Curb appeal – or lack thereof – can make or break the sale of a home. So many people form a lasting impression based on the first impressions of a home. Yet, when we’re trying to sell a home, the last place we prepare for the sale is the landscape. Did you know that an attractive landscape design could add anywhere from 10 to 15% to the value of your home?  Putting that into perspective, for a home valued at $200,000, an effective home landscape could add $30,000 to its value!
We’ve put together a list of some easy and simple tips to help you spruce up your curb appeal, and help you sell your home quickly!

Lawn -  Your lawn should come first on your landscaping to-do list, because grass takes the longest time to improve. A lush green grass is the first thing that will attract new homeowners, and if your lawn is overgrown, brown or full of weeds, it may taint their opinion of the home. They may even conclude because the yard is unkempt, the rest of the house is not maintained. Be sure to keep to a regular watering and cutting schedule. If your yard is beyond repair, you may want to consider hiring professionals to lay sod.
 
Mulch  – Adding mulch to your garden beds is a great and inexpensive way to really make your landscape clean and tidy.  Cedar mulch has a nice clean smell and really makes the greenery pop. Best of all, mulch can be applied quickly and easily if your landscape needs a quick pick-me-up before a home showing.

Trim  – A very simple way to tidy up your outdoors is to prune up any overgrown trees or shrubs near the home. This will not only make the garden look nice, but it will also highlight the architecture of your home. And you can prune deciduous trees and shrubs any time of the year, which will help if you’re trying to sell your home in the winter.

Wash – An easy way to give your home a new appearance, short of a new paint job, is to power wash its exterior. With little effort, a dingy and dirty surface can shine and look like new! And don’t just stop at your home’s exterior! You can power wash the drive, your deck, a brick sidewalk, fences, or any hard surface that needs sprucing up.

Lights – Don’t forget to look at your home at night, because many homeowners might drive by your home in the evening! You will want to be sure to include low voltage lighting along the driveway or sidewalk or near landscaping that you want highlight. Adding lighting to the area around a deck or patio creates a more inviting space, as well.
 
While having spectacular curb appeal is not a guarantee that you will sell your home, it definitely goes a long way in creating outstanding first impressions. A great exterior is a good stepping stone for making people want to see the interior. Because of its potential to increase the value of your home – ALONG with the sale – taking care of your landscape is worth the time and effort.

Thanks QuickenLoans.com for this great article!

The move to improve the energy efficiency of the country's homes is picking up speed. As big home builders anticipate greater demand for green homes and seek to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace, many are using green features to draw buyers.

For instance, Pulte Homes  has built 10 communities that offer standard or optional solar power. Most are based in Arizona, California and Nevada. Last month, the company expanded its solar offerings to a retirement community in New Jersey.

Beazer Homes recently added a few options to its eSmart program, an environmentally-conscious design scheme for new homes that include 10 eco-friendly features. The new “eSMART Plus option” features a higher-efficiency Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, dual flush toilets and an upgraded home radiant barrier in warmer climates.

 

“All builders are coming up with some kind of a green program – they realize they have to,” says Ed Binkley, a residential architect who focuses on sustainability in Oviedo, Fla.

For prospective buyers who want to live the green way – and save on energy costs – there are more options than ever. Here’s what a few experts in the field recommend buyers look for when going green-house hunting.

Certification

The simplest way for most buyers to identify a sustainable house is to look for one that’s been certified under one of the many green building programs, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program or the National Association of Home Builders’ certification from the American National Standards Institute, as well as numerous state and local programs.

 

Consumers who are custom building a house should insist that it be certified under one of these programs, says Carl Seville, owner of Seville Consulting, a residential green-building consulting firm in Decatur, Ga. They should also make sure the program requires performance testing, which would include a duct blaster test to detect air leaks in the duct system. Some green-building programs don’t require such tests, he says.

Orientation, window placement

The position of the house itself is one area most buyers rarely consider. However, a new home’s orientation should be a priority when assessing energy efficiency and comfort, says Seville.

An east-west orientation is usually best. In hot climates, shoppers should look for a house with few windows on the east and west sides and with the southern-facing windows shaded properly. Proper orientation of a house can cut down heating bills by 10% to 20%, Seville says.

 

However, although the orientation of the building plays a role in energy expenses, the location of the property can be more critical. If the home is within walking distance of amenities, like parks, stores and transit, its residents may drive less and save on gas.

