Kitchen Countertops Quincy,Il "The really real REALTOR®"

Kitchen countertops can make an old kitchen look renewed. When I show homes to clients and we make it to the kitchen area the first thing the client does is rub their hands across the countertops. Countertops have come along way design wise. You can now buy laminate that look like granite and quartz that appear to have diamonds. Let's do a little run down of what each style is.

Laminate Countertops

Solid Surface Countertops

Granite Countertops

 

 

Quartz Countertops

  This local home (Payson, Il) had one of the best kitchens and countertops I have seen. I think it's safe to say this kitchen had realtors talking.   After showing this house, I went home and told my husband I think I found the countertops I wanted. We went to the store and priced these exact countertops and decided we would have to sell a kidney on the black market in order to buy these. 😆  None the less they are absolutely stunning. One day Stellar Snow Quartz you will be mine!

 I hope todays blog on countertops gives you and idea of what is available and the differences.If you need help finding a home with a stunning kitchen, call me!

"The Really Real REALTOR®" Quincy, Il Writing a contract on the home you ♥

Writing a Real Estate purchase contract that can set you apart from other Buyers.

 
 #1  –What is earnest money? Why are there different amounts for different homes? What does an agent say to a seller about your offer?

 Keep in mind that, as a Buyer, an escrow deposit can clearly show a Seller how serious or committed you are in buying their home.  If you want the Seller to know that you really love their home and want to buy it, your escrow deposit is one thing that can let them know.  If you’re buying a $400,000 home and your Real Estate contract reveals a deposit of $1000, does this really show the Seller how serious you are about purchasing their home? That’s less than 1%, which screams; not too serious, not too committed.  A bit of seriousness begins at a minimum of 1% and as you go up from there, lets the Seller know of your intentions. Depending upon the type of financing you’re utilizing, your loan type can set forth the amount of your deposit.  There are a number of different options that will show the Seller of your good intentions. These options can be discussed with your trusted Realtor.  Just remember, that if you try to skimp on your deposit, there  could be another Buyer that comes by offering a more attractive deposit, which the Seller may read as a more interested Buyer. It’s a good time to put your money where your mouth is, so to speak.  You don’t want your offer to appear as being nonchalant.  Now is not the time to show you don’t care.

Before looking at homes your trusted REALTOR® will explain your price range and what amount of earnest money is typically expected in that price range when making an offer. Prepare yourself, don't be shocked when you find your perfect home and you are writing the offer and your agent asks for a earnest check. BE PREPARED! You should not be looking at homes if you haven't saved for earnest money. Let me explain... If you find your perfect home and 3 other buys think it's their perfect home, all 4 will write an offer. If you have a solid contract it will include earnest money. If your offer was up against the 3 other offers and they all had earnest money and your offer didn't , guess who's contract won't be chosen by the seller to buy that perfect home! 

Earnest money is typically due upon acceptance of the contract. When you write a contract you will be asked to provide a check. If the contract is accepted by the seller, your check will be deposited into an escrow account. Yes, your check will be CASHED. The funds will sit in the escrow account through the inspections and up to the closing date.  If a buyer backs out on a contract for an unjustified reason, the seller will get to keep the earnest money. Don't forget this money shows you are a serious buyer. Serious buyers don't walk away from a contract unless there is a justified reason such as something coming up on the home inspection and the seller refusing to fix it and it makes or breaks buying the home for you.

Sellers depend on their agent to explain to them when a contract comes in on their home if it is a good buyer. How I check for a good buyer contract is by first looking at the FINANCING, will this be a more strict inspection for a specific kind of loan like FHA, next is EARNEST money, are they serious about this home, did they show they were serious with the appropriate amount of earnest money. The next thing I go over with my seller is the buyers request for INSPECTIONS.  (Writing a good offer doesn't mean don't write in inspections.)  A good offer has a typical inspection time frame allowed. This means they have so many days to have inspections done. It is important that this time frame isn't left open to long. The typical amount of days allowed is 15-20 in our local market. If you have a large amount of days for inspections you are not allowing time for repairs and this can push back a closing date. I don't know about you but when I am a seller and moving, that closing date is pretty important to me! FYI- If you have a long inspection time that runs into another month as a seller you have to pay another mortgage payment! Yuck!
Make sure that you really want to purchase the home and then show that you agree to do what you have put in the contract.   
If you’re not serious, don’t present an offer.

*Your lender will explain to you how earnest money will A)Be applied to your loan or B) Given back to you at closing. 

