Monthly archives for July, 2009

Tankless Water Heaters

Jul31
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

faucet Looking to take your home’s appeal past the curb? Though most home sellers opt to upgrade their homes in a visual sense, they can also score interested home buyers by going beyond the first impression. Home accessories, such as tankless water heaters, may not appear the sleekest item of décor in a photo, but they are an efficient upgrade sure to catch buyers’ attention!

Everyone is finding ways to cut down on costs and save on bills. Most people are also looking for ways to spruce up their homes. Tankless water heaters do both. Not only are they small and practically unnoticeable boxes that hang on the wall, but they also save loads on utility bills.

Instead of filling a giant tank with water and than heating it 24 hours a day, even when you aren’t using hot water, tankless water heaters can be turned on and off via a device accessed in a convenient location of the house. When you want hot water for dishwashing or showering, the water will instantly turn hot.

More impressive features of tankless water heaters: you can choose the exact temperature that you want the water, hot water never runs out, they can be installed inside or outside the house, and they are qualified to score you a tax credit if used, since they are energy-efficient. Learn more about green living tax credits in our previous blog.

Downside: they cost more than standard water heaters upfront, anywhere from $200 to $1000. Though the cost is significant at the time of purchase, they will save you money down the road. And if you’re looking for a feature to set your house above the rest in the eyes of potential homebuyers, this is possibility to consider.

For more information about tankless water heaters, read this article.

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

Proposed Expansion of the First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Jul30
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

firsthouse

Earlier this year, the Buy Owner Blog covered one of the most important incentives for buyers in 2009: the tax credit for first-time home buyers.

Those who had purchased their first home before July 1, 2009 would have been able to take advantage of a federal tax credit worth up to $7500 as long as they met a list of specific requirements. Essentially, if the first-time buyer received the federal tax credit, it would have worked like an interest-free loan.

Now that the date for acquiring this credit has expired, a proposal in Congress wishes to extend this procedure to June 2010 and to increase the credit to up to $15,000. Although it is currently a buyers’ market, the tough economic times doesn’t really make it any easier for buyers to purchase homes. This new tax credit would continue to encourage potential first-time homeowners to buy a house.

This Homebuyer Tax Credit Expansion Act 2009 bill not only asks for an extension of time and an increase in the amount of money possibly acquired. It also calls for a repeal on the homeowner requirements, allowing any first-time home buyer to qualify for this tax credit. The bill was referred to the House Committee on June 16, 2009, and has yet to be voted on by either the House or the Senate.

Should any first-time buyer be allowed to receive this tax credit or should the old requirements still stand? And if the bill is approved by both the House and the Senate, do you think it will be approved by President Obama? Feel free to leave a comment.

Posted in Market News - Tagged , ,

Summer Events: Chicago

Jul28
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

Chicago Summer

Chicago summers can get pretty hot, but the Windy City has seen its fair share of cooler afternoons during the 2009 season. The balmy days allow you to swim and play under a warm sun or prompt you to retreat into an air-conditioned museum or shop. The milder nights bring almost every Chicago native and Second City visitor out into the open for festivals, sporting events, concerts and more. Summer may almost be over, but there is still plenty to do in and around Chicago.

• SUMMER EVENTS are drawing to a close, as summer ends in a little over a month. However, there is still plenty of time to see some spectacular things going on out there in Chicagoland:

  • Illinois Shakespeare Festival
    Founded in 1978, this annual summer festival unites theatre professionals and interns in Bloomington-Normal at Illinois State University. Dedicated to performing the works of William Shakespeare, the actors participate in the event from June 25 until August 9. This year, the Shakespeare plays performed include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard III, Scapin and Tempest. For ticket information, visit TheFestival.org.
  • Lollapalooza
    Since 2005, Lollapalooza, one of the best music festivals in the world, has called Chicago home. Over 100 of the hottest musical acts will perform at the festival during the weekend of August 7 in Grant Park. Some of the prominent acts include the Beastie Boys, Kings of Leon, Rise Against, Snoop Dogg and Tool. This world-renown music festival is only contracted to be in the Loop through 2011, so be a part of the hype before it’s too late. To see a complete list of bands appearing at “Lolla” this year and for more information, visit Lollapalooza.com.
  • Bucktown Arts Fest
    The Bucktown Arts Fest has been around for almost 25 years. This annual event began in 1985 as a gathering of local artisans, and it has evolved into a premier event for painters, sculptors, photographers and more. The art displays only enhance the beauty of the surrounding Bucktown neighborhood. Come out and enjoy unique works of art on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more info, visit BucktownArtsFest.com.

