At Home With Valerie

Can a perfectly useful home “expire”? The answer is yes. If you’ve never heard of “functional obsolescence,” now’s a good time to familiarize yourself with the term. Sometimes a perfectly nice home in fine shape simply won’t sell. Fresh paint, fine curb appeal, a solid neighborhood… and no offers. Sellers are baffled and irritated. “But I’ve been living in this home ten years! There’s nothing wrong with it!” Often the culprit is “functional obsolescence.” Never heard of it? You’re not alone. Investopedia defines it this way: “A reduction in the usefulness or desirability of an object because of an outdated design feature, usually one that cannot be easily changed. The term is commonly used in real estate, but has a wide application.” Functional obsolescence can creep up on a home owner, as when a built-in technological feature is no longer useful. Some homes in the 1970s and 80s had old solid-state intercom systems for communicating between rooms. What was cutting e...

Like most of the real estate industry, there’s been major growth in new home construction. Here are five great reasons to consider a brand new home. Design your dream home  When you’re in on the home building process from the very start, you get to pick the floor plan that ‘s perfect for you and your family. It’s the best way to get the exact home you want. Save on energy costs While older homes can have inefficient heating, cooling, insulation, and appliances, new homes are typically built for energy efficiency from the very start. Your utility bills could be dramatically lower. Community amenities If your new home is part of a planned community, you can take advantage of amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers, and other recreation areas that might not be available otherwise. Fewer worries, fewer surprises With a new build, it’s less likely that you’ll run into maintenance and repair issues compared to what you might experience with an existing hom...

Upgrading your home can upgrade your life… but how do you know when renovating is the right choice? Ask yourself these important questions before picking a project. Over time, almost any home could use an upgrade. Not only is wear and tear an issue, but our needs change as we do. Birth, death, marriage, the kids going off to college… all can have a profound impact on the utility of our home and the pleasure we take in it.  Home renovation can be an excellent way to improve your quality of life, but is it always the best choice?  By asking yourself these five essential renovation questions, you can gain real insight into the right decision. 1. What are your renovation priorities? Yes, if you could do it all, it would be great. But odds are you won’t be able to do it all. So brainstorm all of your renovation desires and write them down. Next, rank them by order of importance. Some will be large and some will be small. Consider your budget. Would you be happier wit...

Many people write-off space heaters as dangerous, expensive, inefficient appliances for keeping warm. In truth, they can be a good idea from time to time when used well. The humble space heater gets a bad rap, but when used correctly it can actually represent a good option for taking the edge off the winter chill.  Here are some tips about how to safely use a space heater and when it’s a good choice: Are you heating a whole house when the family is concentrated in the living room? Turn down the central heat and use a modern space heater rather than heat the empty rooms. A space heater can be a wise choice when you live in an uninsulated or poorly insulated home. Avoid unvented combustion space heaters. Instead, look for electric space heaters, preferably with a fan to circulate the hot air. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord. Maintain three feet of clear space around the heater in all directions. Be aware of loose rugs, blankets, or other pot...

Did you know there are simple, proven ways to lower your home insurance premiums? If you’re looking for ways to trim your budget this year, consider these tips. Homeowners insurance is vital for protecting your investment. It’s also required by lenders holding the mortgage on your home. For some reason many homeowners overlook ways they can save money on their premiums.  Shopping around is a good idea, but much like auto insurance, there are many simple things you can do to impact how much you pay annually to protect your home. Raise your deductible. Do you really need a low deductible on your insurance policy? Many people can absorb the hit if they go from a $500 deductible to a $1000 deductible, and in some cases this simple move can reduce rates up to 25%. Deductible can have a dramatic impact on your premium, so ask your company rep to quote you the difference. Don’t insure for your home’s purchase price. Remember, you don’t have to re-buy the land your h...