You want to sell your home? There are certain tricks you can do to spice it up and get the buyers interested. Aside from just a few tricks, experts say you need to make sure, “the meat of the house is in good shape.”  First, let’s tackle what experts, refer to as “staging.” This is basically, showcasing the best side of a home to create interest and help you get top dollar.

First up, make room. Clear out as much furniture as you can. Put it in storage, give it to charity or have a garage sale. Too much stuff looks cramped and cluttered. You want it to look spacious. Next up.  Clear out your counters. Go through the house and clear off all the horizontal surfaces like kitchen and bathroom countertops. Old magazines? Toss ‘em. Knick-knacks? Pack ‘em. Counters need to be clear and clean. What about the smell test? A home should smell good. That means no noticeable odor, no pet scent, no stale cooking smells and no cigarette smoke.

Next, you must make your home ageless. There’s a difference between an old house and a classic home.  Keep everything fresh and up-to-date. Also, let there be light. If the whole house is dark, that’s a problem. So open the blinds. Turn on all the lights. Add lights in rooms that are dark. Also, avoid controversy. If you have a deer head on the wall, you might want to take it down. It will be a turnoff to some buyers. Lastly, keep it clean. This means, no dust, cobwebs or trash.

Ok, now that you know the top staging secrets, let’s talk a little about the “meat of the house.” This means, make sure kitchens and bathrooms are sparkling and up to date. Also, is your foundation free from problems including cracks? These are all deal breakers that local realtors see daily. Next up, how’s the shape of your roof? If you have an old, asphalt roof you absolutely have to repair of replace it. This is a no brainer for inspectors. Here’s the deal regarding asphalt, it’s a popular option because of it’s price and availability but it’s shelf life is only 10-15 years! Yes, this means you will have to replace it often. Metal roofing is fast becoming a popular roofing option because unlike asphalt, it will withstand even the worst inclement weather. Plus, inspectors say it’s the last roof you’ll ever need. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and we’d love to show you why metal roofing has become the “go to” roofing option for thousands of homeowners!

There are so many roofing options for your home nowadays but the most popular of all remains asphalt.  In fact, an estimated 80% of all American houses are built with asphalt roof shingles. It’s no wonder why. It’s readily available and asphalt is the cheaper of the choices.

The biggest problems with asphalt shingles is that while they are certainly popular and easily less expensive than other roof materials, a common complaint about asphalt shingles has to do with their durability. The problem is that asphalt shingles have been known to become damaged before their warranty expires, and if the manufacturer determines your roofer didn’t install the roof according to “specifications,” you’ll be out of luck.

The other major issue with asphalt is that if you don’t like the idea of having to replace your roof every 10-15 years you really should look for another roofing material. 10-15 years is the max you’ll really get on an asphalt roof without signs of significant damage. Bald spots, worn areas, roof discoloration and pieces that have blown off due to inclement weather, are all problems you’ll see.

If all of this isn’t worth the savings you really need to look into the benefits of a metal roof. Local home inspectors say these roofs will hold up to any and all severe weather episodes including the highest of winds. Plus, many say it’s the last roof you’ll ever need! If all that plus added resale value sounds good to you, Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana would love to chat with you on the many benefits of a metal roof.  For years,  we have been a trusted leader in the industry because of the quality product we offer and the honest way we do business.

Let’s face it, our current real estate market is soft at best. What this means is that it’s not impossible to sell a home, but if you want to get a decent asking price you need to make sure it’s in tip top shape. In order to attract more buyers and make your home more memorable, consider room upgrades or additions, such as landscaping, high grade windows or a new roof.

Residential roofing is a huge make it or break it element of your home. No one wants  to have to replace the roof as soon as they move in. So, if you want the buyers to make an offer on  your home you need to make sure your roof in in great shape or replace it. Many are even opting to go the metal roof route because it lasts pretty much forever and can withstand severe weather conditions.

Asphalt shingles perform extremely poorly in adverse weather conditions.  Plus, asphalt typically only lasts 10-15 years! Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to show you your roofing options.

Making sure your kitchen and bathrooms are in great shape will also help you sell your home because buyers are not after fixer uppers anymore. Many want turn key homes they can move their belongings into and call it a day. If your home is not move in ready, buyers will most likely move on to the next house and we all know there is definitely not a shortage of homes on the market right now.

When it comes to home ownership, it doesn’t take long before something needs to be fixed or repaired all together. It just goes with the territory. One of the biggest areas that seems to keep homeowners on their toes is residential roofing. Typical asphalt shingles have been popular for years and years. The biggest problem with them is that they do not hold up in stormy conditions and on average only last 10-15 years. That’s no time! Before you know it, you’ll be like many homeowners and having to replace your roof.

Are you looking for an energy efficient way to improve the longevity of your house or add thousands onto the resale value of your house? A metal roof from Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is your answer. Metal is the strongest product available which is why it’s single handedly changing the residential roofing industry for the better!

Our steel panel stamped shingle design offers the classic features of a traditional style reinforced with the strength and longevity of steel. Erie Metal Roofs are guaranteed against abnormal weathering; this includes discoloration, winds up to 120mph, and hail. The metal roof is also non-porous and is freeze and thaw resistant. It won’t crack, break, burn, curl, or split.

Available in a multitude of styles, from terracotta tiles to wood shake, to match the unique features of your home while offering a permanent roofing solution. It’s why we call it, “the last roof you’ll ever need.” Each tile is finished with a final glaze to encapsulate the panel to protect your roof from any damage for more than twice as long as your standard roof. That’s a great comfort and it’s why metal is the new “go to” material in the industry.

Are you a first-time home-buyer eager to get out of apartment living and buy your very own house? Whatever you do, don’t rush into things and follow these simple steps to help you decide whether you’re ready to take the plunge.

1. Always check the selling prices of comparable homes in your area and neighborhood by searching actual multiple listing service, or MLS, listings in your area on a number of websites, including the National Association of Realtors.
2. Use Bankrate’s mortgage calculator to get an idea of what your monthly mortgage payments would be if you bought today.
3. Calculate your total monthly housing cost, including taxes and homeowners insurance because in some areas, what you pay for your taxes and insurance escrow will almost double your mortgage payment.
4. Determine what your closing costs will be.  Closing costs can include origination fees charged by the lender, title and settlement fees, taxes and prepaid items like homeowners insurance or homeowners’ association fees and shouldn’t be overlooked during the purchase process.
5. Review your budget and determine how a house fits into it. Fannie Mae recommends that buyers spend no more than 28 percent of their income on housing costs. Go much past 30 percent and you risk becoming house poor.
6. Buying a house is a great way to build wealth, maintaining your investment but can be labor-intensive and expensive.  Always remember to look at the big picture before inking the deal.

When unexpected costs for new appliances, residential roofing repairs and plumbing problems crop up, there’s no landlord to turn to, and these costs can quickly drain your bank account. Make sure you hire a thorough home inspector. If the house you are wanting to buy has a bad roof or other “large” repairs like foundation issues, you need to either choose another house or have the homeowners make the repairs.  Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would be happy to come out and take a look at the house you’re interested in, and give the homeowners a fair price on repairs. So the bottom line is that you need to take things slow. Consider whether you’re ready for the expense and effort of home ownership before pulling the trigger.