Jim Hairston Blog

The march toward summer is well underway, and it's time to turn your attention to the deck outside your home. As the weather warms up, our REALTORS® know the deck is one of the first things prospective buyers of Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale will look at as their thoughts turn to summer BBQs and time with family and friends. If your deck needs an overhaul, you'll want to act quickly before local contractors run out of time to do the work for you.

• Start with a Wash
  Dirt, dust, and grime can obscure the true condition of your deck. Watch the weather for a sunny, wind-free period to give your deck a good scrub and a deep clean with soap and a powerwasher. Make sure to follow instructions and keep the powerwasher at a safe distance from the wood to avoid scoring and damaging it. If you come across any stubborn stains or debris stuck in crevices, a stiff brush and a putty knife can usually remove it.

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Your home is more than a place to live; it's an asset you want to protect. Whether you're remodeling a room, building an addition, or simply changing an appliance out, our REALTORS® strongly advise all of our clients to vet and question any potential contractor thoroughly. Asking the following five questions will help ensure that the contractor you hire will get the job done efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

1. Are You Licensed & Insured? 
   Never hire a contractor that isn't licensed and insured. Licensure helps ensure the contractor will adhere to all building codes, fire codes, etc. It is more than an indication that they have sufficient knowledge of their trade to perform the necessary tasks. Additionally, never hire a contractor that isn't insured. If something happens and the contractor doesn't carry insurance, you could end up footing the bill for injuries.

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At Haring Realty, our REALTORS® know that some aspects of the home-buying process can be confusing.

Even buyers who have been through it all before don't know everything. And it can be even more worrisome for first-time buyers, who wonder about all the things they aren't familiar with yet. That can put a damper on the fun of looking at Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale.

One subject comes up again and again: Financing. Where to find a mortgage and how to get the best deal.

Choosing the best mortgage for you can save you thousands of dollars across the life of your mortgage. But buyers often go into the process knowing little about one of the most important factors that can influence your mortgage terms: your FICO score.

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Spring brings warm sunshine that motivates people to get outdoors. It's the perfect time to buy or sell a home and make that move you've been dreaming about. If you're considering a change this spring, our REALTORS® at Haring Realty can help you with selling your existing home, as well as searching for Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale that fit your lifestyle and financial goals.

Whether you're a buyer or a seller, one thing that's important to any home is great curb appeal. That means having a front yard that's picture-perfect with a well-maintained landscape. With spring just around the corner, it's time to give your front yard a makeover that deserves attention.

• Lush Green Grass
  Winter can leave your lawn with patches of missing grass, weeds, and pests. With a little effort, you can fix a lackluster landscape and give your front yard a whole new look. Building a lush, green lawn starts with getting rid of weeds, then adding new turf or grass seed and good fertilizer. Water lightly each day until the grass is about 2-3 inches high, then mow the lawn weekly or bi-weekly on a regular schedule.

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Spring is the undisputed champion of home selling seasons. With the holidays over, flowers in bloom, and the weather warming up, homebuyers come out of hibernation ready to hit open houses and get moving on the purchase process. If you're thinking of selling your home this year, spring is a great time to move forward with those plans. However, it can be tempting to go it alone because you want to save some money or think you'll not have a problem selling your house because there are plenty of buyers in the market.

The truth is there's a lot that goes into making a successful sale. You may not even know the basics of how real estate transactions work. Agents do more than just listing your home. They take care of the time-consuming tasks, handle the legal aspects of the sale, and ensure your home stands out from other Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale. Here are more reasons why you should list your home with an agent this spring.

1. Agents Keep Their Emotions Out of the Sale
   Selling your home can be an emotional process.  You've lived there for some years and have created many memories. And if you've invested in a number of remodeling projects, you can have an extra attachment because of the amount of sweat equity involved. When you have emotional ties, it's easy to make mistakes and take any negative feedback personally, while an agent can provide guidance and advice that focuses on a sale.

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