Cincinnati Real Estate With Myles

Curb Appeal

2010-07-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

Landscaping for Curb Appeal

A well-landscaped yard creates curb appeal and helps your property retain maximum value. Read

8 Tips for Adding Curb Appeal and Value to Your Home

Appraisers and real estate agents offer advice for curb appeal that preserves value and attracts potential buyers. Read

Outdoor Lighting for Curb Appeal and Safety

Well-planned outdoor lighting improves curb appeal, safety, and security for your home. Read

Garage Doors: A Guide to the Options

The right garage door is a key to enhancing curb appeal and can have a major impact on your home’s appearance and value. Read

Choosing an Exterior Door

You should understand the pros and cons of steel, fiberglass, and wood exterior doors before choosing the one that’s right for you. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

save money and conserve energy

2010-07-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

As summer sets in, so does the increase to our energy bills because A/Cs are often turned on so we all need to find new ways to keep the house cool without wasting energy. You can save money and conserve energy by keeping your home naturally cool without using air-conditioning. Here are some helpful tips to keep your home cool during the hot season.

Let the Cool Air In - When the day cools off, open doors and windows to allow the cool air to circulate through the rooms of your home. Turn on fans to create a cross-breeze, circulating the cool night air. Keep the kitchen cabinets open all night because they can store heat in your home.

Keep Out the Heat - As the temperature climbs during the morning, close doors, and shut your blinds and curtains to block out the sun. This way you keep the cooler air in and prevent hot air from entering. Close doors quickly when entering or exiting your home.

Insulate - One of the most effective ways to keep a home cool is to install adequate insulation. Insulation keeps the home cool in summer.

Seal Drafts - Seal holes, cracks and openings in your home to stop the flow of hot air seeping in through the walls and ceiling. Weather stripping and weatherizing your home greatly reduces the amount of cool air that escapes.

Turn off heat sources - Avoid using the stove and oven as much as possible. Instead, use the microwave to quickly heat food without raising the temperature of the kitchen, and set your dishwasher to use its non-heated drying cycle. Incandescent light bulbs also create heat - switch to compact fluorescents instead. Turn off lamps, electronics, and computers when not in use.

Low - Flow

2010-04-05T15:16:00.000-07:00

Low-Flow Showerheads: How to Choose

Thanks to innovative new technology, today’s super-efficient low-flow showerheads save water, reduce your energy bills, and still feel good to use.

Save Money Med $150/yr off water heating
Effort Low 10 mins to 1 hr to install
Investment Low $50 to $200

A simple test using a saucepan can tell you whether you're a candidate for a low-flow showhead, says home improvement expert Danny Lipford.

You’ve heard it for years: Save water by replacing your old showerhead with a low-flow model. But if you’re like a lot of people, you may have ignored the message. That’s because you’re likely thinking of the early low-flow versions, which worked by simply restricting output or pumping the stream full of air. While that saved water, it didn’t make for a very satisfying shower experience.

These days, thank goodness, it’s different. With one of the new generation of ultra-efficient showerheads, you can reduce shower water use—and energy consumption, since we’re talking about water you pay to heat—by up to 50% while still enjoying a luxurious, powerful spray.

New technologies, bigger savings
Before 1992, showerheads pumped out five or more gallons per minute (gpm), accounting for nearly 20% of indoor water use. Federal law cut that to 2.5 gallons, but the latest water-saving models do better still. Borrowing windshield-sprayer technology from the automotive industry, Delta’s H2Okinetic Technology manipulates droplet size and direction to make only 1.6 gpm feel drenching. That’s a 36% reduction over a standard low-flow showerhead. Bricor uses a patented vacuum chamber that aerates and compacts water under pressure to deliver an intense blast with 1.25 gpm or less.

Other manufacturers use laminar flow, which puts out dozens of parallel streams instead of an aerated spray, creating the sensation of more water. The type you choose depends on personal preference, but at $50 to $200, any of these can quickly pay for themselves in reduced water-heating costs. You may even be able to score one for free with a rebate through your local utility.

To measure your shower’s flow, put a bucket marked in gallon increments under the spray. If the water reaches the one-gallon mark in less than 20 seconds, you could benefit from a low-flow showerhead.

First, check your plumbing
While replacing your existing showerhead with one of these super-high-efficiency models can be as easy as screwing in a light bulb, it’s a good idea to first assess your plumbing. The big concern is the potential for scalding or getting hit with an icy blast. Because less water is flowing through the showerhead, sudden fluctuations in temperature can be more extreme.

Homes built after the mid-1990s usually have an automatic temperature compensating (ATC) valve installed as part of the shower plumbing inside the wall. These protect against rapid changes in temperature—say when the dishwasher cycles or a maniacal sibling keeps flushing the toilet.

Quick check: If your shower has an old two-handle faucet, chances are it does not have an ATC valve. (Neither do most new two-handle systems.) In that case, simply sticking on a low-flow showerhead to save water is a bad idea. “The only appropriate way to retrofit a shower with a two-handle faucet is to eliminate the outdated faucet and install a new valve and showerhead,” says Shawn Martin, technical director of the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute.

Even then, you can’t be absolutely certain that the valve will work properly with an ultra-low-flow showerhead. That’s because most ATC valves are certified for the current standard flow rate of 2.5 gpm. While it’s expected that soon all new valves will be certified to 2.0 gpm, your best bet, if you’re installing a new valve and showerhead now, is to buy them from the same manufacturer so you’ll know they’re designed to work together.

By early 2010, the EPA plans to start putting WaterSense labels on showerheads the way they have for toilets. Then it will be easier to identify the models that offer the biggest water savings and the best performance.

Other ways to pump up shower efficiency
In addition to offering low-flow nozzles, manufacturers have come up with other ways to make showering more efficient. Neco, an Australian company that specializes in sustainable products, has a thumb-adjusted volume control on its Rainmaker head. A few high-end models feature “pause” buttons that let you to stop and restart the water at the same temperature—perfect for taking a Navy shower. That’s when you wet yourself down, turn off the water while you lather up, and then turn it back on to rinse.

Common practice on naval ships, where fresh water supplies are limited, this technique uses as little as 3 gallons, compared with the typical “Hollywood shower” that uses 60 gallons every 10 minutes. That amounts to a savings of 15,000 gallons a year per person.

Of course, the danger of all these new low-flow showerheads is that you’ll be tempted to linger too long in your own private Niagara. Several companies have come out with shower timers to nudge habitual drenchers.

The Shower Manager cuts the taps when time’s up, and Eco Drop Shower, a stall unit by Italian designer Tommaso Colia, purports to save water not from the top down but from the bottom up. As you shower, a pattern of concentric circles embedded in the floor rises up to the point of discomfort, forcing you to exit. Just make sure to turn off the water first.

Good Time to Hire a Remodeler!

2010-02-27T08:19:00.000-08:00

Market Conditions
Market Conditions

02/23/2010

Market conditions for residential remodeling tumbled downward during the fourth quarter of 2009, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI). The current market conditions index fell to 36.4 from 39.8 in the third quarter. The index of future indicators dropped to 31.4 from 38.7 in the previous quarter.

The RMI measures remodeler perceptions of market demand for current and future residential remodeling projects. Any number below 50 indicates that more remodelers say market conditions are getting worse than report improving conditions. The RMI has been running below 50 since the final quarter of 2005.

"We're hearing many remodelers have laid off workers because they have no jobs coming in and are struggling to survive," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler from Issaquah, Wash. "Remodelers are pounding the pavement to find work and stay open, including taking on smaller jobs and competing with unqualified contractors."

The index for current remodeling market conditions slumped in the Northeast to 27.7 (from 33.7 in the third quarter), descended in the Midwest to 37.5 (from 43.2) and decreased in the West to 41.7 (from 47.3). In the South, the current index rose slightly to 40 (from 38.6). Major additions declined to 40 (from 41.9), and minor additions also fell to 40.7 (from 43.2). Maintenance and repair plunged to 27.1 (from 33.1).

Summary indices for future market indicators exhibit bleak expectations for the remodeling market. Calls for bids dropped to 37.5 (from 46.5 in the third quarter) and appointments for proposals slid to 34.4 (from 43.5). The backlog of jobs reduced to 31.9 (from 37.2) and the amount of work committed for the next three months fell to 21.9 (from 27.5).

"Although earlier quarters of 2009 showed tentative improvements for remodeling market conditions, remodelers have seen work fall backward at the end of the year," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "Like new home construction, remodelers are feeling the effects of consumers' uncertain job future, their level of confidence and unwillingness to spend their equity or savings. Competition from new home construction workers entering the remodeling market and unemployed contractors has stretched an already thin customer base."

Copyright © 2010 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.

Thinking About Remodeling?

2010-02-26T18:38:00.001-08:00

What Your Remodeling Contract Should Say
Review your remodeling contract carefully and adjust it to make sure it protects you in terms of payments, work schedules, and project specifications. Read
5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor
You’re ready to remodel but you want to make sure you get the best contractor for the job. Here’s what to ask the candidates before you decide. Read
When It Pays to Do It Yourself
Doing home-improvement jobs yourself can be a smart way to save money, but choose the right DIY projects or you'll end up paying dearly. Read
Budget for a Remodel
To calculate how much remodel you can afford, follow these four steps: Ballpark the cost, establish a spending limit, make a wish list, and set your priorities. Read
Should You Move or Improve?
Whether to move or improve is a harder question to answer than it was a few years ago, but a few cost-benefit calculations can help you make the right decision. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Pre-Listing Home Inspection

2010-02-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

A pre-listing home inspection can uncover previously unknown problems - major and minor - allowing sellers the opportunity to make repairs or replacements as needed. By addressing these issues before the home goes on the market, you can list a home with confidence in its condition and will have a better chance of maximizing its value. Being aware of issues in advance will also allow for disclosure of problems when selling, which can result in cleaner offers and a smoother transaction for both parties.

Energy Efficency Made Easy

2009-11-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

The average North American household spends $1500 annually on energy bills, a number that may go up as much as 50 percent this year. In the face of higher energy costs this winter, improving energy efficiency is more important than ever to homeowners. Here are some simple and inexpensive steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient. Why not start this weekend?
Furnace Care

Dirty furnace filters impede air flow and can also affect indoor air quality. Replace your furnace filters or clean them as needed, following the manufacturer's instructions. The furnace won't need to work as hard to deliver heat where it's needed. Also consider installing a programmable thermostat, which will lower the heat at night or when no one is home.

Bundle Up

If you have a tank-style water heater, wrap it in an insulation blanket to prevent needless energy loss.

Change a light bulb

Replace the five most frequently used lights in your home with LED or CFL light bulbs and save more than $60 each year in energy costs.

Power Down

Put electronics such as computers and televisions on a power strip and turn it off when you're not using those items. Consider "smart" power strips that can detect when an item is turned off but still drawing idle current; the strip will automatically shut off the current to selected outlets on the strip.

Seal Drafts

Seal holes, cracks and openings in your home to stop heat loss through the walls and ceiling.
Use Energy Star®Energy Star® products help you save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Star® label is on more than 40 different kinds of products for the home, including lighting, home electronics, heating and cooling equipment and appliances.

Fill it Up

Run washers and dryers at full capacity. They are most efficient when they are fully loaded.
Use Your DishwaterYou'll use up to 35 percent less water by doing a full load of dishes vs. washing them by hand - and use less energy for water heating, too.

