Should You Downsize Your Home?

It seems like yesterday you experienced the thrill of purchasing your first home, perhaps filling the space with loving pets or children. Making family memories in your home is something to cherish, but what happens when your youngest child makes the move to college? Should you downsize your home? A smaller home means less cleaning and minimal maintenance, freeing you of time and money for new activities. If you are considering moving into a smaller space, you're not alone!

How to Know When It's Time to Downsize

Choosing to live in less space often has to do with craving a simpler, low-maintenance lifestyle. Downsizing is a common trend for those who have retired and prefer less space. Not only are these homes easier to maintain, but can be found in walkable neighborhoods with easy access to amenities such as culture, restaurants and nightlife.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Downsizing

• What will I miss in my larger home? Asking yourself what you will miss in your current home will help set you up for a plan. Perhaps you need the extra storage space, but will a rental storage unit help when downsizing?

• How much time will you save while cleaning and keeping up with yard work? One benefit of moving into a smaller home is less time spent on cleaning and yard work, which is something most people will find as a positive!

• How much will it cost to get rid of items/furniture I no longer need? If you don't have a thorough plan for selling or giving away your things, and you do it in a rush (giving valuables away to places and people you don't truly care about), you may start to feel right away that you're losing money. Take time to plan about donating extra furniture or selling it to ease your mind.

Finding Your New Home

Downsizing is a great option for many families. Not only do they save time and money in the long run, but often feel comfortable with their choice of easy living. If you are ready to find your new, smaller home, contact the award winning agents at Choice Properties today!

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.

Considerations When Buying a Lake House

With warmer weather around the corner, now is the perfect time to purchase a family vacation home at Indian Lake! Whether you're craving weekend getaways, a retirement home, primary residence, or a vacation home, waterfront homes offer many attractive features. However, lakefront properties come with their own set of responsibilities. It's important to education yourself to make sure you are fully aware of waterfront duties. Read through these considerations when buying a lake house, preparing you for a summer full of new memories and laughs.

Choose a Trusted Agent

Purchasing a lake home is different than purchasing the typical residential home. There are different inspections and key points to be aware of, making it important to work with a trusted real estate agent who understands the waterfront market. At Choice Properties, our real estate agents are experts at buying and selling in the Indian Lake area.

Consider More Than the Lake Itself

Buying a lake house is an exciting time! However, it is important to still consider the home itself. Be sure to not let the eagerness of the lake to get in the way of home requirements, such as number of bedrooms and space. Indian Lake offers a wide range of homes suited to meet your needs, ranging from number of bedrooms to proximity to the lake. Perhaps you wish to have a personal loading dock or storage for lake toys. Remember these wishes when visiting open houses or exploring homes.

Factor In Expenses

The fun and memories made are definitely worth the cost, but don't forget to factor in other expenses as well. Waterfront properties often have a higher maintenance checklist than residential homes, including dock upkeep, rusting items and wearing out do to the proximity of water. These expenses can easily be avoided by taking care of possessions and tackling any issues at the first sign.

Fulfill Your Lifestyle

Perhaps the most important question to ask yourself is if the property fulfills your lifestyle needs. In the excitement that comes with buying a waterfront home, it can be easy to lose sight of why you want to live near the water in the first place. For example, a home on a lake beach may require you to travel to a nearby dock to store and use your boat. If you don't mind traveling a few miles to get to your boat, then a dock can be ruled out! Your happiness is the final factor in determining the lake house you desire.

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.

Avoid These Mistakes When Selling Your House

Whether you are relocating for work or need an upgrade for a growing family, selling your home often comes with a wave of emotion. With packing and moving on your mind, stressing about selling your home is the last thing you should be worried about. The award-winning agents at Choice Properties are here to help make the process smooth and worry-free. However, there are a few key points to keep in mind when making this transition! Avoid these mistakes when selling your house to make the move easier.

Staying Emotionally Attached

When owning a home for the past few (or many) years, it's natural to form an attachment to a place you have nested and created memories with loved ones. Once you decide to sell, you will have to learn to detach and think objectively about your home's strengths and weaknesses.

Not Making Repairs

It's no secret that most homes need some maintenance or repairs. Most buyers are not interested in purchasing a home that comes with a list of updates. If your cooling/heating system is broken or the roof is missing some shingles, consider repairing these issues before listing your home on the market. Expensive repairs may be deal breakers for buyers but updating small stuff, like a broken door knob or leaking faucet, will leave a positive impression.

Not Staging Your Home

Staging your home is perhaps the most important step when selling. This gives buyers an opportunity to envision themselves in the space, increasing the likelihood of them making an offer. After you've thoroughly cleaned and decluttered, consider whether your furniture arrangements show your home at its best. If your rooms feel crowded, consider donating, selling, or giving away some items, or put them in storage.

Neglecting Curb Appeal

First impressions are everything when listing your home on the selling market. Landscaping and gardening should not be neglected during this time. Make sure the lawn is properly mowed, and even plant some flower to bring color and life to the area. Consider adding a new wreath or doormat to the front porch so buyers feel welcomed and relaxed.

Choice Properties offers you a chance to find the home of your dreams. We work with your budget and ideas in mind to support your ultimate vision. Call us if you are ready to check out the available inventory or to speak with a reputable agent who can assist you with your home buying needs.

Tips for Millennial Home Buyers

It's no secret that millennials' homeownership rate is significantly lower than previous generations at the same age. The Urban Institute quotes, "Today's young adults are failing to build housing wealth, the largest single source of wealth, at the same rate as previous generations. While people make the choice to own or rent that suits them at a given point, maybe more young adults should take into account the long-term consequences of renting when homeownership is an option." Although it may feel overwhelming, homeownership comes with an endless list of benefits that millennials should not rule out. The expert real estate agents at Choice Properties have gathered some tips for millennial home buyers.

Count the Costs

When investing in a home, you're not only paying for the house itself. There are extra costs to consider, such as a downpayment, closing costs, moving costs, and maintenance updates. It may sound stressful, but working with a trusted agent will eliminate most of the work and worries.

Examine Your Finances

The most important factor when buying a home is to examine your finances. When applying for a mortgage, the lender will check your income along with credit history. Take time to improve your credit, and checking your history to make sure there are no errors (which can happen!). A lender is more likely to offer a better mortgage rate when you prove you have the finances to support the purchase.

Don't Assume You Can't Afford a Home

Perhaps the most common perception of buying a home is that it's too expensive and can't be done. Although it is a large investment that requires saving money, it is possible! Take time to shop for a mortgage lender, as each one will provide different rates and offers. Seeking advice from different lenders and a realtor will help find the best option for you.

Know What to Look for

When house shopping, keep your eyes open of warning signs the home may bring. There is no worse feeling than buying your dream home only to discover it's full of maintenance issues. If you know what you're looking for these issues can be avoided, saving you money in the long run. Consider crossing the house off your list if you see:

• Warning signs of termites
• Cracked walls or distorted paint
• Foundation issues, such as uneven flooring

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.