• CHICAGO SPORTING EVENTS are heating up this summer, as both MLB clubs fight for a spot in the playoffs this October.

  • It’s been 100 years since the Chicago Cubs last won a World Series Championship. Could this be the year the Northsiders take it all? The Cubbies face mostly West Coast and East Coast teams in August, so they will be hoping that their division rivals (the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals) lose a few games throughout the rest of the summer. To find tickets, visit the Cubs Web site or Ticketmaster.com.
  • Back on the Southside, the White Sox have some pretty important opponents to face at the end of the summer. Both the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins roll through town in August, and the Sox need to win in order to climb to the top of the Central Division. The good guys in black have to rack up lots of W’s before they play the rest of their division rivals in the fall. To find tickets, visit the White Sox Web site or Ticketmaster.com.

    • ***One of the Cubs/White Sox rainouts may be made up in early September. What a perfect way for baseball fans to end the summer!***

• CONCERTS are everywhere in Chicago! Whether you’re in the Loop or the suburbs, you will be able to see some of the hottest acts out there.

  • Jason Mraz, Aug 13, Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago (Loop)
  • The Answer, Aug 15, Beat Kitchen in Chicago (Northside)
  • Lucky Boys Confusion, Aug 22, House of Blues (Loop)
  • Creed, Aug 30, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park (SW Suburbs)

For other acts, as well as scheduling and ticket info, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Posted in Buying Tips - Tagged , , , , ,

Should You Have a Swimming Pool?

Jul26
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

pool Do individual features make or break the sale of your home?

Take swimming pools, for example. Buyers shopping for a house in a warm climate may shriek with excitement when they see you have a swimming pool in your backyard. They’ll be able to keep cool on a hot day. However, those looking for a house in a location that boasts chilly winters may think twice before purchasing your poolside abode. Why would they need a pool when it’s 10 below and snowing for three to four months out of the year?

Here are some things you need to consider before adding a swimming pool:

• Location: Think about how the climate is in your area on a month to month basis. Can your pool be used year round? Some locations are quite cold during certain times of the year, forcing residents to utilize a swimming pool for only three to five months.

• Neighbors: Do other homes in your neighborhood have pools? If you’re the only one on the block, you may have an advantage.

• Zoning: Are you allowed to add a swimming pool? If you live in a gated community, you might not be able to buy one, if you’re already paying dues to use a community pool. Check your village hall or home owner’s association.

• Cost: How much are you willing to spend? Inground pools are pricey, but they are more aesthetically pleasing than aboveground pools. Pool lining also varies, with fiberglass, cement and vinyl options ranging from high to low in price. You need to choose the type of pool based on the amount of money you will be able to make back once you sell your home.

• Maintenance: Auto-cleaning pools are more desirable to a potential buyer. Sometimes, when buyers see a pool, the first thing they think about is all the work they will have to do to maintain it. The less work they have to do, the more they will be into the idea of owning a home with a pool.

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

5 Tips for a Great Summer Party

Jul24
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

yard party

Perhaps the joys of home ownership seem most evident in summer, when the days are long and the sun is high. Whether you’re hosting backyard barbecues or sitting on the porch with friends after dinner, summer gives you the chance to make the most of your residence and enjoy it with people you care about, outdoors.

So if you’re wanting to throw a party that’s extra special, and you want to use your backyard to do it, we’ve got some money-saving ideas for you! With a little know-how, you can cut costs without failing on fun. Consider these tips!

