Preparing a rental property for sale can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve had tenants living in the property. Whether you’re a seasoned landlord or a first-time seller, there are certain steps you can take to ensure your property is in top condition before putting it on the market.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know to prepare your home for sale after a tenant moves out.

Ensure Your Rental Agreement Requires the Tenant to Pay for Damages

One of the most important things you can do as a landlord is to ensure that your rental agreement includes language that holds the tenant responsible for any damages they may cause to the property.

This means that if the tenant causes any damage during their tenancy, they will be responsible for paying for the repairs.

Use a template to make sure all terms are included that way your tenant doesn’t get away with not paying for a broken window. This not only protects you as a landlord but also ensures that the property is in good condition when it’s time to sell.

Complete a Walk Through When They Move Out

When your tenant moves out, it’s essential to complete a thorough walk-through of the property to assess any damages that may have occurred during their tenancy.

This will give you a clear picture of the condition of the property and help you determine what repairs or updates may be necessary before putting it on the market. Be sure to document any damage you find with photos or video to use as evidence.

Check to See if Any Additional Damage is Covered by Insurance

Having homeowners insurance is vital when you own a home. Let’s say there’s damage that your tenant isn’t responsible for. Then the next step would be to go to your insurance.

For example, if a fire that your tenant didn’t start damages part of the property your insurance may be able to help you cover the costs of repair.

Clean the Property: With Tips

Once your tenant has moved out, and you’ve completed a walk-through of the property, it’s time to start cleaning. A clean property not only looks better but also makes it easier for potential buyers to envision themselves living there.

Here are five tips for cleaning a rental property before putting it on the market:

1. Start with the Walls: Over time, rental properties can accumulate dirt, scuffs, and even damage to the walls. Before you start deep-cleaning the rest of the property, give the walls a good scrub with a mild cleaner to remove any dirt or grime.
2. Don’t Forget the Floors: Whether you have carpet, hardwood, or tile, it’s important to give your floors a thorough cleaning. Consider renting a carpet cleaner or hiring a professional cleaning company to ensure that your floors look their best.
3. Clean the Appliances: The appliances in a rental property can take a beating over time, so it’s indispensable to give them a good cleaning before putting the property on the market. This includes the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and any other appliances that will be included in the sale.
4. Dust and Clean Surfaces: Once you’ve tackled the walls, floors, and appliances, it’s time to dust and clean all the surfaces on the property. This includes countertops, windowsills, and any other areas that may have accumulated dust or dirt over time.
5. Hire a Professional Cleaning Company: If you’re short on time or simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of deep cleaning a rental property, consider hiring a professional cleaning company to do the job for you. This can save you time and ensure that the property is in top condition before putting it on the market.

A clean bathroom itself is also key to selling a home, so make sure all toilets are unclogged and painted with a new layer of paint.

<H2>Buying New Furniture to Make the Sale</H2>

In addition to the repairs and cleaning, another way to prepare your rental property for sale is by updating the furniture. New decor isn’t just for increased productivity, some people decide to include furniture or appliances like a hot tub or new sofa to raise the price of the home.

Replacing old, worn-out furniture with new, modern pieces can make a big difference in the overall appearance and appeal of the property.

When choosing furniture, it’s essential to keep in mind the style and overall aesthetic of the property. Neutral, modern pieces are usually a safe bet and can help make the space feel fresh and inviting.

Investing in new furniture may seem like an added expense, but it can pay off in the long run by attracting more potential buyers and ultimately leading to a higher sale price. Plus, if you select the right pieces, you can take them with you to your new home or even use them to stage the property during open houses.

If you’re considering getting a fence for your yard, maybe you have a particular one in mind. There are several different fence styles. Some are more costly, while others are relatively inexpensive.

If you feel this is the year you’ll move forward and get your fence, you’ll naturally have some questions. How much is an appropriate price to pay for this purchase? Can you finance a fence? If you can, then what kind of payment structure makes the most sense?

We will answer each of those questions in the following article. Keep reading as we explain the best way to get your dream fence in 2023.

Is It Possible to Finance a Fence?

The first thing worth knowing is that it is indeed possible to finance a fence. You can do so in several different ways. The first is to pay for the fence in installments. If you do this, you could set up a financing plan directly with the company selling you the fence and erecting it.

