Real Estate Information Archive

Where do your guests gather? The kitchen. Make smaller updates to your kitchen without doing a complete remodel, which can be costly.   Try upgrading your cabinet and drawer handles, or add a backsplash. New lighting can also make a big impression.

Like the kitchen, guests notice bathrooms. Fall is a great time to get new lighting, sink, or upgrade bathroom fixtures. If you have tile, do a deep cleaning on your grout. If your bathroom is smaller, try painting an accent wall to add a pop that will impress.

Light fixtures can bring a modern look to your home. Updating your lights so everything matches is an investment that can go a long way. 

One of the easiest DIY projects to impress your guests is to give your interior rooms a fresh coat of paint. Your home will have a new, clean look. If you're looking for a wow factor, paint accent walls.

Replacing your floors can be a huge undertaking and can be costly. Give them a fresh look with a deep carpet clean. If you have hardwood scratches or damages, you don't want guests to notice. An area rug can be a great way to cover those scratches and make a nice impression.

If you've been trying to find time to make a few updates to your home. Schedule a weekend in October to try these DIY ideas. Do them before your holiday guests arrive, and make a great impression. Updates like these are also great if you're thinking about selling. Call me if you're thinking about buying or selling this fall. I'd be happy to discuss your home and our local market conditions.

Roll the Repairs into the Mortgage

It's been said that if you can find a home that has most of what you want, you should go ahead and purchase it.  Many first-time buyers are using everything they have for a down payment and closing costs and would have to "live" with the less than perfect home until they can save the money to make the changes.

The FHA 203(k) mortgage allows a borrower to purchase a home and provides additional funds for improvements to be made.  These types of renovations can include kitchen and bathroom remodels, flooring, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems, additions and other things.

The benefit to the buyer is that they have the opportunity to consider a home that needs repairs and might have been unacceptable without a program like this.  Being a FHA loan, a minimal down payment is required, fair interest rates and generous qualifying requirements.

The 203(k) Streamline can be used for cosmetic improvements, appliances and minor remodeling up to $35,000 in cost.

As you can imagine, this is a specialized program and not all lenders choose to make 203(k) loans.  They usually take longer to process and getting firm bids on the work to be done will be required.  It is important to find out how much experience a lender has with this particular type of loan.    

It will also be required that you work with a 203(k) consultant in addition to the mortgage officer.

For more information, go to Hud.gov.  FNMA has a similar conventional loan program called HomeStyle Mortgage.  Your real estate professional will be able to help with recommendations.  Call me at (907) 261-7632.

Location and curb appeal attract buyers, but the staging makes them fall in love with your home. Effective staging shows off the property’s best features, minimizes any shortcomings, and creates space for potential buyers to imagine living in the house. Before scheduling an open house, follow the tips below to present your home in its best light.

How to Stage Your Home for an Open House

1. Clear Out Your Belongings

Remove at least a third of your belongings from shelves, storage spaces, and closets. Not only will this make the home appear larger and more open, but it’ll also give you a head start on downsizing and packing for the future move.

2. Pay Attention to Lighting

Trim back any bushes or trees that might be blocking the windows. Open the drapes to let in as much natural light as possible. Skip the overhead lights and bring in lamps with high-wattage bulbs, which creates a warmer, cozier atmosphere.

3. Decorate Tastefully

The holidays give you a chance to make the home more inviting and friendly. Some outdoor lights, a wreath on the door, and festive decorations make it easy for buyers to imagine themselves spending the holidays in the house. Just don’t go overboard, and stay away from explicitly religious decorations which could alienate some people.

4. Move Furniture Around

Just because that end table has always been in the living room doesn’t mean it has to stay there. Experiment with different furniture configurations and focus on creating a pleasing flow of traffic. Putting together a few sitting areas in large rooms will make the space feel more comfortable and intimate.

A do-it-yourself project can be an empowering way to save money, provided you know what you're doing. But making even one simple mistake could put a strain on your back or your bank account. Often, it's best to put safety first and call a professional. Here are four types of home improvement projects that are best left to the experts.

1. Plumbing or electrical projects -- There's a reason these are skilled trades. Both systems are complex, no matter how straightforward a repair may initially appear. Even small leaks can cause serious water damage, and faulty electrical wiring can lead to a house fire. Don't risk flooding or electric shock. Call a plumber or hire an electrician to make sure these jobs are done right the first time.

2. Renovations with possible code violations -- Structural changes require a licensed contractor. Not only can shoddy craftsmanship severely affect your home's value, but it can also put your family in danger. Accidentally removing a load-bearing wall, for example, could cause an entire room to collapse. Why take the risk?

