Monthly archives for June, 2009

Choosing the Right Location

Jun30
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

moving

Whether you’ve just gotten news about a job transfer, are looking to relocate somewhere nearby or haven’t decided when or how you’ll be moving next, one thing’s certain: you’ll care about location. Within a given region, there are cities; within cities, neighborhoods; within neighborhoods, subdivisions or developments or communities. How can you decide which is right for you? What issues matter most?

Beyond visiting homes and asking around, there are ways you can whittle down the possibilities, particularly through checklists. So if you’re coming up against a wall, location-wise, consider these questions as a preliminary guide:

1. Convenience:

  • How close are grocery stores?
  • How close are schools?
  • How close is your office/work?
  • How close are other places you visit often (entertainment, etc.)?
  • How close are highways/trains/airports?

2. Logistics

  • What’s the crime rate like?
  • What’s the tax rate like?
  • How are surrounding properties zoned? Will there be primarily houses around you or commercial areas?
  • What are the area’s demographics like?

3. Comfort

  • What’s the noise level like? At different times of day?
  • Is the area urban/rural/suburban? Whatever it is, are you comfortable with that?
  • Does the community seem tight-knit? Friendly?
  • What, if any, community amenities are available?

Of course, the ultimate deciding factor in a new home purchase can sometimes be your own gut instinct, along with the emotional response you have to a property. But these questions can sometimes help pull objective facts out of a showing that will help you make a more informed decision.

Happy house hunting!

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , ,

25 Surefire (and Cheap!) Ways to Sell That House!

Jun29
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

cleanfloor

Selling your home is part work, part creativity and part persistence. But what it isn’t—or at least, what it doesn’t have to be—is difficult. Or expensive, for that matter. In fact, when you sell your home yourself, eliminating costly commissions, you’re already on your way to a less expensive sale. Couple that savvy decision with some of the following low-cost tips for further savings!

1. Eliminate unnecessary clutter, trashing, donating, storing or selling whatever you don’t need.
2. Put away all personal mementos and photos.
3. Clean everything, from top to bottom: floors, walls, surfaces, windows, etc.
4. Vacuum daily.
5. Clear off all counters and flat spaces!
6. Empty all trashcans.
7. Repair what needs fixing!
8. Update in areas where it’s necessary. For low-cost options, check out this Buy Owner Blog article.
9. Don’t install the most expensive carpeting or appliances.
10. Consider replacing towels and bed coverings.
11. Organize all storage spaces thoroughly.
12. Use baskets to hide unsightly items that you use regularly.
13. Paint the walls with neutral colors.
14. Pull back the shades to let natural light flow inside.
15. Add plants to bring the outside in, or opt for low-maintenance silk plants in elegant containers.
16. Turn on all lights!
17. Create focal points in each room, and aim to draw buyers’ eyes towards them.
18. Use furniture strategically to create groupings of sitting areas or nooks.
19. Create inviting smells throughout.
20. Mow the lawn.
21. Power-wash the driveways and sidewalks.
22. Manicure hedges.
23. Plant flowers.
24. Repaint your home’s facade and/or the front door, if necessary.
25. Create a welcoming first impression! Put out a new welcome mat and a wreath on the front door.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , ,

Celebrating a Green Fourth of July

Jun26
2009 1 Comment Written by Carrie

usaflag

No matter where you live in the United States, the summer season is upon you, and July 4 is right around the corner. As part of our green decorating series, Buy Owner is here to share a few ideas on how you can make your Independence Day celebration a little more eco-friendly.

• Recycle decorations from previous holidays. If you have strings of white twinkle lights stashed away in a closet, pull them out and hang them around windows or on a fireplace mantel. They can be hung just about anywhere, not solely on a tree! If you used red and white candles during the Christmas season or on Valentine’s Day, you could also put them out for July 4.

• Decorate with fruit bowls. In the summer, there is nothing like taking a bite of a juicy apple, a sweet peach or a tart pineapple. Pick your favorite fruits and arrange them in a bowl. This will add a bit of the summer season to your home’s interior and offer party guests a refreshing snack at the same time.

• Create a themed garden. If there is space in your front lawn, plant a garden and spruce it up with red, white and blue hues for Independence Day. Neighbors and party guests will enjoy the curb appeal of your yard. Choose red, white and blue flowers. They will look great all summer long! You may add some lawn accents that you can purchase from a craft shop, storing them in the garage/shed after the holiday and reuse every year.

