Best Real Estate Articles May 2022
It’s officially mid-year and mortgage rates are yet to stabilize. The federal government, however, is working on taming inflation but with the slow economic growth, we are not yet out of the woods. Even so, mortgage experts say that the rates are likely to plateau soon. With many potential buyers and investors choosing to wait for the market to stabilize, the real estate market is cooling off. No matter the side you are on, check out these great articles of May 2022 to get an idea of what’s currently trending in real estate.
What should you do after closing?
Getting keys to your first house is one of the biggest achievements in life. But what comes after that? Most people don’t think past the closing. Signing on the dotted lines isn’t the end of the journey but rather the start of the critical steps in homeownership. Knowing the priority tasks to complete after closing makes your home ownership journey less stressful. Additionally, completing these tasks within the first week of closing prevents uncalled-for surprises as Luke Skar writes. Testing all detectors in the house and updating your contact information are some of the crucial things to do after closing among others.
Current kitchen and bathroom trends
The kitchen and bathroom are the greatest selling points in any house, especially for buyers with big families. It’s a pity that some builders and sellers don’t pay attention to these areas. Even though the covid-19 pandemic has been significantly contained in many regions of the country, a lot of people have chosen to work from home. Also, not everyone is willing to visit commercial spas hence the need for bathrooms that offer the same level of comfort and ambiance. Consequently, the demand for home designs that feature modern and spacious kitchens & bathrooms has gone up. Vicki Moore highlights the current kitchen and bathroom trends builders and homeowners need to focus on to make their homes more marketable in line with the current needs and preferences of buyers.
The cost of owning a container home
Homeownership is the ultimate goal for many Americans. However, changing economic times call for adjustments, especially for young people saving for their first home. Buying a home is one of the most expensive investments in this country which has led to the invention of alternatives. One of the best alternatives to a traditional home is a container home. Nonetheless, building a container home isn’t always cheaper than traditional homes. Bill Gasset breaks down the costs ranging from shipping the containers and building to the costs associated with the parking location. Some lenders finance container homes and this is an excellent option if you are short of funds. Even though a container home is one of the most affordable housing options there could be cost overruns. Thus, research thoroughly beforehand to prepare for possible challenges in the future.
How are monthly mortgage payments determined?
Budgeting is a crucial aspect of building wealth. Failure to budget can easily leave you bankrupt, especially when purchasing expensive assets. Since buying a home is a costly undertaking, rigorous planning and budgeting are a necessity. Ensuring you don’t overstretch your financial capabilities is emphasized if you are getting a mortgage to fund the purchase. The total monthly mortgage you have to pay should guide you in picking a home. Interest rates can greatly increase monthly mortgage payments hence the need to understand how much interest you’ll have to pay before signing the contract. Lenders offer a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate mortgage plan. As Paul Sian explains, each option has its pros and cons and it’s upon the buyer to determine what works for him/her in long.
Is selling what you don’t need before a big move worth it?
Clutter accumulates over time hence the need for frequent de-cluttering sessions. However, not everyone does this hence the reason many realize how much stuff they don’t need when it’s time to move. You may donate, discard, or sell anything you don’t need when moving. Get rid of the things that are beyond salvageable but sell anything that is in a good condition. Selling what you don’t need before a big move, as Danny Margagliano explains, has many benefits like bringing in extra cash and also leaving you with fewer items to insure during the move. Additionally, the fewer items you have during the move the lower the transportation costs.
Cleaning before moving in
It’s always a good idea to clean a new home before moving in even when the seller had previously done it. Sellers usually do a general cleaning hence the need for a deep clean. If you suffer from allergies you can’t afford to ignore a deep clean when moving into a new house to improve the air quality. Some of the other things you should complete in the process include changing the air filters, getting rid of mold, and removing harsh chemicals. It’s easier and faster to clean the house while it’s empty compared to doing so after you have already moved. Conor MCevilly highlights the benefits of cleaning a home before moving in as well as how to do it properly.
This is how you can enhance curb appeal
The first impression buyers get upon walking to a property stays with them and has a big influence on their purchase decisions. Additionally, curb appeal also has an impact on the value of the property. Therefore, sellers need to work on curb appeal before listing a property to increase the probability of landing a buyer faster. The good news is that there are many ways to increase curb appeal. Sharon Paxson highlights some of the inexpensive ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal. They include planting a garden, cleaning, de-cluttering, etc. You can take pictures of the before and after to document the progress. Remember that upgrading curb appeal is an ongoing process and you shouldn’t feel pressured to get everything done at once.
Dealing with real estate encroachment
Real estate encroachment cases take a long time to settle not to mention how tiresome they are. Thus, you ought to be cautious about encroachment when buying real estate. Before purchasing a property, research potential or actual encroachment. Most encroachment cases are minor but some are serious enough to affect your property value. Kevin Vitali explains the different types of encroachment and how this differs from easements. Also, he highlights the impact encroachment has on property value as well as the actions you should take if you are encroached upon.
Colorado Springs farmers markets
These are the last weeks of spring in many parts of the country with summer having started already in some. Thus, it’s time to find new experiences to make this summer memorable. You don’t have to venture far to find great experiences in Colorado Springs. When planning your summer itinerary you can’t afford to miss out on the farmers’ market in Colorado Springs. Summer is one of the best times to get local fresh produce and there are several farmers’ markets in Colorado Springs. Not only do they give you a chance to experience what the local area has to offer but also to explore the area in the process. Joe Boylan has written an excellent guide on how to get the most out of Colorado Springs farmers and the weekly schedule.
What to do in Frederick Town, Md
Summer is an excellent time to explore different parts of the country thanks to the favorable weather. Travel exposes people to different cultures and also presents a great opportunity to meet new people and make friends. However, the activities you engage in during your travels will either leave you giddy with excitement or with regrets. Researching the main activities you can partake in at your preferred destination before you hit the road is highly recommended. This information comes in handy when planning your itinerary. If you are visiting Frederick town then Chris Highland has put together an excellent guide on things to do in the historic district of downtown Frederick, Md. Also, the guide is also useful to residents who want to explore the area.