At Home With Valerie

If you're like most folks who like to travel, you probably also need to travel on a budget. Traveling on a budget isn't impossible, but it does take some planning ahead and a little research to avoid wasting hard-earned dollars! Real travel bargains do exist. Contact an airline reservation agent or travel agent to determine the lowest possible fare. You can lower the cost of the airline ticket considerably by including a Saturday-night stay-over. Check with your travel agent about the many package deals available. Here are some other helpful hints to consider before you travel. If you have a particular destination in mind, research the attractions and accommodations beforehand. Also, find out what specials or discounts they may offer. If possible, plan your stay for the off-season . You can usually get better deals on plane tickets, hotels, admissions, etc. If you have friends or relatives nearby, consider asking if you can stay with them. Even though you

When shopping for a new home, one of the most important considerations – yet one most people don't pay enough attention to – is the lot type.  Selecting the right one can significantly increase your enjoyment of the home. Picking the wrong one can have the opposite effect. There are three special types of lots that homeowners tend to find most desirable. Yet, even though they are considered desirable, each has its pros and cons. Here’s the rundown on each one: 1. Cul de sacs These are lots located on dead end streets that often feature homes positioned around a large circle of roadway. For obvious reasons, a cul de sac is a popular choice for buyers with children. There’s less traffic and, often, the only cars on the street are those of neighbors. However, homes on these lots often come with a higher price tag than other comparable properties in the area. But, from a lifestyle standpoint, that extra price may be more than worth it. 2.Quiet streets Who

Summer is traditionally an active time of year in real estate.  Whether you’re buying or selling a home, find out what you need to know when the market’s white hot. Spring kicks off the peak home hunting months of the year, but it isn’t until summer that things really get cooking. While there are pros and cons to buying and selling homes at various times throughout the year, summer can be, on average 25 to 30 percent more active than the annual average. In summer you have a real mix of buyers and sellers… some serious and some not-so-serious. In the winter months, many buyers searching for homes would only do so if they absolutely had to. In the summer, there are often a larger number of buyers just toying with the idea. (Many of the serious buyers are eager to get settled before school starts in the fall.) Selling homes in the summer requires its own brand of seasonal marketing and showing. Here are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind as you i

You have probably heard a lot about home equity loans if you have spent any time at all looking at home financing options.   These are loans that are usually taken out by people who already own a home, and want to borrow against the value of the home.   Not everyone can get a home equity loan of course, you have to actually have equity in the home, as well as the right credit situation.   Home equity loans are a great way to finance major renovations on your house. What Is Equity? It's a term that is heard a lot, but for those new to the housing market, it might not be one you exactly understand.  It's quite simple, really.  The equity in your home is the difference between what you currently owe on it and the current market value of the home.  You can achieve equity in your home in two main ways.  The first is by paying down your mortgage.  The second is by increasing the value of your home, either through renovations you have done or a general increase

Summertime and the living is easy, right? Well, don’t get too comfortable. There are some crucial home cleaning projects you should tackle in the good weather to help your home hold its value for the long haul. Whether your home is two years old or a classic concrete block ranch from 1950, you can help your house hold its value and scream curb appeal with a few simple fair weather cleaning projects. Keeping a home in shape in a little like good dental hygiene… routine attention prevents major renovation! With the sun shining, here are the top projects you should schedule before settling into vacation mode. Stay on top of these at least once a year and you’ll not only help your home shine, but you’ll fend off the threat of more costly repairs and replacements in the future: 1. Power wash. Blast off mold, oxidized stains, kicked up mud, and the grim insect life which can build up over the course of a year. This is good not only for your exterior walls, but also d

If you're planning on finding your next dream home, then you're probably  going to view several homes on the market that meet your criteria. You will want to make the right purchasing decision for you and your family. So, it's wise to be savvy when viewing properties for sale. Here are some  ideas on how to do that. Bring a notepad . Take notes, not only of the home's characteristics, but also of how you feel. For example, can you imagine yourself happily cooking up a storm in the kitchen? Do you see yourself entertaining family on the back deck? Bring a measuring tape. Will the furniture you plan to bring fit? Your dining room suite? Your home fitness equipment? Ask about maintenance . Is the property in a good state of repair? Will anything need to be replaced soon, such as the windows? Bring a camera . Take lots of pictures of the home's exterior features. Don't make the mistake of

