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What does that mean? Real estate terms defined.

March 10, 2023 by emily.bailey

Friday, March 10, 2023

Whether you’re buying your first home or have been around the block a time or two, knowing real estate terms will work to your advantage. Use this list to help you interpret real estate listings.

 

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Whether you’re buying your first home or have been around the block a time or two, knowing real estate terms will work to your advantage. Some terms and abbreviations might be familiar – 3BR/2BA is a three-bedroom, 2-bathroom home – while others could be a little trickier if the seller is trying to make a house look better than it is. Use this list to help you interpret real estate listings. It could mean the difference between looking endlessly at a bunch of duds and finding the home of your dreams.



Common real estate listing terminology

All original details

All original details: This could be original hardwood flooring, molding and other architectural details – perfect if you’re looking for a charming, historically accurate house. Make sure those original details are still in good condition, though.

 

As-is

As-is: What you see is what you get. The seller is not willing to make any repairs before you move in, even for something that turns up during the home inspection. There could be several reasons a seller lists the house “as-is” and the good news is that not all of them are bad. The condition will usually be reflected in the price.

Active with contract (AWC)

Active with contract (AWC): If you see a listing or your agent says a home is active with contract, know that the seller has already accepted an offer on the house but is still entertaining other offers in case the original one falls through.

Back on market (BOM)

Back on market (BOM): The house has gone back on the market after issues with a contract on a prior pending sale.

 

Conventional sale

Conventional sale: This is often an easier transaction than other kinds of sales because there is no existing mortgage on the property or the homeowner owes less on their mortgage than what they could sell the property for.

 

Cozy/charming/quaint

Cozy/charming/quaint: These can all be code words for a really small house with tiny, if any, closets.

Easement

Easement: A property with an easement means that another person has legal rights to use that property even while the title is still in the owner’s name. This is often the case in situations like paths to public space or beach access.

 

Gross living area

Gross living area: Related to square footage, gross living area (GLA) indicates how much of the home is actual living space. An unfinished basement, for example, would be included in the home’s square footage but not the GLA measurement.

 

Hidden gem/hidden potential/opportunity

Hidden gem/hidden potential/opportunity: If you don’t want a fixer-upper, avoid hidden gems with hidden potential or that are full of opportunity. That’s sometimes code for “needs a lot of work.

Lovingly maintained

Lovingly maintained: A sign that the current homeowner has lived there for quite a long time, “lovingly maintained” often means the house is clean and well-cared for but not updated with modern appliances or décor.

 

Traditional vs. Modern

Traditional vs. Modern: There’s nothing wrong with a traditional home, but beware the listing that uses the word to hide that it’s old and unkept. A home described as modern can be any number of things. It could be an older home with updated plumbing and electrical systems. Or it could be one recently built in a suburban neighborhood.

 

Motivated seller

Motivated seller: The homeowner is trying to sell and move quickly, which could work to the buyer’s advantage in terms of price. A seller may be highly motivated because they’ve already closed on another house or need to relocate quickly for work. However, it could also be because of a problem with the house that they’re just completely over dealing with. Find out why they’re motivated before you sign anything.

Priced to sell

Priced to sell: This is usually a seller’s way of saying they aren’t open to negotiating or that they’ve already reduced the price. An offer below the asking price could prevent you from getting the house.

 

Conventional sale

Conventional sale: This is often an easier transaction than other kinds of sales because there is no existing mortgage on the property or the homeowner owes less on their mortgage than what they could sell the property for.

 

Move-in ready vs. Handyman special

Move-in ready vs. Handyman special: Move-in ready means that you don’t have to do a thing to make it livable. Appliances and fixtures up to code, although they may or may not be top-of-the-line. Expect to pay extra for this. A handyman special or investor special, on the other hand, is going to require lots and lots of work. You better have some serious DIY skills or be ready to get a contractor and pay the pros to make it your dream house. If there are only pictures of the house’s exterior, beware.

One of a kind

One of a kind: Pay attention to this phrase as a potential red flag. You might like unique and eccentric, but a “one of a kind” house can often mean there’s something so different about it that it’s difficult to live in. Similarly, “fanciful” means it’s just going to be weird.

 

Real estate owned (REO)

Real estate owned (REO): A house that is REO is owned by a bank, government agency or lender. You usually see this after a failed foreclosure auction or short sale.

 

Real property

Real property: You may see reference to real property, which in addition to the home, includes land with anything permanent on it, such as trees, fences and other buildings like a shed.

Short sale

Short sale: Not to be confused with a sale that takes little time, a short sale house is one in which the homeowner is selling their house for less than they owe on the mortgage. It may or may not happen with a foreclosure.

 

Vibrant neighborhood

Vibrant neighborhood: This sounds exciting, but it’s also vague. Vibrant could mean lively restaurants and fun, quirky shops nearby. It could also mean a bus stop on your front porch. It’s also worth being cautious about listings in a “quiet neighborhood” since that could mean any number of things in reality.