Preparing your House for the Home Inspection

2009-08-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

Preparing your House for the Home Inspection
1. Make sure all interior and exterior light fixtures work. If an outdoor fixture bulb
is out, the inspector has to note that the fixture does not operate correctly.
2. Provide access to the furnace, water heater and electrical panel. Also, the
inspector must be able to remove the electrical panel cover. If the panel is locked,
remove it.
3. Install a new furnace filter and vacuum the register. It will be looked at during
the inspection and be considered as a part of the overall condition of the furnace
or heat pump.
4. Ensure that windows operate smoothly. If some are stuck or painted shut, the
impression will be that many windows cannot open. Also, remove window
security screws or provide keys for window security locks.
5. Replace all damaged window screens, and make sure all operating windows have
screens.
6. Tighten all door knobs and tighten or repair all handrails. Also check to be sure
that all interior doors will latch to the strike plate.
7. Clear the way to the attic access panel or pull down, especially in a closet. This
means removing any clothing or other personal items in closets under access
panels. The inspector will enter every attic.
8. If you use your attic for storage, remove any items that will inhibit the inspector.
9. Be sure that there is a minimum of one smoke detector per floor. Smoke detectors
in each bedroom are also recommended as they are required per present standards.
10. Provide keys or unlock detached garages, sheds, and outbuildings.
11. Verify all utilities will be on at the time of inspection, and that gas pilots
(including fireplaces) are lit.
12. Remove or restrain pets on site.
13. Empty the washer and dryer so they can be tested. The dishwasher can be run
whether it is full or empty.
Selling a home can be a long and stressful run. When you get to the point of the
inspection, you’re nearing the finish line. Hopefully, the pointers mentioned above will
help you cross it with ease!

Preparing a home for sale

2009-07-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

Preparing a home for sale requires more than an average cleaning. Most sellers understand that they must keep their house neat and tidy in order to attract potential buyers, but many may be overwhelmed or sidetracked when faced with seriously removing clutter. Beyond dusting and scrubbing, a de-cluttered home shows off its spaciousness and allows potential buyers to imagine themselves living there. Here are a few proven strategies to help homeowners take control of their space.

Empty it Out

Once you have identified your clutter hot spots it's time to pull everything out of that closet, shelving unit, or drawer and sort through what you really do and do not need. Start slowly and resist the urge to go into a frenzied clean. A successful purge requires time, commitment and motivation.

The Uselessness of Potential

Sometimes the hardest things to let go of are the things we've never used. Giving up on the idea of what that thing could be is an important part of letting it go. This is true for the things we've used but may never use again. A good rule of thumb: if you haven't used it in a year then you probably don't need it.

Give it a Home

Staying organized sometimes means finding a place for something and keeping it there. Key rings, newspaper racks, bill holders, and plastic storage containers can all help calm that "where did I put it?" frantic feeling.

Get it Out

Once you have made a pile of things to be cleared out the final step is making sure it gets out of your house! A yard sale can clear out the clutter and bring in some extra cash. If putting together a sale is too much work, donate your extra goods to your favorite local charity.

Kick the Habit

Once you've cleared out the clutter, it's important to adopt habits that prevent the problem from occurring again. Establish routines to help such as sorting mail over the recycle bin, always keeping a "give away" box in your hallway, and thinking twice about whether or not you really need something before you buy it.

Echo Boomers, The Key to Real Estate Recovery

2009-07-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

The seeds of a housing recovery have already been planted, according to a report released recently. In fact, many of them were sown starting around 1979. According to an annual state of the nation’s housing from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, once the U.S. emerges from recession, strong demographic trends will restore health to the housing market. The key is echo boomers, the 75 million Americans born between 1979 and 1995. "There will be 5 million more echo boomers than there were boomers when they first started swelling housing markets," said Eric Belsky, executive director of the Joint Center. As a result, household growth during the next 10 years should range between 12.5 million and 14.8 million, according to the report. All those new households mean demand for many new housing units. "This is a powerful, powerful underpinning of future demand," said Belsky. Source: CNN/Money
Housing confidence is up amid increasing evidence that the market is turning around. The Adversity Index from MSNBC.com and Moody’s Economy.com reported signs of a turnaround in 33 of the nation’s metro areas. While that’s less than 10 percent of all metro areas, it’s still significant, says economist Andrew Gledhill of Economy.com. "There are signs out there that builders are growing modestly more confident about their prospects,” he says. Vallejo, Calif., where housing starts are up 440 percent compared to a year ago, leads the list of improving metros. In Longview, Tex., housing starts increased 263 percent. Others metro areas at the top of the list are Lawrence, Kan.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Kokomo, Ind.; and Clarksville, Tenn. Housing prices are also increasing in 140 metro areas compared to a year ago. The greatest increase was in Elmira, N.Y., where prices were up 10 percent compared to a year ago. Source: MSNBC
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have received the green light from their regulator to refinance underwater homeowners whose loans are as high as 25% greater than the value of the home. The special refinance plan that Obama administration officials unveiled in February limited the option to loans 5% greater than the value of the home. The higher limits will allow more homeowners to strengthen their finances by taking advantage of lower rates," Federal Housing Finance Agency director James Lockhart said. Fannie Mae said it would accept delivery of the higher limits starting Sept. 1. A Freddie Mac spokesman said it would start accepting the loans "now." The GSE financing program is only available to borrowers with loans that are owned or guaranteed by Fannie and Freddie. They also have to be current on their payments. Source: National Mortgage News

Going 'green'

2009-06-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

Going 'green' in the backyard
Easy ways to save money, environmentBy Paul Bianchina, Inman News
Everyone loves the oasis of calm and beauty that's created by a nice green yard. But what about a yard that's "green" at the same time? There are a number of steps you can take to reduce noise, pollution, waste and water usage in your backyard, and save yourself some time and money at the same time. Simple changes all add up, and the following are a few tips to get you started.
Reduce your lawn area: The easiest way to reduce the impact of lawn mowing is to simply reduce the lawn in the first place. Instead, consider planting all or part of your lawn area with lush, green, low-growing ground covers -- you'll get much the same look with a lot less water and a big reduction in maintenance.
Use drought-resistant plants: In non-lawn areas, look for plants that are stingy water users. Depending on where you live, there are any number of beautiful backyard plants that require a minimal amount of watering.
Add mulch or bark to planter areas: The addition of a layer of mulch or decorative bark material not only looks nice and reduces weed growth, it also keeps plants cooler and reduces the evaporation of moisture from the soil, both of which help reduce water consumption.
Cut down on water usage: Instead of the standard rotating or sprayer-type sprinkler nozzles, switch to an irrigation system that uses less water. Soaker hoses, low-flow sprinkler heads, and drip irrigation are all good options for reducing water usage. Also, rather than allow your sprinklers to run until you remember to go out and shut off the faucet, consider the use of sprinkler timers. These can range from sophisticated timers for underground systems to simple hose timers.
Grow some of your own food: Planting a vegetable garden or adding some fruit trees to your yard will have a number of positive benefits. In addition to taking a little strain off your food budget, garden plants help cool the yard and absorb carbon dioxide, and fruit trees can add privacy and shade.
Watch your fertilizers: Talk with local garden and landscape experts to see what the best type of fertilizer and plant food is for your particular region and the types of plants you have. You can save money and reduce pollution by selecting the proper lawn and plant treatments, and using only as much of them as necessary.
Don't burn in the backyard: Get rid of your burn barrel and fill in the burn pit. Backyard burning has been shown by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create a number of unhealthy conditions, including the release of dioxins, carbon monoxide and particulate matter that increases air pollution, and fine ash that can aggravate breathing problems. Instead, recycle wood, cardboard, paper, plastics and other materials, and properly dispose of the remaining waste by taking it to your local landfill.
Maintain your lawn and garden equipment: Gasoline-powered mowers and other yard maintenance equipment need to be treated in much the same manner as your car. Change spark plugs and oil regularly, have tune-ups performed at recommended times, and clean or replace air filters as needed. This will keep your equipment running smoothly with fewer emissions, and will save you money in fuel costs as well.
Use care when filling gas equipment: Take care not to overfill the tanks or spill any fuel. Spilled gasoline is both a pollutant and a waste of money. Look for approved fuel cans with a flexible spout to simplify filling, and use a funnel whenever necessary to prevent spills. Keep gas cans tightly sealed between fuelings.
Switch from gas-powered equipment: Last but far from least, when it comes time to buy or replace lawn maintenance equipment, give some serious thought to switching from gas-powered equipment to electric or, better yet, equipment that's powered by rechargeable batteries. Great strides have been made in battery technology in recent years, leading to equipment that is powerful, quiet, and much, much cleaner.
For example, Black & Decker recently introduced a battery-powered, 36-volt string trimmer (Model NST2036, $249.99) that can go head to head with gas-powered trimmers. It has plenty of power and a long run time, all without gas, oil, fumes or noise. Also from Black & Decker is the Rechargeable Alligator Lopper (Model NLP1800, $139.99). A cross between a traditional chain saw and a traditional pair of lopping shears, the Alligator uses a chain saw blade and tough metal jaws to saw through logs and branches up to 4 inches in diameter -- once again, without all the hassles, pollution or noise of a conventional gas chain saw.
Easy ways to save money, environmentBy Paul Bianchina, Inman News
Everyone loves the oasis of calm and beauty that's created by a nice green yard. But what about a yard that's "green" at the same time? There are a number of steps you can take to reduce noise, pollution, waste and water usage in your backyard, and save yourself some time and money at the same time. Simple changes all add up, and the following are a few tips to get you started.
Reduce your lawn area: The easiest way to reduce the impact of lawn mowing is to simply reduce the lawn in the first place. Instead, consider planting all or part of your lawn area with lush, green, low-growing ground covers -- you'll get much the same look with a lot less water and a big reduction in maintenance.
Use drought-resistant plants: In non-lawn areas, look for plants that are stingy water users. Depending on where you live, there are any number of beautiful backyard plants that require a minimal amount of watering.
Add mulch or bark to planter areas: The addition of a layer of mulch or decorative bark material not only looks nice and reduces weed growth, it also keeps plants cooler and reduces the evaporation of moisture from the soil, both of which help reduce water consumption.
Cut down on water usage: Instead of the standard rotating or sprayer-type sprinkler nozzles, switch to an irrigation system that uses less water. Soaker hoses, low-flow sprinkler heads, and drip irrigation are all good options for reducing water usage. Also, rather than allow your sprinklers to run until you remember to go out and shut off the faucet, consider the use of sprinkler timers. These can range from sophisticated timers for underground systems to simple hose timers.
Grow some of your own food: Planting a vegetable garden or adding some fruit trees to your yard will have a number of positive benefits. In addition to taking a little strain off your food budget, garden plants help cool the yard and absorb carbon dioxide, and fruit trees can add privacy and shade.
Watch your fertilizers: Talk with local garden and landscape experts to see what the best type of fertilizer and plant food is for your particular region and the types of plants you have. You can save money and reduce pollution by selecting the proper lawn and plant treatments, and using only as much of them as necessary.
Don't burn in the backyard: Get rid of your burn barrel and fill in the burn pit. Backyard burning has been shown by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create a number of unhealthy conditions, including the release of dioxins, carbon monoxide and particulate matter that increases air pollution, and fine ash that can aggravate breathing problems. Instead, recycle wood, cardboard, paper, plastics and other materials, and properly dispose of the remaining waste by taking it to your local landfill.
Maintain your lawn and garden equipment: Gasoline-powered mowers and other yard maintenance equipment need to be treated in much the same manner as your car. Change spark plugs and oil regularly, have tune-ups performed at recommended times, and clean or replace air filters as needed. This will keep your equipment running smoothly with fewer emissions, and will save you money in fuel costs as well.
Use care when filling gas equipment: Take care not to overfill the tanks or spill any fuel. Spilled gasoline is both a pollutant and a waste of money. Look for approved fuel cans with a flexible spout to simplify filling, and use a funnel whenever necessary to prevent spills. Keep gas cans tightly sealed between fuelings.
Switch from gas-powered equipment: Last but far from least, when it comes time to buy or replace lawn maintenance equipment, give some serious thought to switching from gas-powered equipment to electric or, better yet, equipment that's powered by rechargeable batteries. Great strides have been made in battery technology in recent years, leading to equipment that is powerful, quiet, and much, much cleaner.
For example, Black & Decker recently introduced a battery-powered, 36-volt string trimmer (Model NST2036, $249.99) that can go head to head with gas-powered trimmers. It has plenty of power and a long run time, all without gas, oil, fumes or noise. Also from Black & Decker is the Rechargeable Alligator Lopper (Model NLP1800, $139.99). A cross between a traditional chain saw and a traditional pair of lopping shears, the Alligator uses a chain saw blade and tough metal jaws to saw through logs and branches up to 4 inches in diameter -- once again, without all the hassles, pollution or noise of a conventional gas chain saw.yard
Easy ways to save money, environmentBy Paul Bianchina, Inman News
Everyone loves the oasis of calm and beauty that's created by a nice green yard. But what about a yard that's "green" at the same time? There are a number of steps you can take to reduce noise, pollution, waste and water usage in your backyard, and save yourself some time and money at the same time. Simple changes all add up, and the following are a few tips to get you started.
Reduce your lawn area: The easiest way to reduce the impact of lawn mowing is to simply reduce the lawn in the first place. Instead, consider planting all or part of your lawn area with lush, green, low-growing ground covers -- you'll get much the same look with a lot less water and a big reduction in maintenance.
Use drought-resistant plants: In non-lawn areas, look for plants that are stingy water users. Depending on where you live, there are any number of beautiful backyard plants that require a minimal amount of watering.
Add mulch or bark to planter areas: The addition of a layer of mulch or decorative bark material not only looks nice and reduces weed growth, it also keeps plants cooler and reduces the evaporation of moisture from the soil, both of which help reduce water consumption.
Cut down on water usage: Instead of the standard rotating or sprayer-type sprinkler nozzles, switch to an irrigation system that uses less water. Soaker hoses, low-flow sprinkler heads, and drip irrigation are all good options for reducing water usage. Also, rather than allow your sprinklers to run until you remember to go out and shut off the faucet, consider the use of sprinkler timers. These can range from sophisticated timers for underground systems to simple hose timers.
Grow some of your own food: Planting a vegetable garden or adding some fruit trees to your yard will have a number of positive benefits. In addition to taking a little strain off your food budget, garden plants help cool the yard and absorb carbon dioxide, and fruit trees can add privacy and shade.
Watch your fertilizers: Talk with local garden and landscape experts to see what the best type of fertilizer and plant food is for your particular region and the types of plants you have. You can save money and reduce pollution by selecting the proper lawn and plant treatments, and using only as much of them as necessary.
Don't burn in the backyard: Get rid of your burn barrel and fill in the burn pit. Backyard burning has been shown by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create a number of unhealthy conditions, including the release of dioxins, carbon monoxide and particulate matter that increases air pollution, and fine ash that can aggravate breathing problems. Instead, recycle wood, cardboard, paper, plastics and other materials, and properly dispose of the remaining waste by taking it to your local landfill.
Maintain your lawn and garden equipment: Gasoline-powered mowers and other yard maintenance equipment need to be treated in much the same manner as your car. Change spark plugs and oil regularly, have tune-ups performed at recommended times, and clean or replace air filters as needed. This will keep your equipment running smoothly with fewer emissions, and will save you money in fuel costs as well.
Use care when filling gas equipment: Take care not to overfill the tanks or spill any fuel. Spilled gasoline is both a pollutant and a waste of money. Look for approved fuel cans with a flexible spout to simplify filling, and use a funnel whenever necessary to prevent spills. Keep gas cans tightly sealed between fuelings.
Switch from gas-powered equipment: Last but far from least, when it comes time to buy or replace lawn maintenance equipment, give some serious thought to switching from gas-powered equipment to electric or, better yet, equipment that's powered by rechargeable batteries. Great strides have been made in battery technology in recent years, leading to equipment that is powerful, quiet, and much, much cleaner.
For example, Black & Decker recently introduced a battery-powered, 36-volt string trimmer (Model NST2036, $249.99) that can go head to head with gas-powered trimmers. It has plenty of power and a long run time, all without gas, oil, fumes or noise. Also from Black & Decker is the Rechargeable Alligator Lopper (Model NLP1800, $139.99). A cross between a traditional chain saw and a traditional pair of lopping shears, the Alligator uses a chain saw blade and tough metal jaws to saw through logs and branches up to 4 inches in diameter -- once again, without all the hassles, pollution or noise of a conventional gas chain saw.

