MANUFACTURED & MARVELOUS...
Protect Your Home & Investment with Routine Seasonal Maintenance
Spring
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Roof and gutters: Clean debris from gutters and downspouts. Inspect roof for missing shingles, cracked sealant.
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Exterior: Wash siding, doors, and windows. Check for cracks, loose screws, or signs of water damage. Caulk around windows and doors if needed.
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Skirting: Repair any loose panels, holes, or loose sections.
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Decks and porches: Check for loose railings, boards, or nails. Seal decks and porches to prevent water damage.
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Air conditioning: Clean and schedule AC tune-up by a qualified technician.
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Heating system: Replace furnace filters regularly.
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Plumbing: Check for leaks under sinks, dishwasher, toilets, water heater, washer.
Summer
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Air conditioning: Check functionality and performance of AC system. Ensure proper ventilation and clean AC coils regularly.
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Heating system: Replace furnace filters regularly.
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Windows and doors: Inspect screens for tears or holes. Lubricate door hinges and window tracks.
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Waterproofing: Check seals around roof vents, pipes, and chimneys.
Autumn
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Roof and gutters: Clean debris from gutters and downspouts again before winter to prevent ice dams. Secure loose shingles or flashing.
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Exterior: Inspect caulking around windows and doors, checking seals for leaks.
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Skirting: Check for gaps and hole and ensure skirting is properly sealed.
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Plumbing: Drain and winterize outdoor faucets and hoses. Disconnect garden hoses. Check that heat tape is operational and underbelly/insulation is intact.
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Heating system: Replace furnace filters regularly. Schedule furnace cleaning / inspection by a qualified technician. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, replace batteries.
Winter
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Exterior: Monitor roof for heavy snow accumulation. Check for ice dams in gutters.
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Skirting: Ensure skirting remains secured and clear of snow and ice by the access panel.
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Heating system: Replace furnace filters regularly.
Why Pre-Approval Is Your
Home Buying Game Changer
If you’re thinking about buying a home, pre-approval is a crucial part of the process you definitely don’t want to skip. So, before you start viewing homes and picturing yourself in your new living room or dining room, be sure you’re working with a trusted lender to prioritize this essential step.
As part of the home-buying process, a lender looks at your finances to determine what they’re willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand how much money you can borrow.
Not only can getting pre-approved help you zero in on the right price range, but it can give you a leg up on other buyers, too. Pre-approval shows sellers you’re more than just a window shopper. You’re a buyer who’s already undergone a credit and financial check, making it more likely that the sale will move forward without unexpected delays or issues. Sellers love that because they see your offer as a reliable one. A win-win, right?
So, before you start mentally arranging furniture in your dream home, work with a trusted lender to get your pre-approval set. It’ll save you time, stress, and a lot of headaches that could come up along the way without it. The reality is, the more prepared you are, the more your agent can assist you in your home search and you are likely to land the home you’re longing for.
Get Ready To Buy a Home by Improving Your Credit Score
As the new year approaches, the idea of buying a home might be on your mind. It’s an exciting goal to set, and it's never too early to start laying the groundwork. One crucial step to prepare for homeownership is building a solid credit score.
Aiming to get your credit score in the ‘Good’ range (670 to 739) would be a great start towards qualifying for a loan. But if you’re wanting to qualify for the lowest rates, try to get your score within the ‘Very Good’ range (740 to 799).”
Ways to improve your score, Experian highlights some things you may want to focus on:
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Your Payment History: Late payments can have a negative impact by dropping your score. Focus on making payments on time and paying any existing late charges quickly.
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Your Debt Amount (relative to your credit limits): When it comes to your available credit amount, the less you’re using, the better. Focus on keeping this number as low as possible.
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Credit Applications: If you’re looking to buy something, don’t apply for additional credit. When you apply for new credit, it could result in a hard inquiry on your credit that drops your score.
Working with a trusted lender is the best way to get more information on how your credit score could factor into your home buying process.
Sell Smarter: Why Working with an Agent May Beat Going FSBO
If you're thinking about selling your house on your own, called “For Sale by Owner” or FSBO, there are some important things to consider. Going this route means taking on a lot of responsibilities by yourself – and that can be a bit of a headache.
Here are just a few of the ways an agent helps with those difficult tasks.
Getting the Price Right
Setting the right price for your house is important and two common issues can happen…overpricing or underpricing. Either can make it hard to sell your house.
First impressions matter…if your home is overpriced, you run the risk of buyers not seeing the listing. Bargain pricing could also turn some buyers away, wondering if there are any underlying problems with the home.
Team up with an agent that understands the manufactured home market to determine the perfect price, giving your home the best chance to impress from the start.
Understanding and Performing Paperwork
Selling a home involves a bunch of paperwork and legal documentation, and rules and regulations to follow. An agent is an expert in contracts, and will help eliminate liability risks and legal complications.
Let’s connect to make the process smooth and make the process less stressful.
Use Your Equity To Reach Your Goals
If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years or more, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. . . the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe on your mortgage. That means your equity grows as you pay down your home loan over time and as home values climb.
Here are a few examples of how you can put your home equity to work for you.
Buy a Home That Fits Your Needs
If your current space no longer meets your needs, it might be time to think about moving to a bigger home. And if you’ve got too much space, downsizing to a smaller one could be just right. Either way, you can put your equity toward a down payment on something that fits your changing lifestyle.
Reinvest in Your Current Home
If you’re not ready to move just yet, you can use the equity you have to improve your current home. But it’s important to consider the long-term benefits certain upgrades can bring to your home’s value.
Call an agent today to discuss your home’s current value and your goals in the new year.
3 Keys To Hitting Your 2024
Homeownership Goals
If buying or selling a home is your goal for 2024, it’s important to understand today’s housing market, know your why, and work with an industry to bring your homeownership vision for the new year into focus.
Here are a few things to think through as you define your goals for 2024.
Know Your "Why"
You’re dreaming about making a move for a reason – what is it? There are still many compelling reasons to buy a home today. Your needs may have changed in a way your current house can’t address, or you could be ready to step into homeownership for the first time.
Figure Out What's On Your Home Wishlist
Housing supply is still lower than more normal years in the market, so you’ll have to work closely with a pro to find what you’re looking for. Keep your budget in mind as you balance your wants and needs, the essentials and where you can be.
Determine if You’re Ready To Buy
Partner with an agent and a lender to make sure you’re in a good position to buy. Plan how much to save for a down payment, get pre-approved for a loan, and assess your current home equity if you’re selling your existing house.
An experienced agent will guide you through every step of the process. Let’s connect to plan how to make your homeownership dreams a reality in 2024.
