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Monthly archives for January, 2009

5 Tips for Decorating a Small House

Jan29
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

In today’s economy, McMansions and giant luxury homes are being replaced by simpler, more frugal alternatives. With one in ten Americans unable to make mortgage payments, many of today’s homeowners are deciding the inflated cost of large living isn’t worth it. Trading down, advocates of the Small House Movement believe in walking the talk of environmental consciousness: swapping 3000-square-foot homes for places more along the lines of 84 square feet in some cases.

The benefits of a smaller house are, well, anything but small: less to pay to build, less to heat/cool, less to spend time fixing up and improving. All these reduced costs buy homeowners big benefits: more money and more time, two things everyone seems to need more of these days.

So what about you? Whether your home spans 100 or 1,200 feet and no matter what your reasons for a smaller place, you’ll want to decorate it. And when decorating a little residence, there are key steps you can take to maximize the space. Consider these:

1. Architecture: One of the best design tips for a small home goes back to the way it was created. Built-ins help ensure no wasted space, and an open, easy-flow layout creates a larger feel where rooms can open into one another.
2. Color: Choose light paint colors—whites, creams, soft beiges—to enlarge the feel of your space. Basic Color 101 says light colors make a room seem bigger, while dark colors will make it feel smaller.
3. Defined Spaces: Think about the studio apartment you had, fresh out of college. It probably had one large room that functioned as your bedroom, your living room, maybe your dining room. The key to maximizing usefulness is in the way you lay your furniture out. Define the space for your sitting area as being separate from the eating table; this can be done with a patterned rug under the table or maybe by turning the chairs towards each other in the living room.
4. Seamless Flow: Defining your spaces doesn’t minimize the importance of symmetry throughout. Use the same flooring in all the rooms, if possible, and allow lots of sunshine to flow inside.
5. Organization: Even without built-ins, a small home seems instantly larger with smart organization. Eliminate all clutter. Anything that you don’t need goes.

Follow these tips to make your home its most useful, and you’ll barely notice the smaller size. In fact, you might join thewave of homeowners who actually prefer it!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged decorating a small house, decorating tips, home decorating tips, how to decorate, interior decorating, Market News, organization, small house
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Opportunities High in Rural Markets

Jan28
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

rural

With a tight economy, everyone is pinching their pockets to try and save money, whether it means spending less, using less or going out less. If you are caught up in the current housing crisis, perhaps you have decided to sell your home and move elsewhere. You might want to consider moving to a rural area!

According to data from the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) programs, rural areas experience the lowest foreclosure rates. And according to an article from RealtyTimes, homeownership rates in rural areas are steadily about 15 percent higher than in metropolitan areas. Not only is homeownership security higher, but the cost of living is lower! In many ways, rural living can dramatically decrease your spending and increase your savings. Reasons include:

You are away from the chaos and drama that occurs in big city markets. According to RealtyTimes, rural homeowners are more likely to invest in sound lending plans with less confusion.

The price of gas is usually dramatically cheaper than in large urban areas. How much money you save depends on how far of a commute you’ll be making.

Food can also be cheaper by deleting the travel costs and shopping locally. Local markets are almost always abundant in rural areas. Not only will you save money, but you will also be eating healthier and living greener!

Most rural homes contain a well and septic system. This cuts out the costs of a water bill. With fresh air, you may be for apt to open the windows instead of turning on the A/C. And few rural neighborhoods include HOA fees.

When living in a rural area, you tend to own larger amounts of land. Land takes work. Not only will you have grass to mow, a barn to upkeep or a garden to grow, but you can also hike or canoe during your leisure time and take advantage of the free nature activities that surround you!

With less entertainment options around, you will automatically spend less money. You will most likely shop in bulk, dine out less often and see fewer movies. If this calm lifestyle is one you could handle, the savings would definitely add up.

This could be the perfect time for you to start a business. Grow vegetables or flowers, open a horse barn and offer lessons or horseback riding trails, or offer to mow lawns! Plenty of opportunities exist if you open your mind.

What it all comes down to is whether you could handle this sort of quiet lifestyle. Living in the city allows everything to be right at your fingertips. But it’s an option that exists and is worth considering. On average, rural living costs 16 percent less that urban living.

Posted in Market News, Tips and Ideas - Tagged real estate information, real estate market, rural
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Winter Events: Atlanta

Jan27
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

atlanta2

Winters in Atlanta, Georgia, mean weather that usually stays in the mid to upper 40s, so all you will need is a warm hat, a cozy scarf and a winter jacket to keep you nice and toasty. Local residents know what makes this area exciting year-round. In winter, here are some great activities to enjoy!

