Home Maintenance Tips.

Maintaining your home isn't easy but a little prevention can spare you some big repairs! Deferred maintenance can also effect you when you go to sell your home! When buyers see things that are broken, they take a closer look at your home!

1. Give your home a good scrub down! Clean everything, even windows! A good place to keep clean is under sinks, buyers and inspectors look there for water damage. Clean homes just present well and generally have a neutral smell!

2. Keep up on minor repairs. Don't let that loose faucet or door handle get any worse. Change burnt out lightbulbs and double check smoke alarms. Also change your air filters!

3. File away major repair invoices. If you get a new water heater, A/C unit, or even an appliance, keep them all. Maintain a file with these invoice in your home, that way you're prepared for any service calls or warranty fixes. Plus, you can leave it for the next owners of your home!

4. Double check your home's systems. Make sure your A/C unit isn't wobbling or making noise. Check to make sure your hot water heater is operational and set at the right temperature. Look under sinks for leaks and check your toilets too! 

5. Look at your home like you're about to sell it. If you were touring this house, like a buyer, what would make you frown? Fix those. What would make you smile? Do more of that. Keeping this perspective will keep you from having to fix everything up before you sell it!

6. Check pool equipment and water levels. It's peak summer and your pool has probably been working extra hard to stay clean. Look over the equipment for any leaks or plugs. Grab a pumice stone and have the kids work on that water line, calcium build up!

7. Purge your storage spaces. If you have stuff in the attic or in the garage, do a small purge session and get rid of some things. Not only will it make some more room, it will keep stuff from building up. Termites and other critters can cause damage in places your stuff is building up!

8. Be aware of moisture build up. Our houses are sealed up tight during the summer and that helps keep us cool, but it may also keep bad stuff inside too. Check your bathrooms for moisture build up and make sure your exhaust fan is working. You may need to give it a little vacuum so it can breathe better. 

9. Secure gates and access points. Part of home maintenance is safety. So check your gates, add locks if needed, and fix any weak entry points to your home. Double check that your pet doesn't have any escape points either. 

10. Sweep the perimeter of your home. Are there plants touching your home? Bushes or moisture near the foundation? These things can be invitations for critters like termites and roof rats. Not good! Trim and remove as needed. Monitor the moisture at the foundation to prevent bigger problems. 

Those are your home maintenance tips! What are some things you suggest?

These items will not only keep your home looking great and performing well! It will also keep you prepared for that day when it comes to sell your home. Your home will already be inspection ready!

6 Tips for Curb Appeal

First impressions are important in so many situations, like: meeting new people, interviewing for a job, and when buying or selling a house. Curb appeal can create a great first impression and make your home welcoming for visitors. So here's some tips:

1. Red Door: Not only are they classic, red doors create a universal feeling of being welcome. Visitors will be drawn to the front door, wanting to come right inside! Talk about a great way to welcome people to your home!
2. Flowers: Color is huge, so grab a tray of seasonal flowers and get them planted! In pots or in the ground, add some pop of color to your front yard. Just don't forget to water them!
3. Curved Pathways: From the sidewalk, add a slightly curved pathway to your door. It will create a traffic pattern and give visitors a direct way to enter your home. Plus you can line it with flowers or other cool, local plants!
4. Wreaths: Adding a seasonal wreath on your door adds another layer of curb appeal. People love the "homey" feeling a wreath can bring to a home. Tap in to those feelings! Not a wreath person? Do a cute sign or colorful mat!
5. Contrast: Make your house stand out with contrasting colors! Have a white house? Try black! Have a gray house? Paint some aqua accents! The contrast in colors will make your home unique and memorable. 
6. Fly a Flag: Owning a home is part of the American Dream, so fly your flag! Have a family member in the Military? Fly their branches' flag! Everyone loves a flag, so put one outside of your home!

These are some easy ways to spruce up your home, even if your not selling! Spring is the perfect time to do these projects, so just pick one that you can handle and tackle it! Share your pictures with me on Instagram or Facebook! I'd love to see what you do!

What Makes Team Clayton Different

Everybody seems to know someone who's a REALTOR®, however some important things set us apart from the average real estate agent. Tom and Janet, have been full-time agents since 2002, that's a lot of experience supporting you! When you hire us, you're supporting a family business! You're also getting a whole team of agents for the price of one. That's just the beginning...

• We're charitable: Team Clayton was just recognized as a Top 10 contributor in RE/MAX Professionals to the Children's Miracle Network, supporting Phoenix Children's Hospital. Not only that RE/MAX Professionals raised over $20,000 for PHX Children's in 2018!

• We're top performers: Top 5% of agents nationwide! We do over 40 transactions every year, so all of that experience is working for you, to get you the best deal!

• A team on your side: Tom, Janet, and Kyle Clayton are all full-time Realtors®! You get all of us, plus Stephanie, our Transaction Coordinator for no additional cost to you.

• We don't drop the ball: We have the systems in place to get your transaction closed and the expertise to get your offer accepted. That's huge! Diann will be in constant contact with you and you can call any of us with questions.

We want to make buying and selling your home, an easy process. Our goal is to not only make sure you know what is going on at all times but also to ensure your transaction closes. Our experience and media presence can make the all the difference when selling your home. Team Clayton is the whole package and we continue to innovate. So let's work together!

