6 Home Projects that Add Significant Value

Spring is right around the corner which means the housing market is heating up and sellers are preparing their homes for the season ahead. During this time of preparation, you as a seller may be taking on home projects that will improve your home and its overall value.

Despite what you think, not all home projects result in increased home values. Some projects are more effort than they are worth what you will actually get out of it in profit. That’s where we come in to help. To get the most out of your efforts and budget, here are 6 home projects that add significant value to your home.

1.) Upgrade the Kitchen and Appliances

If there is one room in the home to focus on, make it the kitchen. To many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. If the space appears fresh and inviting with new renovations, it can drastically increase the value of the home. According to HGTV reports, you can expect to get back 60-120% of your kitchen investments. When it comes to kitchens, there are a few areas you will want to consider making improvements on:

  • Countertops and Backsplash: Countertops set the tone for the kitchen. Opt for those with an earthy yet elegant look that will attract buyers. Natural stones like granite and marble are popular choices for their look and durability. If you are on a tight budget, consider laminate with natural stone patterns to achieve a similar look.
  • Kitchen Cabinets: If you are willing to put in the wok, updating your kitchen cabinets can also pay off. Refurbishing your current cabinets is a great way to modernize the space. Repainting or staining the cabinets isn’t too expensive. Don’t forget to update the cabinet hardware as well.
  • Appliances: If your kitchen’s appliances are in serious need of an upgrade or you have the money to invest, it is definitely worth it. Appliances add immediate appeal for buyers. Because appliances are by far the most used feature in the kitchen, be practical when making your selections. Be sure to choose kitchen appliances wisely. Opt for energy-efficient appliances that complement the countertops and cabinets for a clean and cohesive look.
  • If you’re an experienced welder, you can weld food-grade stainless steel for your DIY projects, but it shouldn’t be attempted by novices. It’s common for non-welders to over-stress the material, alloy the welds with improper materials, or welding dissimilar metals. With that said, it’s safe to perform tack welds on joints for your kitchen cabinets or dining room table. DIYers can find used welding equipment online, and you’re going to need it too. You should never weld without proper equipment and protection, such as welding gloves and welding helmets.

2.) Add a Bathroom or Make Updates

Outside of the kitchen, the bathroom is the next big focus. A few big bathroom updates to make include removing wallpaper and applying fresh paint, as well as replacing old outdated light and sink fixtures with more modern ones. If the floors are worned and stained, consider adding tile or vinyl tile to freshen them up the space.

Any home can benefit from an extra bathroom. If your budget allows you to add on an  extra bathroom, expect to get back about 80-130% of whatever you spend. An unused  closet or area under a staircase can easily be converted into an additional half bath. Of course, the cost of this project depends on the fixtures and features you use. If you are thrifty, you can easily find good deals on these bathroom items.

3.) Focus on the Home’s Flooring

The flooring in our homes experience a lot of wear and tear over the years. Depending on their condition, it may be time to pull it up and replace it with new. Hardwoods are a classic choice for throughout the home. It provides practicality and comfort while also warming up the interiors to create a more welcoming home.

If installing hardwood floors is not in the budget, consider installing them in the spaces that are most important such as the kitchen and main living area. Wood-like tiles and vinyl flooring also exist to help you achieve a similar look for a fraction of the price of real hardwoods.

When it comes to carpets, replacing them is not as profitable of an option as many buyers tend to replace carpets or switch them out for other flooring types anyways. Instead of installing new wall-to-wall carpet, focus on cleaning up the carpet you already have so that it is nice and presentable for buyers.

4.) Create More Space for Life

Your home doesn’t have to be huge to feel spacious. Add-ons to the home can be expensive and oftentimes not possible due to the lot the home sits on. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t open up the interior for a more spacious feel. Knocking out a non-structural wall within the home can be a great and relatively inexpensive way to create a sense of flow within the home. For just a few hundred dollars you can easily turn two rooms into an open living layout that will appeal to buyers by creating more space for everyday living.

5.) Maintenance Does Matter

While we often consider the more fun and flashier upgrades like new flooring and countertops, basic maintenance is just as important (if not more). Maintenance fixes like insulating the attic, repairing plumbing leaks, replacing windows, and inspecting the home’s furnace/septic can go a long way towards its value.

Buyers want a home that they can move right into with peace of mind that they, and their new investment, will be safe and secure for years to come. Many are willing to pay a bit extra for a home if they can be ensured that the place is up-to-date on all regular home maintenance.

6.) The Power of Curb Appeal

Don’t underestimate the power of curb appeal. Your home’s exterior is the buyer’s first impression of your home. It gives buyers a preview of what they can expect inside. If the home’s exterior doesn’t appeal to them, they probably won’t be too interested in stepping inside. As a seller, those are potential buyers lost.

Luckily for sellers, curb appeal is one of the easiest home projects that adds significant value. Even simple solutions like weeding the yard, trimming the hedges, cleaning the gutters, and planting some flowers can present your home in a brand new light. If you have the time and budget to spare, a fresh coat of exterior paint and trim can brighten up the home and invite buyers to come inside.

If you are selling your home this spring or summer and looking to improve your home’s potential and get the most value, a knowledgeable realtor is just what you need. Our team at SimpleShowing has the expertise and commitment to ensure clients get the best exposure and deals as possible. Plus with our 1% listing fee, sellers can save thousands of dollars on their listing.

Ready to jump right into the hot market ahead? Fill out a free home valuation and contact us today to learn more about how our selling process could work for you and your home!

3 Considerations When Working with Inexperienced Real Estate Agents

Choosing to sell your home is a big decision for just about anyone. At the same time, it’s a project that would be difficult to pull off all on your own. To increase the chances that your property will be sold within the time frame and price that you are aiming for, it’s best to work with a real estate agent. Your agent will serve as your partner for this endeavor, and they will help you fetch the best possible price for your property.

There are plenty of real estate agencies and agents out there, so you won’t have a hard time finding someone who understands your goals and can help you achieve them. But, there’s also a chance that the person you’ll end up working with is quite new in the real estate industry.

