Wrought Iron Gates are the Ultimate in Stylish – And Can Definitely Improve the Look of Any Home
In a world full of chain link and wooden fences, wrought iron gates are a great hiatus from the ordinary and can make your home look many times more attractive than it may already be. Furthermore, unlike other types of gates, wrought iron gates can be used in nearly any setting, from encircling your home to fencing off your pool from accenting certain areas of your front or back yard.
Wrought iron gates can even be combined with other types of materials, including brass for accent, and can be mixed with nearly any type of wall for a regal look. As driveway gates and garden gates, wrought iron performs as an excellent product which will give you both a high class look as well as an incredibly durable product which will last for years without any major problems.
If you wish to accent your standard wrought iron gates, there are plenty of products to allow you to do so. First and foremost, for just pennies you can purchase a huge variety of different gate latches, hinges and handles to make your gate look as good as it possibly can. These are relatively cheap products and can range from the simple to the highly complex, depending on how much security you want and what type of style you are looking for. Alternatively, if you have iron gates secluding your home from the street, you can purchase an automatic gate opener so you do not have to open your gate by hand each time you want to come or go from your home.
Aside from all of the add-on parts you can purchase for your wrought iron gates, you will also find that you can replace a standard set of gates with some professional crafted works of art. Many up and coming metal sculptors work with wrought iron as one of their canvases, allowing them to create superb designs with their artful techniques. Melding wrought iron with brass allows some of these professional artisans to create some mind blowing gates which you would expect to cost tens of thousands of dollars but can actually be purchased for relatively cheap prices. So, if you are into high style for any home’s look, then check out handcrafted iron gates.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wall Paper Removal
Whether you plan to repaper or to paint, you need to get rid of the old wallpaper. Here are some helpful ways to remove the paper and the paste.
Removal Methods
Materials:
Drop cloths to cover floor
Ladder
Safety goggles
Crowbar
Wallpaper scorer
Wallpaper steamer
Protective gloves
Chemical wallpaper stripper
Wallpaper scraper
First use a crowbar to remove any corner or doorway trim. Then proceed to the wallpaper-removal phase of the project.
Run the Paper Tiger lightly over the wall to score the paper, not the wall surface itself.
Scoring
In order to allow chemical stripper or steam (the choice of method is up to you) to saturate the wallpaper, you must first score it with a special tool called a Paper Tiger. The tool is used in a circular motion (be careful not to press too hard, as too much pressure can score the wall as well as the paper.) Then apply the technique you have chosen.
Wallpaper Removal
After the paper has been scored, use one of the following methods to remove it from the walls:
Chemical stripper: Be sure to wear protective gloves whenever using a chemical product. Spray the wall with a chemical stripper, which will dissolve the glue under the paper. Let the chemical soak in for about 15-20 minutes, and then use a wallpaper scraper to remove paper.
Steaming: A wallpaper steamer can be rented at any home-improvement store. First cover the floor with drop cloths. Fill the steamer unit with hot water and wait about 30 minutes. Place the steamer on the surface of the wallpaper and hold while the steam dissolves the glue (figure A). Then use a wallpaper scraper to scrape off the wet paper.
Tip: Using a steamer is effective, but the device tends to drip hot water, so be sure to wear rubber gloves.
Removing Wallpaper
Materials:
plastic sheeting to tape to the shoe molding to cover the floor
spray bottle
putty knife or thin scraper
good sponge
small bucket
trash can
Removing Wallpaper
* Removing wallpaper is one of those home improvement jobs that can get a little messy, but it is not as difficult as it appears. The first thing you want to do is lay plastic on the floor.
* Your local home improvement store will have a device called a wall paper scorer. It has little teeth (figure A) that dig into the paper and allow the water to seep behind the paper and help dissolve the glue. Depending on the texture of the paper, sometimes you will need the help that this can provide, but use it with caution because if you apply too much pressure on it you will have teeth marks all over your wall. Either way, you will want the paper to get saturated with the solvent and the paper will begin to peel away. You can help coax it by using the putty knife.
* You need to cover any outlets that are exposed with plastic and tape. But, all-in-all you shouldn't drench the walls that much.
* You cannot pull the paper directly from the wall. You need to coax it by spraying the paper with a mixture of vinegar and water. You use two parts vinegar and four parts water. Spray or sponge the vinegar solution on the wall. Work one section at a time. Depending on the age of the paper, you may need to wait about ten minutes.
* Using a 2" putty knife gently ease back a corner of the paper (figure B), slowly peel away the paper with your fingers while pushing the putty knife along the wall behind the paper. Depending on the direction you begin, you will be able to gradually roll the paper up or down the wall in one large sheet as you proceed.
* A bucket comes in handy because you will need to give the un-papered wall a clean wipe.
Spray the wall again with the water/vinegar mixture. This will remove any residue of glue that has stuck to the wall. Although you may not see the residue now, it will dry to the wall and create a texture you will be able to see if you are planning on repainting.
Painting Over Wallpaper
Change the look of a room with outdated wallpaper by simply painting over it. Two coats of stain-killing paint, followed by a top coat in your desired color, allow you to skip the messy job of stripping the old wallpaper. Note that painting over is suitable only for wallpaper that's in good condition and securely in place.
Materials:
Stain-killing paint
Interior wall paint in desired color
Paint roller
Fine emery board
Strong glue to repair loose seams
1. Prepare the wallpaper for painting by securely gluing down loose edges. Wallpaper with holes and peeling patches can't be painted over, but if the wallpaper's secure except for a few loose edges at the seams, seal each seam with a very strong glue and press down securely.
2. Apply two coats of stain-killing paint to completely cover the wallpaper pattern. Let dry between coats.
3. If the wallpaper seam is visible after two coats of paint, lightly file the seam smooth with a very fine emery board.
4. Apply the top coat of paint. Our top coat of yellow paint shows no hint of the wallpaper pattern beneath.
Removal Methods
Materials:
Drop cloths to cover floor
Ladder
Safety goggles
Crowbar
Wallpaper scorer
Wallpaper steamer
Protective gloves
Chemical wallpaper stripper
Wallpaper scraper
First use a crowbar to remove any corner or doorway trim. Then proceed to the wallpaper-removal phase of the project.
Run the Paper Tiger lightly over the wall to score the paper, not the wall surface itself.
Scoring
In order to allow chemical stripper or steam (the choice of method is up to you) to saturate the wallpaper, you must first score it with a special tool called a Paper Tiger. The tool is used in a circular motion (be careful not to press too hard, as too much pressure can score the wall as well as the paper.) Then apply the technique you have chosen.
Wallpaper Removal
After the paper has been scored, use one of the following methods to remove it from the walls:
Chemical stripper: Be sure to wear protective gloves whenever using a chemical product. Spray the wall with a chemical stripper, which will dissolve the glue under the paper. Let the chemical soak in for about 15-20 minutes, and then use a wallpaper scraper to remove paper.
Steaming: A wallpaper steamer can be rented at any home-improvement store. First cover the floor with drop cloths. Fill the steamer unit with hot water and wait about 30 minutes. Place the steamer on the surface of the wallpaper and hold while the steam dissolves the glue (figure A). Then use a wallpaper scraper to scrape off the wet paper.
Tip: Using a steamer is effective, but the device tends to drip hot water, so be sure to wear rubber gloves.
Removing Wallpaper
Materials:
plastic sheeting to tape to the shoe molding to cover the floor
spray bottle
putty knife or thin scraper
good sponge
small bucket
trash can
Removing Wallpaper
* Removing wallpaper is one of those home improvement jobs that can get a little messy, but it is not as difficult as it appears. The first thing you want to do is lay plastic on the floor.
* Your local home improvement store will have a device called a wall paper scorer. It has little teeth (figure A) that dig into the paper and allow the water to seep behind the paper and help dissolve the glue. Depending on the texture of the paper, sometimes you will need the help that this can provide, but use it with caution because if you apply too much pressure on it you will have teeth marks all over your wall. Either way, you will want the paper to get saturated with the solvent and the paper will begin to peel away. You can help coax it by using the putty knife.
* You need to cover any outlets that are exposed with plastic and tape. But, all-in-all you shouldn't drench the walls that much.
* You cannot pull the paper directly from the wall. You need to coax it by spraying the paper with a mixture of vinegar and water. You use two parts vinegar and four parts water. Spray or sponge the vinegar solution on the wall. Work one section at a time. Depending on the age of the paper, you may need to wait about ten minutes.
