The Home Inspection

When you buy a home, sure, you're going to look over the house yourself, as carefully and thoroughly as possible before making your offer, but...
...you're probably not an expert.
The Home Inspector is the Expert.
Just to be clear, the inspector doesn't appraise the property, make guarantees about the structural viability and building codes, make recommendations on whether you should buy the house or not, or find hidden defects.
The inspector will find visible problems that could be overlooked by a real estate agent, a buyer, or a seller - and that is why you need them.
Finding an Inspector
There are several professional associations for home inspectors, yellow pages, friends who bought a home, or your agent - all of whom might be able to recommend a qualified home inspector who has performed well in the past.
Who you actually hire is your choice, so you might want to ask about their experience, education, and any professional certifications.
Make sure you hire the inspector quickly enough to meet all the deadlines in your contract. The contract usually specifies a certain number of days to get the inspection performed, and allows you a specific number of days to review and approve the inspection.
What is Inspected
Your inspector will check the foundation, doors, windows, roof, vents, fans, gutters, plumbing, electrical systems, heating, cooling, ceilings, walls, floors, insulation, ventilation, exterior, basement and attic.
When the inspector is done, he will issue a report. There may be some problems with the house - and they may be major problems or minor problems.
Dealing with Problems
The reason for the report is not to provide you with a laundry list of items for the seller to repair. The purpose is to provide you with information that you may have overlooked so you can make a final decision to move forward and close the deal or not.
If you do discover a problem that is so troublesome you would consider backing out, it makes sense to give the seller a chance to repair it.
Always set deadlines if you negotiate a repair. Put everything in writing with the appropriate initials, signatures, and dates.

Source: realestateabc.com

The Real Estate Agent is Your Friend (Really).

One day a young husband came home from work and his wife met him at the door with an excited expression. She was home on maternity leave and had been perusing real estate ads in the newspaper and magazines. The Internet had not taken off yet.
"Call this number," she said.
It was an ad for a house for sale.
"But be careful," she added. "The agent will try to get you to make an..." she paused and looked cautiously from side to side....
"...an appointment."
This is a true story, by the way.
So the husband called the agent to find out where the reasonably priced two-bedroom "starter" home with the "charming back yard perfect for barbecues" was located. The couple liked to barbecue and entertain close friends and relatives.
The agent wanted to "meet" with the couple.
Uh-oh.
When the husband indicated reluctance to meet, the agent gave him the address. He sounded confused.
So the couple went and looked at the outside of the home (because they could not get in without the agent). Two years later, they bought their first home.
Years later, the wife is now a real estate agent and she remembers this first experience vividly.
She realizes she could have probably bought her first home when her child was a baby, if she had just talked to the agent. She now knows what agents really do.
He would have helped them figure out what they could really afford, had them prequalified by a lender, and slowly eased them into being homeowners.
Not like a salesperson, but like an agent working on their behalf.

Source: realestateabc.com

What makes an agent truly valuable?

Recently, an excited first-time homebuyer spent some time telling a real estate agent what she wanted in a home. They also discussed financing. Immediately afterwards, the agent took her new client out and showed her...
...two homes.
One was perfect.
Instead of making an offer right away, the buyer went home and called her friend. The friend had a real estate license. The buyer and her second agent presented an offer on the home, leaving the first agent totally in the dark.
After all, the first agent hadn't worked "too hard."
Which made me think about what really makes a real estate agent valuable, among other things.
Knowledge of inventory was near the top of the list.
It sounds boring and unexciting. Bookish, even.
You see, the reason the first agent knew which houses to show her potential client was because she had previewed those properties. That's one of those things agents do that you don't know about. They go out on their own, by themselves or with other agents, and look at property after property after property. They know what models are located where, how long they've been on the market, which ones have listing agents that are easy to work with, and more. They know all kinds of things that you don't know they know.
Not only that, the agent had been previewing properties for what "seems like forever" - so she immediately knew which houses to show the soon-to-be-excited buyer. She had been to those homes and/or model matches for those homes - for quite some time.
She knew her inventory.
The friend did not know the inventory. Otherwise, the buyer would have gone to her friend first, right?
It's like wandering around the aisles of a drug store not knowing which over-the-counter cough syrup is best for your particular ailment. Who would you rather ask? The clerk at the register or the pharmacist?
Either way, you're walking out of the store with a cardboard box filled with thick sloshy liquid.
So what you're really hiring in an agent is knowledge - and not just knowledge of inventory. Knowledge of lots of things that you don't even know you don't know. They make it seem easy, but that's because they want it to seem easy. If agents told you how hard it was, you would be even more nervous about shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars.
After all, it is only the most expensive purchase you've ever made in your life.
But it's only a house, right?
And everyone knows that a Schedule 1 item on a termite report must be repaired prior to closing, which Schedule II items do not. And all those other little details.
By the way, the first agent and the listing agent talked to one another because she expected to present an offer shortly. No details, of course - just the name of her client and to expect the offer.
The buyer did present an offer, but with the wrong agent. This took the listing agent by surprise. Like many industries, real estate agents have a code of ethics they are supposed to obey. At the same time, agents don't always know what their clients are up to. Anyway, imagine how negotiations went, if they went anywhere at all. Plus, there were other problems that will be saved for another article.
Which isn't really the point. The point was that you hire an agent because of training, knowledge, experience, problem-solving ability, connections, their ability to communicate...and lots of other neat stuff.
The moral I promised?
You don't know what you don't know.
Which is why you hire people that will cover the blanks you know about, as well as the ones you don't. That is where you find the true value of a real estate agent.

Source: realestateabc.com

How to hire a good home contractor

Don't hand your home-remodeling project to an unreliable or dishonest contractor. Here are 6 things to look for.
Increasing your property value often entails remodeling. Whether you have a fixer-upper or a great house that you plan to stay in indefinitely, you'll probably hire a contractor sooner or later to finish the basement, remodel the kitchen, or renovate other rooms.
Decisions on home improvement should be made in a judicious manner. If you want to recoup your investment, choose projects that are likely to add value to your home, such as a new kitchen or an extra bathroom. Although it's tempting to hire the contractor who submits the lowest bid, there are other factors to consider:
Experience. The failure of most fledgling contractors can be blamed on poor work habits and shoddy business practices, according to the Small Business Administration. Choose a contractor with a minimum of five years of experience.

License. Most contractors are licensed by the state. While a license alone doesn't guarantee an excellent contractor, it is one way to weed out unlicensed amateurs. Some states also record complaints filed against contractors—you can look these up using the contractor's license number.

Bank account. A contractor with five years of experience and a solid record of bank deposits will, in all probability, stay in business long enough to complete your project. It also indicates that the contractor has sufficient capital and doesn't need your business to pay this month's bills.

Insurance. The contractor should carry workers' compensation and general liability insurance. Lack of insurance could leave you liable for any injuries suffered on the job. Get copies of policies from the contractor's insurance company.

Workmanship. Many contractors carry photo books to show samples of their work. But the only way to judge the workmanship is through an on-site inspection. Ask the contractor for names of recent clients, and arrange to examine projects similar to yours.

Teamwork. The best contractors are those who care about the project as much as you do, and who can work around your schedule and your household's routines. If you want to be involved in every decision, hire a contractor who's comfortable with close supervision. If you want to leave the details to an expert, hire a contractor whose decisions you will trust.

The art of the bidAfter you have selected several candidates for the project, the next step is to get bids from the contractors. To get comparable bids for the project, write out your project's specifications, including sample building materials and fixtures, and make copies for each contractor submitting a bid. The more detailed the specifications, the easier it will be to compare bids because all the contractors will be using the same fixtures and materials in their cost breakdown.
Project SpecificationsYou may want to hire a designer to create project specifications if you're not comfortable doing them yourself. Specifications for a kitchen remodeling project, for example, might include cabinets, flooring, sinks, faucets, appliances, countertops, doors, windows, and any custom carpentry specifications, such as built-in shelves.
Cost BreakdownMost contractors have their own breakdown sheets, but you can also provide one to make comparing bids easier:
Expenses. Itemize tasks such as subcontractor bids, building permits, and finish carpentry.
Materials. Specify the costs of all building materials.
Fixtures. List the costs of all fixtures to be installed.
Labor. Calculate the cost of labor. (Note that subcontractor labor should be included under Expenses.)
Total. Add the totals from the four categories (expenses, materials, fixtures, labor) to arrive at an estimated bid.

Source: realestate.msn.com

Adding Value - Upgrade Your Fireplace?

