Real Estate Tip of the Day

Median Home Price in July 2014

10 Tips for Moving with Pets

Moving to a new home can be stressful on your pets, but there are many things you can do to make the process as painless as possible. Experts at The Pet Realty Network in Naples, Fla., offer these helpful tips for easing the transition and keeping pets safe during the move.

1. Update your pet’s tag. Make sure your pet is wearing a sturdy collar with an identification tag that is labeled with your current contact information. The tag should include your destination location, telephone number, and cell phone number so that you can be reached immediately during the move.

2. Ask for veterinary records. If you’re moving far enough away that you’ll need a new vet, you should ask for a current copy of your pet’s vaccinations. You also can ask for your pet’s medical history to give to your new vet, although that can normally be faxed directly to the new medical-care provider upon request. Depending on your destination, your pet may need additional vaccinations, medications, and health certificates. Have your current vet's phone number handy in case of an emergency, or in case your new vet would like more information about your pet.

3. Keep medications and food on hand. Keep at least one week’s worth of food and medication with you in case of an emergency. Vets can’t write a prescription without a prior doctor/patient relationship, which can cause delays if you need medication right away. You may want to ask for an extra prescription refill before you move. The same preparation should be taken with special therapeutic foods — purchase an extra supply in case you can't find the food right away in your new area.

4. Seclude your pet from chaos. Pets can feel vulnerable on moving day. Keep them in a safe, quiet, well-ventilated place, such as the bathroom, on moving day with a “Do Not Disturb! Pets Inside!” sign posted on the door. There are many light, collapsible travel crates on the market if you choose to buy one. However, make sure your pet is familiar with the new crate before moving day by gradually introducing him or her to the crate before your trip. Be sure the crate is well-ventilated and sturdy enough for stress-chewers; otherwise, a nervous pet could escape.

5. Prepare a first aid kit. First aid is not a substitute for emergency veterinary care, but being prepared and knowing basic first aid could save your pet's life. A few recommended supplies: Your veterinarian's phone number, gauze to wrap wounds or to muzzle your pet, adhesive tape for bandages, non-stick bandages, towels, and hydrogen peroxide (3 percent). You can use a door, board, blanket or floor mat as an emergency stretcher and a soft cloth, rope, necktie, leash, or nylon stocking for an emergency muzzle.

6. Play it safe in the car. It’s best to travel with your dog in a crate; second-best is to use a restraining harness. When it comes to cats, it’s always best for their safety and yours to use a well-ventilated carrier in the car. Secure the crate or carrier with a seat belt and provide your pet with familiar toys. Never keep your pet in the open bed of a truck or the storage area of a moving van. In any season, a pet left alone in a parked vehicle is vulnerable to injury and theft. If you’ll be using overnight lodging, plan ahead by searching for pet-friendly hotels. Have plenty of kitty litter and plastic bags on hand, and keep your pet on its regular diet and eating schedule.

7. Get ready for takeoff. When traveling by air,check with the airline about any pet requirements or restrictions to be sure you’ve prepared your pet for a safe trip. Some airlines will allow pets in the cabin, depending on the animal’s size, but you’ll need to purchase a special airline crate that fits under the seat in front of you. Give yourself plenty of time to work out any arrangements necessary including consulting with your veterinarian and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If traveling is stressful for your pet, consult your veterinarian about ways that might lessen the stress of travel.

8. Find a new veterinary clinic and emergency hospital. Before you move, ask your vet to recommend a doctor in your new locale. Talk to other pet owners when visiting the new community, and call the state veterinary medical association (VMA) for veterinarians in your location. When choosing a new veterinary hospital, ask for an impromptu tour; kennels should be kept clean at all times, not just when a client’s expected. You may also want to schedule an appointment to meet the vets. Now ask yourself: Are the receptionists, doctors, technicians, and assistants friendly, professional and knowledgeable? Are the office hours and location convenient? Does the clinic offer emergency or specialty services or boarding? If the hospital doesn’t meet your criteria, keep looking until you’re assured that your pet will receive the best possible care.

9. Prep your new home for pets. Pets may be frightened and confused in new surroundings. Upon your arrival at your new home, immediately set out all the familiar and necessary things your pet will need: food, water, medications, bed, litter box, toys, etc. Pack these items in a handy spot so they can be unpacked right away. Keep all external windows and doors closed when your pet is unsupervised, and be cautious of narrow gaps behind or between appliances where nervous pets may try to hide. If your old home is nearby, your pet may try to find a way back there. To be safe, give the new home owners or your former neighbors your phone number and a photo of your pet, and ask them to contact you if your pet is found nearby.

10. Learn more about your new area. Once you find a new veterinarian, ask if there are any local health concerns such as heartworm or Lyme disease, or any vaccinations or medications your pet may require. Also, be aware of any unique laws. For example, there are restrictive breed laws in some cities. Homeowner associations also may have restrictions — perhaps requiring that all dogs are kept on leashes. If you will be moving to a new country, carry an updated rabies vaccination and health certificate. It is very important to contact the Agriculture Department or embassy of the country or state to which you’re traveling to obtain specific information on special documents, quarantine, or costs to bring the animal into the country.

10 Tips for Moving with Children

 

Have a Family Meeting

Get the Kids' Feedback on the New Home

Purge Before Packing

Organize a Moving Sale

Research the New Place

Make Room Plans

Do a Site Visit

Host a 'See You Soon' Party

Map the Move

Be a Tourist in the New Place

Keeping Pests Out Of Your Home: 10 Pest Control Tips From Walker Management

 

We’re not talking about your noisy neighbor or your annoying uncle Fred.  These are tips to keep those pesky pests and insects out of your home.  You know all the pests you love to hate like roaches, ants, spiders, crickets, scorpions and mice.   Here are 10 great tips to help prevent pests from ever entering your home:

• Keep the floors clean: wipe up any spills immediately using soap and water not just a rag. Clean the entire flooring at least once a week and the kitchen floor at least twice a week.

