Monthly archives for May, 2010

Remodel the Right Way

May28
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

remodel the right way

Want to increase the value of your home? Want to remodel or upgrade a room? Want to make everyday life more comfortable? You can do all of the above by choosing to remodel a room with smart upgrades done right. To show you what we mean, here are three examples of possible upgrades that you might not normally think about; upgrades that will make life easier and will increase the value of your home if done right.

Kitchen Island

Adding an island to your kitchen could increase countertop space, cabinet space, organization, efficiency, sitting space and overall appeal. However, in order for the island to work in your favor, you must measure correctly. Your cabinet and appliance doors must be able to open completely without hitting the island. You must be able to comfortably move around the entire island. If you can’t measure 40 to 50 inches between the island and your cabinets and appliances, forget the island.

Floor Heating

Since hardwood flooring is considered more eco-friendly and attractive than carpeting these days, converting to hardwood could increase the value and buyer interest of your home. However, hardwood could also result in cold floors in the morning and evening. To decrease discomfort as you prepare for your day, consider not only upgrading your flooring to hardwood, but also adding heating pads to the upgrade. Since the heating pads are placed underneath the flooring, the perfect time to add this feature is when you are tearing up your current flooring anyway. Otherwise, the costs will outweigh the value.

Irrigation Systems

Landscaping is a huge hit in areas with warm weather and houses with large yards. To decrease the amount of work that you need to do in the yard, adding an irrigation system to a significantly landscaped yard is ideal. The system allows you to set when you want the system to turn on and how long you want it to run. However, contractors will need to tear up parts of your yard in order to install the system’s piping, so the best time to add this upgrade is when you’re planting new grass or ripping up grass for a garden, pond or patio. Otherwise, your yard will suffer.

As you can see, timing is everything when it comes to remodeling. Tons of options are available when it comes to remodeling or upgrading, so make sure your upgrade of choice suits your house and is worth the cost and labor.

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

Green Painting

May27
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

Experts say that one of the easiest ways to spruce up a room is to repaint it. Even if you choose neutral colors, the fresh coat will brighten the walls and hide any signs of wear and tear. As long as you’re making a change, why not make it as green or eco-friendly as possible? Because so many types of paint are available, we’re here to assist you in choosing the safest and greenest type for your house!

Tips to follow when choosing paint:

  • Always choose paint with low volatile organic compound levels, or VOC levels. These levels can pollute your air with dangerous chemicals when used in high dosages. Look for paint with less than 150 grams per liter of paint, or for paint labeled low-VOC or no-VOC.
  • Natural paints are a smart option for houses located in dry conditions. These paints are naturally made from plant ingredients, do not contain preservatives and are not synthetic.
  • If you need a synthetic paint, choose water-based latex paints instead of oil-based alkyd paints. The water-based paints have less chemicals and lower VOC levels.
  • Milk paints contain no preservatives or solvents, but they do contain some synthetic ingredients. This natural, odorless paint is made with milk protein and comes in powder form. Once mixed with water, it needs to be used quickly.
  • Recycled paint is available for rooms where consistent color is not required. This paint is literally made from recycled and consolidated old paint, so numerous colors may be mixed together to create a unique hue.
  • If you’re painting your walls white, opt to use whitewashes, which are paints naturally made from lime paste. These paints are affordable and great for stucco exteriors, basement walls, garages and more.

Deciding which type of paint to use will depend on what room you are painting and what purpose you have in painting it. Once you decide on a type, make sure to keep the room ventilated while you apply it, no matter how eco-friendly the paint is. Afterward, donate or recycle your leftover paint and enjoy your freshly painted room with low levels of toxins!

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

Featured City: Naperville, IL

May25
2010 1 Comment Written by Shanna

riverwalk

As part of a special feature at the Buy Owner Blog, we’ll be highlighting cities throughout the nation, profiling their attractions and conveniences, as well as pointing out some currently for-sale homes in the area!

Today’s City: Naperville, IL

Consistently ranked as one of the top places for living and working, Naperville is a southwestern Chicago suburb you’ll love to call home. Set 28 miles from Chicago, it boasts a thriving downtown with a Metra station that offers direct service to Chicago, a renowned public school system and award-winning libraries, ranked best in the nation by American Libraries Magazine eight years in a row for cities of its size.