Basement Seepage

2009-06-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

Given the right condition, any basement can leak.
No one can predict if a basement will leak in the future, and in many cases, it's not even possible to tell if a basement has leaked in the past. Basement seepage is the result of water concentration along an exterior foundation wall - which then
seeks an entry through foundation cracks. It's important to eliminate the cause, not just seal the entry point. Over time, neglected moisture intrusion problems can create significant structural and indoor air quality problems. However, the majority of wet basement problems can be eliminated, or at least reduced to a tolerable level, by improvements to exterior grading and proper performance of gutters and downspouts.

The most common cause of wet basements is poor surface and roof drainage. In fact experience indicates the vast majority of wet basements are simply caused by surface rain water from improper drainage or slope. Keep in mind, a 1,000 square foot home with an attached garage will have over 1,100 gallons run from it in a one-inch rain. That's a tremendous amount of water. Imagine a downpour on a home with blocked gutters. Conditions change, foundations move, gutters become blocked, landscape changes, and extended periods of drought or rain occur -- all of which can cause changes in the basement. Wet basements are a major concern -- but shouldn't necessarily kill a deal. While basement seepage is a critical issue, often simple
remedies are available and are well within the scope of most homeowners/buyers. Homeowner suggestions include:
For basement seepage, the following is recommend before seeking a specialized contractor: Make sure the land around the house slopes in the right direction. This can require as little as a couple of bags of topsoil or as much as a new driveway. Pay attention to localized low spots like gardens, window wells and the space between sidewalks and foundation walls. Be sure to check the grading below decks and porches as it is often bad. Examine gutters and downspouts. Gutters must be sloped properly to drain. Downspouts must be frequent enough (every 35 feet) to prevent overflow in heavy rain. Look where downspouts discharge. If they go into the ground, the below-ground portion of the drain may be broken or plugged. This almost guarantees a wet basement in the vicinity of the downspout. Malfunctioning integral gutters can be very serious. The water leaking out of the gutters usually ends up in the structure, causing rot and other damage. It is best to have downspouts discharge onto the lawn -- preferably six feet from your home.

If you're thinking about selling

2009-05-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

We've all heard the old adage "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." This is especially true when it comes to your home. If you're thinking about selling, there's no more important audience to attract than potential buyers, who are highly influenced by how a home looks the first time they get a glimpse of it. Even if your goal is just to impress your neighbors and guests you should pay close attention to the first impression your home in making. Here are a few simple tips and techniques that can positively affect your home's "curb appeal" and perhaps even its value.Clean Up and Repair:The most useful chores to tackle first are basic maintenance and repairs before moving onto larger projects. Clean windows and siding, make sure outdoor lights are working, stow away yard tools and equipment, and clean up dead branches and leaves. Make sure that fences, walkways, and the driveway are in good repair too - a home that looks well taken care of is always more attractive to buyers.Landscaping:A full landscape overhaul may not be necessary, but your yard, especially in the front, should look neat and well maintained. Trim any overgrown shrubs, remove weeds, and tidy up planting areas. If the season is right, add some colorful flowering plants to brighten up areas around walkways and the front entrance. It's an easy and inexpensive way to create an instantly welcoming feeling.The Entrance:The front door is another key element of that all-important first impression, and should reflect the style of the home. If replacement is cost-prohibitive, consider reviving a tired, faded door with a fresh coat of paint in a great accent color and swapping out the hardware.Paint It New:Brighten up the exterior of your home with a new paint job. Driving around your neighborhood may inspire some ideas of what may be flattering to your home. If you're planning to sell your home, it's usually best to go with colors that have widespread appeal so that potential buyers won't be put off by unusual colors or combinations. Painting the exterior can add significantly to the home's value.

The Treasury’s Struggle

2009-05-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

The question is, can the Federal Reserve Board keep rates on Treasurys down? The Fed has been buying U.S. Treasury notes in the past several weeks in order to keep a lid on long-term Treasurys, particularly the benchmark U.S. 10-year note. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions. So more demand for bonds should drive rates down. A day before the Fed said on March 18 that it would begin buying Treasurys, the yield on the 10-year was about 3.0%. Following the announcement, bonds rose and the yield fell to about 2.5% - exactly what the Fed wanted. The Fed’s success was temporary, though. Even though the Fed reiterated it would finish purchasing $300 billion in Treasurys by this autumn, the 10-year sell-off continued until the yields crossed over the 3.0% mark. .
"The bond market has sold off because the Fed isn’t changing the amount of bonds they are going to buy," said Brian Battle, vice president of Performance Trust Capital Partners. a fixed-income trading firm in Chicago. As we have indicated since the beginning of the year, there will be an on-going battle that will cause rates to fluctuate significantly. The slow economy and government support both will serve to keep rates down. On the other hand, the government spending to spur the economy will cause rates to increase. Every evidence that the economy is recovering will tilt the balance in favor of higher rates. Thus far, rates on home loans have been able to withstand this pressure because the government has also purchased mortgages, narrowing the spread between mortgages and Treasurys. However, this spread is approaching what it was before the financial crisis hit and any movement of the 10-year higher than 3.25% will likely also cause a corresponding rise in the cost in home loans. Stay tuned as the "tug of war" continues…

U.S. Housing Market

2009-05-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

U.S. housing market to stabilize this summer click link

What is a home warranty?

2009-05-06T05:43:00.000-07:00

What is a home warranty
A home warranty is a one year residential service contract that provides repair or replacement coverage for the major operating systems and appliances in a home that fail due to normal wear and tear.
Home Buyers’ BenefitsMove in with assurance knowing your home is covered.
You are covered for unexpected home repair or replacement costs on many of your home’s major systems and appliances.
Coverage is regardless of the appliances’ age, make or model.
It only takes a phone call and a small service fee to fix the problem.
Service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
You’ll have budget protection knowing you only have to pay a nominal service fee per trade call.
Home Sellers’ BenefitsSell with confidence.
Having a home warranty as an additional feature will give you a competitive edge over other homes on the market.
Buyers have more confidence in your home and there is usually less negotiating in getting closer to your asking price.
If something breaks after the sale, there is limited liability for you. Buyers will contact the warranty company rather than calling you.
Protect your budget, one major breakdown before or during the sale of your home can very costly and delay things.
Did you know:
- A customer uses their warranty 2 times on average? If they didn’t have the warranty, then the expense for the repair would be out of pocket

When should you buy?

2009-04-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1465406675?bctid=6791126001

Clink on this link for a message from the National Association of Realtors.

Another tip courtesy of Myles Beresford and NAR

2009-04-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

Add a Splash of Color Everywhere

"Currently over half the homes we list are vacant and can look very sterile in photos. We ask sellers to neutralize their wall colors and carpet, but then we discover all the photos of the interior look similar and boring. Our best staging tip is to add bright, bold colors to the kitchen and bathrooms with accessories, towels, and plants. Red is a call-to-action color. A vase with red flowers can add interest to the photo when placed on a kitchen island or bar. We like burgundy or black towels in a neutral bathroom and green silk plants in the living areas. A colorful picture over the fireplace mantle with a couple of vases on each side can make a great vignette in the family room."

It's a good time to buy!

2009-04-07T05:55:00.001-07:00

1. Uncle Sam is willing to help. First-time buyers (defined as anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years) are entitled to a maximum $8,000 tax credit; interest rates are at record lows; and the Federal Reserve is doing its best to make mortgage loans available.

2. People have to live somewhere. About 800,000 new households are formed each year in this country, ensuring that the housing market will tighten, even if the economy doesn't soar.

3. Borrowers leverage their investment. If you put $10,000 into the stock market and it earns 10 percent, you've earned $1,000. If you put $10,000 down on a home and its value increases 10 percent, you've made $10,000.

