Living in More Than One State: Best Practices for Business Owners

If you live and conduct business in more than one state, how can you keep your life organized, save money, and avoid legal headaches? Modernly Real Estate Team is here to offer some suggestions. It’s not uncommon for business owners to live in more than one state. Perhaps you operate several businesses across the country. Or maybe you live in one state and operate your business in another and need to split your time between these two locations. Whatever your situation, check out the following best practices for multi-state living arrangements.

Consider Home Safety

Home safety is essential but can be challenging when you live in more than one place. How can you ensure your second home is safe and secure in your absence? Staying on top of home maintenance and repair tasks is one way to avoid safety issues. If possible, have a neighbor park their car in your driveway and collect your mail to make it look as if someone is home.

You’ll also want to purchase multiple home safety products to keep at your different homes. For example, you’ll need a fire extinguisher, a fully stocked first aid kit, and a contact list of local emergency services at each home. Take the time to read unbiased product reviews to ensure your home safety products will perform as expected!

Avoid Issues with Dual State Residency

If you’re not careful, living in more than one state can result in dual taxation. Baker Tilly explains that states determine residency based on where you spend most of your time. Residency audits do occur, so it’s not a good idea to claim residency in another state just for an income tax break. State auditors will review information like credit card statements, park admissions, airline records, official mailing addresses, and where you’re registered to vote. Make sure all of this evidence proves your residency in the state where you live for the majority of the year.

Hire a Registered Agent

You will need to register your business in each state you operate. You’ll also need a registered agent with a physical location in each state. Since you’ll be splitting your time between different states, consider hiring a registered agent instead of serving as your own. Your registered agent will serve as your point of contact with the state to ensure your business can be reliably contacted even if you’re out of town.

Keep an Inventory of Your Household Items

One of the hardest parts about living in two different places is keeping track of where your belongings are when you need to stock up on essentials. Maintaining an inventory is a great way to stay organized. This will help you record items that move between states as well as pantry items and toiletries that need to be restocked in each house. Keeping an accurate inventory of your things will also help you pack lighter when it’s time to move between homes!

Be Prepared for Cost Differences

When you live in more than one state, household budgeting can get challenging. Know what types of costs to expect for different things like home services, insurance, childcare, and groceries in different states:

●      Storage options in L.A. cost an average of $211.86 per month.

●      You can expect to pay an average of $1,544 per year for car insurance in Chicago.

●      The average hourly rate for a handyman in Boston is $90.00.

●      In Salt Lake City, child care costs an average of $15.28 per hour.

●      Nashville residents spend between $168.30 and $351.90 per month for groceries.

Living in more than one state can sound complicated. Look for cost information in different states, hire a registered agent to handle your business responsibilities, and consider purchasing a few home safety items to protect your house while you’re away. Good planning will ensure you stay organized and keep your costs under control!

Are you looking for a home in Central Valley, CA? Modernly Real Estate Team can help you find the perfect place to call your own! Call today! 559-369-8216

Preparing Your Property for Showings and Open Houses: A How-To Guide

If you're planning to sell your home, you logically want to get the best price possible for it. You can help maximize the sale price by preparing the property before taking marketing photos or showing it to buyers via open houses. Maggie Cano Realtor of Fresno, California, has helped countless clients successfully and efficiently sell their properties. This guide explains how to prepare a house for sale.

Declutter and organize your belongings

Clutter tends to make rooms look messy and overstuffed, which can also make them look smaller. This is the last thing you want when you're showing a house. Start by getting rid of excess clutter. Investing in organizing solutions like bins and boxes can help you discretely tuck away your things. Other ideas for successful decluttering include focusing on one key area of your home at a time and devoting a set amount of time to decluttering every day.

Boost your interior aesthetic appeal

You want to make the inside of your home look as welcoming as possible to prospective buyers. Small aesthetic upgrades can help. For example, cover chipped painted walls with peel-and-stick wallpaper. Easy to use peel & stick wallpaper can be applied and repositioned until it's in the perfect place. You can select from existing designs or create your own custom design, giving you a broad selection of patterns to choose from.

