The article, Realtor.com: Waiting to buy a home could cost tens of thousands, from www.housingwire.com, reports that with interest rates and home prices expected to climb in the next year, the financial penalties of delaying or forgoing a home purchase in today’s market have become very steep, according to the inaugural Opportunity Cost Report released today by realtor.com. The report examines a wide range of factors, including the long-term financial impact of owning versus renting a home, the likely monetary gain renters forego in waiting to buy and the financial benefits of homeownership by market. “Current market conditions give buyers the opportunity to build substantial wealth in the long-term, compared with renters and later buyers, in advance of the projected increase in mortgage rates and continuing price appreciation,” said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com. “The problem is inventory is low, which has many would-be home buyers –especially first timers – standing on the sidelines and missing out on potentially material financial gains.” Although some markets are more buyer-friendly than others, national data shows homeowners see significant financial benefits as compared to lifetime renters. In 88 percent of MSAs, buying a home produces a financial benefit of at least $100,000 over 30 years. Here is the link to the entire article: http://www.housingwire.com/articles/34012-realtorcom-waiting-to-buy-a-home-could-cost-tens-of-thousands
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
Thursday, May 28, 2015
weekend of 5/29/15 Things to do
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Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Budget friendly curb appeal
| Budget friendly curb appeal |
Budget Friendly Curb Appeal Ideas Done in a Day
88 percent of homebuyers begin the process online, looking at pictures on the listing site. Good photos and real curb appeal help entice buyers to check out your house in person. You want to make a great first impression, so don't feel scared to make a statement -- you want buyers to fall in love with your house. The fixes below are minor and budget friendly enhancements that can be done in a day to help make your house more inviting and appealing, and help get potential buyers to schedule a showing!
| 88 percent of homebuyers begin the process online, looking at pictures on the listing site. Good photos and real curb appeal help entice buyers to check out your house in person. You want to make a great first impression, so don't feel scared to make a statement -- you want buyers to fall in love with your house. The fixes below are minor and budget friendly enhancements that can be done in a day to help make your house more inviting and appealing, and help get potential buyers to schedule a showing! |
Glam the Front Door
The entry is a huge focal point for potential buyers, especially when it's one of the first things they see. Create appeal by cleaning the front door -- wipe it down, remove dirt, update the color with some paint. The front door should play off a home's interior: add a kick plate, swag or a seasonal wreath to reflect the interior style of the house.
| The entry is a huge focal point for potential buyers, especially when it's one of the first things they see. Create appeal by cleaning the front door -- wipe it down, remove dirt, update the color with some paint. The front door should play off a home's interior: add a kick plate, swag or a seasonal wreath to reflect the interior style of the house. |
Create Symmetry
It is known that humans find symmetry beautiful – symmetry is attractive to the human eye, especially in nature. Symmetry is also appreciated in the design world for its familiarity, balance and it works with every style. Using symmetry to entice potential buyers is a quick and cost-friendly tool to the home seller: compose light fixtures, plants and front-door accents based on symmetry to create welcoming and inviting entryways and boost the house's curb appeal.
| It is known that humans find symmetry beautiful – symmetry is attractive to the human eye, especially in nature. Symmetry is also appreciated in the design world for its familiarity, balance and it works with every style. Using symmetry to entice potential buyers is a quick and cost-friendly tool to the home seller: compose light fixtures, plants and front-door accents based on symmetry to create welcoming and inviting entryways and boost the house's curb appeal. |
Makeover the Mailbox
If you have a mailbox, it can be a great way to accent your house and add a little touch of personality. If you're going to replace the box, pick one that mimics the style and trim of the house. You also have the option of dressing up a mail box by painting the post to match the house's exterior color, or you can surround it with flowers or other plants.
| If you have a mailbox, it can be a great way to accent your house and add a little touch of personality. If you're going to replace the box, pick one that mimics the style and trim of the house. You also have the option of dressing up a mail box by painting the post to match the house's exterior color, or you can surround it with flowers or other plants. |
Add Outdoor Lighting
A quick, easy, and budget friendly way of adding appeal to the outside of your house is to add outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting adds a little something extra, and it can also provide safety and security. Homeowners have many options for lighting, from wired to solar, and lights can be purchased at many retailers and hardware stores. Install landscape lighting along paths and trees.
