Pro's and Con's of selling in the winter!

  Make no mistake about it selling a home over the winter months here in Central Illinois can be a challenge.  Scheduling conflicts with work parties, Christmas, Hanukkah, New years not to mention the impacts of mother nature.  But it's not all doom and gloom!  Lets start with the con's to selling your home in the winter months.

• Scheduling conflicts with the holidays.
• Horrible and sometimes unpredictable weather.
• Less showings
• Moving during such frigid temperatures.
• Getting anybody to help you move.
• Your yard and roof can't be seen very well when covered with snow!
• Many buyers needing grant's may be out of luck, by winter most have dried up.

  As I said previously, it't not all doom and gloom though.  Here are some positive reasons to list during the winter months.

• Less inventory could lead to more showings.
• Usually only the more serious buyers are willing to brave frigid temps to see homes.
• These buyers tend to be much more qualified and ready to buy than other times of the year.
• Moving company's may have cheaper rate on moving trucks/equipment.
• Quicker availability in some cases for inspections, contractors etc.
• Tax refunds make for a great down payment help for buyers!

  In some cases it would be advantageous to sell during the winter months, sometimes it could hurt.  Each situation can and will be different.  If you would like to talk about your options please contact us today!  Info@mhghomes.com,  

Keith McKeever

From looking to owning: 17 Steps to owning your own home!

   Buying a home is most definitely a stressful roller coaster of emotions.  What complicates this that many buyers have limited knowledge of the steps it takes to buy a home.  On top of that the process changes depending on loan types, location, time of year etc.  Here are the 17 basic steps it takes to go from a looking for to owning your new home!

1. Contact your REALTOR to start the Real Estate Process
2. Obtain Mortgage Pre-Approval from a reputable Lender
3. Start the Home Search Process, Contract Negotiations & arrive at Accepted Contract
4. Make your formal loan application with your lender - Immediately after your offer is accepted.
5. Notify Lender approval to proceed with the loan.
6. Return any required Lender documentation within 7 days of request.
7. Coordinate property inspection scheduling with your REALTOR.
8. Negotiate repairs as needed.
9. Contact your Insurance Agent to obtain property insurance & provide the lender with insurance documentation and one year paid receipt or invoice - 3 weeks prior to closing.
10. Upon Loan Approval coordinate closing time with your REALTOR  -  Loan approval must be obtained by contract deadline.
11. Transfer property utilities.
12. Complete property final walk through - within 5 days prior to closing.
13. Review Closing Disclosure paperwork - 3 business days prior to closing.
14. Wire funds or obtain a cashier's check or certified funds for closing.
15. Bring a VALID driver's license or VALID State ID to closing.
16. Attend Closing!
17. Enjoy your new home!

Commonly used technology in Real Estate today.

    Technology today advances at an unbelievable rate.  We all see it every time we step into an electronic or mobile device store.  Have you ever had that feeling that whatever you have now is and has been obsolete for some time? 

    The real estate industry has been fundamentally changed by technology like the rest of society. Because of the nature of our business and the need to communicate, document, store and transfer images or documents we have a NEED to be aware of trends and the latest technology. If you are planning on buying, or more importantly selling a property soon, you should ask potential agents what technology they use.  In full disclosure, I will not be getting into what technology The McKeever Harmon Group uses, but rather what technology potential agents should be using or have knowledge of.

     Cell phones:  Android or Apple?  That's the major debate of our times but that't not what is of importance here!  What is important, is a potential agent's ability to send or receive texts, images & have internet access.  Believe it or not, some agents still use not so tech savvy flip phones.  These agents are not likely to be communicating with you via text, they will not be able to look up info on homes, pull up GIS images for you while touring homes, and probably won't be able to respond to your emails until they can get past the dial-up process on their desktop! Yes, there is still dial-up internet!

    Tablets:  Well lets face it, if they have a flip phone there's almost zero chance of seeing them pull out a tablet!

    Measuring devices:  Many rooms are bigger than 12' but most agents don't need anything over 100'.  So why not use a laser distance measuring device?  A standard tape measure takes time, a clear path, and sometimes two sets of hands. A laser device is point and click, accurate, less messy and way quicker-- all for about a $50-$100 investment by the agent.

