What Does Home Staging Do When Listing a Property For Sale?

Curious about home staging? The Chicago team just finished the renovation of a large home in Olympia Fields. In order to sell it faster, we decided to try staging the home.

What did home staging do?

Surprisingly, it made the home feel bigger. The furniture, artwork, and rugs helped define the space and give perspective. It also helped visitors imagine where furniture would go and what sort of decorations would fit well. Most importantly, it made visitors feel like it was a home that they could see themselves living in.

How did it look?

Right after they finished decorating, Jennie got a look at how it turned out. These videos offer you a picture of what home staging looks like before and after. Let’s go inside!

(click here to see the staged home video on your mobile device)

How did it look before?

If you’re curious what it looked like before, check out this initial final tour before the home was staged. The difference is remarkable.

(click here to see the before video of this home on your mobile device)

Buying a home can be confusing, difficult, and full of bumps along the way. We create our videos to help you make decisions, see what kind of homes are out there, and have some fun along the way. Hopefully you get some ideas.

If you have any questions about staging a home, homes in general, or buying a home, we’d love to help answer your questions. Just post a comment here on the blog or the Insider Show Facebook wall and we’ll help you out as best as we can or point you in the right direction. You can also contact us on Twitter.

To stay informed and get future episodes, click here to subscribe for free. The upcoming months will be exciting as we begin to prepare for Spring.

Stay tuned!

- Your friends on the Insider Show team

To subscribe, click here for several options. We work hard on these videos and would love to have you along for the ride.

Realtors Get Locked Out Too

Ever get locked out of your home? It’s not fun.

Realtors get locked out too!

Getting locked out is a lot more fun when it isn’t you. Scott wasn’t laughing…

(click here to watch the “Locked Out” video on your mobile device)

As part of our new “Foreclosure Hunters” series, we’re sharing an inside look at how difficult it can be to buy a home that’s in foreclosure or owned by a bank. It’s not easy.

If you’re interested in following our videos, click here to subscribe for free. If subscribing via email, make sure you select “All episodes”. If you have any thoughts for us, just post a comment here on the blog or the Insider Show Facebook wall. You can also contact us on Twitter.

To stay informed and get future episodes, The upcoming months will be exciting as we bring in new faces and share more information that will help you become and stay a successful home owner.

Stay tuned!

- Your friends on the Insider Show team

To subscribe, click here for several options. We work hard on these videos and would love to have you along for the ride.

3 Big Questions Buyers Have About a Home Warranty

When you buy a home, one of the topics you should talk about is a home warranty.

Should you buy one? What is it? What does a home warranty cover? Who do you call when an appliance or system fails?

These are all great questions and important to discuss before buying a home or a home warranty.

We answer three questions about a home warranty in this episode.

Learn more below:

(click here to watch the home warranty video on your mobile device)

Who do you call when there is a problem?

Always call your home warranty company first. They will provide you with a list of contractors that are part of the program. If you call a service provider first, you may be stuck with the whole bill.

Will it cost more money after the premium is paid?

Almost all home warranty plans have some sort of deductible each time you need something fixed or replaced. The deductible can run anywhere from $50 to $250, depending on the plan you choose.

What is covered by a home warranty?

Most home warranty companies offer several plans, each providing different levels of coverage. Be sure to read the details of any contract before buying. If you choose to renew the contract from, check the fine print on your plan because coverage can change from year to year. Here is a general list of what items a homeowner can expect to be covered:

Appliances

– Refrigerator*
– Stove
– Oven
– Dishwasher
– Compactor
– Washer*
– Dryer*
– Garbage Disposal
– Installed microwave

Home Systems

– Heating
– Plumbing
– Electrical
– Central Air*
– Exhaust fans
– Sump pump
– Water heater
– Whirlpool tub system
– Garage door opener

*May be part of an upgraded home warranty level

Optional Coverage (higher cost)

- Pool
- Spa
- Well pump
- Septic system
- Standalone freezer
- Central vacuum

Buying a home can be confusing, difficult, and full of bumps along the way. We create our weekly videos to help you make decisions (and have some fun) along the way.