4. When prices come back up, you'll have instant equity. In parts of the country where foreclosures have driven down prices, better times will mean the price of the home you buy will rise rapidly.

5. Mortgage costs stay the same. If you get a fixed-rate mortgage, the monthly payment stays the same--while everything else, including rent, goes upward.

6. You own it. There is something comforting in the notion that your home is your own. You can paint it any color .

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Mortgage rates drop below 5%

2009-03-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

Freddie Mac reports a drop in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 4.98 percent during the week ended March 19 from 5.03 percent the prior year, marking the lowest rate since 4.96 percent in mid-January.

Experts say rates could fall further in response to the Federal Reserve's announcement that it will add $1.2 trillion to the economy to alleviate the credit crisis.

Realtors and St Joseph

2009-03-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

To all realtors (and clients) that have asked for the intercession of St. Joseph in the sale of a home. Today is the Feast of St. Joseph, a good time to thank him again for his help or to ask again for his intercession if his buyer has been reluctant to purchase your listing.

A Reflection on St Joseph

Joseph the just man, descended from the house of David, inserts Jesus into the line of David. Like his Old Testament counterpart, Joseph’s faithfulness extended even to his dreams. Joseph took Mary into his home as his wife, and loved her with a love beyond all human limits. “Joseph looked on the Blessed Virgin Mary as the high priest looks on the Holy of Holies” (Jacob of Serug). As a true father, Joseph gave his name, and rescued his infant Son from the murderous designs of King Herod. Saint Joseph’s silent obedience resounds in the Church he protects. (Magnificat Monthly Vol 10)St Joseph…pray for us.

2009-03-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent me this letter. I don't know its origin, probably the folks that make WD-40, but this is handy to know.
I got up very early and went outside to pick up the Sunday paper, when I noticed someone had sprayed red paint all around the sides of my neighbors brand new beige truck. I went over and woke him up and gave him the bad news. He was, of course extremely upset and we stood there trying to figure out what we could do about the problem. We decided there wasn't much recourse but to wait until Monday, since nothing was open. Just then another neighbor came out of his house, surveyed the situation and immediately said to get his WD-40 out and clean the red paint off. Guess what! it cleaned up that paint without harming the original paint on the truck! I'm impressed!! Water Displacement #40. The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chem ical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you...' IT IS MADE FROM FISH OIL' . When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It is a miracle! Then try it on your stovetop... It is now shinier than it has ever been before. 1) Protects silver from tarnishing. 2) Removes road tar and grime from cars. 3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strin gs. 4) Gives floors that `just-waxed` sheen without making it slippery. 5) Keeps flies off cows. 6) Restores and cleans chalkboards. 7) Removes lipstick stains. 8) Loosens stubborn zippers. 9) Untangles jewelry chains. 10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks. 11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill. 12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing. 13) Removes tomato s tains from clothing. 14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots. 15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors. 16) Keeps scissors working smoothly. 17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes. 18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Open some windows if you have a lot of marks. 19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car. Removed quickly, with WD-40! 20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide. 21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers. 22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.. 23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open. 24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close. 25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles as well as vinyl bumpers. 26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles. 27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans. 28) Lubricates20wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling. 29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly. 30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools. 31) Removes splattered grease on the stove. 32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging. 33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs. 34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell). 35) Removes all traces of duct tape. 36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain. 37) Florida's favorite use 'Cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.' 38) Protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements. 39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. 40) Ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch. 41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag. 42) If you've washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and Presto! Lipstick is gone! 43) If you spray WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will displace the moisture and allow the car to start. Keep a can of WD-40 in my kitchen cabinet over the stove. It is good for oven burns or any other type of burn. It takes the burned feeling away and heals with NO scarring. Remember, the basic ingredient is FISH OIL

Going Green

2009-03-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

The next generation of homebuyers is going green. It's a responsible, forward-thinking outlook that declares, "There's no place like home - so save it." The key to green real estate is sustainability, living comfortably while minimizing your home's carbon footprint, lowering energy, and minimizing consumption and fuel needs. By giving consideration to green practices, you play your part as a responsible citizen of the planet. If you haven't already, get ready to go green.
Update insulation, which can help cut your heating and cooling energy costs and consumption.
Changing your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs will cut your energy costs drastically.
Modern appliances are now going green, as well: dishwasher, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezers are now becoming energy efficient. By replacing your appliances with energy efficient ones you are appealing to the new eco-friendly buyers and making a great investment for the environment.
Low-flush toilets are the new rage, wasting less water in volume per flush.
Thinking reno? Nature's answer to interior lighting is the skylight: they help to illuminate rooms so you can keep those lights off.
Most importantly, going green is the way of the future. And it's here to stay. Green homes are not only less expensive to maintain, they also guarantee that there will be resources for generations to come.

2009-02-26T14:25:00.000-08:00

People ask me," why sailing pictures on a real estate blog?" Because sailing is my adventure and experienced sailors have helped me enjoy that adventure. I will help others with the same care and safety that these sailors have given me.

Turn your closet from cluttered to calm!

2009-01-31T15:36:00.000-08:00

Is your linen closet a jumble of sheets, towels and pillowcases? Take it from a sailor who knows how to keep things ship shape. Turn your closet from cluttered to calm and make it hold even more.
Create topple-proof stacks. Sheets falling into the hand towels? Beach towel tower toppling over? Try vertical shelf dividers to keep everything separate.
Fold for more room.Neatly folded sheets and towels take up about 25% less space because they're more compact.
Know the trick to keeping it all together.After you do laundry, sort sheets into sets for each bed, then store each inside of its pillowcases. This not only saves space, but your sheets sets are always kept together.
Free up at least half a shelf.Bulky tablecloths take up a lot of room in the closet – plus they end up with a permanent fold crease down the middle. Hang them up instead. Use a skit hanger with spring clips and put them in a coat closet. Or mount a towel rack on the back of your linen closet door and hang them there.
Lose a shelf to find more space.Most linen closets have pre-fabricated holes on the sides that allow you to move shelves around, so all you have to do is lift the bottom one out. You'll have room for a rolling drawer unit or dresser. Use it for napkins, hand towels and wash-cloths, and double your space.
TIP:My wife Chris, reminds that natural herb sachets containing lavender, peppermint, thyme, or cloves give linens a fresh scent while repelling moths.

New Trends in Kitchen Materials

2009-01-29T07:35:00.000-08:00

Corian to Cork: New Trends in Kitchen Materials

As granite becomes almost ubiquitous, buyers are wowed by stylish Corian, quartz, and even cork.
By Barbara Ballinger
February 2009

Granite countertops may still impress some buyers, but true trendsetters will be on the lookout for kitchens that incorporate some of the hottest new materials. A countertop, backsplash, or floor in a dazzling material may be just what’s needed to give a room a stylish kick and spur a sale.

Help educate home owners about the growing list of new possibilities, including the pros and cons of various materials. A trendy look carries a lot of weight, but durability, affordability, and sustainability also count.

We asked design experts about the hottest and freshest materials, and some old favorites, that can make a big impact in the kitchen. While some experts agreed, we found some differing opinions on each material’s pros and cons. Because every buyer’s style is different, urge clients to study materials up close and find the answers to these key questions:

· How durable is it?
· Will it stain or crack?
· Does it need to be sealed and resealed? How often?
· Is it eco-friendly?
· Does it come in slabs, tiles, or both?
· What surface is most suitable for this material?
· How much does it cost to buy, install, and maintain?

Another piece of advice from the experts: For the best overall look in a kitchen, never use a material as the only surface in a room. “Too much of any single material loses freshness,” says designer Mick de Giulio of DeGiulio Kitchens & Bath in Chicago and Wilmette, Ill.

Materials to Consider

Concrete. Simple, clean, and durable, this material can be left rough or honed, stained a color, edged with another material, and sealed, although some scratches and cracking may be inevitable, says designer Mariette Barsoum of Divine Kitchens in Westboro, Ma. It can also be sculpted into curved countertops. Installation is critical, and the best installers charge top dollar, often $275 a square foot, says Arthur Tanturri, owner of Chelsea Fine Custom Kitchens in New York. Do-it-yourselfers can cut costs by following advice from Fu-Tung Cheng’s book, Concrete Countertops Made Simple (The Taunton Press, 2008).

Quartz. Engineered or manmade quartz, plus epoxy resins, creates the material that’s generically referred to as quartz. However, manufacturers also call it by other names: Cambria, Zodiaq, CaesarStone, and Silestone. Colors vary, but all are durable and heat resistant. “It provides the look of granite but doesn’t have that material’s porosity,” says Naperville, Ill., designer Joan M. Kaufman. It can also be heated and molded into curved shapes, says Doug Durbin, owner of NuHaus, a design firm in Highland Park, Ill. Some designers like the consistency of its colors and patterns; others think such sameness looks unnatural and prefer the one-of-a-kind slabs of granite and marble. Price varies by the slab selected, but it can be more costly than a natural stone.

Bamboo. Eco-friendly, warm, and available in different hues, bamboo is a durable wood-like grass that can be used on any surface. It requires sealing. When it comes to price, top-notch bamboos rival high-quality granites. Jeff Taub, owner of Kittle’s Flooring Co. in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., favors the strength of strand bamboo, which is mixed with resin and compressed.

Mosaic glass tiles. A hot contender for today’s favorite material, these tiles are sustainable and available in a rainbow of colors, textures, and sizes. They can be mixed with metal, stone, and ceramic tiles for a rich textural display. The downside is price, which is comparable with or even greater than nice granite. Chicago designer David Kaufman likes to use glass tiles in different sizes and shapes on a backsplash.

IceStone. Recycled glass is mixed with cement to create IceStone, a speckled surface that’s chip- and burn-proof, although four times costlier than good granites.

Hardwood. Wood will always be a classic, but the specific species, colors, and widths come and go in popularity. Frank Fontana, host of HGTV’s “Design on a Dime” currently prefers darker woods such as Brazilian cherry, walnut, mahogany, and oak-stained ebony. He also likes wide planks that mimic barn floorboards. New York designer Jeani Ziering thinks reclaimed teak flooring is an elegant must-have.

Cork. Though it may look soft, this flooring material wears like wood and can be dyed with vibrant reds, greens, blues. It’s also affordable, at $15 to $18 a square foot.

PaperStone. Durable and sustainable, PaperStone is made from layers of recycled paper in thicknesses of ¾-inch to 11/4-inch, making it suitable for countertops. Edges can be varied. Price is comparable to lower-end granites but a seasoned installer is essential, says Durbin.

Marble. Another natural material, marble’s elegance comes from its classic simplicity, quiet color range, and subtle veining. Though durable, it’s more porous than granite and requires periodic sealings, says David Kaufman. Some consider it a bad choice for kitchen counters, but Fontana thinks it’s fine as long as home owners understand how to care for it. Honing helps it withstand wear, says Jacksonville, Fla., designer Judith Sisler Johnson. Prices can be steep, $10 to $12 per square foot compared with $8 to $10 per square foot for granite that’s the same size and comparable quality, and $6 to $10 for porcelain, says Tanturri. A middle-grade granite slab might run $80 to $110 installed; the same size and quality marble slab would be 15 percent more.

Granite. Like a black cocktail dress, granite will never go out of style, even if it is something that everybody owns. This natural material looks freshest when selected in a classic color or one of the newer but low-key variations such as sky pearl or black with gold or tan veining. Available in tiny mosaics, larger tiles, and slabs, its price depends on the thickness, edging, color, and finish. Prices have dropped due to competition, though newer granites like rainforest green may still run as high as $250 per square foot, says Durbin.