    Cameras:  Fire any agent who exclusively uses their cell phone camera for your home's pictures!  Not every agent can or will pay for professional photos but they should be using a solid quality DSLR camera with either a regular or wide angle lens.  With a decent tripod (and a DSLR) even an amateur can take some really great shots of your home!

    Video:  Video tours and click-through tours are the hot item in real estate today.  You can see the click-through tours, whole home video tours, intro videos, short clips on Snapchat/Instagram or even live videos on Periscope or Facebook Live.  By today's standards, you should expect some sort of video of your home when on the market even if shot and edited by amateurs.

    Drones:  Drones are the hot topic right now.  Everyone wants a drone shot of their home, but honestly it is a waste of time and money if you don't have a large piece of property or a scenic shot.  They can be stunning but if you have a small 900 sq. foot home in a tightly packed subdivision of similar homes it will lose its effect.  You want your property to stand out to buyers, not show them how well it meshes with the neighborhood! Let them figure that out when they get to the house!

I hope you have found these technological guidelines helpful to you. Do your research and never be afraid to ask what technology your agent will be using to help you! If they aren't up-to-date on the latest technological standards & trends your home buying or selling process may not be as quick & effortless as you would like.  Remember, your agent works for you!!

Written by:

Keith McKeever

McKeever Harmon Group

Re/Max Preferred Choice

So why is routine maintenance so important? That question seems pretty silly when you think about it. You have most likely driven past numerous homes in your life that needed some TLC. If you really paid attention you would see more of them than you would ever imagine.

I have often told buyers, especially first time buyers, that a home is somewhat like a person. You have to take care of your entire body just as you would with your home. If you put off cleaning your gutters or getting on your roof you might be able to catch a problem before it becomes a very costly issue. 

Think about it like this. If you didn't check your roof after a severe thunderstorm you might not notice a large branch sticking out of your roof. You might not even notice it for a few days. But eventually when water leaks in around it, your ceiling will start to turn brown and begin to bulge.

If you don't notice the issue by then you probably deserve your new waterfall feature! The leading culprit of water in basements is clogged gutters and downspouts being too close to the house. Are you doing the routine maintenance necessary to avoid this problem!?

I know that example might have been more on the rare side but it happens!

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FIRE SAFETY TIP: Checking the functions on your windows is a good idea if you want to either get out during a fire! Speaking of fires, cleaning our dryer vent on a regular basis is also a good idea.

Lowe's has a great little checklist for yearly routine maintenance. Check it out and hopefully you can catch something BEFORE its an issue.

Lowes Home Maintenance Schedule & Checklist

Moving? Yes, that's the six letter dirty word associated with buying or selling a house. Even if you pay someone to load, unload and transport your belongings it is still a nightmare!

Here are some tips that may help you with the moving process.

• Start early. If you are selling your house, start before you list by removing extra artwork, collectibles, out of season clothes, and any item you won't need for the next three to six months.
• If you have the means, get a storage unit or POD. They will get the above mentioned items out of your home and make it easier to sell and less cluttered.
• Consider having a garage sale or selling things on Facebook. You could also consider Craigslist but there are lots of creeps. If you like the classified platform try a newer app called LetGo.
• Start collecting boxes as soon as possible. Check with your local grocery store for a cheaper alternative to buying boxes.
• Label boxes in permanent marker for quick room placement.
• You can take this a step further and create a detailed list of contents so you know exactly whats in each box.
• Newspaper can leave marks on dishes. Consider wrapping breakables in towels or clothes. You have to pack them anyway!
• Make a bag or two per person with items that will be needed for two or three days during the moving process.
• Take pictures of your electronics or other items that will have to be put back together. This will make it much easier to hook up again.
• Do whatever is possible to keep pets out of the way during the moving process.
• Make a toolbox with common items you may need during the move such as a hammer, screwdrivers, tape etc.
• Put hardware in plastic storage bags and label.
• Carefully plan your meals in the week leading up to the move. This will eliminate as much wasted food as possible.
• Don't forget to notify the USPS of your new address. Also, consider sending out cards to friends and family letting them know your address has changed.
• Tape mirrors to prevent breaking.
• Take cleaning supplies and toilet paper into the new home on your first trip. You don't want to be stuck without them!