Fire. We sit around fires and have been doing so...forever.
If you have a room with a fireplace, then that fireplace is probably the focal point of the room. If it isn't, it should be. Furniture and decor are placed in relation to the fireplace and a great-looking fireplace can "make" a great-looking room.
Take a look at your fireplace.
Does it "fit" the room? Have you updated or remodeled the room or decor but did not know what to do about the fireplace? Does it look old and outdated? Ugly? Dark and moody?
Would a homebuyer like it?
Sooner or later, that may be an important consideration.
Buying a home is an emotional decision and fireplaces affect everyone, even if they never throw a log on the fire. A buyer "imagines" it being used, whether it is a mental image of an old Norman Rockwell painting, Christmas stockings hung on the mantel, or a romantic evening snuggled up to a loved one in front of a flickering or roaring fire.
Homebuyers will focus on your fireplace. Your fireplace could affect whether they make an offer on your home.
Or not make an offer.
Or offer less money.
You might want to update your fireplace.
Brick Fireplaces
In "traditional" homes, a brick fireplace can provide charm and old-fashioned elegance. However, if you have redecorated, remodeled, updated or modernized the room, sometimes those old bricks just don't cut it anymore.
The fireplace can actually be an eyesore.
What do you do?
Replacing bricks can be expensive, so you don't want to do that. You've seen painted bricks too, and you certainly don't want that look, either.
But...
...things have changed.
Brick paint is something relatively new. Unlike in the "olden days" when some folks just splashed regular paint or whitewash on their bricks, "brick paint" is specially formulated to retain the texture and feel of natural brick. Many people will actually think that the painted color is the natural color of the brick.
Even better, brick paint is specially formulated to withstand the higher temperatures of being located near a fireplace.
Mantels
If your fireplace has a mantel, you may decide to update or modernize. If your fireplace does not have a mantel, adding one can make a boring room into something noteworthy or even spectacular.
What you add depends on the house and the room where the fireplace is located. You don't want to overload the room, and you don't want to add something that does not give credit to the space where it is located.
There are tons of online web sites offering pre-built mantels, moldings, legs and surrounds. You can surf, window-shop, choose, buy, or just get ideas on-line. You can find something relatively inexpensive or select something more ornate. For the do-it-yourselfer, there are even instructions on how to build a mantel on your own.
For those of us who are not inclined or able to build on our own, you should be able to locate a local fireplace store. If you cannot, see if you can find a local builder and ask who their fireplace contractor is. The person you really want to talk to is the contractor.
Fireplace contractors seem to have a genuine enthusiasm for their work and will offer ideas that you may not think of. They genuinely enjoy creating something that looks....
...cool.
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces have come a long, long way. They are genuine "decorator items" for your home and can go almost anywhere that has access to a gas line and a source of electricity. You don't even need a chimney because they can vent directly outside and some don't even need a vent.
Just to state the obvious, gas fireplaces can also go in an existing fireplace.
The fires flicker and wander realistically. No longer do they use those "old" fake-looking logs. New logs are made of porcelain and do not collect the sooty build-up that some of us remember. Fires look real, and the embers flow and waver like coals in a real fire.
If you didn't know it, gas fireplaces are almost always less expensive to run than wood fireplaces.
In a traditional fireplace, almost all of the heat goes up the flue. Wasted. Today's closed-unit gas fireplaces are designed to actually heat the room. For example, a friend recently bought a Scandinavian free-standing fireplace for his two-bedroom condo. Since then, he hasn't used his forced-air central heating at all. Not even once.
Plus, he can turn on the fire by remote control. The remote control even has a thermostat.
Men like remote controls.

Source: realestateabc.com

Why FSBOs Fail - The Real Story

Sure (you’re thinking), real estate agents are ALWAYS going to tell me they are better than selling “By Owner.”
True.
Agents are both “agents” and “salespersons.” As agents they represent you and provide advice and guidance. As salespeople, they don’t earn an income if you sell by owner. So…they will always tell you that selling by agent is better than selling by owner, and they will give you lots of reasons why that is true.
A lot of those reasons are valid.
But that’s not the point - not what we're here to talk about today.
You see, a LOT of what homeowners think about real estate just isn’t true.
Homeowners see the agent put a sign in the front yard, they see ads in the newspaper, they see the agent holding open houses and they see the online listing of their home.
So when attempting to sell by owner, homeowners copy what the agent does. They put a sign in the yard, hold an open house, run an ad in the paper, and put their house online on some site that very buyers people ever visit, much less buyers from the local area.
About ten percent of FSBOs sell their home successfully.
About ten percent of homes listed by agents get sold by the listing agent.
Coincidence?
Not likely.
You see, agents do things that homeowners DON’T see and don’t even think about.
They talk to other agents.
Most listing agents are NOT trying to sell your home directly to a buyer (though some do). They are trying to convince other agents to sell your home.
That’s the secret.
How does it work?
Well, they try to get other agents to “preview” your home. You aren’t home when they do this, so you don’t actually see it happen.
There are two types of previews, and both aren’t necessary, but the “office preview” can be really fun to watch. One day a week, agents in big offices have an office meeting. They discuss all kinds of neat stuff, have guest speakers, then they pile into a bunch of cars or even a bus, and drive around to all the office’s new listing.
When the office agents arrive at a listing, they all pile out of the cars and start walking through the house in this big long snake-like single file as if they are playing “follow the leader.” They go through very quickly because most have been in similar houses before and they just want to get the “general feel” of the house. Then they get back in the cars and go to the next new listing.
Some of those agents might have clients interested in your house.
The other kind of preview is “broker preview.”
For this, there is a set time once a week where all the new houses are “open”…but not open to the general public. They are open to other agents. Your listing agent sits in the house and “waits” for the other agents to appear. But…these are crafty agents. There isn’t time to visit ALL the new listings, so sometimes they have to be “enticed.”
Food works.
So those are two things that your listing agent might do, that FSBOs cannot do. And they work. They spread the word about your house to other agents who have buyers that are looking for houses.
Wait, there’s more…
Flyers.
You probably think these are the flyers sitting in your house to highlight all the good things about your house. Sort of. But these flyers aren’t sitting in your house and they may have some different information on them than the flyers sitting at your house. Your agent may have printed one up for every single agent in the local Multiple Listing Association.
They don’t deliver them personally.
There is usually a guy that makes a living just by delivering flyers to real estate offices. Did you know about this? He takes all the flyers and puts them in a big collating machine in his garage and it creates an entire STACK of flyers for each local agent.
Then he delivers one stack of flyers to every agent.
What does the agent do with this stack of flyers?
Truthfully, some never even look at them. Others will pull their chair out from their desk and lean over their waste paper basket. They will look at the flyer and most will get tossed in the trash.
“Bad location.” Trash.
“Poor condition.” Trash.
“Too pricy.” Trash.
“Discounted commission.” Trash.
“No client for this house.” Trash.
And…some flyers will end up in a stack on the agent’s desk.
Why?
Because they fit the needs of one or more of the agent’s buyers.
Once again, your agent is marketing your house, not directly to buyers, but to agents who have buyers looking for houses.
Meanwhile, your listing agent is talking up your house to all the agents they meet.
And then the bonus.
The Multiple Listing Service.
You probably think it is like those listings you see on line. Sort of, but with much more detailed information, and there is another difference. On line, you are just reaching one buyer who is looking for a specific type of home at a certain price in a general location – maybe.
With the MLS, you are reaching people who know exactly what they are looking for and have several buyers who might be interested.
Big difference.
Those are the things that sell your house - things you don’t even see the listing agent doing. The sign, the newspaper ad, the online listing…why don’t they work?
Suppose someone calls on a newspaper ad about your house.
Very few people buy the house they call about.
Very few.
They buy another house. One the agent knows about. The agent has an entire INVENTORY of houses to sell.
You only have one.
And you only have one shot at the buyer.
And very few people buy the house they call about.

Source: realestateabc.com

Emotion vs. Reason in Real Estate

If you are selling a home, real estate agents will usually refer to it as a "house." If you are buying a house, agents will often refer to it as a "home."
Why?
Because when you are buying a home, it is more than "just" a purchase. It is where you go "home" after a hard day on the job. It is where you raise your kids and lovingly watch them grow. It is where you watch the Super Bowl, barbecue in the back yard, or plant flowers every year to admire their blooms.
You aren't buying a space to eat and sleep. You're moving into your private "safe haven." A place you can call "home" for years.
Someday, you will sell that house, and when you do - it becomes someone else's home. If you're still thinking of it as your home, selling is more difficult.
How do you let go?
It is very difficult, but necessary. To sell your home effectively, you need to make rational decisions. You need to let go of all the little touches you've added to the property and not be connected emotionally.
Most "home improvements" don't add as much value as you might think -- they might not have as much appeal to a potential buyer as they do to you.
The buyer is looking at your house and imagining it as his or her home. You need to help them.
So take your photos off the walls. Remove the sports trophies from the fireplace mantle. Clean the "junk" out of those drawers in the kitchen. Remove whatever you may have accumulated in your garage, basement or attic. If you want to keep it, put it in storage and pick it up when you move.
Sell a house. Help someone else find a home.

Source: realestateabc.com

Speed your home sale with these fast fix-ups

Small expenditures of money or time on carefully targeted projects can improve your chances of selling quickly -- and ensure you get the best price possible.You don't have to spend a fortune renovating your house to ensure a quick sale at the best price. Some of the most effective fix-ups are also the cheapest.
Spending just $400 to $500 on fresh landscaping, for example, can boost your home's value by $1,600 to $1,800, according to a survey of real estate agents conducted by HomeGain, an Internet real estate service. Spend another $300 on cleaning and de-cluttering your home, the survey found, and you could add another $2,000 or more to the sale price.
To pinpoint the projects that make the most sense, start by touring your property with fresh eyes, as if you were a prospective buyer. Drive or walk up to your house and see how it appears from the street. Walk through the front door and take a look around. You might ask a trusted friend to help you spot problems, clutter and weird smells that you've long since stopped noticing. Keep a pen and pad handy to list the projects that need to be done.
On the outside Here are some suggestions for the exterior of your home:
Start at the sidewalk. Landscaping makes a huge difference in how people perceive your home. Whack back overgrown bushes and trees so your house is visible from the street. Plant colorful annuals in the flowerbeds. Keep the lawn green and trimmed, even if you have to hire a gardening service or a local teenager to help.
Revive a tired exterior. Painting exterior doors and window trim can freshen your home's look without the huge expense of a complete exterior repainting. Shine or replace worn door knockers and hardware. Replace or remove torn screens or damaged storm windows. Make sure exterior lights are working and have fresh bulbs -- some buyers like to cruise by your home at night to see how it looks.
Remove outside clutter. Get rid of anything that blocks pathways or clutters up side yards, back yards and patios. This includes toys, excess furniture and tools.
Clean your windows. You want your home to look as light and bright as possible. Dirty or spotted windows drag down a home's appearance.On the inside Once inside, inspect your floors, your walls, your kitchen, your bathrooms and your closets -- because your buyers will. Here's what to tackle:
Dig out the dirt. You can do it yourself or hire a crew for a day, but a deep cleaning is essential for a good first impression. It's also key to keep up the cleaning as long as your house is on the market, which will probably mean a daily dusting and vacuum session. Bathrooms and the kitchen should be kept spotless.
Banish bad smells. Air out your home by throwing open the windows at least once a day (or, in bad weather, by running all your exhaust fans). Don't cook smelly or greasy foods, which linger in the house. If you have cats, clean the litter box at least once a day. Use potpourri or bake cookies before buyers visit to give your place a "homey" smell.
Remove inside clutter. You need to move anyway, so why not get a head start and make your home look larger by packing away at least one-third of your stuff? Stowing away knickknacks, mementos and family pictures helps depersonalize your home, which is actually a good thing: You want potential buyers to picture themselves living in your home instead of being distracted by your personal effects. Consider renting a temporary storage space rather than stuffing your packed boxes in your closets or garage, which will make them look smaller.
Organize what's left. Tidy closets and pantries look bigger and more appealing.
Fix your floors. Real estate agents say buyers really notice the condition of floors. Hardwood should be polished and carpets shampooed or, if they're in bad shape, replaced. Repair any broken tile or linoleum.
Brighten your walls. If you've painted or wallpapered in recent years, you may be able to get away with just washing your walls. Otherwise, consider repainting your rooms in neutral colors.
Beware the big projects What about bigger projects, such as a kitchen update, a new roof or upgrades to an electrical system? Generally, you won't get your money's worth from these projects, but here's what you should consider:
Remodeling is for buyers, not sellers. Major renovations usually don't pay for themselves, let alone add enough value for you to make a profit. So why would you want to go through the hassle and the expense right before you move? Concentrate instead on smaller fixes with bigger impact, and let your buyers remodel to suit themselves. Beware of deferred maintenance. Buyers expect your home to be in decent shape. That means a roof that doesn't leak, paint that isn't peeling and household systems (heating, cooling, electric and plumbing) in good repair. If you've neglected your home, you face a tough choice. You're unlikely to recoup much of the cost of your repairs in the form of a higher sales price, since buyers are unlikely to pay you a premium for maintenance you should have been doing all along. Yet not making the fixes may turn off buyers altogether. Talk with an experienced real estate agent about which projects you should tackle before listing your home.
Consider a pre-sale inspection. Hiring your own inspector before you put your home on the market can alert you to problems you didn't know about, giving you a chance to fix them before they complicate -- or ruin -- a potential sale. If the repairs are expensive, you may face the same difficult choice described above. But that's better than being surprised once your home is in escrow.

