Advantages of Building vs. Buying

by admin on April 2, 2012

Advantages of Building vs. BuyingTo build or to buy, that is the question that so many are asking as budding new homeowners. This is a curious time. There are so many houses on the market today, but much less new construction than ever before.

I have been in the real estate business for a long time, and in my opinion, now is a better time than ever to build a house. Here are the top seven advantages of building vs. buying:

  • Control

When you build, you have total control. Your house will look the way you want it to look, and it will have the features you want it to have. The floor plan can be your design based on your family’s needs. There is no need to compromise or settle for a house that is “just okay” when you build it yourself. There will also be no need for renovations later, since your house will be exactly the way you want it from the start.

  • Knowledge

As you supervise the building process, you will probably learn a lot about home construction. It can be very satisfying to watch your home going up from the foundation up. You might find yourself driving by just to see the big hole they dug in the ground to start laying your foundation.

And then, as the lumber goes up, you may drive by and even walk through to start to get a feel for the flow of the home. You will also have the peace of mind of knowing that your builder is not taking any shortcuts on the insulation or other systems when you stop by regularly.

  • Access to experts

The architect, contractor, and builders who are working on your house are experts in their field. They will listen to your needs and guide you through the process of building your dream home. They know how to make sure your home is built to code, and can even advise you on way to improve energy efficiency in your new home. It can be comforting to have a group of qualified professionals working to make your dream a reality.

  • Green

Homes built today are greener than ever before. There are more eco-friendly materials and features than ever before, and your house will have them from the very start. This will help keep your house up to code in the future as well as saving you money on heating and electricity down the road.

  • Location

One of the most common complaints I hear from buyers is location. I’ve seen many buyers find their dream house, only it’s in a neighborhood they hate.  Unfortunately, you can’t pick up a house and move it, but you can build your house in a location that you like. It’s one more compromise that you won’t have to make.

  • Low cost

Advantages of Building vs. BuyingNow is a better time than ever to build, because contractors are looking for work and are willing to negotiate. Your money will buy so much more now than it would have a few years ago. Even the building materials are deeply discounted these days, so your money will go further than ever before.

Many experts are predicting that the market has bottomed out, so these rock-bottom prices won’t last long. Act now and you can score top-quality professionals at a nicely discounted price.

  • Satisfaction of ownership

When you build your house, you have the satisfaction of knowing that your family is the first to ever live there. You don’t have to worry about how well the previous owner maintained it, and it will be exactly the way you want it to be. It is truly all yours, and will be a haven for your family for years to come.

These are the top advantages to building vs. buying a house. Of course, you will need to weigh the pros and cons to determine which path works best for you, but in the long run, building a house guarantees that your home will be the way you want it to be.

This article was provided by Allison Klein of http://allisonkleinhomes.com/. You can learn more about Allison by visiting her website where you can search all Greeley CO real estate here http://allisonkleinhomes.com/greater-fort-collins-area/greeley/ and Timnath CO real estate here http://allisonkleinhomes.com/greater-fort-collins-area/timnath/.

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How to Make Your Kitchen Work for You

by admin on March 5, 2012

How to Make Your Kitchen Work for YouAre you struggling with getting around in your kitchen? Are you often left feeling cluttered, disorganized, and irritated when you cook? Do you wish your family could help you prepare the family meals, but there is not enough room for all of you to work? The kitchen is often the best or worst meeting place for the family.

It is important for you to be able to share meals and daily discussions with those around you without feeling frustrated and cluttered. Below are a few simple tools for you to use when designing your perfect kitchen.

Make Certain Tools Accessible

There is a crucial balancing point between having the tools you use available and storing the less familiar items somewhere fairly convenient. The tools that you use on a daily basis should be stored in accessible locations. For example, pots and pans can often be stored on a hanging rack either on the ceiling or the walls. This provides easy access for the cook as well as an easy way to store them without them taking up a great deal of space.

For items that you may not use as regularly, you may consider purchasing sliding racks or rolling carts. Rolling carts provide an excellent solution to the cluttered kitchen as they allow you to move large pieces of furniture out of your way when you are not using the appliances within them. Another great item to have in your tool kit is the sliding drawer. This type of drawer allows you to store several items while still being able to see them all by sliding out the drawer when you need them. Not only do you have storage but also accessibility.

