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In recent years, outdoor living spaces have become a very popular addition to homes.

From patios to outdoor kitchens—homeowners are discovering that these spaces add room, function, and beauty to their home without the need of an expensive remodel or addition.

Here are just a few of the reasons why you should consider building an outdoor living space and what you will gain from making this addition to your home.

Increase Your Resale Value

If there’s the possibility you might decide to resell your house someday, an outdoor living area is a great way to quickly increase the value of your home. Outdoor kitchens, decks, patios, pergolas, and arbors create curb appeal and can attract potential buyers.

Additionally, potential homebuyers will see that you have taken the time and effort to invest in your home and will appreciate the addition of these spaces knowing they won’t have to spend additional money on such amenities in the future.

If you’re searching for a way to make your house more marketable, an outdoor living space might be just the thing to make your home really stand out.

Establish Additional Living Space

If you’re not planning on moving any time soon, you’ll get to enjoy the many perks of creating your outdoor living area. Low on space? A patio, deck, or, outdoor kitchen creates a literal extension to your home. Your family and friends will love the extra space to relax, enjoy a meal together, or just rest.

Since it’s an addition to your home, you also get to control the size and design of your outdoor living area and you can customize it to fit your personal taste and lifestyle needs. For example, if you notice your family feels crowded around the dinner table, maybe consider building an outdoor barbeque area where your family can enjoy the freedom of eating meals indoors as well as outdoors.

If you’re considering putting in an outdoor living area, think specifically about the needs of you and your family when deciding what to add on.

Create Entertainment Potential

In addition, building an outdoor living space creates the perfect venue for entertaining guests. If you love to host neighborhood parties and backyard whiffle ball games, an outdoor addition gives you the freedom and comfort to host as many get-togethers as you want.

You can even incorporate tables, grilling stations, and television sets to the design of your space and expand your options for more social gatherings.

Just add some outdoor furniture and you’re ready to entertain!

Have A Great Staycation

Who says you have to spend a ton of money to get away? Outdoor living areas give you a space for a personal retreat right in your backyard. Installing a pool or comfortable patio lets you have a little slice of luxury at home when you don’t have time to go on a full-length vacation.

Sometimes, a quick getaway to your outdoor living space is all you need in order to feel refreshed.

Improve Your Mental And Physical Health

Most importantly, outdoor living spaces can significantly improve your mental and physical health.

A cozy deck or patio creates the perfect opportunity to decompress after a long, strenuous day. What could be more appealing than sitting in the warm sun and enjoying a light breeze after being stuck indoors all day long?

Spending more time outdoors can also boost your immune system. People who spend more time in nature have been proven to be healthier and happier people and have even been known to recover from illnesses quicker than those who spend most of their time indoors.

Spending more time outdoors also means more exposure to sunlight which leads to an increase in Vitamin D levels.

A recent study by the National Institute of Health even indicates that interacting with nature improves your cognition and memory.

Incorporating an outdoor living space of your choice draws people outside, meaning you and your family will get to experience many of the health benefits associated with spending time in the great outdoors.

Ask Your Local Agent

If you have questions about adding an outdoor living space to your home or any other real estate questions—don’t hesitate to contact experienced agent, Kim Clark. With over 15 years of experience, she knows exactly how to assist you in making your home appeal to the widest audience possible. Set yourself up for success—contact Kim today.

The number of Americans looking to downsize to a smaller home is skyrocketing.

According to a Zillow report, 46% of baby boomers who sold their homes in 2017 were in the process of downsizing.

Whether because of retirement, kids moving out, a drop in income, or other reasons, it often makes financial sense to find a smaller and more affordable place to live. With that said, the process of downsizing can be a daunting idea. These steps and suggestions will help make the downsizing process as smooth as possible.

1. Take Photos Of Your Home Before You Downsize

As you’re preparing to move to a smaller place, take photos of all the rooms in your house. This is helpful for a couple reasons. First of all, it can feel intimidating to have to part with belongings in order to fit into a smaller space. Taking photos helps you distance yourself a little bit from the process. You can take time to look through the photos and decide what you want to keep and what you should probably part with.

Additionally, taking photos helps alleviate the feelings of nostalgia that come with downsizing. Chances are, you’ve lived in your current house for many years and made a lot of memories there. Taking photos will help preserve those special memories and make the downsizing process a little easier.

2. Purge Your Paperwork

Purge any paperwork you don’t absolutely need when you downsize. Even if you’re not downsizing any time soon, this is a step you might want to get started on now.

