My Blog

Understanding The Real Estate World

Cutting Down On The High Cost Of Energy

Are your utility bills going up? (Mine seem to be too). Is your home energy efficient? (Mine could honestly stand for some improvement). I believe all of us may be in the same boat when it comes to having the best of intentions for undertaking a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Certainly something we want to do, but often never seem to get around to that initial step for heading in the right direction. Well, as they always say, there is no time like the present! And it really couldn't be simpler! Start immediately by lowering your energy costs with these 5 actions...sure to put a dent in your energy bills!

https://bit.ly/1rXrxo4

September 20, 2019

How To Be A Wise Homebuyer

If you are in the market to buy a home, before you fall in love with a property and sign on the dotted line, make sure you do your due diligence and check out the key systems closely:

Water Supply – The home may be on a private well, shared well, water association, or a city supplied system. In any case, make sure there is enough for you and the others who will be living
there. First and foremost, if you turn on faucets, is there good water pressure? What if you turn on a few faucets at the same time? Also check the property for any wet and marshy areas which might be
an indication of a water main leak. Then, if on a well, test it for flow. Finally, ask the owner (and possibly the neighbor) questions regarding any water shortage issues they may have experienced
on a sporadic or seasonal basis.

Sewer/Septic – If on sewer and depending on the area, the homeowner may be responsible for the sewer pipes from the house to the connection point. I recommend having this inspected, even if
buying new. All too often roots, gravel, and fractures can cause thousands of dollars in damage – a bill that I would like you to avoid if possible. If on a septic, make sure you are provided with the
maintenance records and review them. In many areas, a fresh inspection and pumping are necessary before a sale.

Foundation – Foundation issues are costly! Inspect the foundation for tell-tale cracks and water marks. If you see areas of concern, consider bringing in a specialist to determine the extent of the
problem and what it might cost to fix it.

Roof – Roofing materials have a lifespan. Find out what the roof is constructed with, who installed it, and get an idea of when it may need to be replaced again. If you have concerns you may be able to
get a roof certification which is an opinion provided by a licensed roofing contractor that certifies that the roof is free of defects and should perform as designed for a provided period of time (however,
this is not necessarily a warranty).

Heating/Cooling – These can also be very expensive to replace, so ask the seller when these were installed, what issues they have had, and ask for the maintenance records. These systems have an
expected lifespan, so if they are nearing the end of theirs, you will need to either budget for these or possibly negotiate with the seller for pricing accommodations.

Home Warranty – Since appliances including water heaters and sometimes heating and cooling systems and plumbing systems are pricey to repair or replace, you can consider getting a home
warranty which covers repairing or replacing these items. Different companies and policies do different things, so if this is something you are considering, do your research, read online reviews,
and compare pricing before moving forward.

Buy with your head as well as your heart and your future self will thank you!. Questions or concerns about your home or next home purchase? Reach out...I am ALWAYS here for you!!!

November 3, 2018

How and Why To Stage A Home When Selling

Although many people think staging means decorating a room or home in a pleasing way, it is really the art of enhancing a space to allow for flow and to augment a room’s best features. In addition, it helps the buyer not get distracted by the homeowner’s belongings.

Although it is easy to think about this in theory (catch any real estate show on HGTV to figure out the basics) actually applying it to one’s own home can be a bit of a challenge. For example, think about your kitchen countertops right now. Do you see them in your mind? From one side of the room to the other, think about each individual item on the counter. Does each item enhance the flow and features of the kitchen? Probably not. Many kitchen counters hold everything from toasters to coffee makers to baking good canisters to dish racks. Although these functional items are necessary for day-to-day living, each item represents something that can distract a buyer from other features a kitchen has to offer.

So when you are going to be selling your home, your first step is to remove everything you don't absolutely need for the next 90 days, except for furniture and items for decor. You are going to
have to move anyway, so start packing! Rent a storage facility and clear out drawers, closets, cabinets, and the garage. The second step is to take a good hard look at the articles remaining. This is a good time to bring in someone with staging expertise to determine how best to achieve your goals. Rest assured when it is time to sell, your home’s own custom staging strategy can help get you top dollar.

Check out the entire report here at:

https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/migration_files/reports/2017/2017-profile-of-home-staging-07-06-2017.pdf

February 25, 2019

Getting to Less

The minimalist and green movements share some common themes, like the value associated with consuming fewer resources. But getting to less can be a challenge! A minimalist aesthetic helps you consume less, clean less and maybe experience less stress. Leo Babauta, author of The Power of Less, provides some ways to create a minimalist home.

1. Eliminate furniture The fewer pieces of furniture, the better. Eliminate as many pieces as you can without sacrificing comfort.

2. Clear floors Keep only furniture on floors and clear out stacks of books, magazines, and other clutter.

3. Declutter for easy cleaning Clear flat surfaces of knick-knacks, books, papers, gadgets. Instead opt for one or two decorative items. It’s easier to clean and the style offers visual peace.

August 23, 2018