Many sellers and buyers know that a real estate agent must have a network so that they can easily find the right people who will appreciate the property and everything that it has to offer. But a network, more often than not, is something that people build over time. If your agent is new to the field, then there’s a chance that their network can be very limited. Perhaps they’re just finding their footing in the industry or they’ve recently been recruited by the agency using the Get BrokerKit recruitment script.

In these cases, it’s important to remember that while experience and age may be seen as a plus in the real estate industry, youth and inexperience can also have their own sets of advantages. You just need to know how to work with your agent’s inexperience so you can make the most of their strengths. Here are some of the things you need to consider when working with agents who are new to the industry.

Building and Maintaining Networks on Social Media

While older and more experienced real estate agents have built networks for themselves, many of the younger genration of agents have their own trick up their sleeve: they’re pretty tech-savvy. They may not have a huge professional network or a lot of potential clients that they’ve known for years, but they do know how to use the internet to their advantage.

Social media, for one, offers plenty of selling opportunities and can help young real estate agents reach out to the ideal buyers for your home. Maybe your agent is not well-connected, but they have every tech tool that they need to reach out to and initiate productive conversations with people who are interested in purchasing your property.

Maximizing the Benefits of Digital Technology

In addition to knowing how to use social media channels and target the right potential buyers, younger or more inexperienced real estate agents are also more receptive to using digital tools and technology to make their jobs easier. They use their gadgets as an extension of themselves, and they understand the intricacies of reaching out to real estate buyers and sellers using digital channels.

If you’re unable to leave your home for a particular period, for example, your real estate agent can take care of setting up 3-D showings or lockboxes so that potential buyers can check out the property without requiring you to be there at the home. If you’re worried about all of the papers that you need to take care of, your real estate agent can handle this matter for you using platforms and services that will keep you in the loop for any updates that you have to be aware of.

Openness to Learning and Gaining New Experiences

Some people see the lack of experience as a disadvantage, but this isn’t always the case. An inexperienced real estate agent who possesses an eye for detail and innate curiosity of how the industry works may not be able to provide a definitive answer to some of your questions, but you can be certain that they’ll look closely into it and offer you the exact information that you need the next time you meet.

If they’re uncertain about something, there’s a good chance that they’ll consult with agents who have been in the business for longer than them and ask for them practical advice for your concerns. Young real estate agents have plenty of room for growth, and many of them are ready to admit this and do something about it.

There are people who have a hard time taking young real estate agents seriously, but they are also the same people who miss out on the positive changes that young people are capable of carrying out. Perhaps these younger real estate agents can help you accomplish your goals for your property in their process of learning within their new industry.

3 Simple Solutions To Manage Your Finances Better

While it’s true that money can’t buy you happiness, it still plays an integral role in ensuring you’re far away from falling off a financial cliff. When you know how to manage your finances properly, things will be smoother for you. Instead of worrying about making ends meet daily, you’ll have more time to pay attention to other essential things in life.

Luckily, the financial management process doesn’t have to be challenging and overwhelming. Although it would take time and effort, you can successfully take control of your money if you know what to do from the get-go.

In this article, you’ll learn about three simple solutions to manage your finances more wisely.

1.Determine Your Financial Goals

You can succeed with your financial management efforts if you know what your goals are in the first place. When you have clearly defined financial goals in place, you can develop a solid plan on how to achieve them within a certain period. Your financial goals serve as your guide in managing your money well.

For example, if one of your financial goals includes paying off your debts as quickly as possible, you can handle your finances successfully by saving a portion of your monthly paycheck to settle your debts over time. This can be an excellent solution for organizing your finances more efficiently.

2. Use Technology To Handle Financial Processes

In today’s modern world, handling finances doesn’t need to be difficult. Several technological advancements can help you carry out your financial management efforts. For example, you can take advantage of technology to track your expenses. Since purchases can quickly add up, it’s vital to monitor spending to determine where you might be overspending. You can do this by saving your receipts and accounting for all your purchases in digital storage to protect yourself from unnecessary hassle. An additional solution is to use free accounting software that can simplify your financial management tasks without breaking the bank.

If you need to receive receipts and other financial documents from your banks, stores, and other institutions, you can use online fax services from providers like eFax and other reliable options. Digital faxing will let you have easy access to documents that are important in spending, tracking, and managing your finances better.

You can also use technology to set up a budget instead of doing it manually. With specific financial software, you don’t need to list expenses and add numbers on your own to develop a budget. For a more advanced approach, you can use budgeting & forecasting software to automate certain financial processes and transactions, including creating a budget. You can use the software to automate certain financial processes and transactions, including creating a budget.

3. Save Enough Money

Handling your money isn’t just about focusing on the spending aspect of your financial situation, but it’s about getting the most of your savings as well. When you can save enough money, you can live comfortably and guarantee stable financial health in the long term.

To manage your finances smartly through your savings, you can consider the following steps:

  • Build an emergency fund: This can be an excellent way to sock away extra money. With an emergency fund, you’ll have peace of mind, knowing you have enough savings to cover unexpected expenses. You’ll be able to avoid serious financial problems along the way too.
  • Pay off your debts: You can’t save enough money if you have debts to pay. So, it’s best to fulfill all your monetary obligations as soon as possible. For example, if you have a credit card bill, try to make minimum monthly payments to avoid hefty charges and other fees due to late payments. Furthermore, if you have set aside additional money, pay off your debts by settling debts with high-interest rates.
  • Invest: To look for an additional income stream, you can make some investments for your future. For instance, you can set up a 401(k) retirement plan or become a real estate investor to invest some money for your future.
  • Start a side job: There are several ways to generate income with a side hustle, making money online or creating passive income.

When making the most of your savings, persistence is crucial to gain a more favorable outcome. The entire process can be complicated and tough, but don’t get discouraged. Try to give yourself time to learn or work with a financial advisor who will guide you through the financial management process. By doing so, you’ll know how to manage your money expertly and confidently.

Bottom Line

Dealing with some financial issues is stressful and hard. However, you can address them effectively by keeping these simple solutions in mind. When you know how to organize your money more sensibly, you can save yourself the trouble and get a chance to improve your financial situation in the long run.