Source: articles.moneycentral.msn.com

8 hot design trends with big payoffs

Glass tiles for kitchens and bathrooms are in; granite countertops are out. And those bamboo floors? They're so yesterday. Selling a home is never easy, but in this housing market it's going to be even more difficult. All is not lost, however. There are ways to make your home more appealing to buyers, which could result in a faster sale. Many homeowners make improvements before putting their home on the market; the key is in doing them the right way.

Mark Nash, says home sellers in 2007 should consider the trends that are going to be popular with homebuyers this year. After surveying 923 real estate agents, Nash has the following eight suggestions for making your home attractive to buyers:

If you're redoing a kitchen or bathroom, consider using glass tiles instead of ceramic ones. They're gaining popularity again because of reflective qualities.

Avoid installing bowl-shape, above-the-counter bathroom sinks. They look pretty but have proved to be harder to maintain and keep clean.

Use engineered stone compound for kitchen countertops. The material is less expensive than granite and is expected to be the trend this year.

Don't install too many glass cabinet doors in your kitchen. They look better in magazines than they do in real life, where homeowners must keep their cabinets in perfect order or suffer embarrassment.

Consider replacing a wooden or chain-link fence with a wrought-iron one. Wrought-iron fences portray a look of luxury.

When repainting trim for shutters, doors and window frames, go with bold and deep colors. And don't get rid of the trim around interior window openings -- it only looks cheap.

If replacing floors, avoid bamboo. This flooring was popular when it debuted, but now users are saying it is easily dented and scratched. It is also more likely to warp due to weather and humidity.

If you're adding new construction, don't employ concrete blocks in exterior walls. They are not attractive and are more likely to leak moisture if not properly installed.

Source: realestate.msn.com

Quality of Life in Raleigh NC

Life doesn’t get any better. When looking for the right spot to hang your hat, it’s hard to find a better place than Wake County. Temperate climate all year with four distinct seasons. World-class performing arts, spectacular museums and cultural festivals. Competitive sports teams, from major league hockey to collegiate basketball to rec league soccer. Not to mention access to outstanding health care. It’s all here—including the people known for Southern hospitality.
And when you need to get away, you’re just hours from the mountains or the beach. But you’ll still like coming home to Wake County.Climate
Centrally located between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Coast to the east, the Triangle area enjoys a favorable climate. There are typically about 220 days with sunshine each year, and rainfall is well distributed throughout the year.
Climate indicators of 2006 from RDU
Mean annual temperature
61.0F
Hottest month
August (79.6F)
Coldest month
February (43.8F)
Average annual snowfall
0 in.
Mean annual rainfall
52.92 in.
Wettest month
June (10.34 in.)
Driest month
March(1.25 in.)
Average relative humidity
66.67%
Growing season
222 days
Culture
Wake County holds a treasure trove of art, music and other cultural delights. Theatrical performances grace a number of stages throughout the area and a number of performing arts groups showcase their talents in outdoor venues and amphitheaters. The area is also brimming with some of the finest museums in the Southeast.Health Care
The Wake County area ranks among the top MSAs in physicians per capita. In fact, the physician-to-population ratio in the Triangle is five times the national average.
Three major medical centers and teaching hospitals are located in the region, along with multiple hospitals.
Medical Centers
Wake County
No. of Beds
WakeMed Health & Hospitals
765
Raleigh Campus
528
Rehabilitation Hospital
68
Cary
114
Zebulon/Wendell
19
Fuquay Varina
36
Rex Hospital
394
Duke Health Raleigh Hospital
186
Dorothea Dix Hospital
368
Holly Hill/Charter Hospital
108
Durham County
No. of Beds
Duke UniversityMedical Center, Durham*
924
Durham Regional Hospital
369
VA Medical Center
274
Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital
No in-patients
Orange County
No. of Beds
UNC Hospitals
708
Total Hospital Beds
4,944
Healthy Families, Healthy Communities
Wake County Human Services promotes a healthy and safe place to live, grow and work. In partnership with communities and other organizations, they enhance the ability of families and individuals to become self-sufficient to their greatest ability while ensuring quality care for those individuals unable to achieve self-sufficiency.
The department is involved in a variety of initiatives and services ranging from educational partnership initiatives that include after school programs and summer camp opportunities, to services and initiatives targeting specific issues such as childhood obesity, mental health reform, forecasts for community growth in Hispanic and senior populations, and public health indicators.
Wake County Human Services also has services for special populations, including mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse services, child welfare, foster care and adoption, and homeless services, including prevention and reintegration initiatives.
Click the links below for complete information on the services Wake County Human Services offers:
Adult Services - Includes: Addiction & Treatment, Adult Care/Homes, Crisis Services, Disabilities, Medical Assistance for Adults, Mental Health, and Transportation Services.
Child and Family Services - Includes: Adoptions & Foster Care, Child Care Resources, Child Mental Health, Child Support Enforcement, Disabilities, Educational Success, Guardianship, Medical Assistance for Children, and Parent Resources.
Economic Services- Includes: Emergency Financial Assistance, Emergency Shelter, Employment Assistance, Food Assistance, Homeless Services, Housing Assistance, and Medicaid & Medicare.
Health Programs/Clinics - Wake County's public health clinics offer health care for children and adults, ranging from education to immunizations to treatment. Wake County is proud to have achieved the highest immunization rate of metropolitan counties in North Carolina.
Locations and Regional Centers - 11 centers are located within Wake County to provide services to residents no matter where they live.Recreation and Sports
Whatever your preferred form of recreation, there is something for everyone in Wake County. Sports fans have a lot to cheer about in the Triangle. From hockey and basketball to football and baseball, both amateur and professional sports are alive and well in the area.
Recreational opportunities abound year-round. The area has several large natural areas and extensive greenway and trail systems, as well as seven area lakes that offer boating, water skiing and fishing.
Golfers can choose from any number of public and private courses, including the Tournament Player’s Club (TPC) course at Wakefield Plantation, one of only two TPC courses in North Carolina. Or, they may drive about an hour to Pinehurst, host of the 2005 U.S. Open.
The entire state of North Carolina deserves the nickname of “Variety Vacationland.” The Atlantic coastline, just two hours away, enjoys mild temperatures from March to October. The mountains, with more than 200 miles of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail, nine ski resorts and 15 white-water rivers, are within a four-hour drive.
Collegiate Sports
Intercollegiate sports competition is intense in the Triangle area. Three nationally high-ranking men’s and women’s teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference compete in football, basketball, soccer and other sports:
NC State University Wolfpack
Duke University Blue Devils
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels
Professional Sports
Hockey
Carolina Hurricanes – The NHL recognized Wake County as a major league market, and we quickly embraced the Carolina Hurricanes. Based at the RBC Center, the Canes were the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions.
Baseball
The Durham Bulls – Made famous by the movie “Bull Durham,” this AAA farm club for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays enjoys widespread Triangle support.
The Carolina Mudcats – This Class AA professional baseball affiliate of the Florida Marlins plays 70 games a year at Five County Stadium outside of Zebulon. The Mudcats are one of the top-drawing teams in attendance in the Southern League.

Source: raleigh-wake.org

The Basics Keep your home safe from burglars

Are you doing all you can to keep your home safe from burglars? The Hartford Financial Services Group offers these tips to help stop unwanted visitors from entering your home.
Develop good security habits. Roughly one-third of all burglaries occur through unlocked doors and windows. You should establish a routine to follow before you leave home, such as making certain that all doors and windows are locked and alarm systems are turned on. In addition, don't hide house keys in obvious places, such as under doormats or on top of the doorframe.
Make sure exterior doors are strong. The doors to your home should be made of metal or solid hardwood and be at least one inch thick. It is also important that your door frames are constructed equally well and that doors fit in their frames securely. A weak door or door frame renders a good lock useless. Add an extra lock for sliding glass doors to prevent them from being forced open or lifted off of their tracks.Deadbolt locks offer the best protection. The cylinder (where the key is inserted) should be "pick resistant." Some deadbolts are locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. Others, known as double-cylinder locks, require keys on both the outside and the inside. If you install a double-cylinder lock, keep the key within reach of the door in case family members need to leave quickly due to a fire.
Lock your windows. You should lock your windows with key locks or other devices. It is also possible for you to pin the sashes of a double-hung window together by using a removable bolt.
Consider a burglar alarm. Security systems vary in cost, but often the price can be at least partially offset by discounts in your homeowner's premiums. So before purchasing an alarm system, check with your insurance company to see which alarm systems will get you a discount.
Keep your home well lit. When you go out for the evening, leave a few lights on in the house, and leave the outside lights on, too. Place outdoor motion-activated floodlights high out of reach so they can't be easily tampered with. Before going away overnight, put lights and a radio on automatic timers.
Vacation time means extra precautions. You don't want to signal your absence with a pile of newspapers on your stoop and an overflowing mailbox. Temporarily stop your newspaper and have the post office hold your mail until you return. In the spring and summer, have someone mow your lawn, while in the winter, have someone shovel snow from your driveway. If possible, you should ask a trusted friend or neighbor to stop by and check on your home while you're away.

