Real Estate Information

Whether you intend to buy and install the windows yourself or have a pro do it for you, do the research first. Know your window type: double-hung windows that slide up and down, casement windows that swing out, awning windows, etc. Then pick your preferred framing material, such as wood, vinyl or fiberglass. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, from style to price to longevity.

You must also consider where you live; energy needs in the Northwest differ from those in the Deep South. Ratings for energy efficiency, light visibility, air leakage and other factors are available from government programs such as Energy Star, publications such as Consumer Reports and industry sources such as the National Fenestration Rating Council.

Armed with the right information, you can shop smarter. Have a target price in mind, get estimates and have the patience to wait for the best possible price.

Sources: www.energystar.gov, www.nfrc.org

Even if your bowling trophies and musty shag carpet feel like home to you, they might turn off potential buyers. That’s why staging — as seen on TV — has become a popular technique to help sell houses. But home staging is more than just redecorating; it’s a way to help potential buyers feel like your house could be their next home.

It might seem counterintuitive to spend money on a home that you’re leaving, but the cost might be worth it. According to StagedHomes.com, a leading home-staging organization, the final sale price on staged homes increased an average of 3 percent versus those that were not. Staged homes also typically spend 80 percent less time on the market.

Staging doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming. If you don’t know where to begin, talk to your REALTOR, who can offer advice or help you find a professional stager.  A basic consultation with a home staging professional might cost $200 to $400 dependeing on the market, but some are complimentary.

If you want to do it yourself, start outside. Clean the sidewalk and driveway and, if possible, add a fresh coat of paint to the house, garage door or railings. Use potted plants and new light fixtures for flash at the front door.

Inside, keep things clean and clutter-free. Pick impersonal art over family pictures. Purge unnecessary belongings, and stow what you can’t throw away in decorative baskets. Sparsely arrange furniture away from walls. Add accents with mirrors, plants, rugs, pillows, colorful cookbooks, fruit bowls and other accessories. Focus on lighting, from soft bedroom lamps to natural light from open drapes.

Sources: HGTV.com, StagedHomes.com

You don’t have to build from scratch to have a greener home. These quick and easy home fixes will shrink your consumption and your monthly bills.

Rate it. Look for Energy Star-rated products. This government program helps people make energy-efficient choices, which can lead to savings of up to a third of energy costs.

Switch the lights. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs. Replace them in highly used fixtures such as porch lights, bathroom vanities and office lamps.

Go with the flow. Use low-flow showerheads and consider installing low-flow toilets to reduce water usage and save on water-heating costs.

Plug in, turn off. Use a power strip for your home office or home entertainment center. Even in standby mode, consumer electronics — which account for 15 percent of household electricity — use a little juice, so turn the power strip off when you can.

Cool it. Turn the water temperature for your washing machine or dishwasher down to 120º F to cut water-heating energy consumption.

Seal it. Search for hidden air leaks in your attic, basement or crawl space, and seal them with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping. Home sealing can be an inexpensive way to cut energy consumption by up to 10 percent.
Sources: www.energystar.gov, www.eere.energy.gov

     Restoring a piece of furniture can seem like a daunting task, but with a little time and patience many projects can be fairly easy. Here are some tips for making your old furniture look like new.

    Before beginning, apply a small amount of furniture restoration cleaner in an inconspicuous spot to determine if it is compatible with the furniture’s finish. Thoroughly inspect the piece to determine where the worst build up is and clear away any obstructions such as splinters or stray nails. Remove all hardware (handles, etc.) to make the restoration easier.

    Experts recommend working in 10 or 12-inch sections first, and then going over the entire area (top of table, side of piece, etc.). This will ensure a more thorough cleaning. Use a small paintbrush or toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach places or any place that may have extra buildup. Clean the entire piece a second time to make sure it is free of all silicone, wax, polish and dust.

    If you don’t feel comfortable handling pieces that need to be repaired or replaced, such as a broken leg, a local furniture shop can help. If you are doing the repairs yourself, make sure to use the appropriate adhesive. You’ll want to duplicate the original glue as closely as possible; this is especially important for older pieces.

    Before waxing or polishing the finished product, use a damp cloth to remove any final dust and fingerprints, then buff with a clean dry cloth and use wax or polish sparingly. Before you know it, your old furniture will seem like brand new.

Sources: Refinishfurniture.com, Howstuffworks.com

     When shopping for new appliances, remember that looks aren’t everything. Features, capacity and energy-efficiency are important factors as well.

    Before buying a new appliance, keep track of your appliance usage for one week. For example, note the number and size of your laundry loads, what items you reach for most often in your refrigerator or what meals you cook on the stove. This will help you determine what features will be most beneficial. Also include a list of problem areas, which will help you choose a new appliance that offers better solutions.

    For a variety of appliances, available space can be a major stumbling block. Before you make your choice, be sure to measure the footprint, height and width of the appliance area, as well as the door swing or space needed to open doors, drawers and lids. Also measure any doorways or hallways to make sure the new appliance can pass through when it’s time to install.

    Energy-efficient models of some appliances can offer significant savings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, appliances account for about 20 percent of a household’s energy consumption. Appliances that feature the Energy Star label have been tested to meet standards for energy efficiency.

Gray is the new neutral, blue is the new symbol of the environment and yellow will add energy and optimism to your surroundings. At least, those are the latest trends reported by the Color Marketing Group (CMG), a not-for-profit association of color design professionals.

