Preparing a Home to Sell Archives - Carol and Mick Real Estate

All About Home Inspections

Carol and Mick — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 17:16:59 +0000

All About Home Inspections

As part of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, it’s customary for buyers to arrange and bear the cost of a professional home inspection prior to closing. Be prepared: inspections will invariably reveal some areas of concern, and buyers are likely to request you address these issues before moving forward with the sale.

As seasoned real estate professionals with extensive knowledge of home construction, we will highlight potential problem areas before they’re flagged in a buyer’s inspection. In many cases, conducting a pre-listing inspection on your own can offer significant benefits. This proactive approach gives you the opportunity to undertake necessary repairs early on, eliminating potential hurdles that could delay or even derail a sale. Prevention is key, and the easiest issues to address are those that never become contentious points.

Inspections demand specific technical expertise, necessitating a professional Home Inspector. While it’s helpful for homeowners to be aware of common issues, a Home Inspector provides a comprehensive overview of the home’s structure and potential problems, including aspects like:

Pilot lights on various appliances
Electrical system including the fuse/breaker box
Main water shut-off controls
Structural elements such as foundation, floors, walls, and roof
Windows and doors
Plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
Septic tank, well, or sewer line
Common areas in condominiums and cooperatives

There are several additional factors homeowners should be mindful of, including:

Lead-Based Paint: Homes built prior to 1978 often used lead-based paint. While not typically hazardous when in good condition, deteriorating paint poses health risks and necessitates immediate attention. Federal law mandates sellers disclose any known lead-based paint hazards before selling the house, providing buyers a window to check for such issues.
Septic/Well System Inspections: If a buyer requests such an inspection, the local County Environmental Health department will be contacted, potentially delaying the process by 2-3 weeks depending on weather conditions. The inspection’s results will inform further actions.
Radon: The metro Atlanta area is a high Radon zone, and many buyers request a specific test for this colorless, odorless, and potentially harmful gas, typically requiring the seller to mitigate any high Radon levels.
Low Flow Fixtures: Pre-1995 dwellings in unincorporated Dekalb County need certification verifying all plumbing fixtures are water-conserving “low flow” design. Buyers often seek a price adjustment, or even contract termination, if necessary upgrades aren’t agreed upon by the seller.

Please note, as a seller and us, your real estate agents, are obligated to disclose any hidden structural flaws or environmental hazards that could influence a buyer’s decision. This requirement is also applicable to For Sale By Owner transactions.

If a professional inspection was conducted when you purchased the property and you decided not to repair any identified deficiencies, we need to know. Some unresolved issues might be more significant than you realize, and it could be wise to address them prior to a buyer’s inspection. As always, our aim is to resolve potential problems before they arise.

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Essential Staging Tips to Elevate Your Home’s Potential

Carol and Mick — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:10:27 +0000

Essential Staging Tips to Elevate Your Home’s Potential

Curb Appeal
Create an inviting exterior with a lush green lawn, tasteful seasonal decorations, and a welcoming entrance mat.
Master Suite
Transform your master suite into a luxurious hotel room, emphasizing comfort and elegance.
Bathrooms
Upgrade fixtures, re-grout tiles, and remove bath mats to create a spacious and refreshed bathroom.
Kitchen
Clear off countertops, and if possible, showcase new kitchen appliances for added appeal.
Storage
Consider renting a storage unit to declutter and create a more spacious feel throughout your home.
Closets
Invest in closet organizer systems to maximize storage potential and showcase tidiness.
General Appeal
Freshen up interiors with neutral paint, focus on white ceilings to create the illusion of height, replace outdated lighting fixtures, and ensure flooring is well-maintained or replaced if necessary.

By implementing these staging strategies, you can significantly enhance your home’s marketability and captivate potential buyers from the moment they step through the door.

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Respect and Responsibility: A Checklist for Clearing Out a Deceased Parent’s House

Carol and Mick — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 15:46:20 +0000

Clearing out a deceased parent’s house can be an emotional and overwhelming process, but having a checklist can help make it easier. Here’s a checklist you can use:

Gather important documents.
Look for important documents such as wills, deeds, insurance policies, and bank statements.

Contact a probate attorney.
If your parents had a will, you may need to work with a probate attorney to distribute their assets according to their wishes.

Notify government agencies.
Notify government agencies such as the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other relevant agencies of your parents’ passing.

Cancel services and accounts.
Cancel services such as utilities, phone, and internet, and close any bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts.

Determine the value of items.
Determine the value of items in the house, such as jewelry, art, and collectibles, and decide what to do with them.

Contact charities.
If you want to donate items, research charities and schedule a pickup.

Arrange for an estate sale or auction.
If you have a lot of items to sell, consider arranging for an estate sale or auction.

Hire a professional cleaner or disposal service.
If the house is cluttered or if there are items you don’t want to keep, consider hiring a professional cleaner or disposal service.

Decide what to do with the house.
Decide whether to keep, sell, or rent out the house.

Document your actions.
Keep a record of all the actions you take and the decisions you make during the clearing-out process.

This checklist is not exhaustive and the specific steps you need to take may vary depending on the situation, but it should give you a good starting point.

