Highlands NC real estate

Selling Highlands NC Homes, Look at Landscaping

June 22, 2022 by lynn

Selling Highlands NC Homes, Look at Landscaping

Lynn Kimball, Highlands NC real estate

Selling Highlands NC homesSelling Highlands NC homes involves preparation and a great place to start is to take a look at the landscaping. Landscaping does not need to be intricate or over the top but it should appear well taken care of and nicely groomed. Curb appeal makes a great impact on Highlands NC real estateHighlands NC real estate and the better a home looks from the outside the more buyers will want to enter the front door!

Lawn care makes a difference

A manicured lawn can make all the difference for a home’s curb appeal. As such, it is important to not only keep a lawn mowed but also keep it green as well. Additionally, it is helpful to keep a lawn free of weeds and tree saplings. Having irrigation in place is helpful, as is aerating a lawn in the spring and fall. A Highlands NC home for sale is more attractive when the lawn is in great shape.

Flora and fauna

Flower beds are another landscape feature that can add a wow-factor to a Highlands NC home. Planting by height and paying attention to complimentary colors is helpful. Likewise, keeping flowerbeds well edged and free of weeds is important. If there is no room for flower beds then adding planters can be a great option.

Consider a professional

There is no shortage of green thumbs in the Highlands NC area. If you are taking care of the landscaping yourself there is no shortage of professionals to ask for advice. The Mountain Garden Club is a great resource, for example. However, hiring a professional, whether for lawn care, planting, or overall design can be a great idea. This will take the burden of the look and maintenance of a property off of your hands, which can relieve stress when selling.

Learn more about selling Highlands NC homes

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, today to learn more about sellinglearn more about selling Highlands NC real estate. I welcome the opportunity to update you on the market while sharing a complimentary listing presentation at the same time. Let my knowledge and experience serve as your guide to selling Highlands NC homes.

Click here to read “Great Exterior Tips for Selling Properties” from Realty Times.

Highlands NC Real Estate, Make Moving Easier

June 18, 2022 by lynn

Highlands NC Real Estate, Make Moving Easier

Lynn Kimball, Highlands NC real estate

Make moving easier when buying and selling Highlands NC real estate. Let’s face it, moving is a big deal. It involves preparation, planning, organization, and a lot of time. As a result, moving can also be stressful. Luckily, there are steps you can take to ease the stress and make this big transition run more smoothly. Additionally, an experienced Highlands NC REALTOR can help by offering advice and recommendations.

Plan ahead

The more you plan the easier moving will be. A great place to start is scheduling a moving company. Moving companies are booked well ahead of time and ensuring that you have one on the calendar is important. Likewise, moving companies will have checklists and advice on how to best pack and organize your things. Getting ahead of the game will pay off.

Pack by category and room

Packing can start the moment that you decide that you are either selling or buying a Highlands NC home. Get boxes and label each one clearly. You should not only list the items inside the boxes but also which room the box will go to. Additionally, it is important to clearly mark all boxes that contain fragile, breakable items. The more organized you are when you pack the easier unpacking will be on the other end!

Learn more about Highlands NC real estate and moving

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, today to learn more about buying and selling homes in Highlands NC. I welcome the opportunity to update you on the market while recommending reputable local movers at the same time. Let my knowledge and experience serve as your guide to buying and selling Highlands NC real estate.

Click here to read “How To Pack Like a Pro” from REALTOR Magazine.

Highlands NC Real Estate, Get As Much Information As Possible from Virtual Tour

June 15, 2022 by lynn

Highlands NC Real Estate, Get As Much Information As Possible from Virtual Tour

Lynn Kimball, your key to Highlands NC real estate

Get as much information as possible from a virtual tour when looking at Highlands NC real estate. More and more offers are being made without setting foot in a home. However, seeing as much of a home as possible prior to making an offer is important. This can be accomplished through a live virtual tour. While photos and videos of a property are available online, having an experienced Highlands NC REALTOR walk through the home while on FaceTime or WhatsApp can be incredibly helpful.

Live virtual tours

A live virtual tour of a Highlands NC home for sale is a great way to see it when you cannot be there in person. One of the greatest things about the live virtual tour is that a buyer can ask questions, ask for a closer look at spaces, and get more details about every space. Additionally, taking notes along the way can lead to more questions after the fact. The more information a buyer can get, the better.

