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  • A Quick Guide to Tiling

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    Installing Tile may seem like an overwhelming project for a new homeowner and DIYer, but it isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Whether you are looking to add a backsplash, redo a shower, or replace linoleum flooring with large floor tiles, this quick how to guide can help you make that dream a reality without hiring it out.

    1. Prep the surface. If you currently have tile, linoleum, carpet, or some other material on the surface, remove it. If it is tile you are removing, you may need to replace the drywall or backer board below the tile as mortar is not easy to remove. You can find simple how to videos on how to do this. For floor and shower tile, add backer board to the surface. For back splash, just make sure the wall is clean from any oils and lightly sand the texture and paint for good adhesion.
    2. Prepare your Mortar and Materials. When buying your supplies, make sure you are using mortar and spreader for the size of tile you are using. For instance, you can you thinset mortar and a small notch spreader for subway tile, but a non-slip mortar and a spreader with larger notches are ideal for large format tiles. For larger projects, I suggest mixing your own mortar as it is easier to work with, but for a simple backsplash, you can buy premixed mortar that is ready to use. 
    3. Set your tile. Begin by mapping out the pattern you would like to use. Mortar dries quickly, so spread your mortar and set your tiles in small sections. Use a wet tile saw to cut the tile. For larger straight cuts, you may be able to use a tile cutter, and for small mosaic cuts, you may be able to use snippers. Ask someone at your local hardware store which will be best for your project.
    4. Grout. Once your mortar is dry, it is time to grout. You can mix your own grout, but it also comes premixed in multiple colors. Using a grout float, spread the mixture at a 45 degree angle ensuring all the lines are filled in completely. Use a sponge a clean water to wipe away the excess. Again, work in small sections and try to clean as much grout off the surface of the tiles as possible. Change your water frequently for easier clean up.
    5. Clean and Seal. Once your grout has dried, make sure you clean it and use a grout sealer. 

  • 5 Questions to Ask your Builder

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    Building a home can be an exciting adventure. Not only is everything brand new, but you get to pick the layout, the design elements, and the location. However, if you are thnking about building a home in the future, there are many questions you need to consider asking your builder. 

    1. How Long Will It Take to Build? 

    Unlike a traditional purchase, the building of a home will take months, sometimes over a year to be completed. Most builders will require a deposit upfront to hold the property for you, and many ask that your home be on the market for sale before the home is even complete. Make sure you know what their expectations of the timeframe are and if it is doable for you.

    2. How Long Will Construction Be on the Community? 

    Many new construction homeowners complain about the constant construction around them when they move into their new home. With a brand new home comes this trade off sometimes. If you are in the beginning phases of a development, the build out time could be months or years. Ask how long you will be living amongst construction.

    3. What Kind of Warranties Does the Builder Offer? 

    Builders typically offer a few different warranties with different timeframes. For example, they may cover the whole home including fixtures, appliances, electrical for one year, and the structure of the home for 10 years. Get clarification on what warranties they offer with your build.

    4. What is Included? What is Considered an Upgrade? 

    Before you go picking out top of the line quartz and the plushest carpet, make sure you know what is included in the base price of the home and what is considered an upgrade. The base price may be reasonable, but the design room is where that price can skyrocket.

    5. Is the Cost of the Lot Included? 

    Some builders include the lot in the purchase, some offer lots at a premium, and some require you to purchase your own lot. 

  • Top 5 Reasons to Work with a REALTOR as a Seller

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    Why should sellers have a REALTOR®? I have heard the story…”I can do it on my own.” Especially in this market where houses are flying off the shelves, can’t anyone stick a sign in a yard and get it sold? Maybe, but there is so much more to it then that. If you didn’t read my last post about why buyers should use a REALTOR®, click over real quick and read point #5. IT IS THEIR JOB! THEY ARE THE PROFESSIONAL! But if you need a few more bullet points on it, here you go…

    • Pricing it Right. You can’t just stick a sign in the yard and have your house sold in a day if it isn’t priced right. Regardless of what you hear about the market, there are still homes sitting for a month or more because they are priced ridiculously high. Eventually, someone buys them and then they sit with fingers crossed that it will appraise because there are no comparables to back up the price. Realtors know the market, they have access to comparables, and they know how to interpret the comparables. Pricing your home right is the first step to a successful sale, so trust an expert!
    • Legwork. There is so much to do before a house goes under contract. Staging, photos, flyers, a comprehensive MLS listing, showings, multiple offers, negotiating, choosing an offer. Do you really want to do all that? If sellers really realized all the effort before the house even goes under contract, I don’t think they would ever question hiring a REALTOR® again.
    • Marketing to the Masses. Yes, people will see a sign driving by. And yes, people will see the post on Zillow. But think of all the other places your REALTOR® can advertise to. For example, the MLS is probably the most effective place to put a listing, and they have access to it. Realtor.com is said to be a huge resource for those looking for a new home, and it pulls straight from your agent’s MLS. And I am going to bet your agent knows more people in the real estate industry than you do. They may know someone who has a buyer for your very property.
    • Negotiations – Selling your home doesn’t just stop once you find a buyer. You still have to work through title, inspection, appraisal, etc, which begin another slew of negotiation opportunities. An agent is clever about how to make these work for you.
    • Higher Price – Speaking of negotiation skills…I have no doubt a REALTOR® is going to work to get you a higher price for your home. It starts with pricing it right and making the advertising attractive. This will bring in more willing and able buyers from all those sources your agent is advertising with. More buyers means more potential offers which means more potential profit for you. Isn’t that incentive enough?!

  • Start Prepping for Buying NOW

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    If you are planning to buy in 2021, now is the time to start preparing. Whether you are 3 months out or a year out, you can begin getting things in place for purchasing your new home. Here are some things to think about: 

    1. Your Credit Score. Your credit score will play a huge role in how much you can afford when it comes to purchasing a home. While you can’t improve your credit score overnight, there are somethings that you can do to increase it (or at least make sure it does not decrease) in the coming months. Make sure that all your current credit bills are paid on time. Refrain from any large purchase on credit. Keep your current credit card balances as low as possible. 
    2. When saving to purchase your new home, there are a few things to consider outside of just the down payment. Usually, you will have the cost of the inspection, the appraisal, closing costs, and repair and maintenance costs. I suggest saving for the following: 5% – 20% of the purchase price for your down payment, 2% of the purchase price for closing costs, at least $1,000 for the inspection and the appraisal, and at least $2,500 in savings for potential repair and maintenance costs.
    3. Get your Financial Documents in Order. Lenders require more documentation than they used to, so it is something I always suggest getting in order before applying. The documents a lender will require vary depending on the situation, but the following are a good rule of thumb.
      • Tax returns
      • Pay stubs, W-2s, or other proof of income
      • Bank statements and other assets
      • Credit history
      • Gift letters, if using funds that were gifted
      • Photo ID
      • Rental history, if you don’t already own a home
    4. No Big Purchases.  During the loan process, your lender is going to be looking at your Debit to Income as well as funds that you have on hand to pay for the down payment, closing costs, and future payments. Big purchases can affect these numbers because 1) if they are bought using credit, your Debit to Income with change and 2) if they are bought with cash, your fund on hand will be affect. It is wise when purchasing a home to hold off on large purchases like new furniture, a new tv, or a car until after you have bought your new home. 
    5. Your Job.  In regards to your loan, your lender is going to look at your ability to pay back the loan. They want to see stability in your job, usually requiring tax returns for two years. If you are looking to buy in the near future, you don’t want to be looking for and starting a new job at the same time. However, an exception is usually if it is a job in the same field or a promotion.