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Priority Tasks for Your Move Into Your New Inland Empire Home
Moving into a new Inland Empire home is an exciting time. In fact, you’re probably daydreaming about decor, paint schemes, and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basic priority tasks for your move that you should cover first.
Priority Tasks for Your Move Into Your New Inland Empire Home
Change the Locks
Even if you’re promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can never be too careful. It’s worth the money to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that no one else has the keys to your Inland Empire home. Changing the locks can be a DIY project or you can call in a locksmith for a little extra money.
Steam Clean the Carpets
It’s good to get a fresh start with your floors before you start decorating. The previous owners may have had pets, young children, or just some plain old clumsiness. Take the time to steam clean the carpets so that your floors are free of stains and allergens. It’s pretty easy and affordable to rent a steam cleaner. In fact, your local grocery store may have them available.
Call an Exterminator
Another one of your priority tasks for your move-in should include calling an exterminator. You probably haven’t spent enough time in the house to get a view of any pests that may be lurking. Call an exterminator to take care of any mice, insects, and other critters that may be hiding in your Inland Empire home.
Clean Out the Kitchen
If the previous occupants wanted to skip on some of their cleaning duties when they moved out, the kitchen is where they probably cut corners. Wipe down the inside of cabinets, clean out the refrigerator, clean the oven, and clean in the nooks and crannies underneath the appliances.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
Dispelling Refinancing Myths for the Inland Empire Homeowner
“Refinancing” is a scary word for many people. But that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many Inland Empire homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly payments and help with your monthly budget, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Let me ease your mind a bit by dispelling some common refinancing myths for you.
Dispelling Refinancing Myths for the Inland Empire Homeowner
You’re Not Too Late
For years now, we’ve been hearing that interest rates will be on the rise. And while they have taken off recently, you’re still in a great position to drastically lower your interest rate. But you need to move fast. Rates are continuing to rise weekly. The general rule is if your mortgage interest rate is more than 1% above the current market rate, you should definitely consider refinancing. However, if your interest rate is near or below the current interest rate, you might want to wait it out for a bit.
It’s Not Too Time-Consuming
Another one of the refinancing myths I want to dispel is how long it takes to refinance. Don’t brush off refinancing just because it seems like a long and daunting process. An informational call with a lender to see how rates compare will only take a few minutes. There are also some programs for streamlining the application process. And besides, isn’t the amount of money you could save worth the time and effort?
ARMs Can be Refinanced, Too
Seeing your Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) increase after the introductory period can be incredibly stressful and place a squeeze on your budget. Many people assume they’re stuck. But ARMs can be refinanced just like fixed-rate mortgages. You can even switch to a shorter term fixed-rate mortgage, such as 15 or 23 years. The longer you’re planning to stay in the home, the more sense it makes to look into refinancing.
If you are considering refinancing your mortgage, contact your local bank first. Then, talk to other lenders about your options. Your bank is not the only lender offering refinancing. Terms and programs vary with each lender. So, it makes sense to shop around before settling on one.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
Must-Have Tools for Southern California Homeowners
When you own your Southern California home, things are going to break and, unless you want to spend your money on visits from a neighborhood handyman, you’re going to need to fix them yourself. Luckily, you don’t need an arsenal of tools to handle most home maintenance fixes. These five tools will cover most of your basic projects.
- Cordless Drill
A cordless drill is one of the must-have tools for installing cabinets, drawer pulls, hinges, picture frames, shelves and hooks, and more. Whether it’s for do-it-yourself projects or repairs, you’ll use your cordless drill just about every month. - Drain Cleaners
Shower and bathroom sink drains are susceptible to clogs because of the daily buildup of hair and whisker clippings. (Anyone with hair knows this.) You can use chemical clog removers like Drano, but they’re expensive and the lingering chemical scent is unpleasant. Instead, buy some plastic drain cleaners that can reach into the drain to pull out the clog of hair and gunk. You can purchase them on Amazon or at a local hardware store for a low price. - Shop-Vac
No matter how careful you are, spills and accidents will happen in your Southern California home. There are some tasks that just can’t be handled with paper towels or a standard vacuum, like pet messes or broken glass. - Clippers
Even the minimum amount of care for your landscaping will require some clippers/pruners/shears to remove damaged branches, vines, thick weeds, and any other unruly plants in your yard. You can find them at any home improvement store. - Flashlight
You’re going to want something a little more powerful than your iPhone flashlight when you’re in the crawlspace! These are the flashlights Bob Vila recommends for homeowners to keep on hand.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
What to Negotiate When Buying an Inland Empire House
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, it is necessary to ensure that you are getting the best possible deal for your money. So, what should you negotiate when buying an Inland Empire home?