Physical visit still important

A virtual tour is a great first step in the buying process. However, seeing a home in person is still important. When the market is competitive a virtual tour can lead to an offer. Once under contract and in the due-diligence period hopefully a buyer can see the home in person prior to closing. When a virtual tour is the only thing possible it is essential to have a great relationship and trust with a Highlands REALTOR.

Learn more about Highlands NC real estate

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, today to learn more about buying a home in Highlands NC. I welcome the opportunity to update you on the market while answering all of your questions. Let my knowledge and experience serve as your guide to buying Highlands NC real estate.

Click here to read “6 Things to Consider When Taking A Virtual Home Tour” from U.S. News and World Report.

Highlands NC REALTOR Helpful For Buyers

June 11, 2022 by lynn

Highlands NC REALTOR Helpful For Buyers

Lynn Kimball, your guide to buying Highlands NC real estate

An experienced Highlands NC REALTOR is extremely helpful for buyers. Advice, organization, negotiation, and follow-through are but a few things a REALTOR will bring to the table. Furthermore, a REALTOR will help buyers uncover their priorities which will make the entire process run more smoothly. You will never regret finding the right REALTOR when buying a home in Highlands NC!

Find the right REALTOR

Finding the right REALTOR is an important part of buying. It is no surprise that there are many real estate professionals in the area. It is important to find a REALTOR with whom you feel confident. This is someone that you will feel comfortable with and that you trust to help find the right Highlands NC property at the best price possible. As such, it is important to take your time to find a good match.

How do you find the right REALTOR?

The best way to find a REALTOR is through connections. Talk to family and friends and ask for recommendations. Likewise, if you are new to the Highlands NC area then you can speak with people you meet, whether in the park, at a hotel, in a rental office, or at the local shops and restaurants. Ultimately, it is important to meet with a few REALTORs to get a feel for what you are looking for.

Learn more about finding the best Highlands NC REALTOR for you

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, today to learn more about buying Highlands NC real estate. I welcome the opportunity to update you on the market while answering all of your questions. Let my knowledge and experience serve as your guide to the buying process. My goal is to serve as your guide and be the Highlands NC REALTOR you can count on.

Click here to read “10 Essential Questions for Choosing a Real Estate Agent” from US News & World Report.

Selling Highlands NC Real Estate, What to Expect From An Appraisal

June 7, 2022 by lynn

Selling Highlands NC Real Estate, What to Expect From An Appraisal

Lynn Kimball, answering all of your Highlands NC real estate questions

Selling Highlands NC real estate involves an understanding of what to expect from an appraisal. While not every contract will include an appraisal contingency, every contract that includes a loan should have one. A lender requires an appraisal for a home loan. The appraisal will either come in right on target, lower than the contracted price, or higher. An experienced Highlands NC REALTOR will be invaluable in helping you navigate any issue that arises with an appraisal.

Home values

Pricing a Highlands NC home for sale is an important step in the selling process. Typically an experienced REALTOR will conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA). This will involve examining recent sales, current listings, and details like the location and condition of a home. The suggested price will be a guide for the seller and should represent fair market value for a home. While a seller can choose the price for a home it is important to recognize that the suggested price comes from experience.

Selling price

Ultimately a home will sell for a price that a buyer is willing to pay. In a seller’s market buyers often pay over the asking price for homes. In this scenario, an appraisal will often be lower and buyers expect to pay over price to secure a property. Likewise, a buyer’s market will give a buyer leverage and often secure a home for less than the appraised price. However, any market can produce appraisal issues. Sometimes this is simply a bad appraisal and a buyer can request a second appraisal.

Appraised value has an impact

An appraisal is an important piece of securing a home loan. An appraisal should come in at the contracted price of a Highlands NC home, or at least very close. A low appraisal can jeopardize a loan because no lender wants to lend more than a home is worth. In this scenario a buyer will have to arrive at the closing table with more money, exit the contract, or negotiate further. When an appraisal comes in higher than the contracted price, a buyer has immediate equity.

Learn more about selling Highland NC real estate

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, today to learn more about selling Highlands NC homes. I welcome the opportunity to update you on the market while sharing a complimentary listing presentation at the same time. Let my knowledge and experience serve as your guide to selling Highlands NC real estate.