Insulated construction

As for the bones of the house, the key is to use materials that provide an effective barrier against air leaks. Binkley says he works primarily with structural insulated panels (SIPs), walls of insulating foam sandwiched between two outer panels. SIPs are used in floors, walls and roofs. Their fabrication process produces no waste, and they can reduce heating and cooling costs significantly.

 

The upfront price for SIPs may be 4% or 5% higher than what a shopper may spend on typical wood construction, but the improved insulation could lower the home’s operating costs, Binkley says.

 

“You have to look at how long it will take to recoup that money,” he says. “You may be able to reduce your electric bill by 70%.”

Right-size HVAC system

As much as half of the energy used in a home goes toward heating and cooling, so an HVAC system can have a big effect on utility bills.

 

Aside from checking the filter regularly and using a programmable thermostat, a homeowner should make sure the system is properly designed for their house. “Contractors frequently put in central AC systems that are too large,” says Seville. An oversized unit won’t run long enough to remove the proper humidity; an undersized one won’t cool and dry enough moisture from the air.

 

For example, a 2,000-square-foot house might typically require a three ton air-conditioning system. However, if a home is well-insulated, a 1.5- or two-ton system might suffice, says Binkley. The homeowner could end up saving money by downsizing.

Government rebates

Buyers who purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for their home may be eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% up to $1,500. Homeowners have until the end of the year to take advantage of the incentive, which covers insulation upgrades and HVAC equipment.

 

Homeowners may also qualify for local incentives through state-run programs as well as through their utility companies. For example, Nevada customers of Southwest Gas Corporation are eligible for rebates of up to $200 if they purchase energy-efficient natural gas water heaters, clothes washers, clothes dryers, programmable thermostats and low-flow showerheads.

 

To see what’s available in a particular area, check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

By Susan Johnston:

According to Moving.com, the months between May and August are the most popular for moving in the United States.

Whether it’s down the street or across state lines, no one likes moving. The piles of brown boxes and the hours upon hours of packing can wring a high cost to your wallet — not to mention your sanity. We asked Nancy Giehl and Joan Hobbs, downsizing and relocation experts and authors of Organize Pack Move!: Strategies and Money-Saving Ideas to Simplify Your Move, to share some of their secrets for successful moves.

1. Research your options

If you plan to hire movers, Giehl and Hobbs recommend getting at least three bids and telling each company that you’re receiving other bids. “Do not accept Internet bids or bids over the phone,” adds Giehl. “You cannot get an accurate bid if they can’t see your stuff.” If your move-in dates are flexible, ask if you can negotiate a discount. Also read reviews on sites like Kudzu.com,Yelp.com, and the Better Business Bureau.

If you’re planning to move yourself, then you may want to enlist the help of friends and family members to help you load the truck or watch the children on moving day. But be honest about your physical limitations. As Hobbs points out, “a back injury will cost you significantly more than hiring someone.” Of course, most people opt for a hybrid move (for instance, hiring movers to load and unload the truck but packing themselves or hiring a truck company to transport belongings but loading and unloading themselves).

Every service can be contracted separately so you pay for what you need.

2. Consider extra costs

“When doing a price comparison on different types of moves, don’t forget to factor things like truck fuel and one-way truck rental fees if you are going to do-it-yourself,” says Hobbs. Other oft-forgotten costs include insurance, trash removal, permits for moving trucks that block streets or alley access, and tips for movers. If you need to take unpaid time off from work for a DIY move, then that’s another cost consideration.

Ask potential movers lots of questions so you can accurately compare bids. “Some moving companies charge by the load, others charge an hourly rate based on number of crewmembers—find out,” says Giehl. “If your mover charges by the hour, find out when the clock starts. Some companies start charging from the time they leave their company parking lot, so the distance from your home to their trucks makes a difference.”

3. Give movers an accurate inventory of your stuff

One of the best things you can do to prepare for a move is to clear away clutter: clothes you don’t wear, furniture that won’t fit into your new space, books or movies you’ve long forgotten about (bonus: some of these items can be sold for extra cash or, if in good quality, donated to a charity).

But if you tell movers you’re getting rid of stuff, then make sure you actually sell it or you’ll usually end up paying more than their estimate. “A client told the movers she would be selling several large pieces of furniture,” Hobbs says. “When she couldn’t sell them she decided to keep them. Her moving bill was several thousand dollars over the estimate. She was furious with the movers but it was her fault.”

Since movers typically only see your current residence, be sure to mention any potential issues in your future home, such as winding staircases, narrow streets, or steep hills. “If there are special issues that make unloading significantly longer you will be unpleasantly surprised by your bill,” Giehl says.