Remove personal items from public view 

When people visit your home, you want them to be able to picture themselves living there with their own families. One way to help make this fantasy happen is by depersonalizing your property as much as possible. This means getting rid of personal knick-knacks, like children's crafts, and family photos. Replacing these things with neutral decor, like vases of flowers, create a more welcoming space for strangers.

Give the entire house a deep clean from top to bottom

Once you've taken care of the big jobs like decluttering and adding aesthetic touches, give your entire home a deep clean from top to bottom. This is especially important if you have pets, as you want to make sure that there isn't any animal hair lingering and that the space smells fresh. If you don't have the time or tools to tidy up the place yourself, hire a professional cleaner. You can find local service providers in your area via Thumbtack.

Take steps to boost curb appeal

When it comes to preparing a house for real estate photos or buyer visits, don't just focus on the inside. The exterior is just as important. It's the first impression people get of the property, and. you want it to be a good one. You can boost curb appeal by mowing the lawn, repainting the front door, and planting fresh flowers out front. If your home's exterior is faded and peeling, you might also want to hire a pro to give it a fresh paint job.

Plan your pictures carefully

With all the above steps done, you can take some compelling marketing photos of your home. You want to plan these carefully. For example, it's best to take them during daytime, as sunlight will make the space look brighter and larger. Format offers additional real estate photography tips, such as using a DSLR camera with a wide-angle lens. If you aren't comfortable taking your own pictures, hire a professional.

Staging a property for showings or open houses takes time and effort. However, your hard work will be well worth it. Proper preparation will make the house more attractive to buyers and can even help you command a higher sale price. These tips can help you get started.

For more advice on selling and buying real estate, check out the blog.

What Seniors Should Know When Buying a Home

Whether you're a senior who's downsizing or relocating to a city in California, you'll be faced with your share of challenges. However, when you understand what to expect along the way and consider these tips from MODERNLY, you can make the home purchasing process work for you. Not to mention, you'll simplify it simultaneously. 

Look for an Accessible Home 

Even if you have no mobility issues currently, you should look for a home that you can maneuver through easily if you happen to have problems walking in the future. For instance, consider a floor plan that allows you to move a wheelchairthroughout the house without an issue. Be sure to factor in the maintenance necessary for the home. You may want a home with a small yard and hardwood floors since both require less maintenance.

Find a Senior-Friendly Community 

Being social can help you live a more fulfilling life. Staying active in general can have the same effect. Ideally, you should look for a home that's near activities you enjoy or a senior center you can visit to socialize regularly. You could also look for an area in California with a gym close by that offers senior exercise classes.

Get an Agent 

By working with an agent, you can find homes that meet your needs and desires. You state exactly what you're looking for in a home, and the agent will find you homes that fit the criteria. Reach out to the MODERNLY team to start.

Financing Your Home 

Understand your mortgage options before you start applying for financing. Know the differences between conventional, Federal Housing Administration (FHA), or Veterans Affairs (VA) loans. When you're looking for a mortgage, know which loans you qualify for and compare rates carefully so you get the best deal. Make sure to work with a reputable mortgage lender to get the best possible deal.

As you're searching for mortgage options, look for ones especially for seniors, such as a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac senior home-buying loan. With these loans, you may use your 401K, IRA, or other similar accounts as part of your income, as long as they're fully accessible to you at the time of your application. 

If you're struggling to finance your home as a senior, ask a child or other close relative to co-sign for a loan for you. 

Searching for Home Modification Grants and Loans 

It's possible you'll find a home that checks most of your requirements but may need some improvements. If you're limited on funds, check into home modification grants and loans. Fortunately, you may be eligible for the Federal Disability Grants for Home Improvements if you're disabled and need to modify your home. Veterans may qualify for one of the VA home modifications grants. 

Understanding Your Limitations 

Although you may desire to do as much as you can by yourself, recognize your limitations and hire help as necessary. Instead of trying to move your belongings to your new home alone or with a few family members, consider hiring a moving company. 