Real estate acronyms

While you probably know BD or BR is bedroom and HOA stands for Homeowner’s Association, a few other acronyms may be less obvious.

 

• AEK: All electric kitchen
• ATT: Attached garage
• CH: Central heat
• CPT: Carpet or carport
• D/D: Dishwasher and garbage disposal
• DK: Deck
• EXR: Exercise room
• F/Fin BSMT: Fully finished basement
• FP: Fireplace
• HDW: Hardwood floors
• LA: Living area
• NAT GS HT: Natural gas heat
• SEC: Security system
• S/P: Swimming pool or A/G PL for above-ground pool

Find more real estate resources at Schlage.com and tips for moving and settling into your new home at the Schlage blog.

 

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Buying and selling a house during a pandemic.

October 22, 2020 by emily.bailey

Thursday, October 22, 2020

To say that you need to be prepared when entering the real estate market is an understatement, but when you’re buying and selling a home during COVID, there are a few extra factors you might want to consider.

 

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To say that you need to be prepared when entering the real estate market is an understatement, but when you’re buying and selling a home during COVID, there are a few extra factors you might want to consider. Reduce your stress and make the process as simple, fun and safe as possible by asking these questions before setting out on your house hunting expedition.



What are your priorities, both long- and short-term?

Chances are that your lifestyle changed in 2020, spending more time at home, working from home, cooking at home, going for more walks around the neighborhood. Even if your day-to-day is back to normal, you might have discovered new hobbies or better ways of doing things. Consider your new priorities when choosing your next home. Here are some of the most common home features people added to their wish lists in 2020:

 

• More outdoor space: Valuable for warding off cabin fever during times of quarantine and finding more pleasure in nature at home
  
  
• Traditional or closed floorplan: More important when working from home, e-learning and quarantining requires more privacy, or you just crave more personal space during no-travel orders
  
  
• Dedicated home office: Important for improving focus and productivity as well as privacy and confidentiality
  
  
• Home gym: Because home workouts, and meditation or yoga spaces, have become a bigger part of people’s routines
  
  
• Mother-in-law suite: Particularly important as multigenerational homes become more common and in the event that someone needs to be quarantined from the rest of the family
  
  
• Updated HVAC systems, air purifiers and sanitary materials: Especially appealing if you want easy-to-clean surfaces and ways to limit germs in your home

What does “location, location, location” mean now?

Whereas commute time was a major consideration when looking at houses prior to the pandemic, location has a different significance if you’re now working from home. If you aren’t worried about drive time to the office, you can now give higher priority to the neighborhood or schools you want for your kids, the climate you’ve always dreamed of or the proximity to your favorite restaurants. Some homebuyers have shifted their attention to the suburbs, where population density is lower and cost of living is more affordable.

How will COVID-19 affect the financials of buying a house?

Many people are anxious about what kind of down payment they should make, especially if their employment situation is a bit tenuous during the pandemic. The same can be said about future mortgage payments. The best answer here is to contact a financial expert so you can get the personalized advice you need.

 

This is also an interesting time to decide if you want to take on a fixer-upper. It’s often a way to save money on the home sale itself, and if you have the time or developed some new DIY skills in recent months, this could be the perfect opportunity to put your personal stamp on a new home.

What will you do if you need gap housing?

There might be a gap between when you move out of your current home and into the new one. Where will you stay during that time? The friends and family you would have counted on pre-pandemic might not be able to or comfortable with hosting you now. Figure out what short-term living situation works for you and plan accordingly, whether that means lining up a generous friend, budgeting for an extended hotel stay or putting your things in self-storage.



Is it a good idea to do a virtual showing?

Some realtors and homeowners began doing virtual showings only this year to limit exposure to the virus. While some buyers have shied away from a home they can’t see in person, others have found it to be beneficial. Emma Banks of Apartment Therapy found that she was able to ask the seller questions directly, which they wouldn’t have been able to during a realtor-hosted showing, especially since she was looking at properties on the other side of the country. Here are some tips for attending a virtual home showing.

 

• Ask for the home’s disclosures beforehand. Your real estate agent should be able to get a list of “defects,” so you know what to look for and what to ask about before you even tune in.
  
  
• Get the floorplan. When you’re watching on a screen, it can be easy to get lost. Think of it like the map to a guided tour of a city.
  
  
• Ask lots of questions. It might be harder to get a feel for the house when you aren’t actually standing in it. There are no bad questions when it comes to making this kind of investment, so ask away. If you’re doing a live virtual viewing, you may need to hold your questions until the end. Write them down as you go so you don’t forget. Some things you’ll want to ask about no matter what, regardless of the specific house. Come prepared with your list of those questions – how long has the house been on the market, when was it last renovated – as well.
  
  
• Learn the software. You’ll probably see tours on a variety of platforms – Facebook, Zoom and even real estate-specific software. Don’t miss the tour because you were trying to figure out the technology.



What should I know if I’m selling during the pandemic?

