Kent Obrist, ABR | Homes in Lincoln, Nebraska

Selling a home should be like any other business transaction, but all too often sellers make emotional or impulsive decisions that cost them money and time. Choosing the right Realtor to market a property and negotiate the sale is the most important step in the process.

“My friend (or family member) sells real estate.”

Friendship alone isn’t enough to establish a professional’s credentials. Use tough standards when selecting an agent, just as you would when hiring an attorney, a doctor, or an accountant to handle your taxes. A true friend will understand and appreciate that this is a business decision and will offer their credentials and expect to compete for the listing. Besides, if a problem or challenge develops while selling your home, do you want to risk damaging a friendship or family relationship?

“Your presentation sounds good. I’ll list right now”

Look at more than one presentation and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each. Making an impulsive decision when caught up “in the moment” could be difficult to correct later. Since you normally contract to list your house with the agent for a specific period of time, you may find yourself unable to “switch” to another if you find yourself unhappy with the service you receive.

“You’re the only agent who agrees with my selling price.”

Some agents tell you what you want to hear. In the real estate profession, this is known as “buying a listing” and is employed by shortsighted agents who are more interested in themselves than they are in you. However good it works as a short-term “sales tactic” in getting your listing, it is an extremely poor strategy in selling a home at the highest possible price.

You see, your house gets the most attention from other agents when it is a “new” listing. If priced properly, lots of agents will show it to their buyers. If you price it too high, no one will show the house and it will sit on the market for some time. When you finally drop your price to reflect its real value, your house is “old news” and buyers may think you are growing desperate. Therefore, the prices you are offered will come in lower and lower – and you may find yourself accepting a price that is below what you could have received had the house been priced properly to begin with.

Besides, pricing your home too high will only make similar houses for sale look that much better.

“I don’t need references. I’m a good judge of character.”

A snap judgement isn’t good enough. You also need to determine if the agent is competent and the best way to do that is to check up on references. Ask for references on recent sales — check up on references of recent customers. Find out how an agent’s customers feel about their selling experience.

Remember that how long an individual has been in real estate isn’t necessarily all you should look for. Experienced agents can grow jaded and not work as hard – newer agents sometimes make up with enthusiasm and effort what they lack in experience.

“I’m going to list with the agent who has the lowest commission.”

You get what you pay for. Paying a cut-rate commission will often get you a sign in the front yard and placement in the Multiple Listing Service, but little additional effort from your agent.

Realize that agents and real estate companies put up their own funds to market and advertise your home. Marketing and advertising costs money — the lower the commission, the less incentive for an agent to put up his or her own money to market your home.

Incentive plays a very important role in sales. A “full service” agent earning a full commission will often “drop everything” to handle any challenges that come along – an agent earning a small commission does not have that same incentive.

Incentive is also important to the buyer’s agent. Since there are almost always two agents involved in every sale, they split the commission according to the listing agent’s instructions. One agent is your listing agent. The other agent is the buyer’s agent. When your listing agent dropped his commission, did he also reduce the commission that will be paid to the buyers’ agent? If so, you won’t find as many agents willing to show your house – they’ll be showing houses that offer a customary commission to the buyer’s agent.

Finally, negotiating ability is an important skill in a listing agent. Are you willing to put your faith in an agent who can’t even negotiate his or her own commission?

“The agent is what counts – not the company.”

Agents who work for large well-established companies with lots of agents do have some advantages. Large companies generally have longer office hours, so someone is always available to answer an ad call on your home. Large offices often have larger budgets and can spend more on advertising. The ad space for your particular home might not be huge, but because the total ad is so large it gets lots more attention.

Large real estate companies often have lots of agents. This is important because when your house is newly on the market, the company may stage an “office preview” where every agent in the office comes through and tours your home. Every agent who views your home and is impressed is another agent on your sales team.

Additionally, larger companies are often better at offering ongoing education to their agents. As a result, your agent may be better qualified and prepared to offer a quality service. Although most states require real estate agents to enroll in “ongoing education” to keep pace with changes in the real estate market, many agents only take the “bare minimum” in ongoing education courses. Sometimes, large offices are better at convincing their agents to go beyond the minimum.

