advice Archives - Kimberly Howell Properties

Things to Do After You Move In

April 30, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

It’s move in day! Moving into a new home is an exciting time. So much to do; trying to remember where you put your spoons or your coffee mugs, running up and down steps, paying the movers, meeting the neighbors for the first time while your hair is sticking up and you look like you just rolled out of bed, calming the cat down because she’s probably freaking out right about now…whew. Who else is tired already? Now you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture, but before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first.

Change the locks. Even if you’re promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can never be too careful. It’s worth the money to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that no one else has the keys to your home. Even if the sellers handed you all of their keys, you never know if they made one for their uncle that time he stayed for a week or the maid and their best friend has one “just in case.” Changing the locks can be a DIY project, or you can call in a locksmith for a little extra money. It’s also advisable to change the garage door code if you have a keypad entry. Not sure how to do it? Find your model and then look up the manual at ManualsLib.

Steam clean the carpets. It’s always a good idea to get a fresh start with your floors before you start decorating. The previous owners may have had pets, young children, or just some plain old clumsiness. Take the time to steam clean the carpets so that your floors are free of stains and allergens. It will also help freshen up the smell of the new place – it’s amazing how much odor gets trapped in those carpets! It’s pretty easy and affordable to rent a steam cleaner – most HEBs carry them as well as the big box hardware stores. Not in the DIY mood? Call a steam cleaning company and have them arrive before your move in day.

Call an exterminator. Prior to move-in, you probably haven’t spent enough time in the house to get a view of any pests that may be lurking. You’ve probably had a WDI inspection, but those only look for wood destroying insects. Call an exterminator to take care of any mice, insects, and other critters that may be hiding in your home. Here in South Texas we have a lot of creepy crawlies and a good, regular pest control service will help keep the insects at bay.

Clean out the kitchen. If the previous occupants wanted to skip on some of their cleaning duties when they moved out, the kitchen is where they probably cut corners. Wipe down the inside of cabinets, clean out the refrigerator, clean the oven, and clean in the nooks and crannies underneath the appliances. If you’re feeling brave, see if you can pull out appliances like the refrigerator, stove/range, and dishwasher to get under and behind those. Be careful though, those appliances may be attached and can be heavy.

image courtesy of Genista

6 Steps to Take Before Selling Your Home

April 2, 2019 by khproperties 2 Comments

Whether you’re ready to sell today or thinking about doing it in the future, it pays to make sure you’re prepared. These helpful tips can get you prepared to sell quicker and get your home sold faster. Call one of our real estate agents and schedule your pre-listing meeting today. Want a downloadable PDF to share with your friends? You can also read the text of the infographic below…

Meet with your trusted real estate agent: Your agent can save you a lot of time and energy by guiding you through the pre-listing phase. They are there to serve you and help you decide if listing your home is the right option.

Pre-qualify to buy your new home: Get pre-qualified to buy your next home before putting your current one on the market. Working with a reputable mortgage professional will help you understand what you need to net from your current home and achieve your goals for your next one.

Price correctly: Listing your home at the proper market value is critical to selling your home within a reasonable time frame. Be cautious of making decisions based on valuations online and instead use your agent’s in-depth knowledge of the local area as a resource.

Pre-inspection: Home inspections are often a sticking point where a home sale can go wrong. Material defects may need to be repaired prior to a buyer purchasing the home, so determine these potential fixes before you list, instead of during the negotiation process.

De-clutter: If your house is cluttered or filled with personal mementos, it can be more difficult for a buyer to picture themselves living there. Placing large pieces of furniture or family photos in storage is worth the effort to help your home sell quicker.

Professional photography: The modern-day home search almost always starts online and first impressions are very important. Make sure your real estate agent uses a professional photographer or company specializing in real estate photography to show your home in the best light.

Avoid Stress When Buying A Home

March 14, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

It’s always good to remember to leave the stress behind when buying a home. There is a lot going on during the transaction and it’s easy for the best of us to let it get to us. Take our advice with these 5 simple secrets to a stress free transaction. With a little preparation, communication, and flexibility, you can be on your way to a smooth sailing transaction. Of course, the best way to have a stress free transaction is to call a Kimberly Howell Properties agent (you knew we were going to say it!). Want a downloadable PDF to share with your friends?

Are Your Negotiations Killing The Sale?

March 11, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Negotiations can be a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties – the so-called “win-win” situation. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly and make even the most agreeable sellers quickly say no and shut down the process. Negotiations are both an art and a science and there are plenty of opinions on how to best handle them, particularly when it comes to real estate. Here are five of the most common negotiation tactics we see that buyers can resist to avoid killing the sale.