Five Ways Carrying a High Credit Card Balance Can Hurt Your Finances

Early on, you may have been taught that carrying a balance on your credit cards will improve your credit score. Unfortunately, this myth has been passed on so often that it’s no surprise many are struggling to get out of debt. Carrying a high balance can do just the opposite; it can negatively affect your credit score.

If you’re wondering how damaging your carryover balances can be, here are five critical ways your debt effects your finances.

1. Your debt becomes more expensive

Carrying a balance on your cards lets your creditors charge interest, which raises the cost of your purchases. Suddenly, that $30 shirt you purchased last year may cost you double the amount thanks to accumulated interest. And the national average is much higher than our experiment – according to this website it has gone up $6,200 since 2017.

2. High balances increase your credit utilization ratio

The two most significant factors for your credit score are your payment history and your credit utilization ratio. Credit utilization is a percentage of the balances you carry divided by the total amount of credit you have. A good rule of thumb is to keep your credit utilization under 30% of your total credit. Anything over 30% will lower your credit score, making it harder for you to acquire things like a debt consolidation loan, car loan, or a mortgage for a new home.

3. It becomes harder to get out of debt

The longer you carry a balance on your cards, the more normalized it becomes in your mind that debt is just another part of life. Consequently, your mindset shifts to a perspective that being debt-free isn’t realistic, and it’s more comfortable to stay in debt. The longer you have this mindset, the more difficult it becomes to see the damage debt has done and why you need to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Don’t let yourself become complacent with keeping high balances on your credit cards. You deserve to have a life that doesn’t include stress caused by the ongoing problem of debt.

4. You’ll be less likely to get approved for new credit

Issuing credit is a risky game for businesses, so looking at the whole picture of an applicant’s finances is a must for them. You may have a solid salary and pay your bills on time, but if you have a high balance on your cards, that could be a reason you may be denied.

Having a high balance that never gets paid off might sound like a creditor’s dream, but they see it differently. Suppose you lose your job or get hit with some hefty medical bills; suddenly, paying off your balances isn’t a priority. You might even have to declare bankruptcy, which means your creditor must write off your balance in full.

Those scenarios might seem like a long shot, but they’re risky enough that many companies don’t want to take the gamble. When it comes time for you to apply for a new credit card or loan, you could be denied solely due to the amount of debt you carry every month.

5. Your interest rates will go up

Using credit responsibly is typically rewarded by lenders looking for customers like you. If you have a consistent pattern of good behavior with debt management, then you can expect to receive offers for loans or credit cards with lower interest rates.

However, if you carry a high balance and aren’t using your credit responsibly, your loan or credit applications may come back with a higher interest rate than you would like to see. If you’re able to reduce your debt load to get it at least under that 30% utilization ratio, you’ll see how much cheaper borrowing money can be.

The bottom line

Carrying over balances on your credit cards every month is an expensive habit that has ripple effects on your future opportunities like mortgage loans and other big purchases. Use these five reasons to understand how much your debt is costing you and make a plan to become debt-free as quickly as possible.

10 Reasons Why For Sale By Owner Fails

Selling for sale by owner or “FSBO” has become a popular choice for those wishing to save on listing agent fees. While sellers may be able to benefit from less selling expenses, there are a few downsides to selling FSBO.

If you are considering taking the risk and selling your own home, here are 10 reasons why for sale by owner fails. Avoiding these common mistakes will hopefully lead you to home selling success.

Reasons FSBO Fails

1.) Incorrectly price their home

Pricing homes correctly is something experienced real estate have trouble doing sometimes. Understanding the housing market and how to price homes accordingly takes experience. This is experience that many FSBO sellers lack. It is very common to find FSBO sellers overpricing their homes and hindering their chances of selling.

There are many factors to consider when pricing such as comparable sold properties, comparative active properties, current inventory and much more. If you do plan to sell FSBO, seek out a knowledgeable appraiser to look at your home. They will be able to verify the price you are considering listing at, as well as help you determine what your home is currently worth. You can also use online home valuation tools to get a rough idea of the value.

2.) Failure to prepare property for sale

As you can probably imagine, preparing a home for sale plays a crucial role in its selling success whether you are selling FSBO or not. This is an area many FSBO sellers fall short in. It’s easy to want to get your home listed, but don’t rush into it.

Consider any improvements or maintenance projects you need to make. This could include decluttering the home, cleaning the floors, completing neglected repairs, replacing outdated fixtures/features, freshly painting rooms, or improving curb appeal. As a seller, you want to show off your home in its best light. Therefore, take time to prepare your home so that buyers can see it in its full potential. You’ll be amazed at how much quicker you can sell.

3.) Not screening for legit buyers

Learning how to screen buyers is a skill that takes realtors time to learn. When looking for potential buyers, it’s important to have a list of questions or information to ask for to make sure you are not wasting your time with unqualified buyers. Unfortunately, many FSBO buyers don’t know what questions to ask or how to ensure a buyer is qualified. In addition, many sellers overlook the potential home selling mistakes that can arise during this process.

One suggestion for FSBO sellers is to have a good connection with a local mortgage consultant who will be able to help you determine if a client has been pre-approved or pre-qualified (there is a difference). Also, if the buyers have not been approved, you already have a helpful resource for them to complete the process.

4.) Lack of marketing experience

Real estate marketing has changed and many FSBO sellers are struggling to keep up. Putting your home in front of buyers is crucial if you are looking to sell. However, many sellers don’t know where to start when it comes to marketing their home. While placing an ad for your home on a listing site like Zillow is a huge start, there is more that needs to be done to optimize your success.

While many listing sites accept FSBO listings, there are just as many that do not. This limits exposure and requires sellers to find new ways to market their home. This is one area where having a realtor is beneficial. Realtors have the marketing tools at hand to provide the exposure that FSBO cannot. This includes marketing plans, MLS listings, and personal industry connections.

5.) Not always available for inquiries

FSBO sellers don’t often realize how much work realtors put into what they do. A substantial chunk of this work involves being readily available to handle inquiries from buyers. Because most FSBO sellers have full-time jobs and other obligations besides selling their home, it can be difficult to find the time or availability to do this.

