Sage Street Realty

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on January 4, 2022

Article provided by Rachel Maisen, Outreach Executive  WeBuyCaliforniaHousesForCash.com

Real estate scams have been on an epidemic rise with the coming of the pandemic. And things have only gotten worse ever since. 

These fraudulent schemes target homeowners in multiple ways that basically feed off fear, desperation, and anxiety. With phishing tactics, scammers gain inside access to watch all the parties involved. And then they attack at vulnerable moments during and even years after buying a house. 

Here are a few ways they operate, with tips on how to escape their lazy claws taking away your hard-earned cash.

Escrow Scam 

This scam is not only common but could be the most expensive real estate scam you can suffer at the hands of fraudsters. 

Imagine you've reached an agreement to purchase your dream house. 

Then the title company sends you a mail telling you to make your down payment and closing costs. All the weeks of moving around and anticipating finally about to pay off — literally with your life's savings. So, not wanting to delay the closing, you follow the wire instructions and make payment. But, unbeknown to you, you just sponsored a scammer's lavish night at the club. 

It's a horrible, horrible experience that no one should ever experience. The culprits stalk the real estate agent, lender, or yourself throughout the buying process and strike at this perfect moment. Thankfully, it's one you can avoid easily.

At first glance, these dubious schemes aren't hard to miss, especially for tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z home buyers. But first, you take a deep breath and collect yourself when it's time to pay for your house. Then call your lending company to confirm the request and call the settlement agent to verify payment. 

Also, if you look closely, the scammer's contact information will be missing a letter or number. And depending on the amount at stake, their email will contain comical errors, both typographical and tone of voice. So always check for the smallest of errors. 

In general, be careful of opening emails and links — every time really — as you near the closing.  

Rental Property Scam 

Over 5 million Americans were reported victims of rental property scams in 2019 alone. What's interesting about fraud numbers is that only about a quarter of cases are ever reported. 

A rental scam starts when the scammer reposts an original listing he isn't affiliated with on Craigslist or social media. They then request an upfront fee for an inspection that'll never happen. Why? Because they are only posers, they can't show or rent the house out, so along with your money, they disappear into thin air.  

The solution is to not trust anyone no matter how much they sweet talk you. Before you start the transaction, research who the property owner is. Again, never pay a deposit upfront, even if you're dealing with a legit landlord. 

Even meeting the owner for negotiations, don't pay in cash. Instead, write them a cheque or pay via another method that gives proof of payment. 

Foreclosure Scam

Perhaps the most sickening of real estate scams. These scammers prey on vulnerable homeowners who've issued a notice of default (foreclosure) through county records. Using these public records, they also gain free access to their victim's name, address, lender's name, and amount owed on the home. 

If the owner isn't already trying to sell the foreclosed, they're trying their best to pay their mortgage. That's when the predatory helpers strike with an offer to help them get out of debt. These fraudsters come bearing government-assisted programs tailored specially for you but at a price. 

The Federal Trade Commission reports that homeowners are swindled out of hundreds or thousands of dollars this way. Imagine the kind of distress an already sad person will be in. 

To prevent this scam, you must call your lender if at all you're seeking help. Don't be embarrassed or feel anxious that it'll hasten up the process. Enlist for forbearance and talk to a registered housing counsellor for guidance. 

Moving Scam / Due Diligence

Another type of real estate scam happens when you're ready to move to your new home. First, you call the moving agency to make an appointment. Then, you give them all the details and receive an incredible price quote. Filled with excitement about the juicy deal you snapped, you can't wait to move. Then, moving day comes, but the company charges double of what you agreed on — or don't show up at all.

Moving is expensive, so scammers can prey on your instincts to save. To be safe, get a price estimate from 2-4 movers. And if one stands out as too good to be true, it probably is. Plus, you should write off over-the-phone quotes as scams. Instead, let them give you a quote in official writing.  

Also, never make a full payment or even half of the moving cost as a deposit fee. However, moving companies may charge twenty or thirty percent. It commits the movers to transfer your belongings to your new home. But if the movers ask for full payment upfront, that's a flaming red flag!

Furthermore, ask the moving company for their licensing number so you can carry out due diligence. They should be open to sharing it with you. If otherwise, take your business elsewhere. Once you have the number, see if they've got complaints lodged against them by checking it in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration record. Of course, if they've had scam issues in the past, you should steer clear. 

Don’t Set Yourself Up

Prevention is better than cure. The best way to stop fraudsters is to prevent your personal information from falling into their hands. Without it, they can't stalk you till they find that perfect moment to pose as your titleholder or Nigerian Prince. 

You must start using stronger passwords to protect yourself — just your name and DOB won't do, Cheryl. Formulate a complex password with letters, numbers, and symbols. And write it down somewhere safe because you might forget it, or in my case, can't memorize it.  

More importantly, stop opening suspicious links. And you indeed mustn't supply them with your email and password. If an offer is too good to be true, it most likely is. If you're feeling sure about it, do a quick google search or call the company to confirm. 

Report Immediately

These days, you can fall victim to fraud almost anywhere online. If you feel you've been duped, report ASAP. The last thing you want to be is too embarrassed to speak out. 

If you act fast enough, your funds can be recovered or at least put on hold. 

And finally, turn on your inner editor. Read emails carefully, cross-check their contact information, and call the title company or lender to confirm instructions. 

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on December 20, 2021

Well it is officially that time. The end of another year. From 2020 to 2021 we as a people have experienced some difficulties, social missteps, and virtually everything. But as we see a light at the end of the Covid scare tunnel, and as America begins to open up and become “normal” again, we find ourselves with a renewed sense of self. So what are you going to do differently next year to better yourself and those around you?

As I reflect over the last 2 years and I enter a new one I am encouraged and empowered! Here are 3 things I will focus on to better myself and those around me! Please after reading, share your top 3 or thoughts on my list. Does my list fit your encouraged future too?

Remember to Rest:

If I learned anything from shelter in place or quarantine, it is that it is so good for your soul and your health to take a beat. Work will be there tomorrow. Another task will be there tomorrow, the next day, the next week. And, the world keeps spinning no matter if the floors are swept or not. While I will keep my rigorous list of tasks, the top task will be to rest. Whether that is read a book, binge watch a show, or just hang out at the park watching my kids play, then so be it!

2. Prioritize the ONE thing:

For me as a real estate professional the one thing is usually the one thing I don’t love doing. But nets me the most income, time value, etc. I will take the time to do that ONE thing. And I promise you, there is only one thing that you can do to make your whole business, work day, family day go smoother. Take the time to figure out that one thing and commit to yourself, heck, commit to someone, even me if you need to… and just do it. I bet it only takes an hour or two a day. 

3. Use my calendar:

Ok, this is super worky, but it's not! If you can take control of your time, you are a very rich person. Find a calendar you will use. Get your family involved. Schedule your work time, your YOU time (remember to rest), and your family time if needed. Schedule time for friends and extended family. Stick to your schedule. PRO TIP: get super detailed with your work schedule and make sure you get your tasks done during work hours. Set alarms so you don’t over work or over play. If you are old school like me, get a big ol daily calendar and write it down.  Use your calendar and organize your life!

