Buying your first home is such an exciting time, but it can also be very overwhelming. To help you navigate this journey, here are a few tips to help make your home buying smooth and successful. 

Determine your budget. 

Before you start house hunting, it's crucial to understand how much you can afford. Think about: - Monthly Income and Expenses:  Figure up your total monthly income and deduct your expenses to see how much you can afford to borrow. - Down Payment: Save for a down payment. It is typically 20% of the home's price. - Closing Costs: Set aside money for closing costs, which usually range from 2-5% of the home's purchase price. 

Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage. 

A mortgage pre-approval gives you an even clearer picture of how much you can borrow. It also shows sellers that you are a serious buyer. 

Work with a Real Estate Agent.

They can: - Offer insight on local market trends and property values. - Negotiate on your behalf to get the best deal - Handle all the complex paperwork involved in the home-buying process. 

Make a List of Must-Haves 

Before you start viewing properties, create a list of features you want in your new home. Share it with your real estate agent! 

Consider: - Number of Bedrooms and Bathrooms - Home Size and Layout - Special Features: garage, basement, large backyard 

Get a Home Inspection

Never skip the home inspection process. Hire a professional inspector to check for any issues the home might have. 

By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared to find and purchase your dream home. Happy house hunting! 

Rebekah "REBA" Ditto REALTOR® 

COVID-19 DIY Projects

By: Sally Beasley  

Does the recent COVID-19 pandemic/social distancing/quarantine have you down in the dumps today? If so, then I am right there with you.  A person can only watch so much Netflix, and eat so many bags of chips, cookies, cake, and well, you get the picture. What can we do to get rid of the boredom (and stop eating…)?

Why not tackle some DIY projects around the house? Every day you are stuck at home, tackle something simple to make your house more presentable, and ready to sell (or get it ready to have a big social party when we are finally out of the woods). Below are some simple DIY projects that will spruce up your house, and help lift your spirits

1.  Go through the house and clean your windows. You may not be going outside for a while, so why not bring the outside in to you? All it takes is a spray bottle of equal parts white vinegar and water, and some newspapers to make those windows shine, letting the light in to cheer you up.

2.  Freshen up your walls. We all have marks on our walls, such as furniture marks, or maybe little kiddo fingerprints. Many marks on your wall can be gotten rid of by simply using a magic eraser. Those things really are magic! If you’re good at painting, you may even want freshen up some rooms with a new coat of paint, or even touch up areas that need a bit more attention than a magic eraser.

3.  Dust your window blinds, baseboards and door & window trim. Remember, we are not only dealing with COVID-19 right now. It is also allergy season. Ugh! Dusting is essential this time of the year, so take the time to get rid of one of the main causes of your allergic sneezing.

4.  Go clean out your closets. If you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s time to get rid of it. Box it up, and donate to your local Goodwill or Clothes Closet. Or if you plan on a yard sale when the social distancing is over, label the boxes, and store them in your basement, attic, or garage. You will be one step ahead in the yard sale season!

5.  Do some landscaping. Your house is your castle, and you want the first impression of your castle to be a good one. Mulch is one simple way to freshen up the front of your house, and brings out the beauty of your flowers and shrubs. If you have a green thumb, plant some colorful flowers at the entrance of your door.

6.  And finally, pressure wash your house to get rid of all the dirt and mold. There are several house wash products that you can use to help you get the job done, and using them is as simple as spraying them on your siding, waiting a few minutes, and pressure washing them off. You will love the result.

These are just a few simple ways that you can get yourself up and moving, and away from the Netflix and snacks, during this pandemic. Remember that we are all in this together, and together we will get through this!

Sally Beasley is a REALTOR with StoneGate Realty and can be reached at 270-945-0501.  

By: Amy Chism Haynes, Principal Broker/Owner StoneGate Realty

Many folks considering selling their home think that spring is the best time to sell because traditionally, that is when buyer demand increases.  Something for a seller to consider is that every other seller is thinking the same thing.  Once warmer weather starts to hit, and the daffodils start to bloom, the market is flooded with new homes for sale; thus, increasing seller competition.  Don't wait for all these other listing to hit the market before you list your home.  

There are serious buyers who are pre-approved to buy homes right now, and there is not enough inventory to support them.  Just this week I reached out to folks that didn't have their home listed to help a buyer client find a home.  Buyers are getting tax returns in, and are ready to use that money for down payments and closing costs.  

If you have been thinking about putting your home on the market, or are interested in learning the market conditions in your neighborhood, call one of our expert REALTORS to discuss when is the best time for you to sell.  

By: Amy Chism Haynes, Principal Broker/Owner StoneGate Realty 270-422-7970 (02/22/2019)

Prior to cell phones, internet, Skype, Facetime and all the other technological advances in real estate, the open house was a common staple used to market homes new on the market.  With all this new technology available should you     host an open house?  I don't think it's necessary.  There are far better ways to market your home to today's savvy home buyer than the time and effort it puts in to preparing for an open house.  

Most buyers are previewing homes on the internet that feature professional quality photographs and video.  These buyers are making major decisions on which homes they want to tour base on online viewing.  Just a few years ago this type of information was not available.  Listings were sent out to agents in books.  The only way a buyer knew what a home looked like was to physically view a home.  Hence, the concept of hosting and open house.

The main purpose of an open house is to produce a buyer who is ready to buy now.  But, is that really who is showing up to your open house?  Generally it's nosey neighbors and thieves.  Yes, I said it, thieves.  One scheme that open house thieves use is to come in a group, one creates a distraction while the other unlocks a windows.  Then they revisit when no one is home and help themselves to your property.  

Another purpose of the open house is used to benefit the agent.  Agents use open houses to get new buyer clients.  Agents are targeting the "looky-loos" who are thinking about buying in the future who just happen to stop by your open house.  The agent obtains their contact information and "bam" they have a new buyer client and it may not be for your property.

Whether or not to have an open house is a discussion for you to have with your agent.  Discuss with them the benefits and drawbacks.  Just keep in mind that any buyer that is ready to buy will have already called and scheduled a showing as soon as your property hit the MLS.  

To open house or not to open house.  What are your thoughts?

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