Break Up the Kitchen

If you have several cooks in the kitchen, it is important that you all have a space to work in. Thus, when designing your kitchen, make sure to include various work stations and plenty of counter space. For example, do not put the stove and sink right next to each other.

Also, have a particular space for slicing and dicing your vegetables, fruits, and meat that is separate from the baking or the cooking. It also might be a good idea to include a second sink next to your cutlery space so you do not interfere with the cleaning of the dishes. Finally, plan a place where you just have countertop space so that you may have more workers if more family members want to help prepare a particular meal.

Create a Kitchen For What You Do

Although this may seem obvious, creating a kitchen that is unique to you is the best thing you can do for you and your family. For example, do you host or entertain often? If you do, it may be important to you to have a bar where you can serve drinks, or a larger table to seat more individuals.

Do you spend a lot of time cooking and baking with the kids? If you do, make sure your kitchen is kid friendly. This means, make sure the knives are out of reach of the children. Make sure any chemicals are locked up and safely away from them. Finally, make sure you have plenty of counter space for the children to work beside you. Think about what you are going to in your kitchen in order to determine what extra additions you may need.

It is Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is just that–yours. Thus, it is important that you think about what you need to make sure your kitchen is the best kitchen for you and your family. It takes some planning and some mental energy. But you will be so glad that you invested your time in planning the kitchen that best works for you. Once you recognize what you want, everything else will fall into place. Let the cooking and baking begin!

About the author: Kimberley Kelly is a real estate agent in Palm Springs who servcies buyers looking for real estate Rancho Mirage and real estate in Palm Springs.

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Steps You Must Take after Selling Your House

by admin on February 26, 2012

Steps You Must Take after Selling Your HouseCongratulations! You found the right buyer, got a good price, and closed on the paperwork. Now it’s only a matter of packing up your things and moving into your next place of residence, right?

Not so fast. You must attend to the details of closing the deal before you move yourself right along into the next space. By attending to details, you will make a clean break and move into your new place with peace. Taking the following steps can save you money and heartache down the road. Here are some things you should definitely do after selling your house.

  • Paperwork

Keep copies of all the paperwork related to the closing and settlement. I know, it is a lot of paper, and it is tempting to run it all through the shredder in order to save the space. But don’t shred anything just yet! You will need to refer to it when you are ready to do your taxes, and you’ll need the documentation of the proceeds and expenses related to the sale in case you are ever audited.

  • More paperwork

You will also want to keep any paperwork related to improvements or prior purchases. This is because the IRS allows you to add the cost of home improvements to your home’s cost basis, which can offset any capital gains you might receive if the house is sold for more than you originally bought it for. Again, you will want to save the documentation in case you are ever audited.

  • Money

If you have not bought another house yet, put your money in a money market fund. Money market funds offer reasonable rates of return without tying your money up, so you will have immediate access when you need it.

  • Tax laws

Tax laws are constantly changing, so you’ll want to stay in the loop. A recently passed law allows you to exclude a significant portion of the profits from the sale of your primary residence from your taxable income, which can save you a lot of money. Again, tax laws change frequently, so make sure you keep up in order to take advantage of any credits or allowances.

  • House hunting

If you have not already bought a house, choose your next home carefully. Don’t feel pressured to find a new house right away. Rent for a while if you don’t find a house that meets your needs right away.

  • Finances and personal changes

Re-evaluate your finances after any personal changes, such as having a baby, retirement, a promotion, or a divorce.

  • Consider your real estate agent

Consider whether the agent who helped you sell your house is the right person to help you find your next house. Buying and selling require different skills, and if you are moving to a different area, you might want to find an agent who has experience in the neighborhoods you are interested in.

  • Down payment

Most lenders recommend a down payment of at least 20% in order to qualify for the best interest rates. If you can afford to put down more than 20%, consider whether your money would earn a higher return if you invested it elsewhere. Generally, I recommend that younger buyers stick closer to 20% down, while older buyers who are closer to retirement age might want to invest more than that in their down payment.

  • Change of address

Don’t forget to send out your change of address notices once you find your new home. The US Postal Service recommends filling out your change of address forms thirty days prior to your move.