• WINTERY WONDERS lie all around Atlanta. The holidays may have come and gone, but the winter season isn’t going anywhere!

Snow Mountain: Bring your friends and family to Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta for a two-hour tubing session and more! Open through the end of March, Snow Mountain is a great place to spend some quality time with your loved ones. And even if white flakes haven’t reached Atlanta, Snow Mountain will always boast fresh powder!

Winter Flurry Race: During the offseason at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, drivers such as The Legends Bandolero and Thunder Roadster compete in a Winter Flurry Racing Series. General stands are closed, but fans are still able to attend the race with infield passes. These passes can be obtained at the Security Command building, located near the main entrance. They cost $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger receive free admission! The Winter Flurry ends in February.

• ATLANTA SPORTS are played all year in Atlanta! Football season may be over for the Falcons, but if you like basketball and hockey, you are in luck! The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers play at Philips Arena throughout all of the winter months.

• CONCERTS in Atlanta are available for any kind of music fan! Whether you like country, heavy metal, rock or hip hop, you are sure to find a band or a solo artist that will blow your mind. Search Ticketmaster for upcoming shows that interest your tastes.

Some upcoming shows include:
Rick Springfield, Feb. 6 at the Wild Bills in Duluth, Georgia
Umphry’s McGee, Feb. 19 & 20 at the Variety Playhouse
Britney Spears, March 5 at the Philips Arena
Elton John & Billy Joel, March 14 at Philips Arena

 THEATRE is not always considered to be a play or a musical. There are lots of comedic performances in Atlanta!

Here are a few you should check out:
World-renown funny man Robin Williams will be appearing at the Fabulous Fox Theatre Atlanta on Friday, February 27 and Thursday, March 12.

Also performing at the Fox, Larry the Cable Guy and George Lopez are sure to bring plenty of laughs on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, respectively.

Whether you’re a long-time Georgia resident or a new transplant, one thing’s for sure: winter in Atlanta is full of fun!

To browse for-sale homes in the Atlanta area, head over to BuyOwner.com!

Posted in Buying Tips, Regional Info
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Selling Vacant Land

Jan26
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

Do you own quite a bit of land? Are you not sure how open acreage will appeal to buyers? With the help of Buy Owner®, you will be able to devise the best marketing strategy for selling your vacant lot.

Give buyers ideas

 Build a dream home
 In addition to a home, build stables and pole barns
 Build commercial property
 Farm for profit

Pricing for buyers to build homes

The value of the land should be one-third the value of the home that could be constructed on it. However, for pricing, you must also consider the value of surrounding properties. If you own the largest lot in the community, you could price the lot a bit higher than nearby acreages. However, if your neighborhood is made up of mostly $500K homes, buyers are less likely to purchase your slightly more expensive land to build a one million dollar home. What should you do now? Play up the newness factor. Buyers are going to be able to build their dream home… from the ground up!

Another point to consider is the septic/sewer issue. This determines the number of bedrooms that can be built into a given home. If the house will be run on a sewer, you have no worries. However, if your property is on a septic tank, a newly constructed home may only be allowed one to two bedrooms, thereby driving the price of the land down.

Splitting lots/Zoning potential

Splitting may be an option, if a parcel fits within the City and Council guidelines. But keep in mind… splitting takes time and costs money. However, you could end up turning over a better profit once you sell all of your vacant land. Learn more about zoning from this Buy Owner Blog post!

Use Buy Owner

How should you advertise your vacant land? You could list the property on a local MLS with an agent. However, although most MLS systems allow vacant land to be posted, buyers are only able to search for residential housing and, of course, they are only able to search with an agent. Through Buy Owner, buyers have direct access to every single listing of vacant land. When they do an advanced search, potential buyers must choose a type of property from a drop-down menu, and Buy Owner includes vacant lands in that menu.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged selling land by owner, selling property, selling vacant land buyowner, vacant land
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How to Host a Green Dinner Party

Jan21
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

Are you a fan of living the green lifestyle? Do you attempt to talk your friends into going green, too? Now is the chance to show them how simple and rewarding it is! Invite your friends over for a green dinner party. Here’s how to achieve it:

