There is an expectation of a certain level of quality when moving into a newly constructed home. You’re moving into a home with no previous owners, which prevents some of the issues an older home may have. However, problems can still occur in a new construction home.
6 Things to Do Before Moving into Your New Home
After closing on your new home comes the excitement of planning where to put all your belongings. Which room is right for your comfy recliner? Which will be best to feature your favorite piece of artwork?
Before you start unpacking your belongings, there are several tasks you should consider completing before moving day. These jobs are easier to complete in an empty home but also will make your new house much homier when you move in.
Why a Home’s Permit History is Important
During the home-buying process, you will receive a lot of information about the history of the house as well as its current condition. The home inspection and disclosure statement can give you peace of mind before closing on a property.
However, an inspector can only provide information on what they can see, and the homeowner may only be able to provide you details from when they lived in the home—and only to a certain extent. You may want further confirmation that the home is in the condition you think it is. By obtaining the home’s building permit history, you can be confident in the home’s repairs and alterations.
Buying and Selling in the Summer Season
In most markets, the Spring season is the most important time of year for buying or selling a home. However, with stay-at-home orders imposed in many markets by mid-March, some new listings never saw the light of day. In addition, tightening in the mortgage markets and job uncertainty discouraged many buyers from looking for a new home this year.
What Buyers and Sellers Can Expect from the Spring 2021 Market
In 2020, just as the spring market was heating up, it was unceremoniously brought to a standstill by the shutdowns and precautions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, both buyers and sellers have seen a host of ups and downs that added up to one of the most active, and in some ways frustrating, real estate markets on record.
Downsize or Upsize—Which Is Right for You?
At one time, it seemed that everything you read in the newspaper’s real estate section had to do with downsizing—the practice of selling off the family home and moving to a small, low-maintenance villa or condominium. The favored communities for downsizing were often located in the South, offering good year-round weather and no more snow shoveling. It sounded like a great deal—pre-pandemic.
Moving Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
If you thought moving into your 900 square-foot apartment was tough, moving into your first home can be a real challenge. It’s hard to make the transition into your first home—knowing what items should be replaced and what needs to be purchased to fill a larger space.
Keep these moving tips (plus a helpful checklist) for first-time home buyers in mind for a smooth transition.
New Places to Look for Your Next Home
For many buyers, one of the most challenging aspects of buying a home in 2020 turned out to be finding a home in the first place. Low inventory in many markets, as well as the struggles associated with local restrictions and virtual home tours, meant that some enthusiastic buyers found themselves unable to find the right space when they were ready to move forward with their purchase.
What to Expect from the Closing Process
When you watch a show on HGTV where an eager young couple is looking for a home, it usually ends when the offer is accepted. In real life, however, that is only the beginning of the story. The closing or escrow process has its own rules and challenges. By being prepared for each step of the process, you’ll be able to stay calm, cool, and collected—even if the unexpected occurs.
Preparing for a 2021 Home Purchase
While you may have been ready to buy a home during the 2020 spring market, the uncertainties caused by the pandemic may have put a damper on your plans. At this point, you may be uncertain about your post-COVID-19 real estate goals and unsure whether the opportunity to work from home will inspire you to move to another market or another type of home.