Source: moneycentral.msn.com

5 hot outdoor-kitchen tips

An outdoor kitchen is more than just the latest way to keep up with the Joneses. Carefully planned and built, it can be your backyard's center piece for years to come.
Ah, the aroma of a sizzling London broil wafting from your neighbor's barbecue. You sneak a peek over the fence, expecting to see Herb huddled over his old charcoal kettle. Instead, you catch a glimpse of a chef's paradise, a cooking center with capital Cs.

Outdoor kitchens -- complete with gleaming grills, stainless-steel refrigerators and built-in cabinets -- are increasingly popular today. Ice makers, pizza ovens and dishwashers also are being installed al fresco. Gourmands across the country seem to be saying that while you can take the cook out of the (indoor) kitchen, you better have a backyard setup that's worthy.

But installing one is a serious endeavor. Not only is it going to cost big bucks -- easily $3,000 to $10,000 and up -- but it will be part of your yard for a long, long time. Planning it carefully and building it with quality are key to ensuring it serves you well. Here are five quick tips.

Location, location, location. Place your barbecue and entertaining area near the house -- most importantly, the kitchen. In addition, an outdoor kitchen is ideally sited where it has minimum exposure to the elements and maximum protection from the wind. An existing patio is often an ideal site, but beware of flammable materials overhead, including trees, trellises and patio roofs.

Plan ahead for utilities. A sink will require a water supply and a drain. Electricity is needed for an outdoor refrigerator, a rotisserie and lighting. Consider how and where these utilities will be routed from the house. You'll want to have all of this figured out before construction starts.

Design for comfort. An outdoor kitchen deserves the same attention to comfort and convenience as an indoor one; design it with many of the same considerations. The countertop should be 32 to 36 inches high and at least 24 inches deep. Surfaces should be durable and easy to maintain. Allow plenty of surface area near the grill for food preparation and serving. And be sure cabinets and other amenities such as a sink and refrigerator are placed for convenient use.

Build according to code. Before finalizing your design, check zoning requirements to make sure your outdoor kitchen will be a legal distance from property lines. Though you may not need a building permit for the outdoor kitchen's construction, you probably will need permits for any electrical or plumbing work. And, in most cases, a gas grill insert must be framed by non-flammable material.

Use sound construction. A large, heavy masonry barbecue will require a concrete pad, typically a steel-reinforced, four-inch-thick slab poured over a bed of gravel that is four to six inches deep. Many have a perimeter footing that's twice as wide as the barbecue's walls and 16 to 18 inches deep (six inches below frost line). Go over construction basics with your masonry contractor and be sure any rough plumbing or wiring conduit is placed before the slab is poured.

Source: realestate.msn.com

5 remodeling projects under $10,000

So you've decided not to trade up after all. Even more, you don't want to dump a lot of money into fixing up your house if its value -- and your equity -- are likely to be flat or even falling in the next few years.
That said, you can still add to your home's resale value (and your happiness) with a budget-minded remodeling project. True, of the top 10 projects for increasing your home's value for the dollars spent, "there's really only two or three that you can do for under $10,000," says Sal Alfano, editorial director at Remodeling magazine, whose annual "Cost Versus Value" report ranks the projects with the biggest payback.
But while adding a bathroom (about $30,000), a sunroom ($50,000) or a master bedroom suite ($95,000 and up) will return about 70 cents for every dollar invested, Alfano's latest analysis finds that you may get more bang for your buck with lower-cost improvements, such as replacing the windows ($10,000), siding ($9,000), or the kitchen cabinets and appliances ($17,000), which will yield some 88 cents on the dollar.
Of course, you might not get quite as much enjoyment out of new vinyl siding as you would from, say, a new bathroom with a sunken tub and Jacuzzi jets. "But you'll increase your curb appeal and lower your maintenance," says Alfano, "which will definitely add to your happiness."
Here are five remodeling projects, each of which can be completed for about $10,000, and all of which can help make you feel better about staying put:

A basic bathroom makeover
Unlike adding a bathroom, which between plumbing and all the rest runs $30,000 and up, a basic makeover can be done for a third of the cost and offer more bang for the buck, especially if you have two bathrooms (which is considered about average for a three-bedroom home).
Start by upgrading your old toilet to a low-flow model. Then add new tile, such as glass varieties that can give the illusion of depth in a small space. Starting at about $5 a square foot, these popular tiles can also be used to accent lower-cost ceramic tiles.
"Maybe the bulk of the room is just plain ceramic vanilla, but then you splurge on metallic blue glass for the border and it creates a stunning effect for not much money," says Alfano.
A deck is a simple way to add space
Adding an outdoor deck is perhaps the most affordable way to expand your home's footprint, and it's an especially good idea if you need to keep up with the Joneses.
"If everyone else in the neighborhood has one, it's probably a good investment to have one too," says Alfano.
Thanks to weatherproof composite materials that have largely replaced traditional redwood decking, the days of warped timbers and messy annual coats of sealant are long gone. That said, decks made from the most popular composites -- like plastic-and-wood Trex -- typically cost more than wood (about $14,000 for a 16-by-20-foot finished deck). By simply cutting back on square footage, you can easily stay under $10,000.
"Just make sure it's bigger than your average stoop (about 6 by 8 feet)," says Alfano. "Then you at least have enough room for a barbecue and a couple of lounge chairs."
A garden fit for a queen
Landscaping is perhaps the cheapest, most underrated way to improve a home's curb appeal. But instead of simply resodding a weed-infested yard, consider planting an English garden of flowers, trees and stone.
Or, if you live in an arid climate, try ornamenting your yard with desert plants, which can reduce water consumption by 60%.
Do-it-yourselfers can usually install a medium-size garden in a weekend or two, and the impact is almost as immediate. "For one thing, you won't have to mow the lawn the next weekend," says Alfano.
New windows will brighten your outlook
It's amazing what new windows can do for your perspective and for your home's curb appeal. In recent years, vinyl models have dramatically improved in quality while falling in price. Although they come in only a few basic colors -- mostly white, black and beige -- they never need repainting, and their double- and even triple-pane glass makes them vastly more efficient than older windows, especially those framed in poorly insulating aluminum.
Window replacements can be done in stages. But Alfano of Remodeling magazine suggests doing at least 10 at a time, which installers can usually complete in a day.
Even better, if you install Energy Star-rated models in 2007, you can take advantage of a $500 federal tax credit that will nearly cover the cost of the first two windows.
Sprucing up your kitchen
A kitchen remodel for under $10,000? It's doable if you head for the nearest Ikea megastore, where a set of 18 replacement cabinets will run you about $4,000 and up. Add $3,000 for installation and about $1,500 for new Formica countertops, and you'll transform your kitchen for about the cost of a fancy Sub-Zero refrigerator.
Another option is to reface your existing cabinets, leaving shelves in place but laminating exposed surfaces and replacing the doors, which can cost about a third as much as new cabinets but yield much the same result.
If you're content with your cabinets, consider investing your money in new high-efficiency appliances. Alfano says that will both improve your home's marketability and reduce your electric bill.

Source: realestate.msn.com

4 ways to fight for your home

If you're feeling pinched by an adjustable-rate mortgage or a falling salary, take action before the situation gets worse.
Even if you're a fiscally conservative homeowner, you may be feeling the pressure of high housing costs, particularly if you have a mortgage with a rate that's headed up or if your income has taken a hit. Here’s what to do if your home is on the line.
Spot trouble early. Assess where you stand, especially if your house payments are rising. For advice on cutting back your spending or increasing your income, consult a fee-only financial planner or a nonprofit credit counselor, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Credit-counseling services should be free or low-cost -- say, less than $50 for a session.
Try a refi. Rates on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages are still attractive and are generally lower than fully indexed rates on adjustable-rate loans. If you can't refinance because your financial prospects are poor, you have no equity in the home or you're looking at a large prepayment penalty, you may want to try selling your home. If you can't afford a full-service agent, try one who offers a limited package of services for a flat fee.
Doing it yourself is no easy task -- you have to price the property aggressively, make yourself and your home available for showings, and close the deal.
Take advantage of mortgage relief, if it's available. In Massachusetts, for example, the governor mandated that homeowners in financial trouble be allowed to request extra time to avoid foreclosure. Their cases will be considered individually. In California, legislators have proposed creating a mortgage pool to assist first-time homeowners in trouble. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac soon will introduce their HomeStay program, which is designed for borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages who are at risk for payment shock.
Head off foreclosure. As soon as you think you will miss a mortgage payment, call your lender to discuss your options. Besides refinancing, these may include a forbearance (you temporarily pay nothing or only a minimum amount, making up the payments either over time or at the end of the loan) or a loan modification (the lender temporarily adjusts the interest rate). The better your credit score and employment history, the more receptive the lender will be. But note that some lenders may not be able to change the terms of your loan until you're at least 30 days delinquent, and sometimes as many as 120 days past due.
If all else fails, you could try to negotiate a short sale. In that case, the lender agrees to cancel your debt in exchange for the proceeds from the sale of your home. As long as you're an owner-occupant, not an unhappy investor, lenders are likely to be receptive. Plus, they want to avoid the hassle and expense of foreclosure.
A real-estate agent can help you negotiate the deal. (Call local agencies and ask for an agent with experience or training in short sales.) You have a limited window of opportunity: Most lenders allow only three months' delinquency before they issue a formal notice of foreclosure, and state law mandates how quickly the process moves after that.