• Take out the trash: every day, do not leave trash in your home overnight. This includes all trash cans not just in the kitchen.

• Keep fruit in the refrigerator: especially when ripe.

• Keep the sink clean: wash dishes daily. If you cannot clean the dishes, then at least fill the sink with soap and water.

• Keep a tight lid on things: make sure all food and beverage containers kept outside of the refrigerator are tightly sealed. Keep bags of cereal, seeds and grains in a sealed container.

• Keep things dry: make sure the bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms are dry.  Fix leaks immediately and wipe up any spills or splashes at once.

• Keep pets clean: brushing, bathing and using flea and tick protection on your animals, especially indoor/outdoor pets.

• Seal up the house: use caulk to seal up any cracks on baseboards, cabinets, pipes, ducts, and fittings inside the home. Check outside and caulk all door frames, window frames, roof joints and any visible cracks on the exterior surface.

• Keep the outside of the home free and clear: do not stack wood next to the home and do not leave piles of leaves laying around the yard.  Keep any plants cut back so pests cannot climb up and access your house. Keep gutters free of leaves and other debris that may harbor insects.

• Watch what you bring into the home: many people unknowingly bring in insects or insect eggs when buying fruits and vegetables. Boxes or bags used to bring home these items can many times harbor pests or eggs. Once in your home, they multiply and can cause infestations. German roaches are especially prone to be brought in this way.

15 Painting Tips to Paint Like a Pro

 

Primer comes before paint.
Tempted to skip the primer? Primer not only provides a good surface for the paint, but it also brings out the paint’s true color.

  Paint like a pro.
Painting is your chance to show off your skills. Use an edge pad for clean lines around doorframes, ceiling edges and corners so your walls look great — down to every last detail.

Create a sticky situation.
Paint won’t stick to the wall if you haven’t taken the time to prep. The surface must be clean, non-glossy and in good condition. 

One gallon at a time.
How much paint will it take to cover your walls? The pros recommend one gallon for every 400 square feet. Covering textured, rough or unprimed surfaces may require more.

Dry days make good painting days.
Moisture in the air keeps water-based paint from drying. Skip the humid afternoon paint project and slow drying walls won’t wreck the rest of your day.  

Put your sandwich bags to work.
Slip a small plastic bag over your doorknobs and tape the edge to avoid getting paint in places it wasn’t meant to go. You’re so resourceful.  

Out with the old.
If the old paint on your wall is flaking off, it’s a good idea to buy a paint scraper and get it out of the way. Once all the old paint is gone, sand the surface smooth, prime and your new paint will look great.

Clean finish.
If you’re looking for paint in high-traffic areas, semi-gloss is the way to go. Shiny and durable, semi-gloss is a parent’s best friend.

 Give the walls a sponge bath.
Washing your walls from top to bottom is always recommended because paint sticks better to a clean surface.

 Don’t look back.
Once an area starts to dry, it’s best to leave it alone. Going back over it can leave marks and color streaks in the paint’s surface. 

Polka dots look good on fabric—not floors.
Unless you’re trying to paint your floor, we recommend covering it up with a drop cloth. It’s the cheap, easy way to save yourself a whole lot of irritation. 

Take away the shine.
Paint doesn’t always adhere to glossy surfaces. We recommend using a light grade sandpaper to take the gloss off the surface so your new paint sticks like it should.  

Turn in the brush.
Small rooms can feel gigantic when it comes to painting. A roller will do a better job than a paint brush in less time.

 Spare the wall plates.
Before you start, remove all wall plates and tape off light switches and electrical outlets. You’ll get high marks for professional-looking results. 

Patience is a virtue.
You’ve completed your mission to fix every imperfection with patching compound. Now, make sure it’s dry. Then sand smooth, prime, and you’ll have a surface good enough for any pro.

Decorating Hacks: Genius Makeovers You Can do In A Day

       

Display a Great Collection on a Dining Room Table

In the living room of an Atlanta house by designer Beth Webb, an elm plank table from Clubcu, which often doubles as a dining table, dramatically displays a collection of Chinese porcelains. "The pieces don't have to match, but they do have to play together well," Webb says.

Hang an Interior Curtain

In the kitchen of the same Atlanta house, a linen curtain runs on a track spanning the room and can be pulled "to conceal the mess of preparation," Webb says. Steel-and-glass casements frame views of the pool and garden. KWC Gastro faucet.

 

Mix and Match Your Bedding

"We call this 'the sailor room,' because we went all out with the nautical theme," designer Ken Fulk says of a bedroom in his Massachusetts vacation house. "The mix-and-match nature of the patterns and faded batik prints make it feel like it's a collection of old textiles brought back from a journey at sea." John Robshaw bedding. Antique cage lights hang from an antique metal four-poster bed that belonged to the previous owner.

 

Put an Antique in the Bathroom

The guest bath in Fulk's vacation home "feels authentic to the period of the house, but also clean and modern," he says. Pedestal tub and fixtures from Sunrise Specialty.

 

Paint an Inexpensive Piece of Furniture White

This Kansas City house's dining room, a former loggia, is "light, bright, and airy," homeowner and designer Zim Loy says. "I accomplished that with lots of white paint." She bought a beat-up old $60 table at an estate sale and gave it a fresh new look by the painting the base high-gloss white. Its curves echo the arms of the Barbara Cosgrove chandelier.

 

Cover a Wall with Plates

Loy discovered Hackerware on eBay — "there's tons of it, and it's so cheap!" — and started collecting it for the dining room. Covering the whole wall with plates has the same effect as "one big piece of art."