If you want someone to make an offer, you need them to feel at home and be able to picture themselves in the house. There are several ways to do this, but here are some of our favorites:

 

• Focus on curb appeal. Because it might not be possible for buyers to tour the house in person, expect them to at least do a drive-by. That means they need to get a really good feeling just by looking at it from the street. This is important in any market, but it might be even more so during a pandemic. Spruce up the landscaping, clean and repair the porch, paint your front door an appealing color and make sure the lighting is perfect. And don’t forget the garage door, which is routinely named as one of the biggest bangs for your buck when it comes to remodeling projects for resale.
  
  
• Prepare for virtual showings. Plan the route you’ll take as you guide your “guests” through the house and know what you’re going to say, just as you would if you were public speaking. Do a test run at different times of the day to see how lighting affects the video quality. And just as you would if you were showing your home in person – or on a video call for work – be sure to clean up and find a safe place for pets where they won’t interrupt.
  
  
• Get ready to answer questions. Homebuyers are likely to make more personal, to-the-point inquiries, particularly if they’re viewing your house virtually. Start by figuring out what questions you would ask when buying a house during coronavirus, then prepare those answers for your own house.
  
  
• Install a smart lock. If you are allowing potential buyers to tour the home in person, you might be able to practice social distancing by not even needing to be on-site at the same time. A smart lock with unique and programmable access codes can make it easy for your realtor to show the house without you having to be there to let them in, to exchange keys or to mess with one of those lock boxes. You can take the smart lock with you when you move out, too.
  
  
• Stage your house. This isn’t unique to the times, but you might stage your house keeping in mind those new priorities we mentioned at the very beginning. Perhaps you show a spare room as an office rather than a craft room. Or emphasize how inviting and relaxing your back deck oasis can really be.

A lot goes into buying and selling your house. Get more tips, from deciding which projects to tackle for resale value to packing advice to what to do first when finally move in, from Schlage’s real estate resources.

 

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5 steps for moving in and getting settled in your new home

August 10, 2020 by emily.bailey

Monday, August 10, 2020

In this, the second of our two-part post on preparing your current home for sale and moving into your new one, we've outlined 5 steps to make the most of your move with a number of easy, DIY solutions.

 

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You’ve worked for this moment and have earned all the opportunity and rewards coming your way in your new home. The possibilities are virtually limitless now that you’re starting to settle in. In this, the second of our two-part post on preparing your current home for sale and moving into your new one, we have outlined five steps to make the most of your move with a number of easy, DIY solutions.



Step 1: Secure

There are a number of things you should do first thing to make your new home as secure as possible.
 

• Make sure your insurance coverages and information are up to date. If you need new home, property or flood insurance, now’s the time to find out.
  
  
• Create a new, easily accessible emergency contact list, especially if you’ve moved some distance from your old home.
  
  
• Replace the batteries (if applicable) in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure all of these systems are in good working order.
  
  
• Replace fire extinguishers, making sure you have enough strategically placed so you can access them easily from all corners of the house.
  
  
• Activate the home security system if there is one installed or install a new one (a home without a security system is more than three times more likely to be broken into.)


• Change all the locks in your home, as there’s no telling how many sets of old keys are floating around out there. Options range from re-keying current locks to replacing your exterior locks with the latest keyless smart locks. Some of these can even be controlled from anywhere on your smartphone.

Step 2: Assess

Did everything arrive – and arrive intact? Is your new home clean and ready for you to move in? Is everything working as it should be?
 

• Check all appliances, boxes and furniture for moving damage and don’t hesitate to file a claim with your mover if anything is amiss.
  
  
• Clean before you unpack. This is the perfect time to deep clean, including getting vents and ductwork professionally cleaned.
  
  
• Plan where you want all your furnishings to go before you start moving things around.
  
  
• Organize drawers, closets and storage now, before you actually start packing them full.
  
  
• Check all home systems – from HVAC to electric service to utilities – to make sure everything has been hooked up, set up and is operating to your liking.

Step 3: Settle In

It’s time to unpack, unwind and start enjoying the fruits of your labor. The end is in sight. According to our friends at The Spruce, organization is the key.
 

• Determine your color scheme and decorating needs before you settle in and do as much of your painting and staining as possible before moving day.
  
  
• Develop a plan for unpacking and decide where you want things to go before you open that first box.
  
  
• Apply that same thinking to setting your furnishings, creating vignettes on your shelves and decorating.
  
  
• Unpack one room at a time, starting with the kitchen before moving on to bedrooms, bathrooms and larger, multi-use rooms (in that order).
  
  
• Make sure you’re getting your mail. This isn’t something you want to discover was overlooked a week into your new home.

Step 4: Connect

Do friends and family know where to find you (well, the ones you want to find you, anyway)? Do you know who to call should you need anything? Make a list!
 

• Don’t hesitate to ask your realtor for their list of contacts. He or she is a great resource for everything from plumbers and painters to local take-out.
  
  
• Update your own contact lists, from family and friends to those all-important emergency numbers to local services.
  