The four-mile Riverwalk runs along a branch of the DuPage River, with pathways leading right into the shops and restaurants of the downtown area. North of Aurora Avenue, at the base of Rotary Hill within the Riverwalk Park complex, the Millenium Carillon is an impressive bell tower with both manual and computer controls, which makes a great space for summer concerts.

Take a look at these Buy Owner properties currently for sale in Naperville!

Image credit: io_burn

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

Keys to Selling: Kitchen/Baths!

May24
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

kitchen

According to an article in the Lansing State Journal last month, the most important home improvements you can make are in the kitchen and the bathrooms. Not only do renovations to these spaces improve your enjoyment of your home, but they also increase your home’s value. Often, sellers will recoup most of the renovation investments in a higher selling price!

Here are some suggestions offered by interior designer Elizabeth Falconer, who was interviewed for the Lansing State Journal article:

  • More appliances: If you’re looking for tips on purchasing new appliances to add value to your kitchen, check out this Buy Owner Blog article!
  • More kitchens: It’s increasingly common for homes to have second kitchens in the basement or outdoors. Even a mini kitchenette adds value in the minds of buyers.
  • Better storage: Think built-ins and cleverly concealed spaces.
  • Bathrooms with designated his/her space
  • Separate closet for toilets

And these ideas are just the beginning! Previous Buy Owner Blog articles discuss all kinds of possible kitchen improvements, from cabinets and countertops to sinks, lighting and even decoration.

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

Spring 2010 Colors

May21
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

bold colors

Looking to add a seasonal flare to your home? Fashion experts are stating that during a financially tight time, it’s more fashionable to add bright accents and accessories to what you already have instead of redoing an entire room. Therefore, when you feel the need to spruce up a room for summer, splash a bright color onto one wall in a room of white walls, add bright pillows to a beige couch, display bright dishware on a brown dining room table and hang bright chiffon curtains in a neutral-toned room.

Already display colors in your décor? Find new bright options that correspond with what you have!

Did we mention that bright is in? Bright colors possess the ability to lift a mood and make you feel one with the bright colors found in nature at this time of year. Fashion experts in the clothing industry have named these colors as the top 10 colors for spring 2010, which will overlap into summer 2010, and clothing trends tend to coincide with home décor trends:

  1. Turquoise, which evokes a calm, cool and soothing ambiance.
  2. Amparao blue, which is warmer and more energetic than other blues.
  3. Violet, with its warm, romantic attributes.
  4. Aurora, which reminds you of the summer sun.
  5. Fusion Coral, a provocative hue full of energy.
  6. Tomato Puree, a tangy and inviting orange hue.
  7. Pink Champagne, a luxurious kick to standard pinks.
  8. Tuscany, a warm, more natural beige hue.
  9. Dried herb, a neutral green that works with other natural colors.
  10. Eucalyptus, a cool gray that coincides with all bright colors.

The beauty of these hues is that they agree with each other and with neutral tones that you already display. Have fun with this as you add feelings of energy and optimism to your interior!

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

The Truth about Energy Star Ratings

May20
2010 1 Comment Written by Alicia

You may have heard about the recent investigation conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Energy Star rated appliances, which found that the Energy Star program is vulnerable to fraud and abuse.

This Energy Star program began in 1992, managed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Appliances with Energy Star ratings are said to use less energy and release less pollutants. Because government tax credits are available for consumers who purchase Energy Star products, $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is expected to be used for this purpose.

To test the reliability of the Energy Star rating, GAO submitted 20 fictitious products with energy-saving claims. Of these 20 products, 15 were accepted by the Energy Star program, proving that the program is vulnerable to fraud and abuse. The program does not verify energy-saving data submitted by manufacturers, which means manufacturers are basically self-certificating their products. To read the entire report from GAO, click here.

What does this mean for consumers like you who are trying to make your home more energy efficient? It means that you should still strive to purchase products with Energy Star ratings. Though the program might have certified products that aren’t truly energy efficient in the past, the program agreed to strengthen the program with a more rigorous screening process. To read how EPA and DOE plan to make the program more efficient in the future, click here.

