Real Estate Information

Put your money where your mouth is. When it comes to remodeling your home, that old saying is especially appropriate. A kitchen is one of the best rooms in your home to consider renovating. Your bathroom is next on the list.

    Whether you’re planning to stay in your home for a while or are looking to sell in a few years, kitchen and bath remodels are great ways to increase the value — and enjoyment — of your home.

Quantifying how much a renovated room will improve your quality of life may be impossible, but determining what percentage of each dollar spent on home improvements you’ll recoup when you sell is a little bit easier.

    According to Remodeling magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value Report, which surveyed 300 real estate professionals in 60 markets across the nation, the average return on investment for:

• a minor kitchen remodel (average cost $20,000) is 83 percent;

• a major kitchen remodel (average cost $55,000) is 78.1 percent; and

• a bathroom remodel (average cost $15,000) is 78.3 percent.

     Despite these ROI statistics, it’s always a good idea to research the features that are popular with other homes in your neighborhood. If most houses have upgraded kitchens with all the latest bells and whistles, you’re likely to get a better return if you remodel your kitchen. To get a better sense of how a kitchen or bath remodel might shake out given your neighborhood, talk to an appraiser or go to www.cyberhomes.com, where you can enter your address and use the “Refine Value” tool to see how changing different aspects of your home might impact your bottom line.

One of the easiest ways to make your house feel more like a home — and also make it more appealing for showing — is to decorate the walls with framed art and photographs. It can seem like a daunting task to frame and hang art, but it’s easier than you think.

    In most cases, you can do it yourself. Ready-made frames are usually available in standard sizes at stores everywhere. Odd-sized artwork, however, often requires a custom frame from a professional shop. It’s generally a pricier option, but it can be a worthy investment. To find a reputable framer in your area, go to the Professional Picture Framers Association’s Web sites: www.ppfa.pmai.org or www. findapictureframer.com. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, keep these tips in mind:

• When deciding on a mat and frame, select the mat first and then find a frame to complement it. Be sure that the subject and tone of the picture are enhanced by mat and frame selection.
• Get creative with mats. Don’t look just at color, but at texture and size. 
• To make a picture look bigger, use a darker-colored mat. Lighter-colored mats draw attention away from the frame and allow the viewer to concentrate on the image within the frame.
• Consider using wide mats (greater than two inches) for prints and photos to create an updated look. Mats wider than prints give greater importance to small images.
• Layering mats can create a unique piece of custom-framed artwork. Using two or more mats is also a good way to accent colors in a room.
• Frames and mats can create a theme for your artwork, so make sure you choose frames and mats that correspond with what you want to convey.
• When choosing a frame, make sure the color of the frame doesn’t overpower the colors in the art.
• Put artwork in a frame large enough so that it doesn’t get lost in the decor of the room.

Source: HGTV.com

Grilling is more popular than ever, especially as families opt to save money by dining at home rather than eating out. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) estimates that three out of four households own an outdoor grill or smoker. From lightweight, portable Smoky Joes to deluxe multi-tasking grills, today’s equipment can do much more than ever before.

The Multi-Tasker – Multi-tasking grills have two to 12 burners, so different types of food can be prepared at different temperatures at the same time. Some grills are also equipped with built-in infrared rotisseries, wok stations and side burners that enable cooks to prepare entire meals in one place. Others have storage drawers, built-in thermometers, removable ash catchers and lights for nighttime cooking.

Infrared heat – Infrared technology provides intense heat so meats and steaks can be grilled in half the time as on a traditional grill.

Accessories – Baskets that cook mini-hamburgers, potato grilling racks and non-stick grill toppers that steam or roast poultry and vegetables are gaining favor. Also popular are smoker boxes and grill plates that enhance flavor.

Outdoor cooking areas – Outdoor kitchens have all the same amenities as in-home kitchens, including sinks, blenders, cooking and prep areas, dishwashers and refrigerators, and cocktail bars. Most outdoor kitchen designs are flexible and modular, so homeowners can customize it for their entertaining needs.

With the latest innovations in outdoor cooking, the best place to dine out may be in your own back yard. 

    It’s finally time to pull out the patio furniture, fire up the grill and enjoy outdoor activities in your yard. Here are some tips from HGTV.com that will keep your grass looking green all summer long.

    When cutting the grass, try to keep its height at about two-and-a-half to three inches. Sharpen the blade of your mower at least three times a year to avoid grass split ends, and be sure to change your mowing pattern to prevent soil compaction, which will inhibit grass growth.