Find a Home You'll Love 

When you know how to proceed, you can make the senior home-buying process easy. Plus, you'll find a house you can enjoy well into your golden years. 

4 Tips for Paying for Home Repairs

Are you in the market for a new home? With the Modernly Real Estate team, you’ll have the keys to the perfect property in no time! Call (559) 369-8216 to begin your next extraordinary real estate experience 

Whether you’re a new homeowner, or you’re about to start searching for your first home, you might be nervous about the thought of covering large home maintenance bills. If you’re currently house hunting, Modernly Real Estate can help you find a property that passes inspection with flying colors! And if you’ve already moved into your new home or looking to sell, you can begin saving for repairs now. After all, timely repairs and renovations can help boost your home’s value. Here’s how to plan ahead and put away funds for home repairs. 

How Much to Save?

First, you’ll need to set a savings goal. How much will you need to save? The Balance recommends saving about one percent of your home’s purchase price every year for potential repairs. You may want to put a certain amount of your paycheck in a savings account each month and work towards this goal throughout the year. 

Will you end up spending all of this money on an annual basis? Probably not! Some years, your repair expenses will be very minimal. But during other years, you may have to cover the cost of several big projects, and you’ll be glad that you have a healthy savings account for this purpose. 

Budgeting Tips

What if you feel like you don’t have any wiggle room in your budget? It’s time to find ways to save more money. You might need to get creative when it comes to cutting costs, but chances are, you can come up with a strategy that allows you to save. US News & World Report suggests looking for sales at the grocery store, putting any unexpected gifts into your savings account automatically, buying clothes from thrift stores, and looking for opportunities to reuse your belongings rather than rushing out to buy new items. 

DIY Efforts

Do you need to hire a contractor for every single home repair project? Not necessarily! If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves, you can take care of some of these issues on your own. For instance, you can fix a running toilet, damaged screens, a diverting gutter, or a dripping faucet with a trip to the hardware store and a little elbow grease. If you want to transform a particular room for a new purpose, like turning a guest bedroom into a home office, you can likely handle this project by yourself — and have fun doing it!

You may even be tempted to pay a professional to clean your home. But if you simply block off a weekend, you can declutter and deep clean your home by yourself. And don’t forget to open your windows to get the fresh air flowing! 

Finding a Contractor

What if you don’t have the skills or tools to fix a maintenance issue? If you need to replace your roof, knock down a wall, or install new flooring, you’ll need to hire a contractor. In order to find a qualified contractor like a pro who specializes in window repair -- and someone who suits your budget -- you should plan to interview several candidates and ask for project estimates. You’ll also need to look at their portfolios before deciding who to hire. 

Paying for major home repairs can definitely stretch your budget and set you back financially if you’re not prepared. That’s why it’s so important to save for home maintenance well before you notice a problem. By following these tips, you won’t be caught off guard when you need to spend on repairs in the future.

House-Flipping 101 for Seniors

Money is a common worry for seniors in retirement, according to Barron's. If you're stressed about finances, you might consider flipping houses as an added form of income. The National Association of Realtors reveals that home-flipping can earn returns of some 40 percent if done well. The first step is finding the right property. An experienced real estate agent like Maggie Cano Realtor in California's Central Valley can help.

Before jumping into the house-flipping business, it's important to do your research. Learn the basics with the below guide.

Budget according to the 70 percent rule

When buying a house to flip, you have to take into account the fact that you'll likely have to spend a significant amount to get it ready for renting or resale. Flipper Force explains that many experts rely on the 70 percent rule when budgeting. According to this logic, when buying a property to flip, you shouldn't spend more than 70 percent of what the house will be worth after repairs, minus the cost of those repairs.

Get pre-approved for a home loan if needed

Once you have an idea of your budget, you can figure out financing. This online loan calculator from Maggie Cano Realtor can help you determine how much of a mortgage you'll need. It's best to go ahead and get preapproved for a loan before you start scouting out houses. This will make you look like a serious buyer to sellers, which can be advantageous in the current competitive real estate market.

