Construction on new U.S. homes soared last month to the fastest pace since early 2008, signaling that the housing market’s recovery is shaking off rising mortgage rates, according to government data released this week. Housing starts leaped 22.7% in November, backed by surges for both single-family homes and apartments, the U.S. Department of Commerce said.
Builders, meanwhile, are becoming increasingly perky, with a gauge of their views on present sales of single-family homes recently hitting the highest level since 2005, according to the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo. In fact, builder confidence is climbing so quickly that it is outpacing actual construction rates for single-family homes.
Even the Federal Reserve’s announcement this week that it is tapering the asset purchases that have exerted downward pressure on long-term rates didn’t shake home-builder stocks.
What’s behind the cheery outlook among builders and their investors? Perhaps, like our central bankers, they are increasingly confident in the economy’s strength. If healthy jobs growth continues, homeownership should also pick up, benefitting new construction.
Builders also have a lot of room to expand: Housing starts hit a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.09 million in November, far below the 1.7 million starts per year that economists say are needed to maintain current stock and meet demand for replacement and second homes. Indeed, there’s enough demand that builders have been able to raise prices, though recent data signal that this trend is curbing sales.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Tax Benefits of Owning a Home
They say there are only two things you can count on
in this world: death and taxes. But when it comes to owning a home, it appears
there may be a third. And that is the favorable treatment of home ownership
by the Internal Revenue Service.
1. The purchase
When buying your own home, most of the expenses are not tax deductible. But there is one exception that is worth finding.
The IRS says you can deduct interest in the year that it is paid, and that is usually part of each monthly loan payment. In addition, if the day you purchase is on any day other than the first of the month, you will likely pay a charge for "daily interest" between the day of closing and the end of the month. Look on line 901 of your HUD settlement statement.
Much more importantly, the IRS says that, in most cases, loan discount points and origination fees are tax deductible to the buyer, regardless of who pays them. Look at lines 801 and 802 of your settlement statement and see if you hit the jackpot. This is a particularly unusual deduction because you get the benefit even if the seller paid your closing costs. And because origination fees of 1% and more are common, this can amount to a lot of cash.
2. Mortgage interest
In general, you can deduct interest charged on a loan used to acquire or improve your principal residence in the year that it is paid. In the early years of a loan, most of your monthly payment is interest, so this can really add up. If you are in a 28% federal tax bracket, this can have the effect of lowering your borrowing costs by almost a third, depending on which state you live in. This is truly nothing more than a subsidy to home owners, and it's a very popular deduction.
In addition, you can always deduct interest on an additional $100,000 of mortgage debt, which can be used for any purpose. This is called the "Home Equity Loan" exception, and it allows you to tap into your home equity for any purpose. This gives home owners the ability to do what is called "debt-shifting." For example, if you live in an apartment and have a credit card balance of $10,000 at 18% interest, none of that interest would be deductible. But if you bought a house, obtained a home equity loan for $10,000 and paid off the credit card, then ALL of the interest expense becomes automatically deductible. Furthermore, the rate on the home equity loan is likely to be around prime plus one or two, usually much lower than credit card rates. This same technique works with any and all personal debt, from car loans to consolidation loans - with only one hitch. In every home equity loan, you have pledged your house as collateral for the loan. If you fail to pay the payments as agreed, you could lose your house to foreclosure. So be careful in using this technique.
3. The sale
This is the best. In fact, I can hardly believe this myself. Here's how it works:
If you have owned and occupied your principal residence for at least two of the past five years, you can earn up to $500,000 on the sale of that house and pay no federal income tax whatsoever. That's assuming you are married - singles get up to $250,000 tax free. And here comes the kicker: You can do this as often as every two years for the rest of your life.
This is as good an excuse for getting married as I have ever heard. Buy a fixer-upper in an up and coming neighborhood, work on it nights and weekends for two years, then sell it at a nice profit and pocket the cash, totally free of federal taxes. And most states recognize the federal exclusion, so you put the cash away totally tax free. You don't have to re-invest, you don't have to be age 55, and you can do this every two years forever. No, I'm not kidding.
The one restriction is that you MUST own and occupy the house as your principal residence, so don't try this on a rental property by pretending you live there when you don't. And there are some unclear rules about how you can take a partial exclusion if you live there less than two years, but we don't really know what they mean yet, so I recommend you stay there two years.
Many of these benefits came into being with the 1997 tax law, but lots of folks are just finding out about them now, so buy and sell to your heart's content. Just don't plan on staying forever!
1. The purchase
When buying your own home, most of the expenses are not tax deductible. But there is one exception that is worth finding.
The IRS says you can deduct interest in the year that it is paid, and that is usually part of each monthly loan payment. In addition, if the day you purchase is on any day other than the first of the month, you will likely pay a charge for "daily interest" between the day of closing and the end of the month. Look on line 901 of your HUD settlement statement.
Much more importantly, the IRS says that, in most cases, loan discount points and origination fees are tax deductible to the buyer, regardless of who pays them. Look at lines 801 and 802 of your settlement statement and see if you hit the jackpot. This is a particularly unusual deduction because you get the benefit even if the seller paid your closing costs. And because origination fees of 1% and more are common, this can amount to a lot of cash.
2. Mortgage interest
In general, you can deduct interest charged on a loan used to acquire or improve your principal residence in the year that it is paid. In the early years of a loan, most of your monthly payment is interest, so this can really add up. If you are in a 28% federal tax bracket, this can have the effect of lowering your borrowing costs by almost a third, depending on which state you live in. This is truly nothing more than a subsidy to home owners, and it's a very popular deduction.
In addition, you can always deduct interest on an additional $100,000 of mortgage debt, which can be used for any purpose. This is called the "Home Equity Loan" exception, and it allows you to tap into your home equity for any purpose. This gives home owners the ability to do what is called "debt-shifting." For example, if you live in an apartment and have a credit card balance of $10,000 at 18% interest, none of that interest would be deductible. But if you bought a house, obtained a home equity loan for $10,000 and paid off the credit card, then ALL of the interest expense becomes automatically deductible. Furthermore, the rate on the home equity loan is likely to be around prime plus one or two, usually much lower than credit card rates. This same technique works with any and all personal debt, from car loans to consolidation loans - with only one hitch. In every home equity loan, you have pledged your house as collateral for the loan. If you fail to pay the payments as agreed, you could lose your house to foreclosure. So be careful in using this technique.
3. The sale
This is the best. In fact, I can hardly believe this myself. Here's how it works:
If you have owned and occupied your principal residence for at least two of the past five years, you can earn up to $500,000 on the sale of that house and pay no federal income tax whatsoever. That's assuming you are married - singles get up to $250,000 tax free. And here comes the kicker: You can do this as often as every two years for the rest of your life.
This is as good an excuse for getting married as I have ever heard. Buy a fixer-upper in an up and coming neighborhood, work on it nights and weekends for two years, then sell it at a nice profit and pocket the cash, totally free of federal taxes. And most states recognize the federal exclusion, so you put the cash away totally tax free. You don't have to re-invest, you don't have to be age 55, and you can do this every two years forever. No, I'm not kidding.
The one restriction is that you MUST own and occupy the house as your principal residence, so don't try this on a rental property by pretending you live there when you don't. And there are some unclear rules about how you can take a partial exclusion if you live there less than two years, but we don't really know what they mean yet, so I recommend you stay there two years.
Many of these benefits came into being with the 1997 tax law, but lots of folks are just finding out about them now, so buy and sell to your heart's content. Just don't plan on staying forever!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Home Security Tips
You can make your home a whole lot more secure for little to no money. That’s because most of the best home protection simply involves smart thinking and good habits.
1. Pick your location carefully.
Location is a huge factor in home security, so buy in the best neighborhood you can afford. Real-estate agents can help point you in the right direction but they can’t — at the risk of committing housing discrimination — offer detailed guidance, so you must do your own research before you move:
· For the big picture, find statistics online (start with BestPlaces.net or Wikipedia). Make sure you’re looking at recent data.
· City police departments are the source for neighborhood-level crime statistics. The question is, will they share their data with you? Some cities — Portland, Ore., is one — post neighborhood crime stats online. Others will give the data if you phone the police department or the office of the mayor or city council members. You can also check with local newspapers.
· Finally, do your own sleuthing by spending time in the neighborhoods that interest you. Look for bars on doors and windows and alarm company signs in front of homes, giveaways to a troubled neighborhood. Chat with business owners. Knock on doors to ask neighbors about crime. If you’re renting, pick an upper-floor unit (ground-floor apartments can be attacked more easily). Look for on-site management and inspect the complex carefully, watching for damaged doors that signal previous break-ins. Best is an apartment with kick-proof metal door jambs rather than wood or a steel door.
2. Get smart.
“First of all, use the door locks that you already have,” advises Sgt. Dan Ryan, of the Palo Alto, Calif., Police Department. People in friendly communities that are generally safe may think they don’t need to lock their doors. That’s a big mistake, Ryan says. Here are more strategies:
Make it a nightly routine to check the locks. Involve children, too, says Chris McGoey, a security expert and consultant who calls himself “The Crime Doctor.”
Don’t open the door — and don’t let kids open the door — to uninvited strangers.
Use your automatic garage opener to close the garage door when you get home before exiting your car.
Stick around when people are working in your home. Notice what they’re doing. Check after they’ve left to ensure that nothing’s missing and that no one has left a window or door unlocked as a way to break in later.
Door mats, flowerpots and fake rocks are the first places burglars look for your spare key. Instead, give it to a trusted neighbor. Train children (especially teens) to keep key locations, alarm codes and other family security information private from their friends.
Check in with family as you come and go. When you get home, phone to say that you’re getting out of the car and are almost at the door; require kids to check in when they arrive home or leave.
Have a family discussion to plan what you’ll do in case of a break-in or home invasion. Whoever can escape should, McGoey says. Although the first instinct of many men may be to stay and defend their family, it’s better to get reinforcements than to get hurt.
Check out Schlage’s security checklists for movers, seniors, renters and homeowners.
3. Call the police.
Many departments have a home-security inspection program. A designated officer walks through your home looking for weaknesses and advises you on alarm systems, locks and lighting within a modest budget. For example, here’s the program for the city of Euless, Texas.
View more MSN videos
4. Join a Neighborhood Watch program. Or start one.
Ask your police department for details. These programs build cohesive neighborhoods, and that helps reduce crime and reinforce property values. (Read “How potlucks help home values.”) Make friends with the folks on every side of your place. Suggest keeping an eye on each other’s homes every day and trading favors — feeding the cat or watering plants — when you leave town.
5. Get a dog (or pretend to).
A dog won’t make your home impregnable, but it can make it look less approachable. You don’t want a pooch? That’s OK. Post a “beware of dog” sign anyway. McGoey, who doesn’t have a dog, has a sign and makes a point of asking service people to wait before entering his property so he can “put the dog in the house.” “The sign is cheap,” he says. “It makes people think twice.”
6. Upgrade your house number.
You want your home’s street number easily seen in the dark from across the street so police and firefighters can find you pronto in an emergency. Many fire departments or city or county governments sell inexpensive (around $5) reflective street numbers (see the Amherst, Mass., Police Department’s house number program). Whatever type you use, place it where it can be easily seen. Keep plants around the number well-trimmed.
7. Cultivate the lived-in look.
When you’re gone, don’t let stuff like newspapers, real-estate cards and pizza fliers accumulate in front of your door. “Make it look lived-in, even if you’re just gone for the weekend,” McGoey says. Before you leave, consider how your home will appear on the outside and avoid these classic mistakes that are like waving a red flag to invite burglars:
Leaving the porch light on 24 hours a day.
Leaving the trash out on Friday for pickup on Monday.
8. Other ways to fake it while you're gone.
Hold the mail delivery. Do this by visiting the post office to fill out a form or go online here, to the USPS.com Web site.
Set a few lights and appliances to switch on and off. Digital timers (around $9 to $15) let you set a schedule. You plug the timer into a wall receptacle and plug the radio, TV or lamp into the timer.
Leave a vehicle in your carport or in front of the house if possible. Ask a neighbor or friend to help you out by parking there.
Get friends to pick up newspapers, cut the grass, water plants, feed pets and open and close curtains, varying their routine to add a note of unpredictability if possible.
Most burglaries take place between 2 and 5 p.m. midweek, while residents are at work, McGoey says. These daylight jobs require a burglar to be quick, typically spending around 45 minutes selecting a home to target and just three minutes actually doing the job. For a small investment, you can further secure your home. The idea, Ryan says, is to make your place look difficult enough that a burglar moves on to an easier target:
9. Doors.
Thieves prefer the easy route, which is usually a door. Creeping out a window is hard, and it’s far more difficult when carting out a load of loot. Thieves typically test a house by first ringing the bell to ensure no one’s home, then trying the door handle and perhaps putting a shoulder to the door to see how solid and how firmly attached it is. To enter, the usual tool is a pry bar or a strong kick of the boot. Sadly, many doors fly open easily.
