SGHomesAdmin | Tucson's Premier Home Buyer

Ins and Outs of a Septic System

SGHomesAdmin — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 12:00:26 +0000

If you are thinking about selling your home in Tucson, you may need to understand the ins and outs of a septic system?

In the U.S. there are more that 20% of homes that utilize a septic system to dispose of wastewater. We will provide some information so you can better understand your septic system.

What Exactly is a Septic System?

Septic systems are a disposal and wastewater treatment system that is mainly used in rural areas where is it not possible to tap into the public sewage system.

Septic systems can vary a lot depending on where you live, the type of soil that you have, how level your property is, how large your lot is and many more.

Basically, your septic systems is comprised of a tank where the wastewater, from sinks, toilets and showers, from your house is disposed. These tanks are kept underground and accessed through a cover called a riser.

How is the Wastewater Processed?

The wastewater goes to the septic tank through an inlet pipe. Sludge, or heavier solids build up on the bottom of the tank and will need to be regularly pumped out by a septic system professional. Lighter weight, liquid waste, called effluent gets pushed out to some plastic pipes with holes in them. These pipes are surrounded and the wastewater is filtered by a layer of gravel and soil. These pipes are called lateral lines and they should be setup on a downward slope in the property. The sloping also prevents water from creating a pond over the drain field during a rainstorm. If the lateral lines were to become flooded, the water could drain back into the tank, pushing the wastewater back up into the drains in your home.

How Often Should it Be Inspected?

Ideally, you should get your septic tank inspected every 3-4 years by a professional. It is imperative that you get your system inspected before selling your house. That way you can catch and correct any issues that may arise before it becomes a problem.

Signs that You have a Septic Tank problem

Your wastewater drains are backing up

There are gurgling sounds coming from your drains or the drains become very slow at draining.

There is standing water near the drain field or the tank

You notice a sewage odor when you are near the septic system

A failed septic system is dangerous to both humans and animals alike. You need to be aware of a potential failure and immediately get in touch with a septic tank professional to get the problem resolved.

Reasons for a Septic Tank Failure

There are some necessary steps that you need to take to keep your septic system running properly. Here are some tips of things not to do:

Only toilet paper and waste should be disposed of down the drain. Do not put anything else down the drain.

Keep any vehicles and machinery off the septic system. The extra weight could damage the drain field

Do not pour chemicals down the drain to clear a clog. Instead, use a drain snake or hot water. If that doesn’t work, contact a plumbing expert.

Putting grease or oil down the drain. Wait until they sit and harden and throw them in the trash.

Don’t use the garbage disposal frequently. Either throw the waste in the garbage or compost pile.

The cost for a septic tank inspection varies depending upon where you live. The price ranges from $350-$650. Something to remember, to inspect the tank, it must first be pumped, which is a separate charge.

Typically, if a septic tank issue is found, the expense is covered by the seller, however, it is possible to negotiate with the buyer, depending upon the state of the real estate market.

If you find or suspect that you have septic issues before you plan to sell your home, you may want to consider working with Stained Glass Homes in Tucson. We will purchase your home as is for cash, even with a failed septic system. If you are interested in how we can help, call us today at 520-200-3334 or click on the link below and send us your contact information. We can provide you with a free, no-obligation quote.

The post Ins and Outs of a Septic System first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.

Prep Your House to Sell

SGHomesAdmin — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:00:48 +0000

It’s time to sell your house, what exactly should you do to prep your Tucson house to sell? Many homeowners turn to DIY or “Do It Yourself” approach, whether it appears to be most economical or an easy task. If you are looking to sell your home saving money can be the most common reason for tackling a DYI project without involving a professional. But be aware that some projects can be risky and cause costly problems without a trained professional.

Some basic projects, such as putting up wallpaper, come with a low risk factor and won’t cause major problems down the road. However, some projects require a certain level of expertise that is more than the homeowner should undertake. We are providing a list of projects that, when not handled properly, can result in a serious situation or could become costly to fix.