Source: realestate.msn.com

Selling? Here's your to-do list

When the housing market's iffy, it's more vital than ever to make home repairs, spiff up the kitchen and bathroom, get rid of odd paint colors and bare patches of lawn, and consider other improvements.
The interior walls are neutral. The clutter is a distant memory. A shower door has been replaced; even the design of the bedspread has been factored in. A professional inspection and appraisal have limited any surprises down the road. Now, the Green family's Chicago home is ready for sale.
"We're paving the road to make the closing process much smoother," Dan Green said.
He even created a blog, partly as a marketing tool for his Lincoln Park neighborhood home.
In an uncertain market, a little extra work can mean not only a smoother sale or a higher listing price, but also determine whether sellers get to the closing table at all.
"Talk to Realtors and they will tell you anything you do cosmetically to increase curb appeal is going to help the resale value," said Sal Alfano, the editor of Remodeling magazine.
In addition, many buyers stretch financially to get into a home, so they may pass over one needing too much work.
"The last thing you want is a list of projects that has to be taken care of," he said.
Here's the bright spot: Some of the most effective improvements aren't very expensive. Giving rooms a fresh coat of paint, for example, quickly pays off.
If you're planning to add a "for sale" sign to the lawn this spring, consider these five areas while creating your to-do list.
1. First impressions count
You want to make a good impression from the moment potential buyers pull up to the house, experts say. First glimpses will include the home's exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door.
Peeling trim could be a kiss of death. Paint the exterior of the home in an odd color, and you could turn away potential buyers before they come inside. Don't underestimate the importance of good lawn care, either.
"A lawn that looks good on the outside gives the impression that someone cares about that home,".
His advice is to "keep it green and keep it cut." Mow the lawn to about 3 inches high at least twice a week when a home is on the market; 2 inches if the home is in a Southern state. The more it is mowed, the denser it will become. And get on a fertilization program, Rogers said, starting at the beginning of the season.
If there are small spots to fill in, bypass store-bought sod and instead borrow some grass from an inconspicuous place elsewhere on the lawn, Rogers said. The grasses will match better that way.
Early birds selling at the tail end of winter should keep the sidewalks shoveled if there is snow on the ground.
2. Neutralize and de-clutter
When it comes to preparing a home's interior, any real estate professional or stager worth a paycheck will advise a client to go with neutral colors.
"People can't visualize beyond what they see," said Jim Gillespie, the president and CEO of Coldwell Banker. Neutral colors, including beige and ivory, have the added advantage of making a room appear larger, an effect that Dan Green noticed right away when he repainted his bedroom walls.
Removing the home's clutter is also extremely important for helping potential buyers to imagine their family living in the home, Gillespie said.
Beyond that, do some spring cleaning: Shampoo the carpets, rebuff hardwood floors and oil wood cabinetry.
3. Consider replacement projects
Sellers might consider getting a home inspection before listing their home as a way to detect any overdue replacement projects, Gillespie said. The sellers can either fix any problems or give the buyers a discount to account for the repairs. Gillespie advocates making the necessary repairs before selling.
Homebuyers recognize the value of a house that doesn't need major repairs, said Remodeling editor Alfano.
"The house is probably not going to move, or you're not going to get all the value out it, if the new buyer knows they're going to have to replace the roof sometime soon," he said.
According to Remodeling magazine, a roof replacement for a midrange home cost an average of $14,276 and returned $10,553, or 73%, at resale. Replacing vinyl siding cost $9,134 on average, returning $7,963, or 87%, at resale.
4. Kitchens and bathrooms rule
It's no secret that buyers tend to be awed by updated kitchens and bathrooms.
"If the last time it was remodeled was in 1980, that's going to be points against, versus another house that was upgraded even five years ago with sort of a modern look," Alfano said. "It's hard to go wrong with a kitchen or bath remodel, unless you get a little too edgy with the design or the materials you use."
That said, sellers spending only a couple of years in a house probably aren't going to completely remodel either room. Sellers should zero in on where these rooms need the most improvement, said Lupberger, of ServiceMagic, and then decide how much they want to spend.
If kitchen cabinets are structurally fine but their exteriors are outdated, it might be worth it to reface them, Lupberger said. If counters are old, replacing them may add new life to the room. In the bathroom, look into resurfacing a chipped or damaged bathtub.
5. Warranty coverage and documentation
Sellers can provide some extra peace of mind to buyers by purchasing a warranty on their home that will cover such things as heating and plumbing, should the buyer run into problems after closing. The coverage is becoming a little more popular, Coldwell Banker's Gillespie said. Warranties can be bought from companies such as American Home Shield and AON.
"Little things like that . . . you need that today, to set the property apart with all the competition out there," Gillespie said.
He also recommends displaying the age of the water heater and furnace. If either one is on the older side, have it inspected for proof that it works correctly.
If you've done replacement projects in the past few years, dig out the documentation to prove it, Alfano said. If any of the improvements cut energy costs, make that known, too.
"You never really could (miss), but it wasn't on the tip of everybody's tongue," Alfano said. "Now, it's in the news all the time."

Source: realestate.msn.com

20 things that can alter the value of your home

When you're house-hunting it's important to be able to identify the things that increase the value of a home and those that actually detract. The seller and his agent, after all, will try to convince you that rail line that runs through the backyard is good because it provides extra green space. Here are 10 features that can add value to your home, and another 10 that could reduce the sales price:
1. An updated kitchen. "Kitchens are critical," says Robert Irwin, author of "Home Buyer's Checklist." "Today, people like a big kitchen with a lot of workspace."
They look for solid surface counters and high-quality flooring, such as wood, laminate, tile or stone. And they want newer appliances in working order.
Even if it's not huge, it should have "countertops that are serviceable that aren't going to have to be replaced soon and cabinetry in good condition," says Alan Hummel, past president of the Appraisal Institute. "It has to be well-appointed and large enough to fit your needs."
And it doesn't hurt if it opens onto another room. "A lot of families are looking for that openness," says Hummel.
It helps to have a window over the sink, says Don Strong, a remodeler with Brothers Strong Inc., a Houston remodeling firm.
Be wary if renovations are out of character with the community, such as granite countertops in a subdivision where plastic laminate is the norm.
"Will you sell faster? Yes," says Hummel, CEO of Iowa Residential Appraisal Co., in Des Moines. "Will it sell for more? Not if the appointments you've done are significantly higher quality that the rest of the neighborhood."
2. Modern bathrooms. Buyers are looking for "master baths that give a little room to roam," says Hummel.
A big asset: spa or whirlpool tubs. "I'm always entertained by the people who have them in the master bath and don't use them," says Ron Phipps, principal broker with Phipps Realty & Relocation Services in Warwick, R.I. "But it's a big feature."
Some other features buyers are seeking: separate showers with steam and/or multiple jets, double sink, separate room for the toilet.
And make sure the plumbing and hot water heater can handle the job. The pipes have to be large enough to carry an adequate volume of water and the hot water heater has to be big enough to accommodate it. "You need a bare minimum of a 75-gallon hot water heater, and most of my customers have 100 to 150," says Chicago-based home inspector Kurt Mitenbuler.
"You don't want to see that false economy of a $30,000 bathroom but nobody spent a few thousand dollars to upgrade the pipes," he says.
3. A well-appointed master suite. "People are really excited about master suites," says Hummel. The wish list: a luxurious bathroom, lounging areas and walk-in closets.
4. Natural materials. "People like natural materials," says Phipps. "Ceramic tile, hardwood floors, granite. We've gone back to a real appreciation for historically true materials. And simulated works as well. The look is very popular."
In floor coverings -- especially bathrooms or kitchens -- look for ceramic tile or wood rather than linoleum, which can tear, says Strong.
In the rest of the house, wood or laminate products are a plus over wall-to-wall, says Gary Eldred, author of "The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (and How to Avoid Them)".
But if you have carpet, it should be a good product and well maintained so that "a person doesn't have to walk in and think, 'I'm going to have to spend five grand right off the bat," says Strong.
5. Curb appeal. "A good first appearance on a home can add as much as 5 percent to 10 percent to the value of the home," says John Aust, president of the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers. "Homes in a neighborhood tend to vary about 10 percent from house to house, assuming all other things are the same."
6. A light, airy spacious feel. "People buy space and light," says Myra Zollinger, owner/broker with Coldwell Banker Realty Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. "I have yet to have anybody walk into a really dark house and say, 'I love this.'"
Richard "Dick" Gaylord, member of the executive committee for the National Association of Realtors, agrees. "That's a very big feature," he says. "I haven't sold many homes that aren't bright and airy."
7. Good windows. "People are looking at exposures and windows," says Phipps. "It's been a cold winter for most of the country and energy efficiency is very important."
Insulated windows are always a plus, says Strong. "Typically, they pay for themselves in five years," he says. The cost: for an average 2,600-square-foot home, estimate about $10,000 for new windows, he says.
Well-placed skylights are also a good touch to add value, says Phipps.
8. Landscaping. Mature trees "are worth $1,000," says Strong.
And having outdoor spaces with touches such as pergolas and Victorian garden swings "can be very helpful," says Phipps.
Appraiser John Bredemeyer remembers one $250,000 home in Omaha that had no landscaping at all. "It was stark," says Bredemeyer, national chair of government relations for the Appraisal Institute, a professional group for real estate appraisers. "It just stood out as unappealing."
Conversely, you don't have to spend a fortune on plants, either. Just keep it "typical with the neighborhood," he says.
9. Lots of storage. Nothing beats an oversized garage, some attic space and plenty of closets. "If you have a two-car garage, do you have extra space for those things we all have -- bicycles, lawn mower, snow blower?" says Hummel. "Space is important."
A nice plus in the master suite? "His and hers walk-in closets," says Irwin.
10. Basement. "If it's dry, it's a plus," says Kenneth Austin, co-author of "The Home Buyer's Inspection Guide." "But it's a negative if it has water problems."
A finished basement adds even more value. "Ten years ago, nobody cared," says Mittenbuler. "Now everybody wants them."
Liabilities On the flip side, here are 10 things that could harm your home's value:
1. A pool. Forget what you might have heard. An in-ground pool in most parts of the country doesn't automatically raise the value of your home. "I would stay away from pools if you can at all avoid it," says Irwin.
Having a swimming pool will automatically limit your market when it comes time to sell, he says. "It's constant upkeep, they get cracks, the equipment goes down and it's expensive to replace, and the liability is high."
Others consider it a mixed blessing. "For the people who want the pool, they're willing to pay for it," says Austin. "But there are an awful lot of people who don't want a pool."
Consider your home value and location. In a million-dollar house, not having a pool is a detraction, says Irwin. "But they won't give you much more" if you do have one.
2. No garage or small garage. Unless you're living in a condo, retirement community or historical or in-town neighborhood, most buyers will look for at least a two-car garage. "If you don't have a garage, it's a real negative," says Austin. "If you have a one-car garage, that's a problem, too."
3. Garbled floor plan. Small rooms and bathrooms, an inconvenient floor plan or a layout that requires you to access bedrooms or bathrooms through other rooms will detract value from your home.
4. Outmoded appliances or systems. Who wants an electrical system or plumbing system incapable of handling modern conveniences? Would you buy a home if the appliances were worn or broken?
Phipps remembers walking into one house with clients who casually opened the oven door -- and it fell off.
5. Stale or overly personal decor. Sure, red is the hot wall color right now, "but for how long?" says Hummel.
"We've gone into houses where they've had purple walls or electric green," says Austin. "It's a turn-off to many people."
6. A bad roof. Roofs are expensive to replace and a good roof is considered standard equipment in a house. If your roof has problems, expect to take a hit in the price.
7. Bad location. Phipps remembers one neighborhood with a significant difference in value between the even- and odd-numbered houses. The reason? The odd numbered ones backed on an interstate highway, as well as some ugly utility lines.
As a result, "the even-numbered houses were worth about 10 percent more than the odd-numbered homes," he says.
8. Poor maintenance. "If you've got an old roof and outdated paint, I don't care if you've updated the kitchen, you won't even get the buyer out of the car," says Bredemeyer.
"If you know you've got to have something fixed, fix it," says Zollinger. Otherwise, people "will subtract the cost or not make an offer on the house. And if people think the house hasn't been taken care of, they will wonder what else they're not seeing."
9. Environmental hazards. Besides being a danger to human health, lead, mold or asbestos can kill home value.
10. A laundry list of needed improvements. "It detracts if you have to do work," says Gaylord. "A house that you can move in today -- and it's livable -- is fine."