Find a fitting property

With your financial paperwork taken care of, you can finally start property hunting. Trust a skilled realtor to help you identify houses in up-and-coming areas that may be more affordable now and are likely to gain popularity later. Before closing a deal on a property, schedule a home inspection to check for faults that could increase repair expenses. State Farm explains that a home inspection covers everything from safety to structural elements.

Enlist the services of a general contractor for the ‘flip’

Unless you have a background as a general contractor or in construction, you'll likely need to hire a professional to oversee your project. Home Stars explains the benefits of hiring a skilled contractor, who can help keep your project on budget. Even if you do have the experience needed to oversee the project, you'll want to hire people to do the actual grunt work, from electrical installation to carpentry and landscaping.

Invest in your property's presentation

Flipping a house requires more than simply getting a property in liveable condition. You'll be able to command a higher sale or rental price if you invest in the house's so-called curb appeal — the way it looks from the street. Better Homes & Gardens provides a guide to boosting curb appeal. Simple tips include installing window boxes with flowers, swapping out an old mailbox for a new one, and integrating exterior lights.

Put a streamlined property management system in place

If you flip your house to rent it, you'll also have to think about long-term management. Who will take care of the repairs? You may want to hire pros to do the job, freeing up your time to enjoy your retirement. If you do hire people, make sure to have a streamlined bookkeeping system in place to ensure prompt payment of your employees. With Quickbooks small biz software apps, you can also consolidate payroll with automatic tax calculation and filing.

Flipping houses as a senior can be rewarding financially. It can also be a fun way to keep busy after retirement. Make sure to do your research when flipping properties, enlist the help of a qualified real estate agent, and follow the best practices outlined above.

For more content like this, head to the Maggie Cano Realtor blog. I love to help people find and create dream homes. With my blog, I provide handy tips for homeowners as well as actionable advice on real estate topics like house-flipping. Check it out.

Home Security Technology: An Appealing Feature for Home Buyers

There’s a great deal of interest these days in whether and to what extent home security features affect the home selling process. Some claim it does relatively little to increase a home’s value and boost asking price, while others insist home security systems and the technology that makes present-day features so effective are appealing enough to attract buyers, especially young ones. 

There are a number of advantages to home security systems - advantages appealing enough to today’s home buyer to make home security a very wise home improvement for anyone entering the real estate market. That is especially the case when dealing with Millennial and Gen-Xers, buyers who have grown up using technology and expect it to be part of their daily lives. 

Advantages

Home security technology keeps homes and families safe, which is its chief advantage, especially if you’re selling a home in or near a high-crime area, but safety is just part of the picture. Per Coverhound, a house with a home security system will earn the owner up to 20 percent off home insurance premiums because, in addition to protection against break-ins, home security also protects against carbon monoxide poisoning and fire. It’s a hefty discount and well worth the cost of installing a home security system. 

Today’s technology makes it possible to interact with a system easily via smartphone, which means you can secure an entire house and monitor its safety remotely. That’s an attractive feature for buyers who want the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can lock and monitor their home while away, and track and record the actions of intruders, both outside and inside. For a tech-savvy buyer, it’s a valuable feature, one worthy of paying a higher price.  

Features

There are many options concerning home security technology; you can purchase a fully integrated system for about $300, or take the a la carte approach and add specific features that appeal to you to an existing system. A smart doorbell is one of the most popular security features on the market, and you can purchase a Ring video doorbell for as low as $59.99. You can receive text alerts whenever someone comes to your door, which also activates the tiny camera in the doorbell button, allowing you to see who’s paying you a visit wherever you might be. Smart doorbells offer motion sensing, 2-way audio so you can interact with your visitor, and high-resolution video. 