Wallpaper Your Vinyl Window Shades

"I had a roll of wallpaper in my office that was left over from a photo shoot we did, and I was about to put it in the trash when I thought, 'No, I can do something with this,' " Loy says. "Then I thought of the vinyl shades in our guest room. So I wallpapered them. You gotta go for it." The vinyl shades are papered in Pierre Frey's Espalier. The canopy bed was painted black to show off its silhouette.

 

Dress Up Hallways with Turkish Runners

In the second-floor hallway of a California house, designer Betsy Burnham overlaps Turkish runners from Rugs & Art, drawing the eye to a Moroccan-inspired reading nook. The vintage carpets "can transform a plain hallway into a decorated space," Burnham says. "A really faded, tattered rug is instantly Bohemian." The window seat is covered in Tibet woven silk from S. Harris. Pillows by Hollywood at Home; garden stool from Rolling Greens.

Move Seating Away From the Walls

"Float furniture away from the walls: It creates more intimate seating," designer Betsy Burnham says. She did just that in the living room of this California house. The console table separating back-to-back sofas is decked with vintage goddess figurine lamps and Chinese monkeys "for a Tony Duquette, William Haines flavor." Sellarsbrook rug, the Rug Company. Rectangular Cocktail Table, Baker.

Reupholster Furniture with Old Curtains

"Everything in this room has a story," designer Podge Bune says of her Hamptons cottage's living room. "The easy chair is covered in my old dining room curtains, a Designers Guild fabric they no longer make."

Tips For Buying A House

1. Don't buy if you can't stay put.

 

2. Start by shoring up your credit.

 

3. Aim for a home you can really afford.

 

4. If you can't put down the usual 20 percent, you may still qualify for a loan.

 

5. Buy in a district with good schools.

 

6. Get professional help.

 

7. Choose carefully between points and rate.

 

8. Before house hunting, get pre-approved.

 

9. Do your homework before bidding.

 

10. Hire a home inspector.

5 Pet-friendly Home Additions

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• Next:

Smart flooring

Linoleum flooring is becoming popular among designers because it has anti-microbial properties, it's easy to maintain and it is more environmentally sustainable than vinyl flooring, says Nancy Chwiecko, associate professor of interior design at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y., and author of the book "There's a Dog in the House."
Wood floors, too, are easier to maintain than carpet if you have a pet. Pick light to medium finishes, lower-luster glosses or distressed woods to help minimize scratches from pet nails. Keep your pet's nails rounded and short to prevent scratches.
If you prefer carpet, consider modular floor-carpet tiles from companies such as Flor because they can be replaced easily in case of accidents, Chwiecko says. Flor will recycle any returned tiles.
What if you have to move? There's no need to replace the floors, as long as they're still looking great.

Pet doors  

If you work long hours or spend a lot of time away from home, pet doors can be a great way to make sure your dog isn't stuck inside the house for hours on end.
Pet doors can be pricey, costing between $80 and $500. But there's an array of options, says Jon Mortensen, owner of Seattle-based PetDoorStore.com, which sells thousands of pet doors each year. There are doors for walls, screens, windows — even sliding-glass doors. Some doors are activated by microchip for more security; others are built to withstand 50 mph winds.
What if you have to move? "It's possible you may have to replace the door, but not certain," says Sharon Berry, a managing broker with Windermere Real Estate in Redmond, Wash. "It's all between the buyer and seller." If the buyer asks you to replace the door, the cost ranges from $700 to thousands.

Latches on cabinets and toilets

Childproof latches can be useful when you have a puppy or kitten that is fascinated with drinking or playing in the toilet or getting into cupboards. It's important to keep pets from getting into food, cleaners and medicine. Lysol-type cleaners, chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts and xylitol sweetener in gum can be toxic — even fatal — for dogs. Spinach leaves, potpourri and acetaminophen, the key ingredient in Tylenol, are extremely toxic for cats.
"Pets can chew through plastic bottles, so keep medicines away from your pets," says Dr. Patricia Olson, chief veterinary adviser for the American Humane Association.
Remember, too, that cats and dogs like to chew on electrical cords, so tuck them away, unplug them or use plastic covers that snap over them. Child gates are an easy way to keep your dog away from certain areas of the house.
What if you have to move? Childproofing isn't a detriment to home value, Berry says. Buyers can remove these features if they don't want them. Childproof latches can be removed easily, as can child gates.

Window screens

If you live in a high-rise with open windows, screens are vital to keeping your pets safe, especially cats.
"People have the misconception that cats have good instincts and won't jump out," says Dr. Louise Murray, vice president of Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in Manhattan.
During warm months, the hospital sees two to four cats a week that are hurt or killed in falls. She says that many people think that bars or child window guards will help, but cats can get through them. Cats will also jump from balconies and fire escapes, she says.
If you rent and do not want to spend money on permanent screens, you could purchase inexpensive, accordion-style screens that fit various-size windows.
What if you have to move? Most houses have screens, Berry says. There's no need to remove them if you sell your house.

Fence

"I think good fencing is vital," Chwiecko says. "You're going to have a happier dog, a happier family and happier neighbors."
Invisible fences can be a good option for people whose neighborhoods do not permit physical fences. But many pet experts do not recommend them because they can inflict pain, and some dogs test the fences every day. Some dogs also have also become more aggressive because they associate the shock from the fence with passers-by, Blake says.
If you have a physical fence, ensure it is in good condition and free of loose boards or metal that could hurt your pet or allow it to get out. Another tip: Keep benches and big rocks away from fences; they can be launching points for a dog to jump the fence.
What if you have to move? Good fences make good neighbors and make good overall sense to keep, Berry says.
 

5 Top Reasons People Buy

Benefits of Greenery in the Home

7 Pros and 7 Cons of Refinancing

Upside 1: Cheap loans

The low interest rates are the best reason to refinance now, says Andrew Schrage of Money Crashers, a personal-finance site. Recent numbers for 30-year fixed-rate loans are lower than the one-year introductory rates on adjustable-rate mortgages in most years since 1992.

