Five Things You Should Bring To Your Home Inspection | Hoboken Jersey City Home Inspectors & Inspections

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You then got recommendations for a licensed home inspector from your real estate agent, your friends or family that had a great experience in town, or you searched for one through the American Society of Home Inspectors.


So you scheduled your Hoboken or Jersey City home inspection! (Read my post about what to expect at your actual home inspection.)

Most buyer's don't know that typically once you are in contract, you are not able to go back to the property besides the home inspection, and not again until the day of your close and final walk thru.

So, being the home buyer pro that you are (YEAH!) here are 4 things 5 that you will bring to your home inspection.

1. The Home Inspector - OK, sorry this one is obvious but I needed five it just sounds better ;)


2. Friends and Family! Do your parents want to see the apt to make sure you didn't buy a dump? Are your friends dying to see if there is enough space for them to crash? Bring them to the inspection!!


3. Measuring Tape - Yes, get those measurements so you can plan for furniture and DON'T forget to measure the doorways of the unit, the entrance to building, any narrow corridors, and the elevator just. in. case.


4. Camera - What color was the bathroom again? Were there blinds in the kitchen window?? Take a picture and hashtag it


5. Contractor - If you are planning on installing, removing, fixing or painting anything -- schedule your contractor to show up at your home inspection, but, please be sure to let the agent know in advance. Also try to have them show up at the beginning of the inspection, this way you don't have to keep anyone longer than the length of the inspection.


There is nothing better than being well prepared and organized during a home purchase or sale for that matter. It will minimize the stress in an already stressful and unnerving process for some!!

Check out my 10 Red Flags for home buyers. Like my list? Anything missing? Leave a comment below!

Preparing Your Home For Sale

Soon winter will be over and the Spring real estate market frenzy will be upon us.

Now is the perfect time for you to get your home ready for market by investing a little time and money into getting it looking picture perfect.

Three Must Do Tips

First Impressions Last

Walk up to your property and take a good look.

What impression do you get from the outside?

Entry ways should be clean, look new and cheery. Doors get a fresh coat of paint and a new doormat. Plants or Flowers should look full and healthy. Windows are washed and sparkling. Hallways look dingy? Volunteer with your condo board to paint at the very least your floor or the entrance if it's in bad shape.


De-Personalize

Although your personal family photos and wedding photos are lovely, the less that are up on your walls the better.

Beautiful Neutral Bedroom, No Personal Pictures

Professional stagers never put up personal pictures because they want buyers to envision themselves living in the home. They don't want the buyer to feel like they are in someone else's home nor do they want them distracted looking at your pictures because then they loose the possessive feeling buyers get when they walk into a home they love.








De-Clutter

Probably the hardest thing to do for most people is to de-clutter. Not just knick knacks and chotskies but extra furniture, gadgets and stuff! When selling your property, remember, less is more.
Kitchens are clutter culprits so make sure your counter tops are cleared so that you can highlight the space.

A Kitchen Ready For Buyers!

Living rooms should feel big so get rid of extra seating if it crowds the space or hides the best feature, like a fire place.



Closets should never look like they are busting at the seams so spend some time putting away off season clothing and making space.





Need more additional tips or want some advice? Contact me for an appointment, I offer staging as part of my real estate services and listing properties.

Seller Incentives In A Challenging Market

Seller's Incentives for a Challenging Economy

In a down economy, sellers must compete not only with other homes in the market, but also with buyer's fears and concerns. Selling incentives have always been a way to create additional interest in your property. Today, incentives can help motivate reluctant buyers to make that next step in the face of the present environment.
Below are a few of the more frequently used incentives that can be used to draw attention to your home.

Paying Points
Lenders charge fees known as points, with each point equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount. The base fee charged (called origination points) typically ranges between 0 and 3 points, depending on the interest rate given and other terms of the loan. Points can add up to a significant up-front cost for the buyer, particularly for larger mortgages. Offering to pay some or all of the origination points on behalf the buyer can help generate offers from cash-conscious buyers.

Buying Down the Interest Rate
Many buyers don't understand that they can receive a lower interest rate from their lender by paying additional points at the outset. Buyers can typically pay up to four "discount points" to bring down the interest rate. Offering to pay discount points can increase your home's affordability for many prospective buyers.

Providing a Home Warranty
A home warranty can help assure wary consumers that they won't be stuck with expensive repair costs shortly after buying a home. Home warranties usually cover the repair or replacement of core systems such as plumbing, heating and electrical, along with major appliances. Providing the first year (or two) of a home warranty can add to your home's appeal, especially if you are competing against newer homes on the market. The relatively low cost of home warranties ($250 to $600 annually) offers great value as an eye-catching incentive.

Paying for Closing Costs
Closing a real estate sale can result in a long list of charges, from inspection costs to attorney's fees. Closing costs for the buyer can easily total several thousand dollars - adding to the up-front cash required as a down payment. Sellers can offer to pay for the buyer's side of closing costs to help ease the burden. When doing so it is wise to either put a cap on the dollar amount you will contribute to closing costs, or specify exactly which individual costs you will be paying for.

Upgrade Allowances

Offering cash allowances for specific upgrades can sometimes be a creative way to appeal to buyers. Upgrade allowances are commonly offered by new home builders, and some homeowners are now employing the technique to help set their properties apart from the competition.
For example, if your home has older carpet you may offer to pay the price of new carpet and installation. By not replacing the carpet yourself ahead of the sale, you avoid the hassle of having the carpet installed and the pain of keeping the new carpet clean during showings. You also give the buyer the chance to select a carpet that matches their taste.
Other upgrades offered by sellers include allowances for kitchen facelifts, bathroom remodels and new landscaping.

New Appliances
Another flashy way for sellers to sweeten the deal is to provide buyers with their selection of brand new appliance packages. Updated appliances help your home compete with newly built properties. Allowing the consumer to choose their desired appliance gives them another opportunity to personalize the home to their liking. You can even lay out brochures of some example appliances to help buyers visualize your home improved with the newest gadgets.

For more seller tips or a free market analysis please message me!