Welcome to the official Blog of BuyOwner.com

BuyOwner.com buy sell trade rent

  • Home
  • About BuyOwner.com
  • Popular Posts

Monthly archives for March, 2009

Spring Events: Fort Lauderdale/Miami

Mar31
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

beach

In spring, Florida’s weather continues to warm up as the residents prepare for the upcoming tourist season. Before summer arrives, the Fort Lauderdale/Deerfield/Miami area hosts an array of special activities specially designed for the permanent residents of this sunshine state! If you currently live in or are moving to this area, read up on some of the upcoming spring events to look forward to!

Festivals/ Specialty Events

  • On April 4 and May 2, the Family Fest at Ziff Ballet Opera House will provide a hands-on festival geared toward getting kids interested in the performing arts! Numerous activities allow parents to interact with their kids while together creating puppets, singing songs, trying out dance movies, learning about other cultures and more!
  • From April 8 through May 3, the award-winning Jersey Boys will perform at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. This Broadway performance shares the heart-warming story of how four blue-collar boys turned themselves into The Four Seasons before the ages of 30!
  • From April 10 to April 12, enjoy South Florida’s largest Easter Egg Hunt Celebration at the Miami Seaquarium! Besides the daily activity of hunting for eggs, kids can also enjoy musical performances, face painting, bounce houses and more! The Easter Bunny will introduce costumed friends that include Flipper the dolphin, Lolita the killer whale and more! Every participant will receive a prize gift bag.
  • On April 11 and 12, head to Flamingo Gardens to shop for the best orchids and bromeliads this spring! Fill your gardens with vibrant foliage while being offered the best prices and answers to your questions from expert growers! On these days, you can also meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy daily wildlife exhibits and shows.
  • On April 18, plan to attend the New Times 12th Annual BEERFEST at Esplanade Park. You can sample 225 types of beer from around the world while enjoying performances from the area’s most popular local bands and tons of food options!
  • On April 19, enjoy the 2009 South Beach Wine & Food Festival! Savor a brunch, sample a variety of seafood platters, drink an assortment of wines and champagnes and relish a gourmet dinner. All the while, live entertainment surrounds you!
  • From May 6 to May 10, celebrate women around the world at the Aqua Girl! Celebrated in various locations, this festival provides musical performances, dance performances, comedy shows, jazz specials and tons more! All the proceeds benefit the Aqua Foundation for Women that promote equality, strength and health for all women!

Sports

  • Spring signifies one significant meaning in sports… BASEBALL SEASON!
    Score tickets now to see the Florida Marlins kick off their season! April 6 marks Dolphin Stadium’s opening day. Visit their website for tickets and information.
  • Didn’t get to a Miami Heat basketball game this year? It’s not too late! Snatch a last-minute ticket to one of the final games of the year on April 7, 12 or 15!
  • Not into professional sports? Create your own sports while taking advantage of your waterfront location by participating in water sports! Aloha Watersports offers you parasailing, wave runners, kit surfing and more!
  • Full Moon Kayak allows you to enjoy quiet serenity on a two-hour kayak trip down a calm river surrounded by nature. Sea Experience Scuba Diving, Glassbottom & Snorkel Adventures offers exactly what their name describes! With one class, you can be ready to scuba dive that same day!

Concerts

Upcoming concerts in the Fort Lauderdale/Deerfield area:

  • Chicago at Hard Rock Live- Hollywood on April 7 Lady Gaga at Revolution on April 8 New Found Glory at Revolution on April 13 Fall Out Boy at Mizner Park Amphitheater on April 21 Bob the Builder Live at Parker Playhouse from April 24-26

Upcoming concerts in the Miami area:

  • The Cleveland Orchestra at Knight Concert Hall from April 3-4 Beatlemania at Coral Springs Center for the Arts on April 4 Fight of The Conchords at BankUnited Center on April 7 Jazz Roots at Knight Concert Hall on April 18 Fleetwood Mac at BankAtlantic Center on April 23
Posted in Buying Tips, Regional Info, Tips and Ideas - Tagged deerfield events, fort lauderdale spring, miami events, spring events ftl, things to do in florida
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail

