If you plan to move in the near future, it doesn’t make sense to sink a lot of money into home updates you won’t be able to enjoy for long. It’s also not a good idea to invest in projects that won’t boost your home value when it’s time to sell, or give you a good return on your investment.
If you’re a smoker trying to sell your home, or you’re selling a home for a family member who smokes, you likely have some work to do before putting the house on the market. The strong smell of cigarette smoke gets into walls and carpet. It turns buyers off and can even lower the value of the home. In order to sell for a decent price, it pays to learn how to get rid of the smell of tobacco.
Sometimes sellers need to get rid of a home quickly, and don’t have a lot of time—or a lot of money—to make it look great. It could be that they are in a time crunch to move into their next home, or they are selling a parent’s house. While big upgrades and repairs aren’t always necessary to attract buyers, a clean home is important.
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When a seller gets a contract on their house, they have one more hurdle to clear - the home inspection. The way they respond to the inspection might determine whether the sale goes through, or sinks. If a seller won’t, or can’t, fix issues in the inspection report, they probably will have to take a lower offer - if they don’t lose the deal altogether. When a sale is contingent on the results of the home inspection, 17% of deals fall apart.
When looking at homes for sale, buyers are likely to hear the term “fixer-upper.” While they may have a general idea of what that means, they might be less clear about how that house might differ from one described as “needing some TLC” or one that is advertised as “perfect for flipping.”
A fixer-upper can be a dream come true—or a total nightmare. The outcome often boils down to these questions:
Residential homes with solar panels are becoming more commonplace than they were even just a few years ago. Companies that sell panels are popping up across the country, and homeowners who want a greener, cheaper alternative to traditional power sources are having them installed. Buying or selling a home with solar panels can be a little more complicated than a routine sale. There are some things to consider on both sides of the transaction.
If you live in an older home (and there are many of them in St. Louis) it might have knob and tube wiring. Knob and tube (or K&T) was the standard method of electrical wiring when electricity was first used in homes in the 1880s. New innovations in cable and wire came along in the 1920s, but K&T was still common up until the 1950s when more modern methods took over.
Smart home lovers likely rejoice at the continued flood of smart house accessories on the market, one of which are video security doorbells.
Whether buying or selling a home in St. Louis, finding the best realtor will involve some work. You’ll want to ask people you know for referrals, do some research, and finally, interview the best candidates. (Read Follow These 3 Steps to Find a Real Estate Agent.) Sales statistics and experience are important, but you need to feel confident in your decision on a more personal level, too.
Winter is on its way and you know what that means... soon, you'll need to turn on your furnace. In fact, if you live in a colder climate, you might have already done so. Keeping your home warm while keeping your electric bill low is the goal for most homeowners. If it seems like your home is always chilly but your energy bill is high, you may be losing heat. Here are some of the most common places your home can lose heat:
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