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Home for the Holidays: 5 Tips for Selling Selling Home in Winter

by | Nov 30, 2021 | Home Maintenance

Selling a Home in Winter Market Source Real Estate

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The real estate market has been active lately, and it shows no signs of calming down. That makes it a great time to put a house on the market and potentially get top dollar for it. 

Are you looking for a new home for the holidays? Do you need to sell your current one first? Learn five tips for selling a home in winter now.

1. Tidy Up

One of the top tips for selling your home in winter is a simple one. Make sure your home is clean and tidy before showing it to potential buyers. Declutter and research home staging tips for selling your house to show it off to its maximum potential. 

2. Prepare for Winter Weather Challenges

Putting your home on the market during the coldest season can mean more things to think about in terms of outdoor maintenance. Be prepared for the challenges of winter weather, including snow removal and ice on the sidewalks. You want your home to be accessible to all potential buyers, so keep your sidewalks, driveways, and pathways clear and safe for them to walk on when visiting. 

3. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

No matter the season, one of the most helpful tips for selling your home is to refresh your walls with a new paint job. To help your home look more welcoming in the cold months, add a fresh coat of paint in a neutral hue that will appeal to different buyers. Avoid colors that are too loud or dramatic that might put off potential purchasers.  

4. Troubleshoot Issues With Plumbing and Electricity

Keep an eye out for signs that there may be problems with the plumbing or electricity. If not caught early enough, these can be costly fixes and could derail a deal if the buyers deem it too troublesome to deal with. 

5. Turn Up the Thermostat When Selling a Home in Winter

Keep it cozy indoors. When coming from the chilly outdoors, it makes your home viewers comfortable. This will help it feel warmer than usual and could help seal the deal. 

Bonus Tip

Be strategic with the listing price. Remember, the market is subject to fluctuations during the winter and especially the holiday season. Many different factors drive the real estate market each year, so talk about this with your real estate agent to stay on top of things. 

Ready To Sell Your Home?

Now that you’ve learned the top tips for selling a home in winter, you can be proactive as you get ready to list your property. Little details can add up to big rewards if you take the time to do them. 

Are you thinking of buying or selling a home in the Salt Lake City area? Market Source Real Estate can help you out! Contact us here to learn how we can assist you with everything from rentals to relocation services.  

The Spring Home Maintenance Checklist You Need Today

by | Feb 18, 2021 | Home Maintenance, YourHome

Don’t just spring clean… Get going on your spring home maintenance today!

Spring is in the air and that means that you’re probably thinking about spring cleaning.  Hold on though! You also need to be thinking about some key spring home maintenance items as well! Doing these 8 things at least once a year will save you time, money, and a big headache down the road.  The goal is to prevent things from going wrong or catching little problems early BEFORE they become major problems.

We created a handy check list of 8 spring maintenance items you should be checking every year.  As a matter of fact, you can probably get these done in one weekend and then you don’t have to worry!

 

1.  Check your gutters and down spouts

Gutters and down spouts get all clogged up over the winter with leaves and debris.  Get up on a ladder every spring and clear that gunk out.  It will save you leaks, breaks, pools of stagnant water and a big repair bill.

2.  Inspect your roof

Most roofs will last around 12-25+ years (depending on the material) IF, and only if they are inspected regularly and repaired.  While you’re up on the ladder cleaning your gutters and drain spouts, take a moment and climb up on your roof.  Look for loose roofing, pooled water, or curling shingles.

It can be very affordable to repair your roof regularly.  If your roof ends up leaking during those springtime showers, it can cost you thousands in damages PLUS the money to repair or get a new roof.

It’s a good idea to check your roof both in the spring and the fall. Just to be safe.

3.  Check seals on windows and doors

Check and repair any seals on window sills, door sills, and thresholds.  Look for damaged or peeling caulk, splinters, loose panes and gaps.  While you are at it, check and repair any screens – you’ll be glad to be able to open those windows and air out your home without bugs getting in!  Here is a handy guide for how to caulk your windows.

 

4. Give some love to your deck

Already planning the first BBQ of the season?  Better get that deck ready.  Just like your roof, you want to inspect it every spring.  Look for cracks, greying wood, loose joints and water seeping in.  Every 3-5 years you’ll want to stain and seal your deck to keep it from weathering.  A final step?  Give it a good pressure wash to get it ready for that backyard party!

5.  Filter out those dirty filters

Guys. HVAC filters get D.I.R.T.Y.  They collect dust, pollen, pet hair and dirt.  And then recirculate all those things back through your house if you don’t clean or replace them regularly.  This is something you’ll want to check several times a year.

