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Picture of living room with new flooring

Nail Down New Flooring

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When it comes to renovating a home for sale, many people look up — to a new roof. However, it’s a good idea not to overlook what’s beneath your feet: flooring and carpet. New flooring can make your home much more attractive to prospective buyers.

Choosing the right new flooring can be tougher than it seems. In addition to getting the perfect look and feel, you also have to consider factors like moisture, durability, and cost.

Although there are many kinds of flooring out there, most homes will sport one out of just five options. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each type will help you make the right selection to add value to your property.

Let’s take a closer look:

Vinyl

Vinyl is made from synthetic polymers with added color and is the most budget-conscious choice. It’s easy to clean, and it resists water damage, so it tends to be the best selection for areas like kitchens and laundry rooms where other floors show age fast.

Things to Remember

  • A broom, mop, and soapy water will usually clean stains from vinyl very easily.
  • Vinyl can be tough to repair when damaged, so avoid cracks and harsh chemicals.
  • Vinyl usually costs $2-$4 per square foot and comes in large, cost-effective sheets.

Tile

Tile is made from ceramic or porcelain. It combines the strong water resistance of vinyl with a premium appearance most associated with bathrooms. It can also be an excellent choice for kitchens since it won’t fade with repeated cleaning. Faux finishes can enhance its appearance.

Things to Remember

  • Tile is easy to clean, but grout is a notorious dirt magnet; replace it every 5-10 years.
  • Tile ranges from $12 to $19 for each square foot and usually requires pro installation.

Composite or Engineered Wood

Processed wood flooring can look similar to hardwood but is made by compressing multiple layers of plywood with a single hardwood layer on top. It is very versatile, with easy installation over any subfloor, and is good in any moisture-free environment.

Things to Remember

  • Sweeping and mopping will keep processed wood looking like new for many years.
  • Beware of footwear! Heels, cleats, and any heavy, dragging object can harm the wood.
  • Square foot costs run between $7-$11; handy homeowners can handle the installation.

Hardwood

Hardwood is considered the “gold standard” and adds value to almost any home. It tends to last for about a century but will require more maintenance than other floors. It can be sanded and re-finished to extend its lifespan and will work in any moisture-free area.

Things to Remember

  • Weekly broom cleaning and monthly mopping will meet most of this floor’s needs.
  • As scratches and dullness set in after a while, the floor can be restored by buffing it.
  • Hardwood can vary in price but tends to be among the most expensive options.

Carpet

Carpet is the go-to flooring in bedrooms, living areas, and many playrooms because of its comfort. It can be made from polyester, nylon, or polypropylene, with plenty of colors and styles to choose from. For the most part, it will last throughout the life of the home, but it can show wear in high-traffic areas.

Things to Remember

  • Spills must be cleaned immediately to prevent staining.
  • Vacuuming a few times a week will keep the carpet clean.
  • A carpet usually needs professional installation but costs as little as $4 per square foot.

Just like a fresh coat of paint, new flooring can refresh a home’s look before going to market. Your real estate agent can advise you about flooring trends that match buyers’ tastes.

person holding a home

Avoid These 8 Common Mistakes When Listing Your Home For Sale

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Selling a home is a process in which every detail matters. If you’re like many homeowners, you may only sell a property two or three times throughout your entire life. Since selling a home is often a new endeavor for homeowners, it’s easy to make an error throughout the process accidentally. Here are eight common mistakes you can easily avoid when listing your home for sale.

