15 Minute Home Makeovers

 

Here are 7 house pick-me-ups that take about as much time as brewing a pot of coffee and fit your schedule whenever you have a few extra minutes.

1. Switch the plates. Upgrade your drab, plastic switch plates with snazzy covers that match or accent your décor. Even the most expensive brass switch plates cost less than $20 each.

Or, spend a buck for a plastic plate and decorate it yourself. Use craft paint, or cover the plate with decorative paper.

You also can switch outlet covers, but don’t get too fancy. Outlet covers should blend with the wall. 

2. Touch-up boo-boos. A bit of new paint gives any room a fresh face, which is why you should keep extra color-matched paint after you remodel. Touch up banged-up baseboards, door and window trim, and wall marks that won’t wash away. Even spot painting requires care; use a drop cloth to protect other surfaces.

3. Change out drawer and door hardware. Upgrade your kitchen or bathroom by installing new pulls and knobs. Be sure to measure drawer pulls so you won’t have to drill new holes. Check out these cute and economical ($4.95 for 8) zoo dresser drawer knobs on Esty. Home improvement centers have a large selection of inexpensive pulls and knobs.

4. Update your mailbox. Bump up curb appeal by spray-painting your old mailbox. You can freshen the same color, or go wild with bright hues. Don’t forget to scrub off dirt and rust before painting with rust-proof paint ($6-$12 for a 10-oz. can; lots of decorative textures and colors). 

5. Play the numbers game. Decorative house numbers and plates give your home a custom and classy look. Some numbers are quick peel-and-stick affairs; others you’ll have to screw in. They’re made of wood, plastic, brass, stainless steel, and other materials; $6 to $30 each.

6. Embellish your throne. A new toilet seat gives you a regal bearing. Plastic and enameled seats ($12-$25) in a rainbow of colors add a dash of panache; a solid wood mahogany or walnut seat ($45-$60) makes an executive statement; cushioned seats ($15-$20) won’t make a lasting impression — and that’s a good thing.

7. Declutter. You’ll be amazed how a 15-minute daily declutter can make a room look like new. First, get rid of stuff from your fridge door: that large, blank canvas will immediately brighten your kitchen. Corral mail and papers in decorative boxes with tops that can close and hide the mess. Organize school supplies in caddies. Every day, tame a new spot.

Read more: http://members.houselogic.com/articles/easy-quick-house-makeovers/preview/#ixzz32vIPYQLR 

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

 

Local Housing Markets Continue to Stabilize!

INDIANA REALTORS - Local Housing Markets Continue to Stabilize, Follow Seasonal Trends

Low inventory still impacting home sales, but fetching top dollar for available properties.

 The Indiana Real Estate Markets Report today released by the state’s REALTORS shows that statewide, when comparing April 2014 to April 2013, the following occurred:

 

ü  The number of closed home sales decreased 7.7 percent to 6,062

ü  The median sale price of those homes increased 3.4 percent to $123,000

ü  The average sale price increased 3.9 percent to $147,187

ü  The percent of original list price received increased 0.9 percent to 92.8 percent

ü  The number of pending home sales decreased 2.7 percent to 7,201

ü  The number of new listings decreased 0.4 percent to 12,067

“With more than 800 additional homes sold statewide in April versus March, local housing markets continue to stabilize and follow seasonal trends,” said Kevin Eastridge, 2014 President of the Indiana Association of REALTORS and Owner/Principal Broker of the Evansville-based F.C. Tucker Emge REALTORS. “Supply is still tight, though improving. What housing really needs is further job creation and wage growth, and for there to be no major changes in mortgage rules and regulations.” “Provided the economy and the lending environment continue on their current paths, IAR members expect for housing news to be about the same for the next few months,” continued Eastridge. “The definite bright spot is that home values are increasing, which is good for property owners and the surrounding communities alike.”

 

Anyone looking to buy, sell, or invest should start with the sortable county tables of this report and then talk to a local REALTOR® who can give the most insight into what’s happening in a neighborhood, city, or school district.

 

http://www.indianarealtors.com/Research/Indiana-Real-Estate-Markets-Report.aspx

 

Monroe County: https://10kresearch.s3.amazonaws.com/iniar-z6fSb7ye7C/Monroe-County.pdf

 

Owen County: https://10kresearch.s3.amazonaws.com/iniar-z6fSb7ye7C/Owen-County.pdf

 

Information retrieved from Bloomington Board of Realtors May 20,2014

RE/MAX Realtors Lead Competitors!

