Before You Remodel

Before you begin remodeling, consider all aspects of the project and how it fits into your lifestyle.  Choose the highest quality materials and do the job right the first time.  Lower quality items won't last as long, and major repairs can be costly.  Talk to an expert, someone who has worked with different products and knows what works best.  I have suggestions to guide you through home projects, give me a call.

Check out this article from Realtor.com...

Best Six Home Improvement Trends Show Where To Focus Your Remodeling Funds

Home Improvement  |  Jul 1, 2011  |  By: Ask a Realtor  |   

 

Many people are looking to spend money on remodeling a home either to prepare it for resale or to maximize their own enjoyment of their living space. Any potential home improvement project needs to be balance the existing homeowner’s wishes with the concerns that the next owner may have.

The best home improvement projects for homeowners to concentrate on are those that focus on energy efficiency, low maintenance features, and well-used space. The demand for McMansions has declined in the last few years and instead, many people are demanding smaller houses that make the best use of space and technology.

Maintenance-free Exteriors

According to Remodeling Magazine, fiber-cement siding is one of the fastest-growing products on the siding market. It’s a combination of cement, sand, and cellulosic fibers but looks like wood. It won’t rot, combust, or become prey to termites and other wood-boring insects.

 Fiber-cement siding is more expensive than paint-grade wood, vinyl, and aluminum siding, $5 to $9 per sq. ft., installed. It returns 80% of investment, the highest return of any upscale project on Remodeling magazine’s latest Cost vs. Value Report.

Maintenance is limited to a cleaning and some caulking each spring. Repaint every 7 to 15 years. Wood requires repainting every 4 to 7 years.

Read more of this article here...

Timeless Improvements

When considering improvements to your home, some add more lasting value than others.  Good lighting adds a sense of comfort and security.  The addition of a fireplace, be it gas or wood-burning, can turn a house into a home.  The addition or redesign of storage areas and adding built-ins are always a good choice.  Wood flooring never goes out of style.  Let me help you combine the trendy with the timeless to create a dazzling home.

Check out this article from Realtor.com...

Inexpensive Ways To Spruce Up
Your Home Before Selling
Advice, Home and Style
September 24, 2012
By:  Deidre Woolard, Realtor.com

If you are interested in selling your home you’ve probably come across more than a few articles about how to spruce your home up for sale. But beyond the basics of cleaning up the clutter what can you do to make a difference without spending a lot of money? We rounded up tips from some of the experienced Realtors who answer questions in our Advice Section.

Throw Out The Welcome Mat, Literally
Many Realtors recommend buying a new welcome mat as a way to spruce up a home. A fresh coat of paint and flowers by the door also make a nice impression. The door should be freshly cleaned or freshly painted.

Read more here...

Making an Offer

Your offer is a written proposal, designed to cover all aspects of the purchase agreement.  Once accepted, it becomes a binding contract.  The offer details the property's address, sale price and closing date.  It must include provisions for any required and requested inspections and clearly state all financial obligations regarding mortgage, deposits and taxes.  Call me, my job is to know the changing laws and requirements.

Check out this article on Realtor.com...

The Basics of Making an Offer on a House
August 5, 2013
By:  The Realtor.com Team



Like marriage, home-buying is one part love, one part legal transaction, and it starts with a proposal. When you’re ready to buy a home, you need to make a written offer: Oral promises are not legally enforceable in real estate sales.

Realtors usually have a variety of standard forms (including Residential Purchase Agreements) that are kept up to date with the changing laws. In many states, sellers must comply with certain disclosure, and a Realtor will ensure that they do, as well as answering any questions you may have during the sale.

If you are not working with a Realtor, keep in mind that your purchase offer or contract must conform to state and local laws. State laws vary, and certain provisions may be required in your area.
Besides addressing legal requirements, the proposal should specify price and all other terms and conditions of the purchase. For example, if the sellers said they’d help with $2,000 toward your closing costs, include that in your written offer and in the final contract, or you won’t have grounds for collecting it later.

After the offer is drawn up and signed, it will usually be presented to the seller by your Realtor, by the seller’s Realtor if that’s a different agent, or often by the two together. In a few areas, sales contracts are typically drawn up by the parties’ lawyers.

Read more here...

