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9 Hacks To Help Keep Your Home Warm This Winter.

A cold winter breeze infiltrating your home can chill you to your core. However, by making a few simple and cost-effective changes around your house, you can stay warm and cozy all winter long.

Install a smart thermostat

Adding a smart thermostat can not only improve the comfort of your home but also lower your energy costs. Some smart thermostats enable you to adjust your heating based on the time of day, allowing you to set a warmer temperature when you wake up or when you arrive home from work. Best of all, installing a smart thermostat can help you save up to 10 percent on monthly heating costs.

Check your ceiling fans

Your ceiling fans can be an effective way to distribute warm air throughout a room, especially in spaces with high ceilings. However, you need to make sure they are adjusted correctly. Your fans should run clockwise, as this will help push warmer air downward.

Put up heavy drapes or curtains

You should replace any thin curtains or drapes with heavier alternatives to help keep warm air inside your house and chilly winter air out. However, you should open the drapes and curtains of any south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to flow into your home and heat your space naturally. Just make sure to close your curtains and drapes at night, which can help reduce heat loss by 10 percent.

Examine your furnace filter regularly

You should clean or replace any filters for your furnace once a month or as the manufacturer recommends. If you have pets or several people living in your home, your filter may get dirty faster. Also, make sure to clean registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed.

Keep your ventilation ducts open

Placing furniture, carpeting, or drapes in front of your HVAC registers can reduce the effectiveness of your heating system and, depending on the heating system you have, become a fire hazard. If you moved furniture during the warmer months, check to see if it’s blocking the flow of heat in the room.

Use rugs

Rugs are not only a stylish addition to a room but also a practical one in winter. If you have rooms with hardwood, ceramic tile, or laminate flooring, placing rugs throughout the space adds a layer of insulation to help keep your feet warm this winter.

Make sure dampers are open

Some ductwork has dampers used to close off ducts and adjust airflow depending on the setting. So if one of the rooms of your home feels particularly cold, look for levers or dials in your ductwork to ensure the dampers are in the correct position.

Install door snakes

If there is a pesky draft coming from one of your exterior doors, a door snake may be able to put a stop to it. These weighted fabric tubes are placed at the base of doors to seal the gap and block cold air from entering your home. You can find door snakes at many major retailers, or you can find a guide online to make your own.

Close your chimney flue

While a wood-burning fireplace can warm your home, it can also allow heat to escape and lower the temperature. Ensure the chimney flue is closed when the fireplace is not in use to prevent warm air from leaving your home. However, always confirm that it is open before using your fireplace again. You can also purchase a fireplace plug to seal the flu.

In addition to cold temperatures, you may need to prepare your home for snow and ice this season. Use these tips to get your home ready for any winter storms you may face.Carolina Life ~ REALTORSNorth Carolina Lifestyle and Real EstateContact Carolina Life with any questions!GET IN TOUCH(919) 263-1808Directinfo@carolinalife.homesEmailwww.carolinalife.homesWebsiteFacebook.com/CarolinaLife.HomesSocial MediaInstagram.com/carolinalife.homesSocial Media

Wake Forest NC, 27587Office

Designing Backyard Spender!

The dog days of summer are often the perfect time to lounge lazily on the beach or in a hammock by the lake for hours on end. However, with a little effort and upkeep, you can create a personal oasis right in your backyard.

Go for green

Step one to achieving a healthy backyard is assessing your needs. Is your yard in need of a large landscaping project? Do you want to add a garden, potted plants on the patio, or both? Once you figure out the spots in your yard that require extra attention and those that require only cosmetic touch-ups, you’ll feel a lot more organized.

One of the first steps to creating a backyard that’s the envy of the neighborhood is fertilizing your grass. Think of fertilizing as feeding grass the nutrients it needs; a healthy-looking yard is ensured for months to come. When choosing a fertilizer, it may be a good idea to go the organic route. Synthetic fertilizers are full of compounds that could damage your soil over time, whereas organic options retain water better and, while they may work slower, they do more for the long-term benefit of your yard. You only need to apply fertilizer once between June
and August (and it should be six to eight weeks after you did so in the spring).

Mowing your lawn properly will also help keep your grass in tip-top shape. Some tips to keep in mind include not mowing it too short—it should be around two to four inches high, depending on your grass type. Mow in the early hours of the day so both you and the grass don’t suffer from too much heat. And don’t forget to sharpen the blades of your mower. Dull blades aren’t just ineffective—they could also damage your lawn. In addition, water your grass a couple times a week in the morning, or set your sprinkler timer accordingly, so the sun doesn’t soak up all the moisture before it has time to sink in.