I am no expert in resolutions, but I do know that I have learned a lot over the past few years, and I know I have some pretty lofty goals. These 3 things will help me get there without losing myself or all of my time. 

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on November 12, 2021

Every year it is the same in our home. Once the holidays start to hit, the decorations are hauled out, and the big SORT begins. Time to figure out what decorations can be used, what we need to replace, and what goes with what holiday. Let’s face it, 3 back to back holidays with a quick clean up session may leave you with quite the mess next year.

Here are a couple of tips to help you organize your holiday decorations as you start to put them back this year. 

Buy large totes and label them per holiday. If you are like me, all holidays fit into one tote except for Fall and Christmas. I use these Home Depot totes. They cost just over $15, and they fit perfectly into our overhead garage storage for easy access! I can get away with having 6 of these for my decor. 1 for all holidays, one for Fall, and four for Christmas. https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-27-Gal-Tough-Storage-Tote-in-Black-with-Yellow-Lid-HDX27GONLINE-5/205978361

Gallon size Freezer Bags. You know you have lots of ornaments, or those small things that easily get tangled or broken. I separate them out and organize by color or holiday and bag them! Everything fits better in my totes, and I can label the bag for easy grabbing. Expert tip: Color code the bags per holiday in your all holiday tote!

Painters tape. CORDS!!!!!! Ahhhhhh…. I have extension cords, light strings, cords, more codes… Roll the cords around your hand and elbow. Secure them with painters tape around the center. It’s easy to remove later, and if the tape is in your tote, when you're packing up, just do it again!

Tree’s and outdoor decor. To be honest, there isn’t a perfect system here. However, I do organize my attic to accommodate these pieces so they are easy to grab throughout the year. On one side of the attic, I have stuff we don’t use that we keep anyways and on the other side large holiday pieces. I put these in order by “holiday”. I only stack things if they are the same holiday. AND, I write the holiday on them with duct tape, in case they get out of order somehow. 

Lastly, Check them before putting them away. At the end of each season, turn on your lights, inflatables, etc once last time. Make sure everything is working. If something is dull or making a weird noise, it likely won’t last another year sitting stale before you need it again. Throw it out and make a note. I put a sheet of paper in each box with a list of things I threw out the year before. So I know what I need to buy the following year. Expert Tip: if finances allow, even better if you can go try to replace that item now, because postseason decor goes on super sale every year!

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on October 4, 2021

I am ready to buy a home! Now what?  When you are ready to start the home buying process, it can seem like a huge undertaking with no end and no beginning. But not to worry, that's what we are here for! Check out these first steps to get you started!

1. Find a reputable Realtor! The absolute BEST first step is to find a Realtor that you connect with. We got you covered here at Sage Street Realty.

2. That’s it… leave the rest to us.

Just kidding. But really… we got you!

1. Get your Realtor in order.

2. Start to think about what area you want to live in. Neighborhood, schools, amenities, type of housing, etc. Don’t worry about this too much, we can help you figure this out if you are feeling overwhelmed. 

3. Consider how much you can spend. This can be a monthly budget, and your realtor can give you some suggestions on this. Also, read our post about what lender is best!

4. Do a wants vs needs analysis. Click here to download a copy and figure out what it is you can and cannot compromise on.

5. Definitely know your numbers! Know what bills you will have, what is involved in the mortgage, and any other expenses so you can make an educated decision!

By Susan Doktor Originally published on Sage Street Realty on July 30, 2021

If you’re new to home buying or homeownership, you may be a little bit confused about the must-haves and the nice-to-haves in home protection. Home warranties and homeowner’s insurance come in several varieties. They share some common features, but they’re definitely not the same thing. Let’s look at some of the similarities and differences between these two products so you understand your responsibilities as a homeowner and choose the products that best suit your needs.

What’s the Same?

Both home warranties and homeowner’s insurance involve paying a monthly or annual premium for protection for a specific amount of time. Both will protect you financially by covering certain kinds of damage to your home. When you make a claim, you will be charged a deductible, which is generally customizable with both products. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end. 

What’s the Main Difference?

Home warranties, while they’re commonly referred to as policies, are not insurance plans. Insurance plans of every variety are heavily regulated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a body made up of representatives from all 50 states. Regulations vary from state to state, but the NAIC sets rigorous standards that states must adhere to. Regulations stem from a historic act of Congress, the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945. The NAIC performs an important consumer protection function.

Compared to homeowner’s insurance, home warranties are the wild, wild west. Every home warranty company sets its own rules, just like every Italian restaurant makes its special version of marinara sauce. It’s up to consumers to protect themselves when they purchase a home warranty by understanding the specific terms of the plan they select. Careful comparison shopping is a must when it comes to home warranties. 

The other primary difference between home warranties and homeowner’s insurance is that one is mandatory for any homeowner who has a mortgage. The financial institution that lends you money to purchase your house will insist that you carry homeowner’s insurance as a condition of borrowing. You have a choice, on the other hand, about purchasing a home warranty. 

You Get Different Kinds of Protection

Homeowner’s insurance comes in two basic forms: liability insurance and property insurance. Your mortgage company will require you to carry both kinds. But property insurance is the type that’s analogous to a home warranty. So we’ll compare the two.

Both property insurance and home warranties protect against damage to your home. But for the most part, they cover different things. Homeowner’s insurance protects you when your home is damaged by such factors as fire, wind, and fallen tree limbs. Home warranties protect you if certain appliances and systems in your home need repair. Let’s take one example to illustrate the difference. 

Let’s say a water pipe in your house breaks and the carpet in your home is damaged in the process. The property insurance section of your homeowner’s policy will cover the cost of replacing your carpet. It won’t cover the cost of replacing your faulty plumbing. By contrast, a home warranty plan will pay your plumbing bill (up to the limits of your policy). But it won’t pay for you to replace your carpet. 

Property insurance also covers your possessions if you are burglarized and damage to your home if you are vandalized. Home warranties do not offer that protection.

Coverage Type and Deductible Options

Both home warranties and homeowner’s insurance allow you to tailor certain policy features to suit your needs. For example, with a home warranty, most companies allow you to select coverage for systems, appliances, or both. Some offer pre-set packages, while others let you pick and choose the items you need covered. If you own a pool, you can elect pool repair coverage. Homeowner’s insurance companies also permit you to add “riders” to your policy to cover items that are not normally covered in a basic policy. If you keep a lot of expensive jewelry or antiques in your home, it’s a good idea to look into adding riders to your policy, so you’ll be fully protected.

Many home warranty and all homeowner’s insurance companies allow you to customize your deductible. In the case of a home warranty, the deductible you pay is actually a service call fee. Home warranty deductibles generally range from $60 to $125. Homeowner’s insurance policies usually offer deductible choices between $500 and $2000, but some policies establish your deductible based on a percentage of your home’s value. Choosing a higher deductible will bring the cost of either type of policy down. 