Choosing a Neighborhood

Before deciding on a house, first decide which area is most suitable for you.  Consider the following:  What is the crime rate?  How important is traffic and proximity to schools, shopping and other activities?  Have property values been increasing?  Call me, my job is to know these important neighborhood characteristics.

Check out this article from Realtor.com...

14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home
August 19, 2013
By:  Realtor.com Team

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality. “Sometimes we want something so badly, we’re not willing to ask all the questions we should,” says Leslie Levine, author of “Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home?” To make sure your dream home isn’t a mirage, follow these 14 tips:

1. Visit at various times of day. The windows that let in so much light during the day may be a peeping Tom’s dream at night. That seemingly quiet residential street may be a noisy, highway-feeder street during morning or evening rush hour. The adjacent school may seem like a nice perk if you’re buying in the summer, but during the school year, daily playground noise and extra traffic may be more than you bargained for.

Continue reading here...

Fixer-Uppers

Is a fixer-upper right for you?  Good deals can be found, but make sure that it will not cost you more in the long run.  A home inspection can help identify both major and minor problems.  Work the repairs into a budget and create a timeline of how and when you want to complete them.  Calculate additional financing for problems found along the way.  Call me, I can help you find the potential in a less than perfect house.

Check out this article from Realtor.com...

FHA 203(k) Loans to Fix Your Home
August 29, 2013
by Realtor.com

Want to buy a fixer-upper or rehab a home you already own? The Federal Housing Administration's 203(k) loans are for houses that are damaged or sorely in need of renovation.

If you’re buying a home, the loan covers the cost of both the property and necessary home repairs. The down payment requirement is low — currently 3.5 percent of the combined price of the home and repairs — and eligibility criteria are loose.

If you own a home that needs help, you can refinance with a 203(k). The loan can cover a vast range of repairs, including room additions, bathroom remodeling, roofing, flooring and air conditioning systems.

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September 2013 Real Estate Review

August 2013 Real Estate Review

Budget Home Improvements

Finances may be tight, but don't let your biggest investment take a hit.  The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that improvements and maintenance normally cost about $3,300 a year for the average house.  Prevent small problems from becoming big headaches by keeping up with regular maintenance.  Call me for suggestions on low-cost, high-return improvement ideas.

I recommend reading the following article from Realtor.com.

Home Repairs to Do Before You Refinance

Finance, Refinancing Jun 14, 2013   By: Credit.com 

 

Property values have come roaring back. Many can now refinance their loans by virtue of having additional home equity. And increased property values can also put homeowners in a better financial position to sell their home without entering short sale territory. But the fact remains: Everyone wants to attain maximum value for their real estate and home repairs can help.

So what’s the best barometer of a home’s true worth? Simple: the amount a ready, willing and able buyer is willing to pay at any given point in time. Unfortunately, appraisal estimates can be skewed, especially when not all the home repairs and improvements are taken into consideration. This is why you should weigh all home improvement decisions carefully before you commit.

When You’re Refinancing

Unlike in years past, the weight of an appraisal to determine the home value for the purposes of refinancing a mortgage is based upon the facts (which are primarily based on other homes that have sold) and what the property description is.

Improvements that may help a refinance valuation:

• Additional bedroom or bathroom
• Addition to the lot size
• Addition to the garage
• Improvement that expands the “use” of the home

When it comes to improvements such as landscaping, painting, any home improvement more “cosmetic” in nature, realize that the primary benefit is for the enjoyment of the property, not for trying to influence value.

When Selling
A home buyer is going to take into consideration all of the facts associated with the property, location, lot size, square footage, bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as additional cosmetic improvements that have been done that add to the look and feel of the home.
Improvements that may help a sale price:

• New paint job
• Freshly maintained landscaping
• Remodeled and/or upgraded interior
• Deck and/or patio addition
• Additional bedroom or bathroom
• Addition to the lot size
• Addition to the garage

Read more here...http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-repairs-to-do-before-you-refinance/

Fixtures

The question of whether or not a 'fixture' stays is a common question of buyers and sellers.  A fixture is any item of value that is permanently attached to the real estate.  This includes things such as light fixtures, wall-to-wall carpeting, landscaping and so on.  Kitchen appliances are not always included.  Be safe by ensuring that any item in question is clearly described in the contract.  Call with any questions!

I recommend reading the following article on Realtor.com.

What Goes With You When You Sell Your Home?

