San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Avoid these mistakes when buying and selling at the same time
Many people find themselves buying and selling a home at the same time, but knowing that it is a common occurrence doesn’t make it any easier. While buying and selling at the same time can be stressful, avoiding these mistakes can ease the process.
Don’t wait too long to get your home ready to sell. As a seller you don’t want to wait until you’ve submitted an offer on a new home to get yours market ready. Waiting too long can put you in the financial bind of winding up with two mortgages. Work with your REALTOR® to prep your home for sale, so that when the timing is right you can buy and sell seamlessly.
Don’t assume your closing timelines will align perfectly. When buying and selling at the same time it can be difficult to get all of your closing dates to match up. Make sure you have a backup plan if you need to move out of your house to close but can’t move to your new place yet. Line up an alternative plan if you need to get into a short term rental or a hotel. Also, make sure you budget for that possibility.
Don’t assume your home will sell for exactly what you need for your down payment. Make sure that when pricing your home you leave yourself a little wiggle room, you don’t want to end up in a situation where you have to take a lower offer and it ruins your down payment plan. Talk with your REALTOR® and make sure your listing price leaves you with options, in case your home doesn’t sell for what you need.
Don’t forget to compromise. Remember that you may not be the only one in a transaction who is buying and selling at the same time. Don’t let the sale fall apart because you refuse to make any concessions. Remember that issues often arise and that compromising can go a long way in completing your transaction.
Don’t assume that using separate agents for your transactions will make the process easier. Balancing the demands of buying and selling at the same time can become even more difficult if you choose to use more than one agent. Interview REALTORS®, find one who you know can handle both transactions and let them make the transaction as simple as possible. By working with one agent for both transaction they can oversee both transactions simultaneously and make sure the transition is a smooth as possible.
For more information on buying, selling, or leasing your home in the
San Antonio or surrounding areas, visit SABOR.com and use a REALTOR®.
As you've been spending more time at home lately, you've probably found things around your house and yard that aren't as clean as they used to be. Depending on where you live, you may be eyeing many of these cleaning projects and putting them on your to-do list as spring approaches, or you may be itching to get at them right away.
Unfortunately, some of these areas are really difficult to clean, and some of the problem spots are very tough to reach, too - which may explain why they've gotten in such rough shape.
Solutions for outdoor tough spots
While you survey your property to look for ways to improve its appearance, take note of the hardest-to-reach and toughestto-clean spots, such as:
* Exterior siding and brick
* Fences
* Windows
* Decks, patios and porches
* Sidewalks and driveways
* Cars and trucks
* Lawn equipment and grills
If any of these items look like they could use a good scrub, don't get out the soap, sponge and brushes just yet - a pressure washer may be just what you need.
"For tackling big or small jobs, the Powerhorse 3200 PSI Pressure Washer can make your outdoor cleaning easier, faster and a much more effective to blast away the dirt," said Jonathan Green, senior regional parts and service manager at Northern Tool + Equipment. "Most importantly, it's easy to use and will save you a great deal of time so you can take care of any job without the elbow grease."
The Powerhorse 3200 PSI Pressure Washer is an effective tool, with all the power and accessories you need to tackle countless projects around your home or your business. It features a maintenance-free direct drive axial pump, along with adjustable pressure - making it versatile enough to handle delicate jobs or blast away years' worth of grime. The pushdown style cart features a sturdy steel tube frame, and its ten-inch flat-free tires make it easy to move from job to job while you're improving your home, yard or business.
Maintaining your pressure washer
Once you've got your pressure washer, Green recommends the following tips for keeping it in top shape:
* Always remove your tips and clean them out after every use on your pressure washer gun as well as your surface cleaner. This keeps the tips from calcifying.
* Whenever you change the engine oil in your pressure washer, change the pump oil as well. This way they stay in the same cycle.
* Always use a fuel treatment and stabilizer in your fuel, unless using premium ethanol-free fuel. The stabilizer assists in keeping the unit running smoothly and limits carburetor cleaning and repairs.
* Flush the pump before extended storage, especially if stored in a freezing climate.
If you've put off investing in a pressure washer before, this could be the best year for getting those tough-to-tackle jobs done. This pressure washer has a built-in nozzle holder, so the right nozzle is within reach at all times. In addition, the onboard soap tank adds efficiency, eliminating the mess and hassle of using a siphon tube and separate container. You simply add detergent to the onboard tank and you're ready to clean.
You can look forward to enjoying a brighter, cleaner spring and summer at home when you've got your house and yard looking fresh and clean.
To learn more about what a pressure washer can do for you, visit Northerntool. com.