The Top Three Things to Prioritize During a Home Inspection

Home inspections are an important part of real estate transactions, as they help to ensure that a house is in good condition. Buyers should always ask for a home inspection before making a final decision, and they can request repairs, ask for a lower price, or even walk away from the sale based on the results. Here are the top three things to prioritize during a home inspection.

Is the Home Structurally Sound?

One of the main goals of inspectors is to determine how structurally sound a home is. Red flags that a home will need lots of costly repairs include cracked foundations, damage to the roof, and signs of water damage, which could also indicate a nasty mold problem. When a home has one or more of these structural problems, buyers will need to determine if the house is still worth buying at the offered price.

Are the Utility Systems Working?

Inspectors also look at the house's electrical and plumbing systems to find out if everything is in working order. Electrical system problems can be anything from exposed wiring and splices to improperly modified electrical panels, and they can cause fires, injuries, and other issues. Broken or rusty pipes, leaks, and clogged lines are all signs of problems, which can run up water bill costs and cause water damage.

Are There Signs of Infestation?

Ants, roaches, termites, rodents—any number of pests can make their way inside a home, wreaking havoc on its structure and the health of its inhabitants. Unfortunately, an inspector may discover signs of an infestation too late, meaning the pests have already caused damage to structural elements or wiring. An unchecked pest problem may be a large factor in a buyer's decision to renegotiate the sale.

The licensed real estate agents at Vutech & Ruff represent both buyers and sellers in the Columbus area, and we always advise our buyers to get a professional home inspection before completing the sale. If you're ready to find a new home, contact us online or call 614-255-0600 today.

Ways to Boost a Home's Resale Value

Building equity in residential real estate is one of the most substantial and important ways most people grow their personal wealth. When it's time to sell that home, whether it's to make space for a growing family or to downsize after the kids have moved out, maximizing the resale value is the goal. While the market value of a home is largely tied to economic and sociospatial trends outside the control of any individual seller, there are still plenty of ways a person can boost their home's resale value.

Staging Is Key

Nobody will buy a home if they can't see themselves living in it. If the seller has the place packed full of their things, it will be hard for potential buyers to imagine how their lives might look in the place. Homeowners should try to make their place as much of a blank slate as possible so buyers don't have to do as much work filling in the canvas. Cleaning and decluttering are two essential steps that no seller can afford to skip. Your real estate agent will be able to provide a number of referrals for both staging and estate sale companies that can help with the decluttering and staging process.

Pay for Professional Photos

While a physical visit to the home is what seals the deal, buyers decide which homes to visit based on the quality of the residential listing. The better the photos look, the more likely someone is to want to see it in person. Investing in professional photographs for the listing is a must to show off the space in the best light. In today’s market, it’s common for your real estate agent and/or company to pay for professional photos as part of their marketing strategy.

Opt for Energy Efficiency

Upgrading a home's appliances is one way to invest that can lead to a big return. Installing energy efficient stoves, refrigerators, water heaters, etc., will not only look good but will help lower energy bills. These are relatively inexpensive upgrades that can be factored into the home's asking price and sold to buyers as upgrades that will keep their utility bills low for years—even decades—to come.

Get the most money out of your residential real estate sale so you can be set up for whatever the next phase in life may be. At Vutech & Ruff, we have an unmatched depth of experience and will work hard to get the best possible price for your home. Check out our seller resources for more information to help you navigate the home buying process. Contact us today to get started.

Three Tips to Find the Right Realtor

Choosing a Realtor® with experience in the client's specific field is essential for meeting real estate goals, regardless of whether those goals include buying, selling, or investing in property. These tips can help those who need a real estate agent connect with an individual who can provide focused expertise in their desired neighborhood and price range.

Gather Recommendations 

Friends, family members, and colleagues are great sources of real estate recommendations. Those without friends that are familiar with the local real estate market can do their own market research. Which Realtors have lots of "SOLD" signs around town? A short list of recommendations can be compared with online reviews to narrow down the number of agents to interview. Buyers and sellers should check with the state regulatory board for actions and complaints against Realtors and browse Realtor websites to see how well they present their properties online.

Ask Questions

When interviewing an agent, potential clients should ask the following questions:

• How long have you been in the business? 
• Do you have specialized experience in my price range and desired neighborhood?
• What is your schedule?
• What is your preferred method of contact?
• Do you work alone or with a team?
• How soon can I expect you to respond to calls and messages?
• Can you provide contact information for recent clients?
• Are you able to provide data to support pricing and other decisions?

Don't Discount Personality

Clients and agents will be spending a significant amount of time together. For this reason, buyers and sellers should find a Realtor with whom they truly click. In many cases, chemistry is just as important as experience. Most individuals try to find a Realtor who is relatable, down to earth, honest, and pleasant. Good communicating and negotiating skills are also essential.

Vutech & Ruff has decades of experience helping Columbus, OH clients with buying and selling homes for personal and investment purposes. No matter what a client's goals are, we have a Realtor on our team with the experience to get the job done. If you're searching for a Realtor, browse our current listings and call 614-255-0600 or contact us online for a consultation.