Sell Your Home

The holidays are just around the corner, so it's time to fill your home with seasonal decor that creates an inviting atmosphere. While the holidays can be a difficult time to sell your home, our real estate agents have some staging tips that will impress holiday buyers.

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When you're getting ready to list your home on the market, many sellers primarily focus on their home's interior, but it's important to remember your outdoor space too. Your home's exterior is your first chance to make a good impression on potential buyers. A beautiful exterior is an excellent way to attract attention to your listing. 

Our real estate agents always encourage sellers to focus on sprucing up their outdoor space before listing their home, as it can actually have a positive impact on the home value and sale price. Below are some tips to help you get started today:

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Whether you are preparing to sell your existing property or looking for Belleville homes for sale, studying up on real estate terms will help the process go smoothly. 

When entering the real estate market, preparation is vital to successful transactions. If you cannot remember all the different definitions, do not worry. Our real estate agents are available to answer any of your questions. Here is a list of some basic real estate terms to get you started.

1. Buyer's Agent: In a real estate transaction, the buyer's agent represents the person purchasing the property.
2. Listing Agent: The listing agent represents the person selling the property. The agent generally has multiple listings for you to browse.
3. Pre-Approval Letter: When purchasing a home, you can obtain a pre-approval letter from your financial institution. The letter simply states the estimated amount of money allowed for your home purchase.
4. Assessed Value: The public tax assessor for the area determines the value of the home. The process allows for collecting state or city tax fees.
5. Appraisal: Before receiving your loan, your bank will request an assessment of the home. The process of appraising the home or other real estate determines the value of the property.
6. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: The first type of conventional loan is an adjustable-rate mortgage. A changing interest rate may cost more money throughout the life of your loan. When you use an adjustable-rate mortgage, you risk a rising interest rate.
7. Fixed-Rate Mortgage:  The second type of conventional loans. The fixed-rate mortgage has the same interest rate throughout the life of the loan. There are no surprises on the amount of interest collected each payment.
8. Principal: Your monthly mortgage payment consists of the principal and interest. The principal is the amount borrowed to buy your home.
9. Interest: When you borrow money from a lending institution, you must pay an interest rate. Rates will vary. The interest is the price for borrowing money.
10. Inspection: When you make an offer, an inspection of the home occurs. The process allows for any potential issues in the house. The inspection process checks the home's plumbing, septic system, foundation, electrical unit, and any other features that may negatively affect the home's cost. The process protects the buyer from any misrepresentations.
11. Offer: The seller has the right to decline, accept, or counter any offer made on the home. Many sellers will reject and counter the first offer.
12. Closing: The closing is the finalization of your home's purchase or sale. The process includes closing costs, down payment, and signing of the legal documents.
13. Closing Costs: The closing costs consist of the bank's processing costs of the loan, title insurance, and any taxes.
14. Title Insurance: Before sale, there is a research process to check the home's title. The home must not have any type of lien before moving forward with the closing.
15. Escrow: An escrow account is set up by the lending institution that will receive monthly payments from the purchaser.

 If you need help with any terms, purchasing or selling a home, please contact us.

Improving energy-efficiency within your home will trim a significant sum from your monthly utility bills. It will also enhance the home's curb appeal in an increasingly eco-conscious real estate market. As you think about the things you can do to reduce your energy usage, our real estate agents recommend you pay close attention to the following:

1. Upgrade Your Appliances
   A new washer/dryer, refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher can shave hundreds of dollars from your gas, electric, and water bills each year. More importantly, these upgrades give your home a modern appeal enhancing the home's value in the eyes of prospective buyers.
2. Invest in Insulation
   Adding new insulation with a higher R-value in the attic and crawlspaces can shave hundreds of dollars per year off your heating and cooling bills. Moreover, your investment in insulation pays roughly a 1:1 return in terms of real estate value. 

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Everything tends to look a little gray and dreary in the winter, so if you're selling your home during this season, you'll have to pay particular attention to curb appeal. The weather might be colder, but your home should still look warm and inviting. Winter curb appeal can make your home look more vibrant and inviting when compared to other area homes.

Our real estate agents recommend the following 8 ways to improve your winter curb appeal:

1. Add Color to Your Porch
   If your home has a porch, add a pop of color with a few brightly colored rocking chairs with cozy outdoor cushions and blankets. Even if it's too cold for prospective owners to have a seat, they'll be attracted to a cheery color in cold weather and may imagine themselves relaxing in them when warmer temperatures come.
2. Boost Outdoor Lighting
   Since it gets dark earlier in the winter than during other times of year, some buyers may be viewing your home when it's dark. Add outdoor illumination such as pathway lights on the side of your front door to make your home sparkle while helping keep guests safe.

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