Posts from July 2016
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27
Curb Appeal: Tips to Polish Up Paint
In life and in real estate, first impressions matter. Before placing your home on the market, it's worth taking a look at the paint on the outside, which may have been impacted by elements from the past winter.
"If you've been huddled inside for the past few months, you may not be aware of the price your exterior paint has paid keeping winter weather at bay," says Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert with the paint Quality Institute. "Freeze-thaw cycles, rain, sleet and snow can cause paint to fail quickly, especially if you didn't use top-quality paint to begin with."
Zimmer suggests starting by inspecting for flaking or peeling paint on the exterior siding and trim. If the compromised paint is confined to a small area, a touch-up may be all that's needed.
Begin any touch-up project by scraping off loose paint, then sanding the edges smooth, Zimmer explains. Next, prime a...
27
Real Estate Preferable to Cash and Stocks
Real estate is again the most popular investment option among Americans who do not need money for 10 or more years, ahead of cash, precious metals, stocks and bonds, Bankrate.com recently reported.
Preferred investment options, ranked by Americans in the Bankrate.com report, are:
• Real Estate (25 percent)
• Cash (23 percent)
• Precious Metals/Stocks (16 percent)
• Bonds (5 percent)
"The preference for real estate is well-suited for investment horizons of more than a decade, but the apathy many investors feel towards the stock market is detrimental to achieving their long-term financial goals," said Greg McBride, Bankrate.com's chief financial analyst, in a statement. "Yes, the market is volatile, but the market has rewarded long-term investors that show patience and discipline."
Cash, second in terms of preference in Bankrate.com's report, are not a sustainable long-term investment, McBride added.
"While cash inves...
27
How to Buy a House in a Super Competitive Market
When homes sell in minutes and accept offers way over list price, how do you stand a chance? I work in one of the most competitive markets in the country and have seen how frustrated buyers can become. After seeing a few horror stories myself, here are five tips that will help manage expectations (for both buyers and agents) and make their journey smoother and more enjoyable.
The Learning Curve
In this new age of technology, buyers are drowning in information and starving for wisdom. The majority of buyers I work with today have done their homework, but unfortunately, they did all the work before the first day of class. As a buyer, you need to learn how to utilize your agent, your lender, your inspectors, etc., to get the information and guidance you need. Now, this isn't to say you can't get to the fi...
27
Back-to-School: 5 Tips to Get Organized
There's no better time than back-to-school season to organize for the upcoming school year. Begin with these five back-to-school, get-organized tips from the experts at Merry Maids:
1. Draw up a family calendar to keep schedules on track throughout the year. Hang it within view of all members of the household, including your child(ren), so that they know—and can change, if needed—appointments or obligations.
2. Set up color-coded files for your child(ren) to store assignments and projects as they come in through the year. Clear out the folders periodically, either over the weekend or over school vacations.
3. Organize a school supply cabinet with labeled baskets or bins. This will come in handy at homework time, guide your child(ren) during clean-up, and help you take stock when items need replenishing through the year.
27
3 Ways to Waterproof Your House
Did you know water can enter and damage your home at any time, whether your house is in a low-lying area or otherwise?
"There are common water hazards that every homeowner faces at one time or another," explains Michael Petri of Petri Plumbing and Heating, Inc. "It's a lot simpler than many people think to waterproof their homes and avoid those issues."
Waterproofing your home not only guards it against flooding, but also eliminates unseen internal leaks. (Leaks, in fact, account for close to 15 percent of the average household's water use.)
To waterproof your house, Petri recommends:
Scanning Pipes – Walk your property and note areas of mud or soil erosion, or wet spots on the driveway. These findings could indicate a broken pipe, which will require the services of a professional plumber to remedy.
Inspecting Sprinkler Heads – Look...