• Be green with your food. When planning a picnic, use Tupperware. Although it may save time to wrap your sandwiches in plastic and to bring paper plates, try not to. Reusable containers will require extra clean-up later, but you will be keeping your trash out of landfills and saving a few trees. If you want to eat ice cream, a cone is more eco-friendly than a paper cup. Feel like drinking a bottle of beer, water or soda? Make sure to recycle the empty bottles/cans.

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , ,

Return to Multigenerational Housing?

Jun25
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

multigenerational

In today’s tighter economic times, it’s becoming increasingly common for extended families to live together, whether college kids moving back home or parents joining their children and grandchildren. While most adults still say moving in with a friend or family member is unlikely, 40% of respondents in a recent AARP survey would be comfortable with doing so if necessary.

In fact, according to another article, the number of multigenerational households is climbing (from 5 million in 2000 to 6.2 million in 2008). And that number is only expected to climb further.

It makes sense. With layoffs, foreclosures and a tougher job market, sharing expenses offers many benefits: 1) better use of space 2) better for the environment 3) reduced costs for individuals. As society returns to the traditions of previous centuries, culture will change along with it. But what does this mean for the future of homes?

If these trends continue, it would make sense that newer homes be designed to accommodate the new lifestyles of society. Features that may become increasingly common include more than one master suite, more bedrooms and better utilization of space (such as using space for walk-in closets to expand living areas).

Posted in Market News - Tagged , , , ,

How to Improve Your Credit Rating

Jun23
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

credit

As anyone who’s applied for a credit card, a loan or a lease (not to mention a mortgage) can tell you, your credit rating matters. And while it’s important to remember that you can’t raise your score overnight, there are some steps you can take that will improve it over time. Consider these:

1. Always pay your bills on time. At its most essential, this is what good credit is all about. When you’ve established yourself as someone who can consistently pay what you owe, you prove you are a responsible credit user. Also, the longer you’ve been paying on time, the better.

2. Pay down debt. If you haven’t been paying your credit cards on time (thus the problem with your credit in the first place), the best way to repair the damage is also the simplest: pay down the debt!

3. Apply for cards when you need to. It’s a common misconception that having many cards = better credit. In reality, the key is establishing good credit over time, and that’s why it’s not smart to open lots of cards at once.

4. Know the facts. Did you know paying off a collection account won’t take it off your report? Not for seven years. Did you also know closing unused credit cards can possibly lower your score? Knowing these things can make a difference in how you approach credit.

5. Check your reports. Want to know what your current credit report reveals? The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires three reporting agencies—Equifax, Trans Union and Experian—to provide you with an annual report, free of charge. For more information, click here.

6. Dispute errors. One of the reasons it’s such a good idea to check your credit is that there may be errors affecting your score. When you check your annual reports, be prepared to dispute any incorrect items.

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , ,

Selling a House That Needs Work

Jun22
2009 4 Comments Written by Becky

homework
We’ve talked a lot about preparing your house for a sale, covering everything from how to Increase Your Home’s Value to the Top 10 Home Staging Tips. But what if your house needs a lot of work? How do you decide whether it’s worth it to fix it up or if you should just put your property on the market as is?

  • First of all, you should have a thorough inspection of your home to find out what really needs to be fixed. Figure out how much you could get for your home as is, and then figure out how much you could get after fixing it up. Comparing the before and after price will help you decide if it’s worth it to make the repairs.
  • When pricing your property, compare with people who have recently sold a house in the same area. Remember that competition can also influence cost, so it’s important to have realistic expectations about how much your house will sell for.
  • It’s all about presentation. First impressions are key, so make sure your house is as immaculate and inviting as possible. If a buyer sees the value and potential in a home, they won’t be turned off by a few necessary repairs.
  • Highlight the home’s strengths and not its weaknesses. What does your home have that others in the area do not? Anything that sets your property apart from the rest will be beneficial in making a sale.
  • Incentives are a great way to get interest from potential buyers. You can even include any necessary repair costs in the asking price by offering the buyer a credit.

It’s possible that you’ll lose some money when selling a fixer-upper. However, if you don’t have the time or money to fix the house yourself, it may be worth it to you to sell your home as is and get whatever money you can.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , ,

Why Decorate with Neutral Colors

Jun19
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

whitewalls

It’s a standard piece of advice to home owners, one you’ve no doubt heard time and time again: Paint the walls with neutral colors!