Selling for the Season: Spring

Mar30
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Becky

springselling

According to statistics, spring is the busiest season for home sales. It makes sense that spring is considered the best time to sell your home: the grass is green, the flowers are in bloom. All the elements have aligned to accentuate your property’s beauty and make it as appealing as possible. But even though spring may be known as a prime selling season, you can still use all the help you can get when trying to sell your home. Here are three tips for selling your home in the spring:

Clean
When you think of spring, probably one of the first things that comes to mind is spring cleaning. Spring and cleaning also go hand-in-hand when it comes to selling your home, as the first step in preparing your house for a sale is to declutter. But spring cleaning is about more than just beautifying the interior. Don’t forget that clean curb appeal is even more important when it comes to catching a prospective buyer’s eye.

Color
Another way to catch the buyer’s eye: color. Spring is finally here and winter has (hopefully) gone into hiding, which means that it’s time to substitute the heavy blankets and dreary decor with something a bit more bright and cheerful. You shouldn’t display anything too outrageous, but perhaps a light yellow accent piece or some subtle floral decor might be just the thing you need to pull your property out of the winter blues.

Create
When staging your home, consider the atmosphere you want to create. You want your property to be warm and inviting, a place that anyone would want to come home to. That means candles, fragrant flowers, cookies baking in the oven when prospective buyers come to visit. But, just like with color, you don’t want to overdo aromas. Too many conflicting scents will have the opposite effect on buyers and send them running in the other direction.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged selling a home, selling for the season, Selling Tips
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail

Grow a Vegetable Garden

Mar27
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

Vegetable Garden

Turn this rainy season into a perk by using your newly fertile soil to grow a vegetable garden! Though vegetable gardens take plenty of work, the rewards are infinite! Not only can you enjoy the sights and smells of this type of garden, much like a flower garden, but you can also save money on your groceries and add healthy nutrients to your lifestyle! By beginning to plan now, you will be knowledgeable and ready to plant by the time warm summer weather appears! As you venture into this new hobby, here are some components to consider:

Location. Where you place your vegetable garden is vital for its future success! The area must receive ample sunshine, which means a minimum of eight hours per day. Even if your space is limited, still take note of tall trees that might shade the garden or nearby air conditioners that might blow air on it.

Pre-planning. In order for success, you must plan ahead. Do research in your area, ask around to see if neighbors have had success, find out what is easiest to grow and what is native in your area. Obviously choose vegetables that you enjoy, and opt for plants that flourish at a variety of times so that you always have something to enjoy!

Smart planning. Even with your eagerness to begin, don’t plant too early. If there is a frost, that’ll be the end of your toddler seedlings. Wait until the soil is nutritious, the weather is warm and your knowledge is plentiful. Then, plant away!

Experience. Start small. Try planting a few different types of vegetables to see how they take to the soil and location. Begin with easy plants, such as lettuce and peas. If you grow everything at once and it doesn’t go as planned, you might choose not to waste more time and money in round two.

Soil. Get your soil tested to make sure that no bad particles exist. In suburban areas, lead or other poisonous factors might exist, or the soil might not be nutritious enough to grow vegetables. The soil is vital for the success of your garden, so don’t overlook this step.

Nutrients. Your soil must be fed nutrients before you attempt to start growing vegetables! Start planning early by creating compost piles from your kitchen scraps or from yard scraps. Rip out weeds immediately so they don’t steal the nutrients from the plants.

Plant. Some vegetables can be planted as brand-new seedlings, which are less expensive. Others are much harder to start from scratch and should be bought as startup plants. Do some research to find out what is appropriate for beginners.

Placement. Place the taller plants in the back side of the sunrise so they don’t shade the shorter plants later in the day. A safe distance between roots is, on average, 20 inches, but you can usually get away with less. The seedling packets should specify how much space the plant needs to grow.

Water. Vegetable gardens need to be watered a lot so purchase a sprinkler or a garden hose that can easily water a large area for a long amount of time. Set it on a timer or set a schedule in your mind so you don’t forget or overwater.

