UNDERSTANDING THE CLOSING PROCESS

You shopped for a home, decided to make an offer, entered negotiations, had your offer accepted, and now you are ready to start the closing process. So, what happens next?

Once your loan is approved, you will be ready to take the final step that will lead to the door of your new home. 

Many home buyers are intimidated by the closing process, but it's not as complicated as you may think.  In fact, finding the right home is much more difficult than closing the deal.

Making It Official

The closing process begins with the borrower and lender meeting in the presence of a notary public.  This is a person who is authorized to oversee, create or certify contracts, deeds and other legal documents.  At the conclusion of the signing, the notary public will provide their stamp and signature, which certifies the identification of everyone present and the signatures on the loan application.

Handing Over The Cash

When you meet with the lender to close the loan, you will be required to produce your down payment and, if required, the closing costs.  Ask your lender about acceptable payment methods, which may include a cashier's check or other certified funds.  If you have an account with the lender, a personal check may be accepted in some circumstances.

Review The Loan Documents

At closing, this will be your final opportunity to review the loan documents.  You should make sure that everything is accurate and as promised, including the interest rates and loan term.  It's also important that you confirm that the names and addresses are correct, along with other important information relating to the loan.  If anything is inaccurate, now is the time to make changes.  Never sign the loan documents until everything is perfect.

Sign Here, Please

Once everything is verified and the loan documents are approved by both you and the lender, it's time to sign on the dotted line.  Believe it or not, this is one of the most nervous times for a homebuyer.  If you've chosen the right home and are comfortable with your loan, however, it can also be one of the most exciting.  Once the documents are signed, the notary public will affix his/her stamp and signature.

It's A Done Deal

The final step in the closing process is a simple handshake.  Most lenders and homebuyers will extend their hands and, with a smile, the person who was just a homebuyer is now a homeowner.  Now that's something to shake on!  With the keys to your abode now firmly in hand, it's time to get moving and turn your new house into a home.

LOWER WATER BILLS AND CONSERVE FOR THE FUTURE

Water is precious. Without it, life stops. 

Fortunately, cutting back is easy and painless and not only preserves our fresh water, but also reduces your bill! Here are 7 creative ways to save.

Water is our most precious resource. As our planet becomes more crowded and the demand for clean drinking water grows, it’s increasingly important that we look for creative ways to reduce needless waste. You might underestimate how small changes can really add up. 

Did you know simply by turning off the water while you brush your teeth, you may save up to as much as 25 gallons per month? (A great way to make this point with kids is to show them at the grocery store what 25 gallons of milk looks like... that’s a lot of water!) Even shortening your shower by two minutes can add up to 150 gallons per month.

Below are some creative tips you can use to cut down on your water consumption, lower your water bills, and preserve a resource we truly can’t live without:

1. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. Instead of waiting for cold water, every drop ends up as part of your drink.

2. Wash veggies and fruits in a pan of water, then gather the water you use and reuse it to water indoor plants.

3. Consider installing an instant water heater near your kitchen, so you don’t have to run the water excessively when you need hot water. (This can also reduce overall energy expenses.)

4. Remember: Washing dark clothes in cold water saves on both water and energy, and it helps your clothes retain their vibrancy.

5. Rather than following a set watering schedule for your lawn and garden, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering. If it’s still moist, hold off on running those sprinklers.

6. Reduce the amount of lawn you have to water by practicing xeriscaping, which is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation. (Rocks, natural, local vegetation, etc.)

7. Does your shower fill a 1-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds? Replace your shower head with a water-efficient model.

Share these seven tips with others and encourage people in your neighborhood to join you in your support of water conservation.

GREEN LANDSCAPING TIPS

With the nice weather upon us, I thought I would pass along a few green gardening tips that I thought you may find useful.  

I hear from so many of my clients that making their homes more environmentally friendly is important to them, and it can even help increase the value of their property.

We all want our yards and gardens to be beautiful, green, and inviting, but also making them good for the environment is just as important.  Whether you have just moved in, or are looking to make your existing outdoor living space an earth-friendly place, here are a few tips that can help!

Expand your garden, shrink your yard.  Grass yards take a lot of time and resources to maintain; replacing them with wildflower gardens or gravel living spaces can reduce your water and fuel consumption.

Replace your gas or electric mower with a reel lawn mower.  They do take more work, buy it's a great way to get in a workout!

Purchase a rain barrel.  Collecting rainwater and using it to water your yard and plants is a great conservation technique, and will reduce your water bill.

Compost.  Maintaining compost will not only reduce your contribution to landfills, but gives you high quality, free fertilizer for your plants.

Plant a tree.  Trees not only reduce the CO² in our environment, they also provide shade to your yard and home.

Create an organic vegetable garden.  Vegetable gardens can provide you and your family with a delicious, healthy, and very inexpensive food source, and are a great addition to any garden.

Plant indigenous plants.  Plants that are native to your location require a lot less maintenance and thrive in their natural conditions.

Eliminate harmful pesticides from your garden.  There are a number of alternatives to the use of toxic pesticides, which pollute both our personal living space and the planet.  Your local garden supply center can help you find an alternative that is right for your garden or yard.

