St George Real Estate » Home Ownership

Tips on Adapting a Home For Senior Living

realtor.com — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:00:25 +0000

If you are thinking of moving into a home, building one that you can retire in, or wondering how you can make your elderly parent’s home easier to live in – there are some things to look for to make living as a senior adult or a person with a disability easier.

Rolando Trentini blogs about some tips you should consider to make your home safer for senior living.

“All doors – going inside/outside and doorways into rooms should be at least 36″ wide for wheelchair, scooter, walker, etc. use.

Railings on both sides of the stairs as well as railings in the bathroom for balance.”

Making a home more accessible and safer for senior adults, elderly parents and people with injuries or disabilities, makes it easier and safer for everyone, not just for today but for the future too.

Click through now to read Rolando Trentini’s blog.

Cutting Utility Costs

realtor.com — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:00:42 +0000

As we make it through one of the coldest winters on record, are you sure your house isn’t leaking some cold air through the doors or window panes?

Before you know it, summer will be here, and you want to be sure that the air conditioning you circulate through the house is not escaping through those same cracks. The key is good insulation. And this can make a big difference on your utility bills.

Brian Ripp blogs about some tips you should be sure to use to save money on your utility bills.

“Insulating your home is your best protection against high heating and cooling bills. It’s also the best way to keep your home comfortable in very season.

Start by adding insulation to any unfinished attics and crawl spaces. Then consider insulating the ceilings and walls between your living space and an unheated basement or garage.”

With Brian Ripp’s informative tips, you can increase your energy-efficiency and keep your home comfortable and climate-controlled for less.

Click through now to read Brian Ripp’s blog.

Low-Cost Fixes That Make Your Home Look Great

realtor.com — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:24 +0000

Whether you want to sell your home or would just like to freshen it up for yourself, you have probably considered making some upgrades, but concern about costs might be preventing you from making those changes. Although the costs of fixing up your house can be astronomical, it doesn’t have to be. You may be surprised at how a little can go a long way when it comes to improving the aesthetics of your home.

Linda Kemp gives us her top 10 tips to make your home look a lot better without having to spend a bundle.

“Wash Your Windows – This is a simple fix that makes a world of difference. Do the job yourself or check local ads for window washes in your area.

Carpeting – If you can’t replace your existing carpet why not get a commercial carpet cleaner in for a deep cleaning.”

Take a look at Linda Kemp’s ideas, and see which ones would do wonders for your home. You will be pleasantly surprised to find that a little paint, a little wallpaper or a little carpeting can make your home look and feel brand new – without breaking the bank.

Click through now to read Linda Kemp’s blog.

Five Home Improvements to Increase Your Equity

realtor.com — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:00:03 +0000

The equity in your home is the difference between the price you owe on the home and how much your home is worth. You increase your equity by paying down your mortgage and through the natural inflation of home prices.

You can also increase your equity by completing home improvement projects that will raise the perceived value of your home. By focusing on home improvement projects that will increase your home’s worth on the market, you can take charge of your equity.

Joe Cline blogs about the five home improvements you might want to consider in order to increase your home’s equity.

“A complete kitchen remodel or even a project to refinish the cabinets can really increase the value of your home. In fact, real estate appraisers say that you get the best return for money spent in this area of the home.

Bathrooms are right behind kitchens when it comes to finding home improvements to boost equity. Much for the same reason as kitchens, bathrooms boost equity because buyers are willing to pay more for an updated bathroom.”

If you’re choosing between several home improvement projects, focus on Joe Cline’s suggestions first so you can build equity. Even if you’re not planning on selling your home, the equity is based on what people would be willing to pay for it in its current state, so you should take what buyers would want into consideration.

Click through now to read Joe Cline’s blog.

Common Forms of Real Estate Ownership

realtor.com — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:00:36 +0000

When buying or selling real estate, it’s essential to understand what ownership rights are transferred at the time of sale. Ownership of property takes a number of forms, each with its own set of rules and expectations.

By developing a clear understanding of the terminology used to describe various types of ownership, buyers and sellers can ensure that their real estate transactions run smoothly.

Joe Cline shares his expertise and gives us a Real Estate 101 on the most common forms of real estate ownership, and what each entails.

“Sole Ownership: The simplest form of property ownership, sole ownership grants one individual complete rights over the property in question. This is the form used when a single person purchases a home or piece of real estate.

Tenancy by the Entireties: When a married couple purchases real estate together, they are granted tenancy by the entireties by many states. This means that each party holds one-half interest in the property, but neither can dispose of or otherwise abridge the right of the other to the property.”

When it comes to purchasing property, everyones situation is different, and with a transaction as significant as buying a home, it is imperative that you have as much information going into it as you possibly can.

Click through now to read Joe Cline’s blog.

