A resolution that should be kept....for the sake of your home

Here is a bit of food for thought, all be it not fat free, low cal or all natural. 

In order to start your year off successfully it is necessary to streamline your home. Prepare yourself for an easy breezy, at least first couple of months, while the organization lasts.

Here is how to you can. (you may pick and choose the points that seem attainable based upon your motivation to get with the program in 2016)

Streamline the stuff
-We hear this time and time again DECLUTTER. But it's true. You will automatically feel a sense of accomplishment by cleaning counter-tops, cleaning out "junk drawers" and putting everything else in containers with labels (if you are feeling so ambitious)

Work out a weekly cleaning schedule
If you know what small things you need to achieve every day, you wont have to dedicate Saturday to doing everything. Set up a daily goal that minimizes weekend tidying.

Create a home improvement list
-What do you see that needs adjusting around your home. Invite a friend over to critique things and give them food in exchange for their "kind words"

Find DIY projects
-We have created an entire weekend warrior DIY pinterest board just for you to peruse.

Become energy efficient
-Change out a toilet or two. They now have dual flush toilets which uses less water depending on the number you just completed. Number referring to number 1 (a little tinkle) and number 2 (a little more than that) You may even be eligible for some kind of tax benefit from becoming more energy efficient.


Visit our Pinterest boards for DIY ideas and Organization guidance. We even have one for home improvements!

Home for the Holidays

Prep you home for success during the festive season!
Quick tips on how to be successful in the real estate market this season. 

(Inspired by an HGTV article)

Decorate tastefully
You do not want to take away from your home's natural curb appeal by cluttering your yard with blow up Santas and an entire herd of light up reindeer. Keep it simple with a wreath and a few lights.

     

Hire an Agent
That's where we come in. You want someone who will continue working hard for you even through this busy family time of year. 
















Price your home to sell
This is a great tip for every time of year, but especially when there are a lot of extra expenses due to holiday purchases. You want to still be affordable along with the tree and gifts. 



Be certain you have AWESOME photos 
Do not settle for mediocore phone pictures or un-professional photos of your home. Pictures sell homes. Especially now that much shopping is done online for homes. Your photos may be the only thing prospective buyers ever see. Make sure your real estate agent can work with a professional photographer to capture the beauty of your home. Bluewater has an in house photographer :)

Photo by our Photographer Liz










Open houses during this Season
These can be very festive and a great opportunity for you to help buyers see what their holidays could look like. Provide things like hot cocoa and peppermint sticks, Make sure the home is warm. And a cookie or two never hurt. 



"Offer holiday cheer in the form of financing.
Bah, humbug! Lenders are scrooges these days, but if you've got the means, then why not offer a home loan to a serious buyer? You could get a good rate of return on your money"

Tips for Selling Your Home with Pets

If you have a dog or a cat, it's hard to comprehend anyone not loving pets.  Not all buyers entering your home will be animal lovers.  The following tips will help you prepare your home for potential buyers that may not be keen on pets.

The outside of your home is the first thing people will see.  Fill in any holes that your dog may have dug and remove dog waste from your yard.  

People that do not have pets will most likely immediately smell if there's a dog or cat living in your home.  Our sense of smell has a huge impact on our emotions, so it is important to eliminate any all pet odors.  Remove odors by washing dog bed covers and blankets.  Have your carpets professionally cleaned and all stains removed. 

Repair any damage your pet may have caused, such as scratch marks and damage from chewing.  

It is best to remove your pet from your home during a showing.  Buyers may be allergic to or afraid of your pet.  Take your dog for a walk or to the park.  If you're working the day of the showing, treat your dog to a fun day at doggy day care.  If you aren't able to remove your pet from your home, place them in a crate or a designated area of the house that the showing agent is aware of. 

Before a showing, put away dog beds, toys and food bowls.  Pack up any cages or pet carriers.  Ensure that cat litter boxes are clean and out of sight. 

Selling a home with pets isn't always easy, but following these simple tips could make or break the sale of your home.

Are you Viewing a Haunted House?

Over half of home buyers are willing to purchase a presumably haunted house. As surveyed by Realtor.com. Are you one of those special few who are brave enough to live among the "not so alive" crowd.

Here are a few tips to watch out for if you don't intend to.

Cemetery on the Property
Over 100 Years Old
Quick Transition of Owners
Close Proximity to an Old Battlefield or Indian Burial Ground
Un-explainably LOW asking price


But there are savings at "stake" here you say.
Well yes, some spooky houses can sell for significantly less than comparable abodes.
Actually, 34% of the surveyed would purchase Amityville horror if it were listed at 1-30%
under market value.

