The Real Advantage Buying, Selling, and Maintaining Your Biggest Asset
Fbruary 2021 Issue
Page 3
Juliet Clark juliet@julietclark.com 661-313-7120
Utah License # 11343304
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How to Approach Your Design Ideas
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Often Overlooked Spots When Staging a Home
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What Expenses Will I Have When Buying a Home?
How to Approach Your Dreaming up a design is easy. Bringing it to life is a process. Big or small, a design project can quickly fall apart if you don’t take the time to turn it into a reality.
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he best design ideas don’t often come fully formed and ready for execution. The inspiration is there, but it requires more thought and planning before it’s ready to come to life. If you approach your design ideas in the right way, you can avoid getting overwhelmed and end up with the amazing design you pictured. Dream It The first step in any design process is coming up with the initial idea. That is the easy part. It’s after the idea first hits you that you have to hold on and keep the idea moving.
If you approach your design ideas in the right way, you can avoid getting overwhelmed and end up with the amazing design you pictured.
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Write It When you come up with that first initial idea, write it down immediately. It’s too easy to forget the details of genius plans, and writing it down increases your chance of expanding on it. As your project grows, keep writing down new ideas and details. Imagine It Hold on to that initial idea and picture the design happening step by step. Expand on the details of your design. By imagining it, you will realize and remember the important details. Continue to write down the details as you go. Plan It Once you have the details thought out, you’re ready to start your plan of action. Create lists of everything you need— items, people to call, and tasks to be completed. Prioritize which items need to be completed first. Map It Draw and/or write out your design plans in detail. Think of it as an instruction manual for your idea. Seeing it planned out this way will help you see the project from a different point of view and realize the project as a whole.
Ready It Now is the time to start purchasing your supplies, hiring contractors, and making the first steps toward implementing your design. Having these initial tasks done will help you avoid forgetting those important details. Prep It Once you have everything you need, get everything in place for accomplishing the project. For example, if you are redecorating a room that will need to be painted, go ahead and cover the floors and prime the walls. Do It The final step in implementing your design idea is to do it. With you detailed course of action all planned out, your design idea will come together easily. Your idea will come to life. With the right approach, your design idea can turn out just as you imagined it. While it may be less whimsical than
the initial idea, approaching the idea in a detailed and organized manner will lead to a more successful outcome. By taking the time to allow your idea to blossom, putting together all the little details, and mapping out the whole project, you can realize your ideas to their fullest potential and get a more effective outcome.
juliet@julietclark.com 661-313-7120
S
eeing wildlife at your own home is an amazing sight for both kids and adults. If you want to encourage your kids to get outside, give them a place to explore nature right outside their door. Whether you have a huge yard or a small patio, you can bring nature to you. Create your own little wildlife sanctuary and watch the animals come. Get your kids excited about the outdoors. Here’s how to attract wildlife to your own backyard.
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1. Provide Food, Water and Shelter for Wildlife Animals are not looking for the biggest home they can find. They simply need a safe haven from predators and an abundant source of food and water. Bird feeders and bird baths are a great way to start bringing nature to you. Bright flowers will look beautiful and attract both butterflies and birds. If you don’t have a place to plant in the ground, don’t worry—you can use hanging plants and window boxes to get a glimpse of wildlife in your own yard. Use rocks and brush to provide shelter for a variety of animals. You can also put up your own bird house. With the right plants and a source of clean water, you might just attract a nice family of birds. 2. Native Plants Are the Way to Go Not only will animals like native plants better, but they have a better chance of thriving in your climate. Even if you are living in an apartment surrounded by concrete, you can still plant what’s native to the area. You might need to do a little research to discover the best plants for you to grow. No yard? No problem. Use hanging plants and window boxes instead of the ground to attract native wildlife. You might be surprised by what you can see in even the busiest of cities when you bring a little of the natural habitat to your patio.
wildlife in the process. There’s no use in planting a garden to attract wildlife if it’s doused in chemicals that harm them. Instead, use more natural pesticides to ward off pesky, garden-eating animals. Natural fertilizers and compost not only do great things for your garden but can also help deter unwanted critters. Mulch is another important element to include in your garden that is safe for wildlife. It will help reduce your watering time and is good for the soil. Most importantly, when planting your kid-friendly, wildlife-attracting garden, make sure to get the kids involved. It will make them more excited about seeing that wildlife because they did something to make them come. With the right plants and care, you’ll be seeing plenty of wildlife right through your own window. From the comfort of your own home or up close and personal outside, you and your children can be inspired by the natural world. Together you can create an oasis for wildlife and watch the wonder unfold.
3. Say No to Chemicals Although you’ll want to protect your garden from critters that might destroy it, you’ll also want to make sure you don’t hurt the
Not only will animals like native plants better, but they have a better chance of thriving in your climate.
