It doesn’t matter what kind of deal you get on a new home in Amarillo, Texas, moving is hard. The best you can do is diminish associated hassles. Following are several tips to help stimulate your mind and save you unnecessary difficulty during your move.
1. Get New Homes Re-Keyed Immediately
Find out how many doors are accessible via key, and which keys access them. Rekey those doors as soon as possible after you’ve signed the dotted line. If you can do it the day of the sale, this may be worthwhile. You’ll need to secure the new premises; doing so sooner rather than later makes the moving process easier.
2. Use The Move To Organize Yourself
Perhaps have a yard sale as you move, throw out what you don’t need, and get everything else properly organized as you pack it up.
When in your new home, hang on to your new organizational practices.
3. Use House Trade-In Programs Like Those From Experience Homes
A house trade-in program helps you avoid realtor fees, you don’t have to show your old home, you don’t have to pay simultaneous mortgages, and you can leave when you want. This can give you flexibility in time frames, making the sale of previous property and the move to a new home much less complicated.
4. Be Strategic With Garages, Attics, And Finished Or Unfinished Basements
Attics, unfinished basements, and garages are often unused or improperly used. Now that you’ve reorganized everything, determine if you’ll use these spaces for storage or utility. A garage could be a “workshed,” as it were. Or it might just be a place for cars.
Know what you want to do beforehand, pack up strategically for what you’ve planned. This is a lot easier than just throwing things where you can and losing utility of a room for a few weeks or months after the fact.
5. If You Need To Paint Anything, Do It Prior The Move
Be sure you know whether the new home needs painting work. Oftentimes new homeowners don’t realize this until after they’ve already come into a new property. Do so prior to your move and save yourself some hassle.
It’s a lot easier to paint empty rooms than full ones.
A Moving Experience That’s More Convenience
Moving is work, but you can defer much of it by doing repairs/augmentations like painting prior the move, having a plan for your possessions beforehand, going with Home Trade-In options like those from Experience Homes, home builders in Amarillo, Texas, organizing yourself and goods during the move, and ensuring all doors are immediately rekeyed. Some of these tips may or may not be right for you; figure out what works, and save yourself some trouble!
Spring is in the air, and prime time for home buying and selling is in full swing. So is spring the best time to sell your house? Spring is the most popular time to sell a home, by-and-large, but there are disadvantages to selling in the spring, too.
How Does Your Home Measure Up?
Everyone has to do some kind of prep work to get their home ready to sell. If yours needs major work, it may be better to wait until it’s done, instead of rushing to sell.
If your home is about the same age, condition, and has similar amenities to others in your neighborhood, it may be easier to sell in the spring when there are lots of buyers. Under those conditions, homes sell faster, and buyers often put in a competitive bid on homes to get into the neighborhood of their choice.
There’s More Competition
This can be a good thing or a bad thing: On one hand, your home could sell quickly at a profitable price, but on the other hand, it means you’ll also become a home buyer in a sellers market. Either way, it can create stress for both buyers and sellers. Buyers get outbid or have to submit bids on several homes before they get accepted. Sellers often benefit from having multiple offers but may have to leave their home sooner than they would like, find temporary living arrangements, or have problems finding another home quickly.
Will You Be Able to Find Another Home?
You have to live somewhere; your financial situation and ability to relocate has to be a consideration. Statistically speaking spring is the best time to sell your house. But ultimately your financial situation, ability to relocate and emotional readiness may be bigger factors.
A Home Trade-In Program can eliminate this and other stressful elements of the process. With Experience Homes‘ Home Trade-In Program, there are no real estate agent fees, no showings to worry about, and you won’t have to pay two mortgages while you’re waiting to sell your home. Contact us today!
Pros and Cons: For Sale By Owner or the Realtor Route?
When it’s time to sell your home, many people decide to have a real estate agent help them with that process. There are some hardy souls, however, who decide to sell their homes themselves. Which is a better decision? If you’re thinking about selling your home, here is what you should know about the difference between hiring a realtor and going the for-sale-by-owner route.