Highlands NC Real Estate, Pay Attention to Details

June 3, 2022 by lynn

Highlands NC Real Estate, Pay Attention to Details

Lynn Kimball, Highlands NC real estate

Pay attention to the details when buying and selling Highlands NC real estate. One detail can derail a transaction. As a result, it is important to understand the process and stay on top of the details. An experienced Highlands NC REALTOR will be invaluable with getting buyers and sellers to the closing table. However, buyers and sellers have a responsibility to heed advice as well as to understand the contract and their role in the process.

Small things can get in the way

A home inspection is a great example of where things can go awry with a Highlands NC home sale. Every inspection will reveal issues, even if they are minor issues. As a result, the inspection report often leads to further negotiation. Another detail that can get in the way is expectations of inclusions and exclusions. Perhaps a buyer overlooks the fact that the window treatments are excluded from a sale. Or, a home being sold furnished is not including all of the artwork. These details are important.

Stay calm and collected

It is especially helpful when emotions can be kept out of a Highlands NC real estate transaction. However, this can be tough to accomplish, especially for sellers who have strong ties to a property. Being flexible and able to understand and manage expectations is important. Rely on a REALTOR when in need of advice or clarification and make sure that questions are asked and answers are received.

Learn more about Highlands NC real estate

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, to learn more about buying and selling homes in Highlands NC. I welcome the opportunity to update you on market conditions while answering all of your questions. Let my knowledge and experience serve as your guide, helping you navigate your Highlands NC real estate transactions.

Click here to read “Petty Issues That Can Disrupt Deals” from REALTOR Magazine.

Buying Highlands NC Real Estate, Get Information on Renovations

May 30, 2022 by lynn

Buying Highlands NC Real Estate, Get Information on Renovations

Lynn Kimball, your guide to Highlands NC real estate

Get information on renovations and any work that has been completed when buying Highlands NC real estate. It is unlikely to find a home that has not had work done, especially an older home. As a result, finding out what changes have been made and the details associated with these changes is important. Buying a Highlands NC home for sale is a big investment and making sure this investment is a smart one is important.

What do you need to know?

When work has been completed on a Highlands NC home for sale it is important to get the details. Important details include who completed the work, whether the work was permitted, and whether warranties exist for the work, among other things. When a professional, bonded and an insured contractor has completed the work it can be different from when a homeowner has done the work himself. Likewise, big projects should always be permitted and plans should show that the house can handle the work structurally.

Why do the details matter?

A professional electrician is different from a homeowner electrician. While installing a light fixture can be easy, making sure the electrical panel can handle newly installed products is important. Overloaded breakers will trip and poorly done wiring can cause a hazard. It is important to know that any and all work that has been completed has been done well. No new homeowner wants to find surprises after closing on a Highlands NC property.

Learn more about buying Highlands NC real estate

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, today to learn more about buying a home in Highlands NC. I welcome the opportunity to update you on the market while getting you started on your property search. Let my knowledge and experience work as your guide to buying Highlands NC real estate.

Click here to read “Buying a Remodeled Home? 5 Signs It’s a Smart Move—or a Spectacular Flop” from realtor.com.

Selling Highlands NC Real Estate, Consider What Buyers Are Looking For

May 26, 2022 by lynn

Selling Highlands NC Real Estate, Consider What Buyers Are Looking For

Consider what buyers are looking for when selling Highlands NC real estate. Walking through a home for sale with a fresh set of eyes can help a seller prepare it for sale. Likewise, walking through other listings can offer an opportunity to examine properties like a buyer would. The opportunity to think like a buyer can make selling an easier proposition. An experienced Highlands NC REALTOR will fill you in on market conditions as well as what buyers are expecting from a home for sale.

What niche does your home fit?

Every Highlands NC home for sale has something to offer and it is important for sellers to answer the question “what does my home have to offer?” Whether a selling point is in a home’s location, amenities, size, or layout, every property has something to offer. Highlighting the pluses of a home is an important part of marketing and can ensure that the right set of buyers is targeted to look at a particular property.

