HIRING A HOME INSPECTOR

You've gone to countless open houses, searched online for months, and have finally found the house of your dreams, but before signing your name on the dotted line there are a few key steps you should not overlook.  

When purchasing a home, hiring the right home inspector can be the most important decision you make.  

Knowing the condition of the house you are going to purchase cannot be left to appearances or promises, and some undetected problems can be even more costly than the price of the house itself.  Making sure you have the services of a home inspector who knows what he or she is doing can prevent what should be a great investment from becoming a financial disaster.  So what steps can you take to be sure your home inspector is qualified?  

Here are a few things to consider.

How Long Have They Been In The Business, And What Is Their Professional Background?

The housing market has steadily increased over the last several decades, and the home inspection business is booming.  With new home inspectors becoming certified each day from a variety of programs, hiring the services of an experienced inspector can really make a difference.  Though experience is always a good indicator of qualifications, also consider hiring an inspector who has a background in the housing industry, whether as a real estate agent or home builder.

What Are Their Qualifications?

With the incredible number of courses and schools offering certification in home inspection, knowing where your home inspector got their training and whether or not the course is actually recognized by the certifying body in your area is definitely worth the extra time to find out.  Always ask to see proof of their certification, and make the necessary calls to the institution if there is any doubt.

Do They Have References?

This may seem an obvious question to ask any professional, but many people skip this step, and even fewer actually follow up on the references that they ask for.  Always call the references that your home inspector provides, and be sure they can give you at least three recent referrals.

How Much Do They Charge?

While the costs involved in purchasing a new home can add up quickly, the temptation to try to save when hiring a home inspector should be resisted.  Call several home inspectors for quotes, and if the one you have selected is considerably cheaper than the others, ask yourself why.  Most certified and qualified home inspectors know what the competition is charging and will usually charge a similar rate.

While all this work may seem like a lot of effort for what may turn out to be just red tape, if there is a serious problem with the property you are hoping to buy and it goes undetected, what should be your greatest investment may turn out to be your greatest liability.

DON'T FORGET THE FINAL WALK-THROUGH

I like to make sure my clients are protected all the way through the home buying process. This is one reason I insist on the final walk-through. Learn why!

When I’m representing buyers in a deal, I always like to be sure a "final walk-through" is included prior to closing. 

This is especially true in a market where desperate and less-than-reputable sellers may try and walk out with the fixtures. While that may sound a little extreme, the final walk-through can head-off conflict before closing.

The final walk-through allows us to address common issues such as:

• If the current owner is on schedule to move out
• That the property is in the same condition it was when shown
• That any repairs required have been completed

In a best-case scenario, a final walk-through is also a good time to have the sellers explain details about the house that the buyer may need to know, especially tricky pool heaters, access to attics, funny light switches, and sprinkler timers.

The final walk-through also a great time to put together a list of companies who have serviced the house in the past.

I like to schedule final walk-throughs at least 4 - 7 days before closing, as this is often enough time to resolve any outstanding issues before paperwork must be signed. (The walk-through itself may happen within 24 hours of closing.)

I’m dedicated to protecting my clients from the beginning through the end of the home buying experience. If you want to work with someone who pays attention to the details, contact me today: valerie@valeriemcconville.com

Or visit my website at: www.valeriemcconville.com

THE POWER OF SELF-RESPECT

“Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power.” (Clint Eastwood)

Pride and confidence in one’s self; a feeling that one is behaving with honor and dignity. That’s one concise definition of self-respect I think we can all understand. What I find interesting about Clint Eastwood’s quote is the connection between self-respect and self-discipline.

For entrepreneurs and real estate agents, a tremendous amount of self-discipline is required. Running a business means being a self-starter, and at times the discipline it takes can seem to wane with our energy and our doubts.

Self-respect leads to self-discipline, and rigorous self-discipline leads to momentum. We accomplish one thing and it leads to our next accomplishment, and before we know it, the momentum of our action ensures right actions, right thinking, and dignified forward motion in our lives.

This is a tremendously powerful cycle to harness and reinforce in your life, and if you’ve never made the connection between self-respect and positive momentum, perhaps these tough-love words of wisdom from Clint Eastwood will stick in your mind today. Do not attend merely to the cause of self-discipline, but go deeper and consider the health of your self-respect. If you have something you wish to accomplish, be it a down payment on a home, or a nest-egg for a new business idea, this concept may be the key to getting the big picture in line.

All the best,

Valerie McConville

HOME DESIGN IN 2015

Home design is always changing. What may have seemed brilliant a few years ago can quickly fall out of style and leave you wondering, “What were we thinking?” But our homes reflect our habits and hobbies, and the newest trends reflect a new kind of home owner.

Re-thinking the kitchen

Food doesn’t just come from the grocery store any more. Many homeowners grow food in their gardens and have taken to canning their produce. New kitchen designs often include added space for storing vegetables from your garden and your canning equipment. High-temperature cooking options, induction ovens, and combination ovens are also becoming more and more popular.

Be cautious about the connected home

The new technology for controlling your HVAC system, home entertainment system, and other electronic features is convenient, but it does come with some risk. Technology moves extremely fast, and what once seemed cutting edge can quickly be abandoned by the manufacturer, leaving you without many options for updates, maintenance, and replacements. Be sure to do your research.