This investigation is wholly positive for consumers like you, because from now on, you can rest assured that a close eye will be kept on items that pass with an Energy Star rating. The program will be stronger than ever, as will the energy efficiency levels of the products. If you still have a hard time trusting the program, research a product before you purchase it to find out the average energy usage that it uses per year. Don’t give up on saving energy and receiving tax credits for doing so!

Image Credit: TreeHugger.com

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

Featured City: Port Richey, FL

May18
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

As part of a special feature at the Buy Owner Blog, we’ll be highlighting cities throughout the nation, profiling their attractions and conveniences, as well as pointing out some currently for-sale homes in the area!

Nicknamed “Our Gateway to the Gulf,” Port Richey has long been a top destination for fishing and trapping, set right on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Less than an hour from Tampa, this city puts the sights and sounds of not just Tampa but also Saint Petersburg/Clearwater at your fingertips. From major shopping and dining to gorgeous white sandy beaches, you’ll be near it all in this community.

If it were annexed, Port Richey would be the largest city in Pasco County. Within its borders are six community parks, as well as access to the beautiful Pithlachascotee River,  blackwater river often called the Cotee.

Take a look at these Buy Owner properties currently for sale in Pembroke Pines!

Image Credit: City of Port Richey

Posted in Buying Tips, Regional Info - Tagged , , , , , ,

Protect Your Home’s Value

May17
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

protect your home value

Numerous factors affect the housing market, and right now, decreased home values and increased foreclosures go hand in hand. When foreclosures show up in your community, they can drag down the value of your home, they can cause potential home buyers to purchase cheap foreclosed homes over your more expensive home and they can even decrease the value of your neighborhood as a whole when vandalism is targeted at vacant foreclosed homes.

Even though you can’t prevent foreclosed homes from showing up in your neighborhood, you can take steps to prevent neighborhood vandalism and value decreases.

To prevent neighborhood vandalism, you could create a community watch party. Gather your local neighbors for a meeting to discuss watching over vacant homes on a regular basis. Perhaps you could create a schedule so that someone is keeping an eye on vacant homes at all times. If any suspicious activity is spotted around a house, or anywhere in the neighborhood, the person on watch duty could call the local police department to come check it out. Not only will this type of action prevent vandalism and unwanted neighborhood visitors, but it will also create a close bond between neighbors that will look positive to potential home buyers.

To protect the value of your home specifically, increase the curb appeal of your home until it looks impeccable. You want potential home buyers to view your home as a smart and worthy investment. If they see a house that shows off flawless qualities, they’ll forget about the cheaper foreclosed homes down the road that display overgrown lawns and peeling paint. To increase your home’s curb appeal, apply a fresh coat of paint to the exterior, fences, benches, front porch poles, mailboxes, garage doors, window shutters and anything that looks used. Also, keep the lawn mowed and the bushes trimmed. Pull weeds from around foliage. For extra appeal, display colorful flowers in pots that flank the front entryway.

Once you reach the goal of gaining interest in potential buyers, don’t lose that interest. Instead of immediately agreeing to lower your price to compete with foreclosed prices, explain to the buyers that your home’s value is worth more than that. Opt to include bonuses in the transaction instead. For example, you could pay the closing costs for the buyer, you could include select furnishings and accessories with the home, or you could add upgrades to the home without increasing the price. If the buyer still insists that you lower the price, do so intelligently. Don’t panic.

Your home is valuable. Keep that in mind as you attempt to sell now!

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

Top 10 Trees

May14
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

maple tree

If you own a home with a large yard, consider planting new trees. The advantages of having an array of trees in your yard are abundant. They reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air while producing oxygen and clean air, they provide homes for songbirds and other types of wildlife, they cool your home and yard by blocking sun and they warm your home by blocking harsh winds, and according to Management Information Services, mature trees can increase your property value by up to 20 percent! The beauty of it is, even if you don’t want to be digging in dirt, pulling weeds and watering gardens every other day, with trees, you plant and you’re done! Sure, they might need your watering assistance at first and during dry sprouts, but usually the rain will be adequate enough once the tree grows long roots. Therefore, planting trees is pretty much a win-win situation.

