Make Your House Stand Out in the Crowd


Muzammil Bashir lives in London.  His percentage of increase in home value may vary in your area, but these are good approximations of renovation value from someone in the business.  Thanks to Muzammil for this post.

A home in an area with several other houses that look just like it will not have an advantage that will motivate home buyers to choose it over any other house in the area that is for sale. Homeowners can increase the odds that they will sell their homes faster by spending some money on renovations before they put their houses on the market.

Add a Second Bathroom

If a home has only one bathroom, one of the best ways to increase its value is to add a second bathroom. The homeowners, if they decide to sell, will be able to sell the home for a much higher price than they would before the addition, and they can expect a 71 percent return on their investment. Without a second bathroom, the homeowners would find that it will much harder to sell the house because a house with at least two bathrooms is more desirable.

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Lease Option Purchase

Guest Post

Thanks to Scott Shubert of Benchmark Financial Services for this post.

Have you considered a lease option purchase when looking for a home? Are you in one now and wondering, ‘am I doing this right’? If you can buy now, it may be wise to do so, but sometimes there are good reasons to do a lease purchase. Maybe there are credit blemishes that need time to heal, perhaps one needs time to save for a down payment, or relocating from another state and a trailing residence is still on the market. Whatever the reason, it is important to make sure as the renter (and future buyer), that you handle your financial affairs properly. Here are a few key things to remember…

* Always pay rent/deposit with a check from your personal banking account. Once the check clears, print a hard copy of the canceled check and file it away. A lender will need to verify that rent was paid on time and may require 12 months of canceled checks. It is easy to get canceled checks on line as they occur, but difficult after time goes by. Often, a portion of your monthly payment goes towards earnest money or the down payment of the home. It is necessary to verify this as well to make sure you are credited the proper amount at closing.

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Our Real Estate Economy is Rebounding

Guest Post

Thanks for this article to Jim William, real estate investor and coach of the Triad Mastermind group for real estate investors here in the Triad of North Carolina:

Here are some random thoughts about the past 90-120 days of our own team’s activity.

What we have seen in every area of our business is GROWTH. We have recently experienced more profitable activity than in the past three years. Prices are stabilizing and we see median priced homes, $100k-$200k, being sold, rented or rent-to-owned in lightening time. Add to that the fact that our tenants are paying more consistently than ever!

While some activity is seasonal, some of it shows signs of the end of the down cycle. I expect an overall flat lining for another year or so, then an upward trend with a slight bounce at first, followed by a more steady strong climb within the next three to four years.

It’s important that you be in the real estate game NOW before this growth takes place because, when the climb happens, wealth will develop easily through Automatic Appreciation.

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Top 5 Ways to Save Money When Moving

Guest Post

Thanks to Alban Smith for this article.

No one likes moving. Between packing, cleaning and trekking back and forth, the cost of moving just adds insult to injury. These five tips will not only make your next move more affordable, but easier and less stressful.

1 – Get a professional quote

Even if you’ve never thought about using professional movers, get a quote before you start loading your car – you might be surprised. When you look realistically at costs to move yourself, consider the wear and tear on your vehicle, the cost to hire a trailer or van, the fuel to drive back and forth when you can’t fit everything in your car or trailer at once, not to mention the beer to pay off friends and family for helping out.

If you ask a professional mover to give a quote, you could find it’s more affordable to have someone else do the move. When a mover comes to your home, you get the best possible price because they quote what they actually have to move, not what they think you might have.

Remember, your time is money and how many days did you have to take off of work last time you moved?

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How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home

Guest Post

Thanks to Mark D. Tyrol for this post.

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long — the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.

These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in — costing you higher heating bills.

Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.

But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home — the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes:

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Selling Your House? Avoid these Mistakes

Guest Post

Thanks to Andrew Black for this article.

Considering selling? It may not be an easy decision. Disposing the property means bidding goodbye to all the wonderful, happy memories you and your family shared in the house. But it could be a consolation to realize the profits you could reap if you successfully sell at an ideal and profitable price tag.

Selling a house at an ideal price is not as easy as it may seem. Logically, prospective homebuyers want to acquire at significant discounts or lower prices. It may take time for you to sell your home at an agreeable price, so don’t expect the proceeds instantly. Here are the most common mistakes home sellers do when selling properties:

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Ten Essential Tools and Accessories for Every Homeowner

Guest Post

Thanks to Jakob Barry for the following article.

Homeowners need various types of security to survive the test of taking care of their property. Sometimes it’s financial, other times it’s protective like a house alarm.

