For some, your closing day is formal and filled with multiple pages of documents to review and sign. For others, it is just a formality to get through as you progress to ownership. Regardless of how you view it, here are some helpful things to keep in mind as you go through the day.

Mortgage rate
Mortgage rates change daily and the quote your lender gave you won’t remain forever. Typically a bank will “lock you in” for 45, 60 or another set number of days. However, once that expires, you may have to pay a higher rate. Sometimes closing dates get pushed out during negotiations so don’t forget to bear in mind when your rate lock expires.

The mortgage process
Some buyers are under the impression that after they have finished the loan application and paperwork then they are all set. However, some lenders will still verify income, assets and employment all the way up to the last minute before closing. It is wise not to make any significant moves during this time period including making any larger purchases like a new car. Sometimes these changes can affect your ability to have your loan approved.

The walk through
In some areas the walk through is a formal happening, in others it is just a checked box. Most contracts provide a walk-through 24 hours before the closing and it is a wise idea to take advantage of this. Check for the overall condition of the home and make sure everything is in fine and working order before you take full ownership.

Closing day
In some areas the closing happens in parts and the two parties do not meet. In others the buyer, seller and attorneys all meet together and all of the paperwork gets signed and monies get passed.

How else can you prepare?
The best advice is to pay close attention to all of the steps of the purchase and be on alert for any red flags. Be sure to hire a credible mortgage agent, home inspection company and attorney. The better your team, the smoother your process is going to be.

A study recently conducted by national appraisal experts has stated that implementing “green” features to your home can yield a higher value for your home. Boosting your home with energy efficient products, systems, new windows and other green improvements can show a return by a better selling price.

The study compared “high performance” energy and resource conserving homes against similar homes in the area that did not have any green improvements over a two year period. They calculated the additional increments that buyers were willing to pay for the green features and found that they ranged between $10,000 and $53,000 or an average of 3.46%. In some cases premiums reached as high as 6 or 7% when homes had solar panels which reduced electricity costs.

The research indicated that green features being added into new construction is a quickly growing trend. Homes that are Energy Star rated or LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are on the rise. LEED certification requires an evaluation that the dwelling meets high energy efficiency and resource conservation standards set by the United States Green Building Council. Energy Star homes must meet energy-savings standards set forth by the EPA.

The study shared that when buyers learn about certifications and the cost savings with energy efficiency, they can often be swayed into paying a premium for the benefit. Tanya Topolewski, a Washington D.C. green developer who rehabbed two homes selected in the study shares “The vast majority of people who come to see our houses are just interested in real estate,” she said in an interview. But once they see the advantages of buying a home with extraordinary energy efficiency, fresh air 24/7 and a positive environmental impact, “it’s kind of a no-brainer.”

One of the toughest hurdles is to educate buyers on the programs and advantages of owning a green home. Additionally, only some MLS networks in the United States feature searchability by green features but attachments should also be permitted for this to educate buyers about the certification descriptions.

The takeaway for sellers is to be sure they are promoting the features in the marketing of their property so they aren’t leaving money on the table. The reality for the buyer is that paying a premium for a green home can potentially save you money in energy costs while owning a healthier place to live.

Have you ever been at work and wished you could remember if you shut the lights off at home? Or been out running errands on the weekend and wondered if anyone has stopped by your house while you were gone? If you have a busy schedule that keeps you out of the house then hooking your home up to your smartphone can be a great idea. Additionally, making your smartphone a remote control for your home adds even more centralized convenience.

If you haven’t considered this option or if you aren’t sure about the advantages, here are many ways that you can use your smart home technology to make your life easier.

Locking Doors Remotely – With smart lock, you can lock your doors remotely wherever you are. You can let your neighbor in to drop off a pan they borrowed if you are lying on a beach miles away.

Close the garage door – The same technology that allows you to operate the garage door from your car also allows you to do it further away via your phone. Also, if you opt for a garage door opener that has a camera, you can view what may trigger the door when you aren’t there.

Cooling/Heating your home before you arrive – There is nothing better than arriving home to the house being at the right temperature. If you adjust your thermostat during the day for cost savings, you can adjust the temperature on your way home so that is just right when you arrive.

Turn light on remotely – Nobody likes walking into a home that is completely dark. With a smart lighting system you can turn lights on in the house before you arrive for safety.

Check in on kids and pets with cameras – With a smartphone that is connected to a security system with cameras you can check in on kids after school or pets that are home during the day.

See who is at the front door – Whether you are in the bathroom, out doing errands or at work a smart doorbell allows you to see who is at your front door. Let delivery people know where to leave a package or confirm who your guest is before you open the door.

Smoke and carbon monoxide levels – Smart detectors will send you mobile alerts if smoke or high levels of carbon monoxide are detected. If something goes wrong, you can call for help immediately.

As we kick off 2017 there are many economic forecasts being shared about what to expect from the real estate market. Last year was complete with tight inventory levels that were coupled with historically low interest rates. However, as the year wrapped up we saw rates showing slight increases after the presidential election. So what can we expect for this year?

