Home Christmas Tree Safety

Christmas-Tree-Safety

The holidays are a joyous time to be at home with family and friends. If you celebrate Christmas, you may enjoy decorating a tree on your own or with your loved ones. However, it’s important to be mindful of safety with a real tree in your home. Consider the following tips.

Find a fresh tree. A fresh Christmas tree with bright green needles is less likely to catch fire. The tree shouldn’t be shedding its needles before you bring it home.

Light it right. Not all holiday lights are built the same. Before purchasing lights or stringing your tree, check the box to make sure all your Christmas lights have been tested in a lab by the UL or ETL/ITSNA. If a string of lights is damaged, toss it out.

Safe setting. Of course, to avoid a fire, set your tree in a safe spot away from radiators, candles, fireplaces, vents or lights. Always keep the tree base filled with water to keep your tree healthy and a fire at bay.

Don’t over-decorate. While it can be tempting to load your tree with every decoration, an overloaded tree is more likely to come crashing down. Decorate lightly if possible, especially if you have small children or playful pets in the house.

Power down at night. Even though it can seem appealing to leave your tree lights on all night, power them down when you turn in for the night to ensure safety.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com

Understanding Assumable Mortgages

assumable_mortgages

When embarking on the purchase of a new home, you likely hear a lot of mortgage talk – what kind you should get, how long a term is ideal, and interest rates, interest rates, interest rates.

One unique mortgage option available in specific cases is the assumable mortgage, which allows a buyer to take over a seller’s loan.

It’s important to note that assumable mortgages are typically only available for certain loans, like FHA and VA loans. If your seller has one of these loans, this may be something to discuss with your real estate agent. But first, let’s break down how these mortgages work.

Taking on an assumable mortgage means that the buyer can have the seller’s loan transferred to them with lender approval, keeping the loan terms the same.

Advantages
Low interest.
 Assumable mortgages can be great for the buyer if the seller’s interest rates are much lower than rates being offered currently, or if the buyer’s credit history isn’t ideal.

Decreased closing costs. Taking on an assumable mortgage can mean decreased closing costs, depending on the details of the sale.

Marketing strategy. This is a pro for the seller, who can use their assumable mortgage to entice buyers in a saturated market.

Disadvantages
More mortgages.
 If the value of the home is greater than what’s left of the mortgage, and the buyer doesn’t have enough cash to meet the difference, the buyer could have to take on a second mortgage, which may not be ideal.

Seller obligations. Another note for sellers: Make sure you are fully released from loan obligations before signing anything over. If your name remains attached and your buyer defaults down the line, you could be held accountable.

As always, be sure to talk to your real estate agent, lender and financial advisor before making any major loan decisions.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com

Renovation tips

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5 Renovation Prep Tips to Save Your Sanity

Renovating your house is no small job, and while you will likely plan your design, budget, and materials, many homeowners don’t realize just how much of a disruption the construction may be for everyday life – especially if it’s a major overhaul, or you have small children in the mix. Below are five tips to take as you get ready for your renovation.

Pack a survival kit. The importance of this step will vary depending on what you’re renovating, but if it’s a major renovation, pack a bag as if you’re taking a trip. Clothes, toiletries and essentials should all be readily available when your master bedroom is being redone and your items are living in boxes.

Minimize your schedule. Renovations can be stressful, so dilute your commitments for the expanse of your renovation to avoid the added anxiety of social pressures.

Meal prep. If your kitchen won’t be 100 percent accessible, do as much meal prep as you can in advance. Cook several large batches of family favorites and store them in the freezer. If the idea of cooking ahead of time overwhelms you, sock away an “eating out” budget that will cover the length of your reno.

Plan a backup sleep spot. As your renovation begins, you may find sleeping in your half demolished house is stressful and unsettling. Set up a few nights at a friend or family member’s house in advance to help ease the stress of tiptoeing around a construction zone.

Plan for power or water cuts. If there will be a time in your renovation where power sources or water supply will be unavailable, plan with your contractor to time these periods while you’re at work or staying with a friend to avoid disruptions to your schedule.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com

Understanding the assumable mortgage.

computer

Understanding Assumable Mortgages/ Jacksonville, NC 28540

When embarking on the purchase of a new home, you likely hear a lot of mortgage talk – what kind you should get, how long a term is ideal, and interest rates, interest rates, interest rates.

One unique mortgage option available in specific cases is the assumable mortgage, which allows a buyer to take over a seller’s loan.

It’s important to note that assumable mortgages are typically only available for certain loans, like FHA and VA loans. If your seller has one of these loans, this may be something to discuss with your real estate agent. But first, let’s break down how these mortgages work.

Taking on an assumable mortgage means that the buyer can have the seller’s loan transferred to them with lender approval, keeping the loan terms the same.

