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6 To-Do’s Before You Move Into Your Ocean Edge Condo

Buying your very own Ocean Edge condo is an exciting experience. All of the time and effort you put into preparing yourself to buy a property of your own has finally paid off. So celebrate your accomplishment, but before you relax and settle into your new space, there are some things that you need to do first. Here is our list of the 6 to-do’s when you move into your Ocean Edge condo.

Change Those Locks

Your first stop before you arrive at your new home should be the hardware store to pick up new locks for your doors. Before you spend the night and move into your Ocean Edge condo, you should change the locks. The former owner of your home brought their keys for you, but there could be more copies of your key out there. If the property was used as a seasonal rental, who knows how many people have a copy of the key to your new home in their possession. Instead of taking the risk, give yourself piece of mind and change the locks on the doors. Changing the locks is easy enough that almost anyone could do it themselves. Check the package of the locks you are purchasing to make sure that you have the tools necessary to do the job so you do not have to make multiple trips to the hardware store (without a lock on your door!).

Ditch the Popcorn

Popcorn is great for movie nights, but it should never be on your ceiling. Popcorn ceilings got their start in the 1950’s hiding imperfect ceilings in homes throughout the country. Fortunately, popcorn ceilings are easy enough to fix that most people are able to fix on their own without hiring a handyman (or woman). Here are the three easy steps you need to do in order to remove that terrible popcorn ceiling and bring it up to date. Always remember to wear safety masks and eye wear when performing this do it yourself project! First, scrape the popcorn off of the ceiling. Next you need to cover the ceiling with drywall. Once the drywall is up, use plaster to create a new and smoother texture. For more tips on how to update your property, check out our blog “Find Your Bargain Ocean Edge Condo By Looking Beyond The Seller’s Odd Choices.”

Give the Walls a Makeover

When you first laid eyes on your home during the open house or private showing, you may have visualized painting the rooms in the home different colors to make it feel more your own. Before you move into your Ocean Edge condo, do yourself a favor and tackle the painting projects ahead of time. So often home owners have a vision of what they want their home to look like, have every intention of doing it in a reasonable amount of time, but then life gets in the way. If you have the ability to make your home exactly the way you want it before moving in, do it! Give the walls a makeover and make yourself at home. If you are planning to replace the flooring, remember to do the painting before you replace the floors. This is key because if you splatter paint on the old floors, it is not a problem. If you wait until after replacing the floors, you will have to be extra careful to not spill and ruin the new floor.

Check the Flooring

Replace the flooring before you move into your Ocean Edge condo to save yourself the trouble of moving your furniture in and then out down the road. Completing big projects, such as replacing the flooring while the house is empty saves yourself the headache of trying to figure out how to make it happen once you have already moved in. Even if the floors do not need a total overhaul or replacement, it is a good idea to have any floor work done before moving in. Whether you plan on resealing your floors, buffing them or even just steam cleaning your carpets, it is easier to do so before you are settled in your new home.

If It’s Broke, Fix It

Before you move into your Ocean Edge condo, you might have an idea of certain things that need your attention and repair. Make a list of things that need to be fixed in your home and prioritize what needs your attention right away and what can wait a little while. For example, a leak in your plumbing should be addressed sooner than later. A leak does not get better with time, it can only get worse and more costly to fix. A cracked baseboard would be lower on the list of necessary repairs, but should be on a to do list so that it is addressed at some point once the other necessary repairs have been completed. Storage problem in your Ocean Edge condo? Check out our blog, “5 Ways to Maximize Your Storage Space.”

Kid Friendly

If you have children or a small furry dog child, make sure that your new home is safe for them before you move into your Ocean Edge condo. Childproofing your home before you and your little ones move in is so important because you are all learning your new property. There could be an electrical outlet you were not aware of, or sharp corner that could hurt your little ones. If your little one is of the four legged furry variety, make sure that any carpeting you have in the home is not coming up in a corner. A carpet coming undone in the corner could be appealing to them, and could cause some digestive problems, and destruction to your new home. Before you settle your family into your Ocean Edge condo, do a run through with a sharp eye to make sure that it is ready for your family.

Move Into Your Ocean Edge Condo

Before you move into your Ocean Edge condo, make sure it is ready for you! Buying a home of your own is a huge accomplishment and a milestone that many Americans strive for. Make sure that your home is ready for your lifestyle so that you can begin your life in your new place on the right foot. Moving in to your new home is an exciting time, so take it in and celebrate your accomplishment, then get to work!