Source: bankrate.com

Dealing with an eyesore next door

Fresh paint, a new front door and colorful landscaping often are sure-fire ways to tease potential buyers over the threshold of a home for sale. But in some cases, no matter how perfect your pansies, nothing can draw their gaze past the tired-looking two-story buried in weeds next door.
More than 60% of 900 people surveyed said they have or have had neighbors who make the street look bad by not taking care of the outside of their homes (21% admitted they were the culprit). Common problems: tall weeds and grass, imposing trees or a dying lawn; piled-up junk, particularly old cars; and peeling paint or a visible exterior defect, such as a broken window.
Sloppy properties aren't exclusive to older dwellings in established or up-and-coming neighborhoods. Bad habits are on display in new developments too, say real-estate experts.
Neighborhood eyesores aren't a new or uncommon problem. But curb appeal, yours and the neighborhood's, takes on greater significance in a nationwide buyer's market. For buyers, eyesores may present yet one more negotiating advantage. Remember, appraisals factor in the condition of nearby properties.
The National Association of Realtors says an eyesore can shave about 10% off the value of a nearby listing. Market-by-market differences affect that percentage, real-estate experts say, as does the situation -- an overgrown lawn across the street is better than a boarded-up property right next door.
Size up the situation
Approaching a neighbor can be uncomfortable to say the least. In the ServiceMagic survey, 75% of respondents said they'd made no direct contact with their neighbors about the issue; 18% said they confronted their neighbor, it created tension and the house still looked bad; 4% said their talk produced a satisfactory outcome all the way around and another 4% said the problem was fixed but it created lingering tension.
Neglected properties likely belong to one of two types of people: those physically or financially unable to keep up with the work and those who purposely buck social norms.
Knowing what you're dealing with is the key.
In some cases, the homeowner may have just fallen behind after taking on new responsibilities -- for example, a new job -- or facing unexpected health issues. Bringing your concern to their attention may do the trick. Stress that keeping up the condition of the neighborhood helps the value of all properties. Think: What's in it for us, not what's in it for me.
A group effort may pay off. Some local branches of the National Association of Realtors have created funds to help older or incapacitated homeowners keep up their exteriors. Getting other neighbors to collectively rally behind your cause may bear more fruit and may come across as neighborhood improvement projects, not the ranting of a picky neighbor.
Absentee owners -- say, if the property is rented out -- may require plenty of correspondence, so don't wait until right before you put your home on the market. If the out-of-town party is agreeable to changes, it may make sense for you to offer to secure contractors or other necessary laborers.
Ask for more than you think you're going to get. Your fallback position, then, is that you will take care of making the fixes, either paying for them or doing the work yourself.
Unexpected sweat equity to resolve someone else's problem may seem more hassle than help, but that first impression is everything these days.
Call in the authorities
If personal negotiation stalls, or if hostile neighbors become threatening, residents sometimes can lean on municipal laws, administered through the building department, health department or similar entity, to get neighbors to clean up their act.
Some areas levy fines for keeping around piles of wood that attract animals, as one example. Municipal codes can make for interesting, if dense, reading.
Asked about bringing in the authorities, some 20% in the ServiceMagic survey said they "snitched" on their neighbors, another 20% said they intended to bring in the authorities but hadn't yet, and 14% said someone else in the neighborhood beat them to it. The remainder said they just put up with the nearby eyesore.
Getting results can be frustrating. The government is most likely to act only when a property's condition risks public health. The process of resolving a complaint can be long and time-consuming, real-estate experts say.
Eye of the beholder
Real estate, like any investment, carries risk and reward. Proximity to eyesores may present a buying opportunity to some and keep others from even getting out of the car.
Some buyers, see a mix of fixer-uppers and ongoing projects as a fruitful challenge; others don't want daily construction noise over several months or years. Urban house-hunters might be more tolerant of a mix of building styles and conditions than suburban or rural buyers.
Eyesores aren't restricted to homes. The mix of nearby commercial properties may not fit everyone's sensibilities -- a liquor store at the end of the block, for instance. Other buyers may enjoy the proximity of retail stores.
Empty industrial or retail buildings can have a negative impact as well. A potential buyer is left wondering if an area is on the rise or on the decline. A seller setting a listing price must keep the entire feel of the neighborhood in mind.
Sometimes the house down the street is in good condition but its purple facade and lawn sculptures don't speak to everyone's taste. Whether homes need to conform by city ordinance to a general architectural feel varies by area, so check the rules.

Source: realestate.msn.com

Homeowners Insurance: Money Saving Tips

Homeowners Insurance: Money Saving Tips
Most lenders require you to have homeowners insurance. But just because it is required does not mean that all policies cost the same amount. There are several ways you can save money on your homeowners insurance. Wouldn’t you rather put the money you’ve saved into your home? Here are some tips to save money on your homeowners insurance.
Look For Multi-Policy Insurance Most insurance companies that sell insurance products other than homeowners insurance will offer consumers discounts for buying more than one product from them. For example, if your auto insurance company also sells homeowners insurance, you might get a discount of up to 15% off your premium for buying both products.
Only Buy The Homeowners Coverage You Need Homeowners insurance policy limits should be revisited every year to reevaluate any major purchases and additions. On the other hand, many of the possessions that homeowners insure depreciate significantly over the course of a year. Homeowners should update their home inventory, and reevaluate policy limits for possible savings.
Further, homeowners shouldn't spend money for coverage they don't need. For example, if you don't live in a flood-prone area, you may not need costly flood insurance.
Consider Raising Your Deductible Increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a significant difference to your premium. Most deductibles start at $250; therefore, if you raise your deductible from that to $1,000, you may to save nearly 25% on your premium.
Look For Discounts That May Apply To You There are a myriad of homeowners discounts that go unrecognized by many consumers. For example, even though they seem ordinary, you may be able get a lower premium if your home has safety features such as dead-bolt locks, smoke detectors, an alarm system, storm shutters or fire retardant roofing material.
Other common homeowners insurance discounts include:
• A new home's electrical, heating and plumbing systems and overall structure are likely to be in better shape than those of an older home; therefore new homes are usually charged lower rates than older homes in the same price range.
• Seniors often enjoy discounts on their homeowners insurance if they are over 55 and retired, or if they've been a long-term customer.
• Strong home security in the form of security systems, alarms, gated communities, double locks on both doors, etc. often afford you lower rates.
• Non-smokers usually get reduced rates on their homeowners insurance policy. If you were a smoker when you bought your house, but have subsequently quit, many insurers may lower your rates. Smoking accounts for over 20,000 residential fires in the U.S. a year, so insurers often charge lower premiums to smoke-free households.
Insure Your House, Not the Land Under It Consumers often overpay for homeowners insurance by including the value of the land that their home resides on. Remember that you only need to insure the home itself and your possessions, not the land. Should something unfortunate occur, the land will most likely remain. If you do not subtract the value of the land when deciding how much homeowners insurance to buy, you will most likely pay more than you should.

