Eric Mitchell Real Estate

Don't Make These Car Care Mistakes Whether commuting to work, dropping the kids off at soccer practice, running errands, going for a joy ride or taking a big road trip, many people rely heavily on their cars for safe transportation. But in order to keep their vehicles running well and protected, it’s important for drivers to take proper care of their cars. To help ensure you’re not neglecting your ride, Erie Insurance offers these eight major don’ts of car care to remember: 1. Don’t put off recommended maintenance.  There’s a reason the car manufacturer gives you that little book when you buy a car. It contains important maintenance guidelines for the age and mileage of your vehicle. By following what it says, you can keep your car running smoothly and safely—and save on having to pay for big repairs later. 2. Don’t ignore warning lights.  Most cars come with a check-engine light and other warning lights. If any of them goes off, take your car to a qualified me...

5 Money-Saving Tips for Cost-Burdened Renters Renters burdened with rocketing monthly housing costs are limited in their ability to save for emergencies, a down payment on a home, and retirement. It is possible, however, to control costs, even in the current rental market, says Steve Trumble, president and CEO of the national non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC). “As the cost of rent continues to increase, it’s becoming more difficult for many individuals and families to afford housing and other basic necessities,” said Trumble in a statement. “The good news is that there are tips and considerations that can help renters better manage rent-related costs and ease this major financial burden.” These tips are to: Set a rent budget—and stick to it.  Keep to a realistic and reasonable rent budget, even if it means compromising with fewer amenities or a less-than-ideal location. Take time to tour a variety of rental listings before signing a lease. Consi...

Embarking on a remodeling project is an exciting endeavor—you’re finally going to get that new kitchen or finished basement you’ve been longing for. But going under the knife, so to speak, is also a stressful prospect. That’s why scheduling a pre-construction meeting with your remodeling professional is essential. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the pre-construction meeting is a key opportunity for the remodeler to explain exactly what will be done, as well as how the job will progress. It also provides a chance for both parties to define their expectations and flag any problems that may arise. The goal is to alleviate as many surprises in advance as possible. Here are just some of the issues the NAHB recommends you discuss with your remodeling professional during the pre-construction meeting: Are you okay with signs on your property? In addition to acting as a marketing tool, signs help contractors and suppliers locate your home. Decide now wh...

Need to Downsize? Make a Little Money in the Process If you’re getting ready to downsize, or are settling the estate of a loved one, you will be confronted with the often overwhelming task of getting rid of furniture and belongings. These tips from MaxSold will not only help you streamline the process, but possibly bring in some money along the way: Decide What to Keep The KonMari Method of decluttering from Marie Kondo offers the sage advice of keeping those items that bring you joy and that you also have room for. If an item doesn’t fall into both of these categories, set it aside in a separate room or designated nook of the house. Don’t Go Straight to the Dump Instead of adding to landfills, try to recover money for your unwanted items. What may be “junk” in your eyes is just the thing someone else may be looking for, whether it’s a broken-in easy chair or a box of extension cords. Take Your Time with High-Value Items If you’re getting rid of something that truly ha...

Silverleaf Neighborhood Statistics Report Neighborhood specific data in the link. https://www.cdanjoyner.com/market-insights/silverleaf?utf8=%E2%9C%93&location=silverleaf&property_type=168220&num_beds=&min_price=50000&max_price=&commit=Generate+Report If you have any questions, don't hesitate to Call, Text, or Email...I promise I won't leave you hanging!

Can You Buy a House With a High Income and Low Credit Score? A mortgage lender looks at several factors when deciding whether to approve a loan application. A lending institution wants to know that a borrower has both the ability and the will to repay debts. If you have a high income and a low credit score, a lender may have reservations about approving your mortgage application. How a Lender Looks at Income and Credit Score A lender adds up the costs of housing, car payments, student and other loans, and credit card payments and divides the total by an applicant’s gross monthly income to arrive at a percentage known as the debt-to-income ratio. Some lenders require a low debt-to-income ratio, while others are much less stringent. A credit score reflects a person’s payment history and use of credit. Someone may have a high income, but that doesn’t mean much if the individual spends money frivolously instead of paying bills. A low credit score is a red flag that can cause...

Eric Mitchell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS 5 Tips for Selling Your Vacant Home Selling a home always requires work, but selling a vacant home can demand a bit of extra attention. When furniture is removed, any flaws or quirks will be laid bare. And without a family tending to the space, dust settles faster than you may realize. Below are a handful of tips to put your vacant home’s best foot forward. Focus on the small stuff . Repaint the walls and cabinets, tear up old carpet, replace the kitchen floor—whatever it takes to make the space feel fresh and flawless. Keep the staging simple.   To get rid of the “empty house” feeling, leave a few pieces of furniture behind, if you can—simple things like a lamp, chairs and a table can really transform a room. Keep up with maintenance .  Someone will need to dust and vacuum, leaves will need to be raked and the grass cut, especially if you’re no longer located near the property and ...

Eric Mitchell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS Common Code Violations to Be Wary Of One of the most stressful parts of any real estate transaction is waiting for the home inspection to come through, because what that inspector finds can completely derail the sale. Of course, not everything they find will be troublesome. While many of the inspector’s notes might not even come as much of a surprise, it’s important that you know of some common code violations that might make it to the list. Code violations usually occur because rules have changed, or a homeowner made an unreported addition or upgrade. Maybe it even slipped through when the house was last put on the market. Here are some common code violations to be prepared for: Extra Rooms.  Has a previous owner added a sunroom or made an extra bedroom in the basement, or created an office in the attic? If so, they were required to get permits and approval for the work done—which many ...