* Using a 2" putty knife gently ease back a corner of the paper (figure B), slowly peel away the paper with your fingers while pushing the putty knife along the wall behind the paper. Depending on the direction you begin, you will be able to gradually roll the paper up or down the wall in one large sheet as you proceed.
* A bucket comes in handy because you will need to give the un-papered wall a clean wipe.
Spray the wall again with the water/vinegar mixture. This will remove any residue of glue that has stuck to the wall. Although you may not see the residue now, it will dry to the wall and create a texture you will be able to see if you are planning on repainting.
Painting Over Wallpaper
Change the look of a room with outdated wallpaper by simply painting over it. Two coats of stain-killing paint, followed by a top coat in your desired color, allow you to skip the messy job of stripping the old wallpaper. Note that painting over is suitable only for wallpaper that's in good condition and securely in place.
Materials:
Stain-killing paint
Interior wall paint in desired color
Paint roller
Fine emery board
Strong glue to repair loose seams
1. Prepare the wallpaper for painting by securely gluing down loose edges. Wallpaper with holes and peeling patches can't be painted over, but if the wallpaper's secure except for a few loose edges at the seams, seal each seam with a very strong glue and press down securely.
2. Apply two coats of stain-killing paint to completely cover the wallpaper pattern. Let dry between coats.
3. If the wallpaper seam is visible after two coats of paint, lightly file the seam smooth with a very fine emery board.
4. Apply the top coat of paint. Our top coat of yellow paint shows no hint of the wallpaper pattern beneath.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Home Affordability Tips
So you're looking to buy a home soon or in the near future? What affordability steps should you take:
Start Saving Money:
You will need at least 5% down and another 5-6% of the home purchase price for closing costs.
Maintain Good Debt Ratios:
It's called the 28/36 rule - it measures the amount of total debt-to-income that lenders will approve. The higher the ratio, the less likely you will be approved for best financing.
Clean Up Your Credit Report:
The higher your credit score, the lower your financing costs.
Start Saving Money:
You will need at least 5% down and another 5-6% of the home purchase price for closing costs.
Maintain Good Debt Ratios:
It's called the 28/36 rule - it measures the amount of total debt-to-income that lenders will approve. The higher the ratio, the less likely you will be approved for best financing.
Clean Up Your Credit Report:
The higher your credit score, the lower your financing costs.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Making an Offer
Once you’ve found your dream house, it’s time to get started with the financial and contractual side of the purchase. Let me guide you through this process. Purchase contracts vary in length and terms from state to state, and within a state, from locality to locality. Because you and the seller have different goals, rely on your my experience and expertise. I can bring order and calm to the process and will know what questions you may not know to ask to help you reach a favorable outcome.
Multiple offers on the same home are not uncommon, so you may only get one chance to make an offer that the seller will consider. That's why it's important to think carefully about your strategy. In most cases it is better to have your real estate professional negotiate the offer. If you have any personal interaction with the homeowner, don't give out any information about your move, your current housing status, financial status or your feelings about their property - positive or negative. This could hurt you in future negotiations.
Multiple offers on the same home are not uncommon, so you may only get one chance to make an offer that the seller will consider. That's why it's important to think carefully about your strategy. In most cases it is better to have your real estate professional negotiate the offer. If you have any personal interaction with the homeowner, don't give out any information about your move, your current housing status, financial status or your feelings about their property - positive or negative. This could hurt you in future negotiations.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
When Your Selling Price is Too High, Beware!!
What Happens Behind the Scenes
If you start out with too high a price on your home, you may have just added to your stress level -- and selling a home is stressful enough. There will be a lot of "behind the scenes" action taking place that you don’t know about.
Contrary to popular opinion, the listing agent does not usually attempt to sell your home directly to a homebuyer. That would be inefficient.
Listing agents market and promote your home to the hordes of other local agents who do work with homebuyers, dramatically increasing your personal sales force. During the first couple of weeks your home should be a flurry of activity with buyer’s agents coming to preview your home so they can sell it to their clients.
If the price is right.
If you and your agent have overpriced, fewer agents will preview your home. After all, they are Realtors, and it is their job to know local market conditions and home values. If your house is dramatically above market, why waste time? Their time is better spent previewing homes that are priced realistically.
If you start out with too high a price on your home, you may have just added to your stress level -- and selling a home is stressful enough. There will be a lot of "behind the scenes" action taking place that you don’t know about.
Contrary to popular opinion, the listing agent does not usually attempt to sell your home directly to a homebuyer. That would be inefficient.
Listing agents market and promote your home to the hordes of other local agents who do work with homebuyers, dramatically increasing your personal sales force. During the first couple of weeks your home should be a flurry of activity with buyer’s agents coming to preview your home so they can sell it to their clients.
If the price is right.
If you and your agent have overpriced, fewer agents will preview your home. After all, they are Realtors, and it is their job to know local market conditions and home values. If your house is dramatically above market, why waste time? Their time is better spent previewing homes that are priced realistically.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
How to Make a Great Impression
Selling your home is probably one of the more important major financial transactions you will make. Like everyone else, you want to sell as fast as possible and for the best possible selling price.
These "TIPS" have proven to be of
great assistance in preparing homes
for a more SUCCESSFUL SALE!
1) OUTSIDE APPEARANCE:
* Your front door is the first thing buyers will see, so be sure it is fresh and clean.
* Make sure that your lawn and landscaped areas are well manicured.
* Be sure that your yard is free of refuse and leaves.
2) SAFETY:
* During winter, make certain to remove all ice and snow on walkways and steps.
* Keep all indoor and outdoor areas, especially stairways, clear and uncluttered.
3) LIGHTING:
* Open drapes and curtains as much as possible to let in natural light.
* Make sure that the windows are clean so your home appears as bright and cheery as possible.
* Turn on all of your outside and inside lights when showing your home at night so as to make your buyer feel welcome.
4) FIXTURES:
* Fix any leaky faucets. Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing.
5) IMPORTANT AREAS:
* Make sure doors, windows, and cabinets don't stick or have loose knobs. By fixing these minor flaws, you can increase your home's value.
* Closets can be an important selling point. Make them look bigger by organizing them neatly to display that your home has ample closet space.
6) ROOMS:
* In general, try to replace faded walls and worn woodwork with new wallpaper and fresh paint. It will increase the appeal and value of your home.
* Bathrooms can sell homes. Check and repair any damaged or discolored caulking around the bath-tubs and showers, and be sure that the towels and area rugs are bright and clean.
* Display the full value of your attic, basement, and other utility space (including crawl spaces) by removing all unnecessary articles and debris, and repainting if necessary.
* Bedrooms should appear bright and cheerful. Remove all excess furniture, and be sure that bedspreads and curtains are freshly laundered and attractive.
7) ATMOSPHERE:
* Don't have too many visitors or family members present during a home inspection, as this can make the potential buyer feel uncomfortable and want to hurry through your house to get away from the crowd.
* Turn off the stereo and television so the potential buyer and salesperson can discuss your home in a relaxed environment, free of distractions.
* Keep pets from disturbing potential buyers by restricting them to the backyard or an alternative location, such as a friend's home, while conducting an open house.
8) APPROACH:
* Be courteous and friendly, but don't insist on conversing with the potential buyer.
* Never apologize for the appearance of your home. Should any objections or derogatory comments be offered, let a trained salesperson answer them.
* Let the salesperson emphasize the virtues of your home to potential buyers. If you can help with any questions, the salesperson will call you.
* Avoid trying to sell potential buyers furniture or furnishings which you are not taking with you before they have purchased the home. This can potentially lose the sale.
9) NEGOTIATIONS:
* Let your real estate salesperson discuss the selling price, terms, possessions and other factors with the customer. I have been trained and am experienced. Let me bring your negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.
10) PROCEDURE:
* Cooperation on your part will be sincerely appreciated and will help me sell your home more quickly.
These "TIPS" have proven to be of
great assistance in preparing homes
for a more SUCCESSFUL SALE!
1) OUTSIDE APPEARANCE:
* Your front door is the first thing buyers will see, so be sure it is fresh and clean.
* Make sure that your lawn and landscaped areas are well manicured.
* Be sure that your yard is free of refuse and leaves.
2) SAFETY:
* During winter, make certain to remove all ice and snow on walkways and steps.
* Keep all indoor and outdoor areas, especially stairways, clear and uncluttered.