Smart locks are among the most convenient and effective home security technology features available. With a smartphone operating through Wifi or Bluetooth, you can lock or unlock your doors from anywhere, a handy thing when a delivery person shows up unexpectedly or if your kid forgets to lock up before leaving for the evening. Door keys become obsolete, because the system will recognize your phone approaching, so there’s no need to fumble in your pockets for a key or worry about being locked out should you forget it. 

Smart cameras use Wifi connectivity to monitor and record via a smartphone app, with the option of uploading footage to the Cloud for storage so there’s no need for extraneous and bulky recording equipment — a solution CloudHQ points out is a solid safeguard, so long as your using proper password protocols and such. In the event there is a breakin, you can even talk to an intruder. These cameras are essentially monitors, and can also be utilized to check in on your family as they come and go while you’re away, or to even look in on your baby while they sleep.

Controlling lighting and shading is another benefit of smart home security. Some systems allow you to create an “away” scenario in which doors are locked, alarms are armed, and lights are turned on and off at set intervals throughout the day. Automated shades and blinds can also be programmed to go up and down. The goal is deterrence, and if would-be burglars think someone is home, they’ll think twice about breaking in. 

Such high-tech measures can make it easier to sell a property and, in some cases, allow you to set a higher sale price. Security and peace of mind are worth a lot to buyers who have families, and can be provided at affordable prices these days. And for many buyers, it’s a “must have.” 

Looking for a (MODERNLY) experience buying or selling a home? Connect today for personalized service that delivers results! 

Affordable Ways to Display Your Home for Buyers

The Modernly Real Estate Team aims to help people achieve their homeownership goals. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, contact the team for trustworthy, expert assistance.  

Sellers strive hard to present their home in the best light possible, but there are widely varied approaches. Some go to great expense, while others use creativity and technique. If you want to successfully showcase your home, you can do it without headaches and excessive spending. Just follow these useful steps:

Decluttering

Many people accumulate an abundance of things in their homes over the years. Sometimes these items were bought for an immediate need, and rather than being thrown away, they’re kept around in case they’re needed in the future. Stacks of items kept handy and stashed haphazardly in storage areas can even become the norm. While a “lived-in look” is fine for your home, anything resembling visual chaos is best avoided with prospective buyers. Decluttering can ensure your home looks spacious and inviting, which is one of the end goals of home staging.

Decluttering is commonly perceived as a major chore, but it doesn’t have to overwhelm you. The best way to approach it is by developing a solid plan. Write down an itinerary that details each task, and develop a timeline. Start with the most cluttered rooms, sorting all the items according to what you plan to do with them. Also, use four big boxes (affordable ones can be found at Home Depot for $2.48) and mark them “sell,” “give away,” “throw away” and “storage.” Then distribute the items appropriately.

Depersonalizing

As Creative Home Stagers explains, depersonalizing is essential to effectively staging your home. The potential buyers must be able to envision their lives within your home. So, everything that makes a personal statement should be removed or neutralized. 

Due to the emotional significance, this task can be emotional, so take your time. Start with all the family and individual photos, refrigerator art and the like. Then, remove trophies, rock collections, sports equipment, toys, games, etc. Seasonal items should also be removed. Look for cheap storage bins at stores like Walmart or Target and if you don’t have sufficient space to house them until your move, consider renting self-storage or locating them in a friend’s garage.

Ideas for Staging

Designing and arranging the rooms of your home can be a fun part of the home selling process. Creativity is useful but not necessary for making the home appealing to buyers. If staging is not your forte, you can overcome this by doing some scouting. You can search through photos of real estate listings in your area. Look for obvious trends and design ideas you can apply to your own home. Pay special attention to the market history in the area where you’re looking; in California, the median number of days on the market is 26. That’s a pretty quick turnaround, so be certain of your destination and start shopping for reliable moving companies early on. 

Money online magazine points out it’s generally a good idea to attend a few open houses to see how the competition handles the staging process. You can also check out virtual open houses and tours. Some of these tours allow you to see many different angles of a home, and you can definitely learn more about how the competition is staging their homes.