Safety. If rodents or small animals rummage through your yard, keep your vegetables out of harm’s way with individual cages, wiring, fences or whatever you think will keep the plants safe. This will also prevent plants from getting tangled.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged garden, Green Living, vegetable garden
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail

Millions Spent on Philly Condo

Mar26
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

money

The most expensive condo ever sold in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was snatched off the market for a whopping $7.678 million just one week ago!

This high-priced high-rise sits up at the 46th floor at the Residences at 2 Liberty Place in Philadelphia. It’s a four-bedroom abode that boasts 5850 square feet of luxurious space, in addition to a 2040-square-foot balcony that offers breathtaking views of the city.
While owners of the building at 2 Liberty Place would not name the buyer, others in the real estate business claim him to be H. Chase Lenfest, the chairman and CEO of Lenfest Enterprises, L.L.C. Whoever purchased this pricey penthouse-like condo will enjoy a host of luxuries, including walnut flooring, a gourmet kitchen, a wet bar and a billiard room.

Known celebrity residents of 2 Liberty Place include rocker Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi and ace pitcher Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies.

While this colossal condo is a true beauty, you don’t have to break the bank in order to find a refined, upgraded home of your own in the dynamic Philadelphia area.

Search the listings at BuyOwner.com, and you are sure to find your own gem in the heart of Philly!

(Source: BizJournals.com)

Posted in Market News - Tagged philadelphia, real estate
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail

101 Tips for Buying a Home

Mar25
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

101 Home-Buying Tips

If you’re buying a home, there’s never been a better time! Today’s market is all about you, meaning more negotiating power and options than ever. To be best informed and in order to prepare to make a purchase, this list of 101 tips is definitely a must-read.

1. To begin, consider the costs and benefits of home ownership.
2. Decide whether you’d rather pay monthly rent or house payments.
3. Use online tools to calculate the estimated cost difference between renting and buying.
4. Don’t plan to buy unless you plan to stay. Home ownership makes most sense when it can be for at least a few years.
5. Understand how rent-to-own works & if it interests you.
6. Imagine the benefit of enjoying full control over your property.
7. Imagine the benefit of celebrating holidays and life events in your own home.
8. Consider the commitment involved in such a large purchase.
9. Consider the responsibilities involved in owning a home, from maintenance to upkeep.
10. Remember that home ownership generally makes a smart investment over time.
11. Know that home owners receive tax breaks.
12. Plan on receiving a $7500 tax credit if your home is purchased by July 1, 2009!

13. Know where you want to move.
14. Drive around neighborhoods that may interest you, if possible.
15. Talk to people who live in your desired areas.
16. Be creative in your research.
17. Consider commuting times, school districts, conveniences, proximity to major cities, etc.
18. Check out Buy Owner® articles on regions you’re considering:
19. Atlanta
20. Central Florida
21. Chicago
22. Dallas
23. Indianapolis
24. Louisville
25. Philadelphia
26. Milwaukee
27. New Orleans
28. South Florida
29. Treasure Coast

30. Know what kind of home you’re looking for.
31. Consider a manufactured home.
32. Consider a condo/townhome.
33. Know if you prefer old versus new properties.
34. Decide if a view is important to you.
35. Ask yourself: Do I want a lot of land, or will that be too much to keep up with?
36. Decide if luxury amenities like a gourmet kitchen, a backyard pool and/or a master suite are necessary?
37. Use this time to determine what factors are necessary and which can be sacrificed.
38. Prepare a preliminary list of must-haves.
39. Know what you can afford.

40. Check your credit score. Many people use MyFico.com.
41. Fix any errors on the report immediately.
42. You should be able to contest problems at the Web site where you obtained the report.
43. Pay your bills on time to build good credit.
44. Do not open several new credit cards, as that will hurt your score.
45. Know that closing an account does not make it disappear from your report.
46. Check your debt-to-income ratio, which is something lenders will consider.
47. Save up a down payment, usually around 20% of the purchase price.
48. Stay aware of news and trends affecting mortgage rates.
49. Expect a $7500 tax credit if you’re a first-time buyer who makes a purchase before July 1, 2009!
50. Get preapproved for a mortgage through Guaranteed Rate.