In real estate, it is important to be timely with your responses. If you are not quick to respond to a buyer inquiry, they will move on to the next potential property. The last thing you want is to miss out on a  lead because you couldn’t answer your phone or respond to an email quickly enough. Staying on top of home inquiries and showing requests is key to finding the right buyer.

6.) Putting pressure on potential buyers

Selling your home FSBO is challenging and can bring about a lot of pressure. However, it is important not to project that pressure onto potential buyers when they are looking at your home. Real estate agents do a good job at allowing their buyers to make decisions for themselves without any personal biases.

However, this is hard when selling FSBO. When you are selling your own home, it’s easy to want to try and sell potential buyers on your home. Unfortunately, the seller’s own biases towards your home might put unintentional pressure on the buyer. Instead, try to give buyers space to view your home without feeling like they are going to hurt your feelings if it isn’t the right fit for them.

7.)  Shortcomings in negotiating deal

Nearly all home sales involve negotiation on some level. Real estate agents are trained on how to read contracts and understand what the buyers/sellers are getting into. These contracts are filled with various timelines, contingencies, clauses, and more that the average person may not be able to understand at first glance.

In other words, contracts are much more than just the price the buyer is offering.There are also other factors in the contract that may need to be negotiated. If you don’t know what to negotiate, or how to negotiate in general, you may find yourself agreeing to things you shouldn’t be agreeing on. Don’t let yourself get taken advantage of.

8.) Uncertainty on how to handle inspections

As a seller, you should expect buyers to request an inspection of your home. Some home’s aren’t always as they appear. Buyers want to know what they are getting into before buying. While this concept seems simple enough, many FSBO sellers are not sure how to handle this part of the transaction.

More than likely, there is going to be a problem that is discovered during an inspection. How you handle this news says alot about you as a seller. First things first, there is no need to get upset by a negative inspection. Instead, make the mandatory inspection fixes or try to negotiate a solution with the buyer. Your willingness to work with the buyer will be appreciated.

9.) Unwilling to pay the buyers agent

Just because you are selling FSBO doesn’t mean you are cleared from paying the buyer’s agent commission. The majority of home buyers work with buyer’s agents to help them find a home. If you are unwilling to pay the buyer’s agent fee, you will be severely cutting your chances of selling your home successfully.

Selling FSBO is challenging as is. If you have potential buyers that are providing you with great offers, don’t count them out because they are working with a buyer’s agent. You are already saving money on not paying for a listing agent, so paying the buyer’s agent commission shouldn’t be an issue. You might pay more than you want, but you will ultimately sell your home which is the main goal.

10.) Don’t understand closing timeline

The selling process doesn’t end once a purchase offer is accepted. Before you can officially close, there is a list of tasks that must be completed. While real estate agents are familiar with the closing timeline, those selling FSBO are likely not going to be as familiar with how this works. Those selling FSBO need to know what to expect from the closing process.

Conclusion

Studies show that only 11% of sellers actually succeed in FSBO. And according to research, FSBOs sell for less than the selling price of other comparable homes; FSBO homes sold at a median of $225,000 last year, significantly lower than the median of agent assisted homes at $345,000.

Why are there so many for sale by owner fails? Selling your own home may seem simple enough, but there is a lot more that goes into the process of preparing, listing, marketing, negotiating, and closing on a home that many sellers don’t think about.

If you do decide to go in alone, remember to do these things – prep and stage your home, consider innovative ideas for marketing, screen buyers and support your asking price with solid data.

If going in alone seems too daunting, consider a low-commission brokerage that offer sellers a low 1% listing fee. With SimpleShowing’s listing service, home sellers receive experienced agent support, MLS listings, professional photos,and much more. Our real estate agents will handle the paperwork and negotiation while you enjoy the thousands of dollars you just saved!

Ready to sell your home? Contact us today to learn more about our process.

New Builds As New Investment Niche: A Simple Guide

Today, real estate property investments have become increasingly popular among investors. Not only does it provide a stable income and appreciates over time, but also because there are many different investment opportunities in the real estate industry. For instance, there are residential properties, rental homes, commercial buildings, and even new builds.

While this generally can be a good thing, it could make it difficult for potential investors to choose a niche, especially if you don’t know how or where to begin. But, with the right advice and research, investors can make a more informed decision regarding their investment niche.

Suppose you’re planning on investing in new builds. In that case, then this article can be for you. Here’s a simple guide on how new builds could become a great investment niche for you.

What Is A New Build

In general, the term new build refers to new construction. Unlike a renovation or upgraded property, a new build is a newly constructed building. It could be a house, office block, apartment, or any commercial building.

Investing in a new build is often done under the radar, but it can be worthwhile as an investment niche too. And although most investors prefer to look for old, dilapidated properties to renovate and resell, investing in new real estate could also have great returns. You can check out new builds in London if you reside in the city to know more.

But before you get into the new builds niche, it’s essential to understand that it’s different from other types of property investments. New builds may require you to check out the developer’s other projects and do substantial research and reviews of their other properties.

The Benefits Of New Builds

To help you decide whether a new build investment niche is the right investment option for you, here are some benefits worth noting:

1.No Renovation Costs

Perhaps, one of the known advantages of new-build properties is since they’re newly constructed, you wouldn’t need to worry about repair and renovation costs.

While it is true that new builds can be more expensive than existing properties, they can help you save money in the long run. This is because investing in old and dilapidated properties can surely take a hit on your budget since you have to flip it and conduct repairs in the building utility systems for it to be in good condition again. But with a newly constructed property, the building systems and components are new and well-functioning, even without the repair works.

2. Better Location

Real estate is usually all about the location. The location of a property will typically determine its value. For instance, if a property is situated in a great neighborhood, chances are you can get good value for your investment. And that’s how new builds can be advantageous.

Usually, newly constructed properties are often located in strategic locations. The developers have studied its location thoroughly, with potential investors’ preferences in mind.

3. Property Warranties And Up-To-Date Building Systems

With a new build, you can avoid the headache of incessantly calling the plumber or hunting down bids from foundation specialists since you get warranties of up to ten years, depending on your agreement with the developer.

