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What to negotiate when buying a house

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, it is necessary to ensure you are getting the best possible deal for your money. So, what should you negotiate when buying a home?

Closing costs. Your closing costs are determined by a variety of factors, but you can expect it to be between 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Ask the seller to cover some or all of the closing costs upfront or request a closing credit that can be used to make specific updates and fixes to the home.

Furnishings. Love how the seller has furnished and decorated the home? Buyers often negotiate keeping couches, fixtures, landscaping items, patio furniture, appliances, and more. And many sellers agree, wanting to make the home more appealing.

Inspection and closing timing. Buyer offers that include a quick inspection and close timeline are often more attractive to sellers who have been going through the process for far too long. Just ensure you allow yourself ample time to get your financing in place and complete proper, thorough inspections.

Home warranty. Sellers will often agree to pay the premium on the home warranty at closing and then hand it off to the new homeowner, who is responsible for the deductible on any future claims.

Repairs. Your inspection may uncover small or large repairs needed to bring the home up to standard. You can negotiate to have these items fixed before closing or ask for a price reduction to cover the costs.

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Staging Strategies For Your Home

Staging your home is all about putting the best foot forward for potential buyers. By highlighting its most desirable features, you can draw more interest for your home and leave a lasting impression that is sure to help you sell it more quickly. Here’s what you should keep in mind as you prepare for your next open house or viewing!

1. Help them visualize it as their own. Make it easier for buyers to imagine themselves making your house their home by removing personal memorabilia, knick-knacks, and photos. Instead replace them with simple décors, such as paintings, nature images, and plants.

2. Think sleek instead of comfy. Modern-day buyers are leaning toward modern, crisp, clean interiors over comfy, homey looks. When staging your home, keep a minimalist mindset, and incorporate bright colors and metal accents.

3. Deep clean the small spaces. It's obvious to say you should clean your home before viewing, but don’t forget to cover your bases by deep cleaning the small spots. Take time to scrub porous areas like grout that may hold on to stains and baseboards where small pet hairs and dust love to cling.

4. Spruce up your landscaping. The first impression your home gives to potential buyers is its exterior. Ensure you have a freshly mowed lawn, neat hedges and shrubbery, bright flowers, and a clean driveway.

5. Set the mood. A home is so much more than just the way it looks, so you need to appeal to the other senses. Prior to having potential buyers over, set the mood by burning delicious smelling candles and selecting an upbeat, happy soundtrack to play in the background.

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Little-Known Secrets to Buying a Luxury Home

Buying a home is an involved process, regardless of your price point. However, the luxury market comes with a different set of conditions. From working with a specialized real estate broker, less available inventory and a more discerning list of requirements, investing in a luxury property can be more involved than purchasing a mid-level home. Here are some of the little-known secrets of the luxury home buying process.

Work With a Luxury Broker Working with a well-versed broker in the luxury market is key to ensuring a smooth home searching and buying process. A luxury broker will be familiar with the areas in which you’re looking, will be up to speed on the latest trends, will be able to identify potential issues in properties you view and will know if a property is worth its listing price. Additionally, a luxury broker will have access to homes that might not be listed publicly or on the MLS. Many luxury listings are private to protect the seller’s privacy, so only luxury brokers within the inner circle are privy to these listings.

Have a Knowledgeable Team in Place In addition to working with a broker who specializes in the luxury market, making sure your financial advisor is involved in your purchase decision will ensure you’re making an intelligent investment. Taking it a step further and arranging a meeting between your broker and financial advisor will safeguard your purchase.

Exercise Patience Patience is the name of the game when buying luxury real estate. Because of limited inventory, the time it takes to conduct research and a discerning list of must-have features, it can take longer to find the property that is a perfect match for your specifications.

Know the Neighborhood Familiarizing yourself with the neighborhood and its future plans is an important part of the luxury home buying process. From the school district to the area’s downtown amenities to recreational opportunities, the neighborhood can be just as important as the home. Additionally, suppose you are buying a property for its views. In that case, it’s important to understand any plans for the area and any possibilities of new construction that could impact any waterfront, golf course or sunset views.

