When you are selling your home, it is important to realize that until all counteroffers have been agreed to and the purchase agreement has been signed, your home is not officially sold. So, even after you have accepted an offer from a buyer, you should keep your home on the market.

Keeping your house on the market is wise, because even though an offer has been accepted, you still have to go through the escrow period. This escrow period can last from one week to several months, and during this time the sale of the property is still pending. The house isn’t technically sold until after the close of the escrow. So, it is best to keep the market informed that the sale is only pending. That way, you may have a chance to receive backup offers, in case the initial sale falls through.

As the seller, keeping your home on the market until a sale is finalized keeps you covered. But, in the end, if all the paperwork has been approved and the sale has been made official, your initial buyer’s offer takes precedence over any backup offers.

If you have any questions about selling your home, please call me, Sharon Gidley at (847) 812-5081. 

1 lb. Bulk turkey sausage

¼ cup onion, chopped

2 ½ cups frozen loose-pack hash brown potatoes

1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

1 cup Bisquick Original baking mix

¼ tsp. Salt, if desired

1 ¾ cups milk

4 eggs

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 8-inch square baking dish. Cook turkey sausage and onion until sausage is fully cooked; drain. Mix sausage, potatoes and cheese in baking dish. Stir remaining ingredients with fork until blended; pour into baking dish. Bake about 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Hosting a brunch can be an elegant way to bring friends and family together in an informal setting. IF you are considering hosting a brunch, here are some tips for planning a successful gathering:

When it comes time to sell your home, you may want to provide a little incentive for potential buyers by offering a home warranty. A home warranty may help prospective buyers feel assured that certain problems within the first year of ownership will be covered.

Home warranties typically cover appliances and major system within a home such as the water heater, air conditioner, furnace, plumbing and the electrical system. If a problem arises with something that is covered by the warranty, the homeowner simply needs to call the warranty provider. At that time, an appointment is set for a technician to come and fix the problem.

Keep in mind, though, that a home warranty does not cover every problem within the home. And, although repairs are typically done free-of-charge during the warranty’s coverage period, the homebuyer will likely have to pay a service fee for each visit or inspection. A home warranty can be a wonderful marketing tool for you, as a seller. It shows buyers that you stand behind the products in your home. A home being sold with a warranty can be more appealing than a home without one. As your Re/Max real estate professional, I’m here to help you through the buying or selling of a home. Give me a call today if you or anyone you know is in need or real estate expertise.

If you’re still relying on the same lock that was in place when you bought your home, you might want to consider an upgrade. Millions of homes are broken into each year, so you may want to take security precautions to prevent becoming a victim. Picking the right lockset for your door can be difficult, because there are many styles and levels of protection from which to choose. For exterior doors, the three most common types of locks are handle-sets, keyed-entry doorknobs and deadbolts.

Deadbolts provide the most antitheft protection. When shopping for a deadbolt, buy one that has hardened pins that cannot be sawed through. And, the best one will feature a heavy plate with screws that are at least 3 inches. When buying handle-sets, look for a dead-locking latch bolt to prevent intruders from opening your door with a credit card. Additionally, a set that allows you to lock both the deadbolt and latch from inside in a single step will offer the most benefit in an emergency situation.

If you have different locks on all the doors in your home, consider universal keying. With this option, you can have one key made to fit all the locks in your home, even if you have installed locks from different manufacturers.

Q:  We plan to sell our home next year, but we’ll be remodeling beforehand. Will this have an impact on our taxes?

A:  Even if you don’t sell for a while, it’s always good to plan for the eventual sale of your home. This includes keeping records of any improvements that add to the value of your home.

After you sell your home, you’ll calculate the capital gains, which may or may not be taxable. The internal Revenue Service bases your capital gains on the sale price minus selling expenses, less the adjustable basis, which takes into account major expenditures made to improve or restore your property. This includes home improvements, building additions, special assessments for local improvements, and the cost of repairing damaged property after a casualty.

Keep repair records and receipts for additions, such as a new bedroom or bathroom. Track improvements such as adding a fence, installing new windows, or any plumbing and wiring upgrades. For more specific advice, check with your tax advisor about the tax implications of remodeling or selling your home. And, when you are ready to sell, call me. As your Re/Max real estate professional, I can help make the sale of your home a success.