51. Search for a home online at BuyOwner.com.
52. Keep your eyes open: driving through neighborhoods, asking friends, etc.
53. Remember that the #1 resource for home-searching is the Internet.
54. Use your must-have list to establish search criteria for a home at BuyOwner.com.
55. Create your own personalized feed that will update you with new matching search results.
56. Subscribe to regional Buy Owner eMags for updated listings.
57. Read through property descriptions.
58. Watch virtual tours.
59. To understand how the Buy Owner system works, watch this video.
60. Examine extra info about schools, community and area amenities.
61. Subscribe to the Buy Owner Blog to receive regular updates on helpful information.

62. Visit homes.
63. Call Buy Owner sellers directly to schedule private showings.
64. Watch for Open House flags in the BuyOwner.com search results.
65. Bring questions to the showing.
66. Be polite and considerate when touring the home.
67. Research the HOA, if applicable.
68. Think about long-term appeal: will you still like this home in 5 years? 10?
69. Be alert to motivated sellers.
70. Pay special attention to homes that have been on the market more than three months, as the sellers are often more motivated by this point.
71. Don’t overlook overpriced homes.
72. Ask for a disclosure on the home you like.
73. If the disclosure doesn’t change your mind, it’s time to consider making an offer.

74. Determine which home is right for you.
75. Do research to know if the asking price is fair.
76. Take the current market into account.
77. Be as neutral as possible; don’t get too attached to the home.
78. Back up your offer with your research/data.
79. Consider ways to sweeten the deal.
80. Be willing to negotiate.
81. Build rapport with sellers.
82. Counteroffer.
83. Make concessions.
84. Talk to Guaranteed Rate about getting the best rate.
85. Have a home inspection done before purchasing.
86. Get the house appraised, if required by your lender.
87. Shop for home insurance.

88. Close on the deal.
89. Take a look into potential closing costs that could apply.
90. Get a Good Faith Estimate from your lender.
91. Roll the closing costs into your mortgage.
92. Or ask the seller to pay part of the mortgage costs.
93. Schedule a time for the closing that is convenient for both you and the seller.

94. Move in to your new home!
95. Hire a mover for your scheduled move-in date.
96. Alternatively, make arrangements for transportation/physical help to move your belongings from friends.
97. Make arrangements for pets (movers won’t move animals).
98. Figure out what to do with live plants (check with your mover’s guidelines)
99. Use up perishable food before moving day.
100. Label all your moving boxes very specifically.
101. Enjoy your new home – and think about new ways to save money as a home owner!

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged 101 tips for buying a home, buyowner.com advice, how to buy a home by owner, how to buy a home for sale by owner, how to buy a home with buyowner
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail

New Features at Buy Owner!

Mar24
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Blog Master

map

Buy Owner® has recently added maps to our online advertising, as well as updated our schools sections! These exciting new features give you the ability to enhance your property’s marketing the way you’d like, giving you maximum customization and control.

Here’s how the new features work:

NEW MAPS

Buy Owner advertisements now display custom maps that allow buyers to see where your home is located. Buyers who view your property can click for three different map views: (1) Map: the default option with street names (2) Satellite: a bird’s eye view from above or (3) Hybrid: a combination of the two that shows street names and a satellite view.

As a Buy Owner seller, you can make several customizations to these maps, all from within your Seller Tools online. You can move the pinpoint of your home to the exact spot where your residence should be, and you can choose whether or not to display your street address when a buyer clicks the marker. Plus, if you’d rather not show the map, that’s fine, too: Simply click the option to remove the map from your ad, and it will no longer appear!

schools

UPDATED SCHOOLS SECTION

Buy Owner advertisements now benefit from an enhanced schools section! As always, a list of schools is available on your property’s advertisement, but now that list can show (1) public schools (2) private schools and (3) local colleges/universities.

As a Buy Owner seller, you decide to show all, some or none of these listings. From within your Seller Tools online, you can check the types of schools you want to show, and remove the check from any you don’t. It’s that simple! When buyers view your listing, they’ll be able to see the types of schools you’ve made available.

Log in to your Seller Tools to experiment with these new features, and customize them to your liking. Call our customer service department if we can be of any assistance.

We hope you enjoy these new features – one more way we at Buy Owner give you control over your home sale because at Buy Owner, it’s U that makes the difference!