3) LIGHTING:
* Open drapes and curtains as much as possible to let in natural light.
* Make sure that the windows are clean so your home appears as bright and cheery as possible.
* Turn on all of your outside and inside lights when showing your home at night so as to make your buyer feel welcome.
4) FIXTURES:
* Fix any leaky faucets. Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing.
5) IMPORTANT AREAS:
* Make sure doors, windows, and cabinets don't stick or have loose knobs. By fixing these minor flaws, you can increase your home's value.
* Closets can be an important selling point. Make them look bigger by organizing them neatly to display that your home has ample closet space.
6) ROOMS:
* In general, try to replace faded walls and worn woodwork with new wallpaper and fresh paint. It will increase the appeal and value of your home.
* Bathrooms can sell homes. Check and repair any damaged or discolored caulking around the bath-tubs and showers, and be sure that the towels and area rugs are bright and clean.
* Display the full value of your attic, basement, and other utility space (including crawl spaces) by removing all unnecessary articles and debris, and repainting if necessary.
* Bedrooms should appear bright and cheerful. Remove all excess furniture, and be sure that bedspreads and curtains are freshly laundered and attractive.
7) ATMOSPHERE:
* Don't have too many visitors or family members present during a home inspection, as this can make the potential buyer feel uncomfortable and want to hurry through your house to get away from the crowd.
* Turn off the stereo and television so the potential buyer and salesperson can discuss your home in a relaxed environment, free of distractions.
* Keep pets from disturbing potential buyers by restricting them to the backyard or an alternative location, such as a friend's home, while conducting an open house.
8) APPROACH:
* Be courteous and friendly, but don't insist on conversing with the potential buyer.
* Never apologize for the appearance of your home. Should any objections or derogatory comments be offered, let a trained salesperson answer them.
* Let the salesperson emphasize the virtues of your home to potential buyers. If you can help with any questions, the salesperson will call you.
* Avoid trying to sell potential buyers furniture or furnishings which you are not taking with you before they have purchased the home. This can potentially lose the sale.
9) NEGOTIATIONS:
* Let your real estate salesperson discuss the selling price, terms, possessions and other factors with the customer. I have been trained and am experienced. Let me bring your negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.
10) PROCEDURE:
* Cooperation on your part will be sincerely appreciated and will help me sell your home more quickly.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Showing Your House
Your house should always be available for show, even though it may occasionally be inconvenient for you. Let your listing agent put a lock box in a convenient place to make it easy for other agents to show your home to homebuyers. Otherwise, agents will have to schedule appointments, which is an inconvenience. Most will just skip your home to show the house of someone else who is more cooperative.
Most agents will call and give you at least a couple of hours notice before showing your property. If you refuse to let them show it at that time, they will just skip your house. Even if they come back another time, it will probably be with different buyers and you may have just lost a chance to sell your home.
Try Not to be Home
Homebuyers will feel like intruders if you are home when they visit, and they might not be as receptive toward viewing your home. Visit the local coffee house, yogurt shop, or take the kids to the local park. If you absolutely cannot leave, try to remain in an out of they way area of the house and do not move from room to room. Do not volunteer any information, but answer any questions the agent may ask.
Lighting
When you know someone is coming by to tour your home, turn on all the indoor and outdoor lights – even during the day. At night, a lit house gives a "homey" impression when viewed from the street. During the daytime, turning on the lights prevents harsh shadows from sunlight and it brightens up any dim areas. Your house looks more homey and cheerful with the lights on.
Fragrances
Do not use scented sprays to prepare for visitors. It is too obvious and many people find the smells of those sprays offensive, not to mention that some may be allergic. If you want to have a pleasant aroma in your house, have a potpourri pot or something natural. Or turn on a stove burner (or the oven) for a moment and put a drop of vanilla extract on it. It will smell like you have been cooking.
Pet Control
If you have pets, make sure your listing agent puts a notice with your listing in the multiple listing service. The last thing you want is to have your pet running out the front door and getting lost. If you know someone is coming, it would be best to try to take the pets with you while the homebuyers tour your home. If you cannot do that, It is best to keep dogs in a penned area in the back yard. Try to keep indoor cats in a specific room when you expect visitors, and put a sign on the door. Most of the time, an indoor cat will hide when buyers come to view your property, but they may panic and try to escape.
The Kitchen Trash
Especially if your kitchen trash can does not have a lid, make sure you empty it every time someone comes to look at your home – even if your trash can is kept under the kitchen sink. Remember that you want to send a positive image about every aspect of your home. Kitchen trash does not send a positive message. You may go through more plastic bags than usual, but it will be worth it.
Keep the House Tidy
Not everyone makes his or her bed every day, but when selling a home it is recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, do not leave empty glasses in the family room, keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed. Try your best to have it look like a model home – a home with furniture but nobody really lives there.
Most agents will call and give you at least a couple of hours notice before showing your property. If you refuse to let them show it at that time, they will just skip your house. Even if they come back another time, it will probably be with different buyers and you may have just lost a chance to sell your home.
Try Not to be Home
Homebuyers will feel like intruders if you are home when they visit, and they might not be as receptive toward viewing your home. Visit the local coffee house, yogurt shop, or take the kids to the local park. If you absolutely cannot leave, try to remain in an out of they way area of the house and do not move from room to room. Do not volunteer any information, but answer any questions the agent may ask.
Lighting
When you know someone is coming by to tour your home, turn on all the indoor and outdoor lights – even during the day. At night, a lit house gives a "homey" impression when viewed from the street. During the daytime, turning on the lights prevents harsh shadows from sunlight and it brightens up any dim areas. Your house looks more homey and cheerful with the lights on.
Fragrances
Do not use scented sprays to prepare for visitors. It is too obvious and many people find the smells of those sprays offensive, not to mention that some may be allergic. If you want to have a pleasant aroma in your house, have a potpourri pot or something natural. Or turn on a stove burner (or the oven) for a moment and put a drop of vanilla extract on it. It will smell like you have been cooking.
Pet Control
If you have pets, make sure your listing agent puts a notice with your listing in the multiple listing service. The last thing you want is to have your pet running out the front door and getting lost. If you know someone is coming, it would be best to try to take the pets with you while the homebuyers tour your home. If you cannot do that, It is best to keep dogs in a penned area in the back yard. Try to keep indoor cats in a specific room when you expect visitors, and put a sign on the door. Most of the time, an indoor cat will hide when buyers come to view your property, but they may panic and try to escape.
The Kitchen Trash
Especially if your kitchen trash can does not have a lid, make sure you empty it every time someone comes to look at your home – even if your trash can is kept under the kitchen sink. Remember that you want to send a positive image about every aspect of your home. Kitchen trash does not send a positive message. You may go through more plastic bags than usual, but it will be worth it.
Keep the House Tidy
Not everyone makes his or her bed every day, but when selling a home it is recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, do not leave empty glasses in the family room, keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed. Try your best to have it look like a model home – a home with furniture but nobody really lives there.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Marketing Your Home
A REALTOR® can offer you many suggestions to prepare your home so it looks its best when being shown to a buyer. Use the following checklist as a guide when preparing and showing your home for sale.
* Do everything you can -- inside and outside --to make your home as attractive as possible in the eyes of the buyer. First impressions last. Homes that look their best tend to sell faster and command every dollar they're worth.
* A fresh coat of paint for home, garage, even fences-may be the one improvement that creates the most positive first impression.
* Lawn trimmed, clear of debris.
* Gutters sealed and downspout clean.
* Tidy front entrance. Door brass polished, worn trim or rusty mail box painted.
* Storms and screens cleaned. New doormat put out. If possible, keep curbside free of parked cars.
* Painting inside walls can pay dividends far beyond the time, effort and expense involved.
* Tend to "little things"-oil squeaking doors, tighten loose cabinet knobs, take out removable stains, replace damaged floor tiles.
* All windows, doors and drawers should open and close easily. Fasten loose tread plates, clean soiled carpeting.
* The kitchen is one place in the home that buyers look at closely. Tighten leaky faucets, repair or replace faulty wall switches, outlets, light fixtures and any appliances that will "go with the home."
* The bathroom gets close scrutiny, too. Keep it spotless. Tiles scrubbed and grouted, faucets polished, toiletries and medicines in their chest. Laundry items in closed hamper.
* Cleaned windows and clear, uncluttered closets and basement contribute to a more attractive home.