What to Know About Real Estate Startups

They say things like, 'no hassle' and talk about taking the stress away when you sell a home. Real Estate Startups are popping up around town and while they may be good for some Sellers. However, here is some important information to know:

Profit Motive: these companies are backed by a lot of Venture Capital money, which means one thing: Buy Low and Sell High. The Startup may purchase your home but it will be for low market value because in order to make a profit, they have to sell your home for a higher price. That's your money being left on the table. 

One Sided Representation: when it comes to them buying your home, it's you and the Startup (a corporation). No one has your back in price or fee negotiations. (There's no negotiation when it comes to fees.) When the repair requests come in, are they negotiating on your behalf or their's? When you don't have representation it can cost you not only money but more importantly, time.

Higher Fees: if you think hiring a REALTOR® is expensive, wait until you see what these Startups charge. They are anywhere from 3%-6% higher than a traditional REALTOR®. Plus, if you buy and sell with one REALTOR®, they may give you a commission discount.

These are just 3 really important reasons to consider using a REALTOR® when you sell your home. Not only that, you're helping a small business and that agent's family. You have a relationship with that real estate agent and can call them if something is wrong. Do you think that startup is going to take your call after the deal is done? Not unless you have another house to sell. 

Team Clayton is committed to building relationships with our clients. So much so, that we have 5 free events every year ,that you can attend with your family. Movies, Pizza Parties, Happy Hours, and more. Once you sell with Team Clayton, you're our friend!

So, if you're thinking of selling, give me a call 623-334-5144 or email me, Kyle@TeamClayton.com

The Process of Selling Your Home

The process of selling your home can seem daunting but with Team Clayton, it won't be! That doesn't mean you shouldn't know what's going on, so here's what you can expect when you decide to sell your home. 

1. Interview Agents: Make sure they can not only list your home but get it sold. Professional photos? Transaction Coordinator? Make sure they can get the job done. 
2. Price Your Home: A real estate agent should tour your home, to see the finishes and upgrades you may have made to the property. Then they can do a comparative analysis to determine your home's value.
3. Prepare Your Home: You may have some homework to get ready for photos, to pack up personal items, or even some minor repairs. The goal is to help the buyers envision themselves in you home. Your REALTOR® should give you tips. 
4. Time for Showings: Now is the stressful part. However, your agent should have set up the showing instructions to make it as easy on you and your pets as possible. So make sure your input on how you want your home shown, is heard. 
5. Time for Offers: After about 10 showings, we should expect an offer. If not, we'll want to look at the feedback on your home and adjust accordingly. This is when you listen to the market, so be open to change!
6. SOLD!: Once you get an offer, the process isn't complete. This is where you negotiate price, who pays closing costs, and a closing date. So having an experienced REALTOR® with good negotiation skills, actually pays!

Phase two of selling your home involves fulfilling the contractual obligations and getting to the close of escrow date. Here's what that involves:

1. Inspection Period: From the date you accept the contract, the buyer has 10 days to complete inspections. This could involves any number of inspectors so be patient and don't worry. They will do their best work with you away, so plan a day out of the house. *During this period, the buyer can walk at any time.
2. Repairs: Once the inspection period is complete, you will have a list of repairs that the seller wants you to complete, based on the inspections. This is where more negotiation begins, so decide what you're willing to repair and what you wont. *Depending on what you decide, you may have 5 more days of inspection period. 
3. Appraisal: The lender orders an appraisal after the inspection and he will determine your homes values. If it comes in too high, more negotiations! Just right, then the deal moves forward. This may be the most crucial point to have good negotiator on your side.
4. Close of Escrow: Most agents will think it's smooth sailing from here, but not us! We make sure to maintain contact with the buyer's lender to ensure the loan process stays on track.
5. Signing Day: Finally, the day to go down to the Title Company and sign all the paperwork is here. This completes the transaction and the Title Company will do the rest. Once they record the paperwork at the County Recorder's Office, it's official. You have to be moved out by that time, no exceptions! 

Talk about a lot to handle! So, ask your REALTOR® how many transactions they do a year. That will tell you how experienced they are at getting deals done! It's one thing to list a home for sale, it's another task to get it sold! So give us a call and put our team to work for you!

Have any questions? Email me at Kyle@teamclayton.com or on Facebook!

Home Improvements That Increase Property Value

It always seems to happen, you start fixing your house up right when you're ready to move. That's life! So I wanted to give you a few, easy fixes that translate to an increase in your home's value.

• Subway Tile: from the kitchen to bathrooms, you can't go wrong with this classic tile. You could realize a 4-7% increase in property value by adding a backsplash. 
• Kitchen improvements have a 75% Return on Investment (ROI), so you can spend some money and expect to get most of it back. You'll also be able to enjoy the kitchen of your dreams!
• Farmhouse Sink! Buyers love these sinks and may even buy the house just because of this! Homeowners have seen as much of an 8% increase in sales price due to a farmhouse sink!
• Shaker Cabinets in the bathroom are totally in style. They'll can jump the sales price almost 10%! These classic style cabinets appeal to all types of buyers, so it's a no brainer for bathrooms or kitchens!

Zillow was some other suggestions too, so read more here.

Preparing your home to sell is essential and sometimes, it means doing a little home improvement work yourself. However, I always want you to focus on things that will make you money, so don't go crazy. Doing the right things when fixing up your home can help it sell faster, without costing you a fortune. 

Have any questions? Feel free to ask me at Kyle@TeamClayton.com