 

6.  Don’t forget about your dryer and refrigerator

When doing spring home maintenance, don’t forget to check your dryer vent.  It gets clogged up and makes your dryer work that much harder.  Which makes your electricity bill go up.

And while you’re at it, check your refrigerator coils.  Chances are they need a good vacuum.  Not only are they really gross when they are covered in dust, they also make your fridge less efficient.

 

7.  Drain that water heater

Your water heater should be 100% drained a couple of times a year.  The reason?  All kinds of minerals and sediment build up in the bottom.  Which equals corrosion and water that doesn’t heat as fast as you’d like.

 

8.  Test your smoke detectors

This spring home maintenance item can literally save your life.  Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and put fresh batteries in.  While you’re at it why not make sure that your family knows what to do when an alarm goes off.  A household fire drill goes a long way.

Need a hand?

Check out our list of trusted vendors, contractors, supplier and all around handy types who can help you if you run into problems (or they can just take care of this stuff for you).  They’ll give you a hand with the whole spring home maintenance thing!

Real Estate Trends in 2021

by | Dec 30, 2020 | Real Estate Agent Tips, Real Estate Tips, Salt Lake City, Selling Your Home

buying-an-investment-property

With so many significant changes in 2020, we expect to see some major developments in 2021 real estate trends. This is due to the pandemic, it has changed how many people think about housing and work. 

We’re expecting more people to move out of cities or away from their offices because they no longer need to be close to work. House hunting will continue to be affected by social distancing until we all can get a vaccine. And, younger people will realize they can afford more property than they thought.

Suburban Growth and Working from Home

Two big trends coming in 2021 are caused by the changes in 2020 to work and society. With so many people starting to work from home, realtors have seen an increase in people looking to move out of cities. They want space and safety in their preferred neighborhoods rather than commuting convenience.

The growth in buyers wanting to move to the suburbs is a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic, people are realizing they can work from home. Those who used to live in a city have quickly realized they can get much larger housing for the same or less money as they would in a city.

Moving away from urban centers has also become a trend because of unrest and protest that we’ve seen in larger urban areas in the past twelve months. As we move into 2021, this trend for buyers to seek homes in less congested areas will continue.

Virtual House Hunting

Another 2021 real estate trend is the move to online house hunting. Whereas home buyers have always wanted to visit houses in person as part of buying a new home, the pandemic has meant that more people are willing to view homes through virtual appointments. This is a significant change in how realtors and buyers operate.

Expect to see improvements in virtual home tours as we move into 2021, as we’re still practicing social distancing and dealing with the effects of the coronavirus. 

Millennials Moving Up

Millennials are one of the fastest-growing homeowner demographics. Moving into 2021, more millennials will enter the housing market. They will soon account for more than half of all home buyers. 

Millennials buying homes also ties into the first of the 2021 real estate trends we discussed. In the past, the youngest age demographic segment tended to look to rent or buy in urban or downtown areas. However, with remote work becoming more accepted, millennials are also joining the hunt for homes outside of cities. 

Part of this trend is that millennials realize they can now afford more of a house than before if they swap high-priced rent in cities for land and square footage in the country or smaller towns. This change in mentality leads to the trend of millennials “moving up” in the housing market.  

Keep an Eye on 2021 Real Estate Trends

As you can see, the changes that have occurred in all our lives will keep affecting real estate. We’ve highlighted three of the biggest 2021 real estate trends here because they are going to change how you think about buying your next home.

Remember, cheaper, larger, safer property outside or urban, downtown locations are booming. Improving technology will make house hunting virtually much better. And, the market is getting an influx of younger buyers with money to spend.

For more advice on real estate, get in touch with us today.

Home Organization Tips

by | Sep 29, 2020 | Home Maintenance, Real Estate Tips, YourHome, YourLifestyle

Home Organization Tips

An organized home is proven to aid in stress relief, management, and relaxation. But what’re some of the best home organization tips? Don’t fret. Here we’ll be discussing four of the most important things you should be focusing on when organizing your home.

Cleaning isn’t just for springtime. Make sure you’re confident in the steps you’re taking. Following a guideline might help in the long run. Let’s dive into the details.

1. Kitchen Sink Cabinets

It’s often forgotten, but the kitchen sink cabinet can be made good use of. In order to add some organization to the mix, think about plastic drawer units. We’re used to throwing things under the sink eventually creating a jumbled mess. Instead, opt for some convenience.

Label or mark each container so you know where everything is at first glance. It’s a good idea to use plastic containers in case the sink leaks and water spreads across the cabinet floor.

2. Organize Drawers

Organizing is a bit of a momentum-driven process. You might want to start small so you’re not overwhelmed. This could be something like organizing a junk drawer, spice cabinet, or color-coding a messy closet. This provides easy access to an otherwise cluttered area. Locating tools, favorite outfits, or spices for a meal can be an issue if you aren’t organized.