There are exceptions to every rule, of course. Some very effective agents go off on their own and open private offices or “boutique” agencies.

“All realtors passed the same test so they must know the same things.”

The real estate profession is constantly changing and, as mentioned above, the best real estate professionals stay abreast of those changes by continuing their education. Some go beyond the required minimum requirements. Many agents acquire “professional designations” that show they took additional specialized courses.

For information about professional designations, click here.

“This agent will hold an open house every week.”

Open houses can and do sell homes, but usually not your home. Only a small fraction of the homes held open are sold as a direct result of the open house. More often, “open houses” are a way that real estate agents “prospect” for potential clients. If they develop a rapport with those visitors to your open house, they can find out about their housing needs and sell them the home that most closely matches those needs. Meanwhile, the person who eventually buys your home may be visiting someone else’s open house.

Good agents know better than to pin all their selling efforts on an open house. They use their time in more effective marketing methods. The most effective marketing is not directly to the public, but to other agents. By getting other agents interested in your home, your listing agent multiplies your sales force beyond just one individual.

“I want an agent who lives in my neighborhood.”

Knowledge of the local market isn’t only acquired by living in the immediate neighborhood. Sure, your agent should have intimate knowledge of recent sales, models, schools, businesses, and so on, but that is easily achieved through extensive research. Convenience shouldn’t be the primary reason for choosing an agent.

“This agent sold more homes last year than anyone else.”

That should only be the beginning. What is more valuable — an agent who listed 32 homes and sold 25 – or an agent who listed twelve homes and sold all twelve? So you need to ask some questions. How many of their listings did not sell? How many were reduced over and over before they sold? How long were the houses on the market? How smoothly was the process handled? How accessible was the agent when there were questions or problems?

Quantity is important, but only if all of the quality questions have been answered satisfactorily.

The best agent is the one who will do the most effective job of marketing the property, negotiating the most favorable terms and conditions, and communicating with the seller to make the process as smooth as possible.

Source: http://www.realestateabc.com/homeguide/mistakes.htm

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Based on prices, mortgage rates and soaring rents, there may have never been a better time in real estate history to purchase a home than right now. Here are five major reasons purchasers should consider buying.

1. Competition is about to Increase

Every spring a surge of prospective purchasers enter the housing market. Like you, they will want the best home available in the best location at the best price. They will be competing with you for the ‘steals’ in the market. Don’t miss the opportunity to get that ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ buy available today that no longer be available as the market heats up..

2. Price Increases Are on the Horizon

Nationally, home prices are projected to appreciate by 4.5% in 2014 and by over 19% from now until 2018. First home buyers will probably pay more both in price and interest rate if they wait until the spring. Even if you are a move-up buyer, it will wind-up costing you more in net dollars as the home you will buy will appreciate at approximately the same rate as the house you are in now.

3. Owning a Home Helps Create Family Wealth

Whether you rent or you own the home you are living in, you are paying a mortgage. Either you are paying your mortgage or your landlord’s. The Federal Reserve, in a recent study, revealed that the net worth of the average homeowner is 30 times greater than that of a renter.

4. Interest Rates Are Projected to Rise

The Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of Realtors, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have all projected that the 30-year mortgage interest rate will be over 5% by the spring of 2015. That is an increase of almost 3/4 of a point over current rates.

5. Buy Low, Sell High

Most would all agree that, when investing, we want to buy at the lowest price possible and hope to sell at the highest price. Housing can create family wealth as long as we follow this simple principle. Today, real estate is selling ‘low’ compared to where it will be next year. It’s time to buy.

Source: Keeping Current Matters

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The financial benefits of homeownership are evident year round, but particularly around tax time – they seem to jump off the page. Let’s examine how homeownership makes “cents” – from the tax benefits, to good old fashioned financial stability.

