Category: Welcome

Welcome Home!

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Feels good to hear huh? Who knew two words could mean so much. Having a home to call your own is still the part of the American Dream. Homes come in all shapes and sizes but the feeling it conveys is extraordinary. As a REALTOR, I aim to help clients succeed in finding the right home to fit their needs. Contact me today to learn how I can help you reach your home potential!

“Toby has been a pleasure to work with, professional and responsive to any issues that we had during the purchase of our home.” – Melinda T.

“I definitely recommend Toby to everyone with no hesitation. For the past years, I had to move a number of times so I had to deal with many many different Realtors. And Toby is by far the best I have ever encountered. She is super professional and care about her clients needs and limitations. ” -Barbara M.

“Toby was very professional since the first phone call until the day we signed the contract. We’ve talked to other real state professionals before her, but decided to give up on every other agent to stick to Toby. Very responsive, polite and professional. I do recommend her services.” -Flavio W.

7 Steps to Home Buying Success

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Buying a home will be one of the most important investments you will make in your lifetime. Knowing what to expect can help you feel at ease and make the home buying process go much more smoothly.

Step #1 – Find a REALTOR

One of the most important decisions you will make during the home buying process, is finding a Realtor. Your Realtor is your connection to all working parts of this transaction, and will serve as your guide on your journey home. When selecting a Realtor, ensure they are honest, reliable, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and responsive. When meeting with your Realtor, they will ask you to sign a buyer’s agreement, which gives them permission to get to work for you. It is your Realtor’s job to work diligently behind the scenes to ensure your transaction goes smoothly, so that you can live your life.

Step #2 – Find a Loan Officer

The next step is to contact a Loan Officer who will help you complete your application and provide you a “Pre-Approval Letter”. This is simply a statement from the Lender that they stand ready to finance your home purchase, subject to standard terms and conditions. It’s a short statement, but has become one of the most important steps in buying a home. It shows all parties involved that, if you find a home you love, you are willing and able to complete the purchase transaction. The pre-approval letter will also provide you with a clear understanding of how much home you are comfortable with purchasing.

Step #3 – Shop for a Home

Now the fun part starts! With your pre-approval letter in hand and your personal home buying budget in mind, it’s time to start searching for your dream home! Keep in mind that this process could take days, weeks or months, depending on your needs and the market. Just remember to remain patient, the right home for you is out there. If you see a home you want to visit, contact your Realtor immediately to make a showing appointment. While visiting a home, be sure to take notes about what you like and don’t like.

Step #4 – Make an Offer They Can’t Refuse

Once you’ve found the home of your dreams, it’s time to make an offer. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as saying “I’ll take it!” This is a contractual process and you will have to review and sign multiple documents. When you are ready to write an offer, you and your Realtor will review the disclosures of the home, review comparable sales in the area to determine offer price, discuss any contingencies you would like to include and write up the contract. Your Realtor will review all the documents with you, explain what they mean, and ensure that your interests are being protected throughout the process.

Step # 5 – Your offer has been accepted. Now what?

Your Realtor will let you know when your offer is accepted by the seller. Having a well-organized Realtor is key during this part of the process, as there are many deadlines that could cost you money or void your contract if missed. Every home and every person’s circumstances are unique, so the list of items will vary from transaction to transaction, but it could include reviewing HOA documents, scheduling a home inspection, securing financing, completing a radon test, or receiving an appraisal, for example. Your Realtor should keep you informed of all of the items that need to be reviewed and completed, and keep you on track to consummate the transaction on the agreed upon settlement date.

Step #6 – Final Walkthrough

Prior to closing, you and your Realtor will visit the home to ensure the repairs related to the home inspection have been completed, and no other damage has been done to the home while the sellers were moving out. If all is good, settlement will proceed as scheduled. If there are any concerns, your Realtor will coordinate with the listing agent to ensure your issues are addressed prior to settlement.

Step #7 – It’s Closing Day!

Rest up your writing hand, because at closing you will be signing a LOT of paperwork. The entire process typically takes between 45 minutes and a hour and a half. Take comfort that this is the last step between you and your new home. Make sure to bring your ID, your closing check, and a calm demeanor. Once the last signature has been signed and the checks exchanged, you will be handed the keys to your new home!