Practical Solutions

When it comes to staging your home, keep in mind that even minor flaws will be noticed. Start by completing any necessary repairs if they’re in your budget. You can cut corners with costs; for example, rather than retile, paint over bathroom tile floors. To create a universal feel throughout the home, use neutral hues in your color schemes. 

Furniture arrangements should suggest possible uses for their designated living spaces, so give flex rooms an identity (play area, office, etc.). To control the mood, use lighting to brighten or soften different home features. Meanwhile, the bathroom should reflect elegance and style, so include subtle, inexpensive finishing touches like bath towels and cute soaps. Additionally, make sure the entryway is tidy and inviting.

Staging your home can be done affordably. Keep in mind that you must make each area of your home a key selling point. Decluttering, depersonalizing and properly staging your home will help you achieve that. By making a great first impression, you’ll have your home sold in no time.

How to Make Your Investment Property as Appealing as Possible

Investing in a property, or deciding whether to turn the home you’re selling into a rental property, takes a lot of hard work and patience, but it can really pay off if you do it correctly and have the right professionals, like Modernly Real Estate Team, on your side. Finding the right space can take some time, and designing it to appeal to many different renters is also time-consuming. If you have a tight budget, you may be wondering how to make the most of your property without breaking the bank. There are many affordable upgrades that can be done to a home that will help it attract tenants.

However, if you decide to invest in a few costly upgrades, you might want to consider obtaining a loan or other funding to complete the work. In this case, you would need to recalculate your budget and rental rates in order to get the best return on your investment.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make sure your property appreciates and is a successful investment. From keeping the interior organized, to hiring a manager to help you run things, to learning how to market the property effectively, there are many ways you can boost your rental without the stress. 

Starting Up 

When considering owning your very own rental property company, consider the benefits of registering as an LLC. Some of the key components of an LLC are removing personal liability from your business venture and taxation flexibility. Also, being able to separate business and personal finances with a registered business can be very beneficial. The next step after determining the type of business is knowing your market. By having a firm idea of what you want your business to cater to and knowing the best areas to rent in will go a long way towards your business's future. Another key component is ensuring that you are priced right so your property is always in demand.

Giving it some updates

While some upgrades are costly, there are several projects you can do around the property that won’t bust your budget. First, it's important to keep the property well-organized, so consider working with a professional organizer to help you achieve order in the rental. Also, take a look at the curb appeal factor; painting the door/shutters, planting flowers around the mailbox, and doing some basic landscaping are all easy ways to boost the home’s attractiveness, and they can be easily maintained. You might also consider simple ways to add security to the property, such as double-cylinder deadbolts on the main entrance doors. This kind of detail looks great on a property website and gives tenants peace of mind. 

Hiring a property manager

The right property manager keeps you updated on all property-related matters and helps you figure out how to make the property attract attention. It can be time-consuming to fix up a property and market it, but an agency can help shoulder the burden. Aside from that, they can also collect rent and take care of the tenant screening process. Hiring a property manager can make things much easier when you’re ready to branch out to other properties. Knowing what to look for in a management company will help you make a quick, informed decision.

Learning how to market 

Marketing a rental property takes some know-how, so it’s important to understand what renters are looking for in your area. You can use a property website to help boost your views, but you can also utilize social media for your marketing needs. One of the most important aspects of garnering interest in a property is taking great photos of the space, but you also need to be detailed about the measurements and amenities. To market your home effectively, it's best to work with experts like Modernly Real Estate Team to ensure that your listing reaches a wide audience by utilizing the latest marketing tools.

Keeping things updated

It’s crucial to make sure your rental property is updated when it comes to features like the kitchen and bathroom, since these are the things most renters look at first. If there’s money in the budget, you might consider an overhaul, such as replacing cabinets and flooring; if not, stick to updating the hardware and appliances. Adding newer lighting fixtures can go a long way towards helping a space look new, as well.

Making a rental property appealing can be a big job, but with a little help from pros and some preparation, you can turn it into a successful investment. Do some research to find out what renters in the area are looking for so you can cater to their needs as closely as possible, but create a budget as well, so you can get the biggest return on your investment.