* Clear out accumulated items from closets, cabinets and under counters-also from the garage. Consider holding a garage sale prior to showing your home.
* Make home as light, airy and spacious as possible. Draw back drapes. Turn on a few extra lights.
* Keep pets out of the way. Soft background music can contribute to a relaxed mood, but a loud radio or TV, like pets, will tend to be distracting.
* Fresh bread or cookies baking in the oven help create a "homey" atmosphere.
* Let your broker work for you. This real estate professional can answer questions on price, terms, possession, etc., and maintain objectivity in responding to buyer objections.
* Do everything you can -- inside and outside --to make your home as attractive as possible in the eyes of the buyer. First impressions last. Homes that look their best tend to sell faster and command every dollar they're worth.
* A fresh coat of paint for home, garage, even fences-may be the one improvement that creates the most positive first impression.
* Lawn trimmed, clear of debris.
* Gutters sealed and downspout clean.
* Tidy front entrance. Door brass polished, worn trim or rusty mail box painted.
* Storms and screens cleaned. New doormat put out. If possible, keep curbside free of parked cars.
* Painting inside walls can pay dividends far beyond the time, effort and expense involved.
* Tend to "little things"-oil squeaking doors, tighten loose cabinet knobs, take out removable stains, replace damaged floor tiles.
* All windows, doors and drawers should open and close easily. Fasten loose tread plates, clean soiled carpeting.
* The kitchen is one place in the home that buyers look at closely. Tighten leaky faucets, repair or replace faulty wall switches, outlets, light fixtures and any appliances that will "go with the home."
* The bathroom gets close scrutiny, too. Keep it spotless. Tiles scrubbed and grouted, faucets polished, toiletries and medicines in their chest. Laundry items in closed hamper.
* Cleaned windows and clear, uncluttered closets and basement contribute to a more attractive home.
* Clear out accumulated items from closets, cabinets and under counters-also from the garage. Consider holding a garage sale prior to showing your home.
* Make home as light, airy and spacious as possible. Draw back drapes. Turn on a few extra lights.
* Keep pets out of the way. Soft background music can contribute to a relaxed mood, but a loud radio or TV, like pets, will tend to be distracting.
* Fresh bread or cookies baking in the oven help create a "homey" atmosphere.
* Let your broker work for you. This real estate professional can answer questions on price, terms, possession, etc., and maintain objectivity in responding to buyer objections.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
12 Beautiful Bulbs Deer and Rabbits Don't Eat
Daffodil
One of the most recognizable bulbs, daffodil is also among the easiest to grow. Most gardeners know the cheery golden-flowering types, but keep an eye out for extra-special varieties that offer blooms in shades of white, orange, pink, and red.
Name: Narcissus selections
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Size: To 16 inches tall
Zones: 3-8
Native to North America: No
Crown Imperial
Spring's most dramatic blooming bulb, crown imperial looks a bit like a pineapple wearing a Hawaiian shirt: The colorful red, yellow, or orange flowers are topped by a crown of leaves.
Name: Fritillaria imperialis
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 3 feet tall
Zones: 5-9
Native to North America: No
Siberian Squill
Siberian squill offers some of the best colors of the spring: Its true-blue flowers are truly first rate. This adaptable bulb spreads quickly and is great for planting in your lawn for a carpet of no-maintenance blue color in early spring.
Name: Scilla siberica
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Size: To 8 inches tall
Zones: 4-8
Native to North America: No
Allium
It's tough to have a favorite allium -- there are so many wonderful choices. Most offer globe-shape blooms in shades of white, pink, yellow, and purple.
Name: Allium selections
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 4 feet tall
Zones: 4-9
Native to North America: No
Fritillaria
This uncommon gem looks like a confection; the chocolate-brown flowers have a candy-yellow tip. Happily, they're not the least bit appetizing to hungry critters.
Name: Fritillaria michailovskyi
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 6 inches tall
Zones: 5-8
Native to North America: No
Grape Hyacinth
This little charmer resembles a cluster of grapes in bloom -- the blue, purple, white, or yellow flowers appear in tight clusters. This is one of our favorite spring bulbs.
Name: Muscari armeniacum
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Size: To 8 inches tall
Zones: 4-8
Native to North America: No
Bluebells
Perfect for romping through a woodland garden, bluebells produce hanging clusters of blue blooms. Look around and you can find pink- or white-flowering types, as well.
Name: Hyacinthoides hispanica
Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 20 inches tall
Zones: 4-9
Native to North America: No
Dog-Tooth Violet
A charming woodland plant, dog-tooth violet bears lily-shaped flowers in shades of white, cream, yellow, and pink. Many selections also offer speckled foliage.
Name: Erythronium grandiflorum
Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 1 foot tall
Zones: 4-9
Native to North America: Yes
Checkered Lily
We love the charming, intricate flowers of this uncommon bulb. As the name suggests, the purple flowers bear a distinct checkerboard-pattern overlay. The pure-white selections are just as beautiful.
Name: Fritillaria meleagris
Growing Conditions: Shade and moist well-drained soil
Size: To 1 foot tall
Zones: 3-8
Native to North America: No
Glory-of-the-Snow
A charming little bulb that deserves to be a lot better known, glory-of-the-snow blooms early and bears cheery pink, blue, or white star-shape flowers. It's great for letting pop up throughout your yard.
Name: Chionodoxa luciliae
Growing Conditions: Sun or shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 6 inches tall
Zones: 3-9
Native to North America: No
Winter Aconite
One of spring's first bloomers (often before the snow melts) winter aconite bears cup-shape sunny yellow flowers.
Name: Eranthis hyemalis
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 3 inches tall
Zones: 4-9
Native to North America: No
Snowdrop
Snowdrops often greet spring before the snow has gone. These beautiful little bulbs offer butterfly-shape white flowers and are great for growing in the lawn or garden.
Name: Galanthus nivalis
Growing Conditions: Sun or shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 4 inches tall
Zones: 3-8
Native to North America: No
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
How to Clean Your RainGutters
During a rainstorm, gutters route runoff from a very large surface—a home’s roof—to where it can drain away from the house. By doing so, they protect siding, windows, doors, and foundations from water damage and help prevent flooding in basements.
To do their job, gutters and downspouts must be clear of leaves and debris. If they aren’t, drain outlets will dam up and rainwater will fill the gutters, back up, overflow, and eventually pull gutters loose from their mountings. Water that pools in troughs will rot wood gutters and rust sheet metal ones.
You can hire a service to clean your gutters, but doing the work yourself can save you $100 or more.
Plan to clean gutters at least twice a year—more often if the roof is directly beneath trees. But only take on this task if you know you can work safely from a ladder or the roof. If your roof is higher than a single story, you’re better off hiring a professional.
Choose a sturdy ladder, and place it on a firm, level base. A tall stepladder can be easier to use than an extension ladder. If you must lean an extension ladder against a gutter, protect the gutter from bending by placing a short piece of 2 by 4 inside it. Stand on the ladder with your hips between the rails, and don’t lean out over the sides. Never stand on the top two rungs.
If you’re comfortable working from the rooftop and your roof has a very low pitch, this can be easier than working from a ladder. But only do this under extremely safe conditions. Never work on the roof in wet, icy, or windy conditions. Wear non-slip shoes, and never lean over the edge or work near power lines.
When cleaning gutters, wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands since gutters often have sharp metal parts or screw points sticking out into their troughs. Also wear safety glasses or goggles.
The conventional method for cleaning gutters is discussed below. A method sometimes used by home handymen on low-sloped roofs is to blow dry debris out of gutters with a leaf-blower. If you use this method, wear goggles and a dust mask!
Leaf-catching gutter systems are highly touted by manufacturers, but most are not a complete solution. Debris eventually settles through them, and the screens must be removed to clean out the gutters. Some systems are very expensive. If you opt to buy a leaf-catching system, be sure it can be easily removed for cleaning.
To clean gutters:
1) Scoop out loose debris
Starting at a drain outlet at the low end of a gutter, use a narrow garden trowel to scoop out loose debris, working away from the drain outlet. It’s usually easiest to do this when the debris is slightly damp and pliable, not soggy or dried and encrusted. To minimize cleanup later, you can scoop the debris into a plastic garbage can liner.
2) Blast out the gutters with a hose
Using an on-off high-pressure nozzle mounted at the end of a water hose, wash out each length of gutter, working toward the drain outlet. This can be a messy job; try to avoid splattering mud all over your house. If necessary, use a stiff scrub brush to break loose encrusted dirt.
