The real estate market in the past few years has certainly been busy with many people making moves to new homes. If you were among one of these new homeowners, you may be interested in ways to protect your new most valuable possession. Here are some helpful tips.

New Locks
No matter how secure you feel in your new home, changing the locks is always a great idea. You never know who the previous owner lent keys out to or how many copies are out there. These days you can consider a smart lock where you can control them remotely or even provide temporary codes for access. 

Video Doorbell

These have become very popular and help not only with security but also add great convenience to see who is at your door each time the bell rings. You can be miles away and answer a live feed of who is there.

New Blinds

Blinds offer a few benefits. Clearly privacy for when you are at home, but also they can keep things out of sight for potential thieves. Additionally, they can help insulate the home from weather, keeping your energy costs lower. Today there are smart blinds as well that can be controlled by your smart device either manually or programmable.

Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat takes a programmable one to the next level. Models today can be programmed, controlled remotely and can also sense whether one is home or not and adjust accordingly. These add great convenience and efficiency to your life.

Fire Extinguisher

Sometimes we can get focused on all of the higher tech items to have in your home and forget about some of the basics. Be sure to have a fire extinguisher handy around the home. For larger homes, consider multiples so they are nearby in case you need one.

Smart Smoke Alarm

Smart smoke alarms alert everyone at once and can also contact the authorities asap. Where these are connected to an app you will see exactly where the danger zone is so you can escape accordingly. 

First-Aid Kit

Have one of these on hand ideally even before you start unpacking. With all of the moving around and lifting of heavy objects simple cuts and bruises can happen early on!

Motion Sensor Lights

These are great for security and convenience. Whether for yourself when you come home in the dark or take the trash out at night and need light or if someone is trespassing you will then see them. Couple these with a video camera if you want to increase the security factor.

Outdoor Storage Protection

Today there are options for your outdoor belongings too. Specialized outdoor contact sensors work with your home security system and can attach to things like a gate, shed door, grill etc. In the event of movement, they send you an alert.

Home Security System

Home security systems these days do many of the above things but can do more. There are the sensors for your doors and windows, cameras and alerts but there are also smart water valves that can manage shutdown measures to protect against leaks as well!

Once you have finally closed on your new home and have begun moving in and getting settled, it may be time to consider the subject of security. You may have selected a great neighborhood within a great city but you want to make sure you take the extra steps to keep yourself and family safe and sound. Here are some helpful tips on where to start.

Meet the neighbors

The first thing to do, which is free, is to get to know the neighbors. Introduce yourself, exchange contact information and make sure they know who all is living in your house so they are aware of who typically is coming and going. This can help sort out any suspicious activity and any does seem to occur, they have the means to contact you.

Install a smart lock

Smart locks are a brilliant way to control who has access to your home and when. When moving into a new home it is always a good idea to change the locks so why not take the opportunity to invest in a smart lock system. Now you no longer have to give out keys or worry about any outlying copies. Simply give access via your smartphone or provide someone with a unique and temporary code. These locks can also help prevent any lockouts for yourself too!

Install a security system

Another great idea is to consider installing a security system. Many of these systems these days are fairly easy to install and also have cameras for regular monitoring. These can come at various different levels and budgets and in some cases can potentially lower your insurance rates as well. Consult with your insurance agent first to see what your options may be.

Window tinting

Another idea for keeping things out of sight, out of mind is window tinting. This makes it harder for burglars to be able to see inside while giving you an extra layer of privacy. With recent advances in window film technology, this process has become easier to do and implement. 

Anyone who is looking to buy a home is going to want to secure a home loan and at the lowest rate possible. This was a bit easier to do in recent years but this year the landscape has changed with rising rates. However, if you are looking to do your best to combat today’s rates, here are some areas you can focus on.

Credit Score

Your credit score plays a big role in the rate that you can get. Freddie Mac states “When you build and maintain strong credit, mortgage lenders have greater confidence when qualifying you for a mortgage because they see that you’ve paid back your loans as agreed and used your credit wisely. Strong credit also means your lender is more apt to approve you for a mortgage that has more favorable terms and a lower interest rate.” As a side note, it is best to refrain from opening new accounts or making larger purchases during this time.

Loan Type

There are many different types of home loans out there these days. Start by reaching out to your local lender and seeing what you may qualify for. In the meantime, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau states “There are several broad categories of mortgage loans, such as conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA loans. Lenders decide which products to offer, and loan types have different eligibility requirements. Rates can be significantly different depending on what loan type you choose.”

Loan Term

Another way to play with your potential rate is to look at the length of the term that you will take your mortgage for as the associated rate will change. Freddie Mac says “When choosing the right home loan for you, it’s important to consider the loan term, which is the length of time it will take you to repay your loan before you fully own your home. Your loan term will affect your interest rate, monthly payment, and the total amount of interest you will pay over the life of the loan.”