  1. Remember less is more. Follow this overall advice, and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress, as well as money. Rather than overdoing decorations, food or preparations, focus on memorable details like dimmed lighting or an overall sense of style with white linen tablecloths.
  2. Go green. Eliminating the need for disposables—from paper plates to serving utensils to cups—is not only an eco-friendly option; it’s an efficient one. Here’s an opportunity to do something good for the environment as well as for your pocketbook: use real dishes and glasses that you wash afterwards. While you’ll have more clean-up, you’ll have a lot less trash. And if you use dishes you already own, you’ll have virtually no cost!
  3. Keep serving simple. The last thing you want is to spend the night serving meals. Choose to go family style or with a buffet, allowing guests to help themselves! This also helps cut costs by reducing the portion sizes of plated meals. There are lots of ways to turn organizational tasks into fun experiences for guests, as well: Set up a cupcake-decorating station or a bruschetta bar, and let your friends assemble their own creations. This saves you work and eliminates the need to have everything perfect ahead of time—simply display the ingredients!
  4. Do ahead. Try to be strategic in your menu and activities, and find ways to do projects ahead of time. By planning ahead, you can minimize what you’ll need to do the day of the party.
  5. Look for discounts. This seems obvious, but it’s important enough to mention. When you’re shopping for supplies, look for discounts that may apply, whether bulk rates, coupons or special stimulus offers that many retailers are offering. Doing a little shopping around can pay off!

Most importantly, remember that throwing a party is about celebrating your friends, not impressing them. Focus on having a good time rather than a perfect one, and you’re sure to come out successful.

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

Living in Smaller Spaces

Jul23
2009 1 Comment Written by Shanna

house Going green doesn’t always mean replacing appliances or purchasing products. Sometimes, learning to live in an eco-friendly way is the opposite of adding to our lives; rather, it is the reducing of our needs and wants in order to consume less and use what we have more efficiently. In fact, more and more home owners are doing just that: buying and living in smaller residences than ever before.

Whether choosing to build a remarkably smaller home like those made famous by the Small House Society or simply downsizing to something smaller than you’ve been used to, living in a smaller space can be one of the simplest ways to go green.

The only problem, of course, is that moving down can be difficult, especially when you’ve been used to more space, more rooms and more excess. What should you do? Are there ways to make the most of every bit of space?

Simply put, yes. Here are some ideas:

  • Keep what you need. Just what you need. This is smaller living at its most essential: choosing to live with less and cutting down on overall expenses/space/usages. If you can get rid of it, get rid of it.
  • Prepare to clean often. Just because your space is small doesn’t necessarily mean it will be easy to clean. Less overall space makes even a small amount of clutter feel large, at least proportionately. So it’s important to cultivate habits of cleaning regularly and consistently in order to cope.
  • Be organized. Well-chosen organization tools can make all the difference, whether closet caddies or something else. You may want a throw-everything drawer or cabinet where you can stash things to pull out later when you’re ready to organize.
  • Decorate with neutral colors. Because neutral colors tend to make a space seem larger, they’re a great choice in small spaces.

These tips just scratch the surface with ideas for maximizing space, but they demonstrate the reality that using your overall space efficiently can make an impact!

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

Summer Events: Tampa

Jul21
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

tampa

Whether you’re touching up your summer tan during the day or staying cool once the sun goes down, the Tampa area offers a variety of summer events to keep your schedule busy and fun! While some events only occur on certain weekends, many events last all summer long to fit any agenda. Check out the list and see which you’ll want to attend before summer ends!

 

Specialty Events & Festivals

 

On July 29, enjoy a free night of music and entertainment at Hyde Park Village, starting at 6 p.m. Hyde Park Jazz provides live jazz performances for you to enjoy while lounging in the park underneath a bright sunset or a blanket of stars. Another Hyde Park Jazz night is provided on Aug. 26.

 

Every Saturday year-round, Centennial Park in Ybor City supplies a Farmer’s Market full of fresh produce and fun! Summer hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and you can go home with anything from fresh bread, eggs, sauces and herbs, to unique gifts, photography, jewelry and more! Even pet treats are available for your welcomed pets.