3) Clear obstructions in drainpipes
If water doesn’t drain freely through drainpipes, try flushing debris down them with the hose. If that doesn’t work, use a plumber’s auger (snake) to free and pull out debris from the bottom.
To do their job, gutters and downspouts must be clear of leaves and debris. If they aren’t, drain outlets will dam up and rainwater will fill the gutters, back up, overflow, and eventually pull gutters loose from their mountings. Water that pools in troughs will rot wood gutters and rust sheet metal ones.
You can hire a service to clean your gutters, but doing the work yourself can save you $100 or more.
Plan to clean gutters at least twice a year—more often if the roof is directly beneath trees. But only take on this task if you know you can work safely from a ladder or the roof. If your roof is higher than a single story, you’re better off hiring a professional.
Choose a sturdy ladder, and place it on a firm, level base. A tall stepladder can be easier to use than an extension ladder. If you must lean an extension ladder against a gutter, protect the gutter from bending by placing a short piece of 2 by 4 inside it. Stand on the ladder with your hips between the rails, and don’t lean out over the sides. Never stand on the top two rungs.
If you’re comfortable working from the rooftop and your roof has a very low pitch, this can be easier than working from a ladder. But only do this under extremely safe conditions. Never work on the roof in wet, icy, or windy conditions. Wear non-slip shoes, and never lean over the edge or work near power lines.
When cleaning gutters, wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands since gutters often have sharp metal parts or screw points sticking out into their troughs. Also wear safety glasses or goggles.
The conventional method for cleaning gutters is discussed below. A method sometimes used by home handymen on low-sloped roofs is to blow dry debris out of gutters with a leaf-blower. If you use this method, wear goggles and a dust mask!
Leaf-catching gutter systems are highly touted by manufacturers, but most are not a complete solution. Debris eventually settles through them, and the screens must be removed to clean out the gutters. Some systems are very expensive. If you opt to buy a leaf-catching system, be sure it can be easily removed for cleaning.
To clean gutters:
1) Scoop out loose debris
Starting at a drain outlet at the low end of a gutter, use a narrow garden trowel to scoop out loose debris, working away from the drain outlet. It’s usually easiest to do this when the debris is slightly damp and pliable, not soggy or dried and encrusted. To minimize cleanup later, you can scoop the debris into a plastic garbage can liner.
2) Blast out the gutters with a hose
Using an on-off high-pressure nozzle mounted at the end of a water hose, wash out each length of gutter, working toward the drain outlet. This can be a messy job; try to avoid splattering mud all over your house. If necessary, use a stiff scrub brush to break loose encrusted dirt.
3) Clear obstructions in drainpipes
If water doesn’t drain freely through drainpipes, try flushing debris down them with the hose. If that doesn’t work, use a plumber’s auger (snake) to free and pull out debris from the bottom.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
House Plans
For some people, it is really hard to find a house that fits everything they need. Some people are very specific in what they want for their house and the area that they are looking in doesn't seem to have what they are looking for. To those people I say, build your house! I can help you find a lot in the area that you want and you can build the home of your dreams. I am including a link to look at some different house plans you may like. Click here.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Can I get lower mortgage payments with a 40-year mortgage?
You won’t save much on your monthly payment by drawing your loan out to 40 years, because most of your payment is interest. The main effect you will see is additional total interest expense, possibly tens of thousands of dollars, for a paltry decrease in monthly payments. On a $100,000 loan, the difference might be $42 or so a month.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
How much home can I afford?
Debt Ratios
First, look at your monthly gross income, before taxes and contributions. This is how much you make per month, not how much you take home. What you take home is net income.
Front-End Ratios
Lenders use what is called a front-end ratio, which is reflected as a percentage of your gross monthly income. The front-end ratio signifies the payment a buyer can reasonably afford, from a lender's point of view. You may prefer a lower payment.
The front-end ratio for a FHA loan is 29%. For a conforming conventional loan, the front-end ratio is 33%. This means if your monthly gross income is $4,000, to qualify for a FHA loan, your monthly principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI) payment would be $1,160. For a conventional loan, it is $1,320.
Back-End Ratios
The back-end ratio reflects your new mortgage payment, plus all recurring debt. It, too, is computed on your gross monthly income. The back-end is higher than the front-end. For an FHA loan, the back-end ratio is 41%. For a conforming conventional loan, it is 45%.
This means if your car payment is $300, and you pay $100 a month between two credit cards, your total monthly recurring debt is $400. On the FHA loan payment above of $1,160 PITI, plus $400 recurring debt, your total is $1,560. The back-end ratio number is $1,640 ($4,000 x 41% = $1,640.} Your total debt is less than $1,640, so you qualify.
For a conventional loan, $4,000 x 45% (back-end ratio), equals $1,800. The total debt of $400, plus your new mortgage payment of $1,320 for a conventional loan equals $1,720. Your total debt is less than $1,800, so you would qualify for a conventional loan.
Home Sales Price Affordability
Working backward, now that you know how much of a mortgage payment you qualify to pay, you can figure out how that relates to a sales price. You will hear experts say to pay anywhere from two to six times your annual salary, but it is smarter to look at the amount of mortgage you can get for that monthly payment.
Your mortgage amount will depend on interest rates. Interest rates fluctuate daily, sometimes hourly. For example, say you want to pay $1,000 per month PI. At 6% interest, on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, you can borrow $170,000, payable $1,019 per month.
At 7% interest, you can borrow only $150,000, payable at $998 per month. In this example, you lose $20,000 of borrowing power when the rate jumps from 6% to 7%.
Down Payments
Down payment amounts will depend on several factors. First, how much do you feel comfortable putting down? I suggest that first-time home buyers keep a healthy reserve and not dump every single cent into a home.
No Down Payment
If you qualify for 100% financing, your down payment will be zero. VA loans are available for veterans at no-money-down. Some first-time home buyers programs accept borrowers with limited funds for gift down payment programs, providing certain income limits are met. If you make too much money, you will not qualify.
FHA Down Payments
Minimum FHA down payments are presently 2.85% of the sales price. To borrow $150,000, your sales price will be $154,400, and your down payment is $4,400. Legislation is pending to lower that percentage. Some first-time home buyer programs, used in conjunction with FHA, help with the down payment.
Conventional Loan Down Payments
Any loan that is more than 80% of the sales price will involve PMI, private mortgage insurance, which will increase your monthly mortgage payment. Typical down payments are 5%, 10% or 15% of the sales price. If you plan to put down 5% of the sales price and borrow $150,000, your sales price will be $157,900 and your down payment $7,900.
Closing Costs
Sometimes, sellers will pay some or all of the buyer's closing costs. You can figure 2% to 3% of the sales price will equal your closing costs. On a sales price of $150,000, your closing costs could run $4,500, which is extra and on top of your down payment.
Your Payment Comfort Level
Before you jump into home ownership, why not set aside the additional amount you would pay for a mortgage every month to see how you do? For example, if your rent is $800 and you plan to pay $1,200 for a PITI payment, set aside $400 per month for three to six months.
In other words, pretend you are paying a mortgage payment. If $1,200 a month doesn't strap you for cash, you can probably afford to pay that much for a mortgage payment.
If you feel more comfortable borrowing less than the amount shown your loan preapproval letter, then do so. Don't make the mistake of taking out a mortgage that will be a struggle for you to maintain. Do what feels right to you.
A dream home can usually wait. You probably don't need to buy the most expensive home you are qualified to buy. Consider a starter home as your first home. Work first on building equity and security for yourself and your family.
First, look at your monthly gross income, before taxes and contributions. This is how much you make per month, not how much you take home. What you take home is net income.
Front-End Ratios
Lenders use what is called a front-end ratio, which is reflected as a percentage of your gross monthly income. The front-end ratio signifies the payment a buyer can reasonably afford, from a lender's point of view. You may prefer a lower payment.
The front-end ratio for a FHA loan is 29%. For a conforming conventional loan, the front-end ratio is 33%. This means if your monthly gross income is $4,000, to qualify for a FHA loan, your monthly principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI) payment would be $1,160. For a conventional loan, it is $1,320.
Back-End Ratios
The back-end ratio reflects your new mortgage payment, plus all recurring debt. It, too, is computed on your gross monthly income. The back-end is higher than the front-end. For an FHA loan, the back-end ratio is 41%. For a conforming conventional loan, it is 45%.