Upside 2: Improved loan period

In addition to lowering your rate, consider shortening the length of your loan. In the first years of a 30-year loan, you're paying almost all interest — it's not until the later years that you start paying principal. With rates this low, you can often both lower your monthly payment and shorten the length of your loan, saving thousands in interest, says Stuart Feldstein of SMR Research Corp., which does market research on the home-mortgage business.
But there's an opposite school of thought on how to use a refi. Ric Edelman, founder of one of the country's biggest wealth-advisory firms, recommends refinancing into another 30-year fixed (or from a 15- to a 30-year) and using the savings on your payments for other investments that will generate higher returns. He adds that a longer mortgage term also nets you a bigger annual tax deduction — at least for now — than if you shorten the term.

Upside 3: More options

Be sure to shop around — the gap between the best and worst deals can be as much as a full percentage point, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Elizabeth Weintraub, a Sacramento, Calif.-based real estate agent who covers refinancing issues for About.com, says consumers should go local when possible: "That face-to-face with somebody that you've actually met, it makes a difference versus somebody you're talking to on the phone." Borrowers looking to refinance also aren't under as much pressure as new homebuyers, she says. "When you do a refinance, you have the luxury of time to really investigate your options ... Because you can walk away from a refinance. You don't have to close that loan."

Upside 4: More leverage

Because so many loan providers are offering low rates right now, you'll have more negotiating power to get a better deal. Federal law requires lenders to give you an estimate of what they'll charge to complete your refi. Weintraub suggests bargaining to eliminate or reduce "garbage fees" that appear on your estimate — things like document preparation, wire transfer, courier, commitment and rate-lock fees — which can add $800 or more to the cost of the loan. "There's usually some flexibility there," she says. She even suggests that if the interest rate falls just before you close on your loan, you should ask the lender to give you the lower prevailing rate. "They'll say no, you can't do that, you've locked in your rate and you're stuck," she says. "But that's not true … if they find out you're going to cancel it, all of a sudden that rate comes down."

Upside 5: Escape from adjustable-rate mortgages

Refinancing allows people with adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) to convert to fixed-rate loans, an advantage even if they don't save on their monthly payment immediately. "If you have an ARM, refinancing to a 30-year fixed can not only lower your rate but dramatically improve the safety of your loan by eliminating the risk that your rate might increase," Edelman says.

Upside 6: Loan mergers

Refinancing lets you consolidate a second mortgage or a home-equity loan with your home mortgage, which can save money by allowing you to pay one low rate on the entire amount, instead of a low percentage on your primary mortgage and a higher one on the other loans.

Upside 7: Cash in your pocket

If you have equity in your house, a cash-out refinance lets you pull out capital for productive uses, Schrage says. But don't make the mistake of so many people leading up to the financial crisis — draining equity to pay for vacations or consumer purchases.
"I'd only consider it for necessary expenses, such as a home renovation or [paying for] college…" he says.

Downside 1: Fees

Even if you get rid of junk fees, the cost of refinancing can offset the savings you'll get on a lower monthly payment under your new loan. Look carefully at the refinancing fees to make sure your savings will pay back those costs in a reasonable timeframe, says Don Martin, an independent financial adviser in Los Altos, Calif. Typical fees, the Federal Reserve says, range from $1,900 to $3,650, not including any loan origination fee (0 to 1.5 percent of the loan principal), private mortgage insurance (0.5 percent to 1.5 percent), or loan discount points (0 to 3 percent).
Use a refi calculator to determine your break-even point — the number of months it will take you, at your lower payment, to recoup what the lender charges for refinancing your loan. To figure out when interest rates have fallen low enough to consider refinancing, use this calculator from the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Downside 2: Financial risk

Weintraub notes that in some states your initial mortgage is a "nonrecourse" loan — if you don't pay, the bank can foreclose your house and keep the proceeds from a sale but can't come after your other assets if there's a remaining deficit. But refinanced mortgage loans are usually "recourse" products — if you default and the sale of your house doesn't cover your loan amount, the bank can seize other assets. If you're worried about what happens in your state if you default on a refi, check with the state's housing finance agency.

Downside 3: Few people qualify

Banks are being more selective given the lending problems that caused the housing crash, Feldstein says. People with even average credit scores may start the refinancing process but be rejected or pay a higher rate once banks check their scores. To get the lowest rates being advertised now, you'll need a score of 720 or above, Chris Boulter, president of loan specialist Val-Chris Investments tells Yahoo Homes.

Downside 4: Prepayment penalties

Your original loan may include a penalty for paying it off early, which includes refinancing it. The Truth in Lending statement for the loan should include information on whether it has a penalty.
You should include the costs of any penalty in calculating the time it will take you to break even on the refi. If you're refinancing with the same lender, try asking whether that penalty can be waived.

Downside 5: Less mobility

If you refinance, you'll have to stay in your house for at least a few years to recoup the fees you paid to get the lower monthly rate. Otherwise, Schrage says, you'll lose money on the deal. For example, on a refinance of $100,000 in which you drop your interest rate by 2 percentage points and pay $3,800 in fees, it would take about 32 months to break even.

Downside 6: Little savings for recent refinancers

Many people have already refinanced in the past year won't save much by doing so again now. Feldstein says refinancing "may not be such a hot idea" if you're not going to drop your interest rate by at least a point and a half.

Downside 7: Paperwork, paperwork

You have to suffer a little to get that lower rate. At a minimum, that means completing a lengthy loan application that allows for a complete review of your finances and employment history, including providing recent income-tax returns, pay stubs, investment and loan statements, and proof of checking and savings account balances. You'll also need to work with the loan officer to get a survey and appraisal completed, provide proof of homeowner's insurance, and sign off on a blizzard of documents at settlement.
"The loan-qualification process is more onerous than ever because of the credit crisis five years ago," Edelman says. So if you pursue a refi, he says, you're in for "an annoying couple of months."