4. Be ready for moving day

Lack of preparation costs you money. If you aren’t completely packed, then you could end up paying your movers their hourly rate (often $110 or higher) to pack things you could have done yourself. Or if you aren’t sure where you want furniture to go, you’ll eat up time asking movers to rearrange things. Lack of preparation can also hurt DIYers. “One of the biggest mistakes do-it-yourself packers do is skimp on is preparing boxes properly and packing breakables incorrectly,” says Hobbs. She and Giehl suggest using same-sized boxes, because you can get more in a truck if boxes are a uniform size.

With the right research and preparation, you’ll be ready for a smooth move to your new home.

 

Interest rates are super low these days so whether you're looking to purchase a new home or stay put for a while it may be worth a call to your bank.

Buying?

The average loan payment will decrease about $50 for every .5% the interest rate drops. That's an evening out a month you'll save!

Refinancing?

Don't jump quite yet. There are a few things you'll want to consider first:

• How long do you plan on staying in your home?
• Do you have the cash to pony up for closing costs?
• Do you have enough equity in your home to be able to qualify for a refinance?
• What is the break even point for refinancing your home?

Don't know the answers to these questions (or don't know what these questions are asking)? Let me help you figure it out!

Here's a great article I found on Bankrate.com about the best ways to have your home loan fall through:

Want a lender to delay or even cancel your mortgage closing? Then change your "borrower circumstances" between the day you apply for and the day you close a home loan.

Lenders have gotten stricter in response to the mortgage meltdown. The latest tightening of the screws comes from Fannie Mae. The mortgage titan's Loan Quality Initiative, which went into effect June 1, requires lenders to track "changes in borrower circumstances" between application and closing.

The rules aren't new, but Fannie will enforce them more vigorously. For borrowers, it means certain actions are likely to delay or otherwise mess up a mortgage closing.

"Any change in circumstance could affect and delay a borrower's closing on a transaction," says David Adamo, CEO of Luxury Mortgage of Stamford, Conn.

Following are three things borrowers can do to mess up their next mortgage closing.

Get a new credit card or auto loan

If you want to implode your impending mortgage, get a new credit card or auto loan.

Lenders have long admonished mortgage applicants to avoid getting new credit cards and auto loans while home loans are in underwriting. Fannie's Loan Quality Initiative adds urgency to this request.

For example, picture a borrower who gets a car loan a week before closing on the mortgage. The mortgage lender doesn't know about it. Later, the borrower misses a couple of mortgage payments.

Fannie Mae can look back, discover the undisclosed auto loan and make the lender buy back the bad mortgage. That's a money loser for the lender.

So at the eleventh hour, most lenders check credit for new accounts.

Even merely opening an account -- without charging anything to it -- can be a mistake.

Retailers often offer discounts to customers who apply for store credit, Adamo says. "That is something that most consumers will take advantage of, and even something as benign as that could affect a borrower's ability to close on a mortgage approval."

Charge up credit cards

Charging up credit cards with thousands of dollars' worth of appliances, tools, and yard equipment is another surefire way to much up a closing. It's best to leave those cards alone.

"Don't increase your credit card balances at all. Consider paying cash for everything," says Dan Green, a mortgage planner for Waterstone Mortgage in Cincinnati.

Mortgage approval is based partly on debt-to-income ratio. The lender looks at the borrower's minimum monthly debt payments and compares them to income. If the ratio of debt payments to income is too high, the borrower could be turned down for a mortgage.

Fannie encourages mortgage lenders to recalculate debt-to-income ratios just before closing. If a spending spree sends the debt-to-income ratio too high, the mortgage could be doomed. For this reason, borrowers should wait until after closing the mortgage before buying furniture, a refrigerator or a lawn mower on credit.

Change jobs

Changing jobs is another good way to derail a mortgage before closing. Other potential deal-breakers include staying with a current employer, but switching from a salaried position to one where primary income comes from commissions or bonuses.

"Because the rules about any job change, especially if you go to commission or bonus, usually you need a two-year history," says Bob Walters, chief economist for Quicken Loans. "So if all of a sudden you switch from W-2 to some other kind of compensation, and you don't have the history, a lot of times that income can't be included. So all of a sudden you'll find maybe you don't qualify."

 

I found this great article recently and thought I just had to share. Stay cool this summer!