Know Your Coverage Limits

With a homeowner’s policy, you can generally choose your coverage limits. Your mortgage lender will require that you carry insurance that meets or exceeds the fair market value of your home. If you live in a home that wouldn’t necessarily fetch a high price on the market, but would cost a great deal of money to rebuild—such as in the case of a historic home that features high-quality or unique craftsmanship—it’s best to choose coverage limits that exceed your home’s value. There are two types of property insurance: Actual Cash Value (ACV) and Replacement Cost Value (RCV). Here’s the difference. Let’s say your home suffers a catastrophic fire. If your home features expensive but older appliances, ACV would cover the cost of buying a used gourmet fridge or stove. RCV would cover the cost of purchasing a brand new stove with the same features as your old stove. Similarly, if your home features elaborate plaster molding around your light fixtures, ACV coverage would pay to have a store-bought product installed in your home. RCV coverage would pay out enough for you to hire an expert plasterer to rebuild your molding to original spec. 

Home warranties, by contrast, usually have very specific limits around how much they will pay out to repair or replace specific items like a washing machine or heating system. Often those limits will not cover the entire cost of replacing an appliance or system. That’s why you should carefully study the coverage limits of any home warranty. RCV coverage is not an option with home warranties. Furthermore, many home warranties limit the total amount they will pay out in a single policy term, which is usually one year. It’s up to consumers to decide whether a home warranty is worth the price. The good news is that home warranties cost less than homeowner’s insurance. A comprehensive systems and appliances plan could cost you as little as $500, while the average cost of homeowner’s insurance on a $250,000 home is around $1400. Of course, that includes both liability and property insurance. Home warranties provide no liability protection. But they do cover items not covered by property insurance. That’s why many homeowners decide to carry both.

Get Some Expert Advice

If you’re new to homeownership, your realtor can be an invaluable resource, helping you make smart financial decisions throughout the home buying process. For example, you may be able to negotiate with a home seller and persuade him or her to include a home warranty in your purchase and sale agreement. That’s a growing trend but not all sellers follow suit. In addition, realtors often have relationships with homeowner’s insurance companies and can steer you in the direction of a great agent. Financial advisors are also typically well-versed in insurance. Your home is likely one of your largest financial assets and a financial advisor can help you protect it and afford it. And that’s what home warranties and homeowner’s insurance are all about.

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on May 28, 2021

So you decided you are ready to buy a home! Now to decide what lender is the best for you and your purchase! You can always contact your Real Estate Professional at Sage Street Realty to help you make an informed decision, we are always available to help. But here are a few things to consider when you get started. 

1. What type of home are you buying? 

If you are looking at New Construction, it is very tempting to use the builder's lender as they give you some incentives to go that route. However, in the long run, you may be better off with a Mortgage broker. 

2. How much home do you want to buy? 

Depending on the size of the loan, and the amount you are putting down some lenders may be more ideal than others. 

3. What is your current financial situation? 

Do you have a special consideration? Do you have an ITIN or maybe some unfavorable credit history? Finding a lender who can work with your particular situation is ideal.  

4. How soon do you need to move?

Keep in mind that a Bank and a Mortgage Brokerage are different. Banks tend to take a bit more time to process a loan. Mortgage brokers often have more options available as far as credit standards and loan types. They are also usually more efficient and closing your loan on time. 

By Sharina Van Syckle | Administrative Assistant Originally published on Sage Street Realty on May 5, 2021

Interview with Renae Anderson: Owner/Broker of Sage Street Realty LLC

First, let me introduce myself.

I am Sharina Van Syckle - Administrative Assistant & Transaction Coordinator ‘Extraordinaire’ for Sage Street Realty.  My background is anything but Admin however, this opportunity fell into my lap and I LOVE IT!

In deciding to write this post, I wanted to change my view on things... on Sage Street Realty. How would I feel about this BrokerageIF I were to decide to become a Real Estate Agent? What about Sage Street Realty would stand out to me?

Then I decided why not investigate this further.

Let’s do an interview with Renae, from the other side of things and see what she has to say. 

But first… A little about Sage Street Realty.

Sage Street Realty is a Female Owned Boutique Brokerage that was started September of 2019. Renae was a Realtor for just over

7 years prior to deciding to become a Real Estate Broker and she did not make that decision lightly.

Introduction to Our Broker: Renae Anderson

Renae has an extensive background in Web Design prior to moving into Real Estate. She worked with companies such as ‘The American Heart Association’ and ‘The Dallas Morning News’. Though she loved these Companies and the security they offered her, she wanted to be home more with her family. She decided to branch out of her comfort zone and jump into Real Estate. Renae has worked for several larger Brokerages, some smaller ones, had Brokers decide to quit and even had one of her Brokers pass

away. Through these experiences she feels she learned a lot. What she appreciated as a ‘New Agent’. What she could

have used more help with. What she felt worked well and what she felt made her feel separated from the team as opposed to feeling like part of one. After all she has experienced, she decided she wanted

to do things differently. So, the start of Sage Street Realty.

Back to me…

When I personally joined Sage Street Realty, the company was only 9 months old. At that time, Sage Street only had 6 Part Time, New Real Estate Agents and Renae. It was a very small Brokerage so to speak. Of course, then the Pandemic hit, and life nearly stalled

completely for several months. During this time, Renae quickly got tired of being so stationary and started doing her best to make Sage Street Realty more visible. She rented an office space for she and I, that also had co-working spaces available for our Agents. She really started to

focus her efforts more on building the Agents businesses and less so on building her own. And so, the Sage Street Realty’s FOCUS Philosophy was born. Renae really loved this approach and our Agents quickly blossomed because of it and most all were able to become Full Time Realtors. Other Agents started reaching out to join our Brokerage through word of mouth, and in less than a year, Sage Street Realty has jumped to 20 Agents, both full and part time. Renae’s goal is 30-40 Agents. She feels she has the ability to be selective and wants to focus on bringing Agents into this Brokerage that will be a great fit into our Family dynamic we have here. We are a remarkably diverse group and yet we all mesh so well! We support one another, help where we can and celebrate each other’s successes. She wants to continue to be able to

provide the same one on one time and attention to all our Agents as she has done for the first 20.

BUT… Enough about all of this! ONTO THE INTERVIEW!

ME: “Hey Renae. I have decided to Interview you for the Monthly Newsletter I am creating for our New and Prospective Agents.”

RENAE: “Sounds great. Where do we start?”

ME: “Well I wanted to place myself in an Agents shoes. What would be important to me if I were looking for a Brokerage? What questions would I have? I, of course, came up with a ton of questions but we don’t have time for all of them (lol) so I have narrowed it down to ONE.

Well ONE – ish. You know me!”

RENAE: “Okay. Shoot!”

ME: “Well... Sage Street Realty is a ‘Boutique Brokerage’… so smaller scale than then the BIG-Name Brokerages. You and I know very well that, that means nothing in the Real Estate world, but tell me why does this factor make it so great? Why should I come work with Sage Street Realty?”