Saving Money
A listing agent’s commission is generally around 6% of the sale price. There are homeowners who choose to go their own way to avoid having to pay that fee. The truth, however, is that because the agent knows the area and how to price a home to get it to sell, you may not get as much for your home if you choose to sell it yourself. Even saving yourself that 6% commission, you could still potentially be leaving money on the table.
Having More Control Over Timing
Some home buyers prefer to be the ones to set up showings and open houses to fit better around their schedules. Real estate agents, however, do work with homeowners to determine the best times to set up showings and open houses. In addition, potential buyers are often more comfortable viewing a home if the current owner is not present.
Preparing Paperwork
There are several complicated steps in preparing the paperwork necessary to sell a home – there can be more than 20 pages of paperwork. If you want to avoid legal problems, it’s usually a good idea to have a professional involved in this stage of the process.
Another Alternative
Experience Homes in Amarillo offers a Home Trade-In Program, where we will purchase your home and move the equity directly into a brand-new home. You won’t have to worry about finding an agent, staging or listing your home. You can also stay in your old home until the new one is built, saving you from having to figure out where you’ll stay in between selling one home and buying another.
When it’s time to sell your home, consider what will work best for you. An agent can ensure you get the most money for your home and that the paperwork is done properly. But our Home Trade-In Program can save you many of the hassles of the traditional buying and selling process.
How long does it take to build a house?
If you’re thinking about building a new home, you may be curious about the process and what is happening at each step. You may also want to know how long it will take for a new home to be ready. So how long does it take to build a house? If you choose Experience Homes in Amarillo, the process generally takes about six months. Six months is ideal, but a build can often be up to nine months, mainly due weather delays. Here’s the break down.
Month One
The first steps of the process include finding a builder, deciding what you want from your new home, and obtaining financing. Experience Homes helps homeowners find the right financing. One of their most exciting options is their home trade-in program which allows Experience Homes to purchase your old home at the same time you purchase your new one. This can help offset the cost you your new home and ease the transition from one house to another.
Month Two
During the second month, the lot that you have chosen is cleared and leveled. The concrete foundation is poured. This step takes the longest to give the concrete time to cure properly so that it can be strong enough to carry your home.
Month Three
This is when your home’s framing– or skeleton– is built. Interior systems such as plumbing, HVAC and electrical are also beginning to take shape.
Month Four
During the fourth month the interior systems are finished and sheet rock is put up. This is also the time when the exterior begins to approach a finished state with the application of brick or stone.
Month Five
This is the most fun part of the process as all of the creative design elements you have chose are being done. Tile is laid, cabinets are installed and trim is put in its place.
Month Six
Final touches, adjustments and installations are being done for electrical and plumbing systems. Any last minute painting and touch-ups are done. One of the last steps is installing the carpet to ensure that it is free from contractors’ boot tracks.
The home building process can be exciting. Experience Homes will walk you through the process every step of the way from design, to choosing a lot, to finding the right financing and the construction process. Our Home Trade-In Program allows homeowners to make a smooth transition from their old home to their new one. Contact Experience Homes today.
While many homeowners assume that spring or summer is the ideal time of year to list their home for sale, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, there are many good reasons why listing a property during the winter months is the best overall strategy.
Here are the top 5 reasons to list your home during the cold season instead of amid spring flowers or in the balmy summertime:
1. There Is Less Competition
Contrary to popular opinion, the real “sweet spot” for home sales is in the dead of winter. The reason is obvious – there is less competition on the market, which puts the seller at an advantage due to the regular laws of supply and demand.
With fewer homes to choose from, the hard fact is that buyers can’t afford to be as “picky” if they plan to buy during the winter months. That’s why the best time to list a home is (arguably) from November through January and especially during December.