Step-by-Step, You Will Arrive

This might seem like a lot to think about, but by taking these steps now, you will provide your family with the peace of mind of knowing that they are prepared for any unpleasant surprises that may come up in the future.

This article was provided by Linda Wise, a sellers agent representing many home buyers and sellers in the Palm Bay FL real estate market and those looking for Patrick Air Force Base real estate.

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Inexpensive Home Improvements to Increase Home Your Homes Value

by admin on February 24, 2012

Inexpensive Home Improvements to Increase Home Your Homes ValueIt is a buyer’s market in real estate these days. Many homeowners are finding that major remodeling jobs are no longer bringing in as much return for their money as they did several years ago. Today’s buyer is no longer looking for “bigger” or “fancier,” but rather practical and a good long-term value.

And, sellers don’t have extra money for major improvements in today’s economy. The good news is there are many inexpensive improvements you can make that will increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Following is a list of inexpensive and simple steps you can take to improve the look of your home.

Inexpensive Home Improvements to Increase Home Your Homes Value

Tend to your walls.

  • A fresh coat of paint on your walls could be all that you need to do to freshen up and lighten up the look of your home. Choose a neutral shade, like off-white or light taupe. The fresh paint will look clean and brighten up your home, and neutral shades appeal to the majority of prospective buyers.
  • If you have wallpaper, consider removing it and painting the room instead. Potential buyers who do not share your taste in wallpaper may see removing it as a labor-intensive project that they prefer to avoid. Paint is far easier for a new owner to change.

Tend to your flooring.

  • Replace old carpeting and flooring. While this may not seem like an inexpensive improvement to suggest, in my experience as a Realtor, dirty matted carpet and outdated vinyl flooring can really plunge the home selling experience into a stall state. Potential homebuyers don’t want to have to wonder what is under the carpet of your home. So, while it may seem expensive to change your flooring, it is one of those home improvements that will actually help your home sell and it you will get a much better price for your home.
  • If you don’t need to replace it because it’s not in that bad of shape and it is not really outdated it, have it professionally cleaned. If the selling process takes a while, have it professionally cleaned more than once. Again, it is a step that really will make a difference in the successful sale of your home.

Tend to your curb appeal.

  • Keep up with lawn maintenance by trimming the bushes, edging the grass, and pulling weeds. You can even add some shrubbery or potted flower to the front or maybe the back deck for extra appeal.
  • How does your driveway look? Replacing it may be too expensive of a repair, but you could economically resurface it with asphalt or install pavers.

Tend to your kitchen.  Oftentimes, a good kitchen will sell the home.

  • Update the hardware on your cabinetry.
  • Replace the sink and consider doing the same with your countertops or cabinets. (Replacing cabinets can be expensive, but refinishing them is not.)
  • How are your appliances? Are they fairly current and energy efficient? If they need to be replaced, now is a good time to do it. Potential buyers like to see new appliances in a home. You will get your money back in the form of a good selling price.

 Tend to a Few Other Matters for Successful Selling

Replacing lighting fixtures, light switch covers, and outlet covers. These are simple changes that most homeowners can do on their own. Also consider some inexpensive window treatments in neutral colors.   Of course, give your home a thorough cleaning. Often that alone can help your home look fresh and appealing.

These are some simple, cost-effective ways to increase the value and look of your home.  Most of these projects can be completed on your own, and the time and effort will be worth it when you are ready to put your home on the market.

Article provided by Jolenta Averill, a Madison real estate agent. If you’re interested in searching homes for sale Madison, visit her website or Madison real estate blog.

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10 Homebuying Tips for Single Women Homebuyers

by admin on February 13, 2012

10 Homebuying Tips for Single Women Homebuyers“Women have been buying homes in record-breaking numbers”, per the Joint Center for Housing Studies. Because of these statistics, more and more home builders and city planners are changing the way they plan housing communities.

The increase in single female homeownership has brought it to their attention that most aren’t planned with the security of single women in mind. Here are 10 tips to help you buy a home that provides better safety for you:

  1. 1.       Attached Garage 
Remember that when the time changes in the winter, it gets dark much earlier. This means it’s probably dark when you leave for work, and when you get home in the evenings. An attached garage with electronic opener is a safe measure.
  1. 2.      Community Gates

Make sure the gates in your gated community are set to not allow a second car to enter. You also want to make sure they change the gate codes regularly. This ensures that people who no longer live there, can get access.

