-
First Time Home Buyer
Buying a home for the first time can be overwhelming for a first-time home buyer because few home buyers know where or how to begin the search to buy a home. The first home buying step should be to align yourself with a pro who has experience working with a first-time home buyer and can show you the ropes.
Read more... -
What Makes Short Sales Fall Apart and Cancel?
Read more...
You might think that more short sales fail than succeed, and you might be right.
I don't know of anybody who is actively tracking precisely how many short sales close and how many blow up. But I do know that if the sellers qualify for a short sale and the short sale is priced properly, that short sale is probably going to go through. If not to the present buyer, then it will probably close[…] -
Tips for Spring Home Buying
Right now, it's the best of times and the worst of times for buyers in the spring home buying market. In some parts of the country, there are not very many homes for sale, yet there is demand. Ordinarily, little inventory and high demand would put upward pressure on home prices, but that's not always true when other factors are present such as those inherent in a slow economy. Interest rates are remarkably low, less[…]
Read more... -
Should You Hire Your Agent's Home Inspector?
Read more...
If you don't trust your agent, you might not want to hire your agent's home inspector.
However, don't make the mistake of thinking that you can find a better home inspector. Just because a home inspector maintains membership in a home inspector's association doesn't mean the home inspector is competent. Some states don't license home inspectors, and California is among those states.
Plus, if your home inspector missed a serious defect during the home inspection,[…] -
How Long Does it Take to Sell a House?
Read more...
There is no stock answer to how long does it take to sell a house?
That's because selling quickly depends on a lot of variables, some of which a seller or the listing agent cannot control. You've also got market conditions to consider. I generally ask sellers: which is more important -- to sell quickly or to get the most money? Sometimes, you can get both. For example, I listed a fixer upper. Within a[…] -
What Does an "As Is" Short Sale Really Mean?
You can tell a buyer she is buying a short sale as is, and she'll say yeah, yeah, but she probably won't know what As Is means. I know this because I warn buyers over and over that short sale homes are sold As Is. Sure enough, right after the approval from the bank and subsequent home inspection, I'll get a request from the buyers for repairs. They think the bank will issue a new[…]
Read more...
-
Selling or staying put, 'daylighting' improvements pay off for homeowners
(ARA) - If your home will be on the market this spring, you're probably looking for every possible edge that will make it stand out to potential buyers. But even if you're staying put, you still want to make your home as attractive and valuable as your budget will allow.
"Daylighting" improvements that boost your home's brightness and energy efficiency offer substantial return on investment for both home sellers and those who will be staying in their homes for the foreseeable future.
Bringing the daylighting concept home
Industrial and office designers have long used daylighting - the concept of illuminating interior spaces with natural light from above - to improve energy efficiency, healthfulness and functionality of rooms. The slower housing market and sluggish economy have raised homeowner interest in the concept.
"Daylighting improvements not only elevate a home's visual appeal for potential buyers, they can enhance homeowners' enjoyment of their living space, and reduce energy costs," says Ross Vandermark, national product manager with skylight manufacturer VELUX America.
Homeowners who want to apply the principles of daylighting to their home have many options: They can add windows or roof windows or install any number of types of traditional skylights or Sun Tunnel tubular skylights.
The easiest daylighting upgrade
While adding a window in the wall of your home may raise practical and design issues, adding a roof window or skylight can be much easier. Roofs are, for the most part, a blank slate, allowing you to install skylights wherever they are needed most. And daylighting from above doesn't just add functionality; it offers room-changing drama and decorating flair.
Roof windows are hinged, venting units designed to be installed in easily accessible areas, such as the angled walls in attic bonus rooms, and are operated by hand. A double-sash roof window is available that opens from both bottom and top to form a balcony on your roof. These units are often used in place of, or to replace, dormers.
Skylights are usually positioned higher on the ceiling, out of reach. Venting models can be opened or closed manually with a control rod or by remote control.
Skylights are popular with daylighting designers for several reasons. First, they easily fulfill the primary goal of daylighting by admitting more natural light into a room than similar sized vertical windows - thereby reducing the need for energy to power artificial lights. But they also work to enhance the healthfulness of a home.
If you opt to install a manual or electric venting skylight, it can be a natural, low-energy way to vent humidity, fumes and stale air from your home. Electric venting models open and close by remote control and have rain sensors to close them automatically.
Energy efficiency, high-tech and decorating in one package
Another important similarity among windows, roof windows and skylights is in the glazing, or how the glass is manufactured. Since the units are mounted facing directly at the sun, skylight glazing technology has to be among the best in the industry. Quality Energy Star-qualified units feature double-pane, gas-filled construction to control heat gain or loss, and filter the sun's fade-causing rays.
Independent research done in Denmark shows that skylights admit 30 percent more light than vertical windows in dormers, and provide the drama of a sky view that can't be achieved with vertical windows.
In addition to high-tech features such as remote control and automatic rain sensors, skylight blinds are available in a varied palette of colors and patterns. Homeowners can utilize blinds as another decorating option while achieving as much as a 37 percent increase in energy efficiency, according to VELUX America.
They recommend closing the blinds on high heat/sun days in the summer to reduce potential solar heat gain and, on cold winter nights, to provide an extra layer of thermal insulation to keep warm air indoors.
Skylights also address important health considerations. One in five Americans suffers varying degrees of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition in which the symptoms can include depression and fatigue due to lack of sufficient daylight. Skylights can help by admitting abundant daylight while visually expanding rooms in any style or size home.
