How To Ace a Home Inspection and Sell Your Home Fast

The home inspection can be a particularly stressful part of the homebuying process for buyers, but the equally anxious seller might be waiting with bated breath for the results as well. The buyer is typically responsible for scheduling and paying for the home inspection, but if the house is revealed to have major issues, the seller can be on the hook for repairs—or could lose the deal entirely.

Home inspection issues like termite or mold damage can mean the seller will have to shell out money, credits, or concessions to make things right with the buyer. If the buyer is truly turned off by the home inspection results (and has a home inspection contingency), they can walk, aka a seller’s worst nightmare.

So why wait for a buyer to initiate a home inspection? If you’re preparing to sell your home, here’s how to identify any problems that can potentially stymy the sale.

5 Ways To Sell Your Home for More Money

Real estate over the last two and a half years can really be summed up by one phrase: Epic seller’s market. We’ve seen countless people list their homes and receive multiple offers over asking—all while doing the bare minimum to fix up or market their property. Home sellers, we have to be honest here: you’ve had it made in the shade.

And while the current real estate market still technically favors sellers, experts see a balance on the horizon that’ll put buyers and sellers on more even ground. The result? Home sellers can no longer bank on getting a bunch of offers over asking.

So if you’re about to list your house and want to maximize your profits (who doesn’t?!) there are plenty of strategies you and your real estate agent can employ.

Here’s how to get a higher price for your home—without spending a penny more than you initially planned for.

Signs You’re Looking at a Cheaply Flipped Kitchen

If you’re a buyer in the market for a move in-ready home, you’re bound to see a few properties that were purchased with the intent to be sold as flips. A flipped house is one that has been purchased by someone (typically an investor), fixed up, put back on the market, and sold for more money. The most successful house flippers do this as quickly as possible.

So just like you would look under the hood of a car before buying it, you should also scrutinize that Pinterest-perfect kitchen with its updated cabinets, gleaming countertops, and shiny appliances.

Here are some signs of a cheaply flipped kitchen that warrant investigation.

Things First-time Homebuyers Need After Moving In—and Always Forget

First-time homebuyers are no doubt excited when they move in, and eager to furnish their new digs with all the essentials. But here’s the rub: While they may be thrilled to buy the perfect coffee table and ottomans—and those things are certainly nice to have—they may not be exactly necessary.

In the excitement of setting up your first house, it’s all too easy to overlook a few items that will truly come in handy.

Curious about what you might be missing? Behold these eight surprising must-haves to add to your cart, plus some advice on picking the best of the bunch.

Is My Home in a Flood Zone?

A home’s risk of flooding—from hurricanes or a huge downpour—is probably not the first thing you’d think to check. Ideally, you want to size up this potential and take precautions if necessary well before you might end up underwater!

Most homes in high-risk flood zones are near a body of water. For instance, the Gulf Coast is one of the U.S. regions most vulnerable to hurricanes that cause flooding. Yet more than 20% of flood-related home insurance claims happen in non-flood zones, so no one should assume they’re safe.

And due to climate changes, flooding may also become more common. According to Popular Science, “Nearly 15 million American properties are at substantial risk of flooding in the next 30 years, and more than three million are almost certain to be underwater at some point in that time.”

So how can you find out if your home is in a flood zone—and if it is, how can you assess the size of this risk and what protections can you put in place? Whether you own a home or are looking to buy, here’s how to figure that out.

Crucial Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Home

To start, hire a fantastic listing real estate agent. These professionals will have the tools and background needed to help you sell your home in today’s quickly changing market.

It’s smart to be picky! A great real estate agent can help find buyers to sell your home fast, and for the most money. Make the wrong choice, and your listing might languish. Then, the lowballing bargain hunters come circling—it’s not pretty.

But there are specific questions to ask so that you can pinpoint the right professional for you.

Here are some important questions to ask your agent when selling your home, from sales plans to listing costs.

How To Add Value to Your Home Without Draining Your Savings Account

You might find that now is not the right time to buy a new home. Instead, it might be time to love the one you already own.

Need a little help feeling good about staying put for the time being? Then perhaps, it’s time for a remodel project to turn your house into the home you’ve always dreamed about.

Before you run away screaming at the thought of renovating, read on.

A remodel could increase the overall value of your home, which would be beneficial if you consider selling in the future. (And maybe a home face-lift will make you want to stay put.)
It’s possible to embark on a home remodel project without draining your bank account. Here’s how.
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