The 5 Best Things to Buy in August

Ah, August. This hectic month is jam-packed with back-to-school obligations and last-minute barbecue invitations. But did you know it’s also a great time to save some cash?

Sure, school supplies are on sale this month, but August is full of awesome deals for the home, too!

Here are five things you can buy on the cheap this month:

1. Outdoor gear. Stores make it a high priority to get rid of outdoor gear before the temperatures drop, and this includes everything from patio furniture to grills to lawn mowers.Tip: It’s best to wait until the end of August to purchase outdoor furniture. Retailers like Sears and Home Depot will discount patio sets by as much as 90 percent!

2. Storage containers. Stores tend to cater to the new college crowd during August. That means they’ll mark down the value of dorm supplies, especially storage containers and organizers. In the market for some new under-the-bed storage drawers or maybe some space-saving bins for your bathroom? Now is the time to buy.

3. Linens. If you’re looking to restock your linen closet, August is the best time to do it! Not only are college kids shopping for new bed linens, many shops are also trying to purge their summer sheets to make room for heavier fall and winter gear. You can expect to find linens, duvets, pillows and blankets at a discount price.

4. Kids clothing. If your little one’s jeans have seen one-too-many grass stains this summer, jump on the back-to-school bandwagon! Clothing retailers have widespread sales on kids clothing during August with markdowns as much as 40-70 percent off!

5. Office supplies. They may be under the label of “school supplies,” but don’t be fooled! Grown-ups need pens and pencils, too. If you have a home office (or just need some new envelopes) stock up on these supplies while you can. Tip: Need a new desk for your home office? Computer desks often fall into the “dorm items” category, so they’ll be cheaper this month, too. 

By Brightnest

Information courtesy of Habitat Real Estate Group

 

Habitat Real Estate Group
3 SW 129 Street Suite 200
Pembroke Pines, Florida
(305) 798-7620
tellolorena2@gmail.com

Housing Trends eNewsletter- Lorena Tello

Housing Trends eNewsletter- Lorena Tello

7 Things Your Home Inspector Wishes You Knew

No matter whether you’re buying or selling, the home inspection process can be somewhat terrifying: For sellers, it’s a stark reminder of the nagging issues you might have turned a blind eye to over the years. And for buyers, it’s a recipe for pure heartbreak—falling in love with a home that might just end up making no sense to buy.

But don’t let the inspection stress you out. And remember, that’s not what your inspector wants either—all he or she wants is a comprehensive to-do list and a happy client.

So form a team with your home inspector to make the process easier and more effective. Knowledge is key! Here are seven essential things you keep in mind.

For sellers

1. Move your pets

We know your puppy is adorable—but even if your home inspector loves dogs or cats, pets running underfoot makes the job much more difficult.

Inspections often require opening exterior doors again and again, offering pets far too many opportunities to dash to freedom. When you leave the premises for the inspection—and many inspectors ask sellers to do so—take your pets with you. Please.

With animals out of the way, “every time I walk in or out, I don’t have to worry about losing a cat or a dog,” says Alan Singer of Sterling Home Inspections in Armonk, NY.

2. Don’t forget to clean

Whether you plan on being there for the inspection or not, make sure to clean up beforehand. No, you don’t need to scrub—an inspector won’t ding you because your stove’s grimy. But all that clutter? Yeah, that’s all got to go.

“It makes a huge difference when I walk into a house where everything’s put away,” Singer says. “It’s a game changer not just for me, but for the home buyer.”

Often, the inspection is the first time the buyers are (almost) alone in the house for an extended period of time.

“If it doesn’t feel like how it did before—if we’re trying to dig through items—it can sour their experience,” Singer says.

For buyers

1. Your potential home will have problems

Your home inspector will likely come up with a seemingly endless list of problems after the walk-through. Don’t panic!

“I’m on their side, but still, I’m judging the house fairly,” Singer says. “Even my home has problems, issues, maintenance things.”

Yeah, there are times when you should worry (we’ll get to those a bit later). But not every issue is mission-critical, and your inspector will know which problems you should tackle first.

2. Almost anything can be fixed

There are a few starkly frightening home inspection terms that seem to be in everyone’s vocabulary: mold, radon, and asbestos.

And yes, they’re scary—but no scarier than a roof that needs replacing, home inspectors say.
“People who write articles tend to scare homeowners about mold or radon,” Singer says.
So let us—your humble (and rather defensive) writers—take a moment to correct that assumption: Don’t worry so much about mold and radon!

Singer, who started his career in homebuilding, says, “everything is upgradable, fixable, or replaceable. You just need to have a list of what those things are.”

Not convinced yet? Check out this Washington Post article about a couple who got a discount on a four-bedroom Colonial because they weren’t terrified by mold.

3. One thing you should worry about is water

Here’s one problem we give you permission to stress out about (just a little): water. No, it’s not a deal breaker (remember that part where we wrote almost anything can be fixed?). But it’s important to address any water-related issues before the deal closes—or at least immediately afterward.

