10 Things You Need to Have in Your New Home

Moving into a new home is always an important endeavor that needs to be carefully planned and executed. You may move out of your parent's home for the first time, or you may simply relocate with your family, it really doesn't matter. The fundamental aspects of the process of starting life in a new home are the same. I will focus today on a list of the 10 most important items needed in a new home.

1. Art you love - art is integral to our culture, a part of our daily lives. Art helps us achieve a better self awareness and it makes our place more beautiful. We need, as human beings, more than just functional items, and art can help us provide personality to our home.

2. Plants - these living organisms are not just greenery, they interact with our body, mind and home in ways that enhance the quality of life. Match the right plant to the right growing conditions and you will benefit from the fresh air they produce.

Indoor plants - Source: blog.hgtv.com

3. A nice mattress and headboard - choose a quality mattress for comfort, and a headboard for character. Spending money on a good mattress can be the healthiest investment of your life. Latest reports show that a full night's sleep throughout your life could help ward off age-related cognitive decline and improve general health.

4. Linen closet - many homes have a built-in linen closet near the bedrooms and for a good reason. Consider adding a linen closet if your home doesn't already have one. The primary function of a linen closet is to be functional, so spending a little bit of time creating an orderly linen closet can actually save you time and stress in the long run. Also, make sure you have at least three sets of sheets – one on the bed, one for a guest, and one as a backup if one set is in the laundry. I also recommend having a couple of extra pillowcases, since they should be changed frequently.

5. Coffee table - they come to mind right after sofas when you think of living room furniture. For some, a coffee table is a canvas for artful arrangements of objects, while for others; it almost makes for a dining table.

6. Home safety and first-aid kits - you have to have the right things to address the common cold, a fever, headache, stomachache, nausea, etc. Make sure you include basic medications, band-aids, spare light bulbs, batteries, a needle and thread, power cord, etc., to allow you to handle small emergencies.

7. Silverware/Dishes - they add color to the kitchen and dining areas, making a great meal more than just food. Make sure your tableware is in sets of four so you can accommodate guests.

Silverware and dishes - Source: Jim Roger Webb

8. Desk organizer/file holders - to help keep you organized. Many people keep themselves busy even after retirement and we all have bills, receipts, coupons and other documents to manage.

9. Electric appliances - it seems obvious, yet many people have created a habit of living frugal. There are, for sure, items most anyone can live without, but any household needs a refrigerator, TV set, microwave oven, washing machine, and vacuum cleaner.

10. Internet - yes, I have decided to include it on the list of "top 10" since we now live in an interconnected world and the informational highway plays a vital role in our lives. Internet gives us access to email,  allows us to do business remotely on those days we cannot get to the office, and lets us watch the online videos, movies or shows we love. A home with no internet access does not really belong to the 21st century.

You may have other important items to add on the list, or even disagree with some of the items I have included. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. In the meantime, don't hesitate to use our real estate properties online search if you are searching for the perfect home for you and your family in the North Myrtle Beach area.

The Unwritten Rules of Buying and Selling a Home

Every major endeavor we start requires thoughtful planning and careful execution. Those actions that have an impact on others or on society in general are regulated. Besides written rules, buying or selling a home is also guided by unwritten ones. ​As Chris Burk wrote in an article published on Market Watch, "while there aren't hard-core 'rules' to follow, there are absolutely best practices and proven precepts that you should carefully consider."

These best practices have been drawn in time and are based on common sense. The problem is that times have changed, we seem to be governed by new market forces and the 'sense' is no longer as common as it used to be. That being said, here are a few unwritten rules of real estate:

1. Use a real estate agent - most people prefer to make decisions by themselves when it comes to important aspects of their life, but buying or selling a home is no easy task. It's better to have to blame yourself in case of a wrong decision or a mistake, yet it is even better not to get in that position. Good real estate agents are trained specialists ready to put their knowledge of local markets and legislation at your disposal, assisting you during this lengthy and complex process.

2. Show that you are serious - put down the customary 1-2% deposit known as earnest money if you plan on making an offer. This is where a good real estate agent wold help you make sure you include contingencies in the sales contract to recoup your money if the deal dies out.

3. Add personality and soul to your offer - people love stories, especially those told well. Bring your own personality in the game so instead of just submitting an offer and crossing your fingers, convey a story and a personal message to the owner.  Write a letter, get your real estate agent to express your admiration for the property along with your plans for the future that include family members and make sure you add emotion to it. Remember the movie Mr. Popper's Penguins? The old lady owner of the last privately-owned restaurant in Central Park was not interested in the amount of money offered, but in the person who makes the offer.

4. Ask the right price - some real estate agents will list your home at the asking price you set, but the good ones will work with you to figure out the right price. You may be in a hurry or not very knowledgeable of the new developments in the area and ask too little, or - most often - your asking price reflects your hopes and desire more than the reality in the field.

5. Use technology but see it with your own eyes - many listings include virtual tours, high-definition videos and great pictures. Technology is great, but nothing is better than seeing it with your own eyes. No high-def image can replace the smell, the feeling, the vibe you get standing right there, in the middle of the room.

6. Get pre-approved before you make an offer - few things are worse than finding the home of your dreams and not being able to put the money where your mouth is. Add confidence to your offer and portray yourself as a qualified buyer by including a pre-approval letter.

7. Prep the home before you put it on the market - staging a home correctly makes the process more effective and works toward your advantage. Help people make the home you sell a part of their dream for themselves and for their family. This is much easier to accomplish with a clean, uncluttered home that smells and looks great.

Times change, people change and future seems to come over us at a faster pace than we have imagined. Technology plays a bigger role in our life in general and in real estate in particular. Common sense though is still pretty much the same and it is still the backbone of the unwritten rules governing real estate transactions. Follow these rules and you will enjoy a smooth ride through the complex process of buying or selling a home.