Posted in New Features, Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buy owner selling, new features at buy owner, new mapping, selling with buy owner, updated schools section
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail

Prepare for a Spring Open House

Mar23
2009
2 Comments Written by Alicia

Open House 2

Each of the four seasons supplies home sellers with different obstacles to overcome when preparing for an open house. Fortunately, house tours tend to increase when the weather gets warmer and prospective buyers are more apt to make the trip. Therefore, familiarity with springtime perks and complications ahead of time will help your open house run smoothly and successfully!

1. The most common complication to prepare for is poor weather conditions. Spring is a random-weather season, especially if you live in the Midwest! One day could be sunny, the next rainy and the one after that snowy! Since rain is the most likely crisis, make sure you have a doormat or a throw rug for people to dry their shoes. You don’t want mud dragged onto your newly cleaned carpeting! Also, consider providing a few umbrellas by the door incase the buyers forgot to bring one. They will remember the kind gesture.
2. Use the newly acquired warm weather to your advantage! When the sun is shining, open all the windows for a fresh, breezy interior that is sure to warm the hearts of many! Open the blinds to allow as much natural light inside as possible.
3. Incorporate neutral spring décor into your interior. Display a centerpiece of blooming flowers, fill a vase with curvy twigs or vines and liven the rooms with springy aromas, such as rain or lilac! Read this article for more ideas.
4. Bring spring to life with outdoor landscaping! Even if most of your trees and gardens haven’t begun to show their true colors, place some annual flower pots on the front porch, trim the bushes and mow the lawn. Give the foliage as much color as possible!
5. Even though your yard may not look like an outdoor paradise right now, you can still emphasize on your yard’s projected beauty. Tell the prospective buyers what type of trees, flowers and shrubbery grow in your yard. Highlight summer fruit, fall colors and spring blooms. This will help the buyers to imagine your house year-round in a positive light.
6. Even if you consider it a cliché, spring clean! There is absolutely no excuse to not exhibit a meticulously clean exterior and interior. Dust, polish, stain, vacuum, scrub and organize! Let buyers realize how large the closets are and how shiny the countertops can appear.
7. Keep up with local events happening in the area. With spring usually arrive festivals, farmers markets and charity walks/runs. Including some of these local, upcoming activities could set your home apart from others.

For more ideas and advice on preparing for open houses, read this article about summer open houses.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged selling a home, selling in spring, Selling Tips, spring open house
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail

Designing Your Home for the Digital Age

Mar20
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

Designing for the Digital Age

Imagine living in a home designed to meet your every need. Your life becomes easier and more convenient, you have more time to pursue hobbies and interests and, most importantly, you have a lot of fun technological toys to play with. Sounds good, right?

By installing several gadgets created during this high-tech 21st century, this dream becomes a reality. You can have almost everything you want at the push of a button!

Design your home for the Digital Age, and you will live in effortless comfort. (Not to mention, your home becomes that much more marketable when it comes time to sell!)

Here are some ideas from Buy Owner, explained room by room, that can turn your home into a residence wired for the Digital Age!

Living Room/Family Room
Remote-controlled Fireplace
Electric and gas fireplaces alike can be turned on and off with the push of a button! Depending on the amount of money you are willing to spend installing everything, you can choose to control the fireplace via a wall switch, a panel or a remote control. Heat-N-Glo offers a variety of gas fireplaces, in addition to accessories that allow you to control the fire in a matter of seconds.

Digital Recording Programs
Do you have a whole mess of VHS tapes around the house that you never seem to watch? Some of them might not even have labels? It’s time to go digital! With recording programs such as Comcast’s DVR and TiVo, you will never have to miss your favorite TV show, and all of the episodes will be stored for you in one spot… on your television! When you are finished watching, simply delete the recording to make room for new ones.

Kitchen
Flip-down TV Screen
If you want to try and prepare one of the many the meals featured on the Food Network, you might as well have a TV in the kitchen! This charming flip-down TV will make sure you don’t miss any of your favorite cooking shows. It also features an AM/FM clock radio and CD/DVD player. Who said you have to cook in silence? You definitely don’t with this little gadget in tow!