Keith McKeever

Got an hour? Quick hints for updated kitchens and baths

(BPT) - Busy has become a way of life. Between work, household chores, time with family and friends, people often don't have time to complete that entire wish list of home updates. Luckily, there are several simple kitchen and bath projects that you can conquer in minimal time that deliver maximum style and functional impact. In fact, here are a few projects that can be completed in about an hour or less.



Raise the bar with a new shower rod



Bring the luxurious style of a hotel to your bath and increase shower space with a curved shower rod. Available in single- and double-rod designs, both offer the elegant look often seen in hotel baths while adding some extra elbow room to create a more enjoyable shower experience. If you're short on time, find one that can be installed without drilling holes - and removes easily, making it perfect for any shower, even if you're a renter. Finally, add decorative shower curtain rings and a new shower curtain to give your bath an instant makeover.



Style and storage makeover



Want to quickly enhance the look and functionality of your bathroom? Accessories, such as towel bars, hooks and shelves can be a quick and inexpensive solution. It's easy to eliminate bathroom pet peeves like towels on the floor and too many products in the shower with bath accessories that come in a variety of styles and finishes. If safety is a concern, there are a variety of accessories that incorporate the benefits of grab bars into their designs.



Turn boring into beautiful with a backsplash



If you wish you could have the beautiful tile backsplash seen in high-end kitchens, but aren't up for messing with mortar, you now have an alternative. Today, there are many easy-to-install wall tiles that offer an adhesive backing or simply adhere with double-sided tape or adhesive. Plus, they are available in a variety of faux tile, stone or metal designs to transform the look of your kitchen in no time.



Say hello to kitchen hardware



Is your kitchen cabinet hardware looking dingy or dated? This simple project can make a dramatic difference in your home's appearance. Look for new knobs and drawer pulls that are designed to match your existing faucets and fixtures in both style and finish. Whether you prefer modern or something with a more traditional look, there are many options available to extend your sense of design down to the details.



But don't stop with knobs and pulls - much like the bath, towel rings and hooks are the perfect solution for managing dish towels that are often carelessly strewn about countertops. Establish a special spot for this kitchen necessity by mounting hooks, towel rings or towel bars on the side of an upper cabinet, the end of the island or in another kitchen work space.



Take an hour or two and try some of these quick and easy DIY projects for yourself. You may be surprised as to how much you can accomplish in such a short period of time!

Learn the details of counter depth refrigerators

If you are unsatisfied with the space in your kitchen, but need lots of room in the fridge, you should consider counter depth refrigerators. This kind of appliance does not stick out any farther than your kitchen cabinets, which means that it takes up less room than a traditional fridge. However, it is often a bit taller than most refrigerators so that you do not lose much space when it comes to storing your food. Think about the details to consider before you start browsing counter depth refrigerators.



This kind of fridge usually has different measurements than most types, as it usually sticks out into the walkway a few inches less than most, but is a few inches taller. This means that you need an appropriately high ceiling in order to fit this fridge into your home, so be sure that you measure the height as well as the depth. Of course, you should also consider the width like you would before buying any fridge, but the width of most counter depth refrigerators is typically the same as other types.



If you want to add style to your kitchen while adding space, you should consider counter depth refrigerators that blend into the cabinetry. If you go this route, you will need a custom fridge company, but the results are often worth it since having matching cabinets and appliances is certainly unique. Keep in mind that many of the popular counter depth refrigerators on the market come in the French door style, adding to the classy appearance that most homeowners crave.



Of course, you can expect to pay a little more for this kind of fridge than most others, as the style is unique and up-to-date. Consider how important your kitchen's image is to you. If you rarely use it or show it off and want to save money, you might be better off sticking to traditional top freezer or side-by-side styles. However, homeowners who spend a lot of time in their kitchen and enjoy showing it off to guests will likely find this a worthy investment in their home.



Counter depth refrigerators are not for everyone, and if this style does not appeal to you, remember that there are several other types of fridges on the market. Before you browse counter depth refrigerators, you should first decide if this is the style you really want and can afford. The next step is to measure your kitchen and make sure that it will fit, and then determine whether you want a counter depth fridge from the store or from a custom refrigerator builder. Thinking about these details first can ensure that you are satisfied with this major purchase.



by: Heather Mills

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7259.shtml