Update Your Kitchen & Baths w/One Simple Change

Oct11
2018

Written by mary.w

SINKS! They can look ordinary and blend into a Kitchen or Bath OR they can help define the space as updated, upgraded and fabulous! With all the big box stores and online shopping options, this can be done at a minimal cost.

Add Glamour and Eclecticity with a Vessel Sink. Styles vary enough to allow you to blend with your existing Bathroom decor. A simple fix for a stylish update!

Add Charm and a Country Feel w/a New Kitchen Farm Sink! Very Popular Styling!

Stainless is a great way to add Farm Charm into a more modern Kitchen. Porcelain goes great with more traditional wood cabinetry. Adding a high arc faucet instantly upgrades your look!

Clean and Stylish Stainless is Great in Both Under and Over Mount Styles. Undermount will cost more to install than Overmount.

Overmount can be upgraded by switching to one bowl vs traditional two. Also very popular upgrade is to use the square shape vs traditional rounder bowls. Upgrade the more traditional two bowl sink by upgrading with a hi arc faucet.

Undermount sinks are more costly but will be worth the investment for a clean sleek look!

To further enhance this look, add a stylish high arc faucet. Many are available at big box stores at very reasonable prices.

Whatever style you choose, if you want to upgrade and update your Kitchen and/or Baths, while staying true to your budget, consider a new sink (and faucet)! Create a great updated look without exploding your budget!

Posted in Uncategorized

Pros & Cons of Moving to a 55+ Active Adult Community

Oct08
2018

Written by mary.w

So, you’re thinking of retiring, downsizing or just trying a new adventure and you’ve heard that a 55+ community might be a great option. But is it right for you and your lifestyle? Let’s explore some pros and cons to help you decide.

Advantages of 55+ Active Adult Communities

Security is a common reason many people give for choosing to live in a 55+ community. Many are gated w/24 hour manned gated entry plus security patrols while others have unmanned yet still secure gated entry to the neighborhood.
The opportunity to meet other people in the same age group with common interests and enjoy an active social life is a huge draw to these communities.
A vast array of social activities within the community ie: golf, tennis, swimming, live theater, games (cards, board games, outdoor games such as bocce, horseshoes, etc) art classes, wine tastings, hobbies, book clubs and much more provide a constant ‘active’ lifestyle.
Very often lawn care, exterior home maintenance and security alarm systems are all included in the HOA fees.
Many housing options include single family homes, townhomes and condos, many with handicap accessible features.
Depending on where you live, many 55+ communities are very close to shopping, dining, entertainment and medical facilities. Plus many of these communities offer free transportation to all these amenities.

Wow…right? Why wouldn’t everyone want to move right in?! Well, let’s review some reasons why this might not be the option for you.

Disadvantages of 55+ Active Adult Communities

Many people, even retired folks, love living in the diversity of a neighborhood consisting of all age groups from infants to elderly. The restrictions of a 55+ community most likely will very quickly override the positives listed above.
Many Active Adult Communities have strong restrictions with regard to adult children or grandchildren living with them or even in some cases restrictions on extended visits. It’s important to completely understand these bylaws before buying and moving into an age restricted community.
If you’re in your 50’s or 60’s you might not be happy in a community that caters more to retirees in their 70’s, 80’s or older. Do your homework before you buy!
One of the biggest disadvantages of many 55+ communities is that, due to the vast level of amenities, the HOA fee might be very high. If you’re only interested in one of two of the activities offered, you might want to consider either a different community or a regular neighborhood otherwise you may end up spending a lot of your savings on activities you never use.

So, is a 55+ Active Adult Community a good option for you? Only you can decide. What’s good for your close friend might be a horrible choice for you. Explore fully what the communities you’re considering offer and determine if they will enhance or inhibit your desired lifestyle. Then move forward with confidence into the next phase of your life journey!

Posted in Buying Tips, General Information, Uncategorized

The Season Has Changed So Update Your Strategy!

