April 25, 2019

How To Avoid Costly Home Repairs

Taking care of your home can help you avoid expensive repairs down the line. If you avoid
handling maintenance issues on your property, those issues can balloon into major problems
that you’ll have to address immediately, at a much higher price. Obviously, it is impossible to
predict every home repair that you are going to need. But you can cut down on repair costs
significantly by keeping track of important systems. Major repairs to your roof or your foundation
can easily cost you thousands of dollars. Here are a few ways that you can avoid those costly
home repairs.

Check Your Roof Bi­annually

Checking your roof every six months or so will help to prevent you from potentially expensive
repairs. You want to find small leaks or issues with shingles before they become major
problems. For instance, a small leak can grow into a large one which damages your home’s attic
or insulation. These leaks can also leak to the growth of mold, and even structural damage
throughout your property.

Keep Track Of Your Drainage

Foundation problems can easily cost thousands of dollars to fix. The majority of foundation
issues come from water that is continually seeping into the soil, which can crack or split the
foundation over long periods of time. Make sure that your drainage isn’t clogged and that water
is not pooling close to your home’s foundation. Gutter extensions are worth getting to prevent
foundation damage!

Don’t Forget Your HVAC Systems

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are critically important to your home and
your comfort level when you and your family are inside. This system can cost several thousand
dollars to replace, and several hundred to repair. Check your filters on a regular basis and look
for coolant leaks. Also, watch out for an accumulation of dust near the air conditioning coils.

Old Pipes Can Cause Costly Backups

When sewer pipes get clogged, they can cause an expensive backup that can cost several
thousand dollars to fix. The older the pipes, the more likely they are to have issues with
clogging. We advise having a plumber come by and inspect your sewer lines about once every
year or so. This doesn’t cost much and can help prevent serious clogging problems.

Check For Termites

Termites are pests that can cause serious structural damage to your home. Termites eat wood
and can be extremely difficult to get rid of once they’ve created a nest. Check for wood that
buckles or floors that seem swollen. Some termites nests may smell similar to mold. The best
way to prevent a termite infestation is to hire a professional inspector who checks your property.
This can be done every year or two. Remember, the longer you wait, the more expensive the
repair becomes.
4 Brothers Buy Houses will buy your home as­is. We give fair offers to homeowners who want to
sell their house quickly without the hassle of going through the traditional property sale process.
If you are looking to sell your Temple Hills, MD house fast without the need for the escrow
period, the open house process, or expensive home repairs, then you may be interested in
selling to 4 Brothers Buy Homes. Call us today and get a no obligation free quote. 202­780­9793

April 25, 2019

What Should You Look For In A Real Estate Agent?

Choosing a real estate agent is one of the most important decisions that you are going to make
during the process of selling your home. There are a number of complexities to this process,
and choosing a bad agent can cost you an unreasonable amount of time and money. When
interviewing prospective real estate agents, you want to come into the process with an idea of
the kind of person you are looking for. A good rule of thumb is to think about the traits that you
want in a real estate agent early on. Let’s take a look at some of the traits that good real estate
agents possess.

Honesty And Ethics Are Key

When choosing a real estate agent, remember that you are picking someone that you will have
to trust with vital information. They are going to have to know everything about your home, and
you are also going to need them to negotiate on your behalf. Would you want to choose an
agent who doesn’t value honesty and ethics? Imagine a real estate agent who doesn’t even
bother to tell you about the best offer on the property. Or a real estate agent who purposefully
makes a deal fall through. Check with previous clients to ensure that your real estate agent is
someone who is worthy of your trust.

You Want Someone Who Listens To Your Needs

Every home sale is different, and each homeowner has their own specific needs. That is why it
is critical that you choose an agent who is focused on your particular situation. Choosing a good
listener will help minimize some of the other problems that can arise in the process because
your real estate agent will already know what you are looking for in the sale. They’ll be able to
create a plan based on your specific criteria.

Look For A Communicator and Negotiator

At the end of the day, selling properties is about communication and negotiation. Your real
estate agent has to know when they are pushing too hard, and how to approach certain
situations with finesse. A good negotiator will save you time, effort, and money while keeping
you updated throughout the process. Let your real estate agent know up front that you expect
regular communication, and detail how that communication will take place (via phone, email,
text message, etc.). You definitely don’t want an agent who you can’t get in touch with when you
need to speak with them.
If you want to skip the process of looking for a real estate agent, and showing your home, then
you may want to consider selling your property to 4 Brothers Buy Houses. You can sell your
house fast in Silver Spring, MD and avoid the traditional complexities of selling a property such
as escrow periods, expensive home repairs, and showing your home to dozens of prospective
buyers. Get your no-obligation quote from 4 Brothers Buy Houses by clicking here.

