Julie Bissinger, Realtor

Is selling your home penciled-in as one of your 2021 resolutions? If so, take steps now to lighten the load before your home hits the MLS. Here’s how: Make a list of home repairs in order of importance. Been putting them off cause you're not so handy? No worries. Hire a friend to help you to knock ‘em out. ... Help buyers find your home easily by replacing (or installing) modern address numbers or plaques. Pressure wash your driveway and sidewalks. Grab some trash bags or storage totes and one-by-one clean out drawers, closets, and bookshelves. The less stuff you have, the cleaner and more spacious your home will appear. What rooms need painting? Look at the days ahead and plan one weekend each month to tackle any painting projects. If you're planning to sell in 2021, I’d love to meet you, see your home, provide you with a free market evaluation, and help you sell! Send me a message! #sellyourhome #homesbyjulieb #2021resolution

What remodeling or repair job has the best return on investment? Here’s the latest from the National Association of Realtors’ 2019 Remodeling Impact Report: 1. New roofing 107% ROI 2. New hardwood flooring 106% ROI 3. Hardwood floor refinish 100% ROI... 4. New garage door 95% ROI 5. HVAC replacement 85% ROI 6. Insulation upgrade 83% ROI 7. New fiber-cement siding 76% ROI 8. New steel front door 75% ROI #remodel #realestatetips

Resolved to get your home in tip-top shape this year? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Get started little by little with these quick tips: 1. Clean out closets one at a time. Go through each item and sort into three piles: keep, trash, and donate. 2. Your pantry takes a beating day after day. Show it some love by throwing away misfits and checking expiration dates. 3. Going batty over cords, chargers, and devices? Invest in a charging station for multiple devices to keep g...adgets (new and old) under control. 4. Stay on top of clutter little by little. When you have a few minutes, clean out a drawer here and a cabinet there. 5. Books doing nothing but collecting dust? Donate gently loved classics to your library’s used book sale. 6. Cut down on paper clutter by unsubscribing from junk mail and signing-up for electronic billing. Last year taught us there’s not much we can controlwe can, however, always be intentional to create a home we love! May 2021 be the year you do just that. #getorganized

Happy New Year, friends! Got any resolutions this year? If one is to buy a new home, here are some things to consider that'll help get you there ASAP: Work towards paying down existing debt Hold off on large purchases made on credit (cars, furniture, appliances) Save what you can for a down payment... Stay put at your current job Get pre-approved for a mortgage And last but definitely not least, reach out to me! I’d love to help you prepare, find, and buy a new home in 2021!

Home Inspectionsdo I really need to spend several hundred dollars on one?!? The answer is yes...a thousand times YES! Here’s why: You may think your home is in perfect shape, but some of the costliest problems are difficult to spot: leaks, termite damage, foundation issues, poor ventilation, faulty wiring, and drippy appliances.... A home inspection gives you the chance (before you sign on the dotted line) to have a professional inspector see if there are any problems that need to be addressed, replaced, or fixed. When it’s all said and done, you’ll have an accurate picture of what you’re walking into when you buy. Wouldn’t you hate shelling out money set aside for new furniture on a new roof cause you didn’t know it was leaky? Plan to pay between $300 and $600 for a home inspectionand while you won’t get it back if the sale falls through, it's a safety measure I recommend to all my buyers. Don’t forget to do a termite inspection too! I’m here to help every step of the way! Give me a call today. #simivalleyrealtor #homesbyjulieb #inspectyourhouse

Happy Holidays! From my home to yours, Merry Christmas!

Need a little kick to get up and start knocking out those home improvement projects that have stacked up over the years? Here’s some fresh motivation for today’s Fix-It Up Friday: 1. But first, declutter. This is the best thing you can do for your home. Seriously, every six months. ... 2. Focus on the living room, kitchen, and bathroomsin that order. If you’re short on time or finances, zero in on these rooms since it’s where you spend the most time. 3. Prioritize projects that hinder day-to-day functionalitythink sticky doors, cracked windows, dead outlets, and leaky faucets. Call in the pros when it's beyond your skill set. 4. Fresh mulch, trimmed hedges, and annual color should always make the cut. Getting your home looking its best doesn’t have to be costly or complicated. Break it down into small, weekend projects and soon enough, you’ll be on to bigger and better endeavors. Tackling home improvements to get your home ready to sell? Send me a messageI’d love to help. #realestate #fixitupfriday #declutter

You made an offer and it has been accepted! And while it’ll be a few more weeks until you officially close and can move in, you’re well on your way to closing the deal on your new home sweet home. Here’s a quick rundown on what happens after you make an offer and your new home is under contract. 1. First, your agent will carefully review the purchase agreement to ensure you understand it and feel 100% comfortable with the terms and contingencies.... 2. You’ll need to meet with a mortgage lender to firm up financing details and lock in your interest rate. You’ll also need to have the home appraised. 3. Once you schedule the home inspection and the report comes in (and you should definitely perform a home inspection), your agent will help to negotiate any repairs with the seller. 4. Towards the closing date, you’ll get a call from the escrow company to sign all required documents and schedule your closing. 5. And finally you’ll fund, record, and officially close! Keep in mind that once your home is under contract LOTS of things happen behind-the-scenes; this is just a small list of what actually transpires during an escrow. Of course, as these situations come up, talk with your realtor. They are YOUR advocate every step of the way. Thinking about buying or selling? Let me know, I’m here to help! #heretohelp #homesbyjulieb #inescrow #newhome