Gray is anything but dull

Cool shades of gray are an extremely popular choice for interiors. Other popular paint colors in newer homes include chocolate brown, teal, and yellow.

RETIREMENT STRATEGY? RELOCATE!

More and more retiring Baby Boomers are looking into relocation as a strategy to stretch those hard-earned dollars. 

Here are five things to consider if you’re contemplating a retirement relocation.

Unlike earlier generations of retirees who paid off their mortgages and retired in their family home, today's Baby Boomers are looking to capitalize on home equity to enhance their retirement savings. If you’re thinking how relocating might stretch your retirement dollar, below are a few points you should consider before relocating, downsizing, or trading up:

1. Speak with your spouse or partner first, even if you think you’re both of the same mind.  Don’t assume that you’re in agreement. When the moment to make the leap comes, feelings may change.

2. Consider the cost-of-living in a different part of the country. There’s a pretty big swing between rural Florida and urban San Francisco, for example. This might also mean factoring fuel costs if you’re moving into an area where you’re likely to spend more time driving.

3. Consider whether your plans are realistic. For example, could you really live in a 1-bedroom condo after spreading out for years in your present 4-bed/3-bath?

4. How much will the ease and pleasure of retirement depend on family and friends? What are the pros/cons of moving nearer/farther away? Conversely: Are there any detriments to moving closer to younger family members? (i.e. are you ready to open a free grand kid-sitting service?)

5. Consider the potential impact of capital gains if you have substantial equity in your home— speak with a tax professional. This is especially true if you’re downshifting from ownership into a rental market.

Relocating to a more affordable area as well as to a smaller home is a strong strategy. But real estate values and property taxes can vary immensely by locale, even within the same state. Research thoroughly. Also, you want to spend significant time in the location to make sure its compatible with your lifestyle, pace, and interests.

If you're thinking about relocating or know someone who would like to speak to a local agent about relocation plans, please pass along my information. I would be honored to serve your friends and family: valerie@valeriemcconville.com

WHAT IS AN MLS?

Do you understand what an MLS is? 

If you’re searching for a home, an MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is absolutely crucial for discovering homes and marketing homes to agents and potential buyers. Get a clear understanding of the benefits of an MLS! Odds are you’ve spent a little time online searching for homes. After all, most home searches begin online. 

You may have even used a broker’s website or a site like Trulia or Zillow to help you browse listings.

But where does listing information come from?

Way back in the day, prior to the Information Age revolution, brokers used to gather and exchange information about their properties. The idea was fairly straightforward: I’ll help you sell your properties if you help me sell mine. It’s a “private offer of cooperation and compensation.” Cooperation meant the real estate industry could thrive and buyers and sellers could enjoy smoother transactions.

This spirit of cooperation gave rise to Multiple Listing Service(s) (MLS). By consolidating information about housing inventory in an MLS, listing brokers and buyers’ brokers can easily share up-to-date information about homes on the market. Though an MLS is typically a private database available to brokers, much of the information is syndicated to outside sites in the interest of casting wider net for buyers and sellers.

As an MLS is the primary source of information about a property, it tends to be the most accurate. It may also contain private information for use by brokers only, such as times the home is available for showings and seller contact information.

There are upwards of 850 MLS databases in the U.S. alone, and to a certain extent, there is market pressure to centralize these into a national MLS database. We’re sure to see changes in how Multiple Listing Services are used in the future, but the core benefits to home sellers and buyers is sure to remain.

Ready to put the power of an MLS to work for you? Search with a REALTOR® today for homes on the market right now. A REALTOR® will be happy to help you find your next home.

BUYING A VACATION HOME: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A vacation home can be an excellent investment, provided you examine the investment from all angles. Find out the fundamentals you need to plan for when considering a vacation home.

With favorable interest rates still at hand, you may be considering the possibility of a vacation home. A vacation home can be an excellent investment, providing you with a tangible asset you can also enjoy when you want to take a little time off.

Here are some tips to keep in mind before you start your search for the ideal vacation home:

1. How far do you want to travel? A remote cabin in an unspoiled wilderness might be a lifelong fantasy, but how much fun will it be if it takes half your vacation time to get there? Ask yourself how often you might use this vacation home and how much time you’re willing to spend to get there.

2. Have you spent time there before? Don’t buy before you try. Certain locales may sound romantic or exotic, but if your only experience with the place is on the Travel Channel, do yourself a favor and spend some time there first. Choose a living arrangement for your visit which will be most like the sort of home you’re looking to buy (i.e a condo, in a neighborhood, etc.).

3. Understand “the high season.” Almost every vacation destination will have a time of year where crowds flock. Ask yourself if you want to be there during this season or if you’re more interested in the lucrative potential of renting out your property.

4. Build in a renter’s mindset. A significant way to offset expenses and build equity is planning to rent your vacation home out when you’re not around. Talking to local property managers can help you understand the seasons, occupancy rates, and the market for rentals. It will help inform your financial picture.

5. Understand total expenses, not just the mortgage. There will be costs, and you need to see the big picture before you commit. This includes utilities, maintenance, property taxes, and insurance for starters. You want to invest in what you can actually afford.

Proper planning can make owning a vacation home a profitable joy. Your local REALTOR® will be happy to help you plan for your first vacation home. Let your agent represent your interests as you search for that perfect "getaway investment".