Source: secure1.insweb.com

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Safety Tips

Home-improvement projects often call for risky practices. I remember nailing siding onto my house from the top of a 30-foot scaffold. That one got my blood circulating. Then there was the Habitat for Humanity house building project where we tight-rope-walked across the tops of 2-by-4 stud-framed walls while carrying roof trusses.
Accidents can happen. You need to be especially careful when you're working at heights; with power tools or sharp blades; with heavy, awkward, or toxic materials; or with electricity or natural gas.
By employing proven safety techniques, you can greatly reduce your risk of danger or injury. Here are a few very important practices and rules:
Tackle only those tasks that you feel safe handling. For example, if you're uncomfortable on the roof because it is too high or steep, leave the roof repairs to a professional. The same holds true with jobs that require specialized tools.
Keep a tidy work area to avoid creating your own hazards. Don't allow power cords to tangle. Pick up and properly store power tools, sharp tools, or dangerous materials that might cause injury. Pull all nails from old lumber.
Keep tools and supplies away from the reach of small children.
Dress for safety. In other words, don't work in your flip-flops and shorts. Sturdy clothing, work boots, and gloves will protect you. And wear safety glasses whenever you use power tools, hammers, or other striking or cutting tools.
When using power tools, be sure to follow all precautions stated in the manual. Always unplug the tool before servicing or adjusting it and when you're finished with the task at hand. Be sure the tool works properly and is equipped with proper safety guards.
Keep drill bits, blades, and cutters sharp. Dull tools require extra force and can bind, making the tools dangerous.
When working with corded power tools outdoors, be sure they're plugged into a receptacle that is protected by a ground-fault-circuit interrupter (GFCI). In the event of a short, a GFCI will shut off the circuit instantaneously.
When using a ladder, position it on a flat, firm surface. As you climb or reach, keep your weight centered. Do not lean out to one side; keep your hips between the rails; never stand on the top two rungs. When using an extension ladder to reach the roof, extend at least two rungs above the eaves. This way, you can hold onto the ladder as you step onto the roof.
Don't go up on the roof in bad weather or if your roof has a pitch steeper than 5 in 12. Pitch expresses the angle of a roof's slope. To find a roof's pitch, measure how many inches it rises vertically for each 12 inches of horizontal "run," or distance. A 6-in-12 pitch rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches of run.
Do your own electrical work only if you have the necessary knowledge. Be sure to shut off the power before working on a circuit. Use a circuit tester to make sure a circuit is not active after you have shut off the power. (Sometimes more than one circuit is wired through an electrical box.) Never work on a live circuit, fixture, outlet, or switch.
Think twice before working on gas pipes. This is a job that's usually best left to a professional technician. If you have the know-how to do your own work, test for leaks by brushing a solution of soapy water onto connections. Escaping gas will create bubbles. Remember that gas is explosive! Never use a flame (or a match) to test for leaking gas.
Equip your garage or workshop and your home with fire extinguishers. Every home should have two working A-B-C fire extinguishers. Be sure they're large enough to handle home fires; they need to be rated a minimum size of "2A10BC" on the label. Periodically check them to be sure they are fully charged.
Protect yourself against exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials. Many varnishes, strippers, solvents, preservatives, adhesives, and other products used to accomplish projects contain hazardous ingredients. Pay attention to all label warnings, including instructions about proper ventilation. For some materials or situations, a certified respirator is a must.
Dust and fibers can be hazardous to breathe. When sanding wood or wallboard joint compound, wear a dust mask. Never sand, scrape, or dislodge surfaces that you suspect to contain asbestos; doing so can put highly hazardous fibers into the air. For a complete report on how to identify asbestos and deal with this hazard, see the Hometips Asbestos Report.
Know how to handle lead-based paint. Test surfaces before sanding or stripping. (Test kits are available in most home-improvement centers.) Before removing even a small quantity of lead-based paint, seal off the work area with duct tape and plastic sheeting. Always wear a respirator, gloves, and protective clothing. Vacuum the area only with a particulate vacuum cleaner designed for the job (these can be rented). Pregnant women and children should not be in the house or at the work site until all dust is removed. Hire a professional to strip large surfaces covered with lead-based paint. For more about lead paint, contact the Environmental Protection Agency.
Last but not least, keep a good first-aid kit on hand. You can buy a first-aid kit that is endorsed by the American Red Cross at The Red Cross Shop.

Source: hometips.com

Inspector's Top 10

Know how extensive repairs will be before you take them on.
1.
The house has poor drainage.This is the most common problem found by home inspectors. To improve drainage, you may have to install a new system of roof gutters and downspouts or have the lot re-graded to better channel water away from the house.
2.
The house has faulty wiring.An insufficient or out-of-date electrical system is a common problem, especially in older homes. This is a potentially hazardous defect and not to be taken lightly. You may have to replace the entire electrical system, or at least part of it, to bring this home up to code or to make it safe.
3.
The roof leaks.If the roof has water damage, it may be caused by old or damaged shingles, or improper flashing. It's cheap and relatively easy to repair shingles and small amounts of flashing, but if the roof is old, you face a much larger expense to replace the whole thing.
4.
The house has an unsafe heating system.An older heating system or one that has been poorly maintained can be a serious health and safety hazard. You may have to repair or replace the old furnace. This is a major expense, but new furnaces are more energy-efficient, which will probably save you money down the line. If your heating system is anything but electrical, install carbon monoxide detectors in a couple of locations in the house.
5.
The whole house has been poorly maintained.Examples of poor maintenance include cracked or peeling paint, crumbling masonry, broken fixtures or shoddy wiring or plumbing. You can easily repaint a wall, replace a fixture or repair a brick wall, but makeshift electrical or plumbing situations are serious and potentially dangerous problems. Replace any such wires or pipes.
6.
The house has minor structural damage.Minor structural damage means the house is not likely to fall down, but you should deal with the problem before it becomes more serious. Such damage is usually caused by water seepage into the foundation, floor joists, rafters or window and door headers. First you need to fix the cause of the problem (a leaky roof, for example), then repair or replace any damaged pieces. The more extensive the damage, the more expensive it will be to repair.
7.
The house has plumbing problems.The most common plumbing defects include old or incompatible piping materials and faulty fixtures or waste lines. These may require simple repairs, such as replacing a fixture, or more expensive measures, such as replacing the plumbing itself.
8.
The house's exterior lets in water and air around windows and doors. This usually does not indicate a structural problem, rather poor caulking and weather stripping that require relatively simple and inexpensive repairs around windows and doors..
9.
The house is inadequately ventilated.Poor ventilation can result in too much moisture that wreaks havoc on interior walls and structural elements. It can also exacerbate allergic reactions. Install ventilation fans in every bathroom if there are no windows, and regularly open all the windows in your home. To repair damage caused by poor ventilation, you may only have to replace drywall and other inexpensive pieces. If you have to replace a structural element, it will be more expensive.
10.
The house has an environmental hazard.Environmental problems are a new and growing area of home defects. They include lead-based paint (common in homes built before 1978), asbestos, formaldehyde, contaminated drinking water, radon and leaking underground oil tanks. You usually need to arrange a special inspection to determine environmental problems, and they're usually expensive to fix. For example, it costs $1,000 to install a radon-ventilation system, and about $6,000 to remove a leaking oil tank.

Source: realestate.msn.com

Secrets to Bathroom Shelving

"Soothing and simple" are the watchwords as spa- and Asian-influenced bathroom decor becomes ever more popular. In this design climate, open shelves are a natural choice for both "have to have" storage and "nice to have" decorative displays.
"Open shelving is now being integrated into bathroom designs as another architectural element, particularly in line with today's modern decorating style," says Deborah Burnett, residential design spokesperson for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
Within the contemporary look, open-shelving options leave a lot of room for individual style, from free-standing floor-to-ceiling units to a cultured marble shelf running along top of a 4-inch splash next to the tub.
"One thing we're doing more and more is adding open shelving to the space on the walls on either end of big tubs or whirlpools," says Leslie L. Christoffel, a designer with Nova Kitchen & Bath in Arden, N.C. Bathers use those shelves for massage oils and candles and, of course, towels. This is where you tend to find the materials that tie in with the whirlpool: shelves made of cultured marble, tile or granite.
"Another popular option is a cubby style shelf, where you can roll up towels and store them inside like a mail slot, and have room on top for display," she says. "People are also using shelves that look like a large wine cradle to store rolled towels."
Christoffel has also been known to use the space on the counter between the sink bowls in a large master bath for shelves, an ideal spot for stylish shelves like the 16" x 5" x 21.5" high Stinson Recessed Wall Shelf by Pottery Barn. In tight-on-space baths, corner shelves like Lacava's wall-mounted corner structure with three clear glass shelves are a boon; and small chrome pieces like its wall-mounted polished chrome towel shelf are just made to make the most of the idle space above the toilet tank.
Another option is a decorative shelf with hooks below it, like the Pottery Barn's Five-Hook Wave Wall-Mounted Towel Rack. And shelves with towel racks below abound, many of them part of a larger accessory "suite," like Moen's Bamboo Signature Accessory curved towel bar with shelf.
Just make sure you measure before you buy one of these combos. "You have to hang high enough so the things you hang don't drag, but you don't want the shelf to be so high you can't reach it," says Christoffel.
Burnett, also an interior designer and licensed building contractor in Nashville, Tenn., recommends including some open shelving into freestanding storage pieces, particularly in a smaller bathroom that needs all the storage space you can muster. "Alternate a row of towels with a shelf of cool baskets filled with grooming products, or place some baskets on the top shelf of a taller unit and pop in your hair dryer or other electric appliances," she says.
Baskets are just the start of decorative containers that look great and can still hold necessities like cotton balls or bath oil beads. Consider antique Ball jars, cut-glass decanters, ceramic ginger jars, even the Italian glass bottles with stoppers sold to hold olive oil or vintage kitchen cookie jars.
Lots of manufacturers are rising to meet the need for containers that look spiffy on an open bathroom shelf, too, like Kohler with its Russian Teacup countertop accessories, inspired by the lavish Russian Imperial style in cobalt blue and gold blended with jade accents on a white background.
You can also use a small shelf to make a design statement of its own — every bathroom accessory designer worth its salt seems to be designing an arty version. Lacava, for example, offers up a wall mounted corner glass shelf with polished chrome bracket that's dipped and graceful, 9 1/4" x 6 1/2" of loveliness that can also display a candle, some soap, you name it. Kohler's Portrait Lavatory Shelf is white, long and lean, 21-5/8'' x 4-3/4'' x 3-3/4'' with a metropolitan feel. It looks great over a sink or on a small stretch of bathroom wall, whether it's full of shaving soap and razors or decorative bottles of scent and little ceramic figurines.
But in most cases, shelves should match your decor, says Christoffel. "Unless it's just a single decorative shelf, usually the material for open shelves should be painted or stained the same as what you use for the rest of the cabinets for a unified look."
And no matter how gorgeous the shelf or how representative of your personal style, keep in mind that it is, first and foremost, out in the open. "Whether you're displaying decorative or utilitarian items, you have to be able to keep them neat on open shelving," says Christoffel.
If you and your bathroom-mates can't handle the tidy factor, opt for shelves behind closed doors.