But wait, what would scare you out of such a great deal?
75% claimed levitating objects would be enough to make their knees knock
63% say moving objects would make them high tail
63% responded unexpected visitors make for a quick hasta la vista

Have you ever lived in a haunted house?

Feel free to share your story in our comments below. We would love to hear your chilling tale.

Not ready for a ghouling night yet. Here is a link to our "Last Minute Halloween" board on Pinterest to help you out.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

School Shopping...I Mean House Shopping

The millennial generation is looking for homes to expand in. (millennials being individuals born between 1980-2000). Over 60% of home buyers overall will consider schools in their home hunt. 90% of which are willing to exclude specific wish list amenities in return for living in the desired school zoning. Buyers will pay upwards of 20% more than budgeted to achieve ideal placement as well. Websites like Realtor.com and Zillow are now including school rating on their home search results. If you or someone you know falls in this vast category, make sure they know how to acquire the necessary information.

Interview local residents in the area:
Ask them about their school experiences
What programs are available at the schools
How is transportation (bus routes)
Are there after school programs
Private or Public
How are the sports programs


Carteret County Schools
If you are looking to relocate to Carteret County, visit the Carteret County Public School site here. There are a total of 17 public schools from Pre K to High School. Carteret County Public Schools has a total of 8,587 students enrolled spending $8,884 each year per student.  Annual EOGs have shown that students enrolled at Carteret County Schools score higher in math, science and reading than the North Carolina average. GreatSchool.org gave this district an 8 out of 10 rating.  


Onslow County Schools

If your home search is within Swansboro, Jacksonville or other towns in Onslow County - you have a total of 37 public schools. For more information about Onslow County Public Schools, visit their website here.  Over 25,000 students are enrolled in the Onslow County School System. Annual EOGs have shown that students enrolled at Onslow County Schools score slightly higher in math, science and reading than the North Carolina average. GreatSchool.org rated this district a 6 out of 10. 

Home Improvements with the most Bang

• New paint job
• Freshly maintained landscaping
• Remodeled and/or upgraded interior
• Deck and/or patio addition
• Additional bedroom or bathroom
• Go Green
• Addition to the garage

When selling a home adding to the square footage allows the appraiser to make "higher adjustments" to the total worth of your home. 

Consider, most projects do not earn dollar for dollar what you put into your home. On average home improvement will make 20 to 30 cents on the dollar. 

When considering refinancing, these  changes will benefit you the most

• Additional bedroom or bathroom
• Addition to the garage
• Kitchen remodeling and upgrades
• Improvement that expands the “use” of the home - think outdoor living and beyond

New Paint and Carpet

-The home begins at your front door! Try to spice up the color and make sure everything is in working order, the doorbell, handles are not loose, and rid of cobwebs. 

-Touch up any paint imperfections throughout your house

-Freshly paint your walls, if you have bold bright colors that may not appeal to the masses try looking into warm designer neutrals to give the feeling of cozy comfort. 

-94% of real estate professionals recommend spending a few dollars on your floors. They appeal to buyers and boost the overall cleanliness of your home. 

*Spending $600 to $900 can see up to double their return in value. 

Landscaping 
One of the top 3 investments that bring the biggest return.
$400-$500 can return 4 times this amount - 2007 Broker Survey
Overgrown trees and bushes create an unwelcoming dark appearance to your homes image. Your curb appeal is the first thing potential buyers notice when searching for a new home, even when they visit without an agent and do a drive by.

What is considered going green?
Energy savings adds an estimated 20 times the annual savings to the value of your home value- Appraisal Journal
This includes:
replacing old windows with more efficient models 
Upgrading appliances to eco friendly options, possibly including solar panels or solar can lighting and replacing your heating/air conditioning systems
Solar Power Water heaters can save as much as 80% on water heating bills

Inexpensive Upgrade Options
Apply Fresh Caulking throughout your home
Replacing or Upgrading hardware on cabinets and doors
Replacing faucets

Just keep in mind, once a buyer sees one thing out of place they will be prone to look for every other thing they can find that may or may not have an issue. So be prepared and change/upgrade/remove any questionable items within your home, whether that be rickety stairs, blue carpet, or 1970s wallpaper. 

Remember the appraisal process is most heavily determined by homes similar to yours that sell. Any additions you have made to your house will be considered after the base selling price is figured.