  1. 3.      Lights are Important

Neighborhoods with lots of street lights, including motion sensors, provide added security when you want to take a walk or nighttime jog. Steer away from neighborhoods that have dimly lit streets.

  1. 4.      Security Alarms

Find out everything you can about your pre-installed security alarm. Ask things such as:

  • How is it wired?
  • Which doors and windows are monitored?
  • Who answers the alarms?
  • Are you leasing or do you own the system?
  1. 5.      Secure Doors

Is the door jam damaged? Are the door locks new? If so, ask why. Make sure all doors have deadbolts that unlock from the inside using no key. Also, for warm summer nights, install a secure screen door that includes a lock system for added protection.

  1. 6.      Higher Floors

When buying a condominium, keep in mind that higher floors may provide more protection from burglars. They can be discouraged by the idea of taking flights of stairs or even the building elevator.

  1. 7.      Secure Windows

Make sure windows are secure. Dual panes are stronger than single panes. Doors with windows should have doorknobs and locks that can’t be reached by sticking an arm through the window if broken.

  1. 8.      Beware of Alleyways

Alleys provide a quiet, dark, easy way for a criminal to get close to, maybe even inside your home without anyone seeing them. They also furnish quick escape routes. Look for neighborhoods that have shut off public access to alleys.

  1. 9.      Nearby Area Crime Reports

Go online to the city’s police department website. You should be able to locate local crime stats there. Also, be sure to check the FBI’s national registry for sex offenders that may be registered in the area. If there are many, don’t this is not a good neighborhood for a single female homebuyer.

  1. 10.  Fenced-In Yards

Have a yard that’s surrounded by a secure fence can really help. Fences deter criminals, making your home less accessible. For added security, get a dog to roam around the yard. They provide added security as living burglar alarms.

Shop for a Safe Home

Townhouse, condominium and housing communities, as well as neighborhood parking structures, streets and sidewalks, bus stops and train stations, in general, do not provide adequate security for these homeowners. Until the housing construction market makes necessary changes for single women to feel safer in their own neighborhoods, you must shop wisely. Buy a home in a community that’s safe for a single woman to live in happily and securely.

This article was provided by Vickie Nagy a Danville CA Realtor. If you’re a single women looking for a luxury home, you can check out the amazing Pleasanton CA homes for sale on Vickie’s website. You can also check out some of the other areas including San Ramon CA homes for sale and Danville CA homes for sale.

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The Melbourne Florida Real Estate Market in 2012

by admin on February 7, 2012

The Real Estate Market in 2012Will the Melbourne real estate market ever reach its previous status? Will the economy continue to have a negative effect on the market and the number of individuals purchasing homes? Will the home market continue to steadily increase in its percentages as it has been for the last couple of years?

These are the questions being asked in today’s economic upheaval. The buying and selling of homes is directly determined by the economic status of the country. Thus, the real estate market has steadily been increasing over the last few years; however there is growing concern that it may not continue to do so. Here are a few pointers and signs to look for in the up and coming years!

The Real Estate Market in 2012

In the next few years, many sellers are still choosing to accommodate the buyer. Several years ago, the seller was not as concerned with the buyer as he or she is today. However, with the drop in the economy, many Indian Harbor Beach real estate sellers have begun to think twice about the decisions they make with regards to selling their home. Even the economic market began to make changes in how houses were being sold and purchased. For example, many chose to decrease the interest rates expected upon purchase of a home. However, many companies today are slowly increasing these rates as more and more buyers become interested in purchasing a home.

In conjunction to the increase in interest rates, the price of the home also is projected to slowly inch upwards. Again, as the number of potential buyers increases, everything else will do the same as well. Thus, it is suspected that the cost of purchasing a home will return to past prices; however, it will be a slow progression.

As confusion about the Titusville real estate market remains, many buyers and sellers of property are also looking more closely at real estate agents and realtors. It can be difficult to understand the current trends or to know what a house should actually be sold for, and thus many individuals are looking to the experts for advice. This trend will most likely continue until the market begins to even out.