And like a lot of similarly time-tested adages, this sage wisdom is still around for a reason. It’s true. Fact is, decorating with neutral colors is a smart investment now and for the future. Not only does a neutral color scheme adapt well to a variety of decorating styles, but it also creates a soothing, natural environment to come home to.

To elaborate, here are five reasons you should consider decorating with neutral colors:

• Versatility: Paint your walls a soothing ivory or cream, and you can change your furniture and accessories whenever you like! Anything goes with these shades, so you have a perfect backdrop for a wide range of options.
• Soothing, quiet, pleasing: Believe it or not, colors can affect our moods and even the level of stress we experience. Just like including fresh plants and choosing clean scents can relax our minds, so can decorating with neutral colors.
• Timeless style: Unlike trendy (and every-changing) popular styles, neutral colors are always in. Anyone who’s seen a home with orange shag carpeting or bright pink walls can attest to the temporality of bold choices.
• Better for resale: Think about it: when builders show new homes, what colors do they usually paint the walls? Neutrals. And for good reason. Because selling a home means appealing to the largest number of buyers, neutral colors make the most sense.

Tips for making it work:

• When picking a color, evaluate different shades. To help notice the differences in hues, try placing swatches on white paper.
• Mix different shades/tones to break up monotony, as well as different textures.
• Choose colorful accents. Remember the accent pieces—be they pillows or blankets or pictures on the wall—can be changed easily. Use these to show your style!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Control Your A/C Usage

Jun18
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

thermostat

On hot summer days, we all tend to overuse our air-conditioning units. At the same time, we overuse energy and overpay on our energy bills. Lots of methods exist to lower the usage of air-conditioning, while still remaining comfortably cool inside the confines of our homes. Try some of these tricks in your home, and see if it doesn’t make a difference on your next energy bill!

Turn on your ceiling fans. Though this piece of advice may get overstated, it’s because it’s the best advice for lowering your energy usage! Fans make the temperature seem 10 degrees cooler, while using significantly less energy. While fans are blowing, thermostats can be turned down.

Make sure your ceiling fan is turning in the right direction. If you switched the direction for winter, switch it back by slowly turning the blades in the opposite direction. For most fans, the blades should be turning counterclockwise for summer.

Install a programmable thermostat to a central air-conditioning unit. This allows you to turn up the temperature while you’re away, and turn it back in an hour before you come home. You’ll never know the difference! If you have window units, just purchase a general plug-in timer.

Clean or replace the air filters every month. This helps with efficiency, which then uses less energy. Use chemical washes on cooling coils and blower blades, to prevent mold buildup. Choose washes that don’t contain harmful VOCs, like caustic-hydroxide pducts.

Close the vents and doors in rooms that aren’t often used, or in bathrooms where you enjoy hot showers. The less amount of space the unit needs to cool, the less it will run. Don’t close too many vents at a time, however, or the pressure could cause leaks in the air ducts.

Don’t place anything that releases heat near the air-conditioning thermostat, such as appliances, lamps or electronic devices. The thermostat will think the temperature is much higher than it really is.

Close the blinds on your windows when the sun is blaring directly inside. A task as little as this can save 40 percent of the sun’s rays from heating your interior.

Plant trees in front of where the unit resides outside. Foliage blocks the sun’s rays, while still allowing air flow. A shaded unit uses less energy.

If nothing seems to lower your bills, it might be your time to purchase a whole new unit. New units use 30 to 50 percent less energy than units that are more than 15 years old. The initial cost will save you in the end.

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , ,

Choosing the Right Fence

Jun17
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

fence

There are plenty of reasons you might want to add a fence around your property: privacy, protection, containment, architectural enhancement. No matter what your reason, there is a system out there that is perfect for you, and Buy Owner is here to help you find that solution.

IMPORTANT: Before we begin exploring the different types of fencing, it is important to remember that most communities have local zoning regulations. Know where your property line is, and be sure to check for underground utilities. You don’t want to break a water main or cause a city-wide power outage.