Title Insurance Tips

realtor.com — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:00:24 +0000

Many buyers don’t concern themselves with the “provisos” of title insurance. They believe that if they are getting a title insurance policy before closing, they are protected.

Just as property insurance has its exclusions, so can title insurance. It is important to know what title insurance entails and what you should ask for when it comes to signing off on title insurance.

Edward Neu blogs about the importance of title insurance, and the necessity of taking the time to make sure the title insurance fits your needs.

“Buyers should always insist, as a condition to closing, that all liens discovered by the commitment be removed at closing.

Buyers will typically have a hard time insisting on utility easements or other similar restrictions of record being removed.”

The most important thing to remember when dealing with your title insurance is to have a real estate lawyer draft or review your contract before you sign it in order to ensure that you are thoroughly protected.

Click through now to read Edward Neu’s blog.

Do Loan Modifications Work?

realtor.com — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:38 +0000

Some real estate professionals feel that a “loan modification” is not a solution to the housing/foreclosure/banking crisis. They feel that house values have fallen so far that the loan modifications currently being accepted by the banks serve only to prolong the crisis.

Tom Bernardo blogs about the other side to loan modications.

“If you purchased a house in 2005 for $250,000, in some areas, it is now worth around $70k. A typical loan modification will extend the loan to 40 years, and reduce the interest to make to make the payment more manageable.

That looks good on the surface, but, what if you want to sell your house in say 5, 10, 15, or 25 years? You are likely still going to be upside down even if values appreciate at 5 percent every year starting this year. That is not very likely.”

Most properties have gone down in value in the current economic crisis. So if we modify the loans of the ones that miss payments by reducing the principal, wouldn’t the ones that keep making payments also lose value?

Click through now to read Tom Bernardo’s blog.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Remodeling

realtor.com — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:00:35 +0000

Remodeling a home could turn into a nightmare if you don’t plan ahead. Buying a home will arguably become your most important financial investment, as well as a major emotional investment. And, remodeling that home can make it better suited to your lifestyle and increase the it’s value. Since the remodeling process can seem overwhelming at times be sure to consider the possible issues that may arise.

Omar Arocho blogs about what you need to think about when it comes to remodeling your home.

“It’s always important to make home improvements to satisfy your needs and desires, not just to raise the house value. After all, you’re the one who will be living in the home and enjoying the improvements.

However, if you’re making improvements in order to increase the resale value of the house, be careful not to overdo it. It is possible to add too much house value in relation to the other homes in your area, and it can be difficult to recover these improvement costs when you sell the home.”

Remodeling your home can be an exciting process, but it can also be very daunting. So, be sure to do your homework first, and as always, talk to an experienced professional.

Click through now to read Omar Arocho’s blog.

How to Make A Remodel Pay Off

realtor.com — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:01 +0000

Five years ago, a homeowner could count on getting the bulk of their money returned on a remodeling project. Unfortunately, today homeowners aren’t seeing the same numbers. The average return rate has declined from 87 percent in 2005 to 64 percent in 2009.

But that should not discourage a homeowner from taking on remodeling projects. Just be sure that you make the right choices- changes that will bring beauty and convenience, while adding value to your home.

Melissa Furman blogs about some great tips to keep in mind if you are considering doing some remodeling to your home.

“Repairs recieve the biggest return. Remember people tend to be more concerned with a leaky roof rather than enhancements such as a Jacuzzi.

Do not try to keep problems a secret for it can cost you more in the long run. For example if the buyers find the roof needs work during an inspection. This could turn into a credit for the buyers.”

If you want to make some improvements to your home, you should seriously consider taking on a remodeling project. In this troubled economy, many construction companies are hurting for business, and you may be able to get yourself a great deal. Just be sure to think about the long-term implications of your remodel.

Click through now to read Melissa Furman’s blog.

What is Net Zero Energy Building?

realtor.com — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:00:31 +0000

Many people are trying their best to “go green” lately, especially around the house. Homeowners are buying energy-efficient appliances, making sure to weather-proof their double-paned windows, and so on. The government is encouraging people to do so by offering tax incentives.

New home builders are also hopping on the green bandwagon by building environmentally friendly houses, and eager homebuyers are quickly snatching them up. But have you heard of Net Zero Energy building?

Melisa Camp blogs about this great new green initiative to take new homebuilding to the next level.

“In a nutshell, a net zero building is the mac-daddy of green design and sustainable living. All kidding aside, the zero net energy building is a building that is completely self-sustainable in terms of energy use.

This building is producing the same or more energy than it consumes and it is producing zero carbon emissions. People living in a net zero home or working in a net zero building are not producing a carbon footprint.”

Can you imagine owning your own home and not receiving an electricity bill? Net Zero Energy homes could definitely be a welcome sign of things to come, and if you are environmentally-conscious, you will want to keep an eye on this type of homebuilding.

Click through now to read Melisa Camp’s blog.