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When it comes time to list your home on the market, the decision to sell shouldnt be taken lightly. Rather than asking your Magic 8 Ball whether nows the time to pack up your belongings and move into a new space, youll want to focus on a variety of factors to be sure your decision makes the most sense for you and your family.

Here are five telltale signs that will offer the best indication that youre ready to get off the sidelines and make a move.

Youre financially ready. Purchasing a home is an expensive proposition, which means buyers need to have their finances in order before they even begin looking at houses. Many people take the plunge when interest rates are low and their credit score is in good standing, says James Roche, CEO of Houseplans.com, who notes that understanding the costs associated with purchasing a home is another important factor that needs to be taken into consideration.

You have a game plan. According to Roche, having a game plan in place is one of the best ways to motivate yourself when it comes to actually going through with listing your home. Your game plan should cover the basics”where you want to live, what type of home you want to purchase, when you want to move”in addition to how much you can afford. Having a general vision of what your next home will look like hinges on having an estimated listing price of how much you can actually afford, says Roche.

Your family situation is changing. Whether your family is growing or youve recently become an empty nester, shifting family dynamics can play a large part in your current home not meeting your everyday needs anymore. Take stock of the space you have”and whether its being put to good use”and decide what makes the most sense for your current situation.

Youre ready for self-expression. It may be time to hang that For Sale sign if you find that special house or rare parcel of land that youve always wanted, says Roche.

You actually want to sell. When it comes to selling your home, no one can make the decision for you. The best time for you to sell is when you feel that its absolutely right.

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Many homebuyers choose to a purchase a house on a cul-de-sac just to avoid a busy street. However, there are pros and cons you should be aware of up front.

Traffic

Since there’s only one way in and out, a cul-de-sac has less traffic than a typical street.

Parking

Depending on the size and layout of the cul-de-sac, the number of houses, and how often neighbors have visitors, parking could be a problem.

Kids

Since a cul-de-sac has significantly less traffic than other neighborhoods, it’s a natural place for children to gather and play.

Community

Houses on a cul-de-sac often face each other.

Neighbors may see each other every day, get to know each other and keep an eye on each others properties and kids.

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For many of us, cleaning out our garage is no simple afternoon task. Most garages hold years of accumulated and forgotten items, and clearing them out is a serious job. Below are five tips to help you make the most of the big clean-out.

Pick a date. To avoid procrastination, choose a hard date on your calendar for your clean-out. Depending on the size of your garage, a full weekend may be in order. Tell your family members about the date to make sure they will be around to pitch in.

Gather your resources. Stock up on large trash bags, visit your local grocer’s for discarded cardboard boxes and”if you have enough lurking in your garage”consider calling your county’s waste management service to see if you can order a dumpster.

Ask for help. Do you need to borrow a friend’s pickup truck to lug your unwanted items to the dump? How about a power washer to clean the floor once it’s clutter-free? Line these things up in advance for easy cleaning.

Pile it right. At the start of your clean-out, create three piles: to keep, to sell, and to donate. As you come across items in your garage, add them to their respective area and keep moving. Once something has landed in a pile, try to resist the temptation to move it.

Organize, organize, organize. Set yourself up to re-organize your space once it’s squeaky clean. Do you need more shelving units? Hooks and bins? Gather these items in advance.

I hope you found this helpful. Contact me for more home and real estate insights and info.

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Natural stone is prized for its appealing look and impressive durability. Is it right for your home?

Slate, marble, travertine, limestone or granite – chances are theres an option thats right for your home no matter what your preferred style is.

There are a variety of grades and ratings assigned to natural stone that will help you to determine the most practical option.

Depending on the quality of the stone, these grades can vary, though the most common weakness for different types of natural stone is absorption rating.

If youre planning to use natural stone for your new terrace or patio, keep the absorption rating in mind, because absorbed water can turn to ice and crack the stone.

Published with permission from RISMedia.