Know your audience

Different buyers are looking for different things. So, ask yourself what kind of a buyer suits your home? For example, a home with a great backyard for yard games, a jungle gym, and a sandbox is perfect for a family. A home overlooking a golf course is clearly perfect for a golfer. Some homes are perfect for having lots of guests and entertaining while others are more suited to an intimate getaway. Additionally, the location comes into play and dictates the buyer, whether it be someone looking for acreage or an in-town location.

Learn more about selling Highlands NC real estate

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, today to learn more about selling a home in Highlands NC. I welcome the opportunity to update you on the market while sharing a complimentary listing presentation at the same time. Let my knowledge and experience serve as your guide to selling Highlands NC real estate.

Click here to read “Sellers: Adopting a “Buyer Frame of Mind”” from Realty Times.

Buying Highlands NC Real Estate, What Can You Afford?

May 22, 2022 by lynn

Buying Highlands NC Real Estate, What Can You Afford?

When buying Highlands NC real estate it is important to ask yourself what can you afford? Buying a home is an investment and making a wise investment is paramount. This means Understanding what makes financial sense and sticking to it throughout your property search all the way to the closing table. There are a lot of details involved with buying a property and many of these details are financial. An experienced Highlands NC REALTOR can recommend reputable local lenders while also providing the financial details of listings.

How do you know what you can afford?

It is essential to be in touch with your financial situation prior to starting a home search. An important aspect of this is getting pre-approved for a home loan. Knowing what you can afford to buy will affect the list of Highlands NC properties that you will consider. Take the time to be diligent and get all of your financial information together to provide to a lender. Tax filings, bank statements, and investments will all reveal what makes financial sense for you and your family.

Additional expenses should be considered

In addition to a loan there will be other expenses associated with a Highlands NC him for sale. This could include lender fees, HOA dues, looming assessments, property taxes, and more. Of course maintenance and upkeep expenses should also be considered. A Highlands REALTOR will gather all of this information and help you assess the overall cost of a home. Knowing the full picture is important.

Learn more about buying Highlands NC real estate

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, today to learn more about buying a home in Highlands NC. I welcome the opportunity to update you on the market while preparing you for the buying process. Let my knowledge and experience serve as your guide to buying Highlands NC real estate.

Click here to read “How to Buy a House Without Going House Poor” from Realty Times.

Highlands NC Real Estate, Common Home Inspection Issues

May 18, 2022 by lynn

Highlands NC Real Estate, Common Home Inspection Issues

Buying and selling Highlands NC real estate goes hand-in-hand with common home inspection items. An awareness of these issues can help relieve some stress. Every home sale should include an inspection contingency, even when a home is being sold as-is. It is essential that a buyer knows the condition of a home. An experienced Highlands NC REALTOR will be able to inform buyers and sellers on what to expect from a home inspection.

Common home inspection issues include:

Plumbing – leaky pipes, dripping faucets, clogged drains, and poor water pressure. Many plumbing issues are easy to fix. Others can be more daunting, especially when leaking pipes have led to cabinet, floor, or ceiling damage.
Electrical – overloaded electrical panels, outlets and switches that don’t work, faulty wiring. Exposed wires and missing wire caps can be easily dealt with but older, faulty wiring could require an expert examination.
Structural – cracks in walls, ceilings, and floors, as well as sticky windows and doors can be a sign of something major.
Water – water damage can include mold, mildew, staining on the interior and exterior, and more. Proper drainage around a home is essential to wick water away from a home’s siding and foundation.
Roof – missing tiles or holes in a roof as well as the overall age and condition of a roof should always be examined. Roof replacement is a high dollar item.

Expert advice

Every home inspection will reveal issues. As a result, every buyer and seller should be prepared to further negotiate or make repairs. Additionally, buyers should consult experts when large issues are revealed or suspected. For example, foundation issues and roof replacements can be costly repairs. Knowing the exact extent of an issue as well as the cost of its repair is important when purchasing a Highlands NC home for sale.

Learn more about Highlands NC real estate

Contact me, Lynn Kimball, today to learn more about buying and selling homes in Highlands NC. I welcome the opportunity to update you on the market while answering all of your buying and selling questions. Let my knowledge and experience serve as your guide to Highlands NC real estate.

Click here to read “The 10 Most Common Home Inspection Problems” from REALTOR Magazine.