The company will probably expect you to put some money down when they start the project. You’ll sign a contract and then hand over the amount of money to which you agreed. You might give the company a check or money order, though some accept credit cards as well.  

Like financing a car or anything else, it usually makes sense to put as much down for the fence in the beginning as you can afford. That means you will have fewer payments in the future, and those payments will be for less money.

You might pay for the fence over the next year or two. Depending on your agreement with the company installing it, you may give them monthly payments until you’ve paid off the full amount. Quarterly payments are also possible.

Do You Have Other Financing Options?

You might also approach a lending entity like a credit union or bank and ask them for a loan. You can use that loan to buy the fence. If you do this, you’ll usually pay in full. Then, you’ll owe the lender money instead of the fence company.

Doing this might make sense if you have good credit. If you do, then you should be able to secure a low interest rate on your loan. If you have a decent credit score and a steady job, then there’s a good chance the lender will approve your loan.

The only drawback with this method is that you must pay interest on the loan until you pay all of it back. Many times, when you set up financing with the fence company, you will pay no interest. You must simply pay for the fence in set installments according to the contract terms to which you agreed.  

How Much Does the Average Fence Cost?

The average fence costs anywhere from $2,000 to $4,500. However, you might buy one for as little as a few hundred dollars in some instances. You might also pay considerably more.

With fences, the style you get makes a huge price difference. If you get a custom-made, stockade-style wooden fence, it makes sense that it would cost more than a simple chain-link one. You must also factor in how big of a yard you’re trying to enclose.

Should You Finance a Fence?

Financing a fence makes sense if you want one to enclose your yard, and you can’t pay for it all at once. You can finance with the fence company and pay what you owe according to the contract terms to which you agree.

You might get a personal loan from a credit union or bank. That works as well, though you must pay interest on the loan until you’ve paid it back.

Either way, you’ll enjoy your new fence, and it should add to your property’s value.

Tired of renting and ready to buy that starter home you’ve been dreaming about? Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’re just looking to save money on earnest money and closing costs, we’ve got you covered!

Buying a home can be an expensive endeavor. Here’s a quick breakdown of the normal cost to buy a home in the US.

• Earnest money deposit upon contract signing (1% of purchase price)
• Mortgage down payment (minimum of 3% of purchase price)
• Closing costs including lender and title company fees (2% of purchase price)

If you add all of these amount up, you’ll end up needing at least 5-6% of the home sales price in cash and that’s being optimistic. Technically the 1% earnest money gets backed out of your “cash to close” amount, but more on that later.

After all the fees above are added up, you’d need $18,000 in cash to buy a $300,000 house. This represents 6% of the final sales price. Now let’s look at ways to reduce the amount needed to buy a home.

Cheap Ways to Buy a House

Using a combination of the approaches below, you can buy a house for as little as 0-3% of the purchase price versus the typical 6%. Some of these approaches require creativity and negotiating skills, while others have specific eligibility requirements.

Only put down 3% as your down payment

Conventional mortgages require at least 3% down, while FHA requires at least 3.5% down. Limit your out-of-pocket expenses by making the minimum down payment amount.

Ask the seller to pay up to 3% in “seller contribution”

A home seller can give you up to 3% of the sales price of the home to offset your “cash to close” amount. On a $300,000 home, that’s $9,000 contributed by the seller and a big chunk of money you don’t have to come up with. Obviously, the seller won’t just give you the money because you asked. Your agent can help you structure your offer creatively and make the other terms attractive.

Use first-time homebuyer programs and grants

There are several federal and state programs available for first-time buyers and low-income borrowers.

Use a USDA or VA loan if eligible

If you’re a veteran or live in a rural area, you can get a mortgage with 0% down payment. You’ll still need to pay closing costs, however.

Try house hacking

House hacking has become a popular option for owner-investors who purchase a home (usually a duplex) and then rent out part of the property to offset their mortgage.

Closing cost assistance

We covered seller contributions, but you can get closing cost assistance from other parties. For example, SimpleShowing is a real estate brokerage that offers a 1% commission refund to home buyers in certain states.

Lender credits

This is particularly common when purchasing a new construction home, but many lenders will offer closing cost credits, which help you offset cash out of pocket for pre-paid or escrow fees.

Final tips on how to buy a house cheap

When purchasing a home, decide if your objective is to limit out of pocket expenses, get a mortgage good rate or buy under market value. It’s often difficult to do all three, especially in a hot real estate market.