There are many fine and pleasurable reasons for buying an historic home, but you definitely shouldn’t get into one without understanding the potential costs.  Here’s what you need to know: There’s much to admire about owning an historic home. You probably don’t need to be sold on the beauty of a grand old house, and in all likelihood the home is in an established neighborhood or district where prices are projected to appreciate at a better clip than other areas.  Plus, if it’s truly classified as an historic home, and not simply an old house, you probably can take advantage of tax breaks other owners might not enjoy. But before you fall in love with the gleam of summer light cascading through a century-old stained glass window, pause and consider what you’re really in for when you buy an historic home. 1. Lead, asbestos, and other buried “treasure.” Pipes and paint can be lead culprits while asbestos in basements, attics, and walls may be lurking. Also, it’s not

Swimming pools can add value to your home. But is it worth it? Remember the days when lounging by your parents pool was the coolest thing to do during the hot summer days? They are certainly fond memories.  Many Americans still long for a dip in their own backyard pool – but does the cost of a pool match its long-term value?  The truth is every homeowner is different and the perceived value of a swimming pool varies from one buyer to the next. The Cost of a Pool Although the cost will vary depending on where you live and how big of a pool you want, the Wall Street Journal reports you should probably budget between $25,000 to $50,000 for an in ground pool. The initial investment goes up from there when you add landscaping and fencing. Additional ongoing costs you  should be aware of include an increase in home owner's insurance, a tax increase, maintenance expenses like opening/closing the pool and heating if applicable. A Cool Pool Market Experts say that p

When you purchase a home, you’re hoping it will continually go up in value — just like a good investment. However, there’s something else that you want to see go up in value as well: the neighborhood.  In fact, the neighborhood plays a key role in what the home will be worth in years to come.  If the neighborhood goes down in terms of desirability, so will the market value of the home. That’s why, when shopping for a new home, it’s important to get a feel for the value of the neighborhood, and whether or not it’s on the upswing. How do you do that? One way is to simply take a walk. Look at the properties. Are they well maintained? Is the landscaping groomed and attractive? Those are signs of “pride of ownership” — a clear indication that owners value their homes and the neighborhood. Another way is to do some research. Has crime gone up in the neighborhood? Are there improvements planned, such as new parks? Is the neighborhood attracting the kind of people yo

Sellers have a host of reasons why they remain attached to prices which are too high for the market.  Here are a few of the most common and why they ultimately work against sellers. All sellers want their home to sell for the highest possible price. This is one reason it’s why it’s so easy for agents to “buy” listings. If you’re not familiar with the concept, “buying” a listing is when an agent (unscrupulously) tells a client their home is worth far more than the market value in order to win the listing. Sellers are susceptible to this tactic because they want to believe, however irrationally, that their home is for some reason or another worth more than comparable homes on the market. Sometimes, though, sellers believe high home pricing is either an acceptable risk or even a benefit. Here’s what they say, and why it’s a problem: 1. “I can always come down in price later if I have to.” Yes, it’s possible that someone will find the house irresistible and pay the

When you’re thinking of selling your home and buying another, you face the inevitable question: Should I list my property first or buy my new home first? Let’s take a look at both options. If you attempt to buy a property before listing your home, you run into a couple of challenges. First, sellers may not take you seriously as a potential buyer. After all, you haven’t put your own home up for sale. As far as they’re concerned, you might merely be testing the market. Second, your property might not sell as quickly as you thought it would. If there is an early closing date on the home you purchased, you might end up owning, and paying a mortgage on both properties, at least until your home sells. If, on the other hand, you list your property before buying a new home, sellers will know you’re serious. That puts you in a competitive position in the event of multiple offers. Also, if your home sells quickly, you’ll have the peace-of-mind of knowing exactly how mu