Don’t Discount Properties Based on Photos Based on the photos, if you don’t fall in love with a property, it’s still worth an in-person visit to see the home. For example, a house may require interior updates but have one in a million waterfront views. If you discount the house based on the listing photos, you will miss out on your opportunity to own a property with those views.

Have Proof of Funds Being able to prove you have the funds to purchase a luxury property can be more involved than if you’re buying a mid-level home. Therefore, it’s important you have the documentation to prove you have the funds before making an offer. You may even need this documentation before you view the property.

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7 High-End Kitchen Design Elements

High-end kitchen designs are continually changing and evolving. Whether your kitchen plans involve a refresh or a complete redesign, keeping it current means staying up-to-date on kitchen trends. Today’s luxury kitchen is at the intersection of function, technology and aesthetics, so combining these elements will create the ultimate high-end kitchen. Read on to learn the aspects every luxury kitchen needs to have.

Double Kitchen Island One oversized island is excellent, but two are better. Kitchen islands are the focal point of a kitchen and are usually where friends and family gather. A kitchen island is also the primary place for food prep. With two kitchen islands, one can be used to prepare a meal, complete with a sink or stovetop, while the other island can be used for grazing and gathering.

Quartzite Counters Contrary to misconception, quartzite is not comparable to quartz. Quartzite is a natural stone that looks like marble, with the durability of granite. However, quartzite is more expensive than both marble and granite, as it’s not as accessible.

Smart Kitchens Kitchen technology is a standard design element in luxury kitchens. From the lighting to the faucet, kitchen technology can be integrated into the design plan. Imagine preheating your oven on your commute home, having a motion sensor faucet so you don’t have to touch the handle with dirty hands. This refrigerator tells you when grocery items are running low so that you can set the lighting from your smartphone.

Creative Storage Solutions Ample storage is a true luxury, and kitchen storage solutions can be limitless. Determining how you currently use—and want to use—your kitchen will help you create a list of the kitchen storage solutions to help you most seamlessly navigate your kitchen. For example, taking your upper cabinets down to the counter will create a space to seamlessly hide your small appliances, such as a coffee maker or toaster. In addition, kitchen cabinets and drawers can be custom designed to accommodate essentially any configuration you can dream up, whether it’s silverware, appliances, dishes or space storage.

For a completely streamlined design, hidden appliances will create an ultra-high-end look common in luxury kitchens. The refrigerator will blend in seamlessly with the rest of the cabinets, creating a seamless aesthetic.

Upgraded Walk-In Pantry A new walk-in pantry can be more than simply a place to store food. These unique and improved versions can also serve as a second kitchen, housing a spare dishwasher, beverage refrigerators or coffee bars. Designing this space like an independent room will make it pleasant to organize and enjoyable in which to spend time.

Bringing In the Outdoors Ample outdoor space is a luxury, and bringing the outdoors inside makes daily life feel like a vacation. Ensuring your kitchen has easy access to your outdoor patio, deck or outdoor kitchen will seamlessly let you prepare food inside and enjoy a meal outdoors. Extending your existing kitchen windows may cut down on cabinet space, but the sunlight you receive in exchange will be well worth it.

Mixing Metals Mixing metals in a kitchen can create a layered, luxe designer look to an otherwise monotone kitchen. To avoid going overboard, select two metals: a prominent metal and an accent metal. This combination will add depth while making the design appear intentional. A traditional metal, such as polished nickel, is best for more permanent fixtures, such as a faucet, while a more on-trend metal, such as brushed brass, can be used for light fixtures or cabinet hardware.

A high-end kitchen goes beyond aesthetics. A true luxury kitchen allows you to function with conveniences available at your fingertips comfortably.

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6 Ways to Transition Decor From Summer to Fall

If your home is full of breezy linens, light colors and fresh scents, it’s time to make a few tweaks and replace these items with their autumn-inspired accessories. Fall interiors are all about rich fabrics, deep colors and bringing natural elements indoors. However, you don’t need to do a complete design overhaul to have a fall-friendly space. Instead, find out the tweaks you can make to transition your summer decor to an autumn scheme seamlessly.