July 8, 2017/by Leighton Team

Buying

How to Buy Your Ocean Edge Condo After Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can feel like a dirty little secret that no one wants to talk about because there was a social stigma associated with it. However, life does go on after bankruptcy. Approximately 800,000 people every year have to file for bankruptcy for one reason or another, so it is not as uncommon as one might imagine. At one time, a person that had to file for bankruptcy was thought of as a person that was irresponsible with their spending, and deserved to have to file. The Great Recession opened a lot of peoples eyes to the reasons that people file for bankruptcy, and eased the stigma of bankruptcy.

If you have found yourself in this situation, you may be wondering how long you have to wait before you can buy your Ocean Edge condo after bankruptcy. Although filing for bankruptcy may put a hold on purchasing your Ocean Edge condo, it doesn’t have to stop you from your dream of owning your own condo for long. Here is our guide to the different types of bankruptcy and how soon you can go ahead and purchase a property again.

Types of Bankruptcy

What is bankruptcy? Bankruptcy is an option for many people for a variety of reasons. Filing for bankruptcy can be a way for someone to eliminate a person’s debts entirely or a way for a person to set up a plan to pay off their debts. There are some types of bankruptcy that are easier to recover from than others. Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 are the two most common personal bankruptcy types. Chapter 7 eliminates all of your debt, while Chapter 13 means that you need to repay your debt that has accumulated within a period of time (usually 3 to 5 years).

Since Chapter 7 eliminates your debt, leaving you with a clean slate, it is easier to recover from and you will be able to get a mortgage quicker than with Chapter 13. With Chapter 7, your income to debt ratio is appealing because there is no debt, which is appealing to a bank or mortgage lender. In order to get a FHA loan before you are finished paying off your debt with a Chapter 13 loan, you could apply for a FHA loan if you meet one of two criteria. Either 12 months of payments must be made towards your plan or the court approves your request to purchase a house with a FHA loan.

Debt and Credit

Filing for bankruptcy will put a dent in your credit score, there’s no way of getting around it. Typically when a person files for bankruptcy, they will find themselves with a credit score of about 607. Since you will then have a less than desirable credit score for a mortgage, the interest rate you are charged will be higher than the rate for a borrower with a higher credit score if you do get a mortgage product. A higher interest rate means paying more money per month towards your mortgage, which is not going towards paying off your Ocean Edge condo.

How do you fix your credit score so that you can get a lower interest rate so you can purchase your Ocean Edge condo after bankruptcy? The only way you can fix your credit score after bankruptcy is by building up your credit the old fashioned way. Open a credit card and start building your credit by making on time payments on the card. Be responsible with your spending and set little reminders so that bills are not missed, but paid on time or a little early. For more tips on how to build up your credit score, check out our blog, “Credit Score in the Toilet? Fix it before You Buy Your Ocean Edge Condo.”

When Can You Buy Your Condo

Figuring out when the clock officially starts on your bankruptcy can be confusing. You want to know when you can put this behind you, and finally purchase your Ocean Edge Condo after bankruptcy. Some people believe that it starts when you initially file your paperwork and others believe that it is the discharge date. What do you believe? What date do lenders look at when you are trying to buy a home of your own? The answer is that the discharge date is the date that is important, not the bankruptcy filing date. Although there is no definite waiting period, you can expect to have to wait about a year and a half to two years before applying for a mortgage after bankruptcy.

Different lenders and loan products require different waiting periods before you are eligible for a mortgage. USDA Rural Development products require Chapter 7 filers to wait three years after discharge, and only one year for Chapter 13. VA (Veterans Administration) and FHA loan products typically require two years after discharge, but you could have to wait up to four years to be eligible for a conventional mortgage after bankruptcy discharge. Although this can feel like a long time to wait to buy your Ocean Edge condo after bankruptcy, you should use this time wisely and build up your credit. Building up your credit will help you when you are able to purchase your condo after bankruptcy.

How to Purchase Your Ocean Edge Condo After Bankruptcy

Filing for bankruptcy can be a blow to your credit score and ability to get a mortgage for some time, but it should not be a blow to your ego. So many Americans find themselves in the position of having to file for bankruptcy, as we saw in the Great Recession and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Take the time that is required before you are able to purchase your dream condo to build back up your credit and savings, before purchasing your home. Taking care of your affairs during your waiting period will set you up for success when you do purchase your Ocean Edge condo after bankruptcy. Contact the professionals at Leighton Realty when you are ready to buy your Ocean Edge condo after bankruptcy. Michael Leighton has been the #1 Agent at Ocean Edge since 2004 and the #1 Agent for Brewster since 2007.

