Thursday, April 20, 2017
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
HOME OWNERSHIP AND THE EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
Home-ownership has strong emotional benefits.
Homes
are a place to feel secure, build a future and raise a family.
There’s immense personal satisfaction in owning a home, and with home-ownership you can gain a sense of community through the neighborhood, schools and civic groups.
Beyond
the emotional benefits of home-ownership, there are strong financial
reasons to buy a home.
- A home generally builds equity over time through the combination of mortgage payments and appreciation.
- A portion of your mortgage interest and real estate taxes are tax-deductible.
- You may leverage your money — even though your down payment may be 20% of the home’s purchase price, you receive the full value of any appreciation.
- In many markets the cost of ownership can be less than renting.
- You may strengthen your credit with your ongoing and timely mortgage payments.
- You may pass on your home to your children.
And,
as a homeowner, you are free to renovate, remodel, repair and repaint
your property – you’re never dependent on a landlord to get the
job done right.
Of course, the decision to buy a home vs. renting one depends on many personal factors including your financial health, job security, job mobility and more.
Of course, the decision to buy a home vs. renting one depends on many personal factors including your financial health, job security, job mobility and more.
With
the housing market recovering, confidence in home-ownership and real
estate is improving. Potential buyers from millennials on up are
trending away from rental properties and toward home-ownership.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Monday, May 18, 2015
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
13 Things to do to your Home Before Summer
Summer is a time for fresh air and fresh linens, sunshiny afternoons and breezy relaxation. Before it hits full force, get your house in order by tackling a few projects that will help you enjoy the season even more. 1. Buy a soaker hose. If you're in a state where foundations can become problematic if not watered regularly and/or you're under drought restrictions, this will keep you sane—and potentially keep you from needing to have your foundation jack hammered and hoisted back into place. 2. Change your air filters. Some manufacturers say you should change them out monthly. Although we don't know ANYONE who actually does this, it's worth noting that they do actually work more efficiently when changed out regularly, and that can save you money - even though you're spending more on the filters. 3. Change your refrigerator filter. You've probably been a bit lax about this too, right? Presumably, you'll be drinking more water when it's hot outside, so change the filter now and improve the taste of your water before you really need it. 4. Buy some decent outdoor furniture. Or fix yours up with outdoor paint. It's easy to do, whether you're dealing with wood, metal, or plastic. Check out this before and after:  The Jones Journal. 6. Ditch your ruddy throws and blankets. It's time to bring in something light and soft. Even if you're not one who does a big seasonal swap with your furnishings, this easy change out will make your home feel fresh and summery. 7. Change out your backsplash. If it's dark, drab, or dated, a new backsplash can give your kitchen a lift without knocking anything major down or adding anything super expensive. Choose something reflective to bounce light around the room if you have a dark space.  "Research indicates that your carpet probably contains about 200,000 bacteria per square inch, making it 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat," said Men's Health. "The average person sheds about 1.5 million skin cells every hour; these skin cells hit the rug and serve as food for germs. Add in food particles, pollen, and pet dander, and you have a gratis buffet." A vacuum cleaner might not be able to reach deep down to grab all of those germs, but a professional carpet cleaner will. 9. Plant a vegetable garden. Summer is the perfect time to start eating better. Give yourself an edge with an at-home vegetable garden. Veggies that can be planted in early spring include spinach, kale, radishes, broccoli, and peas.  10. Clean your windows. They're probably gross, and they're also blocking the light. 11. Slap on some solar screens. If you're in a high-heat area and you want to block the sun, solar screens may be the answer. "Solar Screens are the most effective window treatments that you can apply to your home for lowering energy bills by stopping the heat transfer through your windows and doors while still maintaining your view," said Lone Star Solar Screens. 12. Take on a project and make it a family affair. Summer fun doesn't have to be relegated to vacations. Want to lay new tile in the kitchen? Take the family to the local big box store for a workshop and then get started. It might just be fun. And even if you have to overcome some occasional (or more than occasional) whining along the way, you'll always have the pride of knowing you did it yourselves once you're done. 13. Build a firepit. You could always buy one, but why should you when you can build one of these 38 options yourself.  |
Monday, May 11, 2015
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Monday, May 4, 2015
Thursday, April 30, 2015
What a Home Inspection Should Cover
What a Home Inspection Should Cover
Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more specialized inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspector will check. You can also use this list to help you evaluate properties you might purchase.
For more information, try the virtual home inspection at www.ASHI.org, the Website of the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Structure: A home’s skeleton impacts how the property stands up to weather, gravity, and the earth. Structural components, including the foundation and the framing, should be inspected.
Exterior: The inspector should look at sidewalks, driveways, steps, windows, and doors. A home’s siding, trim, and surface drainage also are part of an exterior inspection.