Layer With Texture and Pattern As you pack away breezy summer fabrics make room for fall’s rich counterparts. Updating your throw blankets and pillows is an easy way to make a space feel ready for the chillier months ahead. Throws and pillows in heavy, textured fabrics, like wool, cashmere, velvet, faux fur or plaid will invite you to stay for a while. Casually drape a throw blanket across the sofa or pile them in a basket within reach. 

Incorporate Rich Hues Rich, warm tones and jewel-hued colors are a perfect autumn color palette. Whether it’s olive green, burgundy or indigo, incorporating these deeper colors as accents can lend a fall vibe. Alternatively, you can consider a neutral color palette of warm cream, gray and taupe to create a calm, cozy space.

Bring in Natural Elements If you spend most of your summer outdoors, the idea of being inside for the months ahead can feel stifling. Ease the transition by bringing natural elements indoors. Incorporate in-season flower bouquets, such as hydrangeas, spray roses, mums; extra greenery, like seeded eucalyptus, which has a more organic look and feel; or branches to fill centerpiece vases.

Update the Lighting As you plan to spend more time inside, take inventory of your existing lighting. With more evenings indoors, you may need additional task lightings, such as floor and table lamps. You can also update the lampshades on your scones and table lamps in fall-inspired prints and colors, such as plaid, animal print or in richer hues.

Upgrade Your Bedding As the temperatures dip, upgrade your sheets to a set of Egyptian cotton, silk or percale, and add an extra woven blanket layer. Take advantage of the crisp cool nights by cracking open a window, knowing you will have an extra layer of bedding to keep you cozy.

Remember the Details As you prepare to spend more time inside your home, pay attention to the details that give your home an extra special touch. Infusing your home with fall scents, updating your coffee table books, refreshing your picture frames with summer memories and replacing the bathroom hand soaps will go a long way to creating a cozy fall atmosphere.

As the autumn season approaches, a few decor tweaks will help create an inviting and cozy fall atmosphere that will make you and your guests feel right at home. 

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Outdoor Summer Maintenance You Shouldn't Be Forgetting

Summer may be synonymous with fun, but every homeowner should know how to protect and prep their home for all that the season entails. Each season has its own set of important maintenance tasks to ensure that your home is safe and that your investment is protected for years to come. 

Prep Your Pool From cleaning chemicals to safety locks, there is a lot more to maintaining a pool than just filling it with water every summer. Ensure that you have all of the tools required to keep your pool safe and well-maintained. In addition to your usual pool prep, consider adding vital safety features like child gates, fences and signs that can serve to deter curious neighborhood children.

Annual HVAC Inspection No one wants to find out the hard way that their HVAC is in need of repairs. Don’t wait for the next heat wave to hit before asking a professional to inspect your HVAC. Since your air conditioner will work hard in the summer months, be sure that it is annually inspected and that any repairs are completed before it’s too uncomfortable to go without it.

Change Your Water Usage Your summer landscaping will require a different level of watering than its fall counterparts. Be sure to adjust your water usage according to your landscaping needs and any potential municipal water conservation requirements in your area.

Pest Mitigation Summer heat can bring critters and pests into your home to cool off. Seal off any cracks or problem areas that could encourage roommates in the form of creepy crawlies. 

Plant Summer Florals Boost your curb appeal by planting summer florals. If you’re hoping to keep your costs low while boosting your home’s ROI, consider asking your local nursery about native plants that will do well in your yard without the need for excessive watering.

Add Weather Stripping If high heat is headed your way, there’s no better time to add or replace old weatherstripping. Keep your electric bill reasonable by ensuring that cool air doesn’t escape through the cracks and crevices of your home.