Throw out receipts that are years old. Go ahead and throw out tax returns if they are seven years or older. Don’t keep bank statements you can access online. Be ruthlessly selective about which papers you actually keep.

3. Stop Acquiring Knick Knacks

Be conscientious about what you buy when trying to downsize. This doesn’t mean you can’t buy anything new, but now is not the time to start collecting items you don’t need. Think through your purchases. Maybe make a rule for yourself that for every new item you purchase, let go of something else in your house.

This will make your move to a smaller home less overwhelming.

4. Only Make Yes Or No Piles—No Maybes

When you’re going through years of possessions, some things are going to tug on your heartstrings. You’ll probably be tempted to hold onto things you simply don’t have room for. You could easily end up with a giant “maybe” pile. When that happens, you really haven’t made any progress in sorting, just moved it to a different location.

Hazel Thornton from New-Mexico-based “Organized for Life” says, “If you already weren’t using it, or didn’t like it, why on earth would you want to pack it up and schlep it to your next house?”

Take a hard look at every item you pick up. If you use it regularly, keep it. But it’s time to let something go if it’s been sitting in a closet or on a shelf for a year or more.

5. Use Your Tape Measure

If you’re downsizing to a smaller home, you might not have enough room to fit all the furniture you want to keep. During the downsizing process, measure your furniture to make sure it will fit properly into your new place.

The last thing you want is to move your large sofa into your new home and discover that it doesn’t fit. Measuring your belongings will give you a clear picture of what you can take with you and what you’ll need to part with.

6. Get Rid Of Duplicate Items

Over time, it’s easy to accumulate duplicates of items. Look at what you have multiples of and only keep your favorites. The kitchen is a hotspot for duplicates. Do you really need ten wooden spoons? Probably not.

Also, while you’re in the kitchen, look through your pantry and spice cabinet. Toss out any food or ingredients that have expired or you haven’t used in a while. You might be surprised how much you can get rid of.

7. Don’t Be Afraid To Sell Some Things by Yourself

Craigslist, Ebay, consignment shops, and yard sales are all great ways to sell belongings you don’t have a use for anymore. Ebay and Craigslist have very wide audience pools for potential buyers. Consignment stores are great if you’re looking to get rid of high-end furniture, handbags, and other accessories. With a yard sale, you’ll probably be able to sell items quickly, but you might not make as much money off them.

Determine what items you want to sell where and then follow through with that plan.

8. Make A Plan For Moving Day

Once you’ve actually downsized your belongings, decide how you want to make your move. Are you going to need family members to help you pack and drive a moving truck? Will you pay for a full-service moving company to pack, ship, and unpack your things?

It’s important to keep your options in mind as you downsize because it might change your mind on whether to keep or sell certain items.

Get Help From A Local Agent

If the downsizing process sounds intimidating, don’t hesitate to contact experienced agent, Kim Clark. With over 15 years of experience, she knows exactly how to assist you in any step or your housing journey. Make the downsizing process easy—contact Kim today.

One of the freedoms of retirement is getting to choose where you live. Rather than being tied to a specific location due to work or school commitments, the entire world is open to you as a possible place to retire. With that said, it can be overwhelming to think about moving to a new home after retirement.

Fortunately, there are an array of living arrangements that can meet the needs of anyone who has recently retired and is considering their housing options. Understanding what the options are and the needs they fill is the first step in making a wise and informed choice.

Stay In Your Own Home

The first obvious housing choice after retirement is just to stay in your own home. Staying in your own home means you’ll be close to friends and family. You’ll also be familiar with the community, which is always nice.

With that said, after retirement, owning a home can become a little more difficult.

There are many responsibilities that are associated with owning a home that can become more taxing as you get older. For example, it may be more stressful to keep up with your home’s physical maintenance and upkeep. Additionally, the financial burden of home ownership may look a little daunting after retirement.

Of course, everyone’s situation is different. You may decide that you want to hold onto your house for a few more years. Or, you may decide it’s time to look for an entirely new housing option.

Consider Downsizing

Many people decide to downsize after retirement. Downsizing allows you to still enjoy the freedom and independence of home ownership without as much maintenance. Downsizing can mean fewer responsibilities, like having a smaller yard or fewer rooms to clean.

One benefit of moving to a smaller home is that you can usually end up in a better location than your original house. While you might have chosen a more rural or suburban environment to raise your kids, you now have the option to really live wherever you want.