  
• Get the lay of the land. Where is the nearest good pizza? How about the nearest pharmacy? Your nearest Lowe’s or The Home Depot? Scope it out.
  
  
• Reach out to your immediate neighbors and introduce yourself if they haven’t already taken the initiative.
  



Step 5: Celebrate

It’s time to celebrate by giving yourself a well-deserved house warming party. Here’s how, from Better Homes and Gardens.

Welcome home

For people selling their home, very often the best investment is to just switch out their entryway door hardware incorporating convenience, security and curb appeal. For new home owners, however, an investment in all new door hardware, indoors and out, will continue to pay returns right up to and including when you’re in the market for your next new home.

 

From all of us at Schlage, congratulations. We’re here to help you make your new home as secure as can be with our innovative, high performance and stylish mechanical and electronic door hardware.

 

The Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt, Schlage Connect™ Smart Deadbolt and Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt are perfect for home automation and making your home smarter. These are but a few of the products Schlage offers to open possibilities for you and your new home. Share with friends and family who are looking to make a move and help open possibilities for them, too.

 

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How to secure your home during a move.

July 21, 2020 by emily.bailey

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Keeping your family safe in their new home is as important as the home itself. Use this checklist to examine and choose upgrades for your new home's security.

 

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Moving is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. There are a lot of things that can be unnerving – not knowing who else might have keys to the home you just purchased, being uncertain about where to go in an emergency – but there are also a lot of things you can do to make this milestone easier. Start by examining and upgrading your security, because keeping your family safe in their new home is as important as the home itself.



10-Step New Home Security Checklist

Review our security checklist before and after you move to protect your home and family.

 

1. Change all of the locks as soon as possible. For superior in-home security, install Schlage deadbolts and front entry handlesets. Nearly all of Schlage’s products are rated Best in Security, Durability and Finish by the BHMA, meaning you can trust your hardware to protect your new home and everything in it.
   
   
2. If the house has a security system, change the access codes immediately and notify any alarm service of the new ownership. The same goes for a smart lock that came with the home as well as your garage keypad. Change their codes ASAP.
   
   
3. Tour your new home and property and look for weak links in your home's defenses such as missing deadbolts on exterior doors, flimsy door and window locks, and lack of outdoor lighting. Every entry door, including the door linking your garage and house, should have a Schlage deadbolt.
   
   
4. As part of your home security audit , check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You want one in each bedroom, the kitchen and the garage, at a minimum. If they aren’t already installed, add them. If they are old or not functioning properly, replace them. Even if they’re in pristine condition, it can’t hurt to replace the batteries.
   
   
5. Add, service or replace fire extinguishers. Also, learn how to use them. You don’t want to be reading the instructions for the first time when there are flames on the stove.
   
   
6. Consider your perimeter security. Walk around your yard at different times of the day to judge lighting and shadows. Think about how you will enter and exit the home from different doorways and consider upgrades from smart lighting systems and sensors to simply increasing the wattage of existing bulbs.
   
   
7. Locate plumbing, electrical and HVAC valves and controls. Many new-home DIY projects require you to turn off the power or the water before replacing light fixtures or faucets, for example. It’s also good to know where they are in case of unexpected flooding or other malfunctions.
   
   
8. Find out the phone numbers and locations of the emergency services that serve your area.
   
   
9. When you move in, join your local Neighborhood Watch.
   
   
10. Update your insurance coverage. This obviously includes your homeowner’s policy, but see if any adjustments can be made to car insurance, too. Do you have a garage instead of street parking now? Maybe your commute to work is shorter? These things can sometimes lower your premium.

Your new home deserves the latest technology

Installing the latest in smart home technology can help improve your home’s security and energy efficiency. Combined, that gives you peace of mind, added everyday convenience and more money in your pocket, always a good thing after buying a new home. When choosing a Schlage smart lock, it’s worth the time to investigate which other devices and smart home hubs they work with so that you can easily and seamlessly control everything from lights to your thermostat, locks and maybe even the coffeemaker.

 

See which Schlage smart lock is the right fit for your home and the technology you already have with our Get Help Deciding Tool.

 

It can be easy to overlook details – some of them obvious, others less so – when you’re in the middle of a move. Try our Moving Checklist to make sure you have everything covered, from security to pet and child care to creating a relaxation oasis in the midst of it all.

 

Posted in Home Security and Real Estate | 0 comments »

Smart home tech is changing how homes are sold

May 28, 2020 by emily.bailey

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Adding even a few smart home products is the single easiest way to boost your home’s value. Here's what you need to know before you buy or sell a home with smart home tech.

 

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As home automation technologies become even smarter and more popular, their impact on home purchases has become even more evident. Adding even a few smart home products is the single easiest way to boost your home’s value, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and their 2018 Home Buyer And Generational Trend Report. It can increase your home’s value as much as 5%, the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Home Builders found. And that’s just the beginning.



Smart is in

Smart home technologies are becoming more mainstream by the day. In fact, nearly 45% of all home owners expect to either buy or invest in smart home technology. More than half of prospective home sellers said they were planning to purchase home automation products specifically to sell their homes faster and for more money.