• If you regularly send invitations in the mail, send e-mails this time. They will save paper waste and they will be a nice surprise during the workday! If some friends don’t have e-mail, call them on the phone.
• Observe who you are inviting and where they live. Then, try to organize carpools between those who live near each other. Not only will this save parking space in front of your home, but it will also save gas and carbon emissions.
• When you purchase the items to cook, buy locally grown foods. Opt to serve vegetarian dishes for an original, healthier menu. This will prevent methane emissions from entering the air, which are created from meat. It will also educate your guests how many options are available from nearby markets and grocers.
• Also when purchasing your goodies, buy the food in bulk to save on packaging. Bring your own cloth bags that are reusable. Even consider taking public transportation to the grocery store. You can share this green experience with your friends over dinner!
• Decorate your table with a hemp tablecloth, a cloth made of organic cotton or even a snazzy sheet. If you’d rather show off your table, make sure it contains a non-toxic finish.
• Place a plant or a soy candle on the table as your centerpiece. Plants sustain life and make the air fresher to breathe, and soy candles are made with renewable ingredients that release less air pollutants.
• Decorate around the area with articles from nature, such as locally grown flowers, pinecones or an assortment of uniquely shaped twigs. Paper décor will only survive one party. Nature brings out an appealing, calm and natural ambiance.
• If the sun is still shining at the time of your party, keep the blinds open for an abundance of natural light. Otherwise, replace your light fixture with fluorescent bulbs. Add a dimmer to the room to set the mood and to use less energy.
• Use permanent salt n’ pepper sets. They come in so many styles and offer you tons of options! They should also last you a lifetime. Don’t use disposable dishware, either. Use real plates, glasses, silverware and even cloth napkins for a more elegant, green approach.
• Even your spirited drinks can be green! Serve up a pitcher of margaritas, mojitos or sangria! Be creative, and at the same time, save bottles and cans from being used. If your guests prefer wine or beer, opt for green wine, organic liquor and organic beer. They do exist! Serve glasses of filtered water from the sink.
• After enjoying the locally grown food, don’t let the leftovers go to waste! Serve small portions, offer second helpings and then provide leftovers for your guests to bring with them. Purchase green containers or invite guests to bring their own container to fill!
• Clearly mark the recycle bin, the compost bin, the garbage disposal or any other method you use to help the environment. Make sure everything ends up where it should. This is your chance to teach others how easy it is to recycle!
• Afterward, clean up using green products. For more information, read this article.

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged eco-friendly tips, entertaining, Green Living, home ownership
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Winter Events: Houston

Jan20
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

winter events in Houston

The New Year has arrived! Start filling up your 2009 calendar now in order to make the most of Houston’s warm winter season. Plenty of yearly and specialty events exist for people of all ages. Winter can be just as fun as summer! Check out this list of upcoming events.

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to spend more time outdoors or to become more active? Head to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center or to Water Wall, Houston’s two National Parks. Looking to meet new people at social events? Join Bayou City Outdoors, where events are occurring year-round! January events include Farmers Markets, social dances and slalom racing on the river!

Enjoy a night out at Alley Theatre while viewing the January or February production. In January, be swept away with the story of a mother and daughter’s journey through life as they deal with issues of love, money, sex and morality. Mrs. Warren’s Profession will take you by surprise with its unexpected twists and revelations.

From Jan. 22 to 25, broaden your horizons at the Tango Festival! Rice University creates the ideal atmosphere for this event with the overall theme being love. Express it however you choose on the dance floor! Classes are available for beginners and for the more advanced. Yoga classes are also offered that are geared specially for tango dancers!

In February, experience a bundle of emotions while watching Eurydice at Alley Theatre. The ancient Greek myth is brought back during this contemporary twist that the New York Time’s referred to as “a love letter to the world.” As Eurydice is about to marry Orpheus, she suddenly embarks on an adventure to the Underworld and must then decide where she’d rather reside.

On Feb. 7, visit the Museum of Natural Science for free! Learn about the evolution of the human body from anthropologists, invest how insects have adapted to changes through the years and discover what animals haven’t changed their biology for hundreds of years! Heard of the Galapagos Islands? Whether you have or not, you can help the museum look for clues of what Charles Darwin may have found there. Also, on Feb. 12, celebrate the special birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin. Eat birthday cake while learning more about Darwin’s findings on genetics and evolution.

The Houston Zoo is celebrating President’s Day on Feb. 16 by offering a free day at the zoo! Come by to learn about and appreciate all of nature’s wild animals without spending a dime. The zoo provides numerous special activities and events throughout the upcoming season.