What to Negotiate When Buying an Inland Empire House
Closing Costs
Your closing costs are determined by a variety of factors. But you can expect them to be between 2% to 6% of the purchase price, according to local Riverside County escrow company Parkfield Escrow. Ask the seller to cover some or all of the closing costs upfront or request a closing credit that can be used to make specific updates and fixes to the home.
Furnishings
Love how the seller has furnished and decorated the home? Buyers often negotiate keeping couches, fixtures, landscaping items, patio furniture, appliances, and more. And many sellers agree, wanting to make the home more appealing.
Inspection and Closing Timing
Buyer offers that include a quick inspection and close timeline are often more attractive to sellers who have been going through the process for far too long. Just ensure you allow yourself ample time to get your financing in place and complete proper, thorough inspections.
Home Warranty
Sellers will often agree to pay the premium on the home warranty at closing. Then, they hand it off to the new homeowner, who is responsible for the deductible on any future claims.
Repairs
Your inspection may uncover small or large repairs needed to bring the Inland Empire home up to standard. You can negotiate to have these items fixed before closing or ask for a price reduction to cover the costs.
Keep in mind, however, that the more contingencies you place on a home’s sale, the more likely that the seller will refuse your offer and move on to another. This is especially true in a competitive seller’s market. Talk to your real estate agent to help you determine which negotiations are a “must” and which should be left off the table.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
Easy Landscaping DIY Projects for Your Inland Empire Home
Ever get the itch to do a DIY project? Whenever I do, my favorites involve getting outdoors and mixing up my landscaping features. Whether it’s as simple as installing some lighting or a little more time-consuming like re-plotting plants, a fresh look for the lawn always gives your Inland Empire home a fresh look as well. Since curb appeal is so important when selling your home, here are my top five easy landscaping DIY projects that bring buyers to your front door.
Easy Landscaping DIY Projects for Your Inland Empire Home
Create a Pathway
To guide you and visitors throughout your yard and link different areas together, install a pathway. You can use a variety of materials, including reclaimed pallet wood, flagstones, gravel, and more to add texture and color to your Inland Empire home.
Add a Wall or Border
Installing a flagstone, rock, or brick wall around flower beds or trees adds a sleek, clean look to your landscaping and helps separate different sections of your yard.
Install a Water Feature
Nothing says “zen” quite like the sound of trickling water as you relax in your yard. You can start simply by purchasing and installing a small feature powered by a solar panel or create a larger focal point in your yard by installing a waterfall wall or small pond. This works really well in your backyard, which also needs attention when you sell your Inland Empire home.
Light Your Way
An easy way to transform your yard is to strategically use lighting. Place cool-colored lights high in trees to recreate a moonlight feel. Use pathway lights to naturally guide the eye or highlight objects and/or plants.
Plant Upwards
Expand the yard space of your Inland Empire home by drawing the eye to the sky with a trellis fence or screen made of wood or metal. Once you install your trellis, select your climbing plants and vines and get to planting!
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
When to Refinance Your Inland Empire Home
Refinancing your mortgage is something most homeowners consider at least once throughout the lifespan of their home loan. It allows you to pay off your previous loan by applying for a new one that has better financial advantages. While there are many good reasons to refinance, here are five of the most common ones.
Scoring a Lower Interest Rate
The number one reason Inland Empire homeowners decide to refinance is to secure a lower interest rate on their mortgage. Not only does this save you money in the long run and decrease your monthly payment, but you can start building equity in your home sooner. Even though interest rates are currently on the rise, you may still score a lower rate than the one you originally procured when you purchased your property.
Using an Improved Credit Score
Even if interest rates have not dropped in the market, if you’ve improved your credit score over the last few years. Therefore, you may be able to reduce your mortgage rate.
Shortening the Loan’s Term
If interest rates are decreasing, there is a chance you may be able to get a shorter loan term with little to no change in your monthly payment, allowing you to pay off your loan sooner. However, in the current market, that may not necessarily be the case. Even so, shorter terms mean less interest paid over the life of the loan and the quicker you can pay off your Inland Empire home loan. So, it might be worth the extra expense if you can spare it.
Switching From an Adjustable Rate to a Fixed Rate
If you chose an adjustable-rate mortgage with great introductory rates when you initially financed your Inland Empire home, that rate may increase significantly over the years. By switching to a fixed rate when interest rates are lower, you can protect yourself from future increases.
Cashing Out Home Equity
If there is a big purchase or payment on the horizon, such as funding a wedding or going back to school, your best option may be to use the equity you’ve built in your home to borrow money at a lower cost.
Interest rates are expected to continue to rise throughout 2020. In spite of that, some homeowners may still benefit from refinancing right now. Talk to your lender about your options and see if a refinance of your home loan is something that will benefit you.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
Top Tips for Inland Empire House Hunting Online
Hunting for a new Inland Empire home online is a great place to start your search. However, this should not be your end all be all. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home. But keep in mind that there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture of home listings online, keep the following three things in mind.