Do the math

Three out of four millennial homeowners said they’d be happy to pay between $1,500 and $4,000 to make their homes smarter. A $4,000 investment could increase your home’s asking price by 5% – not to mention turning your house into a smart home that provides additional convenience, security and enjoyment. And as smart technology grows and improves, there are so many ways to upgrade your home regardless of the size of your budget.

 

With the largest generational group of home buyers being millennials – 37 percent in the NAR’s 2019 report – you can’t ignore the attraction of smart home technologies in appealing to this significant potential audience. In total, the smart home market is expected to reach close to $120 billion by 2020. As this wave crests, it’s sure to continue to sweep through the real estate industry, impacting home prices and influencing home buyers.

A smart, affordable solution

The NAR trend report revealed that home security was either somewhat or very important to more than 85% of those surveyed. It’s no wonder smart locks are the number one purchase consideration, followed by automated lighting and smart thermostats. Smart locks make your home attractive to prospective buyers, and they also provide peace of mind as realtors and others are going in and out of your home.

 

Installing a smart lock on your front door is a simple and affordable first step toward making your home “smart.” Now, instead of leaving your door unlocked or hiding a key under a planter or in a fake rock, you can install a smart lock to keep your house secure. You can even use your smart phone to allow convenient access to those you trust. The Schlage Home app allows you to program new access codes into the lock, even setting schedules for when those codes can be used. And because you’re notified when codes are used, you can keep a better eye on who accesses your house.

Schlage smart locks

When it comes to choosing the smartest smart lock, you can count on Schlage. Schlage smart locks prove that strength, smarts and style are no longer mutually exclusive. In fact, the premium style of Schlage smart locks – with their variety of designs and finishes – will actually add curb appeal to your home, and that can improve your resale value.



Schlage offers several smart locks from which to choose depending on the technology you already have in your home. The Schlage Connect™ Smart Deadbolt is designed to work with either Z-Wave or Zigbee home automation hubs. The Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt allows easier home access using your smartphone via Bluetooth. And the new Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt connects directly to your home WiFi network, no additional hubs or accessories required. These are all reflective of a heritage of style and innovation that traces back to 1909 when company founder Walter Schlage first patented a door lock that also turned on a home’s lights.

Is your home ready to sell? Have you thought about increasing the value of your new home by adding the latest smart home technologies? Visit Schlage for more helpful tips on ways to secure, beautify and make your home smarter with stylish, innovative door hardware that opens up a world of possibilities.

 



 

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Easy and affordable DIY tips for staging your home to sell

May 22, 2020 by emily.bailey

Friday, May 22, 2020

Adding even a few smart home products is the single easiest way to boost your home’s value. Here's what you need to know before you buy or sell a home with smart home tech.

 

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Every dollar you invest in properly preparing and staging your home for sale adds about $2 to the selling price on average. There are a few simple and affordable DIY projects you can do to add even more value, giving you a better chance to get your asking price – or more. The best part? Most of these will cost you little more than some spare time.

 

With some prior planning and a little DIY know-how and ingenuity, your home sale can be a pleasant and rewarding experience.

Five steps to selling for more

Here are five simple rules when staging your home to sell. Other handy links throughout, like this one to Realtor Mag, will take you to even more in-depth explorations.

1. Depersonalize:

Potential buyers want to see themselves in your home. Removing photographs and other personal items that reflect specifically on you, your family and your interests allow for buyers to fill in the blanks with imaginings from their own lives. Removing such items, packing them up and investing in a small self-storage unit will pay huge dividends for a relatively small investment.

 

At the same time, set the dining room table as if you were expecting friends over for dinner, set up your front porch for entertaining and clean off the back patio or deck and stage it for a barbeque or garden party. You want your guests to see themselves living there. And loving it.



2. Maximize:

You’ll want to make your home feel as expansive and livable as possible. Start by decluttering – a self-storage unit can help with this, too. From cleaning out closets, cabinets and drawers (buyers will snoop), to removing throw rugs from your bathroom, living room and kitchen, there are lots of little things you can do to make your space seem larger than life.

 

Open up the curtains and let the sun shine in. Replace old, worn window treatments with inexpensive yet stylish new shades, curtains or shutters. Get things up and off the floor and out to storage. Remove excess furniture. Add mirrors for style and openness. Make every room big, bright, open and inviting.

3. Sanitize:

Your home can’t be clean enough. A spotlessly clean home tells a bigger story about just how much you cared for and maintained your home. Perception is reality. Scour the bathrooms and the kitchen, using water and bleach to remove mold and mildew. Really work to clean every nook and cranny. Scrub and polish floors, vacuum and shampoo carpets and any rugs you decide to leave about. Wash your windows. Clean and polish appliances (inside and out). Dust and wax furniture and bookcases. We’re talking a deep clean here.

 

You might consider a bonded and insured professional cleaning service that is experienced in cleaning for home sellers. This is where your realtor can come in, so don’t hesitate to use him or her as a resource for finding anything you might need. Here are some additional suggestions from Angie’s list.