The entire process doesn’t need to be completed immediately. These little victories can help you build confidence and a mood for the organization instead of dreading the next large project.

3. Home Organization Tips for the Kitchen

We don’t often associate the kitchen with organization, but an organized one can create a nice flow in your home.  It’s likely your kitchen is the messiest place in the house. That’s why a simple organization checklist can help immensely.

Consider labeling the contents inside your pantry or sorting the food in your fridge by zones. This may seem like an overhaul, but the organization in these areas can help remove daily clutter. Zones in your fridge and pantry can be sorted by lunch, drinks, condiments, leftovers, meal prep, and more. This creates a helpful pathway to completing meals without searching for ingredients.

4. Use Shoe Boxes

Using shoeboxes for home organization tips provides a function. These aren’t your standard cardboard shoe boxes, but rather a clear or transparent case for your shoes.

This provides a place for your shoes to be out of sight, avoid dust, and steer clear of damage from other shoes. It’s also a great way to show off your collection and make each pair of shoes accessible.

Managing Your Home

When it comes to home organization tips, the possibilities are endless. In order to properly manage your lifestyle and the complications that come with it, you need reliable information. Your home is apart of that bigger picture.

Don’t let your home organization lag behind the rest of the pack. That’s where Market Source Real Estate comes in. If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or learning about your home, we have you covered.

We know in the real estate market there’s tons of information dumped on you. Market Source is here to simplify the process.

Give us a call today and manage your home and lifestyle the right way.

Spring Cleaning Tips

by | Apr 15, 2020 | Home Maintenance, Real Estate Tips, YourHome, YourLifestyle

You are probably quarantined at home right now, and maybe looking for activities to do to be occupied during this period. Coincidentally is Spring cleaning season too, since you have more time available, it is an excellent opportunity for cleaning, decluttering, and organizing your home. 

Here are 5  tips that will help you with Spring Cleaning:

1. Get your tools and supplies in order

Having all your tools in one place will make all the process of spring cleaning more manageable, you will save time running from one place to another, looking for the sponge or the multi-purpose cleaner. Some of the items you might need are paper towels, mop, vacuum cleaner, window cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner.

Did you run out of disinfectants? Looking for natural disinfectants? Here is a simple recipe using natural ingredients that you are likely to have at home that can be very handy.

Ingredients: 

  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 5 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil 
  • 1 squirt natural dish soap

Steps:

  1. Mix up all the ingredients into one spray bottle.  
  2. Shake it up before you use it and spray it onto the surface and wipe with a clean cloth. 

 

2. Make a do to list 

Focus in one space at a time, you can even separate your chores into different days of the week, for not feeling overwhelmed and pressured to finish everything in one day. You should prioritize the space that needs more attention.

 

  1. Monday: Kitchen – Clean the fridge, microwave, stove, and do a wipe-down of all the counters.
  2. Tuesday: Bathroom – Germs stay longer on a wet surface, so don’t forget to clean the taps, handles, knobs, mats, and the floor of the washroom.
  3. Wednesday: Bedroom – Wash your sheets, dust side tables, vacuum, and clear clutter.
  4. Thursday: Living Room – Dust and wash all mirrors, frames, and decorative items and vacuum all rugs and upholstery.
  5. Friday: Accessories – Organize your closet and clean your accessories from your watch, shoes to jewelry and sanitize them as much as possible before wearing them.

 

3.  Clean high-touch places where you often put on your hands

Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces is a step you should take, even if you aren’t leaving the house. Anytime items or people come in and out of your home, there is some possibility of exposure. It is essential that you take the time to clean these areas to get rid of any germs. Clean the door handles, stair rails, window sills, kitchen counters, toilets, and even your phone.

Every home is a little bit different, so think about the areas where your family and roommates spend the most time.

Here is our checklist of home maintenance you should be doing every spring 

 

4. Have fun while spring cleaning

You might not think cleaning is fun, but try to make the most out of it, get creative, put on your favorite playlist or listen to your favorite podcast, and get started with your chores. You can even set a timer for each playlist, so you know the amount of time it took to do each task. Play some spring cleaning games and set up a reward system whenever you achieve a goal. These will help things feel less tedious.  

5. Establish new routines

Now is an excellent time to establish new routines and cleaning habits. It won’t only be useful due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but because it will make the next spring cleaning way more manageable. Start with a simple routine, organizing your closet every week and cleaning your windows at least twice a month, try decluttering those clothes and accessories you no longer use and donate them if you can. This will help you to have your home beautiful and neat all year long.

Stay Home and Stay Safe!