Electrical Work

Working with any type of wiring problems in a home is best handled by an electrician. Something such as changing a light bulb is certainly something you can handle, but beyond that, it is best left to the professional.

Plumbing

Projects that involve plumbing issues can get very tricky without the necessary training. Making a rookie mistake could be devastating if you cause a water pipe to break in your house. Especially if it is behind a wall. Water leaks can also cause the growth of mold in your house which can be very dangerous to the occupants.

Bathroom Remodels

Watching those DIY shows on television may make remodeling jobs look like a breeze, but the elements that are required in these types of projects may require the need for a plumber or electrician. In addition, be sure not to over-remodel. Spending too much money on bathroom fixtures and fittings are a sure-fire way to lose money. Potential buyers may not be willing to pay you any extra for the higher priced items.

Foundation and Crawl Spaces

Any type of repair needed on a foundation or crawl space may appear to be a simple fix, but many types of these repairs require specialized training and tools. Problems with a house’s foundation can be very serious.

Roof Repairs

Roofing repair prices can be very expensive. Fixing shingles or working on structural issues may seem like a simple repair. But if shingles are not done correctly, the insulation is missing or safety measures aren’t taken, things like roof leaks can occur. It is far better to invest your time into finding a good roofing professional.

Painting

One of the least expensive way to freshen up a home is to give it a good coat of paint. Painting can be easy and fun, but there are challenges that come with it.

One challenge is to keep the edges wet to avoid lap marks. Lap marks occur when you paint a wet coat of paint over a dry coat of paint. These lap marks will show up leaving an uneven sheen especially when you use a matte or satin colored paint.

Areas like stair ways and large open walls are best to be left to the professional.

Before considering making any updates to your house, consider the cost savings to not updating or repair your house. At Stained Glass Homes in Tucson, we are able to purchase your house as-is. We may be able to save you a lot of money in these situations. In addition we don’t charge commissions or any fees for our services. If this sounds like a better option to you, contact us at 520-200-3334 or click on the link below and provide us with your contact information.

The post Prep Your House to Sell first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.

June 2021 Real Estate Stats for Tucson Area

SGHomesAdmin — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:36:08 +0000

The post June 2021 Real Estate Stats for Tucson Area first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.

Make the Most of Your Space

SGHomesAdmin — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 12:00:10 +0000

When you find that your space is become a rarity, it becomes essential to make the most of every inch.it doesn’t matter what you collect or enjoy working on. There is a trick to help you maximize the storage space. Here are some nifty storage ideas for some of the bulkiest space-eaters that you may have.

Offseason Clothes

Pick up some of the under the bed storage containers for those bulky sweaters and jackets in the summertime. In the wintertime, re-use them for those summer flip-flops and shorts.

If you don’t have space under the bed, take advantage of those cascading hangers. Put dress shirts and blouses on one set and casual t-shirts on the other. Most likely you will be able to double your closet space.

Guest Linens

It is extremely handy to have extra blankets, comforters and pillows handy when guests arrive, but not so great to store. Look for those extra-large vacuum storage bags. Fill the bags with your linens and suck out all the extra air with your vacuum cleaner. Your bags will reduce in size tremendously. Once the bags have been shrunk in size, they can easily be tucked under a bed or on a shelf.

Shoes

If your shoe collection has blossomed out of control you are not out of luck. Those over-the-door shoe organizers that you used in your dorm-room days work great! They are so popular for a reason. You can use them to store a dozen pairs of shoes, along with scarves, belts, caps and costume jewelry

Bicycles

One of the most difficult things to store is a bike. Especially, if you don’t have a garage, basement, or deck. One way to at least get it off the floor is to install a strong hook in the wall. Then you can hang the bike by the front tire. The benefit is that it gets the bike off the floor but the bike still protrudes into the room.