10 TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR HOME DURING VACATIONS

Getting out of town soon for some R&R? What steps are you taking to protect your home while you’re gone? 

Here are my 10 tips that will help ensure everything is safe and sound when you return.

I hope you all have  a safe and relaxing time during your vacation this summer.  It’s crucial that we all have time to recharge and recognize what’s important in life.  We only go around once, so it’s important to savor what we have.

Before you leave town, I thought you might be interested in a few precautionary safety tips to keep your home and your possessions safe while you’re gone.  Often in the run-up to a vacation, people neglect to take simple steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim of theft or vandalism.

You’ve probably covered your bases, but just in case, here are 10 basic precautions you can take:

1.      Have someone collect your mail and newspaper daily.

2.      Leave shades and blinds in normal positions.

3.      Put at least two lights and a radio on automatic timers.

4.      Have someone leave trash at your curb on garbage collection day.

5.      Have someone park a car in your driveway occasionally. If you leave your car outside, arrange to have it moved every so often.

6.      Leave a key with a trusted neighbor in case of an emergency. Let the neighbor know where you are going and when you are expect to return, also leave them a way to get in contact with you in case of an emergency.

7.      Lock all windows and doors before you go. Do not forget to double-check basement and garage doors.

8.      On extended trips have someone to maintain your landscaping, (grass mowed, leaves raked, etc.)

9.      Consider turning off your home’s water main to prevent damage from a burst pipe.

10. Be careful how much you check-in on social media while on vacation. If your privacy settings are incorrect you might reveal to strangers your home is vacant!

Be safe and have a blast...

SATISFIED CLIENT, SATISFYING RESULTS

Thank you to my client, a very special lady whose home I just sold recently. 
Here is what she had to say:

THE PITFALL OF THE PRICING GAME

A lot of people seem to think waiting for home pricing to bottom out is the way to buy. But what happens to those low prices if interest rates change? Here's what you should consider.

Which do you think matters more when waiting for the right time to buy a home? Is it securing a low purchase price, or locking in a great financing rate?

Most buyers become focused on purchase price when they’re considering whether or not to buy. The question you often hear is the same: “Has the market bottomed out yet?” The idea of getting “the best deal” on a home is paramount to these price shoppers, and indeed for cash buyers, this may be the primary concern.

While negotiating a great price is an important part of the equation, the value of securing great financing terms cannot be overstated. The inherent risk in waiting for the market to hit bottom is that you’ll also miss out on the best interest rates available.

Imagine, for example, you’re waiting for homes to drop an additional X% in value. While you’re waiting, mortgage rates rise Y%. Sure, you might secure the home at a better purchase price, but what you’ll pay over the life of the loan will be significantly higher than buying when the market was more expensive (but rates were lower).

Perhaps the most punishing part of missing great financing is the net impact on your monthly payment. Even a 1% increase in your mortgage rate can end up costing as much as a brutal 10% increase in your monthly payment.

Buying a home is not like buying a nice coffee table. Price is not the sole concern. Given the complexities of price, property taxes, financing terms, and the larger tax implications of home ownership, it truly pays to consult with an agent who can help you weigh the pros and cons and help you make the right move.

I’m always happy to work with you to navigate the market, negotiate price, and put you in touch with mortgage professionals who will help you get the best rate possible. Contact me today and I can help you explore your options: valeriemcconville@realtyexecutives.com

HOME STAGING: THE TEN BEST DO-IT-YOURSELF TIPS FOR $100 OR LESS

Home staging is a wonderful way to help your home sell more quickly!  

Buyers are more motivated to consider purchasing a home that suits their family size, budget, and location requirements, but also one that appeals to their senses.  

What will a buyer see, smell, hear, and touch when they tour your home for the first time?

Contrary to what you may have heard, staging your home to sell doesn't have to be expensive.  Sure, you can hire a decorator or invest in new furniture or renovations.  However, if you're like many sellers I work with, high-end staging may not be in your plan or budget.

That's why I put together the best staging tips for the do-it-your-selfer.  The list I've included has been useful to lots of other happy clients.  I hope you'll find it helpful, too!

Potted Plants, small or large, are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to create visual appeal.
 
Home Fragrance such as scented candles, sprays, and plug-in type fragrance gadgets in delicate scents can work wonders.
 
Steam Cleaning-Rather than investing in a professional service, rent the machine for one day, and rejuvenate carpets and drapes.
 
Baskets and Decorative Containers can help organize scattered items and eliminate clutter.
 
Light Bulbs and Dimmer Switches-Brighten dark areas and rooms or soften harsh light with dimmers and the newer soft light bulbs.
 
Paint over unusual colors or update stark white walls with a contemporary neutral tone. 
 
Fresh Flowers-Inexpensive arrangements in vases you already own look beautiful and will smell naturally fresh.
 
Throw Pillows will instantly update an old sofa or chair or make a plain bed look luxurious.
 
Maid Service can be costly, but hiring one for a day or a few hours is affordable-and it's worth it to make a kitchen or bathroom sparkle!
 
Snacks!  A bowl of polished apples, a bunch of grapes or a plate of fresh cookies makes your home look warm and inviting.