Downsizing does entail quite a bit of work. After a lifetime of collecting knick-knacks, mementos, etc., you’ll probably need to sell or part with some of the items in your house to fit into a smaller home. If you think downsizing is in your future, start making a plan today.

Rent A Home

A lot of retirees decide to rent a smaller house or apartment. There are a lot of benefits associated with renting a home. For one, you have access to a range of housing options. You can choose a style of house or a particular location that you might never have considered when you were only looking to purchase a home. Additionally, by renting a home, you’re free from many of the physical and financial responsibilities associated with home ownership.

It’s also much cheaper. Renter’s insurance is less expensive than homeowner’s insurance. Plus, you don’t have to pay real estate taxes. Additionally, you’ll most likely have lower utility costs as well. 

There are of course some downsides to renting a home. For one, you’re dependent on your landlord for repairs and maintenance. And there are often restrictions on what you can and can’t have in a rental home. However, for many people about to retire, renting is the perfect choice.

Try A Gated Retirement Community

Another popular option is a gated retirement community. Some towns have gated communities with strict homeowners’ associations and age requirements for living in the community. Homes within these communities tend to be on the small side, perfect for just two or three residents.

A gated community is a good option if you’re looking for a quiet neighborhood and secure premises. Most gated communities are also situated in prime locations, with easy access to grocery stores and other amenities.

Residential Communities

Residential communities are typically inhabited by older retirees who are looking specifically for less home maintenance and some home assistance.

Residential communities are varied in type. For example, the term residential community can refer to foster homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or any other type of residence that may also fall into this category.

In this living environment, residents are considered renters, and aren’t responsible for any yard work or maintenance. In residential communities, you can request private or semi-private rooms or apartments. Cooking and cleaning are done primarily by staff. Depending on your needs, 24/7 supervision and skilled nursing care are sometimes available for additional cost. Again, you may not be ready for this big of an adjustment yet, but being aware of all your options is smart way to start your retirement housing plan.

Get Worthwhile Advice Today

If you are near retirement age and are wondering what your housing options are, don’t hesitate to connect with knowledgeable agents like Kim Clark in Kosciusko County. With over 15 years of realty experience, Kim is fully equipped to make your living transition as smooth as possible. Contact her today.

As you’re embarking on your first home sale, you’re probably asking the same question other sellers are asking: how do I sell this house as quickly as possible?

Potential homebuyers want to be wowed.

In order to sell your home, you need to impress potential buyers.

That’s why improving the curb appeal of your home is an absolute must. These 10 tips and tricks will guarantee your home catches the eye of potential buyers—and makes a lasting positive impression.

1. Update the Hardware

House numbers, doorknobs, and light fixtures are all elements that add style to your home’s exterior.

If the hardware is out of date, your home may not convey the aesthetic you’re hoping it does.

It’s fairly easy to install exterior hardware on your own. You should also consider what pieces look best with your particular home. For example, bronze finishes look best on traditional homes. Keep the style of your home in mind when updating any exterior hardware.

2. Install Some Window Boxes

Window boxes offer a simple way to introduce color and charm to your home.

Again, when choosing your window boxes and the flowers that fill them, keep your home’s style in the back of your mind. A painted wood window box looks great on a cottage-style home, but probably wouldn’t suit a brick home. Find flowers and plants that complement your home’s color scheme for maximum curb appeal.

3. Dress Up The Front Door

Your front door is the focal point of your home.

Give your front door a fresh coat of paint. If your house is a more muted color, you might consider painting your front door a bolder hue, to add a splash of color.

If your door doesn’t need a fresh coat, clean off any dirty spots around the knob, and use metal polish on the door fixtures to make them shine.

4. Install Outdoor Lighting

Lighting makes a huge impact on your home’s curb appeal. People are attracted to softer, mellow lighting, so choose low-voltage bulbs for your outdoor fixtures.

Additionally, outdoor lighting lends a feeling of safety to your home by illuminating the front door and any walking paths.

5. Replace Your Gutters

Old gutter systems can make your house look dingy from the curb and convey a sense of neglect.

If you’re on a budget, replace old gutters with newer snap-fit vinyl gutter systems.

While these systems will immediately spruce up the look of your house, vinyl gutter systems are known to become brittle over time.

If you have a little bit of wiggle room in the budget, consider installing copper systems. While they are a little more expensive, copper systems convey an unmistakable sense of quality.

