Posts with tag 'Home maintenance'

Tips abound for sprucing up the interior of a home before it goes on the market, as well as getting the exterior into shipshape, ready-to-sell mode. But what about the landscape? If yard care and gardening are not your thing, you may need a little guidance as you wonder how a potential buyer might react to your less-than-inspired landscaping. 

Now that you're seriously wanting to attract attention to your home among Mansfield homes for sale, there are a few landscaping tricks that can turn heads of potential buyers without you having to break the bank—or break into too much of a sweat to get things presentable. Our REALTORS® can make additional recommendations if need be. Let's start with one of the most basic landscaping tasks, but one that can make a real difference.

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Do you hear that noise? Your home is trying to tell you something!

Believe it or not, some sounds are scarier than those that go bump in the night. The creeks, cracks, squeaks, and scratches that you hear around the house shouldn't be ignored. While some of these issues are minor, others are indicative of destructive and dangerous problems. Our REALTORS® suggest investigating and resolving these annoying noises ASAP. 

9 Household Noises & How to Fix Them  

1. Whistling
   Do you hear a whistling sound in certain rooms? Don't worry, it's not a ghost, but it could be one of two other issues — either your furnace or your windows. A furnace that makes a sucking or whistling sounds means it's working too hard because of dirty filters. Replacing them with new, clean filters will stop the sound. A whistling window means your weatherstripping is loose and needs to be resealed.

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Though all of us are fortunate to have roofs over our heads, it's easy to forget that these elements of our home won't last forever. While the standard roof should last a few decades if properly installed and maintained, there are a number of issues that can weaken the integrity of your roof faster than you'd believe. Our REALTORS® encourage you to pay attention to these five signs that you might need to replace your roof this summer, especially if you plan on listing your property alongside other Mansfield homes for sale.

1. Dark Spots on the Roof
   While a shingle on your roof may fade or become slightly discolored over time, any large patches of discoloration may be signs of a serious problem. Dark streaks or spots on the roof are typically caused by algae, which causes staining and could make shingles deteriorate, eventually causing leaks. These stains can also harm your curb appeal, even if they aren't actually damaging the roof. A roof that looks like it may be problematic can instantly make buyers assume that there might be mold, leads, or other problems present in the home.

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When you're marketing a home to sell, it needs to be ready to show potential buyers. Our REALTORS® know that home staging is easier and properly done when you have time to thoroughly declutter, clean, organize, and decorate your home. But last-minute showings can happen and you never know—that showing could be the ultimate buyer for your house. Some quick fixes can make your property stand out from the rest.

Here's a rundown of those little home-staging things you can do to prepare your home for last-minute showings.

1. Clean Around Your Home
   When you get that last-minute call from your real estate agent, don't get into a panic mode. Quickly double-check all appliances and make sure they are spotless. No one wants to see films of grease, splattered spaghetti sauce in their potential new home. Wipe down kitchen counters and sinks and make sure all items are cleaned and out of sight. Likewise, make sure your bathroom is gleaming, from the sink drain to the corners of the tub to that spot that you think no one can see.

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Although it can be a result of a rather unfortunate life event, inheriting a house can change your life forever. If you are in a position to determine what to do with the property, an inherited home can be a cornerstone of your long-term financial well-being. We understand that such a sudden change can be overwhelming, and you may have many factors to consider when you're deciding what to do with this inheritance. With this in mind, Our REALTORS® have five pieces of advice they give all of our clients to help them decide whether it's in their best interest to sell it, rent it, or keep it as a primary residence.

1. Accurately Assess the Debt Situation
   It can be difficult to process this when you're going through a period of grieving, but in some cases, an inheritance can be more of a burden than a helping hand. Before you make any plans for the disposition of the property, you need to get a handle on any debt that you inherited along with it. Does the property currently have a mortgage, or is it paid off? If it does have a mortgage, does it have sufficient equity to make a sale profitable? Were any financial instruments such as a reverse mortgage used to leverage this equity? Can you afford the mortgage payments every month? The answers to these questions will be crucial when you're deciding what to do next.

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