Upgrade the lock. For $25 to $150, you can buy a good Grade 1 (commercial grade) or Grade 2 deadbolt. No need for a locksmith; you can install it yourself;
Reinforce the strike plate. The strike plate is the metal plate in the door jamb into which the bolt slides. Strike plates, typically held in place by two half-inch wood screws, pull easily from the jamb, especially in older homes. Replace yours with a heavy-duty brass strike plate ($3 and up) that accepts up to six screws. Use 3-inch screws that screw into the door frame. “Now you can kick on the door and your foot will fall off before it gives in,” McGoey says. Reinforce all doors leading outside, including the door between the garage and house;
Get a better door. Replace your hollow-core door (easily kicked in) with a solid wood (around $300 on up) or metal-clad (starting at around $35) door. A new steel door (roughly $1,172) brought a return of $1,470, on average — a 129% return on the investment, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2008-09 Cost vs. Value report.
10. Windows.
Keep your windows from opening more than 6 inches. Install replacement windows that include this as a built-in feature or cut a wooden dowel 6 inches shorter than the height of each window and drop the dowel into the metal gutter of each window frame so the window can’t be opened fully.
Burglars know that older sliding windows can be lifted right out of their frames. If yours is the type that pops out, install sheet-metal screws into the upper window track, screwing them in only halfway. The protruding screw fills the gap between window and frame, keeping the window in place. Window and glass laminate films (prices available through dealers) can toughen glass, making it more difficult to break. One advantage is that the product slows down intruders and forces them to create a racket trying to smash the glass.
11. Secure the perimeter.
Outdoor lights. Replacing porch lights and other outdoor lights with motion-sensor lights is cheap ($50 and up) and easy. “They don’t know for sure if you’re home or (if it’s) a sensor light,” McGoey says. “Burglars are all about taking the easiest path of resistance,” so most will flee. Program it to turn off in 30 seconds. Put sensor-triggered lights all around the perimeter of your home.
Erect a fence. Even a 3-foot fence helps create a psychological boundary that helps in deterring intruders, McGoey says. “It says, ‘This is my house, my property.’ People are going to be reluctant to step over that fence.” Higher fences may be appropriate in high-threat neighborhoods. Before building a fence, check with your city or county planning office. Most require a permit and many restrict the height and even building materials.
Eliminate hiding spots: Trim the trees and shrubs. A pruned and maintained landscape robs intruders of hiding places. It also signals to outsiders that your home is cared for and probably more secure. Put sensor-triggered lights all around the perimeter of your home.
12. Alarms.
What alarm is best? The one that makes the worst, most god-awful noise, Ryan says. (Renters can buy portable wireless alarm systems to take along when they move.)
What's your home worth?
Many people spend thousands of dollars buying, leasing and installing electronic alarms, and then they sign contracts requiring them to shell out thousands more to a company that monitors the alarm. Don’t, McGoey says. He says the most effective part of these systems is the warning sticker on your window or the sign in your yard. Otherwise, except for elderly residents and second homes with absent owners, there’s no need for expensive monitoring. A 30-second alarm blast should scare away intruders. Also, newer alarms can be programmed to do what monitoring companies do first anyway: phone you (or text you) when the alarm has been tripped.
1. Pick your location carefully.
Location is a huge factor in home security, so buy in the best neighborhood you can afford. Real-estate agents can help point you in the right direction but they can’t — at the risk of committing housing discrimination — offer detailed guidance, so you must do your own research before you move:
· For the big picture, find statistics online (start with BestPlaces.net or Wikipedia). Make sure you’re looking at recent data.
· City police departments are the source for neighborhood-level crime statistics. The question is, will they share their data with you? Some cities — Portland, Ore., is one — post neighborhood crime stats online. Others will give the data if you phone the police department or the office of the mayor or city council members. You can also check with local newspapers.
· Finally, do your own sleuthing by spending time in the neighborhoods that interest you. Look for bars on doors and windows and alarm company signs in front of homes, giveaways to a troubled neighborhood. Chat with business owners. Knock on doors to ask neighbors about crime. If you’re renting, pick an upper-floor unit (ground-floor apartments can be attacked more easily). Look for on-site management and inspect the complex carefully, watching for damaged doors that signal previous break-ins. Best is an apartment with kick-proof metal door jambs rather than wood or a steel door.
2. Get smart.
“First of all, use the door locks that you already have,” advises Sgt. Dan Ryan, of the Palo Alto, Calif., Police Department. People in friendly communities that are generally safe may think they don’t need to lock their doors. That’s a big mistake, Ryan says. Here are more strategies:
Make it a nightly routine to check the locks. Involve children, too, says Chris McGoey, a security expert and consultant who calls himself “The Crime Doctor.”
Don’t open the door — and don’t let kids open the door — to uninvited strangers.
Use your automatic garage opener to close the garage door when you get home before exiting your car.
Stick around when people are working in your home. Notice what they’re doing. Check after they’ve left to ensure that nothing’s missing and that no one has left a window or door unlocked as a way to break in later.
Door mats, flowerpots and fake rocks are the first places burglars look for your spare key. Instead, give it to a trusted neighbor. Train children (especially teens) to keep key locations, alarm codes and other family security information private from their friends.
Check in with family as you come and go. When you get home, phone to say that you’re getting out of the car and are almost at the door; require kids to check in when they arrive home or leave.
Have a family discussion to plan what you’ll do in case of a break-in or home invasion. Whoever can escape should, McGoey says. Although the first instinct of many men may be to stay and defend their family, it’s better to get reinforcements than to get hurt.
Check out Schlage’s security checklists for movers, seniors, renters and homeowners.
3. Call the police.
Many departments have a home-security inspection program. A designated officer walks through your home looking for weaknesses and advises you on alarm systems, locks and lighting within a modest budget. For example, here’s the program for the city of Euless, Texas.
View more MSN videos
4. Join a Neighborhood Watch program. Or start one.
Ask your police department for details. These programs build cohesive neighborhoods, and that helps reduce crime and reinforce property values. (Read “How potlucks help home values.”) Make friends with the folks on every side of your place. Suggest keeping an eye on each other’s homes every day and trading favors — feeding the cat or watering plants — when you leave town.
5. Get a dog (or pretend to).
A dog won’t make your home impregnable, but it can make it look less approachable. You don’t want a pooch? That’s OK. Post a “beware of dog” sign anyway. McGoey, who doesn’t have a dog, has a sign and makes a point of asking service people to wait before entering his property so he can “put the dog in the house.” “The sign is cheap,” he says. “It makes people think twice.”
6. Upgrade your house number.
You want your home’s street number easily seen in the dark from across the street so police and firefighters can find you pronto in an emergency. Many fire departments or city or county governments sell inexpensive (around $5) reflective street numbers (see the Amherst, Mass., Police Department’s house number program). Whatever type you use, place it where it can be easily seen. Keep plants around the number well-trimmed.
7. Cultivate the lived-in look.
When you’re gone, don’t let stuff like newspapers, real-estate cards and pizza fliers accumulate in front of your door. “Make it look lived-in, even if you’re just gone for the weekend,” McGoey says. Before you leave, consider how your home will appear on the outside and avoid these classic mistakes that are like waving a red flag to invite burglars:
Leaving the porch light on 24 hours a day.
Leaving the trash out on Friday for pickup on Monday.
8. Other ways to fake it while you're gone.
Hold the mail delivery. Do this by visiting the post office to fill out a form or go online here, to the USPS.com Web site.
Set a few lights and appliances to switch on and off. Digital timers (around $9 to $15) let you set a schedule. You plug the timer into a wall receptacle and plug the radio, TV or lamp into the timer.
Leave a vehicle in your carport or in front of the house if possible. Ask a neighbor or friend to help you out by parking there.
Get friends to pick up newspapers, cut the grass, water plants, feed pets and open and close curtains, varying their routine to add a note of unpredictability if possible.
Most burglaries take place between 2 and 5 p.m. midweek, while residents are at work, McGoey says. These daylight jobs require a burglar to be quick, typically spending around 45 minutes selecting a home to target and just three minutes actually doing the job. For a small investment, you can further secure your home. The idea, Ryan says, is to make your place look difficult enough that a burglar moves on to an easier target:
9. Doors.
Thieves prefer the easy route, which is usually a door. Creeping out a window is hard, and it’s far more difficult when carting out a load of loot. Thieves typically test a house by first ringing the bell to ensure no one’s home, then trying the door handle and perhaps putting a shoulder to the door to see how solid and how firmly attached it is. To enter, the usual tool is a pry bar or a strong kick of the boot. Sadly, many doors fly open easily.
Upgrade the lock. For $25 to $150, you can buy a good Grade 1 (commercial grade) or Grade 2 deadbolt. No need for a locksmith; you can install it yourself;
Reinforce the strike plate. The strike plate is the metal plate in the door jamb into which the bolt slides. Strike plates, typically held in place by two half-inch wood screws, pull easily from the jamb, especially in older homes. Replace yours with a heavy-duty brass strike plate ($3 and up) that accepts up to six screws. Use 3-inch screws that screw into the door frame. “Now you can kick on the door and your foot will fall off before it gives in,” McGoey says. Reinforce all doors leading outside, including the door between the garage and house;
Get a better door. Replace your hollow-core door (easily kicked in) with a solid wood (around $300 on up) or metal-clad (starting at around $35) door. A new steel door (roughly $1,172) brought a return of $1,470, on average — a 129% return on the investment, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2008-09 Cost vs. Value report.
10. Windows.
Keep your windows from opening more than 6 inches. Install replacement windows that include this as a built-in feature or cut a wooden dowel 6 inches shorter than the height of each window and drop the dowel into the metal gutter of each window frame so the window can’t be opened fully.
Burglars know that older sliding windows can be lifted right out of their frames. If yours is the type that pops out, install sheet-metal screws into the upper window track, screwing them in only halfway. The protruding screw fills the gap between window and frame, keeping the window in place. Window and glass laminate films (prices available through dealers) can toughen glass, making it more difficult to break. One advantage is that the product slows down intruders and forces them to create a racket trying to smash the glass.
11. Secure the perimeter.
Outdoor lights. Replacing porch lights and other outdoor lights with motion-sensor lights is cheap ($50 and up) and easy. “They don’t know for sure if you’re home or (if it’s) a sensor light,” McGoey says. “Burglars are all about taking the easiest path of resistance,” so most will flee. Program it to turn off in 30 seconds. Put sensor-triggered lights all around the perimeter of your home.
Erect a fence. Even a 3-foot fence helps create a psychological boundary that helps in deterring intruders, McGoey says. “It says, ‘This is my house, my property.’ People are going to be reluctant to step over that fence.” Higher fences may be appropriate in high-threat neighborhoods. Before building a fence, check with your city or county planning office. Most require a permit and many restrict the height and even building materials.
Eliminate hiding spots: Trim the trees and shrubs. A pruned and maintained landscape robs intruders of hiding places. It also signals to outsiders that your home is cared for and probably more secure. Put sensor-triggered lights all around the perimeter of your home.
12. Alarms.
What alarm is best? The one that makes the worst, most god-awful noise, Ryan says. (Renters can buy portable wireless alarm systems to take along when they move.)
What's your home worth?
Many people spend thousands of dollars buying, leasing and installing electronic alarms, and then they sign contracts requiring them to shell out thousands more to a company that monitors the alarm. Don’t, McGoey says. He says the most effective part of these systems is the warning sticker on your window or the sign in your yard. Otherwise, except for elderly residents and second homes with absent owners, there’s no need for expensive monitoring. A 30-second alarm blast should scare away intruders. Also, newer alarms can be programmed to do what monitoring companies do first anyway: phone you (or text you) when the alarm has been tripped.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Selling Your Home for Full Value
The market is moving and homes are selling much faster then they have in years.
Want to get the most for your home? There are plenty of things that you can do
to spruce up your home and property in time for the big selling effort.
Tiny details that may not have occurred to you can make a big difference in how your home fares on the market, which is absolutely critical in a market that is overwhelmed by families trying to move. In order to shine through the housing pool, you need to make sure that your property is as attractive as it can be for someone looking for their next home.
Give your home an honest appraisal and start racking your brain for ways to improve its overall appearance and value. Obviously, you’ll want to start the process by addressing large issues that may be serious deal-breakers for potential buyers. If there is trouble with important elements of the home, there is no way that a scrupulous buyer will go forward with their consideration. Make the necessary investments, or it could take a lot longer to sell your house.
If you feel as though you could benefit from a second opinion, contact a real estate agent. These professionals are very well equipped to make the kinds of judgment calls that you need. After seeing so many properties themselves, agents are well-versed in the different ways sellers can go about making their properties more appealing to customers. Once you take care of any structural improvements that are high-priority, expand the scope of what you might work on next. If you are at a loss as to how you might proceed, the tips below can help you:
1. You’ll want to begin with what the buyer will see first, the exterior of your home. This is the first impression that your potential buyer will have of the property and you need to make sure that it is a sound one. Consider doing some work on the exterior of your home by replacing any damaged shingles, shutters, or ornamentation.