| A quick, easy, and budget friendly way of adding appeal to the outside of your house is to add outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting adds a little something extra, and it can also provide safety and security. Homeowners have many options for lighting, from wired to solar, and lights can be purchased at many retailers and hardware stores. Install landscape lighting along paths and trees. |
Patch Up the Grass
Pets, animals, weather and other events at your house can take a toll on your yard's grass, and most buyers will notice a lawn that looks like it's on its last leg. Cut out any dead spots and replace with sod, or, if you have time, replant with seed. If you live in a non-drought area, turn on the sprinklers: a lawn needs at least 1" to 1 ½" of water per week and should be watered deeply 2-3 times per week.
| Pets, animals, weather and other events at your house can take a toll on your yard's grass, and most buyers will notice a lawn that looks like it's on its last leg. Cut out any dead spots and replace with sod, or, if you have time, replant with seed. If you live in a non-drought area, turn on the sprinklers: a lawn needs at least 1" to 1 ½" of water per week and should be watered deeply 2-3 times per week. |
Install Window Boxes
Window boxes can be a really budget friendly way to liven up the outside of a house. They help play up windows, and they can add a pop of color by way of plants or flowers. For a traditional look, choose boxes made of copper or iron, and pick painted wood for more of a cottage feel. Use a window box to play with flowers that will suit the lighting in the yard and the color scheme of the outside.
| Window boxes can be a really budget friendly way to liven up the outside of a house. They help play up windows, and they can add a pop of color by way of plants or flowers. For a traditional look, choose boxes made of copper or iron, and pick painted wood for more of a cottage feel. Use a window box to play with flowers that will suit the lighting in the yard and the color scheme of the outside. |
Renew Planters and Beds
Poorly maintained planters and flower beds can be a big letdown to potential buyers – especially when many view poor upkeep as an indication of what a house may look like inside. Be sure to prune overgrowth, pull weeds, plant extra flowers and add new mulch to restore life and color depleted by the sun and harsh weather. Adding a border around flower beds or along paths can be a great addition, and budget friendly. If your yard already has a border, clean and restore pieces that are worn or upgrade the stone altogether.
Another budget friendly fix you can do in less than a day is pressure washing any dirty siding, decks, patios, driveway or sidewalks. A pressure washer can be rented at any home improvement store for a small amount, and freshly washed pavement and siding can help make a home look revitalized. If you're limited on outdoor space or have no yard, add some color by creating a container garden. These small gardens are easy to maintain and can easily be transported to your new residence once the sale is finalized. As a seller your top priority is getting the most out of your house -- concentrating on small and easy fixes that are budget friendly can really help give your house that pop so many buyers look for.
| Poorly maintained planters and flower beds can be a big letdown to potential buyers – especially when many view poor upkeep as an indication of what a house may look like inside. Be sure to prune overgrowth, pull weeds, plant extra flowers and add new mulch to restore life and color depleted by the sun and harsh weather. Adding a border around flower beds or along paths can be a great addition, and budget friendly. If your yard already has a border, clean and restore pieces that are worn or upgrade the stone altogether. Another budget friendly fix you can do in less than a day is pressure washing any dirty siding, decks, patios, driveway or sidewalks. A pressure washer can be rented at any home improvement store for a small amount, and freshly washed pavement and siding can help make a home look revitalized. If you're limited on outdoor space or have no yard, add some color by creating a container garden. These small gardens are easy to maintain and can easily be transported to your new residence once the sale is finalized. As a seller your top priority is getting the most out of your house -- concentrating on small and easy fixes that are budget friendly can really help give your house that pop so many buyers look for. |
Monday, May 18, 2015
Disaster Planning
Disaster Preparedness
Simple Steps Everyone Can Take
Simple Steps Everyone Can Take
Natural disasters are a fact of life. Each area of the country has its own challenges, from hurricanes on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts to tornados in the Plains and earthquakes in California. Regardless of where you live, it's important to have plans in place to ensure that you and your family are prepared should an emergency arise.
Begin by researching which types of events could occur in your community: | |
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Next, develop a Family Emergency Plan:
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Finally, create a Disaster Supply Kit for your home, your car, and your office. Your home kit should include:
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Your office and car kits should contain a pared down collection of the items mentioned above, as well as comfortable shoes. In addition, you'll want to add flares and jumper cables to your car's inventory.
Friday, May 15, 2015
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