You're going to LOVE your home! PROJECT #6: Floors

Your floors probably take some of the most abuse of any part of your house.... maybe they should have been earlier in the list... hmmm...

Project # 6. Swap out your carpet.

by +Sarah Marrinan - Keller Williams Premier Realty 

You might LOVE your carpet but many Americans are living with carpet they really, really dislike, whether because of its color, its condition or the upkeep and maintenance it requires.

If you can’t stand your carpet, you can estimate that it’ll run you about $300-$500 per room* to replace it with new carpet,

Maybe you are done with carpet all together.  For $1500-$2000 per room* you could replace it with hardwood.

While real wood floors could really set you back, laminate versions come in a variety of price points starting as low as $.99/sq foot (plus installation)*.  Tile could be another great answer.  Or maybe you want the tile look without the "cold" and you pick a vinyl that has the tile look.

No matter what you choose, it's time to ditch the worn (and probably dirty) carpet.

*Pricing varies depending on where you live, how large your rooms are and what specific materials you choose in terms of the replacement floors


Stay Tuned for more tips!

**Looking for tips on getting your home ready to sell?  Call Sarah for a personal consultation!

See more home remodeling projects.
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Five Things You Must Know About the Current Housing Market

Even if you are not thinking about buying or selling real estate right now, it affects our economy so it's best you have an idea where things stand. 
by +Sarah Marrinan - Keller Williams Premier Realty 

Know this:

1) 2010 is recognized as the "bottom of the market" even though some areas continued to fall in 2011 and even 2012.  The recovery is patchy. Know your LOCAL market.

2) Lenders are cautious. Lending standard are overly strict and underwriting standards are tight making it hard for those with "less than perfect credit" to obtain a mortgage. Plus, banks own land that was foreclosed on and they are not eager to sell it for a loss. (The same can often be said for foreclosed homes.)

3) Mortgage rates are at historic lows. Most loans are currently backed by a government housing agency. The feds are keep rates low and this won't go on forever.

4) Real Estate flippers and investors are "at risk" if mortgage rates jump.  The higher the interest rates, the less people can afford to pay for housing.

5) Foreign buyers. Say what? Yes, foreign investors taking interest in U.S real estate shows faith in our market recovery but this is also helping to drive prices up for Americans.

What does this mean if you are thinking about buying or selling?
Buyers: You can afford more now while prices are still relatively low and interest rates are unbelievably low.
Sellers: If your market is recovering, you have better negotiating power AND the likely hood of your home selling is high!

Caution on both sides of the deal: Appraisals.  This is not just limiting in price but also condition. (See #2.)

Want to talk about it? Call me!

sources:
 http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/rick-newman/2013/05/03/5-reasons-the-housing-recovery-remains-wobbly
 http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2012/09/17/analysis-blames-slow-recovery-tight-credit-market

disclaimer: I am not a financial consultant, tax attorney, etc.  Please seek those professional services if you need them.

You're going to LOVE your home! PROJECT #5: New Kitchen Appliances

Whether you love to cook and entertain or not, everybody wants a nice kitchen!

Project # 5. New kitchen appliances.

by +Sarah Marrinan - Keller Williams Premier Realty 

In terms of sheer functionality, new kitchen appliances can create an overwhelming upgrade to your family’s everyday life.

A new fridge will run you anywhere from $350 to $2,500 on average (though French door, custom and commercial versions can cost upwards of $10,000 or more); a new stove/oven range can run anywhere from $300 to $6,000 (with the commercial, 40-inch ranges running from $9,000 to $20,000+) and an appliance store dishwasher will cost you somewhere around $150 to $1,600.


Go Green.  A smart move is to include energy efficient appliances, windows, doors and more. Not only will these add-ons help you save money on energy, but there may also be tax breaks that you can take advantage of. For example, EnergySTAR products are eligible for a 30% tax break, making going green a financially and ecologically smart move.

Check back next week for the next tip!

**Looking for tips on getting your home ready to sell?  Call me for a personal consultation!
Sarah
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Five Must Have Supplies for Moving

What packing supplies will you need? 

Great moving tips can reduce a lot of stress! Here are the five MUST HAVE packing supplies when planning a move.

1. Packing Boxes
When it comes to moving supplies, cardboard boxes can be your biggest expense. Often , moving companies provide the boxes for you. Movers use standard-size boxes, as well as specialty boxes for items such as mirrors and artwork. The key is to use the right box for the right items and do make sure that you fill the box snugly to prevent moving, shifting and breaking.

2. Packing paper
Bubble wrap and Packing Peanuts are bad for the environment but if you are reusing it from something else, go for it. TIP: Use your towels and wash clothes to wrap your breakable items before putting them in boxes.  This will save you money on buying packing materials.

2. Use the right kind of packing tape
Use old-fashioned packaging tape, the 2-inch wide kind. After all, this is what it was meant for - packing!

3. Box cutter
Once you are ready to unpack those boxes, you don't want to break all your nails (or anything within the box) trying to get the tape off. A box cutter, an important unpacking supply, will slice through the packing tape easily. And if you need to break down your boxes for recycling, the box cutter will make that job a lot easier.

4. Sharpie
The Sharpie is a small but mighty packing tool. Unless you want to play "what's inside this box" when you get to your new house, make sure you label your boxes. "You don't need an inventory of every item," says Fierst. "But a general idea, as well as the room you want it to go to, will really help when you unpack that box."

5. Moving Blankets/Tarps
Whether you get them from your moving company or you use blankets you already own or you buy some from the thrift store, it's important to cover your big items to prevent them from getting damaged.


What do you do with the boxes when you are done?
-Return them to the moving company
-Flatten and organize them for a future move
-Offer them to a real estate agent for other clients to use
-Take them to the recycling area at the town dump.

Tips for buying NEW construction homes

Five things you should consider when choosing new construction over an existing home.

Unless you have an individual lot and hired a custom builder that will build-to-suit on your lot, most new homes are built in developments with a collective style. These developments can be as small as a cul-de-sac, or as massive as a former farm field filled with acres of new roads and new homes.
Often new construction homes are more expensive than resale homes of a similar size. They are built to the latest codes and standards, they tend to be contemporary styled and energy efficient. Sometimes, these types of developments can represent a savings over established developments with existing homes.
Either way, the decision between a new development and an established community is worth taking time to consider.

Here are some ways to make sure the new house you're buying is really the house you want:

• Check the builder's track record. What else has the company built? Were previous projects completed on time, on budget and without bad blood between the builder and buyers?
• Walk the streets. If you live nearby and previous stages of the development are occupied, ask the residents if the builder did quality work and lived up to contractual commitments.
• Picture your home, not the model home. You can certainly have the granite counters, surround-sound home theater and jetted tub you saw in the model home, but they're not included in the base price. You will pay extra for them.
• Bring your own agent. If the builder has a real estate agent on site, the agent will be more than happy to help you. But, on-site agents work for the builders who hire them. Their best interests will be for the builder, not you.
• Finally, consider the intangibles. Similarly styled homes attract like-minded buyers, and most developments are built with families in mind however other communities may be designed for retirement. Depending on your point of view, the consistency, conformity and neighbors can be a blessing or a curse.

Start your search for a new home here: www.CallSarahFirst.com

Ready to get more information about building a new home? Try these resources:
Articles about Building a New Home
Interview and Find the Right Agent to Help you with New Construction
Choosing between Production Builders and Custom Builders