5 Tips for Homebuyers Starting a Business

If you’re working towards starting a home-based business, you may have come to the realization that your current residence simply isn’t big enough for you to comfortably work and live. Maybe you need more storage space, or perhaps you require a sizable room for your home office. No matter your reason, working with a reputable and knowledgeable realtor like Maggie Cano can help you find the ideal property. Here’s how to invest in a home where you can run and expand your business. 

Decide on Home Features

Before you begin house hunting, you’ll need to think about which home features and fixtures that you require to run your business properly. Do you need a big garage, attic, or basement to store lots of supplies or large, special equipment? Do you want a spacious home office that gets plenty of natural light? Will you need room in your office to meet with clients? Write down all of these features to discuss with your realtor. Then you’ll need to decide on your budget. Money Under 30 suggests allocating less than 28 percent of your gross monthly income to your mortgage payments — otherwise, you may find it difficult to pay your bills each month. 

Work With a Realtor

To find a home that will accommodate your business, you’ll want to work with a qualified realtor. This will make your search much easier. How can the right realtor help you close on the perfect home? They can assist you in getting pre-approved by a lender, finding listings that you may not have come across on your own, and even negotiating your final offer on the house you love. 

Take Precautions

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, you will need to take certain precautions while house hunting. In some cases, you may not be able to tour properties in person. To see the homes you’re interested in, It is recommended to work with your Realtor to determine the requirements prior to scheduling a viewing.

Investing in Your Future

When you’re planning a big move, you might struggle to find the time to work on new business endeavors. But continuing to invest in your company’s future is vital, and earning a business degree on the side can help you do so. For instance, enrolling in an online master’s program in a subject like information technology can definitely benefit your business down the road if you plan to consult or offer IT services. Earning your degree online will allow you to work at your own pace.

Designing Your Home Office

If you’re managing a home-based business, you’ll want to set up your home office shortly after you move in. This will allow you to settle back into a regular work schedule and prioritize your business once you’ve unpacked. 

You may need to purchase some new furniture for your office, but you can save money on these items by checking out yard sales or looking online for people in your new neighborhood who are giving away their own furniture. You might also be able to find what you’re looking for at thrift stores. Once you’ve furnished your office, you’ll be able to focus on expanding your business in your new home. 

If you’re starting up a company that you plan to run from home, you need to make sure that your home has adequate space for your business. For an entrepreneur, moving to a larger home might be a smart investment for your professional future. By connecting with a reliable realtor, you’ll be able to make an offer on a home that suits your business.

On the hunt for a new home with plenty of space for your professional needs? Maggie Cano can support you in your search. Call today at 559-369-8216 to learn more.

Why Working With a Real Estate Professional is the Best Decision You’ll Ever Make

Most people don’t buy a home every day — it’s a once-or-twice-a-decade activity for many of us as opposed to a day-in-day-out activity.

So when you start getting serious about buying, whether it’s your first home or your fourth, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed pretty quickly. Some parts of the process (like searching for a home) have recently become more accessible through technology, but when every buyer has access to the same technology and resources, it’s tough to stand out in a crowd of showing, bids and contracts. 

And there’s a lot more to the journey than just finding the home: You need to figure out financing, negotiate on price and possibly request repairs or make concessions, get the home appraised and inspected, and make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed by the time you sit down at the closing table to sign your name on a stack of paperwork.

That’s why a real estate professional can be an indispensable resource for buyers — unlike most of us, real estate professionals do manage home sale transactions every day, and they can serve as a guide on the buyer’s journey, ushering you from Base Camp “I Think I Want To Buy A House” to Summit the mountain of “I’m A Homeowner,” step by step.

Here are just a few of the ways a real estate professional can help smooth your home buying path.

Getting pre-approved by a lender

Instead of paying rent to the owner of your residence every month, as a homeowner, you’ll be paying back a bank for the money you borrowed to buy your own place.