Down Payment

Finally, you can consider how much you want to put down which can also lower your rate. These days many buyers who are at least second time buyers may have significant equity from their previous home to put down. The CFPB shares “In general, a larger down payment means a lower interest rate, because lenders see a lower level of risk when you have more stake in the property. So if you can comfortably put 20 percent or more down, do it—you’ll usually get a lower interest rate.”

While your closing is the last step in the purchase of your new home, it is also the first step for the next chapter in your life. Here are 5 things to plan around your closing so that you are ready for what comes next. 

Utilities

Don’t wait until closing day and assume that there will be utility service active at the new home when you get the keys. There could be an interruption in service as you don’t know when the previous owner may have closed their accounts. Set up utilities in advance of the closing and have new accounts begin on the day you take ownership so that there won’t be any issues.

Plan renovations

Most of the time the home is not going to be exactly the way that you want it. If you are planning on doing some work then don’t wait until after you close to make all of the arrangements. You can bring contractors to viewing appointments and even to your walkthrough so that you don’t lose much time getting things planned. 

Change all locks

You never know who has a key to the home. The previous owner’s friends, family, babysitters, contractors or anyone else could have a copy. It is a wise idea to change the locks after moving in and key all doors alike while you are at it.

Professional cleaners

Nothing is worse than showing up with movers and the home has not been cleaned. Always assume the worst and hire a company to do a deep cleaning so that you aren’t moving your furniture in and onto dirty floors. Even if the old owners did a cleaning as a courtesy it may not be thorough. 

Find a handyman

You may have hired cleaners and movers for the move, but when you are in and want to hang pictures, replace ceiling fans or the like then you might need a handyman. If you don’t know anyone already this can be a good ice breaker to ask the neighbors who they recommend while you meet them.

A smaller backyard can in some ways be just as nice as a larger one when it is done right. With creative design and some clever outfitting you can add more to it than you may imagine. In some ways the process of renovating a smaller yard is not unlike a larger one, you just have to prioritize what you want given less space. Here are some helpful tips if you are ready to renovate your outdoor space.

Assess the space
Take a walk around your yard and start sketching your space. Be sure to include your existing features like a patio and such. Then consider what works well and what you wish to keep. Then see if you have any trouble areas. Perhaps you have an AC compressor that you want to camouflage? Or maybe you want to add some privacy from a neighbor? Finally, how does your yard fare with weather? Do you need to add shading elements or trim foliage for more sun.

Decide what you want in it

Make a list of the things you ideally want in your space. Ask yourself some questions like who will use it regularly? Do you want zones for dining and lounging? Do you want a water feature like a fountain or hot tub? Once you have created the list of everything you want, now it is time to prioritize. You may not have room for all so rank things in order of preference. 

Collect design ideas

Here comes the fun part where you start to collect photos and inspiration of what you like and want. Start searching for design ideas online or in magazines and collect some images of landscapes that you are drawn to. Once you have a good assortment of images then you will be ready to provide a designer with some clearer direction of what to execute. 

Hire a professional

Now that you have your design inspiration and an idea of a budget, now is the time to hire a professional designer to assist you. You have a couple of options when working with a designer. You can either hire them to assist you in a more consultation way, or you can hire them to do a complete design with overseeing the installation.

When you have decided to list your home for sale, it is important that your home be in excellent condition from cleanliness to curb appeal. However, what should you do to make your home stand out among the rest that are on the market for sale? Here are some tips on how to make buyer’s heads turn when they see your home. 

Remedy Deferred Maintenance

Buyers don’t always have the imagination to see past worn paint, missing pieces of trim or a broken door hinge. Furthermore, if buyers see many items that need repair, it creates a perception that there may be other significant items that may need repair. Showing your home in perfect condition will convince all that it has been well maintained. 

Stage Your Home

Homes that are vacant or have too much furniture and belongings tend not to sell as quickly. An empty home is hard for those who don’t have the imagination to see how it can accommodate furniture. On the other hand, too much furniture can pose the opposite problem – it can be difficult to see the size of the rooms. Stage your home with the right amount of appropriately sized furniture to take the guesswork out of the picture.

How to Write a Listing Description

Make sure your home has professional photographs and the description covers all of the key points that your home has to offer. List all of the basic details of bed and bath count, but also include any significant improvements. Large repairs items like a new roof, high impact windows or newer HVAC systems are always good to point out. Finally, pointing out anything that may not be obvious to every buyer like seasonal views or how you enjoy the backyard are also great ideas. 

Enhance Your Curb Appeal

The outside of your home is the first and last thing that every buyer will see so adding color with flowers or decor will make it inviting. Replace worn or dated fixtures and freshening up paint on entry doors will help create more of a positive impression for buyers. 

Outdoor Space

Outdoor space especially here in Fort Lauderdale is something homeowners can enjoy all year round so show it off. Set up different areas or zones, one for lounging, one for dining and one for play. Finish it all off with some great lighting so that evening visits or photos will really showcase the relaxing mood!