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November 15, 2017 by changescapeweb

The Dog House Rules: What Dog Owners Should Consider When Buying a Home

Dog House Rules

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Any dog owner will testify that one of the biggest charms to having a dog is knowing their excitement every time you come home. Of course, they become accustomed to your home, and when the time comes, moving can be hard on them, oftentimes disrupting the routine they have known for years or months. If you love your dog and are looking to buy a new home, you have a million things to consider, among those things is the well-being of your pet.

When the time comes to find a new place, there’s a lot to keep in mind. You’ll want to assess the layout of the home, consider your pet’s needs, and get to know your potential neighborhood before making a final decision.

On a Dog Scale of One to 10

So on a dog scale, how much does your neighborhood love dogs? There are a variety of ways to tell:

  • Do you see a few dog walkers around?
  • Do the dogs look friendly and socialized?
  • Are there pet stores in the vicinity?
  • A dog park?
  • Plenty of veterinary clinics and hospitals?
  • Does your house have a good-sized yard with protective fencing?

If you answer yes to all of these questions, your neighborhood probably scores close to a 10. This means your dog will have plenty of amenities to keep him safe and happy.

Depending on your dog’s needs also measure the following factors:

  • Does the house have a big enough yard for the needs of your pet?
  • Secure and high fencing?
  • Stairs?
  • A doggy door?

The Local Laws

Most states and localities still consider pets personal property. Because of this, the laws pertaining to pets and pet care are important to note; they can inform you best in the event that your dog gets loose or lost. Contact the local animal services or Humane Society to find out the restrictions on:

  • Dog registration and licensing
  • Vaccinations
  • Impounding
  • Leashes and dog walking

Dog Stress

The aptly named dog magazine The Bark suggests that dogs can suffer high levels of stress when their surroundings are shifting and changing around them. Don’t forget that your dog depends on you to feel safe and stable. Make sure you provide him some extra attention leading up to the move.

Before the Move

Try to keep his comfortable space in place so that he feels safe and guarded. Once you move in, don’t buy new bedding or toys. Cesar Milan warns to pack your dog’s bedding last, to help him feel a little more stable until the last possible moment. Transferring your dog’s toys and bedding to the new home will help make sure he maintains a level of familiarity.

During the Move

The actual move day can cause a tremendous amount of confusion, not just for your dog but also for you. There might be movers coming in, with the doors open, taking furniture, shifting rooms around. This can create additional stress for your dog. A great option is to remove your dog from the chaos and take him to a local kennel for boarding.

After the Move

The hard part comes when the move is over. As Life Hacker suggests, make sure your dog acclimates well so he doesn’t suffer from anxiety or stress in the new environment. The first couple of days are key:

  • Show your dog plenty of attention and time.
  • Keep your anxiety level in check too, as dogs respond to their owners.
  • Set up his sleeping area with his familiar bedding and toys.
  • Take him a dog for plenty of walks, let him follow you around the house, and shower him with play time.
  • If possible, avoid leaving him alone right away in the new house, maybe take a few days off work as you make him comfortable.

Buying a house is demanding enough, requiring time, effort, and patience. As a loving dog owner you want the best for your dog, and staying on top of a few details can save you lots of heartaches later. Keep your dog calm through the chaos of moving by remembering a few key things, giving them lots of love, and remaining vigilant to their behavior.

Filed Under: Buying a Home

October 4, 2017 by changescapeweb

What to Fix in your Home Before Selling

There are 7 home fixes you must complete before selling that will increase the value of your home. You should prioritize your projects into this order to prepare your home for a sale:

  1. Structural and mechanical projects
  2. Fixing up the exterior of your home for presentation.
  3. Planting flowers or trimming overgrown plants to help with presentation of the landscape.
  4. Fixing any mold, dings or dent damage on the walls.
  5. Make sure your kitchen is up-to-date.
  6. Sprucing up your bathroom.
  7. Update your flooring.

Balance your projects and make the right improvements to your home that will result in a fast sale and an increase value. Make sure that potential buyers are feeling the “wow” factor in room by not ignoring these 7 project areas.

For more information and to read more of this article, click on the link: 7 Home Fixes You Must Complete Before Selling

Article by Cara Ameer

P.S. Real estate is really booming this summer!  Homes are selling fast & for the highest prices in years. It is a great time to put your home on the market.  It is a super time for buyers to buy while interest rates are still low. Don’t miss out on your dream home.

Click here to become my Fan on Facebook!

Filed Under: Home Improvement, Home Selling

August 6, 2017 by changescapeweb

10 Changes to Make in Your Home as You Age

Changes to Make in Your Home

When many people buy a home, they plan to live in it for many years. Unfortunately, as the years pass homes, and people, tend to age. Mobility issues, disabilities, and illnesses all have an effect on your everyday living. In fact, you’ll see many ADA compliant housing making it’s way onto the market to tempt seniors and others living with disabilities.

