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Monthly archives for December, 2009

Chicago Goes Green for the Holidays: Park District Offers Christmas Tree Recycling

Dec31
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

christmastree

Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to put away all those decorations and dispose of your tree. If you decided to go the artificial-tree route, you can easily pack up your decorations and store them somewhere for next winter. However, if your Chicago (or near-Chicago) home had a real evergreen this season, and you need to throw it out, there is an eco-friendly option at your disposal.

Each year, the Chicago Park District offers several locations throughout the city where you can bring your tree in for recycling rather than tossing it to the curb or alley for garbage day. And the best part is that you can do this anytime (24/7), as all you need to do is drop off the tree and place it in a pile among other peoples’ trees.

Recycling begins Friday, January 1, and continues until Sunday, January 17. These locations only accept trees, not additional recyclables.

Questions? Call the Department of Environment at 312.744.7606.

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged chicago, chicago park district, christmas, christmas tree, end-of-year, evergreen trees, holiday decorations, recycling, trees
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Buying with Buy Owner = the Perfect Resolution

Dec29
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

House

If you’re settling in on the perfect New Year’s resolution for 2010, make it this one: to buy your next home with Buy Owner! By doing so, you will be choosing the simplest, quickest method of finding the home of your dreams, you will be completely in charge of your own search and, on top of all that, you will be doing it with the tools right at your fingertips!

When you’re ready to start browsing properties, you can visit www.BuyOwner.com and search thousands of listings for sale by owner. You don’t need to make a commitment to anyone else, or pay anyone else to help you search. You just search in your leisure, and you take the next step when you’re ready.

To help you find exactly what you want in a new home, you can use the Advanced Search option. This allows you to search for a specific price range, a particular type of property style (such as a single-family home or a condominium), certain features you want included with the house like a pool or a garage and so much more!

As you are browsing, you can also use the Housefly tool to see what properties other visitors are viewing. Is the house you like getting a lot of views? Are there other popular properties that catch your attention?

Once you’re ready to commit to the process of buying a new home, Buy Owner can help you receive a loan through our mortgage partner. Sales representatives and customer service staff will also be available to help answer any questions you may have during the process.

To help answer the questions that new or experienced homebuyers might have during the buying process, Buy Owner provides loads of blog articles to fill you in on the current market and what you should know as a homebuyer.

Make 2010 a successful year by using Buy Owner to find your new home! Then, next New Year’s, you’ll be making resolutions from the comfort of your new home.

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buying a house, buying fsbo, buyowner, fsbo, holiday, new year's eve, new year's resolutions
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Selling with Buy Owner = Great Customer Service

Dec28
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

Phone

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Buy Owner and all of the staff for their professional and excellent customer service. –Jacqueline

Customers agree: one of the many benefits that comes with selling your home through Buy Owner is the outstanding customer service.

When you have questions about your listing, when you want to change something, when you need guidance using any of the Seller Tools provided to you, Buy Owner’s customer service team is there to help.

That’s just one of the many benefits of using Buy Owner to sell your home. You keep all the power in your home sale, choosing and having total control over what type of advertising, but you get all the help you need!

Available seven days a week, Buy Owner’s customer service department makes you its priority. But don’t take our word for it; hear what previous sellers have had to say!

  • “I found Buy Owner’s services and support staff to be effective, and my wife and I were pleased with the entire process.” –Robert
  • Everyone I encountered was extremely helpful. –Greg
  • Friendly service! –Jose
Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas
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Setting Up Your Home Office

Dec26
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Becky

office

With the increase in telecommuting employment opportunities and more and more people working from home, it makes sense to make sure that you have a well-designed home office. Here are a few factors to consider when creating your professional home office:

Location

You’ll want to place your office in a convenient location, but privacy is also important so you won’t be distracted by outside noise. You could even consider making a private entrance from the outside so your business associates don’t have to walk through the whole house to get to the office. This is especially convenient if you run a business from home!

Furniture

Comfort is key when it comes to furnishing your home office. You’ll want to find a chair that gives you good support for a good length of time so you can get a lot of work done, and your desk should be set up so you’re not straining to see your computer or constantly reaching for your keyboard or mouse. Also think about using bookshelves to display literature or decorative keepsakes. Extra seating may come in handy when you need to get away from your desk, so consider adding a comfortable chair or a small couch.

Lighting

Ideally you’ll want as much natural light as possible. But even with several windows, you may still need a brighter work space. Recessed lighting is an elegant way to bring a subtle glow to the entire space, while task lamps can illuminate specific areas like your desk that require more direct light.