If you’re selling a property and wondering when and how you’ll receive you’re proceeds, keep reading!

When a homeowner sells a property in the US, there is a funding authorization process that must be finalized prior to you receiving a bank wire (or check) for the proceeds of your sale.

The funding authorization is typically approved by the closing attorney and/or title company that this handling the closing. If the buyer of your home is using a mortgage to purchase the property, there is an additional approval needed from the bank’s underwriting or funding department. If the buyer is purchasing your home with cash, the process is a bit quicker and easier.

During a home closing, the deed (property title) is cleared and transferred into the buyer’s name and all documents are signed and reviewed. This includes the settlement statement and local and state level docs. For the buyer, additional signatures are needed on all lender docs from the bank.

How long does it take to get proceeds from a real estate sale?

The attorney or title company review all docs for omissions or errors and once approved, the wire is sent to the seller and also to other interested parties such as real estate companies, home insurance companies, etc. The vast majority of closing attorneys and title companies will disburse funds using wire transfer, which is deposited into your checking account the day of closing.

Typically, you will receive your funds about 2-3 hours after closing.

However, if your closing occurs late in the afternoon (after 3pm), you will likely not recieve your wire until the following business day. This means that Friday afternoon closings often do not fund until Monday, unfortunately.

Are you feeling cramped in your current living space? Do you dream of having an extra bedroom or a dedicated family room? Adding a room to your house can be a great way to create more living space and make your home more livable and enjoyable.

How to Add a Room to a House

The cost of a room addition can quickly add up, leaving many homeowners feeling discouraged. In this post, we’ll explore how to add a room to your house on a budget while still getting the functional space you need.

Bump out addition

A bump out addition is a type of room addition that involves expanding the footprint of an existing room by adding a small, but strategically placed, extension. Bump outs can be a cost-effective way to add more living space to your home, without the expense of a full room addition.

Bump outs can be used to create a larger kitchen, a larger bathroom, or a walk-in closet, and they can be customized to meet your specific needs. Because bump outs require less structural work than a full room addition, they can be completed more quickly and with less disruption to your daily routine. However, it’s important to work with a professional contractor to ensure that your additional room is structurally sound and meets local building codes.

Finish your basement space

Basements are common in some parts of the US and represent a great opportunity to add finished square footage without actually doing an addition.  If you have a basement and want to add square footage, this is definitely the first option to explore. You can definitely save money finishing a basement versus doing a bump out.

Add a dormer to your attic

Adding an attic dormer can be a great way to add extra living space to your home. An attic dormer is a structural addition to your roofline that allows you to expand your attic space into a fully livable and functional room. Dormers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can customize the design to fit your specific needs and aesthetic preferences. Attic dormer room additions can be used for bedrooms, home offices, playrooms, or any other type of living space.

They can also add natural light to your home, which can make the space feel brighter and more inviting. Before adding an attic dormer, it’s important to work with a professional contractor to ensure that the project is feasible and that all building codes are met. With the right design and construction, an attic dormer room addition can be a beautiful and functional addition to your home.

Tips for an Addition and Adding Living Space

Focus on Square Footage

Adding square footage to your home can increase the overall living space and provide room for a new functional room. It’s important to remember that more square footage doesn’t necessarily mean more living space. Before adding a new room to your home, consider whether it will add to your living space or just increase the size of your home.

Convert an Existing Room

One of the most affordable ways to add a room to your house is to convert an existing space. If you have an unfinished basement or an underutilized room, you can transform it into a livable and enjoyable space. With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can turn a basement into a family room or a laundry room, or a spare bedroom into a walk-in closet or home office.

Make it a Livable and Enjoyable Space

When adding a new room to your home, focus on creating a space that is both livable and enjoyable. This means choosing colors, furniture, and decor that make you feel comfortable and happy. You can also add features like built-in storage or a fireplace to make the space even more functional and inviting.

Consider a Family Room

If you’re looking for more living space, a family room can be a great option. This type of room is perfect for relaxing and spending time with family and friends. It can also be used for entertaining guests, watching movies, or playing games. A family room can be added to your home by converting an existing room, such as a formal dining room, or by building an addition onto your house.