June 15, 2017/by Leighton Team

Buying

Buying Your Retirement Condo at Ocean Edge Before You Retire

It may seem early, but many people decide to buy a retirement condo 10 years before they actually retire. And what better place to retire than Ocean Edge! Ocean Edge is located in the town of Brewster, which is centrally located on Cape Cod. Since it is a condo, you do not have to take care of the grounds which is a huge bonus of condo living. In addition to the grounds maintenance, Ocean Edge has a number of appealing amenities available to owners that buy a club membership. There is an award winning golf course, swimming pools, fitness centers and much more. Check out our blog, “5 Reasons to Buy a Condo at Ocean Edge” to see why buying your retirement condo at Ocean Edge is a wise choice.

The small town feel of the Ocean Edge community of owners is another benefit of owning an Ocean Edge condo. Once you have made the decision of where you would like to retire, planning out the purchase of your property is the next step. It is never too soon to make this important decision. If you buy your retirement condo at Ocean Edge now before you retire, there are a number of benefits that you can take advantage of that would not be available to you if you decided to wait. Here are the reasons why you should buy a retirement condo at Ocean Edge now instead of waiting!

Mortgage Approval

When you are applying for a mortgage, as many people have to do when purchasing a property, your debt to income is assessed. It would be much easier to be approved for a mortgage while you are working verses when you have already retired and are no longer working. Your income to debt ratio is a big factor which would determine the size of the loan you would be eligible for. If you do not have reliable income, it can impact your ability to obtain a mortgage.

Another benefit of applying for that mortgage on your retirement condo at Ocean Edge is the ability to chip away at your loan before you stop working. The weight of a mortgage when retired is a big burden. Lessen your stress load by getting a head start on paying off your mortgage while you still have the reliable income coming in from your job instead of waiting. Things come up, and although your mortgage is a known expense that shouldn’t change during the life of your loan (unless you choose a variable rate mortgage), it is still an expense. If you can chip away at that mortgage, it is always in your best interest.

Fixing Up Your Retirement Property

When buying your retirement condo at Ocean Edge, you may have some renovations in mind. Now is the time when you’re working and have that income coming in to do these adjustments to the property so it is all ready for your retirement. If your condo has a spiral staircase, now would be the time to convert it to a straight staircase so it is easier to use as you get older. This will also save you the hassle of living through these renovations when you have retired. It is your second property, so you do not have to be there living in a construction site.

When you buy any property, you never know what you might uncover. Problems pop up from time to time, so you may as well find out now when you have the income coming in so that you can properly deal with any problems you might uncover. Plumbing issues, moisture issues, electrical or structural problems can all set you back significantly. If you are unable to pay to fix these issues out of pocket, at least you would be in a better position financially to secure a loan to cover the repairs when you have your job verses when you are not working.

Portfolio Boost

Owning a second home has its perks. You could use it for personal vacations, treat your family and friends or turn it into an income property! Renting your retirement condo at Ocean Edge could provide you with the money to take care of some of the burden of covering a second mortgage and the additional costs associated with owning that condo, or give you some extra pocket cash. If you are considering renting your retirement condo at Ocean Edge, check out our blog, “4 Reasons You Should Rent Your Home with a Cape Cod Rental Agency.” Renting your condo through an agency in the area such as Leighton Rentals will give you the stress free renting experience you want without the stress of managing the rental yourself.

Planning for the Long Term

Owning your retirement home before you retire gives you an idea of what your living expenses will be once you live in the home. If you do decide to rent out your condo while you are not living there, you will have an idea of what the utilities will come to because your tenants will be essentially living there as you will one day. Knowing your expenses before retirement is a huge advantage and will prepare you better for retired living.

Buying Your Retirement Condo at Ocean Edge

Proper planning for your retirement will ensure that you are living within your means and limit the amount of unknowns making the transition less stressful. The last thing you want is to have to pick up a part time job to cover your expenses once you finally retire. Purchasing your retirement condo at Ocean Edge now instead of waiting until after you retire will only set you up to succeed if you can afford to carry the two mortgages at the same time. If you are intimidated by the idea of carrying two mortgages, meet with Leighton Rentals to discuss the idea of renting your property while you are not using it. To find your perfect retirement condo at Ocean Edge, contact Leighton Realty. Michael Leighton has been the #1 Agent at Ocean Edge since 2004 and the #1 Agent in Brewster since 2007. Let Michael and his team help you find the perfect property for your retirement.

May 9, 2017/by Leighton Team

Selling

Spring Cleaning Your Ocean Edge Condo to Get it Ready to Sell

Spring has officially sprung and now that the icy cold temperatures are behind us, it’s time to focus on spring cleaning your Ocean Edge condo to get it ready to sell! The spring real estate market is always a hot time of year to sell properties, so make sure your home is warm and inviting instead of stuffy and worn from the harsh winter months. During the winter months a lot of damage is done to properties, whether you live there year round, or your condo is closed up for the season. In addition to cleaning, check out your decor. Our blog, “Delight Ocean Edge Condo Buyers with our 3 DIY Decorating Tips” will help you get your Ocean Edge condo ready for buyers during the spring real estate market. The warm spring air gives you the ability to open all the windows, enjoy the warm sunshine and give your home a thorough cleaning. Here is how you can start spring cleaning your Ocean Edge condo to get it ready to sell!