To hang the bike so it is less invasive, put the bike flush against the wall like you are hanging a piece of art. It can be as easy as using 2 wood dowels to support the bike’s horizontal bar. Be sure that you securely anchor the dowels into a stud so that they can support the bike.

Fitness Equipment

Yoga balls provide a good workout but trying to store one is a pain. Of course, you could always deflate and re-inflate it every time you need it, but that isn’t worth the hassle. A good idea is to repurpose it and use it as a desk chair or other piece of furniture. If you repurpose the larger balls as dining room chairs you can store them under the table when you are done using them.

Missing a dining room table, use the same trick as recommended for the bike storage. Add a couple of dowels up high and set the ball on the dowels until you’re ready for your next workout.

Holiday decorations or memorabilia

Do you have any of those special keepsakes that you just can’t part with? Look for unused spaces to hang shelves. Oftentimes there is extra space just above your hanging clothes in your closet for some shelves. You may need to grab a flashlight and stepstool to access them, but it shouldn’t be too bad if you only need to use them a couple of times a year.

Another Option

Perhaps it is time for a larger house. As we go through life we may find that we have totally outgrown our home. If you have reached this point in your life, consider finding a faster and easier way to sell your Tucson house. We offer fast closings with Cash, you can sell the house as is with absolutely no repairs, no commissions to realtors, and no need to clean up the property for showings or appraisals. If this sounds interesting to you contact us at Stained Glass Homes, phone 520-200-3334 or click on the button below and send us your contact information. We will provide you with a free no-obligation offer and can close in as fast as 10 days.

The post Make the Most of Your Space first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.

Steps to Stop Foreclosure

SGHomesAdmin — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 12:00:58 +0000

We are in tough times and here are some steps to stop foreclosure.

Keep in mind that banks don’t always play fair. If you have received a notice of sale from your lender and you need some options, here are some suggestions that may work for you.

You basically have 2 options with a foreclosure. You can either pay off the loan in full or you can make the loan current.

Here are some options:

Get a payoff quote or reinstatement quote. This quote will include any principal and interest that is past due plus any taxes that were paid on your behalf. The quote will also include lawyer’s fees. The bank will hire a lawyer to handle the process and you will be responsible for their fees.

Once you request a quote, lenders will take 7-10 days to process the request.

Other options to avoid Foreclosure

Request a Postponement. If this is just the first notice, requesting a postponement may work.

Deferment is another option. With Deferment, you are asking the lender to make arrangements for you to pay at a later date.

Forbearance is when your lender allows you to suspend or reduce your mortgage payments for a limited time period while you are trying to get your payments caught up.

Loan Modification is when a lender agrees to adjust the terms of your loan. An example might be to adjust or decrease your monthly payment. Generally, this will increase the number of payments that you will need to make or it may be using a lower interest rate. Typically, loan modifications fail, so most lenders are hesitant to modify a loan.

Deed in lieu of foreclosure, this is where you sign over the deed to the house to the lender. If you are close to your auction date, most lenders will not do this.

Short Sales occur when you sell your house for less that is owed to the lender. This is a long process and the house must appraise for the sale price. This is a good option opposed to foreclosure as it doesn’t have the long lasting impact on your credit history.

Sell your house. Putting a contract on your house to sell it will postpone the auction to allow time for the sale to occur. But they won’t postpone it beyond the next auction date. Selling your house fast is a great option.

Foreclosures can have an adverse effect on your record. Once you file for foreclosure and lose your home, you are ineligible for a Fannie-Mae-backed mortgage for 5 years.

On future loan applications, you will need to indicate that you have had a property foreclosed upon. This will affect your interest rate.

Your credit score will drop from anywhere between 250-300 points. This will last for 3 years or more.

It will remain on your credit history for 10 years and permanently on your public record.

If your occupation requires you to have a security clearance, in almost all cases your clearance will be revoked, and your position will terminate.