3. Repairs involving heights -- More than 130,000 ladder-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year. Whether you're looking at a roof repair or trimming a tree, consider calling a professional before attempting to complete the job yourself.

4. Time-sensitive projects -- Weigh your work and family commitments before embarking on a home improvement project. Even if you're confident in your abilities, the added pressure of a tight deadline can lead to unnecessary and often dangerous mistakes.

Remember, just because a DIY project looks simple doesn't necessarily mean it's safe. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and call a professional.

Do you want to improve the aesthetics of your bathroom? Before you disrupt your household with the hassle of a remodel, make sure you're prepared. Familiarize yourself with this cost and ROI overview to help guide the planning process. 

What Does This Type of Remodel Cost? 
The first step to organizing a bathroom remodeling project is setting a budget. Understanding the potential costs involved can help you decide whether you're working on a complete overhaul or focusing your resources on a few select changes. 

Homeowners who make bathroom updates usually hope to recover at least a portion of their investment. An upscale bathroom remodel is among the projects that see the largest percentages of value increase year over year. But a high-end revamp can cost tens of thousands. If you're working with a more modest budget, going with simple changes like updates to light fixtures, sinks, toilets and the like can refresh your space for significantly less. 

What Should You Change?
When planning bathroom renovations, it's always smart to fix what's broken first, especially since replacement projects see larger returns (74 percent) than remodeling ones (63.7 percent). 

Once you've tackled any necessary replacements, make investment-savvy design selections that add value for you and your family. Trade out the garden tub for an expansive shower, add granite countertops or upgrade the vanity, ventilation or lighting. Finding what most benefits your family can lead to greater satisfaction years after the project's completion. 

With budgeting sense and some design know-how, you'll have the confidence you need to initiate a successful bathroom remodel.

Do you have a list of changes you'd like to make to your home this year? Completing cosmetic updates is easiest when the weather's in your favor. In honor of May's National Home Improvement Month, here are four upgrades ranging from curb appeal projects to large-scale expansions that often yield high returns. 

1. Replacing doors and windows: Homeowners are often encouraged to consider projects that boost overall curb appeal. Swapping out a wooden front door for a steel model or replacing front-facing windows can pack more of an ROI punch than renovations made inside the home. 
2. Constructing a deck: Create a beautiful transition from your back door to the outdoors by building a deck. The update turns into a major selling point that can recoup your initial investment when it's time to move on. 
3. Adding insulation: Of all the projects listed in Remodeling magazine's 2017 Cost vs. Value Report, adding loose-fill insulation to your attic is the only one with returns that exceed 100 percent of the cost. It can also help reduce year-round heating and cooling costs. 
4. Building a second-story addition: Even with a slight increase in construction costs, completing a significant two-story addition resulted in a substantial year-over-year increase in value from 2016 to 2017. Adding the extra space will likely catch the attention of buyers. 

Home renovations and repairs are on the rise and expected to peak this year. Now's the time to start planning your investment-savvy home improvements.

From backyard and rooftop gardens to community plots in parks and vacant lots, urban agriculture has become a nationwide movement, and more homeowners have taken an interest in producing their own food. For many urban homesteaders, it stems from a desire to know where their food comes from and live more sustainably. 

Are you interested in participating? These three small-scale projects are great places to start. 

Raising Backyard Chickens
Chickens provide a relatively inexpensive, low-maintenance way to feed your family, plus they act as complimentary fertilizer and chemical-free pest control. Before you buy baby chicks, make sure you research and follow local laws, city ordinances and homeowner association rules. 

Taking Up Beekeeping
In the 1940s, America had five million beehives, and today, roughly half of those remain. A growing awareness of this drastic decline has led to an increase in urban beekeeping, to the tune of approximately 120,000 backyard beekeepers. 

Becoming a beekeeper starts with a lot of research, followed by choosing the right equipment and bees. Don't want to care for an entire colony? Plant native flower and weed varieties that help encourage bee pollination and reproduction. 

Gardening and Canning 
Whether it's a large plot or a small section, a personal garden gives you control. Plus, you can preserve fresh fruits and vegetables via the canning process. While many homesteaders use yields from their garden, others buy extra produce in its peak season. Canning veggies and fruits is a family-friendly activity that lets you enjoy seasonal produce all year long. 

Though urban homesteading may seem intimidating at first, it's easier to start small. The projects above can help minimize your impact on the environment and allow you to take part in your own food production.