Clean the Vents

Typically when a home buyer is touring a home, they do not look up, but if they did would they catch a glimpse of a dirty HVAC vent? You have lived in your home a long time, you’ve been cooped up in your home all winter or haven’t seen it all winter because it’s been closed up. When you are spring cleaning your Ocean Edge condo, you could easily overlook cleaning those heating and cooling vents. Your system carries a lot of allergens, which during the spring months we get enough of as it is. Dirty vents could make potential buyers wonder how often the filters and vents had been cleaned, and what kind of allergens could be lurking inside your system. Make sure you clean not only the vent covers, but you also change over the filter so that clean fresh air circulates throughout the condo and not dusty, stuffy air. If this is your first time selling your home, and you’re not sure what to expect from your first open house, check out our blog, “Top 7 Open House Mistakes Sellers Make.” This guide to open houses will help you understand what to expect and how to avoid common sellers mistakes during open houses.

Dusting

The cold winter months have blanketed your home with a coating of dust, and it is time to shake it off. It is surprising how much of a difference simply dusting your home will make, so it is important not to forget to do this when spring cleaning your Ocean Edge condo. It is especially important to remember to clean your blinds. The blinds in your condo let in the light, so you do not want to filter that light through the dust because it will not appeal to home buyers. One dusting hack we have found for dusting blinds requires kitchen tongs, a pair of socks and rubber bands. Cover each side of the tongs with a sock, and secure with rubber bands. Clamp down on each blind and slide side to side. Cleaning your home thoroughly is one of the steps you can take to sell your home quickly. Read our blog, “Ocean Edge Brewster – How to Sell Your Condo ASAP” to find out other ways to sell your home quickly and for the right price.

Window Washing

Now that the blinds have been dusted, it is time to take care of those windows! Spotty dirty windows prevent the natural light from coming into your condo and making the place feel fresh appealing to home buyers. The cold winter elements do a number on your windows, as do little noses pressed up against them waiting to be able to go outside to play. Time to wipe those finger prints, nose prints and dirt off of the windows and let your condo shine. If you are not a fan of the window cleaning products that use harsh chemicals, there are plenty of eco friendly products that you can use that are just as effective as the products we grew up using. Next time you are in the grocery store, check out the organic / all natural aisle. There are plenty of cleaning products, such as Mrs. Meyers that are easy on your skin, clean just as well as the products that use harsh chemicals, and have a clean fresh scent.

Tracks Cleaned

Now that the windows are cleaned and the blinds are dusted, it is time to take care of your window and sliding glass door tracks. When spring cleaning your Ocean Edge condo, it is important to pay attention to the details like these tracks and take good care of them so they stay in good working order. The tracks catch dirt, hair and debris which can cause them to catch and not close completely and eventually start wearing on the door. Not only does gunk built up in the track impair the door or window’s performance, the debris and dirt is also unattractive to the eye. To get rid of the gunk in your track, take your vacuum to remove all of the loose dirt, debris and hair that has built up over the winter. Next you want to take a rag soaked in a vinegar and water solution to the track and clean all the stuck on dirt and grime. Once your track is cleaned, spray it down with a lubricant such as WD-40 to keep the track running smoothly. When spring cleaning your Ocean Edge condo, it is important to pay attention to the details, such as the windows and sliding door tracks because although you might not think that a buyer would pay attention, but after a long winter, this is the time that your condo needs that extra attention.

Spring Cleaning Your Ocean Edge Condo

Spring cleaning your Ocean Edge condo is important when selling your home because the winter is tough on the interior of a home. During the warmer months, many of us are out and about, so our homes are generally ready to be shown to potential buyers at any time with little prep needed. During the winter, many of us go into hibernation mode, so making the condo ready for showings can be difficult because your home has accumulated a season worth of rock salt, dust and fingerprints. Take the time to really do a thorough cleaning of your home so that you appeal to more buyers. If you are not interested in cleaning your home yourself, you could always hire a local cleaner to come and do a deep clean of your home for you. This money will be money well spent, and an expense you will not regret if you don’t have the time to clean your condo thoroughly yourself. Think your home might need a refresh? Check out our blog “5 Signs the Bathroom in Your Ocean Edge Condo Needs an Update” to see if sprucing up your bathroom could appeal to more buyers in the spring real estate market.

April 28, 2017/by Leighton Team

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