If you're buying a home and you write your offer you love the house, the thing that you love the most is that fantastic chandelier in the dining room, and the adorable dog house that looks exactly like the house you're buying. Make sure you write those things in. Here in central Virginia, our contract actually lists out the items that are automatically assumed to be staying when you buy your house. So they're automatically in the contract. We don't need to write those in. They are technically things that are attached to the house, which means fixtures, fans, curtain rods, blinds, dishwashers, microwaves, and stoves. That's basically it. Now, some of the gray areas can be mirrors in the bathroom, sometimes they are attached. And sometimes they're not refrigerators. Well, they're always attached the same way a stove is, why are they not included? I don't really know. But they're not. So we always write those in. If we're buying a home, and you want to keep that refrigerator or the washer and dryer, we're gonna have to write those in because they're not automatically included in the contract. But I would go a step further and say, that if you absolutely fell in love with that chandelier in the dining room, and the seller wants to take it, they should have excluded it. But if we know we want to keep it and we know we don't want any hurt feelings, or kerfuffle, as we go through the process, we go ahead and write that in as well. So to be safe, we're always going to write in all of those little extras, but probably not the window blinds in the bathroom, and probably not the ceiling fan that's in the rec room. If you're looking at homes online, and you are not working with a realtor, I'd love to help you figure out exactly what you're looking for and what's going to stay with that home when you purchase it. So give me a call and let's chat and I can help you navigate that entire process.

If you spend any time at all on social media, you probably hear people talking a lot about buying houses to invest in short-term rentals and what a great source of passive income that is. So you maybe thought, Should I buy a house and use it as a short-term rental? Let's talk about some of the details that you might want to think about. You may have heard the old saying, you know, you make money on the front end, not the back end. So if you're looking at a house, to be a short-term rental, make sure that it's not something that's going to need a ton of work that's gonna then price you out of that short-term rental market to recoup your money. Also, make sure that if you are looking in an area that maybe you're not as familiar with, you are familiar with, or get familiar, with the zoning laws and regulations or short-term rentals in that area. Because they don't allow it and you definitely don't want to buy something to use as a short-term rental, and only to find that you can't. If the property is not currently furnished, or if you don't like the furnishings, then make sure that you're calculating into your budget, all those furnishings that you're going to have to put in to make it be fantastic. Because, you can get a great rate for a short-term rental, but not if it looks like everything came from you know, the goodwill. When you're doing your calculations, you also want to include things like who's going to manage it, who's going to check on it? What are the fees going to be? How is it going to get cleaned? Do you have an HOA in that neighborhood or area that needs to be paid? All of those little things get an idea of the utility costs, that sort of thing, and I have a great spreadsheet that you can plug all those numbers in. So if you want a copy of that or you want to get a little bit more information about buying a short-term rental owning a short-term rental, what to look for, and the do's and don'ts. I'd love to talk to you happy to help and put you on the right track to finding out all of the information that you might need to know to make a decision if it is in fact a good call or if maybe you want to go another direction for your investment.

Marry the house date, the rate, marry the house date, the rate. This is something that if you spend any time on social media, and you've even dipped your toe into thinking about real estate, you've probably heard or seen someone say. It's a phrase that I kind of hate because I think it minimizes the whole experience and doesn't really talk about all of the nuances, but let's unpack it a little bit and look at that phrase in terms of the current market, and why it might be worth digging into a little bit. So simple economic principles, say if inventory is low and demand is high prices are going to go up, we have been in a historically low inventory situation in housing in the entire country for a while now. And that will continue for a while longer. So while the high interest rates have sidelined, some of the I'd like to buy a house people, there are still lots of people who actually need to buy a house and it has not sidelined them. So there's still a good amount of demand, and not a lot of inventory on the market, which means prices will likely continue to rise, despite the fact that interest rates are high. So while they are expected to go down in the probably first/second quarter of 2024, they will first of all, maybe never go back to 3%. So if you're waiting for that, like as my father used to say, if you're waiting for that you're backing up. You're not going to get anywhere, because that's very unlikely to happen. But even if they go down, when they go down, those prices are not going to go down at the same time. Because obviously, interest rates go down, those prices are going to go up because all of those I'd like to buy a house people are going to come back into the market. So demand will go up, and inventory is not going to change radically. And those prices are going to continue to escalate. So if you're thinking about buying and you are particularly renting in the meantime, if you can afford it, if you're ready, buying now is probably going to be a better financial decision than paying rent until six months or a year down the road, when maybe rates are lower, but prices will almost definitely be higher. So if you're thinking about buying or you think, you know, hey, maybe I'll buy a house in the spring, I'm going to save up more money, or whatever your thought process is. If you're thinking of buying anytime in the next six months to a year, give me a call, and let's talk, break down the numbers, look at what the projections are for the area and the type of house that you're looking at, and the price range. All of those things go into figuring out these numbers, but I'd love to talk to you. I'd love to help you determine if now is the right time or if it's the good time to wait and help you make those calculations that fit your personal finances and life plan.