RENAE: “Well because we’re AWESOME! Just joking!! It really comes down to the Focus Philosophy. We really are a family. Though big

companies have more people and more awards, our awards, I feel, are more meaningful. We get to cheer each other on every day. We don’t just humble brag on social media. We celebrate each other’s accomplishments daily. And I really love getting to watch our people grow. I love being a part of that! I get to be excited for my family every day. Every win they have, I have. When they want to jump up and down and scream, I get to jump up and down and scream with them! When someone has a hard time, we can sit down together and brainstorm… how do we fix it? What can we do to make this better? When I was a Realtor, and had really down months like every Realtor does… I would feel down and depressed. I mean, I would sit in bed and binge watch Pretty Little Liars. I didn’t have anyone to talk to and bounce ideas off of. Well no one to talk to except my dogs but they weren’t much for giving feedback. I really wanted to create a safe space… an open, raw real safe space for our Agents. Sometimes when you tear something down, you rebuild something better in its space. You don’t always get that kind of community with bigger Brokerages. At least I didn’t. I never want our Agents to feel alone.”

And in true Renae fashion…

She ran off on me to go sit with one of our Agents to help them.

Honestly though, I think this sums up Sage Street Realty pretty well.

We aren’t just coworkers, we are family.

Come meet us. Have a beer, cup of coffee, glass of wine or just a soda.. We promise you will feel right at home!

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on April 26, 2021

The big debate… Rent or Buy? The thing to remember when considering if you should be Renting or Buying a home is to know your own financial situation, your plans for the somewhat immediate future, and know what you are looking for in a home. If you cannot answer these questions, that is ok. Meet with a Real Estate professional to get some advice and guidance. 

So lets play out both scenarios!

Renting

Consider what you are paying for Rent. What other expenses are you responsible for while renting? Electricity, Renters Insurance, do you pay water or does your landlord? What other expenses do you incur for living in your rental?

Now, add up all those expenses. That is your “living expenses” (Do not include bills like cable, internet, cell phone, etc)

Buying

What is your mortgage amount? In case you don’t know, a mortgage consists of PITI which is short for Principle, Interest, Tax, and Insurance. Now add HOA expenses, Electric, Water, Trash, Sewer, Lawn maintenance, unexpected need fund (when something breaks, you are responsible). Let’s add those expenses now. 

As you can see, buying is not always the answer. However, it is great when you are on the path to home ownership. 

It is best to see what your personal needs are. Sometimes, buying, even with more expenses is cheaper than renting. Also, you are investing in your home. Buying a home can serve as a big savings account, but like all investments there is risk. Make sure that you are aware of these risks as well. With inflation and low interest rates, you can buy a home today for $250,000 and it could be worth more in just a few years. 

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on March 26, 2021

To Refinance my home or sell my home, that is the question.

Were you already thinking of refinancing or moving?

If so, now is the perfect time for you to take the plunge. However, if this thought wasn’t in your foresight already, make sure you weigh the pros and cons of either scenario.

2. How long have you been in your current mortgage?

If you have lived in your home for more that 10 years this question can have a very equal pro and con list. Take a minute to explore your specific situation and talk with a Real Estate professional to see where your home stands on the value ladder. 

3. Is it better for me to sell?

It may be a better idea for you to sell your home if you were considering selling. Due to the low interest rates, homes are selling fast and for more money. It is a full on sellers market out there. If you hire the right Real Estate professional who knows your market and can properly value and market your home, this could be a very lucrative opportunity if there is equity in your home. Conversely, if you have paused your mortgage speak with a Lending specialist, your Realtor can point you in the right direction, and see if selling is the better option for you. Look at new builds as a next purchase. These homes often come with great warranties!

4. What if I just bought my home 2-3 years ago. 

Some situations will vary, but it is safe to assume that you could chose either a sell or refinance option in this case. Speak with your current mortgage provider to get a proper pay off. Ask your Realtor to do a CMA (Current Market Assessment) to see if you have enough equity with the inflation over the last couple of years to make a move. Both options will incur cost to you. Know those costs before deciding on which option is best for you!

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on March 5, 2021

Confused about Home Insurance? Here are some tips to understand it better.

The first thing you need to know about homeowner’s insurance is that it’s not optional. Any lender you work with will require that your new home be adequately insured before they will write you a mortgage. You’ll need to show proof of insurance come closing time or it’s no deal. So the real questions become what’s the best homeowner’s insurance policy for you, how much coverage do you need, and how much will it cost you?

There are three different types of protection that make up a typical homeowner’s insurance policy. The first protects you when your home is damaged. A basic policy, known in the industry as an HO-2, will cover damage caused by fires and smoke, wind, indoor flooding caused by sudden plumbing problems, and other common perils. Driveways, pools, and outbuildings are also protected under these accidental circumstances.

If you live in a flood zone or hurricane-prone region of the country, you should know that a standard policy does not protect you against water damage caused by those natural events. You may want to consider adding specific flood coverage to your insurance plan. Most policies exclude coverage for mold damage caused by poor maintenance, as well.

There are two different types of property damage coverage you can choose from. The first is actual cash value coverage. Under an actual cash value policy, your insurance company will reimburse you the “going rate” for your home or possessions at the time of the loss. If your gourmet fridge is 10 years old, you’ll be reimbursed the amount a 10-year old fridge will fetch at a used appliance store. If your home features fine craftsmanship that would be insanely expensive to recreate in today’s marketplace, that won’t be reflected in the amount you are reimbursed in the event your house burns down. In each of those examples, however, you would be fully protected under a replacement value policy.

Standard home insurance policies also protect the personal property you keep in and around your home. If thieves break into your home, garage or outdoor shed, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of replacing the stolen items. Having a record of your possessions will make the claims process much simpler.

The other critical part of any homeowner’s insurance policy is the liability portion. Liability insurance protects you in the event that someone is injured on your property. It also protects other people’s personal belongings if they’re damaged while on your property. The classic example of a liability claim is the friend who slips on your icy steps and sues you for such damages as the cost of setting his broken arm. Liability insurance would also kick in if that same friend’s car was crushed in your driveway by a falling tree limb.

But these are comparatively minor incidents. Some accidents are very, very serious. Courts routinely award damages in the millions of dollars for accidental deaths and catastrophic injuries, so liability insurance is absolutely crucial to protect you against financial ruin. High net worth individuals will often—and smartly—carry far more than the minimum liability insurance required by law or their lenders.

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on January 8, 2021

Selling your house can be an intensely emotional experience in any market, but it's particularly nerve-wracking when it seems like other homes are going under contract in a matter of days while your listing lingers. In that situation, sellers can't help but wonder if there might be something wrong with their place.

Well, the unfortunate truth is that maybe there is something wrong. Usually, it's the listing price, but there are a ton of other things that are keeping your house on the market -- maybe it's the marketing strategy, or even the house itself. If your house just won't seem to move in a market that's otherwise red-hot, consider whether one of these factors could be stalling a sale.

The pictures are amateur

It's hard to under-emphasize the importance of listing photos. Most buyers start their home search online, and your listing photos are therefore the first impression that buyers will get of the property.

When all the other homes for sale in your neighborhood have crisp, clean images that show the home to its best advantage, and your listing photos are off-center, unfocused and scream "I took all of these pictures in 10 minutes with my cell phone," then don't be surprised when buyers aren't all that interested in your place.

Make sure that you're selecting only the photos that make your house shine, and if there aren't any, then you might need to reshoot. 