However, for those who don’t have a lush, green lawn, or for those who don’t live in an area conducive to this kind of yard, have no fear—there are alternatives. Ornamental grass is a great low-maintenance choice and is best paired with other types of landscaping: flowers, shrubs, and the like. Make sure to spread mulch around it to ensure its longevity.

If you live in an area that gets extremely hot weather, warm-season grasses are the easiest to care for in your climate. These could include Bermuda grass (what you see on golf courses), or midiron grass, a turf option that does well with significant foot traffic. To forgo greenery altogether, consider gravel or slate, which requires very little maintenance; a wood or composite deck, which boosts your home’s return on investment and is ideal for an entertaining space; or consulting with a landscaper about installing a rock garden, which is eye-catching and can withstand hot and cold temperatures.

The primary culprit to an unsightly backyard is weeds. You want to act fast and pull weeds as soon as you spot them. Pulling them by hand is the best way to go if you’re able, but, if not, you may need to use herbicides. Just be sure to use systemic options that kill the roots as well and protect your face and wear gloves and long sleeves.

Creating an oasis

Once your lawn is green and thriving, it’s time to spruce it up in other slightly more fun ways. If building a new deck or patio is outside your budget, there are still a plethora of small upgrades to make in order to fully benefit from summer’s sunny days and warm nights. It’s all about getting creative with the space you already have.

If you do have a deck or patio, consider adding an outdoor rug. It will immediately bring an element of warmth and character, transforming this space into a retreat-like atmosphere. Add floor pillows as well (or keep them stored nearby) for a unique entertaining experience guests are sure to appreciate.

For those without a deck or patio, the tips below can ensure you make the most of your space:

Add citronella candles around the yard to ward off bugs and provide a comforting feel.
Arrange furniture—even just lawn chairs—in a circle for easy entertaining. Other accessories to consider buying include side tables, glassware, trays, and larger seating to accommodate guests, such as a daybed or bench.
Maximize the space by adding various lighting options. String lights have been popular for years and do wonders for creating an idyllic setting. Outdoor sconces and other fixtures that hang from tree branches will create a cozy ambience.
While your backyard should be functional, it can also be whimsical. A hammock, game area, firepit, tree swing, and a splash pad for children are all great options.
Take it a step further by setting up an outdoor movie theater complete with a screen or sheet, projector, speakers, and plenty of extra seating options. This can provide the feeling of being on vacation without ever leaving home.

Bloom in style

A key factor of adding appeal to any outdoor area is through greenery. Planting the right annuals and perennials this time of year will breathe life into your yard (and may also result in a newfound hobby: gardening!).

For the sun-deprived yard: plant begonias, which do well in shade. This is a colorful pick that’s as stylish as it is low maintenance.
For attracting butterflies: plant black-eyed Susans, yellow wildflowers in the sunflower family that have the potential to grow to over three feet tall.
For adding a touch of personality to a fence: plant clematis, a perennial that loves to climb. (Cut the vine for reflowering later in the season.)
For variety: plant dahlias. They range in size and color, and they make for a grand centerpiece arrangement.
For a classic summertime look: plant daisies, which will look wonderful in any yard this time of year.

By giving your backyard some tender love and care, it will result in a lively and welcoming space to be enjoyed throughout the summer season.

Carolina Life ~ REALTORS North Carolina Lifestyle and Real Estate Contact Carolina Life with any questions!
GET IN TOUCH (919) 263-1808 Direct
info@carolinalife.homesEmail
www.carolinalife.homes
Wake Forest NC, 27587Office

Frustrated FSBO?

In today’s seller’s market, you may have tried your hand at selling your home yourself, reasoning that with low inventory and high demand there would be a line of sellers waiting for the chance to make an offer. Now you may be watching other homes sell in hours at far above the asking price while your home continues to languish during a historically hot market.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) most recent statistics, approximately 8 percent of home sales are For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transactions. What makes the difference between a successful By Owner home sale and a long and frustrating one? Here are the things to consider when determining whether it’s time to give up your FSBO experiment and bring in a real estate agent to sell your home.