May 20, 2013

By: Deidre Woollard

 

 

 

When you are getting ready to sell one of the things you will need to consider is what stays in the home and what goes. There are certain things that are generally considered to be part of the home and others which are often negotiable. Before you put the home up for sale you will want to figure out what things you absolutely want to take with you and what might be up for discussion. If you know where you will be moving to next then you are already one step ahead of the game because you know what is in your new place. If not, or if you are moving far away, it can be trickier to decide what is worth moving or putting in storage and what is worth offering to the buyers of your home.

Read more here:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/what-goes-with-you-when-you-sell-your-home/

Homes Selling as Fast as They Did During Housing Boom

By CNBC   | Posted May 23rd 2013 1:00PM

Updated May 23rd 2013 1:58PM

By Diana Olick

Strong demand and still limited supply mean homes are now selling nearly three times as fast as they normally would. The average number of days a listing stayed on the market in April was 46, down from 62 in March and down from the normal pace of 90-120 days, according to the National Association of Realtors.

"I have a seller, his house came on, he got a full-price offer, and he refused to take it because he wanted multiples. Really?" asked Jane Fairweather, a real estate agent in Montgomery County Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Fairweather said homes in her market are selling in an average of 23 days because inventories are way down and demand is strong. The number of listings in Montgomery County were down 41 percent in April from 2011. In April of 2011, one third of the listings went under contract. In April of this year, 67 percent went under contract.

Read more here:  http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/05/23/homes-selling-fast?ncid=edlinkusreal00000001&ts=1369430392

April Home Sales Set Record High

Central Ohio Housing Report - Apr. 2013

Posted: 5/22/2013

Columbus Board of REALTORS®

 

Click here for more information on the above listing in Highland Lakes

 

Central Ohio home sales last month (2,390) showed an increase of 30 percent in the market from one year ago (1,834). According to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®, April saw the highest number of home sales on record, followed by the 2,286 homes sold in April of 2004.

In addition to the increases in sales, home prices continue to rise also. While the average sale price has increased every month in 2013 from $149,477 in January to $163,084 in April, the average sale price year-to-date ($156,386) is up almost one and a half percent from 2012.

“Even with more homes being sold and sale prices up, the average time on the market continues to fall: down over 20 percent from a year ago”, said Chris Pedon, 2013 president of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “With such excellent market conditions, we’re seeing inventory move quickly.”

There were 3,965 new listings added to the market in April, up 8.9 percent from April of 2012. New listings also saw increases from one year ago, and have been rising every month this year.

“Central Ohio continues to see improvement in nearly every aspect of the market,” Pedon continued. “We have not seen the number of new listings this high in any month since April 2010.”  

Read more here...

8 Things Really Successful People Do

Kevin Daum, Inc.
May 9, 2013, 11:56 AM

Most people claim to want success. But not everyone is willing to do the hard work and the smart work to get there. Often opportunities present themselves and because people are distracted, they miss them or give up on them before things fully develop.

Truly successful people don't leave much to chance. They are disciplined and focused.  They constantly seek new methods to achieve more, in bigger and faster ways. Listed below are eight different practices that will help you concentrate your efforts on rising above the tide.

Read more: http://www.inc.com/kevin-daum/8-things-really-successful-people-do.html?nav=pop#ixzz2StgTxIqL

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4 Real Estate Moves That Have Surprising Tax Implications

Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Trulia.com's Real Estate Realist

April 2, 2013, 11:45 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s no surprise that owning a home automatically opts you into a new realm of tax advantages. In fact, in a recent survey of people who bought homes in 2012, 79 percent said the mortgage interest and property tax deductions were "extremely important" factors to their decision to become homeowners in the first place.

But these two deductions are just the tip of the iceberg of all the real estate-related tax guidelines, advantages and disadvantages.  Because others get less press, it can be relatively easy for an individual American taxpayer to unwittingly trigger tax liabilities they might have been able to minimize or plan for, or to unwittingly trigger tax perks and fail to claim them.
 

This is why its essential to touch base with your tax pro before any and every real estate move you make, no matter how minor you think it might be. Sometimes planning and timing makes a major difference to the financial impact of a real estate-related tax; other times, just knowing the size and scope of the tax implications will impact the real estate decision you make.