Talk to your agent and the listing photographer about shooting at a time of day when there's a lot of natural light and when the home is in pristine condition.

You have too much stuff

Minimalism might not be a big thing where you live, and that's perfectly fine -- while you're living there. But clutter is going to draw buyers' eyes away from the space of the room and their ability to fill it with their stuff, distracting them when you want them to be fully focused on their dream of homeownership.

Garage sales, donation stations, and storage units can all be a viable solution for too much stuff, but you need to get it out of the spaces where buyers can see it. That means the closets, too -- buyers most definitely will open closets and drawers, and if all the clutter is hiding there, it doesn't leave a great impression.

The price was based on an online calculator

It's hard to find a homeowner who hasn't looked up their own house on a real estate portal like Zillow -- we're all curious, right? Well, even though that Zestimate price may have given you a warm fuzzy feeling, the truth is that it might not be all that accurate. 

Online calculators use public records data and sometimes MLS data to create their estimates, but if the data is patchy or there aren't a lot of comparable homes that have sold nearby, then the algorithm might end up pulling some numbers that just don't make any sense.

Of course, this can mean an absolute steal for buyers if your automated valuation is below the home's actual value, and you could lose money on the sale. But on the flip side, if you trust that your home really is worth what the automated valuation says -- and you haven't asked an appraiser or a real estate agent what they think -- then that could be why no buyers are interested.

The wrong agent is listing the home

Like all of us, real estate agents have strengths and weaknesses. Some agents are great at selling condos but haven't sold any single-family homes, and that's just one of the many facets that makes up an agent's experience.

It's completely understandable to go with the agent who helped you in your last sale, or a friend of a friend, but do ask any agents you interview about their experience in working with clients like you to sell houses like yours. If they don't have any, then you might be in for a long wait and several price cuts before your house moves.

Showings aren't convenient for buyers

One of the worst parts of selling a home is dealing with the showing process. It's a pain to keep your house spotless in case a showing gets booked, and then vacate the premises while strangers traipse through with an agent.

Although sellers definitely deserve sympathy for how demanding showings can be, they're not exactly a picnic for buyers, either, who are usually trying to visit several houses in the few-hour timespan they've managed to clear out, typically on evenings and weekends when they don't have to work.

If you aren't letting buyers come in and walk through on those evenings and weekends, and instead are dictating showing times that only fit your schedule, don't expect buyers to fit your home into theirs. If it's inconvenient, many qualified buyers who'd love your house will prefer to skip it.

The listing description is flat or unrealistic

Most buyers are going to look at the photos first and foremost, but many will also pay attention to the listing description. This is a chance to tell interested buyers what you love about the house, and they're going to be looking for information or nuance that they couldn't glean from the photos.

For example, maybe the view from the master bathtub is your favorite in the house, or perhaps there's a greenhouse in the yard. 

Include details in the listing description that help the buyer round out what they know about the house from photos -- and steer away from generic descriptions if possible. Buyers see a lot of them, and they won't help your home stand out.

You're too attached

Sometimes it's the right time to sell a house -- and sometimes it doesn't matter how hot the market is: You're just not ready to let go yet. That's a very normal feeling to have, but it can also sabotage your home sale for obvious reasons.

Consider whether your attachment to the home could be undermining you in other ways, like insisting that it's worth a certain price or demanding specific concessions from your buyers. 

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on January 8, 2021

An open house can be an ideal way to introduce a bulk of buyers to the property you're hoping to sell them, and done right, an open house can sometimes generate multiple offers. The key, though, is "done right" -- not every open house is going to be a buyer's bonanza, and not every open house showcases a home at its highest potential. 

You want buyers walking in to feel welcome and for the house to be presented as at least a little bit of a party venue, so buyers can imagine themselves hosting their own event for friends and family in the home.

What does it take to prepare for and host the perfect open house? The following 5 steps will help you create a memorable (and, ideally, lucrative) event that will have buyers dreaming about living in your home.

1. Consider a broker's open house

A broker's open house is an open house specifically for real estate agents or brokers who have buyer clients. It's another option that you might discard as too much work, but hosting a broker's open house before your home actually hits the market can create some buzz around the property and help with word-of-mouth advertising -- if an agent or broker thinks it might be perfect for their client (or clients) and have a chance to walk through and check everything out in advance, then they'll be more likely to add it to their list of "must-visits" when you host an open house for the general public.

2. Set a date

Deadlines make things happen, so give yourself one when it comes to your open house. The timing is up to you, of course: 

Weekends are perennially popular for open houses because lots of buyers tend to be available, but for buyers who work alternate schedules, a weekend might not work so well. 

A weekday evening might be a better option, depending on the price range for your home and whether a bulk of qualified buyers work in jobs that keep them mostly occupied on weekends. 

Consult with your real estate agent about which days of the week and times of day have historically worked best for them, and see what you can find out about the schedules and availability of most buyers in your area, then figure out a time and date based on what you've learned and start getting ready for launch.

3. Tell everybody

No one will show up to your open house if you don't tell them when it's happening and where it is, so marketing the event is a critical component for success. There are a number of ways to do this, you can:

put a notice up at the post office or possibly even the local coffee shop,

ask your agent to add it to your listing information, 

see if any local publications will let you place an open-house advertisement in the appropriate place, 

post information at your agent's office and even other brokerages (if allowed), 

and of course, set up signs the day of the open house with the address and time clearly visible.

4. Remove clutter

Once you've set a date and advertised the home, it's time to get your property ready for its close-up -- and, fair warning, that's probably going to take a lot of work. You'll need to transform your home from loved and lived-in to looking more like a vacation rental: The ideal look is comfortable and inviting, but not personal.

Start with a serious clutter-removal operation, including furniture. You might want to get rid of a few chairs or even an entire sofa in the living room, end tables or even an entire dresser in the bedroom, and a file cabinet or other ancillary furniture in your home office. 

Remove any personal items, including family photographs from the walls or fireplace mantle, and if you have substantial music or book collections, it might be a good idea to scale back the number of items. 

Remember the ideal and focus on culling any potentially alienating or divisive items, especially; it's fine to have a fixation on religious or political collectibles or artwork, for example, but if you wouldn't find it appropriate in a vacation rental, then you should probably get it out of the way for your open house event.

5. Move the furniture

Once you've eliminated the clutter and even some of the furniture, it's time to rearrange what's there so that you don't have obvious gaping holes in your decor. 

Your agent might be a good resource here, especially if you're not sure how to replace the giant boudoir-focused images you had hanging on your bedroom walls (hey, we're not judging!). Renting some artwork or items from a stager could work nicely for you, but you may also be able to get away with buying some inexpensive but nice-looking landscapes from a local thrift store and putting those on your walls instead. 

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on December 3, 2019

Buying a home is always an anxiety-ridden process, and that goes triple for anyone who’s embarking on homeownership for the very first time. There’s so much to do and so much you don’t know that “overwhelming” hardly seems like an appropriate description of how it feels.

Even though you don’t want to scare yourself away from the entire process, you still need to be wary of falling into a few common traps that first-time buyers generally don’t avoid. If you’re aware of these five potential mistakes -- and able to keep yourself from making them -- then you’ll be saving yourself some significant stress on your homebuying journey.

