Salt Marsh Realty Group

Homes (4)

Benefits of a 3D Home Tour

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As many people know, technology is constantly evolving in our society today. Because of how quickly technology is changing and improving, many businesses must learn how to adapt to keep their company afloat and increase sales and clientele. From a real estate perspective, evolving with technology is absolutely vital to ensure that homes are consistently getting marketed and sold in the best and most efficient way possible.

Marketing a home via technology, whether it is online, through social media or through YouTube, is an outstanding way to get more eyes on the home and allow for more potential buyers to have easy access to the photos and information. What many real estate companies are beginning to focus on is 3D Home Tours, which have proven to be extremely successful in reaching potential buyers. So, what exactly is a 3D Home Tour, and what is the benefit of incorporating it into an agent’s selling strategy?

3D Home Tours are a huge part of the future of real estate. By creating and developing a 3D Home Tour, an agent is allowing potential buyers to view each and every little aspect of a home without having to step foot in it. This gives people a good idea of whether they will be interested in visiting the home in person and provides a more realistic visualization than static photography would. For agents and sellers, 3D Home Tours are extremely convenient in that it allows for there to be a more interactive showcasing of the home in its perfectly staged state. All agents and sellers know how vital it is to show a home on the market while it is staged to perfection, and, with 3D Home Tours, this “perfect” tour will live on until the home is sold!

Developing 3D Home Tours is an equally great option for the buyers and the sellers in the real estate market. Once your home tour is created and posted online, sit back and enjoy the evolvement of technology!

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How to Avoid Rental Scams

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The time has finally come – you are officially on your way to renting your very own, first apartment! When you first begin the process, although exciting, it can come off as extremely daunting and confusing. There is a lot that goes into the renting process, and a lot that you must be aware of to ensure that you are working with a reputable agent or landlord, and that you are getting the best deal possible. Unfortunately, there are a lot of rental scams in the world that many first-time renters are not at all aware of. Here are a few signs that you may be dealing with a rental scam:

  • They are requesting cash or wired money. If you find that you are working with an agent or landlord that is requesting to be paid only in cash, note that this is a huge red flag! By paying in cash, there is no formal evidence of the transaction. Wiring money is another red flag that is not part of the formal renting process. If asked to wire money, it is another clear sign that you may be dealing with a scam.
  • They are asking you to sign without seeing the property. All reputable agents and landlords are aware that potential tenants require seeing the property before deciding that they would like to put money down and sign the contract. Make sure that you see all aspects of the property before making any written agreement.
  • They only require a verbal agreement. When it comes to agreements and contracting, absolutely everything should be in writing. If they are only requiring a verbal agreement, and are not asking you to sign anything, know that this should be of concern! To protect yourself, everything regarding the lease must be clearly written out and signed by both parties.  
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How to Prepare for Moving Day with Kids and Pets

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Moving out of your home is a big step, not only for you, but for your children and pets, as well! It is important to realize that everyone handles change differently, and, depending on the age of your children and pets, some may take it better than others. If you are getting ready to move and are not sure how to handle the process with your kids and pets – we have got you covered! Check out some of our tips on how to help your kids and pets cope with the moving process, and how to get best prepared.

For the kids:

  • Be as upfront and honest as possible. Make sure you let them know why you are moving, and exactly where you will be moving to. Keep your conversations uplifting and encourage them to get excited about the move. The earlier you approach the topic, the more time they will have to digest it and ask the questions that they need to!
  • Get them involved in the process. While you are in the process of packing everything up, get your kids involved so they feel special and valued. Allow them to help with the house hunting and help them pack belongings. You could even make a day out of helping them choose what color to paint their new room, and how they should decorate it!
  • Explore the new area with them. Before the move-in day, explore the new area you will be living in with them so that they know what to expect. Showcase the positive aspects of the new area, including any fun playgrounds or parks as well as any activities they can get involved in.

For the pets:

  • Make a trip to the vet as soon as possible. Head straight to your vet to ensure that you have all of the latest paperwork related to your pet’s health. This is also a good time to discuss with your vet whether your dog may need any medications to cope with the change, or air travel if they will be spending time on an airplane. The earlier you make the vet appointment, the more seamless the transition will be when they transfer over to their new vet.
  • Get a sitter for move-in day. Move-in day is chaotic, and your pet will already feel uncomfortable being in a new environment. Make it easier on yourself and them and hire a sitter or drop them off at a responsible daycare for the day to keep them out of the craziness.
  • Get their toys and belongings ready. When your pet enters their new home, make it as comfortable for them as possible with their toys and belongings already laid out for them. This will offer them a sense of familiarity and will make the transition easier for them!