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Outdoor Features That Will Help Sell Your Home Fast

For decades, the kitchen has been looked at as one of the most desirable features for homebuyers. Some have even walked away from home because this particular space did not fit their needs. Though having updated appliances and a modern feel inside are still important, outdoor living spaces have become a piece of the home that today’s buyers are putting more of a focus on. 

Having a backyard filled with amenities, from a well-thought-out irrigation system to a fully equipped kitchen right outside, has quickly become a necessity for sellers to feature.

Smart Irrigation System  Not only is this a great selling feature, but it is also environmentally friendly. With many of today’s buyers coming from the millennial generation, highlighting something that is tech-friendly and sustainable is important. There are many options to choose from, such as a system that can be controlled via Bluetooth, as well as some that are solar-powered. Highlight this feature in your listing, including the environmental and financial benefits that come along with it.

Pet- and Kid-Friendly Spaces  Another great selling feature when it comes to your outdoor space is having one or more areas dedicated to pets and children. If you have a dog, for example, and have built a dog house in your yard, consider leaving it on the property and adding it to your listing. The same goes for swing sets, playhouses, and treehouses. If a buyer has young children, these can be attractive features that can help your listing and your home to stand out from the competition. 

Outdoor Kitchen  Of course, not every backyard features a fully equipped kitchen, but if you have one, be sure to highlight it. More people are spending time at home and crave an outdoor living space that checks all of their boxes. Rather than a grill and a simple patio set, today’s buyers are looking for outdoor features for entertainment and relaxation. And what is more relaxing than having everything you need right at your fingertips? Consider adding a small fridge, counter and storage space, a bar cart, and even a pizza oven! 

Privacy For many buyers, privacy is a top priority. Whether you have large hedges or a tall fence around your property, be sure to point this out in your listing. For homes in a neighborhood where neighbors are close in proximity, this is especially important. If you do not have a fence or another form of privacy around your property, serious buyers may request this as part of their negotiation, so consider adding this feature before you list your home to avoid major costs later on. 

Before putting your home up for sale, consider adding a few of these outdoor features that today’s buyers crave. If you already have one or all of these features, be sure to highlight them in not only your listing images but the description as well. Talk to your real estate agent about how to best showcase these outdoor add-ons to ensure that your home sells fast!

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4 Tips for Starting Your Home Search Online

With people shopping online more than ever, it comes as no surprise that this tech platform has become ubiquitous within the real estate industry. From millennials to boomers, homebuyers of all ages and demographics are starting their home search from the comfort of their own computer or mobile devices. Taking into account that more listings than ever offer virtual and 3D home tours, there is so much information available online that buyers depend on. Here are four tips for starting your home search online and finding your perfect home from wherever you are.

Check the Right Websites House-hunting online wouldn’t be possible without websites like Homes.com, Trulia and Realtor.com. With certain research tools available, such as searching by location, price point, number of bedrooms and more, you have the ability to find exactly what you are looking for. Also, with 3D tours, 360-degree room views and aerial drone footage of the property and neighborhood available, it is easier than ever to explore a home’s floor plan and imagine what it could be like to furnish and live in a specific space. 

Review Public Records Head to your town or city county assessor or treasurer office online and enter an address of a home you are interested in. Because tax records are public information, you can see what the current owner, as well as past owners, paid for the property. Here, you can also explore the assessed value, property taxes, construction and remodel permits, property lines, square footage and more. 

Explore the Neighborhood While you enjoy the ease of searching online, nothing compares to the real thing. If you find a home or property online that you are interested in, and if you are close enough in distance, take a ride to see the home with your own eyes and explore the neighborhood. Or, continue your online journey, enter the address into Google maps and use the street-view to see what is around the home, including different neighborhoods, businesses and school districts.

Hire a Real Estate Agent Of course, you don’t need a real estate agent at the beginning of your online home search. But even if you aren’t ready, whether emotionally or financially, a professional can help you especially in your online search. Real estate agents have access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and proprietary databases not available to the masses. These websites are more accurate than the regular home search websites and can offer more accurate information. Hiring an agent can help you take advantage of all of these resources and especially help you move to the next step in finding a new home.