Privacy
Perhaps you want to create a little privacy in your backyard. This reason for installing fencing is especially common when homeowners have swimming pools and/or Jacuzzi hot tubs. Whatever the case may be, here are several types of fencing that work well with privacy matters:

  • Wood Panel fencing is generally used as a decorative means of providing privacy for homes in a given neighborhood. Wood fence panels typically rise up to four or six feet tall. One of the best features of this type of fencing is that you can stain the wood any color.
  • Vinyl fencing is becoming a growing trend among homeowners in lively communities across the United States. It is practically maintenance free and is easily cleaned with a hose or a power washer. Vinyl fencing also battles the elements better than wood fencing, as it does not rot or fade over time.

Protection/Containment
If you have a green thumb, chances are you will be planting some type of garden. Whether you spend hours arranging flowers or planting vegetables, you are going to want to keep any type of plant safe from nature. This includes neighborhood pets, strays and wild animals, depending upon where you live, of course. On the flip side, if you have pets, these types of fences also keep them from getting out of your yard. To keep your greens fresh, or to contain your pets, check out these types of fencing:

  • Chain-link fencing is one of the most inexpensive systems out there. You purchase the fencing in rolls of 25 to 100 feet long. When installed, the fence measures between four and six feet high. Prefabricated gates are roughly five feet wide, allowing you to carry large items in and out of the backyard. You will be able to tell if your chain-link fence has been weather treated if it is colored a shade of green or brown.
  • Welded wire fencing is generally packed into 25- or 50-foot rolls. Measuring anywhere between three and six feet high, this type of fencing is ideal for small gardens. So even if you don’t want to fence the entire yard, you may still wrap a small welded wire fence around your veggie/flower garden.
  • Poultry netting (or chicken wire) may be the most economical choice out of all these types of fencing. If you have small pets, poultry netting is ideal; as it’s name suggests, the fence is usually used to contain small chickens.
  • Electric fencing is generally used on farms to contain livestock. However, with low-output chargers, electric fencing may be used in residential settings to keep pets contained to the backyard.

Architectural Enhancement

  • Post-and-rail fencing gives country charm to a home’s landscape. It creates a visible separation between your property and your neighbor’s yard. Each post ranges between three and five feet aboveground, while the rails measure around 10 feet long. Rails are available either split or round, giving you some decorative options.
  • Polymer fencing re-creates the classic look of wrought iron. However, this type of fencing requires much less maintenance, is easier to install and, best of all, is rust-free.
  • White picket fences are probably the most talked about in the history of fences. They are short, mostly around three feet tall, and usually placed in the front yard. A tall (five- to six-foot) gate grants access to the front walkway that leads up to the house.
  • Wrought iron fencing is a little more durable than a wooden picket fence. The main difference is that a picket fence is more country-like and a wrought iron fence boasts city-like character. You’ll see this type of fencing more so around brick brownstones in an urban setting.

When installing a fencing system, you should have two goals in mind: form and function. There are many options from which to choose, and some of them you may have never even considered until reading this article. Your decorative style is important, but you should also consider weather and location.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , ,

Lower Costs of Home Insurance

Jun16
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

Home Insurance

Whether you just bought a new home, are about to or have been living in your current residence for quite a while, it’s always a good idea to evaluate your spending and look for ways to cut costs. One smart place to start is home insurance.

It’s no secret that home owners need to purchase home insurance. To protect your assets, your property and your investment, home insurance is a necessity too important to overlook. What you may not know, however, is that this is an investment where a little investigation goes a long way.

Want to cut your home insurance costs? Here’s how:

  1. Compare prices. Sticking with the provider you’ve used for years is fine, as long as it’s the best value. Get quotes from several companies to see which will offer the most competitive price.
  2. Change coverage. Did you know that increasing your deductible can change your monthly premium? Since you probably wouldn’t file a claim for something small, raising your deductible makes sense—it gives you the opportunity to get coverage where you’ll need it.
  3. Seek discounts. Some discounts are standard: special pricing if you install a security system, lowered costs if you avoid high-risk features like swimming pools and trampolines. Some discounts, though, are available to those who ask: if you’ve been with your provider for a long time without a claim, ask if you can get a discount for that. Similarly, if you’re a new customer, see if there’s a discount for that!
  4. Lump policies together. A lot of insurance companies offer discounts for customers who purchase multiple packages. For example, having both car and home insurance through the same provider can mean savings on both policies!

Keep these simple tips in mind, and you’ll be on your way to lower monthly costs!

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , ,
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