 

 

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Why You Can’t Delay Home Maintenance

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Home maintenance is something that everyone can feel overwhelmed by. Whether money is tight, your schedule is packed, or life in general just gets in the way, home maintenance can be difficult to keep up with, which can ultimately lead to you drowning in damages and future debt. Did you know that by delaying home maintenance you are costing yourself more time and money in the long run? Here are some examples of why you must keep up as best you can with maintaining your home before it breaks the bank.

  • Caulking in kitchens and bathrooms. Make sure that you are regularly inspecting the caulking in your kitchen and bathrooms to ensure that there is no seeping or leaks in any of the crevices. When water forms within the crevices of sinks and tubs, you can expect mold to appear, which will ultimately cause you to have to replace the entire appliance. If you catch seeping early on, you can work on re-caulking which is an easy repair that can be done with very few tools!
  • Plumbing. If any of your faucets or pipes are leaking, be sure to stay on top of it and call a plumber as soon as possible. If you wait too long or ignore the issue, you may end up with fully burst pipes, which is a much bigger and more expensive problem.
  • Bug inspections. If you suspect that you have bugs or termites within your home, get an exterminator over as soon as possible. If an exterminator is not called immediately, termites may end up damaging parts of your home, which can cause you to be responsible for thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. If you catch this issue early, you can fix infestations with something as simple as spot treatments.
  • Roof and gutters. Regularly make a point to check your roof for any openings or leaks, and your gutters for any clogging. Once your gutters are fully clogged and/or your roof is not as strong, you could face the possibility of your roof collapsing or seeping underneath your shingles.

Overall, make it a new year’s resolution for yourself and your family members to keep an eye on any potential small damages that could over time turn into bigger ones!

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Buying New Construction? Here’s How You Can Save Money

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If you are looking for a new place to live, you may be going back and forth between purchasing a home that is already built, versus purchasing construction or even working with builders to build your very own custom home. If you are planning on purchasing new construction, there are ways that you can save money as you are customizing your dream home. Here are some of the best ways that you can save a little extra cash – your checking account will thank you!

  • Know the difference between custom builders and production builders. If you are working with a custom builder, you have a little more flexibility when it comes to negotiation. Because they are building your property in a more customizable fashion, you can have more of a say when it comes to how things are built and what materials are being used. This will ultimately affect your cost of the property in the end.
  • Know what parts of your property are standard versus upgraded. When you are working with a builder, you should have a full understanding of what parts of the home are being built in a standard fashion versus an upgraded fashion. For example, if there is certain flooring that the builders are using that are upgraded and can potentially be downgraded to save extra money, you can use the opportunity to decide what is best for you.
  • Know the plans for the neighborhood and community you’ll be living in. When you are looking to build, you should know what the future plans are for the neighborhood you will be living in. Will there be months or even years of further construction? If so, you will want to spend time thinking whether the noise will be a factor for you. It is important to know exactly what you are getting yourself into when it comes to the area you will be living in.

When you are working with a builder, try to learn as much about the process as you can so you can look for any ways to get potential discounts on the property, either through cash or small upgrades within the home that you can get built within!

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4 Changes to Make to Your Home Now if You Plan to Sell in 1 Year

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It’s a new year, and with a new year comes resolutions and goals that everyone tries to internally set for themselves! Perhaps you are looking to hit the gym more often, or maybe you are looking to save up for that vehicle that you have always dreamed of. Or, maybe, you and your family are looking to finally make that big move to your dream home! While these types of goals are great to set, it is important to note all of the steps that it takes in order to achieve them. For example, there are many ways you must get prepared to sell your home. If you are planning on putting your home on the market in a year, here are some great ways to get your home ready for action:

  • Home inspections. Once your home is on the market, you can expect to have several home inspections to ensure that everything is in tip-top shape. These inspections will include checking the walls both interior and exterior for any cracks or damages, as well as checking your air conditioner and heat to ensure it is working correctly. Inspections can also include electrical and plumbing, as well as roofing. All of these key items must be in workable condition in order for your home to sell at a good value.
  • Begin remodeling. Remodels can be very pricey but try your best to make some smart investments if you are planning to remodel in a slow and steady pace. Some smart investments can include in a new refrigerator, a new toilet or even new counter-tops. Make your home modern and as up-to-date as you financially can!
  • Curb appeal. First impressions are everything, and when potential buyers pull up to your home they need to immediately fall in love. This has a lot to do with your front lawn, landscaping and ultimately, the curb appeal. Trim your shrubs, mow your lawn and do your best to create a clean-cut landscape.
  • Stay in touch with your agent. If you have a specific real estate agent you are planning to work with, stay in touch with them along the way so they can offer helpful advice on how your home will best sell.
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Myths About Real Estate Agents