2. Your yard can be either a huge selling point or an absolute downer for potential buyers. Make sure that you are cutting and watering you grass, as well as keeping other landscaping in check.
3. As far as the interior of your home goes, there are some surprising things you might not be considering. Make sure that your carpets and flooring are not aged or worn-out, consider repainting in more popular and fashionable colors, and make sure to replace any broken lighting or bathroom fixtures.
Ultimately, you want to make sure that your home is as vibrant as it can be, so that someone looking for the new homes Tulsa has to offer will be impressed.
Tiny details that may not have occurred to you can make a big difference in how your home fares on the market, which is absolutely critical in a market that is overwhelmed by families trying to move. In order to shine through the housing pool, you need to make sure that your property is as attractive as it can be for someone looking for their next home.
Give your home an honest appraisal and start racking your brain for ways to improve its overall appearance and value. Obviously, you’ll want to start the process by addressing large issues that may be serious deal-breakers for potential buyers. If there is trouble with important elements of the home, there is no way that a scrupulous buyer will go forward with their consideration. Make the necessary investments, or it could take a lot longer to sell your house.
If you feel as though you could benefit from a second opinion, contact a real estate agent. These professionals are very well equipped to make the kinds of judgment calls that you need. After seeing so many properties themselves, agents are well-versed in the different ways sellers can go about making their properties more appealing to customers. Once you take care of any structural improvements that are high-priority, expand the scope of what you might work on next. If you are at a loss as to how you might proceed, the tips below can help you:
1. You’ll want to begin with what the buyer will see first, the exterior of your home. This is the first impression that your potential buyer will have of the property and you need to make sure that it is a sound one. Consider doing some work on the exterior of your home by replacing any damaged shingles, shutters, or ornamentation.
2. Your yard can be either a huge selling point or an absolute downer for potential buyers. Make sure that you are cutting and watering you grass, as well as keeping other landscaping in check.
3. As far as the interior of your home goes, there are some surprising things you might not be considering. Make sure that your carpets and flooring are not aged or worn-out, consider repainting in more popular and fashionable colors, and make sure to replace any broken lighting or bathroom fixtures.
Ultimately, you want to make sure that your home is as vibrant as it can be, so that someone looking for the new homes Tulsa has to offer will be impressed.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Save Energy This Winter!
Energy prices are on the rise across the nation. As a result, heating costs will consume an increasingly larger portion of a household's energy budget. That's why it's important to check your home to insure that your heating dollars aren't being wasted.
When cold weather approaches, use this checklist of simple ways to make your home more comfortable and keep those escalating energy bills at bay.
Check for Leaks
Weatherstripping and caulking is probably the least expensive, simplest, most effective way to cut down on energy waste in the winter. Improperly sealed homes can waste 10 to 15 percent of the homeowner's heating dollars. Take these steps:
Check around doors and windows for leaks and drafts. Add weather-stripping and caulk any holes you see that allow heat to escape. Make sure doors seal properly.
If your windows leak really badly, consider replacing them with newer, more efficient ones. Keep in mind, however, that replacing windows can be expensive - it could take you quite awhile to recover your costs from the energy savings alone. But new windows also provide other benefits, such as improved appearance and comfort.
Every duct, wire or pipe that penetrates the wall or ceiling or floor has the potential to waste energy. Plumbing vents can be especially bad, since they begin below the floor and go all the way through the roof. Seal them all with caulking or weather-stripping.
Electric wall plugs and switches can allow cold air in. Purchase simple-to-install, pre-cut foam gaskets that fit behind the switch plate and effectively prevent leaks.
Don't forget to close the damper on your fireplace. Of course the damper needs to be open if a fire is burning; but if the damper is open when you're not using the fireplace, your chimney functions as a large open window that draws warm air out of the room and creates a draft. Close that damper - it's an effective energy-saving tip that costs you nothing!
Examine your house's heating ducts for leaks. Think of your ductwork as huge hoses, bringing hot air instead of water into your house. Mostly out of sight, ducts can leak for years without you knowing it. They can become torn or crushed and flattened. Old duct tape - the worse thing to use to seal ductwork, by the way - will dry up and fall away over time, allowing junctions and splices to open, spilling heated air into your attic or under the house. It's wasteful. According to field research performed by the California Energy Commission, you can save roughly 10 percent of your heating bill by preventing leaky ducts.
Check Your Insulation
Insulate your attic. In an older home, that can be the most cost-efficient way to cut home heating costs. Before energy efficiency standards, homes were often built with little or no insulation. As a result, large amounts of heat can be lost through walls, floors and - since heat rises - especially ceilings.
How much insulation should you install? Typical framed homes now being built in California's Central Valley must meet insulation requirements of R-38 insulation in ceilings and R-19 for walls and floors.
Weather-strip and insulate your attic hatch or door to prevent warm air from escaping out the top of your house.
Seal holes in the attic that lead down into the house, such as open wall tops and duct, plumbing, or electrical runs. Any hole that leads from a basement or crawlspace to an attic is a big energy waster. Cover and seal them with spray foam and rigid foam board if necessary.
Check Your Heating System
Get a routine maintenance and inspection of your heating system each autumn to make sure it is in good working order.
Replace your heater's air filter monthly. Your heating system will work less hard, use less energy and last longer as a result. Most homeowners can replace filters and do such simple tasks as cleaning and removing dust from vents or along baseboard heaters.
If your heating system is old, you might consider updating it. A pre-1977 gas furnace is probably 50 percent to 60 percent efficient today. That means only half of the fuel used by the furnace actually reaches your home as heat. Modern gas furnaces, on the other hand, achieve efficiency ratings as high as 97 percent. By replacing an old heating system with one of the most efficient models, you can cut your natural gas use nearly in half!
Use your set-back thermostat. California houses built today must have them. If you have an older home, consider installing one. A set-back thermostat allows you to automatically turn down the heat when you're away at work or when you're sleeping at night, and then boost the temperature to a comfortable level when you need it. Remember - it takes less energy to warm a cool home than to maintain a warm temperature all day long. Properly using your set-back thermostat could cut your heating costs from 20 to 75 percent.
Reverse the switch on your ceiling fans so they blow upward, toward the ceiling. Ceiling fans are a great idea in the summer, when air blowing downward can improve circulation and make a room feel four degrees cooler. A cooling draft is a poor idea when it's cold, however. By reversing the fan's direction, the blades move air upward in winter. This is especially valuable in high ceiling rooms, where heat that naturally rises is forced back down into the room.
Make sure all hearing vents are opened and unblocked by furniture or other items. This will ensure that the air is evenly distributed through the home.
Change a Light Bulb
Lighting our homes can represent 20 percent of home electricity bills and is one of the easiest places to start saving energy. If every household changed a light to an ENERGY STAR® one, together we'd save enough energy to light 7 million homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 1 million cars.
When cold weather approaches, use this checklist of simple ways to make your home more comfortable and keep those escalating energy bills at bay.
Check for Leaks
Weatherstripping and caulking is probably the least expensive, simplest, most effective way to cut down on energy waste in the winter. Improperly sealed homes can waste 10 to 15 percent of the homeowner's heating dollars. Take these steps:
Check around doors and windows for leaks and drafts. Add weather-stripping and caulk any holes you see that allow heat to escape. Make sure doors seal properly.
If your windows leak really badly, consider replacing them with newer, more efficient ones. Keep in mind, however, that replacing windows can be expensive - it could take you quite awhile to recover your costs from the energy savings alone. But new windows also provide other benefits, such as improved appearance and comfort.
Every duct, wire or pipe that penetrates the wall or ceiling or floor has the potential to waste energy. Plumbing vents can be especially bad, since they begin below the floor and go all the way through the roof. Seal them all with caulking or weather-stripping.
Electric wall plugs and switches can allow cold air in. Purchase simple-to-install, pre-cut foam gaskets that fit behind the switch plate and effectively prevent leaks.
Don't forget to close the damper on your fireplace. Of course the damper needs to be open if a fire is burning; but if the damper is open when you're not using the fireplace, your chimney functions as a large open window that draws warm air out of the room and creates a draft. Close that damper - it's an effective energy-saving tip that costs you nothing!
Examine your house's heating ducts for leaks. Think of your ductwork as huge hoses, bringing hot air instead of water into your house. Mostly out of sight, ducts can leak for years without you knowing it. They can become torn or crushed and flattened. Old duct tape - the worse thing to use to seal ductwork, by the way - will dry up and fall away over time, allowing junctions and splices to open, spilling heated air into your attic or under the house. It's wasteful. According to field research performed by the California Energy Commission, you can save roughly 10 percent of your heating bill by preventing leaky ducts.
Check Your Insulation
Insulate your attic. In an older home, that can be the most cost-efficient way to cut home heating costs. Before energy efficiency standards, homes were often built with little or no insulation. As a result, large amounts of heat can be lost through walls, floors and - since heat rises - especially ceilings.
How much insulation should you install? Typical framed homes now being built in California's Central Valley must meet insulation requirements of R-38 insulation in ceilings and R-19 for walls and floors.
Weather-strip and insulate your attic hatch or door to prevent warm air from escaping out the top of your house.
Seal holes in the attic that lead down into the house, such as open wall tops and duct, plumbing, or electrical runs. Any hole that leads from a basement or crawlspace to an attic is a big energy waster. Cover and seal them with spray foam and rigid foam board if necessary.
Check Your Heating System
Get a routine maintenance and inspection of your heating system each autumn to make sure it is in good working order.
Replace your heater's air filter monthly. Your heating system will work less hard, use less energy and last longer as a result. Most homeowners can replace filters and do such simple tasks as cleaning and removing dust from vents or along baseboard heaters.
If your heating system is old, you might consider updating it. A pre-1977 gas furnace is probably 50 percent to 60 percent efficient today. That means only half of the fuel used by the furnace actually reaches your home as heat. Modern gas furnaces, on the other hand, achieve efficiency ratings as high as 97 percent. By replacing an old heating system with one of the most efficient models, you can cut your natural gas use nearly in half!
Use your set-back thermostat. California houses built today must have them. If you have an older home, consider installing one. A set-back thermostat allows you to automatically turn down the heat when you're away at work or when you're sleeping at night, and then boost the temperature to a comfortable level when you need it. Remember - it takes less energy to warm a cool home than to maintain a warm temperature all day long. Properly using your set-back thermostat could cut your heating costs from 20 to 75 percent.
Reverse the switch on your ceiling fans so they blow upward, toward the ceiling. Ceiling fans are a great idea in the summer, when air blowing downward can improve circulation and make a room feel four degrees cooler. A cooling draft is a poor idea when it's cold, however. By reversing the fan's direction, the blades move air upward in winter. This is especially valuable in high ceiling rooms, where heat that naturally rises is forced back down into the room.
Make sure all hearing vents are opened and unblocked by furniture or other items. This will ensure that the air is evenly distributed through the home.
Change a Light Bulb
Lighting our homes can represent 20 percent of home electricity bills and is one of the easiest places to start saving energy. If every household changed a light to an ENERGY STAR® one, together we'd save enough energy to light 7 million homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 1 million cars.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Get Your Home Winter Ready!
So you've pulled your sweaters out of mothballs and found your mittens at the bottom of the coat closet. But what about your house -- is it prepared for the cold months ahead?
You'll be a lot less comfortable in the coming months if you haven't girded Home Sweet Home for Old Man Winter.
With the help of several experts, we've boiled down your autumn to-do list to 10 easy tips:
1. Clean those gutters
Once the leaves fall, remove them and other debris from your home's gutters -- by hand, by scraper or spatula, and finally by a good hose rinse -- so that winter's rain and melting snow can drain. Clogged drains can form ice dams, in which water backs up, freezes and causes water to seep into the house, the Insurance Information Institute says.
As you're hosing out your gutters, look for leaks and misaligned pipes. Also, make sure the downspouts are carrying water away from the house's foundation, where it could cause flooding or other water damage.
"The rule of thumb is that water should be at least 10 feet away from the house," says Michael Broili, the director of the Well Home Program for the Phinney Neighborhood Association, a nationally recognized neighborhood group in Seattle.
2. Block those leaks
One of the best ways to winterize your home is to simply block obvious leaks around your house, both inside and out, experts say. The average American home has leaks that amount to a nine-square-foot hole in the wall, according to EarthWorks Group.
Professional Services
Find local plumbers, electricians, contractors and more.
First, find the leaks: On a breezy day, walk around inside holding a lit incense stick to the most common drafty areas: recessed lighting, window and door frames, electrical outlets.
