The process of marketing homes has started online for quite some time, but now more than ever it is important to create the best virtual viewing process for anyone to research a property from the comfort and safety of their own home. Per a recent survey from Realtor.com, sellers who are thinking about placing their homes on the market for sale are willing to conduct showings under the right conditions. Open houses are something they are less comfortable with given the current social distancing concerns. 

Given this it is imperative to have a digital strategy to make your property marketing efforts as effective as they can be for all buyers. Here are some of the top things that prospective homebuyers considered to be most helpful:

• Accurate and complete listing information
• Multiple, high-quality photos of the property
• Virtual tour of the home
• Neighborhood information
• Agent hosted video chat

Nate Johnson, CMO of Realtor.com states: “As real estate agents and consumers seek out ways to safely complete these transactions, we believe that technology will become an even more imperative part of how we search for, buy and sell homes moving forward.”

These items that are referenced should give buyers enough tools to establish if the property fits their needs enough to schedule a visit in person. Should they be serious enough to do so, then the important precautions for viewings should be followed including limited in-person activity, washing of hands, removal of shoes and wearing masks and gloves. It is also strongly suggested that sellers should prepare by leaving all doors to rooms and closets open so that buyers won’t need to touch as many things. 

In the end things are changing rapidly and these strategies can certainly help with marketing your home efficiently and potentially foster a faster sale. We will monitor as time goes on how much of these tactics will remain here to stay. 

When buying a home there is one goal in the end, get to the closing. This is the grand finale of the process after searching, making an offer, inspecting and loan processing when you sign your documents, transfer funds and collect the keys. There are some common questions as to what means what at the closing so here is some information that can be helpful.

What does “closing” mean?

The closing is the time when you complete the home buying process and officially transfer ownership. The process begins when you sign a purchase and sale agreement and is usually a four to six week process. 

What is a closing disclosure?

The closing disclosure or “CD” is a form that outlines the final loan terms and costs. The lender must provide this to you three days before closing for you to review for accuracy. Should there be any misinformation, you must notify them immediately. 

When does the walk through take place?

Most contracts are drafted to allow the buyer to conduct the walk through within 24 hours of the settlement. It will depend on the size of the home, but give yourself about an hour to inspect the property. Here are some things to check:

-Faucets and toilets

-Appliances

-Doors (including garage if applicable)

-Fans, garbage disposal

-General condition of walls 

Who attends the closing?

The closing customarily happens at the office of the attorney, one of the agent’s offices, title company or even at the registry. Typically, it is attended by you, your agent, the seller, seller’s agent, real estate attorney and sometimes title company and loan officer.

How much are closing costs?

This will depend on your location and the price of the home. However, generally speaking 3 to 4% of the sales price is a general rule of thumb when purchasing. Your lender will give you a breakdown of the final number which include:

-Loan application fee

-Loan origination fee

-Appraisal fee

-Credit report

-Underwriting fee

-Title search 

-Property taxes

-Recording fee

What do you bring?

Ask your attorney to be 100% clear, but generally you should bring:

-Official photo ID (license, passport)

-Copy of the contract

-Homeowners insurance copy (and flood too if applicable)

-Bank check or wiring instructions for final payment

What is title insurance?

Every lender will require this. Essentially this protects the lender from any outstanding claims against the home. For example, if a previous owner did not pay all of their real estate taxes, there may be a lien on the property and therefore not a clean title. The title company will do a search of deeds, wills, trusts and public records to ensure that the buyer will become the rightful owner. 

South Florida real estate is very conducive for retirement with many homes either being single floor living or featuring first floor masters. Just add the beautiful year-round weather and it makes for a perfect setting for many. For those who choose to outfit their home for “aging in place” longer term, here are some great tips that you can follow for modifications in your kitchen.

Pantry

Some pantry closets offer “pull out” shelving where you can easily view all that you have within. You can avoid having to stretch for those higher, hard to reach areas or crouch down for the low ones. This is also handy for retrieving your heavier items. 