More so, with new construction, you can be assured that the building systems and components are up-to-date with recent technologies and engineering feats. For instance, the property can be equipped with energy-efficient systems and solutions.

Tips For Investing In A New Build

Before you get into the new builds niche, it’s essential to understand its in and outs. For instance, to get the most out of your investment, it may require you to check out the developer’s other projects and properties and conduct research about their real estate portfolio.

Furthermore, here are a few things to keep in mind before you venture full throttle:

Know The Selling Process

When selling a new build, some extra steps must be taken. These include obtaining the buyer’s rights, including the deadline for forfeiting their deposit. Additionally, incentives and financing options have to be confirmed well on time. Also, information regarding floor plans and all the blueprints must be available for scrutiny.

Don’t Get in Blindly

New builds can be intimidating if you venture into them blindly. To avoid making costly mistakes, you could engage an experienced real estate agent to take you through all the necessary steps.

For instance, often, contracts can be filled with technical jargon about construction and real estate property that may confuse an average buyer. Getting a real estate agent can help you navigate your way on these technicalities. They can translate it into simpler terms, allowing you to make a more informed decision regarding the investment you’re about to commit to.

Understand The New Build Financing Needs

Unlike resell transactions, new builds can be tricky when it comes to financing. For instance, interest rates and total costs can’t be confirmed in advance. You, therefore, may have to gather all the financing information needed for new construction projects before you venture into any form of investment.

Conclusion

Real estate investments can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. If you’re considering investing in new builds as a new investment niche, you’ll need to ensure you’ve done your due diligence and research. And to help you get the most out of your investment, consider working with experienced agents.

Our agents at SimpleShowing have extensive knowledge of the local real estate market and new builds in the area. With our help, you are sure to find the perfect  new build property to invest in. Contact us and let’s work together on your investing journey.

4 Money Management Tips For Keeping A Roof Over Your Head

Money management can be a tricky subject to discuss, particularly for adults. But, it’s certainly not one you should simply brush under the table. If your goal for this year is to have more control over your expenses, money management is something you can learn. From small changes to big and significant measures, even the young professional who has just started earning can be the boss of their finances.

Whatever your reasons for taking this prudent approach of money management, there’s no time like the present but now. If there’s anything the past years have taught anyone, it’s that even those with stable jobs may one day lose it. You don’t need to be a millionaire to survive – you just have to be more mindful and responsible with your money.

With these four money management tips, you won’t just have a roof over your head, but you’ll also be able to secure your financial stability. Get the facts straight, right here.

1. Track Your Spending

This first tip can’t be emphasized hard enough. There’s no money management to speak of if you aren’t even tracking your expenses. It’s about creating an accountability system, where you know exactly where every cent of your money is going through.

Moreover, with a tracking system, you’ll be able to identify areas of your monthly expenses where you could be overspending. Being face-to-face with those figures can help your account for it, responsibly.

To start, here are some of the best ways you can track your spending:

  • Check your account statements regularly, especially if you have some bills and transactions which you place on an auto-charge system;
  • Use an expense or budget-tracking app;
  • List all your regular monthly bills, including groceries, education expenses, insurance and mortgage payments, and even the amount you’ll allocate for savings.

2. Create A Comprehensive Budget

Keeping a budget for everything can help you avoid overspending. Remember that in finance, overspending is one of the top money-eaters. You may think you still have so much in your account, but after overspending regularly, you’ll be surprised at how much your budget has actually dwindled.

The budget you have shouldn’t just be for the big things – like your monthly budget per se. Rather, it should be as detailed as having a budget for your groceries. How much will you allocate for that? Is it back-to-school season soon? If so, how much is your limit as to the school supplies that you’ll be buying for the kids? Even for your holidays, have a budget.

With that said, be sure to stick to your budget. It’s not enough to have that dollar amount, yet still, be negligent in following it.

3. Build Your Savings

Even if you have a stable job at the moment, you never know when disaster may strike. It’s always a good idea to have a savings account. Build it, little by little. On average, the minimum you should strive to have is at least six months’ worth of your salary in your savings account. This gives you enough leeway, in case you get unemployed, and have to find a new job.

No matter how small your paycheck may be, there’s always room to save. After tracking your expenses, perhaps you’ll come across points in your budget where you’re overspending. Do the math, and keep for your savings, what you can now determine to be unnecessary expenses.

4. Know What Your Priorities Are

Everyone has big financial goals or expenditures, especially as adults. Is buying a car within your five-year goal? Or perhaps putting out a mortgage on a home?

Before jumping right into those big financial moves, set your priorities. Are you sure that you can comfortably afford to pay for both the car loan and your house mortgage, without hurting your monthly budget and capacity to save? Or is it too ambitious at the moment? You have to be realistic too.

When you know what your priorities are, you can make better decisions about your big purchases. For example, say you need both the car and the house soon, as you’ve just gotten married. But, a five-bedroom house is just too expensive. Perhaps right now you can settle for the three-bedroom house. If you’re paying for any more than you can afford, you’re just setting yourself up for big financial trouble in the future.

Takeaway

With the tips above, you should now be better able to understand that money management is all about creating a plan for your money. That way, whatever amount you have as your inflow monthly, you’re able to make the most out of it. Remember that money management isn’t all about receiving a hefty amount.

It’s more about making responsible financial decisions regarding what you do with the resources you have. With good money management, you’re able to keep your current and your future financial situation strong and stable.

If you want to keep on track with your money goals when buying or selling your home, let SimpleShowing help. Our low-commission model is designed to help you save on your transaction, giving you extra money to pocket away into savings or other investments. Contact us to learn more!

Questions to Ask Before Making Real Estate Investments

Real estate or property continues to be the most reliable source of regular income for a large number of investors. Ultimately, while many things in the world might change, and purchasing habits can evolve, homes and buildings always going to be needed. This makes the real estate market something highly dependable for anyone who wants to make money long-term.

Of course, you can’t just expect to buy a home and start making an income immediately. Like any cash building opportunity, real estate investments require careful consideration and research if they’re going to pay off.

If you’re thinking of taking this route with your money, then you need to make sure you’re considering the road ahead carefully. Here are some important questions to ask yourself if you’re thinking of making the transition into real estate investing, to ensure you’re on the right track.