Experts at CMG say the top color choices for 2009 are influenced by the public’s concern about the economy and their optimism for the future. People are looking for colors that are safe, familiar and comforting. Consumers also increasingly are drawn to colors and products that reflect a growing desire for an environmentally “greener” world. CMG reports these top color trends for 2009:

• Purple is a hot color for 2009, influenced by the recent presidential election (think Republican red mixed with Democratic blue). For example, grayed-out violet works equally well as an accent or as a neutral.
• Blue is the new “green” to create environmental awareness.
• Complex neutral colors, like cooled-down, grayed-out browns and grays, satisfy the urge toward classic colors in an economically challenged time.
• Bright vivid yellow will be a stand-out accent color that provides energy amidst the sobering effects of the gray neutrals.
• Bright accents influenced by far-away countries like India, China and Turkey will add an exotic touch. Look for colors that are prominent in these countries, including shades of orange, red, yellow, turquoise and teal.
• White is showing up more in corporate board rooms. It represents purity of thought, motive and result, which is expected from many businesses.

    Amid concerns about the economy, homeowners are moving ahead with remodeling plans, but are focusing on smaller projects, according to two separate surveys. In Remodeling Magazine’s 2009-10 Cost vs. Value report, which compares national and regional remodeling costs for 33 popular remodeling projects, homeowners who opted to hire contractors for home remodeling projects in 2009 most often tackled small-scale jobs and replacements.

     Exterior replacement projects (doors, windows, etc.) continue to recoup the most dollars at resale, which makes them attractive to homeowners looking to improve curb appeal. Replacements are also among the least expensive projects to complete. Entry door replacements (steel), which recoup nearly 129 percent of their costs at resale, returned the most on investment. Other high-ranking cost-vs.-value projects were siding replacements, attic bedrooms and deck additions.

     Projects that recouped the least were home-office remodels, sunrooms, upscale master suites, upscale garage additions and upscale bathroom additions.

     For project data for the 80 U.S. cities surveyed, visit Remodeling magazine’s Web site at http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/national.aspx.

     A Service Magic survey also finds that after a brief slowdown in 2009, homeowners are moving forward with their remodeling plans, with a focus on improving the most important areas in their home like bathrooms and kitchens, as well as smaller-scale projects, like countertops. More homeowners also are adding home theaters and computer rooms to personalize their homes for the long-term. While kitchen and bathroom remodels remain popular, fewer owners are tackling larger projects, such as home additions and remodels of multiple rooms.

There’s still time to take advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit. The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extended the deadline for qualifying home purchases from Nov. 30, 2009 to April 30, 2010. In addition, buyers who enter into a binding contact by April 30 have until June 30 to settle on the purchase. The maximum credit amount remains at $8,000 for first-time homebuyers – buyers who have not owned a primary residence within the past three years. 

The new law also provides a tax credit of $6,500 to existing homeowners who have owned and lived in their current residence at least five consecutive years. For all qualifying purchases in 2010, buyers have the option of claiming the credit on either their 2009 or 2010 tax return. 

Under the new law, credit is not available if the purchase price of a home is more than $800,000. Also buyers must be at least 18 years old on the date of home purchase, and dependents are not eligible to claim the credit. For more information about whether the tax credit can benefit you, visit the IRS Website or consult with a qualified tax professional.

As National Census Day April 1 inches closer, U.S. residents will begin receiving 2010 U.S. Census questionnaires in their mailboxes beginning in March. Under the U.S. Constitution, a national census is completed every 10 years to get an accurate picture of the nation’s growing and changing population and demographics. Every resident of the United States and Puerto Rico, including citizens and non-citizens, is required by law to complete a 2010 Census form to account for everyone living at their household address as of April 1, 2010.

After completing the 10-question form, return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you fail to return your census form, a census taker will follow up to arrange a personal interview to collect your information.

The census data is used to determine the number of seats each state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. It also helps to determine how $400 billion in federal funding will be allocated every year for infrastructure and services, such as hospitals, schools, emergency services, roads and bridges, and job training centers. For businesses, census data is critical to help them make strategically and fiscally sound decisions that spur economic growth.

Key Dates for 2010 Census 

March 2010 – Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households.

April 1, 2010 – Census Day

May – July 2010 – Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire.

December 2010 – By law, the Census Bureau delivers population counts to the President for apportionment.

March 2011 – By law, the Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states. 

To ensure your community receives the services it needs, everyone needs to be counted.

     When it comes to window treatments, the options might seem endless, but the decision process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. HGTV recommends that you focus on the four main options: blinds, shutters, shades and curtains.

    During the winter months, window treatments can affect the temperature in your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, pairing close-fitting drapes with a cornice can reduce airflow around windows by up to 25 percent. If you mount your shades or blinds inside your window casting, you’ll also be able to minimize drafts, and be ensured a cozy, warm winter.

    Keep in mind that color and pattern are key when deciding what window treatment to use. Lighter colors will make a smaller room appear larger, while darker colors tend to shrink a room. Mix it up by playing with different textured shades such as rattan or bamboo.

    Shades and curtains made from lighter fabrics allow more light to filter into the room. But depending on your taste, a heavier fabric can look more elegant, while a longer drapery will look more formal. To ensure you have enough fabric for overlapping, buy an amount of fabric two to four times the width of the window.

    The cost for window treatments varies almost as much as the options themselves. You could spend anywhere from $16 for a light, sheer shade, to $400 for wood shutters.