    Instead of lightly watering your grass three to four times a week, give it a good soaking once a week – most lawns need about an inch of water. Watering early in the morning is best.

    To combat weeds, make sure to use herbicides specially formulated to combat the types of weeds that are growing in your yard. If you aren’t a fan of herbicides, weed removal tools, such as weed hounds, usually do the trick.

    Over-fertilizing is a common problem and can kill your lawn. You should only fertilize in the spring and summer months if you neglected to apply fertilizer in the fall. Every time you mow your lawn the clippings provide nitrogen, an excellent natural fertilizer.

    Finally, keep kids, pets, vehicles and wheelbarrows off moist soil and emerging grass. Wait until your lawn is full and dry to enjoy it.

Frontdoor.com, HGTV’s real estate Web site, identifies several potential problems that buyers should look out for when touring a home.

1.     Mediocre Maintenance. Three layers of roofing and gutters with plants growing out of them are signs that the owners have not kept up with the property. What else have they neglected?

2.     Foundation Failures. If the yard slopes toward the house, it could cause water to run down the foundation walls or into the basement, which could result in costly repairs. Also if foundation cracks or bulges are thicker than 1/3 inch, the house could have serious structural issues.

3.     Faulty Wiring. Make sure all switches and outlets function properly. Flickering lights, circuits that don’t work, and warm or hot outlets or faceplates are all symptoms of wiring problems.

4.     Fresh Paint …On One Wall. New paint can spruce up walls, but they can also hide bigger problems, such as water damage, mildew or mold.

5.     Foggy or Non-functioning Windows. Check for water in between double-paned windows and make sure all windows work properly.

6.     Structural Walls and Floors. The house may have an open floor plan, but was it always open or did the homeowners renovate? If a load-bearing wall was removed without adjusting the framing, it can shift weight to other parts of the house.

7.     Bugs. No one wants a house with a pest problem. Look for evidence of unwelcome creatures as you tour the home.

     If you’re looking to spice up the outside appearance of your home, exterior lighting offers many options. To get you started, the lighting pros at GE explain some basic lighting techniques.

     Ambient lighting, such as yard lights and porch lights, provide overall illumination, while task lighting consists of low-voltage lights along sidewalks and paths. Accent lighting includes spotlights and other types of special- effect lighting to dramatize outdoor sculptures and fountains.

     To add depth and drama, try uplighting trees, landscape features and architectural elements by placing lights at an angle so objects are lit from below. Backlighting, which is achieved by angling a light against a wall or fence behind an object, creates a beautiful silhouette.

     For security, make sure patios, porches and other outdoor living spaces are well lit, especially where there are steps that can be a potential tripping hazard. To prevent uninvited pests from crashing your next patio party, use bug lights, which contain a special coating that makes the light invisible to bugs, so they aren’t drawn to it.

     Whichever lighting technique you use, use Energy Star bulbs, which use up to 75 percent less energy and last 8 to 10 times longer than ordinary incandescent bulbs. Outdoor timers and motion sensors also can save money and conserve energy. To get maximum effect from your outdoor lighting, clean exposed bulbs several times during the season.

     Once you master these few lighting techniques, your home will exude a warm glow that attracts admirers and would-be buyers.

The word “mud” might not sound inviting, but a mudroom can actually be a welcoming — and useful — space. Mudrooms, which serve as a transition between the outdoors and the inside of a home, are traditionally found in cold, snowy climates as a place to change out of wet clothes and shoes. But, whether large or small, they’re ideal for houses in any climate. They can minimize cleaning (no tracking dirt through the house), maximize storage and help with organization. Whether you already have a mudroom or are thinking about creating one, consider:

    Location. Off the kitchen or near the back door are the most popular locations for mudrooms, but garages and utility closets are also prime spots.

    Flooring. This is the one place in the house where the floors are supposed to get dirty. Choose a durable, non-slip material — tile, stone, vinyl, laminate, concrete — in a dark color. And be sure to include a few doormats: a fiber or rubber mat to clean off shoes and an absorbent, washable rug to keep dirt from getting tracked in.

    Walls. Surely they will get dinged and scratched and splashed, so choose coverings wisely. Vinyl wallpaper or an easy-to-clean, moisture-proof paint should do the trick.

    Seating. Although you likely won’t be spending too much time in your mudroom, a place to sit is key. A sturdy chair or bench is useful for removing wet shoes or boots.