1. Homeownership Builds Wealth Over Time

We were always taught growing up that owning a home is a financially savvy move. Our parents knew it, and their parents knew it. But this past decade of real estate turbulence has shaken everyone’s confidence in homeownership. That is why it’s so important that we discuss this again now that we’re in a ‘new market.’ Homeownership can be a very savvy financial move – but only if people buy homes they can actually afford. In 2014, this idea of sticking to a home you can afford to gradually build wealth is a “rule” that just happens to be new and old at the same time.

2. You Build Equity Every Month

Your equity in your home is the amount of money you can sell it for minus what you still owe on it. Every month you make a mortgage payment, and every month a portion of what you pay reduces the amount you owe. That reduction of your mortgage every month increases your equity. That is especially true now with the elimination of risky mortgages like negative amortized and interest-only loans – thanks to the new “Qualified Mortgage” rules. The way mortgages work is that the principal portion of your payment increases slightly every month year after year. It’s lowest on your first payment and highest on your last payment. Thus, as the months and years go by, your equity grows!

3. You Reap Mortgage Tax Deduction Benefits

Mortgage deduction: The tax code allows homeowners to deduct the mortgage interest from their tax obligations. For many people this is a huge deduction, since interest payments can be the largest component of your mortgage payment in the early years of owning a home.
Some closing cost deductions: The first year you buy your home, you are able to claim the points (also called origination fees) on your loan, no matter whether they are paid by you or the seller. And because origination fees of 1 percent or more are common, the savings are considerable.
Property tax is deductible: Real estate property taxes paid on your primary residence and a vacation home are fully deductible for income tax purposes.
4. Tax Deductions on Home Equity Lines

In addition to your mortgage interest, you can deduct the interest you pay on a home equity loan (or line of credit). This allows you to shift your credit card debts to your home equity loan, pay a lower interest rate than the horrendously exorbitant credit card interest rates, and get a deduction on the interest as well.

5. You Get a Capital Gains Exclusion

If you buy a home to live in as your primary residence for more than two years then you will qualify. When you sell, you can keep profits up to $250,000 if you are single, or $500,000 if you are married, and not owe any capital gains taxes. Now, it may sound ridiculous that your house could be worth more than when you purchased it after these past several years of falling house prices. However, if you purchased your home anytime prior to 2003, chances are it has appreciated in value and this tax benefit will come in very handy.

6. A Mortgage Is Like a Forced Savings Plan

Paying that mortgage every month and reducing the amount of your principal is like a forced savings plan. Each month you are building up more valuable equity in your home. In a sense, you are being forced to save—and that’s a good thing.

7. Long Term, Buying Is Cheaper than Renting

In the first few years, it may be cheaper to rent. But over time, as the interest portion of your mortgage payment decreases, the interest that you pay will eventually be lower than the rent you would have been paying. But more importantly, you are not throwing away all that money on rent. You gotta live someplace, so instead of paying off your landlord’s home or building, pay off your own!

Source: trulia tips

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PAPERWORK

An agent will help with all disclosures and paperwork necessary in today’s heavily regulated environment. This helps remove much of the liability a buyer or seller could face.

EXPERIENCE

Navigating today’s real estate and mortgage processes can be like walking through a minefield of challenges. Real estate professionals are well educated in and experienced with the entire sales process.

NEGOTIATIONS

Negotiating such a large financial transaction can get tricky. Agents act as a ‘buffer’ in negotiations with all parties throughout the entire transaction.

PRICING

Real estate professionals help buyers and sellers understand the true real estate value of a property in today’s market. This is crucial when setting the price on a listing or on an offer to purchase.

UNDERSTANDING OF CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS

There is a plethora of housing information available today. The challenge is that some information appears to be in direct conflict with other pieces of information. A true real estate professional can simply and effectively explain today’s real estate headlines and decipher what they mean to you.

Source: Keeping Current Matters

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What is a real estate broker? What is a real estate agent? What is a Realtor®, or a salesperson?

These titles can get confusing, so let’s look at the differences between these terms and the role these professionals can play in a real estate transaction.

Real estate agents are people who help you buy or sell your property. They hold licenses issued by a state. Agents can only sell real estate under the supervision of a broker and must collect the commission from the sponsoring broker. The broker is legally responsible for the actions of the agent.