The National Association of Realtors has released a Housing Opportunities and Market Experience survey which polled respondents about their confidence in the economy. The outcome was that the majority of households felt that now was still a good time to buy a home. Only among those who were renting was there a slight decrease in confidence.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist says the declining confidence among renters is due to price increases in some areas of the country. “Rents and home prices outpacing incomes and scant supply in the affordable price range has been a prominent headwind for many prospective buyers this year,” he said.

Despite this decrease in enthusiasm, sales are predicted to be 3.3% higher than 2015 after all 2016 numbers complete. Furthermore, 2017 is anticipated to have sales climb by approximately 2% more. By the end of the year 2017 we expect that mortgage rates will end up around 4.6% which will potentially slow the market down to more of a normal rate.

“Although the economy is expected to continue to expand with around 2 million net new job creations, existing home sales are expected to see little expansion next year because of affordability tensions from rising mortgage rates and prices continuing to outpace income growth,” said Yun.

The survey found that job growth and lower unemployment has been contributing to a stronger confidence in the economy. In fact, consumer confidence had increased by 6% from Q3 to Q4 of 2016. The most positive segment are those under the age of 44 and living in an urban area with higher incomes.

Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds feel it is a good time to sell with almost all respondents at 91% believing that prices will remain the same or rise in their area over the next six months. Overall the findings of the survey show that most are optimistic about the future of the real estate market and our economy as a whole.

The real estate market is taking a slightly different shape these days. After the recent presidential election, mortgage rates have been seeing a slow increase which will ultimately have an effect on home prices and affordability. According to Realtor.com’s Housing Forecast, slower home price appreciation and a stabilization in the homeownership rate is what is anticipated for 2017.

“Because of demographics and affordability challenges that are starting to emerge, more people are focused on getting into homeownership because renting is continuing to have the same challenges and, over the long term, is something that can really impact a household’s financial situation,” said Realtor.com Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke.

Here are some of the highlights of Realtor.com’s report.

Millennials and their Baby Boomer parents
Millennials are the largest demographic with baby boomers coming in second. Both of these groups are projected to dominate the real estate market in 2017 as their living situations will be changing. Millennials are predicted to account for 33% of homebuyers with 30% being baby boomers.

Millennials comprise a significant portion of today’s first time homebuyers. With mortgage rates that are on the rise it will eventually make affordability more challenging. Additionally, the slim inventory adds challenges for them when searching for a home to buy. Meanwhile, their baby boomer parents will fully take advantage of the higher home values and sell their homes which will open up more inventory for the market.

Home Price Appreciation
Home prices are predicted to lose some steam in their increases to 3.9% down from 4.9% in 2016. Smoke states that the figure is still above average and demand is still going to remain stronger than supply in many areas of the country.

Home Ownership will stabilize
Smoke states that homeownership in the Unites States is predicted to come in at around 63.5% for the upcoming year. This rate could inch up more, but with prices at their current levels and inventory down across the nation it is not expected to drastically increase. In addition, Realtor.com anticipates new home sales to increase 10% and new home starts 3% in the new year.

The Midwest Alternative
As the market has its challenges with prices and inventory, Millennials are either staying in or relocating to the Midwest. The region already has a large amount of Millennials and this group is now staying closer to home after college. Millennials account for 42% of the homebuyers in the region compared to 38% nationally.

“There is a huge disparity in how many dollars are needed to get a home in Des Moines versus San Francisco,” Smoke said. “Affordability is a key part of why millennials are deciding to move or stay where they have been, as opposed to staying where they are.”

Most homeowners are interested in what kind of return on investment they can expect when making improvements or upgrades to their home. Knowing this will aid in making better decisions as well as prioritizing which projects to tackle first.

The kitchen is always the most significant room that can have a large impact on a sale. In fact, kitchen remodels are regarded as being between 6 and 10% of the total home value and typically have the highest return on investment. According to RISMedia, here are the top 5 ROI averages for home project improvements.

Replacing the entry door. The front door is a focal point of your home’s curb appeal which should never be overlooked as it is the first and last thing everyone sees. Replacing the front entry door with something solid and aesthetically pleasing has an average ROI of 101.8%.

Remodeling the kitchen. As the kitchen is the main focal room, upgrading it will add the most value to your home. Updating your kitchen with modern day function and aesthetics is sure to help in your sale. A kitchen remodel has an average ROI of 85%.

Converting the carport into a bedroom. Do you a carport that is going unused? There is no better way to use that extra square footage than by finishing it off into a bedroom. The extra space increases your bedroom count while providing you with extra space that can serve multiple purposes.

Replacing exterior siding. Replacing old or worn siding can have a few benefits. For one, it can protect your home from the weather and elements. Older siding can sometimes let in moisture, insects or even be less efficient for heating and cooling. In addition, new siding will make your home look newer and well cared for. The average siding project has an ROI of 80.7%.