4. Neutralize:

In the continuing effort to let the buyer envision themselves living in your home, think neutral when styling and staging. Repaint key rooms in neutral colors. Decorate with monochromatic hues (for instance, using fresh, white towels in the bathroom instead of bright colors and replacing window treatments with clean, white curtains and shades). Declutter bookcases and replace half of your books with strategically placed pieces of art, vases or other simple, unobtrusive touches. These all serve to invite potential buyers to imagine your home as theirs.

 

Keeping things simple and clean – and reducing clutter – are among the easiest and least expensive ways to prepare your home for sale.



5. Modernize:

Projects you invest in to modernize your home will more than pay for themselves when you sell it. Don’t be afraid to replace old kitchen appliances. Re-paint or stain old kitchen cabinets. Replace outdated cabinet hardware and plumbing fixtures. Replace that old vanity in the bathroom with a new pedestal sink. These kinds of simple upgrades – many of them weekend DIY projects or a short jaunt to Lowe’s away – will work wonders.

 

Another simple update that pays big dividends is replacing your old front door lock with a keyless electronic lock. Instead of having a realtor’s lockbox or spare housekeys floating around out there, you can program up to 30 individual security codes depending up on the lock type you select. Codes can be activated, de-activated and replaced as often as you see fit. And with some of today’s locks, you can program them from anywhere, using your smartphone.

 

A new lock with a stylish new handleset is the perfect finishing touch to that front-porch refurbishing project. It adds curb appeal, convenience and next-level security – and affordably. It also makes a great first impression when prospective buyers come calling.

Schlage electronic locks

Schlage offers a wide selection of keyless options from which to choose. The Schlage Connect™ Smart Deadbolt, Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt and Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt allow easier home access using your smartphone all while improving security. These are all reflective of a heritage of innovation and style that dates back to our company’s founding when Walter Schlage first patented a door lock that also turned on a home’s lights.

 

Schlage electronic locks are the ideal DIY project. They are easy to install, requiring only a screwdriver and a little free time. They’re available in a wide selection of styles and finishes. And they add peace of mind that’s very welcome among the stresses and anxiety that come with selling a home and planning a move.

 

Is your home ready to sell? Think depersonalize, maximize, sanitize, neutralize and modernize and you’ll be well on your way.

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Easy and affordable DIY tips for staging your home to sell

May 22, 2020 by emily.bailey

Friday, May 22, 2020

Adding even a few smart home products is the single easiest way to boost your home’s value. Here's what you need to know before you buy or sell a home with smart home tech.

 

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Every dollar you invest in properly preparing and staging your home for sale adds about $2 to the selling price on average. There are a few simple and affordable DIY projects you can do to add even more value, giving you a better chance to get your asking price – or more. The best part? Most of these will cost you little more than some spare time.

 

With some prior planning and a little DIY know-how and ingenuity, your home sale can be a pleasant and rewarding experience.

Five steps to selling for more

Here are five simple rules when staging your home to sell. Other handy links throughout, like this one to Realtor Mag, will take you to even more in-depth explorations.

1. Depersonalize:

Potential buyers want to see themselves in your home. Removing photographs and other personal items that reflect specifically on you, your family and your interests allow for buyers to fill in the blanks with imaginings from their own lives. Removing such items, packing them up and investing in a small self-storage unit will pay huge dividends for a relatively small investment.

 

At the same time, set the dining room table as if you were expecting friends over for dinner, set up your front porch for entertaining and clean off the back patio or deck and stage it for a barbeque or garden party. You want your guests to see themselves living there. And loving it.



2. Maximize:

You’ll want to make your home feel as expansive and livable as possible. Start by decluttering – a self-storage unit can help with this, too. From cleaning out closets, cabinets and drawers (buyers will snoop), to removing throw rugs from your bathroom, living room and kitchen, there are lots of little things you can do to make your space seem larger than life.

 

Open up the curtains and let the sun shine in. Replace old, worn window treatments with inexpensive yet stylish new shades, curtains or shutters. Get things up and off the floor and out to storage. Remove excess furniture. Add mirrors for style and openness. Make every room big, bright, open and inviting.

3. Sanitize:

Your home can’t be clean enough. A spotlessly clean home tells a bigger story about just how much you cared for and maintained your home. Perception is reality. Scour the bathrooms and the kitchen, using water and bleach to remove mold and mildew. Really work to clean every nook and cranny. Scrub and polish floors, vacuum and shampoo carpets and any rugs you decide to leave about. Wash your windows. Clean and polish appliances (inside and out). Dust and wax furniture and bookcases. We’re talking a deep clean here.

 

You might consider a bonded and insured professional cleaning service that is experienced in cleaning for home sellers. This is where your realtor can come in, so don’t hesitate to use him or her as a resource for finding anything you might need. Here are some additional suggestions from Angie’s list.

