By BobVila.com on 7 Jul 2016 Originally posted on http://www.zillow.com/blog/5-projects-finish-staycation-201050/ Balance R&R with a little DIY for total staycation satisfaction. With the return of summer Fridays and a stockpile of unused vacation days, you might be ready to jet off to anywhere but home. But before you pack your bags, consider the long-term benefits of a staycation. Twelve, 24, or 48 hours of extra free time in a long weekend provides all you need to reenergize, refuel, and recommit to that straggler project on your to-do list. In fact, devoting your time off to tackling a highly anticipated home upgrade or a lengthier maintenance project can pay off all summer long. Squeeze any of these five summer projects into your time off, and every weekend to come will feel more relaxing. Painting interior trim While the weather is nice enough to air out paint fumes through open windows, breathe life into spaces that have grown stale with fresh color. One way to get a whole-room update for a fraction of the effort: Zero in on the trim. Painting baseboards, chair rail, window trim, and crown molding in either complementary or contrasting tones to your walls really wakes up ordinary rooms and hallways. Before you brush on your new color, cut the sheen of the old enamel with a liquid sanding product so that the new paint adheres well. Apply two or three light coats of interior latex enamel paint, allowing a full day of drying time between each. For an ultra-smooth finish, buff lightly with micro-grit sandpaper and follow with tack cloth before each successive coat. Building a backyard fire pit A landscaping addition that extends outdoor hours by offering light and heat well into the evening is one you won’t regret — especially when it’s too easy to skip. Your backyard fire pit doesn’t have to be a large, lavish model picked from a catalog to be entertaining. In fact, you can assemble an attractive one in just a day from a kit with no-cut blocks from your home improvement store. Courtesy of Zillow Digs. Set the blocks end-to-end to form a perfect circle, then stack them two or three high and slip on an iron fire pit ring. All that’s left to do is check your s’mores kit and round up spare seating. Ensure every guest gets a front-row spot by placing chairs a minimum of four feet away from the pit. Resurfacing the concrete driveway Concrete driveways are known for their durability, but years of use and exposure to the elements can leave them looking worse for all that wear. If your driveway flakes or shows fine cracks, one sunny, 80-degree weekend spent resurfacing may help you avoid...

By Brendon DeSimone on 4 Jul 2016 Originally posted on http://www.zillow.com/blog/weird-things-home-shopping-200991/ Ugly paint colors? Treadmill in the kitchen? Creepy family portraits in every room? Don’t let it bug you. In 15 years of real estate, I can honestly say that I’ve seen it all. Toilet seats up in listing photos, shag carpet covered with dog hair, bedrooms doubling as marijuana growing centers, and avocado green appliances from the ’70s. Sellers aren’t required to get their homes in their best condition before showing them — let alone cleaning their home before listing. But one seller’s laziness can spell a giant upside for the right buyer. Here are three sights that may be off-putting when you’re shopping for a home, but shouldn’t stop you from considering making an offer — particularly if you love the home, layout or location. Odd wallpaper and dirty carpet Today’s buyers generally prefer a home that’s turn-key or move-in ready. They’re too busy with their day-to-day lives to take on a renovation — and this is especially true for the continuously connected, mobile-ready millennial home buyer. But painting walls and replacing carpets isn’t always time-consuming or expensive, and you can do these projects before moving in. If a seller won’t replace their shag carpet or paint the interior a neutral color, they’re shooting themselves in the foot. A fresh coat of paint and finished floors or new carpet won’t break the bank or take more than a week, and the end product will be a like-new home for you to move into. Rooms being strangely used It’s not uncommon to see a home’s dining room transformed into a full-fledged office. Some homeowners even have a bedroom doubling as a walk-in closet. I once saw a first-floor bedroom turned into a wine-tasting room. Just because the homeowner uses these spaces in a way that suits them, doesn’t mean you have to. These rooms might stand out as odd to you, but try to forget that the seller lives there. Once they’ve moved out, the dining room will be a space that just needs a great light fixture and table. The walk-in closet can be turned back into a bedroom in less than a day. A too-strong seller presence It’s difficult for a buyer to imagine themselves in a home if it’s full of the seller’s photos, diplomas and other personal belongings. The best homes for buyers are those that are neutral and lacking any items specific to the owner. What’s worse is when the seller is present at a showing. It makes everyone uncomfortable. The buyers feel like they need to be on their best behavior and can’t explore the house, dig deep into closets or cabinets, or feel free to talk out loud about what they see. A home that is too personalized or where the seller is always...

By Jamie Birdwell-Branson on 11 Jul 2016 Originally posted on http://www.zillow.com/blog/prepare-home-for-appraisal-200936/ What you need to know about the process, from a veteran certified appraiser. Getting your home appraised can often be a nerve-wracking experience. Your home and your handy work will be on display to be judged and valued so that you can move forward with selling your home. But it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With the right tools, tricks and savvy, the appraisal process can not only go smoothly, it can also help you make a giant financial leap toward a future in a new home. Do your homework “Just like anything else — for example, if you’re going to select a doctor, dentist, or lawyer — you do your homework to find out the appraiser’s market knowledge of the area,” says Rick Singh, a property appraiser in Orange County, FL. Ideally, your appraiser will be a local who knows the area well and who has been around long enough to see changes in the market. It’s also crucial to hire an appraiser who is state certified. Check your maintenance Whether it’s a loose shingle, chipped paint or dirty carpet, be sure to take care of it before the appraiser comes. Anything obvious that needs work could potentially eat away at your home’s value. Also, keep a list of maintenance work that has been done on the home. Have a running list of what you have fixed and upgraded in your home as well as the amount of money you have spent. Courtesy of Zillow Digs. Maximize curb appeal When you’re getting your home appraised, remember that your house should look like the nicest one on the block. “Landscaping plays so much into making a good first impression,” Singh says. “And remember that a first impression is a lasting impression. Make sure [your yard] is tidy and up-to-date. Trim or replace dead plants, and make sure it’s nice and green.” Ensure appliances work Do you have a dishwasher that only works when you give it a little kick, or a refrigerator that doesn’t keep your food as cool as it used to? These malfunctioning big-ticket items in a home could be a huge disadvantage to your home’s appraisal value. Show pride in ownership Although your home isn’t necessarily valued on the interior decor, it doesn’t hurt to show that it’s well cared for. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to trade in your T.J.Maxx finds for a pricey interior makeover, but make sure your home is neat, tidy, and exhibits that you generally have an interest in keeping your home looking its best. Courtesy of Zillow Digs. Know your neighborhood Before you get your home appraised, be sure you know what comparable nearby homes are going...