2. You Get Only Serious Buyers
Think about it. If someone is motivated enough to go about shopping for a new home in cold weather. Packing up and moving during the winter is not much fun either, nor is working around a busy holiday schedule. Thus, winter buyers are almost always “serious” buyers who won’t waste your time and who come prepared.
3. Selling Prices Are Higher
The above-mentioned factors lead naturally to wintertime home sales prices tending to be higher than in the spring or summer. On average, homes sell for 1% more this time of year. That may not sound like much, but 1% of a $300,000 home is $3,000 cash in your hand.
4. Selling Times Are Shorter
Need to sell your house fast? Homes listed in the winter tend to sell a week or more sooner than otherwise. That is unsurprising, given that buyers are serious and maybe on a fixed time table. What it means for the seller is less wait time, the possibility to sell your house fast, less stressing over “what if it doesn’t sell,” and getting into your new home quicker!
5. Financing Processes Quicker
Bankers are less busy in the winter as well, which also works to your advantage. It is easier for people to get pre-approved for a mortgage and to obtain financing faster. The bottom line is that everything just moves faster in a smaller seasonal market.
For help in listing your home, custom-building your dream home, or for information on our home trade-in program, contact Experience Homes in Amarillo today!
When you’ve owned a home for a while, it’s often time to update outdated aspects of the house. Sometimes, however, remodeling can lead to a renovation (whole-house makeover). It’s at this time you need to ask yourself, “Should I just build new instead?”It can be a daunting decision; here are a few things to think about.
- Remodeling can be a bigger job than you originally thought. Even if you’ve gotten several estimates, there are often hidden problems (code violations, outdated electrical wiring, broken submerged pipes, etc.) that expand the scope of the remodel job – adding extra cost.
- When you’re home building from the ground up, you know what you’re getting. Home buyers get inspections, but inspectors can’t find everything. New home building ensures building and safety codes are being met and will be up-to-date.
- Remodel isn’t for everyone. Remodeling jobs often don’t go as quickly as you hope. You may be looking at a home that’s in a state of chaos for a while. By contrast, new home building doesn’t have to take a long time. You can have a brand new home, often in around 6 months, – and construction won’t be disrupting your daily life.
- You can build a custom home to fit your needs. There’s no compensating for previous owners mistakes, or old, impractical and outdated building methods. When you build, your home is being built for you and your family’s immediate needs. Most builders have floor plans you can start with, or they will be able to work with plans you provide.
- Remodeling isn’t always practical. This can be true for a lot of reasons, from the condition of the home, to an inability to relocate during a major renovation, to pricing your home out of the neighborhood. Deciding to build new is just a better choice in some situations.
The decision to build a new home doesn’t have to be a difficult one. Experience Homes can help make your new home a reality with our Home Trade-in Program. When you decide to build a new home with us, we can buy your existing home, putting your equity aside as a downpayment on your new build. This means no realtor fees, no house showings and the easiest move of your life. Contact us today.
Seasonal changes can affect the outward appearance of your home. Fallen leaves, wilting plants, and dry grass can impact the sale of your home. But there are ways to create curb appeal even in the cooler months.
Clear out the debris.
Your front yard is one of the first things prospective homebuyers see, so it’s important to keep it clean. Because cooler weather often means increased winds in Amarillo, it’s common to see leaves tossed over the driveway, debris stuck in your flower beds or even snow and ice on your walkways. Keep the debris (and potential accidents) to a minimum with daily inspections.
Opt for cold-weather plants.
Plants are the easiest ways to add curb appeal, but keeping plants looking perky can get a bit tricky in cooler weather. Select plants that can withstand the cold, such as winter hazel, camellias, Blue holly and pansies.
Add fresh paint.
Paint colors can influence a prospective buyer’s first impression of your home. Make sure you keep your home up to date with a fresh coat of paint for a brand new look. You can also opt for a power wash of your property to remove any dirt or residue that may be making your surfaces look worn.
Shed some light.
Homes are often shown to potential buyers in the evenings after working hours. In the fall and winter months when the sun sets earlier, adding light to the outside of your home can help better showcase its features.