Top Tips for Inland Empire House Hunting Online
Stay Up to Date
When you start your Inland Empire home search, make sure that you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) where real estate agents actively post their most current homes for sale. Many online resources update less often or fail to remove listings that are off the market. This makes it more difficult to sort through the clutter.
Pictures Can be Deceiving
Real estate photographers are experts at showing an Inland Empire home in the best possible light. Many use tools and strategies to boost appeal, such as a fisheye lens to make areas look larger and creative editing to make colors and textures really pop. But, often listings will not contain photos of unappealing parts of the home, like small closets or outdated bathrooms.
See It to Believe It
Once you find what appears to be your dream Inland Empire home online, call up your real estate agent and schedule a showing. You want to take the opportunity to vet the home in person and explore every part of it before beginning the offer process. Your real estate agent will help you cover all your bases and will ask questions you may not have thought of.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
What to Repair Before You List Your Inland Empire Home
When you’re getting ready to list your Inland Empire home, it’s of the utmost importance to ensure that you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top four recommended repairs to make before selling your Inland Empire home.
Repaint Walls
Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up. Generally, this can be a do-it-yourself project, too. Make sure to cover any walls with scratches and chips. Then, consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.
Repair Floors
Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in an Inland Empire home. So you want to ensure that they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing it. And don’t forget the tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. Re-grouting can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!
Refresh the Landscaping
Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the in. Clean walkways and driveways. Then, plant seasonal flowers and plants. Next, trim hedges and trees. Install outdoor décor pieces. Finally, fill in mulch and gravel.
Fix Your Fixtures
Leaky faucet? Rusted drains? Loose drawer handles? Making these small fixes can make a big difference to potential Inland Empire home buyers with detailed-orientated minds. Improve your kitchen. An outdated kitchen can be a real eyesore in a home. Updating cabinetry, repairing or replacing countertops, and installing new faucets and sinks may be worth the investment.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
The Difference Between a Home Warranty and Home Insurance for the Inland Empire Home Buyer
When purchasing a new Inland Empire home, it’s important to do in-depth research on all facets of the homebuying process. One thing you’ll need to understand is how to best protect yourself and your investment if anything were to go wrong. Check out the information on home insurance versus home warranty below to educate yourself on your options.
Home Insurance
Homeowners insurance pays for any accidental damages and losses that are caused by fire, lightning strikes, windstorms, and hail. However, damage from earthquakes and floods is typically not covered. It also covers the replacement of personal property in case of theft or damage and liability if a person were to get injured in your home or on your property. According to Nerd Wallet, the average annual cost of a homeowner’s insurance policy in California in 2022 falls around $1273 per year (or $106 per month). The bank usually asks you to obtain a policy before the mortgage is issued. Make sure to keep in mind that each type of coverage in the policy is subject to a limit and, in most cases, you will have to pay a deductible.
Home Warranty
A home warranty is designed to cover the cost of repairs and replacements of larger appliances and crucial systems in your Inland Empire home that may fail or break due to age and wear and tear. This includes but isn’t limited to HVAC, electrical, or plumbing components, kitchen appliances, and your washer and dryer. With a home warranty, you are required to pay premiums year-round, even if you do not use it, and it won’t cover damages if appliances were not maintained properly or if the damage is from a fire or other disaster.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
Your Guide to an Inland Empire Home Appraisal
You’ve found your dream Inland Empire home. Now, it’s time to cross all your “T’s” and dot all your “I’s” before it’s all your own. And one of the first items on your closing checklist is the home appraisal. So, what exactly is that?
Your Guide to an Inland Empire Home Appraisal
What Is an Appraisal?
The Inland Empire home appraisal is essentially a value assessment of the home and property. It is conducted by a certified third party and is used to determine whether the home is priced appropriately.
What Happens During an Appraisal?
During a home appraisal, the appraiser conducts a complete visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the Inland Empire home in question. He or she factors in a variety of things, including the home’s floor plan functionality, condition, location, school district, fixtures, lot size, and more. An upward adjustment is generally made if the home has a deck, a view, or a large yard. The appraiser will also compare the home to several similar homes that were sold within the last six months in the area.
What Does the Appraisal Report Include?
The final report must include a street map showing the property and the ones it was compared to, photographs of the interior and exterior, an explanation of how the square footage was calculated, market sales data, public land records, and more.
How Does the Lender Use the Report?
After it is complete, the lender uses the information found to ensure that the property is worth the amount they are investing. This is a safeguard for the lender, as the home acts as collateral for the mortgage. If the buyer defaults on the mortgage and goes into foreclosure, the lender generally sells the home to recover the money borrowed.
Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty