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When it comes to the real estate market, there are many myths that surround exactly what real estate agents do each day. Real estate agents are essential in helping both buyers and sellers go through the real estate process in an organized way, and in helping buyers and sellers save a little extra money along the way. Building a relationship with your real estate agent is a great way to ensure that they will help you to achieve exactly what you are looking for, whether that is buying your dream home or selling your current one. Utilizing a real estate agent’s knowledge about the current trends and home listings is a great way to go about the process! Here are some common myths that surround real estate agents, and why we are debunking them:

  • The real estate industry is cut-throat. Because real estate agents are essentially competing with each other, many assume that the industry is cut-throat. Wrong! The real-estate industry is much more supportive than you think, and agents will often grab coffee after work or get together to discuss new ideas or strategies. Real estate agents have the utmost respect for one another – it is healthy competition!
  • Real estate agents are in it for the money. While real estate agents work to make money for their family, they truly care about you and your wellbeing! Real estate agents genuinely want to help you and advise you with what they feel is best for you and your family. They love being able to help you take the next, huge step in your life and grow with your family. It is a huge success to be able to be part of the stepping stone to your dream future.
  • If a real estate agent has a low commission, they have the best value. This is not necessarily true! The best agents have more buyers that they are working with, which means that there is that much more competition for your property. Many assume that agents who have higher prices for property are the ones that are going to get the best results – that is not always the case!
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Fun Holiday Crafts to Get You in the Spirit

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If you are looking for some last-minute ideas on how you can get your family into the holiday spirit, look no further! We have put together some of our favorite Christmas-themed crafts that are not only fun and easy for children, but are fun for adults, as well! Holiday crafts are a great way to get the family together for some wonderful memories, but also a great way to embellish your home with sentimental décor! Here are some ideas on how you and your family can get festive and crafty:

  • Gingerbread Houses/Men. Depending on the age of your children, a great way to get crafty (and enjoy some delicious sweets) is by making and decorating gingerbread men and/or houses! If you bake gingerbread men, simply lay out some different colored frosting and different holiday-themed sprinkles and begin your decorating! While gingerbread houses tend to make for a bit more work, the joy of a finished gingerbread house is worth the time! Gingerbread houses can be made homemade, or purchased as a put-together kit, which will include all the candy you will need to make a beautiful (delicious!) house! 
  • Snow globes. A favorite for many children is homemade snow globes! Figure out what type of figurine you would like to place in the middle of the globe, and glue and place it inside the lid of a jar. Next, fill your jar with water and add a few teaspoons of glitter. Screw the lid onto the jar and your snow globe is complete!
  • Beaded snowflake ornaments. This craft is perfect for families who are looking for some cute, sentimental ornaments to hang on their tree year after year. All you will need for this craft is wire snowflake forms, beads, string or ribbon and some pliers! After putting beads on each of the wires, simply take your pliers and bend the end of the wire to ensure that all the beads stay on. Once each end of the snowflake is filled with beads, tie your string or ribbon to the top and hang from your tree!

 

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Importance of a Landlord Background Check

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As a tenant, it is often that you may feel as if it is a one-way street when it comes to the process of renting out a property. The tenant is required to fill out paperwork and applications showcasing their credit history, current job and overall background. What many tenants forget throughout the process is that they are entitled to learning about their landlord’s background, as well! Renting out property is in fact a two-way street, and it is important that you feel as comfortable with your landlord as they do with you as their tenant. While you cannot legally give a landlord an application to fill out, you can learn more about their history as a landlord and what their background is. Here are some ways you can check out a landlord’s background before making the decision to sign the lease:

How long have you been a landlord? It is important to know the duration of time that this person has been a landlord, and how experienced they are. By asking this, you will know exactly how much experience they have as a landlord and can feel more comfortable moving forward with them.

How long did previous tenants stay? Once you get ahold of their experience being a landlord, it is nice to know how long tenants generally stay. Did they stay for the entire duration of their lease, or did they end it early due to negative circumstances? If tenants generally stay for their entire lease, you can assure yourself that the landlord is most likely easy to work with.

Who handles the maintenance? When something breaks, you want to know exactly how soon it can get fixed, and, most importantly, who will be fixing it! Figure out how maintenance works with your landlord so that you can be prepared for any damages or malfunctions that may pop up throughout your lease.

While these questions strictly relating to leasing are important, it is also good to ask neighbors and other people within the neighborhood about the landlord. Do they have a good reputation? Do they have a criminal record, or have they ever filed bankruptcy? These are all great things to keep in mind before you commit to a lease!