 

 

Spring’s Knocking. Are you ready?

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Ah, Spring! 

Winters in the DC area can get pretty extreme, and this year’s El Nino did not disappoint. Harsh winds, heavy snow and wild temperatures swings has most of us hoping that Punxsutawney Phil knows what he’s talking about this year. You landscaping is hoping he’s right, too. Your back may still be sore from digging out of the blizzard, but now is the time to start planning to take back your yard. Here are 5 simple tips to jumpstart your home’s Spring, curb appeal makeover.

Clean Gutters – With all the rain Spring will provide, it’s very important to ensure your gutters are free of debris. Clogged gutters can cause roof damage, foundation cracks, rotten wood, and basement leaks. Cleaning your gutters periodically throughout the year is a necessity, especially in the Spring & Fall, when trees are dropping seeds and leaves. This is not a task that I would recommend taking on yourself. Scooping junk out of your gutters sounds simple, but one slip and complicate things awfully quickly. This is extremely dangerous work, so I would leave this one to the professionals. I have worked with many reputable contractors in the area, feel free to contact me in you would like a recommendation for someone who services your neighborhood.

Mulching – Mulching is like giving your plants a warm blankie to cozy up with. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, provides nutrients to the soil, and protects your plants from intruding weeds. Mulching also provides a clean polished look, whether you use traditional shredded wood, wood chips, pine needles or something else. Don’t be concerned about the smell, a fresh layer of decaying plant matter smells divine to your landscaping, and that earthy bouquet fades in a just a few days. During the Spring you will see many stores will have mulch for sale. However, most of our local high schools have taken to selling mulch to raise money for extracurricular activities. The stores have a wider variety to choose from, but I would recommend purchasing from the school, if possible. They are usually cheaper, will often deliver, and you’ll be contributing to improving your local school, which can also improve your home’s value.  

Plant Flowers – Flowers are like jewelry for your landscaping. Planting or arranging flowers by your door or mailbox makes a home look complete and cared for. Visit your local plant store or home improvement store for a nice pop of color to welcome Spring. If you have green thumb you will want to look for annuals that you can plant now that will continuously bloom. If you are like me and aren’t the play-in-the-dirt-type, opt to purchase flowers that will look good in a potted vase (or may already be in one) or in hanging baskets. Whatever you choose, before purchasing your yard bling, be sure to check that it is suited for the particular environment offered by your yard.

Trim Trees, Hedges, & Annuals – Trimming back plants can have a renewing and refreshing effect, if done thoughtfully. If a dead branch is within your reach you may consider doing it yourself. However, if you have a tree with dead branches beyond your reach you should contact an arborist. Trimming tall trees are DANGEROUS! Do not try this at home folks. It’s important to find a reputable contractor who is licensed and insured for this task. These professionals, who are the perfect mix of trapeze artist and lumberjack, literally climb to the tops of the trees with nothing but a rope to cut down dead branches. It might look like fun, but trust me, it’s not somewhere you want to be. An arborist will conduct a review of the types of trees you have and what is the best method for removing branches. Trimming hedges and annuals are definitely within your grasps. If you have hedges in your yard, using a pair of shears should be all that’s needed for a trim. Try to ensure that they are even. Hedges shouldn’t cover up windows or detract from the esthetics of your home. If you have an annual plants, like my Hydrangeas, you should trim back the branches of these plants before they start to bloom. Not every annual is considered equal. Each plant has their own time for pruning. Check with your local garden store about the types of plants you have and when they should be pruned.  

New Welcome Mat – It’s the last bit of the outdoors you and your guests will experience before entering your home. It’s the two-dimensional cherry atop your luscious, landscape sundae. It’s your welcome mat, and it should not be ignored. It can be monochromatic or colorful, rectangular or round, or elegant or whimsical, but whatever you choose, it will be the finishing touch on welcoming Spring to your door. Before you use it to wipe your feet, use it to compliment the colors of your house and your flowers, and use it to express a bit of your style.