Your employer has the right to check the credit of all employees in sensitive positions. Oftentimes foreclosure is a reason for immediate reassignment or termination.

Call us now for a free consultation to review your options so that you can make the best decision for you and your family.

Time is of the essence when dealing with a foreclosure. Each step takes time and the clock is ticking. The more time you have, the more options you have.

Time is critical. Call us at Stained Glass Homes at 520-200-3334 today or click on the button below and send us your contact information. We will be i touch with you.

The post Steps to Stop Foreclosure first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.

Don’t Jeopardize Your Home Sale

SGHomesAdmin — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 20:00:18 +0000

Selling a home in Tucson requires a process of important steps so that you don’t jeopardize your home sale. Just a simple misstep can create huge problems. And a huge misstep can generate problems that prevent the sale of the home.

Here are 6 problems that Tucson sellers should try to avoid when selling their house.

Funky Smells

Not to be rude, but every Tucson house has a smell. Some homes smell amazing while others just don’t. Prospective home buyers will key into the smells and can quickly make a decision about the house without even looking around.

Some smells, such as smoking can stick around for a long time. Cigarette smoke gets into clothing and furniture and lingers for a while. Non-smokers can instantly notice if the current homeowners are smokers.

Pet smells are another problem. No matter how clean you keep your Tucson house, pets will leave behind a bit of an odor.

A good way to see if your home has odors is to invite someone over who does not visit your home very often and have them judge the smell of the home. This will provide you with a starting point on whether you need to fix the problem.

Personalizing

One of the benefits of Tucson home ownership is the ability to personalize it. Perhaps you enjoy a dramatic dining room, or a brightly colored office or murals in the nursery. When it comes to selling your Tucson house, these personalization’s could jeopardize the sale.

You should try to avoid having unusual or crazy artwork on the walls. Blank walls and neutral space allow the potential buyer to envision their personal belongings on the space. Keep in mind that your personal items remind visitors that they are walking through a stranger’s home instead of encouraging them to think of it as their next home.

Awkward Schedules

Not everyone gets to work a regular 9-5 schedule. And sometimes potential buyer may need to tour your home at a less than favorable time for you. Tucson homeowners need to make every effort to make their home available at any time.

You don’t want to tell a buyer to come back at a better time for you. Most buyers will not come back but will find something else to look at.

Don’t Watch the Process

It is so tempting to want to see what others think of your Tucson house. Most sellers know that you should leave your home during a showing to put buyers at ease. But in this age with so many homes with security cameras installed, these can make buyers feel uneasy.

Consider turning the video recordings off during your showings to help the buyer feel more at ease. And will allow them to be more comfortable about asking the realtor questions about the home.

Hanging Around

You may know that buyers hate it when sellers hang around the house during a showing. But it still happens. Most buyers are afraid to ask questions or make comments with the seller just around the corner. Instead, they will just be focused on leaving to escape the awkward situation.

Playing Pretend

This misstep can really cause big problems. This is when buyers are in the home and the seller or one of their friends walks through the house pointing out and commenting about the house, usually in a very loud voice. Most buyers are not impressed by this obnoxious behavior. They may find it distracting or may intimate some buyers into leaving early.

Homeowners can go to some strange lengths to try to sell their home. And most often, they backfire, which makes it harder to get the job done.

If you would like to avoid dealing with these issues and quickly and easily sell your Tucson home Stained Glass Homes may be able to help. We buy homes no matter what they look like, smell like or have hanging on the walls. Call us at today at 520-200-3334 for a free, no-obligation offer.

The post Don’t Jeopardize Your Home Sale first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.

Determine Your Home’s Value

SGHomesAdmin — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:49:50 +0000

How to determine your home’s value, that is a loaded question for sure. The answer will have a different answer depending upon who you ask.