April 25, 2019

5 Ways To Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

When a prospective buyer pulls up to your home, the first thing they are looking for is curb
appeal. If your home doesn’t have curb appeal, then the prospective buyer is likely to move on
without asking about a showing. Think of it this way prospective buyers want to feel happy and
proud when they park their car in the driveway. They want to envision themselves living in this
house. If the yard is unkempt, or the exterior furniture is dirty or out of place, then your home
isn’t going to give the best first impression. When it comes to selling your home, potential buyers
are going to judge the book by its cover.

Here are 5 ways you can improve your home’s curb appeal.

1. Focus On The Lawn

How is the condition of your lawn? Are there bushes and shrubs that look out of place? Are
leaves covering the lawn? Are weeds growing out of control? The key to improving your
property’s curb appeal is having a watered and fertilized lawn that looks vibrant.

2. Change The Paint Color Of Your Front Door

Your front door is often the first thing that people notice when they take a look at your property.
You want your front door to feel inviting and one of the best ways to do that is with a new paint
job. Bold reds and different hues of blue are great options for standing out.

3. Improve Your Exterior Lighting

Remember that many prospective buyers are going to be driving by your property, and they all
come by at different times. Some will come by at dusk or even when it is dark, to see what the
house looks like in a different setting. Make sure that you have enough exterior light, you don’t
want the porch or the yard to be dimly lit. Think about purchasing new lit fixtures.

4. Make Your Home’s Address Number Stand Out

You’d be surprised at the impression the numbers on the front of your home can make.
Purchasing new numbers for your property helps it stand out and makes it easier for prospective
buyers to find when they are driving through your neighborhood. You want to choose numbers
that fit the color and aesthetic of your property.

5. Get Rid Of Eyesores

Having old lawn furniture in the yard or a vehicle in disrepair in the driveway can really harm
your property’s curb appeal. Get rid of the junk, such as yard tools or children’s toys, or find a
non­visible place to store them. You want the exterior of your home to look pristine, and a big
part of that is eliminating clutter.
If you want to sell your home quickly without the hassle of worrying about fixing up your
property’s exterior, you may want to consider selling to 4 Brothers Buy Houses. We buy houses
in District Heights, MD, and we make it easy for homeowners to quickly sell their homes without
lengthy escrow periods or the need to show your property off in an open house setting. Click
here to get your no-obligation quote from 4 Brothers Buy Houses.
https://www.4brothersbuyhouses.com/contact-us/

April 25, 2019

4 Tips For Selling With A Renter In The House

Selling your home can be a difficult affair, even without tenants involved. You’ll need to consider
maintenance and repairs, working with a real estate agent, and coordinating showings with
prospective buyers. When the property being sold has a tenant involved, things can get outright
complicated very quickly. Each state has its own laws regarding tenants’ legal protections, so
you should evaluate state and local law before deciding on selling your property. Reviewing
tenancy law with a qualified attorney is a great way to avoid a lawsuit because you weren’t
aware of the current state law. Once you’ve consulted with an attorney and caught up on state
tenancy law, it is time to start thinking about how you can make the process of selling your
occupied property easier.

Here are four tips that you can make use of to simplify the process of
selling your home:

1. Coordinate With Your Tenant And Real Estate Agent

When selling your property, you’ll want to coordinate things between your hired real
estate agent and your tenant. That means working around your tenant’s schedule and
letting your real estate agent know that they will need advance notice before showing the
property due to it having an occupant. Make sure to get a working framework between
the two parties, so that your tenant and real estate agent know what to expect.

2. Help Your Tenant Maintain The Property Throughout The Showing Process

Your tenant already might be dealing with looking for a new place to live, and you want
them to work with you throughout this process. A good way to help your tenant keep the
property in prime condition is to offer cleaning services that you pay for. Paying for yard
service and interior cleaning will improve your property’s appeal while making things
easier for your tenant. Or you can even offer them compensation for keeping it up while
you try to sell it.

3. Make Sure Your Tenant Isn’t On The Property During Showings

Prospective buyers don’t want to feel the pressure of the current resident following them
around during showings. They will need to move freely through the property during this
process. You should offer your tenant a gift card for a meal at their favorite restaurant or
another small perk while you are showing the property to prospective buyers.

4. Offer Assistance During Your Tenant’s Moving Process

Keep in mind that the sale of your home is a hassle for your tenants too, and they may
need assistance finding a new place to live. If you can make recommendations or know
local listings, offering your help may make your tenants more cooperative throughout this
process.
Selling your tenant occupied the property to an investor can help you avoid some of the traditional
issues of selling homes with tenants. 4 Brothers Buy Houses will buy your Kensington, MD
home without the need for an inspection or an open house. You can finalize the sale of your
home in just days instead of waiting for weeks or months to complete the process. We make it
easy to sell your tenant occupied rental.
Click here for information on how we buy rental properties: https://www.4brothersbuyhouses.com/we-buy-rental-properties/

April 25, 2019

How To Sell Your Inherited House

Inheriting a home can be both a gift and a challenge. The gift is acquiring a new asset, but the
challenge can be determining what to do with it. If you don’t want to move into the property or
rent it out, then you are probably looking to sell the home. Selling an inherited home is often a
serious time commitment, and you’ll need to be mindful of certain obstacles and potential
problems that you want to avoid.

