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Explore below to discover tips and tricks to make the most of your buying and selling experience.
Curious About Selling You Home? Unlocking Your Equity Is The First Step!
If you're considering selling your home, the first thing you need to understand is how much equity you have. Thanks to significant increases in home prices over the past few years, many homeowners have more equity than they realize. Home Equity: What Is It and How Much Do You Have? Home equity is the difference between your home's current market value and the remaining balance on your mortgage. For instance, if your home is valued at $600,000 and you owe $300,000, your equity is $300,000. Recent data from the Census and ATTOM reveals that Americans currently hold substantial equity. In fact, over two-thirds of homeowners have either fully paid off their mortgages or have at least 50% equity in their homes. Why Is This Important? With such significant equity, you can expect a larger return on your investment when you sell. This equity can be a powerful resource to fuel your next move, giving you more financial flexibility. What Should You Do Next? If you're thinking about selling your home, it's crucial to determine how much equity you have and understand what it means for your sale and potential earnings. To get a clear picture, work with your real estate agent, and consult a tax professional or financial advisor. This team of experts can help you navigate your specific situation and guide you toward a successful sale. Reach out to us at Brown McMillen Real Estate, if you need help finding an expert to guide you in your home search prep and process!
Thinking About Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Tips for Painting Your Cabinets: A Fresh Look for Your Kitchen Updating your kitchen can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor, but painting your cabinets is an affordable and effective way to transform the space. Here are some tips to ensure your cabinet painting project is a success. 1. Plan and Prepare Assess Your Cabinets: Make sure your cabinets are in good condition. Solid wood cabinets are ideal for painting, but you can also paint laminate or veneer with proper preparation. Gather Your Supplies: You'll need paint, primer, sandpaper, painter’s tape, drop cloths, brushes, and rollers. High-quality tools and materials will yield better results. Choose the Right Paint: Use a paint specifically designed for cabinets. These paints are usually more durable and provide a smoother finish. Select Your Color: Lighter colors can make a kitchen feel larger and brighter, while darker hues add a touch of elegance. Consider the overall design of your kitchen and your personal style. 2. Prep the Area Clear the Kitchen: Remove all items from the cabinets and cover countertops, appliances, and flooring with drop cloths. Remove Hardware: Take off all cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware. Label each piece to ensure easy reassembly. Clean Thoroughly: Clean the cabinets with a degreaser to remove all dirt and grime. This step is crucial for paint adhesion. Sand the Surfaces: Lightly sand the cabinets to create a smooth surface for the primer and paint. Wipe away dust with a tack cloth. 3. Prime and Paint Prime the Cabinets: Apply a high-quality primer to ensure the paint adheres properly. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Sand Again: Lightly sand the primed surfaces to smooth out any imperfections. Clean off the dust. Start Painting: Use a brush for detailed areas and a roller for larger, flat surfaces. Apply thin, even coats to avoid drips and achieve a smooth finish. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next. Multiple Coats: Plan on applying at least two coats of paint for optimal coverage and durability. Patience is key to achieving a professional-looking finish. 4. Reassemble Let Paint Cure: Allow the paint to cure for several days to ensure it is fully dry and durable. Reattach Hardware: Reattach all hardware and reinstall cabinet doors and drawers. This step will be easier if you labeled everything during the disassembly. 5. Final Touches Touch Up: Inspect your work and touch up any areas that need it. A small brush can help with detailed touch-ups. Clean Up: Clean your brushes, rollers, and any other tools you used. Store any leftover paint for future touch-ups. Enjoy Your New Kitchen: Step back and admire your handiwork. A fresh coat of paint can make your kitchen feel like new! Conclusion Painting your cabinets is a cost-effective way to give your kitchen a fresh look. With proper planning, preparation, and patience, you can achieve a beautiful, professional-looking finish that will breathe new life into your space. Happy painting!
The Price Of Waiting For Perfection in Homebuying
Nothing in life is ever perfect – and that’s true for home searches as well. Unless you’re building a brand-new home from scratch, chances are there will be some features or finishes you wouldn’t have chosen yourself. It might be as minor as paint colors, a light fixture, or the bathroom tiles. Or perhaps the backyard isn’t fenced in, or the home is in a less-than-ideal location. The trade-off here is significant. In the time spent searching for the perfect place, many suitable homes will be overlooked. It’s Time To Redefine Perfection Given today’s affordability and inventory challenges, buying a home that needs some updates, is a few neighborhoods away from your ideal location, or lacks some desired features can be a smart move. Here’s why: Affordability: These homes are usually more affordable, which is crucial when many buyers are struggling to find options within their budget. Personalization: They offer a chance to make the space your own or explore a new area. You may discover you love that neighborhood, or that swapping out a feature or two after move-in isn’t such a big deal. Look beyond the green shag carpet and see the potential of the house. With some vision and creativity, you can transform a good house into a fantastic home. How an Agent Helps You Explore Your Options If you’re open to a home that needs a little work or is slightly further out, let your agent know. We, at Brown McMillen Real Estate, can help you expand your pool of potential homes and guide you through the process by: Prioritizing Your Must-Haves: We will revisit your wish list to separate non-negotiables from nice-to-haves, focusing on what’s truly important to you to provide a broader range of options. Coaching You To See the Potential: As you tour these additional options, we will help you look past cosmetic flaws and envision what the home could become with a bit of work. Simple updates like a fresh coat of paint or new flooring can make a significant difference. Connecting You with Local Pros: We can also connect you with local professionals who can help make post-move-in updates, reducing your workload and eliminating the need to find contractors on your own. By redefining what perfection means in your home search, you open yourself up to a wider range of possibilities, potentially finding a great home sooner and starting the next chapter of your life. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions while searching for your new home.
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