  1. Hiring the Wrong Real Estate Agent
    This is the first — and one of the most significant — mistakes sellers make. A real estate agent can either be your best resource or put you at a considerable disadvantage in the selling process. You need a real estate agent who is more than simply qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced. Research their track record to see how successful their previous transactions have been and ask around town to get honest opinions of who the best agents are.
  2. Setting Unreasonable Expectations
    We all want to receive top dollar for our homes; however, it’s unwise to set astronomic expectations. You’ll need to humble your assumptions and realize the reality of the market, the condition of your home, and the limits of your prospective buyers. Keep your list price, conditions, and expectations reasonable so you will be prepared for low appraisals and higher-than-anticipated offers alike.
  3. Not Upgrading/Enhancing the Home
    Although you’re saying goodbye to your house, you need to make sure you send it off in style. Repairing, enhancing, and upgrading elements of your home can increase both its presentation and financial value. Spend the time and money to complete a few easy tasks inside and out so you can get top dollar for your home.
  4. Only Focusing on the Highest Offers
    The most substantial offers always stand out; however, they aren’t always the best. Be ready to consider amounts that are not the highest. They may be from buyers who have secured financing, have great credit histories, and are looking to make your part in this process as convenient as possible.
  5. Forgetting About Costs/Concessions
    Many sellers may initially forget that it takes money to make money, even when selling a home. Remember that negotiations may result in you needing to pay closing costs or improve certain areas of the house to finalize the sale. To adequately prepare, make sure you have a little saved in the bank just in case.
  6. Being Dishonest
    One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to be dishonest during the process. You need to be upfront about everything, even aspects of your home that may be negative like water damage, extensive repairs, or existing problems. These will likely be uncovered during the inspection so it’s best to be honest with your real estate agent ahead of time so you two can plan accordingly.
  7. Trying to Cut Costs
    Hopefully, you’re selling a home that will more than recoup your investment. This is no time to cut costs, however. You need to invest in the right resources to ensure you get the best offer on your home. This includes paying for professional photography for your online listing and potentially hiring services like lawn care and in-home cleaning to ensure the property is responsibly maintained until the sale is finalized.
  8. Not Having an Open Dialog With Your Agent
    Your real estate agent’s job — and honestly, their sincere interest — is to help you successfully sell your home and receive the largest possible purchase price. Don’t be afraid to ask your agent questions, seek them out for advice or disagree with them if you have a differing opinion. You’re both on the same team. Collaboration and cooperation will only make you both more successful.

Listing a home for sale isn’t a one-person job. Rely on your experienced real estate agent to guide you through the selling process and to help secure the top dollar for your home.

10 Mistakes To Avoid As A First-Time Home Buyer

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Buying your first home is an exciting experience, but it is also a complicated process. Learning all you can about that process before you get started is essential to reaching your end goal — buying a house, you’ll be proud to call home at a price you can afford. One of the most important things to learn about is how to avoid costly missteps along the way, so here are ten mistakes to avoid as a first-time home buyer:

  1. Not dealing with credit reports ahead of time
    Check your credit reports — even if you are sure you have good credit. Report errors are common, and they can increase your interest rate or even make it difficult to get approved for a loan. Get copies of your reports and make sure they are accurate. If not, get them corrected before they are examined by lenders.
  2. Not knowing what you can comfortably afford
    You need a solid budget in place to avoid getting in over your head when buying a house, so tally up your expenses carefully. Subtract the total from your take-home pay and see what’s left every month for an accurate appraisal of how much you can afford to pay for your new home.
  3. Not getting pre-approved for a loan
    Having a pre-approval in hand when you’re ready to make an offer on a home signals the seller that you are a serious buyer, prepared to make a deal and follow through. Not having one, especially in a competitive market, can result in your offer being rejected in favor of one from a buyer who has all their ducks in a row.
  4. Failing to shop around for the best mortgage deal
    Many first-time homebuyers pay more than they should for a home loan by getting a mortgage from the first lender they speak to. Get quotes from at least three to compare interest rates, fees, and terms.
  5. Under-estimating the costs of home buying
    First-time home buyers are often taken off-guard by expenses that come up during the home-buying process. Expenses to budget include appraisal and home inspection fees, and the biggie, closing costs, which are generally between 2 and 5 percent of the purchase price of the home.
  6. Applying for new credit or spending too much before the closing
    Your mortgage is approved and the closing date is set. Now you’re home free, right? Not quite. Your lender will check your credit again just before closing, and if you have made large purchases or opened new credit accounts, your credit score could fall. This may result in a higher interest rate or even a mortgage cancellation.
  7. Looking for perfection and overlooking potential
    Great homes can be decorated badly, so being able to overlook cosmetic, easy-to-fix details to see a home’s potential is key to making your best deal.
  8. Failing to consider the neighborhood
    You may love the house, but will you hate the neighborhood? Check it out before you sign on the dotted line.
  9. Skipping the inspection
    If you really love a home, it can be tempting to speed up the process by skipping the inspection. This can be an extremely costly mistake, leading to large, unexpected expenses later.
  10. Not using an agent
    A good buyer’s agent will protect your interests — and only your interests — as you navigate the home-buying process. Having someone solidly in your corner when you’re buying a house is invaluable when it comes to avoiding the common pitfalls first-time home buyers often encounter on the road to becoming a new homeowner.

Working with an experienced real estate agent takes most of the guesswork out of buying a home. Talk with an agent today to jumpstart your home-buying journey!

Spencer Crossing

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Spencer Crossing is a new subdivision being built in Saline County by Bragg+Kennedy. Take time to view the videos below to find out how you can start your dream home today in Saline County’s newest subdivision.