10 Reasons to Buy a Home

1. You can get a good deal. Especially if you play hardball. This is a buyer's market. Most of the other buyers have now vanished, as the tax credits on purchases have just expired. We're four to five years into the biggest housing bust in modern history. And prices have come down a long way– about 30% from their peak, according to Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller Index, which tracks home prices in 20 big cities. Yes, it's mixed. New York is only down 20%. Arizona has halved. Will prices fall further? Sure, they could. You'll never catch the bottom. It doesn't really matter so much in the long haul.

Where is fair value? Fund manager Jeremy Grantham at GMO, who predicted the bust with remarkable accuracy, said two years ago that home prices needed to fall another 17% to reach fair value in relation to household incomes. Case-Shiller since then: Down 18%.

 

2. Mortgages are cheap. You can get a 30-year loan for around 4.3%. What's not to like? These are the lowest rates on record. As recently as two years ago they were about 6.3%. That drop slashes your monthly repayment by a fifth. If inflation picks up, you won't see these mortgage rates again in your lifetime. And if we get deflation, and rates fall further, you can refi.

 

3. You'll save on taxes. You can deduct the mortgage interest from your income taxes. You can deduct your real estate taxes. And you'll get a tax break on capital gains–if any–when you sell. Sure, you'll need to do your math. You'll only get the income tax break if you itemize your deductions, and many people may be better off taking the standard deduction instead. The breaks are more valuable the more you earn, and the bigger your mortgage. But many people will find that these tax breaks mean owning costs them less, often a lot less, than renting.

The June 13, 2005 cover of Time.

                           

4. It'll be yours. You can have the kitchen and bathrooms you want. You can move the walls, build an extension–zoning permitted–or paint everything bright orange. Few landlords are so indulgent; for renters, these types of changes are often impossible. You'll feel better about your own place if you own it than if you rent. Many years ago, when I was working for a political campaign in England, I toured a working-class northern town. Mrs. Thatcher had just begun selling off public housing to the tenants. "You can tell the ones that have been bought," said my local guide. "They've painted the front door. It's the first thing people do when they buy." It was a small sign that said something big.

5. You'll get a better home. In many parts of the country it can be really hard to find a good rental. All the best places are sold as condos. Money talks. Once again, this is a case by case issue: In Miami right now there are so many vacant luxury condos that owners will rent them out for a fraction of the cost of owning. But few places are so favored. Generally speaking, if you want the best home in the best neighborhood, you're better off buying.

 

6. It offers some inflation protection. No, it's not perfect. But studies by Professor Karl "Chip" Case (of Case-Shiller), and others, suggest that over the long-term housing has tended to beat inflation by a couple of percentage points a year. That's valuable inflation insurance, especially if you're young and raising a family and thinking about the next 30 or 40 years. In the recent past, inflation-protected government bonds, or TIPS, offered an easier form of inflation insurance. But yields there have plummeted of late. That also makes homeownership look a little better by contrast.

                                

                  

A house for sale in Shelby, Ohio. Associated Press

           

7. It's risk capital. No, your home isn't the stock market and you shouldn't view it as the way to get rich. But if the economy does surprise us all and start booming, sooner or later real estate prices will head up again, too. One lesson from the last few years is that stocks are incredibly hard for most normal people to own in large quantities–for practical as well as psychological reasons. Equity in a home is another way of linking part of your portfolio to the long-term growth of the economy–if it happens–and still managing to sleep at night.

 

8. It's forced savings. If you can rent an apartment for $2,000 month instead of buying one for $2,400 a month, renting may make sense. But will you save that $400 for your future? A lot of people won't. Most, I dare say. Once again, you have to do your math, but the part of your mortgage payment that goes to principal repayment isn't a cost. You're just paying yourself by building equity. As a forced monthly saving, it's a good discipline.

 

9. There is a lot to choose from. There is a glut of homes in most of the country. The National Association of Realtors puts the current inventory at around 4 million homes. That's below last year's peak, but well above typical levels, and enough for about a year's worth of sales. More keeping coming onto the market, too, as the banks slowly unload their inventory of unsold properties. That means great choice, as well as great prices.

 

10. Sooner or later, the market will clear. Demand and supply will meet. The population is forecast to grow by more than 100 million people over the next 40 years. That means maybe 40 million new households looking for homes. Meanwhile, this housing glut will work itself out. Many of the homes will be bought. But many more will simply be destroyed–either deliberately, or by inaction. This is already happening. Even two years ago, when I toured the housing slump in western Florida, I saw bankrupt condo developments that were fast becoming derelict. And, finally, a lot of the "glut" simply won't matter: It's concentrated in a few areas, like Florida and Nevada. Unless you live there, the glut won't have any long-term impact on housing supply in your town.

Reasons to Own

 

Do you pass the yardstick test?

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell--Does Each Room

 Pass the Yardstick Test? 

Have you decided to put your home up for sale?  After you have done the standard steps--clean, de-clutter, and complete all deferred maintenance items--it's time to take a serious look at each room in your house and determine if the furniture placement highlights the spaciousness of the room. 

Even small spaces can feel large if the furniture is well placed.  One of the biggest issues seen in homes on the market today is either too much furniture or awkward furniture arrangement.  Either of these usually results in constricted traffic flows throughout rooms.

If there isn't ample space to walk around and/or through rooms, buyers will feel that the home is not large enough for them, has insufficient room to entertain family/friends, and just does not feel comfortable.  So try this simple yardstick test and see if the major rooms in your home pass. 

First, find a standard yardstick or a tape measure that extends and locks in at 36".  Then, starting at your foyer, turn the yardstick horizontally, center it on your body with your arms extended straight by your sides and start walking through your house following the major traffic patterns.  Take note of where the yardstick will not pass through without angling it.  Dining rooms are common places where this happens as they seem to accumulate extra furniture.  In the dining room in the the photo below you will see that there is only 18" between the back of the chairs and the glass side table.  This is the main walk way through the dining room.  What message is this sending to a potential buyer? 