By Brendon DeSimone on 23 Aug 2013 (an oldie but a goodie!) Originally posted on http://www.zillow.com/blog/why-you-should-have-your-home-inspected-before-selling-132363/ Here are three reasons why a pre-inspection may be a good idea. Ordinarily, a serious buyer would pay to have a home formally inspected. The goal is to uncover any potential problems before signing on the dotted line, while there’s still time to negotiate. But sometimes, sellers will have their homes inspected before they even put them on the market. Here are three reasons why a pre-inspection may be a good idea. 1. It shows your home is ‘an open book’ A pre-inspection is a goodwill gesture. It demonstrates a willingness to go beyond what’s expected, and that sets you apart from other sellers. You’re sending a signal that your house is an “open book,” and that you’re being upfront about the property. All of this can give potential buyers peace of mind and confidence. 2. It can save you money in the long run A pre-inspection gives you, the seller, a heads-up if there are problems that a potential buyer will likely want repaired. Once you know what’s wrong, you can have those issues fixed before you list. The cleaner and more problem-free you can make your home, the faster it’s likely to sell. Because a pre-inspection lets buyers know what they’re getting from the beginning, they can factor any needed repairs into an offer. And by disclosing all known issues upfront, you’re protecting yourself against claims the buyer might make later — which sometimes result in lawsuits. On the other hand, let’s say you don’t have a pre-inspection. During escrow, the buyer’s inspector discovers problems you didn’t know about. You can be sure the buyer will try to negotiate a lower price, which will cost you money and can delay the sale. The buyer might even cancel the contract. 3. It can highlight your home’s assets Assuming you’re not trying to sell a fixer-upper, a pre-inspection can shine a spotlight on your home’s selling points, such as any electrical upgrades you might have had made. When not to have a pre-inspection If you’re trying to offload a fixer-upper that would give even the Munsters reason for concern, there’s no point in paying for a pre-inspection. But if you’ve maintained your home and want to sell it as quickly, and as profitably, as possible, a pre-inspection is almost always a good idea. Related: 5 Options for Staging Your Home How to Avoid Seller’s Remorse 5 Home Renovations That Could Hurt Resale Brendon DeSimone is a Realtor and one of the nation’s leading real estate experts.  His practical advice is regularly sought out by print, online and television media outlets including FOX News, CNBC, Good Morning America...

By Avvo on 23 Mar 2015 Originally posted on http://www.zillow.com/blog/selling-a-home-legal-checklist-172292/ Selling a Home: Your Legal Checklist By Avvo on 23 Mar 2015 Know-How Blog Topics Celebrity Real Estate Market Trends Home Improvement First Person Unique Homes Tips & Advice Featured Post Home Improvement / story 5 Home Projects You Can Finish During Your Staycation By BobVila.com on 7 Jul 2016 Balance R&R with a little DIY for total staycation satisfaction. Read Full Story Zillow Tools Find homes for sale Search for rentals Check the latest mortgage rates Get home design inspiration Connect with a local agent Blog Topics Celebrity Real Estate Market Trends Home Improvement First Person Unique Homes Tips & Advice Featured Post Home Improvement / story 5 Home Projects You Can Finish During Your Staycation By BobVila.com on 7 Jul 2016 Balance R&R with a little DIY for total staycation satisfaction. Read Full Story Zillow Tools Find homes for sale Search for rentals Check the latest mortgage rates Get home design inspiration Connect with a local agent There’s more to getting your house in order than boosting curb appeal and finding a real estate agent. By Stephanie Reid, Avvo attorney and NakedLaw contributor If you’re thinking it’s time to sell your home, there are a few legal issues to consider before posting that “For Sale” sign. Whether you are parting ways with your spouse, planning to upgrade or downsize, or selling out of financial necessity, you should protect yourself from pitfalls awaiting the unsavvy seller. Here are four steps you can take to avoid common issues that pop up during the residential home sale process. Resolve debts, encumbrances and liens If your property has incurred any sort of debt, encumbrance or lien, you will need to take care of this prior to settling with your buyer. This obstacle can arise in any number of ways, including through: Federal, state or local tax liens Civil court judgments Child support or spousal support missed payments General unpaid debts Failure to pay homeowners association dues Of course, the outstanding amount will vary greatly from homeowner to homeowner, but one thing is certain: The lienholder will get paid. If you are facing a major tax lien or civil judgment attached to your property, selling your home will not get you out of trouble, especially if you try to hide the debt or defraud the buyer. The lien will, without question, appear on a title search ordered by the buyer and will become a deduction from your sale proceeds on the day of closing. Get joint tenants on the same page The ownership structure of your property may impact your ability to sell, especially if you inherited the property with several family members as joint tenants. If this...