by Erin Romanski | Oct 8, 2022 | Buying a Home
Your final walkthrough before closing is absolutely necessary! Here’s what you need to look for before closing. What is a Final Walkthrough? A final walkthrough is an opportunity for the buyer to view and assess the property before closing. This process gives the buyer time to make sure improvements agreed upon have been made, or the home is in the same condition it was in when the buyer agreed to buy it. The final walkthrough is an essential component to the closing process, and it’s important that you have your realtor there. Choosing your realtor does matter. Having the right realtor present at the walkthrough means you’ll have experienced, knowledgable suggestions and eyes on all the details. Romanski Group Realtors pride themselves for their experience and seamless, comprehensive house buying processes. They’ll be great additions to your team the whole way through! Final Walkthrough Checklist Here’s a quick, brief list, but see below for more, elaborate explanations and questions to ask along the way! Verify final, agreed upon repairs (better yet, have your inspector do a re-inspect to verify).Check for all items included in the sale (appliances, window treatment hardware, etc).Take time to assess the house and ensure it’s in the same condition you agreed to purchase it. This process can take as long as you need. Your experienced, Romanski Group Realtor will be very helpful to you. Here’s a launching list of what to observe both inside and outside the home.Outside: Obvious signs of pests, check for debris or outside storm damage. Has there been a major storm within the closing process? Check sprinklers, irrigation, fencing, pools, dry...
by Erin Romanski | Jul 6, 2022 | Buying a Home
Investing into your Greater Lafayette, IN home is a major and wise move. If the improvements you make multiple your return on investment (ROI), you’re in great shape to resell when you choose to do so. Making the right choices are key, and we’re here to help you with just that! Here are a few pointers from our team to help you begin the home improvement process! Work tools Curb Appeal Curb appeal is a possible buyer’s first impression. As a home owner, it’s always a good idea to make the outside show its full potential, and here are a few different ways to give your home all its got! Repaint or touch up exteriorAccording to HGTV, this has a ROI of 95%. “A gallon of paint covers 400 sq. ft. of house.. For an updated look, remove old awnings from windows and doors.. Swap damaged wrought-iron railings for real wood supports for a more inviting entry. Give a bare, charmless porch a dramatic makeover by adding a pergola and columns.”Replace garage door.Update lighting, mailbox, and house numbers.Put in a fire pit, deck, or even some hardscape for an outdoor kitchen.Simple landscaping.Also according to HGTV, landscaping updates have an average ROI of 100%, and the in world of home improvement, it can be on the low end of the price scale. The key is to keep it simple! If shrubs are blocking doors and walkways, trim them back! Ask the employees at Bennett’s Greenhouse about complementary landscaping. Open up the Floor Plan An NAHB‘s survey shows that 85% of buys want an open layout between the kitchen and dining...
by Erin Romanski | Dec 31, 2020 | Buying a Home
Springing into a new year has goal setting on our mind. New Year’s resolutions come in many shapes and sizes. Many pertain to fitness, finances, studies, social advances, and self care, but have you considered purchasing a house? It’s a resolution that can change your life. If you already own a home, refinancing, or finding another house to fit all of your needs might also be an option for the goal list. Purchasing a home in a hot market might have you thoughtful about what you need to do to achieve that goal. Is it even possible right now? Of course it is! With the right team behind you, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re a first time buyer or you desire to sell and change your location, there are things to do to prepare. So, what exactly needs to happen in order for you to purchase a home? What are some practical steps that can take you in the right direction? Is right now the time to purchase for you? Find a reliable realtor. Realtors are essential in the current housing market. Part of preparation includes finding the perfect match for the person who will fight for you during all aspects of this process, show you houses on a flexible schedule, and who will be your match maker for you and the perfect home! The Romanski Group would be honored to represent you in this endeavor!Keep an eye on your credit score. Keep that credit score high and reliable during all stages of purchasing a home. It opens up doors for your loan officer to get you the...
by Erin Romanski | Nov 17, 2020 | Buying a Home, Homeowner Tips
Are You Entitled to a Property Tax Exemption? If you purchased a house, changed the deed, or refinanced on your mortgage, you should make sure the correct exemptions are filed on your home. The Romanski Group of Keller Williams Realty wants to remind you to file your property tax exemptions by the end of the year! If exemptions aren’t filed or confirmed by December 31 your taxes could go up substantially. Below is a summary of common exemptions along with contact information for each county below. Homestead Deduction – If you own a home or are buying on a recorded contract, and use it as your primary place of residence, your home could qualify for a homeowner’s deduction. A taxpayer cannot receive the Homestead Deduction in multiple states as the homestead is considered the “principle place of residence”. The deduction is either 60% of your assessed valuation or a maximum of $45,000. Mortgage Deduction – If you are buying property on a recorded mortgage or a recorded contract, and you are a resident of the State of Indiana, you could qualify for a mortgage deduction. The value of the deduction may not exceed the amount of the indebtedness. The deduction is either one half of your assessed valuation or $3,000, whichever is less. A person owning more than one property may not receive mortgage deductions totaling more than $3,000. There are several other property tax exemptions that may be available to you as well which you may want to inquire about. Please find your county below and file your homestead and mortgage exemptions or verify and get proof in...
by Erin Romanski | Aug 11, 2020 | Buying a Home
When you really get serious about buying your first home, there are a just few things to think about. Mortgage and loan language begins coming out of the woodwork, and you can easily find yourself in the middle of some alphabet soup. PMI, FHA, USDA, and VA- just to name a few! However, the main and pressing age old question remains: exactly how much money do I need to purchase a home? Here are a few tips and tidbits for your down payment planning and saving process. You’ll be there before you know it, in the home of your dreams! We can’t wait to help you attain those goals! Know your personal goal! Many loans these days offer options for you to get into the house of your dreams sooner, with less down payment money. Research the types of loans available to you, and then decide what works best for you and your family! Does 20% sound overwhelming or like that’s where you want to begin you home ownership journey? It’s totally up to you! Cut expenses. This is one that many don’t think about! Where can you save? Can the phone bill be minimized by shopping around? What about cable and internet packages? Can the cost be cut with a bundle? Or the car payment? These are just a few places to begin!No vacation for a year. Yikes! We’re only proposing that you have a stay-cation instead! Enjoy family time at the park or on bikes at Prophetstown.Work with a realtor. There are obviously many benefits in having a build in companion to walk with through this process....
by Erin Romanski | Jul 13, 2020 | Buying a Home
When it comes to buying a house, the phrase, “different strokes for different folks” applies in a major way. Everyone has a wish list and different needs for their family or personal situation. However, there are some major “do’s and don’t’s” in the world of buying a house, and we’re here to help you make the best possible outcome in one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. Use us as your real estate team. We love Lafayette, IN, and we know all its nooks and crannies. The Romanski Group is knowledgeable in the current housing market, and they stay up to date with all the houses hitting the market, making you the first to know about new inventory! We can even help you identify potential problems within the houses you look at. Don’t make the mistake of trying to do this alone!Look beyond paint. Wall paper, paint, and other cosmetic decor that you don’t like in a house can all be changed. Check out the larger, more expensive fixes that might need some love in the near future!Know the neighborhoods. Before you begin looking, have an idea of what you want in a neighborhood or community.Get pre-approved. Know where to begin for a price point! Be ready to make an offer with a pre-approval letter when you find that perfect house – it’s very possible you may be in a bidding war and a pre-approval letter is critical to getting your offer accepted. Mortgage lenders can help you figure your debt to income ratio and figure the monthly payment for you on every home you look at....
