If you want to hire an inspector, get recommendations from your Realtor, or from friends and family. If you don’t know anyone who has hired a home inspector, you can find home inspectors online under “Home Inspection Services.” When interviewing inspectors, be sure to ask for references and any memberships in professional associations. Find out […]
If you can’t sell your home, there are improvements you can make that actually reduce your tax bill. Qualifying improvements are those that increase your home’s value or prolong your home’s life, including: a fence, driveway, a new room, addition, swimming pool, garage, porch or deck, built-in appliances, insulation, new heating/cooling systems, a new roof, […]
When you want to purchase a home, the home inspection by a licensed inspector will include a visual examination of the house from top to bottom. There are hundreds of items a home inspection covers, including general structure, flashings, basement or lower level, framing, central cooling and heating, chimneys, plumbing and electrical systems, drainage, bathrooms […]
Projects that may increase your home’s value include: Jacuzzi (4 jets or more); permanent hot tub; in-ground pool with nice deck area; security system; sprinkler system; substantial out buildings such as a two-car garage or finished workshop; and vaulted or trey ceilings. Think twice about the following projects however, as they may not add value […]
The last two years have been the strangest on record for the housing industry. An unprecedented housing boom increased throughout the 1990s and continued into the new millennium, thanks to relaxed credit standards, sinking interest rates, low unemployment and an insufficient housing supply. But signs now point to the impending end of the boom. Home […]
On top of the long list of items to do when buying or selling a house is the home inspection. But what is involved? How much does it cost? Why is it done in the first place? It’s important to understand what a home inspection entails and how it affects the sale of your home […]
The top ten remodeling projects undertaken to increase your home’s value and what percentage of your remodeling investment is recouped at resale are: Minor kitchen remodel (88%) Bathroom remodel (85%) Major kitchen remodel (81%) Family room addition (80%) Deck addition (77%) Master suite (75%) Attic bedroom (74%) Siding replacement (73%) Window replacement (69%) Home office […]
There is really only one reason to try to increase the value of your home: if you’re trying to sell it. If you’re not, deliberately increasing your home’s value most likely will increase your tax bill as well. There are ways to increase your home’s value for resale that range from the very expensive (major […]
If you are looking to buy a house to rent, some concerns should include the property features. Clubhouses, workout facilities, walking paths, tennis courts — all affect a renter’s decision. Square footage, floor plan, and even a beautiful view can influence the rental rate. Basic amenities like dishwashers, laundry facilities, fireplaces, covered parking, and cable […]
If you’re searching for a rental house, the best place to start is by looking in the real estate section of your Sunday newspaper. Check similar properties in your area for the range of prices. Supply and demand are factors to consider. If you’re near a college campus for example, there is a constant demand […]