Make a note of issues such as puddles and leaky ceilings. And give special attention to the basement. Addressing water problems in the basement can be an expensive and difficult proposition, Singer says. “A wet basement can be hard to fix.”

4. Home inspectors can’t predict the future

You might want to know how many more years the roof will hold up—and while your inspector might be able to give you a rough estimate, he can’t give you a precise timeline.

“People think that we as inspectors have a crystal ball,” Singer says. “Or that we have X-ray vision” to see through walls or examine the inner circuitry of your kitchen stove.

Sorry, folks: They don’t, and they can’t.

“We can’t tell you how long it will last,” Singer says. “We can just tell you if it’s in good shape.”

5. Find the balance between your heart and brain

It’s easy to forget your love for the home when you’re counting the dollar signs and hours you might have to spend on repairs. But just remember to take a deep breath, think rationally, and consider whether it’s a smart investment in your future.

Singer empathizes: “The justification can sometimes be a horrible process, because our brains are all about money and time and (asking) ‘What kind of mistake am I making?’”

Barring any major renovations needed—such as a new roof or mold removal—your inspector’s visit will simply provide a to-do list. But not everything needs fixing immediately, so don’t let a long list dampen your love for the home. Just take things one at a time.

Article by Realtor.com
Information courtesy of Habitat Real Estate Group

 

Habitat Real Estate Group
3 SW 129 Street Suite 200
Pembroke Pines, Florida
(305) 798-7620
tellolorena2@gmail.com

6 Things to Consider When Moving Into a New Home

Buying a home is a big investment. You have lots of factors to consider: location, amenities, neighbors and schools, to name a few.

Once the mortgage papers are signed and the keys are in hand, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that even immaculate resale houses may come with a laundry list of things to do before the property really feels like home.

Here are six tasks to consider once you’ve purchased your home, along with ways that smart home technology can help make them even easier to complete.

1. Change the locks

When it comes to securing your new property, it’s always a good idea to get new hardware and make sure you’re the only one holding the keys. You could rekey the locks or get a new lock set. Or, you could opt for digital locks, which open with a unique code and are tied directly to your home automation system. You get the ease of lock codes over keys, plus the ability to remotely lock or unlock your doors.

2. Look for leaks

As a responsible homeowner, you likely had a home inspection done before you bought your property. Even if everything came back clean, the risk that water leaks pose to your home is still a concern. With a set of water sensors linked to your smart home system, you’ll get real-time information if a water leak develops. Maybe it’s a pipe that bursts while you’re away from home, or a hard to detect leak under your sink. With water sensors installed, you’ll be notified if any problems arise.

3. Pick out the pests

If you have a pest problem, sometimes the trickiest part of getting it under control is discovering it in the first place. The previous homeowners may not have known about the issue, or maybe they simply forgot about the “friendly” raccoon or other pest that likes to share your space. To address a potential outdoor pest problem, start with night-vision-equipped video cameras that are wired to detect motion. With home automation, you can check in day or night to see if any creatures are stirring. If you suspect mice are getting in to certain areas, place smart home sensors near those spaces, and set up an alert to be sent to your mobile device when motion is detected. Armed with the knowledge of where the vermin are lurking, you can call a pest control company and lead the staff right to the source of the problem. Not to mention, this solution is far more pleasant than waking up to a mouse caught in a mousetrap.

4. Inspect your furnace / AC

New homeowners should become familiar with their new HVAC system as soon as possible. A home inspector should take a close look at the duct work around your furnace for broken or torn ducts and excessive taping or patching. Also, spend some time near the furnace while it’s running — air should be moving through the system, not out into the room.

You can also tie your furnace and AC unit into a digital thermostat that you can control with your smartphone or tablet. This lets you set the temperature when you’re away and also check in (like on extremely hot or cold days) to make sure these units are keeping your home at the temperature you’ve set.

5. Update your lighting

Some homeowners prefer bright lights in every room, while others opt for minimal lighting and low-watt bulbs. Once you’ve lived in the house for a few weeks, you’ll get a sense of any areas where you want more or less light. To make lighting your home even easier, automate your lights using smart plugs, which will allow you to turn your lights on and off directly from your phone.

6. Learn your home’s routine

So you’ve just moved into a new home, and you’ve got furniture deliveries scheduled, landscapers on the way or maybe a giant new television en route. But if someone leaves the door locked, you’ve got to drive all the way home just to spend 10 seconds unlocking the door. Why not link all the doors in your house to your home automation system and control them remotely?

If you’ve just moved in, smart home systems can help make a home your new castle.

Article by Doug Bonderud , courtesy of AT&T Digital Life

Information courtesy of Habitat Real Estate Group

Habitat Real Estate Group
3 SW 129 Street Suite 200
Pembroke Pines, Florida
(305) 798-7620
tellolorena2@gmail.com