Most Tucson homeowners believe that their home is worth much more due to the emotional memories that they have attached to it. When it comes to buyers, they will determine the value dependent upon whether it fits their needs. Those who are interested will feel that the home is worth more than those who are not interested.

Working with a Realtor

This is where is pays off to hire a real estate professional. Your Tucson realtor will be able to help you determine very closely the true market value of your home. They are not planning to purchase it for themselves, nor do they place sentimental value on the home. Therefore, they are able to remain unbiased in the information that they provide you. In addition, they don’t get paid for their service until your home sales. So, it is in their best interest to determine the best price to list your house.

Make a Comparison to Other Recently Sold Homes

Using a realtor will make this task much easier. Your realtor can run a report of all the homes that have been recently sold in your area. Then they will compare the ones that are similar to yours to help determine the price that you should be able to get for your home.

The best home prices to use are for the homes that have sold most recently, are located close to you and are similar to your home in age, size and features.

The realtor will know how to make adjustments for homes that may not exactly match yours. For example, a home that is larger than yours or one that hasn’t been updated lately.

Remove Your Feelings

This is probably the hardest thing to do. But you must remain objective if you want to determine the most accurate price for your home. Remember the buyer is not paying for the memories that you have attached to your home. Keep the 2 feelings separate as you work through the details for the most accurate price.

Review the homes that are currently listed

Take a look at all the homes that are listed in the Tucson area that have not sold, not just the homes in your area. These homes are the ones that you that you will have as competition.

Finding that accurate price is crucial in your house selling process. Should you price the house too high, no one will be interested in it. If you price the house too low, you could be losing money that might have been yours.

Tucson home sellers will need to do their research and stay as completely unbiased as possible. Once you select the correct asking price, you will know it by the immediate interest that others will have in your home. And oftentimes, you will get so much competition for your home it could drive up the price someone is willing to pay for it!

If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t want to go through the process of listing your home, consider contacting Stained Glass Homes. We can evaluate your home and give you a no-obligation offer for it. The price will be less that the typical market value, but you will not need to make any repairs, or have your home paraded through by strangers. We can close quickly, usually as fast as 14 days. Call us today at 520-200-3334 or click on the button below and send us your contact information, we will contact you shortly.

The post Determine Your Home’s Value first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.

May 2021 Real Estate Stats for Tucson Area

SGHomesAdmin — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:57:28 +0000

The post May 2021 Real Estate Stats for Tucson Area first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.

Understanding Mortgages

SGHomesAdmin — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 12:00:01 +0000

Understanding mortgages is the same no matter where you go, but the actual mortgage on your Tucson home may vary from lender to lender. The mortgage is offered to the buyer with the intent to purchase a Tucson home through that lender. However, with every lender the terms and conditions can change dramatically. Each lender may provide something different.

Before you commit to a specific lender and their mortgage, be sure to get all of the facts by knowing the right questions to ask.

Begin with the Basics

There are many different types of mortgages, some lenders my offer more types than other lenders. This would be a good place to start, especially, if the buyer already has a certain type of mortgage in mind already.

Some of the common types of mortgages include adjustable rates, fixed rates, interested only rates and negative amortization. Each type of mortgage can have benefits and drawbacks. Be sure to have the lender cover what each type of mortgage will mean to you and your bottom line.

Ask About any Extra Fees

Knowing how much the interest rate will be is very important, however, knowing exactly how much it will cost in extra fees is equally important.

Always ask the lender what fees you will have to pay as well. There are many things that your lender can charge you for and they can really add up.

A low interest rate is clearly one of the most highly desired pieces of information that a Tucson buyer can get from their lenders. The lower the interest rate the buyer can get, the more money that the home buyer can save. Having the lender quote average interest rates can be deceptive. Interest rates mainly depend upon the borrower’s credit score.

Paying It Off Early

Some lenders will include a clause that will penalize the borrower for paying off the loan early. This is not a global clause, so it is always good to double check before signing for your mortgage.