Then, buy door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors, and caulk or apply tacky rope caulk to those drafty spots, says Danny Lipford, host of the nationally syndicated TV show "Today's Homeowner." Outlet gaskets can easily be installed in electrical outlets that share a home's outer walls, where cold air often enters.
Outside, seal leaks with weather-resistant caulk. For brick areas, use masonry sealer, which will better stand up to freezing and thawing. "Even if it's a small crack, it's worth sealing up," Lipford says. "It also discourages any insects from entering your home."
3. Insulate yourself
"Another thing that does cost a little money -- but boy, you do get the money back quick -- is adding insulation to the existing insulation in the attic," says Lipford. "Regardless of the climate conditions you live in, in the (U.S.) you need a minimum of 12 inches of insulation in your attic."
Don't clutter your brain with R-values or measuring tape, though. Here's Lipford's rule of thumb on whether you need to add insulation: "If you go into the attic and you can see the ceiling joists you know you don't have enough, because a ceiling joist is at most 10 or 11 inches."
A related tip: If you're layering insulation atop other insulation, don't use the kind that has "kraft face" finish (i.e., a paper backing). It acts as a vapor barrier, Lipford explains, and therefore can cause moisture problems in the insulation.
4. Check the furnace
First, turn your furnace on now, to make sure it's even working, before the coldest weather descends. A strong, odd, short-lasting smell is natural when firing up the furnace in the autumn; simply open windows to dissipate it. But if the smell lasts a long time, shut down the furnace and call a professional.
It's a good idea to have furnaces cleaned and tuned annually. Costs will often run about $100-$125. An inspector should do the following, among other things:
Throughout the winter you should change the furnace filters regularly (check them monthly). A dirty filter impedes air flow, reduces efficiency and could even cause a fire in an extreme case. Toss out the dirty fiberglass filters; reusable electrostatic or electronic filters can be washed.
5. Get your ducts in a row
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60% of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated, or if it must travel through unheated spaces. That's a huge amount of wasted money, not to mention a chilly house. (Check out this audit tool for other ideas on how to save on your energy bills this winter.)
What's your home worth?
Ducts aren't always easy to see, but you can often find them exposed in the attic, the basement and crawlspaces. Repair places where pipes are pinched, which impedes flow of heated air to the house, and fix gaps with a metal-backed tape (duct tape actually doesn't stand up to the job over time).
Ducts also should be vacuumed once every few years, to clean out the abundant dust, animal hair and other gunk that can gather in them and cause respiratory problems.
6. Face your windows
Now, of course, is the time to take down the window screens and put up storm windows, which provide an extra layer of protection and warmth for the home. Storm windows are particularly helpful if you have old, single-pane glass windows. But if you don't have storm windows, and your windows are leaky or drafty, "They need to be updated to a more efficient window," says Lipford.
Of course, windows are pricey. Budget to replace them a few at a time, and in the meantime, buy a window insulator kit, Lipford and Broili recommend. Basically, the kit is plastic sheeting that's affixed to a window’s interior with double-stick tape. A hair dryer is then used to shrink-wrap the sheeting onto the window. (It can be removed in the spring.) "It's temporary and it's not pretty, but it's inexpensive (about $4 a window) and it's extremely effective," says Lipford.
7. Don't forget the chimney
Ideally, spring is the time to think about your chimney, because "chimney sweeps are going crazy right now, as you might have guessed," says Ashley Eldridge, director of education for the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
That said, don't put off your chimney needs before using your fireplace, Eldridge advises. "A common myth is that a chimney needs to be swept every year," says Eldridge. Not true. But a chimney should at least be inspected before use each year, he adds. "I've seen tennis balls and ducks in chimneys," he says.
Ask for a Level 1 inspection, in which the professional examines the readily accessible portions of the chimney, Eldridge says. "Most certified chimney sweeps include a Level 1 service with a sweep," he adds.
Woodstoves are a different beast, however, cautions Eldridge. They should be swept more than once a year. A general rule of thumb is that a cleaning should be performed for every ¼ inch of creosote, "anywhere that it's found." Why? "If it's ash, then it's primarily lye -- the same stuff that was once used to make soap, and it's very acidic." It can cause mortar and the metal damper to rot, Eldridge says.
Another tip: Buy a protective cap for your chimney, with a screen, advises Eldridge. "It's probably the single easiest protection" because it keeps out foreign objects (birds, tennis balls) as well as rain that can mix with the ash and eat away at the fireplace's walls. He advises buying based on durability, not appearance.
One other reminder: To keep out cold air, fireplace owners should keep their chimney's damper closed when the fireplace isn't in use. And for the same reason, woodstove owners should have glass doors on their stoves, and keep them closed when the stove isn't in use.
Check out CSIA'S Web site for a list of certified chimney sweeps in your area.
8. Reverse that fan
"Reversing your ceiling fan is a small tip that people don't often think of," says Lipford. By reversing its direction from the summer operation, the fan will push warm air downward and force it to recirculate, keeping you more comfortable. (Here's how you know the fan is ready for winter: As you look up, the blades should be turning clockwise, says Lipford.)
9. Wrap those pipes
A burst pipe caused by a winter freeze is a nightmare. Prevent it before Jack Frost sets his grip: Before freezing nights hit, make certain that the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house (via a turnoff valve), and that the lines are drained, says Broili. In climes such as Portland, Ore., or Seattle, where freezing nights aren't commonplace, you can install Styrofoam cups with a screw attachment to help insulate spigots, says Broili.
Next, go looking for other pipes that aren't insulated, or that pass through unheated spaces -- pipes that run through crawlspaces, basements or garages. Wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores. If you're really worried about a pipe freezing, you can first wrap it with heating tape, which is basically an electrical cord that emits heat.
10. Finally, check those alarms
This is a great time to check the operation -- and change the batteries -- on your home's smoke detectors. Detectors should be replaced every 10 years, fire officials say. Test them -- older ones in particular -- with a small bit of actual smoke, and not just by pressing the "test" button. Check to see that your fire extinguisher is still where it should be, and still works.
Also, invest in a carbon-monoxide detector; every home should have at least one.
You'll be a lot less comfortable in the coming months if you haven't girded Home Sweet Home for Old Man Winter.
With the help of several experts, we've boiled down your autumn to-do list to 10 easy tips:
1. Clean those gutters
Once the leaves fall, remove them and other debris from your home's gutters -- by hand, by scraper or spatula, and finally by a good hose rinse -- so that winter's rain and melting snow can drain. Clogged drains can form ice dams, in which water backs up, freezes and causes water to seep into the house, the Insurance Information Institute says.
As you're hosing out your gutters, look for leaks and misaligned pipes. Also, make sure the downspouts are carrying water away from the house's foundation, where it could cause flooding or other water damage.
"The rule of thumb is that water should be at least 10 feet away from the house," says Michael Broili, the director of the Well Home Program for the Phinney Neighborhood Association, a nationally recognized neighborhood group in Seattle.
2. Block those leaks
One of the best ways to winterize your home is to simply block obvious leaks around your house, both inside and out, experts say. The average American home has leaks that amount to a nine-square-foot hole in the wall, according to EarthWorks Group.
Professional Services
Find local plumbers, electricians, contractors and more.
First, find the leaks: On a breezy day, walk around inside holding a lit incense stick to the most common drafty areas: recessed lighting, window and door frames, electrical outlets.
Then, buy door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors, and caulk or apply tacky rope caulk to those drafty spots, says Danny Lipford, host of the nationally syndicated TV show "Today's Homeowner." Outlet gaskets can easily be installed in electrical outlets that share a home's outer walls, where cold air often enters.
Outside, seal leaks with weather-resistant caulk. For brick areas, use masonry sealer, which will better stand up to freezing and thawing. "Even if it's a small crack, it's worth sealing up," Lipford says. "It also discourages any insects from entering your home."
3. Insulate yourself
"Another thing that does cost a little money -- but boy, you do get the money back quick -- is adding insulation to the existing insulation in the attic," says Lipford. "Regardless of the climate conditions you live in, in the (U.S.) you need a minimum of 12 inches of insulation in your attic."
Don't clutter your brain with R-values or measuring tape, though. Here's Lipford's rule of thumb on whether you need to add insulation: "If you go into the attic and you can see the ceiling joists you know you don't have enough, because a ceiling joist is at most 10 or 11 inches."
A related tip: If you're layering insulation atop other insulation, don't use the kind that has "kraft face" finish (i.e., a paper backing). It acts as a vapor barrier, Lipford explains, and therefore can cause moisture problems in the insulation.
4. Check the furnace
First, turn your furnace on now, to make sure it's even working, before the coldest weather descends. A strong, odd, short-lasting smell is natural when firing up the furnace in the autumn; simply open windows to dissipate it. But if the smell lasts a long time, shut down the furnace and call a professional.
It's a good idea to have furnaces cleaned and tuned annually. Costs will often run about $100-$125. An inspector should do the following, among other things:
Throughout the winter you should change the furnace filters regularly (check them monthly). A dirty filter impedes air flow, reduces efficiency and could even cause a fire in an extreme case. Toss out the dirty fiberglass filters; reusable electrostatic or electronic filters can be washed.
5. Get your ducts in a row
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60% of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated, or if it must travel through unheated spaces. That's a huge amount of wasted money, not to mention a chilly house. (Check out this audit tool for other ideas on how to save on your energy bills this winter.)
What's your home worth?
Ducts aren't always easy to see, but you can often find them exposed in the attic, the basement and crawlspaces. Repair places where pipes are pinched, which impedes flow of heated air to the house, and fix gaps with a metal-backed tape (duct tape actually doesn't stand up to the job over time).
Ducts also should be vacuumed once every few years, to clean out the abundant dust, animal hair and other gunk that can gather in them and cause respiratory problems.
6. Face your windows
Now, of course, is the time to take down the window screens and put up storm windows, which provide an extra layer of protection and warmth for the home. Storm windows are particularly helpful if you have old, single-pane glass windows. But if you don't have storm windows, and your windows are leaky or drafty, "They need to be updated to a more efficient window," says Lipford.
Of course, windows are pricey. Budget to replace them a few at a time, and in the meantime, buy a window insulator kit, Lipford and Broili recommend. Basically, the kit is plastic sheeting that's affixed to a window’s interior with double-stick tape. A hair dryer is then used to shrink-wrap the sheeting onto the window. (It can be removed in the spring.) "It's temporary and it's not pretty, but it's inexpensive (about $4 a window) and it's extremely effective," says Lipford.
7. Don't forget the chimney
Ideally, spring is the time to think about your chimney, because "chimney sweeps are going crazy right now, as you might have guessed," says Ashley Eldridge, director of education for the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
That said, don't put off your chimney needs before using your fireplace, Eldridge advises. "A common myth is that a chimney needs to be swept every year," says Eldridge. Not true. But a chimney should at least be inspected before use each year, he adds. "I've seen tennis balls and ducks in chimneys," he says.
Ask for a Level 1 inspection, in which the professional examines the readily accessible portions of the chimney, Eldridge says. "Most certified chimney sweeps include a Level 1 service with a sweep," he adds.
Woodstoves are a different beast, however, cautions Eldridge. They should be swept more than once a year. A general rule of thumb is that a cleaning should be performed for every ¼ inch of creosote, "anywhere that it's found." Why? "If it's ash, then it's primarily lye -- the same stuff that was once used to make soap, and it's very acidic." It can cause mortar and the metal damper to rot, Eldridge says.
Another tip: Buy a protective cap for your chimney, with a screen, advises Eldridge. "It's probably the single easiest protection" because it keeps out foreign objects (birds, tennis balls) as well as rain that can mix with the ash and eat away at the fireplace's walls. He advises buying based on durability, not appearance.
One other reminder: To keep out cold air, fireplace owners should keep their chimney's damper closed when the fireplace isn't in use. And for the same reason, woodstove owners should have glass doors on their stoves, and keep them closed when the stove isn't in use.
Check out CSIA'S Web site for a list of certified chimney sweeps in your area.
8. Reverse that fan
"Reversing your ceiling fan is a small tip that people don't often think of," says Lipford. By reversing its direction from the summer operation, the fan will push warm air downward and force it to recirculate, keeping you more comfortable. (Here's how you know the fan is ready for winter: As you look up, the blades should be turning clockwise, says Lipford.)
9. Wrap those pipes
A burst pipe caused by a winter freeze is a nightmare. Prevent it before Jack Frost sets his grip: Before freezing nights hit, make certain that the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house (via a turnoff valve), and that the lines are drained, says Broili. In climes such as Portland, Ore., or Seattle, where freezing nights aren't commonplace, you can install Styrofoam cups with a screw attachment to help insulate spigots, says Broili.
Next, go looking for other pipes that aren't insulated, or that pass through unheated spaces -- pipes that run through crawlspaces, basements or garages. Wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores. If you're really worried about a pipe freezing, you can first wrap it with heating tape, which is basically an electrical cord that emits heat.