Round edges

Avoid sharper angles for your countertops and shelves. This can help you avoid injuring yourself by accidentally banging into them.

Sink near stove

Simply put, as we get older heavier items are harder to carry. Having the sink near the stove makes a shorter distance for you to have to carry a heavy pot to and from. 

Shallow sink

A more shallow sink also makes for easier rinsing of vegetables and dishes as opposed to a deeper one.

Microwave height

It was common for years to have these built in over your stove. However, lifting heavier dishes into a high location can become challenging. Having your microwave located at more of a counter height or even just below it will make for easier access. 

Standard cabinetry

While ornate details, legs or panels can be visually stimulating, they can also make your kitchen become an obstacle course. Keeping things more simple will make maneuvering about much easier with less to bump into.

Accessible corner cabinets

Even when you are young and nimble, fishing through those corner cabinets or “lazy Susans” can be rough. The good news is that there are better options these days for corner cabinets – some with full drawers!

Drawers, not doors

Drawers are great options for your lower cabinets. These days you can get oversized drawers that can accommodate your larger pots and pans – just like a lower cabinet with doors would. Being able to have drawers to pull out will make your access far easier.

Clearance space

It is standard to have 36 inches for interior walkways or hallways. However, if you want to plan for enough space to accommodate a wheelchair, you will want to go with more than that. It is actually recommended that you push that to closer to 60 inches.

Slip resistant floors

The majority of kitchens have tile floors and especially here in South Florida so much of the homes are outfitted with it. Make sure you are selecting one that has some sort of slip resistance. Vinyl options these days have really come a long way and can be a good solution.

Some of us like to try and save money with DIY home repairs especially with many people spending more time at home right now. Whether you plan on doing things yourself or hiring a professional it is important to do them right so they don’t cost you more down the road. Here are 9 common home repair mistakes to avoid.

Neglecting water stains

When you notice a water stain on your wall or ceiling it is important to locate the source asap. While it can be tempting to just paint over it if it is small, leaks often don’t stop, they get worse. Whether it’s a pipe, window will or roof issue you will want to fix it before it worsens or causes a mold issue.

Clogged gutters

Clogged gutters cause water back ups. If water cannot flow off of your roof then it can build up under your shingles and cause damage. Also, for any gutters that have drains designed to direct water to flow away from the home then this won’t be working properly either.

Improper power washing

Power washing your home is great when done correctly. Remove grime and mildew from your home but don’t be applying too much pressure to damage paint or wood surfaces. 

Peeling paint

Aside from looking unkempt, peeling paint that goes unattended can lead to damage especially for your wood surfaces. Check your trim especially for signs or worn paint.

Inspect attic

If you don’t have a regular pest inspection that is checking your home and attic, then you will want to check it yourself. Other than pesky termite damage it is good to do a routine check for any water damage as well. 

Service appliances

It can be beneficial to check your appliances regularly as well. Check the door seals and vacuum the coils off of your fridge. Run your dishwasher empty except for a cup of vinegar on the top rack. This can help clean out rust stains and scum build up. 

Wrong cleaning products

Make sure you research the materials you are cleaning in your home and use the appropriate products when cleaning. For example vinegar is great for cleaning certain tile floors but it can dull marble or limestone. 

Failed to pull permit

This can cause big problems when it comes time to sell. If you made big improvements or additions you should get a permit for the work. A good rule of thumb is if the work requires a professional to do it, you should double check with the city to see if a permit is needed.

HVAC filters

Monthly utility bills as well as HVAC units can be expensive. However, the cost of a filter is very cheap by comparison. Be sure to regularly replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations so that your system is running efficient and will have a prolonged life.