1. Not understanding your down payment options

The biggest headache for so many first-time buyers is the down payment. If you’ve ever bought a car, then you’re probably familiar with the concept -- it’s money that you contribute to the total cost of the purchase.

A down payment of just a couple thousand dollars can get you a head start on your car. If you don’t have a certain amount to put down on your home loan, however, you might find yourself paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) on the lifetime of the loan.

Depending on your credit score, the bank and other factors, PMI could cost between 0.5 percent to 1 percent of the total loan amount.

Most banks require at least a 20 percent down payment before they will waive the need for PMI on the loan. And most homes in this area cost about $300,000, so that means a buyer would need to bring $60,000 to the table in order to avoid PMI.

Some government organizations and lenders try to incentivize first-time homeownership by offering free down payment grants or loans to qualified buyers. Depending on your age, income level, credit score and other factors, you could qualify for free money to wrap into your down payment; a full rundown of programs is available at downpaymentresource.com.

2. Not getting prequalified for a loan

Between the amount of money you plan to put down on the home, the potential PMI and other cost factors, your monthly cost could be significantly more (or possibly less) than some of those calculators will show you online.

So before you trust those “estimated monthly mortgage loan amount” numbers that you see popping up next to your potential new dream home on Zillow or a brokerage website, it pays to figure out what you can actually afford -- and that means getting prequalified for a home loan.

This means you will need to talk to a mortgage loan officer and submit a slew of documentation, from your monthly pay stub to your credit score, in order for that loan officer to tell you how much money you can get for your home loan. It’s a little bit painful, but the prequalification letter you’ll get as a result is much more credible than a quick qualification you can pull up on an app -- and that means sellers will take it more seriously when it comes time to put in an offer. 

3. Not finding a qualified real estate agent

It’s so easy to find homes online these days that you may wonder why a real estate agent is even necessary. After all, isn’t the hard part -- finding the place you want to buy -- something you can do yourself?

Well, maybe. But in areas with red-hot markets, you’re probably not seeing the most updated listings -- that home you just fell in love with online might be under contract before you can set up a time to tour it.

Not only can an agent make sure you have access to listings the second they hit the MLS, but a qualified agent should also provide expertise on the area where you want to move. Whether that’s feedback on who can help you with homeowners’ insurance quotes to warnings about some of the frequent pitfalls of owning a home in that neighborhood in particular, a qualified agent is an invaluable resource.

4. Not spending the night in the neighborhood

If it’s at all possible, see if you can find an Airbnb or another vacation-rental type of setup where you can crash for a night or two -- preferably closer to a week -- so you can try your new neighborhood on for size.

Is an 8 a.m. arrival time at work still reasonable with this neighborhood’s commute?

Where are the closest grocery stores, parks, rec centers and hiking trails? 

What are the overnight noise levels? If there’s a train that rolls through town in the early hours of the morning, you’re near a highway or a flight path -- and any of that is going to disturb you -- then it’s best to figure it out before you’re spending your first night in your new home and wake up to unpleasant (and unexpected) noises. 

At the very least, you can learn enough about the neighborhood to know how close to (or far away from) the bus line you need or want to be and target your home search accordingly.

5. Not understanding what’s fixable and what’s a deal-breaker

Those drop panels in the ceiling are hideous, and you can’t imagine how anyone can fit into that miniscule bathtub. Are those annoyances that can be fixed or deal-breakers that mean you should pass on the property entirely?

This is another area where a good real estate agent can help. They see so many houses in various stages of repair and updating that they can show you where you can claim another foot or two for bathtub space (and help you figure out how much it will cost and who’s trustworthy enough to take on the job) or let you know that the ceilings are too low for any changes to make much of a difference. 

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on December 2, 2019

Not too long ago in our country's history, talking about making your house "greener" might get you labeled a hippie tree-hugger. But times change, and as gas, electricity, and water prices creep up, more and more homeowners are seeing the (strong) advantages that come with considering the environment when you make decisions about your household.

Are you interested in making your home more energy-efficient -- and saving money in the bargain? You have a lot of options, from cheap to expensive, so read on to discover whether there are some big (or small) energy-saving opportunities that you're missing.

1. Get an energy audit

Most utility companies offer an energy audit, oftentimes for free: 

They'll send an expert out to your house to take a look at all your appliances, your lights, your windows, your doors, and more -- then make recommendations for changes you can make that will save energy (and money) every month. 

If you want a personalized rundown of everything you could do to and for your house to make it more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, an energy audit is a must.

2. Swap out your lightbulbs

Compact fluorescent or even LED bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but they also last at least 10 times longer than incandescents and use only about 25% of the energy of an incandescent bulb.

As your incandescent light bulbs flicker out, consider replacing them with a greener alternative. And if you decide to swap them all out at once, you'll start seeing a difference pretty quickly in your utility bills!

3. Pay attention to the sun

There's a lot you can do to heat and cool your home without spending any money at all -- but you'll need to keep tabs on where the sun is in the sky. 

In the northern hemisphere, windows with southern exposure are going to get the most direct sunlight, so start with those. 

Make note of whether and when the sun shines into your home across every season, then adjust your habits (and your blinds) accordingly.

For example, if the sun is shining directly into your house during the winter season, then you might be able to save some money on your heating bill by opening up all your curtains and blinds in the morning to allow the sun in. But if you're getting that direct sunlight in the dead heat of summer, then the opposite applies: Close your blinds and curtains in the morning to keep your house cool.

4. Weather-stripping your windows

Especially in some older houses, sometimes windows might not be entirely airtight -- meaning that you've got drafts from the outside sneaking hot or cold air into your home against your wishes.

A relatively cheap and easy fix is weatherstripping your windows to eliminate those drafts and ensure that what's outside doesn't creep inside and vice versa. It's as simple as a trip to a hardware store and a few minutes to weatherstrip each window back at the house.

5. Turn down your water heater

Hot water feels amazing in the shower ... but here's the thing: Your water heater is constantly working to keep its water consistently hot, and if you've got the gauge set at a high temperature, then "consistently hot" takes a lot of energy to maintain.

Take a look at your water heater's settings and ask yourself if the hot water really needs to be as hot as you have it. 

Turning down the temperature ten or even five degrees can result in some surprising savings -- and you might not even notice when you're mixing that hot water with cold for your ablutions!

6. Collect rainwater

Depending on where you live, the weather might be an asset that you haven't tapped yet. You can't use rainwater for everything, or even very many things -- you can't drink it, and you won't want to use it to cook, wash dishes, or bathe with -- but if you keep a cistern of rainwater in your yard, then you'll always have a green way to water your grass and flowers in the spring and summer.

7. Swap out your showerheads

If you like to take long showers, this fix can be especially helpful: Change your current shower head for a low-flow version that uses less water. These often have several settings for pressure and spray so that you can customize your shower experience -- and you probably won't even notice that you're using significantly less water once you make the change.

8. Buy a smarter thermostat

You don't necessarily need a "smart" thermostat for your home (although it's always nice to change the temperature using a phone app from the couch -- just saying!), but if you don't have a thermostat that you can adjust to change the temperature at different times of the day, then you should definitely invest in one.