Social Media Will Continue To Play A Major Role In Real Estate

Another growth over the next few years, including 2012, is the growth of using the social media as a way to buy and sell homes. For example, the Internet has been an ever growing source of advertisements and marketing strategies by everyone involved in the real estate market.

It consistently proves to be a great way to communicate with buyers as well as market a wide variety of available property. It is also an excellent way for buyers to scan the home market without ever having to leave the house. It allows individuals to narrow down their list before seriously visiting the listed homes for sale.

Finally, many sources state that the real estate market is still the “buyer’s market.” What does this mean? This means that now is still the time to purchase a home. The cost of the home still has not reached what it previously was and the interest after purchase remains lower as well. Thus, the buyer gets the best bang for his or her buck if he or she chooses to purchase a home now.

However, many are recommending that sellers holdout on selling their homes at least until next year if not a few years down the road. Experts suggest sellers use the waiting period to fix up their homes, repair any damages, and even make small remodels. By using the waiting period, the seller will not only increase the home’s value by remodeling, but the value of the home will increase nationwide in a few years’ time.

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Multifamily Property Owners: 5 Things Your Early 20s Tenants Want

by admin on February 6, 2012

5 Things Your Early 20s Tenants WantMany multifamily property owners choose to make them apartment complexes more 20s friendly. This is especially true for units located in areas very close to colleges. College students need housing, and many don’t want to live on campus.

It may even be more affordable for them to live off campus with roommates. In these cases, it’s important for the multifamily property manager to know what amenities attract this age group. Then, they can properly market those amenities to 20s renters to fill their rental vacancies.

5 Things Early 20s Want in Rentals

This age group is filled with people who are moving away from home with their parents. Some are going away to college. Others are just ready to make that next step towards becoming an adult. Either way, they are looking to rent in a social environment that caters to their wants and desires. Here are five things 20s tenants want that will attract them to your complex:

1.      Other 20-somethings – Tenants in the early twenties want to be around other people their own age. They want the complex they choose to live in to resemble dorm living or frat house life. They want to live around folks that believe in socializing, parties, bar-be-ques, dating, etc…

2.      Close to Bars – This is as much of a necessity as it is an amenity in the eyes of the early 20s. Typically, this age group, especially the ones attending colleges and trade schools, enjoys drinking. But, unlike other age groups that are okay with drinking at home alone, they use it to socialize. Restaurants are okay. But, they want entertaining drinking at places like bars, pool halls, dance clubs, etc… If your complex is near bars, make sure your potential 20s renters know.

3.      Large Spaces – These youngsters want luxuries and amenities. They need big spaces to accommodate their large TVs, video game systems, oversized beds, computer accessories, and of course three roommates. They always seem to have roommates because that’s how they’re able to afford so many luxuries on their college student salaries. They’d rather live like this than to rent a single or bachelor apartment alone. Market your smaller spaces to the ones who want to live alone. To the ones coming in to view the units as roommates, make sure to point out the large livingroom, closets and patio.

4.      Noise – Yes, that’s right. I said noise. Twenty-something renters don’t like quiet apartment buildings. They are, in general, noisy with their visitors, video game tournaments, loud music, surround sound TV systems, etc… They don’t want to live around neighbors that will complain or call the police about their noise. So, they have a high tolerance for neighbors who are also noisy.

5.      Convenient to Work of School – Although many 20s renters would like this amenity, it’s not as important to them as to other age groups. These young adults will take two hour train and bus rides, even sit in traffic for three hours everyday to get where they need to go. They can even do it while nursing last night’s hangover, to live in a rental community they find to be fun and entertaining. But, they will always consider it an added bonus if their home is conveniently located near the job or college.

Market to 20 Somethings Their Way

What someone in his or her early twenties wants in a home is nowhere near the same things a retired person wants. If your apartment complex caters to 20s renters, then your management should be marketing to them as well. Be sure to know what they are looking for. If you offer it, it’s vitally important to make sure they know you do. You multifamily property managers need to know what your early 20s renters want in their rentals.

About the Author – Paula Henry is an Avon Real Estate agent. Visit her website to search hundreds of Avon Indiana Homes for Sale and find more information about buying or selling a home at her Indianapolis Real Estate Blog.

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