Get Expert Help
Achieving curb appeal in the cooler months doesn’t have to be a solo job. At Experience Homes, we’ll sell your home for you when you choose to build with us. When you use our Home Trade-In Program, the profit from the sale of your current home go towards the purchase of your new, custom home. Let us handle the stress of selling your home so you can fully enjoy building the home of your dreams.
When you’re searching for a new place to call home, one of the first questions asked is “What are the best neighborhoods in Amarillo, Texas?” But with all the different factors there are to take into account, sometimes knowing where to start is challenging. That’s why we put together a few tips to help you along the way.
THINK ABOUT CONVENIENCE.
If you’re looking for convenience, consider if the places you frequent are within a short distance from the neighborhood you’re considering. Also, determine whether or not these amenities are necessary or if how far they are from your home matters.
DON’T FORGET THE NOISE LEVEL.
If you’re looking for a quiet neighborhood, choosing a place to stay located behind a busy shopping center or within a short distance from a highway may not be the best idea. It’s important to consider noise level when you’re looking for a new neighborhood to call home.
CONSIDER ACCESS.
While a cul-de-sac may be a place you always wanted to live, it’s also limited to one way in and one way out. Consider how easy it will be to access and leave your home. Take a look at the environment, too. There are sometimes natural routes that make it easy to access alternative routes, such as an alley at the back of your home. Also consider if it’s important to live in a gated community versus a non-gated community.
TAKE MARKET POTENTIAL INTO ACCOUNT.
When you move to a new neighborhood, it’s vital to consider resale value. Consider whether schools and businesses are being built in the area, as these are signs of a potentially growing market.
CONSIDER A STRESS-FREE TRADE-UP
Whichever neighborhood you choose, make sure it’s one that fits your lifestyle and needs. With Experience Homes‘ Home Trade-In Program, we sell your home while you sit back stress-free and get a brand new one built and customized to fit your needs. Consider taking the guesswork out of selling and buying your home and contact us today to learn more about our Home Trade-In Program.
Finding the money for that first home can be a challenge. Without at least 20 percent to put down, most lenders will require that you purchase mortgage insurance that will increase your monthly payment for years (until you’ve built up enough equity to equal that 20 percent). Fortunately, there are a number of creative ways you can find the extra money you need to buy the house of your dreams.
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Find a side gig.
There are scores of ways to earn a little extra every week. Write articles online for platforms like Scripted, Crowd Content and WriterAccess. Mow lawns in the evenings after your day job. Start a small business, such as a dog-walking venture or a direct sales business with companies like Mary Kay, Tupperware and the like.
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Clear out your attic, garage or closet.
You’re likely going to need to clean out those areas when you move anyway. Why not get a head start and use the money you raise from listing your unwanted furniture, collectibles and household items on Craigslist, eBay or Facebook Marketplace. You’d be surprised how much your “clutter” is worth.
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Borrow from yourself.
Why borrow from friends or family members when you may be able to borrow the money you need from your own 401k or IRA account? You can borrow an unlimited amount from your 401k and up to $10,000 (or $20,000 if married) from your IRA for a first time home purchase.
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Pay down your credit card debt.
If you carry one or more credit card balances from month to month, you could save a significant amount by reducing your balances and/or paying the entire bill off. The 15 to 30 percent in interest you pay each and every month could go a long way towards the amount you need for your down payment.
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Set up automatic savings.
Yet another easy way to get that 20 percent down payment is to set your savings on autopilot. Most employers will direct deposit a specified amount of every paycheck into your savings account. That way you won’t be tempted to spend it before you make it to the bank to deposit it yourself. In addition, there are apps, such as Acorn, that invest the “spare change” from your credit card purchases automatically.
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Lease-to-own.
Consider a lease-to-own home, such as those offered by Experience Homes. You can save for your down payment while you are already living in and building equity in your home. For more information, please see our Lease Option Path page.