Consider Adding a Laundry Room

If you’re struggling with limited storage space or an awkward laundry setup, adding a laundry room can be a game-changer. A laundry room can be added to your home by converting an existing space, such as a mudroom or utility room, or by building an addition onto your house. A functional laundry room can also increase the resale value of your home.

Think About Resale Value

When adding a new room to your home, it’s important to consider the resale value. While you may not be thinking about selling your home now, it’s always a good idea to think about the future. Adding a functional room, like a family room or a bedroom, can increase the resale value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Focus on Storage Space

One of the most important aspects of any new room addition is storage space. Adding built-in storage, like shelves, cabinets, or a walk-in closet, can make the room more functional and help keep clutter under control. Storage space can also increase the resale value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

In conclusion, adding a room to your house can be an affordable and effective way to create more living space for a growing family or for facilitating work from home.

Being a successful construction manager requires industry knowledge, the ability to take charge, and knowing how to use resources effectively. It’s not an easy job; you know one bad mistake can ruin the entire project.

However, if you learn how to stay organized and follow best practices in site management, everything can be done without you losing your mind. Here are the six essential tips for construction site management to ensure your project runs smoothly from start to finish.

1. Have Extra Tools on Hand

A construction site manager must ensure everything runs smoothly and finish by a specific due date. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by having the right tools for the project, especially ones that help speed up the process safely.

For example, forklift extensions can be a valuable asset for a construction site manager. These extensions enable forklifts to reach greater heights and distances, easily handling various tasks and materials.

As a result, projects can progress quicker as materials are moved and placed with greater speed. This makes it essential for project managers to have extra tools during projects to help them finish on time.

2. Utilize Management Tools

During projects, a construction site manager job is ongoing nonstop. Throughout the day, they’ll have endless tasks to complete, and most of the time, they can barely finish them by the end of the work shift.

Having to gather data, conduct inspections, make sure everyone is doing their job, and report to senior managers, it is easy how a site manager can lose track of time and get lost on what they’re supposed to be doing.

However, using advanced management tools can make the job of a construction site manager ten times easier. According to data, as many as 70% of site managers believe that management tools make it easier to operate the daily tasks of a construction project.

This is why businesses must switch their management system to cloud-based software. The technology makes everyone less stressed and helps operations move more effectively.

3. Plan for the Unexpected To Happen

As every construction site manager knows, a million things happen all at once during a project. So, you need to expect the unexpected and plan for the unknown to happen.

For example, what is your plan if operations get delayed due to bad weather? How will you make up for lost time due to strong winds and heavy rain?

Bad weather isn’t the only reason for unforeseen delays in projects. Sometimes workers decide to quit, there are problems in the design, or there are last-minute changes.

As a construction site manager, it’s important for you to have a plan B and, sometimes, a plan C. This will help ensure everything runs smoothly and that you meet the deadlines as closely as possible.

4. Have a Flexible Approach to Management

As stated above, anything can happen on a construction project. So a construction site manager needs to have a flexible approach to operating.

If you’re trying to run your projects with an iron fist, you will only stress yourself out. This is especially true if you’re part of a larger project.

Research shows that larger projects take 20% longer to finish than expected. Also, many larger projects tend to go over 80% of their budget.

So, not only will you have to be flexible with time, but you will also have to be flexible with the budget.

5. Allow a Collaborative Environment To Grow in the Workplace

As a manager, you know communication is key within a construction site. If someone is not speaking about what’s happening and a problem arises, it can cause significant damage.

The best way to solve this problem is by helping your workers learn how to open up and collaborate. This helps drives efficiency and quality of the project while ensuring workers are trying their best.

As a site manager, you must be the leader when creating an environment like this. Let everyone on the project know their role and where to go if they have a problem while working.

6. Always Pay Attention to Safety Concerns

Yes, you want projects to get done as fast as possible. However, you should never attempt to cut corners.

Safety should always be your number one concern when working on a project. Not only are you protecting your workers and yourself, but you’re always protecting the ones using the building.

If you see anything concerning, you should stop the project and address the problem. Also, you should regularly conduct inspections of your workers and equipment. By doing so, you’ll be saving lives and handling issues before they arise.

Improve the Efficiency of Your Construction Projects With These 6 Tips

If you need help managing your projects efficiently, save this list. As a construction site manager, these six tips will ensure you get everything done quickly and safely. In addition, these tips will ensure every project is successful from start to finish.