Sep23
2018

Written by mary.w

Today is the week of Autumn. If your home has been on the market through the summer, here are some simple steps you can take to bring your marketing campaign into the new season.

Pull up the remainder of your dying summer flowers and replace with autumn specific plants or plantings such as mums, sunflowers, autumn crocus, goldenrod and others (do an online search for autumn blooms for your specific area). Mums are an inexpensive option in small, medium and large containers for quick landscaping changes at a minimal cost.
If you home is wrapped in fall colors and landscapes, update your photos highlight the season.
Use pumpkins or squash varieties to create autumn displays near your entryway. BUT Don’t go over board and create such a massive display that it’s all your buyers can see.
On a tight budget? The Dollar Tree or other such stores have a wide variety of items you can use to create season specific decor without breaking your bank.
Change the wreath on your front door to more fall specific color tones than what you may have had on there for summer (or spring if you never changed it in June…wink wink).
Put pumpkin scented waxes or candles around your home to update your aroma to a scent that reminds everyone of the fall and thanksgiving.
Having an open house? Instead of putting out chocolate chip cookies, replace them with pumpkin spice yummies instead.
Aromas have a very strong effect on people so put a pot of simmering hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks on the stove. Feels like coming home!

Key: Try to avoid being holiday specific such as halloween or thanksgiving decorations. Promote the season not the holiday. Keep your advertising current but NOT overwhelming to reap maximum results.

Posted in General Information, Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized

Typical Buyers Closing Costs

Sep14
2018

Written by mary.w

Monies You’ll Be Responsible to Provide at Closing:

As a Buyer, if you are purchasing your new home subject to a mortgage, you will have certain costs that will be settled at your closing. Some of these may vary by state but as a general rule, before they hand you the keys, you will be handing them:

Down payment: This is the difference between your purchase price and your mortgage and ultimately represents how much equity you will possess on day one.


Escrow funds: Your mortgage lender will require these funds at closing to make sure that there’s enough money in your account to pay upcoming tax and insurance.
Third-party fees: Third party costs incurred in the processing of your loan. ie: appraisal fees, title insurance & fees for your credit report if applicable.
Per diem interest: This covers the daily interest cost covering the time frame between your closing date & your first mortgage payment due date.
Homeowners association (HOA) dues: If your new home requires HOA or Condo Assoc dues, you may be required to pay the first year’s cost at closing. Sometimes this is negotiated with the seller and if they have paid the fees as part of your agreement, they should provide proof of payment at closing.
Discount points: A discount point is a fee you’ve agreed to pay to lower your interest rate. This is due at closing.


Commission: Though this is typically a seller’s cost, if you’ve agreed to pay your agent any part of the commission due, that will be deducted at closing.

If you have any other costs, they will be detailed on your Closing Disclosure form which you will receive 3 days prior to your closing date for review. If you question any of the costs on that document, contact the closing agency asap to ensure your closing is not delayed.

Posted in Uncategorized

Making Your Move GREEN!

Sep10
2018

Written by mary.w

Hate the cost and waste of using cardboard boxes for your move? Plus the hassle of putting them all together and then having to break them down? Well, there is now a great alternative popping up all over the country. The companies deliver strong plastic boxes for you to fill. Then you or your moving company pick them up and move them to your new home. When you order them, you determine how long you will need them to complete your packing, move and unpacking. Then the company picks them up.

This helps the environment by minimizing the number of cardboard boxes you throw away. Many people don’t realize that cardboard is not environmentally friendly and typically have some type of chemical compound to retard bugs, termites, etc. It is a ‘wood’ product with the same challenges so using these boxes helps minimize chemicals in the landfill.

I know what you’re thinking….but those boxes are ‘plastic’! Yes, they are BUT they are re-used for years. The company that was brought to my attention in Denver has been using some of their boxes for more than 10 years. Less waste, more environmentally friendly AND an easier, more organized move for you!

