Category: Yancey Blog

When purchasing a new home, it’s important to do in-depth research on all facets of the homebuying process. One thing you’ll need to understand is how to best protect yourself and your investment if anything were to go wrong. Check out the information below on home insurance versus a home warranty to educate yourself on your options.

Home Insurance

Homeowners insurance pays for any accidental damages and loss that are caused by fire, lightning strikes, windstorms, and hail. However, damage from earthquakes and floods is typically not covered. It also covers the replacement of personal property in case of theft or damage and liability if a person were to get injured in your home or on your property.

According to American Home Shield, the average annual cost of a homeowner’s insurance policy ranges between $300 and $1,000, and the bank usually asks you to obtain a policy before the mortgage is issued.

Make sure to keep in mind that each type of coverage in the policy is subject to a limit and, in most cases, you will have to pay a deductible. 

Home Warranty 

A home warranty is designed to cover the cost of repairs and replacements of larger appliances and crucial systems in your home that may fail or break due to age and wear and tear. This includes, but isn’t limited to HVAC, electrical, or plumbing components, kitchen appliances, and your washer and dryer.

With a home warranty, you are required to pay premiums year-round, even if you do not use it. They also won’t cover damages if appliances were not maintained properly, or if the damage is from a fire or other disaster.

As we all know, the Coronavirus epidemic has been causing an economic slowdown. The good news is that, home values have increased 3 out of the last 5 recessions, and only decreased by less than 2% in the 4th. On that note, an economic slowdown does not necessarily mean a housing crisis!

Whatever your real estate needs are now during this uncertain time, or any time, the Yancey Realty team is here to help! Give us a call at 704-467-8877 today!

Happy St. Patricks Day! Whatever your real estate needs, the Yancey Realty team is here for YOU! 

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In this day and age, our smartphones have become just another limb, permanently fixed to our bodies. So, the idea of keeping phones out of the bedroom seems like such a foreign concept. However, here are 5 reasons why you should give it a try today!

1. Minimize temptation. Even if you think you have strong self-control, with your phone within arm’s length, you are much more tempted to play that additional game of solitaire, or scroll through Twitter for just another 15 minutes. This results in staying up later and later, which can readjust your internal clock, making it harder to fall asleep.
2. Ease your brain. Whether you’re scrolling social media, texting your significant other, replying to emails, or skimming the news, you are using and stimulating your brain. When you finally do put down the phone, your brain is still on overdrive. Try reading a book, meditating, or doing yoga instead to put your brain in a relaxed state.
3. Lessen disturbed sleep. One of the most common phone activities before bed is checking social media. However, a recent study published in the journal of Sleep1 found that using social media within 30 minutes of going to bed has been independently associated with disturbed sleep.
4. Limit LED screens in bed. Blue-light emitting devices, such as phones, can trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, slowing the production of melatonin which helps regulate sleep. 
5. Reduce disruptions to your sleep. With your phone out of the bedroom, you eliminate the chances of that ding or buzz waking you in the middle of the night and disrupting your important REM sleep.

Downsizing your home is not just for empty-nesters. There are numerous reasons and situations where this path could be the right one for you and your family! 

Minimizing

Owning a large home and property comes with large responsibility, like multiple rooms and floors, a large yard, and maybe features like a deck or pool. There is a lot of upkeep and cleaning that is required to keep a home looking and functioning at best! One common reason homeowners are looking to downsize is to reduce the time, energy, and money spent on those activities, leaving them with more time to do the things they truly enjoy with the ones they love!

Saving Funds

When downsizing to a smaller home, you allow for an increase in your monthly budget. Not only does your mortgage and maintenance cost less, but so do your utility bills, insurance, property taxes, interest payments, and furnishings. This is a great option for those who want to put their children through college, save for retirement, or pay off existing debts, such as credit cards or car payments.

New Adventures

Whether you are single, parents whose kids have flown the coop, retirees, or an adventurous family, downsizing your home could allow you to seek new experiences. Take that long-term trip overseas you’ve always wanted to go on. Buy a second home abroad for the family. Or purchase that boat, camper, snowmobile, or ATV.

Whatever your reason(s) are for wanting to downsize, enlist the Yancey Realty team to help with your home search! Call us at 704-467-8877 to get started today!

In just one hour, 568 houses are sold, and median home values increase by $1.92. With the real estate market as crazy as it is right now, make sure to have a seasoned Yancey Realty agent on your side; that will ensure that when you find the home of your dreams, you’re ready to go!

Buying a home is likely one of the largest purchases you will make in your lifetime. So why not maintain and grow that investment so if or when you decide to sell, you can reap maximum return? Below are a few value-boosting ideas to get you started.

Change your color scheme. Never overlook what a fresh coat of paint can do for a home. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to give it a whole new look and feel before putting it on the market to sell. You can commit to doing the job yourself, or splurge just a little bit more to hire a professional.

Update your landscaping. Curb appeal is incredibly important in capturing potential buyers’ attention, so investing in your landscaping should be at the top of your list. On top of regular fertilizing and weed control, consider planting a variety of plants against the house or along your driveway, mixing heights and colors. Add a focal point by creating a stone walkway or installing fountains or trellis to truly up the curb appeal.

Give your kitchen a facelift. To give your kitchen a more modern feel, you don’t always have to shell out the big bucks. Start by switching out your main light fixtures, and sanding and repainting existing cabinets. Add a unique, eye-catching backsplash, or, if you’re ready to spend a bit more, replace the countertops with granite or marble.

Increase energy efficiency. Updating your home to save energy makes it more appealing to buyers in today’s market. Add extra insulation to your attic, use CFL light bulbs in all light fixtures, install a programmable thermostat, and find and seal cracks and leaks.

To enlist the help of a Yancey Realty agent to sell your home, give us a call today at 704.467.8877! What are you waiting for?

If you’d like to start your home search, give us a call at 704.467.8877 today!