Shannon Sells Team Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts by tag - firsthomehttps://www.shannonsellsteam.com/blog/Copyright ShannonSellsTeam.com2022-03-31T11:28:07-07:00tag:shannonsellsteam.com,2012-09-20:4058FAQ for First Time Homebuyers1. Why should I buy instead of rent?
A rental is not an investment. Every month you write a check to pay someone else’s mortgage, and the only return for that money is a roof over your head. When you own a home you can deduct your mortgage from federal income taxes, you’ll have equity in your home, and most importantly, you’ll have an investment. <br /><br />2. I have bad credit and do not have much for a down payment, can I still buy?
Absolutely. The best way to find out what you can afford with your financial situation is to get pre-qualified. The sooner the better. When you work with a lender they will work with you to find the best loan option for your circumstances.
3. How do I find a lender?
We have an amazing list of vendors that we recommend to all of our clients. If you’re interested in learning more, give us a call.
4. What if my offer is rejected?
This is okay, and should never scare you away from the buying process. This just means it is time for some negotiating, which your agent will handle. The seller may be expecting more money or not agree to certain terms in your offer. Negotiations can go back and forth several times, but soon enough each party will agree to a common ground, and the deal will be made!
2022-03-31T11:26:00-07:002022-03-31T11:28:07-07:00Shannon Watkinstag:shannonsellsteam.com,2012-09-20:2211What to Pack for the First Night in Your New HomeYou just finished unloading the final box from the moving truck, and now you’re officially moved into your new home! You go to take a shower to wash off the day, only to realize you don’t have a shower curtain. After spending a full day moving into a new home, the last thing you are going to want to do is dig through all of your unopened boxes to find an outfit or a charger (or even a shower curtain). The next time you’re moving, create a ‘first night box’ so that your essentials aren’t hidden at the bottom of another box. Here is a list of what you should pack:
1. Toiletries
You may have thought about keeping your toothbrush in an easy-to-find place when packing, but you’ll need more toiletry essentials to get through the first night or two. Be sure to pack toilet paper, towels, a shower curtain + rod, shower items, and a first aid kit.
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2. Clothes
Unless you are an extremely organized packer, finding an outfit for the next few days isn’t going to be easy if you have to dig through multiple boxes. Pack 2-3 days worth of clothes and pajamas.
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3. Electronics
Don't forget your chargers. Make sure you've got your phone, laptop, and any other charger you may need for your devices during the first few days at home. Pack any necessary cords and cables needed if you plan to unbox your television the first night Be sure to pack a flashlight as well just in case!
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4. Air Mattress/Bedding
If your bed hasn't made it to your new room yet, you will want to make sure you have an air mattress in your first night box. Check to ensure the air pump is packed as well! If your furniture is unloaded, you will sleep better if the bedding you love is easily accessible on that first night in your new home.
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5. Eating Utensils & Kitchen Items
Avoid the mess of dirty dishes your first night home and pack disposable eating utensils. You may also want to pack wipes to quickly clean up any messes made at mealtime and a garbage bag to be able to dispose of any waste quickly. Cleaning supplies typically aren't the first thing on our minds when moving into a new home, so be sure to pack these items so that you aren't scrambling to the store after a long day when you're ready to clean up after a meal.
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2020-03-12T06:00:00-07:002020-03-19T06:37:03-07:00Shannon Watkinstag:shannonsellsteam.com,2012-09-20:2081Tips to Get Settled in a New HomeTips To Get Settled In A New Home
Moving into a new home? We know how exciting it can be! We’ve compiled a list of a few things you can do after your move to make sure your experience is comfortable. The hardest part of a move is getting settled in, after that, you just’ll need to handle a few loose ends that sometimes get forgotten about until the last minute.
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CHECK MAJOR APPLIANCES
Be sure to check all the appliances to ensure everything is still in working order after the move. You want to make sure nothing was broken in the move or stopped working suddenly. Look at things such as your stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer, refrigerator, and microwave. If you brought any appliances yourself and you used movers, you’ll want to make sure everything still works as soon as possible, since mover’s insurance companies give a limited timeframe for when you can make a claim.
CHECK ALL OF YOUR BOXES & FURNITURE
Be sure to go over all your boxes and furniture to make sure nothing got damaged during the move. Be sure that everything has arrived and nothing got lost in the process. If you notice something is missing a month later, it may be too late to file a claim with the moving company. Even if you don’t plan on unpacking everything as soon as you move in, just do a quick review and inventory everything you brought to protect yourself and your belongings.