When you don’t have a buyer in mind

According to NAR, 39 percent of successful For Sale By Owner transactions occurred when the buyer and seller already had an agreement in place. Sometimes this was due to a homeowner selling directly to a friend or family member. Other times the successful sale occurred when a buyer approached the seller directly with an offer.

If you don’t have someone in place already, you may face a long and difficult search for a qualified buyer. You’ll need to get up to speed on market-ready pricing, publicity, and promotions—skills a trusted real estate agent is well-qualified to provide on day one.

When you’re getting no interest at all

If you’ve put your home on the market and you’re not getting a nibble, the problem may be your price. While you may think you know what your home is worth based on conversations with neighbors and overall local sales statistics, individual home valuation can present a number of challenges. A real estate agent can evaluate comparable properties and recent sales as well as market conditions to formulate a more accurate home valuation that gets potential buyers through the door.

When you’re getting nothing but looky-loos

If you’ve promoted your property and are getting plenty of viewings, but no offers, you may need to rethink a number of factors. The home may be priced wrong or may have outdated style elements that are turning off today’s buyers. A real estate agent can help you prepare your home for the market through much-needed repairs, expert staging, and accurate pricing to help convert casual viewers into potential buyers.

When you’re unsure about the paperwork involved

A real estate transaction is an intensive process involving a great number of legal documents and legally binding agreements. A misunderstanding or error in the marketing of the property or the preparation of a contract or contingency can result in thousands of dollars of liability for the homeowner.

In addition, scammers often target FSBO sellers for financial fraud and identity theft. Secure, expert transaction management is one of the most important reasons for working with a real estate agent or broker.

When you’re seeing other homes in the neighborhood sell fast

If there are other homes in your neighborhood for sale, and they’re going fast while yours sits still, it may be time to bring in a real estate professional. That’s because the increased visibility offered by a professional marketing strategy can help you successfully compete against those other options and expert pricing can ensure that you limit the number of days your listing spends on the market.

When it’s a seller’s market

You may think that a seller’s market is a perfect time to go it alone and take advantage of increased demand. However, the potential for multiple offers and an above-asking price offer is greatly enhanced by the services of a real estate agent or broker. An agent’s or broker’s professional network, buyer list, expert negotiation strategies, and knowledge of up-to-date pricing can keep you from making an expensive mistake when you go it alone.

couple looking at home with real estate agent

When you’re spending too much time trying to sell your home

Market research, promotional development, pricing strategy, scheduling showings—all while also personally reviewing paperwork and consulting with a real estate attorney—may mean that your FSBO home sale is turning into a full-time job. Consider what your time is worth and determine whether or not it’s time to call in a professional to streamline the process. You may find that professional services pay for themselves not only through the value they add but also through the time they give back to you.

When you’re losing out on buyer opportunities

When you’re planning to sell, and then buy in a competitive seller’s environment, every day you spend on the market means a day you are losing on the buyer side. If you are seeing dream home after dream home come on the market then sell almost immediately while you are still waiting for an interested buyer, it may be time to bring in a real estate agent.

By helping you get your home sold in a timely manner, your real estate agent can free you up to take advantage of buying opportunities in your new neighborhood. In addition, your agent can help negotiate a delayed closing or rent back period in order to make it possible for you to make a smoother transition to your new home.

While a FSBO transaction can work for some homeowners, it’s not for everyone. If you’re frustrated by your FSBO experience, talk to your real estate agent or broker for a no-obligation review of your individual situation. Find out how a well-qualified real estate professional can add value to your home sale experience and help you reach your goals more quickly and efficiently.Carolina Life ~ REALTORS North Carolina Lifestyle and Real Estate Contact Carolina Life with any questions!

GET IN TOUCH (919) 263-1808 Direct

www.carolinalife.homes Website

Facebook.com/CarolinaLife.Homes

Instagram.com/carolinalife.homes

Wake Forest NC, 27587Office

7 Home Staging Tips for Virtual Tours

In order to comply with COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders and to minimize contact, many real estate agents and homeowners are finding themselves hosting virtual tours. Whether it’s a home tour recorded for a website, a Facebook Live virtual open house, or a FaceTime video stream, virtual tours provide the opportunity to share your home with potential buyers and buyer agents throughout your market. Your home staging efforts need to work for virtual tour as well as in person viewings.

How can you make your home look its best for a virtual tour?