Storage

By getting rid of clutter in your work space, you’ll be able to focus on the task at hand. Keep an organized junk drawer in your desk for all your odds and ends, stuff that doesn’t really have a designated spot. The bookshelves that you use for display can also offer extra storage space, and file cabinets are a great way to keep all your paperwork organized.

Whether you currently work from home, hope to in the future or even if you just want a place to manage personal files, bills and so on, a home office is a valuable asset. Follow these tips for setting yours up, and you’ll make the most the space!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged Home Improvement, home office
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Happy Holidays!

Dec25
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Blog Master

go-green-christmas

From our Buy Owner offices to the dining rooms of your homes throughout the nation, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged christmas, holiday, seasonal
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Housing Market Theories for 2010

Dec24
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

market

According to an article from CNBC.com, the housing slump may still get worse before it gets better. The tax credit offered to new homeowners in 2009 did not have the skyrocketing effect on home sales that economists had hoped for. Therefore, they assume that the extended credit and the new credit offered to current homeowners will also not have a significant impact on the housing market. One economist, talking about the tax credit, is quoted as saying, “Most of it is simply shifting sales from one period to another. It doesn’t get rid of the fundamental problem.”

The hypothesis for 2010 is that sales will slightly increase in the first quarter of the year and then fall to a steady number of around 4.75 million for the quarters thereafter.

One thing is certain. The economy is not picking up the way that economists had predicted, or the way that it had in historic data. However, optimists are always present. The NAR forecasts that house prices will rise 4 percent in 2010, and that record-low interest rates will keep making home affordability high.

Many experts agree the job market and the unemployment rate will affect the housing market’s success. With the unemployment rate continuing to rise, it’s hard to decipher how that will play out in 2010.

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

So what should you do if you’re looking to sell your home in 2010? Don’t let these presumptions scare you. Nothing is set in stone, interest rates are low, people are still starting families and relocating for jobs and homes will always sell. Buy Owner will do everything in its power to help you through the process.

And what should you do if you’re looking to buy a home in 2010? The options are abundant, the prices are low, and the available tax credit offers you even more financial help. Buy now and do yourself and the economy a favor!

Browse through thousands of listings when you visit www.BuyOwner.com.

Posted in Market News - Tagged 2010, buying a home, housing, housing market, real estate, selling a home
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Staying Calm When Faced With Obstacles

Dec22
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

keys

Buying a home is not always a smooth process. Many first-time buyers encounter obstacles, and it is not unusual that some of them don’t get everything they want the first time around. All you have to do to avoid negative feelings is prepare for the worst, which might not even be that bad after all.

Repairs

The house may need repairs. Before you worry that the property will become your new money pit, take a deep breath and see what the seller has to offer. Perhaps the seller will offer some sort of incentive: reducing the sale price, giving a repair allowance or even fixing the repairs if you push back your closing date. Don’t automatically assume that the seller doesn’t care about you (or the house) just because it needs a little fix here and there.

Updates

Say you’ve walked into a time warp. You see shag carpeting, linoleum flooring, tacky wallpaper and an interesting (to put it politely) color scheme. Before you start blubbering about changing every inch of the place, find out if the seller is offering a decorating allowance for new carpet, new flooring or new paint. Even if you’re left to fend for yourself, remember that these are easy changes. You’re not gutting out cabinetry and countertops. You are simply changing the aesthetic of your place.

Unwanted furniture

Sometimes, a seller will offer his/her property partially or completely furnished. If you already have everything you need, don’t worry about getting rid of the furniture that already exists in the home. If the seller won’t take anything with when he/she leaves, just think positive. Hold a yard sale, visit consignment/antique stores, or ask family and friends if they can take some of it off your hands. You could end up making some money by selling the unwanted furniture.

There are plenty of obstacles you can run into when looking for your first place. Just remember to stay positive and work with what you have.

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged Buying Tips, real estate market
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Presale Home Inspections: Who Pays?

Dec21
2009
2 Comments Written by Carrie

houseinspection

Last year, the Buy Owner Blog discussed the ins and outs of a presale home inspection and why it is important in the sale of a home.

A home inspection is an examination of your home done by a professional home inspector using professional standards to discover the condition of how your home’s systems appear and operate. You will most likely want to be around when the inspection is taking place so you can discuss any questions you have with the inspector and see what areas of your home will need work. After the inspection, the inspector will give you a written report.

However, there is one burning question that has not yet been addressed: who pays for the presale home inspection?

  • Sellers may pay for a home inspection in order to determine whether or not there are problem areas in the home and if they can be fixed prior to putting the home on the market. It is also a good incentive for a potential buyer to find out that the home has already been inspected. However, sellers are by no means required to obtain a home inspection.
  • If a buyer is interested in a given property, and the condition of said property has not been assessed, it is then up to the buyer to pay for a home inspection.