Here is a short list of real estate moves that trigger surprising tax issues, pro and con:

Read more: http://www.trulia.com/blog/taranelson/2013/03/4_real_estate_moves_with_surprise_tax_implications#ixzz2Pass7o7v

 

How to be the Most Attractive Homebuyer

by Andrea Murad

Published March 21, 2013

FOXBusiness

 

 

The spring season tends to flood the housing market with buyers, and in markets with low inventory levels, the competition is stiff.

As home prices continue to recover and interest rates remain at near-record lows, some houses are receiving multiple offers and to win the bid, buyers need to stand out from the crowd. According to the National Association of Realtors, houses sold in 71 days in January, down from 99 days a year ago.

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/03/21/how-to-be-most-attractive-homebuyer/#ixzz2Ow8RIRL0

 

 

Keller Williams does the right thing...

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February 2013 Real Estate Review

Some house plants present a danger to pets, children

By  Denise Trowbridge

For The Columbus Dispatch Sunday March 3, 2013 5:39 AM

Although anthurium is a beautiful addition indoors, all parts of it are toxic.

Yew is often deadly if ingested.

With houseplants, it’s good to know what you’re getting before you bring one home. Many common indoor plants are toxic to pets. The damage, depending on the plant, can range from a mild rash to death.

If you have curious pets or small children — many of the plants that sicken pets can also harm children — do your homework before buying new houseplants. And do a quick review of the plants you already own to make sure there aren’t any hidden dangers.

Read more here...

Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Trulia.com's Real Estate Realist | Feb. 27, 2013, 7:30 PM

It is a rare occurrence these days to have a home’s buyer and seller sit down around the kitchen table to make a deal. In some areas, they do still sit around the attorney’s boardroom table to close the deal, but by that time, the deal is done and the ship has already sailed on any avoidable mistakes.

So in the vast majority of home sales, buyer and seller never connect in person, never talk, and never exchange insights or information except in the most formal, written formats - despite being effective business colleagues in one of the single most important transactions of their lives. And here’s the rub: buyers sit on a wealth of knowledge that sellers crave to know, most of which could be filed under how to attract buyers and make them want to buy a home (or at least, not turn them off).  So, since buyers and sellers can’t get together, allow me to reveal a handful of helpful insider insights that the buyers I’ve worked with and connected with over the years would reveal to sellers, if they could.

Read more here...

Housing Recovery Gains Strength

By Chris Isidore @CNNMoneyFebruary 26, 2013: 12:30 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

The housing market recovery picked up steam in the final three months of last year, with prices rising at an annual rate of 7.3%, according to S&P Case-Shiller, while a government report showed sales of new homes also shot up higher.

The home price increase marks the third straight quarter of year-over-year gains. The price report covered 20 major housing markets.

Click here to read more...

 

The Worst Colors to Use in a Home

On February 25, 2013, in Design Psychology, Home Trends, by Melissa Tracey

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR(R) Magazine



Emerald may be this year’s color of the year and hot hue, but which colors should you avoid?

Color research tells us some colors to avoid. Colors that can be considered, as some researchers note, “eye irritants” and can even cause headaches or mess with your vision.

According to color research, the worst offending color:  Yellow as a “pure bright lemon.”

“More light is reflected by bright colors, resulting in excessive stimulation of the eyes,” researchers note. “Yellow is an eye irritant. Babies cry more in yellow rooms, husbands and wives fight more in yellow kitchens, and opera singers throw more tantrums in yellow dressing rooms.”

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How to Choose the Right Real Estate Sales Professional

by Leonard Baron

Published February 05, 2013

Zillow

 



Buying real estate is complex, and it’s imperative to select a competent, honest agent who will skillfully represent your best interests throughout the entire process of selecting, negotiating and closing on your property.

Here are several things to look for and consider when selecting the real estate professional to represent you in a transaction:

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/02/05/how-to-choose-right-real-estate-sales-professional/#ixzz2Kd1hlU71

January 2013 Real Estate Review

Don't Overlook a Home's Potential

Cosmetic issues are easy to remedy

By Michele Dawson

Courtesy of Realtor.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home shopping for first-time homebuyers it's an exciting, albeit nerve-wracking, experience. If you're like others in the market for their first home, you probably have in mind exactly how your soon-to-be home will look.
 

But it's important not to fall into the bad decorating, dingy walls and dirt-bare back yard equals bad-home trap. If you don't see past the hideous wallpaper, funky light fixtures and avocado green carpeting, you may miss out on a home with great potential.

 

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