You're just not looking for the yardstick to fit between two pieces of furniture either.  Check the distances between the furniture and the walls, or that stack of boxes and other items that have been collecting in corners of rooms, a large potted plant and/or the bar stools and kitchen island that extend into the great room.  Just keep walking and noting the distances.  On to the bedrooms, where dresser drawers often open into mattresses and multi-purpose rooms (like offices) share space with large-scale pieces of exercise equipment or double as guest bedrooms. How about your childrens' bedrooms with the bed, dresser, desks, bookshelf and stacks of toys?  And let's not forget about hallways that have accumulated bookshelves, display pieces or wall-mounted shelves.  Just how many places do you need to turn that yardstick sideways to slip through, as in this photo below.  There is only 23" of space here.  Notice how generous the space is beyond the yardstick towards the top of the photo.  Yet the furniture placement literally acts like a funnel and constricts the traffic flow between rooms.  Potential buyers will "feel" this.

So, now that you've checked your whole house, did it pass?  Most homes have numerous areas like the above photos and these do need to be addressed before you place your home on the market.  That means it's time to move furniture or remove furniture.  The glass table in the dining room above should be removed to open up the walkway.  The desk and chair in the second photo should be moved to another area where they will be more functional so the traffic pattern will open up. 

What may be acceptable in terms of interior design furniture placement may be entirely too constricting when you want to sell your home.  Selling is all about showing the space, not the furnishings, so if there are furnishings that are hiding your "space" remove them to storage.  Think about two buyers and possibly two agents circulating through your home for a tour.  Can they all comfortably stand in one room and discuss the merits of your home?

Have the solutions?  Good, time to get to work.  Stumped?  Then it's time to call a qualified home stager.  A home stager can quickly help you open up those clogged traffic patterns and make each room welcoming to a buyer.  That's their specialty.  They will also identify other areas of your home that could be addressed to improve the saleability of your home, whether that is paint color, accessories or furniture arrangement. CALL HOME AND CURB APPEAL LLC - 262-893-5555

Feel free to call me for a consultation.  And, yes, I'll bring the yardstick!

NEW LISTING IN WAUKESHA COUNTY:1205 SUMMIT AVENUE

LISTING IN WAUKESHA COUNTY: 37200 FOREST DRIVE

Tips for Renting Your First Apartment

A guide to apartment-hunting in a challenging market, whether you’re flying solo or with roommates.

By Susan Johnston May 21, 2012 | 10:55 a.m. EDT + More 

 

This year's graduates may be entering a slightly better job market than their 2010 or 2011 counterparts, but many will face a tighter rental market. As buying property loses its allure for some, increased demand and lower vacancy in rental units is driving up prices throughout the country. According to the Census Bureau, the median asking rent for rental units nationwide was $721 in the first quarter of this year, up from $683 first quarter last year.
"Occupancy rates are the highest they've been in 10 years," says Doug Culkin, president and CEO of the National Apartment Association. "Nationally, they're at about 96 percent, which is incredibly high. It'll be harder for kids coming out of college [to afford an apartment] unless Mom and Dad are paying for it."

Of course, that's not to say apartment-hunting has been easy for other recession-era grads. In 2010, when Rebecca Odell moved to Columbus, Ohio, for an internship, she had the dual challenges of a limited budget and a long-distance apartment search. "Taking a post-grad internship narrowed my apartment choices because I needed to find a place that I could afford, especially working on an intern's budget, and where I would feel safe," she says.
After an extensive online search, Odell narrowed the field to four apartments and drove the two hours to view all four on the same day. The apartment she chose was a short-term sublease within a multi-family house, but she's since moved in with a roommate to save money, as many recent grads do.
Here's how to rent your first apartment in a challenging market, whether you're flying solo or searching with roommates.

• Set a realistic budget based on the area. The conventional wisdom is to spend no more than 30 percent of your annual income on housing costs. But given low entry-level salaries and high housing costs, you may need to budget a little more if you're living in expensive urban markets like New York City or San Francisco. "It totally depends on where you live," says Ornella Grosz, a speaker and author of Moneylicious: A Financial Clue for Generation Y. "You want to have a benchmark, but you don't want to spend your entire paycheck on rent." Websites like Rentometer.com and RentJungle.com/comparerent can give you an idea of rents in your target neighborhood so you can budget accordingly.
Splitting the rent with roommates can help cut costs, but you'll want to screen roommates carefully and "make sure they're people you'd actually want to live with," as Grosz puts it. You may like hanging out with friends from college, but that doesn't mean you'll enjoy cleaning up their messes or sharing a bathroom. Before signing a lease together, ask prospective roommates how they want to handle chores, guests, bills, and other issues.

Once you find a potential apartment, ask about possible rent increases to gauge how quickly you could be priced out of that apartment. "Do they anticipate rental prices going up?" asks Grosz. "How do they justify increases in prices?"

• Budget for the extras. In addition to paying rent, you may also be responsible for paying bills like electricity, heat, and cable. Odell adjusted her price range once she discovered that some higher-priced apartments included utilities, which made her overall costs lower than paying rent and utilities separately.
If you're on the hook for utilities, factor those expenses into your budget. Often, you can find out what the previous tenants paid by calling the utility provider and giving them the address. "Of course, your use might be different," points out Bill Deegan, CEO of Renter Nation (formerly the American Tenants Association).

• Position yourself as a desirable tenant. Rentals move quickly in competitive markets, so have your references and checkbook ready when you start searching. In some markets, you'll be expected to pay a security deposit, first and last month's rent, a nonrefundable application fee, and possibly a broker or finder's fee before moving in, all of which can amount to several times the monthly rent.