Advantages
Low interest.
 Assumable mortgages can be great for the buyer if the seller’s interest rates are much lower than rates being offered currently, or if the buyer’s credit history isn’t ideal.

Decreased closing costs. Taking on an assumable mortgage can mean decreased closing costs, depending on the details of the sale.

Marketing strategy. This is a pro for the seller, who can use their assumable mortgage to entice buyers in a saturated market.

Disadvantages
More mortgages.
 If the value of the home is greater than what’s left of the mortgage, and the buyer doesn’t have enough cash to meet the difference, the buyer could have to take on a second mortgage, which may not be ideal.

Seller obligations. Another note for sellers: Make sure you are fully released from loan obligations before signing anything over. If your name remains attached and your buyer defaults down the line, you could be held accountable.

As always, be sure to talk to your real estate agent, lender and financial advisor before making any major loan decisions.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com

5 Early Summer Yard Projects

DIY-Yard-Crashers-Ideas-Outdoor-Lounge

Jacksonville , NC   June 14, 2018

5 Early Summer Yard Projects

Early summer, when the weather is warm but the most intense heat has yet to descend, is often an ideal time to add a few yard projects to your weekend to-do list.

Below are five fun projects to tackle with your family. Bonus: most can be done during a single weekend if you have more than one set of hands on deck.

Build a firepit. There are a myriad of helpful tutorials online for building your own fire pit outside, and some are as simple as arranging attractive bricks or cinder blocks. Create a simple or intricate pit, assuring it’s a safe distance from the house and far from any foliage, and break out the marshmallows.

Install a (temporary) outdoor shower. Before you say, “but I’m not a plumber,” think about this fun, quick fix: Wrap a hose around a favorite tree, hanging the nozzle just above height level. Install a shower curtain around a hula hoop and hang it from the same tree, so that the nozzle of the hose hangs down the center. Attach a shower nozzle at the end of the hose and voila – a quick, fun shower for rinsing off in your suit after the beach.

Restain the deck. This may be more functional than fun, but if your deck is looking a little tired, a clear, rain-free weekend is the perfect time for re-staining. You can do this yourself. Just be sure to properly clean and sand the deck down before staining, and don’t forget to weather-seal it. Talk to a professional at your closest home improvement store to make sure you get the proper seals and stains, and follow directions accordingly.

Create an easy lounge area. Choose a corner of your deck, yard or patio that isn’t getting much use, ideally one with at least one side snug against the house. Purchase or find a few pallets, paint them fun colors, and secure them into the corner. Add a futon pad or bed topper, toss on a few comfy pillows, and you’ve got a luxurious lounge area for the whole family to enjoy.

Add a touch of whimsy. Parents with young children, this one’s for you. Create a fun playspace in your backyard to keep the kids entertained all season long. A few ideas: Spray paint twister dots on the grass for family fun; string a sheet from the trees, grab a projector, and have movie nights al fresco; repurpose that hula-hoop shower curtain idea without the hose for a fun fort for one. Or, drag that old bunk bed frame your child has outgrown into the yard, seal it with waterproof sealer, and transform it into a star gazing center.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com

The Basics of Staging Your home

June 6, 2018

Jacksonville, North Carolina

The Basics of Staging Your Home

If you’re prepping your home for sale, you’re probably juggling a million tasks, from taking care of last-minute fixes to fielding calls from your agent and working on your next move. So when it comes to staging the space, the idea alone may feel exhausting. Below are three easy concepts for getting started.

Simple. Keep things simple by removing and storing unnecessary furniture and large items. That oversized bookcase that holds your beloved books, the non-essential living room furniture, the consoles and baskets that add flare, but not function, can all go. By removing much of the larger pieces in your home, you will also have a simpler time with the next concept.

Clean. Now that you’ve reduced your furniture count, get into all the nooks and crannies and really clean. If you have rooms in your house that you don’t need to access all the time (a formal dining room, a second TV room, guest bedrooms, etc.), make them off limits to your family during your staged period so that you don’t make extra work for yourself.

Fresh. Now that your space is minimal and clean, add fresh touches. This can include flowers, swinging open windows and drawing back curtains to let light in. Another aspect of freshening your space is to strip it of items like family photos and mementos so that potential buyers can see a blank canvas, and begin to paint themselves inside.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com

5 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Mood

How-to-Prepare-Your-Home-for-Redecorating

5 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Mood

If you feel like your home could use a personality makeover, there are many things you should consider. Below are a handful of things that can easily impact the mood of your space.

Colors. The easiest way to brighten or mellow the feeling of your home is with color. From the paint on the walls to the furniture and accents, you can ground your space with grays and deep blues, or make it pop with butter yellow walls and bright orange throw pillows.