Are You Ready to Do Your Homework?

Research is one of the most important parts of investing in real estate successfully. You’ll need to invest a lot of time and effort into looking things up about property options. It’s important to know if the area you’ve chosen to spend your cash on is gaining value or losing value over time, and how much properties in that area tend to appreciate.

It’s also worth looking into things like how much you’re likely to need to spend on maintenance for the property, advertising to find renters, and other expenses which can dig into your earnings.

As you get to even deeper layers you will need to consider things like turnoffs that lead to bad reviews from vacation renters, if that is your niche, or what types of animal limitations you will have with any residential rentals you acquire. The more information you have, the less likely it is you’ll make decisions which could leave you without any income in the long-term.

How Much Can You Afford to Spend?

Next, think about how much you can afford to spend. Ultimately, you don’t need to spend as much on real estate today as you once did. These days, it’s possible to get stated with a fraction of the initial spending money, particularly if you’re getting involved with a crowdfunding platform for real estate investment.

These platforms require minimal investment, and they’re often a lot lower than the cost of the full property. With a crowdfunding solution, like those offered by Arrived Homes, you can also invest in only a portion of a property. This means your cash can potentially spread out to multiple opportunities, rather than just relying on one property to deliver a good source of income.

How Much Work are You Willing to Do?

If you’ve got the time and focus to continue working on the properties you buy over time to make them more attractive to buyers and renters, then you might be able to commit to buying a full property outright and managing that investment yourself. Otherwise, you’ll need to consider working with property management companies to help you out.

Alternatively, you can avoid the work completely by getting involved with the crowdfunding websites we mentioned above, as this allows you to invest in a property without having to work on things like maintenance and finding renters. Answering these questions should put you on the right track towards real estate results.

Save Thousands On Your First Investment Property

Now that you have a general idea of what questions to ask before making real estate investments, you’re now ready to make the the investment.

To make the most out of your investment, consider buying your property with a SimpleShowing Agent and receive up to 1.5% of the purchase price or $5,000 on average towards your closings costs.

Contact us or book a showing of any property to get started.

Why Investing in Home Maintenance Is Worth It

Being a homeowner requires a lot of work and responsibility. Without investing in home maintenance, keeping up with house repairs can easily add up to a large sum over time. Also, you don’t want your real estate or home to decay, so it is worth investing in home maintenance.

Saving your money and worrying less is a good reason to perform maintenance. Eventually, home repairs will be required, so a simple plan of doing the maintenance shouldn’t be a complicated task.

Importance of Home Maintenance

The number one most important area to focus on maintaining is the exterior of your home. So, if you want to enjoy your home or sell or rent it, it’s important to present it nicely with freshly painted walls, new or updated doors, or a nice landscape.

Even if you plan to stay and live in the house, you still should keep investing in maintaining it. Because, in the long run, investing is definitely going to pay off.

If you don’t have a big budget, you can start with small investments such as fixing tears or painting the home’s interior/exterior.  

Benefits of Home Maintenance

Without taking care of it, your house can fall apart, and you can lose money and time. So, it is worth keeping regular maintenance so your house can stay fresh, and you can have a safe investment too. Here are some of the benefits of home maintenance.

1.) Home value

Buying a house is always a big investment. However, if you take care of it, the value can even increase over time, and you can sell it and earn money. It is important to get your home ready for potential buyers since they likely don’t want to repair and make fixes when they just bought it. You can invest in finishing a basement, turn it into a laundry room or a playroom, and you can even make an increased return on investment by 69%.

2.) Home safety

The best way to keep your home safe is to invest in maintaining proper electricity and invest in a good home security system, including cameras, smoke detectors, etc. This way, you can prevent incidents in your house, as there are approximately around 500 deaths in a year related to the home. In addition, it’s always worth investing in a safe environment whether its for your family, or the next homeowner.

3.) Life of a home

Maintaining smaller repairs can extend years of the life of a home.  Taking care of your house and your appliances can make them last even longer than their average life expectancy of 15 years. So, the best solution is to perform regular maintenance in your home.

4.) Save your money

Keeping up with regular repairs and replacements can do so much for you and your house in the long run as your home and appliances will reach their maximum lifespan. Especially as a new homeowner, it’s better to start maintaining now before any substantial damage is already done to key systems or fixtures.  

This way, costs are lower and you will be thankful for avoiding potential loss of money, time and energy.

5.) Make your house efficient

It’s important to keep investing in updating your house because it can save you money and energy. For example, replacing old windows with new, sealing windows can reduce electricity costs. So, anything that doesn’t function properly in the house should be replaced or fixed with a proper system or appliance.

Also, you should invest and take care of your insulation, so your house is free of moisture, is warm during with colder months, and cooler during the warmer months. It’s up to you to decide what is the best insulation for a house. Luckily there are plenty of options. You’ll also want to make sure you don’t have any leakages in your home or broken tiles that could let in moisture from outside.

Conclusion

Not only will you save money with these tips, but you will find enjoyment and feel secure living in or selling a well maintained house. So, investing in maintenance is no doubt critical for adding more value to your home and any future homeowner owner too!

Selling Land With Vs. Without A Real Estate Agent: Which Is Right For You?

Selling land can become a dicey deal considering the various processes that accompany it. Landowners often seek out the best options for their assets when selling. While you can sell land through different means, owners usually have to contemplate between making the sales themselves or through a real estate agent.

And this is true whether you are working with someone nationwide or a real estate agent in another city worldwide, as our recent experience with this real estate agent in Lisbon demonstrate.

Placing the options side by side both offer unique benefits. Countless landowners have secured profitable deals from land sales without consulting agents. How? Discover more here. Yet, some others have had to engage property agents to help them secure the most profitable deals—different strokes for different folks.

Which is best for you: selling your land with or without an agent? Let’s compare and contrast these options based on their features and benefits.

1.Costs

Selling your land without a real estate agent saves you thousands in agent commission and real estate fees. Real estate companies have different agent commission percentages. Making direct sales without involving agents saves you this cost, alongside other marketing costs.