Some facts from Denversmovingboxes.com:

Over the course of just one year Denver’s Moving Boxes’ customers will have a direct impact in saving:

816 trees
3792 gallons of oil
336,000 gallons of water
2 million kilowatts of energy
2880 gallons of air pollution
144 cubic yards of landfill

If you’re doing a short move, you can minimize your cost by moving the boxes yourself in small trips and reusing them multiple times.

This is an alternative if you are planning on packing up your home yourself and then moving it all. These companies do not pack…just provide the boxes AND the packing paper and labels for the boxes to make your move in as easy as your move out!!

This is not something I’ve found available everywhere but do a simple search online of “Green moving boxes” (refers to the environment not necessarily the color of the boxes) with your city and hopefully you’ll find this great option available to you!

Posted in Uncategorized

Creating the Feeling of Space in your Too Small Kitchen

Aug23
2018

Written by mary.w

Always want the feel and storage of a larger kitchen? There are a few things you can do to maximize small alcoves or inset nooks. Perhaps you have one of those built in desks that have been nothing more than a catchall that then makes your room appear even smaller due to the paper clutter. Some tips below can take your small out of date and claustrophobic kitchen from your least favorite place to your favorite family hangout!

Remove the built in desk and add a free standing cabinet that fills t Image result for images of cabinets with glass front tops he whole space but feels open due to at least the top having glass fronts. This allows you to showcase your glassware or lovely teapots, dishes, cookbooks or other special items that have been crammed in a box somewhere. By keeping solid bottom doors you have a place to store dishes, pans and other items you want handy but aren’t pretty enough to showcase.

Do you have a small alcove in your kitchen that is not deep enough for extra cabinets or large enough to accommodate even a small table? Always wanted a china cabinet to display your loveliest dishes? Try a bakers rack (like this one from the Container Store). Showcase your dishes, platters, pitchers, cookie jars….all the pieces of your set and then, if you choose, use the hooks to add the shimmer of your stainless or copper pans as a highlight. You can sometimes find items like this that will fit perfectly within the area you’re trying to fill and create a beautiful display to be both admired and functional while keeping your cost to a minimum.

Don’t have spaces to add a baker’s rack or cabinet? No problem. See the source image Change out the top doors of some of your cabinets to glass fronts. This allows you to display your glassware and dishes while expanding the visual imprint of the space itself. You can keep this affordable by replacing only a couple but the results will be immediate. Also, painting dark cabinets white can create instant visual space at a minimal cost. BUT if you decide to paint your cabinets make sure and do your research and do it well!

Posted in Decorating on a Budget, General Information, Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized

WHAT YOUR HOME MAY BE SAYING THAT’S COSTING YOU $$!

Aug15
2018

Written by mary.w

CLUTTER SAYS: There’s not a lot of room in this home and very little storage. Keep in mind that what you see as “collectible” others see as clutter. Purge BEFORE you put your home on the market so you don’t lose valuable time fixing this issue too late. Fill and store bins with the off season clothing, boots, big blankets…whatever you can remove that will make your closets look roomier and storage appear ample.

FULL MIRROR WALL/WASHED OAK CABINETS/BRIGHT BRASS FIXTURES/PSYCHEDELIC WALLPAPER/POPCORN CEILINGS, etc SAY: This home hasn’t been updated for a very long time and so you should get a great deal on the price. These items can actually be updated at reasonable costs so consider doing so BEFORE you hit the market. Disclaimer: If your decor deliberately displays Retro decor, embrace it fully and sell as such which will bring you a great price with the Retro seeking buyer…and they are out there!

DIRTY BASEBOARDS/TRIM/WINDOWSILLS/MESSY ROOMS SAY: If you think this is dirty, wait until you pull out the refrigerator and stove! Even if you are comfortable living in a less than pristine environment, it’s important to market your home to the masses who most often are seeking to not find hidden schmutz after they move in. You can typically hire a cleaning crew to do a “Spring Cleaning” for $250-300. This will be money highly multiplied in its return when you sell.