Digital Recipe Storage
Stop fussing with all the cookbooks and recipe cards that have been passed down through your family. Stick those in a scrapbook and go digital! The Demy is a little handy device lets you store up to 250 recipes that are sorted alphabetically. You can even save your favorites to a special category. The Demy also comes with three built-in timers, a converter (how many pints are in a gallon, anyway?) and a substitution feature that tells you what you could use if you are missing an ingredient.

Pandigital Kitchen Technology Center
Why not combine television, Internet and recipe storage into one item! The Pandigital Kitchen Technology Center does just that! This four-in-one device features a 15.6-inch LCD touch screen and comes preloaded with recipes from Bon Appétit. It also boasts 1 GB of memory so you can store up to 3000 photos on it to add a little extra décor to your kitchen. Check out all the specs of this amazing piece of machinery at: http://www.pandigital.net/storesales/75.

Bathroom
Automatic Faucet
You have seen these faucets in public restrooms all over the country! You can obtain the same technology for your own personal use, as well. All you have to do is stick your hands under the faucet, and a sensor turns it on for you. The Automatic Faucets Company, which supplies these spectacular spouts, is located in several Buy Owner markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Orlando and Phoenix!

Warming Towel Rack
If you have ever done a load of laundry, you know how great the sensation of a warm towel feels on your hands as you fold it. Why not feel that way right when you get out of the shower, too? Don’t get the chills as you step out of that steamy shower and the cold air of the bathroom hits you. Grab a towel from the warming rack and feel just as cozy as you did when you were taking the hot shower in the first place!

Bedroom (And through the entire house, for that matter)
Motion-sensored lighting
Imagine walking in and out of a room without ever having to a light on or off. And for those times when you forget to turn a light off, motion-sensor lighting will save you money on that high energy bill and you’ll be saving the planet, as well. X 10 Motion Sensor Lighting offers wire-free products that you can set up in any room of the house! There are other products you can buy, as well, that require basic wiring. Either way, whenever you walk into a room, the light turns on! When you walk out, the light turns off. It’s simple!

Remote-controlled ceiling fans
Why bother with pull-down cords on a ceiling fan? Some of them break and sometimes your fan might be two stories up! If you purchase a ceiling fan from Del Mar Designs, you may also want to look into wall switches and remotes to control your fan. They sell a variety of accessories for each type of fan they sell. This way, you can control the temperature in any room with the touch of a button or the slide of a switch!

Wireless Internet
Be able to use the Internet anywhere in your home! If you own a laptop, you can lie in bed and shop for clothes. You can pay your bills while sitting in the home office. You can play some music while hosting a barbecue on the patio. There are plenty of service providers out there. All you have to do is find the one that suits your needs and your budget!

Reminder! Before you consider upgrading to the digital world, remember these key factors:

  • Budget: What can you afford? For example, in the case of your kitchen, purchasing the four-in-one item might save you money and give you all the features you want in one compact device!
  • Every day tasks: Make a list of the day-to-day tasks you do around the house. If some of these gadgets will save you time, consider buying them. If you can deal without some of them, don’t splurge unless you can afford it.
  • Outlets: Before construction begins, you must remember three things considering outlets: the type of outlets needed, the number of outlets needed and the location of each outlet.
  • Wiring: Even if you do not decide to hire an electrician, consult one before you begin doing any handy work by yourself. There are safety rules and regulations that must be followed.
Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged computer, digital, Home Improvement, remote-controlled, technology, wireless
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail

Green Spring Cleaning

Mar19
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

Clean

Every spring, the same urge to clean surges through households across the country. This year, though, as you open the windows and whip out the cleaning supplies, take time to stop and think of ways to go green.

Making environmentally conscious decisions is not relegated to any one area of life: it affects the types of products we purchase and the types of activities we enjoy. This time of year, it’s especially important to apply a green perspective to our cleaning routine. Here’s how:

1) Evaluate your chemicals.
In many cleaning products, harmful chemicals release pollutants that can damage the air you breathe. Look for natural ingredients like grain alcohol and coconut/plant oils in cleansers, or, alternatively, do a little research to learn how to make your own!