As it turns out, many of the same things that you’ve probably already been doing still apply. However, there are a few things to keep in mind and to discuss with your real estate agent before filming begins. These tips will help you ensure that your home shows its best and that buyers get everything they’re looking for from your tour. Please contact Carolina Life with any questions.

brown front door with white siding and black iron gate

Start at the front door.

The best virtual tour should feel like an in-person tour, beginning at the entrance to your home. If, like many homeowners, you commonly enter through a side or garage entrance, take a moment to walk through the front door. This is your chance to make sure that the first impression is a great one. Your home staging efforts should start here.

Dust off your front door, clean the light fixtures, and make sure everything looks its best. If you’ve been doing some quarantine gardening, consider putting a pretty plant or pot of flowers at the entrance, as well.

Take decluttering seriously.

Your listing agent may have already talked to you about decluttering your home, but this becomes even more important when it’s time to get your space camera-ready. Viewed through a live stream or video, everything tends to look a bit more jumbled and a little less thoughtful.

The more you can reduce clutter and emphasize clean lines and orderly spaces, the better your home will show. This is especially important in the kitchen and bathrooms, where countertops should be left as clear as possible. Use this opportunity to pack away books and knickknacks throughout the house for a more minimalist, streamlined look on screen.

Show hidden spaces.

You may not like thinking about the places that people look when they’re on a home tour, but when they’re buying a home they want to see it all. Inside closets, inside cabinets, even inside the refrigerator — it’s all fair game. In order to help people make a fair determination about your home, you’ll have to allow them the opportunity to peek into those spaces, as well.

Dust the cobwebs out of your crawl space and clean out the medicine cabinet so that your virtual visitors can see inside. Neatly arrange your kitchen and bathroom cabinets for inspection so that buyers can see how much room they have to work with.

backyard garden with green and pink flowers

Don’t forget the view.

On a home tour, people like to see the view from the kitchen window or the owner’s suite. Give them the same opportunity on a virtual tour. Be sure to clean your window coverings so that there’s not a cloud of dust when they are moved. Alternatively, consider opening them wide so that your agent can get a great shot. Clean the windows and the window frames as well so that the view is picture-perfect.

Highlight outdoor spaces.

Wherever you live, outdoor spaces are a major selling point. Whether you have a fenced backyard that’s perfect for kids and pets or an elegant outdoor dining room and summer kitchen, you’ll want to make your outdoor spaces look their best.

Clear away debris, clean off furniture, and get your outdoor space looking shipshape before your virtual tour. Consider asking your agent to film during a time of day when the light is particularly flattering from your deck or terrace or to show off your beautiful sunset view.

white kitchen with island and wooden stools

Emphasize your home’s best features.

What made you fall in love with your home? A sweeping staircase? A fabulous gourmet kitchen? A charming sunroom? What space or feature do your visitors often complement? What does your listing agent say is particularly in-demand this year? Determine your home’s best feature, and then be sure to highlight it in the tour.

This is a great opportunity to show your home at its most beautiful and spend more time on the elements that sell. Don’t forget to turn on all of the overhead lights and lamps, even in the middle of the day. That way, viewers will be able to really see the space without shadows or shading.

Keep security in mind.

While you definitely want to share your space with buyers, be mindful of your personal property and safety. If you have a safe in your closet, cover it before filming the closet space. Don’t leave an elaborate jewelry box out on the dresser or leave jewelry out on a bedside table. Avoid showing expensive computer equipment, gun safes, or other items that might be tempting. This is especially important if your virtual home tour will be housed online for everyone to see.

Home security is particularly important for the popular 360° virtual tours that often accompany listings. Because the 3D cameras capture everything, they can inadvertently advertise your security system setup, entrances and exits, and expensive personal property to prying eyes.

Virtual tours are an invaluable way to keep you and your home safe during the COVID-19 shutdown. They allow you to reach out and nurture the interest of the most enthusiastic buyers in your market. By taking some time to give your home a little extra TLC before your virtual tour or open house, you give it a leg up on the local competition and get closer to sold.

10 Questions Everyone Selling A Home Should Be Asking

When you are getting ready to put your home on the market, you may be lying awake at night wondering about the logistics and the financial ramifications of your decision. Here are ten questions that you should ask an agent in order to set your mind at ease and feel more prepared for the road to the closing table.

1. How will you determine what price we should charge for my home?

A real estate agent will look at recent comparable sales in your area as well as your current competition among active listings. Agents will probably throw out unusually high and unusually low prices as these are generally considered outliers. That will give you a good baseline potential valuation for your home.