Keep in mind that you are marketing your home to your buyers not to yourself. If necessary, have a good friend that you trust to be honest help you evaluate what you should consider doing before selling and then do what you can afford prioritizing the items by what will maximize your profit. Then fix and sell!!

Posted in General Information, Home Improvement, Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized

Using Social Media to Learn About Your New Neighborhood

Jul30
2018

Written by mary.w

Are you feeling stressed and challenged about moving from your comfort zone neighborhood to a new one where you know no one? Is this especially difficult because you have young or teen children who are not happy at all with your decision to move and tear them away from their friends and the school they love? Then take advantage of a medium you’re probably already very familiar with to “move in” to the area before you ever make the physical move.

Check Facebook pages for Neighborhood Posts for the area you are moving to. If you find one, send a post or message to the administrator for that Facebook group introducing yourself and letting them know that you’re moving into the neighborhood with children (mention ages) and would love to join the group and glean input and general info about all the area offers you and your children.
Check Nextdoor.com and see if your new neighborhood has a group on there and do the same thing.
Go to the new school’s website and see if they have facebook/instagram/twitter groups that you can join and follow.

Not really a social media follower or subscriber? Be bold and create a postcard on a site like shutterfly with a family photo and take a walk around your new block(s) leaving them at your new neighbor’s homes with a note on it introducing yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable having your family’s photo out there like that, simply buy a pack of note cards, write a short note and leave those in the neighbor’s doors. (Do NOT put in mailboxes as that may not be allowed by the city or your association.)

Another friendly proclamation of your becoming their new neighbors is to plan an open house once you move in and invite the neighbors on your block and surrounding blocks if not a huge area to come on over and meet you.

Once your kids make some new friends in the neighborhood and school, not only will their stress level be reduced, so will yours!

Posted in Uncategorized

Capital Gains Unscrambled

Jul19
2018

Written by mary.w

Capital Gains sounds like a scary inevitable cost when selling your home at a profit. BUT once you understand how it’s computed and who qualifies for exclusions you’ll see you can most likely breathe easy. Most people DO qualify for the exemption which allows for up to $250,000 per individual or $500,000 per couple.

What are Capital Gains?

You can determine the capital gain on your home by subtracting applicable costs of selling your home (ie: commissions, advertising) plus the cost of any qualifying home improvements (you can find specific details on the IRS website) from the original purchase price of your home.

Ex: Original Purchase Price = $200,000 + $25000 Costs = Cost Basis of $225,000 Selling Price = $325,000 – $6500 Commission (You saved by selling BuyOwner!) so you receive $318,500 – $225,000 = $93,000 in Capital Gains. You will not pay tax on this gain if you meet the exemption requirements noted below.

Qualifications for Capital Gains Exemption?

The following requirements must be met in order to qualify for the capital gain exclusion when selling your home:

You must have owned your home for at least 2 years.
The home must have served as your main personal residence for at least 2 years.
During the 2 year period ending on the date of sale (Note: If you’re close to this date, negotiate your closing to ensure it occurs after the 2 yr qualification has been met), you didn’t exclude gains from the sale of any other home.

YAY: You can use the capital gain exclusion over and over again as long as you meet the requirements.

BOO: If you take a loss from your home sale, you do NOT get to take the loss as a tax deduction.

NOTE: To Always ensure that you are receiving max tax benefits, consult your tax accountant or review thoroughly the applicable information on IRS.gov

Posted in General Information, Uncategorized

Increase Your Kitchen’s Value Without Decreasing your Bank Account!

Jul05
2018

Written by mary.w

The following affordable Kitchen upgrades can increase your value while being mindful of your pocketbook.

1.Update your cabinets by painting them and installing new hardware. Of course this is less costly if you do the work yourself BUT if you’re not great at diy projects, you might want to either hire someone to do the work OR reach out to a friend or family member who has proven themselves to be very handy and a good diy-er. If your cabinets end up looking repainted instead of looking like new, you can actually decrease instead of increasing the value of the ‘upgrade’. Changing out the hardware will be easier if you choose new hardware that uses the same number of holes as the old. Then you can simply unscrew the old and install the new. Maybe your cabinets don’t need painting but look like builder grade. Adding crown molding will immediately upgrade the look of your upper cabinets. Simple and effective upgrade!!