In the end, neither the seller nor the buyer is required to have a property inspected. A home inspection is just a tool to evaluate the condition of the home. A prospective buyer may be turned off if the house has visible flaws and a seller has not paid for an inspection. However, if the home appears to be in good shape, a buyer-purchased home inspection may reveal underground issues unseen by the naked eye.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buyer, presale home inspection, seller, who pays
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Holiday Decorating Safety Precautions

Dec18
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

candle

Most homeowners or renters look forward to showing off their holiday décor this winter, and we love to look at it as much as you love to show it off! However, did you know many house fires and electrical dilemmas occur around this time of year, along with physical injuries? To prevent these possible predicaments, here are some quick and easy safety precautions to follow when setting up your holiday décor.

To prevent physical injuries:

• Set your tree in a stand that is sized and weighed correctly for the trunk of your tree. In other words, if you chop a larger tree than usual this year, don’t expect your old stand to hold this tree up too. This will prevent falling trees.

• Try to hide your outdoor wires behind bushes, away from the walkway. Inside, have the wires line the outer walls. This will prevent tripping injuries.

• When hanging lights on the roof, have someone hold the ladder in place. Wear shoes that will grip the roof. Hang lights in the daylight. This will prevent falling injuries.

• When lighting candles, use a long lighter or match. Only allow adults to light candles, or children under strict supervision. This will prevent burns.

• Opt for tinsel, garland and other non-metal decorations that are not hazardous if consumed by a child or pet. This will prevent poisoning and choking.

• Wear gloves when dealing with lights, cords and plugs, and work only in conditions that are not overly dry or moist. This will prevent electrocutions.

• Hang heavy or breakable ornaments low on the tree. That way, if they fall from the tree, it will help prevent scattered glass. Also, keep all breakable decorations away from a child’s grasp.

• When picking up heavy boxes filled with holiday décor, bend your knees and use your whole-body strength to lift. This will help prevent back injuries.

To prevent electrical problems:

• Cover outdoor electrical outlets with duct tape. This will prevent rain and snow moisture to drip into the outlets. Also, make sure the extension cords and lights you use outside are made for outdoor use.

• Use an electrical strip to connect multiple plugs together. Do not attempt to connect one electrical strip with another strip, or to use more wires than there are plugs. This will prevent electrical fires.

• Turn all the lit decorations off at night. This will prevent possible fires. You might also want to consider unplugging decorations too, which will save energy.

• Replace damaged cords and lights. When replacing a burnt bulb, make sure to replace it with a bulb of the same wattage. This will prevent electrical problems.

• When purchasing an artificial tree, make sure the label reads “fire resistant.” With real trees, make sure it’s fresh rather than dry and brittle. This will prevent fires.

• Keep lit candles in clear view, burn out when leaving the house or going to sleep, and keep away from flammable objects, such as the tree. This will prevent fires.

• Do not throw wrapping paper into a fireplace. The paper burns fast and intensely, which could cause a sudden burst of flames. This will prevent fires and burns.

• Clean out your gutters before hanging lights on the roof, and opt for smaller bulbs instead of larger ones. These steps will prevent hot lights from burning dried leaves and starting fires.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged christmas, decorating, holiday, safety, winter
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Recycle to Save Money

Dec17
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

Go Green This Summer

Recycling gives an object a second life. Instead of something being forever buried in a landfill, it can be transformed and repurposed into something usable! Fortunately, most neighborhoods now provide a recycling service that supplies each house with a recycling bin and a weekly pickup day. And even if your neighborhood doesn’t offer this service, there are usually multiple locations in a town or a surrounding city that allow you to drop off recycled items. Use this Recycling Center Search, provided by earth911.com, to find a recycle location near you.

Not sure what can be recycled? The rules are often different for different companies. Your best bet it to question the company or location where you recycle.

Here are the basic recyclable materials:

• Plastic
• Paper
• Glass
• Steel
• Aluminum cans
• Foil
• Appliances
• Heat pumps and air conditioners
• Batteries
• Motor oil
• Tires
• Car batteries
• Computer printers

For specifics on what types of plastic, paper and other materials can and cannot be recycled, read The Consumer Recycling Guide.

All you have to do is start a separate pile of recyclable goods in your house, apart from the non-recyclable items. Fill the recyclable container with empty milk cartons and water bottles, trash mail and old post-its, soda pop cans, and dead batteries, and then either put the container on the curb for a truck to pick up, or take it to a recyclable drop-off location.

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged eco-friendly, Green Living, recycle
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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.

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