DENVER – RE/MAX agents continue to outperform all competitors, ranking as the most productive among the elite national real estate franchises. According to preliminary results from the 2014 RISMedia Power Broker Report Top 500, the productivity of RE/MAX agents was more than double the average of agents at competing brokerages. RE/MAX agents on average not only closed more transaction sides, but also claimed a sales volume 69% higher than the average of all competing agents in the Report.

“There are some real estate companies with more offices and agents in the Power Broker Report,” said RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly. “But the real test for any homebuyer or seller is whether their agent gets the job done. And, year after year, the numbers show that RE/MAX agents are the most productive among the national brands.”

According to the Report, in 2013, RE/MAX agents averaged $4.3 million in sales volume - a 26% increase over 2012, while competing agents averaged just $2.5 million. RE/MAX agents also averaged 17.5 transaction sides each - an increase of 4.3% over their 2012 performance. The average for all other agents in the report was just 8.4 sides.

“Our agents are professionals who perform at the highest level,” said Kelly. “RE/MAX agents are not satisfied with the status quo. And you see that in the millions of satisfied consumers who have chosen a RE/MAX agent to help them realize the dream of owning their own home.”

The preliminary report ranked the country’s 500 best performing brokerages by total transaction sides. RE/MAX placed 110 brokerages among the 500 participating brokerages - that’s one in five.

RISMedia will release a final Power Broker report this summer, which will include a total of 1,000 brokerages. The preliminary data was published in this month’s edition of RISMedia’s Real Estate magazine

For more information about the Power Broker Report, visitwww.rismedia.com.

Information retrieved from this website - on April 16, 2014

Bloomington Indiana Home Sales Slip, Prices Remain Strong in February

Low inventory and severe weather conditions lead to longer days on market

BLOOMINGTON, IND. — (March 27, 2014) — According to the latest housing data compiled by RE/MAX of Indiana, Bloomington home sales slipped during the month of February. The area reported a 39 percent decrease in homes sold with 53 homes, compared to the same time last year with 87 homes.

“Severe weather deterred a lot of buyers from getting out early this year and even some sellers from putting their homes on the market,” said Jim Regester, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Realty Professionals. “In addition, there is a shortage of homes in several price ranges that is keeping some buyers from making offers.”

Although homeowners in Bloomington saw a significant drop in home sales in February, sellers saw the average price for homes sold increase moderately by 4.74 percent when compared to 2013 sales transactions, from $187,230 to $196,099.

Further analysis of the area shows the average number of days on market increased for Bloomington during the month of February. The average length of time a home sat on the market rose nearly 21 percent to 104 days, compared to 86 days in 2013.

“This spring should be fairly active with a lot of pent-up demand on the market,” said Regester. “We are expecting to see a rebound in overall market activity and an increase in new construction supply. Sellers should begin to see some upward pressure on the value of their homes, which will reflect positively on the Bloomington housing market as a whole.”

	Feb 2013 Homes Sold	Feb 2014 Homes Sold	% Change	Feb 2013 Avg Sold Price	Feb 2014 Avg Sold Price	% Change	Feb 2013 Days on Market	Feb 2014 Days on Market	% Change
Bloomington	87	53	-39.08%	$187,230	$196,099	4.74%	86	104	20.93%

Source: Data acquired by Bloomington Board of REALTORS®. Not all data may be represented.

 

Five Reasons Clients Should Buy in 2013

December 18, 2013 by Emily Endress · Leave a Comment

Time is ticking down on 2013 and if your clients are debating on whether or not to make an offer before the year is over, maybe these 5 reasons will help!
In this full article from homefinder.org, top mortgage and real estate experts share five ways you will benefit if you buy a home by December 31, 2013.

1.) Avoid rising rates roulette: Mortgage interest rates, while still attractive, are up 1 to 2 percent over this time last year. It’s possible to lock in a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at about 4.5 percent now and mortgage rates are now forecasting to rise about 5 percent in 2014.

2.) New Year, new lending rule: Lending rules will change on January 1, 2014 and it could be harder to get a loan. 2014’s rules will allow you to borrow less, at your same level of income, says Huettner. 2013’s current mortgage rules allow for a 45% total debt to income ratio (DTI); in 2014, the DTI will go down to 43%.

3.) Easier financing: If you are waiting for home prices to decrease, don’t. 2014’s mortgage changes could make it harder to get financing so if you are looking to save a few dollars by waiting for home prices to drop, you could miss your window to secure a mortgage entirely.

