New Leaf Team Blog

House hunting can be a fun experience, but it can also make for some long days driving around to different properties. We've put together a few things to keep in mind as your search begins to help make the process easier for you.

• Dress appropriately for the weather. Remember that you may be going in and out of the car and houses all day, but you may also be walking around yards that can be muddy or slippery. Wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes that can be easily removed at a homeowner's request.
  
  
• Bring drinks and snacks. Depending on how many homes you plan to look at, showing appointments can last from 1-3 hours. It's always more enjoyable to look at homes when you aren't hungry or thirsty.
  
  

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Before you start packing up your home, it's important to remember that there are certain things you need to leave behind for the new owners. Below is a quick checklist of things you will want to make sure you don't pack with your belongings.

• Any personal property specified in your contract, this includes items that the buyer specifically wrote into the contract and anything that is part of the standard language of th...

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If you're thinking of selling your home in the future, it can help to make some improvements or upgrades before you go on the market. But not all upgrades will help your home sell at a better price.

Here are a few places where you can focus your money and efforts to improve your ability to sell your home.

Curb appeal: First impressions are important, and the first thing buyers will see of your home is the front yard. Take care of your yard and be sure garden beds are tended to and everything is mowed, trimmed, and edged. Potted plants are a great way to add a pop of color to your yard.

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Greetings and Happy 2023!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's! It appeared as though we may get a bit of snow although that didn't seem to pan out. On the other hand, it certainly felt like winter, especially with the power out.

To be a bit more personal than usual, I will say that I'm very hopeful and optimistic for 2023. Last year wasn't the greatest, losing my Father in March and Mother-in-Law in October, 2 bouts of Covid, and assisting with 3 family moves. That in the wake of trying to help steer a real estate company, a local non-profit (ARC of the Piedmont), and navigate family issues through 2 years of Covid proved to be something (I honestly can't find the adjective that fits).  However, I also carry an abundance of joyful memories and for that I am eternally grateful.

We have also been living in interesting times (by some this is considered a curse) for the real estate business. Covid, RSV, the flu, inflation, talk of a recession, pi...

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Is buying a home one of your 2023 Goals? Even if you're not ready to start house searching just yet, here are a few things that you should be thinking about now to make your home buying process easier...

• Increase your credit score. Before you start searching for houses, agents, and lenders, work on increasing your credit score which can improve your ability to get a great mortgage. Credit scores range between 200 and 850, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. (For tips on improving your credit score, check out our blog post Improving Your Credit Score)