10. Finally, check those alarms
This is a great time to check the operation -- and change the batteries -- on your home's smoke detectors. Detectors should be replaced every 10 years, fire officials say. Test them -- older ones in particular -- with a small bit of actual smoke, and not just by pressing the "test" button. Check to see that your fire extinguisher is still where it should be, and still works.
Also, invest in a carbon-monoxide detector; every home should have at least one.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Summer Wrap Up
Wrapping up summer also means welcoming fall, which puts a number of “to-dos” in queue that will help you transition your home between seasons. I call it season savvy DIY and it’s all about taking on a few important, but easy, jobs to get your home ready for fall and for the coming cold weather. Here’s our go-to list:
Clean and Protect You Patio Furniture
The “elements” will cause your outdoor furniture to age more quickly if left unattended. Hose and wash down furniture with a product like Simple Green (no toxic run-off). Check for rust or paint chips – scrape any loose paint or rust, then spray paint the damaged spots with exterior paint for wood, metal or plastic. Cover or store furniture in a shed or garage. In an enclosed space, use a product like Damp Rid to help keep moisture at bay, which will lessen the likelihood of those moldy spots from growing over the winter (cleaning helps that too).
Bye-Bye BBQ
Grease left on your BBQ will not only attract pests, but left over months can clog and even damage burners. Take apart the burners, heating plate, grill, etc. and scrub everything down. Use a de-greaser like Formula 409 (inexpensive and very effective) and a scrubbing stone like Magic Stone on stubborn parts. Let parts soak in a bucket of soapy hot water if grime is really baked on. Of course, empty and clean the drip cup/pan. Wipe down the exterior too. Cover and if possible, store it in an enclosed place.
Trim & Pull
Trim trellises and all overgrown vegetation. The less leaves hanging around, the less will end up in your gutters. Pull out annuals and especially vegetable plants – vegetable plants left in the garden over the winter can become a haven for insects and disease to take root.
Clean and Protect You Patio Furniture
The “elements” will cause your outdoor furniture to age more quickly if left unattended. Hose and wash down furniture with a product like Simple Green (no toxic run-off). Check for rust or paint chips – scrape any loose paint or rust, then spray paint the damaged spots with exterior paint for wood, metal or plastic. Cover or store furniture in a shed or garage. In an enclosed space, use a product like Damp Rid to help keep moisture at bay, which will lessen the likelihood of those moldy spots from growing over the winter (cleaning helps that too).
Bye-Bye BBQ
Grease left on your BBQ will not only attract pests, but left over months can clog and even damage burners. Take apart the burners, heating plate, grill, etc. and scrub everything down. Use a de-greaser like Formula 409 (inexpensive and very effective) and a scrubbing stone like Magic Stone on stubborn parts. Let parts soak in a bucket of soapy hot water if grime is really baked on. Of course, empty and clean the drip cup/pan. Wipe down the exterior too. Cover and if possible, store it in an enclosed place.
Trim & Pull
Trim trellises and all overgrown vegetation. The less leaves hanging around, the less will end up in your gutters. Pull out annuals and especially vegetable plants – vegetable plants left in the garden over the winter can become a haven for insects and disease to take root.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Foreclosure Rate Falling In Tulsa!
Tulsa County foreclosures are dropping, but the rate is still among the highest in Oklahoma.
For the seven-county Tulsa metro statistical area, foreclosure filings fell nearly 28 percent in the third quarter, according to information released Thursday by RealtyTrac Inc., a leading source for comprehensive housing data.
Metro Tulsa had 1,233 foreclosure filings for the July-to-September period, down from 1,708 in the April-to-June period, according to the U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. Compared with the 2012 third quarter, foreclosure filings for the metro were down 23.3 percent.
Statewide, foreclosure filings totaled 2,609, down 24.4 percent from the second quarter and 23.4 percent from the same time a year ago.
Tulsa County, likewise, saw its foreclosure filings fall 34 percent for the quarter, and they were down 29 percent from a year earlier.
Even so, out of all counties in the state, Tulsa County had the second-highest rate of home repossessions, with one in every 274 households filing for foreclosure during the quarter. It was surpassed only by Rogers County, which had a foreclosure rate of one for every 224 homes.
The drop in foreclosure filings is similar to what has been seen by Dennis Reecher, a certified consumer counselor with Credit Counseling Centers of Oklahoma Inc. He said that a year ago, he was handling about 30 loan cases, working with servicers to help modify clients' loans, which could take anywhere from six months to a year or longer.
In the last several months, however, his calls have dropped dramatically. That partially may be due to cases now being referred to Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. But he noted that in many cases people who were in trouble have gotten their mortgages modified, completed short sales, or their homes were proceeding more quickly to sheriff sales where they are auctioned at reduced prices.
"If you look at four years ago, it was incredible the number of people that were in trouble. ... It's just improving over time," Reecher said. "The problems are being worked out, resolved."
Nationwide, September was the 36th consecutive month with an annual decrease in foreclosure activity.
September numbers helped drop third-quarter foreclosure activity to the lowest quarterly level since the second quarter of 2007, according to Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac.
Nationwide, a total of 376,931 properties filed for foreclosure in the third quarter, down 6.9 percent from the previous quarter and down 29.1 percent from the same time a year ago — the biggest annual decrease since the second quarter of 2011, according to RealtyTrac.
"The September and third quarter foreclosure numbers show a housing market that is haltingly returning to health. ... While foreclosures are clearly becoming fewer and farther between in most markets, the increasing time it takes to foreclose is holding back a more robust and sustainable recovery," said Daren Blomquist, vice president of RealtyTrac.
More foreclosure information can be found at realtytrac.com
Monday, October 14, 2013
Saving Up Your Down Payment
These days, it’s rare to get a mortgage without contributing some of your own cash. If you’re trying to buy a home that was foreclosed or through a short sale — where the purchase price is below the amount owed on the house — a larger down payment can speed up the process. Regardless of the percentage that one is considering putting down, here are some tips to save up for the down payment.
1. Decide How Much House You Can Afford
The first step is to set your savings goal. Research home prices and determine how much you can afford. Calculators can be found on most bank websites and on the FHA site at www.fha.gov. As of Feb 2013, the median price of existing homes in the U.S. is $173,600, according to the National Association of Realtors. A 5 percent down payment for a home that price would be $8,680. A 20 percent down payment would be $34,720. If you’re able to save 20 percent, lenders will not require you to purchase Private Mortgage Insurance, which will reduce your monthly expenses.
2. Set Up a Savings Plan
You’ll also need to create a savings plan and set a deadline for reaching your goal. One method is to find the difference between your current housing costs and your projected monthly mortgage payment, and put that much away each month. Open a separate savings account for your down payment to minimize the temptation to tap the money for other needs. Also setting up automatic transfers to your new account will lessen the chance you’ll spend the money elsewhere.
3. Pare Back Expenses and Raise Cash
Review your spending habits and determine where you can find extra cash. If you’re determined to buy a house as soon as possible, try living like a tightwad. Start by putting away the credit cards. Then cut out cable TV, switch to a less expensive cell phone plan and reexamine other aspects of your spending until you’ve pared back to just necessities. Use coupons at the grocery store and stay away from the mall. Hold a garage sale or sell unused items online. There are dozens of books and blogs you can turn to for frugal living advice that can help accelerate your savings.
4. Borrow From Your 401(k)
Most 401(k) plans allow participants to borrow from their accounts to finance a downpayment. Some advantages to these loans include an easier acceptance process, generally lower interest rates than bank loans and the fact that you’ll be paying the interest to yourself. Although they don’t count toward your overall borrowing on your credit score, a mortgage lender may note such a loan as part of your overall debt load.
5. Find Out if You Qualify for Assistance
If you’re hoping to take advantage of the down market but haven’t got that much saved, you may be able to find help through various programs.
There are FHA-backed programs in every state. Most are aimed at low- and moderate-income, first-time homebuyers and usually require recipients to make some contribution. Visit the agency’s website at www.fha.gov to learn if you qualify for a program in your area.
The Veterans Administration and the Agriculture Department are among other government agencies that offer down payment assistance.
Last, but certainly not least, stay focused. Once you really commit to this goal stay with it. The second you are handed the new keys to your home it will all be worth it!
1. Decide How Much House You Can Afford
The first step is to set your savings goal. Research home prices and determine how much you can afford. Calculators can be found on most bank websites and on the FHA site at www.fha.gov. As of Feb 2013, the median price of existing homes in the U.S. is $173,600, according to the National Association of Realtors. A 5 percent down payment for a home that price would be $8,680. A 20 percent down payment would be $34,720. If you’re able to save 20 percent, lenders will not require you to purchase Private Mortgage Insurance, which will reduce your monthly expenses.
2. Set Up a Savings Plan
You’ll also need to create a savings plan and set a deadline for reaching your goal. One method is to find the difference between your current housing costs and your projected monthly mortgage payment, and put that much away each month. Open a separate savings account for your down payment to minimize the temptation to tap the money for other needs. Also setting up automatic transfers to your new account will lessen the chance you’ll spend the money elsewhere.
3. Pare Back Expenses and Raise Cash
Review your spending habits and determine where you can find extra cash. If you’re determined to buy a house as soon as possible, try living like a tightwad. Start by putting away the credit cards. Then cut out cable TV, switch to a less expensive cell phone plan and reexamine other aspects of your spending until you’ve pared back to just necessities. Use coupons at the grocery store and stay away from the mall. Hold a garage sale or sell unused items online. There are dozens of books and blogs you can turn to for frugal living advice that can help accelerate your savings.
4. Borrow From Your 401(k)
Most 401(k) plans allow participants to borrow from their accounts to finance a downpayment. Some advantages to these loans include an easier acceptance process, generally lower interest rates than bank loans and the fact that you’ll be paying the interest to yourself. Although they don’t count toward your overall borrowing on your credit score, a mortgage lender may note such a loan as part of your overall debt load.
5. Find Out if You Qualify for Assistance
If you’re hoping to take advantage of the down market but haven’t got that much saved, you may be able to find help through various programs.
There are FHA-backed programs in every state. Most are aimed at low- and moderate-income, first-time homebuyers and usually require recipients to make some contribution. Visit the agency’s website at www.fha.gov to learn if you qualify for a program in your area.
The Veterans Administration and the Agriculture Department are among other government agencies that offer down payment assistance.
Last, but certainly not least, stay focused. Once you really commit to this goal stay with it. The second you are handed the new keys to your home it will all be worth it!
Monday, October 7, 2013
Projects That Actually LOWER Home Value
Here is a great article from Yahoo Finance on some projects that homeowners will do that actually LOWERS the value of their home! Avoid these projects so that you are able to retain your home's value. A high home value will allow you to sell your home quicker and for more money, getting you into your dream home sooner!
Most upgrades, renovations, and home improvement projects raise a home’s resale value. But in this episode of Destination Home Sabrina Soto, host of HGTV’s "The High/Low Project," reveals five renovations that can do just the opposite.
That is, Soto qualifies, if you're planning on selling in the next five years. “If you’re going to stay in your home for a long time, do whatever makes you happy — surround yourself with Pepto Bismol pink if that's what you like,” she tells Destination Home. But if resell value matters, here’s what to avoid:
Converting bedrooms into other spaces: If potential homebuyers "see it’s a four-bedroom house, they want to go to the open house and see four bedrooms. You have to take the guesswork out,” says Soto. If you do convert a room, there's one feature you should absolutely never mess with. Watch the video to find out what that is.
Hot tubs: Soto thinks inheriting someone else’s hot tub is a turn-off — and she’s not alone. “You’d be surprised how many potential buyers find them to be a little gross.” And once a hot tub is installed, it's not an easy feature to remove from a deck or backyard.
Colored trim and textured walls: It seems like any potential homebuyer would see these features and know they can easily paint over them, but not so fast, says Soto. “I would much rather paint walls than trim any day — it's a beast of a job,” she says. And textured walls are "a mess to sand down and remove. The fad is over anyway, so just let it go.” If you feel your trim is outdated, see the video for Soto’s tips on what to do.
Children's theme bedrooms: Spending hundreds of dollars on a mural for your child's wall is throwing money away. Not only will they outgrow it in a matter of years, but “you're never going to get that money back when you sell, so just keep it neutral,” posits Soto.
Too much landscaping: Conventional wisdom says you want your yard to look as nice as possible, but heed Soto’s warning: you want to “keep up with the Joneses — but don’t exceed them.” To a potential buyer, gorgeous, overdone landscaping screams high-maintenance.
Most upgrades, renovations, and home improvement projects raise a home’s resale value. But in this episode of Destination Home Sabrina Soto, host of HGTV’s "The High/Low Project," reveals five renovations that can do just the opposite.
