Real Estate Adventures

GOOD QUESTIONS FOR BUYERS TO CONSIDER:

First-time homebuyers have a lot to think about, and sometimes they don’t consider all the factors that could impact their enjoyment of a new home. A handful of recent homebuyers listed the questions they wished they’d asked before buying a property. The issues they raise are valid concerns for anybody buying a home practically anywhere:

• For pet owners: How welcome and comfortable will my pet be in this home? Are there any pet restrictions and is there a safe convenient place to walk a dog?

• For condo buyers: How often and by how much have condo fees gone up in the past? Is there a maintenance fund, and how large is it? While past performance is no guarantee, stable fees and good planning in the past is promising.

• For any type home: Does water sometimes seep in anywhere in the home? Has this property ever been flooded?

• For everyone: Who are the neighbors? Do any of them have noisy animals or hobbies?

• For homes near vacant land: What is the future of the adjacent open land? Just because a piece of property doesn’t have anything built on it now doesn’t guarantee that it won’t in the future.

Do you have a question that you wish you'd asked before buying a home? If so please share it with us. Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

George E. Sinacori  Lic.R.E. Broker, Lic. Mortgage Broker

On a budget? Here are 5 ways to inexpensively spruce up the kitchen.

-Replace the flooring. Install laminate floor over old linoleum, vinyl or chipped tile. It costs just $1 to $5 a square foot and resembles wood, stone or tile.

 -Replace the lighting. A new ceiling fixture costs less than $100 and will brighten up the place. Adding some under-the-cabinet lights illuminates work surfaces.

 -Give the cabinets a new life. A coat of paint and new knobs is the cheapest way to go. If you’re able to spend $4,000 to $6,000 on the project, hire a refacing company to replace the doors and drawer fronts.

 -Refinish the appliances. For a few hundred dollars, an appliance refinisher will re-enamel your stove, refrigerator and dishwasher door in the color of your choice, including a stainless steel look-alike.

 -Update the backsplash. Replace the space between your cabinets and the countertop with fashionable stone or inexpensive wallpaper.

As always your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

George E. Sinacori, Lic. RE Broker, Lic. Mortgage Broker