Posts in category 'Real Estate Blogs'
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27
What Makes a Homeowner Happy?
What makes a homeowner happy? A safe community? A short commute? What about walkability?
The answer is all of the above, according to HomeAdvisor.com's recently released Homeowner Happiness Index, an industry indicator ranking the happiest cities in the nation.
"A homeowner's quality of life is more likely to be dependent on their community and access to important attractions and services than it is on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in their home," said Dr. Karen Ruskin, HomeAdvisor's happiness expert, in a statement.
Square footage is indeed less of a factor in determining a homeowner's happiness, the Index shows. Natural light, on the other hand, is an important consideration—naturally-lit homes tend to appear more spacious.
The Index also reveals a happiness trend among empty-nesters and married couples without children, who reported feelin...
27
Does Your House Match National Construction Trends?
The U.S. Census Bureau recently unveiled the latest national annual data on the characteristics of new, privately-owned residences, gathered in the 2015 Survey of Construction (SOC). The SOC's statistics divulge trends in homebuilding, painting an insightful portrait of the American home today.
According to the SOC, the median size of a single-family house built last year is 2,467 square feet. Of the 648,000 single-family homes built last year:
• 600,000 have air conditioning
• 282,000 have at least four bedrooms
• 246,000 have at least three bathrooms
• 183,000 have a fiber-cement exterior
• 137,000 have an open foyer
• 122,000 have a patio and porch
• 66,000 have at most two bedrooms
• 25,000 have at most one and one-half bathrooms
The median size of a single-family house sold last year is 2,520 square feet, according to the SOC....
29
How Paint Colors Impact Sale Price
There are numerous factors that impact a buyer's decision to make an offer on a home. One of those is color—a feature that may be positively or negatively received by buyers.
A recent Zillow Digs® analysis found that listings with kitchens painted soft shades of yellow sold for $1,360 more than anticipated. Generally, listings with rooms painted in earthy hues garnered up to $1,300 more than expected at sale, according to the analysis.
Colors to avoid, the analysis found, include slate gray, terracotta, and—contrary to popular belief—white. Generally, listings with rooms painted in dark or white shades sold below expectations.
Specific findings include:
Wheat Yellow Kitchen – $1,360 more
Eggshell/Off-White Kitchen – $82 less
Beige/Oatmeal Bathroom – $283 more
Dark Brown Bathroom – $469 less
Eggplant/Lavender/Mauve Dining Room – $1,122...
23
Is there anything I should know about closing day?
Yes. The following to-do list can help save you a few headaches and keep the closing on track:
- Keep extra money in your account. Something unexpected can pop up during the closing that will require more money out of your pocket. Take your checkbook. Even better, find out how much you will need to pay and write a certified check for the total amount.
- Take your loan commitment letter. Use it to verify loan approval in case of a mistake or misunderstanding with the lender.
- Take your contract to purchase. Pull it out if something a little suspicious comes up.
- Take your personal ID. A driver's license or other personal identification will due.
- Do a before-closing inspection. It is always a good idea, when possible, to walk through the property to make a l...
8
Sellers: What Every Buyer Wants to Know about Your Home
Home sellers are in an advantageous position this summer, with demand high and sales at their strongest in close to a decade. Planning to list your home in the coming weeks? Get the most for your house before the season's up by making it accessible to buyers—with information.
Every homebuyer wants to know specific aspects of homes they're considering purchasing—information that may seem premature to advertise initially, but could ultimately be determining factors in their decision to make an offer.
This information may include:
- How old is the home? When was it last renovated? How old is the roof?
- What structures or fixtures are included in the list price? (Appliances, ceiling fans, lighting, shed, swing set, window treatments, etc.)
- What are the home's annual costs? (Electric, municipal wa...