#2 – Be prepared with your Financing commitment due date

 I’m sure it was recommended to you that you get Pre Approved from your Mortgage Lender regarding your financial ability to make a Real Estate purchase.  Your Lender should then be able to provide you with a date in which they can provide you with a financing commitment.  This should be a written commitment that indicates you have received a go ahead from your Lender for them to provide you with the financing needed to purchase your home.  This will typically come with a few conditions that must be met with the formality of gathering certain documentation.  On our standard Illinois Real Estate contract, the average commitment date is 30-45 days.  Of course, check with your Lender to confirm their capability to meet such a date.  Remember, that any date that you put forth in the Real Estate purchase contract, will need to be met, so as not to be in default.  If you state on the contract that you will provide commitment within 15 days and you provide a written commitment on the 18th day, you are now in default of the contract and any attempt by you, as a Buyer, to cancel the contract can result in you forfeiting your escrow deposit.

Pre-approval, Pre-approval, Pre-approval! I will not show a home to a buyer who is not pre-approved. Why would I mislead you to look at homes that may be way under your allowed budget or way over your allowed budget? Why would I show you a station wagon when you could own a Corvette? That's what pre approval is for. It let's you and your REALTOR® know what homes you qualify for and it let's a seller know when you are ready to write an offer that you are so serious, you have your financing in order and you can afford their home! 

Call me and I will give you lenders names who can typically pre-approve you the same day if you qualify!

I’ve listed a few of the important terms to speak about when presenting your offer to buy a home, so the Seller can see your a serious buyer! Perhaps you have other questions about buying a home – call me now!

 To see new listings and local marketing statistics, let's be friends on Facebook! 
 https://www.facebook.com/century21broughtonteammistydowling/

 This BLOG is not intended to provide legal advice, as you should hire a Real Estate Attorney to provide legal advice.

Quincy, Il "Really Real REALTOR®" Simple ideas for curb appeal! :)

More buyers will want to stop and look at your home if you have CURB APPEAL!

I have provided a few simple curb appeal ideas that can help you sell your home for more money and quickly!

Studies show that homes with great curb appeal take a shorter amount of time to sell — plus they fetch higher selling prices. Even if you’re not planning to sell in the near future, these 15 upgrades will make you happy every time you pull into your driveway.

1. Shutters

Decorate your home with attractive shutters or striking accent trim to add an interesting element of contrast to your façade. Pick from a range of styles, which may include cottage chic or French country to enhance the personality of your home.

2. Landscape Lighting

Virtually nothing creates more ambiance than mood lighting, especially at night. Install solar lighting in your yard for a great look without the need for electricity. Try using a spotlight to highlight a gorgeous tree, and don’t forget about path lights.

3. Front Door

Many homeowners are apprehensive when it comes to painting the front door. But, by choosing just the right shade that perfectly harmonizes with your home’s color palette and overall architectural style, it can really set the tone and grab everyone’s attention.


4. Walkway

Decorative bricks and pavers laid in an eye-catching pattern will draw the eye straight to your beautiful front door.

5. Landscaping

Adding bushes, trees, and shrubs that will complement and frame your home will add a huge dose of gorgeous curb appeal in addition to keeping a well-maintained yard. Here are some more landscaping ideas.

6. Potted Plants

Place big potted plants full of beautiful blooms to revitalize both your front entryway and welcome your visitors.

7. House Numbers

House numbers are a very important part of overall curb appeal and are literally one of the first elements that catch the eye, which is why they should be visually interesting and large enough to read from the curb.

8. Hardware

Replace your tired hardware with fresh new knockers, hinges, kick plates, and knobs to dramatically enhance your home’s style.

9. Window Boxes

Use window boxes to instantly add energy to your house with lush foliage and colorful plants and flowers.

10. Driveway

For a cost-saving, quick update, simply fill in the cracks of your driveway and re-coat the surface using a blacktop refinishing compound or perhaps install a unique border with paver stones or concrete to embellish the look.

11. Storm Door

If your front door is super attractive or highly unique, show it off by using a storm door that’s primarily made of glass to enhance your front entryway.

12. Paint

Is there anything paint can’t do or fix? If your entire home doesn’t actually need a coat of paint, then just repaint the trim in a fresh, lively color to add a splash of personality to your curb appeal.

13. Fences and Railings

Consider replacing or painting any railings or fences that lead to your front entryway in order to improve your lawn’s visual appeal.

14. Garage Door

A fresh garage door makes your whole property look more appealing. You can instantly breathe new life into a drab-looking garage door with a fresh coat of paint.

15. Mailbox

Why not turn your boring but functional mailbox into a work of art that turns heads? There are many unique options available today.

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t put a lot of thought or time into their curb appeal until it’s time to actually sell their home and move. This, however, doesn’t make much sense. Take the time to optimize the look of your home as much as possible while you’re currently still living there. Don’t you deserve it? Doesn’t your home?