- Doors and windows
- Siding (brick, stone, stucco, vinyl, wood, etc.)
- Driveways/sidewalks
- Attached porches, decks, and balconies
Roofing: A well-maintained roof protects you from rain, snow, and other forces of nature. Take note of the roof’s age, conditions of flashing, roof drainage systems (pooling water), buckled shingles, loose gutters and downspouts, skylight, and chimneys.
Plumbing: Thoroughly examine the water supply and drainage systems, water heating equipment, and fuel storage systems. Drainage pumps and sump pumps also fall under this category. Poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots, or corrosion can indicate problems.
Electrical: Safe electrical wiring is essential. Look for the condition of service entrance wires, service panels, breakers and fuses, and disconnects. Also take note of the number of outlets in each room.
Heating: The home’s heating system, vent system, flues, and chimneys should be inspected. Look for age of water heater, whether the size is adequate for the house, speed of recovery, and energy rating.
Air Conditioning: Your inspector should describe your home cooling system, its energy source, and inspect the central and through-wall cooling equipment. Consider the age and energy rating of the system.
Interiors: An inspection of the inside of the home can reveal plumbing leaks, insect damage, rot, construction defects, and other issues. An inspector should take a close look at:
- Walls, ceilings and floors
- Steps, stairways, and railings
- Countertops and cabinets
- Garage doors and garage door systems
Ventilation/insulation: To prevent energy loss, check for adequate insulation and ventilation in the attic and in unfinished areas such as crawlspaces. Also look for proper, secured insulation in walls. Insulation should be appropriate for the climate. Excess moisture in the home can lead to mold and water damage.
Fireplaces: They're charming, but they could be dangerous if not properly installed. Inspectors should examine the system, including the vent and flue, and describe solid fuel burning appliances.
In today's market when purchasing or selling a home it is very common to have a home inspection done. Know what you are getting when you buy because this is a major purchase and you will have to live with the unknown if you forgo a home inspection. And my friend could be a very costly deal that no ones wants. Home is suppose to be a place you love and want to spend time. You don't want to make the mistake of falling in love with the home that you forgo the home inspection. Hope this was helpful and gives you an idea of the process and questions to ask your home inspector.
Happy Home Buying or Selling
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
KISS: Keep It Simple when Renovating, Less is Best
When Renovating, Keep it Simple
When it comes to remodeling, it's best to keep it simple. Small cost-effective home renovations will likely get the best return on investment, according to surveys, appraisers, and real estate professionals.
According to the 2015 Cost vs. Value Report, large-scale home remodeling projects are often a gamble, and aren't likely to return their full cost. Small home improvements like upgrading to a steel door, updating the garage door, replacing wood windows, and making small updates to the kitchen will recoup nearly 100 percent of their cost. Bottom line? Simple replacements cost a lot less and provide a bigger payback to homes than remodels or additions.
Top 5 projects nationally in terms of cost recouped:1. Entry door replacement (101.8%)
2. Manufactured stone veneer (92.2%)
3. Garage door replacement—mid-range (88.5%)
4. Siding replacement, fiber cement (84.3%)
5. Garage door replacement—upscale (82.5%)
"The point is that the more expensive the work you do on a property, the higher the risk is that the buyer is not going to be willing to pay for it," Jonathan J. Miller, the president of Miller Samuel, a New York appraisal company told the New York Times recently. "If your kitchen is old and dated and you completely renovate it, you're gambling that the buyer is going to like your taste."
Focusing on renovation projects that improve the curb appeal of a home is a good strategy. Refinishing hardwood floors, replacing light fixtures, re-grouting bathroom tiles, giving the walls a fresh coat of paint are all simple renovations that can add big value. "A lot of these minor upgrades relate to appearance, and the first impression a buyer might get for a property," says Michael Vargas, an appraiser in Manhattan. "They're not necessarily concerned about what’s behind the wall; they're just concerned about how the property looks."
While not all remodeling jobs earn a killer payback, the Cost vs. Value survey found that minor kitchen remodels that focus on upgrading the cabinets, appliances, and countertops are often a good bet, with a national average payback of 79.3 percent.
Still, remodeling projects are not "one size fits all" and what sellers can hope to recoup from improving their home depends on many factors, including where they live, the condition of the home, the quality of the work, and if the upgrades are comparable to those in the neighborhood.
Top renovations for apartments and houses:
- Refinishing hardwood floors
- Painting walls
- Replacing kitchen countertops
- Installing new kitchen appliances
- Replacing kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts
Top renovations for houses only:
- Replacing the front door with a new steel-and-glass door
- Replacing the garage door
- Replacing siding
- Adding a wood deck
- Replacing windows with wood windows
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