Other Options to Consider. Though less popular, and on the pricey side, here are some other materials our experts mentioned:

· Alkemi. This recycled metal with a jewel-like look shimmers and is resistant to chipping.
· Copper. It offers an elegant sheen, but it can ding, so you may be safer using this material on walls rather than counters or floors.
· Leather tiles. Another green material, these tiles offer a rich dramatic look in a variety of skins such as ostrich and vibrant colors like orange.
· Pyrolave. A French-made glazed Volvic lava stone that’s hard, heat resistant, and comes in vibrant tones can cost $250 a square foot and require a seam because of its lengths.
· Seeta. Environmentally-friendly and made by Torzo Surfaces from sunflower seed hulls, this material is durable, green, 100-percent formaldehyde free, and available in multiple colors and patterns. It costs about the same as an average-priced granite does, says Los Angeles designer Sarah Barnard.

Flooring

2009-01-15T06:29:00.000-08:00

Overwhelmed by kitchen floor options?
Resale value, cleanability among key selling points
The floor in your kitchen has to wear a lot of hats. It has to be able to withstand the rigors of lots of foot traffic. It needs to be water-resistant and be able to stand up to repeated cleanings. It has to be able to withstand grease, spills, drips and other indignities -- and it has to look good doing it!
When you're ready to shop for a kitchen floor that can handle all those demands, you'll find that you have several choices. There's probably no single "perfect" flooring material, but by doing a little homework, you're sure to find one that will work beautifully in your kitchen.
Here are some great choices to consider, along with some of the pros and cons of each:
Sheet Vinyl: Sheet vinyl flooring is one of the most common choices for a kitchen floor. Sheet vinyl is very resistant to spills, grease and dirt, is very water resistant, and is also very easy to clean. There are hundreds if not thousands of patterns, styles and colors to choose from, as well as different weights and thicknesses. Vinyl sheets are available in 6-foot and 12-foot-wide rolls, so it's possible to complete most kitchens with few or no seams. It's also one of the less expensive flooring options, so it's easier on your wallet and also makes it a little easier to change if you redecorate.
On the down side, vinyl flooring is prone to wear and scratching over time, especially with the lower-end materials. And from a resale value, it may lack the appeal of some of the more expensive floors.
Vinyl Tiles: Vinyl tiles have some of the virtues of sheet vinyl, such as water resistance, ease of cleaning and low cost. Because these are individual tiles, they are the easiest of all the flooring products for the do-it-yourselfer to install. Another advantage is that if damage occurs, you can easily take up and replace the individual damaged tiles, without having to incur the cost of replacing the entire floor.
There is a very definite downside with vinyl tiles, however, and that is the dozens of dirt-catching seams you end up with. Vinyl tiles also have probably the lowest overall appeal from a resale standpoint.
Ceramic Tiles: Ceramic tile is one of the best overall choices for a kitchen floor. These hard, durable tiles will stand up to all sorts of abuse, from spills to heavy appliances, and the tile is completely waterproof as well. Ceramic tile is hard to beat from a decorating standpoint, as there are thousands of size, color and pattern choices available. You can also mix different types or colors of tile to form patterns, borders or even pictures. A quality ceramic tile floor, especially some of the new travertines in large squares, are currently very popular and will add to a home's resale value.
The downsides of ceramic tile seem to be a matter of personal preference. For one thing, tile is the hardest and coldest of the floors underfoot, with none of the resiliency of vinyl or wood. This can be offset to some degree through the addition of small, non-skid area rugs, and if you want to really warm up the floor, you can have radiant heat cables installed underneath the tiles during installation. The other issue that some people have with tile are the grout lines, which are a little harder to clean than the tiles themselves. Again, this problem can be minimized by using larger tiles with small grout spaces between them, and be making sure that the grout is sealed after installation.
Laminate Floors: Laminate flooring has become increasingly popular in the kitchen. There are dozens of patterns and colors now available, some of which mimic the look of real wood quite well. The laminate can be chosen to blend or contrast with the wood in the cabinets, and you can mix in some darker strips to create accents and borders if desired. Laminate floors have some "spring" to them, making them one of the softer and more comfortable floors to stand on. They can also be a very good do-it-yourself project, and a well-selected and well-installed laminate floor will also add resale value.
If you have a kitchen that sees a lot of use, especially if chairs or bar stools are present, the laminate can be prone to scratching. Laminate also requires specific cleaning products for best results and longest life, and may not stand up to a lot of water over time.
Hardwood Floors: Hardwood floors have long been a classic and desirable feature in living rooms and other areas of the house, but it was only through relatively recent advances in the quality of polyurethane finishes that wood has found its way into the kitchen as well.

So who does sell the most Real Estate?

2009-01-14T06:25:00.001-08:00

Wyoming, Ohio Sales for December

2009-01-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

Wyoming, Ohio Sales for December 2008 as recorded in Cincinnati MLS

215 Compton Rd 189,500 9 3 3-0 FY2C Single Family 1 Story Sold
Off Mkt 11/17/08 SP$ 194,000 CD 12/16/08

315 Stonemill Ct 285,900 10 4 2-1 FY2C Single Family 1 Story Sold
Off Mkt 10/21/08 SP$ 270,000 CD 12/04/08

New Congressionally Mandated Credit Resource

2009-01-05T04:44:00.000-08:00

Free credit report will soon be available ...A new congressionally mandated credit resource for homebuyers and other consumers will be available starting Dec. 1. The site ... http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ ... will provide one free credit report annually from each of the three national credit bureaus and will also offer extensive tools to help you monitor your credit files and guard against identity theft. A toll-free number is also available at 1.877.322.8228. (Note: Eligibility for the free annual credit reports will be phased in over the next 10 months on a schedule moving from the Western region to the East Coast. Visitors will first be asked to identify what state they reside in and between Dec. 1 and the final rollout on Sept. 1, only residents of eligible states will be able to proceed to the second step. Ohio (the Midwest Region) appears in the second phase of the program and will rollout on Mar. 1, 2005.)
The three private credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) each receive information on more than 200 million consumers every year from banks, credit-card companies, etc. Many times the files contain different data (i.e. some companies report to one or two bureaus only) which is why Congress mandated annual free reports from each.

Tenth Day of Christmas

2009-01-03T04:54:00.001-08:00

I have been away on holiday. On Monday I will return to Real Estate Topics...until then, today is the tenth day of Christmas.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me... Ten Lords A-leaping

The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)
Go to Web Site

My Money, My Home, My Future

2008-12-19T05:58:00.000-08:00

HUD LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE TO INCREASE FINANCIAL LITERACY, PROMOTE HEALTHY HOMEOWNERSHIPMy Money, My Home, My Future
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today launched a new, comprehensive website to assist Americans with improving financial literacy, sustaining healthy homeownership and achieving financial security. The My Money, My Home, My Future website provides a range of interactive resources to inform users about the importance of financial literacy, including a Self-Assessment Tool, online games and informative classes.
"It is imperative that Americans are better educated about their finances and understand what it takes to be a responsible homeowner," said HUD Secretary Steve Preston. "The resources on the website allow families to plan ahead to make smart choices about their finances and homebuying decisions."
The new site provides a wide-range of information about all avenues needed to be successful on the road to greater financial education, including:
Building a Financial Foundation;
Sustaining Healthy Homeownership; and
Achieving Financial Security.
One of the most unique features of this website is the Self-Assessment Tool. The Self-Assessment Tool provides an extensive guide to help users learn more about personalized options for purchasing and/or refinancing their home. Users will be prompted to answer a few questions. Based on the answers given, the Self-Assessment Tool lists numerous links to visit on-line to learn more about the necessary and correct steps to own a home, refinance a home, enhance their financial skills, and much more.
Some of the other links on My Money, My Home, My Future give detailed information about:
9 Steps to Buying a Home
Housing Counselors and Lenders
Banking, Credit and Building Wealth
Foreclosure Process and Alternatives
Refinancing Loans and FHA Insured Loans
This new site is also located on http://www.hud.gov/ and http://www.fha.gov/ both in easy to find locations on the main web pages.

What is a Short Sale?

2008-12-16T20:37:00.001-08:00

What is a Short Sale?
A real estate Short Sale is a form of agreement between the seller of a home in the beginning stages of foreclosure and their lender, allowing the home to be sold for less than the existing loan balance outstanding. The mortgagee would accept less than the loan amount in order to avoid a foreclosure proceeding. This short sale would result in a substantially discounted purchase price for the buyer of the home. The buyer would then proceed with the purchase of the home much the same as in any conventional realty transaction.
The best part, the existing lender pays virtually all sales costs, including commissions, escrow and titles fees. You get your home sold, your loan(s) paid off and you avoid foreclosure.

Apology

2008-12-12T11:53:00.000-08:00

Apology

I had a blog listed in my profile as a blog I was following, which I was. I was linked to this blog because it had to do with sailing and also conservative ideals. If you know me that is a pretty good fit for Myles. Unfortunately that particular blogger had a link on his page that took visitors to a place that was totally inappropriate and inconsistent with my faith and morals. I just now discovered this and removed the blogger from my profile. I am mortified and apologize to anyone who may have stumbled on that link through my site.

Myles

Golden age for first-time home buyers.

2008-12-10T16:38:00.000-08:00

Five or 10 years from now, when the financial crisis has ended and housing prices are up smartly once more, we will look in the rearview mirror and realize that we missed a golden age for first-time home buyers.
Skip to next paragraphThen, everyone who sat on their down payment savings accounts for a few years too long will kick themselves for not taking advantage of what may turn out to be the buying opportunity of a lifetime for those who can qualify for a mortgage.
Unfortunately, we do not know when this golden age will begin, because we will be able to identify a bottom to the housing market only with the benefit of hindsight. But as it does with the stock market, the moment will probably arrive when everyone is feeling the most pessimistic.
That moment is certainly getting closer. Housing prices have fallen drastically from their peak levels in many areas of the country. Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are already close to 5.5 percent, and this week there were suggestions that the federal government might try to drive them down to 4.5 percent, a truly incredible figure to be able to lock in for three decades.
Meanwhile, first-time home buyers have the same advantage they have always had, which is that they do not have to sell their old place before buying a new one. That is an added advantage in areas where many available houses simply are not moving, because the people trying to sell them will not be bidding against you.
If you’re hoping for a recovery in the housing market, you ought to be cheering on the first-time home buyers. When they purchase homes, their sellers are free to move on or move up, stimulating further sales.
But if you are a potential first-time buyer yourself, or lending or giving the down payment to one, you are probably as frightened as you are tempted by all the “For Sale” signs that have become “On Sale” signs. So let’s quickly review some of the still-grim pricing data in certain areas — and consider the reasoning offered up by first-time buyers who have forged ahead anyhow.
As is always the case with real estate, much depends on location. One study, “The Changing Prospects for Building Home Equity,” tries to predict where today’s first-time buyers in the 100 biggest metropolitan areas may actually have less home equity by 2012 as a result of continued price declines. The verdict was that buyers in 33 of the markets could see a decline by 2012, including potential six-figure drops on an average home in the New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle metropolitan areas.
This is obviously scary. (I’ve linked to the study, a joint effort of the Center for Economic and Policy Research and the National Low Income Housing Coalition, from the version of this article at nytimes.com/yourmoney.) It’s worth noting, however, that these predictions came before the government made its most recent move to reduce borrowing costs.
Also, the price projections in the study are based, in part, on the fact that the ratio of purchase prices to annual rents is still higher in many areas than the historical average, which is roughly 15 times rents. While past figures may well have some predictive value, I have never been convinced that first-time buyers compare a home that they could own and one that they would rent in purely or even primarily economic terms.
When Jaime and Michael Proman moved this fall to Minneapolis, his hometown, from New York City, they craved a different sort of life after two years together in a 450-square-foot studio apartment. “We didn’t want a sterile apartment feel,” said Mr. Proman, who is 28 (his wife is 26). “We wanted something that was permanent and very much a reflection of us.”
The fact is, in many parts of the country there are few if any attractive rentals for people looking to put down roots and enjoy the sort of amenities they may spot on cable television home improvement shows. Comparing a rental with a place that you may own seems almost pointless in these situations, especially for those who are now grown up enough to want to make their own decisions about décor without consulting the landlord.
Still, for anyone feeling the urge to buy, a number of practical considerations have changed in the last year or two. The basics are back, like spending no more than 28 percent of your pretax income on mortgage payments, taxes and insurance. Even if a lender does not hold you to this when you go in for preapproval, you should hold yourself to it.
You will also want to start now on any project to improve your credit score because it may take several months to get it above the 720 level that qualifies you for many of the best mortgage rates.
John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education for credit.com, a consumer credit information and application site, suggests starting to pay down and put away credit cards months before you apply for a loan. That is because the credit scoring system could penalize you if you use a lot of credit each month, even if you always pay in full. Also, check your three credit reports (it’s free) at annualcreditreport.com and dispute errors.
While no one can easily predict the likelihood of losing a job, Friday’s startling unemployment figures suggest the need for caution if you think you might be vulnerable. A. C. Panella, who teaches communications at Pasadena City College in California, waited until she had a tenure-track job before buying a home in the Highland Park section of Los Angeles with her partner, Amy Goldman, a lawyer for a nonprofit organization. “We could afford the mortgage payment on one salary, were something to come up,” Ms. Panella, 31, said. “It’s really about being able to stay within our means.”
Skip to next paragraph
For many first-time home buyers, that philosophy stretches to the down payment, too. Ms. Panella and her partner put down 20 percent when they bought their home in September, as did the Promans when they bought their home in the Lowry Hill neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Alison Nowak, 29, put just 3 percent down on a Federal Housing Administration-backed loan last month when she and her partner, Lacey Mamak, bought a $149,900, 800-square-foot home several miles south of where the Promans live. “Anything that is an opportunity also has a bit of risk,” she said. Her house was in foreclosure before a plumber bought it and fixed it up. “One way we mitigated it was that we bought a really tiny house in a very good neighborhood.”
One other strategy might be to buy new instead of used. Ian Shepherdson, chief United States economist for the research firm High Frequency Economics, says he believes that a steep drop-off in inventory of new homes is coming soon, thanks to a rapid decrease in home builder activity.
Since prices generally soften in the winter, it may make sense to start looking seriously once the mercury bottoms out. “If you look at new developments next spring, you may not have the choice you thought you would have or be in the bargaining position you thought you would be,” Mr. Shepherdson said. Also, if you wait after June 30, you will miss out on a $7,500 federal tax credit for income-eligible first-time home buyers that works like an interest-free loan.
Finally, allow yourself to consider how it would feel if you bought and then prices dropped another 10 or 15 percent. It might not bother you if you plan to stick around. Plenty of people seem to be making a longer commitment to their homes. According to a survey that the National Association of Realtors released last month, typical first-time buyers plan to stay in their home 10 years, up from 7 last year.
Perhaps people are more aware that they will not be able to build equity as rapidly as others did in the real estate boom. Or they simply have more confidence in hard, hometown assets now than in other markets.
“We wouldn’t let another decline bother us,” said Michael Proman. “You can never time a bottom. This is a long-term investment for us, and it truly is the best investment we have in our portfolio right now.”
By RON LIEBER