Having Mom and Dad cosign on an apartment (if they're willing) could give prospective landlords peace of mind about renting to someone without a long credit or employment history. However, if you don't have a cosigner, Grosz suggests guaranteeing extra money upfront to show landlords that you're financially responsible. Carrying a letter from your employer as proof of employment is another option. Prospective landlords may also want to run a credit check, so try to clear up any issues on your credit report before starting your search.

• Scope out the neighborhood. Real estate agents have a saying: "location, location, location." This rings true for apartments as well as houses. Choose an apartment based solely on the interior, and you may wind up in a less-than-desirable neighborhood, far from friends or work. If you're relocating for a job, Culkin suggests asking your employer for recommendations on neighborhoods. Walkscore.com can give you a sense of how walkable an area is based on proximity to public transportation, restaurants, grocery stores, and other places.
Also look at how the building or area is maintained. "If it's a high-rise, are there lights out in the hallways? Is the lighting in the parking lot adequate?" asks Deegan. If not, it could be a sign that management will be slow to respond to tenants' concerns.
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• Conduct a thorough walk-through. Some people will rent off of Craigslist without seeing an apartment in person, which can lead to problems later, according to Deegan. "Any prospective tenant should make sure everything works: the stove, the refrigerator, any appliances, and make sure the water runs hot for half an hour if you take long showers," he says. Also document any preexisting issues like scratches on the floor or holes in the wall so they won't get deducted from your security deposit when you move out.

• Get everything in writing. Large apartment communities typically have you sign a lease, but individual property owners or landlords may be more lax about paperwork. Whatever the scenario, don't rely on a handshake to seal the deal. According to Grosz, your lease should answer questions like, "how much notification do you need to give to move out? Is your security deposit refundable? Are you responsible for fixing up the apartment when you leave?" If you're uncertain about anything in your lease, have someone else review it. In fact, your college may offer lease-review services to students and recent grads.

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© Carl & Ann Purcell/Corbis, Sylvie Bouchard/Alamy

Homeowners: 13 summer dangers and how to stay safe

By Leah L. Culler of MSN Real Estate

Summer is here. So what does that mean for you, your home and your family?
Beware.
Sure, summer means ice cream, pool parties and family vacations, but it's also full of danger. And nothing ruins a neighborhood barbecue like a house fire, drowning or severed limb.
We're not trying to scare you, but it's important to know what's out there so you can protect yourself and your home. Here are 13 summer home dangers and how to guard against them.

 The Lawn Mower

© Charlie Schuck/AGE Fotostock

Mowing the lawn is a weekly ritual for many in the spring and summer, but it sends nearly 80,000 Americans to the hospital each year, according to a 2006 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. Researchers say the most common injuries are caused by debris, such as rocks and branches, propelled by the mower's spinning blades.
"These are machines with sharp blades spinning at 160 mph just inches away from our feet and hands," says author David Bishai of the Bloomberg School. "We have got to respect the dangers and use common sense."
Here are a few lawn-mowing safety tips from Bishai:

• Wear goggles, long pants and closed-toe shoes with soles that offer good traction.
• Clear the yard of debris before mowing.
• Wear protective gloves when servicing the mower or changing blades.
• Never service the mower while it is running.
• Do not carry passengers on riding mowers or tow anyone behind the mower.
• Do not allow children younger than 16 to operate a riding mower.
• Store lawn mowers in an area that has minimal traffic and that children cannot access.

 Extreme Weather

© Exactostock/SuperStock
Depending on where you live, summer can bring some nasty storms.

Tornadoes: Residents of Tornado Alley — the area between the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains — probably know that tornado season can last throughout the summer, bringing winds of up to 300 mph. Unlike in "The Wizard of Oz," a tornado probably won't pick your home up and plop it down elsewhere without doing some serious damage. Protect your home from tornado damage with this online checklist from The Weather Channel.
Hurricanes: Those of you on the southern and eastern coasts of the U.S. know the threats of hurricane season. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a short checklist to help you prepare your home before a hurricane hits.
Wind and hail: Even if you don't live in a hurricane or tornado zone, wind and hail from summer storms can do some serious damage. In 2010, damage caused by wind and hail cost State Farm Insurance and its policyholders more than $3.2 billion, says Holly Anderson, a State Farm spokeswoman. She also says that homeowners should consider impact-resistant roofing to limit damage.
Lightning: If lightning strikes your home, it can fry your electrical system, destroy equipment and even set your house on fire. Read "If lightning strikes, is your home ready?" to learn how to protect your home.

 A House Fire

© John A. Rizzo/Photodisc/Getty Images

A lightning strike can set fire to your home, but the likelihood of that is slim compared with more common summer sparks, such as outdoor grilling and fireworks.
According to firesafety.gov, nearly 10,000 Americans are injured by fireworks each year, and 5,000 are injured by charcoal, wood-burning and propane grill fires. Anderson, from State Farm, says July is the peak summer month for insurance claims related to smoke and fire losses. The average cost for such a claim between 2005 and 2009 was $23,548, she says.
Protect your home and yourself by following a few fire-safety tips:

• Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
• Always have a bucket of water, a fire extinguisher or both nearby.
• Dispose of hot coals properly; douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.

Find more tips and information at firesafety.gov, which compiles information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Fire Administration. If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, you can find more home-protection information on the FEMA website.

A Ladder

© Cultura Creative/Alamy

A clear summer day may seem like the perfect time to climb a ladder to fix that loose shingle on the roof or to trim that eyesore of a tree. But a fall from that height can cause serious injury or death.
The CPSC says that 164,000 ladder-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms in the U.S. each year. Your best bet may be to have a professional handle any home project involving great heights, but you can take precautions to keep your ladder climb as safe as possible:

• Be sure your ladder has slip-resistant feet.
• Be sure the ground under the ladder is level and firm.
• Keep your body centered on the rails at all times; do not lean to the side while working.
• Do not step on the top step of the ladder.