The famous Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at Houston’s Reliant Stadium doesn’t begin until March, but plan ahead by buying your tickets today! A show is offered almost everyday in March. Some days even include special concerts, such as the Jonas Brothers on March 8, Taylor Swift on March 20 and many more!

Don’t forget to root for Houston’s professional sports teams! This time of year requires wrapping up the Houston Texans football season while supporting the Houston Aeros hockey team and the Houston Rockets basketball teams! Visit the individual team websites for game schedules and ticket information.

Are you looking for an activity that reminds you its winter? Grab a coat or sweatshirt and test your skills on ice skates! The Memorial City Mall and the Galleria Mall both contain ice skating rinks that you can enjoy during shopping breaks!

Posted in Buying Tips, Regional Info - Tagged events, houston, texas, winter activities, winter events
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Sell with Buy Owner

Jan19
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

how to sell a house

Has your property been on the market for years? Do you fear that your agent will be taking too much of a cut from the selling price of your home? Would you like to sell your home on your own? Now is the perfect time to sell using Buy Owner®!

Why should I sell For Sale by Owner (FSBO)?

By using Buy Owner:

 You will never have to pay commission to an agent.
 You will have access to a team of ad writers and a professional photographer.
 You will have the final say when it comes to customizing your ad.

What is the secret to selling with Buy Owner?

 Add power to your home’s marketing plan.
 Through the Internet listing, market your home to people all over the world!
 Take advantage of the Learning Center for tips to help you sell your home.

How do I learn more about selling with Buy Owner?

 Fill out this form.
 Call 1-800-771-7777. We’re open 7 days a week!

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buy owner faq, buyowner.com opinions, how to sell by owner, selling by owner, selling for sale by owner, selling fsbo, Selling Tips
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Why Redecorate Now?

Jan17
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

If you keep up with our Home Decorating blogs and put ideas on hold for when you decide to decorate, this post is for you! Or perhaps you send the ideas along to a friend instead of considering them for yourself. Now that 2009 has arrived, this may be the ideal time to redecorate parts of your home or your entire home!

If you need assurance, here are 15 reasons why now might be the perfect time for you to redecorate.

1. It’s a new year! Whether your 2009 resolution was to clean/spruce up your home or not, it’s a great excuse to do it! With a new year come new fashions, new popular colors and new sales. Search the internet and local stores to see if anything interests you. This may just be your year for interior fashion!
2. You just moved into a new home and your old furniture does not coincide with your elegant new interior. You can sell your old furniture and use that money toward your new furnishings!
3. You’re in the midst of trying to sell your home, but the old furniture makes your home appear drab. In order to capture the interest of potential buyers, redecorate your home! After it sells, you’ll already have the new furnishings for your new home.
4. You’ve made the resolution to go green in 2009! With the gaining popularity of green decorating, you’ll find ample options that are reasonably priced. Redecorate with green flooring, cabinetry, countertops, furniture, lights, accessories and so much more! In the long run, you’ll save money too.
5. During these tough economic times, turn your home into a stress-free retreat! Create a rewarding environment by filling rooms with neutral paint palettes and nature ornaments. Find the most impressive sales, help the market by purchasing home accessories and then enjoy spending time in your home for free.
6. You just started a home business and need a quiet, gratifying home office. Attach a brand-new room to your home or redecorate a spare room. Incorporate built-in shelves, a large desk, a comfortable desk chair and whatever else you need to make this an easy environment to work in.
7. You just added a new member to the family and now you need to integrate changes that will make this transition easy and exciting! Decorate a spare bedroom for your new baby, add color to the entire home, buy storage units for toys and, most importantly, baby-proof your home for safety.
8. Your children have grown up and moved out of the nest. Now you have all this spare space to work with! Turn an empty bedroom into that craft room, media room or game room that you always dreamed of having! Turn the casual dining room into a formal space for dinner parties. The home is yours!
9. You finally just moved out of your parents’ home and are on your own! As an independent, do you really want your childhood furnishings filling your first space? Fill your first living space with new, chic fittings that suit your current personality.
10. You just committed to sharing your life with someone and as a newly married couple, you want to start fresh with new furnishings that you two pick out and purchase together. Incorporate both of your personalities into your new findings for your new home!
11. You are newly single and are ready to start fresh! Rid of the old décor that holds memories and exchange it with new items that scream YOU. Invite friends to shop with you and help you create a whole new interior décor!
12. You just retired and are ready for a change. With your newly acquired spare time, stroll down memory lane by going through all of your built-up storage. Decide what to keep and what to finally part with. You’ll thank yourself later.
13. You just bought a second home, either as a vacation home for yourself or as a rental investment. Either way, you need to fill this new interior with furniture! Decide what sort of atmosphere you want it to contain and then have fun with it!
14. Whether you recently moved, obtained a new job, started a new relationship or experienced any sort of significant change in your life, show it off with new interior decorating! Stand out and show off this change with confidence. Add bold, vibrant colors of paint or accessories. Express the excitement in your life with the items that surround you every day!
15. You deserve a change. You’ve been loyal to your job, your family, your home and all of life’s responsibilities. It’s time for you to splurge and enjoy a change! Everyone deserves a change once in a while, so make that change one you can enjoy every single day!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged Home Improvement, real estate, redecorating
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Entertaining after the Holidays

