The spring home selling season is running full steam ahead in many markets as are the blog articles about real estate.  Through this regular monthly roundup we try to share some of the good real estate articles out there.  The articles include tips for home buyers, sellers, and investors and are sure to keep you informed about real estate.

Why You Should Work With A Buyer’s Agent When Buying A Home

Whether you need an agent to help you with finding the right neighborhoods, negotiating for your position,  or connecting you with the right professionals, having someone who is working in your own best interest is the way to go.  The agent for the seller does not work for the buyer.  While some seller’s agent may love to work for the buyer and the seller to double dip on the pay that is not fair to either the buyer or the seller as Jeff Nelson points out.  Home buyers need their own representation to make sure their interests are best taken care of.

Preparing Your Home For A Quick Sale

When selling a home the best way to sell is to sell as quickly as possible.  After all a home that sits on the market for too long becomes a burden on the sellers and the buyers take notice of a long time on market. The tips from Sharon Paxson on how to prepare a home for a quick spring sale are valid for any time of the year.  Making rooms look bright, updating fixtures, making minor renovations, doing small repairs, removing odors and more make a home look more presentable to buyers who will take notice and appreciate the extra effort.

How Does Marijuana Affect Real Estate Values

With recent legalization moves for marijuana by many states and municipalities (Cincinnati is considering decriminalizing it) it is becoming more openly talked about.  Even the federal government is consider changing the enforcement rules for marijuana.  With its legalization though many may be surprised to learn that where marijuana has been legalized property values have gone up.  This article by Luke Babich on Bill Gassett’s Mass Real Estate News website explores how legalizing marijuana has boosted property values in states where legalization laws have been passed.

Pricing Luxury Homes 

Being higher priced in general luxury homes require a little longer time on the market before the right buyer can be found.  Listing the price too high at the start for the luxury home will set a bad precedent as explained on Luke Skar’s blog.  Value is key when selling a home and price is a reflection of that value.  Luxury home buyers are not willing to overpay on a house if there is no added value.  Luxury home pricing is best determined by comparing the home to other similar homes that have recently and using those prices as a guideline.

Things To Clean In A Home

Most homeowners are familiar with the general areas of their home that they should keep clean.  There are some areas homeowners may not be familiar with and that a good cleaning is needed as Michelle Gibson points out.  By keeping up on cleaning of these areas homeowners can help reduce the chances of fires (dryer vent), prevent water damage (clogged gutters, washing machine, dishwasher) and more.  By keeping these particular areas of the home clean your home will look and perform better as a result.

FHA 203k Loans

Not many home buyers know they can get a loan that not only will help buy them a house but also can be used to finance repairs to a house.  The FHA 203k loan allows home buyers to find that diamond in the rough home that needs work and get a mortgage not only to purchase the house but also to finance in costs of repairs to make the home more updated and occupant friendly.  In his article about 2019 FHA 203k loan requirements Eric Jeannette explains what a 203k mortgage loan can do and why home buyers may want to consider it.

Which Smart Devices To Use In The Home

Today’s smart home have many different devices to make home life more enjoyable and practical.  From devices that can monitor water usage and turn off the water to prevent major leaks to internet connected outlets and switches that allow for homeowners to control lights anywhere they have their smartphone and an internet connection.  In this article by Paul Sian he explores some of the smart home features that are available today. Not only are smart home features in demand by homeowners, home buyers too love to see modern smart home tech in homes as they look for a home to purchase.

Selling Mistakes To Avoid

When selling a home there are a number of steps and considerations involved in order to make sure everything goes right.  Any misstep could result in the home sitting there on the market with no buyer interest so it helps to go in with a full game plan.  In her article covering ten mistakes to avoid when selling a home Petra Norris takes the home seller through what works and what does not work.  Having an action plan ready to go prior to listing a home will make the process much easier.

Gardening On A Slope

Landscaping is one of the key features that draw people to notice a home. Whether you want a great looking home or want buyers take notice landscaping helps. Landscaping on a slope can be tricky as Eileen Anderson points out. In her article she provides great tips on how to landscape on a slope and what sort of plants will do well there.

Final Thoughts

We hoped you enjoyed this months roundup. If you know of any other articles that you found to be informative please share them in the comments below.

The Real Estate Roundup For May 2019 was provided by Greater Cincinnati Area Luxury Realtor Paul Sian of United Real Estate Home Connections. Paul is a licensed real estate agent in the states of Ohio and Kentucky and has over 14 years of experience. Feel free to contact Paul for all your Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky real estate needs.