10 Best-Kep Secrets for Buying a Home

Hello Friends,

Buying Secret #10: Keep Your Money Where It Is
It’s not wise to make any huge purchases or move your money around three to six months before buying a new home. You don’t want to take any big chances with your credit profile. Lenders need to see that you’re reliable and they want a complete paper trail so that they can get you the best loan possible. If you open new credit cards, amass too much debt or buy a lot of big-ticket items, you’re going to have a hard time getting a loan.

Buying Secret #9: Get Pre-Approved for Your Home Loan
There’s a big difference between a buyer being pre-qualified and a buyer who has a pre-approved mortgage. Anybody can get pre-qualified for a loan. Getting pre-approved means a lender has looked at all of your financial information and they’ve let you know how much you can afford and how much they will lend you. Being pre-approved will save you a lot of time and energy so you are not running around looking at houses you can't afford. It also gives you the opportunity to shop around for the best deal and the best interest rates. Do your research: Learn about junk fees, processing fees or points and make sure there aren’t any hidden costs in the loan.

Buying Secret #8: Avoid a Border Dispute
It’s absolutely essential to get a survey done on your property so you know exactly what you’re buying. Knowing precisely where your property lines are may save you from a potential dispute with your neighbors. Also, your property tax is likely based on how much property you have, so it is best to have an accurate map drawn up.

Buying Secret # 7: Don’t Try to Time the Market
Don’t obsess with trying to time the market and figure out when is the best time to buy. Trying to anticipate the housing market is impossible. The best time to buy is when you find your perfect house and you can afford it. Real estate is cyclical, it goes up and it goes down and it goes back up again. So, if you try to wait for the perfect time, you’re probably going to miss out.

Buying Secret # 6: Bigger Isn’t Always Better 
Everyone’s drawn to the biggest, most beautiful house on the block. But bigger is usually not better when it comes to houses. There’s an old adage in real estate that says don’t buy the biggest, best house on the block. The largest house only appeals to a very small audience and you never want to limit potential buyers when you go to re-sell. Your home is only going to go up in value as much as the other houses around you. If you pay $500,000 for a home and your neighbors pay $250,000 to $300,000, your appreciation is going to be limited. Sometimes it is best to is buy the worst house on the block, because the worst house per square foot always trades for more than the biggest house.

Buying Secret #5: Avoid Sleeper Costs
The difference between renting and home ownership is the sleeper costs. Most people just focus on their mortgage payment, but they also need to be aware of the other expenses such as property taxes, utilities and homeowner-association dues. New homeowners also need to be prepared to pay for repairs, maintenance and potential property-tax increases. Make sure you budget for sleeper costs so you’ll be covered and won’t risk losing your house.

Buying Secret #4: You’re Buying a House – Not Dating It
Buying a house based on emotions is just going to break your heart. If you fall in love with something, you might end up making some pretty bad financial decisions. There’s a big difference between your emotions and your instincts. Going with your instincts means that you recognize that you’re getting a great house for a good value. Going with your emotions is being obsessed with the paint color or the backyard. It’s an investment, so stay calm and be wise.

Buying Secret #3: Give Your House a Physical
Would you buy a car without checking under the hood? Of course you wouldn’t. Hire a home inspector. It’ll cost about $200 but could end up saving you thousands. A home inspector’s sole responsibility is to provide you with information so that you can make a decision as to whether or not to buy. It’s really the only way to get an unbiased third-party opinion. If the inspector does find any issues with the home, you can use it as a bargaining tool for lowering the price of the home. It’s better to spend the money up front on an inspector than to find out later you have to spend a fortune.

Buying Secret #2: The Secret Science of Bidding
Your opening bid should be based on two things: what you can afford (because you don’t want to outbid yourself), and what you really believe the property is worth. Make your opening bid something that’s fair and reasonable and isn’t going to totally offend the seller. A lot of people think they should go lower the first time they make a bid. It all depends on what the market is doing at the time. You need to look at what other homes have gone for in that neighborhood and you want to get an average price per square foot. Sizing up a house on a price-per-square-foot basis is a great equalizer. Also, see if the neighbors have plans to put up a new addition or a basketball court or tennis court, something that might detract from the property’s value down the road.