On the other hand, selling with an agent leaves you with no option but to pay the expected commissions and fees. However, these charges save the hassles of marketing your land by yourself.

2. Control

Selling land yourself gives you an excellent level of control over the processes involved. You can make your decisions, especially regarding advertising your land and the features communicated to the buyers. You’re also in control of the experience you create for your potential buyers and the first impressions they get about the land.

On the flip side, when you sell land through a real estate agent, it still takes some amount of control from you. Agents are usually busy due to the various properties they have to manage at once. Therefore, they may not be careful enough to give your potential buyers the best first impressions and customer experience about your land.

3. Feedback

You can achieve transparency and get accurate feedback on every action taken by selling your land without an agent. Since you’re the one meeting with the buyer directly and controlling the narratives of your advertisements, you can ensure a transparent and honest selling process. You get direct feedback from buyers about what they like or don’t like about your property.

When you sell with agents, it’s a slightly different case. While some agents are honest enough to tell you all that transpires between them and potential buyers, some may omit some important information, thereby impairing the transparency you desire to achieve. With agents, you may not be aware of all you’d have known if you were selling directly.

4. Pricing

Real estate agents understand the market better than landowners. They can help you list your land at a favorable and profitable price. Because they’re aware of the various factors that go into pricing  land, they can quickly determine the best offer to make on your behalf.

On the contrary, if you decide to sell your land yourself, you may omit essential considerations and end up pricing your land for less than it’s worth, thereby leading to a less profitable sale. Another scenario is that you overprice the property and fail to get a buyer due to its overly high price.

5. Market Exposure

Most potential buyers contact real estate agents before seeing the property when buying land since they know they’re experts in property matters. If you decide to sell your land through an agent, it quickly gets noticed because as potential buyers visit the agents, they get information about your land. Also, agents know the best avenues to present your property to the market.

However, things become different when you decide to sell directly. Your lack of exposure and professional credibility can negatively affect the number of potential buyers aware of your land and coming for it.

6. Negotiations

Negotiation is a critical part of every selling process. Property buyers and sellers will have to negotiate before arriving at a win-win situation. If you’re selling your land without an agent, you have direct access to the negotiation table. However, you may be disadvantaged when the heat is turned on due to your lack of expertise in negotiations. It becomes more stressful to negotiate if you have an emotional attachment to your property.

On the contrary, selling with an agent saves you the stress of back-and-forth property negotiations. They also approach the negotiation expertise, giving you an advantage that helps you get the best possible deal. More so, by using an agent, you gain a perception of professionalism and credibility.

Conclusion

Wether you sell with or without an agent, you can get your land sold. Nonetheless, it’s essential to consider all of the pros and cons of both options before making a decision. Whichever decision you make, ensure it’s right for you.

How Wood Can Warm Up Your Interiors

Wood is a popular element in interior design. It’s a widely available building, and furniture material, easily crafted to suit home interiors. Its color and texture can add warmth to your home.

Wood has been the most common material for building homes for centuries. Due to its durability and flexibility, it’s one of the builders’ and designers’ top choices. Wood provides strength, integrity for structures, and calmness for any design.

For your home’s interiors, wood brings a warm feeling in several ways.

1.) Makes Spaces Extra Cozy

Adding some wooden pieces is a quick hack to make a space extra cozy. Wood’s brown color can make your interior look and feel warmer. Its texture creates a visual appeal that may help you relax.

There are several ways to use wood in different spaces of your home. You may use them as a permanent option for your flooring in the living room and bedroom. The experts from the best UK flooring store recommend solid wood flooring, as the texture and the feel under your feet will be incomparable. They are hardwearing and a true investment that will last you a long time. You can also place wood slats to separate two spaces without building a wall.

2.) Creates Harmony With Different Design Elements

Due to its warm neutral tone, wood easily blends in with the other elements in your home. Even if you’re going for a modern interior design, placing some wooden furniture pieces here and there can easily make the space more vibrant. For instance, a wooden coffee table in a room with white walls and furniture can create a beautiful contrast.

Wood creates harmony among different features of a space. It can make any living space look more put together. It’s a versatile material that you can customize into interesting design pieces and multifunctional furniture.

Integrating wooden surfaces can make the space cozier if your interior is filled with gray and other cool tones. One of the simple DIY projects you can undertake to revamp your existing furniture is pasting wood grain laminate on cabinet doors, and drawer faces. Even if you’re using an artificial wood material, it can give off the same warming effect as natural wood. Another easy option to spice up your interior is to use wood panels. It’s a smart way to add character to plain walls. You may check out different ways to use wood panels here.

3.) Brings In Natural Elements

Bringing in natural elements inside your home is one of the best ways to elevate your mood. Incorporating some outdoor elements indoors can make your home feel one with nature, which brings a calming effect.

Wood is the most accessible natural element you can include in your home. Its brown color and rough texture mimic the ambiance of a forest, which can help soothe your mind. You may add some indoor plants to complete a nature-themed space to make the room complete.

Adding wood furniture pieces like a center table with live edges can easily make the living room warmer. Its natural curves can also help soften the space, mainly if the room contains a lot of straight lines.

Moreover, you may also switch to a wood pallet bed frame. This type of bed frame makes the bedroom feel warmer and helps keep your mattress in place due to its high friction. It’s also an eco-friendly material that you can repurpose.

4.) Combines Practicality And Comfort

Wood is a practical choice both for home building and designing. Timbers and boards are easily accessible materials. You may also repurpose and recycle some wood from your past renovation or building projects.

To combine practicality and comfort in your home, adding some wooden pieces is the best choice. It’s an affordable material that you can include within any interior to help alleviate stress and help you relax.

Aside from its affordability, it’s also one of the most DIY beginner-friendly materials. It’s easy to cut, shape, and assemble for any home improvement project.

Furthermore, wooden surfaces can also bring the comfort and practicality of a farmhouse-style interior. Staying within your home can feel like lodging in a holiday cabin where you can hang out and relax.

5.) Improves Home’s Insulation

In addition to its warm aesthetic appeal, wood also improves home thermal insulation. During the cold seasons, wood can help keep the place warm.