By Paige Tepping

RISMEDIA, June 17, 2010--As the temperatures continue to rise this summer, so does the cost of keeping your home cool. While homeowners across the country come to depend on air conditioners to keep the temperature down during the warm summer months, there are other options that will keep you cool while keeping your energy bill low. 

Fans and ceiling fans
-If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat, a ceiling fan can be a great investment for your home. This one appliance can make a room feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler, and even the most power-hungry fan costs less than $10 a month to use if you keep it on for 12 hours a day. Good fans make it possible for you to raise your thermostat setting and save on air-conditioning costs. Fans don’t use much energy, but when air is circulating, it feels much cooler. Ceiling fans are best, but a good portable fan can be very effective as well.

-You should remember that even mild air movement of 1 mph can make you feel three or four degrees cooler. Also, make sure your ceiling fan is turned for summer – you should feel the air blown downward.

Shades, drapes or blinds
-Install white window shades, drapes or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon) to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently. Always remember that the best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out.

Internal Heat
-The most common sources of internal heat gain are; appliances, electronic devices and lighting. Be aware of devices in your home that are generating heat and if you have air conditioning, use it wisely. 

Don’t put lamps, televisions or other heat-generating appliances next to your air-conditioning thermostat, because the heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer. The heat they produce will make the thermostat think your house is warmer than it really is, and your system will run harder than it needs to.

-Unless you absolutely need them, turn off incandescent lights and heat-generating appliances. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents; they produce the same light but use a fifth the energy and heat.

-You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities such as cooking on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will use less energy to cool it.

Plants
-Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses less electricity. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will keep your house cool in the summer and allow the sunlight to warm the house during the winter. 

Roof and Walls
-Paint your roof white – If you’ve got a flat roof, paint it with a specially formulated reflective paint or just paint it white. The reflective effect will help to keep the rooms under the flat roof much cooler.

Other things to remember
-Humidity makes room air feel warmer, so reduce indoor humidity. Minimize mid-day washing and drying clothes, showering and cooking. When you must do these things, turn on ventilating fans to help extract warm, moist air.

-Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides of your home because it increases the temperature around the house and radiates heat to the house after the sun has set.

-If the attic isn’t already insulated or is under-insulated, insulate it now. Upgrading from 3 inches to 12 inches can cut cooling costs by 10%.

Kansas City is trying to 'tie' all the bar districts together, solve the dilemma of not being able to find a taxi, and provide a great night out!

Check out the new trolley system for free this weekend that connects:

• Power and Light
• Plaza
• Brookside
• Westport
• 18th and Vine
• Waldo
• Martini Corner

I would love to get your feedback on this one. I, of course, have my own opinions on the matter but would love to hear what others think:

The pressure is increasing on Congress to renew the homebuyers tax credits for a third time.

The first $7,500 tax credit was passed in 2008 and required first-time buyers to repay the credit over 15 years. A new months later in 2009, Congress expanded the credit to a maximum of $8,000 that didn't have to be paid back.

At the end of last year, Congress extended the benefit again until April 30 with an extra two months on top of that to close. A new credit of $6,500 was added for move-up buyers, too.

Now representatives of the housing industry are lobbying for another extension.  Some experts, including Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, who supported the earlier credits, think the time has come to let it go.

"It's worn out its benefit," he says. "if you extended it again, it isn't going to do much, and what you're doing is providing a tax break to folks who bought anyway."

(Source: The Wall Street Journal, Nick Timiraos - 02/22/2010)

Insert the popular 60's song here.

My mentor reminds me of this on a regular basis. What’s the use of being in real estate (or insurance, or sales, or anything for that matter) if no one knows? You’re not a super spy, you’re not doing covert ops, and you’re not incognito.

Be proud of what you do, carry business cards with you (and don’t be afraid to give them out!), talk about the industry and provide advice (Although, I HAVE found there’s a fine line between being an attention hoarder and being helpful – and not many people like attention hoarders so don’t be ‘that person’…)

People want “easy” and that’s exactly what you do for them; you make the home buying/selling process easier. There’s no reason to keep that a secret. Get out there and don’t be so James Bond about it!

Now, I COULD sell you a house, but then I’d have to kill you 

Many people don’t completely understand the energy tax credits that are available to them through the end of 2010. The Kansas City Star published a nice article detailing what qualifies for the energy tax credit. And no, it’s not all furnaces and water heaters – think doors, windows, and even window coverings!

Take a look at the article here  to see if the home improvement projects you completed in 2009 are eligible or before you decide to do any new projects.

Happy Updating!