Furniture. If you’re feeling stuffy in your space, the furniture (and its layout) may be to blame. Open things up by turning that wall-facing sofa out towards the room’s center, swap that beat-up old easy chair for a sleeker design, and remove any pieces that don’t get used enough to justify their presence.

Lighting. If your home feels dingy and dark, bad lighting is likely the culprit. Examine your space for the places you spend the most time in, as well as your entrance and main focal points, and ensure they are well-lit. This may take a few sconces along stairwells, tracking lights in the kitchen, or under-mount lights in the bathroom.

Art. Your home will reflect your personality if you add art that speaks to you. Remember when it comes to artwork in the home, less is often more. Choose a few bold pieces and place them in areas where they will get a lot of eyeballs.

Plants. Well-groomed houseplants have a calming impact on your space. Potted palms in corners or sweet little succulents lined on a shelf can do wonders.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com

5 Things to Check When Viewing a Home

5 Things to Check When Viewing a Home

If you’re shopping for a home right now, you’re likely seeing dozens of properties. While this is great news for prospective buyers, there are a handful of essential things you should be looking for when doing a walk-through.

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Roof. When entering or exiting the property, take a moment to look up. While you can’t always tell if the roof is well-maintained by looks alone, missing or warped shingles are a sign that the roof has been neglected.

Rust. Check any major appliances that will be coming with the house for signs of rust or neglect. Think the HVAC system and water heater.

Warping. Examine the corners of rooms and the angles of doors. Are things tilted or warped? This could point to issues with the foundation.

Moisture. If the home smells musty, or the wood around the windows is soft or rotted, it’s likely that there’s some sort of moisture leak, be it from a pipe, an improperly fitted or warped window, or a funky foundation.

Lots of listings. If there are numerous listings on any given street, there might be a reason why. Do your research before purchasing a property in an area that others are running from.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com

4 Steps to Prepare your Home for Sale in Jacksonville NC

Curb appeal home

4 Steps to Prep Your Home for Sale in Jacksonville NC

Thinking about selling your home soon? The following four steps can help you prep your space for the market.

1. Determine its worth. Before you start making repairs, find out your home’s value. Contact a real estate agent for a comparative market analysis, which is an informal estimate of value based on the recent selling price of similar neighborhood properties. You can also get a certified appraiser to provide an appraisal.

2. Beautify. Next, get busy working on the home’s appearance. You want to make sure it is in the best condition possible for showing to prospective buyers so that you can get top dollar. This means fixing or sprucing up any trouble spots that could deter a buyer, such as squeaky doors, a leaky roof, dirty carpets and walls, and broken windows.

3. Up the curb appeal. The ‘curb appeal’ of your home is extremely important. It is the first impression that buyers form of your property as they drive or walk up. So make sure the lawn is pristine—the grass cut, debris removed, garden beds free of weeds, and hedges trimmed.

4. Don’t overdo it. Make repairs, but make sure you’re considering your return on investment as you do. The trick is not to overspend on pre-sale repairs and fix-ups, especially if there are few homes on the market but many buyers competing for them. On the other hand, making such repairs may be the only way to sell your home in a down market.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

To get an INSTANT value of your home- click this link.  Click here

 

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com

How Do You Determine a Home’s Worth?

home-worth

February 22, 2018 Jacksonville North Carolina

How Do You Determine a Home’s Worth?

While there are several methods for determining what a home is “worth,” when it comes down to it, a home is ultimately worth what someone pays for it. Everything else is really an estimate of value. Take, for example, a hot seller’s market when demand for housing is high but the inventory of available homes for sale is low. During this time, homes can sell above and beyond the asking price as buyers bid up the price. The fair market value, or worth, is established when “a meeting of the minds” between the buyer and the seller takes place.

That said, there are several methods for determining what a home is worth.

A comparative market analysis and an appraisal are the two most common and reliable ways to determine a home’s value.

Your real estate agent can provide a comparative market analysis, an informal estimate of value based on the recent selling price of similar neighborhood properties. Reviewing comparable homes that have sold within the past year along with the listing, or asking, price on current homes for sale should prevent you from overpaying.

A certified appraiser can provide an appraisal of a home. After visiting the home to check such things as the number of rooms, improvements, size and square footage, construction quality, and the condition of the neighborhood, the appraiser then reviews recent comparable sales to determine the estimated value of the home.

Lenders normally require an appraisal – which runs between $200 to $300 – before they will approve a mortgage loan. This protects the lender by ensuring the home is worth the money you want to borrow.

You can also check recent sales in public records, through private firms, and on the Internet to help you determine a home’s potential worth.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Christina Tompkins Wright
Christinatompkinswright@gmail.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hometown, REALTORS
Office: 910-478-2637
Mobile: 910-330-5803
http://www.ChristinaTWright.com