4. Neutralize:

In the continuing effort to let the buyer envision themselves living in your home, think neutral when styling and staging. Repaint key rooms in neutral colors. Decorate with monochromatic hues (for instance, using fresh, white towels in the bathroom instead of bright colors and replacing window treatments with clean, white curtains and shades). Declutter bookcases and replace half of your books with strategically placed pieces of art, vases or other simple, unobtrusive touches. These all serve to invite potential buyers to imagine your home as theirs.

 

Keeping things simple and clean – and reducing clutter – are among the easiest and least expensive ways to prepare your home for sale.



5. Modernize:

Projects you invest in to modernize your home will more than pay for themselves when you sell it. Don’t be afraid to replace old kitchen appliances. Re-paint or stain old kitchen cabinets. Replace outdated cabinet hardware and plumbing fixtures. Replace that old vanity in the bathroom with a new pedestal sink. These kinds of simple upgrades – many of them weekend DIY projects or a short jaunt to Lowe’s away – will work wonders.

 

Another simple update that pays big dividends is replacing your old front door lock with a keyless electronic lock. Instead of having a realtor’s lockbox or spare housekeys floating around out there, you can program up to 30 individual security codes depending up on the lock type you select. Codes can be activated, de-activated and replaced as often as you see fit. And with some of today’s locks, you can program them from anywhere, using your smartphone.

 

A new lock with a stylish new handleset is the perfect finishing touch to that front-porch refurbishing project. It adds curb appeal, convenience and next-level security – and affordably. It also makes a great first impression when prospective buyers come calling.

Schlage electronic locks

Schlage offers a wide selection of keyless options from which to choose. The Schlage Connect™ Smart Deadbolt, Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt and Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt allow easier home access using your smartphone all while improving security. These are all reflective of a heritage of innovation and style that dates back to our company’s founding when Walter Schlage first patented a door lock that also turned on a home’s lights.

 

Schlage electronic locks are the ideal DIY project. They are easy to install, requiring only a screwdriver and a little free time. They’re available in a wide selection of styles and finishes. And they add peace of mind that’s very welcome among the stresses and anxiety that come with selling a home and planning a move.

 

Is your home ready to sell? Think depersonalize, maximize, sanitize, neutralize and modernize and you’ll be well on your way.

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Leave the spare and other tips for a smoother move.

May 21, 2020 by emily.bailey

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Make moving easier by taking care of some of these often-forgotten tasks before you box everything up.

 

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You have a lot on your plate when moving with, well, the actual moving of stuff. Make it easier by taking care of some of these often-forgotten tasks before you box everything up.



Return

Don’t move what isn’t yours, especially if you could be fined for it. It’s time to give back.

 

• Library books
  
  
• Items borrowed from friends and family
  
  
• Your kids’ borrowed school supplies like textbooks or science equipment
  
  
• Items that would bring more joy to others if gifted than if you kept them for yourself

Retrieve

Avoid getting to your new home and asking, perhaps months down the road, “Whatever happened to …?”

 

• Items left at the cleaners, tailors or shoe-repair shops
  
  
• Spare keys you may have handed out to friends and family, or buried in the yard
  
  
• Hidden valuables, either in your home or a safe deposit box
  
  
• Items left in a locker at your gym or yoga studio
  
  
• Items in a storage unit

Organize

In addition to a folder with all your moving documents – agreements with the movers, receipts, the inventory of your belongings – collect these important records. Then keep them with you rather than put them on the truck.

 

• Health, dental and vision records
  
  
• Prescriptions
  
  
• Vet records and pet medications (Get more tips for moving with pets.)
  
  
• School records
  
  
• Financial and legal records
  
  
• Birth certificates and passports

Leave

Some things are more valuable to the new homeowners than you. Be kind.

 

• Garage door opener
  
  
• User manuals for appliances you’re leaving behind
  
  
• Smart lock, but complete a Factory Default Reset first

Complete

We don’t know anyone who has forgotten to hire the truck, but these jobs aren’t so obvious … until it’s too late.

 

• Have your car serviced, especially if you’re moving long distances
  
  
• Take photos of electronics to reference when reconnecting everything in the new home
  
  
• Update your address with Amazon and any monthly subscription services
  
  
• Cancel or transfer your gym membership or club fees
  
  
• Create a Pinterest board with ideas to help you get excited about the new place, especially if you’re feeling bittersweet about leaving a home with sentimental value

Discover

You might not need all of these right away, but it’s good to think about them before it becomes an emergency.

 

• A new doctor, dentist and optometrist
  
  
• A new allergist or other specialist
  
  
• A new hairstylist
  
  
• Snow removal service
  
  
• Landscaper
  
  
• Plumber, electrician and pest control professional

Need more tips to help you during your move? Try Schlage’s checklist for before, during and after the big transition. Share your own tips with us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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Remodeling for resale? Recoup your investment with these projects.

July 19, 2019 by emily.bailey

Friday, July 19, 2019

Where do you invest so that you improve resale value? The answer to that question is actually easier – and less expensive – than you might think.

