THE BEST TIPS AND TOOLS FOR CLEANING SOME COMMON HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Sometimes you just can’t find the right tool for the job, even with all the usual cleaning tools at your disposal. Here are some tips for those items and places that are always a pain to keep squeaky clean.

The microwave

The solution for a clean microwave is in your refrigerator (or maybe in the produce section of the grocery store). 

Microwave a cup of water and a few lemon slices, and then use a sponge to clean the microwave with the warm water.

Grease stains

This one works on clothes as well as surfaces. Rub white chalk on the grease stain, let it sit for five minutes, and then wipe it away with a wet rag.

The television

Screens on HDTVs are delicate, and you want to avoid liquid cleaners, especially on LCD screens. Instead, take a dryer sheet and use it to clean the screen. The sheet will pick up dust and reduce static, and won’t damage the TV.

Air vents

It’s always tough to thoroughly clean air vents because the spaces are so small, but they attract a ton of dust. Wrap a small towel around a butter knife, and then use the knife to clean the openings in the vent.

Source: Brightnest.com

FLU SEASON PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOME

With flu season upon us, now is the time to double down on cleaning surfaces most likely to host the virus. Check out these simple tips for a healthy house.

The peak of flu season tends to be between December and February, and during these months a little extra cleaning can really pay off. 

When we go out and about, we can easily bring home the flu virus, and it can continue to be a threat on surfaces throughout the home. 

Using a disinfectant registered with the Environmental Protection Agency is a smart move. Remember to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face while cleaning.

Here’s a checklist of places you’ll want to clean more regularly during the flu season:

• The bathroom is ground zero for cross-contamination, especially the sink area. Faucets, door knobs, and areas around trash cans are key zones to clean.

• Light switch plates are notorious transfer points for germs. Wipe them down with disinfectant throughout the house.

• Remote controls, game console controllers, and touch-screen devices are seldom cleaned and often touched. Refer to your manufacturer’s cleaning directions to make sure you don’t damage the electronics.

• Beloved stuffed animals are germ magnets, especially those indispensable “go everywhere” toys. If possible, wash these special friends in hot water.

• Shift to dishwasher-only cleaning during the flu season. Utensils, plates, and leftover food containers might not get a complete cleaning in or around the sink alone. 

Someone in the house already feeling under the weather? Take a few extra precautions by isolating their toothbrush, washing their bedding, washcloths, and towels daily, and segregating their eating utensils from the rest of the household dishes. Also be sure to empty their trash cans frequently to dispose of contaminated tissues.

And if you’re buying or selling your home during flu season? Keep in mind that open houses can be a common crossroads for the flu virus. Take extra steps to disinfect before and after events.

STAY OR MOVE? HOW TO DECIDE.

Do you sometimes review the real estate ads in your local paper? Do you drive by an open house sign and feel the urge to stop and check it out? 

Those are common indications that, at least on some level, you’re thinking about the possibility of making a move.

But how do you decide if you should actually move? The first step is to consider whether there are any practical reasons to consider buying a new home. What’s pushing you in that direction?

• Is your current home too small for your needs?

• Is the commute to work, for you or your spouse, too long? (Perhaps longer than you expected when you purchased the home?)

• Are there property features you would now like to have, such as a larger backyard or a more spacious kitchen?

• Has the neighborhood changed in an undesirable way?

• Do you have personal reasons for wanting to move, such as a desire to be closer to relatives in another area?

Carefully consider those things that can’t change unless you move. For example, if a major highway was recently built near you, the ongoing sound of traffic isn’t going to go away. It’s now part of the neighborhood.

If there are no practical reasons for moving, there may still be other reasons for wanting a new home. You may want to move your family to a better neighborhood, with better schools or you may simply want a bigger home, with a larger backyard, more rooms, and a wider driveway.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with simply wanting a better place than the one you have now. In fact, that is a common reason why many people make a move.

The point is, if you’ve been thinking about a new home for awhile, perhaps now is the time to take the next step. A good REALTOR® can help you understand your options.

Looking for a good REALTOR? Call today.

MARKET VS. ASSESSED VALUE: WHAT'S IT ALL MEAN?

Ever wondered how much your home is worth? Ever wondered why your property tax bill shows a value which is drastically different that what homes are selling for in your neighborhood? 

The difference lies in the definition of market value versus assessed value.

“What’s my home worth?”

This simple question is often answered three different ways. Ask your public tax assessor, and you’ll get one number (usually low). Look up your house on Zillow and you’ll get another number (usually too high). The third answer is market value, and if you’re selling your house, you’ll usually figure out what that number is (for good or ill) in 30 to 90 days.

Many people are confused about assessed value versus market value. Assessed value is a number placed on a property by a public tax assessor for the purposes of taxation. Some percentage of your assessed value is used to determine your annual tax bill. The rules for the assessment vary, but typically the assessed value has more to do with how much money the municipality needs to raise than it does the number you’d arrive at after putting your home on the market.

Assessed values can lag behind true market values in both directions. They can vary widely from home to home in the same neighborhood, especially if a neighbor has appealed an assessment (usually for the purposes of lowering their tax bill). And by the way: assessed values don’t automatically adjust for you when someone else appeals their assessment.

Market value is the price at which a specific house in a particular location in current condition will sell for, typically within 30 to 90 days. Your real estate agent will try and predict the market value of your home based on all of these factors. In a hot neighborhood? It can elevate your home’s value. Have significant repairs to do or other condition issues? It can bring that value back down. The number one reason a home doesn’t sell is often related to a disparity between listing price and true market value. (Overbidding occurs when a home is priced below market value.)