juliet@julietclark.com 661-313-7120
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Often Overlooked Spots When Staging a Home
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taging a home is all about getting prospective buyers to love what they see. When they love what they see, they’ll be less likely to haggle over price. A lot of time, effort and money can go into staging effectively. Make sure you don’t sabotage your sale by overlooking important areas. Here are a few places to be aware of. The Entryway Make a great first impression with your entryway. It should be clean, well-lit and immaculate. Closets Be sure your front closet for coats and umbrellas is neat and tidy. If it’s crammed full, move some of the items to storage. You want to impress potential buyers with its spaciousness and storage capacity. Do the same for every closet in the house. Shelves, Drawers and Other Storage Areas Decluttering will make it easier to stage your house. Like closets, shelves, drawers and other storage areas should be look spacious, not full. Consider getting rid of anything in your home that you have not used for two years. Sell, donate, throw away or gift extraneous items to someone who will really appreciate them. Once you’ve decluttered, make sure you keep everything clutter free. Unoccupied versus Empty Homes If you are going to move before your house is sold, don’t leave it completely empty. Stage it with just enough furniture in each room to give an idea of its purpose and functionality. Dress up anything you leave behind (such as an old sofa or chairs) with neutral-toned throws and pillows. When the house sells, you can keep, sell or donate those items. Kitchen Cabinets and Shelves Like your other storage areas, kitchen cabinets and shelves should be clean and not crowded. It can be tricky if you are still living in the house, but try to keep a minimal amount of goods in your kitchen. Consider asking the neighbors if you could use their garage or shed for must-have grocery items and paper goods, like paper towels, so things don’t look too cluttered.
The Garage If your garage looks like a bomb hit it and you can’t fit your car into it, now is the time to roll up your sleeves. Clear out everything and make sure the floor is clean and freshlooking. Park your car or cars inside. Then see how much room you have left for shelving or a workbench. Sturdy metal shelving and plastic containers with lids can be used to store things neatly. Space saver bags are useful for storing clothes and bulky items like down comforters. Invest in an outdoor tool shed for all your gardening items. If it’s old or no longer needed, get rid it. Keep only the essentials. If you have too much to store neatly, see if you can store it at the neighbors or rent a storage unit. The Laundry Room If your laundry appliances are dated, consider replacing them. If they are less than seven years old, consider giving them a facelift with some stainless
steel stick-on film. Make sure your appliances are free of mold, mildew and bad smells. Have the clothes organized in hampers and store only the essentials, such as detergent, softener and bleach. Bookshelves Keep your bookshelves looking spacious by donating any unwanted books. Then store most of the rest of the books. Add some attractive knick-knacks and a vase or two to the bookshelves to brighten the room. A well-staged home is clean, spacious and inviting. Prospective buyers are going to dig into everything, including your closets and drawers, to make sure your home offers good value for money. Tackle each room and area thoroughly and you should soon have a staged house that will sell easily.
juliet@julietclark.com 661-313-7120
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What Expenses Will I Have When
Buying a Home?
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uying a new home is exciting! Before buying, most people consider the cost of the down payment and mortgage, but it’s easy to overlook the many expenses that go into buying a home. Some of these fees will be up front and others rolled into the total cost of your mortgage, which will affect your monthly payment.
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A Deposit You may need to put down a deposit to secure a home. This shows that you are serious about purchasing it. When the sale is completed, the deposit is usually put toward your down payment. If the house does not pass inspection, you can back out of the sale and still get a refund on the deposit.
Home Inspection Before the sale is finalized, the house should be inspected. This will alert you of any issues with the home, both major and minor. If you find major issues, such as the need for a new roof, you can negotiate with the seller or choose to back out of the sale. The average price for a home inspection in the US is around $500. Title Deed Search and Transfer When making a large purchase like a home, it’s necessary to verify that the sale is legal. The legal paperwork required might be billed individually or as part of the work a lawyer will do on your behalf to make sure the sale goes smoothly. This paperwork will ensure the extent of the property, the right of the person to sell it to you, and any reasons why the house might not be eligible for sale, such as because it is located in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This can hold up the entire sale and/or require you to take out special flood insurance. Homeowner’s Insurance Homeowner’s insurance is usually required by the lender. This covers your home against damage and ensures that you can repay the mortgage if your house is destroyed. Your credit score will affect the cost of your insurance, and the cost is often rolled into your monthly payment. Mortgage Repayment Insurance Mortgage repayment insurance covers you if you are unable to pay back you mortgage. Some lenders require it. Again, this will usually be rolled into your monthly repayment. Property Tax Property taxes should be current when you make an offer. If the sale drags on, it is possible to get a bill once you close. The tax bill
could also be rolled into the monthly payment. Check with your lender to see how your taxes will be paid. If you are responsible for the payments, make sure you check the due dates. Closing Costs There are a number of costs associated with completing the sale and purchase of the home, commonly referred to as closing costs. These can include: · Real estate attorney fees · Title expenses · Mortgage processing fees · Title deed fees · Other fees These costs will be payable on the day the sale in finalized. Experts suggest you save 2% to 5% of the purchase price of the house for closing costs. Moving Fees Whether you pack your own boxes and rent a truck or hire movers to do it all for you, there are costs involved when moving. Shop around and make a budget for moving and storage costs.
Essential Furnishings, Curtains, Blinds, Carpets You might be moving from a smaller place to a much larger one. Make a list of the essentials you will need, such as furniture, window coverings, and flooring. You may not be able to afford to fill every room at once but choosing the essentials will help you prioritize your purchases. Your mortgage is a huge part of the cost of buying a home, but it is not the only cost. Use this list when working out your budget, and talk to your lender about their requirements and what you will need to pay out of pocket.
Renovation When you buy a new house, you’ll probably want to paint and redecorate. You might even plan a major renovation right away. Either way, make sure you set aside money for your projects. Appliances Appliances are not always included in the sale. And if they are, you may want to upgrade them. Make sure you know what appliances will be included and factor in the cost of purchasing or replacing appliances if needed.
juliet@julietclark.com 661-313-7120
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The Real Advantage Buying, Selling, and Maintaining Your Biggest Asset
License# 11343304-SA00 Email: juliet@julietclark.com Phone: 661-313-7120