Rate Buydown

2008-12-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

NAR-Backed Rate Buydown Gains Traction An effort by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® to spur home sales through a mortgage-interest rate buydown appears to be gaining traction. Reports in major news media like the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal today quote sources familiar with a meeting between U.S. Treasury officials and NAR in November in which the buydown proposal was discussed. "Treasury officials told the REALTORS® that the [buydown] plan could be a more effective way to help home owners than focusing solely on borrowers who are struggling to meet their monthly payments," the Washington Post story says. Under the Treasury plan, lenders would sell newly issued mortgage-backed securities to the government provided the interest-rate on the loans collateralizing the securities was no higher than 4.5 percent. Although NAR supports a buydown, it does not take a position on how low interest rates should go. To pay for the plan, Treasury would issue bonds at 3 percent, creating a 1.5-percent spread that it could use for buying the securities. Those securities would then be purchased by secondary mortgage market companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are under federal conservatorship. NAR has been calling for a buydown and other measures to help stimulate housing sales as part of a four-point plan it showcased at its annual meeting in Orlando last month. To date, tens of thousands of REALTORS® have sent letters to their members of Congress asking for quick action to help housing, which is widely considered a crucial first step to a broader economic recovery. Other parts of the four-point plan include making 2008 high-cost conforming loan limits, which are now $729,750, permanent, and improving the home buyer tax credit by expanding it to all buyers, not just first-timers, and eliminating the repayment requirement.Some analysts have calculated that an interest-rate buydown could help as many as 2.5 million households. "We strongly encourage the Treasury to move quickly with its plan to lower interest rates to encourage current buyers to act rather than continue to wait," said NAR President Charles McMillan in a public statement on the Treasury's most recent action with the plan. "We are pleased to see that the leadership of the Treasury Department is seriously considering the actions we discussed to lower interest rates. The result of such action will help the nation’s economic recovery and bring stability to the housing market." Source: REALTOR® Magazine Online

Checklist for a safer, warmer home

2008-12-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

Checklist for a safer, warmer home
10 tasks that improve energy efficiency, save livesBy Paul Bianchina, Inman News

High energy prices are taking their toll on just about everyone this year, so it's important to do whatever you can to create and maintain an energy-efficient home. It's time for weatherization projects, this year's checklist is centered around what you can do to create a warmer home that has less impact on your wallet.
___Check all insulation levels: Improving insulation levels can be a highly effective way of increasing your home's comfort and energy efficiency, so make it a point to check the amount and condition of all visible insulation. This includes the attic, underfloor, kneewalls, skylight shafts and ductwork. A call to your local utility company will tell you what levels are considered optimum for your area, and if repairs are needed and you don't want to undertake them yourself, they can also recommend qualified insulation and weatherization contractors.
___Check and seal heating ducts: Crawling around in the attic or crawlspace isn't anyone's idea of a fun afternoon, but it's the only way to examine and repair your heating ducts. Check for gaps between ducts and fittings, and seal them with a quality metallic tape -- not regular duct tape, which doesn't last. Also, check to be sure that all of the ducts are up off the ground and adequately supported.
___Check weatherstripping: Gaps around doors and windows -- no matter how small or seemingly insignificant -- allow cold outside air to enter your home. The result is uncomfortable drafts and wasted energy. Closely examine each exterior door and window to see that the weatherstripping is doing its job. There should be no visible gaps, the weatherstripping should be clean and undamaged, and windows and doors should operate smoothly and close completely. If any repairs are necessary, you can find everything you need at your local hardware store or home center, or contact a qualified weatherization contractor or handyman.
___Seal exterior penetrations: Weatherstripping is not the only culprit when it comes to air leaks. Spend a day working your way around the outside of the house with a caulking gun and a couple of tubes of high-quality, flexible caulking, and seal any gaps around window and door trim, plumbing and electrical penetrations, flashings and other openings.
___Add outlet gaskets: Shut the power, remove switch and outlet plates, and add precut foam outlet gaskets, which are available from home centers, hardware stores and other retailers. Do the interior walls as well as the exterior walls, and don't forget exterior outlets as well. It's a small thing, but small things definitely add up.
___Change furnace filters: It's another one of those simple and inexpensive tasks that can add to your home's efficiency and your family's comfort.
___Upgrade your thermostat: An older thermostat that's a couple of degrees off can result in a lot of wasted energy, and so can forgetting to set the thermostat down at night. You can take care of both of those problems with an upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are digital and typically very accurate, and they allow for easy, set-and-forget programming of temperatures for different times of the day, including energy-saving nighttime and workday setbacks.
___Clean and service fireplaces and woodstoves: Make sure that your gas, wood, and pellet-burning fireplaces and stoves are clean and operating correctly. Check door gaskets, blower operation, flues and flue caps, thermostats and all other aspects of these important appliances. If you're not sure what to look for or how to do any cleaning or repairs, check with a qualified, licensed fireplace shop or chimney sweep.
___Install a carbon monoxide detector: If you have any gas appliances in your home, there is always the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning should any of them ever malfunction. This is a very real danger, especially as we close our homes up for the winter, so make it a point to install a carbon monoxide detector. These lifesavers are inexpensive, easy to install, and available from most home centers and hardware stores.
___Check smoke detectors: Check to see that your smoke detectors are operating correctly, and install fresh batteries. If you have an older home with a limited number of detectors, install additional ones outside each bedroom, and make sure that you have at least one on each floor of the house.

Browsing Old Cemeteries

2008-12-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

Browsing Old Cemeteries
A truly Happy Person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
And, one who can enjoy browsing old cemeteries...
Some fascinating things on old tombstones!
Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, New York :
Born 1903--Died 1942.
Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the
car was on the way down. It was.
=============================
In a Thurmont, Maryland , cemetery:
Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up and no
place to go.
=============================
On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in
East Dalhousie Cemetery , Nova Scotia :
Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102. Only The
Good Die Young.
=============================
In a London , England cemetery:
Here lies Ann Mann, Who lived an old maid
but died an old Mann. Dec. 8, 1767
=============================
In a Ribbesford, England , cemetery:
Anna Wallace
The children of Israel wanted bread, And
the Lord sent them manna. Clark Wallace
wanted a wife, And the Devil sent him Anna.
===============================
In a Ruidoso, New Mexico , cemetery:
Here lies Johnny Yeast... Pardon me
for not rising.
===============================
In a Uniontown, Pennsylvania , cemetery:
Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake.
Stepped on the gas instead of the brake.
==============================
In a Silver City, Nevada, cemetery:
Here lays The Kid.
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger
But slow on the draw.
================================
A lawyer's epitaph in England :
Sir John Strange.
Here lies an honest lawyer,
and that is Strange.
=================================
John Penny's epitaph in the Wimborne,
England , cemetery:
Reader, if cash thou art in want of any,
Dig 6 feet deep and thou wilt find a Penny.
==================================
In a cemetery in Hartscombe , England :
On the 22nd of June, Jonathan Fiddle went
out of tune.
==================================
Anna Hopewell's grave in Enosburg Falls ,
Vermont :
Here lies the body of our Anna,
Done to death by a banana.
It wasn't the fruit that laid her low,
But the skin of the thing that made her go.
==================================
On a grave from the 1880s in Nantucket ,
Massachusetts :
Under the sod and under the trees,
Lies the body of Jonathan Pease.
He is not here, there's only the pod.
Pease shelled out and went to God.
==================================
In a cemetery in England :
Remember man, as you walk by,
As you are now, so once was I
As I am now, so shall you be.
Remember this and follow me.
To which someone replied by writing on the tombstone:
To follow you I'll not consent .
Until I know which way you went.