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4 Reasons to Consider Selling Your Home as an "Off-Market Listing"

When selling your home, it’s understandable to assume that the best marketing strategy is to reach as large an audience as possible. After all, leveraging the power of real estate portals and publications certainly has its benefits. However, sometimes it’s better to go the opposite direction. Off-market listings, also known as pocket listings, can be an effective way to market a property by word-of-mouth and keep it out of the public eye. Here are a few reasons why this might be the right choice for you.

Privacy For many sellers, particularly in the luxury sector, maintaining privacy is a top priority. If you’re hesitant to have photos of your living space blasted across the internet for the world to see, then an off-market listing could be the way to go. This ensures that only qualified buyers see the inside of your home and, for high-profile sellers, it can help to keep your name out of the media.

Exclusivity Off-market listings have an air of exclusivity that can impact how a prospective buyer views them. Because it’s not available for the public to see, it furthers the impression that this is a truly special property that’s only being marketed to those in the know.

Set the Tone Off-market listings can also send an important message and put the seller into the driver’s seat. To potential buyers, it suggests that the owner doesn’t necessarily have to sell, but is willing to for the right price. This helps to encourage a competitive offer if they hope to buy a home that’s not available on the open market. 

Keep It Fresh When a home sits on the market for an extended period, buyers might start to think that there’s something wrong with it or that it’s overpriced. However, you never have to worry about this with an off-marketing listing. That’s why this can also be a beneficial way to test the waters at a certain price point with no downside. 

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6 Items to Upgrade Your Backyard

Making your backyard perfect for the spring and summer seasons is more important now than ever. With social distancing still here to stay and outdoor gatherings remaining the best way to enjoy close friends and family, now is a great time to elevate your outdoor space. Upgrade your backyard with these six items.

Raised Herb Garden Whether you have a large garden already, or no garden at all, adding a small raised planter on your deck or patio is an excellent choice. Keep shade-loving herbs close by for added appeal and greenery in your seating area. Not only will your space look lovely, but your outdoor dinners will get a huge boost of flavor with fresh herbs ready to be used.

Fire Pit Stay out even on chilly spring or summer nights with a fire pit. Choose a gas fire table or pit that follows your municipal fire safety laws and your whole family will enjoy the warmth and ambiance all night long. Adults will enjoy the relaxing conversation focal point and kids will adore the promise of smores in summer.

Wall Decor You would never call a space finished indoors before adding a few art and decor pieces on the wall, don’t make the mistake of thinking your outdoor space is any different. Whether your seating area is surrounded by a fence or your home’s exterior, add a few of your favorite outdoor-safe decor items to truly enhance your aesthetic.

Hammock Few things are more comfortable on a sunny day than resting in a hammock with a good book or a glass of lemonade. Find a good spot for a hammock or do some research to select your favorite lounge chair and ensure that everyone has a spot to engage in a little relaxation outside this year.

String Lights Whether you opt for large bulb string lights or classic white Christmas lights, give your backyard the feel of a tropical resort in the evening. Make sure that your evenings outdoors are truly magical with an assortment of lighting options to boost the appeal of your personal backyard oasis.

Extra Foliage A good space will be well-landscaped, but a truly upgraded outdoor space will feature additional foliage for an oasis-like feel. In addition to your yard’s natural landscaping, add plants and flowers in your seating area in the form of hanging planters and nearby pots. Opt for vibrant flowers and cascading greenery to truly boost your outdoor aesthetic. 

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6 Items to Upgrade Your Backyard

Making your backyard perfect for the spring and summer seasons is more important now than ever. With social distancing still here to stay and outdoor gatherings remaining the best way to enjoy close friends and family, now is a great time to elevate your outdoor space. Upgrade your backyard with these six items.

Raised Herb Garden Whether you have a large garden already, or no garden at all, adding a small raised planter on your deck or patio is an excellent choice. Keep shade-loving herbs close by for added appeal and greenery in your seating area. Not only will your space look lovely, but your outdoor dinners will get a huge boost of flavor with fresh herbs ready to be used.