So believe it or not, even in this market, pricing is incredibly important. And if you're wondering why your house has been sitting or why a house hasn't gone off the market that you've been seeing over and over in your search, if you're buying, it is price, it is literally always price. When I was a pretty new agent, I remember sitting in the office, and there was an agent who had a listing that hadn't sold very quickly. And this again, was a long time ago when things didn't fly off the market like they do now. And she was asking everybody to take a look at her listing and see if they could tell why it hadn't sold. And even brand new, I said, I think it's the price. I think you need to drop the price. And she was indignant that it was not the price that it wasn't always the price. But, if you really think about it, think about you having a great house in a great location, but the condition of the house is rotten - price. You have a weird house in a great location, in great condition, what's going to move it - price. If you have any combination of those factors, and one is off, those are generally things that you can't change, or you can to some degree condition, yes, you probably don't want to totally renovate a house if it's got an unusual floorplan. So price is going to be a factor. And obviously, location, location location is something we say for a reason. And that's because it can't be changed, but what can be changed, is always the price. So this goes back to having a consultation and walking through with your realtor when you are starting to think about selling so that doesn't mean if you say I want to sell my house in September, that's when I want to sell that's when I want to move. You should be in a perfect world at least calling your agent a couple of months before so that we can come through, walkthrough, and tell you, Hey, you're going to get more bang for your buck if you paint, if you replace the front door, if you do a little landscaping. All of those little things can improve the condition which can maybe maximize an unusual floorplan and make it seem more livable. So if you're curious about what you might need to do to get your home ready for sale, or if you know you're going to want to sell your house in a couple of months I'd love to talk to you just give me a call. Reach out and let's set up a time to chat and I can walk through and give you a to-do list that will help you get more money for your home because it really is always price.

Dreams versus reality. Here are a couple of things that I implore you to please not do if you are thinking about starting to look for a home. In a perfect world, when we start looking for that perfect home for you we are able to find something that fits all of your needs, is going to be able to be your forever home, and is of course going to be totally Pinterest-worthy. The problem is that sometimes the Pinterest dream does not hit the budget reality. And if you're starting to shop for a home, whether it's your first home, your fifth home, or anything in between, our budgets are just a little bit less than what our dream looks like it's going to be. So while I do always encourage buyers that I'm working with to fill out a have-to-have list and an absolutely not list, make sure that those are actually giving you enough opportunity to be open to the possibilities that are actually available in your budget. Because otherwise, trust me it is a very discouraging process. Make sure that when you're talking about, thinking about, and writing down those must-haves they're things that are actually possible within your budget. And sometimes that really means looking at your whole house budget, your whole life budget, and talking to a lender to get that pre-approval number first. But remember, your first home doesn't have to be your forever home, your second home doesn't even have to be your forever home. So, spend more time with the lender and your budgets and looking at the houses that are actually available, rather than spending your time building your dream mansion that may be completely unattainable at this point in your life. Trust me, you can get there, but sometimes it takes a couple of houses to land where you really, really want to be. So when you're writing that list of must-haves and absolutely do not want to make sure it's a little more rooted in reality and a little less rooted in Pinterest. Sometimes it's really hard for those things to match perfectly, but we can usually get pretty close to the things that you need, the things that you want. And a lot of times a little special touch from you will get right back into that Pinterest or Instagram category. If you want a copy of my buyer's guide, or you're thinking about starting to look on your own, give me a call, reach out, or send me a message. I'd love to talk to you and help you get started building that wish list for that home that you might be ready to buy in six weeks, six months, or even a year. I'd love to talk.

