examine the home’s components and then produce a report disclosing their discoveries.

The inspector should note whether each problem is a safety issue, major defect, or minor defect; which items need replacement and which should be repaired or serviced; and, items that are suitable for now but that should be closely monitored.

An excellent inspector will even tell you about routine maintenance that should be performed.

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I would say the most important tip is - buy a home you can easily afford. A lot of people buy homes at the top of their range, and that's a huge mistake for most...never be a paycheck away from foreclosure or struggling.

Another item that’s often overlooked is the corresponding monthly expense of utilities and/or yard maintenance.

The last thing that buyers overlook is actually something that will put money into their pockets – taxes. “But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” said Benjamin Franklin. Monthly mortgage interest can be deducted from annual tax returns.

Location and Price are my top two to keep in mind.

#1. Location, location, location. You can change anything you don’t like about the house. You can even knock it down and start over, but you can’t change the location. Look at the crime, the neighborhood, where you’ll go grocery shopping, where your church is, where the things you like to do are in relationship to the location.

#2. Do not buy as much house as the lender tells you that you can buy. Buy as much house as you can afford to comfortably pay each month taking into account other bills you might have and putting aside money for heat, A/C, repairs, etc. You don’t want to pay so much on your mortgage that you can’t afford to enjoy life.

Purchasing a home is a significant decision, especially for first-time homeowners. Here are some key things to consider:

#1. Buy a home you can easily afford. A lot of people buy homes at the top of their range, and that's a huge mistake for most...never be a paycheck away from foreclosure or struggling.

#2. Find a house with bad aesthetics and fantastic "bones." Buy the house that looks decent on the outside but has internal superficial ugliness - gross paint, carpets, etc.. As long as the major systems are fantastic (plumbing, electrical, roofing, etc..), superficial things can be fixed and will add instant value.

#3. Buy the crappiest house in the nicest neighborhood you can. It will always sell for more than what you paid for it, if you put in some elbow grease.

#4. Get an amazing home inspector, and follow him/her around with a clipboard asking questions and writing down every little problem. Use it for negotiations, and later as a personal checklist of things to take care of.

#5. Be sure to get a "fixed" interest rate with your mortgage...and have great credit. No matter what happens in the market, you'll be grateful.

#6. Know your market. Go to Zillow and see what houses have sold for in your area, before making an offer...know how competitive the market is, so you know how competitively to bid - how long do homes stay on the market?

#7. Look at the crime map for your area. There are beautiful cheap homes out there in neighborhoods you'd never want to live in. Don't be suckered in.

#8. Have enough money down that you will not be paying PMI (mortgage insurance)...this can be hundreds a month that doesn't even go toward your balance. Your payment per month will be far lower.

#9. Renovate...this is not HGTV. If you buy something completely finished, you are likely wasting a ton of money, and overpaying. You can usually have everything you want for a price you can afford if you're willing to do the back end of it.

#10. Have a list of things that are "must-haves," things "that would be a +1 but wouldn't be dealbreakers." Know that going in.

#11. Don't be "wowed" or turned off by the appearance going in. Sellers hire professional staging companies for a reason...to make the house more appealing. They also have trouble sometimes selling great homes because hoarders or messy people live there. Look beyond the grit, or beyond the flash.

#12. Think about maintenance. A place with a huge backyard might *seem* awesome...until you are mowing all day every Saturday just to keep up.

Today one of my sweet granddaughters turns 2❤️ Baby Nadia Happy Birthday 🙏🏻 Wishing you a life of sweetness, light and happiness full of vibrant health and all the wonderful magic the Universe has waiting for you🥰 I love you to the moon and back my little Sunshine🙏🏻

The factors that determine the value of a property also impact real estate prices. The following are some ways in which these factors affect real estate prices:

A. Location

Desirable locations command higher prices: Properties located in desirable locations such as a waterfront or a prime city center location will generally command higher prices.

Neighborhoods with high crime rates or poor quality lower prices: Properties located in neighborhoods with high crime rates or poor quality may be valued lower than similar properties located in safer, higher quality neighborhoods.

B. Property characteristics

Well-maintained and updated properties are valued higher: Properties that are well-maintained and updated tend to have a higher value than properties that are older and require significant repairs and renovations.

Larger properties with desirable features such as a pool or view command higher prices: Larger properties that offer desirable features such as a pool, view or outdoor living space are more valuable than similar properties without these features.

C. Market conditions

High demand and low supply result in higher prices: When demand for properties is high and supply is low, prices tend to increase due to competition among buyers.

Low interest rates encourage more buyers and higher prices: Low interest rates make it more affordable for buyers to borrow money to purchase properties, which can increase demand and prices.
Economic growth in an area leads to increased demand and higher prices: Economic growth in an area can lead to increased demand for properties, which can drive up prices.

The Mighty Incline

Asking for decorating tips implies that the home is clean, well maintained and and just looking for the final touches to set it apart from the competition.