2. What improvements should I make to optimize my home’s resale value?

An agent will conduct a thorough walk-through of your home and look for any needed repairs or extremely out-of-date fixtures or finishes that might deter a buyer. Beyond that, you’ll discuss updates that can add value while offering a solid return on investment.

You don’t necessarily want to put in a whole new kitchen or all new baths, because you probably won’t get the money back in the sale price. However, if your home is severely out of date, you may need to give it an overhaul in order to realize a sale price comparable to those of other, more updated homes in your area.

3. Is bigger always better when it comes to pre-sale home improvements?

Actually, no. According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), some of the most cost-effective improvements with the highest ROI include those items related to curb appeal. A new front door or a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference in the way that the home is perceived. In addition, interventions like deep cleaning or decluttering cost little or nothing, yet can have a big impact on potential buyers.

Don’t forget the outdoors, which offers some of the most affordable improvements with the highest ROI. Get your lawn in check, plant a new tree, and spruce up the landscaping to improve both curb appeal and the home’s value at sale time.

4. What if I don’t want to make any improvements to my home before listing it?

For a variety of reasons, you may be unable or unwilling to make changes or improvements to your home, or you may not be in a financial position to do so. You are certainly not required to make any improvements and an agent can list your property for sale as-is, indicating to potential buyers that you do not intend to negotiate on repairs or damages.

Keep in mind that an as-is sale can affect your ability to get top dollar for your home, even if it is in good overall condition. In addition, many mortgage lenders require certain baseline repairs to major systems, so if there are plumbing, electrical, or structural issues, you may be required to make needed repairs in order to get your home sold.

large wooden front door with hanging lights and topiaries

5. How will you pre-market my listing?

The home sale doesn’t start the day the listing goes live in the MLS. Generally, an agent will start helping you get your home buyer-ready before the first buyer or agent arrives. This may involve staging the home, bringing in a professional photographer, and otherwise advising you on preparing the home for sale. The home may be put into the MLS as a Coming Soon listing and an agent may use yard signage and direct mail to let people know that about your listing.

6. How will you market my listing?

An agent may market your listing in many different ways, depending on the norms for your area, your property’s unique features, and other factors. Marketing may be as simple as signage, photography, and a well-written property description or as elaborate as print and TV ads, drone videography, and outreach to international buyers.

The agent should have a plan for marketing your property and should be able to articulate that plan to you. Do your part to support the marketing plan by properly cleaning and decluttering the space in cooperation with the agent’s recommendations.

7. Can you market my listing without bringing lookie-loos through the home?

If you are interested in limiting access to your home, you have a number of options. Talk to an agent about qualifying buyers who are brought into your home in person. In addition, you may want to avoid open houses, preferring instead to offer a video tour of the home to satisfy curious neighbors and others who just want a peep inside.

8. We’ve agreed on a price and gone into escrow. What happens next?

The buyers will bring in a home inspector to check out the home and recommend any needed repairs or improvements. The inspector may identify a major problem and the buyers may ask for a more in-depth inspection. The inspector may identify only minimal issues and the process may proceed.

An agent may recommend that you absent yourself from the home during the inspection process. If you have some special features you would like to show the buyers or if you want to provide them with service records and information about the home’s systems, ask the agent if you can do so at the beginning of the inspection, then leave for the remainder of their time in the home.

woman using a calculator pointing to a graph

9. The buyers submitted a list of requested repairs. Can I say no?

You are free to say no to any repairs that are requested from your buyers with the understanding that they may choose to walk away from the deal based on their home inspection contingency. Discuss with an agent whether or not you should make some, all, or none of the requested repairs, whether you would be willing to provide a credit at closing toward the repair costs, or whether you should put the home back on the market.

Remember that if the repairs requested are legitimate, the next home inspector will likely identify them as well. Ask a real estate agent how the identification of needed repairs will affect your disclosure and the price of your listing going forward if you decide to put the home back on the market.

10. We did some damage during the move-out. What will happen now?

Accidents happen and it is not uncommon for there to be scuffs on the flooring or paint after the movers have finished clearing out the home. If you notice that this has occurred, or if your buyers see damage during their final walkthrough, the closing can still occur. In most cases, you can either provide additional funds at closing to cover the damage or you can prepay a reliable contractor or repair professional to make the needed repairs on your behalf.