Brokers are licensed by the state to collect fees and oversee negotiations for a purchase. The broker has earned a higher-level license and may or may not have more experience than an agent. Brokers can manage a real estate office, work on their own or work in an office under another broker.

Realtors are brokers and agents who belong to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), usually via a local board. NAR has trademarked the word, which is why it’s capitalized. Members abide by a code of ethics over and above the requirements of state law.

None of these licenses and designations by themselves can guarantee that any particular real estate professional is the right person to do the job for you. Many other factors weigh in: personal chemistry, location and experience, for example.

Who’s on your side?

If you want your real estate agent to work for you, then it is important to understand their incentives and conventions, and the rules and laws under which they work. Some of these are universal, but real estate laws vary by state. Additionally, agents are individuals who can maintain various perspectives on their profession. If you want to be clear on the relationship you will have with your agent and the role they will play for you, ask them to clarify their position and which considerations they will take into account during the buying or selling process.

The “Law of Agency” says that the agent or broker’s fiduciary responsibility is to the client. In legal terms, the client may be the person who pays the commission, or in states with assumed buyer’s agency, the buyer may be the client. That means the agent you think is working for you, the buyer, may have a primary responsibility to the seller.

In that case, the agent must put the interests of the seller above yours, and even above the agent’s own self-interest. This can restrict the flow of vital information, such as how eager a seller is to sell, from reaching you.

One way to avoid this is to hire a buyer’s broker. In states with assumed buyer’s agency, you must consent to this relationship, or the seller may yet become the client. An exclusive buyer’s agent may be your best chance at 100 percent loyalty.

In the real world, there are also incentives, and a real estate agent has some competing incentives. In the short term, any sale sooner rather than later means a commission sooner rather than later for the agent. Yet in the long term, referrals are where most agents get their leads. In other words, they want to make sure their clients are happy with the price, house and service, so they recommend the agent and build their reputation in a community. And in any case the agent only makes a commission when the deal closes, so there is incentive to get the two parties to agree.

The buyer has influence over which incentives an agent responds to. Find your agent through referrals and recommendations. Once you have picked your agent, commit to them for a time, be honest about your expectations and give feedback about the search progress. If your agent knows that you will eventually buy a house using them in the process, then your agent will invest attention, time, effort, knowledge and money.

Dual agency

Dual agency exists when one agent represents both the buyer and the seller. It can also exist when the listing and buyer’s agents work in the same office. This is tricky because the buyer’s agent’s allegiance is torn between the buyer and the brokerage.

In the case of one agent representing both parties, the agent can provide information about the property to the buyer, disclose all defects in the property, disclose the financial qualifications of the buyer to the seller, explain costs and procedures, compare financing alternatives and provide comps to both parties.

What the agent cannot disclose to clients under dual agency is more complicated. The agent cannot disclose confidential information about the clients without permission. Nor can the agent recommend to the buyer the price the seller will take other than the listing price. Conversely, the agent cannot recommend to the seller a price to accept or counter.

Some states prohibit dual agency. Many states require a written disclosure in the case of dual agency. The only upside to this setup is that because the agent is earning on “both sides” of the deal it’s possible they will take a lower total commission, which could benefit the buyer in terms of the overall price paid. But don’t ignore the issue: Pay attention to whose side the agent is representing. It may not be yours.

The buyer’s agent

Some agents specialize in representing buyers and are not primarily obligated to the seller. Note the word “specialize.” These agents could end up as dual agents; however, if the company they work for listed a home you are interested in buying, a buyer’s agent’s fiduciary responsibility is to you, not the seller. Unlike traditional ways of doing business, you may or may not sign an exclusive contract, and the agreement may state you are liable to pay a commission to the agent even if you find a home through other channels. Read contracts carefully to see if you have to pay the agent a commission if you find a FSBO (for sale by owner home) or other house by yourself. A buyer’s agent can be paid by either the buyer or the seller.

