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Feng Shui For The Home?

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Now, I’m a fairly skeptical person. I don’t really believe in anything supernatural, ghosts, healing crystals, homeopathic remedies, chakras, demons, fairies,- anything like that. Feng Shui tends to fall into this category of “new age” stuff that I’m not into. However, while some Feng Shui tips are very silly (putting a crystal/red envelope/whatever in the east corner to attract money to your life), some are actually quite useful and will improve your happiness in your home- it’s just common sense cleaning/decorating. For some Feng Shui spring cleaning tips that you can incorporate into your home that will make a real difference, read this article by Dana Claudat at Mind Body Green:

-Declutter! Clear out as much space as you can in your home, office, and car. Deep clean the kitchen and bathrooms.

-Clean under things- get under the couch, the desk, and the fridge.

-Wash your windows, curtains, and blinds, keep them open more to let in more light and fresh air

-Welcome in new ideas- trade out dated books and décor for pieces that feel bright and fresh

-Polish your finances- go over your budgets, see where your money is going, and find new ways to organize and save money.

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Getting “Catfished” By A House???

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If you’re not aware, the show on MTV called Catfish is about people being tricked in online relationships. People make fake profiles, use fake pictures, and construct entire fake lives just to mess with people (or because they’re bored, or insecure with how they actually look). People who catfish others often use pictures that are an entirely different person, or are so heavily photoshopped that it doesn’t even look like them anymore.

So, is it possible to be catfished by something other than a person? You see gorgeous photos online, but when it comes to real life, you get….no what you expected. The answer is yes- ask anyone who has bought a $20 wedding dress from the internet.

But can it happen with real estate photos? Are you actually getting what you see? Most Realtors/sellers will hire a photographer to take professional photos of the home so you will see it in its best light….but do they ever lie? Well, it turns out you’ll have better luck with finding a home online than an honest dating profile. Check out this article by Holden Lewis at the Bankrate.com blog for more:

Most of the photos are actual depictions, but others have been digitally manipulated to portray properties in their best light. What you see online might not be the same as what you find when you show up at the house in person.

It’s unethical for realty agents to misrepresent a for-sale property, but there’s no national standard or set of guidelines as to what’s considered misrepresentation in photos.

Instead, what’s altered and what’s not comes down to the individual agent’s professional ethics.

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Insanely Cheap DIYS That Improve Your Home’s Value

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You can spend thousands of dollars on installing a sunroom, remodeling your entire kitchen and master bathroom, and adding an in ground pool, but you will most likely not make any of that back. Those upgrades are nice, but can be ludicrously expensive. If you want them for yourself, that’s fine, but if you are just remodeling to make more money when you sell, you might want to steer clear of them. Instead, try out these super cheap and easy DIY upgrades by Jessica Probus at Buzzfeed:

-Paint your kitchen cabinets

-Update cabinet handles

-Add extra seating outdoors

-Get new outlet and lightswitch plates

-Paint your front door

-Upgrade your landscaping

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Buying A Home In Today’s Market

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Right now, it’s a seller’s world. Housing inventory is low, and there are more buyers out there than sellers. If you are selling or thinking of selling, this is great news- you will often get the full value of your home, and have multiple offers to choose between. If you are looking to buy, however, it’s not so great news. Whether you are just starting out on your own, trying to escape skyrocketing rent prices, or moving into a second home with your expanding family, you need to be prepared and ready to face the competition. For tips on buying in a seller’s market, read this article by Kyle Hiscock at the Rochester Real Estate Blog:

-Get your finances in order- get that credit score up, and get pre-approved- or be ready to pay cash. Most sellers will not consider offers from buyers who have not been pre-approved for a mortgage.

-Be ready to shop- it’s very common that a home will have multiple offers on it within its first 24 hours on the market.

-Select a top buyer’s agent to help you

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Is Your Real Estate Agent Great?

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A great real estate agent can make the difference between a perfect home sale and a bad one. They will work to save you money, communicate every step of the way, make sure you’re getting into the home of your dreams, and make sure that every paperwork issue is taken care of so you don’t have to. So, do you have a good agent? Find out by reading this post by Real Estate Careers HQ:

-Good real estate agents are good listeners- they never judge what their client is looking for, and work hard to find them something that suits their wants and needs

-Good real estate agents are educated on every aspect of real estate transactions

-They work with clients who are pre-approved and serious about buying

-They do their homework and know their local market inside and out.

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When It Comes To Buying A Home, Trust Your Gut

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I’ve read (and written) tons of real estate articles with tips for home buyers and sellers. One of the top tips I see for sellers is to completely emotionally detach from your home when selling- remove all personal items, and let your Realtor negotiate your price for you. However, when buying, the complete opposite is true. If you are looking for a home, you should always trust your gut. Yes, the logistics are important- How many bedrooms is the home? Is it in your price range? What are schools there like? How is the crime rate? But, how a home makes you FEEL is just as valid as any of those other questions. If a home seems to fit all your criteria, but leaves you feeling just so-so, it’s probably not the one. For more information on putting some emotion into your home search, read this article by Countybank Greenwood at Solutions You Trust:

You are about to embark on one of the biggest monetary decisions of your life, why shouldn’t it be emotional? We’re not talking about being impulsive, but think of your family, friends and your work. As the old adage goes, “Home is where the heart is.”

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