However, often simply knowing there are essential tools and accessories available for fixing small problems or working on minor house projects is all it takes for a little tranquility to settle in.

Even if the homeowner is a novice DIYer, there are things he or she shouldn’t be without:

  • A full tool box: Here are some of the crucial items every tool box should contain: a hammer, various types of nails, a wrench, a set of screw drivers, pliers, the all important tape measure and wire cutters. Why these? Because you never know when you’ll need to hang something up, take something a part, tighten or loosen a pipe, or even fix a hinge on one of yourcustom cabinets . Over time you’ll probably add more items, but this is a good pace to start.
  • Tool belt: When tending to home-related issues, it makes no sense to carry the tool box around. That’s why a tool belt is one of the handyman’s most prized possessions. It allows instruments to be transported with ease from one point to the next.
  • Caulking gun: You may need to seal holes where ants or other insects come through, or hope to stop a draft. Occasions like these are where having a caulking gun is indispensable.
  • Work gloves: Work gloves provide an extra lift, help us get a good grip, and protect us from the unknown.
  • Power drill/screwdriver set: Manual hand tools are always useful and necessary but sometimes having the extra help of an automated motor makes jobs a breeze.
  • Ladder: Avoid using chairs, boxes, and other contraptions to reach up high. Even if you aren’t planning to paint the ceiling trim or performroof maintenance there are plenty of good uses for a sturdy ladder.
  • Level: This device may not be used often but, when you need to know something is straight, there’s no better option.
  • A good flashlight: There will be times when you are up in the attic, down in the basement, or trying to look into a tight nook or cranny. Having a good flash light will provide ample radiance to see the intended target and decide whether the circumstances necessitate immediate attention.
  • Goggles: Eye protection is a must on many home improvement jobs and, without it, a home owner can be seriously injured. Since you never know when something is going to jump up when banging, cutting, or tearing something a part, wear goggles for that extra safety.
  • Saws: Some tools you can borrow from a neighbor but others are harder to access. Having a hack and small rip saw in the collection of tools and accessories is a definite plus for any homeowner.

Jakob Barry writes for Networx.com. He covers various eco-friendly home improvement topics including house remodeling and custom home builders.

Pros and Cons: Home Ownership, Condo Ownership and Apartment Rentals

Guest Post

Thanks to Derek Dasher for the following post.

Home ownership is indeed the American dream. Many people dream of owning a two-story house with an attached garage and a white picket fence. Home ownership has been the American ideal since the 1950s and many people still go to college and save for years in hopes of eventually being able to purchase a home for themselves and their family.

But home ownership comes with certain challenges and is not for everyone. Some people-depending on their location, preferences and financial situation-are better suited to own a condo or rent an apartment. Do your research and evaluate your lifestyle to determine which option is best for you.

Home Ownership

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Protecting Your Investment – Buying the Right Home Alarm

Guest Post

Thanks to Nick Williams of Yale Door Alarm Systems for the following article.

You have finally purchased the perfect property. Time to exhale, sit back and bask in the wonders of property ownership.

As a new homeowner, there is a veritable tide of organising and signing up which needs to be completed. These tasks range from ensuring cable and internet installation to making sure the house is insured. But, what about security? Did you know that an unprotected property is 10 times more likely to be targeted than one with security measures?

Here are some key home security system considerations:

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Pricing Your House to Sell

Guest Post

Thank you to our Triad/Triangle Mastermind coach, Fred Fetterolf of Paramount Realty Solutions in Raleigh, NC for this article.  Fred gives a great summary of recent Wall Street Journal headlines regarding the real estate market.

 

PRICING YOUR HOUSE TO SELL

The big economic crunch started around the Fall of 2008. Since that time, many of us have been downsized, outsized or re-sized. Whatever they want to call it, a lot of the higher paying jobs have seemed to just vanish into thin air. Besides these external pressures, people deal with other issues like divorce, disability or bad health situations and elder care.

On the happier side, it is true that all that is news is not bad. Yes, some people are earning more money as they achieve well deserved promotions. With mixed emotions, my own family approaches a state called “empty nesters,” which has a certain economic impact. Whatever the reason, people need to sell homes or want to sell homes.

The million dollar question then becomes the value of the home. Well, maybe not. What we really want to know is if there is any equity in the home. The first step in this calculation is, however, the top line number we call “fair market value.” This value typically comes via a Realtor through a device called “comparable home sales.”

Before we talk about pricing methodology let’s take a look at the headline news stories found in the Wall Street Journal over the last year.

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