Those living in Western Michigan know a thing or two about snow accumulation in the wintertime. Winter weather is a normal part of life, and so is shoveling snow. Although residents in the area have lots of experience, many people forget to take the right steps when it comes to snow removal. Putting off snow removal or doing it incorrectly can actually make it more difficult and can even be detrimental to your property.
To help you manage the next snowstorm, our real estate agents pulled together a list of some of the biggest mistakes people make when removing snow:
Proper snow removal is the key to keeping yourself and your property safe, so we recommend creating a good routine. Contact us today for more landscaping maintenance tips.
While a nice, clean carpet is often a key component of a comfortable living space, it doesn't take long for it to get nasty. Carpet is a harbor for germs, dust, debris, dirt, and so regular cleaning is important for keeping your family healthy and your home's interior looking good.
A good carpet cleaning routine involves more than just regular vacuuming; however, the process doesn't have to be difficult. Establishing a regular cleaning cadence is key. Our real estate agents pulled together this quick guide to carpet cleaning options so you can help preserve the floors and air quality in your home:
A clean carpet can make a huge difference when it comes to the comfort and air quality of your home. Regular cleanings can also extend the life of your carpet by several years. Contact us today for more home improvement tips.
While a home appraisal is a normal part of the closing process, it's common for sellers to be a bit nervous about the outcome. The purpose of an appraisal is to gain an independent third-party valuation of your property. Naturally, sellers want the appraised value to come back as high as possible. If the appraisal comes in lower than the offer price, then you may need to return to the negotiating table to determine who is going to cover the difference, which could ultimately eat into your return.
While a good portion of your appraisal will be based on recent sales of nearby homes, some of the assessment is subjective. Therefore, doing everything you can to make a good impression can impact the outcome. Our real estate agents suggest these tips for preparing for your home appraisal.
Determining a home's value is an important part of a real estate transaction. We always recommend sellers take steps to improve your appraised value, as it could ultimately help you earn as much as possible on your home sale. If you're thinking about putting your home on the market, contact us today.
Sometimes your home reaches the point where your regular cleaning routine just won't cut it. When it seems like dirt and grime are accumulating everywhere, it's time to open up the windows, put on the cleaning gloves, and focus on the nitty-gritty aspects of cleaning.
While deep cleaning can be a lot of work, you'll feel so much better once you have a nice, clean, and shiny house. Our real estate agents often do a thorough deep clean twice a year: once in the fall and once in the spring. We recommend adding these tips into your fall deep cleaning routine this year:
With these tips, your house is sure to shine like never before! Contact us today for more tips on improving your home's interior.
Shopping for a new home can be an emotional rollercoaster, and the process often takes several weeks or months. Once you discover that perfect home, it's normal to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety, which often leads buyers to act with a sense of urgency. However, before you have your agent draw up an offer, it's important to take some time to thoroughly evaluate the property and consider your terms.
Our real estate agents always encourage clients to take these steps before submitting an offer:
Submitting an offer on a home is exciting. But before you get carried away, make sure you do your homework. Contact us today for more home buying tips.
Did you know hard water can negatively impact your home over time? While it's safe to drink, hard water can lead to many interior problems, which is why our real estate agents recommend addressing it as soon as possible. Hard water is common across much of the US, especially in the Midwest. As a result, it's an issue most homeowners have to contend with. Below, we'll tell you all about hard water and share some simple solutions for treating it in your home
What Is Hard Water?
While most water contains minerals, hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. Water accumulates high levels of these two minerals when it streams through deposits of limestone or chalk. It's usually easy to tell if you have hard water as it often leaves a chalky film on your dishes, or it can even have a strong taste or odor. However, there are also inexpensive hard water test kits available that can tell you for sure.
How Can Hard Water Affect Your Home?
The effects of hard water range from short-term mild inconveniences to significant long-term damage. In any case, it's a good idea to address the issue right away. Here are some examples of the effects hard water can have in your home:
How Do I Treat Hard Water?
The easiest and most common way to treat hard water is with a water softener or filtration system. Some of these systems use negatively charged magnetic beads to collect calcium and magnesium particles while simultaneously allowing water to flow through. Other systems filter out calcium and magnesium from your water while pumping in sodium ions. The later types come with a separate salt tank, and the salt needs refilling periodically; however, the good news is water softener salt is usually inexpensive.
Once the process is complete, the water then flows out of the filtration system and into your home's plumbing. Water softeners range in price, but purchase and installation are usually around $1,500 on average. However, many of these gorgeous Holland homes for sale are already equipped with a water softener.
Eliminating hard water from your house can help you avoid unwanted water stains, unhealthy skin, and plumbing and appliance issues. It's definitely worth the investment. For more home maintenance tips, contact us today.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a new place to live, and the decision isn't always easy. But for those searching for a great climate, a strong economy, and quality education, Western Michigan checks every box. In fact, our real estate agents say people from all over the world move to Western Michigan thanks to its many amenities. Once you see what our great communities have to offer, we're sure you'll be eager to call this area home.
If you're on the hunt for a new place to live, here are a few reasons why you make sure Western Michigan is on the top of your list:
Western Michigan has so much to offer, so it's easy to see why so many people love calling it home. Contact us to explore local listings in our area.
With so many of us spending summer weekends doing yard work, our real estate agents thought it'd be a great time to share some landscaping tips.
Great landscaping is both an art and a science. We know creating the perfect yard takes time and practice, and it's well worth it. Remember, beautiful landscaping can make or break your curb appeal. Therefore, learning best practices and avoiding mistakes can really help boost your property value and attract attention when it comes time to sell your home.
If you're busy working on your yard this summer, here are some common landscaping mistakes you should try to avoid:
Landscaping can be a fun summer hobby, but it's also essential for maintaining your curb appeal and home value. Contact us today for more landscaping ideas.
Planning to sell your property or refinance your mortgage this year? Our real estate agents usually recommend an appraisal as a good first step. Knowing your home's true value can ultimately help you land more money when you sell (though keep in mind, that the buyer's lender will likely require their own appraisal). An appraisal is also required if you're planning to refinance.
While the home appraisal process is actually fairly simple, it is in every homeowner's best interest to do everything possible to maximize the appraised value. Spending time on home improvement projects can help you realize a higher return. Here are some simple ways you can prepare for your appraisal.
When it comes to a home appraisal, a little extra work can go a long way towards boosting your property value. If you're planning to list your home on the market this year, contact us today.
Your house isn't just a place to live, it's also a major investment and vehicle for accumulating wealth. While homes generally appreciate over time if you keep them in good shape, there are also things you can do to help generate an extra return when it comes time to sell. At the end of the day, investing in a more livable home is the best way to boost your sale price.
Here are some top recommendations from our real estate agents to maximize your home value:
When thinking of what repairs and upgrades can drive value, put yourself in the shoes of a buyer. Try to imagine what would make your home more comfortable, liveable, and convenient. Contact us today for more home improvement tips.