Think ahead to ensure your home has the modifications you’ll need as you age. Read on for the top 10 changes you should consider making to your home to make living in it easier.

1. Safe Flooring

When looking into changing your home, it’s good to start small. Safer flooring is a great place for seniors to starts, as they can make most of the changes on their own. Create a hazard free flooring when you remove throw rugs and other items that could cause trips and falls. Low pile carpets or hard floors that flow from room to room are the best options.

2. Lever Door Handles

Another small change that can make a big difference are door handles. Seniors who suffer from poor grip strength or arthritis often have difficulties with round knobs. Instead, install door handles that can simply be pushed to open.

3. Grab Bars

Grab bars are among the most popular accessories to install in showers and bathrooms. They help you maneuver yourself and steady your during transitional poses. If you don’t need grab bars now, having extra backing in your walls ensures they can easily be installed if you need them later.

4. Walk in Showers

While some houses come with tubs in every room, walk-in showers can be critical for seniors who have a hard time raising their legs. Removing tubs and installing showers instead makes it easier for anyone to get in and out.

5. Built in Shower Seat

You can make showering even easier by installing a built-in shower seat when you change out your shower. Proving a place to rest decreases the chance of falls and creates a safer space to wash yourself in.

6. Lower Countertops

Changes to Make in Your Home

The kitchen is one place many people forget when making changes to their home. Adding in countertops at different heights, offers you the flexibility to work while sitting or standing.

7. Lower Cabinets | Higher Drawers

In addition to height appropriate counter tops, having drawers and cabinets within arms reach reduces fatigue while working in the kitchen. No need to bend down low or stretch too high to get what you need.

8. Wheelchair & Walker Accessible

Whether it’s the entrance to your home, hallways between rooms, or door frames, you should make sure that every part of your home allows space for walkers and wheelchairs. Fitting through hallways and doors shouldn’t be a struggle for those who need walking assistance.

Making the Right Changes

Whether you’re a senior who’s considering changing their home or you’re hosting an aging parent for long periods of time, using this list to make your home easier to navigate will help. Talk to friends and family about making these changes or reach out to a licensed contractor today.

Author Bio:

Shirley Moore is a former general contractor and freelance writer newly based in Miami, Florida. She got her license at Contractors License Resource Group, but turned to writing to educate her community about home safety. When she’s not writing, Shirley offers local construction consulting services.

Images:

  1. https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4VsI3FcYv0/TMcI1VNhk3I/AAAAAAAAFCs/huzgij3J-Rg/s1600/installationimage.jpg.jpg
  2. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZRWWxHGJmgY/TTIVLaO3wkI/AAAAAAAAMls/drDFVw0BPtw/s400/universaldesignkitchen1.jpg

 

Filed Under: Guest Blogger, Home Improvement, Home Ownership, Home Sales, Home Selling

August 1, 2017 by changescapeweb

FSBO’s Don’t Know They Are Taking Serious Risks

No one knows the business better than a real estate agent and selling a home isn’t easy without one. Those who forego selling a home without an agent are exposing him or herself to many possible risks.

Agents can help break down the selling process, so you understand it and are prepared for the next steps to come; such as the time needed for properly showing your home and getting it prepared for presentation to potential buyers. As a homeowner, you need an agent to help you comprehend the complex home selling market and to market your home for the best curb appeal. This is where you as a homeowner can be less successful, attempting to sell your home on your own.

Other important roles that real estate agents offer are negotiation experience, inspection and repair know-how, transaction management and closing finesse. All risks that you take if you defer the best option for you – getting a real estate agent to assist you in selling your home. Contact us today to guarantee you will avoid these risks.

For more information and to read more of this article, click on the link: Article from: https://www.inman.com/2017/07/26/8-things-homesellers-risk-when-they-sell-without-a-real-estate-agent/?utm_source=weeklyheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sundaysend&utm_content=20170728_hero

Article by Cara Ameer

P.S. Real estate is really booming this summer!  Homes are selling fast & for the highest prices in years. It is a great time to put your home on the market.  It is a super time for buyers to buy while interest rates are still low. Don’t miss out on your dream home.

Click here to become my Fan on Facebook! <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Charles-MO/Sandra-Meranda-Coldwell-Banker-Gundaker/342024615060?ref=ts>

Filed Under: Home Sales, Home Selling, Uncategorized

June 13, 2017 by changescapeweb

10 Reasons Why For-Sale-By-Owners (FSBOs) Fail!

 

Homeowners trying to sell their homes on their own — for-sale-by-owners (FSBOs) — are driven by several reasons. Although most of them want to save money that they would have otherwise spent on real estate commissions, a few others take the FSBO route because they feel they don’t need a professional to sell their home.

Whatever the reason for attempting to sell solo might be, data from a National Association of Realtors survey shows that less than 10 percent of all home sales are FSBOs.