Exclusive buyer’s agents

Exclusive buyer’s agents work for real estate companies that never represent sellers or list properties for sale. By utilizing the services of an exclusive buyer’s agent, you can avoid conflicts of interest that may arise if a buyer client becomes interested in a property that is also listed for sale by a traditional buyer’s agent.

Saving on commissions

With more and more data about housing now available on the Internet, and with many consumers trying out new ways of transacting real estate, there are many more focused and prepared clients on both the buying and selling side of real estate transactions. Instead of touring with an agent, buyers do the legwork themselves — online. For the agents, this means working with clients who are probably more prepared to fast-track the home buying and selling process.

What had been a fairly standard 5- to 7-percent commission has been pushed down. In 2011, real estate tracking data showed that the average commission was just under 5.5 percent. This downward trend has been brought about by tougher economies in which buyers and sellers have pushed to save as much money as possible during what is often one of the largest financial transactions in their lives.

Additionally, new discount real estate firms have bucked the system and set up cheaper alternatives. These brokers say they offer sellers some of the same services as a full-service agent, but at greatly reduced commissions; traditional brokers say you get what you pay for.

Real estate firms that charge a minimum monthly fee and a few hundred dollars per transaction to the agents open the door to reduced commissions. Agents working with this system sometimes pay more out-of-pocket expenses, but they are not paying a big chunk of their earnings to the sponsoring broker.

Typically, a seller is the party who pays the brokerage fee. Buyers typically do not, as the listing broker pays a portion of his/her commission to the agent representing the buyer. However, the cost to pay the commission could be built into the price of the home. So, while buyers are not directly paying for commission, they are indirectly.

Fee-for-service brokers have a smorgasbord of services to pick and choose from. Just pay for the services you want to use. (This can get confusing at times because services seem to overlap when you aren’t familiar with how real estate transactions work.)

House auctions are popular in some areas. Properties are posted on auction sites, and agents can bid, then negotiate commissions or fees in the event the bid is accepted.

All of these services can save you money, if you live in the right state. In some states, these kinds of services are curtailed or banned entirely.

A quick guide to agents and brokers

Real estate broker: Licensed by each state to act as an agent for principals in real estate transactions. A broker can be an individual or a large company or franchise.

Associate broker: Individual who has a broker’s license but works under another broker.

Real estate agent: Licensed by the state to act as an agent for buyers or sellers but must work under broker supervision.

Dual agent: Represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. Dual agency must be disclosed upfront to both parties in order to be legal. It is not allowed in some states.

Buyer’s agent or buyer’s broker: Represents the buyer in a transaction. A buyer’s agent, under an agreement with the buyer, acts solely on behalf of the buyer. Buyer’s agents will disclose to the buyer known information about the seller that may be used to benefit the buyer. Buyer’s agents have duties of loyalty, confidentiality and obedience to their buyer clients. By law, buyer’s agents must represent, advise, negotiate and advocate on behalf of their buyer clients.

Exclusive buyer’s agent: Represents only the buyer in all transactions and works for a company that never represents sellers or lists property for sale.

Seller’s agent or listing agent: Represents the seller in a transaction. A seller’s agent, under a listing agreement with the seller, acts solely on behalf of the seller. A seller can authorize a seller’s agent to work with subagents and/or buyer’s agents. Seller’s agents will disclose to the seller known information about the buyer that may be used to the benefit of the seller. Seller’s agents have duties of loyalty, confidentiality and obedience to their seller clients. By law, seller’s agents must represent, advise, negotiate and advocate on behalf of their seller clients.

Subagent: An agent who writes an offer for the buyer but who is not the buyer’s agent. The subagent owes allegiance to the seller.

Transaction broker: A mediator who has no allegiance to either party and is hired to help the buyer and seller reach an agreement.

Single agent: Represents either the buyer or the seller in a transaction, but never both.

Realtor®: A member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the national trade association of Realtors that sets standards and ethics. A real estate agent does not have to be a Realtor.

Realtor–Associate: Some boards of Realtors™ use this term for salespersons or agents affiliated with member brokers.