This means if your car payment is $300, and you pay $100 a month between two credit cards, your total monthly recurring debt is $400. On the FHA loan payment above of $1,160 PITI, plus $400 recurring debt, your total is $1,560. The back-end ratio number is $1,640 ($4,000 x 41% = $1,640.} Your total debt is less than $1,640, so you qualify.
For a conventional loan, $4,000 x 45% (back-end ratio), equals $1,800. The total debt of $400, plus your new mortgage payment of $1,320 for a conventional loan equals $1,720. Your total debt is less than $1,800, so you would qualify for a conventional loan.
Home Sales Price Affordability
Working backward, now that you know how much of a mortgage payment you qualify to pay, you can figure out how that relates to a sales price. You will hear experts say to pay anywhere from two to six times your annual salary, but it is smarter to look at the amount of mortgage you can get for that monthly payment.
Your mortgage amount will depend on interest rates. Interest rates fluctuate daily, sometimes hourly. For example, say you want to pay $1,000 per month PI. At 6% interest, on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, you can borrow $170,000, payable $1,019 per month.
At 7% interest, you can borrow only $150,000, payable at $998 per month. In this example, you lose $20,000 of borrowing power when the rate jumps from 6% to 7%.
Down Payments
Down payment amounts will depend on several factors. First, how much do you feel comfortable putting down? I suggest that first-time home buyers keep a healthy reserve and not dump every single cent into a home.
No Down Payment
If you qualify for 100% financing, your down payment will be zero. VA loans are available for veterans at no-money-down. Some first-time home buyers programs accept borrowers with limited funds for gift down payment programs, providing certain income limits are met. If you make too much money, you will not qualify.
FHA Down Payments
Minimum FHA down payments are presently 2.85% of the sales price. To borrow $150,000, your sales price will be $154,400, and your down payment is $4,400. Legislation is pending to lower that percentage. Some first-time home buyer programs, used in conjunction with FHA, help with the down payment.
Conventional Loan Down Payments
Any loan that is more than 80% of the sales price will involve PMI, private mortgage insurance, which will increase your monthly mortgage payment. Typical down payments are 5%, 10% or 15% of the sales price. If you plan to put down 5% of the sales price and borrow $150,000, your sales price will be $157,900 and your down payment $7,900.
Closing Costs
Sometimes, sellers will pay some or all of the buyer's closing costs. You can figure 2% to 3% of the sales price will equal your closing costs. On a sales price of $150,000, your closing costs could run $4,500, which is extra and on top of your down payment.
Your Payment Comfort Level
Before you jump into home ownership, why not set aside the additional amount you would pay for a mortgage every month to see how you do? For example, if your rent is $800 and you plan to pay $1,200 for a PITI payment, set aside $400 per month for three to six months.
In other words, pretend you are paying a mortgage payment. If $1,200 a month doesn't strap you for cash, you can probably afford to pay that much for a mortgage payment.
If you feel more comfortable borrowing less than the amount shown your loan preapproval letter, then do so. Don't make the mistake of taking out a mortgage that will be a struggle for you to maintain. Do what feels right to you.
A dream home can usually wait. You probably don't need to buy the most expensive home you are qualified to buy. Consider a starter home as your first home. Work first on building equity and security for yourself and your family.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Mercer Hollow
I have these houses listed in an area in Highland, UT called Mercer Hollow. They are beautiful homes. Two of them are going to be on the Once Upon A Christmas home tour for Signs of Hope International this year on December 4th & 5th. You will be able to walk through the homes and see them decorated by Steve Peterson's Interiors Unlimited-a professional interior design company. They will be fully furnished and also decorated for the holiday season.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Home Staging
If you've been doing any research about home selling - and if you haven't, then you certainly should be - you've probably run across the term 'home staging'. At its simplest, home staging refers to making your home attractive to potential buyers.
Buyers tend to be ruled by emotion when picking out a home - and while financial advisers caution against that, buying a house that makes you feel good is not a bad way to make a decision. As the seller, your job is to make them feel good in the house you're selling.
Old time real estate logic used to be that cookies or an apple pie baking in the oven would put your prospective buyers in a buying frame of mind. While there's far more to it than that, making your house smell homey and inviting is one way to make it more appealing to those who come to look at it. Home staging shouldn't be a piecemeal approach though. If you want to sell your house for top dollar, invest the time it takes to turn your house for sale into a buyer's dream home - and follow through with a low-key showing style that lets them imagine themselves living the dream you manufacture.
Are you interested in selling your house for top dollar or faster in the slow market? Then try these tips to set up your home for showing to prospective buyers.
1. The number one rule of home staging is to depersonalize. If you do nothing else, you absolutely need to pack away anything that makes the house 'yours' as opposed to theirs. Your family photos may be precious to you, but to a buyer, they're clutter. Clear off counters and shelves, pack away books and take down photos off the walls.
2. Pare the furnishings down to the bare essentials. If you're going to be living in the house while you show it, this may be a bit more difficult, but it's still important. Pack away your favorite old, shabby recliner and get rid of the stepstool or extra high chair in the kitchen. You want just enough furniture to define a room's purpose without crowding the room.
3. The mood that you're aiming for is cheerful and bright. If it's a sunny day, open drapes and curtains to let the sunshine in - but make sure that those windows are scrupulously clean. If the windows look out on a back yard that's less than appealing, get out the lawnmower and hedge trimmers to MAKE it appealing.
4. If the day is gloomy, turn on the lights in every room before the buyers show up. Using white or cream on the walls and keeping furnishings in light, bright colors will guarantee that the house you're selling looks cheerful and appealing even on the gloomiest day.
5. Fresh flowers are one of those little luxuries that make people feel good. Use them both inside and out. Flower beds in the front of the house add to the curb appeal, and a path lined with flowers can't help but put a potential buyer into the right frame of mind before they ever step through your front door. Inside, try a small table in the entry hall with a tasteful arrangement of cheerful flowers, a bowl of flowers or fruit in the middle of a dining room table or a vase of flowers on a dresser in a bedroom.
6. Remember that there's more to appealing than what meets the eye. Make sure that your house is comfortable. If it's hot, turn on the air conditioning an hour or so before you expect buyers so that there's time to bring it to a comfortable temperature. If it's cold, set the heat at a comfortable 68 - 70 degrees.
7. Appeal to all the senses. Psychologists tell us that the nose influences us far more than we imagine. Make sure that your house smells fresh, clean and appealing. CLEAN is the keyword. One of the best ways to freshen your home is to wash all the curtains and fabric fittings in a fresh-scent laundry detergent and hang them. For a quick air freshener that doesn't leave behind a 'chemical' scent, toss a clean sheet in the dryer with a fresh-scent fabric softener sheet about twenty minutes before a showing, or sprinkle some cinnamon and fresh orange peels in a pot of water and simmer it on the stove. Just be sure to remove it BEFORE your potential buyers get there.
8. Beautiful bathrooms make a big difference. Replace your old shower curtain, and make sure that the fixtures, mirrors, porcelain and floors shine.
9. When you're selling a home, you're selling a fantasy. Buyers will see themselves living the lifestyle you 'stage' in your home. Get rid of anything that detracts from that fantasy. That includes pets and children. No matter how adorable you think they are, to potential buyers, they're a distraction. Ship your kids and pets off to a neighbor's while you show your house so that your buyers can explore the house undistracted.
10. Don't forget the outside. Outdoor living spaces are more and more important to people. Treat your back deck or patio like another room in your home. A few decorating touches can make it more than just a 'back yard'. Cover a worn picnic table with a bright tablecloth and replace worn chair cushions with new ones.
A little home staging, a fresh coast of paint and new carpet, can go a long way to making your house appealing and attractive to buyers. Take the time to pare it down to the essentials so that little touches make a big difference.
If you don't know how to do this, you can always hire a professional home stager. Typically, full home staging service will cost between $1,500 to $2,500. Hiring a home staging professional can really pay off consider that staged home can sell faster between 3 to 50 percent and increases the selling price between 2 to 10 percent more than an unstaged home. Get your home ready to sell, both inside and outside, by home staging now!
Buyers tend to be ruled by emotion when picking out a home - and while financial advisers caution against that, buying a house that makes you feel good is not a bad way to make a decision. As the seller, your job is to make them feel good in the house you're selling.