    Storage. Choose organizing accessories based on the main purpose of the space and who uses it most. If it functions mainly as a staging area for adults, be sure to prominently feature coat and key hooks, as well as a place to sort mail. If kids are the main focus, include labeled storage bins and designated areas for backpacks and after-school activity gear, such as sporting goods. No matter how the room is used, it’s a good idea to include plenty of shelving and racks for shoes

    One thing that hasn’t changed is the trend toward bigger, more open kitchens that accommodate more than one cook and serve as more than just a place to cook. In incorporating these bigger kitchens, the traditional “work triangle” — the path between the refrigerator, food prep area and cooking area — is being replaced with work zones. As kitchens get bigger and even more functional, it seems certain that a trend toward specialization will grow as well.

Sources: National Kitchen and Bath Association

The word “mud” might not sound inviting, but a mudroom can actually be a welcoming — and useful — space. Mudrooms, which serve as a transition between the outdoors and the inside of a home, are traditionally found in cold, snowy climates as a place to change out of wet clothes and shoes. But, whether large or small, they’re ideal for houses in any climate. They can minimize cleaning (no tracking dirt through the house), maximize storage and help with organization. Whether you already have a mudroom or are thinking about creating one, consider:

    Location. Off the kitchen or near the back door are the most popular locations for mudrooms, but garages and utility closets are also prime spots.

    Flooring. This is the one place in the house where the floors are supposed to get dirty. Choose a durable, non-slip material — tile, stone, vinyl, laminate, concrete — in a dark color. And be sure to include a few doormats: a fiber or rubber mat to clean off shoes and an absorbent, washable rug to keep dirt from getting tracked in.

    Walls. Surely they will get dinged and scratched and splashed, so choose coverings wisely. Vinyl wallpaper or an easy-to-clean, moisture-proof paint should do the trick.

    Seating. Although you likely won’t be spending too much time in your mudroom, a place to sit is key. A sturdy chair or bench is useful for removing wet shoes or boots.

    Storage. Choose organizing accessories based on the main purpose of the space and who uses it most. If it functions mainly as a staging area for adults, be sure to prominently feature coat and key hooks, as well as a place to sort mail. If kids are the main focus, include labeled storage bins and designated areas for backpacks and after-school activity gear, such as sporting goods. No matter how the room is used, it’s a good idea to include plenty of shelving and racks for shoes.

Sources: This Old House, Lowe’s

Home renovations can be daunting, but financing them doesn’t need to be. Homebuyers considering a fixer-upper and homeowners thinking about doing major rehab work might want to consider an FHA 203K loan.

    Often called rehab or renovation loans, 203K loans differ from traditional mortgage loans. Buyers who want to purchase a home in need of repair usually have to secure a loan to buy the property, get additional financing to complete the renovation and then get a permanent mortgage to pay off the interim loans. 203K loans, however, are made based on the after-repair value and include an escrow account, in which the money is dispersed in draws as the necessary renovations are being completed.

    Renovation loans can be used in three ways: to purchase an existing home (and the land attached to it) and renovate it; to pay off existing debt on a current residence and renovate it; or to purchase an existing property and move it to a new piece of land. The types of improvements allowed on 203K loans are extensive — painting, room additions, decks, bathroom and kitchen remodels, and even going green. Luxury items and improvements are generally not eligible.

    Homebuyers need to work closely with their REALTOR®  as well as a contractor to get a detailed statement about the extent and general cost of the rehab work and the expected market value of the property after the completion of the work. After finding a HUD-approved lender — not all banks administer these loans — and inspections and appraisals, the work can begin. For more information, go to www.hud.gov.

Sources: Department of Housing and Urban Development, 203Kloan.net

Cultivating your own herb garden is an easy and cost-effective way to have access to fresh herbs without a trip to the grocery store. Basil, parsley, chives, mint and sage are easy to grow and maintain.

Gardening experts at HGTV say the least expensive method is to start new plants from seeds, as opposed to transplanting store-bought or garden-grown herb plants.

First, fill a peat pot with a soilless potting mix, a mixture of peat moss, pine bark, sand and other organic materials. Place this pot in a small bowl filled with water. After the water has completely saturated the peat pot, bury seeds at the depth of three to four times their diameter; for small seeds, simply press them into the mixture with your finger. To ensure growth, place a few seeds in each pot. Finally, put a plastic bag over the pot, to simulate a greenhouse, and place it in a dry sunny spot.

After the seeds have germinated you can transplant them into a larger pot. Keep your herbs moist but not wet, and pinch or prune them as necessary.

Gardening is one of my favorite pastimes.  Take a moment to share your gardening tips and successes with me and my blog followers.  I'm sure we'll find them enjoyable.