For example, you could set your thermostat to lower the temperature of the house by 10 to 15 degrees when you're at work during the day, and instruct it to start bringing the temperature back up to "normal" an hour to 30 minutes before you arrive home. Many thermostats even let you designate temperature by days of the week, so if you know that you're almost never home on Saturday night or Sunday morning, you can adjust your temperature accordingly.

9. Air-seal (and maybe insulate) your attic and basement

You may know that heat rises, and that applies as much inside your house as it does in the world outside. 

That means a drafty attic could result in a lot of energy spent keeping the house warm in the wintertime, and it won't do you any favors in the summer, either. An uninsulated basement can also let in cold air in the wintertime and out in the summertime. Check to see if your basement and attic are air-sealed and insulated. If not, consider investing in an upgrade.

10. Use a manual push mower

If you live in a region where grass grows like weeds and you don't need to water, then maybe it makes perfect sense to keep your lawn ... but you'll still need to mow it regularly. One greener alternative to a riding mower or a motorized push version is an old-fashioned manual push mower. They do work, but you'll be using your own elbow grease instead of gasoline to power the blades, so you'll get a workout while you mow.

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on November 28, 2019

Just like in any other profession, there are good real estate agents ... and there are, unfortunately, subpar real estate agents, too. But how do you know if you've got a dreamboat or a dud handling your real estate transaction?

One way to know whether you've got a good agent (or not) is to consider some of the tasks and activities that a really good agent will manage for a client, then apply what you've learned to your own agent. If you don't have time to track down all of the things that a good agent should be doing for a buyer or a seller, then you're in luck: We've compiled a list so you don't have to.

Ask you about your homeownership needs (and hopes)

It's dangerous to make assumptions at the best of times, but when it comes to shopping for a home, assumptions are downright dangerous. So if you have an agent who assumes ... everything ... be wary.

A good agent should ask you questions -- lots of them -- about where you've lived, what you liked and disliked about both the home and the neighborhood, where you work, how long you plan to stay there, your future family plans, and more. 

This is all to the greater good of helping you find the right place and possibly revealing a neighborhood or property type that wasn't on your radar: Start here

Recommend a mortgage broker

If you don't already have a mortgage broker to help you with your loan, then your real estate agent should be providing referrals for someone trustworthy. (And any agent worth his or her salt should definitely ask if you're pre-approved!)

Real estate agents work on real estate transactions every day, and they have contacts who can help with mortgage, title, appraisals, inspections, and beyond. Use them!

Give you feedback on the neighborhoods

Unless you've lived in a neighborhood your entire life -- and even then! -- there will still be things to learn about the place where you're buying your home. 

A good real estate agent should be able to answer your questions and explain how each neighborhood compares against the others. 

You'll probably have questions about everything from where to buy groceries to where to walk to dog to what people do for fun on weekends, and your real estate agent should help answer those questions.

Help you find a home

You might think that finding a home is as easy as looking it up on the internet, and for some lucky people, maybe it is. But most buyers have to check out endless potentially unsuitable homes before they find "the one" that's their long-term best fit, and pictures (especially on the internet) can be deceiving.

An agent should hook you up with an MLS feed that will alert you when a home that meets your criteria hits the market -- and agents should also help you come up with alternate strategies if the going is just too tough in your price range.

Price the home correctly

For sellers, this is one of the most critical jobs that your agent will complete -- and if they don't do a good job, you could lose tens of thousands of dollars. Pricing the home correctly right out the gate is absolutely vital to selling the home quickly and for fair-market value.

Some agents will inflate the possible sales price and tell sellers that they can always reduce the price if they don't get an offer. Although this is certainly true, those agents are misrepresenting a bigger truth: your listing is going to get the most attention from qualified buyers within the first 48 hours of hitting the market. 

It's not typically wise to go with the agent who offers the highest sales price; instead, ask prospective agents how they calculated that sales price, whether it lines up with the typical price-per-square-foot in your area, and how long homes priced in that range tend to stay on the market.

Market the home well

One reason why sellers hire a real estate agent in the first place is that the agent has a marketing platform to use to advertise the home for sale. Some homes require more marketing than others, but agents should have a plan to market every home they list. 

And marketing goes far, far beyond "put it on the MLS, Zillow, and realtor.com -- then pray you get a qualified buyer."

If you don't know the listing agent's plan to market your home -- or worse, if you don't think the agent has a plan at all -- then that's a huge sign that your agent might not be the best fit for you.

Help you pick an inspector

When a buyer is financed for a home loan, the lender is going to want to know that the investment is solid -- that the house doesn't have any major issues, for example. That's where the inspector comes in, and the inspector will have to enter the picture before closing.

Your real estate agent should help you find an inspector and answer any questions you have about whether the inspector's price tag is reasonable.

Attend the appraisal

A lot of agents do not consider attending the appraisal to be particularly pressing -- and that's fine. 

But if the appraisal comes in under the sales price and there were no agents present to answer questions or help the appraiser figure out the home's value, then you've got a problem that might not be very easy to solve.

Many buyer's agents will make a point to attend the appraisal and make sure that the appraiser has access to everything he or she needs and can get any information necessary to complete the appraisal thoroughly. Is yours one of them?

Communicate, communicate, communicate

A lot can change between putting an offer on a home and actually moving in. 

The real estate agent should be the person who knows all of the different parts and pieces of the transaction -- and is willing to serve as the point of communication between them.

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on November 28, 2019

If you've never owned a house before, then it's entirely possible that you've never deep-cleaned a house. (Hey, no shame in that game.) But when the house is yours, the desire to see it as clean and sparkling as it can possibly be is strong -- and you might have no idea where to start or how to go about getting your clean on.

Don't panic! Take a deep breath and remind yourself that nobody knows how to do everything. Then follow these tips for homeowners that will outline exactly how to go about deep-cleaning any home ... and how to maintain it so that next time you don't feel so overwhelmed.

Make a list, then divide and conquer

The most overwhelming part of deep-cleaning is undeniably the moment when you start to realize just how much there is to do. Before you even let yourself go there, stop and make a list of everything you need to do.

Begin by listing all the rooms in your house. Include a space for your garage, the basement or the attic (if you have one) and for outdoor living spaces like porches, balconies or decks. 

Start listing what needs to be done in each of those spaces. Before you know it, you'll have a comprehensive list of absolutely everything that you need to do to get your house as clean as it's ever been.

After you've got your master list, start dividing it up. You can assign different rooms to other household members who are helping with the massive clean or divide it by day of the week so that you're spacing out your deep cleaning in a way that doesn't overwhelm you. 

Start at the top

Gravity can be your friend or your enemy when you're cleaning a house. You can avoid a lot of heartache by understanding this truth and beginning your work at the top of each room, moving your way down. 

That way any dust you're knocking loose from high shelves or light fixtures will land on a floor that you haven't yet cleaned instead of a floor you just finished mopping.

It might help to organize your list from literal top to bottom before you even walk into the room. That way you can easily run down the list in order without messing up an area you just cleaned.

