Top 10 To-Do’s When Preparing Your Home For Sale

1.   Smoke/CO detectors should be operable and located in the following areas:
    a.     Minimum of 1 per level, including basement. At least 4 inches from wall if on ceiling & 4- 12 inches below ceiling on wall,
       and 1  in each sleeping room.
b.     Install carbon monoxide detectors within 10 feet of all bedrooms.
2.   Furnace filter should be clean and installed properly 
3.   Bushes and other landscaping plants should be trimmed away from house. Minimum 12” clearance is recommended.
4.   Tree branches should be trimmed away from roofing components.
5.   Gutters should be clean and fully operable with downspout extensions connected to discharge water away from foundation.
6.   General exterior maintenance including caulking details around window, door and c. ...

How Much Does It Cost To Move? 
Congrats! You’re moving! Before you pack up a pile of books and appliances into cardboard boxes, you may wonder whether you should move everything yourself or hire a moving company. It’d be nice to sit back while a team of movers does all the heavy lifting—unless they drop your 50-inch LED TV. But there’s a bigger risk at hand: not budgeting enough money for moving costs. 
So how much does it cost to move these days? Well, there are many factors to consider. But we’ll give it to you straight. The average cost for a local move typically ranges anywhere from $500 for a one-bedroom apartment to $1,400 for a four-bedroom house.1
Keep in mind, that range is based on the cost to hire a moving company for a local, short-distance move. If you’re doing a long-distance or out-of-state move, the price range goes up. But there are always ways to save money.
Since there are so many different factor. ...

How much earnest money will I need? 
The industry guideline is generally 1% of the sale price.  If the seller is a lender, they may have a minimum requirement that must be adhered to.
 
When does my earnest money check get deposited? 
Within 3 business days after acceptance unless stated differently in the Purchase Agreement.  The money is held the Trust Account by the seller's broker and applied to your down payment at closing.  If the the purchase agreement becomes null and void, the buyer may have to wait at least 10 days to receive the earnest money refund.
How much will my mortgage be? 
This amount will depend on the agreed upon sales price, how much money you put down and whether you are financing your closing costs.  Please refer to a Good Faith Estimate from your lender for details.
 
What kind of financing should I choose? 
There are many different Conventional and FHA mortgages to choose from.  A 15 year or 30-e ...

10 Tips for Home Buyers
 

1. Be selective, but not unrealistic. There is no “perfect” home, just the right home for you.
2. Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you.
3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and your closing costs.
4. Determine what you can afford. Talk to a lender and get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start looking.
5. Trust in yourself. Limit the number of people you turn to for a second opinion; as it could make your decisions more difficult.
6. Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? Do you have a home to sell? Is there an ideal transition time?
7. Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision . ...