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Bobby Sloma


Listed below are items to consider when purchasing a residence, land or resort property.
  • Consider obtaining a survey of the lot or the land if a recent one does not exist. A survey can identify the boundaries and any encroachments that may exist. Surveys are generally at the buyer’s expense.
  • A home inspection can reveal defects that most buyers would not notice. Home inspections and wood infestation insect inspections are recommended.
  • Ask about the age of the home and especially the age of items such as the roof, furnace and hot water heater. This may reflect how many years are left on these items before major expense could be required.
  • Check the foundation for cracks, bowing or tilting. Look for signs of water damage.
  • Examine the basement for leaks. Does it smell musty or show signs of staining or puddling? These are items that can provide an environment for mold. Are furniture and storage items pulled away from exterior walls of the basement? This could be an indicator of a water issue.
  • Are there dead trees on the property? Are shrubs overgrown? Deferred landscape maintenance could later be costly.
  • Have a flashlight to inspect the attic for anything amiss. Flashlights are also helpful for looking in crawl spaces for “wood rot” which can be costly.
  • Watch for mulch piled up close to the house. Mulch is an environment that encourages termites and could lead to expensive termite treatments.
  • Get a feel for the overall maintenance of the home. Is it orderly or disorderly? Clean or dingy? If a home is cosmetically maintained, there is a good chance it will be mechanically maintained as well.
  • Check out the property during the day and the night to see if any annoying situations like noisy neighbors, barking dogs, loud music or street-racing cars exist. If possible, talk to neighbors and gather information. Neighborhood issues can contribute to a lessened quality of life.
To make your dream home truly a dream home, it is well to use both your heart and head in coming to a decision. With eyes and ears open, follow these steps and listen to the advice of a real estate professional to make the best buy possible.

Listed below are items to consider when selling your home or land.
  • Provide existing documentation if it exists. Items such as surveys, appraisals, inspection reports, warranties and termite treatment contracts are indicative of a well-maintained home.
  • Declutter and neutralize your home interior and exterior including the garage. Let all your home preparation decisions flow from these main ideas.
  • Clean all ceiling fans, vents and other dust collectors. Present a spotless home.
  • Create a great-smelling home. This is very important as smoking an animal living in the home turns many buyers off. Air out the home to make it smell better.
  • Freshen up the entryway to your home by adding new hardware to your front door, or polish the door’s hardware and add a coat of paint. Add flowers and manicure the yard.
  • Create open space and open baseboards. If you can live without it, move it out. A stark, impersonal look is better than clutter. Eliminate unnecessary furniture.
  • Paint over interior water stains after leaks are repaired. Ugly water stains make buyers nervous and are instant turn-offs,
  • Make your bathroom sparkle. Bathrooms may be older but should not be grungy. Purchase inexpensive new curtains, bath towels and mats to freshen up the bathroom.
  • Add plants to your home. They add warmth and life.
  • Enhance your home¹s curb appeal. Some would-be home-buyers drive by in the evening. How does your home look at night? Is the lighting warm and friendly, harsh or non-existent?
  • Depersonalize your home by removing personal pictures. These give your home a cluttered look and buyers respond better to a depersonalized space.



The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker ReciprocitySM Program of the Northern Kentucky Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Sloma Realty, LLC are marked with the Broker ReciprocitySM logo or the Broker ReciprocitySM thumbnail log (a little black house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.

The broker providing the data believes the data to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm the data before relying on it in a purchase decision.

Copyright 2005 Northern Kentucky Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.