Figure Out Who The Heir Of The Property Is

One of the biggest issues with inherited homes is figuring out who is the heir and rightful owner
of the property title. In some cases, the previous owner had a will where the new ownership was
legally defined. In other cases, multiple heirs may all make legal claims to the property. Most
real estate professionals advise talking with an attorney to resolve heirship and title questions.
The sale can only begin once those questions are answered.

Don’t Forget Maintenance And Insurance

After taking control of the property, you’ll need to make sure you have a vacant home insurance
policy to protect yourself legally. You’ll also need to make sure you keep up interior and exterior
maintenance, handle any necessary repairs and pay the necessary property taxes.

Have Your Home Appraised

In order to conduct the sale of your home, you’ll need to figure out its fair market value. You may
work with an appraiser, but the truth is that the home is worth whatever someone is willing to
pay for it. More homeowners are opting to sell to investors in order to receive cash quickly and
avoid the lengthy process of handling repairs, massive updates, or going through open houses.

You Still Need To Pay Taxes After The Sale

Sold your inherited home? Congratulations! You still need to pay taxes on the proceeds.
Individuals who sell a home after inheriting it are able to benefit from what is called the
stepped­up tax basis. This means that the beneficiary’s pay less in capital gains tax.
If you want to read more about this, here is a good article
https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/profits­sale­inherit­a­house/

Unconsidered Variables

There is a wide range of other variables that you will need to consider when inheriting a home.
There could be liens on the property that you didn’t know about, or there could be errors or
mistakes in the local public records. You may discover that the previous owner had a will or an
heir that were previously unknown to you. It is important to recognize that these variables,
however unlikely, could occur and complicate the selling process.
If you are looking to sell an inherited home quickly without unnecessary stress and frustration,
click here to get a free, no-obligation quote from 4 Brothers Buy Houses. We buy houses in Woodbridge, VA, and we help homeowners sell their properties quickly without issues such as
requests for repairs, long escrow periods, or open houses. We make sure homeowners who
want to sell quickly get a fair price and avoid the traditional hassles that come with selling their
property. Here is a bit more information on how 4 Brothers Buys Houses, can buy your inherited
home. https://www.4brothersbuyhouses.com/we-buy-rental-properties/

April 16, 2019

Sell your House in DC without Paying Closing Costs

Real estate transactions are typically finalized on the basis of “closing costs”, the burden of which often falls upon the seller. These costs basically involve an assortment of fees that are paid at the closing of the home sale deal. These costs are incurred either by the buyer or the seller when the title or ownership of the property is transferred from one party to another.  

However, lucky for you, there is a way for you to sell your house without paying or worrying about closing costs. When selling to us, you can sell your house fast and seal the real estate deal quickly because we pay all closing costs.

Common Closing Costs

Selling a house is usually deemed to be a profitable transaction, especially for the seller. Real estate is almost always appreciating, so profits are all but guaranteed. However, in several unfortunate circumstances, this potential profit can be eaten by huge closing costs that the sellers have to bear.

Closing costs greatly depend on factors like where you live, the property you are selling, etc. This means that they can vary widely based on these factors.  However, there is a list of typical costs that are included in the closing.

Some of these closing costs include the application fee, closing or escrow fee, grantor taxes, loan payoff fee, attorney fees,  and title insurance, to name a few.

In a typical real estate transaction, it is very rare that buyers offer to pay these closing costs, so it is the sellers who have to bear the expenses. You can expect to pay somewhere between 6%-10% of the property selling price in closing costs.

We Pay Closing Costs for You

Once you factor in the sellers closing costs, you might find yourself reconsidering the whole idea of selling and end up wondering if it is even worth all your time, money and effort.

4 brothers won’t give you any reason to pause or rethink your decision to sell because we pay the closing costs for you. We buy houses in DC from homeowners who don’t want to deal with realtors or worry about the realtor fees. Not just that, we also won’t let you worry about any of the other seller closing costs either.

We Take Care of Everything

Although you may net almost the same with us as you would with a realtor, all this happens without the hassle and extensive time required to find a potential buyer.

Once the contract is signed, we pay your closing costs and ensure a professional real estate transaction. We try to make the entire process of selling your home easy. It can be a very stressful time so we take on the burden of most seller hassles. If you wish to sell your house fast in DC without any hassle, delays or inconvenience, contact us now and let us draft the best real estate deal for you.