GRI, CRS, CRB: Advanced designations earned by agents who have met certain continuing education and performance requirements. The acronyms stand for Graduate REALTOR Institute, Council of Residential Specialists, and Council of Real Estate Brokerage, respectively. There are many, many designations agents can earn; these are just a few.

source: Zillow

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Where do you begin? Before you panic, take a deep breath and follow these simple strategies to reduce the clutter—and your stress.

-Schedule a date.
Just as you would make an appointment for a checkup, make one to declutter. Decide how long you want to work and set a timer.

-15 minutes of tidying.
Every day, straighten pillows on the sofa, clean kitchen countertops, take out the trash and start the dishwasher.

-Pet peeves first.
Which messy area bugs you the most? Zero in on that area, even if it’s as small as a shelf or a drawer, and focus on cleaning that spot only.

-Make decisions.
Put your emotions aside and sort objectively. Do you really use this item? Do you need it? Set up three boxes: Keep, Sell/Donate, Storage. Whatever doesn’t go into one of these three should go into a garbage bag.

-Group like things together.
Pencils go with other pencils and pants with other pants. In your pantry, put vegetable cans with other vegetable cans. In closets, group like pieces of clothing. You get it.

-Shelving.
Install open shelving and add some attractive baskets or bins to hold everything from linens to off-season clothing to toys. Label each container and make sure the items you use most are easiest to reach.

-Clear the countertops.
They’re the catchalls in most homes. Divide the clutter into piles of like items. Find containers and find a place for every item.

-Wastebaskets.
Put one in every room so it’s easy for your family to throw things out right away.

-Clean as you go.
Whenever you leave a room, pick up something that should be moved to another room or thrown away. Keep a laundry basket or box near the stairs for single-trip convenience.

Source: AHS

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Many now realize that it is a great time to buy a home. It might also be an opportune time to sell your house. Here are the five reasons we believe now may be a perfect time to put your house on the market.

1. Demand Is High

The most recent Existing Home Sales Reports by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) show a double digit percent increase in sales year-over year; sales have remained above last year’s levels for over 25 months. There are buyers out there right now and they are serious about purchasing.

2. Supply Is Beginning to Increase

Total housing inventory is again approaching historic norms of a 5 month supply compared with 4.3 months in January. Many expect inventory to continue to rise as 3.2 million homeowners escaped the shackles of negative equity in the last 12 months and an additional 1.9 million are expected to enter positive equity in the next 12 months. Selling now while demand is high and before supply increases may garner you your best price.

3. New Construction Is Coming Back

Over the last several years, most homeowners selling their home did not have to compete with a new construction project around the block. As the market is recovering, more and more builders are jumping back in. These ‘shiny’ new homes will again become competition as they are an attractive alternative for many purchasers.

4. Interest Rates Will Again Rise

Although Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have softened recently, most experts predict that they will begin to rise later this year. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison projecting that rates will be up almost a full percentage point by this time next year.

Whether you are moving up or moving down, your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.

5. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life

Look at the reason you are thinking about selling and decide whether it is worth waiting. Is the possibility of a few extra dollars more important than being with family; more important than your health; more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?

You already know the answers to the questions we just asked. You have the power to take back control of your situation by putting the house on the market today. The time may have come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.

by The KCM Crew on October 15, 2013 in For Sellers

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When your entire house needs decluttering, where do you begin? Before you panic, take a deep breath and follow these simple strategies to reduce the clutter—and your stress.

Schedule a date.
Just as you would make an appointment for a checkup, make one to declutter. Decide how long you want to work and set a timer.
15 minutes of tidying.
Every day, straighten pillows on the sofa, clean kitchen countertops, take out the trash and start the dishwasher.

Pet peeves first.
Which messy area bugs you the most? Zero in on that area, even if it’s as small as a shelf or a drawer, and focus on cleaning that spot only.

Make decisions.
Put your emotions aside and sort objectively. Do you really use this item? Do you need it? Set up three boxes: Keep, Sell/Donate, Storage. Whatever doesn’t go into one of these three should go into a garbage bag.