I’d start with making sure all lighting fixtures have the maximum wattage bulbs to brighten the various areas of the home. Baths should be appointed with new accent towels and accessories. Accent dinette and formal dining areas with fresh flowers or centerpieces and inviting place settings.

In living areas arrange books and decorative items in bookcases. Arrange and/or remove furniture to maximize the appearance of space.

Add some bright color accents throughout with pillows, wall hangings, shams etc. You may find help and guidance in the way rooms are presented at local furniture stores or magazines.

Do not allow your home to be on market at all until it is ready to show. Big splash all at once with yard and curb appeal great. Plus git rid of all clutter and hope to easily deal with pets. Allow the potential buyers to easily imagine it as “their home”. you need to reduce everything that says it is your home.

When looking to sell your home think about what caught your eye when you first walked through the space and use that to your advantage. The key to getting home staging right is all about the perfect balance between emptiness and subtle decor that’s just so.

Entryway

People often overlook that it only takes a few seconds to make a lasting impression and the one your entryway makes is crucial to get right as it could be a make or break moment.

Front door

Let potential home buyers walk up to a freshly refinished front door so they can look forward to what’s inside.

A lively rug

Lend the area a new lease on life with a fresh doormat and area rug that have a sophisticated bent.

Mirrors are essential

Mirrors are magical when it comes to making an entryway look larger and brighter and can easily be affordably sourced.

Bring in a slim console table

House keys, mail, and decorative items on a sleek console table that will help buyers understand the scale of the space while keeping everything tidy in one spot.

Catchall trays

Again, that mail, those keys, and small everyday items need somewhere to go and a tray is perfect for just that while adding some extra style and color.

Re-approach lighting

Since no one likes to walk into a dark home or one that is too bright, lower lightbulb wattages to keep the look warm and inviting.

Bathroom

Since they’ll scrutinize your bathroom keep the look straightforward yet luxurious.

Style your towels

Use towels to bring in color and pattern and style them like you would see in a luxury 5-star resort.

Add plants

Let plants add color and texture in this small space while also working to purify the air.

Display toiletries

Put the best looking products you use everyday at the front for a stylish feel in your bathroom.

Closets

Because of fast-fashion people have too many clothes and closet space is more crucial than ever. So do highlight smart storage solutions in your closets.

Style it with up clothing. Keep the look minimal and space hangers evenly for a concise look and do sort everything by color.

Living + Dining Room:s

These are often the most commonly seen and used rooms in a home, so what you make of them can make a huge difference in pushing your property.

Create an accent wall

Accent walls are great for instantly adding room-defining color and depth in a space and are much easier to create than a room with fresh all-over paint is.

Bring in mirrors

Again, you can easily find an affordable and stylish mirror that will make a space look larger, brighter, and all the more glamorous.

Hang window treatments higher

Rehang your window treatments higher than they are to trick the eye into thinking that your ceilings are higher.

Avoid dark colors

Dark colors and patterns are too specific to be universally appealing so save them for small details like pillows and throws and instead, go for brighter, more neutral tones.

Thank you very much guys! It was real pleasure working with you.

Lara

The Kitchen for sure for me. What about you?

First tip is hire the right realtor and all the following tips you won’t have to worry about.

#1. Curb Appeal. Make the opinion they have when they walk to the door a positive one. The investment you make in plants, paint, and cleanliness will be minimal compared to the impact it provides.

#2. Declutter. A good rule of thumb for most Americans is to get half of your stuff in rooms, and put it in storage. No room looks “spacious” with stuff jammed into it. It should almost look spare.

#3. Depersonalize. Don’t keep reminding them that this is *your* home with your family portraits, etc..allow them to picture it as theirs.

#4. Paint it neutral inside. You know that “feature wall” in purple you think is so fantastic and artistic? No one else likes that. Don’t make them think about chores they have to do - allow them to think all their furniture is going to match, and it’s turn key.

#5. Fix obvious problems. That switch plate cover that doesn’t quite cover and you never got around to? Just spend the $1 and fix it. Do the quarter round if you haven’t. A gash in the wall from when you opened the door too quickly? Fix it.

#6. Clean. You would (maybe not) be surprised at how many people will show dirty homes. Dirty homes are gross when *you* live in them, so imagine how gross they are to someone else. No one wants to see your grungy bathtub, etc. If your house looks dirty, people think it’s poorly cared for in general. If you have to, hire a cleaning company - your carpets, curtains, walls, floors, counters should shine.

#7. Stage it..Yourself. No, I’m not talking about hiring a staging company (although you can if it’s empty)…I’m talking about having fresh flowers around, setting the dinner table, and making it look better than ever.

#8. Put away Pet Evidence. Have a dog crate, cat litter box in the bathroom or other pet evidence - put it away for any viewings.

#9. Update Minimally. For example, it is inexpensive to replace old light fixtures that make the house look dated, but it can pay off big and make rooms look modernized.

#10. Cut Emotional Attachments. Yes, I know you might have raised a family here and *want* it to go to another family, but in the end be willing to sell to the person who offers you the most…this isn’t a family member, it’s an asset.