4.) Lower sales could mean higher inventory: While 2013’s housing theme was limited inventory and higher prices, historically, the fourth quarter of the year usually slows down the housing market and this year is no exception. Housing sales have been declining since September so inventory has increased. You may get the deal of December!

5.) Maximize tax deductions: It’s important to remember that if you buy before the end of the year, you can begin deducting interest and building equity immediately. Some closing costs and points are tax deductible in the year you buy a home. Buying now allows you to include them on your 2013 tax return.

8 Home Inspection Red Flags! by AOL Real Estate Editors

Our gallery of home inspection nightmares (see website for pictures) is good for a laugh, but a home inspection is serious business. It's the buyer's opportunity to make sure that the house they're about to purchase doesn't hold any expensive surprises.

A typical home inspection includes a check of a house's structural and mechanical condition, from the roof to the foundation, as well as tests for the presence of radon gas and the detection of wood-destroying insects. Depending on the seriousness of what the inspection uncovers, the buyer can walk away from the deal (most contracts include an inspection contingency in the event of major flaws) or negotiate with the seller for the necessary repairs.

These are the red flags that should send a buyer back to the negotiating table, according to home improvement expert Tom Kraeutler of The Money Pit.

1. Termites and other live-in pests: The home you've fallen in love with may also be adored by the local termite population. The sooner termites are detected, the better. The same goes for other wood-devouring pests like powder-post beetles. Keep in mind that getting rid of the intruders is just the first step. Once the problem has been addressed, have a pest control expert advise you on what needs to be done in order to prevent their return.

2. Drainage issues: Poor drainage can lead to wood rot, wet basements, perennially wet crawlspaces and major mold growth. Problems are usually caused by missing or damaged gutters and downspouts, or improper grading at ground level. Correcting grading and replacing gutters is a lot less costly than undoing damage caused by the accumulation of moisture.

3. Pervasive mold: Where moisture collects, so grows mold, a threat to human health as well as to a home's structure. Improper ventilation can be the culprit in smaller, more contained spaces, such as bathrooms. But think twice about buying a property where mold is pervasive -- that's a sign of long-term moisture issues.

4. Faulty foundation: A cracked or crumbling foundation calls for attention and repair, with costs ranging from moderate to astronomically expensive. The topper of foundation expenses is the foundation that needs to be replaced altogether -- a possibility if you insist on shopping "historic" properties. Be aware that their beautiful details and old-fashioned charms may come with epic underlying expenses.

6. Worn-out roofing: Enter any sale agreement with an awareness of your own cost tolerance forroof repair versus replacement. The age and type of roofing material will figure into your home inspector's findings, as well as the price tag of repair or replacement. An older home still sheltered by asbestos roofing material, for example, requires costly disposal processes to prevent release of and exposure to its dangerous contents.

7. Toxic materials: Asbestos may be elsewhere in a home's finishes, calling for your consideration of containment and replacement costs. Other expensive finish issues include lead paint and, more recently, Chinese drywall, which found its way into homes built during the boom years of 2004 and 2005. This product's sulfur off-gassing leads to illness as well as damage to home systems, so you'll need to have it completely removed and replaced if it's found in the home that you're hoping to buy.

8. Outdated wiring: Home inspectors will typically open and inspect the main electrical panel, looking for overloaded circuits, proper grounding and the presence of any trouble spots like aluminum branch circuit wiring, a serious fire hazard.

This information is courtesy of AOL Real Estate: Retrieved on July 23,2013 - from this website.

Should I Avoid an Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

       Because adjustable rate mortgages, or ARMs, fluctuate with the market, they offer less stability than fixed-rate loans.  If an ARM is adjusted upward, monthly payments will increase, and for a lot of people that can be too big a risk to take.  On the other hand, should rates drop dramatically, homeowners can reap the benefits of lower rates without refinancing, thereby saving thousands of dollars.
Lenders first introduced ARMs in the 1980s when interest rates soared into the double digits, forcing many people out of the home buying market.  They tied the rate to a variable national index, such as U.S. Treasury bills.
Today, many first-time buyers who have difficulty qualifying for a home loan, still settle for adjustable rate loans because the initial, “teaser” interest rate of the mortgage is normally two or three points lower than a fixed rate loan.  ARMs are particularly attractive if you plan to be in your home a short time.  They tend to adjust yearly or every three years, usually within certain limits, or caps, that prohibit the interest rate from shooting up too high.  Make sure terms such as these are spelled out in any ARM agreement you choose.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2013. All rights reserved.