Today, so many sellers are behind in their property taxes and if you have that valuable information it gives you a great card to negotiate a good deal. To find out, go to the county clerk’s office.

Sellers respect a bid that is an oddball number and are more likely to take it more seriously. A nice round number sounds like every other bid out there. When you get more specific the sellers will think you've given the offer careful thought.

Buying Secret #1: Stalk the Neighborhood
Before you buy, get the lay of the land – drop by morning noon and night. Many home buyers have become completely distraught because they thought they found the perfect home, only to find out the neighborhood wasn’t for them. Drive by the house at all hours of the day to see what’s happening in the neighborhood. Do your regular commute from the house to make sure it is something you can deal with on a daily basis. Find out how far it is to the nearest grocery store and other services. Even if you don’t have kids, research the schools because it affects the value of your home in a very big way. If you buy a house in a good school district versus bad school district even in the same town, the value can be affected as much as 20 percent. https://goo.gl/BynS5E

Thanks so much,

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd.

Ogden, UT 84403

(801)627-6500

3 Brilliant Organizing Solutions for Your Kitchen

Hello Friends,

Neat Method founders Ashley Murphy and Molly Graves share their expert tips and tricks for decluttering and staying organized.

Tired of cleaning? Say goodbye to your messy pantry, stack of dirty dishes, and mismatched spice cabinet for good, and set yourself up for success with these three smart strategies.

Make the Dishwasher the Heart of the Kitchen

When you’re organizing your kitchen, it’s essential to think strategically about where your dishwasher is in relation to your everyday utensils and dishes. Put your plates, silverware, cups, and dishes all in close proximity to the dishwasher. Work your way out from there, and place the items you use the least often the farthest away.

Categorize Your Pantry Items by the Way You Eat

When it comes to organizing your pantry, you need to take everything out first—yes, everything. As you pull each item out, make sure to check expiration dates and only keep things you'll actually eat or use. After you’ve cleared off the shelves, start to categorize by the way you eat, organizing by breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items.

Make Your Spice Cabinet Uniform

The first thing you need to do when organizing your spice cabinet is to decide whether you want to put all of the spices in glass jars or keep them in the store-bought containers they came in. Either way, you want to make sure they are as uniform as possible. If you go the glass jar route, go ahead and place a label on every single one of them, and then take it a step further and alphabetize.

https://goo.gl/Kyq9BQ

Thanks so much!

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd

Ogden, UT 84403

801-627-6500

10 Sneaky Ways to Fake a Foyer

Hello Friends,

Make the most of your non-existent entryway with these clever design tricks.

Re-imagine Your Closet

Open up a cramped space and gain a helpful spot for extra seating by ditching the closet door. Hooks and baskets look decorative, but still provide ample storage for your stuff.

Get a Skinny Console

If your narrow hallway won't fit the average credenza, slim down. This DIY console makes the most of a tight space by offering extra style and a place to drop your keys.

Go Graphic

A small entryway means you can get away with a bold accent wall. Patterned wallpaper adds definition to a meager foyer and yields instant personality that might overwhelm anywhere else.

Add Hooks and a Bench

As long as you've got a place to tie your shoes and hang your coat, even the tiniest entryway will feel complete.

Don't Dismiss Decor

With a little attention to styling, even a small console becomes a major design statement. Strategically hang a mirror to make the space feel twice as large

Hang a Gallery Wall

Instead of placing your photos and art sporadically around the room, cluster them together. This move deliberately defines a wall as your entry, sectioning it off from the rest of an open layout.

Choose Pretty Storage

Piles near your doorway are just a fact of life. Don't underestimate the power of a cute umbrella holder and shoe tray to make everything feel tidier and fancier.

Build Cubbies

A stack of bins fits easily into a skinny space. Not only do they help organize your many scarves and mittens — they also add interest to an otherwise boring wall.

Add a Pop of Color

A single accent hue gives a barely-there entryway some extra oomph, making it feel like a thoughtful, fully designed room.

Don't Forget the Door

Your front door is the focal point of your entry (big or small), so treat it that way. Paint it your favorite bright color or deck it out with seasonal wreaths.

https://goo.gl/zJbs1s

Thanks so much!

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd

Ogden, UT 84403

801-627-6500