That is, Soto qualifies, if you're planning on selling in the next five years. “If you’re going to stay in your home for a long time, do whatever makes you happy — surround yourself with Pepto Bismol pink if that's what you like,” she tells Destination Home. But if resell value matters, here’s what to avoid:
Converting bedrooms into other spaces: If potential homebuyers "see it’s a four-bedroom house, they want to go to the open house and see four bedrooms. You have to take the guesswork out,” says Soto. If you do convert a room, there's one feature you should absolutely never mess with. Watch the video to find out what that is.
Hot tubs: Soto thinks inheriting someone else’s hot tub is a turn-off — and she’s not alone. “You’d be surprised how many potential buyers find them to be a little gross.” And once a hot tub is installed, it's not an easy feature to remove from a deck or backyard.
Colored trim and textured walls: It seems like any potential homebuyer would see these features and know they can easily paint over them, but not so fast, says Soto. “I would much rather paint walls than trim any day — it's a beast of a job,” she says. And textured walls are "a mess to sand down and remove. The fad is over anyway, so just let it go.” If you feel your trim is outdated, see the video for Soto’s tips on what to do.
Children's theme bedrooms: Spending hundreds of dollars on a mural for your child's wall is throwing money away. Not only will they outgrow it in a matter of years, but “you're never going to get that money back when you sell, so just keep it neutral,” posits Soto.
Too much landscaping: Conventional wisdom says you want your yard to look as nice as possible, but heed Soto’s warning: you want to “keep up with the Joneses — but don’t exceed them.” To a potential buyer, gorgeous, overdone landscaping screams high-maintenance.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Paying Down Your Mortgage Quicker!
What’s more rewarding than being the owner of your home? Perhaps being the owner of your home AND having your home paid off! What portion of your income goes toward your mortgage? Imagine having this money left in your account monthly. Yearly. In 5 years. What could you do with this money? Send a child to college? Create a bigger nest egg for retirement? Perhaps vacation more with your family? Below are a few tips for paying off your mortgage early.
Calculate how paying more each month will effect your payment time:
Sites like Bankrate.com offer mortgage calculators designed to show you how paying a little extra each month change the course of your loan. For instance, if your monthly payment is $644, just round up to $650. If you have a loan for $200,000, paying this extra $6 each month will actually save you 4 payments at the end of your loan!!!!One thing to be careful of when paying extra, is to speak with your mortgage loan holder and ensure the extra payments are being applied to the principal of your loan. If this is not specified, there is a chance that the extra money will just be set aside for the next payment. You’ll also want to ensure there are no prepayment penalties associated with your loan.
Set times each year to “double up”
Set aside four times a year to double up on your monthly payment. Be sure to honor this commitment, and make it a priority to be consistent.
Apply lump sums to your loan
If you receive an annual bonus through your employer, consider applying this towards the principal of your loan. You can also more than double up by applying your next tax refund to the principle of your mortgage. Be sure to frequently request statements from the bank, so that you are familiar with the amount left on your loan.
Apply unexpected funds to your loan
Receive an inheritance or settlement? Earn additional income from investments? Gain a major winning at the poker table. Wherever the extra money may come from, applying it to your mortgage is a great way to allocate additional funds .
Calculate how paying more each month will effect your payment time:
Sites like Bankrate.com offer mortgage calculators designed to show you how paying a little extra each month change the course of your loan. For instance, if your monthly payment is $644, just round up to $650. If you have a loan for $200,000, paying this extra $6 each month will actually save you 4 payments at the end of your loan!!!!One thing to be careful of when paying extra, is to speak with your mortgage loan holder and ensure the extra payments are being applied to the principal of your loan. If this is not specified, there is a chance that the extra money will just be set aside for the next payment. You’ll also want to ensure there are no prepayment penalties associated with your loan.
Set times each year to “double up”
Set aside four times a year to double up on your monthly payment. Be sure to honor this commitment, and make it a priority to be consistent.
Apply lump sums to your loan
If you receive an annual bonus through your employer, consider applying this towards the principal of your loan. You can also more than double up by applying your next tax refund to the principle of your mortgage. Be sure to frequently request statements from the bank, so that you are familiar with the amount left on your loan.
Apply unexpected funds to your loan
Receive an inheritance or settlement? Earn additional income from investments? Gain a major winning at the poker table. Wherever the extra money may come from, applying it to your mortgage is a great way to allocate additional funds .
Monday, September 23, 2013
How To Sell our Old Home Fast!
Here is a great article from Kiplinger on how to sell your old home quickly:
Focus on Curb Appeal
Admit it: First impressions matter. So a house with chipping paint, overgrown bushes and patchy grass won't make a good impression. So we painted the exterior of our house (because some paint was chipping). We weeded, trimmed bushes, added new mulch and put new flowers in the planters in the front of the house. We actually had sod installed in the spring of 2012, so the grass looked good when we decided to sell in the fall. Yes, you might have to spend some money to make the exterior of your house more appealing, but it's money well spent if it gets potential buyers in the door. Plus, if your house is in good shape on the outside, buyers will see it as one less thing they have to spend money on once they move in.
Make All Necessary Repairs
Even minor things, such as a leaky faucet or chipped paint on a baseboard, can suggest to buyers that you might not be maintaining the house well in other ways, too. So we tackled several small projects that, admittedly, we had been putting off. Luckily, my husband is handy, so we didn't have to hire anyone to make these small repairs. And we had already undertaken two bigger repair projects several months prior to deciding to sell our house. In the spring of 2012, we hired someone to rebuild the portion of the fence in our backyard that was dilapidated and a major eyesore. Around that time, we also hired an electrician to check all the wiring in our 100-year-old home, fix any problems, replace several light fixtures and add outlets to several rooms.
Stage the house
Staging involves deeply cleaning, decluttering, depersonalizing and arranging furnishings to make your house as appealing as possible. According to a survey by the International Association of Home Staging Professionals and StagedHomes.com, 95% of staged homes sell in 23 days or less, on average. So we painted the walls in a stairway that were scuffed and the ceiling of our kitchen and sun room because they had some stains. I packed up most of my family photos that were on shelves, tables and walls. We already had a storage unit, so we were able to clean out closets and put items we weren't regularly using into it. And we turned a kid's craft room (which was cluttered with art supplies, toys and a homemade craft table covered in paint and glitter glue) into a sitting room. My goal was to make my home look like it was ready for a photo shoot for a magazine or catalog.
Our 7 Things Home Buyers Hate slide show will help you pinpoint fixes you might need to make in your home. Also see the home improvement checklist at HomeGain.com. If you lack Martha Stewart's touch to stage your home yourself, you can enlist the help of a professional stager. The bill could run anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand. StagedHomes.com has a directory of accredited staging professionals.
Set the Price Right
We had our house appraised before selling it, so we knew its market value. We set our price slightly above the appraisal value -- but below the prices of comparable homes nearby that were for sale. And we were selling our house by owner, so we didn't have to factor a real estate agent's commission into the price. Our goal was to sell quickly -- not make a big profit -- because we had an offer on another house and it was contingent on the sale of our home.
It's important to know what your competition looks like when you're selling a home and setting a price. View listings in your area at Realtor.com, Zillow.com or Trulia.com. If most of the homes that are comparable in size, age and location to yours have hardwood floors and granite countertops and yours has carpet and formica, you'll need to set your price lower (or make updates to fetch a higher price). If the reverse is true, you might be able to set your price a little higher and point out to potential buyers that your house has more features than comparable properties. Most importantly, though, you need to be willing to negotiate.
Spread the Word
This was the key to selling our second house before we even put up a "For Sale" sign. I posted on Facebook that we would be putting our house on the market soon. I told other parents as I waited outside my kids' school that we were selling our house. I even mentioned in a Parent-Teacher Organization meeting that I needed to sell my house because the offer I'd made on another house had been accepted. A day after that meeting, I got a call from the mother-in-law of one of the other PTO board members. We showed her the house three days later, on a Friday, and got an offer -- right at the appraisal value -- on Sunday.
Even if you hire a real estate agent, you should let as many people as possible know that your house is for sale. Someone who isn't even in the market for a new house (and not checking real estate listings) may have secretly been longing for your home and might jump at the chance to buy it.
Focus on Curb Appeal
Admit it: First impressions matter. So a house with chipping paint, overgrown bushes and patchy grass won't make a good impression. So we painted the exterior of our house (because some paint was chipping). We weeded, trimmed bushes, added new mulch and put new flowers in the planters in the front of the house. We actually had sod installed in the spring of 2012, so the grass looked good when we decided to sell in the fall. Yes, you might have to spend some money to make the exterior of your house more appealing, but it's money well spent if it gets potential buyers in the door. Plus, if your house is in good shape on the outside, buyers will see it as one less thing they have to spend money on once they move in.
Make All Necessary Repairs
Even minor things, such as a leaky faucet or chipped paint on a baseboard, can suggest to buyers that you might not be maintaining the house well in other ways, too. So we tackled several small projects that, admittedly, we had been putting off. Luckily, my husband is handy, so we didn't have to hire anyone to make these small repairs. And we had already undertaken two bigger repair projects several months prior to deciding to sell our house. In the spring of 2012, we hired someone to rebuild the portion of the fence in our backyard that was dilapidated and a major eyesore. Around that time, we also hired an electrician to check all the wiring in our 100-year-old home, fix any problems, replace several light fixtures and add outlets to several rooms.
Stage the house
Staging involves deeply cleaning, decluttering, depersonalizing and arranging furnishings to make your house as appealing as possible. According to a survey by the International Association of Home Staging Professionals and StagedHomes.com, 95% of staged homes sell in 23 days or less, on average. So we painted the walls in a stairway that were scuffed and the ceiling of our kitchen and sun room because they had some stains. I packed up most of my family photos that were on shelves, tables and walls. We already had a storage unit, so we were able to clean out closets and put items we weren't regularly using into it. And we turned a kid's craft room (which was cluttered with art supplies, toys and a homemade craft table covered in paint and glitter glue) into a sitting room. My goal was to make my home look like it was ready for a photo shoot for a magazine or catalog.
Our 7 Things Home Buyers Hate slide show will help you pinpoint fixes you might need to make in your home. Also see the home improvement checklist at HomeGain.com. If you lack Martha Stewart's touch to stage your home yourself, you can enlist the help of a professional stager. The bill could run anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand. StagedHomes.com has a directory of accredited staging professionals.
Set the Price Right
We had our house appraised before selling it, so we knew its market value. We set our price slightly above the appraisal value -- but below the prices of comparable homes nearby that were for sale. And we were selling our house by owner, so we didn't have to factor a real estate agent's commission into the price. Our goal was to sell quickly -- not make a big profit -- because we had an offer on another house and it was contingent on the sale of our home.
It's important to know what your competition looks like when you're selling a home and setting a price. View listings in your area at Realtor.com, Zillow.com or Trulia.com. If most of the homes that are comparable in size, age and location to yours have hardwood floors and granite countertops and yours has carpet and formica, you'll need to set your price lower (or make updates to fetch a higher price). If the reverse is true, you might be able to set your price a little higher and point out to potential buyers that your house has more features than comparable properties. Most importantly, though, you need to be willing to negotiate.
Spread the Word
This was the key to selling our second house before we even put up a "For Sale" sign. I posted on Facebook that we would be putting our house on the market soon. I told other parents as I waited outside my kids' school that we were selling our house. I even mentioned in a Parent-Teacher Organization meeting that I needed to sell my house because the offer I'd made on another house had been accepted. A day after that meeting, I got a call from the mother-in-law of one of the other PTO board members. We showed her the house three days later, on a Friday, and got an offer -- right at the appraisal value -- on Sunday.
Even if you hire a real estate agent, you should let as many people as possible know that your house is for sale. Someone who isn't even in the market for a new house (and not checking real estate listings) may have secretly been longing for your home and might jump at the chance to buy it.
Friday, September 20, 2013
What Kills a Home's Value
We’ve highlighted the things that you, as a homeowner, can do to increase your home’s value before. Upon visiting realestate.msn.com, however, we came across an article that was certainly worth sharing. This article highlights ways that you can actually kill your home's value!
Inconsistency
It’s important to make sure the flow of your house, well….flows. This means spending all of your renovation budget updating one room (a kitchen for instance) while the rest of the house is hugely outdated is not the best approach. This doesn’t mean don’t take the time to update your home. Instead, be sure to fix and update the smaller issues as time goes on rather than completely putting them off for a larger project.
Too much ‘you’ in your home
In order to keep the resell value of your home up, it’s important to consider others while making your updates. Although something may seem appealing to you, it may not be practical for the majority. In viewing your home, these sorts of updates could cause potential buyers to turn away. The article gives a great example of a woman who wasn’t very big on cooking. She removed cabinets and replaced her refrigerator with two smaller dorm size fridges!! This, of course, was not so appealing to others who may have sought to purchase the home.
Above ground pools
Apparently, above ground pools can greatly reduce the resale value of your home! Studies show that most home buyers view them as an inconvenience rather than an asset to your home. If you currently have an above ground pool, there isn’t any need to worry. Simply remove it and groom your yard back to life before selling your home.