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Selling a House in Probate: A Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating the Process

Carol and Mick — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 01:23:47 +0000

Here are some tips for understanding and navigating the probate process for selling a house. For more help and guidance, work with a real estate agent who is knowledgeable and experienced in selling a house in probate.

Determine if you need court approval. In some states, the court must approve the sale of a property in probate. In Georgia, you must get court approval before selling a house in probate.
Get a grant of probate. A grant of probate is a legal document that gives the executor of the estate the authority to manage and distribute the assets.
Hire a real estate agent. A real estate agent who specializes in probate sales can be helpful. They will assist you in listing the property and help you navigate the complex process of selling a property in probate.
Price the property. Have a professional assess the property to determine its value. This will help you determine a fair asking price for the property.
Prepare the property for sale. You may need to make repairs or updates to the property to make it more appealing to potential buyers. You should also have a professional clean the property.
List the property. Your real estate agent will list the property for sale, and market it to potential buyers.
Accept an offer. Review any offers received with your real estate agent to determine if they are fair offers. Once you accept an offer, the buyer will go through the standard steps of purchasing a property.
Close the sale. Once all the necessary paperwork is completed and the buyer has obtained financing, the sale will be finalized and the proceeds will be distributed according to the terms of the will or the probate court’s order.

Please note: The sale of a property in probate is subject to certain legal requirements, and you should seek the help of an attorney to ensure that the process is completed properly.

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What’s The Difference Between Real Property and Personal Property?

Carol and Mick — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 20:07:46 +0000

In the context of estate administration, it is important to accurately identify and classify property as either real property or personal property, as this can affect the distribution of assets and the payment of taxes and debts.

In Georgia, the difference between real property and personal property is defined as:

Real property is immovable property, such as land and buildings. This includes any structures that are permanently attached to the land, such as houses, barns, or sheds. Real property also includes the rights and interests that are associated with the ownership of the land, such as mineral rights, air rights, and water rights.

Personal property, on the other hand, refers to movable property that is not permanently attached to the land. This includes items such as:
- Furniture
- Jewelry
- Vehicles
- Artwork
- Stock certificates
- Bank accounts
- Investment accounts
- Other possessions

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What happens to the personal belongings inside the house?

Carol and Mick — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 18:11:49 +0000

When a loved one dies, the disposition of their personal belongings can vary depending on the individual’s wishes, state laws, and the terms of their will or trust.

It is important to keep in mind that the distribution of personal belongings can be a sensitive and emotional issue, and it may be helpful to seek the assistance of a probate attorney or other legal professional to ensure that the process is handled fairly and in accordance with the law.

First, Does a Will or Trust Exist?

Yes
In this case, the deceased person may have left specific instructions in their will or trust regarding the distribution of their personal belongings. If so, the estate administrator or personal representative will follow the instructions to distribute the belongings as specified.

No
The distribution of personal belongings may be governed by the laws of intestacy of the state where the deceased person lived. In Georgia, the laws of intestacy specify who is entitled to inherit the deceased person’s property if there is no will.

Options for Personal Belongings

Keep
The family may agree to divide the personal belongings among themselves, either by mutual agreement or through a formal division process.

Sell
In some cases, personal belongings may be sold in order to pay debts or taxes owed by the estate. Once you are named the executor, you can take inventory and appraise assets, including the home’s contents and market value.

If you’re facing the difficult task of clearing out a deceased parent’s home, take the first step towards finding peace after loss by downloading Respect and Responsibility: A Checklist for Clearing Out a Deceased Parent’s House.

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3 stages of preparing a home to sell

Carol and Mick — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 22:14:14 +0000

When you’re preparing your home to sell, the key is to look at your home from the buyer’s perspective. The goal of the home prepping process is to highlight your home’s best features.

Stage 1: Repair
Break out the toolbox or hire a professional. Anything that doesn’t work perfectly can stand out to a potential buyer.

Stage 2: Declutter and depersonalize
Leave open space on counters, clear out closets, and showcase storage areas.

Stage 3: Set the stage
Rearrange furniture, bring in new decor, or repurpose rooms so that buyers can visualize themselves in the home.

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5 spaces to clean to get your home ready to list

Carol and Mick — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 22:05:33 +0000

Windows
Carpets and floors (including grout)
Gutters
HVAC filter
Porch and patio

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5 ways to boost curb appeal

Carol and Mick — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:38:41 +0000

One of the quickest and most noticeable ways to refresh your estate property is by freshening up its curb appeal.

Here are 5 quick ways to boost your home’s curb appeal:

1. Clear debris and pull any weeds around walkways and driveway

2. Mow and clean up the edges of your lawn

3. Plant seasonal flowers in garden beds, pots or hanging baskets

4. Tidy up your front porch; clean off debris, wipe down furniture, wash windows, add a new welcome mat

5. Check that all outdoor lighting is in working order. For an extra boost, add landscape lighting around trees, shrubs and walkways

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Home selling strategy: Make repairs

Carol and Mick — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:34:16 +0000

If you’re getting your estate property ready to list, break out your toolbox (or hire a professional) to make any needed repairs. Anything that doesn’t work perfectly can stand out to a potential buyer.

With everything working how it should, buyers will be able to focus on all that is right with the home, rather than tallying up future repairs.

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