SET UP UTILITIES
Did you remember to set up your utilities before moving in? There’s nothing more frustrating than moving into your home to realize the lights don’t work. Make sure you’ve gotten with all of the necessary utility companies to have everything turned on in time for your move.
REGISTER INTO A GOOD SCHOOL
You may have already known to look for a school for your kids prior to your move, but if you haven’t yet found one, be sure to research all the schools local to you to find the right fit for your family. The sooner you can find the right school and register, the easier and less stressful it will be to get them in and settle.
REGISTER YOUR CAR
If you’ve moved to a new state or country, you’ll want to make sure to register your car in your new hometown and update your driver’s license, tags, and plates.
CONNECT TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Join sites like Nextdoor.com or get a subscription to your local magazine/newspaper to stay in touch with what’s going on in your neighborhood. Be sure to also join local community Facebook groups. You can find out about events or concerns relating to your community.
GETTING YOUR MAIL
Have you updated your address for all the people you’ll be expecting to get mail from? Like your bank, friends, family, and services you still pay for after your move. Check with the post office to have things redirected to your new address while you work to update your info with everyone else.
FIND THE RIGHT PROFESSIONALS
If you’re moving far from your last home, you’ll want to have the right connections. Find a new doctor, dentist, vet, handyman, plumber, etc. Add them into a contact book that’s easily accessible.
EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST
If you’re moving to a new country, 911 won’t be the local emergency number. Make sure you have all the correct numbers in the case of an emergency. This can also include doctors, the local police station, a vet, etc.
INSURANCE COMPANIES
More than likely, you handled home insurance and home warranty during the purchasing process. If you haven’t, be sure to get those taken care of right away. You’ll also want to get your auto, health, and any other necessary household insurances sorted for your move.2019-12-05T10:00:00-07:002019-12-05T09:09:09-07:00Shannon Watkinstag:shannonsellsteam.com,2012-09-20:2032From 'I Do' to #SoldFrom "I Do" to #Sold
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Newlyweds are saying "I do" to each other, and they equate to over half of first-time home buyers that are also saying "I do" to their dream homes. It makes sense! When you put two hearts together, the time comes to find a home to nourish that love. A home that brings two of your places together, and makes it one. If you and your spouse are ready to fall in love with the perfect house together, here are five tips to make sure the process goes smoothly and that you come prepared.
1. YOUR WEDDING BUDGET
Your wedding is a one-time event that shouldn't be less than what you'd imagine. It is a beautiful time to put all of your dream pieces together. However, it is best to sit down and find out ways you can shift the budget to help with your down payment for a home if you plan to purchase. The average couple spends a little over $20,000 on their wedding. Even a savings of $5,000 from your wedding budget can help with owning the perfect home.
2. WEDDING GIFTS
Wedding bliss comes with wedding gifts. Let's admit, one of our favorite times during the wedding season is all of the gifts that come pouring in! Have any friends or family pitched in cash? Save that to put towards your down payment. Depending on the generosity of your gifts, you can even open an account dedicated to your down payment that friends and family can gift to.
3. GET PRE-APPROVED
One of the least brought up conversations in relationships is the credit and financial history of your soon-to-be spouse. Get together with a lender to go over both of your histories to know what needs to be done to put you guys in a position to own together. In some cases, only one person can get approved, while the other can't. If you want to put both of your incomes toward the cost of the house you want, talking to a lender early on can ensure you are prepared to make the right moves.
4. THE RIGHT AGENT
That's where I come in! For starters, I can connect you with a lender to ensure you are being watched over from the best recommendations. It is an absolute joy to take the stress out of buying a home for my newlywed couples. We all know how stressful, although joyous, a wedding can be. To then jump into buying a house shortly after, well, it is certainly a lot to get through. I can guide you through all of the steps to make sure you end up with a house you love. Just think of me as a wedding planner, but for homes.
5. NOW THERE'S TWO
Although some spouses are a match made in heaven, loving and adoring the same exact things, often times that is not the case. You are each still your own person, and have your own tastes. This is where the first step to comprise really begins - spending a good bit of money on a place you both will love and call home. A happy marriage starts with a happy home, so be sure you both are considerate of each other's wants and needs in style and location so you both are happy with the home you end up getting.2019-10-24T09:00:00-07:002019-10-23T07:51:06-07:00Shannon Watkins