Fire Pit Stay out even on chilly spring or summer nights with a fire pit. Choose a gas fire table or pit that follows your municipal fire safety laws and your whole family will enjoy the warmth and ambiance all night long. Adults will enjoy the relaxing conversation focal point and kids will adore the promise of smores in summer.

Wall Decor You would never call a space finished indoors before adding a few art and decor pieces on the wall, don’t make the mistake of thinking your outdoor space is any different. Whether your seating area is surrounded by a fence or your home’s exterior, add a few of your favorite outdoor-safe decor items to truly enhance your aesthetic.

Hammock Few things are more comfortable on a sunny day than resting in a hammock with a good book or a glass of lemonade. Find a good spot for a hammock or do some research to select your favorite lounge chair and ensure that everyone has a spot to engage in a little relaxation outside this year.

String Lights Whether you opt for large bulb string lights or classic white Christmas lights, give your backyard the feel of a tropical resort in the evening. Make sure that your evenings outdoors are truly magical with an assortment of lighting options to boost the appeal of your personal backyard oasis.

Extra Foliage A good space will be well-landscaped, but a truly upgraded outdoor space will feature additional foliage for an oasis-like feel. In addition to your yard’s natural landscaping, add plants and flowers in your seating area in the form of hanging planters and nearby pots. Opt for vibrant flowers and cascading greenery to truly boost your outdoor aesthetic. 

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Which Season is Best for Your Home Improvement Project?

Although many home improvements can be done at any time of year, there are seasons when it’s best to tackle certain types of projects. That may be because the weather is generally good, because materials are readily available or because contractors tend to be less busy than at other times of the year.

Get Your Heating and Cooling Systems in Shape Before You Need Them If your furnace or air conditioning unit needs to be replaced, don’t put that off until shortly before winter or summer. If you do, you’ll be competing with lots of other homeowners who need to have similar projects done and you may have to wait weeks or months for a contractor to fit you into the schedule. In the meantime, you may be forced to live in a cold or hothouse. Get work on your heating system or fireplace done in the spring or summer, and have AC repairs and upgrades done in the fall or winter so you’ll be good to go when the weather changes.

Upgrade Your Home’s Exterior in Mild Weather Outdoor work, such as painting, replacing windows, and building a new deck will need to be done when the weather isn’t too cold and when it isn’t snowing. Summer is a popular season for painting and window replacement, but you may want to schedule those projects for spring or fall to avoid the rush. If you want to build a deck, have it done in the spring so it will be ready for you to use in the summer.

Some outdoor projects, such as building an addition, can be started in the winter. Builders may be able to dig a foundation, then work on the rest of the job in the mild spring weather. Due to lower demand, you may find it easier to find contractors who are available to start working on an addition in the winter than in other seasons.

Schedule Interior Improvements When Demand is Lower Changes to the inside of your home, such as a bathroom remodel, can be done at any time of the year, but contractors are often busiest in the summer. If you don’t want to wait a long time, consider scheduling your project in the winter when homeowners are less likely to be thinking about remodeling. 

Seasonal Demand May Affect Scheduling and Pricing Since demand for home improvements is highest in the warmer months, you should expect to pay more for both contractors’ services and materials. If you plan a home improvement project for the fall, you may find yourself competing with other homeowners who want to have their projects done by the holidays. If you have some flexibility in terms of when to complete a home improvement project, select a time based on contractor and material availability, cost, and your own needs and budget.

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How to Stage Your Home for the Spring Market

Before you go listing your home, you’ll want to make sure that it’s looking its best and a few upgrades may be in order, especially after a long winter. If you’re planning to take advantage of the spring market, here are several tips to help your home stand out this season.

Start With a Spring Cleaning A deep clean is always a good place to start before putting your home on the market and you may even want to work with a professional organizer to properly declutter your living space. Be prepared to pack up all of those heavy winter throws and flannel sheets, as well as all that extra “stuff” that tends to pile up around the house. Remember, a “spring aesthetic” should feel light and airy, and removing clutter is the first step to achieving this.