2. Change your sink and faucet. Stainless always a good choice but certainly if your home’s design warrants, farm sinks are very popular and stand the test of time because they are considered as trendy as they are retro. Faucets should also reflect the style of your home. Big box stores along with home bargain outlets have great options at surprisingly minimal costs. If you don’t know how to install a sink or faucet, again, don’t be afraid to ask for help or shop around for a local handyman who comes with great references for quality of work and cost to value!

3. Update or add a backsplash that blends with your countertops (if you have granite, try to match the tones with glass tiles so it looks like it was all done at that same time!) There are so many great and affordable backsplash options right now that for the minimal work involved, the value can be strong.

4. If you have old, dingy, linoleum or vinyl floors, replacing them with newer flooring or upgraded options like ceramic tile (which can be very very affordable and one of the less difficult diy projects). There are even fabulous new ceramic tiles that when installed, look like hardwood floors! Refinish hardwood floors instead of replacing but if they are too far gone, you might even consider scraping and painting them. There are sooo many great flooring ideas online. Take time to look at several and choose the one you believe you can do yourself or with a friend that will enhance your room and your pocketbook!

5. Get rid of the countertop microwave and old fashioned over range vent and replace it with a built in microwave. This can be done for under $400 and will immediately update the look of your kitchen. OR if you already have a built in microwave but an old fashioned hood, install a ductless range hood (will keep your costs down by not requiring you to add new venting). This will definitely create the look and feel of a gourmet kitchen. Anytime you’re adding or changing a hood, make sure that the height from your range to vent will fit before you do all the work and then discover you won’t pass inspection. Simply read the box before you buy and adjust accordingly.

6. If you’ve already made lots of updates and are wanting to take it to the next level of upgrade, replace your ceiling light with recessed lighting. This can certainly be more costly if you don’t know someone who can do the work, but if you do, this can certainly improve the wow factor. If you can’t afford to install recessed lighting and you have outdated or a blah overhead fixture, replace that fixture with a more current and upgraded look. Again, big box stores and outlet stores have great options at surprisingly affordable prices. If you have a high ceiling, consider installing a fanlight!

7. Last but certainly not least, upgrade your countertops. This is a definite shop around for your best options and deals. Granite tiles are cheaper than a slab of granite so if you want See the source image granite, this might be an option you’ll consider. Cement is certainly popular right now and not surprisingly butcher block is back in style. Again, shop online and then in person. Take your time!

The key to all of this is to set a budget and work to stay within that because it’s very easy to get wooed by the more expensive options. Doing so can possibly eliminate any value that you might have derived from all your hard work. And again, don’t hesitate to draw on friends and family that you know have the expertise to help you. They most likely will be happy to do so and possibly offended if you didn’t even give them the opportunity to assist you with your projects.

Posted in Decorating on a Budget, General Information, Home Improvement, Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas, Uncategorized

BuyOwner.com buy sell trade rent

Update Your Kitchen & Baths w/One Simple Change

Pros & Cons of Moving to a 55+ Active Adult Community

The Season Has Changed So Update Your Strategy!

Typical Buyers Closing Costs

Making Your Move GREEN!

Creating the Feeling of Space in your Too Small Kitchen

WHAT YOUR HOME MAY BE SAYING THAT’S COSTING YOU $$!

Using Social Media to Learn About Your New Neighborhood

Capital Gains Unscrambled

Increase Your Kitchen’s Value Without Decreasing your Bank Account!

About the BuyOwner.com Blog

Article Archives

Buy Owner Links

Blog Roll

Subscribe

About the BuyOwner.com Blog

Article Archives

Buy Owner Links

Blog Roll

Subscribe

Tags