Modern, low-profile skylights are unobtrusive and as dependable as vertical windows. Information about units with a 10-year, no-leak installation warranty, plus an installer locator, is available at veluxusa.com. There's also a free mobile phone app available to help homeowners see how skylights and blinds would look in rooms in their own homes. The Velux Skylight Planner App is available for iPhones, iPods, iPads and Android phones.
For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information, visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org. For remodeling information visit nahb.org/remodel or greenhomeguide.org. -
Small, quick repairs have a big impact on your home's curb appeal - and value
(ARA) - As the weather continues to warm, you might be thinking about some of the home improvement projects you put on the back burner during the winter. As you once again consult your to-do list, it's the perfect time to think about a few small projects that can greatly enhance your home's curb appeal.
Where does a smart homeowner start? The answer: Begin with a few small projects that are guaranteed to greatly enhance your home's curb appeal. Whether you're preparing to sell your home, or are simply trying to protect your investment and make it easier on the eyes, there are a few common improvements that can give the exterior of your home a quick and easy facelift.
Start with the driveway
Repaving or reconstructing your driveway entirely can be a time consuming and expensive task, but for most homeowners, this can be avoided with some annual maintenance. If you neglect your driveway, cracks can quickly grow into potholes, which can cause it to lose its aesthetic appeal and pose a safety concern. A few hours work each year can greatly extend the life of your driveway.
Sakrete U.S. Cold Patch is a reliable option for every type of driveway repair because it can be used during all seasons and has a much longer shelf life - up to five years - than most pothole repair products. Because it's made without kerosene, there's no odor or mess, yet it's strong enough to win praise from road repair professionals and contractors alike.
"I use U.S. Cold Patch both on my driveway at home and out on the job," says Chad Patrick, owner of Patrick Landscapes in Pennsylvania. "The ease of use, lack of foul odor, and non-gooey application make it the logical choice for all of our blacktop repair projects."
Using a product like U.S. Cold Patch is simple: You just sweep the area, pour in the patching mixture and roll over it with a car tire. However, it is important that you completely fill the affected area and tamp it well to prevent future damage during freezing and thawing. More information on repairing cracks and potholes can be found at www.uscoldpatch.com.
In addition to maintaining your driveway, here are a few other projects that can greatly contribute to your home's curb appeal:
* Add some landscaping features along the edges of your driveway. This adds a point of distinction between the pavement and your lawn, giving it a more inviting look.
* Check your mailbox for winter wear. If it's seen better days, consider replacing it. Otherwise landscaping around your mailbox can add extra appeal. If you live in a colder region, be sure to use resilient plants, as this area can take a beating from the snowplow.
* While cleaning out your gutters is a necessary spring ritual, power washing the exterior of your home can add a little extra life to the look of your house, especially the front porch.
* Replace your house number and worn hardware on the front door, and consider a fresh coat of high-gloss paint on the door in a classy color, such as black.
* Early spring is an excellent time to trim trees and other vegetation before they begin to sprout leaves. It's easier on your plants, and it's easy to identify branches that need to be trimmed. -
Make your home stand out with new exterior trim
(ARA) - With the housing market showing its first signs of improvement in years, many homeowners hope to attract interested buyers this spring. Replacing old or damaged exterior trim is a great way to freshen up your home today and make it stand out among others tomorrow.
After location and price, curb appeal is one of the top factors for choosing a home. Curb appeal sells 49 percent of all homes, according to the National Association of Realtors. In fact, even before putting your home on the market, your realtor often will recommend ways to make it look its very best from the street. The evaluation process starts as soon as buyers pull up.
"Exterior trim that is cracked, rotted, peeling or falling apart gives a bad first impression," says Bob Merrill, president and CEO for Chicago-based CMI, which makes MiraTEC Treated Exterior Composite Trim. "Homes with beautiful exterior trim have that wow factor that attracts buyers. Making a good first impression can be the difference between getting a signed contract and keeping the 'For Sale' sign in the yard."
Inspect your trim
Spring is an ideal time to inspect your home's exterior trim. Walk around your house and look at the trim around your windows and doors, at the corners, and near the roofline. Warning signs of potential problems include peeling or blistering paint, green algae, warped boards, and spongy or soft spots. Check for termite damage too; they cause more damage to U.S. homes than fire, floods and storms combined.
If the trim is damaged beyond repair, the only solution is replacement. Depending on your carpentry skills, replacing exterior trim can be a do-it-yourself project, but it is often best to hire a local contractor or remodeler. One option that has become a preferred choice among homebuilders and remodelers is a treated exterior composite trim called MiraTEC. This engineered wood trim is ideal for nonstructural applications, such as roofline fascia, window and door trim, corner posts and porch trim.
Find the right trim
Although traditional wood trim often looks good when installed, it can split and swell, and is prone to knots and defects. Other materials, like PVC and fiber cement trim, may be difficult to install and also have performance limitations.
With a clear cedar, wood-grain texture on one side and a contemporary smooth finish on the other, MiraTEC trim is ideal for many home styles from historic to modern. It looks and handles like wood, and is coated with a mildew-resistant primer, making it easy to paint. MiraTEC is very durable and it resists moisture, rot and termites.
Before you put your house on the market, take a good look at your exterior trim. If it doesn't look inviting at first glance, replacing it now could help make your home stand out on the block. To learn more, visit www.miratectrim.com.