  Digging A Hole

  
  

  © I love images/Photolibrary
  Before you get out a shovel to plant a tree or install a mailbox, you must find out if and where utility lines are buried in your yard. When struck, underground gas and power lines can cause serious injury or death.
  Khrysanne Kerr, vice president of communications for the Common Ground Alliance, says that more than 19 million miles of pipes, wires and cables are buried. They provide vital services such as energy, water and enhanced 911 service. The CGA works to prevent damage to underground utilities and to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
  Digging without knowing what's underground can cause serious harm, but it can also disrupt vital services and cause costly damage.
  Homeowners who are planning a project that involves digging should call 811, which will route the call to a local center. Local utility companies will then visit your property to mark the approximate location of underground lines, pipes and cables.
  "Making a phone call to 811 is by far the easiest damage-prevention tactic (that) anyone who intends to dig can make," says Bob Kipp, CGA president. "Homeowners need to exercise caution and make the phone call and not a judgment call."

  The Heat

  
  

  © Novastock/Photolibrary
  
  Between 1979 and 2003, heat-related illnesses killed 8,015 people in the United States, more than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined, the CDC says.
  Sweating is the body's natural way of cooling itself, but it may not be enough in extreme heat or long exposure.
  So what can you do?
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Seek air conditioning to keep cool.
• Pace yourself.
• Monitor people at high risk, including the elderly and young children.

In some places, a hot day can turn paved roads into "streets of fire." Metal surfaces, such as car doors or a shed in your yard, also can get extremely hot.
Arizona Burn Center studies found that contact with hot pavement in the summer is a leading cause of foot burns in small children in the Southwest. One study showed that pavement temperatures in Arizona are hot enough to cause second-degree burns within 35 seconds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Always wear shoes if you'll be walking on potentially hot surfaces, and don't touch metal surfaces that have been in the sun for a long time.

Power Tools

© Sylvie Bouchard/Alamy

Every year, emergency rooms treat 36,000 people for chain-saw injuries and thousands more for injuries caused by power hedge trimmers or weed trimmers, according to CDC estimates.
Any time you're using a power tool, wear protective gear, head to toe. And don't decide you're going to tackle that downed tree in the backyard after a few Coronas. Power tools and booze don't mix.
Here are a few fact sheets on power tools from the CPSC.

Bugs

© MedicalRF.com/Corbis

About 2 million Americans are allergic to insect stings, and many of them are at risk of life-threatening reactions, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Each year, insect stings cause at least 50 deaths and send more than 500,000 Americans to the emergency room.
Stinging insects such as bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are most active in the late summer and early fall.
Other potentially harmful bugs include ticks, which can cause Lyme disease; mosquitoes, which can spread West Nile virus; scorpions; and a few types of spiders.

Your Garden

© Plush Studios/Getty Images

The plants, flowers and trees in your yard may provide food for your family, sweet-smelling flowers and beautiful landscaping. But some of them may be dangerous. Did you know, for instance, that eating the leaf blade of the rhubarb plant can lead to convulsions, coma and even death? Know what's growing in your yard and in nearby areas and make sure your family members know never to eat a plant they find. That goes for mushrooms, too.

Here's a chart from Texas A&M University's AgriLife Extension Service that identifies some of the most common poisonous plants.

Your Swimming Pool

© Carl & Ann Purcell/Corbis

According to the CDC, most accidental drownings of children ages 1 to 4 occur in residential swimming pools. While your pool may add value to your home and offer relief from the summer heat, it can also put your family at risk.
The best way to keep your pool area safe is to install a fence to prevent anyone from falling in accidentally. Supervise your children at all times when they are in a pool.
Also be aware of any rivers, lakes or other bodies of water near your home, and exercise caution any time you are in or around them. Wear life jackets and know the weather forecast before you go swimming; a sudden change in weather can put you at risk.

Tetanus

© Ian Logan/Getty Images

Did your parents tell you not to run around barefoot outside, warning that you'd step on a rusty nail and get tetanus?
These days, most people have been vaccinated against tetanus, but people do still get it, and it can be deadly. And rusty nails aren't the only things to avoid.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Clostridium tetani, the bacteria that cause tetanus, are found in soil, dust and animal feces. When the bacteria enter a wound, spores may produce a powerful toxin called tetanospasmin, which actively impairs your motor neurons, or the nerves that control your muscles.
Your best protection is to ensure that you and your family are up-to-date on tetanus shots. It's probably also a good idea not to step on any rusty nails.

Pesticides

© Javier Larrea/age fotostock/Photolibrary

Everyone deals with pests in and around the home, whether those pests are bugs, weeds or bacteria. But some pest-control products come with dangerous side effects.
If you're using pesticides, you can limit your exposure to the potentially harmful substances and their impact on you, your family and your pets. Read more about minimizing your exposure on the National Pesticide Information Center's website (PDF).
You also can limit the use of pesticides by trying "integrated pest management," which is an environmentally sensitive approach to pest management.

The Sandbox

© Juniors Bildarchiv/Photolibrary

That sandbox you built in the backyard has given your kids hours of enjoyment and may even make your home more appealing to potential homebuyers. But danger could be buried in the sand if neighborhood cats have decided to use it as a litter box. 

That's right: Cat poop is not only gross, it's dangerous.
Cats may host a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii; it can cause a disease called toxoplasmosis, which can affect the brain, lungs, heart, eyes and liver. It can be deadly for people with weakened immune systems.
If you want to protect your family and embark on a home-improvement project at the same time, build a sandbox cover and keep the sandbox protected so that it doesn't become a giant litter box. Teach your kids to always wash their hands after playing in the sandbox.
Find more information about toxoplasmosis on the National Center for Biotechnology Information's website.