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What Today's Buyers Want in a Home

Thursday, July 30, 2020
by Scott Darling

 

Today’s buyers are highly likely to have specific desires in a new home. Are you ready? If not, let this be your guide to getting your house in ready-to-sell shape! 

 

  • Energy Efficiency:  Energy-Star windows, smart or programmable thermostat, LED lightbulbs and full-house water heater are all attractive to buyers who are concerned about energy costs as well as those concerned about going green. 
     

  • Home office:  If there is no room in your house that is a dedicated home office, create one!  Stage a space in the kitchen or living area or smaller bedroom with what appears to be a working spot. 
     

  • Upgraded kitchen and bathrooms:  While completely renovating these rooms are a possibility, it may not be in your budget. Take a good look at each, and decide what wallet-friendly projects will make them look new: painting kitchen cabinets, new stainless appliances; in the bathroom, new faucets, lighting fixtures, or add pizazz by framing a mirror in glass tiles. 
     

  • Dining space:  An eat-in kitchen or open-flow kitchen and dining room are what many are looking for, especially families. Kitchen islands with seating will suffice when the budget does not allow for creating space for a dining table in the kitchen. 
     

  • Organized storage:  Buyers want homes with ample storage. While you can’t create space, you can build space in closets and the laundry room by adding shelving or pre-fab storage systems.  
     

  • Hardwood flooring:  While not an inexpensive project, consider putting hardwoods or less costly engineered wood in the entryway and living space. 
     

  • Security:  Front-door video cameras, plenty of outdoor lighting as well as smart lighting features are all great for starters.  

 

While not every house hunter is looking for all of these, upgrading a few things will likely get their attention! Talk to your Realtor® about who is looking for a home in your location; they will have recommendations on the best changes that need to be made for your house to sell! 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: Real Estate Express

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for June 2020

Thursday, July 23, 2020
by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for June 2020

Chester County PA single-family homes saw pending sales increase by 29.6% in June 2020 when compared to June 2019. 475 homes sold in June with a median sales price of $385,000.  The average days on the market rose by 7 days. 

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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Six Home Items You Should Inspect Now

Monday, July 13, 2020
by Scott Darling


Home ownership is a big responsibility! Sure, you have the financial responsibilities, but what about maintenance? Letting your house just sit and be a shelter for you is not going to work, even if you live in a newly constructed home. It is up to you to keep it in tip-top shape! Take a day to go over these items to make certain all is well at your house: 

 

  • Roof:  Your roof is probably your home’s most important part of its structure, so inspect it well:  take binoculars or use your phone’s camera to zoom in on the roof and look at every aspect. Check for damaged, missing, or curling shingles. For a tile roof, look for cracks or missing tiles, and metal roofs should be gone over for loose screws or damage to the metal. On a rainy day, go into the attic and check for leaks. Have any issues repaired as soon as you possibly can. 
     

  • Foundation:  The other important side of your home is its foundation. Check for cracks in the bricks, look at the grading around the outside (making sure water is running away from your home), and check for gaps in the outdoor walls and windows. On the inside, look for sagging floors or bowing walls, doors that do not want to close or windows that do not want to open. These are all signs of possible foundation issues. 
     

  • Siding:  Look for peeling, blistering, or fading paint, as these may be signs that you need new siding. Check for rot and warping on the soffits and any fascia boards. Visible mold can be a sign of a major moisture issue and should be investigated by a pro. 
     

  • Plumbing:  Grab a flashlight and go under your sinks and look for any signs of leaking. Toilets can leak “silently,” and you can figure out where the leak is coming from with a little food coloring and time.  Inspect around the water heater for any signs of leaks as well. 
     

  • Smoke/CO Detectors:  If you have battery-operated detectors, checking the batteries is fine, but you need to be sure they are working as well. CO detector kits are available at most home stores and testing a smoke alarm is as simple as blowing out a candle and allowing the stream of smoke drift towards the smoke alarm. Be sure to let everyone in the house know you are “crisis testing” the alarms! 
     

  • Gutters:  On a rainy day, or using the water hose, check to be sure gutters and downspouts are running freely (no clogs), and have no leaks around the seams. 

 

Taking the time to look carefully at possible problems in your house can save you time and money down the road, especially if you plan on reselling the house in the future. You are protecting your investment and protecting your family as well. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: Commercial Record

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Tips for Disinfecting Your Home

Thursday, July 9, 2020
by Scott Darling


We are thinking about cleaning more than ever right now, and there is a right way to do it if you’re trying to get things as germ-free as possible. Improper use of cleaners and cleaning tools won’t do your efforts any good. Follow these tips for a truly clean home: 

 

Different Cleaners for Different Uses 

  • - “Cleaning” a surface simply means you are removing dirt, dust, and contaminants.  All-purpose cleaners are just that--they can clean a myriad of things. If you’re planning on disinfecting those surfaces, be sure that it is labeled on the bottle. 
     

  • - Sanitizing cleaners will significantly reduce the number of bacteria but will not affect fungi or viruses.  Use a sanitizer for low-risk areas such as floors and read the label to make sure you’re using it correctly. 
     

  • - Disinfectants are meant to kill contaminants, and different ingredients work for different pathogens. Check your bottle’s label for more information on those pathogens and follow directions to the letter. 
     

  • - Antibacterial cleaners and wipes kill only bacteria, not viruses. 
     

  • - Aerosol disinfectants are as effective as you make them; most labels tell you to spray long enough to wet the surface for at least three minutes, air dry, and afterward, wipe any food surfaces or children’s toys with clean water. 

 

Use of Cleaning Tools 

  • - Disinfectant wipes are perfect for hard surfaces and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s label for directions as well as the pathogens it will eliminate. If a wipe becomes dry during use, toss it and continue with a fresh wipe.  
     

  • - You should be using a clean dishwashing cloth every day and use it only for dishes and wiping down cooking surfaces. Rinse them in cool water once the dishes are finished, wring out and air dry between laundry days.  
     

  • - Paper towels are perfect for cleaning or disinfecting, as they are tossed in the trash after each use.  Microfiber cloths or other types of washable cloths should be washed and dried in the dryer as soon after cleaning as possible. If not, spray with a disinfectant and allow it to air dry until it can be put in the washer. 
     

  • - When you are cleaning, be sure to wear gloves, because it protects your hands from contaminants and is better for your skin.  Wash your hands after cleaning, whether you wear gloves or not. 

 

The Centers for Disease Control shares tips for thorough cleaning and disinfecting, and what products are best used on what surfaces. When commercial cleaners aren’t available, household items will do, and Consumer Reports offers a guide to what should and should not be used for best results. Take care to wash your hands with warm soapy water after cleaning, and don’t forget your car! Wipe down those surfaces with disinfectant wipes.
 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: Texas A&M Today

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