But before you get there, you need to find that bank and secure that loan. Where do you start that process?

A real estate professional is one good place — agents work with an array of local loan officers representing different lenders, and depending on whether you’re a veteran, your down payment size, your credit score, and a number of other factors, a good local agent will know which lender (and loan officer) might be the best fit for you.

The right loan officer will explain your financing options and help you drill down to the real nitty-gritty, like the size of the monthly mortgage payment that’s affordable on your current income, what you should expect in terms of closing costs, and whether the down payment amount you’ve saved is going to cut it.

Agents can also explain what to expect during the mortgage loan application process, what you should know about transferring money during the sale, why it’s important to review certain documents — and they can usually even attest to whether certain lenders have parameters that might be better for one type of home instead of another.

Choosing a home

Many buyers (mistakenly) think that they don’t need an agent’s help finding a home. They know what they want, and they know how to search the internet — what’s the point of hiring an agent?

Here’s the thing: You might not need any assistance when you’re picking out a car, but there is no consumer report that exists for the specific home you’re about to spend 30 years paying off.

What if you’re someone who thrives on direct sunlight and your “dream home” happens to be located by a hill that’s going to cast it in shadow half the year?

What if you can’t sleep when airplanes are flying overhead and your soon-to-be home is in a major airport’s flight path? 

What about the schools? What about the amenities? How do homes in that area hold their value — can you expect this investment to appreciate in the next few years, and by how much?

Cars come off an assembly line; homes do not. Whether it’s the condition of the home or the neighborhood around it, you don’t want to be unpleasantly surprised once you move in.

A real estate professional has seen other buyers make mistakes (and find gems) and can help you find a home that you still love two or three (or ten!) years down the road.

Making an offer

This can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the process for buyers. Because even if you love the home and are making an offer at the very top of your budget … there is no guarantee that the seller will think it’s worth accepting. You could wind up starting all over again on the home search process.

Real estate professionals can help you do more than make an unsophisticated stab in the dark when it comes to offers — they can show you data that will help you understand whether you’re likely to be underbidding or overbidding, for example, such as the recent sales prices of similar homes nearby, the price-per-square-foot range in the neighborhood, and much more.

This is really where the home sales rubber meets the road. If your offer is high for the market, the seller may leap at it … but you’ll always wonder if you could have gotten a better deal. And if your offer is low, you should understand that so you won’t feel offended or put-out if the seller comes back with a counter-offer.

Closing

You did it! You found a home you love at a price you can afford, the seller accepted the offer, and now all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the closing process. Right?

OK, that’s not exactly true. Even the simplest real estate sale involves quite a few mandated hoops that must be jumped through — like the inspection, the appraisal, title review, and more. 

In some states, a title company manages the closing process; in others, a lawyer is involved. But the negotiation isn’t over yet, not by a long shot.

What happens if the inspector finds an issue with the home that must be addressed before the sale is legal? Who will pay for those repairs — you or the seller?

And what can you expect in terms of finalizing the loan and moving your down payment or earnest money from your account to the sellers? What should you look for during the final walk-through? 

An agent can lay out a roadmap from offer acceptance to keys-in-hand and make sure you’re staying on track … which can feel like a lifesaver to a buyer drowning in details.

… And beyond!

When you’re all moved in and settling down, you’ll probably discover some upgrades you’d like to make and work on shaping your home to fit you instead of the previous owner.

Your real estate professional already knows your house (and the neighborhood), so why not reach out when you’re considering adding a deck or redoing a bathroom? They can help you figure out which improvements are timeless and will increase your home’s value versus quickly dated trends that you might have to redo again before you sell.

And that’s not all — your agent probably knows people in the neighborhood, from home service providers like plumbers and electricians to lifestyle service providers like day-care operators and pet sitters. If you need a recommendation, ask your agent!

Buying a home goes well beyond finding one for sale on the internet. Buyers who use the services of a real estate professional find the process more enjoyable and less stressful — and they also have an advocate to negotiate tirelessly on their behalf.