Top reasons why FSBOs fail in real estate

There are a lot of reasons why For-Sale-By-Owners fail and do not sell. Some of the top among these are:

1. Too many people to negotiate with

Those deciding to take the FSBO route often have to negotiate with many people. Some of them are likely to be:

  • The buyer, seeking the best possible deal.
  • The buyer’s agent, who represents the buyer’s best interest.
  • The buyer’s attorney (in some regions of the nation).
  • Home inspection companies, working for the buyer, which are likely to find some problem or the other with the house.
  • Your bank, in case it’s a short sale.
  • The appraiser, if the home’s value needs to be assessed.

Without the help of experienced real estate agents, dealing with so many different parties alone is often a tough task for homeowners.

2. Homeowners do not know how to prepare the home for sale

A majority of homeowners don’t know about the prelisting tasks that FSBOs should do before they list their home for sale. These usually include:

  • Decluttering.
  • Painting the rooms with a fresh coat of paint.
  • Getting necessary repairs done.
  • Getting the home floors and carpets cleaned by professionals.
  • Ensuring curb appeal of the home.
  • Replacing outdated light fixtures.

Because homes for sale by owners just have one chance to impress potential buyers, neglecting these home sale preparation tips often reduces the homeowners’ chances of selling the house.

3. Owners do not know how to screen potential buyers

FSBOs often have no idea about the difference between prequalification and preapproval, and they don’t know that buyers should ideally be preapproved or at least prequalified.

No wonder they let unqualified buyers inspect the house and waste their precious time. Not knowing if a buyer has the ability to purchase the home acts as a big deterrent for homes for sale by owners.

4. Owners fail to solve buyer’s queries

Handling inquiries from buyers on their listings and coordinating showings for their homes are prerequisites for making a sale. However, many homeowners either aren’t able to handle such inquiries on their homes or don’t have the time for them.

Even organizing showings might become an uphill task at times. Because these days potential buyers and their agents want quick responses to their inquiries, they don’t think twice before moving on to the next potential property if their inquiries and requests are unanswered.

5. Owners don’t understand the concept of ‘golden time’

According to this concept, homeowners get the most money for their homes in the first week of putting the property on the market. The longer FSBO homes stay on the market, the less money people will be willing to offer for them.

If a seller tries FSBO before hiring an agent, the seller loses the “golden time” window. This will eliminate buyers who have already viewed the home and might have made a reasonable offer — but have already moved on.

6. Owners fail to understand the contract procedures

The contract to buy a home involves much more than just the price offered by the buyer. Also, real estate contracts have lots of timelines and clauses and involve several common contract contingencies, such as inspections and mortgages.

Many FSBOs don’t have a firm understanding of such contracts and might not know what they are agreeing to or how to negotiate particular parts of the contract.

7. FSBOs don’t know how to handle the home inspection findings

Home inspections almost always find some issues with houses even when they are relatively newer structures. In such cases, the buyer requests problems be fixed or corrected before moving forward with the transaction.

However, many FSBOs believe that there is nothing wrong with their home, which is why they refuse to address the issues brought forward by home inspections. As a result, the offer falls through.

8. FSBOs incorrectly price their homes

FSBOs often price their homes incorrectly due to lack of experience. They set the price too high, which hinders their chances of closing the deal.

9. FSBO homes lack exposure

Homes for sale by owners are often listed on a few websites, but there are many that don’t allow FSBOs to list their property. Thus, FSBOs are unable to give their homes adequate exposure in the market.

However, when sellers hire a real estate agent, the professional can give a property comprehensive online exposure as well as exposure in the local real estate segment of the newspaper. The agent even has tools to extend the exposure further, which FSBOs don’t have.

10. FSBOs fail in the closing process

Even after an offer is accepted, many things still need to be done prior to the closing. For instance:

  • Get the inspections completed within the allotted time.
  • Ensure the attorney(s) approve contracts.
  • Ensure that instrument survey is ordered.
  • Check if the buyer has obtained written mortgage commitment.
  • Find out if title work is reviewed.
  • Learn whether abstract is redated.

With so many things acting against FSBOs, it’s natural to find very few homes for sale by owners in the market.

Cheryl Jensen is a writer at Total Atlanta Realty. You can follow her on Twitter & Facebook or Email Cheryl Jensen

Article from: https://www.inman.com/2015/07/20/10-reasons-why-for-sale-by-owners-fsbos-fail/

Article image credited to Olivier Le Queinec / Shutterstock.com

P.S. Real estate is really booming this Summer!  Homes are selling fast & for the highest prices in years. It is a great time to put your home on the market.  It is a super time for buyers to buy while interest rates are still low. Don’t miss out on your dream home.  Call me for details today! (314) 691-1320
Click Here to become my Fan on Facebook! <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Charles-MO/Sandra-Meranda-Coldwell-Banker-Gundaker/342024615060?ref=ts>

Filed Under: Consumer Behavior, Home Sales, Home Selling, Housing Market, Why Hire a Real Estate Agent

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Office: 636-946-7880
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2101 Bluestone Dr, #106
St. Charles, MO 63303

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