Selling During An Emotional Time

While selling a home can come with its own set of sentimental feelings and mixed emotions, it is particularly challenging for most people when they must sell a home due to unfortunate circumstances beyond their control. Whether it be a divorce, death of a loved one, or any other emotionally difficult situation, there are a few key factors to keep in mind.

1. Give yourself grace. This is a challenging time and it’s okay to spend time gathering your thoughts and putting together the necessary paperwork you may need.

2. Do your research first. It’s important that those who have any interest/ownership (including any known  lienholders) in the home be identified. If there is an estate involved, we advise you to contact an attorney specializing in this area.

3. Please be aware that your real estate professional will need to visit the home in order to ascertain its current condition, any potential maintenance and/or repair issues that need to be addressed prior to selling, and the key features and amenities of the home. Our goal is to provide you with a realistic snapshot of the potential value of the home on the current market and changes that may increase that value.

4. Keep us in the loop. There may be a lot of moving pieces as you are selling your home and dealing with an emotional situation. Remember that we are here to help thus, if there is a change in circumstances or you have a new development, please keep all parties informed.

Although this may be an emotional and challenging time, surrounding yourself with experienced professionals who can take some of the burden and offer empathetic and insightful input can make all the difference.

Your Weekday Time-Saving Hacks

As schoolage children around the country don new gear and pose for the iconic "First Day of School" photos and adults wax nostalgic about summer vacation memories, it’s time to get back into the swing of a routine. From the fall through the spring, there is a high premium placed on conserving resources and saving time. Although the old adage is that "there are no shortcuts in life", there are life hacks that will help you adhere to your schedule, spend more quality time with your family, and reduce the time you spend on repetitive tasks. Here are some great weekday life hacks that will keep you on track:

1. Prep your wardrobe so you can forget about it. On Sunday night, have the family choose clothing for the week ahead. If you have children, get them excited by letting them put on a fashion show and choose their favorite accessories. Consider purchasing clear bins for each day of the week and labeling the bins. Each day's outfit can be placed in the bin, making it easier to simply select that day's outfit. For the adults, clear a small space in the front of your closet and hang your selected outfits. An easy way to separate each day is by placing a different colored hanger in between to signal a new day.

2. Don't let lunch be a chore. When you are in a rush, you are more liable to end up buying lunch or dinner or throwing together a quick meal that may not meet your needs. Place a set of clear bins packed with non-perishable snacks and drinks, such as drink boxes and water bottles, granola bars, chips, fruit cups, and other snacks. These easy-access meal items will help you create a packed lunch quickly and help you identify when you are running low on items. On Sunday night, add fresh fruit and veggies to wax paper or plastic sandwich bags for the entire week. Instead of sandwiches, consider crackers or pita slices and the fillings of your choice in separate containers; the ingredients stay fresh and everyone can grab and go each day. For salads, put fresh greens in a separate container and separate ingredients into smaller containers.

3. It's on the calendar. Managing multiple schedules can be a challenge, particularly with children participating in extracurricular and school activities. Put an oversized calendar in the kitchen and color code based on each family member. Once you receive a calendar of activities, add it to the shared calendar. If the whole family is tied to technology, use the family version of the Google calendar to keep everyone up to date.

While things can get frenetic during the weekday, these time-saving hacks can help you shave time from your day and avoid the frantic daily rush. While we cannot avoid the last-minute surprises, spending some time on the weekend prepping for the week ahead will save you a lot of time during the week.

I’m Interested in Buying a Home. Where Do I Start?

Can I afford it? My credit is not perfect. Don’t I need to put 20% down? These are only some of the questions and comments we have heard time and again from prospective buyers. You are not alone in questioning whether you can transition from renter to homeowner. Purchasing a home is one of the most significant investments you can make within your life. It allows you to put down roots, customize and design an environment to meet your needs, and in many cases, can include tax and investment savings. While many of our parents and grandparents were able to achieve the dream of homeownership through dedication, hard work, and perseverance, you may be pondering if, and how, you will become a homeowner yourself.

The good news: you may be closer to homeownership than you think. There are many paths to owning a home and you don't have to be perfect. There are a variety of products that your lender can offer that can meet your needs based on a variety of factors—from creditworthiness to income. Your lender may have programs aimed at down payment assistance/low down payments, those with credit blemishes, and those in certain professions, among other factors. Your first step is to determine where you stand in the process by contacting your preferred lender (or contacting a realtor for recommendations for preferred lenders). The mortgage specialist can explain your options and can help you determine if there are further steps you will need to take to position you as an ideal prospective buyer. Once you have been pre-approved for a loan, it's time to contact your realtor to guide you through the homebuying process.

The homebuying process is within reach. The most important step you can take to achieve homeownership is the first step. Contact us with any questions you have. Take your first steps toward your dream home.