 

During the month of August, participate in WaZoo at Lowry Park Zoo. While helping support zoo animals, you can enjoy a wide variety of brew samples, a serene wine garden, live entertainment, gourmet food and more!

 

Through Aug. 2, head to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center to view a production of Respect: A Musical Journey of Women. From Aug. 6 to Aug. 23, enjoy a contemporary performance called Pericles: A New Rock Musical. For more upcoming shows, click here.

 

Through Aug. 17, head to Busch Gardens late at night! Summer Nights at Busch Gardens allow you more time to explore the exotic tigers and orangutans up-close, while feeling right at home with DJ-hosted music, stilt walkers, and food and drink vendors!

 

Through Sept. 7, head the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in Tampa for Animation. Learn more than you’ve ever known about the process of animation by surrounding yourself with larger-than-life graphics of famous cartoon characters from Cartoon Network. View all of the steps it takes to make these characters come to life in your favorite movies and shows.

 

On Sept. 12 and 13, test your spicy food skills by attending the ‘I Like it Hot!’ Food Festival & BBQ at Minnreg Hall in Largo. Here you can sample hundreds of hot sauces, spices and salsas, and you can even try your luck in hot pepper, hot sauce or hot salsa competitions!

 

The Taste of Clearwater is hosted on Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sample foods from over 50 of the most renowned restaurants, and drinks from five local beverage suppliers in Clearwater. A judge will announce this year’s top food and beverage choices so that you’ll know where to take visiting guests!

 

Concerts at the Ford Amphitheater

 

Rascal Flatts on July 25 at 8 p.m.

 

Kenny Chesney on Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

 

Dave Matthews Band on Aug. 12 at 7 p.m.

 

Incubus on Aug. 15 at 7 p.m.

 

Crue Fest 2 on Aug. 28 at 5 p.m., featuring Motley Crue, Godsmack and more

 

Sporting Events

 

Summer is baseball season! Head over to a Tampa Bay Rays game and cheer on your home team. For a schedule and ticket information, you can visit their website here.

 

Football season is right around the corner. Keep updated with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training sessions by visiting their website here.

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

For more information on specialty events and festivals, visit www.tampavisitorinformation.com, or www.visittampabay.com

 

For a list of permanent, year-round attractions, you can go to http://tampa.creativeloafing.com.

Posted in Buying Tips, Regional Info - Tagged , ,

8 Great Reasons to Sell FSBO

Jul20
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

housemoney1

1. Money. Because there are no commissions to be paid, there’s more money going in your pocket, not to a broker.
2. Motivation. Rather than being one in a long list of clients an agent represents, your home will be marketed by you, the one person most motivated to see it sell!
3. Better Pricing. Because you don’t need to factor in extra money for commissions, you have more flexibility to price your home competitively.
4. Your Knowledge. You know your home best, having lived there and installed updates, maintained features, etc.
5. Your Experience. Having lived in your neighborhood, you know it better than anyone! Who else can talk from first-hand experience about the schools, the shopping, the area’s amenities?
6. Control. You choose the marketing, you choose the photos, you choose the descriptions and features. When you are selling your home on your own, you have complete control over all the advertising.
7. Convenience. Because you already live in your home, it makes sense for you to be the one to show it to buyers.
8. Peace of Mind. When you handle the sale of your home, there’s no need to worry about what your agent is saying or how the buyers are responding. You’ll be part of the transaction, and you’ll have the comfort of knowing everything that’s going on.

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

A Stabilizing Market

Jul16
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

could the market be changing for better?

According to a RPX Housing Market Report released on June 10, evidence shows that the decrease in home values has begun to stabilize. Graphs released by Radar Logic in April show that though values continually fell from June 2008 to February 2009, the values have remained steady since February.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) backed up this data by stating that home sales increased by 3.2 percent in just one month, previously stated in one of our blogs from May, and have continued to do so. Foreclosed homes are being bought at a discounted rate, which, according to NAR’s chief economist, will “set the stage for healthy market conditions going forward.”