The type of tree you choose to grow in your yard will also decide the care it needs, the appearance it’ll display, the maturity level it’ll reach and more. Here are 10 standard types of trees to get you started on choosing the right tree for your yard:

• Maple trees come in huge variety of options, but they all grow fast and are tolerant in most soils. Eventually, the maples will grow 40 to 75 feet high and spread out 40 to 50 feet, making these ideal shade trees. They also spruce up your yard year-round with spring flower buds, lush summer leaves and bright fall colors.

• Oak trees are available in possibly more types than any other tree, but no matter what type you choose, the tree will grow tall and wide and will make an ideal shade tree. These long-lived trees tend to grow slowly, but that depends on the type you choose. Most grow 60 to 70 feet high and 60 to 70 feet wide. They too portray white flower buds in the spring and bright yellow colors in the fall.

• Dogwood trees are either small and rounded, looking more like a bush, or they are skinny and somewhat tall. They provide flowers and glossy-red fruit popular with birds, they grow in most soils, they portray deep fall colors and they only reach 10 to 25 feet in height and width. These trees work well in smaller yards.

• Crabapple trees radiate eye-catching beauty year-round with abundant clusters of spring flowers buds, and dark green, dense foliage with bright red berries in summer. Wildlife loves these trees, which prefer moist soils but will grow in dry soils. These trees grow six to 20 feet high and wide at a medium speed.

• Cherry trees not only provide abundant shade and colorful spring blossoms, but they also supply you with an abundance of ripe cherries to enjoy all summer long! These trees reach 12 to 35 feet high, and 12 to 25 feet wide. The type of cherries you will consume depends on the type of cherry tree you choose. These grow at a medium speed and in various types of soil.

• Apple trees also provide you with an abundance of ripe, juicy fruit in the early or late autumn months. These trees need plentiful sunshine and water, and they grow quickly. They grow from 10 to 25 feet high and wide, depending on the type you choose. When choosing a type, decide what kind of apple is your favorite!

• Cypress trees are ideal for the southern and western regions, because they are very tolerant to high heat and drought. The yearlong, soft gray-green foliage is ideal for stopping wind and erosion, and they can also be decorated at Christmas time because of their pyramidal, evergreen shape.

• Fir trees are also in the evergreen family, which are ideal trees for yearlong color since they never lose their foliage! These pyramid-shaped trees grow up to 100 feet high and 20 feet wide, depending on the type you choose. They portray silvery blue-green foliage and are tolerant to most soils and drought areas.

• Because pine trees come in so many varieties, you could definitely find one ideal for your location! These evergreen trees are more full and oval-shaped than other types of evergreen, and they grow up to 80 feet high and 40 feet wide, depending on the type you choose. These hardy trees will grow in almost any climate or soil.

• Spruce trees grow more quickly than other types of evergreens, and these pyramidal shaped trees show off long, graceful branches full of dark green needles year-round. They mature up to 75 feet high and 25 feet wide, making them great windbreakers. Spruces are also tolerant to most soils and locations.

For more assistance in choosing a tree that is right for your location, your type of soil and your size yard, visit the Arbor Day Foundation website. After you plant your new trees, on special occasions, you can snap photos next to the blossoming buds or the deep fall colors. In the winter, you can decorate your trees for the holidays. Every day, you can admire the seasonal changes and the increased wildlife from your window or from your outdoor patio. Enjoy!

Image source: tiseb

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

Florida Real Estate Bottoms Out?

May13
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

florida real estate market

According to a recent article in the Miami Herald, Florida real estate has hit its bottom.

“The real estate market in Florida probably has probably reached its lowest point, according to a survey of professionals across the state,” the article states.

And while such news comes as a welcome surprise to home sellers looking to move on in this market, the picture is not all rosy.

The article goes on to say, “but, they cautioned in the University of Florida’s survey of emerging market conditions, the situation probably won’t get much better anytime soon.”

So what does this mean for you as a home seller?

  • Be encouraged: We may see some stabilization and eventual improvement across the market.
  • Get motivated: It’s still a buyer’s market, and you won’t sell without effort.

Wondering what you can do to improve your home’s chances of selling? Check out our recent recap post filled with selling tips!

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