Infuse a Sense of Energy Once the winter comes to an end, we’re all ready for some uplifting energy and your décor can reflect this. Don’t underestimate the visual impact of adding a splash of color with bright textiles, fun floral patterns and maybe even a fresh coat of paint. New window treatments, rugs and throw pillows are an easy way to transform the feel of a room to capture a sense of spring.

Decorate With Plants Spring is all about regrowth, so why not bring in a few houseplants? There’s no better way to energize your interiors than with some lush vegetation, whether it’s a fiddle leaf fig in your living room or a bouquet of freshly cut flowers in the foyer that greets visitors with a pleasant aroma.

Give Your Outdoor Area TLC This time of year, prospective buyers are paying extra close attention to the outdoor living space when viewing homes. If you want to capitalize on this, then it’s important to have an inviting seating area with stylish furniture, a functional grilling station and professional landscaping where families can envision spending their time during the warmer months.

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How Local Inventory Can Affect Your Ability to Sell Your Home

Local inventory refers to the number of active listings in a particular geographic area at one time. Inventory is calculated and reported at the end of each month, but the actual number of properties available may be higher or lower on any given day since houses are listed and sold throughout the month. 

What to Expect in a Seller’s Market If there are more interested buyers than properties available, an area is in a seller’s market. If you list your home in that type of environment, you may receive multiple offers and may be able to negotiate a sale price above your asking price. A buyer who is eager to move into your area may be interested in your home even if it needs significant repairs or upgrades. 

It’s important to price your house reasonably, though. If you list your home for more than it’s worth given its condition, location and other factors, buyers may not be willing to pay that amount. Even if someone agrees to pay your list price, a lender won’t approve a mortgage if the sale price doesn’t line up with your home’s appraised value. In that case, you may have to accept a lower price to salvage the deal.

In a seller’s market, the process may move quickly. You may receive multiple offers from buyers who are eager to move in as soon as possible. Keep that in mind and think about where you will live between the time when your current home is sold and the date when you move into your new house.

How to Sell in a Buyer’s Market In a buyer’s market, there are more active listings than people interested in purchasing a home. If you decide to sell your house under those circumstances, it may be more challenging to attract a buyer and get the price you want. 

Staging and marketing are always important, but especially in a buyer’s market. Your home will have to be clean and attractive to appeal to buyers, and it will have to be well advertised to garner attention. Professional photos and videos can help your property stand out. Your agent can list your home on the MLS and real estate websites that are likely to draw in prospective buyers.

In a buyer’s market, it’s important to price your home competitively, but that doesn’t mean you should set the price unreasonably low. If you do, you may walk away with far less than you could have gotten.

It may take longer than average to sell your home in a buyer’s market. Your home may sell for less than a comparable house in the same area sold for just a few months earlier. 

If you have to sell right away, you may have no choice but to list your home and hope for the best. If you have more flexibility, you may want to hold off and wait for market conditions to change so you can get a higher price.

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4 Landscaping Tips for a Peaceful Outdoor Area This Spring

Luxury homeowners who seek a respite from their busy, modern lives are placing more importance on a well-designed outdoor area than ever before. If you want to create a tranquil setting outside your home, here are a few tips for a true oasis in your backyard.

Attract the Birds If you want to relax to the calls of a songbird, or perhaps lure in a swarm of butterflies, it all starts with choosing the right plants. Perennials are often the best choice, as they’re particularly hardy and easy to grow, while also bearing seeds that birds love to feed on. With the right flowers, you’ll have your own little bird sanctuary in the backyard in no time.

Create a Natural Screen Privacy, of course, is key to truly feeling like you can let loose outside your home without having to worry about any prying eyes. While a fence is always an effective option, another method is to create a natural screen using thick hedges, evergreens or other large plantings to totally envelope the backyard. Take it a step further with both fencing and hedges to ensure complete privacy and verdant scenery.