Something about spring just inspires projects, for me at least. Whether you're selling or you just want to enjoy your home more, there are loads of low-cost home improvement projects that can provide a high return on investment. Here are my top 10 ways to add value to your home with a low investment and high return in Spring 2023. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint One of the easiest and most affordable ways to add value to your home is by painting the interior and/or exterior. A fresh coat of paint can instantly make your home look newer and more appealing to potential buyers. Upgrade Your Lighting Installing new light fixtures can make a big impact on the look and feel of your home. Consider replacing outdated fixtures with modern and energy-efficient options that can brighten up your space. Improve Your Landscaping A well-maintained lawn and garden can significantly improve your home's curb appeal. Consider adding some colorful flowers, planting new trees or shrubs, and trimming any overgrown bushes. Update Your Kitchen Hardware Upgrading your kitchen hardware, such as cabinet knobs and drawer pulls, can make your kitchen look newer and more modern. This is an affordable way to add value to your home without having to do a complete kitchen renovation. Add Some Outdoor Lighting Outdoor lighting can enhance the appearance of your home's exterior while also providing safety and security. Consider installing solar-powered pathway lights, string lights, or floodlights to illuminate your outdoor living spaces. Replace Your Front Door Replacing your front door with a new, energy-efficient one can make a big impact on your home's curb appeal. Choose a door that complements the style of your home and adds a pop of color to make it stand out. Add a Backsplash to Your Kitchen A stylish backsplash can transform the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank. Consider installing a tile or mosaic backsplash to add color and texture to your space. Upgrade Your Bathroom Fixtures Replacing old bathroom fixtures, such as faucets, showerheads, and towel racks, can give your bathroom a modern and updated look. This is an easy and affordable way to add value to your home. Clean and Organize Your Garage A clean and organized garage can make a big impact on potential buyers. Consider adding shelves or storage bins to keep your garage tidy and clutter-free. Replace Your Window Treatments Upgrading your window treatments can add a touch of style to your home while also improving energy efficiency. Consider replacing old curtains with blinds or shades that are both functional and stylish. By making small upgrades such as painting, upgrading lighting fixtures, and improving landscaping, you can make your home more attractive to potential buyers (or yourself!) without having to spend a lot of money.

So I have lots of clients, especially millennial clients, who frankly could live in a one-bedroom apartment for the rest of their lives and be totally fine with it. But the one thing that they're going to buy a house for... their dog. We are actually seeing more and more people buy homes for their dogs or their pets. So, if you're one of those people that is thinking, I want to buy a house, but it really has to be a good fit for my dog, here are some of the things that you want to think about. First of all, you want to make sure it has a yard, probably a fence. Fences are not cheap. So if you find a house that has already got a fence, that's definitely a win. Is it a walkable neighborhood? Is it somewhere that you're going to go out and take your little guy for a stroll in the evenings or before work? Do you feel comfortable doing that? Are there sidewalks? Is there a good shoulder that's going to give you a lot of space? Richmond is such a dog-friendly city. We've got lots of cool dog parks and cool places to go. You can bring your pet from breweries to dog parks and that's just a great way for you and your pet to meet new people and dogs. So if you're one of those people that is looking and really wants to be dog-centric in what you're looking for to call home, I'd love to help you. Maxwell can weigh in. He won't necessarily be at every show but he will give his opinion.

You've been thinking about buying a house for the last few years - perhaps waiting for the market to crash. Our market is definitely shifting. Is it better to buy houses priced on the high end and interest rates low OR flip that - interest rates high and housing prices coming down? Let's talk about it. Can I answer your real estate questions? Reach out, I'd love to talk. You can find me on instagram @cindybennettrealestate.

Thinking that you have to wait until Spring to sell your home? You may want to consider selling your home this winter. I explain why in my latest Real Talk with Cindy. Have questions? Reach out to me, I'd love to help. Find me on Instagram @cindybennettrealestate.

Whether or not you're thinking of selling your house this Spring, this Fall, or Winter - or you just want to freshen up - I've got the Top 10 updates you can do while you're stuck in the house & it's cold outside. Want more tips? Reach out, I'd love to talk. Find me on Instagram @Cindybennettrealestate