6. Introduce Porch Seating

Porch seating welcomes guests and lends a feeling of comfort to your home.

Seating also helps establish neighborhood community by encouraging guests to sit and stay for awhile. If you have a porch, some comfortable rocking chairs with a few throw pillows might be just the thing to dress up your home.

7. Beautify Your Mailbox

A rickety, or unpainted mailbox sends a message to potential homebuyers.

Mailboxes should complement your home.

When choosing a mailbox, pick a box that matches your home’s trimmings. You can also surround your mailbox with plants and flowers to make it even more appealing from the curb.

8. Add Shutters And Trim

Shutters and trim add a layer of curb appeal to your home’s exterior.

Shutters also help control the light and ventilation in your home. Not to mention, shutters also lend an air of security to your home, which homebuyers are bound to be drawn to.

9. Paint The Shutters And Trim

If your home already has shutters and trim, make sure they look their best.

Any obvious flaws, like cracked or rotting material, can hurt your home’s aesthetic and turn off potential buyers. Your shutters and trim are also the perfect opportunity to introduce some of your personality to your home.

10. Add Flower Pots

Placing a couple of flower pots on your front porch will create a bright, welcoming atmosphere for your entrance. Make sure you match your plants to the season during which you’re trying to sell your house. Petunias and zinnias look beautiful in the spring and summer. Whereas more muted mums or colored grasses suit the colder months more appropriately.

Talk To A Local Agent

If updating your home’s curb appeal isn’t in your wheelhouse, don’t hesitate to contact experienced agent, Kim Clark. With over 15 years of experience, she knows exactly how to assist you in making your home appeal to the widest audience possible. Set yourself up for success—contact Kim today.

You’ve done it. You’ve just purchased your first house and you’re all set to move in and meet the neighbors.

No matter what type of house you purchase, a home is a major investment.

Once you’ve closed on your home, the next step is to insure your new asset.

But finding the right homeowners insurance as a first-time home buyer can be daunting.

If you have a mortgage, your lender is almost definitely going to require that you have homeowner’s insurance.

While it may seem overwhelming at first, finding the right insurance for your new home doesn’t have to be a stressful process.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

As a first-time homeowner, you need to know what your insurance is actually going to cover. When searching for an insurance plan, keep in mind that there are different types of coverage plans, and not every plan offers the same level of coverage.

Here are some pretty basic terms you should familiarize yourself with when searching for an insurance plan:

Dwelling coverage—This type of coverage protects your home’s physical structure.

Other structures coverage—This type of coverage covers things like a detached garage, fence, pool, or shed. Essentially any dwelling on your property that is not your house.

Personal property coverage—This covers your personal property—things like furniture, electronics, etc.

Personal liability insurance—Will cover the damage you may inflict on others and their personal property.

Additional living expenses—Covers compensation for additional living expenses in the event of a home being deemed unlivable.

Medical payments to others—This covers the medical expenses of someone injured on your property.

When choosing an insurance plan, determine what type of coverage you need. If your home doesn’t have any outdoor structures, you probably don’t need a plan that covers other structures coverage. Determine exactly what you’re looking for in an insurance plan—that way you know what to prioritize when finding an insurance policy.

Research The Company’s Claims Satisfaction

Now that you know what to look for in an insurance plan, you should start to do some personal research of your own.

You don’t want to find out down the road that your insurance provider doesn’t have a good history of handling insurance claims.

Some insurance companies will look for opportunities to shortchange you by not compensating you for your losses.

That’s why you absolutely need to make sure you check the satisfaction of each insurance company’s claims prior to purchasing a policy.

Some good sources to start your research with are Google Reviews, The Better Business Bureau, and J.D. Power. These resources can help guarantee you choose an insurance provider that actually takes care of their policy holders.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cost?

The cost of homeowners insurance depends on a number of factors including the features of your home, the value of your personal belongings, and the amount of coverage you need.

The average price will vary based on your location, your home, and you.

In order to find an accurate quote, you’ll need to visit the websites of the providers you are researching and fill out your personal information (location, household size, etc).

While you’ll need to conduct your own research to receive an accurate estimate, these five insurance companies have recently been ranked as having some of the best rates for Indiana homes in 2020.

Progressive—Progressive boasts over 80 years in business with more than 18 million customers currently. Progressive’s rates for homeowners insurance are also often ranked lower than other competitors.