Source: hgtv.com

Your 5-minute guide to home loans

What's the best way to pay for the biggest purchase you'll likely ever make?
You can be sure of two things: Many lenders will offer far more money than you can truly afford to repay, and the fine print can have life-changing consequences.
First, consider your income and debts, even your credit, before figuring out the maximum amount you should borrow. It may not be as much as some banks will lend you, but it should be within your means to repay.
Once you've got an idea of how much you can afford to borrow:
Get preapproved for a mortgage. Unlike "prequalifying," preapproval means you have a loan lined up, which makes your offer more attractive to sellers. You don't have to accept a loan from a company that preapproves it.
If you suspect interest rates are going to rise before you close, pay to lock your rate in place.
Consider buying discount points to reduce your interest rate only if you plan to be in the house long enough to recoup that money and then some.
If you're a first-time homebuyer or are low-income, look for financing through your local or state board of housing. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs offers help for military personnel and veterans.
Dozens of mortgage products are available. You have to decide which one best fits your spending plans. Consider these:
30-year fixed rate. Compared with an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, you'll pay a slightly higher interest rate but have the comfort of knowing it won't change over the life of the loan. Consider a 15-year mortgage to save thousands in interest if you can afford a higher monthly payment.
ARM. Sometimes known as "hybrid" loans, ARMs offer a low fixed rate of interest at the beginning of the loan, followed by rate adjustments that are tied to an index. For instance, a 5/1 loan has a fixed rate in the first five years and a rate that's adjusted every year after that. These mortgages may work well for people who plan to move or refinance their homes with a fixed-rate mortgage before the interest begins to ratchet up.
Option ARM. You can pay the full interest and principal due each month or just the interest, or make a partial interest payment. The third option is particularly hazardous because the unpaid interest will be added to the principal you owe.
Interest only. You pay only interest for the first five years or so and both interest and principal in the remaining 25 years. Another version is the interest-only fixed-rate mortgage. Like ARMs, you'll end up with substantially higher monthly payments unless you sell or refinance your home. If your income can support only the interest payment, rather than principal and interest, you should not be buying a home.
With so many types of mortgages to choose from, it's essential to understand the terms of the loan before you sign:
Will the interest on your ARM be adjusted every year, every six months or every month?
Is there a cap on the interest? Does the cap apply to the first adjustment or only to subsequent adjustments? Is there a cap on your payments, which could cause your obligation to soar?
Watch out for prepayment penalties and balloon payments.
Private mortgage insurance, known as PMI, can cost hundreds of dollars a month.
You can avoid having to buy private mortgage insurance (which protects the lender, not you) by putting down at least 20% on your home.
You could also take out what's known as a piggyback loan. Your primary loan would cover the first 80% of the value of your house. A piggyback loan is a second mortgage that would cover the remainder, usually at a much higher interest rate.
If you have to buy private mortgage insurance, ask to have it canceled when you've reduced your loan balance to 80% of your home's appraised value. Once you've reduced your loan balance to 78%, the lender must cancel your PMI unless you're considered a credit risk.
If you already have a mortgage, you may be tempted to refinance when interest rates drop. Don't make a decision based simply on the availability of lower rates. Would you actually pay less when you figure in the closing costs?

Source: realestate.msn.com

Location, Location, Location -- What Does That Mean?

When a homebuyer is thinking of buying a home, they sometimes wonder aloud about the most important thing they should consider. Of course, you need to find a home that provides everything you need in a home, but after that?
A Realtor often replies with the phrase, "location, location, location."
It's become an almost hackneyed phrase, but it still has meaning.
Where a home is located is the most important factor in it's value -- both now and in the future.
For example, suppose you are buying a new home and have a choice between two identical houses. One is located close to the center of the tract and the other backs up to a potentially busy street. The house in the center of the tract will have a greater value.
On the other hand, you may be able to buy a four bedroom house on the edge of the tract for the same price it would cost to buy a three bedroom house on the interior of the tract.
And so on...
In an old-fashioned neighborhood with square blocks, a house in the middle of the block will have more value than an identical house located on the corner. Corners have more traffic.
A single family house in an area where there are mostly other single family homes will retain its value better than a similar home in an area where there are apartments, condominiums, or businesses -- not because apartments and condo are "bad" -- but because the neighborhood is fairly homogeneous. All the properties are similar to one another.
And so on...
A home in a thriving vibrant community will have more value than a home in a city where industries are failing, the roads are uncared for and schools are on the decline.
All other things being equal, a home in a desirable location is more valuable than an identical or similar home in a less desirable location.
So when deciding what you "need" in a home versus what you "want" in a home, sometimes it makes sense to settle for what you need in a desirable location -- providing resale value is important to you.
That's all real estate agents mean when they say "location, location, location." Location is important because it is the greatest determining factor in value.

Source: realestateabc.com

July gardening checklist

While you're standing at the grill, brushing barbecue sauce on sizzling chicken and passing out cold ones to your friends, remember that your garden friends will be extra thirsty this month too. Gardens should explode with color and fruit this month, as long as you don't let them dry out -- and be ferocious about pest and weed control.
Annuals
Go wild! "Color spots," usually sold in 4-inch, 6-inch or 1-gallon pots, can go straight from the pot into the ground to instantly jazz up colorless corners.
Check all annuals often for dryness; new plantings are especially needy as they establish their roots.
Deadhead spent blossoms -- snap or snip them off -- to reinvigorate flowering plants; you'll be rewarded by more flower and root growth.
For a second bloom, cut annuals back to half their height and fertilize.
Replace dead annuals with hardy annual or perennial newcomers.
Perennials
Perennials can be transplanted all month; keep on top of deadheading duties.
In mild climates, fertilize roses once a month throughout the summer.
Bearded irises should be separated and given a bit more space between now and August, especially if it hasn't been done in the past three to five years.
After the last iris blooms fade, stop giving them water.
When leaves start turning brown, trim them down to green areas in a two-snip pyramid shape.
Dig them up and cut apart their knobby rhizomes.
Set them in the shade for a few days to harden off.
Replant at the same depth (rhizomes should be approximately level with the ground) in soil that's been amended with processed manure and compost.
Lawns
If you're an inveterate summer waterer, your lawn might need a light application of fertilizer this month, even if it was fertilized in early spring.
When mowing, recycle nutrients by letting lawn clippings stay in place, or spread them with a rake.
Water early in the morning before the sun is at its hottest, so that plants benefit before evaporation takes place.
Water deeply and less often -- say, an hour once a week. Aim sprinklers so that their spray benefits life forms only; water on the sidewalk is water wasted!
In dry weather, trim lawn edges.
Cleanup
Think of July as maintenance month, and roll up the sleeves on that denim shirt.
Take no prisoners in the war against weeds.
Trim periwinkle and other ground covers after they've finished blooming.
Thin plants to give them better air circulation and exposure to the sun.
Compost
All that nice bacteria you've been nurturing as future plant food needs a little extra attention in the dog days of summer.
Keep feeding the pile with organic materials.
Turn compost at least once a week.
If compost becomes too dry the bacteria will die, so give your heap a shower whenever it starts to get crusty.
Vegetables
Even in the heart of summer, in most areas you can keep planting vegetables for fall harvest.
Plant potatoes early in the month.
Sow seeds of these leafy green and red vegetables: spinach, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, radishes, beets, carrots, peas, bush beans, onions and scallions.
As you start to enjoy the fruits of your labor, there are always a few things you can fiddle with in the vegetable garden.
Tomatoes and peppers are shameless sun lovers, so you should see lots of growth. Keep them off the ground, and harvest them as soon as they ripen so pests don't beat you to the draw.
Keep mulch around tomato plants evenly spread and slightly moist.
Plant veggies now for fall and winter harvest.
Transplant greens such as kale and collards, broccoli, cauliflower and early cabbage.
Transplant colorful ornamental kale in midmonth.
Greenhouse
When it's hot outdoors, greenhouses can turn into pressure cookers. Be sure those thirsty hothouse tomatoes and cucumbers are kept satisfied. Provide adequate ventilation during hot months, especially before making a summer getaway.
Pest control
Pests are everywhere, but if you've had a rainy June, you're looking at some serious damage control now.
Root rot is a frequent hazard of wet seasons; help prevent it by thinning mulch around vulnerable plants.
Look for slugs under moist mulch and in ground cover -- a favorite retreat.
Spray honeysuckles for aphids every 10 to 14 days; spray them with an insecticidal soap or give them a strong blast with a hose.
Weeds
The weeds you didn't catch before flowering are probably supping happily on your soil now; stay ahead of the game as the next generation peeps up.
Hoe young weeds and leave them in place with their roots exposed. If you do this early on a sunny day, the sun will do the rest of the work.
Pruning
Because pruning stimulates new growth, if you expect an early winter or you're in a cold-winter region, avoid pruning trees and bushes. In milder climates, prune dead wood from shrubs and trees in early to midsummer.
Thin apples and pears.
Trim back lindens, boxwoods and other hedges.
Harvest
As the saying goes, you reap just what you sow, and this month you should be getting plenty of perks from your spring efforts.
Harvest ripe vegetables and fruits as soon as possible to stay a step ahead of pests.
Help strawberry plants stay strong after harvest: Clear out weeds, then clip or high-mow tops, avoiding plant crowns.
Container plants
Container plants get extremely thirsty in summer months and may need water as often as once or twice a day. If you're a newcomer to container gardening, you're in for a treat!
Planters can be tucked into any cranny. Fill in bare garden spots, arrange them on steps and along walkways, frame a garage door, set them on railings, or circle them around the old oak tree.
Variety is the spice of container gardening. Combine containers of different shapes, sizes, colors and textures.
Try grouping similar flowers with a zap of something completely different. Don't worry about being perfect; just choose plants you like and learn as you go.
Move pots around, from sun to shade, or just for a change of mood.
Branch out from terra-cotta pots and window boxes. Containers made of resin and other synthetics are available in a riot of shapes and styles, from "estate classic" to "Mediterranean" -- and they're lightweight. Or get funky with old washbasins and hand-painted coffee cans. Just be sure that containers have drainage holes in the bottom.

Source: realestate.msn