Category: Buying

Utilizing a timeline and checklist when preparing to move will help you stay on top of moving chores and help alleviate last minute frustrations. Ask your Mel Foster Co. agent for recommendations for moving companies that can pack and move you across town or across the country.

In The Months Before

• Go through your home, including closets, garage, basement, shed and attic, and decide what you’ll take to the new house.
• Order packing supplies, including specialty containers for dishes or hanging clothing.
• Get measurements of the rooms in your new home and make sure your furniture will fit.
• Ask family and friends for help with packing on moving day and schedule time off work to move.

In The Weeks Before

• Change your address with your employer, bank, insurance companies, magazines, credit cards and utility companies.
• Set up utilities, phone, cable or internet service at the new house.
• Confirm details with the moving company and your friends who will help on moving day. A good tip for the movers is 10-15% of the total fee.
• Complete a change of address form online or at the post office.

The Week Of Moving

• Refill prescriptions and put important medications in a box marked do not pack on truck to make sure the movers don’t take this box with them.
• Defrost the freezer and start cleaning out the fridge at least 24 hours before you move.
• Call the moving company to confirm and get the names of the crew and the USDOT number of the truck.
• Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading or inventory list and keep a copy. Confirm the address of the new house with the movers.

Follow these suggestions when compiling your home inventory list before you move.

Choosing where to live is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life. If you are drawn to the idea of condo living as opposed to staying in your single-family home, consider a few reasons why making a move to a condo will may make your life easier.

1. Downsize is the Right Size

You’ve read about Marie Kondo’s views on the magic of tidying up your life and now believe that your home is too big to bring you joy. Downsizing from a house to a condo can be your next step in fulfilling this need to simplify. There are a variety of condo floor plans available to help you find the right size and layout. Or be involved from the start in choosing finishes and features when selecting a new-build condo option. If you’re ready for less is more, a condo could be the perfect fit.

2. Chores No More

Condominium living provides a lifestyle free of outdoor chores. The association will organize crews to rake leaves and mow the grass, weed and mulch your colorful landscape or shovel the heavy snow on your driveway and walkways. This gives you more time to do more of your favorite things. Any repairs that need to be attended to, like prepping your furnace for winter or fixing a leaky faucet in the kitchen, will also be taken care of by the association.

3. Neighbors and Friends

Living in a condominium complex means close proximity to your neighbors, allowing extra opportunities to develop friendships. The association typically holds monthly meetings which provide a chance to become familiar with neighbors and where they live in your community. This formal setting makes for easy introductions for those either new to condo living or interested in expanding their friendship circle. While you still may choose a more private lifestyle, you’ll have more chances to get to know more people living closely to your neighbors.

Think you’re ready to begin the search for a condo? Connect with a Mel Foster Co. agent today to get started.

Don’t assume everything is included in your home purchase. It’s important to get everything in writing so you’re not left feeling cheated. Here are some common house features buyers think are included in the deal, but aren’t necessarily automatically included.

1. Appliances

It’s not always the norm when buying a home that all appliances are included in the sale. Things like refrigerators, washers and dryers, dishwashers and microwaves may be going with the seller. If you want a specific appliance left behind, make sure to clarify in writing that it’s a condition of the sale.

2. Window Coverings

Sometimes there are shades or drapes in the home during showings. The shades may be fully fitted for the window and attached, but the seller may be planning on taking them once they sell the home. If you don’t see it written anywhere, get the inclusion of window coverings in writing. Specify you want the existing window coverings either included or removed if you don’t like them.

3. Mounting Materials

It’s common for homes to have TV’s mounted on the wall with a bracket supporting it. Be sure to ask. It may not actually be included with the sale of the home.

4. Lawn Care Equipment

If the lawn at the home you are buying is large, you may want to negotiate with the sellers for any lawn care equipment you need. If the lawn requires a riding lawnmower the previous owners may be willing to include it in the sale.

Find more tips for buying in the Mel Foster Co. blog.

Sending your child to college is expensive and room and board is the second highest expense for college students each year. As you weigh your financial options, consider a few pros and cons of purchasing property for your child’s use while in college.

Long-term investment

It’s best to think of a second mortgage as a long-term investment, as some statistics suggest that significant profits begin into the seventh year of ownership. Since most students will complete their education within five years, consider whether you’ll be willing to do maintenance and updates to the property after your child has graduated and moved on. Ask yourself if you’ll be in it for the long haul.

Preparing Your Budget

Rental income from student friends can help pay the mortgage, but tax rules for second mortgages can be tricky. Be sure to consult a tax professional before purchasing property so your budget is realistic. Housing markets fluctuate, so how a property will hold its value is unknown. Keep your profit projections for your budget conservative to start and adjust as you go.

Consult A REALTOR®

The best place to start finding the ideal location for your rental is with a real estate agent. Mel Foster Co. agents are experts in market conditions and communities. As part of a global network called Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, you can find that second home anywhere by starting with your local agent.

Connect with a Mel Foster Co. agent near you.

Finding a great home in an ideal neighborhood is a homeowner’s dream. Whether you are new to the area, looking to downsize or seeking more space for your growing family, follow these steps to identify the right location.

Search It Online

House hunting online is a great place to start. Searching online can provide quick, easy and extensive information on neighborhoods to consider. You’ll be able to gather facts like proximity to schools and restaurants, what crime rates are in those areas and what future plans of that city look like. Take advantage of the information highway at your leisure so you’re ready when It’s time to see houses in person.

See It For Yourself

Seeing is believing when it comes to neighborhoods. Visit your top prospects in person at different times of the day and think about how what you see makes you feel. What’s the traffic flow like? Are the roads in good condition and cleared for easy driving? If you’re a nature lover, are the streets lined with trees filled with chirping birds? How tidy are the other homes nearby? Imagine what you’d like to come home to every day and ask yourself if what you see on your visit matches this vision.

Think About It

Aside from the things you can see while you’re visiting the neighborhoods, consider other things you can’t see but are still important in your decision-making. Research what property taxes will be, so you have an accurate budget to start. Consider the commute to and from work and if it aligns with the amount of time you want to spend in the car each day. Does it feel safe in the neighborhood? You’ll want to feel at ease in your new place.

Search for new listings or find an agent if you’re ready to be more active in your search.