With warmer months just around the corner, gardening season is fast approaching. If you’ve always wanted to grow your own food, learn about preservation, or just want a hobby to fill your time, starting a garden is a great experience.

But, before you rush out and buy packets of seeds, a set of garden tools, and fertilizer, make sure you know what to expect and how to get the most out of your new veggie patch. You have to learn about planting, feeding and watering, and pest control, just to name a few topics of interest. Fortunately, this quick list of six beginner gardening tips can quickly get you started!

Tip #1: Figure Out What You’re Going to Grow

You know you want a garden, but have you figured out what to grow? There are so many plants to choose from, so take a few days to research the varieties available and the challenges that come with your choices. As a new gardener, stick with hardier plants that can handle mistakes so your hard work doesn’t get ruined overnight. Make sure to list out any supplies you’ll need, including a soil testing kit to ensure the PH is ideal for your seeds/seedlings.

Once you have your list, visit a plant and tree nursery to get everything you need. Try to stick to your list and discuss your choices with one of the employees for any advice they might have.

Tip #2: Pick Your Patch

You’ve got the plants, the food, the tools, and other supplies, and now you are ready to designate the best spot in your yard for planting. Whether you will plant directly into the ground, install a raised bed, or use planters, make sure the area you choose will support plant life. For instance, if you have tomato plants requiring at least 8 hours of sunlight daily, you don’t want to plant them in a shady area.

Be aware of how much space you have to work with since most plants have spacing requirements.

Tip #3: Some Plants are Picky About Planting

Unlike the simplistic gardening instructions we learned about in grade school, planting seeds and young sprouts requires more than pushing a seed in the dirt and water. The reality is some species require specific depths and soil temperatures to germinate and grow. Follow the directions carefully for each type of plant. If the environment isn’t right for planting, wait. You don’t want a surprise frost to kill off your garden before it has a chance to thrive.

In addition to planting correctly, you also need to set up a watering and feeding schedule based on each type’s needs. While grapes love water, too much hydration on your green beans could lead to rot. To help keep things straight, keep a gardening journal to help you better manage this cycle, or consider downloading an app for your phone that does the same.

Tip #4: Get to Know Pests

You’ve probably had experiences where you received some freshly harvested tomatoes and found pests had munched on some areas. This is a common problem in every garden, but completely manageable. The trick is figuring out which pests are feasting on your plants and determining which treatments are best for that specific nuisance.

To identify the veggie marauder in your garden, try to get pictures of it and go online to find it. You can also look into a mobile app can quickly analyze your phone’s picture and provide information. Once you know what pests are in your garden, you may realize they all have different treatment methods. This is a good thing because exterminating every bit of wildlife in your patch often does more harm than good. Several holistic pest control approaches will help you contain the bad actors and support the good ones, like bees and spiders.

For larger issues like hungry deer, consider using predator scent or planting extra to provide enough for the entire herd passing by your garden.

Tip #5: Feed Your Soil

When you grow plants, the soil slowly loses nutrients over time and needs a chance to rejuvenate. One way to return nutrients is to compost! Anytime you have weeds, spoiled and leftover food, and dead plant matter at the end of a growing season, put it into a dedicated composting container or area in your yard where it can break down. This will create a rich compost you can use as mulch in your garden next season. Or, consider a direct composting method in your garden to simplify this process.

Tip #6: Don’t Be Afraid to Prune

One of the most important steps in gardening is to prune your plants. This is important because plants with vines or tons of leaves could block sunlight from getting to other nearby plants. Pruning isn’t difficult, but you should learn the best way to cut back certain plants to avoid causing them harm.

In addition to pruning, don’t be nervous about harvesting too soon. Plants like tomatoes can sometimes become overloaded and need help to provide enough nutrients to all their fruits, causing smaller yields. Instead, remove some early and let them ripen in a paper bag or fry them up. This will ensure your tomato plants can keep producing to their maximum capacity throughout the season. Whatever extra you don’t need, give away to friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers!

Final Thoughts

Yes, gardening has a learning curve, but with a bit of research and dedication, your hard work will pay off. The type of garden you plan to grow will also add to the challenge, but once your plants are in full bloom, you’ll be proud of what you’ve created. It’s hard to beat such a great feeling, and that is why so many people are garden enthusiasts. You’ll find this hobby can quickly turn into a lifelong passion that will teach you important skills that you can share with the rest of your family for generations to come.