 

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You don’t want to waste your money, do you? Of course not, and when you’re moving, you’re even more aware of your cashflow than normal. What you do want is to remodel to make your home more enticing to potential buyers. But where do you invest so that you improve resale value? The answer to that question is actually easier – and less expensive – than you might think.



Photo by Milivoj Kuhar on Unsplash

First impressions rule

House hunters decide whether they’re in love with your home within the first few seconds of seeing it. We’re talking the minute they pull up to the driveway. That means your curb appeal needs to be on the mark. According to the Remodeling 2019 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com), a garage door replacement can help you recoup 97.5 percent of your investment when you sell. This trend has held for the last few years, so it’s a change you can be confident in making. And with the average replacement costing around $3,600, it’s a relatively small expense compared to other remodeling projects.

 

If you can’t afford to completely replace your garage door, there are some smaller DIY projects that make a large statement without a large price tag. A simple coat of paint that complements the color scheme of the rest of the house and some hardware for visual interest can create the impression of a new door. Check out Remodelaholic for an example and some stunning before-and-after photos.

 

Adding manufactured stone veneer to your home’s façade can be nearly as impactful. The Cost vs. Value Report found that sellers recovered nearly 95 percent of their investment on resale, proving yet again that first impressions really do matter.

Get cooking

When it comes to interior remodeling projects that will improve resale value, the Cost vs. Value Report indicates that focusing on the kitchen is likely best for ROI. The key here, however, is that it’s minor kitchen remodels that result in 80.5 percent recouped expenses. Major kitchen remodels, on average, return closer to 60 percent depending on how upscale the project is. This hasn’t changed much over the years, either. Similar findings were highlighted in 2015 as well.

 

Many factors can play into why minor projects pay off better – materials and labor typically cost less, and it leaves the door open for new homeowners to customize it to their own tastes, for example. If you’re looking for smaller updates you can make in the kitchen that won’t break the bank, consider door hardware as part of your investment.

 

Schlage Custom™ Door Hardware offers a variety of designs and finishes to complement any style of home. Choose a door knob or lever that stands out as an eye-catching statement piece buyers will remember or keep it more subdued with a style that blends more with the rest of the room. You can also match the finish to appliances and plumbing fixtures for a cohesive look throughout the kitchen. Perhaps best of all, the new homeowners will appreciate the attention to detail and installation of high-quality products.



Photo by Schlage - Schlage Custom Eller lever with Kinsler trim in Aged Bronze

Moving doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Check out our real estate guide for more tips on how to improve your home’s resale value and ideas for making the big transition simpler.

 

© 2019 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling 2019 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.

 

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What to do with your Schlage smart lock when moving.

May 17, 2019 by emily.bailey

Friday, May 17, 2019

With Schlage smart locks, the simplicity of installation and use stays with you all through this life transition.

 

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Congratulations on your new home! You probably have lots of logistics to plan and even more questions that need to be answered. We’re here to solve one quandary – what do you do with your smart locks when you move? With Schlage smart locks, the simplicity of installation and use stays with you all through this life transition. Check out these two options.



Take your lock with you

Transferring your lock to your new home is easier than you think. When you disconnect your Schlage smart lock to move, don’t worry about losing your information. In nearly every case, as long as you do not manually complete a Factory Default Reset, your access codes, synced devices and other data will continue to be stored even after uninstalling your lock or removing the batteries. When you get to your new home, simply reinstall the lock, make sure your WiFi network or smart home system are up and working again, and you’re ready to go.

 

A special note for those using the Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt with the Schlage Sense™ WiFi Adapter: Your devices will remain paired after your move. However, if your WiFi network information changes at the new house, you will need to complete the setup process with the adapter again. This is so that the adapter and lock can identify the new WiFi network name and Service Set Identifier (SSID) to continue providing you access from anywhere.

Leave your lock for the new owners

If you decide to leave the smart lock on the door for the new homeowners, you’ll want to complete a Factory Default Reset. This removes your manually programmed access codes and allows the new owner to create their own. It also resets the lock so that it’s no longer synced to other smart hubs or devices. Follow the links below to complete the Factory Default Reset on your lock:
 

• Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt


• Schlage Connect™ Smart Deadbolt (Z-Wave Plus and Zigbee)


• Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt


• Schlage Touch™ Keyless Touchscreen Deadbolt


Hopefully you still have the pre-programmed access codes and programming code that came with the lock. If so, provide those to the new owners as well. You can find these codes in the Quick Start Guide or on the inside of the back of the lock.

 

Like the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, the Factory Default Reset of your Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Z-Wave Plus technology can also be accomplished by holding the Enrollment button on the lock for seven seconds. The LED lights will indicate if the reset was successful. The new homeowners also won’t require the programming code to re-enroll the lock. They can use the Enrollment button or the Smart Start QR Code for enrollment.

Moving might feel overwhelming sometimes, but at Schlage, we try to make sure your home security isn’t part of that stress. Visit our Real Estate page for more tips and a helpful moving checklist.

 

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