Beware of the trend
Don’t get too caught up in what’s trendy, and what’s not. Keep in mind that trends and fads only last for a certain amount of time. If you are investing money in updating your home, you may want to steer for a look more suited to stand the times, rather than something that will be out of style very quickly “think floral wallpaper”.
Not minding permits
Perhaps, one of the most potentially dangerous money pits you can fall into when remodeling, is not obtaining the proper permits. Not only could this make your home not pass inspection to resale, it could cause you to receive citations and tickets within leading in an even more expensive take-out.
These are just a few of the tips provided. Be sure to read the complete article for more.
Inconsistency
It’s important to make sure the flow of your house, well….flows. This means spending all of your renovation budget updating one room (a kitchen for instance) while the rest of the house is hugely outdated is not the best approach. This doesn’t mean don’t take the time to update your home. Instead, be sure to fix and update the smaller issues as time goes on rather than completely putting them off for a larger project.
Too much ‘you’ in your home
In order to keep the resell value of your home up, it’s important to consider others while making your updates. Although something may seem appealing to you, it may not be practical for the majority. In viewing your home, these sorts of updates could cause potential buyers to turn away. The article gives a great example of a woman who wasn’t very big on cooking. She removed cabinets and replaced her refrigerator with two smaller dorm size fridges!! This, of course, was not so appealing to others who may have sought to purchase the home.
Above ground pools
Apparently, above ground pools can greatly reduce the resale value of your home! Studies show that most home buyers view them as an inconvenience rather than an asset to your home. If you currently have an above ground pool, there isn’t any need to worry. Simply remove it and groom your yard back to life before selling your home.
Beware of the trend
Don’t get too caught up in what’s trendy, and what’s not. Keep in mind that trends and fads only last for a certain amount of time. If you are investing money in updating your home, you may want to steer for a look more suited to stand the times, rather than something that will be out of style very quickly “think floral wallpaper”.
Not minding permits
Perhaps, one of the most potentially dangerous money pits you can fall into when remodeling, is not obtaining the proper permits. Not only could this make your home not pass inspection to resale, it could cause you to receive citations and tickets within leading in an even more expensive take-out.
These are just a few of the tips provided. Be sure to read the complete article for more.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
More Reasons to Buy New Instead of Used!
Prospective home buyers have the choice of two types of houses on the market: resale or new. Home buyers planning to buy a brand-new house often cite energy-efficiency, open layout, a warranty, and being able to select appliances, flooring, paint colors and other design elements as factors driving their choice. But at White Hat, we know that buyers can be drawn to a new house for reasons that aren’t so obvious. Below are a few more benefits of buying a brand-new home that you may not have thought of.
Building a Community Together
A brand-new community is one of the built-in benefits of many new homes. When families move in to a community at the same time, often lasting bonds of friendship and neighborliness are formed right away. Nobody is the “new kid on the block.”
More Spacious for Entertaining
Throwing a party in an older home can be a challenge because smaller, distinct rooms make it difficult to entertain guests in one large space. White Hat Homes builds to suit today’s homeowner preferences: layouts featuring more open spaces and rooms that flow into each other more easily, like the popular great room. While you are in the kitchen preparing dinner, you can still interact with guests enjoying conversation in the family room without feeling closed off. The feeling of spaciousness in today’s new-home layouts often is enhanced the higher ceilings and additional windows that bringing in more light than you would find in an older home.
A Clean Slate
For some buyers, parking the car in a sparkling-clean garage or being the first to cook a dinner in a brand-new kitchen is part of the appeal of new construction. In addition, you won’t have to spend time stripping dated wallpaper or repainting to suit your own sense of style. You can create your own home décor from the get-go!
The advantages of being the first owner of a home extend to the outdoors. Instead of inheriting inconveniently or precariously placed trees, or having to tear up overgrown shrubs, you can design and plant the lawn and garden you want.
Outlets, Outlets Everywhere
Homes built in the 1960’s and earlier were wired much differently than houses today. Builders had no way of anticipating the invention of high-definition televisions, DVRs and computers that we enjoy today — and the very different electrical requirements they would introduce. New homes can accommodate advanced technologies like structured wiring, security systems and sophisticated lighting plans, and can be tailored to meet the individual home owner’s needs.
Anyone who has ever lived in an older home can also attest to the fact that there are never enough outlets, inside or out! New-home builders plan for the increased number and type of electronics and appliances used by today’s families, so you can safely operate a media room, Christmas lights and your computer at the same time!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Routine Home Maintenance
As a new home owner, you are excited about getting your house in order — setting up furnishings, rearranging and decorating. But once everything is in its place, it’s time to get a handle on the routine maintenance you’ll need to perform to help ensure that you and your family live comfortably in your new home for years to come. Maintaining a clean home is one way to ensure its longevity. Here are some tips for properly maintaining some of the systems in your new home:
Heating and Cooling Systems
Late summer or early fall are the ideal times to do an annual inspection and cleaning of these systems.
Change or wash the filters every three months.
If you have a gas furnace, keep your pilot light burning during the summer to help keep the furnace dry and prevent corrosion.
Registers help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired temperature in your home. Keep registers closed in rooms you don’t use to save on cooling/heating costs.
Late summer or early fall are the ideal times to do an annual inspection and cleaning of these systems.
Change or wash the filters every three months.
If you have a gas furnace, keep your pilot light burning during the summer to help keep the furnace dry and prevent corrosion.
Registers help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired temperature in your home. Keep registers closed in rooms you don’t use to save on cooling/heating costs.
Plumbing
Every member of your family should know where the intake valves are located. Label each one.
If any of your appliances develop a leak, inspect your drain trap. A partially clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling water to help unclog a partially opened drain. Call a plumber if these techniques don’t work.
A worn washer, a loose part in a faucet or steam in a hot water pipe are generally the causes of a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the noise — vibrations can follow the noise and lead to leaks.
Every member of your family should know where the intake valves are located. Label each one.
If any of your appliances develop a leak, inspect your drain trap. A partially clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling water to help unclog a partially opened drain. Call a plumber if these techniques don’t work.
A worn washer, a loose part in a faucet or steam in a hot water pipe are generally the causes of a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the noise — vibrations can follow the noise and lead to leaks.
Gutters and Downspouts
Clear away leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and downspouts.
Turn the downspouts away from your home’s foundation.
Every four to six years, paint gutters that are not made of aluminum or vinyl to help prevent rust.
Clear away leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and downspouts.
Turn the downspouts away from your home’s foundation.
Every four to six years, paint gutters that are not made of aluminum or vinyl to help prevent rust.
Remember to read the instruction manual for every appliance in your new home. The manuals provide recommended cleaning and maintenance schedules. Also familiarize yourself with any warranties you have on both the house and its systems. Some warranties may be voided if problems arise because of failure to perform routine maintenance.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Why Buy New?
During an educational seminar at the 2012 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Jay McKenzie, vice president of Builder Digital Experience, LLC, offered a number of advantages of purchasing a brand new home, and hidden costs of foreclosed homes that buyers need to consider:
Peace of Mind
Many foreclosures are sold “as is” with no disclosure requirements. You could be surprised with major repair bills for issues such as foundation faults or other structural defects, mold, hidden water damage, unsafe wiring, rodent infestations and more. A foreclosed home that appears to have been renovated may not have been done so with the proper permits and inspections. A brand new home provides peace of mind for your family’s safety because it has passed inspections and conforms to current building codes. A new home is also under warranty and any issues that arise during the warranty term will be fixed at no cost to the home owner.
Personalized
New homes can be personalized with appliances, cabinets, counter tops, carpets, floor coverings, paint color and other design elements to meet your family’s needs and tastes. They also come designed for modern lifestyles, with open space floor plans, walk-in closets, creative storage solutions and conveniently-located laundry facilities. With a foreclosure, you’ll have to spend time and money to knock out walls, re-paint, and make other renovations to change the previous owner’s tastes to your own.
Efficiency
Newly built homes are highly energy-efficient, saving the buyer money and helping the environment. New windows, doors and insulation better control the home’s interior climate, and Energy Star-rated appliances and other modern components will help save costs on utility bills. With a foreclosure, if the appliances, water heater or HVAC are in working order, depending on their age, they may not be for long. And they certainly aren’t as energy-efficient as new ones.
Automation
New homes come outfitted with the latest home automation and wiring components that provide state-of-the-art technology capabilities to accommodate modern home appliances and entertainment resources such as high-definition televisions, full-house sound systems, hard-wired fire and security alarms and more. Foreclosures probably don’t have updated wiring, and old wiring not only may not be able to handle modern resources—it may be unsafe and a fire hazard, and will cost a lot to update to current standards.
Financing
Financing a new home is easier than financing a foreclosed home. Many builders offer incentives to reduce closing costs and can complete the closing quickly, unlike banks that just want to get foreclosed homes off their books and may have a backlog of homes to process, which can take months or years.
Peace of Mind
Many foreclosures are sold “as is” with no disclosure requirements. You could be surprised with major repair bills for issues such as foundation faults or other structural defects, mold, hidden water damage, unsafe wiring, rodent infestations and more. A foreclosed home that appears to have been renovated may not have been done so with the proper permits and inspections. A brand new home provides peace of mind for your family’s safety because it has passed inspections and conforms to current building codes. A new home is also under warranty and any issues that arise during the warranty term will be fixed at no cost to the home owner.
Personalized
New homes can be personalized with appliances, cabinets, counter tops, carpets, floor coverings, paint color and other design elements to meet your family’s needs and tastes. They also come designed for modern lifestyles, with open space floor plans, walk-in closets, creative storage solutions and conveniently-located laundry facilities. With a foreclosure, you’ll have to spend time and money to knock out walls, re-paint, and make other renovations to change the previous owner’s tastes to your own.
Efficiency
Newly built homes are highly energy-efficient, saving the buyer money and helping the environment. New windows, doors and insulation better control the home’s interior climate, and Energy Star-rated appliances and other modern components will help save costs on utility bills. With a foreclosure, if the appliances, water heater or HVAC are in working order, depending on their age, they may not be for long. And they certainly aren’t as energy-efficient as new ones.
Automation
New homes come outfitted with the latest home automation and wiring components that provide state-of-the-art technology capabilities to accommodate modern home appliances and entertainment resources such as high-definition televisions, full-house sound systems, hard-wired fire and security alarms and more. Foreclosures probably don’t have updated wiring, and old wiring not only may not be able to handle modern resources—it may be unsafe and a fire hazard, and will cost a lot to update to current standards.
Financing
Financing a new home is easier than financing a foreclosed home. Many builders offer incentives to reduce closing costs and can complete the closing quickly, unlike banks that just want to get foreclosed homes off their books and may have a backlog of homes to process, which can take months or years.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Maximize Your Home Storage!
As people shed their layers of clothing from the cooler months, many want to also lighten the load their homes are carrying—or at least make it look neater. Before you toss the tools in a garage corner or stuff the down jackets into a box and toss it in the attic, why not evaluate your needs and make your storage both effective and attractive?
The first thing you should do is make a list of everything you want to store. This list will both help you determine how much storage space you need and ensure that nothing gets lost once you start putting things away.
Shelving is one of the easiest ways to create more storage. It can be portable in the form of free-standing units, or permanent that is attached to your walls. Easy-to-install, heavy-duty shelving can be purchased at just about any major home supply store. Many of these units are designed so that you can leave as much room between the shelves as you like, making it easy to get larger and smaller items onto the same unit and saving you space.
Heavy winter clothing can take up lots of closet space, leaving you with little room for your entire four-season wardrobe. One solution for storing out-of-season clothing is under the bed. Under-the-bed storage containers come in a variety of sizes and styles, including ones with wheels for easy access and to protect hardwood floors from scratches when you pull them out. You can also buy simple risers that elevate your bed off the floor additional inches to create even more space.
Garage storage has also gotten much more efficient. You can get built-in storage cabinets with doors so the space looks clean and orderly. There are also modular systems that enable you to choose what features are best for your needs; including hanging racks for sports equipment, hooks for tools, and more.
Most garages have pitched roofs to keep rainwater or snow from collecting on top, and this space is ideal for items you don’t use on a daily or weekly basis. Store these things on platforms or racks that lower and raise either electronically at the touch of a button, or with an easy-to-use pulley system.
In newer or renovated homes, a mudroom or drop zone is a popular feature. This area often has built-in benches, hooks and bins to neatly tuck away boots, jackets, gardening equipment and other items your family uses frequently.
Finally, if your family is as tied to their portable internet and communications devices as many modern families, get rid of the tangle of charger cords on your counters by buying or building a home charging station with multiple outlets and pockets for storing and charging cell phones, tablets, laptops and more.
The first thing you should do is make a list of everything you want to store. This list will both help you determine how much storage space you need and ensure that nothing gets lost once you start putting things away.