On Lester Moore's grave in Tombstone, Arizona
Here lies Lester Moore
Shot by a 44
No Les, No Moore

Mortgage rates fell sharply yesterday

2008-12-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Mortgage rates fell sharply yesterday after the administration announced that it will pump another $800 billion into credit markets to free up frozen consumer and mortgage lending.
That number dwarfed previous government actions aimed at bolstering the mortgage lending market.
"The feds agreed to spend a half a trillion dollars to buy up mortgage backed securities and another $100 billion to fund lending for Fannie and Freddie; we're not talking chump change anymore," said Keith Gumbinger of HSH Associates, a publisher of mortgage information.
Rates averaged 5.77% for the day on a 30-year, fixed rate loan, down from 6.06% Monday, according to Gumbinger. They fell as far as 0.75 percentage points during the day, according to Orawin Velz, Associate Vice President for Economic Forecasting at the Mortgage Bankers Association.
That could save a typical homebuyer more than $90 a month on a $200,000 mortgage.
"The government action was geared to bringing mortgage rates down," said Velz, "and it did."
The drop was the largest since early September, when the administration announced that it was taking control of mortgage giants Fannie Mae (FNM, Fortune 500) and Freddie Mac (FRE, Fortune 500), and stemmed from similar market sentiment.
Both actions sought to give confidence to the investment community. Most mortgages are sold to investors in so-called secondary markets but with foreclosure rates so high and expensive write downs of mortgage-backed securities so common over the past several months, investors had fled the mortgage market.
Instead of buying mortgage bonds, they've been snapping up Treasurys, a virtually risk-free investment. That showed up in the falling yields of Treasury bonds and the greater difference between Treasury yields and mortgage interest rates.
Normally, interest rates on 30-year fixed rate mortgages are only slightly higher than yields on 10-year Treasury bonds, about 1.5 percentage points. That difference compensates mortgage investors for taking on extra risk.
Lately, however, because investors have perceived, quite reasonably, that risks of mortgage-backed securities were far greater than previously supposed, they demanded greater reward for investing in them.
That sent the difference, or spread, between mortgage interest rates and Treasury yields to 2 percentage points or so over the past year. That had widened even more recently, to about 3 percentage points, before the government took action yesterday. Even after the big drop in rates, the spread is still more than 2.5 points.
Whether the government action will lead to lower mortgage rates over the long term remains to be seen. "In theory, it should stimulate investor demand but there are a lot of unforeseen things that can occur," said Velz.
She initially thought the Fannie-Freddie takeover would have much the same long-term impact because it meant that the government was guaranteeing all the loans the two were backing.
"But the government started backstopping almost everything," she said, "so demand for mortgages declined and the spread increased again."
This time might be different, according to Mike Larson, a real estate analyst with Weiss Research, but he's far from certain.
"There's been some short-term bang for the buck," he said. "We have to see if it sticks."
Helping it stick could be the downward pressure from deflation concerns and the still unusually wide spread with Treasurys.
"Even if the spread just got a little tighter you'd get some added horsepower," said Larson. "We could see rates in the low fives pretty soon."

Wyoming, OH - November Home Sales

2008-12-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

1149236 p W02-WY1517 N Park Ave 28,900 5 3 1-0 FN1N Single Family 2 Story Sold
Off Mkt 10/28/08 SP$ 32,500 CD 11/21/08

1151384 p W02-WY615 Springfield Pk 5 62,500 5 2 1-1 FN1C Condominium 1 Story Sold
Off Mkt 11/14/08 SP$ 57,500 CD 11/26/08

1108859 p+ W02-WY352 E Mills Ave 113,700 8 4 2-0 FN2C Single Family 2 Story Sold
Off Mkt 08/11/08 SP$ 119,000 CD 11/07/08

1147058 p+ W02-WY46 W Mills Ave 165,000 6 2 2-0 FN1C Single Family 1 Story Sold
Off Mkt 10/17/08 SP$ 156,400 CD 11/18/08

1137726 p+ W02-WY54 W Charlotte Ave 239,900 8 3 2-0 FY2C Single Family 1 Story Sold
Off Mkt 09/30/08 SP$ 222,000 CD 11/10/08

RE/MAX enjoys more than 94 million consumer impressions

2008-12-02T06:19:00.001-08:00

Yard Sign in Hit Film Generates 90-Plus Million Impressions
IT'S A HIT: RE/MAX enjoys more than 94 million consumer impressions with the appearance of its yard sign in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."
What do you get when you combine RE/MAX with the blockbuster Disney film "High School Musical 3: Senior Year?"
More than 94 million consumer impressions - and counting.
The movie, starring "High School Musical" alumni Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale, has raked in $84 million since it opened on Oct. 24.
A RE/MAX yard sign appears in two scenes. The exposure has an estimated ad value of $375,715.
Gabriella (Hudgens) is moving to a new town closer to Stanford University so that she can attend college. During the scene, Gabriella walks outside her home and stops for a few seconds while she sings near a RE/MAX yard sign.
Viewers see Gabriella, the green grass and the RE/MAX sign on the left side of the screen. She then gets into the family car, and as it pulls away from the curb the camera pans back to the house - and the RE/MAX sign - for a second time.
The brand's placement in "High School Musical 3" and other media outlets is orchestrated by HERO Entertainment Marketing agency. RE/MAX also made cameos in recent films such as "Lakeview Terrace," "College Road Trip," and "88 Minutes."

We’re impressed that buyers continue to buy

2008-11-25T06:38:00.000-08:00

Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors®
The following press release was sent to the media yesterday at 10:15 a.m. The Cincinnati Enquirer’s
housing sales story is in today’s (Tuesday) paper, on pages A-7 and A-8.
November 24, 2008
1,487 Homes Sold in October;
More Than 16,000 Sold First 10 Months
A total of 1,487 persons or families in the local area became home buyers in October and 16,291 in the first 10 months of the year.
Average selling price last month was $154,640, and for the first 10 months of 2008 it was $165,265. The highest prices for the year typically occur from May through August.
“Naturally, we are a little disappointed the sales numbers weren’t stronger,” said Paul Jacob,
president-elect of the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors. “But we’re impressed that buyers continue to
buy. They recognize that because of the strong inventory of homes for sale and low mortgage interest
rates, they are in a very favorable position.”
Jacob said that while local home sales are off about 15% this year, that’s a lot better than some
parts of the nation, including California, Florida and Nevada, which are off more than twice that amount.
Local mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed rate loan now average 6.18 %. For October, it was
6.42%. A year ago it was 6.46%.
Jacob reiterated that home sales continue month after month, despite a drawback in some
financial areas, including auto sales. He said, “Realtors sold $2.7 billion of homes from January through
October. That’s because the employment rate in Ohio is 93%. Too many people want to tout the
unemployment rate of 7%. The cup is clearly more than one-half full.”
(more on page 2)
Page 2 of 2
October Home Sales
Summary of Single Family and Condominium Sales
Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati
Cincinnati Area Board of REALTORS®
October Monthly Home Sales
Closings Gross Volume Average Price
Oct. 2008 1,487 $229,949,993 $154,640
Oct. 2007 1,742 $290,881,436 $166,981
Variance -14.64% -20.95% -7.39%
Year-to-Date Home Sales
Closings Gross Volume Average Price
Jan-Oct. 2008 16,291 $2,692,336,908 $165,265
Jan-Oct. 2007 19,313 $3,378,188,989 $174,918
Variance -15.65% -20.30% -5.52%
30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage (local)
October 2007 (average) 6.46%
October 2008 (average) 6.42%
Current (Nov. 19, 2008) 6.18%
Go to Web Site

October Sales in Wyoming, Ohio

2008-11-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

228 Charles St 68,000 5 2 1-0 FN C Single Family 1 Story
Off Mkt 08/18/08 SP$ 70,000 CD 10/15/08

33 Evergreen Cir 117,500 7 2 2-0 NN1C Condominium 2 Story
Off Mkt 09/23/08 SP$ 107,000 CD 10/24/08

352 E Mills Ave 113,700 8 4 2-0 FN2C Single Family 2 Story
Off Mkt 08/11/08 SP$ 119,000 CD 11/07/08

46 W Mills Ave 165,000 6 2 2-0 FN1C Single Family 1 Story
Off Mkt 10/17/08 SP$ 156,400 CD 11/18/08

340 Forest Ave 199,500 6 3 2-0 FN2C Single Family 1 Story
Off Mkt 10/21/08 SP$ 187,000 CD 10/31/08

15 Linden Dr 183,179 9 4 2-1 NY1C Single Family 2 Story
Off Mkt 09/29/08 SP$ 194,000

493 Flemridge Ct 270,000 9 4 3-1 FY2C Single Family 2 Story
Off Mkt 07/16/08 SP$ 205,000 CD 10/22/08

200 Brocdorf Dr 299,000 10 4 3-0 PY2C Single Family Tri-Lev
Off Mkt 10/03/08 SP$ 217,000 CD 10/31/08

111 North Ave 229,900 8 3 2-0 PY2C Single Family 1.5 Sto
Off Mkt 05/29/08 SP$ 220,000 CD 10/01/08

54 W Charlotte Ave 239,900 8 3 2-0 FY2C Single Family 1 Story
Off Mkt 09/30/08 SP$ 222,000 CD 11/10/08

319 Forest Ave 285,000 9 4 3-0 PY2C Single Family 2 Story
Off Mkt 09/12/08 SP$ 265,000 CD 10/30/08

Information is believed to be true but not guaranteed.
Info via Cincinnati MLS
Go To Web Site