Jan16
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Becky

party

So it’s that time of the year again: the end of the holiday season and the beginning of yet another new year. You’ve taken down the mistletoe, put away the tinsel and packed up the artificial tree, probably not to see it again until next winter rolls around. There are no more Christmas parties to attend, no Hanukkah shindigs, no big New Year’s Eve bashes. But just because the holidays are over, it doesn’t mean you’re done entertaining.

Here are a few tips for entertaining after the holidays:

Use what you’ve got
If you’re like most people, chances are you spent more than you meant to during the holiday season. It’s normal to splurge a little come Christmastime, but that just means you shouldn’t go crazy with the spending after the holidays. Stick to a budget, and use what you’ve got. From paper plates to festive decorations, chances are you can find most of what you need around the house.

Play up your home’s best features
Things like wet bars and media rooms were made for entertaining. If you have special features like these in your home, use them! And if you’re lucky enough to live in an area without freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, why wait until summer to entertain outdoors? Bust out the patio furniture and throw a backyard barbecue now to beat the winter blues!

Go with a theme
Whether it’s a potluck or a Super Bowl party, theme parties are a great way to get everyone involved. The possibilities are endless when it comes to theme parties, so be creative! If you can’t go outdoors, a beach or indoor Hawaiian theme might be a good way to counter the winter weather, while a wine-tasting party or a movie night is sure to keep things festive.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged christmas, entertaining, hanukah, hanukkah, holiday, january, party, winter
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Right Time for First-Time Buyers

Jan14
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

While most potential buyers are feeling pessimistic about the housing market because of hard economical times, you could be taking advantage of this buying opportunity of a lifetime!

Why should 2009 be considered the Golden Age for first-time home buyers?

Finances for Buyers

Rates on 30-year mortgages dropped to a level of almost 5.5 percent in December 2008. In just one week, the rate plunged at an alarming speed, making it the biggest drop in 27 years! Look forward to the future: Mortgage rates will continue to decrease if the government buys mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It will then be able to introduce an industry-backed plan to lower the rate to an astonishing 4.5 percent. Finally, if a new home is purchased by July 1, 2009, eligible first-time buyers will be able to take advantage of a $7500 federal tax credit that works like an interest-free loan!

Strategies for Sellers

If you are a seller, be sure to highlight the value of home ownership when pitching your house to a first-time buyer. Many first-time buyers will be very excited that they can finally make their own decisions regarding the design of their dwelling. Without consulting a landlord, new homeowners will be able to plant a garden, paint with bright colors, hang decorative pieces of art and more! Some of them will also enjoy the convenience of using amenities they did not have access to while renting an apartment or a townhome. These may include installing a swimming pool, buying a hot tub, owning a washer and dryer or parking a vehicle in a spacious garage!

Improving the Economy

When it comes to the housing market as a whole, everyone should root for the first-time buyers. As more of them purchase properties, this frees up the current homeowners to move on and buy other homes, thereby furthering more sales. And even if a veteran homeowner must sell his/her property to a new homeowner for less than the original asking price, chances are that most other sellers out there must do the same thing. And as more properties are being bought and sold, the market will eventually take a turn for the better. In anywhere from five to 10 years, you may be able to sell your once-new home for even more than the price at which it was originally purchased. This then starts of the cycle of buying and selling all over again!

While mortgage rates continue to decrease, and while you have the power of negotiation on your side, this is the prime time to buy your first home!

Posted in Market News, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buying a home, home ownership, mortgage news
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Founded in 1984, BuyOwner.com® is the leading provider of real estate marketing services. We pioneered the "For Sale by Owner" (FSBO) market, which today represents over 20 percent of all residential real estate transactions.

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