Lowball offers. Going far below market value when you make an offer damages your credibility as a buyer and can be insulting to the seller. The seller has a range in mind that they’ll accept and if you’re not even approaching the low end of that range, they won’t even consider the offer. While we encourage our sellers to look at all offers and counter even the lowest of them, sometimes the lowball offers backfire and no amount of change in the offer price will get the sellers back to the negotiating table.
Incremental negotiations. Don’t continue to go back to the seller with small increases in your offer ($1,000 or less). The constant back-and-forth can grow tiresome and lead the seller to consider other opportunities. This can be especially true in hot market where multiple offers are common – someone is going to step up with a bigger, better offer quickly and you’ll find yourself left holding the bag.
“Take it or leave it.” Try not to draw a line in the sand with your initial offer. The seller can get defensive and consider other offers if you immediately show that you’re unwilling to budge. Even if it’s true, don’t make a show of it. Remember, a seller spent their life in this home so it often means a lot more to them than just price.
Nitpicking after inspection. Obviously if a home inspection reveals a major issue, it should be factored into the final sale price. But insisting on a lower price for every minor repair can put negotiations in a stalemate. Whether you’re asking for price concessions or the actual repairs, remember that most people are simply not going to fix everything.
Asking for more, more, more. Some buyers will request that the sellers throw in add-ons like furniture or appliances that weren’t included in the listing. Try to avoid giving the seller a reason to feel that they’re doing all of the giving. Give a little to get a little as they say…the more flexibility you show, the more flexible they will become.

image courtesy of rbrwr

Fix Up Your Home Before Putting It On The Market

March 5, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

When you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, it’s important to remember that you want to show it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells…and for what price. Some of these items won’t cost you a lot and can be done over a weekend or two and if DIY home repair just isn’t your thing, these can be done by a local handyman for not a lot of money. Here are our top five recommended repairs to make before listing your home and putting it on the market.

Repaint Walls

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to make it look great, and generally, it can be a weekend DIY project. Make sure to cover any walls with scratches and chips (and patch and re-texture if the damage is large enough) and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.

Repair Floors

Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing them. And don’t forget the tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. Re-grouting or having them professional steam cleaned can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!

Refresh The Landscaping

Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the in. Clean walkways and driveways, plant seasonal flowers and plants, trim hedges and trees, install outdoor décor pieces and put down a fresh layer of mulch. Make sure you keep the lawn watered and green.

Fix Your Fixtures

Leaky faucet? Rusted drains? Loose drawer handle? Making these small fixes can make a big difference to potential buyers with detail-orientated minds. Improve your kitchen. An outdated kitchen can really detract from your homes other better qualities. Updating cabinetry (even just changing out the hardware or painting cabinets can help), repairing or replacing countertops, and installing new faucets and sinks may be worth the investment.

Small changes can make a large impact and it’s always a good idea to knock out some of those quick fixes you’ve been meaning to get to, but never can seem to get crossed off your list.

image courtesy of emily @ go haus go

Do You Have A Green Thumb?

December 17, 2018 by khproperties Leave a Comment

They say having plants in your home will make you happier and healthier. A burst of green along with the fresh, clean smell of flowers are welcoming and comforting and can take a house to a place you’ll call home. So what do you choose? How do you keep your plants thriving? Do you have a green thumb?

I’m not the best at keeping plants going. It’s a curse I was born with, but I continue to try. I’ll buy a plant, try and solve its riddle and usually succeed for awhile, but then somewhere along the line, the leaves start to turn brown and the plant starts to look a little rough. I google and try everything I can find, but in the end I tend to lose the battle. But I don’t like fake plants and refuse to use them in my home.

So how do you keep your plants alive?

Pick the right plants. Plants need sunlight to thrive and some need more than others. Pay attention to this when shopping – putting a sun thriving plant on a shady part of your living room is going to guarantee disaster. Also watch for drafts. You may have a bright sunny window, but if the cold air is creeping in through that window, all the sun in the world may not save the tropical plant you put it in.

Watch the water. One of the easiest things to do is to overwater a plant. Trust me. Making things worse, overwatered plants often have leaves that turn brown and start to curl up…which is also a good indication of underwatering. Watering is probably one of the hardest parts to master. If a plant seems to be dying and you’ve been watering, back off on the water and see if that helps.

Poor potting. Read about the plant and know how to set one up. Proper drainage is usually required on most plants. Leaving water stagnating at the bottom of the pot and close to the roots can cause all sorts of fungus and diseases in your plant that will kill it off slowly while you watch in horror and try in vain to stop the slow spread.

Feed me Seymour. Don’t forget to feed your plants with fertilizers. Check your plants’ specific needs. Since they are not living in soil whose nutrients are replenished in the natural cycle, you’ll need to replenish those nutrients through fertilizers.

Despite all that advice, I still admit to being really good at killing a plant. I’m currently nursing a bird of paradise and some orchids and while I refuse to give up, I have a larger plant that I think I need to admit defeat on. If you have some great tips, we’d love to hear them.

image courtesy of Amadeusz Leonardo Juskowiak