Liberty Mutual—Liberty Mutual has been ranked as the most trusted homeowners insurance on multiple occasions. Additionally, Liberty Mutual allows you to customize and bundle your insurance for maximum results.

BlueSky Insurance Solutions—This insurance company offers special rates for first time home buyers.

Lemonade—While not as well-known as some of the larger companies, Lemonade is a trending insurance company that allows you to insure your home in seconds.

Insurify—Insurify boasts instant quote comparisons and accurate quotes.

Again, these insurance providers are just five of many options available to you as you shop for homeowners insurance for your first home.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of insurance plans out there, talking to an expert can help calm your fears and point you towards the perfect insurance plan.

Talk To A Local Agent

If you need help finding affordable homeowners insurance that covers all your needs, talk to a local agent who knows your area well. An agent can help you choose the coverage that fits your needs and can also help determine whether you are eligible for any policy discounts.

Real estate agent, Kim Clark, has years of experience in the Kosciusko area and can help you find an insurance plan that works for your life. Contact her today!

When it comes to buying a home, the most critical rule is fairly straightforward: don’t purchase a house you cannot afford. Of course, what constitutes affordable will vary from buyer to buyer.

No matter your budget, it’s likely a home will be one of the largest single purchases you will ever make. Therefore, it’s important to budget wisely and well in advance to guarantee you can afford the home you’ve always wanted without over-extending your finances.

These suggestions and best practices will help you begin the budgeting process as you prepare to invest in your future.

Have A Clear Understanding Of Your Finances

In order to even begin creating a budget, you need to have a clear understanding of your personal finances.

First, simply start by analyzing your total income. If you are purchasing a home with a spouse or partner, figure out your combined total income and how much you are willing to spend on your new house.

You should also tally all your monthly expenses. Factor in every detail—groceries, car payments, credit card bills, everything. You need to fully understand how much you spend each month. This way, you’ll know how much of your income is left over every month to dedicate towards your mortgage payment.

In order to fully understand how much home you can afford, take advantage of free, online affordability calculators. Zillow and Bank of America offer these tools to help you visualize your expected monthly payment.

Next, analyze how much you are spending on debt. If debt is taking up a significant portion of your income right now, you might want to hold off on purchasing a home, at least for a while.

When you apply for a mortgage loan, potential lenders will look at any outstanding debt you have incurred when deciding how much to lend you. If you have a significant amount of credit card debt, you are less likely to get a good deal from a mortgage lender.  

Keep in mind, buying a house is a massive investment. You need to make sure you are financially able to afford a new home.  

Follow The 25% Rule

Once you understand your finances, you can start the actual budgeting process.

Many finance experts recommend the 25% rule. This rule states that your mortgage payment should not be more than 25% of your gross income each month.

This is why understanding your finances is so important—you’ll be able to determine how much you can realistically afford to pay every month.

Again, you don’t want to over-extend yourself. If you’re worried about being able to afford your home, follow the 25% rule. This might mean that you need to look for a less expensive house than the one you have in mind.

But staying within a reasonable budget is vital in order to enjoy your new home without the stress of unrealistic expenses.

Remember The Down Payment And The Closing Costs

Generally, lenders want homebuyers to pay at least 20% of the purchase price in cash. While you can definitely put down a smaller amount and still get a good mortgage loan, the more you can pay for the down-payment, the less you’ll have to pay in interest.

If 20% is simply too much for you to afford, aim for around 10-15% as a down payment. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average U.S. homebuyer puts down just 12% when buying their first house.

There’s definitely some wiggle room when it comes to how much should spend on your down payment—but again, the more you can pay up front, the less you’ll pay in the future.

Also, it’s important to budget for closing costs. These can amount to between 2% and 5% of the purchase price. Don’t forget to add this figure to your budget. You don’t want to be surprised by extra expenses right before moving into your new home.

Plan For The Future

Finally, budget for the additional expenses that come with purchasing a house. Categories you’ll need to include in your budget are homeowners’ insurance, utilities, repairs, and maintenance costs, just to name a few.

Your dream home might seem affordable on paper, but if you haven’t budgeted for future expenses, you may need to look for a more affordable home.

Even the smartest budgets can get blown by unexpected costs, which is why you need to plan for more than just the mortgage price when establishing your budget.

Get Assistance Today

Creating a budget for your future home can be very overwhelming. If you feel like you’re in over your head, don’t worry. Real estate agent, Kim Clark, has years of experience under her belt and can help you formulate a realistic and affordable budget that fits your needs. Contact her today!