Wood as a building material helps reduce the energy cost when heating a space during winter. It’s sustainable, natural, and safe to use for family homes. It can also absorb moisture, reducing the humidity within an area.

Overall, wood is a healthy material for home interiors. It warms up the space both visually and physically. Both hardwood or engineered wood options can help maintain the temperature within a space, making your home heating and cooling system work efficiently.

Conclusion

No wonder wood is a classic trend in interior design. It balances aesthetic appeal and functionality. Wood elements are a feature you can add within your home to warm up spaces and make them feel homey.

If you’re designing or building a home from scratch, wood textures and elements are particularly crucial in farmhouse and mid-century modern construction. We highly recommend incorporating our tips if you’re planning to build your own home.

Living on the Atlanta BeltLine

If you’re looking for a house in Atlanta, your biggest challenge is probably deciding where to start. The city has so many neighborhoods, each of which has so much to offer.

Nonetheless, as hard as it can be to stand out in this kind of market, neighborhoods along the Atlanta BeltLine are dominating the market. Aside from some amazing houses, these neighborhoods enjoy many benefits of the incredible trail that keep them in extremely high demand.

A Brief History of the Atlanta BeltLine

The history of the Atlanta BeltLine goes almost as far back as that of the city itself. During the 1800s, this 22-mile loop featured a number of active rail lines that helped fuel Atlanta’s growing commerce.

In 1895, the beltway helped bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city for all the sights and sounds of the Cotton States and International Exposition.

Atlanta would continue as a major railroad hub for the better half of a century before it began favoring automobiles, buses, and planes. Once the transition began, the BeltLine started seeing fewer and fewer trains until only the northwest and northside corridors were still in use.

It wasn’t until 1999 that the Atlanta BeltLine would see new life after a student at Georgia Tech majoring in urban planning named Ryan Gravel surveyed the area and, eventually, used his master’s thesis to explore how it could be transformed. Instead of locomotives and stations, the rails would be transformed into a pedestrian and cyclist trail, one that would serve as the backbone for affordable housing, parks, new developments, and more.

Today, Gravel’s vision is alive and still growing. The Atlanta BeltLine’s development is expected to continue into 2030, but there’s also plenty to love about it right now.

In fact, if you’re in the market for a home, here are five reasons to consider living near the Atlanta BeltLine.

1. It’s Easy to Get Around

Needless to say, living in a house on the Atlanta BeltLine means it’s extremely easy to get around. On any typical day, you can find the trail packed with walkers, joggers, cyclists, and more.

The Atlanta BeltLine isn’t just great for exercise, though. At 22 miles long, it’s incredibly convenient for getting all over the city without having to get on the street. Imagine being able to enjoy a nice stroll or bike ride to get around Atlanta instead of sitting in traffic. In fact, many who live on the BeltLine take it to get to work or to pick up groceries from neighborhood stores along the trail.

If you don’t own a bike or feel like walking, then you can pick up a scooter along the way or rent a bike from local places like the Atlanta Bicycle Barn and Skate Escape.

2. The Natural Surroundings

The Atlanta BeltLine is absolutely gorgeous, too. There are stretches that go on for miles but hardly feel like they’re in a major U.S. city. It’s easy to think you’re just walking through the woods in a rural part of Georgia while being right in the heart of Atlanta.

The Northside Trail is nothing short of idyllic. Walk under an actual railroad trestle that would have fit in perfectly 100 years ago or just enjoy the calm of Tanyard Creek Park.

This is only going to continue, too. With a recent acquisition of 63 acres, the BeltLine is extending another 4.5 miles connecting the Eastside and Westside trails from University Avenue to Glenwood Avenue through some amazing scenery.

If you’re interested in taking a walking tour to learn more about the BeltLine, you can visit the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum along the Eastside and Westside Trails. Guided tours include a given by local experts in horticulture for a better understanding of this city’s natural beauty.

View Homes For Sale on the Atlanta BeltLine

3. All the Art

Nature’s not the only thing that makes the Atlanta BeltLine beautiful, though. While there’s no denying its effect, plenty of artists have also lent their talents to make this area beautiful.

Regular exhibitions are displayed along the BeltLine. In 2019/2020, these public displays included A City for All (Sculptures) and BeltLine Walls (Murals) among many others. There is even performance art like BeltLine Flow, a popup-style event that features immersive interactions.

There are permanent installments of sculptures, paintings, and murals that turn whole sections of the trail into an art exhibit, too.

As the trail continues to develop, expect even more eye-dazzling art to grow right along with it. Living nearby means you’ll see these beautiful works on a regular basis.

Keep in mind, too, that the easy access the trail means it’s easy to walk or bike to places like The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia.

4. You’ll Never Be Far from a Good Meal

Atlanta is known all over the country for its food. This cuisine’s influence has reached to every corner of the nation and beyond. If you love amazing food, there’s no bad place to live in Atlanta — but living on the BeltLine could put you just steps away from some of the city’s best restaurants.

The Eastside Trail currently provides the most options in terms of eateries with direct access to Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market and many other restaurants. However, with the recent expansion and growing popularity of the BeltLine, more and more restaurants are starting to pop up along the trail.

All in all, those who live in houses on the Atlanta BeltLine are never far from one-of-a-kind menus full of the flavors that have helped make this city famous.

5. The Prospect of Your Home’s Value Increasing

Finally, while there are many reasons to buy a home, an especially important one is that it can be a promising investment. Of course, this isn’t always the case. And, usually, you have to live in your home for decades before that happens.

However, people living in houses along the Atlanta BeltLine have already started to see their home values skyrocket. While most of them have already grown, the BeltLine’s continuous development is only going to push the trend.

View Homes For Sale on the Atlanta BeltLine

Work with a Real Estate Agent to Find a House on the Atlanta BeltLine

With rising popularity and homes selling hours after being on the market, you are going to want the guidance of a qualified real estate agent to help you make a competitive offer.

At SimpleShowing, our full-service agents are skilled in winning homes along the Atlanta BeltLine. Plus, we offer a Buyer Refund Program which pays out an average of $5,000 towards your closing costs.

To get started, you can book a tour of any home on the Atlanta BeltLine or contact us today to learn more.