Add a Water Feature A water feature, like a reflecting pool or manmade stream, is always a surefire way to create a relaxing environment in the backyard. Whether you’re watching ripples in a pond or listening to the sounds of cascading water, you’ll feel transported to a private haven of serenity each time you step outside the house.

Use Climbing Plants If you want to create a roof over your head to block out the sun while lounging outside, climbing plants are the perfect way to do just that. After all, there’s no better way to add to the lush ambience than a pergola that’s covered in honeysuckle, hydrangeas or roses.

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4 Things to Know Before Putting Your Home on the Spring Market

As winter comes to an end, many homeowners are getting ready to put their property on the market and, it probably goes without saying, but this year’s spring market will be a little different from year’s past. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding if now is the right time to list your home.

Seller’s Market For almost a year now, the majority of luxury markets across the country have seen demand grow while inventory steadily drops, which has undoubtedly put sellers in the driver’s seat. This, of course, is good news if you’re planning to put your home on the market, but it’s all the more crucial to work with an experienced agent who can skillfully navigate the current climate and price your property correctly.

Digital Marketing Is Key More than ever before, digital marketing is driving home sales, particularly in the high-end where properties continue to be sold sight unseen. For this reason, your agent needs to be a savvy online marketer with a strong digital presence in order to leverage today’s most effective tools, from social media campaigns to listing syndication.

Stage to Your Advantage Staging has always been important and, especially now that online home browsing has become a favorite national pastime, getting your house to look just right in photos can make all the difference. As buyer preferences have shifted over the last year, you may want to consider staging your home accordingly and perhaps convert a bonus room to a home office or upgrade your patio furniture to create an extra appealing outdoor space.

Turnkey Is a Cut Above While the luxury sector as a whole has experienced high-demand, it’s the properties in mint condition that have benefitted the most from today’s market conditions. Buyers are less likely to take on restoration or renovation projects and, as a result, are willing to pay extra for a turnkey home.

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How to Figure Out if You’re Ready to Buy Your First Home

Don’t rush into buying a home unless you’re sure that you’re ready. Here are some things you should do to prepare.

Get Your Finances in Order Your debt-to-income ratio can affect your ability to qualify for a mortgage. Credit card debt and auto or student loans can also make it difficult to afford monthly mortgage payments. You don’t necessarily have to be debt-free before you buy a house, but you don’t want to get in over your head. It may be a good idea to wait a year, or two, or five to pay down your other debts so you can buy a house you can comfortably afford.

Your credit score will affect your ability to qualify for a mortgage and the interest rate on the loan. If your score is low or marginal, raise it by making payments on time and reducing your credit card balances.

Save Enough for a Down Payment and Other Costs You may be able to get a house with a low down payment, but you will have to pay for private mortgage insurance if you put down less than 20 percent. That may add hundreds of dollars per month to your overall cost of homeownership. A larger down payment can help you avoid PMI and lower your monthly mortgage payments.

You will need money for closing costs, moving expenses, furniture and appliances. Be sure to have funds set aside for maintenance and repairs.

Figure Out How Much You Can Really Afford The amount a lender preapproved you for is not the amount you should spend. That estimate may not consider all the costs of homeownership or some of your other expenses, such as childcare, or your savings for retirement and for your children’s college education. 

Think About How Your Life May Change Consider how secure your job is and whether you have a large enough emergency fund. Think about possible changes that may occur in the coming years. For example, you may have one or more children, your kids may go to college or you may start a new job. Those changes may cause your monthly expenses to rise significantly. Ask yourself if you would still be able to afford a mortgage.

Consider How Long You Plan to Stay Put Think of a home as a long-term investment. You don’t have to stay there forever, but it may not make sense to buy a house if you don’t plan to live there for at least five years or so. If you sell too quickly, you may barely make enough to cover the amount you paid on closing costs and break even. You may even lose money.

Are You Ready to Be a Homeowner? Many people feel pressure to buy a house to fit in with their family and friends, but rushing into homeownership unprepared can lead to serious financial and emotional stress. You should only buy a home when the time is right for you.