2) Look for reusable supplies.
Rather than going through rolls of paper towels while cleaning, opt for reusable rags and towels in order to minimize needless waste.

3) Conserve water.
Ideally, you’re looking to cut water use whenever possible, and this includes when cleaning. Turn the spout off unless you’re getting water; don’t just let it run.

All of the principles that apply to green living in everyday life apply to green cleaning.

For more information, see these Buy Owner Blog articles: 12 Quick Ways to Go Green, Green-ovations or Energy-Saving Tips.

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged cleaning, environmental consciousness, environmentally friendly, green cleaning
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail

Spring Clean Your Spending!

Mar17
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

savingmoney

No matter what anyone tells you, purchasing a home is a BIG deal. It marks a milestone and changes your lifestyle significantly. It also adds major costs to your monthly spending. If you are considering buying a new home soon, spring clean your spending now.

What does this mean? It refers to paying off debt, spending less on a regular basis, considering all of the costs that go into buying a home and successfully being prepared the day you move in!

With that said, here are costly areas to consider for your budget:

Down payment
Moving costs
Closing costs
Refurbishing costs (new paint, furniture)
Cleaning costs

Those are just initial expenses. Then the major costs begin, which include the new mortgage payments, the possible HOA fees, the new electric, water, cable bills, etc.

How do you successfully pull it off and come out on top? You’re already reading this article full of valuable information and considerations, which is a positive first step! Next, put the information into action.

First, make small changes that will significantly save you money in the long run. Prepare dinners instead of eating out, rent movies instead of going to the theater and walk instead of driving! Better yet, use your spare time to declutter your storage areas and to dispose of what you will not be bringing to the new house. This chore might just take up all your free time and therefore allow you to save money!

Use this newly saved money to pay off your credit card and loan debt. Eliminating or decreasing major monthly payments will lessen your financial burden and will help you acquire a pre-approval.

Get preapproved for a mortgage at Guaranteed Rate. This step is vital in making sure that you are fully aware of your new costs and how they will fit into your current financial situation. Also, in this economy, preapprovals are a major bonus in the eyes of home sellers.

Head over to Guaranteed Rate. Before you search for a new home, map out your current income and your monthly costs so that you know exactly what you can afford. Keep this reasonable price range in mind as you search for a home.

Costs to consider with a new home:
Monthly mortgage payment
Down payment
Electric, water, cable, phone bills
HOA fees
Insurance
Repairs

Look for homes with Energy Star appliances, well systems, upgraded insulation or skylights. These types of features can lower your monthly payments. Consider what perks you will obtain from HOA fees and if they are worth it for your lifestyle. Always keep a practical scenario in mind.

In this economy, knowing what you can and cannot afford is your best bet on a healthy future. If you keep this advice in mind, you will decrease your stress levels, increase your financial stability and successfully live the American Dream!

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged financial planning, spending, spring cleaning
SHARE THIS Twitter Facebook Delicious StumbleUpon E-mail
« Older Entries

About the BuyOwner.com Blog

Welcome to the BuyOwner.com Blog, your source for regularly updated market information!

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.

You can read more about BuyOwner.com here.

Article Archives

Buy Owner Links

  • BuyOwner.com on Facebook
  • BuyOwner.com Testimonials
  • BuyOwner.com Website
  • Twitter: Buy Owner

Blog Roll

Real Estate Top Blogs Real Estate Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory Add to Technorati Favorites Find the best blogs at Blogs.com. Blog Directory Home Improvement Blog Directory

Subscribe

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Tags

31 reasons to sell with buy owner adding value to your home buying a home buying a house buy owner Buy Owner experience curb appeal decorating eco-friendly eco-friendly tips environment florida fsbo Green Living holiday home decorating Home Improvement home improvements home ownership home selling how to sell your home interior decorating interior design kitchen Market News moving real estate real estate market real estate selling real estate tips Regional Info selling selling a home selling a house selling Buy Owner selling by owner selling for sale by owner selling fsbo Selling Tips selling with buy owner selling your home spring staging using buy owner winter

EvoLve theme by Blogatize  •  Powered by WordPress BuyOwner.com Blog
Tips and info for people selling & buying their homes "Buy Owner"