Whether you are planning on selling your home soon or not, most everyone wants helpful tips for adding value to their home. Your landscaping is one area that can really set the stage for the home and pique one’s interest for what is inside. It is similar to food presentation where anything that looks good will have people interested in taking a bite. Here are some great tips for things you can do for your home’s landscaping that will be sure to help its value.

Cut and edge grass

Although it sounds very obvious, mowing properly and especially trimming edges is important especially with our grass here in South Florida. Clean looking beds and edges make landscaping look tidy and well kept.

Fresh mulch

Putting down fresh mulch makes a huge visual difference. Beds will look clean and defined while the mulch helps reduce weeds and retains moisture in the soil for your plantings. 

Flowers

Flowers are a great way to add color and interest for a very low cost. Add a cluster or two to your beds or put them in a pot by your door.

Plants

Another great way to spice up your yard is to add a few different kinds of plants at varying sizes. This will add visual interest and depth to your landscaping. There are some great, relatively hearty plants that are lower maintenance here in South Florida from Bromeliads offering color to Clusias which can add great privacy.

Refresh patio/decking

Especially with the heat from the hot sun patios and decks can become weathered over the years. If powerwashing doesn’t do the job, consider fresh paint or stain depending on the material. If you are working with a larger budget, pavers can be a nice upgrade from basic concrete.

Reduce noise 

A couple of ideas for reducing any noise from the area include adding bushes and/or plants in containers as they can help insulate against it. Additionally, adding a water feature can provide a soothing white noise as it drowns out the less than pleasant ones.

Hot tub or pool

Of course who doesn’t love a water feature in the way of a hot tub or pool? Depending on your budget and preference either can certainly be nice for yourself or entertaining. Adding a pool is going to be quite an expense in which you may not recap the whole investment on a sale. A hot tub, while mostly best for our winter months or evenings, can be great as it can be done at a fraction of the cost of a pool and you can either include it in a sale or take it with you depending on where you go. 

Very often sellers will focus on only one of the senses when preparing their home for sale, visually. However, it is important to keep in mind that all other senses can play large roles in the home touring experience. Just think, when you walk down the street by a bakery you may see their nice store front, smell the baked goods, see them displayed and may venture inside for a taste! Here are some helpful tips on how to cover all the bases for when the time comes to list your home for sale.

Touch and Comfort

While public open houses are planned, private showings can happen with far less notice. Keeping the house in perfectly clean condition is a must. Make sure it passes the white glove test where all surfaces are free of dust and/or debris. This includes the less obvious places like door jams, window sills, on top of the fridge, etc. Other than what you can touch, cater to how visitors will feel by setting the home at the perfect ambient temperature. 

Smells

It is always best to have a home smelling neutral as opposed to foul or having a strong odor. Pungent cooking smells or off putting pet odors are definitely things that you will want to avoid. Do not mask these smells by using powerful candles or air fresheners as these can be just as offensive to some who are more sensitive. Your best bet is to keep things very clean and use pleasant smelling cleaners that smell more “fresh” than strong. Finally, a good secret weapon is to bake some fresh cookies. These tend to please all and leave a positive scent for those to associate with your home!

Sounds

Playing some soft music can be a good idea, especially if there is neighborhood construction or nearby lawn mowing going on that it could drown out. Keep this on low and select something neutral to play. Anything loud or jarring can cause an adverse effect. 

Taste

Going back to the idea of cookies, leave a plate out with napkins and a note to help yourself. You may have noticed even some furniture stores adopt this idea to encourage shoppers to stay longer and enhance their experience. 

Visual Atmosphere

Cleaning and staging are the essentials which are most often discussed. However, what other details can you do? Other great ideas include making sure you get the lighting right. This means using softer bulbs, making sure darker rooms are well illuminated, fixtures are dusted off and blinds are kept open to allow for natural light. Peppering in some real plants can literally add some life as well. Finally, a nice touch is to leave out a binder of any pertinent paperwork that may be of interest to the buyer. Things like a recently replaced HVAC system with warranty or the like may prove additional value.