While it’s too soon to state a definite recovery, this data offers the real estate market a sigh of relief that the home-value freefall has, for now, halted. If this continues, we may foresee a recovery in the upcoming months.

To view the graphs and the full analysis from the RPX Housing Market Report, click here.

Posted in Market News, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , ,

Summer Events: Atlanta

Jul14
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

atlanta

Though Atlanta enjoys warm weather year-round, summertime is still a season of daily festivals and specialty events! The Atlanta area offers loads of summer events to fit every personality type, including festivals, dining specials, concerts and sporting events! Whether you just moved to Atlanta, are moving soon, or have lived there for years, you can browse through this event list to decide which affairs strike your fancy!

Specialty Events & Festivals

Georgia Mountain Fair runs from July 15 to July 25 and is located at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. Learn about the history and culture of Georgia while enjoying musical performances, arts and crafts, a judged flower contest, food vendors and an array of carnival rides, which are offered free from 2 to 5 p.m. everyday!

Octane Coffee Bar & Lounge in Atlanta provides numerous beer tasting nights throughout the summer that allow you to freely taste test of an assortment of beers! From 5 to 7 p.m., taste test Coney Island Beers on July 8, Magic Hat Beers on July 15, and Sierra’s New Brew on July 29!

Roswell Town Square features Alive After Five beginning on July 16, and continuing on every third Thursday after that. Head to the historic Canton Street in Roswell to enjoy shopping and dining specials, art and craft galleries, entertainment and more!

Countdown to Kickoff is on July 18 from 3 to 6 p.m. and is located at the University of Georgia’s football practice fields. Help support a bunch of different charity foundations while meeting and receiving autographs from more than 50 current and former UGA players!

Also on July 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., head to the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell for the Flying Colors Butterfly Festival. While a variety of butterflies flutter above you, enjoy a picnic while watching a puppet show that explains the life cycle of a butterfly.

National Black Arts Festival runs from July 29 to Aug. 2 at Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta. Showcase your creative expression and cultural knowledge while participating in a book fair or a fashion show, or just dancing the night away to your favorite music!

Bring the whole family to the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth on Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for Trains, Trucks & Tractors! While viewing and learning about all different types of transportation, kids can also enjoy making crafts and showing off temporary tattoos.

At the Atlanta Motor Speedway, enjoy the National Biker’s Roundup on Aug. 4 from 2 to 9 p.m. Even if you’re not a motorcycle enthusiast, you can listen to musical entertainment while checking out the different rides and savoring the large variety of food and beer.

Dragon*Con is on Sept. 4 from 1 to 8 p.m. and is located at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the Hyatt Regency, the Hilton Atlanta and the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, all located in Atlanta. Dragon*Con is a multimedia convention that shows its appreciation of popular culture through science fiction, comics, literature, art, video games, music and film.

Musical Performances

Joe Cocker on July 27 at 8 p.m., at Chastain Park Amphitheater

Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival on July 24 at 1:30 p.m., at Lakewood Amphitheater, which includes legendary Marilyn Manson and Slayer

Chris Isaak on July 25 at 8 p.m., at Chastain Park Amphitheater

Warped Tour on July 28 at 12 p.m., at Lakewood Amphitheater, which includes 35 bands, such as Less Than Jake, Senses Fail, T.S.O.L. and more

Tom Jones on July 31 at 8 p.m., at Chastain Park Amphitheater

Rascal Flatts and special guest star Darius Rucker on July 31 at 8 p.m., at Lakewood Amphitheater

The Jonas Brothers on August 22 at 8 p.m., at Philips Arena

Sporting Events

Summer is the perfect time to relax at an Atlanta Braves baseball game while you chow down on a hot dog and some peanuts! View a schedule and purchase tickets for a game at Turner Field here.

If baseball isn’t your sport of choice, enjoy an Atlanta Silverbacks soccer game at the Atlanta Silverback Park. For ticket information, click here.

________________________________________________________________________

For more information on special events and concerts, you can go to http://www.accessatlanta.com/.

For a list of permanent attractions, you can go to http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com.

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

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