Old time real estate logic used to be that cookies or an apple pie baking in the oven would put your prospective buyers in a buying frame of mind. While there's far more to it than that, making your house smell homey and inviting is one way to make it more appealing to those who come to look at it. Home staging shouldn't be a piecemeal approach though. If you want to sell your house for top dollar, invest the time it takes to turn your house for sale into a buyer's dream home - and follow through with a low-key showing style that lets them imagine themselves living the dream you manufacture.
Are you interested in selling your house for top dollar or faster in the slow market? Then try these tips to set up your home for showing to prospective buyers.
1. The number one rule of home staging is to depersonalize. If you do nothing else, you absolutely need to pack away anything that makes the house 'yours' as opposed to theirs. Your family photos may be precious to you, but to a buyer, they're clutter. Clear off counters and shelves, pack away books and take down photos off the walls.
2. Pare the furnishings down to the bare essentials. If you're going to be living in the house while you show it, this may be a bit more difficult, but it's still important. Pack away your favorite old, shabby recliner and get rid of the stepstool or extra high chair in the kitchen. You want just enough furniture to define a room's purpose without crowding the room.
3. The mood that you're aiming for is cheerful and bright. If it's a sunny day, open drapes and curtains to let the sunshine in - but make sure that those windows are scrupulously clean. If the windows look out on a back yard that's less than appealing, get out the lawnmower and hedge trimmers to MAKE it appealing.
4. If the day is gloomy, turn on the lights in every room before the buyers show up. Using white or cream on the walls and keeping furnishings in light, bright colors will guarantee that the house you're selling looks cheerful and appealing even on the gloomiest day.
5. Fresh flowers are one of those little luxuries that make people feel good. Use them both inside and out. Flower beds in the front of the house add to the curb appeal, and a path lined with flowers can't help but put a potential buyer into the right frame of mind before they ever step through your front door. Inside, try a small table in the entry hall with a tasteful arrangement of cheerful flowers, a bowl of flowers or fruit in the middle of a dining room table or a vase of flowers on a dresser in a bedroom.
6. Remember that there's more to appealing than what meets the eye. Make sure that your house is comfortable. If it's hot, turn on the air conditioning an hour or so before you expect buyers so that there's time to bring it to a comfortable temperature. If it's cold, set the heat at a comfortable 68 - 70 degrees.
7. Appeal to all the senses. Psychologists tell us that the nose influences us far more than we imagine. Make sure that your house smells fresh, clean and appealing. CLEAN is the keyword. One of the best ways to freshen your home is to wash all the curtains and fabric fittings in a fresh-scent laundry detergent and hang them. For a quick air freshener that doesn't leave behind a 'chemical' scent, toss a clean sheet in the dryer with a fresh-scent fabric softener sheet about twenty minutes before a showing, or sprinkle some cinnamon and fresh orange peels in a pot of water and simmer it on the stove. Just be sure to remove it BEFORE your potential buyers get there.
8. Beautiful bathrooms make a big difference. Replace your old shower curtain, and make sure that the fixtures, mirrors, porcelain and floors shine.
9. When you're selling a home, you're selling a fantasy. Buyers will see themselves living the lifestyle you 'stage' in your home. Get rid of anything that detracts from that fantasy. That includes pets and children. No matter how adorable you think they are, to potential buyers, they're a distraction. Ship your kids and pets off to a neighbor's while you show your house so that your buyers can explore the house undistracted.
10. Don't forget the outside. Outdoor living spaces are more and more important to people. Treat your back deck or patio like another room in your home. A few decorating touches can make it more than just a 'back yard'. Cover a worn picnic table with a bright tablecloth and replace worn chair cushions with new ones.
A little home staging, a fresh coast of paint and new carpet, can go a long way to making your house appealing and attractive to buyers. Take the time to pare it down to the essentials so that little touches make a big difference.
If you don't know how to do this, you can always hire a professional home stager. Typically, full home staging service will cost between $1,500 to $2,500. Hiring a home staging professional can really pay off consider that staged home can sell faster between 3 to 50 percent and increases the selling price between 2 to 10 percent more than an unstaged home. Get your home ready to sell, both inside and outside, by home staging now!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
While Your Home Is On the Market-Protecting Your Privacy
Are your secrets safe? Before a home goes on the market and home buyers start to traipse through, savvy sellers will relocate confidential information. Even so, you might be astonished to learn what home buyers can figure out about you.
Private Documents
•Is it snooping to open a drawer?
Not if the drawer is part of a built-in such as a kitchen cabinet or a dining room china cabinet. Buyers can innocently tug on a drawer to inspect its construction or depth and find important documents that you might not intend for anyone to see.
I once opened a drawer and discovered the seller's net sheet sitting on top of her comparative market analysis, in plain view. It clearly indicated a lower price was expected, so you can guess what my buyer offered.
•Don't leave mail where anybody can find it.
Lots of sellers leave piles of opened mail neatly stacked on the kitchen counter. Buyers could find out how much you owe department stores or other credit cards. They can tell if you're late on your mortgage payments or if the I.R.S. is after you. Heaven forbid should you file bankruptcy or be sued and leave those documents on the table, but sellers do it. They must believe that buyers will not read someone else's personal mail, even when that mail is taped to the refrigerator door, begging to be read.
I've also shown vacant homes where the mail was tossed all over the floor in the entryway. Neither the seller nor his listing agent bothered to stop by and pick up the mail. It wasn't hard to figure out that much of the mail contained collection notices. If a buyer was armed with that information, guess what price the buyer would be thinking about. It wouldn't be list price.
Remove Diplomas and Wedding Photos from Walls
Notwithstanding that all personal items should be removed, sometimes sellers overlook the obvious and leave diplomas on the wall. People form biases and can carry a bias too far. For example, the seller might be a lawyer, and there are buyers who might not feel comfortable buying a home from a lawyer. For whatever reason. Diplomas also give away a seller's age or a close estimate. If a buyer sees a recent medical diploma, for example, the buyer might assume the seller is saddled with student loans and needs to sell to pay them off.
Wedding photos might give away the seller's religion, as do certain religious artifacts left in the home. Buyers can be prejudiced. Don't give buyers a way to form any opinion about you at all. Don't let buyers form ideas about you from the type of music you like or the literature you read.
Contents of Closets
Often sellers who are separating or getting divorced feel a lot of pressure to sell quickly, especially if the partner who remains in the home cannot afford to continue to maintain it. But that is not information most sellers want to share with buyers. Yet they do. They may as well toss their wallet out the car window doing 80 on the freeway.
They do this by hanging either all men's or all women's clothing in the closet. Was it a heterosexual or bisexual involvement? Who cares? It's nobody's business, really, if a seller is dissolving a relationship. But once a buyer finds out a seller desperately needs to sell, the buyer won't make an offer anywhere near list price. So don't leave any telltale clues around that could give away your motivation to sell.
Before you put your home in the market, please, prep it; empty out drawers, stage closets and pack up anything remotely personal. If your house speaks to a buyer about you, it's probably saying the wrong thing.
Private Documents
•Is it snooping to open a drawer?
Not if the drawer is part of a built-in such as a kitchen cabinet or a dining room china cabinet. Buyers can innocently tug on a drawer to inspect its construction or depth and find important documents that you might not intend for anyone to see.
I once opened a drawer and discovered the seller's net sheet sitting on top of her comparative market analysis, in plain view. It clearly indicated a lower price was expected, so you can guess what my buyer offered.
•Don't leave mail where anybody can find it.
Lots of sellers leave piles of opened mail neatly stacked on the kitchen counter. Buyers could find out how much you owe department stores or other credit cards. They can tell if you're late on your mortgage payments or if the I.R.S. is after you. Heaven forbid should you file bankruptcy or be sued and leave those documents on the table, but sellers do it. They must believe that buyers will not read someone else's personal mail, even when that mail is taped to the refrigerator door, begging to be read.
I've also shown vacant homes where the mail was tossed all over the floor in the entryway. Neither the seller nor his listing agent bothered to stop by and pick up the mail. It wasn't hard to figure out that much of the mail contained collection notices. If a buyer was armed with that information, guess what price the buyer would be thinking about. It wouldn't be list price.
Remove Diplomas and Wedding Photos from Walls
Notwithstanding that all personal items should be removed, sometimes sellers overlook the obvious and leave diplomas on the wall. People form biases and can carry a bias too far. For example, the seller might be a lawyer, and there are buyers who might not feel comfortable buying a home from a lawyer. For whatever reason. Diplomas also give away a seller's age or a close estimate. If a buyer sees a recent medical diploma, for example, the buyer might assume the seller is saddled with student loans and needs to sell to pay them off.