Survey Shows Rise in First-Time Buyers

2008-11-23T15:49:00.000-08:00

NAR Home Buyer and Seller Survey Shows Rise in First-Time Buyers, Long-Term Plans
ORLANDO, November 08, 2008
The latest consumer survey of home buyers and sellers shows first-time buyers have risen in market share and plan to own their homes longer than buyers in the past. The study was released here today at the 2008 REALTORS® Conference & Expo.
The 2008 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers is the latest in a series of large national NAR surveys evaluating demographics, marketing, preferences and experiences of home buyers and sellers.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said a higher share of first-time buyers makes perfect sense, and it’s a trend he expects to grow. “First-time buyers are much more flexible in entering the market because they aren’t concerned about selling an existing home,” he said. “Given low home prices, plentiful supply and affordable interest rates, it’s been an optimal time for entry-level buyers with a long-term view.
“Considering the temporary first-time buyer tax credit and improvements to the FHA loan program, we expect stronger entry-level activity as the flow of credit improves – that, in turn, should free more existing owners to make a trade in 2009.”
The number of first-time buyers rose to 41 percent from 39 percent of transactions in last year’s survey and 36 percent in 2006. “Although modest, this is a meaningful gain for the 12-month period ending at the close of June, and more recent independent data show a stronger uptrend in first-time buyers who are helping to reduce excess inventory,” Yun said.*
According to the NAR study, the median age of first-time buyers was 30, down from 31 in 2007, and the median income was $60,600. The typical first-time buyer purchased a home costing $165,000 and plans to stay in that home for 10 years, up from seven years in 2007.
The median downpayment by first-time buyers was 4 percent, up from 2 percent in 2007; the number purchasing with no money down fell from 45 percent in 2007 to 34 percent in the current survey. “The study covers transactions through the middle of 2008, so we can assume the downpayment numbers have shifted recently because credit tightened and no-downpayment loans all but disappeared around the close of the survey,” Yun explained.
Of first-time buyers who made a downpayment, 69 percent used savings and 26 percent received a gift from a friend or relative, typically from their parents. Another 7 percent received a loan from a relative or friend, while 16 percent tapped into a 401(k) fund, stocks or bonds. Ninety-two percent chose a fixed-rate mortgage.
NAR 2008 President Richard F. Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said consumers rely heavily on the expertise of real estate agents to navigate the market. “This is the biggest transaction most people are ever involved in, so the qualities they’re looking for in a real estate agent include reputation, honesty, integrity and knowledge of the market,” he said. “Both buyers and sellers want agents to provide context, advice and know-how. The vast majority would use their agent again or recommend their agent to others.”
Only 1 percent of sellers chose an agent based on his or her commission. Forty-six percent report the real estate agent initiated a discussion of compensation, while 24 percent of sellers brought up the topic and the agent was willing to negotiate the commission or fee. Thirteen percent of sellers did not know commissions and fees are negotiable.
Nearly nine out of 10 home buyers and sellers would definitely or probably use the same agent again or recommend him or her to others, consistent with the 2007 findings. The survey shows that 81 percent of home buyers and 84 percent sellers used a real estate professional, comparable to 2007.
Thirty-eight percent of sellers found their agent as a result of a referral, while 26 percent used the agent in a previous home purchase. Similarly, 43 percent of buyers relied on referrals to find an agent, while 18 percent of repeat buyers used an agent from a previous transaction.
The percentage of buyers who purchased a home in foreclosure jumped to 6 percent of transactions in the 2008 survey from 1 percent in 2007. Another 38 percent of buyers considered purchasing of a home in foreclosure but did not, primarily because they could not find the right home.
Commuting costs factored greatly in neighborhood selection, with 41 percent of buyers saying they were very important and another 39 percent saying transportation costs were somewhat important. “Since fuel costs began rising in the latter part of the survey period, it’s reasonable to assume they’ve become even more important to home buyers since,” Yun said. “We’ve heard from our members that commuting costs are playing a bigger role in buyers’ decisions.”
Environmentally friendly features also were important, cited by 90 percent of buyers. Heating and cooling costs were of primary importance, followed by energy efficient appliances and energy efficient lighting.
Buyers searched a median of 10 weeks and viewed 10 homes. Of buyers who used an agent, 61 percent chose a buyer’s representative. Nearly nine out of 10 consider their home a good investment, and almost half see it as a better investment than stocks. Fifteen percent of buyers own two or more homes.
The typical repeat buyer was 47 years old, earned $88,200, purchased a home costing $236,000 and plans to stay in that home for 10 years. Repeat buyers made a median downpayment of 15 percent, but 10 percent paid cash for their property.
The median age of home sellers was 47; income was $91,000. Three-quarters were married couples, had been in their home for six years and moved a median distance of 19 miles. Their home was on the market for eight weeks; 5 percent of sellers who also purchased a home reported selling their home in a short sale.
Forty-two percent of sellers offered incentives to attract buyers, such as assistance with closing costs or home warranty policies. The typical home sold for 96 percent of the listing price, and 86 percent of sellers were satisfied with the selling process. Fifty-two percent of sellers were trading up to a larger home, while 22 percent were downsizing.
The study found that 81 percent of sellers used full-service brokerage, in which real estate agents provide a range of services that include managing most of the process of selling a home from listing to closing. Nine percent chose limited services, which may include discount brokerage, and 9 percent used minimal service, such as simply listing a property on a multiple listing service. All of these types of services are provided by Realtors® as well as non-member agents and brokers. The results are identical to findings in 2007 and comparable to findings in 2006.
Primarily, sellers want agents to price their home competitively, market the property, find a buyer and sell within a specific timeframe.
Home buyers are consistent in their expectations of real estate agents. Buyers thought the most important agent services are helping find the right house, and negotiating sales terms and price. Because agents often are chosen based on a referral, or were used in a previous transaction, two-thirds of buyers contacted only one real estate agent in the search process.
Buyers used a variety of resources in searching for a home: 87 percent used the Internet, 85 percent used a real estate agent, 62 percent yard signs, 48 percent attended open houses and 47 percent looked at print or newspaper ads. Fewer buyers rely on a home book or magazine, home builders, television, billboards and relocation companies. Buyers most commonly start their search process online and then contact a real estate agent.
When asked where they first learned about the home purchased, 34 percent of buyers said a real estate agent; 32 percent the Internet; 15 percent from yard signs; 7 percent from a friend, neighbor or relative; 7 percent home builders; 3 percent a print or newspaper ad; 2 percent directly from the seller; and 1 percent a home book or magazine.
Eighty-seven percent of home buyers who used the Internet to search for a home purchased through a real estate agent, in contrast with 72 percent of non-Internet users who were more likely to purchase directly from a builder or from an owner they already knew in a private transaction.
Local metropolitan multiple listing service Web sites were the most popular Internet resource, used by 60 percent of buyers, followed by Realtor.com, 48 percent; real estate company sites, 46 percent; real estate agent Web sites, 43 percent; for-sale-by-owner sites, 19 percent; and local newspaper sites, 11 percent; other categories were smaller.
Sixty-one percent of buyers are married couples, 20 percent are single women, 10 percent single men, 7 percent unmarried couples and 2 percent other. Twenty-six percent are non-white, 9 percent were born outside of the United States, and 4 percent primarily speak a language other than English.
Seventy-eight percent of all respondents purchased a detached single-family home, 9 percent a condo, 8 percent a townhouse or rowhouse, and 5 percent some other kind of housing.
Fifty-five percent of all homes purchased were in a suburb or subdivision, 17 percent were in an urban area, 16 percent in a small town, 10 percent in a rural area and 2 percent in a resort or recreation area. The median distance from the previous residence was 12 miles.
The level of for-sale-by-owner transactions was 13 percent, up slightly from a record-low market share of 12 percent in both 2007 and 2006. The level of homes sold without professional representation has trended lower since reaching a cyclical peak of 18 percent in 1997.
A large number of these properties were not placed on the open market – 45 percent were “closely held” between parties who knew each other in advance, such as family or acquaintances.
Factoring out properties that were not placed on the open market, the actual number of homes sold without professional assistance is 7 percent – the rest are unrepresented sellers in private transactions. This matches the results in the 2007 study and marks a downtrend from 10 percent sold on the open market in 2004.
The median home price for sellers who used an agent was $211,000 vs. $153,000 for a home sold directly by an owner, but there were important differences between the two. Unassisted sellers were more likely to be in a rural area or small town where sellers are more likely to know potential buyers. In addition, the home was more likely to be a mobile or manufactured home, and the owner’s income was lower than that of sellers using agents.
The most difficult tasks reported by unrepresented sellers are selling within the planned length of time, getting the right price, preparing the home for sale, and understanding and performing paperwork.
NAR mailed an eight-page questionnaire in August 2008 to a national sample of 133,000 home buyers and sellers who purchased their homes between July 2007 and June 2008, according to county records. It generated 10,053 usable responses; the adjusted response rate was 7.9 percent. All information is characteristic of the 12-month period ending in June 2008 with the exception of income data, which are for 2007. Because of rounding and omissions for space, percentage distributions for some findings may not add up to 100 percent.
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Why would a real estate agent suggest that a client consult with a real estate attorney in the course of contracting to buy or sell a house?

2008-11-22T03:53:00.000-08:00

by James A. Zitesman, Esq
Why would a real estate agent suggest that a client consult with a real estate attorney in the course of contracting to buy or sell a house? After all, when an attorney gets involved there is a chance that the deal will get killed, so why run the risk? The answer is simple; it is fulfilling the fiduciary duty that the real estate agent/broker owes to their client."Fiduciary duty" are two words that are used a lot, but are not always understood. Fiduciary duty is the requirement to act primarily for another's benefit. When we have a fiduciary relationship, it is our duty to put our client's interests before our own. Ohio Revised Code Section 4735.62(G) states, "Advising the client to obtain expert advice related to material matters when necessary or appropriate;" As Division Counsel for the Ohio Division of Real Estate, Holly Johnston-Cook has stated, "It is an express fiduciary duty of an agent to advise his or her clients to obtain expert advice related to material matters when necessary or appropriate. Many of the complaints the Division receives against agents could have been avoided had the agents recommended their clients seek counsel." Several other sections of Ohio Revised Code include the prohibition of real estate agents practicing law. So what is practicing law and what is a real estate agent allowed to do? There have been many court decisions over the last 60-plus years that have clarified these questions.In 1941, the Ohio Supreme Court decided the issue. Real estate agents can fill in the blanks of pre-printed forms with basic information.The problem comes when a real estate agent goes beyond filling in the blanks by inserting contingencies or other terms and conditions. Seldom are today's transactions so simple that all one needs to do is fill in the blanks. The Supreme Court of Ohio in a couple of decisions in the last five years have found the unauthorized practice of law by a title agency preparing deeds without an attorney's supervision and by a CPA firm in providing advice on incorporating. The easiest way to avoid being in the situation of defending against unauthorized practice of law is to have the client hire an attorney during the contracting phase of the transaction. A recent case from the 10th District Court of Appeals in Franklin County, Ohio provides another example of how involving an attorney in the drafting of documents to address inspection issues would be in the client's best interests. In that case, there were problems caused by water intrusion. The sellers agreed to have an engineer do an analysis and provide recommendations. The parties agreed to follow the recommendations of the engineer for suggested repairs. The seller agreed to pay for the repairs. The parties signed an Addendum. By the time of the closing, no repairs had been made. The parties escrowed $3,000. The actual repairs cost in excess of $21,000. The question before the court was what was the intent of the parties?In finding the intent, the Court read the documents. The seller argued that the fact that the parties agreed to escrow the $3,000 should control. The buyers argued that it was the actual Addendum that should control. The Court ruled that it was the Addendum that controlled. While we don't know whether there were real estate agents involved, it was clear that the standard forms from the Columbus Board of REALTORS were being used. But if real estate agents did take it upon themselves to negotiate the resolution of the unsatisfactory conditions without attorneys representing the parties, were they fulfilling their fiduciary duties? Real estate agents should have documented advice to their clients that they need to be represented by an attorney. Clients look to real estate agents to guide them through the process. Just as home inspectors are referred to clients to do home inspections; real estate agents fulfill their fiduciary duty when they refer clients to competent real estate attorneys. Some agents may be reluctant to do so as the attorney might kill the deal. Some deals need to be killed in the best interest of the client. That is fulfilling the fiduciary duty. Remember, it is the client for whom we all work, not the other way around.Bob Miller of RE/MAX Premier Choice of Dublin, Ohio and past-president of the Columbus Board of REALTORS says one of the reasons he recommends an attorney is, "So that an objective attorney can ‘double check' the contract language and make absolutely sure, once again, that the contract is written to the Buyer's satisfaction."Louise Potter of Prudential Calhoon Company REALTORS of Hilliard, Ohio says, "Anything can, and will, happen during a real estate transaction. Having a real estate attorney involved from contract on is the best way to ensure your clients are well protected and fully represented on their side of the deal. A good agent knows it is always best to bring in the experts." Protecting clients by bringing in real estate attorneys, doing what truly is in the clients' best interests and thereby fulfilling the statutory fiduciary duty also protects the real estate agent as well. If the clients are represented by an attorney, the real estate agent does not risk practicing law.
Editor's note: James A. Zitesman, Esq., received his law degree from Capital University. He is a member of the Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations. Zitesman has conducted numerous seminars for the Columbus Board of REALTORS including the three-hour contract class and the Investor Seminar II and was recognized as the CBR "2004 Instructor of the Year."

ForSaleByOwner.com Statement Misleading

2008-11-21T11:51:00.000-08:00

REALTOR.com Listings Still Provided by Agent-Only Access – ForSaleByOwner.com Statement Misleading

A press release issued Nov. 11 by ForSaleByOwner.com contained inaccuracies and misleading statements about its ability to place unlisted for-sale-by-owner information on REALTOR.com, the official Web site of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® claiming it “has become the nation’s first “by owner” real estate website to enable home sellers to advertise their home on Realtor.com without appearing on a local Multiple Listing Service (MLS).”

NAR immediately contacted ForSalebyOwner.com and confirmed that they did not consult with anyone associated with Move, Inc. or REALTOR.com about this announcement. The ForSalebyOwner.com press release was distributed without the knowledge or approval of the National Association of REALTORS® and they have been asked to issue an immediate correction statement.

There are no unlisted properties on Realtor.com. A basis for the claims being made by ForSaleByOwner.com in the press release has not been determined. No relationship exists between that entity and Realtor.com. Listings displayed on Realtor.com continue to be provided by the MLSs, and contrary to the headline, there is NO "agent-free access to Realtor.com".
REALTOR.com is operated by Move Inc.NAR and REALTOR.com are setting the record straight with the following clarifications:

The settlement agreement between NAR and the Department of Justice made no provision to allow unlisted properties, such as “for-sale-by-owner,” to be posted on REALTOR.com.
ForSaleByOwner.com does not in any way enable home sellers to advertise their home on REALTOR.com without broker representation. Every property on REALTOR.com must be listed by a licensed real estate broker.
REALTOR.com has not authorized ForSaleByOwner.com to resell REALTOR.com’s Showcase Listings Enhancement package.
There is no relationship between ForSaleByOwner.com and REALTOR.com.
There are no unrepresented homes on REALTOR.com—every property on REALTOR.com must be listed by a licensed real estate broker, and unrepresented properties would not qualify to be submitted to a REALTOR®-owned and operated MLS.

REALTOR.com has asked ForSaleByOwner.com to issue a retraction. ForSaleByOwner.com did not discuss in advance the statements in their press release with REALTOR.com nor did they request or receive permission to use the REALTOR.com name in their press release.