Group like things together.
Pencils go with other pencils and pants with other pants. In your pantry, put vegetable cans with other vegetable cans. In closets, group like pieces of clothing. You get it.

Shelving.
Install open shelving and add some attractive baskets or bins to hold everything from linens to off-season clothing to toys. Label each container and make sure the items you use most are easiest to reach.

Clear the countertops.
They’re the catchalls in most homes. Divide the clutter into piles of like items. Find containers and find a place for every item.

Wastebaskets.
Put one in every room so it’s easy for your family to throw things out right away.

Clean as you go.
Whenever you leave a room, pick up something that should be moved to another room or thrown away. Keep a laundry basket or box near the stairs for single-trip convenience.

source: AHS

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With winter just around the corner, now’s the time to make sure your home is ready to withstand the season’s harsh elements, both inside and out. Taking care of some essential things now can help save energy and keep you safe and warm all winter. Here are some important things to do:

Seal air leaks.
Hidden air leaks allow heat to escape, causing your heating system to work harder. Leaks around doors and windows are easy to feel. Hidden holes in attics and basements are harder to detect, however, so you may want to hire a contractor to measure the air leakage. Seal leaks with spray foam, caulk or weather stripping.

Check the heating system.
Dirt and neglect are major causes of heating equipment breakdown. Schedule an annual professional maintenance inspection to prevent this. Plus, clean or change your system’s air filters once a month.

Add insulation.
Insulation is measured by R-value, the ability to resist heat flow. The best investment is to add insulation to your attic and seal leaks in the attic floor. It’s an easy job that’s well worth the savings you’ll see.

Get a programmable thermostat.
These thermostats offer pre-programmed temperature settings that drop temperatures when you’re away and raise them when you’re home. Using a programmable thermostat in such a manner could save you up to 15% on your heating bill.

Clean the gutters.
Removing debris from your gutters helps prevent flooded basements, foundation problems and sagging gutters. If you want to prevent water damage, be sure you do this.

source: AHS

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By the time you enter escrow you should have a moving company lined up to go, especially if you aren’t going to store your stuff for a while.

No, not that crew of reluctant rookies hobbled together from among your friends and family.

“Hiring a reputable moving company can make the difference between not getting the truck loaded and a successful, uneventful move,” says correspondent Hans Brings, vice president and broker with Coldwell Banker in Waltham, MA.

Also, according to Hans Brings, you should first obtain “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move,” a mover’s guidebook from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It’s online at ProtectYourMove.gov.

The document was written for state-to-state moving, but has information for those moving from any Point A to Point B.

ProtectYourMove.gov also provides links to all states’ moving regulations. Read the document before you go shopping for a mover so you know your rights, what questions to ask and what to expect.

“You’ll want to take into account how far you’re moving (a local move is very different from a cross-country journey), how much you can fit in your own or borrowed vehicles, whether you want to pack items yourself, and whether you are willing and able to do any heavy lifting,” Brings says.

“Set a budget for moving costs and determine how much you have to spend on the project. You can save money by moving valuables and other items yourself,” Brings says.

Shop around by calling more than just a few licensed companies. Ask questions about each business, the packers and drivers. Make sure each company understands the specifics of your move.

Ask for references and talk to friends, co-workers, and your real estate agent to get recommendations about companies they have worked with in the past.

Avoid fly-by-night companies, movers with unmarked trucks, unlicensed movers and other suspicious characters. Go with your gut. Ignore movers who initiate contact with you, suggests Hans Brings.

To narrow down your choices, ask to have a representative from each company visit your home and give you an estimate. They should understand what they are moving and what they are not moving.

If you have fragile or valuable items, ask about insurance and replacement policies, and make sure each company is aware of any heavy or unwieldy items, such as a grandfather clock or grand piano.

Brings adds, “If you’re making a national move, you might want to consider a national carrier that has a presence in both locations. National carriers should be able to provide proof that they are licensed for interstate transport. For local moves, a reputable local company might be your best (and most cost-effective) bet.”

Written by Broderick Perkins on Monday, 16 September 2013  Reprinted form RealtyTimes.com

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