Wedding photos might give away the seller's religion, as do certain religious artifacts left in the home. Buyers can be prejudiced. Don't give buyers a way to form any opinion about you at all. Don't let buyers form ideas about you from the type of music you like or the literature you read.
Contents of Closets
Often sellers who are separating or getting divorced feel a lot of pressure to sell quickly, especially if the partner who remains in the home cannot afford to continue to maintain it. But that is not information most sellers want to share with buyers. Yet they do. They may as well toss their wallet out the car window doing 80 on the freeway.
They do this by hanging either all men's or all women's clothing in the closet. Was it a heterosexual or bisexual involvement? Who cares? It's nobody's business, really, if a seller is dissolving a relationship. But once a buyer finds out a seller desperately needs to sell, the buyer won't make an offer anywhere near list price. So don't leave any telltale clues around that could give away your motivation to sell.
Before you put your home in the market, please, prep it; empty out drawers, stage closets and pack up anything remotely personal. If your house speaks to a buyer about you, it's probably saying the wrong thing.
Friday, October 3, 2008
First Time Home Buyer Tips
It's not uncommon for a first-time home buyer to say to me, "Gosh, just last week I called you about buying a home and now I'm in escrow! How did this happen so fast?"
The answer is it didn't. First-time home buyers start the search long before most even realize it.
Here's what you can expect from your home shopping experience:
Figuring Out the Benefits
You should buy a home. That's what you've been hearing from friends and family, right? So, by now you have likely already weighed the benefits and decided that home ownership was the best decision for you. That's a major hurdle now passed. You are focused and certain. Good.
Defining Search Parameters
Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. With just a few clicks of the mouse, home buyers can search through hundreds of online listings, view virtual tours, and sort through dozens of photographs and aerial shots of neighborhoods and homes. You've probably defined your goals and have a pretty good idea of the type of home and neighborhood you want. By the time you reach your real estate agent's office, you are halfway to home ownership.
How Long Should It Take to Find What You Want?
In seller's markets, often I show only one home. After all, how many homes does one family need? A few buyers will look for years, but buyers who do that aren't motivated. A motivated buyer will find a home within two weeks. Most of my buyers find a home within two days.
Good real estate agents will listen to your wants and needs and arrange to show only those homes that fit your particular parameters. Your agent should preview homes before showing them to you as well.
How Many Homes Will You See?
Studies show that the your memory dramatically improves after consumption of carbs and slows upon consuming sugar. So, layoff the soft drinks and have a hearty meal of carbs before venturing out to tour homes. The average number of homes that I show to a buyer in one day is seven. Any more than that, and the brain is on overload. Therefore, don't expect to see 20 or 30 homes; although it's physically possible to do so, you probably will not remember specific details about any of them.
The "Red Shoes" Experience
Women will relate to this. Say, you need a new pair of red shoes. You go to the mall. At the first shoe store, you find a fabulous pair of red shoes. You try them on. They fit perfectly. They are glamorous. Priced right, too. Do you buy them? Of course not! You go to every other store in the mall trying on red shoes until you are ready to drop from exhaustion. Then you return to the first store and buy those red shoes. Do not shop for a home this way. When you find the perfect home, buy it.
How to Rate Inventory
* Bring a digital camera and begin each series of photos with a close-up of the house number to identify where each group of home photos start and end.
* Take copious notes of unusual features, colors and design elements.
* Pay attention to the home's surroundings. What is next door? Do 2-story homes tower over your single story?
* Do you like the location? Is it near a park or a power plant?
* Immediately after leaving, rate each home on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
View Top Choices a Second Time
After touring homes for a few days, you will probably instinctively know which one or two homes you would like to buy. Ask to see them again. You will see them with different eyes and notice elements that were overlooked the first go-around.
At this point, your agent should call the listing agents to find out more about the sellers' motivation and to double-check that an offer hasn't come in, making sure these homes are still available to purchase.
Making the Selection
I'll let you in on a little secret. I generally know which home a buyer is going to choose, and I suspect most other agents operate the same way. It's an intuition. But I make it a practice not to steer buyers, and I insist that buyers choose the home without interference from me. It's not my choice to make.
Real estate agents are required, however, to point out defects and should help buyers feel confident that the home selected meets the buyer's search parameters.
The answer is it didn't. First-time home buyers start the search long before most even realize it.
Here's what you can expect from your home shopping experience:
Figuring Out the Benefits
You should buy a home. That's what you've been hearing from friends and family, right? So, by now you have likely already weighed the benefits and decided that home ownership was the best decision for you. That's a major hurdle now passed. You are focused and certain. Good.
Defining Search Parameters
Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. With just a few clicks of the mouse, home buyers can search through hundreds of online listings, view virtual tours, and sort through dozens of photographs and aerial shots of neighborhoods and homes. You've probably defined your goals and have a pretty good idea of the type of home and neighborhood you want. By the time you reach your real estate agent's office, you are halfway to home ownership.
How Long Should It Take to Find What You Want?
In seller's markets, often I show only one home. After all, how many homes does one family need? A few buyers will look for years, but buyers who do that aren't motivated. A motivated buyer will find a home within two weeks. Most of my buyers find a home within two days.
Good real estate agents will listen to your wants and needs and arrange to show only those homes that fit your particular parameters. Your agent should preview homes before showing them to you as well.
How Many Homes Will You See?
Studies show that the your memory dramatically improves after consumption of carbs and slows upon consuming sugar. So, layoff the soft drinks and have a hearty meal of carbs before venturing out to tour homes. The average number of homes that I show to a buyer in one day is seven. Any more than that, and the brain is on overload. Therefore, don't expect to see 20 or 30 homes; although it's physically possible to do so, you probably will not remember specific details about any of them.
The "Red Shoes" Experience
Women will relate to this. Say, you need a new pair of red shoes. You go to the mall. At the first shoe store, you find a fabulous pair of red shoes. You try them on. They fit perfectly. They are glamorous. Priced right, too. Do you buy them? Of course not! You go to every other store in the mall trying on red shoes until you are ready to drop from exhaustion. Then you return to the first store and buy those red shoes. Do not shop for a home this way. When you find the perfect home, buy it.
How to Rate Inventory
* Bring a digital camera and begin each series of photos with a close-up of the house number to identify where each group of home photos start and end.
* Take copious notes of unusual features, colors and design elements.
* Pay attention to the home's surroundings. What is next door? Do 2-story homes tower over your single story?
* Do you like the location? Is it near a park or a power plant?
* Immediately after leaving, rate each home on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
View Top Choices a Second Time
After touring homes for a few days, you will probably instinctively know which one or two homes you would like to buy. Ask to see them again. You will see them with different eyes and notice elements that were overlooked the first go-around.
At this point, your agent should call the listing agents to find out more about the sellers' motivation and to double-check that an offer hasn't come in, making sure these homes are still available to purchase.
Making the Selection
I'll let you in on a little secret. I generally know which home a buyer is going to choose, and I suspect most other agents operate the same way. It's an intuition. But I make it a practice not to steer buyers, and I insist that buyers choose the home without interference from me. It's not my choice to make.
Real estate agents are required, however, to point out defects and should help buyers feel confident that the home selected meets the buyer's search parameters.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Transitioning Your Home to Fall
Accessories offer an easy way to bring fall color into your home. Here are some of my favorite quick fixes for transitioning from summer to fall.
* Glass jars: I love to fill inexpensive glass jars with Mother Nature's finest. I swap summer vacation finds like shells and sand for acorns and pinecones.
* Pillows: In the summer months I think cool, so my neutral sofa is dressed with blue and green pillows, but when the weather turns I reach for warm reds and oranges.
* Paint Colors: I think of paint as an accessory—small doses can add lots of wow in little time. My favorite weekend project is painting an accent wall, such as the one behind my mantel, to set the mood for the season.
* Glass jars: I love to fill inexpensive glass jars with Mother Nature's finest. I swap summer vacation finds like shells and sand for acorns and pinecones.
* Pillows: In the summer months I think cool, so my neutral sofa is dressed with blue and green pillows, but when the weather turns I reach for warm reds and oranges.
* Paint Colors: I think of paint as an accessory—small doses can add lots of wow in little time. My favorite weekend project is painting an accent wall, such as the one behind my mantel, to set the mood for the season.
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