Declutter, declutter, declutter

When you have a lot of stuff -- books, clothes, sports equipment, pots and pans, whatever -- then cleaning around all of it becomes a challenge. The first step in any room should be a sweep to assess what you use and what you haven't touched in a year or more. Anything that falls into the latter category should be considered for disposal -- give it to a friend or donate it if you like.

It may feel painful to part from your things, but keeping your house looking neat and clean will be so much easier if you can power through the hard part and let go. Get serious about decluttering now so that your home will look cleaner and more presentable forever.

Clean your screens and windows

Let's be honest: Cleaning screens and windows can be a real pain, which is probably why it doesn't get done very often. 

But it makes a huge difference in the quality of light that pours through those windows, and it's well worth addressing at least once a year.

While you're washing the windows, make sure you're paying some attention to the windowsills both inside and outside the house.

Don't forget the light fixtures

Windows aren't the only factors influencing the quality of light in your house. Your light fixtures might be dusty or dirty and you wouldn't even notice because they're so far above your head. Make sure that you're removing and cleaning light fixtures in each room, drying them thoroughly before you replace them.

Organize, organize, organize

If you just moved in, then the odds are good that you've still got a box or two packed up and stashed away in a closet. Deep cleaning means deep organization, so if the stray-box theory sounds a lot like you, then it's time to finally finish the job.

Even if you've already unpacked absolutely everything, this is still a good time for you to figure out how you're going to establish a place for everything and everything in its place. 

Once you have an organizational system that works, be it for your bookshelves or your toolshed, then all you have to do to keep everything spiffy is to follow that system.

Tackle the kitchen appliances

If your microwave is crusty, then odds are good that your other kitchen appliances could also use some attention. The oven, the stove and the refrigerator are usually the dirtiest appliances in the house, so make sure you're putting them on your rotating "to clean" list -- and stick to it.

Some newer refrigerators include easy-to-remove shelves and door inserts that you can clean in the dishwasher. If you're due for a fridge upgrade soon, then look for a model that has some of those cleaning-friendly features.

Power wash

While you're sprucing up the outside, rent or borrow (or buy) a power washer and tackle the house itself. You will be amazed how much dust and dirt accrues on the outside of your house, the deck, the porch, and other areas -- washing it off can make your house look like it's got a brand-new paint job, plus you'll be eliminating any cobwebs in the bargain.

Make it a habit

If you only do all of these things to your house once a year, then it's not going to stay clean for very long. 

Keep your list of rooms and think about your daily and weekly schedule, then try to squeeze in some deep-cleaning work every now and again. 

By Renae Anderson | Broker, Owner Originally published on Sage Street Realty on November 28, 2019

Between micro-apartments, tiny homes, and even #vanlife, the real estate industry is taking the saying “less is more” to previously unknown levels. And while we can all get behind the idea of streamlining your life and shedding possessions that no longer meet your needs.

The good news is that as we’ve become increasingly obsessed with small living spaces, we’ve also discovered (or recovered) strategies to maximize what you’ve got. Whether you already live in a small space, you’re downsizing, or you just want to be more efficient with the space you have, these tips will help you achieve your miniature-lifestyle dreams.

Look high and low

As humans, we’re socialized to see what’s in front of us -- and little else. Ask any hide-and-seek champion and you’ll learn that there’s a whole world of possibilities both above our line of sight and below it, where we rarely glance.

Take a walk through your living space and pay special attention to space above your head toward the ceiling and space below your knees toward the floor. If you’ve got high ceilings, you might find a ton of new opportunities for shelving or other storage options.

Make sure you’re focusing on “unusual” spots, too -- like under the stairs, for example. We’re not suggesting you turn that space beneath the stairs into a bedroom, but it’s certainly possible that when you bypassed the stairs, you also neglected the perfect space to store out-of-season clothing items.

Consider your furniture while you’re examining your place from floor to ceiling. If space is at a premium, then you’ll want to find dining room seating (for example) that tucks completely under the table when you’re finished. 

One great way to make your space look larger-than-real-life is to arrange all of your seating lower to the ground. Instead of a couch in the living room, you might consider a futon that folds into a bed -- or maybe even just some big, comfortable cushions that can be stacked in a corner when you’re not lounging or entertaining guests.

Transparency is key

One of the essential problems with living in a small space is that a “traditional” home is very much divided up by function. 

You sleep in the bedroom, cook in the kitchen, work in the office, and relax in the living area -- all of which are divided up by walls.

Smaller living quarters often try to replicate a traditional home, but if you’re living in a tiny space, then you might not want walls dividing everything up … and even if you do, maybe a permanent wall of brick and mortar is the wrong move.

Glass doors and walls can functionally separate your space for living without sacrificing any of your line-of-sight vision, giving the illusion of plenty of room even in a smaller home. 

If you’d like to actually block off space physically and visually, then hanging a curtain that you can fling open or draw closed can be a nice way to create a “room” within a room -- without the walls.

Mirror, mirror

Hotel designers know this trick (and you won’t be able to unsee it now that we’ve told you about it): Hang a large mirror across one wall to give the illusion of twice the space. 

When you arrange lights around or in front of the mirror, you’re also brightening the room up significantly.

You can hang the mirror above a couch or a bed, or on the back of a door, very easily. And you can even find mirrored tile these days, so if you love the look of subway tile and also would like to take advantage of some mirroring in your bathroom or kitchen, then you can even consider a mirrored backsplash in one (or both) of those spots to capture light and brighten the room.

Work those walls (and ceilings)

Now that you’ve walked through your home with an eye toward the sky, you probably know where you are missing an opportunity to maximize your space.

Could you replace your kitchen light with a version that includes a rack for pots and pans, for example, freeing up some cabinet space below? 

Are you parking your bicycle in the hallway when you could install a couple of hooks and hang it up? 

Is there space to add a bookshelf or three for storing rarely used items? (Or books?!)

You might find there’s space above your kitchen cabinets where you can park small appliances that you don’t use very often, or maybe there are corners throughout your living space where you could install a shelf and use it. Remember: Your floor is just one surface; you can create many more if you need to.

Stackable (or stashable) appliances

Yes, you can have a washer-dryer in your small abode -- but it’s probably best if you choose a set that stacks to help save some floor space.

Appliance manufacturers have been paying attention to the micro-trend, and they’ve been building products for smaller spaces that work just as well as their full-size counterparts. 

Before decking out your diminutive dwelling, do some research on what appliances are available and consider whether they would work for you and your lifestyle.

Elevate your furniture

Lifting up your furniture just a few inches can expose treasure troves of storage space. If you’ve got a traditional bed or sofa and need to maximize your storage surface area, then consider getting some risers for either piece of furniture and investing in some low boxes or other storage containers that you can slide underneath.

Make your outdoors great

Maybe that space between your walls is officially “tiny” -- but if you’ve got the ability to spread yourself around outside, then consider turning your deck or yard into a bonafide living space.

Patio furniture and hammocks can help you create a dining or lounge space outside, complete with furniture, and if you have room for a grill outside (and the weather is nice enough year-round), then you might even be able to turn your out-of-doors into a kitchen of sorts. 

And storage shed outside can solve a lot of your storage problems, too, from out-of-season clothing to recreational equipment.