Generally, assessed value tends to be below market value. Sometimes a buyer will attempt to negotiate a lower price on a home by citing assessed value, but this only underscores their lack of understanding about assessed value versus market value.

The best way to understand what your home is worth? Contact a REALTOR® today, and they’ll get to work on helping you determine the right price for your house in today’s market.

IS A NEWLY BUILT HOME RIGHT FOR YOU?

There’s something innately appealing about a new home. You get to design it – from the floor to the ceiling and everything in between – to your taste. 

Buying a builder home is similar in a lot of ways. You are able to choose the style, size, and any number of upgrades to make your home uniquely yours, and fit within your price range. 

Just like building a home takes a lot of effort and due diligence on the part of the homeowner, so does buying from a builder. In some cases the quality of the construction can be questionable, and it’s not unknown to hear about a builder losing their financial backing, forcing them to close construction on entire subdivisions. That being said, doing your home-buyer homework and employing experts can alleviate any potential pitfalls. Here are a few areas every buyer needs to be aware of before purchasing a home from a builder.

Use a real estate agent Home builders will give you the option to use one of their representatives. While they are licensed to sell you a home, they have vested interest in the sale of one of their builders’ homes. A real estate agent working on your behalf as a fiduciary has to disclose both the positive and negative characteristics of the home throughout the entire purchasing process. An experienced Buyers Agent will also use their proven negotiating skills to get you the most home for your money.

Research the builder’s reputation This is quite possibly one of the most important steps of the buying process. When you purchase the home, you’re also purchasing trust in the builder and their quality of work. Your builder should understand their reputation matters and live up to that promise with excellently constructed homes and a promise to be available should any need arise. To learn more about the builder, contact homeowners who’ve bought from them before as well as Home Owner Associations (HOAs) of neighborhoods where builder homes are popular. Real estate agents who have worked with builders before are also a highly trusted resource and can ask their network to uncover any unpopular opinions that might send warning flags your way.

Consider hiring your own lender Another home buyer best practice is to shop around and interview lenders through your bank or through other trusted recommendations. Though, if you’ve completed a full inspection of the builder and trust that they are working in your best interest, using their lender is a perfectly acceptable option.

Obtain legal advice to review the contract The purchase agreement drafted between the builder and the buyer is designed to keep all parties out of court. But it’s just as critical that contract contain the buyer’s best interest.

Hire a home inspector In addition to an experienced real estate agent and lawyer, a qualified inspector offers you official insight into the construction of the new home. Have them visit the property and work directly with your real estate agent to determine how the construction of the home will impact the negotiating process.

Be realistic about upgrades Builders make most of their money on the upgrades: anywhere from 5 to 20 percent on top of the base price of the home. If upgrades are on your “wish list” make sure they are within your price range. Also be sure to research the price per upgrade to determine if it would cost less if you did it yourself after the purchase of the home.

DOES MOVING UP MAKE SENSE?

You've lived in your home for many years. You feel you and your family need a change. You are considering buying a larger home and selling your present one. Or perhaps you feel you just need a change of scenery. But are you really ready to make that move up?

The following questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that you may be ready to move.

1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest, but if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.

2. Has your income or financial situation improved? If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving. 

3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood? The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same neighborhood you want to settle down in for good. For example, you may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district. 

4. Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on? Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. But if your property isn’t large enough, your municipality doesn’t allow it, or you’re simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option.

5. Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market? If your market is hot, your home may sell quickly and for top dollar, but the home you buy also will be more expensive. If your market is slow, finding a buyer may take longer, but you’ll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home.

6. Are interest rates attractive? A low rate not only helps you buy a larger home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.

If you have really answered yes to one or more of the above questions, it may be time to call your local real estate agent. He or she can help you decide if the time is right, help you understand your budget and find the home that is right for you.

Call an agent today!

QUESTIONS BUYERS OFTEN OVERLOOK

Want to make the most informed decision possible about the home you’re thinking of buying? Don’t forget to do your research on these often overlooked areas.

When you’re home hunting, information is power. The more you know before you make an offer, the better. Usually when two homes are equally appealing, digging into the details can make a difference. Here’s a list of “bonus information” that most buyers overlook or forget to ask about while they’re shopping for a house:

Homeowner’s association rules: Certain neighborhood covenants may be a deal maker or breaker for you, so if there’s a set of guidelines you’ll be required to adhere to, get them up front. They can cover everything from paint schemes to lawn design and beyond.

Utility bills: Most sellers won’t balk at sharing with you what utilities cost annually. Water, power, gas, and even telecommunication or cable service provider bills can help you get a better idea what it will cost monthly to live in the home.

Pest control: In areas where pests can be a problem, asking for information about who has been maintaining pest control (and how much it costs) can help you plan financially and get a sense if the sellers have been keeping up with pest issues.

Service providers: Save yourself some leg work and ask the sellers who they like for lawn maintenance, pool maintenance, home repair work, housecleaners, and appliance repair. Not only will the list save you time, but the providers will already be familiar with the home’s condition and systems.

Home insurance company: You can bet the company insuring the home will want to continue to keep the business, and getting this cost information and provider contact info from the buyer is a good idea.

Floor plans: Having a floor plan will help you understand whether or not your stuff is a good fit for the home. Not every seller will have these handy, but sometimes a seller’s agent will be willing to get a current floor plan put together if it’s important to you.

They may seem like small details, but they can make all the difference.

I love helping home buyers make informed decisions about their next home. A REALTOR® can help you walk through the pros and cons of every detail. 

Get in touch with one today!