Homeowners who don’t expect to live in the same house for the rest of their lives may want to pay off their mortgage early. Being aware of what that penalty is will be helpful.

How Long Does it Take

Every mortgage company has its own process for approving and processing mortgages. Some companies are able to to process them faster than others. However, if a Tucson buyer needs to get their mortgage processed as quick as possible be sure that your lender is able to handle that. Some borrower’s think that they will obtain access to their new home within a couple of weeks, but sadly, the process can take up to several months.

If you find that you need to sell your home fast and are not able to wait for your buyer to obtain a mortgage, consider speaking to us at Stained Glass Homes. We are able to offer you a cash payment, rather than waiting weeks or even months for a mortgage to be approved. Call us today at 520-200-3334 for a free, no-obligation offer, or click on the button below and send us your contact information and we can call you back.

The post Understanding Mortgages first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.

New Home Hidden Costs

SGHomesAdmin — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:00:13 +0000

Great news, you’ve just found the perfect home! The house is exactly what you wanted, the neighborhood is awesome and the price is right.

But the contracted price is just the start. Get ready for the additional and oftentimes unexpected home-buying costs that catch you off-guard and very quickly leave you underwater.

Unexpected Costs

For almost everyone, the spending doesn’t stop with the down payment. Closings costs such as appraisal, lender fees, and home owner’s insurance are typically planned for and are lumped into the original purchase price. But there can be more costs beyond that.

Many of your move-in costs are controlled by the previous owners. Should they decide to take the major appliances like the refrigerator and the washer/dryer you need to buy one to replace it.

These may seem like small purchases compared to buying a home, the cost for them do add up. Especially, if you used up all of your cash on the down payment.

Watch out for any immediate improvements that may need to be made, unless you can negotiate those repairs as part of the purchase agreement.

These costs will be the least hidden of any that you may run into.

It is incredibly important to hire a home inspector, which will add to your list of hidden costs, to make sure that everything is in good working order and structurally sound. Home inspectors will check for poor wiring, leaky and weak foundations, wood rot and plumbing problems. Things that you may not be able to recognize on your own.

These types of issues are not covered by home insurance. Should an inspector find a serious problem, then you will have to make the decision as to whether you still want to purchase the home. Whether you choose to proceed with the purchase or you choose to cancel your contract, you will still have to pay for the inspector.

Maintaining your Level of Comfort

Keeping you comfortable is another cost consideration you may not think about.

Are you used to Cable TV and Wi-Fi service? Is your new home wired for Cable and Wireless service? It is difficult to watch a technician crawl around putting holes in your brand-new walls.

If you are purchasing your very first house and moving away from apartment living you will probably be faced with higher utility bills. Many renters don’t even pay for all utilities as they are covered by the landlord. Items such as garbage and water bills.

Pre-Plan

A good way to be prepared for hidden costs is to do research and planning. Begin budgeting even before you start house hunting.

One method is to search for homes within your budget that may need some work done and calculate how much those improvements will cost. Again, research closely how much the repairs will be, it will be devasting to think it will cost a couple of hundred dollars to upgrade a kitchen, and then realizing it will actually cost thousands.

Older homes may seem like a much better deal than a newer home, but with older homes you may have more problems to fix and a higher insurance payment. Check on the cost of home owner’s insurance for the home. Insurance rates vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Set a limit on the amount that you plan for a down payment. Make sure that you leave enough cash in your account to pay for improvements like changing the locks.

Roughly Calculate for as many costs that you can think of and carefully re-consider those homes that are at the upper limit of your budget.

Know your financial limits and plan ahead before signing on the line for your new house.

If you need help to sell your existing house fast, contact Stained Glass Homes, we can provide free, no-obligation offers to get you back on your feet. Call us at 520-200-3334 or click on the button below and send us your contact information.

The post New Home Hidden Costs first appeared on Tucson's Premier Home Buyer.