If you have any questions about buying a home, home warranties, things that break once you’re in your new home, or other home purchase issues, we’d love to help answer your questions. Just post a comment here on the blog or the Insider Show Facebook wall and we’ll help you out as best as we can or point you in the right direction. You can also contact us on Twitter.

To stay informed and get future episodes, click here to subscribe for free. The upcoming months will be exciting as we bring in new faces and share more information that will help you become and stay a successful home owner.

Stay tuned!

- Your friends on the Insider Show team

To subscribe, click here for several options. We work hard on these videos and would love to have you along for the ride.

7 Decisions You Must Make Before Shopping for a Home

Thinking about buying a home?

If you’re like most people, you want an enjoyable experience without a lot of wasted time. To help out, the Milwaukee Insider Show team shares seven decisions you should make before (not after) you decide to go home shopping.

1. Location – They don’t say “Location, Location, Location” for nothing. Whether you want to live in the city, the suburbs, or out in the country, deciding on a general location will be the first step.

2. Commute – Once you’ve decided on a general type of location to look at, you’ll need to decide what’s the longest commute you’re willing to have each day when driving to school or work. That will help narrow down your search area.

We discuss these two and the remaining five in today’s video

Let’s go inside!

(click here to watch the episode on your mobile device)

Here are three costs to remember when considering a hot tub or other home improvement:

3. Size of Home

Bigger isn’t always better. It’s not just the size of the home that matters, it’s how you use it. You’ll need to decide what size home you need.

Do you have children? You may want a larger home to fit everyone comfortably. Do you travel a lot? You may want a smaller condo or house.

4. Needs or Required Features

You’ll need to establish a list of features you need (not just want). Do you need a yard for your dog? Do you need a one level home? Wheelchair ramp? A big enough living room for your furniture?

These are non-negotiable items that any Realtor will need to know so they can help you narrow down your search.

5. Do You Really Want to Buy a Home?

This one is simple. “Window Shopping” for a home is fun, but do you really want to buy a home? It’s an investment of time and not everyone is serious about it. If you’re not ready to commit, don’t waste your time yet.

6. Wish List Features

This is where you put the fun features you want, but don’t really need. It’s okay to want that three car garage or pool. If there are many homes that meet your needs, your wish list of items you want will come in handy as a sort of tie-breaker.

7. Which Realtor Will You Choose?

You pay no fee to have a Realtor help you shop for a home. They generally get paid from the seller’s fee and would be more than happy to be your personal home shopping assistant. If you need help finding one, post a comment here on the blog or the Insider Show Facebook wall and we’ll help you.

If you’re interested in getting future episode, click here to subscribe for free. The upcoming months will be exciting as we bring in new faces and share more information that will help you become and stay a successful home owner.

Stay tuned!

To subscribe, click here to see your options.

3 Short-Sighted Mistakes Casual Home Buyers Make

Realtors might not like it, but many people are “casual home buyers” and won’t get serious until they find the right home. This casual nature will often times prevent them from actually buying a home until they get serious. Sometimes that means a missed opportunity.

In today’s episode, Jennie and Ryan share three common mistakes that casual home buyers make along the way.

Don’t make these mistakes!

Let’s go inside!

(click here to watch the episode on your mobile device)

Here are three things to avoid, even if you are just a casual home shopper:

1. Financing new debt

If you plan to buy a house within the next year, you shouldn’t finance any big purchases. Buying a new car or getting a new credit card may ruin your credit score or your debt ratio and make it more challenging to get the home you want.

2. Renewing your lease

Management companies are more dedicated to their paperwork nowadays and they do not want renters breaking their lease. If you are approved for a home you may not be able to move into it because you are still bound to your lease. See if you can get into a month to month agreement.

3. Falling in love with a home before mortgage pre-approval

You do not know what you are qualified for before pre-approval. If you fall in love with a house you can’t afford, it can be incredibly disheartening. Many people don’t consider utilities, property taxes or insurance when shopping for their next house. When you are pre-approved, all of the guesswork is removed and you know exactly what you can afford.

Stay tuned for next week when we talk more about the real estate market and what to look for when home shopping. If you have a topic you’d like us to cover, let us know. We’ll do a whole episode on it.

Stay tuned!

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