When you’re house hunting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. You’re making a big investment. You want to find a place which is “just right” for you (and your family). You can even get a little addicted to touring houses, always convinced the perfect home is just about to hit the market. Sometimes inability to pull the trigger on a house can cause serious shopper’s remorse. You could miss out on a home that, in retrospect, was ideal. 

So how do you know a home is “the one”?

Here are some useful ways to check your buying temperature and know when it’s time to make an offer:

1. The home fundamentally meets your needs. There’s plenty of compromise in home hunting, so when you find one that has the basics covered, take note.

2. You’d consider renovating for those luxurious little extras. Maybe the home is missing that pool you’ve always wanted, or is missing a detached workshop/garage space. Recognize when you find yourself thinking you’d be up to tackling a project to make it perfect.

3. You’re in love with the kitchen. Studies show we spend most of our waking hours connected to or using the kitchen. If you’re in love with the kitchen, but think the master bedroom is a little small, don’t make mistake. This could be the one.

4.The bathroom feels comfortable to you. Many times, other people’s bathrooms will give you the creeps. If you feel good about the bathroom, it’s a healthy sign. After all, you have to be naked in there. 

5. You start to see your possessions in the house. If you’re thinking “ah yes, the flatscreen could go on that wall” and “wow, my bed would fit perfectly in this suite,” then you’re starting to imagine the house as your own.

6. The idea of someone else buying the home gives you a pit in your stomach. If you’re “sleeping on the decision” and the idea that the home is no longer an option makes you anxious, pay attention. It could be offer time.

So… are you ready to buy?  The Prescott area real estate is ever changing, let me help you find your next home!  Tim Anderson, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and BloomTree Realty (928) 308-9595

Okay, first-time buyers… it’s time to turn the dream into the dirt you can stand on. Your very own home. I’m sure you have questions. In fact, I’m sure your questions are like most first-time buyers. Which is why I’ve put together this down-and-dirty answer guide for the most common questions home buyers have.

1. What kind of credit score do I need to have? Generally, 630 or above is what you’ll want to have. The better your score, the better the terms will be on your loan. Some lenders may give you wiggle room on this, but it all depends on the circumstances. A loan professional can help you navigate this as you go.
2. How much of a down payment is required? There are loans which will let you in for as low as 3% - 5% of the value of the home, but I would consider 5% to be the floor. More is better, especially if your credit isn’t as optimal as you’d like it to be. Working with a loan officer will help.
3. What’s the first step to home buying? Getting pre-approval for a mortgage. Don’t shop for a home until you know what you can afford. There’s no use in falling in love with a $300,000 home in your dream neighborhood if the banks will only write you a loan of $150,000.
4. How much do I have to pay my real estate agent? As a buyer, you don’t have to pay your real estate agent. The seller is responsible for listing fees and a portion of those fees will be paid to your agent for helping with the transaction.
5. Why should I use a real estate agent? Like a lawyer, doctor, or other professional hired to represent your interests, the agent will not only advise you about the transaction, but protect and facilitate the process.
6. How long does it take to buy a house? After you find the home you want to buy, it takes between 30 and 45 days, generally. The home search can take longer, however, so have a clear idea what you’re looking for and able to afford. (Your agent can help you with this. Another reason to have one on your side!)

Naturally, there’s more to buying a home, but this covers the basic introduction to the process. As your agent, I will walk you through the rest, guiding you along the way. When you’re ready to make the move, reach out to me, I have helped countless people secure their first home.

Tim Anderson

(928) 308-9595

Prescott, Arizona, has a fantastic Spring season. Who am I kidding? Prescott has fabulous seasons all year long! With spring, we are brought fresh new flowers, opened windows, and Spring cleaning. This time of year also marks the beginning of a busy home-buying season.

Spring cleaning takes on a new meaning when you are trying to sell your home. Below are some ideas that I found by searching the web that may help you get your house ready to sell this Spring. You may have to dig deeper than your typical cleaning, but these are sure to help your house stand out in the market.

Get out Stubborn Stains

If your carpet has stains, don’t despair, there are some remedies that can get out even the worst stains. Vinegar, dish soap, warm water, baking soda—these simple household items can get rid of anything from wine stains to mud tracks to coffee spills. All it takes is a little time and some elbow grease!

Try this recipe from TipsBullet.com

Homemade Carpet Spot Remover

• One tablespoon clear, liquid dish soap
• One tablespoon white vinegar
• Two cups warm water

Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray the stain with the solution and scrub the stain with a clean, dry washcloth. Using a fresh, dry towel blot the area dry. Before using this on your carpet, be sure to test the colorfastness of your carpet fibers by doing a quick spot test in an inconspicuous place.

Clean Kitchens Get Noticed

In the kitchen, focus on scrubbing every surface—floors, cabinets, countertops, etc. Take warm soap and water and a scouring pad to the fronts of ALL of your cupboards. You will need to remove all of the pictures, magnets, and calendars from your fridge to scrub it – leave those items off when you are done. A clean, decluttered fridge makes a great look in the kitchen.

Make the Shower Shine

The condition of your shower speaks volumes. If your shower’s glass door is looking a bit dingy, no need to replace it. Instead, bring it back to life by giving your shower door a good scrub-down with vinegar and dish-soap or a product similar to Kaboom, and scrub with a fine steel wool pad.

Clean toilets are a must! Apparently, according to the web, for clean toilets you need to use Tang?!? Woman’s Day magazine says so! Tang, the powdered orange drink, makes a pretty good toilet cleaner. Just drop a teaspoon of the stuff into your bowl, give it a few scrubs with the brush, and all those nasty stains just disappear. Whether you use Tang or not, toilets are on the top of the list for a deep cleaning!

Clutter Be Gone

This isn’t new information, but it is important to remember … the number one thing you need to do when staging your home is to get rid of all the junk that’s piled up over the years. Box up as much of your personal stuff as you can and put it in storage or in the garage. These items should be out of sight when it comes time to show your home to potential buyers.

Wash Those Windows

Nothing can drag down a home’s curb appeal faster than dirty windows. Rooms appear fresh and inviting when the windows are clean and full sunlight can beam into the room. If you are not able to clean them yourself, consider investing in a professional cleaning service to spruce up the windows. So, make sure to add clean windows to the top of your to-do list!

Please the Nose

Neutralize a nasty-smelling carpet by sprinkling on, and then vacuuming up, a box of baking soda. Leave the soda on overnight if possible. Deodorize your disposal by running a few lemon or orange peels through for a fresh citrus scent.

Spring cleaning may seem like work, but I assure you, these steps will help you be ready for a close-up inspection from potential home buyers.

If you need more help getting your home ready to sell, give Tim Anderson with Better Homes and Gardens BloomTree Realty a call at (928) 308-9595. Tim has helped hundreds of sellers get their homes ready to sell, tap into his experience, you will be glad you did!