Shelving is one of the easiest ways to create more storage. It can be portable in the form of free-standing units, or permanent that is attached to your walls. Easy-to-install, heavy-duty shelving can be purchased at just about any major home supply store. Many of these units are designed so that you can leave as much room between the shelves as you like, making it easy to get larger and smaller items onto the same unit and saving you space.
Heavy winter clothing can take up lots of closet space, leaving you with little room for your entire four-season wardrobe. One solution for storing out-of-season clothing is under the bed. Under-the-bed storage containers come in a variety of sizes and styles, including ones with wheels for easy access and to protect hardwood floors from scratches when you pull them out. You can also buy simple risers that elevate your bed off the floor additional inches to create even more space.
Garage storage has also gotten much more efficient. You can get built-in storage cabinets with doors so the space looks clean and orderly. There are also modular systems that enable you to choose what features are best for your needs; including hanging racks for sports equipment, hooks for tools, and more.
Most garages have pitched roofs to keep rainwater or snow from collecting on top, and this space is ideal for items you don’t use on a daily or weekly basis. Store these things on platforms or racks that lower and raise either electronically at the touch of a button, or with an easy-to-use pulley system.
In newer or renovated homes, a mudroom or drop zone is a popular feature. This area often has built-in benches, hooks and bins to neatly tuck away boots, jackets, gardening equipment and other items your family uses frequently.
Finally, if your family is as tied to their portable internet and communications devices as many modern families, get rid of the tangle of charger cords on your counters by buying or building a home charging station with multiple outlets and pockets for storing and charging cell phones, tablets, laptops and more.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Tulsa Metro - A Great Place to Live!
In a recent survey, Tulsa makes the grade as a great place to live and work!
Tulsa Metro ranks 4th out of the Top 100 Metros in terms of Economic Security according to a study released by the Urban Institute. Tulsa was praised for its low unemployment, steady housing prices, average earnings that afford a median standard of living, and our ability to keep foreclosures to a minimum.
Oklahoma is recognized for its diverse economy. Such things as government, universities, energy, and high tech firms have held up well since the Great Recession of 2008. We didn’t fall victim to the vast swells of the housing boom and then bust, so mortgage prices today are remarkably affordable. When you couple that with the all time low mortgage loan rate of 3.93% (30 year fixed) recently reported by Yahoo today, Tulsa makes an ideal place to work and raise a family.
The Tulsa area continues to rank high on multiple survey lists – most affordable (Forbes), most recession-proof (Forbes), and best place to start a small business (Fortune Small Business). For more information on what makes the Tulsa Metro a great place to live and work, visit www.urban.org.
Tulsa Metro ranks 4th out of the Top 100 Metros in terms of Economic Security according to a study released by the Urban Institute. Tulsa was praised for its low unemployment, steady housing prices, average earnings that afford a median standard of living, and our ability to keep foreclosures to a minimum.
Oklahoma is recognized for its diverse economy. Such things as government, universities, energy, and high tech firms have held up well since the Great Recession of 2008. We didn’t fall victim to the vast swells of the housing boom and then bust, so mortgage prices today are remarkably affordable. When you couple that with the all time low mortgage loan rate of 3.93% (30 year fixed) recently reported by Yahoo today, Tulsa makes an ideal place to work and raise a family.
The Tulsa area continues to rank high on multiple survey lists – most affordable (Forbes), most recession-proof (Forbes), and best place to start a small business (Fortune Small Business). For more information on what makes the Tulsa Metro a great place to live and work, visit www.urban.org.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
High Performance Windows
Costs are on the Rise
With rising costs, people are trying to save money anywhere they can. Whether that is making breakfast at home, carpooling, or buying in bulk; Oklahomans are on the look out for ways to save. One of the best places to save is in the proper construction of your new home. The best builders in the industry are building homes that are Energy Star qualified. Energy Star homes meet strict guidelines set out by the EPA and are shown to be significantly more efficient than traditional homes without an Energy Star rating. One of the most important features of any Energy Star home are the high performance windows.
High Performance Windows
As anyone with older wood frame windows can tell you, a lot of indoor temperature is lost to them. The old style windows don’t seal the home nearly as well as today’s more efficient, high performance windows do. These new windows employee better frame assemblies that keep the indoor temperatures in, while keeping the outside temperatures out! This results in a more comfortable and energy efficient home for you and your family. Special coatings are now put on the newer windows to reduce the amount of harmful UV rays from getting into your house. This coating also serves to limit the amount of radiant heat coming into the home, this makes for more comfortable summers in this Oklahoma heat.
Remember to look for the Energy Star logo when you are out shopping for your new home!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Beat the Heat!
Beat the Heat
It’s no surprise that Oklahoma can get pretty hot in the summer time, here are a few ways to beat the heat this summer:
Cool off with water!
Most of our communities have pools or a splash pad where you can get wet and keep cool on these hot summer days. There is nothing better to keep the kids happy in the summer than playing in the water! We adults also like to relax by the pool with friends and cool off in the water!. We know that all our of neighborhood pools and splash pads are getting a lot of action this summer. Check your city’s website to find times of operation and locations for public water features.
Stay Cool at Home!
White Hat Homes is committed to building you and your family an Energy Star recognized home. That means you will be able to keep your home cool in the summer without taking on a second mortgage to pay the electric bill! We also use high efficiency window that keep more of the ambient heat out, keeping your home cooler. We also use high efficiency insulation that helps keep the cooler temperatures in and the hotter temperatures out.
Remember to be safe while enjoying your summer, have fun and stay cool!
It’s no surprise that Oklahoma can get pretty hot in the summer time, here are a few ways to beat the heat this summer:
Cool off with water!
Most of our communities have pools or a splash pad where you can get wet and keep cool on these hot summer days. There is nothing better to keep the kids happy in the summer than playing in the water! We adults also like to relax by the pool with friends and cool off in the water!. We know that all our of neighborhood pools and splash pads are getting a lot of action this summer. Check your city’s website to find times of operation and locations for public water features.
Stay Cool at Home!
White Hat Homes is committed to building you and your family an Energy Star recognized home. That means you will be able to keep your home cool in the summer without taking on a second mortgage to pay the electric bill! We also use high efficiency window that keep more of the ambient heat out, keeping your home cooler. We also use high efficiency insulation that helps keep the cooler temperatures in and the hotter temperatures out.
Remember to be safe while enjoying your summer, have fun and stay cool!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Energy Star Homes
What makes a new home Energy Star Qualified? Well for a new home to meet the ENERGY STAR qualifications it must follow the strict guidelines set by the EPA. Each Energy Star new home must be at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built in 2004 that followed the International Residential Code (IRC). New homes must also include additional energy-saving features that typically make the home 20–30% more energy efficient than the standard new home.
By owning an Energy Star home, you will be adding to air pollution less. This is because it takes less energy from power plants that burn fossil fuels to power your home. That means less burning of fossil fuels, which lowers the amount of smog, acid rain, and general air pollution that being sent into the environment. If you are wanting to find a home that uses less energy, then start with Energy Star qualified homes.
To earn an Energy Star rating from the EPA, a home must be not greater than three stories and meet other EPA guidelines. An Energy Star home is one that has many features pertaining to the home that use less energy than the average home. To identify whether your home is Energy Star approved, search your home for the Blue Star symbol. This is different from just using energy star products, which don’t translate into an Energy Star rating for the house itself. If you are unsure of new homes you are looking at, simply ask the builder and they can tell you.
For more information on the Energy Star program, visit www.epa.gov
By owning an Energy Star home, you will be adding to air pollution less. This is because it takes less energy from power plants that burn fossil fuels to power your home. That means less burning of fossil fuels, which lowers the amount of smog, acid rain, and general air pollution that being sent into the environment. If you are wanting to find a home that uses less energy, then start with Energy Star qualified homes.
To earn an Energy Star rating from the EPA, a home must be not greater than three stories and meet other EPA guidelines. An Energy Star home is one that has many features pertaining to the home that use less energy than the average home. To identify whether your home is Energy Star approved, search your home for the Blue Star symbol. This is different from just using energy star products, which don’t translate into an Energy Star rating for the house itself. If you are unsure of new homes you are looking at, simply ask the builder and they can tell you.
For more information on the Energy Star program, visit www.epa.gov
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Having Work Done on Your Home?
While there are many benefits to owning your own home, it does come with some new responsibilities that aren’t present when you rent a house. When something breaks, needs to be replaced, or serviced, we are all going to have to let a stranger come into our home. Knowing your rights and duties as a homeowner will help you to hire people that are reputable and trustworthy.
The Hiring Process
If you are the kind of person who is willing to pay a little extra to not have the headache of finding, selecting, and paying for serviceperson to come into your home, there are many companies that will find the serviceperson for you. These companies will also carry insurance on the workers they send to you, in case they damage your home or themselves.
It is always advised that as a homeowner, you do your research when selecting workers. There are several great sites on the internet that will help you with company reviews such as Google, Angie’s List, and the Better Business Bureau. Unless you personally know the worker(s) that are coming into your home, it is your responsibility to vet them before hand.
There are state and federal tax requirements of the homeowner should you hire a worker individually and not from a company. You will need to study all applicable labor laws as well as being versed on worker’s compensation benefits. You can consult the IRS website for more information (www.irs.gov).
Compensating Workers
When working with a company to supply worker(s) they will have a price for services for you to review. If hiring an individual, you will need to be aware of wage requirements of the state and federal government, this would include overtime payments. It is always recommended to have all pricing for services in writing, before work begins.
Risk Aversion
It is highly recommended that you the homeowner consult your homeowner’s policy to find out what kind of coverage is provided for work being done by a serviceperson. It is also recommended that you check with your city and state to make sure you are in compliance should an accident occur with a serviceperson in your home. Knowing what your responsibilities are will protect you from scammers in the event of an accident.
The Hiring Process
If you are the kind of person who is willing to pay a little extra to not have the headache of finding, selecting, and paying for serviceperson to come into your home, there are many companies that will find the serviceperson for you. These companies will also carry insurance on the workers they send to you, in case they damage your home or themselves.
It is always advised that as a homeowner, you do your research when selecting workers. There are several great sites on the internet that will help you with company reviews such as Google, Angie’s List, and the Better Business Bureau. Unless you personally know the worker(s) that are coming into your home, it is your responsibility to vet them before hand.
There are state and federal tax requirements of the homeowner should you hire a worker individually and not from a company. You will need to study all applicable labor laws as well as being versed on worker’s compensation benefits. You can consult the IRS website for more information (www.irs.gov).
Compensating Workers
When working with a company to supply worker(s) they will have a price for services for you to review. If hiring an individual, you will need to be aware of wage requirements of the state and federal government, this would include overtime payments. It is always recommended to have all pricing for services in writing, before work begins.
Risk Aversion
It is highly recommended that you the homeowner consult your homeowner’s policy to find out what kind of coverage is provided for work being done by a serviceperson. It is also recommended that you check with your city and state to make sure you are in compliance should an accident occur with a serviceperson in your home. Knowing what your responsibilities are will protect you from scammers in the event of an accident.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Now is the Time!
Now is the Time!
Several social media sites and blogs have been in a flurry to tell people the same thing, now is the time to buy a home. While there are many different reasons that now is a very good time to buy a home, here are just a few:
Competitive Prices
Housing prices have not been this low in over 5 years. Now is the time that buyers can get the most for their money. Since a home purchase is usually the largest investment a family makes, it pays to buy when the market is right!
Rates are on the Rise
According to a new Fannie Mae survey, 74 percent of Americans say it is now a good time to buy a house. Interest rates are projected to increase by up to 5% in 2014. Now is the best time to find a good rate and lock it in before rates start hiking up.
Much Better than Renting
Financial planners will tell you it usually always better to own a home than rent one. By owning a home, you are building equity and not just throwing money away every month you rent someone else’s house.
You Own It!
It is more meaningful to buy a home that you helped design than to buy one that someone else did. You were able to see the dirt lot become a home. Let White Hat Homes help you take your ideas and turn them into reality!
Several social media sites and blogs have been in a flurry to tell people the same thing, now is the time to buy a home. While there are many different reasons that now is a very good time to buy a home, here are just a few:
Competitive Prices
Housing prices have not been this low in over 5 years. Now is the time that buyers can get the most for their money. Since a home purchase is usually the largest investment a family makes, it pays to buy when the market is right!
Rates are on the Rise
According to a new Fannie Mae survey, 74 percent of Americans say it is now a good time to buy a house. Interest rates are projected to increase by up to 5% in 2014. Now is the best time to find a good rate and lock it in before rates start hiking up.
Much Better than Renting
Financial planners will tell you it usually always better to own a home than rent one. By owning a home, you are building equity and not just throwing money away every month you rent someone else’s house.
You Own It!
It is more meaningful to buy a home that you helped design than to buy one that someone else did. You were able to see the dirt lot become a home. Let White Hat Homes help you take your ideas and turn them into reality!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)